Synthesis and Characterisation of Metal Oxide Nanostructures Using Choline/Linear Alkyl Carboxylate Deep Eutectic Solvents

The synthesis of YBa2Cu3O7−x (YBCO or 123) was carried out via the use of a variety of deep eutectic solvents (DESs), all formed by the interaction of choline hydroxide (as the cation source) and alkyl carboxylic acids with CnH2n+1 ranging from n = 2 to n = 10, namely acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, pentanoic acid, nonanoic acid, and decanoic acid, as providers of the anion, all prepared in equimolar solutions. The behaviour of the synthetic media and the resulting morphology displayed by the crystallite product, using different molar ratios of DESs (X):1 YBaCu metal nitrates mixes, with x values of 20 ≤ x ≤ 60, is also reported. Synthetic performance results show a tendency to generate higher total phase percentage of the desired crystal with the increase of the alkyl chain length of the carboxylic acid up to butyric acid (92% belonging to the metal oxide), after which no enhancement was observed. Furthermore, the synthetic performance of the remaining, i.e., DES formed with pentanoic acid to decanoic acid, displayed a constant decay in total desired phase percentage belonging to the metal oxide. Morphological results were also analysed for all DESs (X):1 YBaCu metal nitrates mixes, with x values of 20 ≤ x ≤ 60. Well defined plate-like particles were generally observed however, in some cases fused plate-like particles of significantly bigger size were observed.

The effect of E2F7 expression in prostate cancer on apoptosis and cell cycle of prostate cancer cells.

e16568 Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of illness and death among men in the United States and Western Europe. However, the molecular mechanisms by which PCa developed has not been fully illustrated. Methods: Here, the expression of E2F7 in PCa was examined using IHC method and western blotting assay, and the expression of miR-30c was measured using qRT-PCR method. The cell cycle and apoptosis was determined by FACS. Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to testify cell proliferation. miR-30c mimics, miR-30c inhibitors and E2F7 siRNA transfections were performed to study the loss- and gain-function. Duel-luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify that E2F7 was one of the potential targets of miR-30c. Results: It was found that E2F7 was overexpressed in PCa cells and tissues compared with normal ones. Inhibition of E2F7 in PCa cells led to significant decreased proliferation rates, increased G1 phase percentage, and higher apoptosis rates of PCa. Duel-luciferase reporter assay showed that E2F7 was one of the targets of miR-30c. Moreover, introduction of miR-30c resulted in decreased proliferation rates, increased G1 phase percentage, and higher apoptosis rates of PCa cells while miR-30c inhibitor led to lower apoptosis rates of PCa cells. Conclusions: In conclusion, our study demonstrated that E2F7 may play a tumorigenesis promoting role of PCa cells, and that E2F7 was regulated via miR-30c, indicating that E2F7 and miR-30c might be viable therapeutic targets for PCa.

Blindfolded Balance Training in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Sensory-Motor Strategy to Improve the Gait

Aim. Recent evidence suggested that the use of treadmill training may improve gait parameters. Visual deprivation could engage alternative sensory strategies to control dynamic equilibrium and stabilize gait based on vestibulospinal reflexes (VSR). We aimed to investigate the efficacy of a blindfolded balance training (BBT) in the improvement of stride phase percentage reliable gait parameters in patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) compared to patients treated with standard physical therapy (PT).Methods. Thirty PD patients were randomized in two groups of 15 patients, one group treated with BBT during two weeks and another group treated with standard PT during eight weeks. We evaluated gait parameters before and after BBT and PT interventions, in terms of double stance, swing, and stance phase percentage.Results. BBT induced an improvement of double stance phase as revealed (decreased percentage of double stance phase during the gait cycle) in comparison to PT. The other gait parameters swing and stance phase did not differ between the two groups.Discussion. These results support the introduction of complementary rehabilitative strategies based on sensory-motor stimulation in the traditional PD patient’s rehabilitation. Further studies are needed to investigate the neurophysiological circuits and mechanism underlying clinical and motor modifications.

Forming of Steels in Mushy States

Semisolid or mushy-state processing permits a material to partially solidify before shape making operations. The understanding of material behavior in the mushy state is critical for better control of various semisolid processes. The aim of the present study is to experimentally quantify the deformation behaviours of steel in mushy states. Semisolid specimens under indentation and upsetting deformation were evaluated at various forming speeds and mushy states. The temperature of specimens was carefully controlled to correlate the solid phase content. It has been found that the deformation resistance of steel in a mushy state was dependent on the deformation rate and the solid phase percentage. The relaxation of steel and stress reduction at mushy states were also observed and discussed.