Humidity-Induced Protein-Based Artificial Synaptic Devices for Neuroprosthetic Applications.

Neuroprosthetics and brain-machine interfaces are immensely beneficial for people with neurological disabilities, and the future generation of neural repair systems will utilize neuromorphic devices for the advantages of energy efficiency and real-time performance abilities. Conventional synaptic devices are not compatible to work in such conditions. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the central part of the nervous system is composed of 99% water. Therefore, artificial synaptic devices, which are the fundamental component of neuromorphic devices, should resemble biological nerves while being biocompatible, and functional in high-humidity environments with higher functional stability for real-time applications in the human body. In this work, artificial synaptic devices are fabricated based on gelatin-PEDOT: PSS composite as an active material to work more effectively in a highly humid environment (≈90% relative humidity). These devices successfully mimic various synaptic properties by the continuous variation of conductance, like, excitatory/inhibitory post-synaptic current(EPSC/IPSC), paired-pulse facilitation/depression(PPF/PPD), spike-voltage dependent plasticity (SVDP), spike-duration dependent plasticity (SDDP), and spike-rate dependent plasticity (SRDP) in environments at a relative humidity levels of ≈90%.

Organic Field-Effect Transistor-Based Ultrafast, Flexible, Physiological-Temperature Sensors with Hexagonal Barium Titanate Nanocrystals in Amorphous Matrix as Sensing Material.

Organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) with hexagonal barium titanate nanocrystals (h-BTNCs) in amorphous matrix as one of the bilayer dielectric systems have been fabricated on a highly flexible 10 µm thick poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrate. The device current and mobility remain constant up to a bending radius of 4 mm, which makes the substrate suitable for wearable e-skin applications. h-BTNC films are found to be highly temperature-sensitive, and the OFETs designed based on this material showed ultraprecision measurement (∼4.3 mK), low power (∼1 µW at 1.2 V operating voltage), and ultrafast response (∼24 ms) in sensing temperature over a range of 20-45 °C continuously. The sensors are highly stable around body temperature and work at various extreme conditions, such as under water and in solutions of different pH values and various salt concentrations. These properties make this sensor unique and highly suitable for various healthcare and other applications, wherein a small variation of temperature around this temperature range is required to be measured at an ultrahigh speed.

Alteration in Leukocyte Subsets and Expressions of FcγR and Complement Receptors among Female Ragpickers in Eastern India.

BACKGROUND: There are a million ragpickers in India who gather and trade recyclable municipal solid wastes materials for a living. The objective of this study was to examine whether their occupation adversely affects their immunity. METHODS: Seventy-four women ragpickers (median age, 30 years) and 65 age-matched control housemaids were enrolled. Flow cytometry was used to measure leukocyte subsets, and leukocyte expressions of Fcγ receptor I (CD64), FcγRIII (CD16), complement receptor 1 (CD35) and CR3 (CD11b/CD18), and CD14. Serum total immunoglobulin-E was estimated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, ragpickers had significantly (p < 0.0001) higher levels of CD8+T-cytotoxic, CD16+CD56+natural killer, and CD4+CD45RO+memory T-cells, but depleted levels of CD19+B-cells. The percentage of CD4+T-helper-cells was lower than the control group (p < 0.0001), but their absolute number was relatively unchanged (p = 0.42) due to 11% higher lymphocyte counts in ragpickers. In ragpickers, the percentages of CD14+CD16+intermediate and CD14dim CD16+nonclassical monocyte subsets were elevated with a decline in CD14+CD16-classical monocytes. The expressions of CD64, CD16, CD35, and CD11b/CD18 on both monocytes and neutrophils, and CD14 on monocytes were significantly higher in ragpickers. In addition, ragpickers had 2.7-times more serum immunoglobulin-E than the controls (p < 0.0001). After controlling potential confounders, the profession of ragpicking was positively associated with the changes. CONCLUSION: Ragpicking is associated with alterations in both innate (neutrophils, monocytes, and natural killer cell numbers and expression of complement and Fcγ receptors) and adaptive immunity (numbers of circulating B cells, helper, cytotoxic, and memory T cells).

Increased risk of cardiovascular disease in premenopausal female ragpickers of Eastern India: involvement of inflammation, oxidative stress, and platelet hyperactivity.

Millions of poor people in the developing world still thrive on ragpicking. In the present study, we have examined whether ragpicking is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. For this, we have enrolled 112 premenopausal female ragpickers (median age 30 years) and 98 age-matched housemaids as control from Kolkata, Eastern India. Venous blood was drawn for routine hematology; flow cytometry was used to measure generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by leukocytes, surface expression of CD62P (P-selectin) in platelets and CD11b in leukocytes. Collagen-induced platelet aggregation was evaluated by aggregometer, and erythrocytic superoxide dismutase (SOD) was measured by spectrophotometry. Soluble P-selectin (sP-sel) and CD40L (sCD40L), neutrophil-activating protein-2 (NAP-2), platelet and plasma serotonin, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), and anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) in plasma were measured by ELISA. Compared with control, the ragpickers had significantly higher prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension, and hypertension was positively associated with ragpicking. The ragpickers also had higher levels of inflammation (elevated NAP-2), oxidative stress (elevated ROS generation with depleted SOD) with oxLDL, platelet activation and aggregability, soluble CD40 ligand, with altered serotonin level (rose in plasma but depleted in platelet). A greater percentage of ragpickers had elevated serum level of aCL of the IgG and IgM isotypes than the controls. The results suggest that the occupation of ragpicking increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases in premenopausal women of Eastern India via inflammation, oxidative stress, platelet hyperactivity, and hypertension.

Respiratory symptoms, lung function decrement and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in pre-menopausal Indian women exposed to biomass smoke.

BACKGROUND: The impact of chronic exposure to smoke from biomass burning on respiratory health has been examined. METHODS: Six-hundred and eighty-one non-smoking women (median age 35 years) from eastern India who cook exclusively with biomass (wood, dung and crop residues) and 438 age-matched women from similar neighborhood who cook with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) were examined. Pulmonary function test was done by spirometry. The concentrations of particulate matter having diameter of < 10 µm (PM10) and < 2.5 µm (PM2.5) in indoor air was measured by real-time aerosol monitor. RESULTS: Compared with LPG users, biomass users had greater prevalence of upper (50.9 versus 28.5%) and lower respiratory symptoms (71.8 versus 30.8%) and dyspnea (58.4 versus 19.9%). They showed reduction in all parameters measured by spirometer especially in mid-expiratory volume. PM10 and PM2.5 concentration in biomass using kitchen were 2-3-times more than LPG-using kitchen, and the decline in spirometry values was positively associated PM10 and PM2.5 levels in indoor air after controlling education, family income and kitchen location as potential confounders. Overall, 29.7% of biomass users and 16.4% of LPG users had deficient lung function, and restrictive type of deficiency was predominant. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was diagnosed in 4.6% of biomass and 0.9% of LPG users. Women who predominantly used dung cake and did not possess separate kitchen had poorer lung function. CONCLUSION: Cumulative exposure to biomass smoke causes lung function decrement and facilitates COPD development even in non-smoking and relatively young pre-menopausal women.

Iodine-stabilized Cu nanoparticle chitosan composite for antibacterial applications.

We report herein the synthesis of a new composite consisting of Cu nanoparticles (NPs) and chitosan (CS), which has been found to be stable in the presence of molecular iodine and has also high antimicrobial activities. The composite could be obtained when aqueous CuSO(4) was treated with hydrazine in the presence of CS. The spherical Cu NPs present in the composite were of average diameters 8±4 nm. The NPs were unstable in atmospheric conditions leading to the formation of oxides of Cu. On the other hand, when molecular iodine was added to the medium following synthesis the NPs were rather stable. Studies of antibacterial property were carried out on Gram-negative green fluorescent expressing Escherichia coli bacteria & Gram-positive Bacillus cereus bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the iodinated composite on Escherichia coli was found to be 130.8 µg/mL, which contained 21.5 µg/mL Cu NPs. This determined value of MIC for Cu NPs was much lower than those reported in the literature. Zeta potential (ζ) measurements supported an attractive interaction between iodinated CS-Cu NP composite and bacteria which was further supported by electron microscopic images. Electron microscopic and flow cytometric studies revealed that the iodinated CS-Cu NP composite was attached to the bacterial cell wall, which caused irreversible damage to the membrane, eventually leading to cell death. Mechanism of bactericidal action of the iodinated composite is discussed in light of our findings.

Enhanced antibacterial activity of bimetallic gold-silver core-shell nanoparticles at low silver concentration.

Herein we report the development of bimetallic Au@Ag core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) where gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) served as the seeds for continuous deposition of silver atoms on its surface. The core-shell structure and morphology were examined by UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The core-shell NPs showed antibacterial activity against both gram negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and gram positive (Enterococcus faecalis and Pediococcus acidilactici) bacteria at low concentration of silver present in the shell, with more efficacy against gram negative bacteria. TEM and flow cytometric studies showed that the core-shell NPs attached to the bacterial surface and caused membrane damage leading to cell death. The enhanced antibacterial properties of Au@Ag core-shell NPs was possibly due to the more active silver atoms in the shell surrounding gold core due to high surface free energy of the surface Ag atoms owing to shell thinness in the bimetallic NP structure.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children chronically exposed to high level of vehicular pollution.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study is to explore whether sustained exposure to vehicular air pollution affects the behavior and activities of children. The prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was assessed in two childhood populations. In a cross-sectional study 969 school-going children (9-17 years) and 850 age- and sex-matched children from rural areas were assessed, following the criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of conduct disorders (DSM-IV) of American Pediatric Association. Data of ambient particulate matter with a diameter of less than 10 µm (PM10) were obtained from Central Pollution Control Board and aerosol monitor. ADHD was found in 11.0% of urban children in contrast to 2.7% of the control group (p < 0.001). Major risk factors were male gender, lower socioeconomic status, 12-14 year age group, and PM10 level in breathing air. ADHD was more prevalent among boys both in urban and rural areas. It was prevalent among 18.0% of the boys enrolled in Delhi against 4.0% of the girls, giving a male/female ratio of 4.5:1. Inattentive type of ADHD was predominant followed by hyperactive-impulsive type and combined type of ADHD. Controlling potential confounder, ambient PM10 level was positively correlated with ADHD (OR = 2.07; 95% CI, 1.08-3.99). CONCLUSION: The results of this study point to a possible association between air pollution and behavioral problems in children. Though gender, socioeconomic status, and age play a very important factor in ADHD prevalence, the association is highest and strongest between particulate pollution and prevalence of ADHD.

Heightened reactive oxygen species generation in the antimicrobial activity of a three component iodinated chitosan-silver nanoparticle composite.

Herein we report synergy in antimicrobial activity of a chitosan-silver nanoparticle (CS-Ag NP) composite in the presence of molecular iodine. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressing recombinant Escherichia coli bacteria have been used to test the efficacy and establish the mechanism of action. Experimental evidence indicate significantly high bactericidal activity of the nanocomposite in the presence of iodine than either due to the composite, chitosan, Ag NP or iodine only. Transmission electron microscopy measurements revealed attachment of bacteria to the composite. In addition, flow cytometry results supported definite occurrence of cell wall damage of the bacteria treated with the composite in the presence of iodine. Further, the nanocomposite and iodine combination was found to exert reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated oxidative stress in the cytoplasm of bacterial cells, leading to cell death. Elucidation of the mechanism of synergy due to three potential antibacterial components suggested that on the surface of Ag NPs molecular iodine possibly generated iodine atom thus contributing toward free radical induced oxidative stress, whereas chitosan and Ag NPs facilitated the process of cell killing and thus collectively enhanced the potency of antimicrobial effect at the lowest concentrations of individual components.

Airway inflammation and upregulation of beta2 Mac-1 integrin expression on circulating leukocytes of female ragpickers in India.

OBJECTIVES: Over one million ragpickers collect and sale recyclable materials from municipal solid wastes (MSW) in India for a living. Since MSW contains a host of pathogenic microorganisms, we investigated the occurrence of airway inflammation and its underlying mechanism in 52 non-smoking female ragpickers (median age 29 yr) and 42 control women matched for age, smoking habit and socioeconomic conditions in Kolkata, eastern India. METHODS: Spontaneously expectorated sputum were stained using the Papanicolau method for cytology, and flow cytometry was used for measurements of surface expression of beta(2) Mac-1 integrin (CD11b/CD18) on leukocytes and P-selectin on platelets. The concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) were measured in plasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Compared with controls, sputum samples of ragpickers contained significantly increased numbers of alveolar macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes, suggesting airway inflammation. Circulating neutrophils and monocytes of the ragpickers overexpressed CD11b/CD18 and their platelets had upregulated surface expression of P-selectin, implying functional activation of these cells. In addition, plasma levels of IL-8 and TNF-alpha were significantly increased, indicating greater trafficking of leukocytes from circulation to the tissues. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated a positive association between the ragpicking profession and leukocyte activation after controlling for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Ragpickers experience leukocyte and platelet activation and airway inflammation that could make them more vulnerable to tissue damage and cardiovascular diseases.