Physical and photocatalytic properties of sprayed Dy doped ZnO thin films under sunlight irradiation for degrading methylene blue

Dysprosium-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films have been prepared through spray pyrolysis onto glass substrates. Cross-sections of the deposited thin films were assessed through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), showing thicknesses between 200 and 300 nm. The thin film roughness was evaluated using the obtained images from the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) micrographs. The crystallographic structure of the samples was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealing polycrystalline thin films. However, the slight shift towards a higher 2θ angle in Dy-doped ZnO films as compared to the pure ones indicates the incorporation of Dy³⁺ into the ZnO crystal lattice. The analysis of the oxidation state via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirms the incorporation of Dy ions in the ZnO matrix. Besides, UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometry analysis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy showed that bandgap energy values of ZnO decreased when dysprosium doping increased. Therefore, Dy doped ZnO thin films can be potentially used as a solar-light-driven photocatalyst. Among the different doping yields, the ZnO doped with 6% dysprosium provides the highest degradation rate for methylene blue (MB) under solar irradiation. Specifically, 9% of dye degradation was achieved under sunlight irradiation for 120 minutes.

Dysprosium-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films prepared through spray pyrolysis show outstanding photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue.     

Ciliary melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCHR1) is widely distributed in the murine CNS in a sex-independent manner

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a ubiquitous vertebrate neuropeptide predominantly synthesized by neurons of the diencephalon that can act through two G protein-coupled receptors, called MCHR1 and MCHR2. The expression of Mchr1 has been investigated in both rats and mice, but its synthesis remains poorly described. After identifying an antibody that detects MCHR1 with high specificity, we employed immunohistochemistry to map the distribution of MCHR1 in the CNS of rats and mice. Multiple neurochemical markers were also employed to characterize some of the neuronal populations that synthesize MCHR1. Our results show that MCHR1 is abundantly found in a subcellular structure called the primary cilium, which has been associated, among other functions, with the detection of free neurochemical messengers present in the extracellular space. Ciliary MCHR1 was found in a wide range of areas, including the olfactory bulb, cortical mantle, striatum, hippocampal formation, amygdala, midline thalamic nuclei, periventricular hypothalamic nuclei, midbrain areas, and in the spinal cord. No differences were observed between male and female mice, and interspecies differences were found in the caudate-putamen nucleus and the subgranular zone. Ciliary MCHR1 was found in close association with several neurochemical markers, including tyrosine hydroxylase, calretinin, kisspeptin, estrogen receptor, oxytocin, vasopressin, and corticotropin-releasing factor. Given the role of neuronal primary cilia in sensing free neurochemical messengers in the extracellular fluid, the widespread distribution of ciliary MCHR1, and the diverse neurochemical populations who synthesize MCHR1, our data indicate that nonsynaptic communication plays a prominent role in the normal function of the MCH system.     

Biological studies on Brazilian plants used in wound healing

Aim of the study

n-Hexanic and ethanolic extracts from twelve plants (Brugmansia suaveolens Brecht. et Presl., Eupatorium laevigatum Lam., Galinsoga parviflora Cav., Iresine herbstii Hook., Kalanchöe tubiflora Hamet-Ahti, Petiveria alliacea L., Pluchea sagittalis (Lam.) Cabrera, Piper regnellii DC., Schinus molle L., Sedum dendroideum Moç et Sessé ex DC., Waltheria douradinha St. Hill., Xanthium cavanillesii Schouw.) used in traditional South Brazilian medicine as wound healing agents were investigated in various biological assays, targeting different aspects in this complex process.

Materials and methods

The extracts were investigated on NF-κB DNA binding, p38α MAPK, TNF-α release, direct elastase inhibition and its release as well as on caspase-3. Fibroblasts migration to and proliferation into the wounded monolayers were evaluated in the scratch assay, the agar diffusion test for antibacterial and the MTT assay for cytotoxic effects.

Results

The hydrophilic extracts from Galinsoga parviflora, Petiveria alliacea, Schinus molle, Waltheria douradinha and Xanthium cavanillesii as well as the lipophilic extract of Waltheria douradinha turned out to be the most active ones.

Conclusions

These results increase our knowledge on the wound healing effects of the investigated medicinal plants. Further studies are necessary to find out the effective secondary metabolites responsible for the observed effects.     

Significance and correlations of molecular analysis results in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative chronic myelogenous leukemia and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

PURPOSE: Several investigators have documented a rearrangement of the breakpoint cluster region (bcr) in selected patients with a morphologic diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) but no abnormality of the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) by cytogenetic studies. Our intention was to systematically investigate the incidence of the bcr rearrangement in such patients, and to correlate the findings with patient characteristics, response to therapy (especially alpha interferon treatment), and overall prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Molecular analysis studies were performed in 40 patients with Ph-negative CML (23 patients) and myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML; 17 patients). RESULTS: Rearrangement of the breakpoint cluster region (bcr) was detected in 11 of the 23 patients with Ph-negative CML (48 percent), indicating the presence of the abnormal molecular events in Ph-positive CML without documentation of the Ph cytogenetic abnormality. None of the 17 patients with CMML had the bcr rearrangement. Patients with Ph-negative CML and the bcr rearrangement had characteristics similar to those of patients with Ph-positive disease. These included a younger age, higher white blood cell counts, a higher incidence of thrombocytosis and basophilia, and a lower occurrence of thrombocytopenia. The leukocyte alkaline phosphatase score was not a helpful distinguishing feature. Among 21 patients receiving alpha interferon-based regimens, response to therapy was significantly better among patients with Ph-negative disease and the bcr rearrangement (seven of seven, 100 percent), compared with those without the bcr rearrangement (one of six, 17 percent), or patients with CMML (two of eight, 25 percent) (p less than 0.01). At this time of follow-up, only one of the 11 patients with Ph-negative CML and the bcr rearrangement had died from complications of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, compared with three deaths among the 12 patients with Ph-negative CML and no bcr rearrangement, and 11 deaths among the 19 patients with CMML. CONCLUSION: We conclude that molecular studies help in better understanding the nosology of Ph-negative CML, and define a subgroup of patients with clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic correlations similar to those of patients with Ph-positive CML.     

Surface expression of Gp 165/95, the complement receptor CR3, as a marker of disease activity in systemic Lupus erythematosus

Complement-derived peptides capable of activating neutrophils appear in plasma during flares of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). One possible consequence of such activation is an increased expression of the surface adhesion promoting heterodimer gp165/95 (the complement receptor CR3). The quantity of gp165/95 was measured by indirect immunofluorescence using a monoclonal antibody of the CD11b group. Mol, directed to the alpha chain. Eighty-three percent of 26 patients with SLE expressed gp165/95 on their neutrophil surface to a greater extent than normals. The highest levels of surface gp165/95 were found in patients with the most severe disease, who also had the highest levels of the circulating anaphylatoxin C3a (mean = 560 ng/ml versus 147 ng/ml in controls). There was a negative correlation between expression of gp165/95 and absolute neutrophil count. Five individuals followed serially demonstrated an increase in surface gp165/95 during disease flares which returned to normal with clinical improvement. These data support the hypothesis that the neutrophils of patients with active SLE recruit increased numbers of gp165/95 molecules to their surface in respose to complement activation; these activated neutrophils bearing increased numbers of adhesion promoting gp165/95 may contribute to endothelial injury in SLE.     

Bedside insertion of vena cava filters in the intensive care unit using intravascular ultrasound to locate renal veins

BACKGROUND: Historically, contrast venography has been used to determine renal vein location and assist with vena cava filter placement. This technique, however, exposes the patient to nephrotoxic contrast and radiation. For trauma patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), inferior vena cava filters should ideally be placed without contrast at the bedside to avoid nephrotoxic agents, radiation, and transport of a critically injured patient to the operating room or x-ray department. Previously, the authors have shown that intravascular ultrasound is a safe and accurate method for locating renal veins and assisting with vena cava filter placement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate bedside vena cava filter placement prospectively using only intravascular ultrasound for imaging. METHODS: Between August 2000 and July 2003, 29 patients met trauma service criteria for prophylactic or therapeutic placement of a vena cava filter. The 7 females and 22 males had a mean age of 51.3 years (range, 20-92 years), a mean height of 177 cm (range, 160-218.4 cm), a mean weight of 101.9 kg (range, 59.1-186.4 kg), and a body mass index of 33 (range, 14.7-56.1). Fifteen patients (55.5%) had a body mass index exceeding 30. The mean Injury Severity Score was 25.4 (range, 12-45). Intravascular ultrasound was the sole imaging method, and no contrast or fluoroscopy was used. All procedures were performed in the ICU by trauma surgeons. Data collection was prospective and included demographics, injuries, vena caval anatomy, length of procedure, complications, and follow-up radiographic confirmation of appropriate deployment. RESULTS: The location of the renal veins and vena cava diameter was imaged in all the patients. Three patients were noted to have accessory renal veins, and no patient had thrombus in the vena cava. The inferior vena cava diameter was less than 28 mm in all the patients, thus allowing standard filters to be deployed. Filter deployment was successful for all the patients. Of the 29 patients, 27 had abdominal computed tomography (CT) during their hospital stay. When the location of the renal veins identified by CT was compared with the level of the filter on abdominal x-ray, the filter tip was found to be at or below the level of the most caudal renal vein in 26 of the 27 patients (96.3%). In one patient, the filter tip was purposely placed 2 to 3 cm above an accessory caudal renal vein, but below the main right and left renal veins. The mean procedure time was 37.7 minutes (range, 12-86 minutes). No complications were associated with filter placement. CONCLUSIONS: Intravascular ultrasound is a safe and effective imaging method that may be used for the bedside placement of vena cava filters in the ICU. This technique avoids the use of nephrotoxic intravenous contrast and eliminates the risk of transporting a critically injured patient to the operating room or x-ray department.     

Deoxynivalenol: Toxicology,Degradation by Bacteria,and Phylogenetic Analysis

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a toxic secondary metabolite produced by fungi that contaminates many crops, mainly wheat, maize, and barley. It affects animal health, causing intestinal barrier impairment and immunostimulatory effect in low doses and emesis, reduction in feed conversion rate, and immunosuppression in high doses. As it is very hard to completely avoid DON’s production in the field, mitigatory methods have been developed. Biodegradation has become a promising method as new microorganisms are studied and new enzymatic routes are described. Understanding the common root of bacteria with DON degradation capability and the relationship with their place of isolation may bring insights for more effective ways to find DON-degrading microorganisms. The purpose of this review is to bring an overview of the occurrence, regulation, metabolism, and toxicology of DON as addressed in recent publications focusing on animal production, as well as to explore the enzymatic routes described for DON’s degradation by microorganisms and the phylogenetic relationship among them.