121 research outputs found
A lithium-ion battery based on a graphene nanoflakes ink anode and a lithium iron phosphate cathode
Li-ion rechargeable batteries have enabled the wireless revolution
transforming global communication. Future challenges, however, demands
distributed energy supply at a level that is not feasible with the current
energy-storage technology. New materials, capable of providing higher energy
density are needed. Here we report a new class of lithium-ion batteries based
on a graphene ink anode and a lithium iron phosphate cathode. By carefully
balancing the cell composition and suppressing the initial irreversible
capacity of the anode, we demonstrate an optimal battery performance in terms
of specific capacity, i.e. 165 mAhg-1, estimated energy density of about 190
Whkg-1 and life, with a stable operation for over 80 charge-discharge cycles.
We link these unique properties to the graphene nanoflake anode displaying
crystalline order and high uptake of lithium at the edges, as well as to its
structural and morphological optimization in relation to the overall battery
composition. Our approach, compatible with any printing technologies, is cheap
and scalable and opens up new opportunities for the development of
high-capacity Li-ion batteries.Comment: 17 pages, 10 figure
Feline Coronavirus and Alpha-Herpesvirus Infections: Innate Immune Response and Immune Escape Mechanisms
Over time, feline viruses have acquired elaborateopportunistic properties, making their infections
particularly difficult to prevent and treat. Feline coronavirus (FCoV) and feline herpesvirus-1
(FeHV-1), due to the involvement of host genetic factors and immune mechanisms in the development
of the disease and more severe forms, are important examples of immune evasion of the
host’s innate immune response by feline viruses.It is widely accepted that the innate immune system,
which providesan initial universal form of the mammalian host protection from infectious diseases
without pre-exposure, plays an essential role in determining the outcome of viral infection.The main
components of this immune systembranchare represented by the internal sensors of the host cells
that are able to perceive the presence of viral component, including nucleic acids, to start and trigger
the production of first type interferon and to activate the cytotoxicity by Natural Killercells, often
exploited by viruses for immune evasion.In this brief review, we providea general overview of the
principal tools of innate immunity, focusing on the immunologic escape implemented by FCoVand
FeHV-1 during infection
Neuroprotective effects of mGluR5 activation through the PI3K/Akt pathway and the molecular switch of AMPA receptors
Role of the ENPP1 K121Q Polymorphism in Glucose Homeostasis
OBJECTIVE— To study the role of the ENPP1 Q121 variant on glucose homeostasis in whites from Italy
Characterisation of gene expression profiles of yeast cells expressing BRCA1 missense variants
Germline mutations in breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) confer high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers. Even though most BRCA1 cancer-predisposing mutations produce a non-functional truncated protein, 5-10% of them cause single amino acid substitutions. This second type of mutations represents a useful tool for examining BRCA1 molecular functions. Human BRCA1 inhibits cell proliferation in transformed Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells and this effect is abolished by disease-associated mutations in the BRCT domain. Moreover, BRCA1 mutations located both inside and outside the BRCT domain may induce an increase in the homologous recombination frequency in yeast cells. Here we present a microarray analysis of gene expression induced in yeast cells transformed with five BRCA1 missense variants, in comparison with gene expression induced by wildtype BRCA1. Data analysis was performed by grouping the BRCA1 variants into three sets: Recombination (R)-set (Y179C and S1164I), Recombination and Proliferation (RP)-set(I1766S and M1775R) and Proliferation (P)-set (A1789T), according to their effects on yeast cell phenotype. We found 470, 740 and 1136 differentially expressed genes in R-, P- and RP-set, respectively. Our results point to some molecular mechanisms critical for the control of cell proliferation and of genome integrity providing support to a possible pathogenic role of the analysed mutations. They also confirm that yeast, despite the absence of a BRCA1 homologue, represents a valid model system to examine BRCA1 molecular functions, as the molecular pathways activated by BRCA1 variants are conserved in humans
FOXO1 locus and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in elderly patients with Alzheimer’s disease
Ethanol neurotoxicity is mediated by changes in expression, surface localization and functional properties of glutamate AMPA receptors
Control of enteric neuromuscular functions by purinergic P2X7 receptors in normal rat distal colon and experimental bowel inflammation
Introduction: Purinergic signalling plays a pivotal role in the physiological regulation of several enteric functions, as well
as in the modulation of immune/inflammatory cell activity. Recent evidence has shown an active involvement of the
purinergic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) in the fine tuning of immune functions, as well as its critical role in driving enteric
neuron apoptosis under intestinal inflammation. However, the participation of this receptor pathway in the regulation of
enteric neuromuscular functions remains undetermined.
Aims: This study investigated the role of P2X7Rs in the control of colonic motility, both under normal conditions and in
the presence of experimental colitis.
Methods: Colitis was induced by intrarectal administration of 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS) in adult male
Sprague-Dawley rats. Six days after colitis induction, colonic longitudinal muscle strips (LMS), obtained from normal or
inflamed rats, were suspended in organ baths, containing Krebs solution additioned with NK 1, 2 and 3 receptor
antagonists, and connected to isometric transducers to record atropine-sensitive cholinergic motor activity. The effects of
A804598 (selective P2X7R antagonist; 0.001-100 μM) and BzATP (selective P2X7R agonist; 0.001-10 μM) were tested on
contractions evoked by electrical stimulation (ES: 0.5 ms, 28 V, 10 Hz), delivered as single train (sES) or repeated every
60 s (rES), or by carbachol (1 μM) in the presence of tetrodotoxin.
Results: In normal LMS, A804598 induced a negligible enhancing effect on sES-induced contractions (+7.8±3.5% at 0.1
μM), while a significant increase in the contractile responses elicited by sES was recorded in LMS from inflamed animals
(+42.5±3.9% at 0.1 μM). Incubation of LMS with the adrenergic blocker guanethidine (10 μM) did not affect the
enhancing effect exerted by A804598 in the presence of colitis. Upon incubation with Nw-propyl-L-arginine (NPA,
inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide synthase), which per se increased the sES-induced contractions in both normal and
inflamed LMS preparations (+15.1±5.5% in normal and +143.5±9.5% in inflamed animals), the A804598 effects were lost.
The pharmacological activation of P2X7Rs with BzATP did not significantly affect the contractions to rES in normal LMS
(Emax= -10.2±1.9%), while a marked reduction was recorded in LMS from animals with colitis (Emax= -30.5±2.2%). The
inhibitory effect of BzATP was antagonized by A804598, and it was also markedly blunted by NPA. Both P2X7R ligands
did not affect carbachol-induced contractions.
Conclusions: The purinergic system contributes to functional neuromuscular changes associated with bowel inflammation
through the involvement of P2X7Rs, which modulate the activity of excitatory cholinergic nerves via a facilitatory control
on inhibitory nitrergic pathways
Bausteine zur deutschen und italienischen Geschichte. Festschrift zum 70. Geburtstag von Horst Enzensberger
Die Festschrift zum 70. Geburtstag von Horst Enzensberger greift mit ihren Beiträgen die Forschungsgebiete des Jubilars auf. Das Spektrum reicht von der spätantiken Geschichte Italiens bis zur deutschen Mittelalterforschung im 20. Jahrhundert. Die Beiträge geben Einblick in die vielfältigen kulturellen Einflüsse und Überlagerungen auf Sizilien, in die Geschichte religiöser Orden, Praktiken und kirchlicher Strukturen sowie in die kriegerischen Auseinandersetzungen Europas. Besonders hervorgehoben werden dabei die Kontakte zwischen der italienischen Halbinsel und MitteleuropaAll the articles united in this volume on the occasion of Horst Enzensberger’s 70th anniversary refer to his manifold fields of research. The issues range from the late Antiquity in Italy to German medieval studies in the 20th century. The articles provide an insight into varied cultural influences and interactions in Sicily, into the history of religious orders, practices and ecclesiastical structures as well as into Europe’s military conflicts. Particular attention is drawn to the contacts between the Italian peninsula and Central Europ
MASked-unconTrolled hypERtension management based on office BP or on ambulatory blood pressure measurement (MASTER) Study: a randomised controlled trial protocol
INTRODUCTION: Masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH) carries an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) complications and can be identified through combined use of office (O) and ambulatory (A) blood pressure (BP) monitoring (M) in treated patients. However, it is still debated whether the information carried by ABPM should be considered for MUCH management. Aim of the MASked-unconTrolled hypERtension management based on OBP or on ambulatory blood pressure measurement (MASTER) Study is to assess the impact on outcome of MUCH management based on OBPM or ABPM. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: MASTER is a 4-year prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded-endpoint investigation. A total of 1240 treated hypertensive patients from about 40 secondary care clinical centres worldwide will be included -upon confirming presence of MUCH (repeated on treatment OBP <140/90 mm Hg, and at least one of the following: daytime ABP ≥135/85 mm Hg; night-time ABP ≥120/70 mm Hg; 24 hour ABP ≥130/80 mm Hg), and will be randomised to a management strategy based on OBPM (group 1) or on ABPM (group 2). Patients in group 1 will have OBP measured at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 months and taken as a guide for treatment; ABPM will be performed at randomisation and at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months but will not be used to take treatment decisions. Patients randomised to group 2 will have ABPM performed at randomisation and all scheduled visits as a guide to antihypertensive treatment. The effects of MUCH management strategy based on ABPM or on OBPM on CV and renal intermediate outcomes (changing left ventricular mass and microalbuminuria, coprimary outcomes) at 1 year and on CV events at 4 years and on changes in BP-related variables will be assessed. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: MASTER study protocol has received approval by the ethical review board of Istituto Auxologico Italiano. The procedures set out in this protocol are in accordance with principles of Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice guidelines. Results will be published in accordance with the CONSORT statement in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02804074; Pre-results
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