Tratamiento de depósitos electroforéticos de YBa2Cu3O7 sobre substratos policristalinos mediante fusión zonal por láser

[EN] Obtaining coatings on metallic substrates of irregular geometries is not easy by traditional methods. In those cases electrochemical methods show important advantages and have been used successfully. To date only silver has shown to be inert with respect to superconducting cuprates, although progress has been made in the development of intermediate buffer layers. However, in the particular case of YBa2Cu3O7 , annealing above the cuprate superconducting melting point to attempt densification or texturing is hard on silver because of the lower melting point of the metal. . Focalized heating of superconducting oxides over metallic substrates, using LASER techniques on controlled geometries, allows densification of coatings. The Laser processed sample may be amorphous but the crystallinity is easily recovered, as well as the optimal oxygen content for the oxide, but the preferential orientation induced by the electrophoretic deposition is lost upon the recrystallization process occurring over polycrystaline substrates.[ES] La realización de depósitos de óxidos superconductores sobre substratos metálicos de geometría compleja y en general policristalinos está prácticamente basada en métodos electroforéticos o electroquímicos que permiten la utilización de un campo eléctrico de geometría definida para inducir el movimiento de partículas de óxido o de precursores de éste, hacia el electrodo elegido. Dichos métodos son fundamentales cuando el substrato es metálico o puede hacerse metálico con facilidad. Hasta el presente tan sólo la plata ha mostrado ser lo suficientemente inerte para permitir recocidos posteriores, aunque se está progresando en el desarrollo de capas “buffer”. Sin embargo, cuando el óxido depositado es YBa2Cu3O7 , el proceso de recocido posterior no permite la obtención de textura sobre Ag mediante métodos térmicos dado el inferior punto de fusión de este metal. El presente trabajo presenta un estudio de fusión zonal por láser que permite recocer el óxido sin fundir el substrato metálico de plata. El control de las distintas variables permite llegar a una solución en la que se puede preservar la naturaleza superconductora del depósito y su densificación. Ello requiere un tratamiento térmico posterior que recupera la cristalinidad y el contenido óptimo de oxígeno. Sin embargo, el tratamiento disminuye la orientación preferencial de las partículas de YBa2Cu3O7 que se obtiene mediante la deposición electroforética.The authors want to thank the Spanish Ministery of Culture (former Science and Education) for financing through grants CICYT MAT96-1057-c02-01, PB98-0491 and graduate fellowships, and REE for the contract CSIC-REE on 1997- 1998.Peer reviewe

The TNFR1 antagonist Atrosimab reduces neuronal loss, glial activation and memory deficits in an acute mouse model of neurodegeneration

Abstract Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and its key role in modulating immune responses has been widely recognized as a therapeutic target for inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Even though inhibition of TNF-α is beneficial for the treatment of certain inflammatory diseases, total neutralization of TNF-α largely failed in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. TNF-α exerts distinct functions depending on interaction with its two TNF receptors, whereby TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) is associated with neuroinflammation and apoptosis and TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2) with neuroprotection and immune regulation. Here, we investigated the effect of administering the TNFR1-specific antagonist Atrosimab, as strategy to block TNFR1 signaling while maintaining TNFR2 signaling unaltered, in an acute mouse model for neurodegeneration. In this model, a NMDA-induced lesion that mimics various hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases, such as memory loss and cell death, was created in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis and Atrosimab or control protein was administered centrally. We showed that Atrosimab attenuated cognitive impairments and reduced neuroinflammation and neuronal cell death. Our results demonstrate that Atrosimab is effective in ameliorating disease symptoms in an acute neurodegenerative mouse model. Altogether, our study indicates that Atrosimab may be a promising candidate for the development of a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

Prospective individual patient data meta-analysis of two randomized trials on convalescent plasma for COVID-19 outpatients

Data on convalescent plasma (CP) treatment in COVID-19 outpatients are scarce. We aimed to assess whether CP administered during the first week of symptoms reduced the disease progression or risk of hospitalization of outpatients. Two multicenter, double-blind randomized trials (NCT04621123, NCT04589949) were merged with data pooling starting when = 50 years and symptomatic for <= 7days were included. The intervention consisted of 200-300mL of CP with a predefined minimum level of antibodies. Primary endpoints were a 5-point disease severity scale and a composite of hospitalization or death by 28 days. Amongst the 797 patients included, 390 received CP and 392 placebo; they had a median age of 58 years, 1 comorbidity, 5 days symptoms and 93% had negative IgG antibody-test. Seventy-four patients were hospitalized, 6 required mechanical ventilation and 3 died. The odds ratio (OR) of CP for improved disease severity scale was 0.936 (credible interval (CI) 0.667-1.311); OR for hospitalization or death was 0.919 (CI 0.592-1.416). CP effect on hospital admission or death was largest in patients with <= 5 days of symptoms (OR 0.658, 95%CI 0.394-1.085). CP did not decrease the time to full symptom resolution

Electrochemical Oxidation of Silver and Copper in Aqueous Basic Media and in Fused Hydroxide Electrolytes

[ES]: En este trabajo se describe la oxidación anódico de electrodos de plata y de cobre en medios básicos. Se han utilizado tanto medios acuosos como hidróxidos fundidos (eutéctico NaOH/KOH). Los procesos de oxidación se han estudiado mediante voltametría cíclica y cronoamperometría, y las fases resultantes han sido caracterizadas por difracción de Rayos X. Los rangos de estabilidad encontrados para cada uno dependen del medio utilizado. Además de óxidos conocidos de cobre y de plata, se ha aislado un nuevo óxido de plata.[EN]: The anodic oxidations of copper and silver electrodes in basic media are reported. Experiments were conducted both in aqueous NaOH solutions and in a flux of molten NaOH/KOH eutectic. The oxidation processes were studied by means of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometries and the phases obtained were systematically characterized by x-ray diffraction. The ranges of stability of each phase in the different media studied are reported. In addition to known oxides of copper or silver, a new silver oxide was isolated.This work was funded by the MCyT(Spain), Plan Nacional de Materiales (MAT2001-1709-C04-01 and MAT2002-04529-C03, MAT96- 1057-c02-01and PGC PB98-0491). We also thank the Ministry of Education and Culture (Spain) for a predoctoral fellowship awarded to EMT-R.Peer reviewe

Electrochemistry of Ag2Cu2O3 and synthesis of Ag2Cu2O4

[ES]: Recientemente se ha sintetizado en nuestro laboratorio el primer óxido mixto de cobre y plata. Tal síntesis ha sido posible gracias a la utilización de métodos de química suave y baja temperatura, que impiden que los óxidos de plata se descompongan. En este trabajo se describe el estudio llevado a cabo sobre el comportamiento electroquímico del óxido mixto de cobre y plata, Ag2Cu2O3 ,mediante voltametría cíclica y electrólisis tanto para los procesos de oxidación como de reducción. Dicho compuesto sufre varios procesos redox cuando es reducido, obteniéndose plata metálica y cobre metálico como productos finales, sin que se dé regeneración del óxido al volver a oxidar a éstos. En cambio al ser oxidado el Ag2Cu2O3, se observa la formación de una fase oxidada de estequiometría Ag2Cu2O4±δ a partir de la cual se puede regenerar el compuesto original.[EN]: The first silver-copper mixed oxide was recently synthesized in our laboratory. Such synthesis has been possible using soft chemistry methods and low temperatures, which prevent the decomposition of silver oxides. The present work describes the electrochemical behaviour of the silver-copper mixed oxide, Ag2Cu2O3, as studied by cyclic voltametry and electrolysis, both for oxidation and for reduction reactions. This compound undergoes several redox processes when it is reduced, yielding metallic silver and metallic copper as final products. The initial oxide is not regenerated upon re-oxidation. On the other hand, when Ag2Cu2O3 is oxidized a new phase with stoichiometry Ag2Cu2O4±δ appears.The original compound can be regenerated after a new reduction.Los autores quieren agradecer al Ministerio Español de Ciencia y Tecnología por la financiación de este trabajo a través del proyecto CICYT MAT96-1057-c02-01, PB98-0491 y de becas predoctorales de D. Muñoz y E. Tejada.Peer reviewe

Electrochemical Oxidation of Silver and Copper in Aqueous Basic Media and in Fused Hydroxide Electrolytes

The anodic oxidations of copper and silver electrodes in basic media are reported. Experiments were conducted both in aqueous NaOH solutions and in a flux of molten NaOH/KOH eutectic. The oxidation processes were studied by means of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometries and the phases obtained were systematically characterized by x-ray diffraction. The ranges of stability of each phase in the different media studied are reported. In addition to known oxides of copper or silver, a new silver oxide was isolated.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;En este trabajo se describe la oxidación anódico de electrodos de plata y de cobre en medios básicos. Se han utilizado tanto medios acuosos como hidróxidos fundidos (eutéctico NaOH/KOH). Los procesos de oxidación se han estudiado mediante voltametría cíclica y cronoamperometría, y las fases resultantes han sido caracterizadas por difracción de Rayos X. Los rangos de estabilidad encontrados para cada uno dependen del medio utilizado. Además de óxidos conocidos de cobre y de plata, se ha aislado un nuevo óxido de plata

Preparación de nuevos catalizadores basados en óxidos de plata y cobre y su uso en reacciones de oxidación.

Fecha de solicitud: 30.05.2003.- Titular: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC).[EN]The invention relates to the preparation of novel copper- and silver-oxide-based catalysts and the use thereof in oxidation reactions. More specifically, the inventive materials and methods involve the development of novel catalysts based on mixed silver-copper oxides. The aforementioned materials are used as oxidation catalysts and, in particular, as catalysts in the partial oxidation of alcohols, with the purpose of combining the catalytic activity of both metals at a molecular level into one single compound. Moreover, said materials exhibit good catalytic activity for the above-mentioned reactions even at temperatures as low as 170 DEG C. To date, there has been no precedent of mixed silver-copper oxides, or synthetic compounds or natural minerals, and the catalysts outlined above constitute the first of said type. [ES]Los materiales y procedimientos patentados involucran el desarrollo de nuevos catalizadores basados en óxidos mixtos de cobre y plata. Dichos materiales se utilizan como catalizadores de oxidación y, en particular, como catalizadores en la oxidación parcial de alcoholes con el fin de combinar la actividad catalítica de ambos metales a nivel molecular en un solo compuesto. Dichos materiales muestran una buena actividad catalítica para dichas reacciones incluso a temperaturas bajas de tan sólo 170 DEG C. De hecho, no ha habido hasta la fecha ningún precedente de óxidos mixtos de cobre y plata, ni compuestos sintéticos ni minerales naturales, y los catalizadores presentados aquí constituyen los primeros de este tipo.Peer reviewe

A TNF receptor 2 agonist ameliorates neuropathology and improves cognition in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a pleiotropic, proinflammatory cytokine related to different neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although the linkage between increased TNF-α levels and AD is widely recognized, TNF-α–neutralizing therapies have failed to treat AD. Previous research has associated this with the antithetic functions of the two TNF receptors, TNF receptor 1, associated with inflammation and apoptosis, and TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2), associated with neuroprotection. In our study, we investigated the effects of specifically stimulating TNFR2 with a TNFR2 agonist (NewStar2) in a transgenic Aβ-overexpressing mouse model of AD by administering NewStar2 in two different ways: centrally, via implantation of osmotic pumps, or systemically by intraperitoneal injections. We found that both centrally and systemically administered NewStar2 resulted in a drastic reduction in amyloid β deposition and β-secretase 1 expression levels. Moreover, activation of TNFR2 increased microglial and astrocytic activation and promoted the uptake and degradation of Aβ. Finally, cognitive functions were also improved after NewStar2 treatment. Our results demonstrate that activation of TNFR2 mitigates Aβ-induced cognitive deficits and neuropathology in an AD mouse model and indicates that TNFR2 stimulation might be a potential treatment for AD

A TNF receptor 2 agonist ameliorates neuropathology and improves cognition in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a pleiotropic, proinflammatory cytokine related to different neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although the linkage between increased TNF-α levels and AD is widely recognized, TNF-α-neutralizing therapies have failed to treat AD. Previous research has associated this with the antithetic functions of the two TNF receptors, TNF receptor 1, associated with inflammation and apoptosis, and TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2), associated with neuroprotection. In our study, we investigated the effects of specifically stimulating TNFR2 with a TNFR2 agonist (NewStar2) in a transgenic Aβ-overexpressing mouse model of AD by administering NewStar2 in two different ways: centrally, via implantation of osmotic pumps, or systemically by intraperitoneal injections. We found that both centrally and systemically administered NewStar2 resulted in a drastic reduction in amyloid β deposition and β-secretase 1 expression levels. Moreover, activation of TNFR2 increased microglial and astrocytic activation and promoted the uptake and degradation of Aβ. Finally, cognitive functions were also improved after NewStar2 treatment. Our results demonstrate that activation of TNFR2 mitigates Aβ-induced cognitive deficits and neuropathology in an AD mouse model and indicates that TNFR2 stimulation might be a potential treatment for AD