Fabrication of core–shell nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic efficacy

The current study establishes the unprecedented involvement in the evolution and production of novel core–shell nanocomposites composed of nanosized titanium dioxide and aniline‐o‐phenylenediamine copolymer. TiO₂@copoly(aniline and o‐phenylenediamine) (TiO₂@PANI‐o‐PDA) core–shell nanocomposites were chemically synthesized in a molar ratio of 5:1 of the particular monomers and several weights of nano‐TiO₂ via oxidative copolymerization. The construction of the TiO₂@PANI‐o‐PDA core–shell nanocomposites was ascertained from Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy and XRD. A reasonable thermal behavior for the original copolymer and the TiO₂@PANI‐o‐PDA core–shell nanocomposites was investigated. The bare PANI‐o‐PDA copolymer was thermally less stable than the TiO₂@PANI‐o‐PDA nanocomposites. The core–shell feature of the nanocomposites was found to have core and shell sizes of 17 nm and 19–26 nm, respectively. In addition, it was found that the addition of a high ratio of TiO₂ nanoparticles increases the electrical conductivity and consequently lowers the electrical resistivity of the TiO₂@PANI‐o‐PDA core–shell nanocomposites. The hybrid photocatalysts exhibit a dramatic photocatalytic efficacy of methylene blue degradation under solar light irradiation. A plausible interpretation of the photocatalytic degradation results of methylene blue is also demonstrated. Our setup introduces a facile, inexpensive, unique and efficient technique for developing new core–shell nanomaterials with various required functionalities and colloidal stabilities. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of alendronate treatment on the osteoclastogenic potential of bone marrow cells in mice

The expression of cytokeratins (CK), involucrin, vimentin, CD34, and alpha-smooth-muscle actin was studied in fetal and adult hair follicles. The first stage of the developing hair follicle is characterized by palisaded, elongated epithelial cells budding from the epidermal basal layer. These cells express CK5/6, CK14, CK17, CK19, and vimentin. During the following weeks of gestation, different structures in the developing hair follicle can be identified and characterized. The matrical cells display only CK19. The keratinocytes of the outer root sheath express CK5/6, CK14, CK17, CK19, and involucrin; those of the inner root sheath, CK4, CK18, and involucrin; those of the isthmus, the same profile as the ORS. In the infundibulum, the basal-layer keratinocytes express CK5/6, CK14, CK17, and CK19, whereas in the suprabasal layers CK1, CK4, CK10, CK14, and CK17 are seen. The adult hair follicle in anagen fails to express CK19 in the matrical cells and isthmus and both CK17 and CK19 in the infundibulum. These profiles of intermediate filaments and other markers appear to be potentially useful in categorizing neoplasms with apparent follicular differentiation.     

Local Strain Measurement within Tendon

Abstract:  Tendon is a dense connective tissue, responsible for transmitting the forces generated by muscles to the skeleton. It is composed of a hierarchical arrangement of crimped collagen fibres, interspersed with proteoglycan matrix and cells, known as tenocytes. During physiological loading, tendons are subjected to strains in the region of 5–6%, which result in the straightening and realignment of the collagen fibres, generating variable local strain fields within the tendon. This study demonstrates a technique for analysing local strains within viable tendon explants, during both loading and unloading of the tissue. Samples were strained in a custom-designed rig, allowing real-time visualisation of cell nuclei, used as local discrete markers, on a confocal microscope. Results indicated that local strains within the fascicle are smaller than the applied strains, never exceeding 1.2%, even at 8% gross applied strain. By contrast, the sliding of adjacent collagen units was recorded at each strain increment in this study, reaching a mean maximum of 3.9% of the applied displacement. Loading–unloading studies indicated that sliding behaviour is reversible up to strains of 5%, and provides the major extension mechanism within the rat-tail tendon. This technique can be extended to further analyse shearing behaviour within the matrix.     

Evidence for distinct signaling mechanisms in two mammalian olfactory sense organs

In mammals, olfactory stimuli are detected by sensory neurons at two distinct sites: the olfactory epithelium (OE) of the nasal cavity and the neuroepithelium of the vomeronasal organ (VNO). While the OE can detect volatile chemicals released from numerous sources, the VNO appears to be specialized to detect pheromones that are emitted by other animals and that convey information of behavioral or physiological importance. The mechanisms underlying sensory transduction in the OE have been well studied and a number of components of the transduction cascade have been cloned. Here, we investigated sensory transduction in the VNO by asking whether VNO neurons express molecules that have been implicated in sensory transduction in the OE. Using in situ hybridization and Northern blot analyses, we found that most of the olfactory transduction components examined, including the guanine nucleotide binding protein alpha subunit (G-alpha-olf), adenylyl cyclase type III, and an olfactory cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel subunit (oCNC1), are not expressed by VNO sensory neurons. In contrast, VNO neurons do express a second olfactory CNG channel subunit (oCNC2). These results indicate that VNO sensory transduction is distinct from that in the OE but raise the possibility that, like OE sensory transduction, sensory transduction in the VNO might involve cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels.     

Identification of a gene that causes primary open angle glaucoma

Glaucoma is a major cause of blindness and is characterized by progressive degeneration of the optic nerve and is usually associated with elevated intraocular pressure. Analyses of sequence tagged site (STS) content and haplotype sharing between families affected with chromosome 1q-linked open angle glaucoma (GLC1A) were used to prioritize candidate genes for mutation screening. A gene encoding a trabecular meshwork protein (TIGR) mapped to the narrowest disease interval by STS content and radiation hybrid mapping. Thirteen glaucoma patients were found to have one of three mutations in this gene (3.9 percent of the population studied). One of these mutations was also found in a control individual (0.2 percent). Identification of these mutations will aid in early diagnosis, which is essential for optimal application of existing therapies.     

Colosplenic fistula in a patient treated with interleukin-2 for malignant melanoma

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy often causes gastrointestinal side effects and at least 8 cases of bowel perforation have been reported. The patient reported here developed a colosplenic fistula, diagnosed by CT, with no neoplastic involvement of these organs. Awareness of these complications of IL-2 can help lead to earlier diagnosis.