102 research outputs found
Is megalencephaly specific to autism?
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72452/1/j.1365-2788.1999.00211.x.pd
Optimization of Laser-Induced Graphene Electrodes for High Voltage and Highly Stable Microsupercapacitors
Microsupercapacitors (μSCs) have received a lot of interest for their possible
use in miniaturized electronics and in the field of the Internet of Things (IoT)
to power distributed sensors. μSCs fill the gap between batteries and
traditional capacitors, providing high power densities and acceptable energy
densities to fulfill onboard power supply requirements, coupled with quick
charge/discharge rates and extended lifetime. Charge balancing of μSCs is not
a standard practice, although the optimization of electrodes can provide
beneficial effects on the electrochemical performance and stability of the
device. In this work, a charge-balanced double-layer μSC based on
laser-induced graphene (LIG) with [PYR14][TFSI] as an ionic liquid electrolyte
is presented for the first time. The optimized device shows an improvement in
terms of the increased lifetime of a factor of four and its energy efficiency is
raised above 80%
White light thermoplasmonic activated gold nanorod arrays enable the photo-thermal disinfection of medical tools from bacterial contamination
The outspread of bacterial pathogens causing severe infections and spreading rapidly, especially among hospitalized patients, is worrying and represents a global public health issue. Current disinfection techniques are becoming insufficient to counteract the spread of these pathogens because they carry multiple antibiotic-resistance genes. For this reason, a constant need exists for new technological solutions that rely on physical methods rather than chemicals. Nanotechnology support provides novel and unexplored opportunities to boost groundbreaking, next-gen solutions. With the help of plasmonic-assisted nanomaterials, we present and discuss our findings in innovative bacterial disinfection techniques. Gold nanorods (AuNRs) immobilized on rigid substrates are utilized as efficient white light-to-heat transducers (thermoplasmonic effect) for photo-thermal (PT) disinfection. The resulting AuNRs array shows a high sensitivity change in refractive index and an extraordinary capability in converting white light to heat, producing a temperature change greater than 50 °C in a few minute interval illumination time. Results were validated using a theoretical approach based on a diffusive heat transfer model. Experiments performed with a strain of Escherichia coli as a model microorganism confirm the excellent capability of the AuNRs array to reduce the bacteria viability upon white light illumination. Conversely, the E. coli cells remain viable without white light illumination, which also confirms the lack of intrinsic toxicity of the AuNRs array. The PT transduction capability of the AuNRs array is utilized to produce white light heating of medical tools used during surgical treatments, generating a temperature increase that can be controlled and is suitable for disinfection. Our findings are pioneering a new opportunity for healthcare facilities since the reported methodology allows non-hazardous disinfection of medical devices by simply employing a conventional white light lamp
Analysis of α-synuclein species enriched from cerebral cortex of humans with sporadic dementia with Lewy bodies.
Since researchers identified α-synuclein as the principal component of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, studies have suggested that it plays a causative role in the pathogenesis of dementia with Lewy bodies and other 'synucleinopathies'. While α-synuclein dyshomeostasis likely contributes to the neurodegeneration associated with the synucleinopathies, few direct biochemical analyses of α-synuclein from diseased human brain tissue currently exist. In this study, we analysed sequential protein extracts from a substantial number of patients with neuropathological diagnoses of dementia with Lewy bodies and corresponding controls, detecting a shift of cytosolic and membrane-bound physiological α-synuclein to highly aggregated forms. We then fractionated aqueous extracts (cytosol) from cerebral cortex using non-denaturing methods to search for soluble, disease-associated high molecular weight species potentially associated with toxicity. We applied these fractions and corresponding insoluble fractions containing Lewy-type aggregates to several reporter assays to determine their bioactivity and cytotoxicity. Ultimately, high molecular weight cytosolic fractions enhances phospholipid membrane permeability, while insoluble, Lewy-associated fractions induced morphological changes in the neurites of human stem cell-derived neurons. While the concentrations of soluble, high molecular weight α-synuclein were only slightly elevated in brains of dementia with Lewy bodies patients compared to healthy, age-matched controls, these observations suggest that a small subset of soluble α-synuclein aggregates in the brain may drive early pathogenic effects, while Lewy body-associated α-synuclein can drive neurotoxicity
Ablation of the gene encoding p66Shc protects mice against AGE-induced glomerulopathy by preventing oxidant-dependent tissue injury and further AGE accumulation
Network analysis of microRNA and mRNA seasonal dynamics in a highly plastic sensorimotor neural circuit
A new class of glycomimetic drugs to prevent free fatty acid-induced endothelial dysfunction
Background: Carbohydrates play a major role in cell signaling in many biological processes. We have developed a set of glycomimetic drugs that mimic the structure of carbohydrates and represent a novel source of therapeutics for endothelial dysfunction, a key initiating factor in cardiovascular complications. Purpose: Our objective was to determine the protective effects of small molecule glycomimetics against free fatty acidinduced endothelial dysfunction, focusing on nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress pathways. Methods: Four glycomimetics were synthesized by the stepwise transformation of 2,5dihydroxybenzoic acid to a range of 2,5substituted benzoic acid derivatives, incorporating the key sulfate groups to mimic the interactions of heparan sulfate. Endothelial function was assessed using acetylcholineinduced, endotheliumdependent relaxation in mouse thoracic aortic rings using wire myography. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) behavior was evaluated in the presence or absence of the free fatty acid, palmitate, with or without glycomimetics (1µM). DAF2 and H2DCFDA assays were used to determine nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, respectively. Lipid peroxidation colorimetric and antioxidant enzyme activity assays were also carried out. RTPCR and western blotting were utilized to measure Akt, eNOS, Nrf2, NQO1 and HO1 expression. Results: Ex vivo endotheliumdependent relaxation was significantly improved by the glycomimetics under palmitateinduced oxidative stress. In vitro studies showed that the glycomimetics protected HUVECs against the palmitateinduced oxidative stress and enhanced NO production. We demonstrate that the protective effects of preincubation with glycomimetics occurred via upregulation of Akt/eNOS signaling, activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway, and suppression of ROSinduced lipid peroxidation. Conclusion: We have developed a novel set of small molecule glycomimetics that protect against free fatty acidinduced endothelial dysfunction and thus, represent a new category of therapeutic drugs to target endothelial damage, the first line of defense against cardiovascular disease
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