Efficient Diode Performance with Improved Effective Carrier Lifetime and Absorption Using Bismuth Nanoparticles Passivated Silicon Nanowires.

In this paper, we report a novel design of bismuth nanoparticle-passivated silicon nanowire (Bi@SiNW) heterojunction composites for high diode performances and improved effective carrier lifetime and absorption properties. High-density vertically aligned SiNWs were fabricated using a simple and cost-effective silver-assisted chemical etching method. Bi nanoparticles (BiNPs) were then anchored in these nanowires by a straightforward thermal evaporation technique.

Evidence for anti-inflammatory effects and modulation of neurotransmitter metabolism by Salvia officinalis L.

Background: Cognitive health is of great interest to society, with neuroinflammation and systemic inflammation age-related risk factors that are linked to declines in cognitive performance. Several botanical ingredients have been suggested to have benefits in this area including Salvia officinalis (sage), which has shown anti-inflammatory effects and exhibited promising cognitive improvements in multiple human studies. The current study demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects for S.

Sciatica and femoral head osteonecrosis complicating a gluteal hydatid cyst: A case report.

Introduction And Importance: Hydatid disease is an endemic echinococcal infestation in Tunisia. Only 4% of hydatid cysts are located in the muscle. The gluteal localization is a very rare entity.

Effects of Salvia officinalis L. and Chamaemelum nobile (L.) extracts on inflammatory responses in two models of human cells: Primary subcutaneous adipocytes and neuroblastoma cell line (SK-N-SH).

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Salvia officinalis L. (sage), and Chamaemelum nobile (L.) (chamomile) have been used traditionally to treat various inflammatory conditions.

High fat-fed GPR55 null mice display impaired glucose tolerance without concomitant changes in energy balance or insulin sensitivity but are less responsive to the effects of the cannabinoids rimonabant or Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabivarin on weight gain.

Background: The insulin-sensitizing phytocannabinoid, Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) can signal partly via G-protein coupled receptor-55 (GPR55 behaving as either an agonist or an antagonist depending on the assay). The cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) inverse agonist rimonabant is also a GPR55 agonist under some conditions. Previous studies have shown varied effects of deletion of GPR55 on energy balance and glucose homeostasis in mice.

Highly Efficient Silicon Nanowire Surface Passivation by Bismuth Nano-Coating for Multifunctional Bi@SiNWs Heterostructures.

A key requirement for the development of highly efficient silicon nanowires (SiNWs) for use in various kinds of cutting-edge applications is the outstanding passivation of their surfaces. In this vein, we report on a superior passivation of a SiNWs surface by bismuth nano-coating (BiNC) for the first time. A metal-assisted chemical etching technique was used to produce the SiNW arrays, while the BiNCs were anchored on the NWs through thermal evaporation.

Elucidating the Effect of Etching Time Key-Parameter toward Optically and Electrically-Active Silicon Nanowires.

In this work, vertically aligned silicon nanowires (SiNWs) with relatively high crystallinity have been fabricated through a facile, reliable, and cost-effective metal assisted chemical etching method. After introducing an itemized elucidation of the fabrication process, the effect of varying etching time on morphological, structural, optical, and electrical properties of SiNWs was analysed. The NWs length increased with increasing etching time, whereas the wires filling ratio decreased.

7-Ketocholesterol and 7β-hydroxycholesterol: In vitro and animal models used to characterize their activities and to identify molecules preventing their toxicity.

Oxysterols are molecules derived by the oxidation of cholesterol and can be formed either by auto-oxidation, enzymatically or by both processes. Among the oxysterols formed by auto-oxidation, 7-ketocholesterol and 7β-hydroxycholesterol are the main forms generated. These oxysterols, formed endogenously and brought in large quantities by certain foods, have major cytotoxic properties.

Primary Adipocytes as a Model for Insulin Sensitivity.

Obesity and its comorbidity insulin resistance lead to the development of chronic metabolic diseases, such as impaired fasted blood glucose and type 2 diabetes. Adipose tissue plays an important role in whole-body glucose homeostasis, particularly in obese individuals; therefore, many in vivo models of type 2 diabetes are obese, such as Lep and Lepr mice or ZDF rats. Primary adipocytes therefore represent an attractive in vitro model to study insulin-mediated glucose uptake to investigate the mechanisms of insulin resistance and explore the potential insulin-sensitizing properties of new antidiabetic drugs.

IL-33 stimulates expression of the GPR84 (EX33) fatty acid receptor gene and of cytokine and chemokine genes in human adipocytes.

Expression of GPCR fatty acid sensor/receptor genes in adipocytes is modulated by inflammatory mediators, particularly IL-1β. In this study we examined whether the IL-1 gene superfamily member, IL-33, also regulates expression of the fatty acid receptor genes in adipocytes. Human fat cells, differentiated from preadipocytes, were incubated with IL-33 at three different dose levels for 3 or 24 h and mRNA measured by qPCR.

Preventive effects of leaf extract on insulin resistance and inflammation in a model of high fat diet-induced obesity in mice that responds to rosiglitazone.

Background: (sage) is a native plant to the Mediterranean region and has been used for a long time in traditional medicine for various diseases. We investigated possible anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity effects of sage methanol (MetOH) extract in a nutritional mouse model of obesity, inflammation and insulin resistance, as well as its effects on lipolysis and lipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells.

Methods: Diet-induced obese (DIO) mice were treated for five weeks with sage methanol extract (100 and 400 mg kg/day bid), or rosiglitazone (3 mg kg/day bid), as a positive control.

IL-1β and TNFα inhibit GPR120 (FFAR4) and stimulate GPR84 (EX33) and GPR41 (FFAR3) fatty acid receptor expression in human adipocytes: implications for the anti-inflammatory action of n-3 fatty acids.

Regulation of the expression of GPCR fatty acid receptor genes has been examined in human adipocytes differentiated in culture. TNFα and IL-1β induced a marked reduction in GPR120 expression, mRNA level falling 17-fold at 24 h in adipocytes incubated with TNFα. In contrast, GPR84 mRNA was dramatically increased by these cytokines (>500-fold for IL-1β at 4 h); GPR41 expression was also stimulated.

PCR arrays indicate that the expression of extracellular matrix and cell adhesion genes in human adipocytes is regulated by IL-1β (interleukin-1β).

The role of IL-1β in regulating the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell adhesion genes in human adipocytes has been examined. Adipocytes differentiated in culture were incubated with IL-1β for 4 or 24 h and RNA probed with PCR arrays for 84 ECM and cell adhesion genes. Treatment with IL-1β resulted in changes in the expression at one or both time points of ∼50% of the genes probed by the arrays, the majority being down-regulated.

Circulating Levels of the Adipokines Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-4 (MCP-4), Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1β (MIP-1β), and Eotaxin-3 in Severe Obesity and Following Bariatric Surgery.

The aim of the study was to investigate the involvement of the adipokines eotaxin-3, MIP-1β, and MCP-4 in obesity and related comorbidities and the modification of their circulating levels after bariatric surgery. Eighty severely obese subjects and 20 normal-weight controls were included in the study. Circulating levels of MCP-4, MIP-1β, and eotaxin-3, and the main clinical, biochemical, and instrumental parameters for the evaluation of cardiovascular and metabolic profile were determined in controls and in obese subjects at baseline and 10 months after surgery.

IL-1β (interleukin-1β) stimulates the production and release of multiple cytokines and chemokines by human preadipocytes.

The effect of IL-1β on cytokine and chemokine production by human preadipocytes has been examined. Preadipocytes were incubated with IL-1β, and cytokine and chemokine release was measured at 24 h by protein arrays, while the expression of cytokine/chemokine genes was assessed by qPCR at 4 and 24 h. IL-1β stimulated the secretion of multiple cytokines/chemokines, including IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, MCP-4, TNFα and IP-10.

Comparison of potential preventive effects of pomegranate flower, peel and seed oil on insulin resistance and inflammation in high-fat and high-sucrose diet-induced obesity mice model.

Objective: The potentially beneficial effects of pomegranate peel (PPE), flower (PFE) and seed oil (PSO) extracts, in comparison with rosiglitazone, on adiposity, lipid profile, glucose homoeostasis, as well as on the underlying inflammatory mechanisms, were examined in high-fat and high-sucrose (HF/HS) diet-induced obese (DIO) mice.

Measurements: Body weight, body fat, energy expenditure, food and liquid intake, blood glucose, and plasma levels of insulin, lipids and cytokines were measured.

Results: After two weeks, PSO (2 ml/kg/day) and rosiglitazone (3 mg/kg/day) had not improved glucose intolerance.

PCR array and protein array studies demonstrate that IL-1β (interleukin-1β) stimulates the expression and secretion of multiple cytokines and chemokines in human adipocytes.

The role of IL-1β in regulating the expression and secretion of cytokines and chemokines by human adipocytes was examined. Adipocytes were incubated with human IL-1β for 4 or 24 h. The expression of a panel of 84 cytokine/chemokine genes was probed using PCR arrays.

Evidence from studies in rodents and in isolated adipocytes that agonists of the chemerin receptor CMKLR1 may be beneficial in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

The literature is unclear on whether the adipokine chemerin has pro- or anti-inflammatory properties or plays any role in the aetiology of type 2 diabetes or obesity. To address these questions, and in particular the potential of agonists or antagonists of the chemerin receptor CMKLR1 in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, we studied the metabolic phenotypes of both male and female, CMKLR1 knockout and heterozygote mice. We also investigated changes in plasma chemerin levels and chemerin gene mRNA content in adipose tissue in models of obesity and diabetes, and in response to fasting or administration of the insulin sensitizing drug rosiglitazone, which also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Stimulation of glucose uptake in murine soleus muscle and adipocytes by 5-(4-phenoxybutoxy)psoralen (PAP-1) may be mediated by Kv1.5 rather than Kv1.3.

Kv1 channels are shaker-related potassium channels that influence insulin sensitivity. Kv1.3(-/-) mice are protected from diet-induced insulin resistance and some studies suggest that Kv1.

The cannabinoid Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) ameliorates insulin sensitivity in two mouse models of obesity.

Background: Cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) receptor inverse agonists improve type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia but were discontinued due to adverse psychiatric effects. Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is a neutral CB1 antagonist producing hypophagia and body weight reduction in lean mice. We investigated its effects in dietary-induced (DIO) and genetically (ob/ob) obese mice.

Discovery of a potent and selective free fatty acid receptor 1 agonist with low lipophilicity and high oral bioavailability.

The free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFA1, also known as GPR40) mediates enhancement of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and is emerging as a new target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Several FFA1 agonists are known, but the majority of these suffer from high lipophilicity. We have previously reported the FFA1 agonist 3 (TUG-424).

Contrasts between the effects of zinc-α2-glycoprotein, a putative β3/2-adrenoceptor agonist and the β3/2-adrenoceptor agonist BRL35135 in C57Bl/6 (ob/ob) mice.

Previous studies by Tisdale et al. have reported that zinc-α(2)-glycoprotein (ZAG (AZGP1)) reduces body fat content and improves glucose homeostasis and the plasma lipid profile in Aston (ob/ob) mice. It has been suggested that this might be mediated via agonism of β(3)- and possibly β(2)-adrenoceptors.

Male mice that lack the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR41 have low energy expenditure and increased body fat content.

SCFA are produced in the gut by bacterial fermentation of undigested carbohydrates. Activation of the Gαi-protein-coupled receptor GPR41 by SCFA in β-cells and sympathetic ganglia inhibits insulin secretion and increases sympathetic outflow, respectively. A possible role in stimulating leptin secretion by adipocytes is disputed.

Leanness in postnatally nutritionally programmed rats is associated with increased sensitivity to leptin and a melanocortin receptor agonist and decreased sensitivity to neuropeptide Y.

Background: Pups of normally nourished dams that are cross-fostered after birth to dams fed a low-protein (8% by weight) diet (postnatal low protein (PLP)) grow slower during the suckling period and remain small and lean throughout adulthood. At weaning, they have increased expression in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus of the orexigenic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and decreased expression of pro-opiomelanocortin, the precursor of anorexigenic melanocortins.

Objectives And Methods: We investigated, using third ventricle administration, whether 3-month-old male PLP rats display altered sensitivity to leptin with respect to food intake, NPY and the melanocortin 3/4-receptor agonist MTII, and using in situ hybridization or laser capture microdissection of the ARC followed by RT-PCR, whether the differences observed were associated with changes in the hypothalamic expression of NPY or the leptin receptor, NPY receptors and melanocortin receptors.