Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure Is Associated with High Levels of Circulating microRNA-199a-5p and 22–5p and a Defective Regulation of Intracellular Calcium and Cell-to-Cell Communication

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in atrial remodeling and atrial fibrillation (AF) promotion. We determined the circulating miRNA profile in patients with AF and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and its potential role in promoting the arrhythmia. In plasma of 98 patients with HFrEF (49 with AF and 49 in sinus rhythm, SR), differential miRNA expression was determined by high-throughput microarray analysis followed by replication of selected candidates. Validated miRNAs were determined in human atrial samples, and potential arrhythmogenic mechanisms studied in HL-1 cells. Circulating miR-199a-5p and miR-22-5p were significantly increased in HFrEF patients with AF versus those with HFrEF in SR. Both miRNAs, but particularly miR-199a-5p, were increased in atrial samples of patients with AF. Overexpression of both miRNAs in HL-1 cells resulted in decreased protein levels of L-type Ca²⁺ channel, NCX and connexin-40, leading to lower basal intracellular Ca²⁺ levels, fewer inward currents, a moderate reduction in Ca²⁺ buffering post-caffeine exposure, and a deficient cell-to-cell communication. In conclusion, circulating miR-199a-5p and miR-22-5p are higher in HFrEF patients with AF, with similar findings in human atrial samples of AF patients. Cells exposed to both miRNAs exhibited altered Ca²⁺ handling and defective cell-to-cell communication, both findings being potential arrhythmogenic mechanisms.     

Novel 4H-pyranylidene organic dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells: Effect of different heteroaromatic rings on the photovoltaic properties

Eight novel Ruthenium-free dyes consisting of a 4H-pyranylidene donor, a 2-cyanoacrylic acid acceptor and several heterocyclic rings with different electronic properties are designed and synthesized. The photovoltaic performances of the related dye-sensitized solar cells are discussed and compared, obtaining the best results with the thiophene followed by the mismatched-oriented thiazole. Dyes containing a pyrrol or a matched-oriented thiazole lead to the lower efficiencies of all the series. Charge extraction (CE) and transient photovoltage (TPV) measurements were conducted in order to investigate the recombination resistance and the difference in voltage for the devices. In order to get further insight in the electronic and optical properties of the studied compounds, theoretical calculations using TD-DFT and the CPCM have been carried out.     

Efficient Transparent Thin Dye Solar Cells Based on Highly Porous 1D Photonic Crystals

A working electrode design based on a highly porous 1D photonic crystal structure that opens the path towards high photocurrents in thin, transparent, dye‐sensitized solar cells is presented. By enlarging the average pore size with respect to previous photonic crystal designs, the new working electrode not only increases the device photocurrent, as predicted by theoretical models, but also allows the observation of an unprecedented boost of the cell photovoltage, which can be attributed to structural modifications caused during the integration of the photonic crystal. These synergic effects yield conversion efficiencies of around 3.5% by using just 2 μm thick electrodes, with enhancements between 100% and 150% with respect to reference cells of the same thickness.     

A new model for public-private partnerships

In the United States, federal technology transfer programs, public-private initiatives, national centers for technology and manufacturing, research and development consortia, and university outreach centers have all been developed as public-investment-based solutions to enhancing economic competitiveness. Each of these activities has problems and shortcomings associated with it. In lieu of these traditional programs, an expanded, integrated, and self-sufficient model for public-private partnerships is proposed through which 503(c) nonprofit organizations can manage and operate technology extension programs for the state or federal government. This approach addresses small, medium, and large business in an integrated fashion in terms of nine sectors of economic competitiveness. Methods for acquiring and utilizing technology and accessing government markets are proposed. A unique method for obtaining self-sufficiency and growth is developed. The presented model leverages federal investments into an independent and self-sufficient, privately-funded partnership. This type of entrepreneurial approach to public-private initiatives has been conspicuously absent from the majority of existing federal and state funded technology programs. It is expected that this model will lead to a higher rate of return on public investment.     

Hybrid Copper‐Nanowire–Reduced‐Graphene‐Oxide Coatings: A “Green Solution” Toward Highly Transparent,Highly Conductive,and Flexible Electrodes for (Opto)Electronics

This study reports a novel green chemistry approach to assemble copper‐nanowires/reduced‐graphene‐oxide hybrid coatings onto inorganic and organic supports. Such films are robust and combine sheet resistances (<30 Ω sq^?1) and transparencies in the visible region (transmittance > 70%) that are rivalling those of indium–tin oxide. These electrodes are suitable for flexible electronic applications as they show a sheet resistance change of <4% after 10 000 bending cycles at a bending radius of 1.0 cm, when supported on polyethylene terephthalate foils. Significantly, the wet‐chemistry method involves the preparation of dispersions in environmentally friendly solvents and avoids the use of harmful reagents. Such inks are processed at room temperature on a wide variety of surfaces by spray coating. As a proof‐of‐concept, this study demonstrates the successful use of such coatings as electrodes in high‐performance electrochromic devices. The robustness of the electrodes is demonstrated by performing several tens of thousands of cycles of device operation. These unique conducting coatings hold potential for being exploited as transparent electrodes in numerous optoelectronic applications such as solar cells, light‐emitting diodes, and displays.     

Decision-making criteria and indicators for water and sanitation projects in developing countries

Water and sanitation projects for solving the needs of small communities in developing countries are complex in nature and involve complex decision-making, which must consider technical, socioeconomic and environmental dimensions. Multicriteria analysis (MCA) is a suitable decision-aid method that scores a finite number of options on the basis of a set of evaluation criteria. The main challenge in MCA is choosing the appropriate criteria and evaluation indicators to use for assessment. The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive and wide list of criteria and evaluation indicators as a guideline in MCA of water and basic sanitation projects in small rural communities of developing countries. First, the paper details the general criteria to be considered in all the projects, which are classified in to 4 main groups: technical (e.g., local resources use, appropriate management); social (e.g., local community participation, overcoming discrimination of conflict); economic (e.g., low cost, employment of local staff) and environmental criteria (e.g., atmospheric emissions, water pollution). Then, it describes technical criteria to be additionally considered in each specific type of project: water supply (e.g., water needs, independent access), water treatment (e.g., constant resource availability, flexibility of use for different types of water) and basic sanitation projects (e.g., maximum number of people per system, effluent quality).     

Endothelial ADAM17 Expression in the Progression of Kidney Injury in an Obese Mouse Model of Pre-Diabetes

Disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 17 (ADAM17) activates inflammatory and fibrotic processes through the shedding of various molecules such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) or Transforming Growht Factor-α (TGF-α). There is a well-recognised link between TNF-α, obesity, inflammation, and diabetes. In physiological situations, ADAM17 is expressed mainly in the distal tubular cell while, in renal damage, its expression increases throughout the kidney including the endothelium. The aim of this study was to characterize, for the first time, an experimental mouse model fed a high-fat diet (HFD) with a specific deletion of Adam17 in endothelial cells and to analyse the effects on different renal structures. Endothelial Adam17 knockout male mice and their controls were fed a high-fat diet, to induce obesity, or standard rodent chow, for 22 weeks. Glucose tolerance, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, renal histology, macrophage infiltration, and galectin-3 levels were evaluated. Results showed that obese mice presented higher blood glucose levels, dysregulated glucose homeostasis, and higher body weight compared to control mice. In addition, obese wild-type mice presented an increased albumin-to-creatinine ratio; greater glomerular size and mesangial matrix expansion; and tubular fibrosis with increased galectin-3 expression. Adam17 deletion decreased the albumin-to-creatinine ratio, glomerular mesangial index, and tubular galectin-3 expression. Moreover, macrophage infiltration in the glomeruli of obese Adam17 knockout mice was reduced as compared to obese wild-type mice. In conclusion, the expression of ADAM17 in endothelial cells impacted renal inflammation, modulating the renal function and histology in an obese pre-diabetic mouse model.     

Clinical Parameters and Epigenetic Biomarkers of Plaque Vulnerability in Patients with Carotid Stenosis

Atheromatous disease is the first cause of death and dependency in developed countries and carotid artery atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of severe ischaemic strokes. Current management strategies are mainly based on the degree of stenosis and patient selection has limited accuracy. This information could be complemented by the identification of biomarkers of plaque vulnerability, which would permit patients at greater and lesser risk of stroke to be distinguished, thus enabling a better selection of patients for surgical or intensive medical treatment. Although several circulating protein-based biomarkers with significance for both the diagnosis of carotid artery disease and its prognosis have been identified, at present, none have been clinically implemented. This review focuses especially on the most relevant clinical parameters to take into account in routine clinical practice and summarises the most up-to-date data on epigenetic biomarkers of carotid atherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability.     

A New Validated Real-Time PCR-Based Method for the Specific and Fast Detection of Cronobacter spp. in Infant Formula

In this study, a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method was designed for the fast detection of Cronobacter spp. (a newly proposed genus formerly known as Enterobacter sakazakii) in infant formula. The real-time PCR was positively tested with 70 Cronobacter strains, including members of all the species of this genus, and 88 non-Cronobacter strains. This new PCR-based system was validated against the reference standard ISO/TS 22964: 2006 (ISO International Organization for Standardization 2006) using 70 food matrices including powdered infant formula, follow-up formula, and hydrolyzed cereals for infants. The detection limit of the technique was found to be of 1 cfu in 10 g of food, fulfilling the requirements of the European Commission. The time of analysis, which comprises around 3–6 days using the reference method, is considerably reduced to less than 24 h using the real-time PCR-based system hereby described, allowing food industry a faster release of the stocks for commercialization. Moreover, this method includes an internal amplification control, co-amplified during each PCR run to verify the results.     

Impact of apoE genotype on oxidative stress, inflammation and disease risk

Although in developing countries an apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) genotype may offer an evolutionary advantage, as it has been shown to offer protection against certain infectious disease, in Westernised societies it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and represents a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, late-onset Alzheimer's disease and other chronic disorders. ApoE is an important modulator of many stages of lipoprotein metabolism and traditionally the increased risk was attributed to higher lipid levels in E4 carriers. However, more recent evidence demonstrates the multifunctional nature of the apoE protein and the fact that the impact of genotype on disease risk may be in large part due to an impact on oxidative status or the immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory properties of apoE. An increasing number of studies in cell lines, targeted replacement rodents and human volunteers indicate higher oxidative stress and a more pro-inflammatory state associated with the epsilon4 allele. The impact of genotype on the antioxidant and immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory properties of apoE is the focus of the current review. Furthermore, current information on the impact of environment (diet, exercise, smoking status, alcohol) on apoE genotype-phenotype associations are discussed with a view to identifying particular lifestyle strategies that could be adapted to counteract the 'at-risk' E4 genotype.