Sonochemical synthesis of porous gold nano- and microparticles in a Rosette cell.

We report the synthesis of Au nano- and microparticles that relies on α-D-glucose (CHO) as the reducer and stabilizer in a Rosette cell under 20 kHz ultrasound irradiation. The chemical and physical effects of ultrasonic irradiation on the synthesis were investigated. The results showed that an optimum pH is required for the formation of insoluble Au(0) particles.

Portable, stable, and sensitive assay to detect phosphate in water with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and dextran tablet.

A novel and highly sensitive tablet-based colorimetric sensor is developed for the detection of phosphate (Pi) in drinking and surface water using mercaptoacetic acid-capped gold nanoparticles (MA-AuNPs). Characterization of AuNPs and MA-AuNPs was achieved by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Dynamic light scattering (DLS). The principle of this sensor is based on the aggregation and disaggregation mechanisms of AuNPs that result in a color change from blue to red due to the surface plasmon resonance effect, where europium ions (Eu) act as the aggregating agent.

Plantar fasciitis: a degenerative process (fasciosis) without inflammation.

The authors review histologic findings from 50 cases of heel spur surgery for chronic plantar fasciitis. Findings include myxoid degeneration with fragmentation and degeneration of the plantar fascia and bone marrow vascular ectasia. Histologic findings are presented to support the thesis that "plantar fasciitis" is a degenerative fasciosis without inflammation, not a fasciitis.

Characterization of human cleaved N-CAM and association with schizophrenia.

The neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) is a cell recognition molecule involved in cellular migration, synaptic plasticity, and CNS development. A 105- to 115-kDa isoform of N-CAM (cleaved N-CAM or cN-CAM) is increased in schizophrenia in hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and CSF. We purified and partially characterized cN-CAM, a putative novel isoform, and confirmed that the first 9 amino acids were identical to exon 1 of N-CAM, without the signal sequence.

Elevated concentration of N-CAM VASE isoforms in schizophrenia.

Neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) is a cell recognition molecule, four major isoforms (180, 140, 120, and 105-115 kDa) of which are present in brain. N-CAM has several roles in cellular organization and CNS development. Previously we have found an elevation in CSF N-CAM 120 kDa in the CSF of patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.