Enhanced performance of impedimetric immunosensors to detect SARS-CoV-2 with bare gold nanoparticles and graphene acetic acid.

Immunosensors based on electrical impedance spectroscopy allow for label-free, real-time detection of biologically relevant molecules and pathogens, without requiring electro-active materials. Here, we investigate the influence of bare gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), synthesized via laser ablation in solution, on the performance of an impedimetric immunosensor for detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Graphene acetic acid (GAA) was used in the active layer for immobilizing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, owing to its high density of carboxylic groups.

Inhibition of protects fatty acid-induced POMC neuron-like cell-line damage by increasing CPT-1 function.

Hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons are sensors of signals that reflect the energy stored in the body. Inducing mild stress in proopiomelanocortin neurons protects them from the damage promoted by the consumption of a high-fat diet, mitigating the development of obesity; however, the cellular mechanisms behind these effects are unknown. Here, we induced mild stress in a proopiomelanocortin neuron cell line by inhibiting .

Colorimetric Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Using Plasmonic Biosensors and Smartphones.

Low-cost, instrument-free colorimetric tests were developed to detect SARS-CoV-2 using plasmonic biosensors with Au nanoparticles functionalized with polyclonal antibodies (f-AuNPs). Intense color changes were noted with the naked eye owing to plasmon coupling when f-AuNPs form clusters on the virus, with high sensitivity and a detection limit of 0.28 PFU mL (PFU stands for plaque-forming units) in human saliva.

Diagnostics of SARS-CoV-2 infection using electrical impedance spectroscopy with an immunosensor to detect the spike protein.

Mass testing for the diagnostics of COVID-19 has been hampered in many countries owing to the high cost of the methodologies to detect genetic material of SARS-CoV-2. In this paper, we report on a low-cost immunosensor capable of detecting the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, including in samples of inactivated virus. Detection is performed with electrical impedance spectroscopy using an immunosensor that contains a monolayer film of carboxymethyl chitosan as matrix, coated with an active layer of antibodies specific to the spike protein.

Reducing Hypermuscularization of the Transitional Segment Between Arterioles and Capillaries Protects Against Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Background: Spontaneous deep intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating subtype of stroke without specific treatments. It has been thought that smooth muscle cell (SMC) degeneration at the site of arteriolar wall rupture may be sufficient to cause hemorrhage. However, deep ICHs are rare in some aggressive small vessel diseases that are characterized by significant arteriolar SMC degeneration.

Embryonic macrophages and microglia ablation alter the development of dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons in mouse embryos.

Microglia are known to regulate several aspects of the development of the central nervous system. When microglia colonize the spinal cord, from E11.5 in the mouse embryo, they interact with growing central axons of dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons (SNs), which suggests that they may have some functions in SN development.

Persistent Sodium Current Drives Excitability of Immature Renshaw Cells in Early Embryonic Spinal Networks.

Spontaneous network activity (SNA) emerges in the spinal cord (SC) before the formation of peripheral sensory inputs and central descending inputs. SNA is characterized by recurrent giant depolarizing potentials (GDPs). Because GDPs in motoneurons (MNs) are mainly evoked by prolonged release of GABA, they likely necessitate sustained firing of interneurons.