The effect of AgNPS bio-functionalization on the cytotoxicity of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

This work used Sedum praealtum leaf extract to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in a single step. The cytotoxicity of AgNPs was studied with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae W303-1. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the DPPH radical was studied both in the extract of S. praealtum and in the AgNPs. UV-Vis spectroscopy determined the presence of AgNPs by the location of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 434 nm. TEM and XRD analyzes show AgNPs with fcc structure and hemispherical morphology. Also, AgNPs range in size from 5 to 25 nm and have an average size of 14 nm. 1H NMR, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy techniques agreed that glycosidic compounds were the main phytochemical components responsible for the reduction and stabilization of AgNPs. In addition, AgNPs presented a maximum of 12% toxicity in yeast attributed to the generation of ROS. Consequently, there was low bioactivity because glycoside compounds cover the biosynthesized AgNPs from S. praealtum. These findings allow applications of AgNPs involving contact with mammals and higher organisms.

Data on sodium tetraborate as a modulation of hypertrophic intracellular signals.

The present work benefits the use of sodium tetraborate to prevent and treat hypertrophic cardiac. The data obtained from the work could serve as a reference point to compare with data obtained in vivo studies with cardiac damage. This research will be an advantage for future researches to stimulate the ones focused on developing food supplements to prevent heart diseases such as cardiac hypertrophic. This article also indicates the data on the optimal concentration of isoproterenol as an inducer of hypertrophy in cardiomyocytes. Also, data of the cytotoxic effect of sodium tetraborate on normal cardiomyocytes is revealed. Finally, data of viability, cell size, proliferation nuclear antigen (PCNA) and apoptosis is shown. The expression of transcription factors linked to hypertrophy such as GATA-4, MEF2c, NFAT, CDk9, and myogenin was also quantified by immunofluorescence. The mRNA expression of adrenergic receptors (alpha and beta), AKT1 and Erk1 / 2 and genes of early response to hypertrophy (c-myc, c-fos, c-jun) are also shown as Cts of RT-qPCR. GAPDH and 18 s were used as housekeeping genes.

Efectividad analgésica del tapentadol en el dolor neuropático secundario al síndrome postlaminectomía / Analgesic effectiveness of tapentadol in neuropathic pain secondary to post-laminectomy syndrome

Objetivo: El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar la eficacia y seguridad de tapentadol de liberación a 100 o 200 mg vía oral cada 24 horas, de acción prolongada, para el tratamiento del síndrome postlaminectomía (SPL) en una serie de pacientes con dolor neuropático en tratamiento analgésico inefectivo. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio unicéntrico, longitudinal, prospectivo y observacional, en el que se reclutaron 30 pacientes a la clínica de dolor de un centro de referencia de tercer nivel que sufrían de SPL y que cumplían con todos los criterios de inclusión; a quienes se les aplicó el cuestionario Brief Pain Inventory en su versión en español y el test de Lanss antes y después de iniciar tratamiento con tapentadol, y se aplicó una t de Student para comparar la efectividad global del tratamiento del dolor neuropático. Resultado: Se analizaron datos de 30 pacientes, de los cuales 19 fueron mujeres (63,3 %) y 11 hombres (36,6 %) con diagnóstico de SPL confirmado y con características de dolor de tipo neuropático, quienes fueron divididos en dos grupos: el primer grupo de 13 pacientes (43,3 %) recibió tapentadol a 100 mg vía oral cada 24 horas y el segundo de 17 pacientes (56,6 %) recibió 200 mg vía oral cada 24 horas por cuatro semanas. Se les dio un seguimiento de 4 semanas y se encontró una disminución estadísticamente significativa (valor de p = 0,05) del dolor neuropático en la consulta subsecuente de la clínica del SPL.(AU)

Objective: The objective of this study is to eva­luate the efficacy and safety of long-acting tapentadol 100 or 200 mg orally every 24 hours for the treatment of Postlaminectomy Syndrome (SPL) in a series of patients with pain neuropathic in ineffective analgesic treatment. Material and methods: A single-center, longitudinal, prospective and observational study was conducted, in which 30 patients were recruited to the pain clinic of a third-level reference center who suffered from SPL and who met all the inclusion criteria; To whom the Brief Pain Inventory questionnaire in its Spanish version and the Lanss Test were applied before and after starting treatment with tapentadol and a student's t was applied to compare the overall effectiveness of the treatment of neuropathic pain. Results: Data from 30 patients were analyzed, of which 19 were women (63.3 %) and 11 were men (36.6 %) with a diagnosis of confirmed SPL and the presentation of neuropathic pain, who were divided into two groups. The first group of 13 patients (43.3 %) received tapentadol at 100 mg orally every 24 hours, and the second group of 17 patients (56.6 %) received 200 mg orally every 24 hours for four weeks. They were followed up for 4 weeks and statistically significant improvement (p value = 0.05) was found in the SPL clinic.(AU)

Evidence for Succession and Putative Metabolic Roles of Fungi and Bacteria in the Farming Mutualism of the Ambrosia Beetle Xyleborus affinis.

The bacterial and fungal community involved in ambrosia beetle fungiculture remains poorly studied compared to the famous fungus-farming ants and termites. Here we studied microbial community dynamics of laboratory nests, adults, and brood during the life cycle of the sugarcane shot hole borer, Xyleborus affinis We identified a total of 40 fungal and 428 bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs), from which only five fungi (a Raffaelea fungus and four ascomycete yeasts) and four bacterial genera (Stenotrophomonas, Enterobacter, Burkholderia, and Ochrobactrum) can be considered the core community playing the most relevant symbiotic role. Both the fungal and bacterial populations varied significantly during the beetle's life cycle. While the ascomycete yeasts were the main colonizers of the gallery early on, the Raffaelea and other filamentous fungi appeared after day 10, at the time when larval hatching happened. Regarding bacteria, Stenotrophomonas and Enterobacter dominated overall but decreased in foundresses and brood with age. Finally, inferred analyses of the putative metabolic capabilities of the bacterial microbiome revealed that they are involved in (i) degradation of fungal and plant polymers, (ii) fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, and (iii) essential amino acid, cofactor, and vitamin provisioning. Overall, our results suggest that yeasts and bacteria are more strongly involved in supporting the beetle-fungus farming symbiosis than previously thought.IMPORTANCE Ambrosia beetles farm their own food fungi within tunnel systems in wood and are among the three insect lineages performing agriculture (the others are fungus-farming ants and termites). In ambrosia beetles, primary ambrosia fungus cultivars have been regarded essential, whereas other microbes have been more or less ignored. Our KEGG analyses suggest so far unknown roles of yeasts and bacterial symbionts, by preparing the tunnel walls for the primary ambrosia fungi. This preparation includes enzymatic degradation of wood, essential amino acid production, and nitrogen fixation. The latter is especially exciting because if it turns out to be present in vivo in ambrosia beetles, all farming animals (including humans) are dependent on atmospheric nitrogen fertilization of their crops. As previous internal transcribed spacer (ITS) metabarcoding approaches failed on covering the primary ambrosia fungi, our 18S metabarcoding approach can also serve as a template for future studies on the ambrosia beetle-fungus symbiosis.

A facile synthesis of silver nanowires and their evaluation in the mitochondrial membrane potential.

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) with a high-aspect-ratio were successfully synthesized by a green method using Lavandula angustifolia plant extract. The morphology of the AgNWs was evaluated as a function of the concentration of precursor salt and nucleating agent. Furthermore, AgNWs were analyzed in a biological model using rat liver mitochondria by measuring their effect on membrane potential. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques structurally characterized the nanowires obtained. Also, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) investigated the optical properties of AgNWs. Structural studies show AgNWs fcc with lengths up to 100 µm and diameters ranging from 60 to 130 nm growing in the [110] orientation. Both the CuSO4 nucleating agent and the centrifugation process are essential for the growth of nanowires. Furthermore, inhibition of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) depends on the concentration of the nanowires (NWs), suggesting dissipation of the electron transport chain. In this way, AgNWs can be used as a potential tool to verify biological reactions, such as modulation of metabolic pathways, together with the evaluation of a possible influence of biotic or abiotic factors in organisms.

Role of sodium tetraborate as a cardioprotective or competitive agent: Modulation of hypertrophic intracellular signals.

Boron is an essential trace element in cellular metabolism; however, the molecular mechanism of boron in the heart is unclear. In this study, we examined the effect of sodium tetraborate (as boron source) as a possible protective agent or competitive inhibitor of cardiac hypertrophy in an in vitro murine model. We evaluated different previously reported sodium tetraborate concentrations and it was found that 13 µM improves viability without affecting the cellular structure. We demonstrated that cardiomyocytes pretreated with sodium tetraborate prevents cellular damage induced by isoproterenol (cardioprotective effect) by increasing proliferation rate and inhibiting apoptosis. In addition, the reduction of the expression of the α1AR and ß1AR adrenergic receptors as well as Erk1/2 was notable. Consequently, the expression of the early response genes c-myc, c-fos and c-jun was delayed. Also, the expression of GATA-4, NFAT, NKx2.5 and myogenin transcription factors involved in sarcomere synthesis declined. In contrast, cardiomyocytes, when treated simultaneously with sodium tetraborate and isoproterenol, did not increase their size (cytoplasmic gain), but an increase in apoptosis levels was observed; therefore, the proliferation rate was reduced. Although the mRNA levels of α1AR and ß1AR as well as Erk1/2 and Akt1 were low at 24 h, their expression increased to 48 h. Notably, the mRNA of expression levels of c-myc, c-fos and c-jun were lower than those determined in the control, while the transcription factors GATA-4, MEF2c, Nkx2.5, NFAT and CDk9 were determined in most cells. These results suggest that pretreatment with sodium tetraborate in cardiomyocytes inhibits the hypertrophic effect. However, sodium tetraborate attenuates isoproterenol induced hypertrophy damage in cardiomyocytes when these two compounds are added simultaneously.

Catalytic and antibacterial properties of gold nanoparticles synthesized by a green approach for bioremediation applications.

In this work, we are proposing the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using aqueous extracts of A. triphylla and evaluating their antibacterial and catalytic properties. Characterization was performed by UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Antibacterial activity of AuNPs was analyzed using E. coli and S. Aureus and catalytic activity was determined by the degradation of methylene blue and congo red. UV-Vis analysis showed an increase in AuNPs concentration by increasing the extract concentration, volume extract, and precursor salt concentration. The crystalline nature of AuNPs was corroborated by X-ray diffraction. TEM analysis showed nanoparticles with spherical morphology (mostly) and size between 40 and 60 nm. These results are novel because they showed a homogeneous morphology and a narrow size distribution which is difficult to obtain in green synthesis processes. Results of antibacterial activity showed inhibition zones of 11.3 mm and 10.6 mm for S. Aureus and E. coli, respectively, indicating the bactericidal capacity of the nanoparticles. The degradation periods for methylene blue and congo red were 5 and 11 min, respectively, which are very short compared with previous reports. These results are of great significance for catalytic applications. Therefore, A. triphylla extracts made possible AuNPs synthesis and the nanoparticles obtained can be used as catalytic and antibacterial materials for water remediation.

MicroRNAs Association in the Cardiac Hypertrophy Secondary to Complex Congenital Heart Disease in Children.

Complex congenital heart disease (CHD) affects cardiac blood flow, generating a pressure overload in the compromised ventricles and provoking hypertrophy that over time will induce myocardial dysfunction and cause a potential risk of imminent death. Therefore, the early diagnosis of complex CHD is paramount during the first year of life, with surgical treatment of patients favoring survival. In the present study, we analyzed cardiac tissue and plasma of children with cardiac hypertrophy (CH) secondary to CHD for the expression of 11 miRNAs specific to CH in adults. The results were compared with the miRNA expression patterns in tissue and blood of healthy children. In this way, we determined that miRNAs 1, 18b, 21, 23b, 133a, 195, and 208b constitute the expression profile of the cardiac tissue of children with CHD. Meanwhile, miRNAs 21, 23a, 23b, and 24 can be considered specific biomarkers for the diagnosis of CH in infants with CHD. These results suggest that CH secondary to CHD in children differs in its mechanism from that described for adult hypertrophy, offering a new perspective to study the development of this pathology and to determine the potential of hypertrophic miRNAs to be biomarkers for early CH.

Mouse models for the study of postnatal cardiac hypertrophy.

The main objective of this study was to create a postnatal model for cardiac hypertrophy (CH), in order to explain the mechanisms that are present in childhood cardiac hypertrophy. Five days after implantation, intraperitoneal (IP) isoproterenol (ISO) was injected for 7 days to pregnant female mice. The fetuses were obtained at 15, 17 and 19 dpc from both groups, also newborns (NB), neonates (7-15 days) and young adults (6 weeks of age). Histopathological exams were done on the hearts. Immunohistochemistry and western blot demonstrated GATA4 and PCNA protein expression, qPCR real time the mRNA of adrenergic receptors (α-AR and ß-AR), alpha and beta myosins (α-MHC, ß-MHC) and GATA4. After the administration of ISO, there was no change in the number of offsprings. We observed significant structural changes in the size of the offspring hearts. Morphometric analysis revealed an increase in the size of the left ventricular wall and interventricular septum (IVS). Histopathological analysis demonstrated loss of cellular compaction and presence of left ventricular small fibrous foci after birth. Adrenergic receptors might be responsible for changing a physiological into a pathological hypertrophy. However GATA4 seemed to be the determining factor in the pathology. A new animal model was established for the study of pathologic CH in early postnatal stages.

Expresión de E-Cadherina y Syndecan-1 en Liquen Plano de Piel y de Mucosa Oral / Expression of E-Cadherin and Syndecan-1 in Oral and Skin Lichen Planus

El liquen plano es una lesión inmunológica que se caracteriza por presentar apoptosis de los queratinocitos basales, licuefacción de la membrana basal e infiltrado linfoplasmocitario en banda, estas características pudieran estar asociadas con la pérdida de adhesiones celulares y riesgo de transformación maligna. Para identificar el potencial regulatorio asociado a la adhesión celular de los queratinocitos basales y la posible capacidad de transformación maligna, se investigó la expresión "in situ" de E-cadherina y Syndecan-1 el liquen plano de piel y de mucosa oral. En un total de 37 casos de liquen plano de piel y 5 casos de liquen plano oral, se realizaron estudios de inmunohistoquímica para la detección de E-cadherina y Syndecan-1. En las áreas de enfermedad activa del liquen plano de piel los queratinocitos basales no expresaron E-cadherina y la expresión de Syndecan-1 fue focal, en las áreas de tejido epitelial libre de enfermedad la expresión de ambas proteínas fue muy similar. Los cambios de expresión de las proteínas E-cadherina y Syndecan-1 sugieren una posible asociación de las mismas a la patogénesis de Liquen plano de piel y de mucosa oral.

Lichen planus is an immunological lesion is characterized by basal keratinocytes apoptosis, liquefaction of the basal membrane and linphoplasmocitary infiltration, these features may be associated with loss of cellular adhesion and risk of malignant transformation. To identify the regulatory potential associated with cell adhesion of basal keratinocytes and the malignant transformation potential, the "in situ" expression of E-cadherin and Syndecan-1 proteins in skin and oral lichen planus were investigated. A total of 37 cases of skin lichen planus and 5 cases of oral lichen planus we reevaluated by immunohistochemical approach, using E-cadherin and Syndecan-1antibodies. In areas of active disease in skin lichen planus the basal keratinocytes did not express E-cadherin and Syndecan-1 expression was focal, in the of epithelial tissue areas of free lesion the expression of both proteins were similar. Changes in E-cadherin and Syndecan-1 expression suggest a possible association of this proteins with the pathogenesis of skin and oral lichen planus.

Manejo quirúrgico de la pseudoartrosis congénita de tibia y peroné: experiencia del Hospital Ortopédico Infantil de Caracas / Surgical management of congenital pseudarthrosis of tibia and fibula: experience of the Hospital Ortopédico Infantil de Caracas

El tratamiento de la Pseudoartrosis Congénita de Tibia y Peroné (PCTyP) ha sido diverso. Todas las técnicas de tratamiento tienen una cuota de complicaciones, pero es la re-fractura y la falta de unión las principales consecuencias que se desean evitar. El objetivo de esta investigación se basa en analizar las técnicas quirúrgicas empleadas en nuestro centro y determinar los resultados. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, donde se estudiaron 11 pacientes con esta enfermedad con un seguimiento promedio de 4,73 años (DS±4,56). Todos los pacientes en quienes se utilizó la técnica de Charnley-Williams lograron la consolidación, la protección del clavo funcionó hasta que el extremo proximal de la tibia queda desprotegido al crecer el hueso y se produjeron angulaciones en esta zona, usualmente en la tibia proximal. Con el uso del clavo endomedular telescópico de Fassier-Duval se logra la protección de todo el hueso, inclusive durante el crecimiento. Se concluye que la técnica de Charnley-Williams es un buen método para la resolución de esta enfermedad y con el uso del clavo endomedular de Fassier-Duval se evita la refractura y se logra la unión permanente a medida que continúa el crecimiento del hueso. La discrepancia de los miembros inferiores es debido a la afectación de la tibia que compromete su crecimiento normal.

Treatment of Congenital Pseudarthrosis of Tibia and Fibula (PCTyP) has been mixed. All treatment techniques have a share of complications, but is the re-fracture and nonunion of the main consequences are to be avoided. The objective of this research is based on analyzing the surgical techniques used in our center and determine the results. We performed a retrospective study, which studied 11 patients with this disease with a median follow-up of 4.73 years (SD ± 4.56). All patients who used the technique of Charnley-Williams achieved the consolidation, protection of key works until the proximal end of the tibia is unprotected to grow bone and angulation occurred in this area, usually in the proximal tibia. With the use of intramedullary nail-Duval telescopic Fassier protection is achieved across the bone, even during growth. We conclude that the technique of Charnley-Williams is a good way to solve this disease and the use of intramedullary nail-Duval Fassier refracture and prevents the joining is accomplished as bone growth continues. The discrepancy of the lower limbs is due to the involvement of the tibia which assumes normal growth.

Postharvest behaviour of five Sardinian prune varieties as affected by immersion in heated sodium bicarbonate solution.

Storage behaviour of 'Core', 'Core Columbu', 'Fradis' and 'Meloni' white prunes, and a black one ('Sighera') of Sardinian germplasm were evaluated following immersion for 0 (control), 15, 30, 45 or 60 sec in water at 20, 50, 55 or 60 degrees C with or without 2% (w/v) NaHCO3 (SBC). As international varieties, fruit from one white plum ('Shiro') and one black prune ('Stanly') were subjected to the same treatments. Fruit was harvested at commercial maturity, treated and then stored for 1 month at 5 degrees C and 90% RH followed by a simulated marketing period at 20 degrees C and 80% RH for 6 days. Fruit appearance, external damage, firmness and decay percentage were monitored after storage and SMP. Treatments did not induce rind damage (browning or discoloration) to any variety. SBC at 20, 45, 50 or 55 degrees C for 15 or 30 sec was not effective in controlling decay and compared to controls no improvement was observed. Immersion for 45 or 60 sec with SBC at all temperatures improved decay control with respect to controls and best results were obtained at 50 or 55 degrees C. Immersions at 60 degrees C improved decay control, but differences were not significant compared to the control attained with solutions of SBC heated at 55 degrees C. The overall appearance of 'Core', 'Core Columbu', 'Fradis' and 'Shiro' decreased significantly after the SMP period, especially when treated at 55 or 60 degrees C for 60 sec. Fruit shrivel was the main cause of the low rating. SBC did not affect shrivel indicating that heat treatment may be the probable cause. In general, local varieties were less affected by decay than other varieties and they performed well during storage.

Effective protection against experimental Taenia solium tapeworm infection in hamsters by primo-infection and by vaccination with recombinant or synthetic heterologous antigens.

The disease caused by Taenia solium is progressively being recognized as a growing global threat for public human health and pig husbandry that requires the development of effective control measures. A central participant in the taeniasis/cysticercosis transmission network is the human carrier of the adult tapeworm because of its great potential in spreading the infection. Herein, evidence is presented that a primary infection of golden hamsters with orally administered T. solium cysticerci improved the host's resistance against a secondary infection. Likewise, previous vaccination increased the hamster's resistance. Similar high levels of protection (> 78%) were induced by systemic or oral vaccination with the S3Pvac anticysticercosis synthetic peptide vaccine or the highly immunogenic recombinant chimera based on the protective peptide KETc1 bound to Brucella spp. lumazine synthase (BLS-KETc1). Increased resistance after primo-infection and vaccination possibly results from changes in the immune conditions prevailing in the host's intestine. The contribution to protection from the KETc1 and BLS epitopes in a chimeric vaccine is under study. Preventive vaccination of definitive hosts of T. solium against the tapeworm, the most relevant step in the taeniasis/cysticercosis transmission, may greatly impact the dynamics of endemic disease and has not been studied or tried previously.

Intrahepatic DNA vaccination: unexpected increased resistance against murine cysticercosis induced by non-specific enhanced immunity.

Experimental murine cysticercosis caused by Taenia crassiceps has proved to be a useful model with which to test the efficacy of new vaccine candidates and delivery systems against pig cysticercosis. A high level of protection against murine cysticercosis was previously observed by intramuscular or intradermal DNA immunization with the use of the sequence of the recombinant KETc7 antigen cloned in pcDNA3 (pTc-sp7). To determine the effect of KETc7 differential expression in DNA vaccination, KETc7 was cloned in pGEM 11Zf(+) under the control of the tissue-specific regulatory promoter phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (pPc-sp7). A high level of protection was induced by intrahepatic immunization with pPc-sp7, pTc-sp7 and the empty vector in the absence of any specific immunity. The empty vector pGEM 11Zf(+), the plasmid with the highest content of CpG sequences, provided to the most efficient protection. This protection was related to an increased number of splenocytes, enhanced nonspecific splenocyte proliferation, and intensified intrahepatic INF-gamma production. Overall, intrahepatic plasmid CpG-DNA immunization provokes an exacerbated nonspecific immune response that can effectively control Taenia crassiceps cysticercosis.

The pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus duorarum, its symbionts and helminths as bioindicators of chemical pollution in Campeche Sound, Mexico.

The pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus duorarum may acquire pollutants, helminths and symbionts from their environment. Statistical associations were studied between the symbionts and helminths of F. duorarum and pollutants in sediments, water and shrimps in Campeche Sound, Mexico. The study area spatially overlapped between offshore oil platforms and natural shrimp mating grounds. Spatial autocorrelation of data was controlled with spatial analysis using distance indices (SADIE) which identifies parasite or pollutant patches (high levels) and gaps (low levels), expressing them as clustering indices compared at each point to produce a measure of spatial association. Symbionts included the peritrich ciliates Epistylis sp. and Zoothamnium penaei and all symbionts were pooled. Helminths included Hysterothylacium sp., Opecoeloides fimbriatus, Prochristianella penaei and an unidentified cestode. Thirty-five pollutants were identified, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides and heavy metals. The PAHs (2-3 ring) in water, unresolved complex mixture (UCM), Ni and V in sediments, and Zn, Cr and heptachlor in shrimps were significantly clustered. The remaining pollutants were randomly distributed in the study area. Juvenile shrimps acquired pesticides, PAHs (2-3 rings) and Zn, while adults acquired PAHs (4-5 rings), Cu and V. Results suggest natural PAH spillovers, and continental runoff of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), PCBs and PAHs (2-3 ring). There were no significant associations between pollutants and helminths. However, there were significant negative associations of pesticides, UCM and PCBs with symbiont numbers after controlling shrimp size and spatial autocorrelation. Shrimps and their symbionts appear to be promising bioindicators of organic chemical pollution in Campeche Sound.

A novel synthetic adjuvant effectively enhances the immunogenicity of the influenza vaccine.

Influenza vaccination is a key intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality provoked by this disease. To date, the challenge of improving its efficacy remains unmet. The immunogenic synthetic peptide GK1 from Taenia crassiceps cysticerci was tested herein in its capacity as adjuvant, co-administered with the inactivated anti-influenza vaccine before and after challenge with influenza virus in both young and aged mice. Co-administration of GK1 with the influenza vaccine increased levels of anti-influenza antibodies in aged mice before and after infection, reduced the local inflammation that accompanied influenza vaccination itself and favored virus clearance after infection in both young and aged mice.

Structure, stability and catalytic activity of chemically synthesized Pt, Au, and Au-Pt nanoparticles.

Small (1-5 nm) metallic nanoparticles of Pt, Au, and Au/Pt of different nominal compositions in colloidal form were synthesized by a chemical reduction method using polymer (PVP) as protecting agent. Analytical techniques like HREM and UV-vis spectroscopy have been used to characterize the morphology and structural properties of these small particles. Theoretical simulations based on molecular dynamical have been used to interpret the experimental structural results and analyze the macroscopic properties like stability and catalytic selectivity of these nanoparticles based on the morphology and atomic distribution in the clusters.