Surface modification of mesostructured cellular foam to enhance hydrogen storage in binary THF/H clathrate hydrate.

This study introduces solid-state tuning of a mesostructured cellular foam (MCF) to enhance hydrogen (H) storage in clathrate hydrates. Grafting of promoter-like molecules (, tetrahydrofuran) at the internal surface of the MCF resulted in a substantial improvement in the kinetics of formation of binary H-THF clathrate hydrate. Identification of the confined hydrate as sII clathrate hydrate and enclathration of H in its small cages was performed using XRD and high-pressure H NMR spectroscopy respectively.

Titanium-Based Static Mixer Electrodes to Improve the Current Density of Slurry Electrodes.

Complex geometries for electrodes are a great challenge in electrochemical applications. Slurry electrodes have been one example, which use complex flow distributors to improve the charge transfer between the current collector and the slurry particles. Here we use titanium-based flow distributors produced by indirect 3D-printing to improve further the electron transfer from highly conductive flow distributors to the slurry particles for a vanadium redox flow application.

Altered basal forebrain function during whole-brain network activity at pre- and early-plaque stages of Alzheimer's disease in TgF344-AD rats.

Background: Imbalanced synaptic transmission appears to be an early driver in Alzheimer's disease (AD) leading to brain network alterations. Early detection of altered synaptic transmission and insight into mechanisms causing early synaptic alterations would be valuable treatment strategies. This study aimed to investigate how whole-brain networks are influenced at pre- and early-plague stages of AD and if these manifestations are associated with concomitant cellular and synaptic deficits.

Hit-to-lead optimization of a benzene sulfonamide series for potential antileishmanial agents.

A series of benzene sulphonamides with good potency and selectivity against spp. intracellular amastigotes was identified by high-throughput screening. Approximately 200 compounds were synthesized as part of a hit-to-lead optimization program.

Alterations in cellular force parameters and cell projections in Nasal polyps-derived fibroblasts.

Objective: Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) is a disease that features a mechanical dysfunction involving chronic inflammation and altered tissue remodeling. In this study, we aim to evaluate the fibroblast morphology and its cellular traction force in primary fibroblasts cell cultures obtained from both healthy individuals (n=7) and patients with CRSwNP (n=8).

Methods: Using a Traction-force Microscopy we analyzed parameters of Force/Tension in fibroblasts cultures in both experimental groups.

Perspective: Towards Personalised Metabolic Coaching in Cancer.

Although cancer survivorship has improved over the last decades, numbers of cancer incidence and prevalence are rising. Evidence is growing that lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, a healthy weight management and -diet, play an important role in first- and second line preventive strategies. When implementing a healthy lifestyle, the maintenance of the energy balance should be taken into account.

Dry amorphisation of mangiferin, a poorly water-soluble compound, using mesoporous silica.

Mangiferin, a poorly water soluble compound, was processed via a dry amorphisation technique (ball milling) in combination with mesoporous silica to enhance the solubility of mangiferin. The amorphous samples were prepared by mixing 1:1 (w/w) Syloid® XDP 3050 silica-mangiferin mixtures using a planetary mono mill at different milling speeds and milling times according to a 3 full factorial experimental design. The prepared samples were characterized for dissolution profile, particle size distribution using laser diffraction particle size analyzer, thermal characteristics using DSC, crystalline characteristics using XRD and molecular interactions using FTIR and ss-NMR.

APR-246 (PRIMA-1(MET)) strongly synergizes with AZD2281 (olaparib) induced PARP inhibition to induce apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines.

APR-246 (PRIMA-1(Met)) is able to bind mutant p53 and restore its normal conformation and function. The compound has also been shown to increase intracellular ROS levels. Importantly, the poly-[ADP-ribose] polymerase-1 (PARP-1) enzyme plays an important role in the repair of ROS-induced DNA damage.

Performance Characterization of an Actively Cooled Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Coil for the Rat.

Objectives: This study characterizes and validates a recently developed dedicated circular rat coil for small animal repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS).

Materials And Methods: The electric (E) field distribution was calculated in a three-dimensional (3D) spherical rat head model and coil cooling performance was characterized. Motor threshold (MT) in rats (n = 12) was determined using two current directions, MT variability (n = 16) and laterality (n = 11) of the stimulation was assessed.

Small-animal repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with [¹⁸F]-FDG microPET to quantify the neuromodulation effect in the rat brain.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive neurostimulation technique for the treatment of various neurological and psychiatric disorders. To investigate the working mechanism of this treatment approach, we designed a small-animal coil for dedicated use in rats and we combined this neurostimulation method with small-animal positron emission tomography (microPET or μPET) to quantify regional 2-deoxy-2-((18)F)fluoro-d-glucose ([(18)F]-FDG) uptake in the rat brain, elicited by a low- (1 Hz) and a high- (50 Hz) frequency paradigm. Rats (n=6) were injected with 1 mCi of [(18)F]-FDG 10 min after the start of 30 min of stimulation (1 Hz, 50 Hz or sham), followed by a 20-min μPET image acquisition.