BCL-X and the apoptotic machinery of lymphoma cells

The BCL-X gene belongs to the family of BCL-2 homologues and plays an important role in the regulation of programmed cell death (PCD) in normal lymphoid tissues. BCL-X is transcribed into 2 mRNAs through alternative splicing. The protein product of the larger BCL-X mRNA (BCL-XL) functions as a PCD repressor. The second mRNA species, BCL-XS, encodes a protein capable of accelerating cell death. BCL-XL is a potential contributor to the pathogenesis of malignant lymphomas because the BCL-XL isoform is predominantly expressed by the neoplastic cells in the majority of lymphoma cases. This review is focused on the possible influence of BCL-X and other PCD regulatory agents on lymphomagenesis.     

Determination of the safety level of an advanced lithium ion battery having a nanostructured Sn-C anode, a high voltage LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode, and a polyvinylidene fluoride-based gel electrolyte

In this work we evaluate the safety characteristics of an advanced Sn-C/EC:PC 1:1, LiPF₆ PVdF gel electrolyte (GPE)/LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ lithium ion polymer battery. The tests are performed by using a complex analysis that combines Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Mass Spectrometry (MS). This is a very convenient tool since it detects eventual thermal decomposition processes and provides information on the nature of their products. The results of the DSC-TGA-MS analysis are here reported and discussed. They demonstrate that both the anode and the cathode sides of the battery may stand temperatures up to ca. 200 °C without undergoing thermal decomposition. This is a convincing evidence that the Sn-C/LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ lithium ion polymer battery is safe.     

Insulin-like growth factor system abnormalities in hepatitis C-associated osteosclerosis. Potential insights into increasing bone mass in adults

Hepatitis C-associated osteosclerosis (HCAO) is a rare disorder characterized by a marked increase in bone mass during adult life. Despite the rarity of HCAO, understanding the mediator(s) of the skeletal disease is of great interest. The IGFs-I and -II have potent anabolic effects on bone, and alterations in the IGFs and/or IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) could be responsible for the increase in bone formation in this disorder. Thus, we assayed sera from seven cases of HCAO for IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF-IIE (an IGF-II precursor), and IGFBPs. The distribution of the serum IGFs and IGFBPs between their ternary ( approximately 150 kD) and binary (approximately 50 kD) complexes was also determined to assess IGF bioavailability. HCAO patients had normal serum levels of IGF-I and -II, but had markedly elevated levels of IGF-IIE. Of the IGFBPs, an increase in IGFBP-2 was unique to these patients and was not found in control hepatitis C or hepatitis B patients. IGF-I and -II in sera from patients with HCAO were carried, as in the case of sera from control subjects, bound to IGFBP-3 in the approximately 150-kD complex, which is retained in the circulation. However, IGF-IIE was predominantly in the approximately 50-kD complex in association with IGFBP-2; this complex can cross the capillary barrier and access target tissues. In vitro, we found that IGF-II enhanced by over threefold IGFBP-2 binding to extracellular matrix produced by human osteoblasts and that in an extracellular matrix-rich environment, the IGF-II/IGFBP-2 complex was as effective as IGF-II alone in stimulating human osteoblast proliferation. Thus, IGFBP-2 may facilitate the targeting of IGFs, and in particular IGF-IIE, to skeletal tissue in HCAO patients, with a subsequent stimulation by IGFs of osteoblast function. Our findings in HCAO suggest a possible means to increase bone mass in patients with osteoporosis.     

Upregulation of xanthine oxidase by lipopolysaccharide, interleukin-1, and hypoxia. Role in acute lung injury

LPS and selected cytokines upregulate xanthine dehydrogenase/xanthine oxidase (XDH/XO) in cellular systems. However, the effect of these factors on in vivo XDH/XO expression, and their contribution to lung injury, are poorly understood. Rats were exposed to normoxia or hypoxia for 24 h after treatment with LPS (1 mg/kg) and IL-1beta (100 microg/kg) or sterile saline. Lungs were then harvested for measurement of XDH/XO enzymatic activity and gene expression, and pulmonary edema was assessed by measurement of the wet/dry lung weight ratio (W/D). Although treatment with LPS + IL-1beta or hypoxia independently produced a 2-fold elevation (p < 0. 05 versus exposure to normoxia and treatment with saline) in lung XDH/XO activity and mRNA, the combination of LPS + IL-1beta and hypoxia caused a 4- and 3.5-fold increase in these values, respectively. XDH/XO protein expression was increased 2-fold by hypoxia alone and 1.3-fold by treatment with LPS + IL-1beta alone or combination treatment. Compared with normoxic lungs, W/D was significantly increased by exposure to hypoxia, LPS + IL-1beta, or combination treatment. This increase was prevented by treatment of the animals with tungsten, which abrogated lung XDH/XO activity. In conclusion, LPS, IL-1beta, and hypoxia significantly upregulate lung XDH/XO expression in vivo. The present data support a role for this enzyme in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury.     

Characteristics of a Graphene Nanoplatelet Anode in Advanced Lithium‐Ion Batteries Using Ionic Liquid Added by a Carbonate Electrolyte

A Cu‐supported, graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) electrodes are reported a as high performance anode in lithium ion battery. The electrode precursor is an easy‐to‐handle aqueous ink cast on cupper foil and following dried in air. The scanning electron microscopy evidences homogeneous, micrometric flakes‐like morphology. Electrochemical tests in conventional electrolyte reveal a capacity of about 450 mAh g⁻¹ over 300 cycles, delivered at a current rate as high as 740 mA g⁻¹. The graphene‐based electrode is characterized using a N‐butyl‐N‐methyl‐pyrrolidiniumbis (trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide, lithium‐bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Py_1,4TFSI–LiTFSI) ionic liquid‐based solution added by ethylene carbonate (EC): dimethyl carbonate (DMC). The Li‐electrolyte interface is investigated by galvanostatic and potentiostatic techniques as well as by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, in order to allow the use of the graphene‐nanoplatelets as anode in advanced lithium‐ion battery. Indeed, the electrode is coupled with a LiFePO₄ cathode in a battery having a relevant safety content, due to the ionic liquid‐based electrolyte that is characterized by an ionic conductivity of the order of 10⁻² S cm⁻¹, a transference number of 0.38 and a high electrochemical stability. The lithium ion battery delivers a capacity of the order of 150 mAh g⁻¹ with an efficiency approaching 100%, thus suggesting the suitability of GNPs anode for application in advanced configuration energy storage systems.     

A SnSb-C nanocomposite as high performance electrode for lithium ion batteries

A tin antimony based electrode has been synthesized in the form of nanometric particles housed into the pores of a protective, amorphous carbon matrix. Electrochemical results, obtained using this material as the working electrode in a lithium cell, suggested that the electrochemical process involves both SnSb intermetallic and Sn metal, present in the carbon matrix. Moreover, the results demonstrated that the optimized nanostructure prevents the mechanical drawbacks, associated with the volume changes during the alloying processes, which normally affect this class of materials. Finally, a lithium ion battery based on the SnSb-C electrode as the anode and lithium iron phosphate, LiFePO₄, as the cathode_, showed very promising performance.     

Novel Lithium Ion Batteries Based on a Tin Anode and on Manganese Oxide Cathodes

In this paper we report two innovative lithium ion batteries formed by the combination of a nanosized tin anode and a LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ or a LiNi_0.33Co_0.33Mn_1.33O₂ cathode. The batteries have a very stable cycling response at a high rate of 1C with an excellent capacity delivery, i.e., 140 mAhg⁻¹ and 175 mAhg⁻¹, respectively. Estimated energy density values are of the order of 150 Whkg⁻¹ for both batteries.