One-sided invertibility of discrete operators with bounded coefficients

Aequationes mathematicae - For $$p\in (1,\infty )$$ , we establish several criteria of one-sided invertibility on spaces $$l^p=l^p(\mathbb {Z})$$ for discrete band-dominated operators being either...     

Melatonin Rescues the Dendrite Collapse Induced by the Pro-Oxidant Toxin Okadaic Acid in Organotypic Cultures of Rat Hilar Hippocampus

The pro-oxidant compound okadaic acid (OKA) mimics alterations found in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as oxidative stress and tau hyperphosphorylation, leading to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Although loss of dendrite complexity occurs in AD, the study of this post-synaptic domain in chemical-induced models remains unexplored. Moreover, there is a growing expectation for therapeutic adjuvants to counteract these brain dysfunctions. Melatonin, a free-radical scavenger, inhibits tau hyperphosphorylation, modulates phosphatases, and strengthens dendritic arbors. Thus, we determined if OKA alters the dendritic arbors of hilar hippocampal neurons and whether melatonin prevents, counteracts, or reverses these damages. Rat organotypic cultures were incubated with vehicle, OKA, melatonin, and combined treatments with melatonin either before, simultaneously, or after OKA. DNA breaks were assessed by TUNEL assay and nuclei were counterstained with DAPI. Additionally, MAP2 was immunostained to assess the dendritic arbor properties by the Sholl method. In hippocampal hilus, OKA increased DNA fragmentation and reduced the number of MAP2(+) cells, whereas melatonin protected against oxidation and apoptosis. Additionally, OKA decreased the dendritic arbor complexity and melatonin not only counteracted, but also prevented and reversed the dendritic arbor retraction, highlighting its role in post-synaptic domain integrity preservation against neurodegenerative events in hippocampal neurons.     

Size,Charge, and Stability of Fully Serine‐Based Catanionic Vesicles: Towards Versatile Biocompatible Nanocarriers

Vesicles based on mixed cationic and anionic surfactants (catanionic vesicles) offer a number of advantageous colloidal features over conventional lipid‐based vesicles, namely spontaneity in formation, long‐term stability, and easy modulation of size and charge. If biocompatibility is added through rational design of the chemical components, the potential for biorelated applications further emerges. Here, we report for the first time on two catanionic vesicle systems in which both ionic amphiphiles are derivatized from the same amino acid—serine—with the goal of enhancing aggregate biocompatibility. Phase behavior maps for a mixture with chain length symmetry, 12Ser/12‐12Ser, and another with asymmetry, 16Ser/8‐8Ser, are presented, for which regions of vesicles, micelles, and coexisting aggregates are identified. For the asymmetric mixture, detailed phase behavior and microstructure characterization have been carried out based on surface tension, light microscopy, cryo‐SEM, cryo‐TEM, and dynamic light scattering analysis. Vesicles are found with tunable mean size, pH, and zeta potential. Changes in aggregate shape with varying composition and the effect of preparation methods and aging on vesicle features and stability have been investigated in detail. The results are discussed in the light of self‐assembly models and related catanionic systems reported before. A versatile system of robust vesicles is thus presented for potential applications.     

Reflectance and ultraviolet spectroscopy: predicting the relative growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in pine biomass

Ultrasound treatment favors enzymatic attack on vegetal materials and influences biological activity. The objective of this study was to develop substrates for Saccharomyces cerevisiae based on the hydrothermal treatment and ultrasound treatment of pine needle biomass. The samples subjected to ultrasound treatment at 550?°C and 650?°C showed higher reflectance bands at around 200?nm after 80?min of ultrasound treatment and lower band gap energies associated with lower IC₃₀ values. The hydrothermal treatment with 100?min of ultrasound treatment generated more promising materials for the use of the substrates with the eukaryotic model S. cerevisiae.     

Long-wavelength Ultraviolet A1 and Visible Light Photoprotection: A Multimodality Assessment of Dose and Response

Human skin is exposed to visible light (VL; 400–700 nm) and long-wavelength ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) radiation (370–400 nm) after the application of organic broad-spectrum sunscreens. The biologic effects of these wavelengths have been demonstrated; however, a dose–response has not been investigated. Ten subjects with Fitzpatrick skin phototype IV-VI were enrolled. Subjects were irradiated with 2 light sources (80–480 J cm⁻²): one comprising VL with less than 0.5% UVA1 (VL+UVA1) and the other pure VL. Skin responses were evaluated for 2 weeks using clinical and spectroscopic assessments. 4-mm punch biopsies were obtained from nonirradiated skin and sites irradiated with 480 J cm⁻² of VL+UVA1 and pure VL 24 h after irradiation. Clinical and spectroscopic assessments demonstrated a robust response at VL+UVA1 sites compared with pure VL. Histology findings demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the marker of inflammation (P < 0.05) and proliferation (P < 0.05) at the irradiated sites compared with nonirradiated control. Threshold doses of VL+UVA1 resulting in biologic responses were calculated. Results indicate that approximately 2 h of sun exposure, which equates to VL+UVA1 dose (~400 J cm⁻²), is capable of inducing inflammation, immediate erythema and delayed tanning. These findings reinforce the need of photoprotection beyond the UV range.     

Preparation of Co-Processed Excipients for Controlled-Release of Drugs Assembled with Solid Lipid Nanoparticles and Direct Compression Materials

The purpose of the study was to develop a novel, directly compressible, co-processed excipient capable of providing a controlled-release drug system for the pharmaceutical industry. A co-processed powder was formed by adsorption of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) as a controlled-release film onto a functional excipient, in this case, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DPD), for direct compression (Di-Tab^®). The co-processed excipient has advantages: easy to implement; solvent-free; industrial scaling-up; good rheological and compressibility properties; and the capability to form an inert platform. Six different batches of Di-Tab^®:SLN weight ratios were prepared (4:0.6, 3:0.6, 2:0.6, 1:0.6, 0.5:0.6, and 0.25:0.6). BCS class III ranitidine hydrochloride was selected as a drug model to evaluate the mixture’s controlled-release capabilities. The co-processed excipients were characterized in terms of powder rheology and dissolution rate. The best Di-Tab^®:SLN ratio proved to be 2:0.6, as it showed high functionality with good flow and compressibility properties (Carr Index = 16 ± 1, Hausner Index = 1.19 ± 0.04). This ratio could control release for up to 8 h, so it fits the ideal profile calculated based on biopharmaceutical data. The compressed systems obtained using this powder mixture behave as a matrix platform in which Fickian diffusion governs the release. The Higuchi model can explain their behavior.     

In Vivo Biological Behavior of Polymer Scaffolds of Natural Origin in the Bone Repair Process

Autologous bone grafts, used mainly in extensive bone loss, are considered the gold standard treatment in regenerative medicine, but still have limitations mainly in relation to the amount of bone available, donor area, morbidity and creation of additional surgical area. This fact encourages tissue engineering in relation to the need to develop new biomaterials, from sources other than the individual himself. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of an elastin and collagen matrix on the bone repair process in critical size defects in rat calvaria. The animals (Wistar rats, n = 30) were submitted to a surgical procedure to create the bone defect and were divided into three groups: Control Group (CG, n = 10), defects filled with blood clot; E24/37 Group (E24/37, n = 10), defects filled with bovine elastin matrix hydrolyzed for 24 h at 37 °C and C24/25 Group (C24/25, n = 10), defects filled with porcine collagen matrix hydrolyzed for 24 h at 25 °C. Macroscopic and radiographic analyses demonstrated the absence of inflammatory signs and infection. Microtomographical 2D and 3D images showed centripetal bone growth and restricted margins of the bone defect. Histologically, the images confirmed the pattern of bone deposition at the margins of the remaining bone and without complete closure by bone tissue. In the morphometric analysis, the groups E24/37 and C24/25 (13.68 ± 1.44; 53.20 ± 4.47, respectively) showed statistically significant differences in relation to the CG (5.86 ± 2.87). It was concluded that the matrices used as scaffolds are biocompatible and increase the formation of new bone in a critical size defect, with greater formation in the polymer derived from the intestinal serous layer of porcine origin (C24/25).