scholarly journals Optimization of In Vivo Studies by Combining Planar Dynamic and Tomographic Imaging: Workflow Evaluation on a Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles System

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Maritina Rouchota ◽  
Alessio Adamiano ◽  
Michele Iafisco ◽  
Eirini Fragogeorgi ◽  
Irineos Pilatis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Photon ◽  
Tomographic Imaging ◽  
Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Imaging Protocol ◽  
Administration Routes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Dynamic Screening ◽  
Iron Based

Molecular imaging holds great promise in the noninvasive monitoring of several diseases with nanoparticles (NPs) being considered an efficient imaging tool for cancer, central nervous system, and heart- or bone-related diseases and for disorders of the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS). In the present study, we used an iron-based nanoformulation, already established as an MRI/SPECT probe, as well as to load different biomolecules, to investigate its potential for nuclear planar and tomographic imaging of several target tissues following its distribution via different administration routes. Iron-doped hydroxyapatite NPs (FeHA) were radiolabeled with the single photon γ-emitting imaging agent [99mTc]TcMDP. Administration of the radioactive NPs was performed via the following four delivery methods: (1) standard intravenous (iv) tail vein, (2) iv retro-orbital injection, (3) intratracheal (it) instillation, and (4) intrarectal installation (pr). Real-time, live, fast dynamic screening studies were performed on a dedicated bench top, mouse-sized, planar SPECT system from t = 0 to 1 hour postinjection (p.i.), and consequently, tomographic SPECT/CT imaging was performed, for up to 24 hours p.i. The administration routes that have been studied provide a wide range of possible target tissues, for various diseases. Studies can be optimized following this workflow, as it is possible to quickly assess more parameters in a small number of animals (injection route, dosage, and fasting conditions). Thus, such an imaging protocol combines the strengths of both dynamic planar and tomographic imaging, and by using iron-based NPs of high biocompatibility along with the appropriate administration route, a potential diagnostic or therapeutic effect could be attained.

Phytochemical evaluation of leaf extracts of Naringi crenulata (roxb.) Nicolson

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. 5110
Author(s):  
Sartaj Ahmad Allayie ◽  
Mushtaq Ahmed Parray* ◽  
Bilal Ahmad Bhat ◽  
S. Hemalatha
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Solvent System ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Phytochemical Analysis ◽  
Bioactive Constituents ◽  
Leaf Extracts ◽  
Traditional Medicines ◽  
The People ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Rf Values

The use of traditional medicines holds a great promise as an easily available source as effective medicinal agents to cure a wide range of ailments among the people particularly in tropical developing countries like India. The present study investigates the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the major bioactive constituents of N. crenulata leaf extracts. The extractive values of aqueous, acetone and chloroform extracts were found to be 11.34, 4.24 and 6.06 respectively. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of these three solvent extracts confirm the presence of Alkaloids, Saponins, Flavonoids and Phenolic compounds in all the three extracts; however, these phytochemicals were more significant in aqueous extract. Quantitative analysis was carried out using TLC method by different solvent system. Amongst various solvent systems, Butanol: acetic acid: water (9: 0.9: 0.1 v/v/v) shows maximum resolution and number of spots produced at long UV (365 nm) and under iodine vapours. The TLC chromatograms constituted different coloured phytochemical compounds with different Rf values. It can be conveniently used to evaluate the quality of different area samples. This indicates that the leaves can be useful for treating different diseases because the therapeutic activity of a plant is due to the presence of particular class of compounds and thus can serve as potential sources of useful drugs in future.

scholarly journals Importance of $${{d}}_{{{xy}}}$$ orbital and electron correlation in iron-based superconductors revealed by phase diagram for 1111-system

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsuyoshi Kawashima ◽  
Shigeki Miyasaka ◽  
Hirokazu Tsuji ◽  
Takahiro Yamamoto ◽  
Masahiro Uekubo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Correlation ◽  
Weak Coupling ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Structural Flexibility ◽  
Superconducting Transition ◽  
Iron Based Superconductors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Band Filling ◽  
Iron Based ◽  
Correlation Strength

AbstractThe structural flexibility at three substitution sites in LaFeAsO enabled investigation of the relation between superconductivity and structural parameters over a wide range of crystal compositions. Substitutions of Nd for La, Sb or P for As, and F or H for O were performed. All these substitutions modify the local structural parameters, while the F/H-substitution also changes band filling. It was found that the superconducting transition temperature $$T_{\text{c}}$$ T c is strongly affected by the pnictogen height $$h_{Pn}$$ h Pn from the Fe-plane that controls the electron correlation strength and the size of the $$d_{xy}$$ d xy hole Fermi surface (FS). With increasing $$h_{Pn}$$ h Pn , weak coupling BCS superconductivity switches to the strong coupling non-BCS one where electron correlations and the $$d_{xy}$$ d xy hole FS may be important.

scholarly journals Autophagy Deficiency by Atg4B Loss Leads to Metabolomic Alterations in Mice

Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 481
Author(s):  
Gemma G. Martínez-García ◽  
Raúl F. Pérez ◽  
Álvaro F. Fernández ◽  
Sylvere Durand ◽  
Guido Kroemer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Amino Acids ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Tissue Homeostasis ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Protective Mechanism ◽  
Cardiac Damage ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
First Time

Autophagy is an essential protective mechanism that allows mammalian cells to cope with a variety of stressors and contributes to maintaining cellular and tissue homeostasis. Due to these crucial roles and also to the fact that autophagy malfunction has been described in a wide range of pathologies, an increasing number of in vivo studies involving animal models targeting autophagy genes have been developed. In mammals, total autophagy inactivation is lethal, and constitutive knockout models lacking effectors of this route are not viable, which has hindered so far the analysis of the consequences of a systemic autophagy decline. Here, we take advantage of atg4b−/− mice, an autophagy-deficient model with only partial disruption of the process, to assess the effects of systemic reduction of autophagy on the metabolome. We describe for the first time the metabolic footprint of systemic autophagy decline, showing that impaired autophagy results in highly tissue-dependent alterations that are more accentuated in the skeletal muscle and plasma. These changes, which include changes in the levels of amino-acids, lipids, or nucleosides, sometimes resemble those that are frequently described in conditions like aging, obesity, or cardiac damage. We also discuss different hypotheses on how impaired autophagy may affect the metabolism of several tissues in mammals.

Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS)-Modified Thermoplastic and Thermosetting Nanocomposites: A Review

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 483-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianqing Zhao ◽  
Yi Fu ◽  
Shumei Liu
Keyword(s):  
Processing Condition ◽  
Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Molecular Geometry ◽  
Surface Hydrophobicity ◽  
Dielectric Constants ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Oligomeric Silsesquioxane ◽  
Mechanical Strengths

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanoparticles have been successfully incorporated into thermoplastic and thermoset polymers via copolymerization, grafting, blending, surface bonding, or other transformations. A great promise in the development of a wide range of POSS-containing nanocomposites with diversely improved properties has been displayed. Thermal properties, viscoelastic properties, mechanical strengths, dielectric constants, surface hydrophobicity and flame-retardancy of the nanocomposites are easily varied to target properties by adjusting POSS structure, crosslink density, processing condition, etc. Investigations on the effects of POSS molecular geometry, composition, and concentration on physical and mechanical properties of resultant POSS-modified thermoplastic and thermosetting nanocomposites have been carefully reviewed in this article.

scholarly journals Activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase RET improves long-term hematopoietic stem cell outgrowth and potency

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (22) ◽  
pp. 2535-2547 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Grey ◽  
R. Chauhan ◽  
M. Piganeau ◽  
H. Huerga Encabo ◽  
M. Garcia-Albornoz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Cellular Growth ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Bone Marrow Niche ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Intracellular Signaling Pathway ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Expansion of human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is a rapidly advancing field showing great promise for clinical applications. Recent evidence has implicated the nervous system and glial family ligands (GFLs) as potential drivers of hematopoietic survival and self-renewal in the bone marrow niche; how to apply this process to HSC maintenance and expansion has yet to be explored. We show a role for the GFL receptor, RET, at the cell surface of HSCs in mediating sustained cellular growth, resistance to stress, and improved cell survival throughout in vitro expansion. HSCs treated with the key RET ligand/coreceptor complex, glial-derived neurotrophic factor and its coreceptor, exhibit improved progenitor function at primary transplantation and improved long-term HSC function at secondary transplantation. Finally, we show that RET drives a multifaceted intracellular signaling pathway, including key signaling intermediates protein kinase B, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, NF-κB, and p53, responsible for a wide range of cellular and genetic responses that improve cell growth and survival under culture conditions.

Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of the Genus Pedicularis Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (05) ◽  
pp. 1071-1098 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mao-Xing Li ◽  
Xi-Rui He ◽  
Rui Tao ◽  
Xinyuan Cao
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Iridoid Glycosides ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Chemical Components ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Phenylpropanoid Glycosides

In the present review, the literature data on the chemical constituents and biological investigations of the genus Pedicularis are summarized. Some species of Pedicularis have been widely applied in traditional Chinese medicine. A wide range of chemical components including iridoid glycosides, phenylpropanoid glycosides (PhGs), lignans glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids and other compounds have been isolated and identified from the genus Pedicularis. In vitro and in vivo studies indicated some monomer compounds and extracts from the genus Pedicularis have been found to possess antitumor, hepatoprotective, anti-oxidative, antihaemolysis, antibacterial activity, fatigue relief of skeletal muscle, nootropic effect and other activities.

Strain-engineering in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs: impact of silicon nitride passivation layer on electrical performance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanghamitra Das ◽  
Taraprasanna Dash ◽  
Devika Jena ◽  
Eleena Mohapatra ◽  
C K Maiti
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Compressive Strain ◽  
Cutoff Frequency ◽  
Strain Engineering ◽  
Electrical Performance ◽  
Current Gain ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
High Electron ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Gan Hemts

Abstract In this work, we present a physics-based analysis of two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) sheet carrier density and other microwave characteristics such as transconductance and cutoff frequency of AlxGa1-xN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMT). An accurate polarization-dependent charge control-based analysis is performed for microwave performance assessment in terms of current, transconductance, gate capacitances, and cutoff frequency of lattice-mismatched AlGaN/GaN HEMTs. The influence of stress on spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization is included in the simulation of an AlGaN/GaN HEMT. We have shown the change in threshold voltage (Vt) due to tensile and compressive strain with different gate lengths. Also, the influence of stress due to the change in nitride thickness is presented. Our simulation results for drain current, transconductance, and current-gain cutoff frequency for various gate length devices are calibrated and verified with experimental data over a wide range of gate and drain applied voltages, which are expected to be useful for microwave circuit design. The predicted transconductance, drain conductance, and operation frequency are quite close to the experimental data. The AlGaN/GaN heterostructure HEMTs with nitride passivation layers show great promise as a candidate in future high speed and high power applications.

scholarly journals Contact spacing controls the on-current for all-carbon field effect transistors

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Deniz Özdemir ◽  
Pramit Barua ◽  
Felix Pyatkov ◽  
Frank Hennrich ◽  
Yuan Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotube ◽  
Field Effect ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Field Effect Transistors ◽  
Single Photon ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Single Photon Emitters ◽  
Gate Control ◽  
Valence Bands ◽  
Combine Carbon

AbstractAll-carbon field-effect transistors, which combine carbon nanotubes and graphene hold great promise for many applications such as digital logic devices and single-photon emitters. However, the understanding of the physical properties of carbon nanotube (CNT)/graphene hybrid systems in such devices remained limited. In this combined experimental and theoretical study, we use a quantum transport model for field-effect transistors based on graphene electrodes and CNT channels to explain the experimentally observed low on currents. We find that large graphene/CNT spacing and short contact lengths limit the device performance. We have also elucidated in this work the experimentally observed ambipolar transport behavior caused by the flat conduction- and valence-bands and describe non-ideal gate-control of the contacts and channel region by the quantum capacitance of graphene and the carbon nanotube. We hope that our insights will accelerate the design of efficient all-carbon field-effect transistors.

scholarly journals Optical Estimation of Absolute Membrane Potential Using One- and Two-Photon Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia R. Lazzari-Dean ◽  
Evan W. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Fluorescence Lifetime ◽  
Single Photon ◽  
Photon Counting ◽  
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging ◽  
Single Photon Counting ◽  
Two Photon ◽  
Lifetime Imaging ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Relative Measurements

AbstractBackgroundMembrane potential (Vmem) exerts physiological influence across a wide range of time and space scales. To study Vmem in these diverse contexts, it is essential to accurately record absolute values of Vmem, rather than solely relative measurements.Materials & MethodsWe use fluorescence lifetime imaging of a small molecule voltage sensitive dye (VF2.1.Cl) to estimate mV values of absolute membrane potential.ResultsWe test the consistency of VF2.1.Cl lifetime measurements performed on different single photon counting instruments and find that they are in striking agreement (differences of <0.5 ps/mV in the slope and <50 ps in the y-intercept). We also demonstrate that VF2.1.Cl lifetime reports absolute Vmem under two-photon (2P) illumination with better than 20 mV of Vmem resolution, a nearly 10-fold improvement over other lifetime-based methods.ConclusionsWe demonstrate that VF-FLIM is a robust and portable metric for Vmem across imaging platforms and under both one-photon and two-photon illumination. This work is a critical foundation for application of VF-FLIM to record absolute membrane potential signals in thick tissue.

Stories, Lives, and Basic Survival: A Refinement and Defense of the Narrative View

2007 ◽  
Vol 60 ◽  
pp. 155-178
Author(s):  
Marya Schechtman
Keyword(s):  
Personal Identity ◽  
Narrative Identity ◽  
Human Existence ◽  
Narrative Form ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Narrative Approach ◽  
Good Story ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Intractable Problems

Everyone loves a good story. But does everyone live a good story? It has frequently been asserted by philosophers, psychologists and others interested in understanding the distinctive nature of human existence that our lives do, or should, take a narrative form. Over the last few decades there has been a steady and growing focus on this narrative approach within philosophical discussions of personal identity, resulting in a wide range of narrative identity theories. While the narrative approach has shown great promise as a tool for addressing longstanding and intractable problems of personal identity, it has also given rise to much suspicion. Opponents of this approach charge it with overstating or distorting the structure of actual lives.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document