High-Fat Diet Aggravates Cerebral Infarct,Hemorrhagic Transformation and Neuroinflammation in a Mouse Stroke Model

Background: Stroke in context of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with a poorer outcome than in non-diabetic conditions. We aimed at creating a new reproducible mouse model of stroke in impaired glucose tolerance conditions induced by high-fat diet. Methods: Adult C57BL6 mice were fed for 2 months with either normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD). We used a model of Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) for 90 min. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) and Insulin Tolerance Test (ITT) were used to assess pre-diabetic status. Brain infarct volume, hemorrhagic transformation (HT) as well as systemic and cerebral inflammatory markers were evaluated. Results: HFD was associated with an increased body weight and glycemia following OGTT. The HFD group presented a significant increase in brain infarct volume (38.7 (IQR 30–46.7%) vs. 28.45 (IQR 21–30%); p = 0.016) and HT (HFD: 2 (IQR 1–5) vs. ND: 0 (IQR 0–1); p = 0.012) and higher levels of IL-6 and MCP-1 in infarcted hemisphere compared to the ND group. Conclusion: Two months of HFD in adult mice were sufficient to alter the lipid profile and the control of hyperglycemia. These metabolic perturbations were significantly associated with increased infarct volume and hemorrhagic complications.     

Cover Picture: Light‐Emitting Organic Solar Cells Based on a 3D Conjugated System with Internal Charge Transfer (Adv. Mater. 22/2006)

The cover image illustrates the dual photovoltaic and electroluminescence function of a single‐layer device based on a thienylenevinylene–triphenylamine with internal charge transfer (ICT), as reported by Cravino, Roncali, and co‐workers on p. 3033. The material forms an organic glass with isotropic electronic properties while ICT leads simultaneously to an extension of the photoresponse to the red and to an increase of the open circuit voltage. The use of an additional layer of C₆₀ further improves the photovoltaic. Images of the sun and moon courtesy NASA/JPL–Caltech.     

Patterns of messenger RNA expression for alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes in human corpus cavernosum

PURPOSE: The present study evaluated the expression of alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes in human corpus cavernosum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mRNA encoding alpha1a, alpha1b and alpha1d subtypes were assessed by RNA-directed complementary cDNA synthesis followed by Taq DNA amplification. The level of alpha1 mRNA was calculated in arbitrary optical density units and normalized with respect to the length of the respective cDNA fragments. RESULTS: We found that alpha1a, alpha1b and alpha1d adrenoceptor subtypes are expressed in human corpus cavernosum, with a predominant expression of the alpha1a subtype. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that alpha1a-adrenoceptor subtype is important and that understanding the biochemical and functional characteristics of this subtype may lead to the development of specific antagonists in the treatment of impotence.     

Numerical Evaluation of the Accuracy and Stability Properties of High-order Direct Stokes Solvers with or without Temporal Splitting

The temporal stability and effective order of two different direct high-order Stokes solvers are examined. Both solvers start from the primitive variables formulation of the Stokes problem, but are distinct by the numerical uncoupling they apply on the Stokes operator. One of these solvers introduces an intermediate divergence free velocity for performing a temporal splitting (J. Comput. Phys. [1991] 97, 414–443) while the other treats the whole Stokes problem through the evaluation of a divergence free acceleration field (C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris [1994] 319 Serie I, 1455–1461; SIAM J. Scient. Comput. [2000] 22(4), 1386–1410). The second uncoupling is known to be consistent with the harmonicity of the pressure field (SIAM J. Scient. Comput. [2000] 22(4), 1386–1410). Both solvers proceed by two steps, a pressure evaluation based on an extrapolated in time (of theoretical order J_e) Neumann condition, and a time implicit (of theoretical order J_i) diffusion step for the final velocity. These solvers are implemented with a Chebyshev mono-domain and a Legendre spectral element collocation schemes. The numerical stability of these four options is investigated for the sixteen combinations of (J_e,J_i), 1 ≤ J_e, J_i ≤ 4.     

Large-Eddy Simulation of the Lid-Driven Cubic Cavity Flow by the Spectral Element Method

This paper presents the large-eddy simulation of the lid-driven cubic cavity flow by the spectral element method (SEM) using the dynamic model. Two spectral filtering techniques suitable for these simulations have been implemented. Numerical results for Reynolds number Re=12,000 are showing very good agreement with other experimental and DNS results found in the literature.     

Monitoring and Origin of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Effluents from a Surface Treatment Industry

ABSTRACT

In Europe, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a source of concern due to their toxic effects and are considered as priority pollutants by water authorities. In this study, we reported the results of qualitative and quantitative monitoring of 16 PAHs in effluents from a surface treatment industry to determine their origin. The results indicated that PAHs were present in the discharge waters at a concentration of 500 ng L^?1 (in average for the PAH sum). However, the further we returned to the start of the industrial process, the more the PAH concentrations increased. Indeed, the highest concentrations (>20,000 ng L^?1 for the PAH sum) were found in the degreasing baths – the first step in the part treatment. The final analyses showed that the PAHs came from the oils left on the metal parts by the suppliers. The important difference in concentrations between the upstream (first baths in the production line) and the downstream (discharge water) of the effluent showed that phenomena including dilution or potentially degradation occurred but that the major part of the PAHs tended to adsorb to sludge during the settling step in the effluent treatment plant.     

Large Bolometer Arrays with Superconducting NbSi Sensors for Future Space Experiments

New techniques in microelectronics allow to build large arrays of bolometers filling the focal plane of submillimeter and millimeter telescopes. The expected sensitivity increase is the key for the next generation of space experiments in this wavelength range. Superconducting bolometers offer currently the best prospects in terms of sensitivity and multiplexed readout. We present here the developments led in France based on NbSi alloy thermometers. The manufacturing process of a 23 pixel array and the test setup are described.      

Effects of the growth procedure on the surface hydrophobicity of Listeria monocytogenes cells and their adhesion to stainless steel.

The aim of this study was to examine the physicochemical surface properties and the ability to adhere to stainless steel of three strains of Listeria monocytogenes after different cultivation procedures. To this end, bacteria were cultivated at 37 degrees C after storage at two frequently used temperatures (4 degrees C or -80 degrees C) and were then transferred into the liquid medium (trypticase soy broth supplemented with 6 g liter(-1) of yeast extract, pH 7.3) between one and four times. In addition, the influence of supplementing the growth medium with lactic acid was explored, this organic acid being representative of both the dairy and cured meat industries. The hydrophobic/hydrophilic and electron-acceptor/electron-donor characteristics of the strains were evaluated by the microbial adhesion to solvents method. Using this technique, we recorded an increase in the hydrophobic properties of one strain stored at 4 degrees C, with an increasing number of transfers in the media (P < 0.05). Another plant-isolated strain appeared more hydrophobic and stuck better to stainless steel when cells were stored at 4 degrees C rather than at -80 degrees C. Preculturing L. monocytogenes in a lactic acid-supplemented medium increased the affinity of microbial cells to solvents and the bacterial attachment to stainless steel (P < 0.05).     

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry as a suitable tool for the Li-ion battery electrolyte degradation mechanisms study

To allow electric vehicles to be powered by Li-ion batteries, scientists must understand further their aging processes in view to extend their cycle life and safety. For this purpose, we focused on the development of analytical techniques aiming at identifying organic species resulting from the degradation of carbonate-based electrolytes (EC-DMC/LiPF(6)) at low potential. As ESI-HRMS provided insightful information to the mechanism and chronological formation of ethylene oxide oligomers, we implemented "gas" GC/MS experiments to explore the lower mass range corresponding to highly volatile compounds. With the help of chemical simulation tests, we were able to discriminate their formation pathways (thermal and/or electrochemical) and found that most of the degradation compounds originate from the electrochemically driven linear alkyl carbonate reduction upon cycling and to a lesser extent from a two-step EC reduction. Deduced from these results, we propose an overall electrolyte degradation scheme spanning the entire mass range and the chemical or electrochemical type of processes.