Development and characterization of an implantable biosensor for telemetric monitoring of ethanol in the brain of freely moving rats

Ethanol is one of the most widespread psychotropic agents in western society. While its psychoactive effects are mainly associated with GABAergic and glutamatergic systems, the positive reinforcing properties of ethanol are related to activation of mesolimbic dopaminergic pathways resulting in a release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens. Given these neurobiological implications, the detection of ethanol in brain extracellular fluid (ECF) is of great importance. In this study, we describe the development and characterization of an implantable biosensor for the amperometric detection of brain ethanol in real time. Ten different designs were characterized in vitro in terms of Michaelis-Menten kinetics (V(MAX) and K(M)), sensitivity (linear region slope, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ)), and electroactive interference blocking. The same parameters were monitored in selected designs up to 28 days after fabrication in order to quantify their stability. Finally, the best performing biosensor design was selected for implantation in the nucleus accumbens and coupled with a previously developed telemetric device for the real-time monitoring of ethanol in freely moving, untethered rats. Ethanol was then administered systemically to animals, either alone or in combination with ranitidine (an alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor) while the biosensor signal was continuously recorded. The implanted biosensor, integrated in the low-cost telemetry system, was demonstrated to be a reliable device for the short-time monitoring of exogenous ethanol in brain ECF and represents a new generation of analytical tools for studying ethanol toxicokinetics and the effect of drugs on brain ethanol levels.     

Numerical evaluation of internal combustion spark ignition engines performance fuelled with hydrogen – Natural gas blends

The dependence of road transportation from fossil fuels and the related economic and environmental consequences imposes the diversification of energy sources. Hydrogen can strongly contribute to this goal because it can be produced from different renewable energy sources.     

Cyanide-bridged bimetallic multidimensional structures derived from organotin(IV) and dicyanoaurate building blocks: ion exchange, luminescence, and gas sorption properties

The recent success of using methyltin(IV) cations in constructing multidimensional structures containing the Au–CN–Sn link with interesting physical properties will be surveyed. The methyltin(IV)-dicyanoaurates, Me₃Sn[Au(CN)₂] (1) and Me₂Sn[Au(CN)₂]₂ (2) containing the Au–CN–Sn link can be easily prepared by aqueous reaction of Me₃SnCl or Me₂SnCl₂ with stoichiometric amounts of an aqueous solution of K[Au(CN)₂]. The room temperature solid-state emission spectrum of 1 excited at 254 nm shows two intense emission bands at 442 and 670 nm, and a shoulder at 390 nm. When excited at 320 nm, the crystalline sample shows two intense emission bands at 442 and 720 nm, and a shoulder at 380 nm. After 2 min of grinding, only the blue emission band at 442 nm is observed. In contrast, the emission spectrum of 2 shows only one emission maximum at 422 nm. The porosity of 1 and 2 was probed by gas sorption measurements performed at 77 K. 1 exhibited no detectable microporosity as revealed by the inspection of the N₂, H₂, as well as, O₂ isotherms. The gas adsorption studies reveal that only a small amount of N₂ and H₂ (3.82 and 4.66 cm³ g⁻¹, respectively) is adsorbed by the framework of 2 at 77 K. However, a CO uptake of 11.20 cm³ g⁻¹ can be reached at 1 atm. The framework of 2 can take up significant amounts of O₂ (23.27 cm³ g⁻¹). In addition to intriguing photoluminescence and gas sorption behavior, these complexes also exhibit ion exchange properties in the presence of bivalent transition metal cations, such as cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II).     

Depolymerization of insulin amyloid fibrils by albumin-modified magnetic fluid

Pathogenesis of amyloid-related diseases is associated with the presence of protein amyloid deposits. Insulin amyloids have been reported in a patient with diabetes undergoing treatment by injection of insulin and causes problems in the production and storage of this drug and in pplication of insulin pumps. We have studied the interference of insulin amyloid fibrils with a series of 18 albumin magnetic fluids (MFBSAs) consisting of magnetite nanoparticles modified by different amounts of bovine serum albumin (w/w BSA/Fe?O? from 0.005 up to 15). We have found that MFBSAs are able to destroy amyloid fibrils in vitro. The extent of fibril depolymerization was affected by nanoparticle physical-chemical properties (hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential and isoelectric point) determined by the BSA amount present in MFBSAs. The most effective were MFBSAs with lower BSA/Fe?O? ratios (from 0.005 to 0.1) characteristic of about 90% depolymerizing activity. For the most active magnetic fluids (ratios 0.01 and 0.02) the DC50 values were determined in the range of low concentrations, indicating their ability to interfere with insulin fibrils at stoichiometric concentrations. We assume that the present findings represent a starting point for the application of the active MFBSAs as therapeutic agents targeting insulin amyloidosis.     

绿茶胶囊对黑巧克力中表儿茶素和儿茶素在人体内生物利用率的影响

以志愿者体内实验方式考察绿茶胶囊对黑巧克力中表儿茶素和儿茶素在人体内生物利用率的影响.六位志愿者在实验前一天严格执行低黄酮类饮食,空腹过夜并留下尿样作为空白样本.试验第一阶段:志愿者摄入50g黑巧克力(含表儿茶素152mg,儿茶素33mg).一周之后的第二阶段,志愿者摄入50g黑巧克力和一片绿茶胶囊(绿茶胶囊含表儿茶素207mg,儿茶素39mg).服用后每间隔一定时间,收集志愿者尿样,测定表儿茶素和儿茶素的生物利用率.结果显示,虽然第二阶段的表儿茶素和儿茶素摄入总量均高于第一阶段,但两者在第一阶段人体中的生物利用率均高于第二阶段.因此和单独摄入黑巧克力相比,绿茶胶囊和黑巧克力同时服用可能会导致减少或者延迟人体对表儿茶素和儿茶素的吸收.     

Experimental realization of optical lumped nanocircuits at infrared wavelengths

The integration of radiofrequency electronic methodologies on micro- as well as nanoscale platforms is crucial for information processing and data-storage technologies. In electronics, radiofrequency signals are controlled and manipulated by 'lumped' circuit elements, such as resistors, inductors and capacitors. In earlier work, we theoretically proposed that optical nanostructures, when properly designed and judiciously arranged, could behave as nanoscale lumped circuit elements--but at optical frequencies. Here, for the first time we experimentally demonstrate a two-dimensional optical nanocircuit at mid-infrared wavelengths. With the guidance of circuit theory, we design and fabricate arrays of Si3N4 nanorods with specific deep subwavelength cross-sections, quantitatively evaluate their equivalent impedance as lumped circuit elements in the mid-infrared regime, and by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy show that these nanostructures can indeed function as two-dimensional optical lumped circuit elements. We further show that the connections among nanocircuit elements, in particular whether they are in series or in parallel combination, can be controlled by the polarization of impinging optical signals, realizing the notion of 'stereo-circuitry' in metatronics-metamaterials-inspired optical circuitry.     

Experimental study of retrofit solutions for damaged concrete bridge slabs

Accurate information on the actual performance of the structural system after retrofit is an essential part of a cost-effective bridge management program. This paper summarizes the results of a thorough experimental program concerning the reinforced concrete deck of a real 40 year-old viaduct. The structure exhibited severe damage at the extrados mainly due to environmental agents, chemical attack and action of asphalt milling machines. Samples of the deck were cut and carried to the laboratory in order to assess the possibility of retrofit. The design of retrofit was aimed at increasing the load carrying capacity through replacement of the deteriorated concrete with a new concrete overlay and strengthening in flexure for both negative (hogging) and positive (sagging) bending moments. Experimental testing on small specimens and nondestructive techniques were carried out to identify the material properties and to evaluate the level of damage. The bonding between external reinforcement and the original or new (standard or polymer-modified) concrete was assessed through single-shear push–pull tests on 33 prismatic specimens of 100 × 200 × 500 mm³ strengthened with CFRP strips. The efficiency of the retrofit techniques was checked at the structural level through four-point bending tests on eight slabs of 500 × 200 × 2000 mm³. This research can contribute to guidelines for concrete patch repair of FRP-retrofitted concrete bridge decks, to ensure better long-term performance under service loads and environmental effects.