Facile one-pot synthesis of NiCo2Se4-rGO on Ni foam for high performance hybrid supercapacitors

A facile, innovative synthesis for the fabrication of NiCo₂Se₄-rGO on a Ni foam nanocomposite via a simple hydrothermal reaction is proposed. The as-prepared NiCo₂Se₄-rGO@Ni foam electrode was tested through pxrd, TEM, SEM, and EDS to characterize the morphology and the purity of the material. The bimetallic electrode exhibited outstanding electrochemical performance with a high specific capacitance of 2038.55 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹. NiCo₂Se₄-rGO@Ni foam exhibits an extensive cycling stability after 1000 cycles by retaining 90% of its initial capacity. A superior energy density of 67.01 W h kg⁻¹ along with a high power density of 903.61 W kg⁻¹ further proved the high performance of this electrode towards hybrid supercapacitors. The excellent electrochemical performance of NiCo₂Se₄-rGO@Ni foam can be explained through the high electrocatalytic activity of NiCo₂Se₄ in combination with reduced graphene oxide which increases conductivity and surface area of the electrode. This study proved that NiCo₂Se₄-rGO@Ni foam can be utilized as a high energy density-high power density electrode in energy storage applications.

A hybrid supercapacitor comprising a NiCo₂Se₄-rGO composite has been fabricated on Ni foam and shows high energy and power density and superior flexibility.     

Successful Treatment of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis in Association with Mantle Cell Lymphoma

We have examined the role of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) in gentamicin nephrotoxicity and in glycerol-induced acute renal failure, a model for myoglobinuric acute renal failure. Several agents which affect mitochondrial respiration have been shown to enhance the generation of hydrogen peroxide. Based on gentamicin s ability to alter mitochondrial respiration both in vitro and in vivo we postulated that gentamicin may enhance the generation of ROM by renal com'cal mitochondria. Gentamicin, in a dose-dependent farhion, enhanced hydrogen peroxide production by rat renal cortical mitochondria as measured by the decrease in scopoletin jluorescence. At the highest concentration of gentamicin tested (4.0 mM), the rate of hydrogen peroxide generation w s markedly increased from 0. I7 f 0.02 to 6.21 f 0.67 nmol/mg/m*n. We next demonstrated that hydroxyl radical scavengers and an iron chelator provide a marked functional and histological protection in gentamicin-induced acute renal failure in rats. Hydroxyl radical scavengers and the iron chelator deferoxamine also protected renal function in glycerol-injected rats, a model for acute renal failure due to muscle injury. Although these data suggest that ROM may be important mediators of toxic renal injury, in vivo generation of ROM by kidney in normal and pathological states has not been previously examined. Aminotriazole (An irreversibly inactivates catalase only in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and previous studies have shown that AT-medated inhibition of catalase in a sensitive measure of in vivo changes in the hydrogen peroxide generation. Using this method, we have demonstrated the in vivo generation of hydrogen peroxide under normal conditions and enhanced generation of hydrogen peroxide in rats treated with gentamicin or glycerol. Finally, in in vitro studies we have shown that iron and intracellular calcium play a critical role in hydrogen peroxide-mediated cytotoxicity to LLC-PK, cells, a renal tubular epithelial cell line. Taken together our data provide evidence for a role of ROM in gentamicin and glycerol-induced acute renal failure and provide evidence for the role of iron and calcium in oxidant injury to renal tubular epithelial cells.     

Pregnancy in women with Fowler’s syndrome treated with sacral neuromodulation

Introduction and hypothesis

Our aim was to determine the impact of pregnancy on sacral neuromodulation (SNM) and vice versa in patients with Fowler’s syndrome (FS), which is typified by chronic urinary retention (CUR).

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of pregnancy in patients with FS who underwent a two-stage SNM implantation. Data were obtained using a standard questionnaire and clinical interview.

Results

There were a total of ten patients with 13 pregnancies. The SNM was switched off in ten of the 13 pregnancies, with CUR recurring in nine of the ten pregnancies and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) occurring in four of these pregnancies (more than three UTI in the pregnancy). Those in whom the device was left on continued to void normally. One woman had a first trimester miscarriage, eight pregnancies went to term, and four deliveries were premature. Caesarean section was performed in eight pregnancies for obstetric reasons. Four pregnancies resulted in a vaginal delivery. There were no congenital anomalies reported. Following delivery, four of nine women experienced dysfunction of their SNM device when it was switched back on.

Conclusion

Turing off the SNM during pregnancy results in recurrence of CUR, with an increased risk of recurrent UTI associated with preterm delivery. This did not impact foetal well-being. The option of keeping the SNM on during pregnancy should therefore be considered, and as caesarean section affects the SNM device, we advise that caesarean section should only be performed for obstetric reasons.     

Anti-CD52 blocks EAE independent of PD-1 signals and promotes repopulation dominated by double-negative T cells and newly generated T and B cells

Lymphocyte depletion using anti-CD52 antibody effectively reduces relapses of multiple sclerosis (MS). To begin to understand what mechanisms might control this outcome, we examined the effect of a murine-CD52-specific mAb on the depletion and repopulation of immune cells in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model of MS. We tested whether the tolerance-promoting receptor programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) is required for disease remission post anti-CD52, and found that PD-1-deficient mice with a more severe EAE were nevertheless effectively treated with anti-CD52. Anti-CD52 increased the proportions of newly generated T cells and double-negative (DN) T cells while reducing newly generated B cells; the latter effect being associated with a higher expression of CD52 by these cells. In the longer term, anti-CD52 caused substantial increases in the proportion of newly generated lymphocytes and DN T cells in mice with EAE. Thus, the rapid repopulation of lymphocytes from central lymphoid organs post anti-CD52 may limit further disease. Furthermore, these data identify DN T cells, a subset with immunoregulatory potential, as a significant hyperrepopulating subset following CD52-mediated depletion.     

Nutrition status of patients during hospitalization, Tehran, Iran.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the nutrition status of patients on admission and monitored changes during hospitalization at Shariatri Educational Hospital, Tehran, Iran. METHODS: One hundred fifty-six randomly selected patients from 9 different wards were assessed. Body mass index (BMI) and body composition (based on bioelectrical impedance) were measured on admission and discharge. A questionnaire was also completed to evaluate general physical, psychological, and living status of the patients. Medical records were audited to identify when nutrition consultation, nutrition support, and nutrition-related laboratory factors (serum levels of total lymphocyte count [TLC] and albumin) were ordered. Frequency and paired t-test were used to analyze data. RESULTS: Undernutrition (BMI <18.5 kg/m(2)) was present in 5.7% of the patients on admission, and severe undernutrition (BMI <16 kg/m(2)) existed in 0.6%. When discharged, 11% of patients were undernourished, and the prevalence of severe undernutrition increased to 1.3%. Average body weight and BMI decreased significantly during hospitalization (p < .001). Body composition analysis showed a significant reduction in body protein mass (p < .001). During hospitalization, body water percentile decreased and body fat percentile increased but not significantly. Only 1 patient was supported with parenteral nutrition (PN) and 1 with enteral nutrition. Orders for nutrition consultation were present in 1.9%, TLC levels in 10.8%, and serum albumin levels in 7% of the patient medical records surveyed. CONCLUSIONS: Undernutrition increased in patients during hospitalization. According to the low rate of nutrition-related orders, one potential cause of worsening nutrition status may be inadequate medical staff awareness about the importance of nutrition in hospitalized patients.     

Are oxidative stress and ischemia significant causes of bladder damage leading to lower urinary tract dysfunction? Report from the ICI-RS 2019

Several studies indicate that pelvic ischemia and oxidative stress may play a significant role in lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD), including detrusor overactivity (DO)/overactive bladder (OAB) and detrusor underactivity (DU)/underactive bladder (UAB). The present article addresses proposal 1: “Are oxidative stress and ischemia significant causes of bladder damage leading to LUTD?” from the 2019 International Consultation on Incontinence—Research Society (ICI-RS) meeting. Bladder ischemia in animals and humans is briefly described, along with the proposed progression from ischemia to LUTD. Bladder ischemia is compared with ischemia of other organs, and the ongoing development of pelvic ischemia animal models is discussed. In addition, the distribution of blood within the bladder during filling and voiding and the challenges of quantification of blood flow in vivo are described. Furthermore, oxidative stress, including potential biomarkers and treatments, and challenges regarding antioxidant therapy for the treatment of LUTD are discussed. Finally, seven critical research questions and proposed studies to answer those questions were identified as priorities that would lead to major advances in the understanding and treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)/LUTD associated with pelvic ischemia and oxidative stress.     

Sildenafil enhances the peripheral antinociceptive effect of ellagic acid in the rat formalin test

Objective:

Ellagic acid (EA), a major polyphenolic compound of pomegranate juice, produces antinociceptive effects, which are mediated through opioidergic and nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) pathways. The present study was conducted to elucidate the peripheral antinociceptive effect of EA alone and in combination with sildenafil in the rat formalin test.

Materials and Methods:

Pain was produced by intraplantar injection of formalin (2.5%) in rats and nociceptive behavior was measured as the number of flinches every 5 min in 60 min after injection.

Results:

Local administration of EA and sildenafil dose-dependently increased the nociception threshold in both phases of the test. Moreover, sub-effective doses of sildenafil (25 or 50 mcg/paw, i.p.) significantly and dose-dependently enhanced the antinociception induced by a sub-effective dose of EA (60 mcg/paw, i.pl.) in both phases of the test. The antinociception produced by these drugs alone, or in combination, was due to a peripheral site of action, since the administration in the contralateral paw was ineffective.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that EA has local peripheral antinociceptive activity, and enhancement of this effect with sildenafil probably occurs through the inhibition of cGMP metabolism.KEY WORDS: Ellagic acid, formalin, peripheral antinociception, sildenafil     

Depleting tumor-specific Tregs at a single site eradicates disseminated tumors

Activation of TLR9 by direct injection of unmethylated CpG nucleotides into a tumor can induce a therapeutic immune response; however, Tregs eventually inhibit the antitumor immune response and thereby limit the power of cancer immunotherapies. In tumor-bearing mice, we found that Tregs within the tumor preferentially express the cell surface markers CTLA-4 and OX40. We show that intratumoral coinjection of anti–CTLA-4 and anti-OX40 together with CpG depleted tumor-infiltrating Tregs. This in situ immunomodulation, which was performed with low doses of antibodies in a single tumor, generated a systemic antitumor immune response that eradicated disseminated disease in mice. Further, this treatment modality was effective against established CNS lymphoma with leptomeningeal metastases, sites that are usually considered to be tumor cell sanctuaries in the context of conventional systemic therapy. These results demonstrate that antitumor immune effectors elicited by local immunomodulation can eradicate tumor cells at distant sites. We propose that, rather than using mAbs to target cancer cells systemically, mAbs could be used to target the tumor infiltrative immune cells locally, thereby eliciting a systemic immune response.