Activity

Thus, the generated mesostructured films present an efficient charge transport with negligible changes in their structures during the electron transfer process. The control over the meso-organization and its stability represents a promising tool in the construction of devices where the vectorial transfer of electrons, or ions, is required.

Our results show that the films are highly rigid and poorly hydrated. The mass and charge transport reveal that the ingress (egress) of the counter ions during the electrochemical oxidation (reduction) is accompanied with a small amount of water, which is close to their hydration sphere. Thus, the generated mesostructured films present an efficient charge transport with negligible changes in their structures during the electron transfer process. The control over the meso-organization and its stability represents a promising tool in the construction of devices where the vectorial transfer of electrons, or ions, is required.Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been considered as one class of promising active electrode materials for supercapacitors due to their tunable composition and chemical versatility. Nonetheless, the poor electrical conductivity hinders their further practical applications in supercapacitors. Herein, CoAl LDH flower-like hollow microspheres are decorated with Ag nanoparticles by a facile one-step solvothermal reaction, followed by chemical bath deposition reaction. Experimental results and theoretical calculations indicate that decorating Ag nanoparticles onto CoAl LDH not only reduces the energy band gap and enhances their electrical conductivity, but also promotes fast diffusion kinetics of electrolyte ions and electrochemical reaction activity. Consequently, the prepared Ag/CoAl LDH electrode demonstrates improved specific capacities of 1214 (825) C g-1 at 3 (30) A g-1 and 91% capacity retention over 10,000 cycles at 10 A g-1 compared to the pristine CoAl LDH electrode. Moreover, using Ag/CoAl LDH and N-doped carbon nanotubes as the positive and negative electrodes, respectively, the assembled hybrid capacitor device delivers an energy density of 61.2 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 800 W kg-1. This work may showcase a great promise of engineering conductive nanoparticles-decorated LDHs-based active materials towards high-performance supercapacitors.Tuberculosis (TB) is amongst the deadliest diseases worldwide. For effective control of TB a rapid, reliable and sensitive method for its diagnosis is essential. Serodiagnosis detecting multiple antibodies against antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in blood samples could prove beneficial. Based on the epitope position in the molecule, two truncated variants of Rv1984c, i.e., Tn1Rv1984c and Tn2Rv1984c were expressed in Escherichia coli. Screening of the Rv1984c, Tn1Rv1984c and Tn2Rv1984c against 231 sera samples from the culture positive TB patients showed sensitivities of 34.2%, 49.4% and 26.8%, respectively. Another antigen Rv1352 was analyzed for the location of epitopes, which had not been reported before. A fusion molecule consisting of Tn1Rv1984c and Rv1352, expressed in E. coli, showed enhanced sensitivity of 62.8%. Joining another antigen Rv2031c to the N-terminus of Tn1Rv1984c-Rv1352, improved sensitivity to 71.4%. The fusion construct Rv2031c-Tn1Rv1984c-Rv1352 showed comparatively higher sensitivity of 73.4% in the male group as compared to 67% in the female group. Data derived for the secondary structure analysis through Circular Dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and prediction on the basis of molecular modelling was also in agreement. This construct can be a potential base for producing constructs with greater sensitivity through fusion of epitopes from additional Mtb antigens.The aim of this study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model of rifampicin (RMP) in Mexican patients with tuberculosis (TB) to evaluate the influence of anthropometric and clinical covariates, as well as genotypic variants associated with MDR1 and OATP1B1 transporters. A prospective study approved by Research Ethics Committee was performed at Hospital Central in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. TB patients under DOTS scheme and who signed informed consent were consecutively included. Anthropometric and clinical information was retrieved from medical records. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in MDR1 (C3435T) and SLCO1B1 (A388G and T521C) genes were evaluated. RMP plasma concentrations and time data were assessed with NONMEM software. A total of 71 Mexican TB patients from 18 to 72 years old were included for RMP quantification from 0.3 to 12 h after dose; 329 and 97 plasma concentrations were available for model development and validation, respectively. Sequential process includes a typical lag time of 0.25 h prior to absorption start with a Ka of 1.24 h-1 and a zero-order absorption of 0.62 h to characterize the gradual increase in RMP plasma concentrations. Final model includes total body weight in volume of distribution (0.7 L/kg, CV = 26.8%) and a total clearance of 5.96 L/h (CV = 38.5%). Bioavailability was modified according to time under treatment and generic formulation administration. In conclusion, a population pharmacokinetic model was developed to describe the variability in RMP plasma concentrations in Mexican TB patients. Genetic variants evaluated did not showed significant influence on pharmacokinetic parameters. Final model will allow therapeutic drug monitoring at early stages.

Experimental investigation of the contribution of the middle ear to bone conduction (BC) hearing sensation.

Experiments were conducted on 6 fresh cadaver whole head specimens. The electromagnetic actuators from a commercial bone conduction hearing aid (BCHA), Baha® 5 SuperPower and BoneBridge (BB), were used to provide stepped sine stimulus in the range of 0.1-10kHz. The middle ear transfer function (METF) of each cadaver head was checked against the ASTM F2504-05 standard. Fetuin price In a first step, the stapes stimulus into the cochlea, under BC, was estimated based on the differential velocity between the stapes footplate and the promontory. This was based on sequential measurements of the 3D velocity of the stapes footplate and the promontory. In parallel, the differential tympanic membrane (TM) pressure was recorded by measuring sound pressure in the middle ear and in the external auditory canal each measured 1-2mm from the TM. The measurement procedure was then sequentially repeated, after a) opening the middle ear cavity; b) ISJ interruption; c) closing the middle ear cavity.