Capillary Balancing: Designing Frost-Resistant Lubricant-Infused Surfaces

Slippery lubricant-infused surfaces (SLIPS) have shown great promise for anti-frosting and anti-icing. However, small length scales associated with frost dendrites exert immense capillary suction pressure on the lubricant. This pressure depletes the lubricant film and is detrimental to the functionality of SLIPS. To prevent lubricant depletion, we demonstrate that interstitial spacing in SLIPS needs to be kept below those found in frost dendrites. Densely packed nanoparticles create the optimally sized nanointerstitial features in SLIPS (Nano-SLIPS). The capillary pressure stabilizing the lubricant in Nano-SLIPS balances or exceeds the capillary suction pressure by frost dendrites. We term this concept capillary balancing. Three-dimensional spatial analysis via confocal microscopy reveals that lubricants in optimally structured Nano-SLIPS are not affected throughout condensation (0 °C), extreme frosting (−20 °C to −100 °C), and traverse ice-shearing (−10 °C) tests. These surfaces preserve low ice adhesion (10–30 kPa) over 50 icing cycles, demonstrating a design principle for next-generation anti-icing surfaces.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Immunological effects of a single hemodialysis treatment

Immune disorders, involving both innate and adaptive response, are common in patients with end-stage renal disease under chronic hemodialysis. Endogenous and exogenous factors, such as uremic toxins and the extracorporeal treatment itself, alter the immune balance, leading to chronic inflammation and higher risk of cardiovascular events. Several studies have previously described the immune effects of chronic hemodialysis and the possibility to modulate inflammation through more biocompatible dialyzers and innovative techniques. On the other hand, very limited data are available on the possible immunological effects of a single hemodialysis treatment. In spite of the lacking information about the immunological reactivity related to a single session, there is evidence to indicate that mediators of innate and adaptive response, above all complement cascade and T cells, are implicated in immune system modulation during hemodialysis treatment. Expanding our understanding of these modulations represents a necessary basis to develop pro-tolerogenic strategies in specific conditions, like hemodialysis in septic patients or the last session prior to kidney transplant in candidates for receiving a graft

Adaptive Mechanisms of Renal Bile Acid Transporters in a Rat Model of Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Cirrhosis

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in advanced liver cirrhosis, a consequence of reduced kidney perfusion due to splanchnic arterial vasodilation and intrarenal vasoconstriction. It clinically manifests as hepatorenal syndrome type 1, type 2, or as acute tubular necrosis. Beyond hemodynamic factors, an additional mechanism may be hypothesized to explain the renal dysfunction during liver cirrhosis. Recent evidence suggest that such mechanisms may be closely related to obstructive jaundice. Methods: Given the not completely elucidated role of bile acids in kidney tissue damage, this study developed a rat model of AKI with liver cirrhosis induction by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) inhalation for 12 weeks. Histological analyses of renal and liver biopsies were performed at sacrifice. Organic anion tubular transporter distribution and apoptosis in kidney cells were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Circulating and urinary markers of inflammation and tubular injury were assayed in 21 treated rats over time (1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of CCl4 administration) and 5 controls. Results: No renal histopathological alterations were found at sacrifice. Comparing treated rats with controls, organic anion transporters were differentially expressed and localized. High serum bile acid values were detected in cirrhotic animals, while caspase-3 staining was negative in both groups. Increased levels of serum inflammatory and urinary tubular injury biomarkers were observed during cirrhosis progression, with a peak after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Conclusions: These findings suggest possible adaptive tubular mechanisms for bile acid transporters in response to cirrhosis-induced AKI

Ali Mustafá Cave: a new archaeological site with an early occupation in the Eastern Tandilia Mountain Range (Argentina)

Se exponen los resultados preliminares de los trabajos arqueológicos realizados en la Cueva Ali Mustafá, sitio que se suma a otros reparos rocosos usados por grupos de cazadores-recolectores bajo la modalidad de ocupaciones de corta duración ocurridas durante la transición Pleistoceno-Holoceno. La información que incorpora este nuevo sitio temprano apoya una propuesta anterior sobre el valor arqueológico que tuvieron los reparos rocosos que poseen ocupaciones efímeras, en algunos casos presentan ocupaciones redundantes y se localizan en relación estratégica con el paisaje serrano. Este sitio fue seleccionado para su uso como paradero durante las travesías por los valles serranos y por su localización de alta visualización del valle de San Pedro.Here we present the preliminary results of the archaeological research in Ali Mustafá Cave. This site is one of several rockshelters used by hunter-gatherer groups for shortterm occupations during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. The data from this new early site supports previous research regarding the archaeological value of rock shelters with ephemeral occupations. In some cases, these shelters show evidence of recurrent occupations, and were located in a strategic position in relation with the surrounding mountain landscape. Due to its location with high visual dominance over the San Pedro Valley, this site was used as a stopover during movement through the intermontane valleys.Fil: Mazzanti, Diana Leonis. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Humanidades. Departamento de Historia. Laboratorio de Arqueología Regional Bonaerense; ArgentinaFil: Bonnat, Gustavo Federico. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Humanidades. Departamento de Historia. Laboratorio de Arqueología Regional Bonaerense; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Donadei Corada, Juanpablo. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Humanidades. Departamento de Historia. Laboratorio de Arqueología Regional Bonaerense; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Gustavo A.. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Geología de Costas y del Cuaternario. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto de Geología de Costas y del Cuaternario; Argentin

Ali Mustafá Cave: a new archaeological site with an early occupation in the Eastern Tandilia Mountain Range (Argentina)

Se exponen los resultados preliminares de los trabajos arqueológicos realizados en la Cueva Alí Mustafá. Este sitio se suma a otros reparos rocosos usados por grupos de cazadores-recolectores bajo la modalidad de ocupaciones de corta duración ocurridas durante la transición Pleistoceno-Holoceno. La información que incorpora este nuevo sitio temprano apoya la propuesta anterior sobre el valor arqueológico que tuvieron los reparos rocosos que poseen ocupaciones efímeras. En algunos casos presentan ocupaciones redundantes y se localizan en relación estratégica con el paisaje serrano. Por su localización con alta visualización del valle de San Pedro, este sitio fue utilizado como paradero durante las travesías por los valles serranos.Here we present the preliminary results of the archaeological research in Ali Mustafá Cave. This site is one of several rockshelters used by hunter-gatherer groups for short-term occupations during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. The data from this new early site supports previous research regarding the archaeological value of rock shelters with ephemeral occupations. In some cases, these shelters show evidence of recurrent occupations, and were located in a strategic position in relation with the surrounding mountain landscape. Due to its location with high visual dominance over the San Pedro Valley, this site was used as a stopover during movement through the intermontane valleys

Hypothermic Oxygenated New Machine Perfusion System in Liver and Kidney Transplantation of Extended Criteria Donors:First Italian Clinical Trial

With the aim to explore innovative tools for organ preservation, especially in marginal organs, we hereby describe a clinical trial of ex-vivo hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE) in the field of liver (LT) and kidney transplantation (KT) from Extended Criteria Donors (ECD) after brain death. A matched-case analysis of donor and recipient variables was developed: 10 HOPE-ECD livers and kidneys (HOPE-L and HOPE-K) were matched 1:3 with livers and kidneys preserved with static cold storage (SCS-L and SCS-K). HOPE and SCS groups resulted with similar basal characteristics, both for recipients and donors. Cumulative liver and kidney graft dysfunction were 10% (HOPE L-K) vs. 31.7%, in SCS group (p = 0.05). Primary non-function was 3.3% for SCS-L vs. 0% for HOPE-L. No primary non-function was reported in HOPE-K and SCS-K. Median peak aspartate aminotransferase within 7-days post-LT was significantly higher in SCS-L when compared to HOPE-L (637 vs.344 U/L, p = 0.007). Graft survival at 1-year post-transplant was 93.3% for SCS-L vs. 100% of HOPE-L and 90% for SCS-K vs. 100% of HOPE-K. Clinical outcomes support our hypothesis of machine perfusion being a safe and effective system to reduce ischemic preservation injuries in KT and in LT