Oxidation-Resistant and Elastic Mesoporous Carbon with Single-Layer Graphene Walls

An oxidation-resistant and elastic mesoporous carbon, graphene mesosponge (GMS), is prepared. GMS has a sponge-like mesoporous framework (mean pore size is 5.8 nm) consisting mostly of single-layer graphene walls, which realizes a high electric conductivity and a large surface area (1940 m2 g−1). Moreover, the graphene-based framework includes only a very small amount of edge sites, thereby achieving much higher stability against oxidation than conventional porous carbons such as carbon blacks and activated carbons. Thus, GMS can simultaneously possess seemingly incompatible properties; the advantages of graphitized carbon materials (high conductivity and high oxidation resistance) and porous carbons (large surface area). These unique features allow GMS to exhibit a sufficient capacitance (125 F g−1), wide potential window (4 V), and good rate capability as an electrode material for electric double-layer capacitors utilizing an organic electrolyte. Hence, GMS achieves a high energy density of 59.3 Wh kg−1 (material mass base), which is more than twice that of commercial materials. Moreover, the continuous graphene framework makes GMS mechanically tough and extremely elastic, and its mean pore size (5.8 nm) can be reversibly compressed down to 0.7 nm by simply applying mechanical force. The sponge-like elastic property enables an advanced force-induced adsorption control.This work was supported by PRESTO, JST (H.N.); a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A), 15H01999 (T.K.); the Nano-Macro Materials, Devices and System Research Alliance; and the Network Joint Research Center for Materials and Devices

Multiple White Matter Volume Reductions in Patients with Panic Disorder: Relationships between Orbitofrontal Gyrus Volume and Symptom Severity and Social Dysfunction

<div><p>Numerous brain regions are believed to be involved in the neuropathology of panic disorder (PD) including fronto-limbic regions, thalamus, brain stem, and cerebellum. However, while several previous studies have demonstrated volumetric gray matter reductions in these brain regions, there have been no studies evaluating volumetric white matter changes in the fiber bundles connecting these regions. In addition, although patients with PD typically exhibit social, interpersonal and occupational dysfunction, the neuropathologies underlying these dysfunctions remain unclear. A voxel-based morphometry study was conducted to evaluate differences in regional white matter volume between 40 patients with PD and 40 healthy control subjects (HC). Correlation analyses were performed between the regional white matter volumes and patients' scores on the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). Patients with PD demonstrated significant volumetric reductions in widespread white matter regions including fronto-limbic, thalamo-cortical and cerebellar pathways (p<0.05, FDR corrected). Furthermore, there was a significant negative relationship between right orbitofrontal gyrus (OFG) white matter volume and the severity of patients' clinical symptoms, as assessed with the PDSS. A significant positive relationship was also observed between patients' right OFG volumes and their scores on the GAF. Our results suggest that volumetric reductions in widespread white matter regions may play an important role in the pathology of PD. In particular, our results suggest that structural white matter abnormalities in the right OFG may contribute to the social, personal and occupational dysfunction typically experienced by patients with PD.</p></div

White matter volume reductions in the patients with panic disorder compared with the healthy control subjects.

<p>The patients with panic disorder had significant volume reductions in 14 distinct white matter regions (clusters) compared with the healthy control subjects (p<.05, FDR-corrected). The 14 white matter regions included fronto-limbic regions (bilateral OFG, right superior frontal gyrus, left precentral gyrus, bilateral cingulum, and insula), thalamo-cortical pathways (anterior and superior corona radiata), right superior and middle temporal gyrus, and the cerebellum.</p

White matter volume reductions in the patients with panic disorder compared with the healthy control subjects.

<p>Abbreviations: MNI, montreal neurological institute; ACG, anterior cingulate gyrus; OFG, orbitofrontal gyrus; FDR, false discovery rate.</p

Relationships between white matter volumes of the right OFG and scores of PDSS and GAF in the patients with panic disorder.

<p>The white matter volume of the cluster in the right OFG was significantly negatively related to total PDSS scores in the patients with panic disorder (rho = −.47, p = .002) (A). The white matter volume of the cluster was also significantly positively related with GAF scores in the patients with panic disorder (rho = .54, p<.001) (B).</p

Characterizations of a neutralizing antibody broadly reactive to multiple gluten peptide:HLA-DQ2.5 complexes in the context of celiac disease

Abstract In human celiac disease (CeD) HLA-DQ2.5 presents gluten peptides to antigen-specific CD4+ T cells, thereby instigating immune activation and enteropathy. Targeting HLA-DQ2.5 with neutralizing antibody for treating CeD may be plausible, yet using pan-HLA-DQ antibody risks affecting systemic immunity, while targeting selected gluten peptide:HLA-DQ2.5 complex (pHLA-DQ2.5) may be insufficient. Here we generate a TCR-like, neutralizing antibody (DONQ52) that broadly recognizes more than twenty-five distinct gluten pHLA-DQ2.5 through rabbit immunization with multi-epitope gluten pHLA-DQ2.5 and multidimensional optimization. Structural analyses show that the proline-rich and glutamine-rich motif of gluten epitopes critical for pathogenesis is flexibly recognized by multiple tyrosine residues present in the antibody paratope, implicating the mechanisms for the broad reactivity. In HLA-DQ2.5 transgenic mice, DONQ52 demonstrates favorable pharmacokinetics with high subcutaneous bioavailability, and blocks immunity to gluten while not affecting systemic immunity. Our results thus provide a rationale for clinical testing of DONQ52 in CeD