VO2 thin films based active and passive thermochromic devices for energy management applications

Cheikhou O.F. Ba,Souleymane T. Bah,Marc D,Vincent Fortin,P.V. Ashrit,Real Vallee 한국물리학회 2014 Current Applied Physics Vol.14 No.11

VO2 thin films were fabricated by argon ion beam assisted non-reactive ac dual magnetron sputtering followed by carefully controlled thermal oxidation. This method is known to give high quality compact thin films with uniform high deposition rates. Thin films deposited on both bare glass and indium tinoxide (ITO) coated glass substrates were studied, respectively, as passive and active thermochromic devices for their electrical and optical switching behaviors. Thin films varying in thicknesses from 65 to 250 nm were investigated. ITO film was used as an integrated heating device to activate the phase transition via an applied bias voltage. Such structures were found to bear several advantages from an application point of view.

Two cases of an atypical presentation of necrotizing stomatitis

Antonio Magan-Fernandez,Francisco O’Valle,Elena Pozo,Jose Liebana,Francisco Mesa 대한치주과학회 2015 Journal of Periodontal & Implant Science Vol.45 No.6

Purpose: The purpose of this report was to describe the clinical and microbiological characteristicsof two rare cases of necrotizing stomatitis, and the outcomes of a non-invasivetreatment protocol applied in both cases. Methods: We report two cases of necrotizing stomatitis in a rare location in the hard palateof a 40-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man. Neither had a relevant medical historyand both presented with highly painful ulceration in the palate and gingival margin thatwas accompanied by suppuration and necrosis. 3% hydrogen peroxide was applied to thelesions using sterile swabs, and antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment was prescribedto both patients in addition to two daily oral rinses of 0.2% chlorhexidine. Results: In both cases, radiological examination ruled out bone involvement, and exfoliativecytology revealed a large inflammatory component and the presence of forms compatiblewith fusobacteria and spirochetes. There was a rapid response to treatment and amajor improvement was observed after 48 hours, with almost complete resolution of theulcerated lesions and detachment of necrotic areas with partial decapitation of gingivalpapillae. Conclusions: Necrotizing periodontal lesions can hinder periodontal probing and the mechanicalremoval of plaque in some cases due to the extreme pain suffered by the patients. We present a non-invasive treatment approach that can manage these situations effectively.

Reaction network of the chloromethane conversion into light olefins using a HZSM-5 zeolite catalyst

Monica Gamero,Beatriz Valle,Pedro Castaño,Andrés T. Aguayo,Javier Bilbao 한국공업화학회 2018 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.61 No.-

The second step of chlorine-mediated methane valorization into hydrocarbons has been investigated using a HZSM-5 zeolite catalyst. A parametric study has enabled to set the reaction network, which is dominated by the dual cycle mechanism and secondary reactions of light olefins. This network explains the formation of methane, light olefins, C5+ aliphatics, paraffins, aromatics and coke. Under the optimal conditions, the light olefin selectivity is >70%, of which >40% corresponds to propylene. Coke is originated in the zeolite micropores and then grows within the matrix meso- and macropores.

Transcription Factors Tec1 and Tec2 Play Key Roles in the Hyphal Growth and Virulence of Mucor lusitanicus Through Increased Mitochondrial Oxidative Metabolism

Alejandre-Castañeda Viridiana,Patiño-Medina J. Alberto,Valle-Maldonado Marco I.,García Alexis,Ortiz-Alvarado Rafael,Ruíz-Herrera León F.,Castro-Cerritos Karla Viridiana,Ramírez-Emiliano Joel,Ramírez-D 한국미생물학회 2023 The journal of microbiology Vol.61 No.12

Mucormycosis is a lethal and difficult-to-treat fungal infection caused by fungi of the order Mucorales. Mucor lusitanicus, a member of Mucorales, is commonly used as a model to understand disease pathogenesis. However, transcriptional control of hyphal growth and virulence in Mucorales is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of Tec proteins, which belong to the TEA/ATTS transcription factor family, in the hyphal development and virulence of M. lusitanicus. Unlike in the genome of Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes, which have a single Tec homologue, in the genome of Mucorales, two Tec homologues, Tec1 and Tec2, were found, except in that of Phycomyces blakesleeanus, with only one Tec homologue. tec1 and tec2 overexpression in M. lusitanicus increased mycelial growth, mitochondrial content and activity, expression of the rhizoferrin synthetase-encoding gene rfs, and virulence in nematodes and wax moth larvae but decreased cAMP levels and protein kinase A (PKA) activity. Furthermore, tec1- and tec2-overexpressing strains required adequate mitochondrial metabolism to promote the virulent phenotype. The heterotrimeric G beta subunit 1-encoding gene deletant strain (Δgpb1) increased cAMP-PKA activity, downregulation of both tec genes, decreased both virulence and hyphal development, but tec1 and tec2 overexpression restored these defects. Overexpression of allele-mutated variants of Tec1(S332A) and Tec2(S168A) in the putative phosphorylation sites for PKA increased both virulence and hyphal growth of Δgpb1. These findings suggest that Tec homologues promote mycelial development and virulence by enhancing mitochondrial metabolism and rhizoferrin accumulation, providing new information for the rational control of the virulent phenotype of M. lusitanicus.

Two cases of an atypical presentation of necrotizing stomatitis

Magan-Fernandez, Antonio,O'Valle, Francisco,Pozo, Elena,Liebana, Jose,Mesa, Francisco Korean Academy of Periodontology 2015 Journal of Periodontal & Implant Science Vol.45 No.6

Purpose: The purpose of this report was to describe the clinical and microbiological characteristics of two rare cases of necrotizing stomatitis, and the outcomes of a non-invasive treatment protocol applied in both cases. Methods: We report two cases of necrotizing stomatitis in a rare location in the hard palate of a 40-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man. Neither had a relevant medical history and both presented with highly painful ulceration in the palate and gingival margin that was accompanied by suppuration and necrosis. 3% hydrogen peroxide was applied to the lesions using sterile swabs, and antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment was prescribed to both patients in addition to two daily oral rinses of 0.2% chlorhexidine. Results: In both cases, radiological examination ruled out bone involvement, and exfoliative cytology revealed a large inflammatory component and the presence of forms compatible with fusobacteria and spirochetes. There was a rapid response to treatment and a major improvement was observed after 48 hours, with almost complete resolution of the ulcerated lesions and detachment of necrotic areas with partial decapitation of gingival papillae. Conclusions: Necrotizing periodontal lesions can hinder periodontal probing and the mechanical removal of plaque in some cases due to the extreme pain suffered by the patients. We present a non-invasive treatment approach that can manage these situations effectively.

Hyaluronic acid reduces inflammation and crevicular fluid IL-1β concentrations in peri-implantitis: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Sanchez-Fernandez, Elena,Magan-Fernandez, Antonio,O'Valle, Francisco,Bravo, Manuel,Mesa, Francisco Korean Academy of Periodontology 2020 Journal of Periodontal & Implant Science Vol.50 No.-

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of hyaluronic acid (HA) on peri-implant clinical variables and crevicular concentrations of the proinflammatory biomarkers interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in patients with peri-implantitis. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in peri-implantitis patients. Patients were randomized to receive a 0.8% HA gel (test group), an excipient-based gel (control group 1), or no gel (control group 2). Clinical periodontal variables and marginal bone loss after 0, 45, and 90 days of treatment were assessed. IL-1β and TNF-α levels in crevicular fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays at baseline and after 45 days of treatment. Clustering analysis was performed, considering the possibility of multiple implants in a single patient. Results: Sixty-one patients with 100 dental implants were assigned to the test group, control group 1, or control group 2. Probing pocket depth (PPD) was significantly lower in the test group than in both control groups at 45 days (control 1: 95% CI, -1.66, -0.40 mm; control 2: 95% CI, -1.07, -0.01 mm) and 90 days (control 1: 95% CI, -1.72, -0.54 mm; control 2: 95% CI, -1.13, -0.15 mm). There was a trend towards less bleeding on probing in the test group than in control group 2 at 90 days (P=0.07). Implants with a PPD ≥5 mm showed higher levels of IL-1β in the control group 2 at 45 days than in the test group (P=0.04). Conclusions: This study demonstrates for the first time that the topical application of a HA gel in the peri-implant pocket and around implants with peri-implantitis may reduce inflammation and crevicular fluid IL-1β levels.

Hyaluronic acid reduces inflammation and crevicular fluid IL-1β concentrations in peri-implantitis: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Elena Sánchez-Fernández,Antonio Magán-Fernández,Francisco O’Valle,Manuel Bravo,Francisco Mesa 대한치주과학회 2021 Journal of Periodontal & Implant Science Vol.51 No.1

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of hyaluronic acid (HA) on peri-implant clinical variables and crevicular concentrations of the proinflammatory biomarkers interleukin (IL)- 1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in patients with peri-implantitis. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in peri-implantitis patients. Patients were randomized to receive a 0.8% HA gel (test group), an excipient-based gel (control group 1), or no gel (control group 2). Clinical periodontal variables and marginal bone loss after 0, 45, and 90 days of treatment were assessed. IL-1β and TNF-α levels in crevicular fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays at baseline and after 45 days of treatment. Clustering analysis was performed, considering the possibility of multiple implants in a single patient. Results: Sixty-one patients with 100 dental implants were assigned to the test group, control group 1, or control group 2. Probing pocket depth (PPD) was significantly lower in the test group than in both control groups at 45 days (control 1: 95% CI, −1.66, −0.40 mm; control 2: 95% CI, −1.07, −0.01 mm) and 90 days (control 1: 95% CI, −1.72, −0.54 mm; control 2: 95% CI, −1.13, −0.15 mm). There was a trend towards less bleeding on probing in the test group than in control group 2 at 90 days (P=0.07). Implants with a PPD ≥5 mm showed higher levels of IL-1β in the control group 2 at 45 days than in the test group (P=0.04). Conclusions: This study demonstrates for the first time that the topical application of a HA gel in the peri-implant pocket and around implants with peri-implantitis may reduce inflammation and crevicular fluid IL-1β levels. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03157193

Mutations in PCYT1A, Encoding a Key Regulator of Phosphatidylcholine Metabolism, Cause Spondylometaphyseal Dysplasia with Cone-Rod Dystrophy

Hoover-Fong, J.,Sobreira, N.,Jurgens, J.,Modaff, P.,Blout, C.,Moser, A.,Kim, O.H.,Cho, T.J.,Cho, S.,Kim, S.,Jin, D.K.,Kitoh, H.,Park, W.Y.,Ling, H.,Hetrick, Kurt N.,Doheny, Kimberly F.,Valle, D.,Pauli University of Chicago Press [etc.] 2014 American journal of human genetics Vol.94 No.1

Spondylometaphyseal dysplasias (SMD) constitute a rare group of bone disorders. Two members of the SMD group have distinctive ophthalmologic manifestations: SMD with cone-rod dystrophy (SMD-CRD; MIM 608940) and axial SMD with retinal degeneration (MIM 602271). Additional features of SMD-CRD include rhizomelia, lower extremity bowing, evolving anterior vertebral protrusions, metaphyseal cupping, and progressive visual impairment with pigmentary maculopathy and electroretinographic evidence of cone-rod dysfunction. Affected siblings have been described, thus suggesting autosomal recessive inheritance. Here eight individuals from 6 unrelated families with SMD-CRD were submitted to the Baylor-Hopkins Center for Mendelian Genomics (BHCMG). Patients 1, 2, 4-6 (Walters et al, 2004) and 7 (Kitoh et al, 2011) were described previously. Patient 8 has not reached final adult height, but is short for his age (Z=-7.6) with lower extremity bowing and diagnosis of retinal dystrophy affecting both cones and rods made at age 45 months. Using WES and targeted Sanger sequencing, we found 8 rare PCYT1A variants (1 nonsense, 1 frame shifting indel, and 6 missense variants) present either in the homozygous or compound heterozygous state in all 8 individuals. PCYT1A encodes the alpha isoform of an enzyme known as CTP (phosphocholine cytidylytransferase), essential for phosphotidylcholine synthesis. Mutations in genes involved in fatty acid metabolism have been implicated in other dysplasias (e.g. RCDP and Conradi-Hunermann), as well as retinal disease where there are deficient or abnormal fatty acids (e.g. eicosapentanoic and docosahexanoic acid). Further examination of phospholipid metabolism may lead to the genetic etiology of other SMDs, particularly those with ocular manifestations.

Therapeutic effect of the immunomodulatory drug lenalidomide, but not pomalidomide, in experimental models of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease

Belen Lopez-Millan,Rafael Diaz de la Guardia,Heleia Roca-Ho,Carmen M García-Herrero,Jessie R Lavoie,Michael Rosu-Myles,Elena Gonzalez-Rey,Francisco O’Valle,Gabriel Criado,Mario Delgado,Pablo Menendez 생화학분자생물학회 2017 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.49 No.-

Thalidomide is an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) with proven therapeutic action in several autoimmune/inflammatory diseases; however, its inherent high toxicity has led to the development of more powerful and safer thalidomide analogs, including lenalidomide and pomalidomide. These are new generation IMiDs that exhibit direct antitumor activity as well as anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory properties, and are FDA-approved for the treatment of several hematological malignances. Here we investigated the potential therapeutic effects of lenalidomide and pomalidomide in several experimental murine models of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases: 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid- and dextran sulfate sodium-induced inflammatory bowel disease and type II collagen-induced arthritis. Lenalidomide displayed a strong therapeutic effect in all these models of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases, while the effect of pomalidomide was less pronounced. In vitro experiments confirmed the immunosuppressive effect of both IMiDs on the proliferative response of stimulated human lymphocytes and on the balance of secreted cytokines toward an anti-inflammatory profile. We conclude that lenalidomide may offer a therapeutic opportunity against autoimmune/inflammatory diseases.

Similar worldwide patterns in the sex pheromone signal and response in the oriental fruit moth, <i>Grapholita molesta</i> (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Knight, A.L.,Barros-Parada, W.,Bosch, D.,Escudero-Colomar, L.A.,Fuentes-Contreras, E.,Herná,ndez-Sá,nchez, J.,Yung, C.,Kim, Y.,Kovanci, O.B.,Levi, A.,Lo, P.,Molinari, F.,Valls, J.,Gemeno, Cambridge University Press 2015 Bulletin of entomological research Vol.105 No.1

<B>Abstract</B><P>The response of <I>Grapholita molesta</I> (Busck) males to three-component sex pheromone blends containing a 100% ratio of the major sex pheromone component, (<I>Z</I>)-8-dodecenyl acetate and a 10% ratio of (<I>Z</I>)-8-dodecenol, but with varying ratios of (<I>E</I>)-8-dodecenyl acetate (0.4, 5.4, 10.4, 30.4, and 100.1% <I>E</I>-blends) was tested with populations in eight stone and pome fruit orchards in Europe, Asia, and North and South America. Traps baited with the 5.4% <I>E</I>-blend caught significantly more males than traps with any other blend with all populations. Significantly more males were caught in traps baited with the 10.4% <I>E</I>-blend than in traps with the remaining blends, except with the 0.4% <I>E-</I>blend in Turkey. Significant differences in male moth catches occurred between the other blends with the 0.4>30.4% <I>E-</I>blend, and the 30.4>100.1% <I>E-</I>blend. Male moth catches with the 100.1% <I>E</I>-blend only differed from the hexane control in Chile. No apparent differences were noted to these blends in populations collected from pome or stone fruits. Flight tunnel assays to synthetic blends with a subset of populations were similar to the field results, but the breadth of the most attractive <I>E-</I>blends was wider. Flight tunnel assays also demonstrated a high level of male-female cross-attraction among field-collected populations. Female gland extracts from field-collected populations did not show any significant variation in their three-component blends. The only exceptions in these assays were that long-term laboratory populations were less responsive and attractive, and produced different blend ratios of the two minor components than recently collected field populations.</P>