电化学功能化石墨烯作为铜基复合薄膜的防腐增强材料

Cu–graphene (Gr) composite thin films were prepared by electrodeposition route using in-house synthesized Gr sheets. The Gr sheets were synthesized by the electrochemical exfoliation route using 1 M HClO₄ acid as electrolyte. The Gr sheets were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The (002) plane of Gr sheets was observed at 2θ of 25.66°. The (002) plane confirmed the crystal structure of carbon peaks. The stretching vibration of C=C bond at a wavelength of 1577 cm?1 and other functional groups of carboxyl and epoxide groups were observed from FTIR. TEM confirmed the transparent structure of Gr sheets. The prepared Gr sheets were used as reinforcement at concentrations of 0.1 and 0.3 g/L with a copper matrix to synthesize the Cu–Gr composite. The prepared composite thin films were characterized by XRD, SEM, and energy-dispersion spectrometry (EDS) for morphological and analytical studies. The presence of Gr sheets in Cu–Gr composite was confirmed by EDS analysis. The prepared Cu–Gr nanocomposite thin film showed higher corrosion resistance compared with pure copper thin films in 3.5wt% NaCl, as confirmed by Tafel plots. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy complimented the above results and showed that 0.3 g/L composite film achieved the highest film resistance.     

Hsp72 preserves muscle function and slows progression of severe muscular dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe and progressive muscle wasting disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene that result in the absence of the membrane-stabilizing protein dystrophin. Dystrophin-deficient muscle fibres are fragile and susceptible to an influx of Ca(2+), which activates inflammatory and muscle degenerative pathways. At present there is no cure for DMD, and existing therapies are ineffective. Here we show that increasing the expression of intramuscular heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72) preserves muscle strength and ameliorates the dystrophic pathology in two mouse models of muscular dystrophy. Treatment with BGP-15 (a pharmacological inducer of Hsp72 currently in clinical trials for diabetes) improved muscle architecture, strength and contractile function in severely affected diaphragm muscles in mdx dystrophic mice. In dko mice, a phenocopy of DMD that results in severe spinal curvature (kyphosis), muscle weakness and premature death, BGP-15 decreased kyphosis, improved the dystrophic pathophysiology in limb and diaphragm muscles and extended lifespan. We found that the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA, the main protein responsible for the removal of intracellular Ca(2+)) is dysfunctional in severely affected muscles of mdx and dko mice, and that Hsp72 interacts with SERCA to preserve its function under conditions of stress, ultimately contributing to the decreased muscle degeneration seen with Hsp72 upregulation. Treatment with BGP-15 similarly increased SERCA activity in dystrophic skeletal muscles. Our results provide evidence that increasing the expression of Hsp72 in muscle (through the administration of BGP-15) has significant therapeutic potential for DMD and related conditions, either as a self-contained therapy or as an adjuvant with other potential treatments, including gene, cell and pharmacological therapies.     

Effect of thiamine hydrochloride on the blood level of 2-formyl 1-methyl pyridinium oxime chloride (2-PAM.Cl) in rats

Summary The biological half-life of 2-PAM.Cl was found to increase in female rats pretreated with thiamine hydrochloride (10 mg/kg i.m.). No such effect was observed in the male rats.Dr B.L. Chowdhri very kindly synthesized the compound 2-PAM.Cl in the Department of Chemistry of this establishment for this work.The authors are thankful to Dr P.K. Ramachandran, Director, and Dr A.K. Chatterjee, Deputy Director, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior, for their keen interest in this work.     

Effects of Ethylnitrosourea on the development of brain

Zusammenfassung Wiederholte Applikation von Äthynitroso-Harnstoff bei trächtigen Ratten bewirkt bei Föten eine Hemmung der Gehirnentwicklung, wobei vor allem die hemisphären und das Cerebellum unterentwickelt bleiben. Diese Hemmung ist am ausgeprägtesteniw wenn die Behandlung am 14. Tag der Trächtigkeit einsetzt.     

A new strain ofAspergillus niger producing citric acid

Zusammenfassung Durch Behandlung eines Zitronensäure produzierenden Stammes vonAspergillus niger mit-Strahlen, N-Lost und UV-Strahlen konnte die Zitronensäureausbeute um ungefähr das Vierfache gesteigert werden.