Sepiolite as a novel polysulfide trapper for energy applications: an electrochemical, X-ray spectroscopic and DFT study.

Capacity retention is a critical property to enhance in electrochemical storage systems applied to renewable energy. In lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, the capacity fade resulting from the shuttle effect of polysulfides is a major obstacle to their practical application. Sepiolite, an eco-friendly earth-abundant clay with suitable surface chemistry for anchoring and retaining various molecules and structures, was studied as a cathode additive to mitigate the shuttle effect using experimental and theoretical approaches.

Li 1s core exciton in LiH studied by x-ray Raman scattering spectroscopy.

The Li 1s core excitation spectra in LiH was studied by means of x-ray Raman scattering (XRS) spectroscopy in a wide range of momentum transfers q. The analysis of the near-edge region of the measured spectra in combination with q-dependent ab initio calculations of XRS spectra based on the Bethe-Salpeter equation (BSE) reveals that the prominent peak at the excitation onset arises from two main contributions, namely a pre-edge peak associated to a p-type core exciton and strong transitions to empty states near the bottom of the conduction band, which is in contrast to previous experimental studies that attributed that feature to a single excitonic peak. The p-like angular symmetry of the core exciton is supported by BSE calculations of the relative contributions to the XRS spectra from monopole and dipole transitions and by the observed decrease of its normalised intensity for increasing momentum transfers.

Effects of dietary omega-3 PUFAs on growth and development: Somatic, neurobiological and reproductive functions in a murine model.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) are relevant to fetal and infant growth and development. Objective: to assess whether long-term exposure to dietary ω-3 PUFA imbalance alters pre- and/or postnatal pups' development and reproductive function later in life. Mice dams were fed with ω-3 PUFA Control (soybean oil, 7%), Deficient (sunflower oil, 7%) or Excess (blend oil; 4.

Reproductive performance of male mice after hypothalamic ghrelin administration.

It has been demonstrated that food intake and reproductive physiology are both simultaneously modulated to optimize reproductive success under fluctuating metabolic conditions. Ghrelin (GHRL) is an orexigenic peptide identified as the endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor that is being investigated for its potential role on reproduction. Considering that data available so far are still limited and characterization of GHRL action mechanism on the reproductive system has not been fully elucidated, we studied the participation of hypothalamus in GHRL effects on sperm functional activity, plasma levels of gonadotropins and histological morphology in mice testes after hypothalamic infusion of 0.

Maternal and postnatal high-fat diets with high ω6 : ω3 ratios affect the reproductive performance of male offspring in the mouse.

High-fat diets (HFDs) are an acknowledged risk factor for male subfertility, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study we compared the effects of two HFDs with different ω6:ω3 ratios, one enriched with soy oil (SOD; ω6:ω3=9.62) and another enriched with sunflower oil (SFOD; ω6:ω3=51.

Analysis of small molecule antibody-drug conjugate catabolites in rat liver and tumor tissue by liquid extraction surface analysis micro-capillary liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

Rationale: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are some of the most promising antibody-related therapeutics. The fate of the cytotoxic moiety of ADCs in vivo after proteolytic degradation of the antibody needs to be well understood in order to mitigate toxicity risks and design proper first in patient studies.

Methods: The feasibility of liquid extraction surface analysis micro-capillary liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LESA-μLC/MS/MS) was tested for direct surface sampling of two possible ADC catabolites composed of synthetically modified maytansinoid (DM1) and 4-[N-maleimidomethyl]cyclohexane-1-carbonyl (MCC) from rat liver and tumor tissue.

Role of ghrelin in fertilization, early embryo development, and implantation periods.

In order to clarify the physiological role of ghrelin in gestation, we evaluated the effects of administration of exogenous ghrelin (2 or 4 nmol/animal per day) or its antagonist (6 nmol/animal per day of (d-Lys3)GHRP6) on fertilization, early embryo development, and implantation periods in mice. Three experiments were performed, treating female mice with ghrelin or its antagonist: i) starting from 1 week before copulation to 12 h after copulation, mice were killed at day 18 of gestation; ii) since ovulation induction until 80 h later, when we retrieved the embryos from oviducts/uterus, and iii) starting from days 3 to 7 of gestation (peri-implantation), mice were killed at day 18. In experiments 1 and 3, the antagonist and/or the highest dose of ghrelin significantly increased the percentage of atrophied fetuses and that of females exhibiting this finding or a higher amount of corpora lutea compared with fetuses (nCL/nF) (experiment 3: higher nCL/nF-atrophied fetuses: ghrelin 4, 71.

Mouse plasma progesterone levels are affected by different dietary ω6/ω3 ratios.

An imbalance in the dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) ω6/ω3 ratio, could influence negatively the reproductive performance. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of chronic administration of diets enriched with soybean or sunflower oils with different ω6/ω3 ratios on the reproductive parameters of adult female mice. Mice were fed different diets for 90 days: a commercial diet (CD), a 5 or 10% soy oil-enriched diet (SOD5 and SOD10, respectively), and a 5 or 10% sunflower oil-enriched diet (SFOD5 and SFOD10, respectively).

Improvement of primary stability in ACL reconstruction by mesh augmentation of an established method of free tendon graft fixation. A biomechanical study on a porcine model.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to compare primary stability in ACL reconstruction and ultimate load to failure of a mesh augmented hamstring tendon graft fixed with two cross pins to established hamstrings and bone-patellar-tendon-bone (BTB) graft fixation methods.

Methods: Forty fresh porcine femora were divided into four groups: (A): BTB graft fixed with two RigidFix® pins, (B): hamstring tendon graft fixed with a Milagro® interference screw, (C): hamstring tendon graft fixed with two RigidFix® pins, and (D): hamstring tendon graft augmented with Ultrapro® mesh fixed with two RigidFix® pins. Each graft underwent cyclic loading in tension and load to failure.

Reproductive performance and fertility in male and female adult mice chronically treated with hexarelin.

Hexarelin (HEXr), a synthetic ghrelin analogue, has been associated with modifications of reproductive physiology. In previous studies of adult mice, we detected that HEXr induced significantly reduced ovulation rate and significant correlation coefficients between sexual maturation and corporal weight in offspring. In this study, we investigated the effects of chronic HEXr administration on sperm concentration and functional activity, oestrous cyclicity and pregnancy index, in addition to the number of fetuses and its correlation with the number of corpora lutea.

Inhibitory effects of ghrelin on sexual behavior: role of the peptide in the receptivity reduction induced by food restriction in mice.

Ghrelin (Ghr) is a gut/hypothalamus peptide with inhibitory actions on reproductive physiology; however, there are no previous reports of its role on estrous behavior. Under the hypothesis that the increase of plasma Ghr during food restriction (FR) is responsible for receptivity reduction, we intended to evaluate the receptivity percentage of female mice subjected to: exp. 1) acute and chronic FR and Ghr administration (3 nmol/animal/day, s.

Effects of hexarelin (a ghrelin analogue) on fertilisation and the pre- and postnatal development of mice.

Ghrelin (Ghr) has been associated with reproductive physiology and pre- and postnatal development. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of hexarelin (HEX; 100 or 200 microg kg(-1) day(-1)), a therapeutic Ghr analogue, on: (1) embryo development 60 h post ovulation, induced pharmacologically, in pregnant mice; (2) the physical, neurobiological and sexual development of offspring of female mice injected with HEX during the first, second or third week of pregnancy or throughout the entire pregnancy; and (3) adult memory acquisition in these offspring. We also evaluated the effects of chronic HEX administration on memory acquisition in adult mice.

Application of high resolution X-ray emission spectroscopy on the study of Cr ion adsorption by activated carbon.

In this work granular activated carbon has been chosen as an absorbent in order to investigate the Cr(VI) reduced by adsorption experiments. Several batch chromium-sorption experiments were carried out using 0.25 g of granular activated carbon in 50 mL aqueous solution containing approximately 70 and 140 mg L(-1) of Cr(VI) and Cr(III), respectively.

Developmental and neurobehavioral effects of perinatal exposure to diets with different omega-6:omega-3 ratios in mice.

Objective: To investigate in mice the effect of diets enriched with soy or sunflower oil with different omega-6:omega-3 ratios on gestation, reproductive success, physical maturation, and the neurobiological development of the pups.

Methods: Dams were assigned, throughout gestation and lactation, to different groups: a commercial diet (CD), a soy oil-enriched diet (SOD), or a sunflower oil-enriched diet (SFOD). Measurements during gestation were dams' body weights and daily food intakes.

Root uptake and reduction of hexavalent chromium by aquatic macrophytes as assessed by high-resolution X-ray emission.

Aquatic macrophytes Salvinia auriculata, Pistia stratiotes and Eichhornia crassipes were chosen to investigate the Cr(VI) reduced by root-based biosorption in a chromium uptake experiment, using a high-resolution XRF technique. These plants were grown in hydroponics medium supplied with non-toxic Cr concentrations during a 27-day metal uptake experiment. The high-resolution Cr-Kbeta fluorescence spectra for dried root tissues and Cr reference material (100% Cr, Cr(2)O(3), and CrO(3)) were measured using an XRF spectrometer.

Function, osteoarthritis and activity after ACL-rupture: 11 years follow-up results of conservative versus reconstructive treatment.

ACL-reconstruction aims to restore joint stability and prevent osteoarthritis; however, malfunction and osteoarthritis are often the sequelae. Our study asks whether ACL-reconstruction or conservative treatment lead to better long-term results. In this retrospective cohort study, 136 patients with isolated ACL-rupture who had been treated by bone-ligament-bone transplant or conservatively were identified.

Chronic administration of nonsteroidal-antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS): effects upon mouse reproductive functions.

Although nonsteroidal-antiinflamatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely employed, reproductive side effects of prostaglandins long-term inhibition remain unknown. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of chronic low/moderate NSAIDs doses upon mice reproductive functions. Male or female mice were injected (i.

Neutral alpha-glucosidase activity in mouse: a marker of epididymal function?

Neutral alpha-glucosidase (NAG) activity is considered a functional epididymal marker in several species. Unlike the rat, no NAG activity has been detected in mice. The aims of the present study were to evaluate NAG secretory activity (the supernatant of the incubated tissue) in mouse epididymis and to determine whether it could be used as a functional epididymal marker.

[Knee ligament injuries].

Like no other joint of the human body the knee depends on intact ligaments. Knee instability due to ligament injuries will cause abnormal joint kinematics, and thereby is made responsible for secondary damage to other important knee joint structures. Diagnosis of knee ligament injuries is based on the detailed history with often typical injury patterns, as well as on the physical examination with specific knee ligament tests.

Tunnel placement in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction: quality control in a teaching hospital.

Correct placement of the femoral and tibial bone tunnels is decisive for a successful anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Our method of tunnel placement was evaluated as part of quality control at a teaching hospital. The emphasis was placed mainly on investigating the influence of surgical experience on tunnel placement, and the effect of tunnel position on the clinical outcome.

The SLAP lesion as a reason for glenolabral cysts: a report of five cases and review of the literature.

Introduction: Cysts in the spinoglenoidal or supraglenoidal incisura can be a cause of compression of the suprascapular nerve. There is agglomerated appearance of these cysts in combination with SLAP lesions. Hypothesis is SLAP lesions can lead to cysts in this region and should be repaired.

The effect of alcohol, tobacco, and aspirin consumption on seminal quality among healthy young men.

In this study, the authors examined the effects of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use on plasma testosterone and seminal parameters (in accordance with the World Health Organization's standards) in healthy Argentine medical students (n = 34). Some alterations in seminal parameters were detected in 19 (56%) subjects. Alcohol and tobacco use were correlated significantly, p = 0.

An inelastic X-ray scattering spectrometer at LNLS.

A high-resolution spectrometer aimed at performing experiments of inelastic X-ray scattering by electronic excitations is described. The spectrometer has been installed at the D12A-XRD1 beamline of the National Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), in Campinas, Brazil. Synchrotron radiation is monochromated to about 6 keV and focused horizontally onto the sample by a sagittally focusing Si(111) double-crystal monochromator in non-dispersive setting.

[Diagnosis and stage-related therapy of joint infections].

Background: Our management of septic arthritis is a combination of a stage-related arthroscopic irrigation, debridement and antibiotic therapy. At the start of therapy x-rays of the infected joint, leukocyte rate with differentiation and C-reactive protein level are necessary and aspiration of the joint should be performed for gram strain and crystal analysis. Additional imaging and laboratory tests can be needed for special indications.