Acid-sensing ion channel 1a drives AMPA receptor plasticity following ischemia and acidosis in hippocampal CA1 neurons

The CA1 region of the hippocampus is particularly vulnerable to ischemic damage. While NMDA receptors play a major role in excitotoxicity, it is thought to be exacerbated in this region by two forms of post-ischemic AMPA receptor (AMPAR) plasticity - namely, anoxic long-term potentiation (a-LTP), and a delayed increase in the prevalence of Ca2+ -permeable GluA2-lacking AMPARs (CP-AMPARs). The acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) which is expressed in CA1 pyramidal neurons, is also known to contribute to post-ischemic neuronal death and to physiologically induced LTP. This raises the question - does ASIC1a activation drive the post-ischemic forms of AMPAR plasticity in CA1 pyramidal neurons? We have tested this by examining organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSCs) exposed to oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD), and dissociated cultures of hippocampal pyramidal neurons (HPN) exposed to low pH (acidosis). We find that both a-LTP and the delayed increase in the prevalence of CP-AMPARs are dependent on ASIC1a activation during ischemia. Indeed, acidosis alone is sufficient to induce the increase in CP-AMPARs. We also find that inhibition of ASIC1a channels circumvents any potential neuroprotective benefit arising from block of CP-AMPARs. By demonstrating that ASIC1a activation contributes to post-ischemic AMPAR plasticity, our results identify a functional interaction between acidotoxicity and excitotoxicity in hippocampal CA1 cells, and provide insight into the role of ASIC1a and CP-AMPARs as potential drug targets for neuroprotection. We thus propose that ASIC1a activation can drive certain forms of CP-AMPAR plasticity, and that inhibiting ASIC1a affords neuroprotection.

Extracellular Subunit Interactions Control Transitions between Functional States of Acid-sensing Ion Channel 1a.

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are neuronal, voltage-independent Na(+) channels that are transiently activated by extracellular acidification. They are involved in pain sensation, the expression of fear, and in neurodegeneration after ischemic stroke. Our study investigates the role of extracellular subunit interactions in ASIC1a function. We identified two regions involved in critical intersubunit interactions. First, formation of an engineered disulfide bond between the palm and thumb domains leads to partial channel closure. Second, linking Glu-235 of a finger loop to either one of two different residues of the knuckle of a neighboring subunit opens the channel at physiological pH or disrupts its activity. This suggests that one finger-knuckle disulfide bond (E235C/K393C) sets the channel in an open state, whereas the other (E235C/Y389C) switches the channel to a non-conducting state. Voltage-clamp fluorometry experiments indicate that both the finger loop and the knuckle move away from the β-ball residue Trp-233 during acidification and subsequent desensitization. Together, these observations reveal that ASIC1a opening is accompanied by a distance increase between adjacent thumb and palm domains as well as a movement of Glu-235 relative to the knuckle helix. Our study identifies subunit interactions in the extracellular loop and shows that dynamic changes of these interactions are critical for normal ASIC function.

Hyperpolarized (6) Li as a probe for hemoglobin oxygenation level.

Hyperpolarization by dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) is a versatile technique to dramatically enhance the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal intensity of insensitive long-T1 nuclear spins such as (6) Li. The (6) Li longitudinal relaxation of lithium ions in aqueous solutions strongly depends on the concentration of paramagnetic species, even if they are present in minute amounts. We herein demonstrate that blood oxygenation can be readily detected by taking advantage of the (6) Li signal enhancement provided by dissolution DNP, together with the more than 10% decrease in (6) Li longitudinal relaxation as a consequence of the presence of paramagnetic deoxyhemoglobin. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Caracterizacion por difraccion de rayos-X, analisis termico y espectroscopia Raman de los cristales mixtos Li(NH4)(1-x)KxSO4

En este trabajo se estudia la preparació n y caracterizació n de las fases de los cristales mixtos de f órmula Li(NH4)1-xKxSO4. La caracterizacói n se ha efectuado por aná lisis té rmico con DSC y ATD, difracci ón de rayos-X sobre polvo cristalino con temperatura variable, difracci n de rayos-X sobre muestra monocristalina a temperatura variable a fin de determina su estructura cristalina y por espectroscop"a Raman a temperatura variable. Se han obtenido dos tipos de fases. Una soluci n s lida con 0.94 < x < 1 que presenta los mismos tipos estructurales que el LiKSO4, pero seg n el m todo de cristalizaci n pueden aparecer nuevas fases que no presenta el LiKSO4. El segundo tipo de compuesto tiene por f rmula Li(NH4)0.53K0.47SO4, el cual presenta una estructura hexagonal con par metro a » 3 aLiKSO4. Este compuesto tiene por encima de la temperatura ambiente una sola transici n a 463K.

Spectroscopic characterization of phases formed by high-dose carbon ion implantation in silicon

High-dose carbon-ion-implanted Si samples have been analyzed by infrared spectroscopy, Raman scattering, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) correlated with transmission electron microscopy. Samples were implanted at room temperature and 500°C with doses between 1017 and 1018 C+/cm2. Some of the samples were implanted at room temperature with the surface covered by a capping oxide layer. Implanting at room temperature leads to the formation of a surface carbon-rich amorphous layer, in addition to the buried implanted layer. The dependence of this layer on the capping oxide suggests this layer to be determined by carbon migration toward the surface, rather than surface contamination. Implanting at 500°C, no carbon-rich surface layer is observed and the SiC buried layer is formed by crystalline ßSiC precipitates aligned with the Si matrix. The concentration of SiC in this region as measured by XPS is higher than for the room-temperature implantation.

Ion-selective electrodes: historical, mechanism of response, selectivity and concept review

This paper presents a review of the concepts involved in the working mechanism of the ion-selective electrodes, searching a historical overview, moreover to describe the new advances in the area.

Gas-phase ion chemistry of silyl cations obtained from hexamethyldisilazane

The gas-phase ion-molecule reactions of the Me3SiN(H)SiMe2+ ion, obtained by electron ionization from Me3SiN(H)SiMe3, have been studied in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance spectrometer in order to understand the mechanistic details of an important chemical system presently used in film formation. This silyl cation has been observed to undergo addition reactions at electron rich centers to form stable adducts that may undergo further methane elimination in the case of alcohols and amines. The most important feature of these reactions is the fact that a metathesis type reaction can be observed in the presence of H2O, and other hydrogen labile substrates like alcohols, leading to the formation of the corresponding oxygen-containing ion, i.e. Me3SiOSiMe2+. For alcohols (ROH), facile formation of a tertiary product ion, presumably corresponding to an Me3Si-O-Si(Me)=O+-R structure with elimination of an amine reveals the strong tendency of these nitrogen-containing ions to undergo metathesis type reactions with oxygen containing substrates.

Bastões de grafite reciclados de baterias comuns e seu uso como eletrodo modificado em hidrogenação eletrocatalítica de alguns substratos orgânicos

This paper presents some results on the employ of recycled graphite electrode obtained from used common 1.5 V batteries in the preparation of modified electrode and the electrocatalytical hydrogenation of benzaldehyde and of n-valeraldehyde. This inexpensive and easy to obtain electrode was prepared by coating it with a 1:1 mixed film of poly-(allylfenil ether): poly-[allyl p-(2-ethylammonium) benzene ether] and introduction of dispersed platinum particles by ion exchange and reduction of PtCl4-2. Electroreduction of H+ from aqueous H2SO4 using the proposed electrode hydrogenated the substrates in a way comparable with that of vitreous carbon electrode.

Síntese eletroquímica do ion ferrato(VI)

The optimization of ferrate(VI) ion generation has been studied due to its favorable characteristics for application in several fields, including environmental quality control. The paper presents the best conditions for electrolytic generation of ferrate(VI) in alkaline media. An appropriate electrolyte was NaOH, 10 mol/L. Circulation of the electrolyte solution was important to avoid acidification close to the anode surface. An anode pre-cleaning with 10% HCl was more efficient than a cathodic pre-polarization. Among the distinct anode materials tested, pig iron showed the best performance, allowing up to 20 g/L of Na2FeO4, in 10 mol/L NaOH solution to be obtained, after 7 h of reactor operation, which is a concentration higher than those found in literature for alternative processes.

Processamento da pasta eletrolítica de pilhas usadas

This work presents a basic study on the processing of spent Zn/MnO2 and alkaline batteries in acid or basic media. Promising results were obtained after fusion with NaOH or KHSO4, which allowed a good separation between Mn from Zn and these metals from other metal components. Processing of spent batteries is a complex procedure, which includes disassembly of these materials, the use of corrosive and high-energy consuming media and the management of final residues.

Recuperação de metais de catalisadores mássicos e monometálicos

This work presents a study on the dissolution of some commercial monometallic and non-supported deactivated catalysts in HF + H2O2 mixtures (and, eventually, other media) under mild experimental conditions, after a previous oxidation step. The samples were neither crushed nor grinded. The best experimental conditions were dependent on the nature of the support and of the active phase. For example, the Pt/Al2O3 catalyst was dissolved in about 10 minutes, without agitation and heating; however, dissolution of the Pd/Al2O3, Ni/Al2O3, Ni/SiO2, Cu/Al2O3 and V2O5 samples required a temperature of 60 ºC and an agitation of 400 rpm. A careful addition of a NaOH solution allowed a quantitative precipitation of aluminium as criolite (Na3AlF6) or precipitation of Si as Na2SiF6; NaF was obtained as a by-product. As expected, processing of Pd/C, V2O5 and CuO.Cr2O3 samples was relatively simple. Metals recovery from catalysts reached a quantitative level in all samples studied; it is particularly interesting that platinum and palladium could be easily recovered in a single step process, thus separing them from aluminium.

Development and validation of an alternative titration method for the determination of sulfate ion in indinavir sulfate

A simple and rapid precipitation titration method was developed and validated to determine sulfate ion content in indinavir sulfate raw material. 0.1 mol L-1 lead nitrate volumetric solution was used as titrant employing potentiometric endpoint determination using a lead-specific electrode. The United States Pharmacopoeia Forum indicates a potentiometric method for sulfate ion quantitation using 0.1 mol L-1 lead perchlorate as titrant. Both methods were validated concerning linearity, precision and accuracy, yielding good results. The sulfate ion content found by the two validated methods was compared by the statistical t-student test, indicating that there was no statistically significant difference between the methods.

Optical and microstructural properties of MgF2 UV coatings grown by ion beam sputtering process

The optical, mechanical, and microstructural properties of MgF2 single layers grown by ion beam sputtering have been investigated by spectrophotometric measurements, film stress characterization, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), x-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The deposition conditions, using fluorine reactive gas or not, have been found to greatly influence the optical absorption and the stress of the films as well as their microstructure. The layers grown with fluorine compensation exhibit a regular columnar microstructure and an UV-optical absorption which can be very low, either as deposited or after thermal annealings at very low temperatures. On the contrary, layers grown without fluorine compensation exhibit a less regular microstructure and a high ultraviolet absorption which is particularly hard to cure. On the basis of calculations, it is shown that F centers are responsible for this absorption, whereas all the films were found to be stoichiometric, in the limit of the XPS sensitivity. On the basis of external data taken from literature, our experimental curves are analyzed, so we propose possible diffusion mechanisms which could explain the behaviors of the coatings.

Processamento de pilhas do tipo botão

This work presents hydrometallurgical routes for recovering valuable elements from spent button cells, based on leaching of internal components with sulfuric acid (Li/MnO2 and Zn-air) or nitric acid (Ag-Zn), at 90 ºC for 2h. Slow evaporation of the leachate crystallized MnSO4.H2O, whereas lithium was partially recovered as LiF. Mercury present in Zn-air and Ag-Zn samples was precipitated as HgS. Silver was recovered as AgCl before mercury precipitation. Zinc and iron were precipitated as hydroxides. The amount of iron varied according to the intensity of the corrosion of the external cell case. Final wastes are neutral and colorless sodium sulfate/nitrate solutions.