An integrated computer-controlled system for assisting researchers in cortical excitability studies by using transcranial magnetic stimulation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is the most important technique currently available to study cortical excitability. Additionally, TMS can be used for therapeutic and rehabilitation purposes, replacing the more painful transcranial electric stimulation (TES). In this paper we present an innovative and easy-to-use tool that enables neuroscientists to design, carry out and analyze scientific studies based on TMS experiments for both diagnostic and research purposes, assisting them not only in the practicalities of administering the TMS but also in each step of the entire study's workflow. One important aspect of this tool is that it allows neuroscientists to specify research designs at will, enabling them to define any parameter of a TMS study starting from data acquisition and sample group definition to automated statistical data analysis and RDF data storage. It also supports the diagnosing process by using on-line support vector machines able to learn incrementally from the diseases instances that are continuously added into the system. The proposed system is a neuroscientist-centred tool where the protocols being followed in TMS studies are made explicit, leaving to the users flexibility in exploring and sharing the results, and providing assistance in managing the complexity of the final diagnosis. This type of tool can make the results of medical experiments more easily exploitable, thus accelerating scientific progress.     

Optical diagnostics of mercury jet for an intense proton target

An optical diagnostic system is designed and constructed for imaging a free mercury jet interacting with a high intensity proton beam in a pulsed high-field solenoid magnet. The optical imaging system employs a backilluminated, laser shadow photography technique. Object illumination and image capture are transmitted through radiation-hard multimode optical fibers and flexible coherent imaging fibers. A retroreflected illumination design allows the entire passive imaging system to fit inside the bore of the solenoid magnet. A sequence of synchronized short laser light pulses are used to freeze the transient events, and the images are recorded by several high speed charge coupled devices. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis using image processing based on probability approach is described. The characteristics of free mercury jet as a high power target for beam-jet interaction at various levels of the magnetic induction field is reported in this paper.     

Preparation and Biological Evaluation of Ethylcellulose Microspheres Containing Tolmetin

Tolmetin microspheres were prepared by the coacervation process from the ethylcellulose. Microspheres were obtained both in presence and without protecting colloids, such as polyisobutilene (PIB) or ethyl-vinylacetate copolimers (EVA). The effect of these agents on the preparation, drug content, wall thickness, surface morphology, drug dissolution arid release from microspheres, were evaluated. The dissolution rate analysis was carried out also in the presence of a surfactant (Tween 80) at different pH values.

In addition, microspheres containing Tolmetin as a core material were submitted to biological tests, in comparison with the free drug, to evaluate upon experimental models the antipyretic activity and the gastric tolerability.     

Regulation of delta opioid receptors by delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in NG108-15 hybrid cells

In this study we employed the neuroblastoma x glioma NG 108-15 cell line as a model for investigating the effects of long-term activation of cannabinoid receptors on delta opioid receptor desensitization, down-regulation and gene expression. Exposure of NG 108-15 cells to (-)-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC) reduced opioid receptor binding, evaluated in intact cells, by approximately 40-45% in cells exposed for 24 h to 50 and 100 nM delta9-THC and by approximately 25% in cells exposed to 10 nM delta9-THC. Lower doses of delta9-THC (0.1 and 1 nM) or a shorter exposure time to the cannabinoid (6 h) were not effective. Down-regulation of 6 opioid receptors was not observed in cells exposed for 24 h to pertussis toxin (PTX) and then treated for 24 h with 100 nM delta9-THC. In cells that were exposed for 24 h to the cannabinoid, the ability of delta9-THC and of the delta opioid receptor agonist [D-Ser2, Leu5, Thr6]enkephalin to inhibit forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation was significantly attenuated. Prolonged exposure of NG 108-15 cells to 100 nM delta9-THC produced a significant elevation of steady-state levels of delta opioid receptor mRNA. This effect was not observed in cells pretreated with PTX. The selective cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR 141716A blocked the effects elicited by delta9-THC on delta opioid receptor desensitization, down-regulation and gene expression; thus indicating that these are mediated via activation of cannabinoid receptors. These data demonstrate the existence, in NG 108-15 cells, of a complex cross-talk between the cannabinoid and opioid receptors on prolonged exposure to delta9-THC triggered by changes in signaling through Gi and/or G0-coupled receptors.     

Smoke suppression by ammonium polyphosphate in poly(acrylonitrile) combustion

The influence of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) on the smoke emission of poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) has been examined, and its mechanism of action as a smoke suppressant agent has been investigated. Smoke density and corresponding residual char data, as a function of temperature, were obtained in order to characterize the smoke propensity of PAN. The amount of generated smoke, both in smoldering and flaming conditions, was considerably lowered by the presence of APP, and higher char yields were obtained. Beside the smoke suppression, flame inhibition effect of APP on PAN was evidenced. Thermogravimetry (TG), oxygen index (OI), and nitrous oxide index (NOI) experiments were also performed. On the basis of our data, APP appears to act as a char-forming agent in PAN combustion. Both smoke suppression and flame inhibition effects can be considered a consequence of this action.     

Smoke dilution methods for the evaluation of the smoke emission from burning polymers: A comparative approach

A comparative approach to the determination of smoke emission from burning polymers has been attempted, and a number of combustion conditions and detection devices have been tried to choose a test method for measuring the smoke proiduction of materials. The combustion apparatus adopted is a hot-air quartz furnace that permits the measured by dynamic method from combustion of PAN, PVC and PVC mixed with some metal oxiders, have been compared with those obtained by an accumulation mode. For PVC the intensity of the light scattered from the evolving smoke has been measured as an alternative to smoke density.     

Synthesis and Conformational Analysis of Cyclotetrapeptide Mimetic β‐Turn Templates and Validation as 3D Scaffolds

The conformations of all stereoisomers of PMRI cyclotetrapeptide mimetics 1 – 8 are essentially determined by the predisposition of the diamine to stabilize β‐turns. The peptide mimetics can be regarded as 3D scaffolds for designing molecules with a predictable display of the pharmacophores. We used the models for testing novel RGD analogues as α_vβ₃‐integrin receptor antagonists.

     

Stratigraphic analysis of intercalated graphite electrodes in aqueous inorganic acid solutions

A detailed stratigraphic investigation of the intercalation mechanism when graphite electrodes are immersed inside diluted perchloric(HClO₄)and sulfuric(H₂SO₄)electrolytes is obtained by comparing results when graphite crystals are simply immersed in the same acid solutions.By combining time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry(ToF-SIMS)and in-situ atomic force microscopy(AFM),we provide a picture of the chemical species involved in the intercalation reaction.The depth intensity profile of the ion signals along the electrode crystal clearly shows a more complex mechanism for the intercalation process,where the local morphology of the basal plane plays a crucial role.Solvated anions are mostly located within the first tens of nanometers of graphite,but electrolytes also diffuse inside the buried layers for hundreds of nanometers,the latter process is also aided by the presence of mesoscopic crystal defects.Residual material from the electrolyte solution was found localized in well-defined circular spots,which represent preferential interaction areas.Interestingly,blister-like micro-structures similar to those observed on the highly oriented pyrolytic graphite(HOPG)surface were found in the buried layers,confirming the equivalence of the chemical condition on the graphite surface and in the underneath layers.