Coaxial Electrospun Cellulose-Core Fluoropolymer-Shell Fibrous Membrane from Recycled Cigarette Filter as Separator for High Performance Lithium-Ion Battery

This paper reports an eco-friendly approach for extracting cellulose acetate (CA) from waste cigarette filter to construct a cellulose-based membrane separator for a high-performance lithium-ion battery. A cellulose/poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP) nanofiber membrane was prepared by coaxial electrospinning of a cellulose acetate core and PVDF-HFP shell, then hydrolyzed by LiOH. The cellulose-core/PVD-HFP-shell fibrous membrane shows good tensile strength (34.1 MPa), high porosity (66%), excellent thermal stability (to 200 °C), and super electrolyte compatibility (355% electrolyte uptake). It has a lower interfacial resistance (98.5 Ω) and higher ionic conductivity (6.16 mS cm-1) than those of commercial separators (280.0 Ω and 0.88 mS cm-1). In addition, the rate capability (138 mAh·g-1) and cycling performance (75.4% after 100 cycles) are also superior to those of the commercial separators, demonstrating the cellulose-core fibrous membrane to be a promising separator for a high-power and more secure lithium-ion battery

Healthy ageing of cloned sheep

The health of cloned animals generated by somatic-cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has been of concern since its inception; however, there are no detailed assessments of late-onset, non-communicable diseases. Here we report that SCNT has no obvious detrimental longterm health effects in a cohort of 13 cloned sheep. We perform musculoskeletal assessments, metabolic tests and blood pressure measurements in 13 aged (7–9 years old) cloned sheep, including four derived from the cell line that gave rise to Dolly. We also perform radiological examinations of all main joints, including the knees, the joint most affected by osteoarthritis in Dolly, and compare all health parameters to groups of 5- and 6-year-old sheep, and published reference ranges. Despite their advanced age, these clones are euglycaemic, insulin sensitive and normotensive. Importantly, we observe no clinical signs of degenerative joint disease apart from mild, or in one case moderate, osteoarthritis in some animals. Our study is the first to assess the long-term health outcomes of SCNT in large animals

Aminoglutetimide: alternativa terapéutica en caninos con enfermedad de cushing (hipófiso dependiente)

El Síndrome de Cushing es de presentación frecuente en el canino, denominándose Enfermedad de Cushing o Cushing alto cuando la patología primaria asienta en la hipófisis o Cushing bajo cuando la afección es en la adrenal. El tratamiento de la EC hasta el presente se realiza con O-P' DDD y como alternativa se usa la ciproheptadina, bromoergocriptina. El aminoglutetimide (AGT) es una droga inhibitoria de la esteroideogénesis bloqueando la hidroxilación en C 11, 18 y 21 teniendo también un efecto terapéutico en la EC. Se estudiaron 12 caninos con Cushing alto, recibiendo 5 a 10 mg/kg/día de AGT. El seguimiento terapéutico se realizó evaluando los signos clínicos y por medio de la densidad urinaria, recuento absoluto de eosinófilos, ionograma (Na, K y Relación Na/K) y la prueba de estimulación con ACTH. Se observó una diferencia significativa P < 0.0001 (excepto el Na) entre los valores pre y post tratamiento, observándose también mejoría en los signos clínicos.Se concluye que el AGT es una interesante alternativa terapéutica para el control de la EC, siendo fundamental la evaluación del Na, K y Relación Na/K (Indica bloqueo severo de la vía de síntesis y riesgo addisoniano).Palabras claves: Cushing, AGT, Na, KAbstractAminoglutethimide (AGT) is a steroidogenesis inhibitor that blocks several steps in the synthesis pathway including the passage from cholesterol to pregnenolone, hydroxylation at C-11, C-18 and C-21 positions, and conversion of androstenidione into estrone. AGT is used to treat estrogen-dependent mammary cancer and, with less frequency, Cushing's disease in humans. Based in these antecedents and on its action mechanism we used AGT to treat pituitary-dependent Cushing's disease in dogs. Twelve dogs with Cushing's like disease were treated. Clinical signs, urinary density, eosinophilus recount, Na, K concentration and Na/K ratio were evaluated. Cortisol levels were measured with ACTH stimulation. All parameters were evaluated pre and post treatment. Clinical remission and tendency of normalization in eosinophilus count, urinary density and A CTH stimulation. K levels up respect to pretreatment and Na/K ratio down to equal or less 27/1. Na didn't modificated the levels. There were significant differences (P < 0.001) between pre and post treatment in all parameters, except Na.Our result suggest that administration of AGT might be the basis of efficient pharmacological management of pituitary dependent Cushing's disease in dogs.Key words: Cushing Syndrome, AGT, Na, K.

Aminoglutetimide: alternativa terapéutica en caninos con enfermedad de cushing (hipófiso dependiente)

El Síndrome de Cushing es de presentación frecuente en el canino, denominándose Enfermedad de Cushing o Cushing alto cuando la patología primaria asienta en la hipófisis o Cushing bajo cuando la afección es en la adrenal. El tratamiento de la EC hasta el presente se realiza con O-P' DDD y como alternativa se usa la ciproheptadina, bromoergocriptina. El aminoglutetimide (AGT) es una droga inhibitoria de la esteroideogénesis bloqueando la hidroxilación en C 11, 18 y 21 teniendo también un efecto terapéutico en la EC. Se estudiaron 12 caninos con Cushing alto, recibiendo 5 a 10 mg/kg/día de AGT. El seguimiento terapéutico se realizó evaluando los signos clínicos y por medio de la densidad urinaria, recuento absoluto de eosinófilos, ionograma (Na, K y Relación Na/K) y la prueba de estimulación con ACTH. Se observó una diferencia significativa P < 0.0001 (excepto el Na) entre los valores pre y post tratamiento, observándose también mejoría en los signos clínicos.Se concluye que el AGT es una interesante alternativa terapéutica para el control de la EC, siendo fundamental la evaluación del Na, K y Relación Na/K (Indica bloqueo severo de la vía de síntesis y riesgo addisoniano).Palabras claves: Cushing, AGT, Na, KAbstractAminoglutethimide (AGT) is a steroidogenesis inhibitor that blocks several steps in the synthesis pathway including the passage from cholesterol to pregnenolone, hydroxylation at C-11, C-18 and C-21 positions, and conversion of androstenidione into estrone. AGT is used to treat estrogen-dependent mammary cancer and, with less frequency, Cushing's disease in humans. Based in these antecedents and on its action mechanism we used AGT to treat pituitary-dependent Cushing's disease in dogs. Twelve dogs with Cushing's like disease were treated. Clinical signs, urinary density, eosinophilus recount, Na, K concentration and Na/K ratio were evaluated. Cortisol levels were measured with ACTH stimulation. All parameters were evaluated pre and post treatment. Clinical remission and tendency of normalization in eosinophilus count, urinary density and A CTH stimulation. K levels up respect to pretreatment and Na/K ratio down to equal or less 27/1. Na didn't modificated the levels. There were significant differences (P < 0.001) between pre and post treatment in all parameters, except Na.Our result suggest that administration of AGT might be the basis of efficient pharmacological management of pituitary dependent Cushing's disease in dogs.Key words: Cushing Syndrome, AGT, Na, K.