Search results for "structures"

Fabrication and characterization of nanostructured Ni and Pd electrodes for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in water-alkaline electrolyzer

2017

In the field of water-alkaline electrolyzer, the development of nanoporous low cost nickel electrodes is one of the potential approaches to increase electrocatalytic activity. Template electrodeposition is a facile and cheap technique for obtaining Ni nanowires (NWs) with high surface area. These nanostructures were fabricated by a two-step procedure. In the first step, a Ni compact layer was deposited on one side of the template where a gold film was previously sputtered, while, in the second-step, an ordered array of Ni-NWs was obtained by electrodeposition inside the template channels. The NWs were firmly connected to the underlying Ni layer, acting as a current collector. In order to en…

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Cardiac Progenitor Cells in Cases of Myocarditis and Cardiomyopathy

2018

We aimed to identify and quantify CD117+ and CD90+ endogenous cardiac progenitor cells (CPC) in human healthy and diseased hearts. We hypothesize that these cells perform a locally acting, contributing function in overcoming medical conditions of the heart by endogenous means. Human myocardium biopsies were obtained from 23 patients with the following diagnoses: Dilatative cardiomyopathy (DCM), ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), myocarditis, and controls from healthy cardiac patients. High-resolution scanning microscopy of the whole slide enabled a computer-based immunohistochemical quantification of CD117 and CD90. Those signals were evaluated by Definiens Tissue Phenomics® Technology. Co-loca…

Serological Levels of Anti-clathrin Antibodies Are Decreased in Patients With Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma

2021

Evidence for immunologic contribution to glaucoma pathophysiology is steadily increasing in ophthalmic research. Particularly, an altered abundance of circulating autoantibodies to ocular antigens is frequently observed. Here, we report an analysis of autoantibody abundancies to selected antigens in sera of open-angle glaucoma patients, subdivided into normal-tension glaucoma (N = 31), primary open-angle glaucoma (N = 43) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (N = 45), vs. a non-glaucomatous control group (N = 46). Serum samples were analyzed by protein microarray, including 38 antigens. Differences in antibody levels were assessed by ANOVA. Five serological antibodies showed significantly altered…

Autoantigens in the trabecular meshwork and glaucoma‐specific alterations in the natural autoantibody repertoire

2019

Abstract Objectives Primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) is a neurodegenerative disorder leading to a gradual vision loss caused by progressive damage to the optic nerve. Immunological processes are proposed to be involved in POAG pathogenesis. Altered serological autoantibody levels have been frequently reported, but complete analyses of the natural autoantibodies with respect to disease‐related alterations are scarce. Here, we provide an explorative analysis of pathways and biological processes that may involve naturally immunogenic proteins and highlight POAG‐specific alterations. Methods Mass spectrometry‐based antibody‐mediated identification of autoantigens (MS‐AMIDA) was carried out in…

Chlamydia trachomatis Infection and Anti-Hsp60 Immunity: The Two Sides of the Coin

2009

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection is one of the most common causes of reproductive tract diseases and infertility. CT-Hsp60 is synthesized during infection and is released in the bloodstream. As a consequence, immune cells will produce anti-CT-Hsp60 antibodies. Hsp60, a ubiquitous and evolutionarily conserved chaperonin, is normally sequestered inside the cell, particularly into mitochondria. However, upon cell stress, as well as during carcinogenesis, the chaperonin becomes exposed on the cell surface (sf-Hsp60) and/or is secreted from cells into the extracellular space and circulation. Reports in the literature on circulating Hsp and anti-Hsp antibodies are in many cases short on detai…

Adolescents' perception of scientific inquiry in nature : a drawing analysis

2019

This study was carried out to determine adolescents’ perception of scientific inquiry (SI) in nature and the effect of a science camp on those perceptions. Eleven science campers (14 to 16 years old) participated in this research during a science camp. Pre- and post-test included open questions and drawing tasks. The campers’ drawings were analyzed to assess their out-of-school perceptions related to SI. The aim was to clarify what phases and factors the campers associated with SI in nature, and how their perceptions differ after participating at a science camp. The findings suggest that the phases of SI were well known before the camp, but minor developments in campers’ perceptions of the …

Evidence of lipofuscin accumulation in the deep-water red shrimp Aristaeomorpha foliacea (Risso, 1827)

2008

Lipofuscin, a non-degradable, degenerative fluorescent pigment which accumulates in post-mitotic cells, represents a promising method for ageing marine crustaceans. The presence and accumulation of lipofuscin has been studied in the deep-water red shrimp Aristaeomorpha foliacea (Risso, 1827) to assess its use as a tool for ageing larger (i.e., older) specimens and thus improve knowledge of the growth and longevity of this species. Specimens, gathered during experimental trawl surveys carried out in the Strait of Sicily (Mediterranean Sea), were stored directly on-board in 10% buffered formaldehyde solution; their brain was thereafter removed, prepared with various current histological techn…

ANÁLISE DA PERCEPÇÃO DOS RESIDENTES SOBRE O IMPACTO CULTURAL E DESPORTIVO DE UM GRANDE PRÊMIO DE FÓRMULA 1

2013

 The aim of this study is to analyze the resident’s perception about the cultural and sport impact of European Formula 1 Grand Prix. Cluster analysis was performed by combining hierarchical and non-hierarchical methods, which allowed us to differentiate three groups with different perceptions towards sporting event: Unfavorable, Moderate Unfavorable and Moderate Favorable. Most residents believe that this event has no significant impact to cultural and sporting level. Also, differences were found between the three groups of residents in the interest of Formula 1, the support for the event, attendance and the degree of identification.  

3D MICROSIZED PROTEIN AMYLOID PARTICULATES AS EFFECTIVE BIOADSORBERS FOR Pb2+ IONS

The production of new cost-effective biocompatible sorbent sustainable materials, with natural origins, able to remove heavy metals from water resources is nowadays highly desirable in order to reduce pollution and increase clean water availability. In this context, self-assembled protein materials with highly ordered amyloid structures, stabilised by H-bonds, seems to have a great potential as natural platform for a broader development of highly-tunable structures. By suitably varying solution conditions it is possible to tune aggregate size, surface area and morphologies as well as their physicochemical (hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, swelling/deswelling properties) and mechanical proper…

Growth and Electrochemical Performance of Lead and Lead Oxide Nanowire Arrays as Electrodes for Lead-Acid Batteries

2013

n this work, we present the growth and electrochemical performance of nanostructured lead and lead oxide electrodes for lead-acid batteries. The electrodes were obtained by template electrodeposition in polycarbonate membranes, acting as template. Electrochemical tests were conducted at constant current in 5M aqueous solution of sulphuric acid, after assembling nanostructured lead and lead oxide electrodes in a zero-gap configuration using a commercially available separator. The main advantages of these electrodes are the high specific energy and power density, and the wide surface area, about 70 times higher than the geometrical one. These features allowed high discharge rates, up to 20C. …