Behavioral effects of centrally administered arginine vasopressin in the rat fetus.

Arginine–8 vasopressin (AVP) was administered to rat fetuses on Embryonic Day 20 via intracisternal (IC), intrahemispheric (IH), or intrathecal (IT) injection. The IC administration of AVP promoted a 4-fold increase in motor activity, including the uncommon patterns of mouthing, licking, and facial wiping. The IH injection of AVP had little effect on fetal behavior, but IT injection resulted in pronounced increases in fetal activity, including mouthing, licking, and wiping. The IT administration of a V? antagonist blocked AVP effects, whereas IH injection potentiated AVP-induced changes in fetal behavior. The IC blockade of V? receptors suppressed facial wiping to a chemosensory fluid (lemon) and reduced oral grasping of an artificial nipple, whereas IH injection of the V? antagonist promoted facial wiping responses and increased grasping of the nipple. These data suggest that AVP may play a role in the development of responsiveness to stimuli encountered in the context of suckling. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evidence for Glass–glass Interfaces in a Columnar Cu–Zr Nanoglass

Comprehensive analyses of the atomic structure using advanced analytical transmission electron microscopy-based methods combined with atom probe tomography confirm the presence of distinct glass–glass interfaces in a columnar Cu-Zr nanoglass synthesized by magnetron sputtering. These analyses provide first-time in-depth characterization of sputtered film nanoglasses and indicate that glass–glass interfaces indeed present an amorphous phase with reduced mass density as compared to the neighboring amorphous regions. Moreover, dedicated analyses of the diffusion kinetics by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF SIMS) prove significantly enhanced diffusivity, suggesting fast transport along the low density glass–glass interfaces. The present results further indicate that sputter deposition is a feasible technique for reliable production of nanoglasses and that some of the concepts proposed for this new class of glassy materials are applicable.     

Differences in Synovial Cytokine Profile Associated with Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis Undergoing Corrective Osteotomy with Platelet-Rich Plasma or Stromal Vascular Fraction Post-Treatments

Functional outcomes and synovial fluid (SF) cytokine concentrations in response to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stromal vascular fraction (SVF) post-treatments following open wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) in 20 patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) were examined. Six weeks after surgery, the knees of 10 patients were injected with autologous PRP (PRP subgroup), while another 10 patients were injected with autologous SVF (SVF subgroup) and monitored for 1.5 years. Pain assessment (VAS score) and functional activity (KOOS, KSS, Outerbridge, and Koshino scores) were applied. PRP subgroup performed better compared with the SVF subgroup according to KOOS, KSS, and VAS scores, while the SVF subgroup demonstrated better results according to Outerbridge and Koshino testing and produced more pronounced cartilage regeneration in the medial condyle and slowed down cartilage destruction in its lateral counterpart. SF was collected before and one week after PRP or SVF injections and tested for concentrations of 41 cytokines (Multiplex Assay). In the PRP subgroup, a significant decrease in IL-6 and CXCL10 synovial concentrations was accompanied by an increase in IL-15, sCD40L, and PDGF-AB/BB amounts. The SVF subgroup demonstrated a significant decrease in synovial TNFα, FLT-3L, MIP-1β, RANTES, and VEGF concentrations while SF concentrations of MCP-1 and FGF2 increased. Both post-treatments have a potential for increased tissue regeneration, presumably due to the downregulation of inflammation and augmentation of synovial growth factor concentrations.     

Activation of Neutrophils by Mucin–Vaterite Microparticles

Nano- and microparticles enter the body through the respiratory airways and the digestive system, or form as biominerals in the gall bladder, salivary glands, urinary bladder, kidney, or diabetic pancreas. Calcium, magnesium, and phosphate ions can precipitate from biological fluids in the presence of mucin as hybrid nanoparticles. Calcium carbonate nanocrystallites also trap mucin and are assembled into hybrid microparticles. Both mucin and calcium carbonate polymorphs (calcite, aragonite, and vaterite) are known to be components of such biominerals as gallstones which provoke inflammatory reactions. Our study was aimed at evaluation of neutrophil activation by hybrid vaterite–mucin microparticles (CCM). Vaterite microparticles (CC) and CCM were prepared under standard conditions. The diameter of CC and CCM was 3.3 ± 0.8 µm and 5.8 ± 0.7 µm, with ƺ-potentials of −1 ± 1 mV and −7 ± 1 mV, respectively. CC microparticles injured less than 2% of erythrocytes in 2 h at 1.5 mg mL⁻¹, and no hemolysis was detected with CCM; this let us exclude direct damage of cellular membranes by microparticles. Activation of neutrophils was analyzed by luminol- and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (Lum-CL and Luc-CL), by cytokine gene expression (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10) and release (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α), and by light microscopy of stained smears. There was a 10-fold and higher increase in the amplitude of Lum-CL and Luc-CL after stimulation of neutrophils with CCM relative to CC. Adsorption of mucin onto prefabricated CC microparticles also contributed to activation of neutrophil CL, unlike mucin adsorption onto yeast cell walls (zymosan); adsorbed mucin partially suppressed zymosan-stimulated production of oxidants by neutrophils. Preliminary treatment of CCM with 0.1–10 mM NaOCl decreased subsequent activation of Lum-CL and Luc-CL of neutrophils depending on the used NaOCl concentration, presumably because of the surface mucin oxidation. Based on the results of ELISA, incubation of neutrophils with CCM downregulated IL-6 production but upregulated that of IL-8. IL-6 and IL-8 gene expression in neutrophils was not affected by CC or CCM according to RT²-PCR data, which means that post-translational regulation was involved. Light microscopy revealed adhesion of CC and CCM microparticles onto the neutrophils; CCM increased neutrophil aggregation with a tendency to form neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). We came to the conclusion that the main features of neutrophil reaction to mucin–vaterite hybrid microparticles are increased oxidant production, cell aggregation, and NET-like structure formation, but without significant cytokine release (except for IL-8). This effect of mucin is not anion-specific since particles of powdered kidney stone (mainly calcium oxalate) in the present study or calcium phosphate nanowires in our previous report also activated Lum-CL and Luc-CL response of neutrophils after mucin sorption.     

Sphingolipid Catabolism and Glycerophospholipid Levels Are Altered in Erythrocytes and Plasma from Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune, inflammatory, degenerative disease of the central nervous system. Changes in lipid metabolism have been suggested to play important roles in MS pathophysiology and progression. In this work we analyzed the lipid composition and sphingolipid-catabolizing enzymes in erythrocytes and plasma from MS patients and healthy controls. We observed reduction of sphingomyelin (SM) and elevation of its products—ceramide (CER) and shingosine (SPH). These changes were supported by the detected up-regulation of the activity of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) in MS plasma and alkaline ceramidase (ALCER) in erythrocytes from MS patients. In addition, Western blot analysis showed elevated expression of ASM, but not of ALCER. We also compared the ratios between saturated (SAT), unsaturated (UNSAT) and polyunsaturated fatty acids and suggest, based on the significant differences observed for this ratio, that the UNSAT/SAT values could serve as a marker distinguishing erythrocytes and plasma of MS from controls. In conclusion, the application of lipid analysis in the medical practice would contribute to definition of more precise diagnosis, analysis of disease progression, and evaluation of therapeutic strategies. Based on the molecular changes of blood lipids in neurodegenerative pathologies, including MS, clinical lipidomic analytical approaches could become a promising contemporary tool for personalized medicine.     

Decellularization of Human Pancreatic Fragments with Pronounced Signs of Structural Changes

A significant lack of donor organs restricts the opportunity to obtain tissue-specific scaffolds for tissue-engineering technologies. One of the acceptable solutions is the development of decellularization protocols for a human donor pancreas unsuitable for transplantation. A protocol of obtaining a biocompatible tissue-specific scaffold from decellularized fragments with pronounced human pancreas lipomatosis signs with preserved basic fibrillary proteins of a pancreatic tissue extracellular matrix was developed. The scaffold supports the adhesion and proliferation of human adipose derived stem cell (hADSCs) and prolongs the viability and insulin-producing function of pancreatic islets. Experiments conducted allow for the reliance on the prospects of using the donor pancreas unsuitable for transplantation in the technologies of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, including the development of a tissue equivalent of a pancreas.     

Effect of brighteners on hydrogen evolution during zinc electroplating from zincate electrolytes

Hydrogen evolution during zinc electrodeposition on a steel substrate from zincate electrolytes containing different additives was studied using various experimental techniques.The hydrogen evolution reaction is limited by the electron transfer step. Hydrogen evolution is most intensive during the first seconds from the beginning of electrodeposition due to the lower overpotential of hydrogen on steel as compared with that on zinc. The evolved hydrogen is dissipated in three ways. Most is dissipated to the atmosphere via gas bubbles at a constant rate. Some is dispersed in the electrolyte some diffuses into the steel substrate, predominantly at the commencement of deposition. The additives affect both the total amount of evolved hydrogen and its distribution. The highest amount of hydrogen is evolved in the presence of the anisaldehyde bisulphite containing composite additive. The highest amount of hydrogen included in the substrate and remaining in the electrolyte corresponds to the use of the Na–N-benzylnicotinate containing additive. In this case blistering is observed.     

Catalytic Sulfation of Betulin with Sulfamic Acid: Experiment and DFT Calculation

Betulin is an important triterpenoid substance isolated from birch bark, which, together with its sulfates, exhibits important bioactive properties. We report on a newly developed method of betulin sulfation with sulfamic acid in pyridine in the presence of an Amberlyst^®15 solid acid catalyst. It has been shown that this catalyst remains stable when being repeatedly (up to four cycles) used and ensures obtaining of sulfated betulin with a sulfur content of ~10%. The introduction of the sulfate group into the betulin molecule has been proven by Fourier-transform infrared, ultraviolet-visible, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra contain absorption bands at 1249 and 835–841 cm⁻¹; in the UV spectra, the peak intensity decreases; and, in the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, of betulin disulfate, carbons С3 and С28 are completely shifted to the weak-field region (to 88.21 and 67.32 ppm, respectively) with respect to betulin. Using the potentiometric titration method, the product of acidity constants K₁ and K₂ of a solution of the betulin disulfate H⁺ form has been found to be 3.86 × 10^–6 ± 0.004. It has been demonstrated by the thermal analysis that betulin and the betulin disulfate sodium salt are stable at temperatures of up to 240 and 220 °C, respectively. The density functional theory method has been used to obtain data on the most stable conformations, molecular electrostatic potential, frontier molecular orbitals, and mulliken atomic charges of betulin and betulin disulfate and to calculate the spectral characteristics of initial and sulfated betulin, which agree well with the experimental data.     

Measuring of heat capacity

A simply device was developed and tested. It is designed to measure the heat capacity of square plates with size ～30 × 30 mm, at room temperature. This device consumes permanent electric power. The heat losses to the surroundings are taken into account. A mathematical model, of this heat capacity meter, is described in the paper. The heat capacity of a sample is calculated as a difference between measured heat capacity (of heater and sample) and heat capacity of the heater only. The optimal size of a test body, and reference one, is so as the contact surface of the heater.