Uniform hard carbon spheres (HCS), synthesized by the hydrothermal decomposition of sucrose followed by pyrolysis, are effective at stabilizing water-in-trichloroethylene (TCE) emulsions. The irreversible adsorption of carbon particles at the TCE-water interface resulting in the formation of a monolayer around the water droplet in the emulsion phase is identified as the key reason for emulsion stability. Cryogenic scanning electron microscopy was used to image the assembly of carbon particles clearly at the TCE-water interface and the formation of bilayers in regions of droplet-droplet contact.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe DSM-IV recognizes catatonia as a subtype of schizophrenia characterized by at least two of the following: motor immobility, excessive motor activity not influenced by external stimuli, and peculiarities of voluntary movement. Catatonia may also occur secondary to mania, depression, or a general medical condition including encephalitis, focal neurological lesions, metabolic disturbances, and drug intoxications and withdrawals. Benzodiazepines remain the first line of treatment; up to 80% of patients respond promptly to Lorazepam challenge; failure to respond to lorazepam may be followed by electroconvulsive therapy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Appl Mater Interfaces
January 2012
Our laboratory has previously reported an antibody-based assay for hexavalent uranium (UO(2)(2+)) that could be used on-site to rapidly assess uranium contamination in environmental water samples (Melton, S. J.; et al.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To describe a technique for image-guided percutaneous insertion of peritoneal ports in patients without ascites who have undergone surgical debulking for stage III ovarian cancer.
Materials And Methods: Between 2006 and 2010, 29 intraperitoneal ports were placed percutaneously in 29 patients who presented after debulking surgery for stage III ovarian cancer. Ultrasound and fluoroscopy guidance were used to assist in the port placement.
Background: Cigarette smoking is well correlated with lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is common among men than women in India. In addition, sedentary lifestyle is associated with less efficient pulmonary function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: The delivery of curcumin, a broad-spectrum anticancer drug, has been explored in the form of liposomal nanoparticles to treat osteosarcoma (OS). Curcumin is water insoluble and an effective delivery route is through encapsulation in cyclodextrins followed by a second encapsulation in liposomes. Liposomal curcumin's potential was evaluated against cancer models of mesenchymal (OS) and epithelial origin (breast cancer).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis work presents results on the in vitro penetration of a model macromolecule [fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA)] through porcine skin, mediated with a microneedle skinroller (200-µm-length needle) and different novel formulations. After perforating the porcine skin with a microneedle skinroller, the efficiency of delivering FITC-BSA via different novel formulations was evaluated and compared. Formulations, including l-α-phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes, double emulsions, and double-encapsulation formulations were used.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Appl Mater Interfaces
July 2011
We present an exploratory study on a suspension of uniform carbon microspheres as a new class of aqueous-based lubricants. The surfactant-functionalized carbon microspheres (∼0.1 wt %) employ a rolling mechanism similar to ball bearings to provide low friction coefficients (μ ≈ 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Cervical enamel projections (CEPs) have been listed among the tooth-associated risk factors that could lead to isolated furcation defects around molar teeth. This is more likely when Grade III CEPs are present. However, the histologic aspects of the CEP interface with regard to the presence or absence of cementum over the enamel projection within the furcation have not been well described.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA facile aerosol-based process (ABP) is developed to vary the placement of iron nanoparticles on the external surface of carbon microspheres or within the interior. This is accomplished through the competitive mechanisms of sucrose carbonization and the precipitation of soluble iron salts, in an aerosol droplet passing through a high temperature heating zone. At lower aerosolization temperatures, carbonization occurs first leading to iron salt precipitation on the external surface, while at higher temperatures interior placement occurs through concurrent iron salt precipitation and sucrose carbonization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMesoporous SiO(2)/TiO(2)/Fe(2)O(3) particles containing macropores of about 50 nm in diameter have been prepared by an aerosol process using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a templating agent. In contrast to the traditional templating effect of CTAB to form ordered mesoporous silicas, the morphology here is vastly different due to the presence of precursor iron salts. The particles have mesoporosity templated by CTAB but additionally have large voids leading to a combined macroporous and mesoporous structure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimer's disease-associated amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide is neurotoxic as an oligomer, but not as a monomer, by an unknown mechanism. We showed previously that Aβ interacts with the amyloid-β precursor protein (AβPP), leading to caspase cleavage and cell death induction. To characterize this structure and interaction further, we purified the extracellular domain of AβPP695 (eAβPP) and its complex with Aβ oligomers (AβOs) of varying sizes, and then performed small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe objective of this study is to investigate the efficiency of calcium carbonate bioprecipitation by Lysinibacillus sphaericus, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas putida, obtained from the Coleção de Culturas do Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde (INCQS), as a first step in determining their potential to protect building materials against water uptake. Two culture media were studied: modified B4 containing calcium acetate and 295 with calcium chloride. Calcium consumption in the two media after incubation with and without the bacterial inoculum was determined by atomic absorption analysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStatins are drugs commonly used to inhibit cholesterol synthesis, with the goal of reducing vascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Statins have also been suggested as a therapeutic option for Alzheimer's disease (AD), although their benefit in AD remains controversial. We have previously shown that the intracellular C-terminal cleavage of the amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) is a major contributor to the neuronal toxicity seen in AD, and that this cleavage can be induced by amyloid-β.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSalmonella enterica serovar Typhi, the agent of typhoid fever in humans, expresses the surface Vi polysaccharide antigen that contributes to virulence. However, Vi expression can also be detrimental to some key steps of S. Typhi infectivity, for example, invasion, and Vi is the target of protective immune responses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSalmonella enterica is a genetically broad species harboring isolates that display considerable antigenic heterogeneity and significant differences in virulence potential. Salmonella generally exhibit an invasive potential and they can survive for extended periods within cells of the immune system. They cause acute or chronic infections that can be local (e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpherical iron-carbon nanocomposites were developed through a facile aerosol-based process with sucrose and iron chloride as starting materials. These composites exhibit multiple functionalities relevant to the in situ remediation of chlorinated hydrocarbons such as trichloroethylene (TCE). The distribution and immobilization of iron nanoparticles on the surface of carbon spheres prevents zerovalent nanoiron aggregation with maintenance of reactivity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeuroglobin (Ngb) is an intracellular, oxygen-binding neuronal protein with protective effects against ischemia and related pathological processes. To identify small molecules capable of inducing Ngb protein expression, which might have therapeutic benefit, we examined Ngb expression by Western blot in cultured HN33 (mouse hippocampal neuron x N18TG2 neuroblastoma) cells. In addition to deferoxamine, which was shown previously to enhance Ngb levels, Ngb expression was increased by the short-chain fatty acids cinnamic acid and valproic acid (≥ 100 μmol/l), but not by other short-chain fatty acids, histone deacetylase inhibitors, or anticonvulsants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe scarcity of full-time clinical faculty members in dental schools across the country is a major crisis confronting dentistry. Dental schools are experiencing critical faculty shortages and are struggling to maintain appropriate faculty to student ratios. The adage of "doing more with less" applies, in many ways, to dental schools and their mission of educating future dentists.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA collision tumour in ovary comprising a small ovoid embryoid mature teratoma in the surface wall of large mucinous cyst adenoma is reported in a 36-year-old female and its pathogenesis is discussed. The oval teratoid mass externally to the mucinous cyst lining did not show any columnar epithelial or mucin-secreting cyst. Findings suggested that the mature embryoid teratoma originated from ovarian germ cell rest in the surface wall of the cyst adenomatous neoplasm.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe effect of Pigment Volume Content (PVC) on fungal growth on acrylic paint formulations with and without biocide, exposed to weathering in three different climatic regions in Brazil for four years, was studied. Latex paints, with PVC of 30%, 35% and 50%, were applied to autoclaved aerated concrete blocks pre-covered with acrylic sealer and acrylic plaster. They were exposed to equatorial, tropical and temperate climates in north, south-east, and south Brazil.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Alzheimers Dis
August 2011
Reports from multiple laboratories have now been published analyzing the critical nature of the caspase cleavage site of amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) for cell death induction, synaptic loss, hippocampal atrophy, long-term potentiation, memory loss, neophobia, and other aspects of the Alzheimer's phenotype. Here we review the results and implications of these studies for the understanding of Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology and the potential development of therapeutics that target this site in AβPP.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe structure-activity relationship of the prime region of hydroxyethylamine BACE inhibitors is described. Variation in the aryl linker region with 5- and 6-membered heterocycles provided compounds such as 33 with improved permeability and reduced P-gp liability compared to benzyl amine analog 1.
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