Publications by authors named "A Backhaus"
Article Synopsis
- Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (iMSCs) and their extracellular vesicles (iMSC-EVs) are being evaluated as alternatives to traditional primary mesenchymal stromal cells (hUCMSCs) for use in advanced therapies.
- The study found that iMSCs effectively regulate immune responses, showing similar abilities to hUCMSCs in controlling lymphocyte growth and promoting an anti-inflammatory environment.
- Furthermore, iMSC-EVs demonstrated both immunomodulatory and regenerative properties, with enhanced effects observed when iMSCs were treated with pro-inflammatory cytokines, highlighting their potential as therapeutic options.
Despite gold-based nanomaterials having a unique role in nanomedicine, among other fields, synthesis limitations relating to reaction scale-up and control result in prohibitively high gold nanoparticle costs. In this work, a new preparation procedure for lipid bilayer-coated gold nanoparticles in water is presented, using sodium oleate as reductant and capping agent. The seed-free synthesis not only allows for size precision (8-30 nm) but also remarkable particle concentration (10 mm Au).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe study presents a streamlined one-step process for producing highly porous, metal-free, N-doped activated carbon (N-AC) for CO capture and herbicide removal from simulated industrially polluted and real environmental systems. N-AC was prepared from kraft lignin─a carbon-rich and abundant byproduct of the pulp industry, using nitric acid as the activator and urea as the N-dopant. The reported carbonization process under a nitrogen atmosphere renders a product with a high yield of 30% even at high temperatures up to 800 °C.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The peripheral nervous system can regenerate after nerve damage, but achieving full functional recovery is rare and heavily relies on Schwann cells, which help repair nerve damage and support axon regrowth.
- New research reveals that nerve injury stimulates communication between fat cells and glial cells, with the adipokine leptin playing a crucial role in helping Schwann cells adapt metabolically during recovery.
- Leptin receptors in Schwann cells help regulate energy processes needed for nerve repair, suggesting that targeting this intercellular communication could improve therapeutic strategies for nerve injuries.
Socio-demographic factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake and refusal among Ugandan women.
Global Health
September 2023
Background: This paper analyzes associations of socio-demographic factors with the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, the refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and various reasons stated for refusing vaccination against COVID-19 among a representative sample of Ugandan women.
Methods: This paper utilizes a representative cross-sectional survey collected among women aged 15-49 years in Uganda between September and November 2021. Regression analyses are used to study the associations of a broad range of socio-demographic characteristics with COVID-19 vaccine uptake, refusal of vaccination, and reasons for refusal among the respondents.