Saxion University of Applied Sciences

About: Saxion University of Applied Sciences is a education organization based out in Enschede, Netherlands. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Health care & Context (language use). The organization has 390 authors who have published 653 publications receiving 8859 citations. The organization is also known as: Saxion University of Applied Sciences.

Mechanistic insights into the specificity of human cytosolic sulfotransferase 2A1 (hSULT2A1) for hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls through the use of fluoro-tagged probes

Abstract: Determining the relationships between the structures of substrates and inhibitors and their interactions with drug-metabolizing enzymes is of prime importance in predicting the toxic potential of new and legacy xenobiotics. Traditionally, quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) studies are performed with many distinct compounds. Based on the chemical properties of the tested compounds, complex relationships can be established so that models can be developed to predict toxicity of novel compounds. In this study, the use of fluorinated analogues as supplemental QSAR compounds was investigated. Substituting fluorine induces changes in electronic and steric properties of the substrate without substantially changing the chemical backbone of the substrate. In vitro assays were performed using purified human cytosolic sulfotransferase hSULT2A1 as a model enzyme. A mono-hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyl (4-OH PCB 14) and its four possible mono-fluoro analogues were used as test compounds. Remarkable similarities were found between this approach and previously published QSAR studies for hSULT2A1. Both studies implicate the importance of dipole moment and dihedral angle as being important to PCB structure in respect to being substrates for hSULT2A1. We conclude that mono-fluorinated analogues of a target substrate can be a useful tool to study the structure activity relationships for enzyme specificity.

Entrepreneurs, Art and Innovation

Abstract: Research on the opportunity recognition stage in the process of entrepreneurships is still in an early stage. This paper is covering the possibility of art as being one of the inspirational sources for entrepreneurs. Once aware of it, an unavoidable observation seems to be: innovative entrepreneurs love art. But is this true? And if it is true what can be the reasons for entrepreneurs to love art? This paper will address these questions by analyzing the data from a project with nine entrepreneurs and nine artists followed by interviews of 14 art-loving entrepreneurs and managers.

TriPleX™-based Micro Ring Resonators for Food Safety Applications

Abstract: Micro Ring Resonators (MRRs) have become the workhorse in photonics, both for data/telecom as well as bio-chemical sensing applications. Here, the use of MRRs based on TriPleX technology for food safety applications will be discussed.

Application of a Bio-Based Coating for Wood as a Construction Material: Fire Retardancy and Impact on Performance Characteristics

Abstract: The use of living micro-organisms as a protection method on surfaces of wooden building components becomes more common. Since wood is one of the relevant building materials to be used in a circular economy, fire safety and environmental issues are relevant aspects. Up to now, there is little experience in their potential contribution to fire-retardancy. This research aimed to get more information of a wood treatment with a so-called biofinish in combination with an ammonium phosphate based fire retardant. This biofinish system is comprised of a linseed oil impregnation and a protective and decorative coating based on the yeast-like fungus Aureobasidium [1]. Initial tests of wood treated with this biofinish and an ammonium phosphate based fire retardant showed positive effects on the fire growth rate index (FIGRA) and the heat release rate (HRR) in an European fire classification as well as in thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) assessments [2]. This is remarkable since linseed-oil is part of the coating formulation and used by the fungus as a nutrient. The behavior of samples treated with an ammonium phosphate based fire retardant and the biofinish was further studied in an one-year exposure test. This test revealed the potential esthetical stability of such a coating. The study resulted in crack formation and leaching of samples treated with ammonium phosphate and biofinish and stood in contrast with the behavior of wood samples treated with biofinish without an ammonium phosphate treatment.