Extracellular Vesicles in CNS Developmental Disorders

The central nervous system (CNS) is the most complex structure in the body, consisting of multiple cell types with distinct morphology and function. Development of the neuronal circuit and its function rely on a continuous crosstalk between neurons and non-neural cells. It has been widely accepted that extracellular vesicles (EVs), mainly exosomes, are effective entities responsible for intercellular CNS communication. They contain membrane and cytoplasmic proteins, lipids, non-coding RNAs, microRNAs and mRNAs. Their cargo modulates gene and protein expression in recipient cells. Several lines of evidence indicate that EVs play a role in modifying signal transduction with subsequent physiological changes in neurogenesis, gliogenesis, synaptogenesis and network circuit formation and activity, as well as synaptic pruning and myelination. Several studies demonstrate that neural and non-neural EVs play an important role in physiological and pathological neurodevelopment. The present review discusses the role of EVs in various neurodevelopmental disorders and the prospects of using EVs as disease biomarkers and therapeutics.     

Update on the pharmacology of Spirulina (Arthrospira), an unconventional food

Spirulina (Arthrospira), a filamentous, unicellular alga, is a cyanobacterium grown in certain countries as food for human and animal consumption. It is also used to derive additives in pharmaceuticals and foods. This alga is a rich source of proteins, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and other nutrients. Its main use, therefore, is as a food supplement. Over the last few years, however, it has been found to have many additional pharmacological properties. Thus, it has been experimentally proven, in vivo and in vitro that it is effective to treat certain allergies, anemia, cancer, hepatotoxicity, viral and cardiovascular diseases, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, immunodeficiency, and inflammatory processes, among others. Several of these activities are attributed to Spirulina itself or to some of its components including fatty acids omega-3 or omega-6, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, phycocyanin, phenol compounds, and a recently isolated complex, Ca-Spirulan (Ca-SP). This paper aims to update and critically review the results published over the last few years with regards to these properties. The conclusion is that even if this cyanobacterium has been one of the most extensively studied from the chemical, pharmacological and toxicological points of view, it is still necessary to expand the research in order to have more consistent data for its possible use in human beings.     

The effect of different cementing strategies and adhesive interface aging on microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of lithium disilicate ceramics to dentin

This study evaluated the effect of different cementing strategies and adhesive interface aging on microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of lithium disilicate ceramic (IPS e.max CAD) to dentin. Forty coronal dentin fragments were randomly assigned to four groups according to the cementing strategy used to bond lithium disilicate ceramic to coronal dentin surface (n = 10): U200 (self-adhesive resin cement (RC) RelyX U200®/3 M ESPE), SBU (single-step self-etching adhesive system (AS) Single Bond Universal®/3 M ESPE + RelyX ARC®/3 M ESPE RC), AdperSB (two-step etch-and-rinse AS Single Bond 2®/3 M + RelyX ARC®/3 M ESPE RC) and Scotchbond (three-step etch-and-rinse AS Scotchbond Multi-Purpose®/3 M + RelyX ARC®/3 M RC). After 48 h, the ceramic-tooth blocks were sectioned perpendicular to the adhesive interface in the form of sticks and randomly subdivided into two groups according to when they were to be submitted to μTBS testing: immediately or 6 months after storage in water. Some sticks were kept for analysis of the adhesive interface by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The μTBS test was performed in a universal testing machine (0.5 mm/min). The data (MPa) were analyzed using split-plot ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). Water storage decreased μTBS in all cementing strategies. The μTBS was greatest in the Scotchbond group and lowest in the U200 group, at both storage times. No signs of interface degradation were detected under SEM after water storage. In conclusion, water storage decreased bond strength, regardless of the adhesive cementation strategy, and that the three-step adhesive system/dual-cure resin cement ultimately performed better in terms of bond strength.     

Synthesis of polar vinyl monomer–olefin copolymers by α‐diimine nickel catalyst

Vinyl acetate, methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile and methyl vinyl ketone were investigated for co‐ and terpolymerization with ethylene and ethylene–propylene. Precursor [bis(N,N ′‐dimesitylimino)acenaphthene]dibromonickel, activated by methylaluminoxane was used as a catalyst system and trialkylaluminium was employed to block the polar groups for these polymerizations. Polymerization activities of the order of magnitude of 10⁶ in the case of vinyl acetate and methyl methacrylate, and 10⁵ in the case of acrylonitrile were achieved. Microanalysis and GPC of acrylonitrile copolymers found about 17 units of acrylonitrile per polymer chain. Copolymers with very different properties from the parent homopolymers were obtained in all cases except that of methyl vinyl ketone. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

CuO–CeO2 mixed oxide catalysts for the selective oxidation of carbon monoxide in excess hydrogen

A series of mixed oxide CuO–CeO₂ catalysts were prepared by coprecipitation and tested for the selective oxidation of carbon monoxide in the presence of excess hydrogen. These catalysts were found to be very active and exceptionally selective for this reaction and exhibited a good resistance towards CO₂ and H₂O. The catalytic performance of these non-noble metal containing catalysts is compared with that of other selective CO oxidation catalysts reported in literature.     

Cover Image,Volume 66, Issue 10

The cover image, by Bruna A. Bregadiolli et al., is based on the Research Article Towards the synthesis of poly(azafulleroid)s: main chain fullerene oligomers for organic photovoltaic devices, DOI: 10.1002/pi.5419 .