Obtaining a proper fold of affinity tagged chimera proteins can be difficult. Frequently, the protein of interest aggregates after the chimeric affinity tag is cleaved off, even when the entire chimeric construct is initially soluble. If the attached protein is incorrectly folded, chaperone proteins such as GroEL bind to the misfolded construct and complicate both folding and affinity purification. Since chaperonin/osmolyte mixtures facilitate correct folding from the chaperonin, we explored the possibility that we could use this intrinsic binding reaction to advantage to refold two difficult-to-fold chimeric constructs. In one instance, we were able to recover activity from a properly folded construct after the construct was released from the chaperonin in the presence of osmolytes. As an added advantage, we have also found that this method involving chaperonins can enable researchers to decide 1) if further stabilization of the folded product is required and 2) if the protein construct in question will ever be competent to fold with osmolytes.

Purpose Patients presenting to emergency departments (EDs) following head injury often undergo computed tomography (CT) of the head to exclude traumatic brain injury. In many cases, this does not show the maxillofacial skeleton. A proportion of these patients also sustain facial fractures, and when fractures involve the orbits, CT imaging is useful in diagnosis and management; obtaining a second scan may cause delay, incur greater cost, and increase radiation dose. The aim of this preliminary study was to examine the value of signs and symptoms of orbital fractures in predicting a fracture on CT. Methods The clinical records of 47 patients who underwent CT of the face following facial trauma were retrospectively examined for the presence of signs and symptoms of orbital fractures. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive values (PPV) were then calculated for each sign and symptom for the presence of an orbital fracture on CT. We also described a clinical decision instrument and examined the predictive values of this. Results Change in the position of the globe, reduced visual acuity, subconjunctival haemorrhage and change in sensation in the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve were the most specific signs and symptoms for orbital fracture. Our clinical decision instrument had 80.0% sensitivity, 75.0% specificity, 90.3% PPVand 56.3% NPV for predicting the presence of an orbital fracture on CT in this population. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that signs and symptoms of orbital fractures may be useful for predicting these injuries, and a decision instrument could be used in the ED to identify patients likely to benefit from extending the radiation field to include the orbits where CT of the head is already planned. This work is however exploratory; and further prospective validation is required before a robust instrument can be recommended for clinical use.

Purpose This paper aims to describe a successful outreach to transfer students through an interactive information literacy game. While the main purpose of the game is to introduce students to research and university library resources, it also allows for an analysis of incoming students’ information literacy skills. Design/methodology/approach This case study outlines the evolution of the game from a test-like tutorial administered through the Blackboard course management system to an interactive game in two iterations, describing the game in relation to game design and best practices and discussing how the artwork for the game was created. An analysis of data from student answers to the game questions over time shows what librarians have learned about the information literacy skills of incoming transfer students. Finally, student feedback about the game collected through a survey is presented along with ideas for future modifications. Findings This paper provides insights into the design and creation process of an interactive information literacy game and a model for how similar games can help librarians assess students’ information literacy skills. Practical implications Transfer students are hard to reach as a group at many institutions. An interactive game targeted to transfers during the admissions process is a potentially effective way to reach out to them. Originality/value This paper brings together two important issues in the library literature: how to reach out to transfer students and educational library games. Librarians involved with these issues will benefit from the paper’s insights and practical advice.

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