Super-stretchable Graphene Oxide Macroscopic Fibers with Outstanding Knotability Fabricated by Dry Film Scrolling

Cruz-Silva, Rodolfo,Morelos-Gomez, Aaron,Kim, Hyung-ick,Jang, Hong-kyu,Tristan, Ferdinando,Vega-Diaz, Sofia,Rajukumar, Lakshmy P.,Elí,as, Ana Laura,Perea-Lopez, Nestor,Suhr, Jonghwan,Endo, Morin American Chemical Society 2014 ACS NANO Vol.8 No.6

<P>Graphene oxide (GO) has recently become an attractive building block for fabricating graphene-based functional materials. GO films and fibers have been prepared mainly by vacuum filtration and wet spinning. These materials exhibit relatively high Young’s moduli but low toughness and a high tendency to tear or break. Here, we report an alternative method, using bar coating and drying of water/GO dispersions, for preparing large-area GO thin films (<I>e.g.</I>, 800–1200 cm<SUP>2</SUP> or larger) with an outstanding mechanical behavior and excellent tear resistance. These dried films were subsequently scrolled to prepare GO fibers with extremely large elongation to fracture (up to 76%), high toughness (up to 17 J/m<SUP>3</SUP>), and attractive macroscopic properties, such as uniform circular cross section, smooth surface, and great knotability. This method is simple, and after thermal reduction of the GO material, it can render highly electrically conducting graphene-based fibers with values up to 416 S/cm at room temperature. In this context, GO fibers annealed at 2000 °C were also successfully used as electron field emitters operating at low turn on voltages of <I>ca.</I> 0.48 V/μm and high current densities (5.3 A/cm<SUP>2</SUP>). Robust GO fibers and large-area films with fascinating architectures and outstanding mechanical and electrical properties were prepared with bar coating followed by dry film scrolling.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/ancac3/2014/ancac3.2014.8.issue-6/nn501098d/production/images/medium/nn-2014-01098d_0007.gif'></P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/nn501098d'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>

Identification of Novel Compounds Inhibiting Chikungunya Virus-Induced Cell Death by High Throughput Screening of a Kinase Inhibitor Library

Cruz, Deu John M.,Bonotto, Rafaela M.,Gomes, Rafael G. B.,da Silva, Camila T.,Taniguchi, Juliana B.,No, Joo Hwan,Lombardot, Benoit,Schwartz, Olivier,Hansen, Michael A. E.,Freitas-Junior, Lucio H. Public Library of Science 2013 PLoS neglected tropical diseases Vol.7 No.10

<▼1><P>Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne arthrogenic alphavirus that causes acute febrile illness in humans accompanied by joint pains and in many cases, persistent arthralgia lasting weeks to years. The re-emergence of CHIKV has resulted in numerous outbreaks in the eastern hemisphere, and threatens to expand in the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, no effective treatment is currently available. The present study reports the use of resazurin in a cell-based high-throughput assay, and an image-based high-content assay to identify and characterize inhibitors of CHIKV-infection in vitro. CHIKV is a highly cytopathic virus that rapidly kills infected cells. Thus, cell viability of HuH-7 cells infected with CHIKV in the presence of compounds was determined by measuring metabolic reduction of resazurin to identify inhibitors of CHIKV-associated cell death. A kinase inhibitor library of 4,000 compounds was screened against CHIKV infection of HuH-7 cells using the resazurin reduction assay, and the cell toxicity was also measured in non-infected cells. Seventy-two compounds showing ≥50% inhibition property against CHIKV at 10 µM were selected as primary hits. Four compounds having a benzofuran core scaffold (CND0335, CND0364, CND0366 and CND0415), one pyrrolopyridine (CND0545) and one thiazol-carboxamide (CND3514) inhibited CHIKV-associated cell death in a dose-dependent manner, with EC<SUB>50</SUB> values between 2.2 µM and 7.1 µM. Based on image analysis, these 6 hit compounds did not inhibit CHIKV replication in the host cell. However, CHIKV-infected cells manifested less prominent apoptotic blebs typical of CHIKV cytopathic effect compared with the control infection. Moreover, treatment with these compounds reduced viral titers in the medium of CHIKV-infected cells by up to 100-fold. In conclusion, this cell-based high-throughput screening assay using resazurin, combined with the image-based high content assay approach identified compounds against CHIKV having a novel antiviral activity - inhibition of virus-induced CPE - likely by targeting kinases involved in apoptosis.</P></▼1><▼2><P><B>Author Summary</B></P><P>Recent outbreaks and expanding global distribution of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in different regions of Asia, Africa and Europe necessitates the development of effective therapeutic interventions. At present, only two antiviral compounds (chloroquine and ribavirin) that inhibit viral infection <I>in vitro</I> have been used in clinical cases of chikungunya infections. However, neither of these compounds have shown strong efficacy in vivo. Recent attempts to identify new antiviral candidates for CHIKV using cell-based phenotypic approach have been reported. In this study, we developed a simple cell-based high-throughput assay using resazurin to identify potential anti-CHIKV compounds. This high-throughput assay is based on the metabolic reduction of resazurin to the highly fluorescent resorufin by viable cells as an indicator of activity against CHIKV-induced CPE. We screened 4,000 small molecules belonging to the BioFocus kinase inhibitor chemical library and found a cluster of related molecules with antiviral activity against CHIKV. Finally, we characterized the putative mode of action of these active compounds using an image-based high content assay and conventional virological methods (<I>i.e.</I>, virus yield reduction assay, microneutralization assay).</P></▼2>

Analysis of the shelf life of chitosan stored in different types of packaging, using colorimetry and dentin microhardness

da Cruz-Filho, Antonio Miranda,de Vito, Angelo Rafael,Souza-Flamini, Luis Eduardo,da Costa Guedes, Debora Fernandes,Saquy, Paulo Cesar,Silva, Ricardo Gariba,Pecora, Jesus Djalma The Korean Academy of Conservative Dentistry 2017 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.42 No.2

Objectives: Chitosan has been widely investigated and used. However, the literature does not refer to the shelf life of this solution. This study evaluated, through the colorimetric titration technique and an analysis of dentin micro-hardness, the shelf life of 0.2% chitosan solution. Materials and Methods: Thirty human canines were sectioned, and specimens were obtained from the second and third slices, from cemento-enamel junction to the apex. A 0.2% chitosan solution was prepared and distributed in 3 identical glass bottles (v1, v2, and v3) and 3 plastic bottles (p1, p2, and p3). At 0, 7, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days, the specimens were immersed in each solution for 5 minutes (n = 3 each). The chelating effect of the solution was assessed by micro-hardness and colorimetric analysis of the dentin specimens. 17% EDTA and distilled water were used as controls. Data were analyzed statistically by two-way and Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison (${\alpha}=0.05$). Results: There was no statistically significant difference among the solutions with respect to the study time (p = 0.113) and micro-hardness/time interaction (p = 0.329). Chitosan solutions and EDTA reduced the micro-hardness in a similar manner and differed significantly from the control group (p < 0.001). Chitosan solutions chelated calcium ions throughout the entire experiment. Conclusions: Regardless of the storage form, chitosan demonstrates a chelating property for a minimum period of 6 months.

Metastases of Melanoma to Head and Neck Mucosa: A Report of Short Series

Raphaela Silva Leandro Santos,Marília Ferreira Andrade,Fábio de Abreu Alves,Luiz Paulo Kowalski,Danyel Elias da Cruz Perez 대한이비인후과학회 2016 Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol.9 No.1

Objectives. Metastasis of melanoma to the head and neck mucosa is a very unusual condition. The aim of this study was to report four cases of patients with metastatic melanoma in the head and neck mucosa treated at a single institution. Methods. Clinical data were obtained from the medical records. All cases were histologically reviewed to confirm the diagnosis, and immunohistochemical reactions were performed in the cases submitted to biopsy. Results. All patients were males and the mean age was 40.5 years old. The sites of the metastatic tumors were gingival mucosa, floor of the mouth, oropharynx, and larynx. Two tumors appeared as submucosal nodules with normal color; one lesion was a blackish nodular lesion, and one was shown to be an ulcerated lesion. The size of tumors ranged from 2.0 to 4.0 cm. All patients had developed systemic disease at time of diagnosis of metastatic tumor in the head and neck mucosa. Survival rates ranged from 2 to 19 months after the diagnosis of the metastatic mucosal melanoma in the head and neck region. Conclusion. Although rare, patients with melanoma must be closely and regularly followed up, with careful routine examination of head and neck, because metastatic tumors in this region seem to be part of a lethal widespread metastatic disease.

Tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum) Prevents Oxidative and DNA Damage to Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells

Beatriz da Silva Rosa Bonadiman,Cláudia Chaves,Charles Elias Assmann,Grazielle Castagna Cezimbra Weis,Audrei de Oliveira Alves,Amanda Leitão Gindri,Cláudio Chaves,Ivana Beatrice Mânica da Cruz,Ariane 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.10

Eye diseases have a negative impact on the eyesight quality of the world population. The age-related macular degeneration (AMD) draws special attention since it is a chronic disorder characterized by oxidative and inflammatory damage to the retinal epithelial pigment, which triggers progressive vision loss. In the Brazilian Amazon, Astrocaryum aculeatum is an Amazonian fruit (Tucumã) used by riverside communities in traditional medicine to treat a number of ailments. These communities have recently shown to have increased longevity and reduced prevalence of age-related morbidity. Thus, the aim of this research was to chemically characterize and analyze the in vitro antioxidant effect and molecular damage prevention of the Tucumã ethanolic extract in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in a model for AMD. The extract was chemically characterized by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with diode-array detection and mass spectrophotometry (HPLC-DAD-MS). In vitro protocols were performed, and the cytopreventive effect of Tucumã on RPE cells exposed to high concentrations of superoxide anion, an oxidant and genotoxic molecule, as well as the effect of Tucumã extract on oxidative and molecular makers were assessed. Biochemical and flow cytometry analyses were conducted in these protocols. The extract presents high concentrations of caffeic acid, gallic acid, catechin, luteolin, quercetin, and rutin. Treatment did not show cytotoxic effects in cells treated only with extract at 50 μg/mL. In fact, it improved cell viability and was able to prevent necrosis and apoptosis, and oxidative and molecular damage was significantly reduced. In summary, Tucumã is an important Amazon fruit, which seems to contribute significantly to improve human health conditions, as our findings suggest that its extract has a relevant chemical matrix rich in antioxidant molecules, and its consumption could improve eye health and contribute to prevention against oxidative stress through cytoprevention, reactive oxygen species reduction, and maintenance of DNA integrity in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells.

Are the long–short term memory and convolution neural networks really based on biological systems?

David Balderas Silva,Pedro Ponce Cruz,Arturo Molina Gutierrez 한국통신학회 2018 ICT Express Vol.4 No.2

In general, it is not a simple task to predict sequences or classify images, and it is even more problematic when both are combined. Nevertheless, biological systems can easily predict sequences and are good at image recognition. For these reasons Long–Short Term Memory and Convolutional Neural Networks were created and were based on the memory and visual systems. These algorithms have shown great properties and shown certain resemblance, yet they are still not the same as their biological counterpart. This article reviews the biological bases and compares them.

Successful treatment of recurrent subclinical mastitis in cows caused by enrofloxacin resistant bacteria by means of the sequential intramammary infusion of enrofloxacin HCl-2H2O and ceftiofur HCl: a clinical trial

Edgar Alfonseca-Silva,Juan Carlos Cruz-Villa,Lilia Gutiérrez,Hector Sumano 대한수의학회 2021 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.22 No.6

Background: Recurrent subclinical mastitis (RScM) due to resistant bacteria has low clinical and bacteriological cure rates, often requiring the culling of cows. The sequential intra-mammary administration of enrofloxacin hydrochloride-dihydrate (enro-C) followed by ceftiofur HCl may be useful for treating these cases. Objectives: This study assessed the bacteriological and clinical cure-efficacies of the sequentially intramammary administration of enro-C, followed by ceftiofur HCl to treat RScM in Holstein/Friesian cows. Methods: This trial was conducted in a herd with a high prevalence of RScM, and 20 Holstein/Friesian cows were included: 45% suffering subclinical mastitis and 38.9% of the mammary quarters affected. Twenty-nine bacterial isolates in vitro resistant to enro-C were obtained (coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp, 55.2%; Staphylococcus aureus, 27.6%; Escherichia coli, 6.9%; Streptococcus uberis, 6.9%; Corynebacterium bovis, 3.4%). Polymerase chain reaction-isolated the following genes linked to enro-C resistance: chromosomal (gyrA) and plasmid (aac(6')-lb-cr). The treatments were as follows: twice-daily intramammary infusions of enro-C (300 mg/10 mL) for 5 days. Cows clinically considered treatment failures were also treated with intramammary ceftiofur (125 mg/10 mL, twice daily for 5 days. The clinical and bacteriological cure rates were carried out when completing each treatment phase and at 14 and 21 days, aided by a California mastitis test, somatic cell count, and failure to identify the initially causative bacteria. Results: Enro-C achieved 65% clinical and bacteriological cure rates, and 100% cure rates were obtained after the rescue treatment with ceftiofur HCl. Conclusions: Outstanding clinical and bacteriological cure rates in cows affected by RScM were achieved with the consecutive intramammary infusions of enro-C, followed by ceftiofur HCl.

Phenolic Compounds of Potato Peel Extracts: Their Antioxidant Activity and Protection against Human Enteric Viruses

( Norma Patricia Silva-beltran ),( Cristobal Chaidez-quiroz ),( Osvaldo Lopez-cuevas ),( Saul Ruiz-cruz ),( Marco A. Lopez-mata ),( Carmen Lizette Del-toro-sanchez ),( Enrique Marquez-rios ),( Jose De 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2017 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.27 No.2

Potato peels (PP) contain several bioactive compounds. These compounds are known to provide human health benefits, including antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. In addition, these compounds could have effects on human enteric viruses that have not yet been reported. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the phenolic composition, antioxidant properties in the acidified ethanol extract (AEE) and water extract of PP, and the antiviral effects on the inhibition of Av-05 and MS2 bacteriophages, which were used as human enteric viral surrogates. The AEE showed the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Chlorogenic and caffeic acids were the major phenolic acids. In vitro analysis indicated that PP had a strong antioxidant activity. A 3 h incubation with AEE at a concentration of 5 mg/ml was needed to reduce the PFU/ml (plaque-forming unit per unit volume) of Av-05 and MS2 by 2.8 and 3.9 log10, respectively, in a dose-dependent manner. Our data suggest that PP has potential to be a source of natural antioxidants against enteric viruses.

Importance of open, heteroatom-decorated edges in chemically doped-graphene for supercapacitor applications

Fujisawa, K.,Cruz-Silva, R.,Yang, K. S.,Kim, Y.,Hayashi, T.,Endo, M.,Terrones, M.,Dresselhaus, M. Royal Society of Chemistry 2014 Journal of Materials Chemistry A Vol.2 No.25

Control of Post-harvest Anthracnose Infection in Guava (Psidium guajava) Fruits with Phosphites, Calcium Chloride, Acetyl Salicylic Acid, Hot Water, and 1-MCP

André Freire Cruz,Nathalia Lima Medeiros,Gustavo Lessa Benedet,Maira Borges Araújo,Carlos Hidemi Uesugi,Marisa Alvares da Silva Velloso Ferreira,José Ricardo Peixoto,Luiz Eduardo Bassay Blum 한국원예학회 2015 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.56 No.3

The control of anthracnose (Colletotrichum simmondsii) during the post-harvest stage in guava fruits (Psidium guajava L.) was performed by the application of phosphites [phosphite-K (40% P2O5 and 30% K2O) and phosphite-Ca (10.7% P2O5, 3.89% Ca, and 0.5% B)] including the Carbendazim as reference, calcium chloride (CaCl2), acetyl salicylic acid (ASA), hot water (HW), and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). These treatments were applied individually or in combination each other with two or three compounds. The evaluated parameters were diameter of anthracnose lesion (DL), number of lesions (NL), and fruit quality (fresh weight loss, pH, total soluble solids, and titrable acidity]. The fruits were disinfested, inoculated, and maintained in an incubator containing fluorescent lights at 75 μmol·m-2·s-1 (25°C, 12h photoperiod) for 5 days and were then analyzed. The results showed that the DL and the NL were reduced following treatments, and that the HW (47°C for 20 min) was the strongest and the 1-MCP treatment was the least effective. The physico-chemical characteristics of fruits were affected by some treatments without compromising fruit quality. The combination of treatments was also able to alleviate the anthracnose effect on fruits compared to individual treatments and the control without affect the fruit quality. The combinations which included the HW treatment showed the best performance to control this disease, particularly when combined with the 1-MCP and phosphite.