Rac1 regulates lipid droplets formation, nanomechanical, and nanostructural changes induced by TNF in vascular endothelium in the isolated murine aorta.

Endothelial inflammation is recognized as a critical condition in the development of cardiovascular diseases. TNF-induced inflammation of endothelial cells is linked to the formation of lipid droplets, augmented cortical stiffness, and nanostructural endothelial plasma membrane remodelling, but the insight into the mechanism linking these responses is missing. In the present work, we determined the formation of lipid droplets (LDs), nanomechanical, and nanostructural responses in the model of TNF-activated vascular inflammation in the isolated murine aorta using Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence imaging, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We analysed the possible role of Rac1, a major regulator of cytoskeletal organization, in TNF-induced vascular inflammation. We demonstrated that the formation of LDs, polymerization of F-actin, alterations in cortical stiffness, and nanostructural protuberances in endothelial plasma membrane were mediated by the Rac1. In particular, we revealed a significant role for Rac1 in the regulation of the formation of highly unsaturated LDs formed in response to TNF. Inhibition of Rac1 also downregulated the overexpression of ICAM-1 induced by TNF, supporting the role of Rac1 in vascular inflammation. Altogether, our results demonstrate that LDs formation, an integral component of vascular inflammation, is activated by Rac1 that also regulates nanomechanical and nanostructural alterations linked to vascular inflammation.

0D, 1D, 2D molybdenum disulfide functionalized by 2D polymeric carbon nitride for photocatalytic water splitting.

Photocatalytic activity of molybdenum disulfide structures with different dimensions (0D, 1D and 2D) functionalized with polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) is presented. MoS2nanotubes (1D), nanoflakes (2D) and quantum dots (0D, QDs) were used, respectively, as co-catalysts of PCN in photocatalytic water splitting reaction to evolve hydrogen. Although, 2D-PCN showed the highest light absorption in visible range and the most enhanced photocurrent response after irradiation with light from 460 to 727 nm, QDs-PCN showed the highest photocatalytic efficiency. The detailed analysis revealed that the superior photocatalytic activity of QDs-PCN in comparison with other structures of MoS2arose from (i) the most effective separation of photoexcited electron-hole pairs, (ii) the most enhanced up-converted photoluminescence (UCPL), (iii) the highest reactivity of electrons in conduction band. Moreover, a narrowed size of QDs affected shorter diffusion path of charge carriers to active reaction sites, higher number of the sites and higher interfacial area between molybdenum disulfide and PCN.

Electrocardiogram reading: a randomized study comparing 2 e­learning methods for medical students.

INTRODUCTION    Interpretation of the electrocardiogram (ECG) is an essential skill in most medical specialties; however, the best method of teaching how to read ECGs has not been determined. OBJECTIVES    The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of collaborative (C­eL) and self (S­eL) e­learning of ECG reading among medical students. PATIENTS AND METHODS    A total of 60 fifth­year medical students were randomly assigned to the C­eL and S­eL groups. S­eL students received 15 ECG recordings with a comprehensive description by email (one every 48 hours), while C­eL students received the same ECG recordings without description. C­eL students were expected to analyze each ECG together within the subgroups using an internet platform and to submit the interpretation within 48 hours. Afterwards, they received a description of each ECG. C­eL students' activity was assessed based on the number of words written on the internet platform during discussion. A final test consisted of 10 theoretical questions and 10 ECG recordings. The final score was a sum of points obtained for the interpretation of ECG recordings. The main endpoint of the study was the number of students whose final score was 56% or higher. RESULTS    The final test was completed by 53 students (88.3%). The main endpoint was achieved in 20 C­eL students (77%) and in 13 S­eL students (48.1%), P = 0.03. The final score was 6.4 (interquartile range [IQR], 5.8-7.6) in the C­eL group and 5.6 (IQR, 4.2-7.2) in the S­eL group, P = 0.04. It correlated with the results of the theoretical test and students' activity during C­eL (r = 0.42, P = 0.002 and r = 0.4, P = 0.04, respectively). CONCLUSIONS    C­eL of ECG reading among fifth­year medical students is superior to S­eL.

Structural, Optical, and Magnetic Properties of Zn-Doped CoFe2O4 Nanoparticles.

The effect of Zn-doping in CoFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) through chemical co-precipitation route was investigated in term of structural, optical, and magnetic properties. Both XRD and FTIR analyses confirm the formation of cubic spinel phase, where the crystallite size changes with Zn content from 46 to 77 nm. The Scherrer method, Williamson-Hall (W-H) analysis, and size-strain plot method (SSPM) were used to study of crystallite sizes. The TEM results were in good agreement with the results of the SSP method. SEM observations reveal agglomeration of fine spherical-like particles. The optical band gap energy determined from diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) varies increases from 1.17 to 1.3 eV. Magnetization field loops reveal a ferromagnetic behavior with lower hysteresis loop for higher Zn content. The magnetic properties are remarkably influenced with Zn doping; saturation magnetization (Ms) increases then decreases while both coercivity (HC) and remanent magnetization (Mr) decrease continuously, which was associated with preferential site occupancy and the change in particle size.

UV and visible light active aqueous titanium dioxide colloids stabilized by surfactants.

Attempts to increase the stability of photocatalytically active nanodispersions of titanium dioxide over a wide range of pH (3-10) were undertaken. Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) with different molecular weights and polyoxyethylenesorbitan monooleate (Tween® 80) were tested as stabilizing agents of TiO2 nanoparticles. The results of DLS measurements proved the stabilizing effect of Tween® 80 while the systems involving PEGs, independently of the polymer concentration, showed a tendency to form aggregates in neutral solutions. The colloids stabilized with Tween® 80 were photosensitized with 2,3-naphthalenediol (nd) or 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoic acid (hn) or catechol (cat). The photocatalytic activity of such colloids has been assessed in an azure B degradation reaction using both UV and visible light. The nd@TiO2 + Tween colloid appeared particularly photoactive upon visible light irradiation. Moreover, the comparison of activities of nd@TiO2 + Tween and TiO2 + Tween revealed a significantly better performance of the former nanodispersion, independently of the irradiation conditions (UV or visible light). This effect has been explained by different structures of micelles formed in the case of TiO2 and nd@TiO2 stabilized with Tween® 80.