Development of a DNA-Liposome Complex for Gene Delivery Applications

The association structures formed by cationic liposomes and DNA(Deoxyribonucleic acid)-liposome have been effectively utilized as gene carriers in transfection assays. In this research study, cationic liposomes were prepared using a modified lipid film hydration method consisting of a lyophilization step for gene delivery applications. The obtained results demonstrated that the mean particle size had no significant change while the polydispersity (PDI) increased after lyophilization. The mean particle size slightly reduced after lyophilization (520 ± 12 nm to 464 ± 25 nm) while the PDI increased after lyophilization (0.094 ± 0.017 to 0.220 ± 0.004). In addition. The mean particle size of vesicles increases when DNA is incorporated to the liposomes (673 ± 27 nm). According to the Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, the spherical shape of liposomes confirmed their successful preservation and reconstitution from the powder. It was found that liposomal formulation has enhanced transfection considerably compared to the naked DNA as negative control. Finally, liposomal formulation in this research had a better function than Lipofectamine® 2000 as a commercialized product because the cellular activity (cellular protein) was higher in the prepared lipoplex than Lipofectamine® 2000

Simulation, Analytical and Experimental Investigation of Power Distribution Across Step-Up Auto-Transformer Under Linear Loading Conditions

This paper presents determining the actual values of the effective resistance and reactance components of a single phase auto-transformers, the measured values of voltages and currents were used for the calculation of R and X components for fundamental frequency of the system. The obtained values are simulated in the PSpice environment and then how the currents, voltages and power are distributed between them is explained based on calculations

Double-diffusive natural convection with Soret/Dufour effects and energy optimization of Nano-Encapsulated Phase Change Material in a novel form of a wavy-walled I-shaped domain

Background: As building segment grows in parallel with amplifying population, the necessity for consumption of energy needed to passive and active heating or cooling buildings for thermal comfort increases. Schemes such as developing green buildings for sustainable architecture were utilized to address this issue. The utilization of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) with the aim of active and passive cooling or heating of buildings illustrates a promising and modern technique. Methods: This study's objective is to perform a numerical analysis using the finite element method, FEM for modeling free convection produced by double-diffusion (DDNC) with Soret/Dufour effects of Nano-Encapsulated PCMs within an I-shaped enclosure equipped with a novel type of corrugated vertical walls subjected to Neumann thermal and solutal conditions. Findings: Results are interpreted and assessed in relation to the governing factors, such as buoyancy ratio (N), Rayleigh and Lewis numbers (Ra, Le), the height of corrugated walls (a), Stefan number (Ste), non-dimensional fusion temperature (θf), Dufour (Df), and Soret (Sr) parameters. High values of N and Ra, and low values of Le and a, caused in the highest rate of heat and mass exchange. The irreversibilities due to the heat and mass transfer effects increase as the flow intensity within the system decrease. Decreasing the latent heat of the NEPCM cores and increasing their fusion temperature lowering the heat transfer rates, while improving mass transfer rates. This configuration can help in the design of the storage tank in hydronic apparatus for cooling, heating, and domestic hot water in buildings

Nano-Hydroxyapatite and Nano-Hydroxyapatite/Zinc Oxide Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering Application

This research aims to evaluate the mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and degradation behavior of scaffolds made of pure hydroxyapatite (HA) and HA‐modified by ZnO for bone tissue engineering applications. HA and ZnO were developed using sol‐gel and precipitation methods respectively. The scaffolds properties were characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic absorption (AA), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The interaction of scaffold with cells was assessed using in vitro cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assays. The obtained results indicate that the HA/ZnO scaffolds possess higher compressive strength, fracture toughness, and density—but lower hardness—when compared to the pure HA scaffolds. After immersing the scaffold in the SBF solution, more deposited apatite appeared on the HA/ZnO, which results in the rougher surface on this scaffold compared to the pure HA scaffold. Finally, the in vitro biological analysis using human osteoblast cells reveals that scaffolds are biocompatible with adequate ALP activity

Substrate Suppression of Thermal Roughness in Stacked Supported Bilayers

We have fabricated a stack of five 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-3-phosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE) bilayers supported on a polished silicon substrate in excess water. The density profile of these stacks normal to the substrate was obtained through analysis of x-ray reflectivity. Near the substrate, we find the layer roughness and repeat spacing are both significantly smaller than values found in bulk multilayer systems. The reduced spacing and roughness result from suppression of lateral fluctuations due to the flat substrate boundary. The layer spacing decrease then occurs due to reduced Helfrich repulsion.This work was partially supported by NSF Grants No. DMR-0706369 and No. DMR-0706665. Use of the Advanced Photon Sourcewas supported by theUSDepartment of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357. SKS and ANP wish to acknowledge support from the Office of Basic Energy Sciences, US Department of Energy, via Grant No. DE-FG02- 04ER46173. We would also like to thank Suresh Narayanan for his support of the experimental work at Sector 8-ID

Structures, Deformation Mechanisms and Tectonic Phases, Recorded in Paleoproterozoic Granitoids of West African Craton, Southern Part: Example of Kan’s Complex (Central of Côte d’Ivoire)

The granito-gneissic complex of Kan is located in the central part of the Paleoproterozoic domain of Côte d’Ivoire. It consists essentially of migmatitic and mylonitic gneisses with basic intrusions and xenoliths. This Proterozoic domain belongs to the Man Leo shield, southern part of West African craton (WAC). The present study, essentially based on a structural analysis at outcrop scale, aims to identify deformation mechanisms and tectonic phasesrecorded in the granito-gneissic complex of Kan. Deformation mechanisms include: (1) flattening, (2) constriction, (3) simple shear (4), rotation (5), brittle shear, and (6) extension. The Kan complex deformation occurred during four major tectonic phases named D1, D2, D3 and D4. D1 corresponds to WNW-ESE compression. It led to the formation of NS to NNE-SSW foliation, of stretching lineation, and of folds with sub-horizontal axes. It is accompanied by N170° and N10° sinistral shear zones, which constitute globally a NS major transcurrent shear zone in the central part of Côte d’Ivoire. D1 is also marked by N90° dextral shear zones. Tectonic phase D2 is associated with EW compression. It is marked by N50° dextral and N110° sinistral transcurents shear zones. D3 corresponds to NNE-SSW compressive phase and is responsible of N110° crenulation cleavage formation. (D4) constitutes a brittle deformation phase. It correspondsto posteburnean deformation in the Proterozoic crust of Côte d'Ivoire. Generally, these deformation phases are similar to D2 and D3 reported in the Man-Leo shield and that are part of regional collisional phase referred to as Eburnean orogeny in the WAC

PrP(Sc)-specific antibodies with the ability to immunodetect prion oligomers.

The development of antibodies with binding capacity towards soluble oligomeric forms of PrPSc recognised in the aggregation process in early stage of the disease would be of paramount importance in diagnosing prion diseases before extensive neuropathology has ensued. As blood transfusion appears to be efficient in the transmission of the infectious prion agent, there is an urgent need to develop reagents that would specifically recognize oligomeric forms of the abnormally folded prion protein, PrPSc.To that end, we show that anti-PrP monoclonal antibodies (called PRIOC mAbs) derived from mice immunised with native PrP-coated microbeads are able to immunodetect oligomers/multimers of PrPSc. Oligomer-specific immunoreactivity displayed by these PRIOC mAbs was demonstrated as large aggregates of immunoreactive deposits in prion-permissive neuroblastoma cell lines but not in equivalent non-infected or prn-p(0/0) cell lines. In contrast, an anti-monomer PrP antibody displayed diffuse immunoreactivity restricted to the cell membrane. Furthermore, our PRIOC mAbs did not display any binding with monomeric recombinant and cellular prion proteins but strongly detected PrPSc oligomers as shown by a newly developed sensitive and specific ELISA. Finally, PrioC antibodies were also able to bind soluble oligomers formed of Aβ and α-synuclein. These findings demonstrate the potential use of anti-prion antibodies that bind PrPSc oligomers, recognised in early stage of the disease, for the diagnosis of prion diseases in blood and other body fluids

Polygenic Parkinson's Disease Genetic Risk Score as Risk Modifier of Parkinsonism in Gaucher Disease

Background: Biallelic pathogenic variants in GBA1 are the cause of Gaucher disease (GD) type 1 (GD1), a lysosomal storage disorder resulting from deficient glucocerebrosidase. Heterozygous GBA1 variants are also a common genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). GD manifests with considerable clinical heterogeneity and is also associated with an increased risk for PD. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the contribution of PD risk variants to risk for PD in patients with GD1. Methods: We studied 225 patients with GD1, including 199 without PD and 26 with PD. All cases were genotyped, and the genetic data were imputed using common pipelines. Results: On average, patients with GD1 with PD have a significantly higher PD genetic risk score than those without PD (P = 0.021). Conclusions: Our results indicate that variants included in the PD genetic risk score were more frequent in patients with GD1 who developed PD, suggesting that common risk variants may affect underlying biological pathways. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA