New Advances in Fabrication of Graphene Glyconanomaterials for Application in Therapy and Diagnosis

Glycoderivatives are an important class of molecules with enormous relevance in numerous biological phenomena; therefore, they have a key role in the learning, understanding, and assessment of different diseases. Nanotechnology, and in particular the design of new nanomaterials, is one of the areas of greatest interest today. In this case, graphene nanomaterials represent very interesting platforms for studying glycosystems, glyconanomaterials that combine the biomolecular recognition and the characteristics of nanoscale objects in the development of early diagnosis systems, and efficient specific therapeutic modalities. In this mini-review, we discuss some results recently described in the literature on the conjugation of graphene materials and carbohydrates through the selective interaction of glycoenzymes in graphene to create new materials with biosensing applications, the development and application of sugar-graphene composites, and finally biosystems combining the properties of graphene with metallic nanoparticles and sugars for the creation of excellent glyconanomaterials as novel systems for the therapy or diagnosis of important diseases such as cancer or diabetes.

Immobilization of laccase from Trametes versicolor on Lifetechtm supports for applications in degradation of industrial dyes

In this study, immobilization of laccase from Trametes versicolor on eight Lifetech? supports, with different characteristics (pore size, length of the spacer arm and functional groups), was studied and optimized for intended use in bioremediation for decolorization of industrial wastewaters. Out of six tested amino-functionalized supports, the most promising carrier was proved to be porous Lifetech? ECR8309F with primary amino groups and a C2 spacer arm. Onto this support, laccase is attached by forming electrostatic interactions so that the most active preparation has shown the activity of 66876 U/g support. On the other hand, during immobilization of laccase on epoxy-functionalized Lifetech? ECR8285F, via hydrophobic interactions and covalent bonding confirmed by a desorption assay, immobilization yield of 60 % and the activity of 118929 U/g were accomplished. Furthermore, immobilized enzyme on this support showed high capacity for decolorization of dyes (Lanaset? Violet B, Lanaset? Blue 2R, bromothymol blue and bromocresol green), by combination of both adsorption and enzyme degradation. Decolorization was in the range of 88 to 96 % after 4 h, with more than 80 % achieved after only 45 min. Also, this preparation demonstrated high operational stability during seven consecutive reuses in all examined dye reaction systems.

Correlation of rheoencephalogram and intracranial pressure: results of a rat study

Measuring brain electrical impedance (rheoencephalography-REG) is a potential technique for noninvasive, continuous neuro-monitoring. Typically, intracranial pressure (ICP), an invasive monitoring modality, is used in brain monitoring. Our hypothesis was that both modalities would reflect cerebrovascular reactivity. In the present study we compared results of REG to results of ICP measurement. Rats were used under anesthesia ([Formula: see text]; 36 control and 59 vinpocetine infusions). REG was measured by two bipolar REG amplifiers; time constants (Tc) were 3 and 0.3 s. The vinpocetine injection caused a transient decrease in systemic arterial pressure (SAP) and a simultaneous increase in ICP and REG pulse amplitude. SAP decrease was 25%  ±  14%; ICP was 28%  ±  16%; REG pulse amplitude increase was 209%  ±  17% (Tc 3) and 107%  ±  68% (Tc 0.3). ICP increase correlated with REG pulse amplitude increase. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.9481 for ICP-REG time constants 3 and 0.9335 for ICP-REG time constants 0.3; both with [Formula: see text]. The fact that both REG and ICP reflect cerebrovascular reactivity indicates the usefulness of REG as a potential technique for noninvasive, continuous neuro-monitoring. The Tc of REG amplifier requires optimization for continuous monitoring of pressure reactivity index.

Delineation of hypoxia versus inflammatory contributions to tissue injury by attenuation of G-alpha-i signaling (93.7)

The complement dependent pathology resulting from mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion insult instigates tissue injury in mesenteric and systemic organs. In this study the contribution of G-protein receptor signaling through G[alpha]i to stages of tissue injury is delineated. Global G[alpha]i inhibition, by PTX, attenuated mesenteric injury and production of lipid modulators such as leukotriene B4. Systemic inflammation was inhibited as assessed by lung tissue injury scores and monitoring cellular infiltrates. To delineate the role of G[alpha]i signaling in mesenteric versus systemic inflammatory responses, an inhibitor of pulmonary inflammatory chemotactic G[alpha]i signaling, anti-CXCR2 was used. As expected PTX and anti-CXCR2, abrogated pulmonary inflammation. In contrast, anti-CXCR2 was not effective in mitigating mesenteric injury. The results from global versus specific G[alpha]i inhibition in local and systemic injury indicate multiple mechanisms by which G[alpha]i signaling facilitate tissue injury. The G[alpha]i linked signaling effects of complement activation and chemokine induced migratory control are distinct and can be mitigated independently. Delineating which signals govern particular components of tissue injury will be useful in developing therapeutics which can control specific deleterious aspects of systemic inflammation after trauma while maintaining the protective aspects of complement activation.