Evaluation of inhibitory actions of antidepressants on muscarinic receptors assessed by a binding assay in the mouse cerebral neocortex.

We investigated the inhibitory effects of 32 antidepressants on [H]N-methylscopolamine ([H]NMS)-specific binding in the mouse cerebral neocortex to determine which antidepressants should be recommended for patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Of those tested, nine antidepressants (10 M) exhibited less inhibitory effect on [H]NMS-specific binding (<35%): tianeptine (a tricyclic); trazodone (a serotonin 5-HT blocker); sulpiride (a dopamine D blocker); fluvoxamine (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (RI)); milnacipran, levomilnacipran, venlafaxine, and desvenlafaxine (serotonin and noradrenaline RIs); and bupropion (a noradrenaline and dopamine RI). Therefore, these antidepressants show little anticholinergic effect in the brain and are recommended for use in patients with AD.

Visualizing Ribbon-to-Ribbon Heterogeneity of Chemically Unzipped Wide Graphene Nanoribbons by Silver Nanowire-Based Tip-Enhanced Raman Scattering Microscopy.

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), a quasi-one-dimensional form of graphene, have gained tremendous attention due to their potential for next-generation nanoelectronic devices. The chemical unzipping of carbon nanotubes is one of the attractive fabrication methods to obtain single-layered GNRs (sGNRs) with simple and large-scale production.  The authors recently found that unzipping from double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWNTs), rather than single- or multi-walled, results in high-yield production of crystalline sGNRs.

Influence of junction resistance on spatiotemporal dynamics and reservoir computing performance arising from an SWNT/POM 3D network formed a scaffold template technique.

For scientists in numerous fields, creating a physical device that can function like the human brain is an aspiration. It is believed that we may achieve brain-like spatiotemporal information processing by fabricating an reservoir computing (RC) device because of a complex random network topology with nonlinear dynamics. One of the significant drawbacks of a two-dimensional physical reservoir system is the difficulty in controlling the network density.

In-materio reservoir working at low frequencies in a AgS-island network.

A AgS-island network is fabricated with surrounding electrodes to enable it to be used as a reservoir for unconventional computing. Local conductance change occurs due to the growth/shrinkage of Ag filaments from/into each AgS island in the reservoir. The growth/shrinkage of Ag filaments is caused by the drift of Ag cations in each AgS island, which results in a unique non-linear response as a reservoir, especially at lower frequencies.

In-Materio Reservoir Computing in a Sulfonated Polyaniline Network.

A sulfonated polyaniline (SPAN) organic electrochemical network device (OEND) is fabricated using a simple drop-casting method on multiple Au electrodes for use in reservoir computing (RC). The SPAN network has humidity-dependent electrical properties. Under high humidity, the SPAN OEND exhibits mainly ionic conduction, including charging of an electric double layer and ionic diffusion.

Sacrificial gold coating enhances transport of liquid metal in pressurized fountain pen lithography.

Liquid metals have attracted attention as functional components for moldable electronics, such as soft flexible connectors, wires or conductive ink. The relatively high surface tension (> 400 mN m) and the fact that liquid metals do not readily wet ceramic or oxide surfaces have led to devising unique techniques to spread the liquid and mold its shape. These techniques include surface modification, electrowetting and vacuum filling of channels.

Local-field-induced current noise in shape-limited self-doped polyaniline.

Electronic noise generators are an essential component of molecular neuromorphic devices. To realize molecular noise generators with a high degree of freedom for design and integration into molecular devices, the utilization of the local electric field for the modulation of electrical conduction via a shape-limited conductive polymer is one promising strategy. Herein, a molecular noise generator composed of thin self-doped polyaniline (SPAN) lines is reported.

Visualization of Charge Migration in Conductive Polymers via Time-Resolved Electrostatic Force Microscopy.

Charge dynamics play an important role in numerous natural phenomena and artificial devices, and tracking charge migration and recombination is crucial for understanding the mechanism and function of systems involving charge transfer. Tip-synchronized pump-probe electrostatic force microscopy simultaneously permits highly sensitive detection, microsecond time resolution, and nanoscale spatial resolution, where the spatial distribution in static measurement (usual EFM) reflects differences in the carrier density and the time evolution reveals the surface carrier mobility. By using this method, carrier injection and ejection in sulfonated polyaniline (SPAN) thin films were visualized.

Functional mapping and implications of substrate specificity of the yeast high-affinity leucine permease Bap2.

Leucine is a major amino acid in nutrients and proteins and is also an important precursor of higher alcohols during brewing. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, leucine uptake is mediated by multiple amino acid permeases, including the high-affinity leucine permease Bap2. Although BAP2 transcription has been extensively analyzed, the mechanisms by which a substrate is recognized and moves through the permease remain unknown.

Significance of cervical ripening in pre-induction treatment for premature rupture of membranes at term.

Aim: This study aimed to determine whether mechanical cervical dilatation with a laminaria tent in women with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at term may influence the maternal/neonatal outcomes.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records and histopathologic results of the placenta in 782 women with PROM at term. Of the 486 women seen prior to 2010 (group 1), 85 had Bishop scores of 5 or less and underwent insertion of laminaria tents (group A).