Bone Marrow-Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Secretome as Conditioned Medium Relieves Experimental Skeletal Muscle Damage Induced by Ex Vivo Eccentric Contraction

Bone marrow-mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) may offer promise for skeletal muscle repair/regeneration. Growing evidence suggests that the mechanisms underpinning the beneficial effects of such cells in muscle tissue reside in their ability to secrete bioactive molecules (secretome) with multiple actions. Hence, we examined the effects of MSC secretome as conditioned medium (MSC-CM) on ex vivo murine extensor digitorum longus muscle injured by forced eccentric contraction (EC). By combining morphological (light and confocal laser scanning microscopies) and electrophysiological analyses we demonstrated the capability of MSC-CM to attenuate EC-induced tissue structural damages and sarcolemnic functional properties’ modifications. MSC-CM was effective in protecting myofibers from apoptosis, as suggested by a reduced expression of pro-apoptotic markers, cytochrome c and activated caspase-3, along with an increase in the expression of pro-survival AKT factor. Notably, MSC-CM also reduced the EC-induced tissue redistribution and extension of telocytes/CD34⁺ stromal cells, distinctive cells proposed to play a “nursing” role for the muscle resident myogenic satellite cells (SCs), regarded as the main players of regeneration. Moreover, it affected SC functionality likely contributing to replenishment of the SC reservoir. This study provides the necessary groundwork for further investigation of the effects of MSC secretome in the setting of skeletal muscle injury and regenerative medicine.     

Low-dimensional, hinged bar-code metal oxide layers and free-standing, ordered organic nanostructures from turbostratic vanadium oxide

Both low-dimensional bar-coded metal oxide layers, which exhibit molecular hinging, and free-standing organic nanostructures can be obtained from unique nanofibers of vanadium oxide (VO(x)). The nanofibers are successfully synthesized by a simple chemical route using an ethanolic solution of vanadium pentoxide xerogel and dodecanethiol resulting in a double bilayered laminar turbostratic structure. The formation of vanadium oxide nanofibers is observed after hydrothermal treatment of the thiol-intercalated xerogel, resulting in typical lengths in the range 2-6 microm and widths of about 50-500 nm. We observe concomitant hinging of the flexible nanofiber lamina at periodic hinge points in the final product on both the nanoscale and molecular level. Bar-coded nanofibers comprise alternating segments of organic-inorganic (thiols-VO(x)) material and are amenable to segmented, localized metal nanoparticle docking. Under certain conditions free-standing bilayered organic nanostructures are realized.     

Reduced Surfactant Uptake in Three Dimensional Assemblies of VOx Nanotubes Improves Reversible Li+ Intercalation and Charge Capacity

The relationship between the nanoscale structure of vanadium pentoxide nanotubes and their ability to accommodate Li⁺ during intercalation/deintercalation is explored. The nanotubes are synthesized using two different precursors through a surfactant‐assisted templating method, resulting in standalone VO _x (vanadium oxide) nanotubes and also “nano‐urchin”. Under highly reducing conditions, where the interlaminar uptake of primary alkylamines is maximized, standalone nanotubes exhibit near‐perfect scrolled layers and long‐range structural order even at the molecular level. Under less reducing conditions, the degree of amine uptake is reduced due to a lower density of V⁴⁺ sites and less V₂O₅ is functionalized with adsorbed alkylammonium cations. This is typical of the nano‐urchin structure. High‐resolution TEM studies revealed the unique observation of nanometer‐scale nanocrystals of pristine unreacted V₂O₅ throughout the length of the nanotubes in the nano‐urchin. Electrochemical intercalation studies revealed that the very well ordered xerogel‐based nanotubes exhibit similar specific capacities (235 mA h g^?1) to Na⁺‐exchange nanorolls of VO_x (200 mA h g^?1). By comparison, the theoretical maximum value is reported to be 240 mA h g^?1. The VOTPP‐based nanotubes of the nano‐urchin 3D assemblies, however, exhibit useful charge capacities exceeding 437 mA h g^?1, which is a considerable advance for VO_x based nanomaterials and one of the highest known capacities for Li⁺ intercalated laminar vanadates.     

Lanthanides-clay nanocomposites: Synthesis, characterization and optical properties

Complexes of Europium(III) and Terbium(III) with 2,2-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline were inserted into Na-bentonite by ion exchange reactions at room temperature. The products display interlaminar distances and stoichiometries in agreement with the ion exchange capacity and the interlayer space available in the clay. The optical properties of the intercalates, being qualitatively similar to those of the free complexes, are additionally improved with respect to exchange processes with the medium, especially in a moist environment. The protection again hydrolysis, together with the intensity of the optical transition ⁵D₀-⁵F₂ observed in the nanocomposite, makes these products promising for the development of novel optical materials.     

Impact of fat types on the rheological and textural properties of gluten-free oat dough and cookie

This study investigated the effect of six fats (margarine, butter, lard-LAR, refined palm oil-RPO, refined palm oil with stearin-RPOS, hydrogenated palm oil-HPO) with different solid fat content (SFC) on gluten-free oat dough and cookie properties. RPOS and HPO had the highest SFC. RPO dough was the softest, whereas HPO was the hardest one. Dough hardness was correlated with SFC (r = 0.87). Dough stickiness was positively correlated with dough hardness (r = 0.92). Dough hardness influenced the breaking force of the cookies (r = 0.79). HPO were the hardest cookies. Oscillatory test revealed that HPO dough was the stiffest as well as presented a higher rigidity compared to the other samples as showed by the creep tests. LAR cookies were the darkest, while HPO were the lightest. SFC of fats is the most important composition parameter which influences thermal, textural and rheological properties of the oat dough.     

Nitric Oxide: From Gastric Motility to Gastric Dysmotility

It is known that nitric oxide (NO) plays a key physiological role in the control of gastrointestinal (GI) motor phenomena. In this respect, NO is considered as the main non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) inhibitory neurotransmitter responsible for smooth muscle relaxation. Moreover, many substances (including hormones) have been reported to modulate NO production leading to changes in motor responses, further underlying the importance of this molecule in the control of GI motility. An impaired NO production/release has indeed been reported to be implicated in some GI dysmotility. In this article we wanted to focus on the influence of NO on gastric motility by summarizing knowledge regarding its role in both physiological and pathological conditions. The main role of NO on regulating gastric smooth muscle motor responses, with particular reference to NO synthases expression and signaling pathways, is discussed. A deeper knowledge of nitrergic mechanisms is important for a better understanding of their involvement in gastric pathophysiological conditions of hypo- or hyper-motility states and for future therapeutic approaches. A possible role of substances which, by interfering with NO production, could prove useful in managing such motor disorders has been advanced.     

Titanium dioxide/amine hybrid nanotubes. Optical properties and behavior as lithium-ion electrode

Titanium dioxide based tubular nanocomposites containing long-chain amines were prepared by hydrothermal reaction of anatase with neutral surfactants, dodecylamine and octadecylamine, under strong alkaline conditions. Morphologically pure phases are obtained after reaction times of about 50 h at 130 °C. Dodecylamine derivates are structural and thermally more fragile than those with octadecylamine. Under more drastic reaction conditions, 72 h at 150 °C, amine is segregated leading to almost pure inorganic nanotubes or fibers for octadecyl and dodecyl derivatives respectively. The products characterized by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, FT-IR and elemental analysis are constituted by the hydrogen titanat H₂Ti₃O₇. Diffuse reflectance spectra reveal the products present typical size-dependent optical properties. The photoluminescence spectra are qualitatively similar to that of anatase dominated by the presence of traps located in the band gap. The electrochemical lithium intercalation and lithium diffusion coefficients of the products were studied by intermittent galvanostatic method and galvanostatic pulse relaxation technique respectively. Products were tested in a lithium cell using the nanocomposites as the active material of the positive electrode. The hybrid dodecylamine derivative shows a first cycle irreversible capacity of 219 mAh/g, and a capacity of 113 mAh/g after the 7th cycle which results improved in comparison with those reported for H₂Ti₃O₇ electrodes, thus pointing to a protective effect of the amine.     

Evaluation of the storage-associated changes in the fatty acid profile of oat-based gluten-free cookies prepared with different fats

Food Science and Biotechnology - This study was carried out to investigate storage-associated changes in the fatty acid profile (with GC and 1H-NMR techniques) of oat-based gluten-free cookies...     

Layered Nanocomposite 2D-TiO2 with Cu2O Nanoparticles as an Efficient Photocatalyst for 4-Chlorophenol Degradation and Hydrogen Evolution

Topics in Catalysis - New composites formed by layered hybrid TiO2(stearic acid) (LHTiO2) and, Cu2O nanoparticles were studied as photocatalysts that extend the response range to light visible for...