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Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neuroinflammatory disorder characterized by demyelination, oligodendrocyte damage/loss and neuroaxonal injury in the context of immune cell infiltration in the CNS. No neuroprotective therapy is available to promote the survival of oligodendrocytes and protect their myelin processes in immune-mediated demyelinating diseases. Pro-inflammatory CD4 Th17 cells can interact with oligodendrocytes in multiple sclerosis and its animal model, causing injury to myelinating processes and cell death through direct contact. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the close contact and subsequent detrimental interaction of Th17 cells with oligodendrocytes remain unclear. In this study we used single cell RNA sequencing, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence studies on CNS tissue from multiple sclerosis subjects, its animal model and controls to characterize the expression of cell adhesion molecules by mature oligodendrocytes. We found that a significant proportion of human and murine mature oligodendrocytes express melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM) and activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) in multiple sclerosis, in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and in controls, although their regulation differs between human and mouse. We observed that exposure to pro-inflammatory cytokines or to human activated T cells are associated with a marked downregulation of the expression of MCAM but not of ALCAM at the surface of human primary oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, we used in vitro live imaging, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry to determine the contribution of these molecules to Th17-polarized cell adhesion and cytotoxicity towards human oligodendrocytes. Silencing and blocking ALCAM but not MCAM limited prolonged interactions between human primary oligodendrocytes and Th17-polarized cells, resulting in decreased adhesion of Th17-polarized cells to oligodendrocytes and conferring significant protection of oligodendrocytic processes. In conclusion, we showed that human oligodendrocytes express MCAM and ALCAM, which are differently modulated by inflammation and T cell contact. We found that ALCAM is a ligand for Th17-polarized cells, contributing to their capacity to adhere and induce damage to human oligodendrocytes, and therefore could represent a relevant target for neuroprotection in multiple sclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sol–gel-assisted spin coating technique has been employed to deposit Ce-doped cadmium oxide films (CdO) thin films on a glass substrate. Structural analysis carried out by XRD revealed that the films are polycrystalline and crystallize in a cubic structure. The preferential directions for the CdO growth are (2 0 0), and (2 1 0) and doping of Ce ions inhibits the growth. In addition to XRD, Raman analysis also supports the crystalline phase with no impurities. Using the Kramers–Kronig relations, the dispersion relation is evaluated from which the refractive index and the absorption coefficient were derived. The deposited doped and pure CdO films are highly transparent. The energy gap values of pure and doped CdO films are in the range of 2.2–4.2 eV, making them suitable for optoelectronic applications. The lower values of 'n' and 'k' are making the films most significant. The dielectric constant and nonlinear optical properties showed an increasing tendency on doping Ce ions into CdO films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The inflammasome adaptor apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) is involved in immune signaling by bridging the interactions between inflammasome sensors and caspase-1. Strong experimental evidence has shown that ASC-/- mice are protected from disease progression in animal models of multiple sclerosis (MS), suggesting that targeting inflammasome activation via ASC inhibition may be a promising therapeutic strategy in MS. Thus, the goal of our study is to test the efficacy of IC100, a novel humanized antibody targeting ASC, in preventing and/or suppressing disease in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS.Methods: We employed the EAE model of MS where disease was induced by immunization of C57BL/6 mice with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide 35-55 (MOG35-55). Mice were treated with vehicle or increasing doses of IC100 (10, 30, and 45 mg/kg) and clinical disease course was evaluated up to 35 days post EAE induction. Immune cell infiltration into the spinal cord and microglia responses were assessed.Results: We show that IC100 treatment reduced the severity of EAE when compared to vehicle-treated controls. At a dose of 30 mg/kg, IC100 significantly reduced the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and CD11b+MHCII+ activated myeloid cells entering the spinal cord from the periphery, and reduced the number of total and activated microglia.Conclusions: These data indicate that IC100 suppresses the immune-inflammatory response that drives EAE development and progression, thereby identifying ASC as a promising target for the treatment of MS as well as other neurological diseases with a neuroinflammatory component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mice with TNFR2 ablation in oligodendrocytes show accelerated microglia activation ahead of earlier EAE onset. • TNFR2 modulates the immune-inflammatory function of oligodendrocytes in EAE. • Oligodendrocytes, in concert with other glial cells, play a critical role in the early events driving CNS autoimmune disease. The pleotropic cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is involved in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). In various models of MS, including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the membrane-bound form of TNF (tmTNF), which signals primarily via TNFR2, mediates protective and reparative effects, whereas the soluble form (solTNF), which signals primarily via TNFR1, promotes pro-inflammatory and detrimental functions. In this study, we investigated the role of TNFR2 expressed in oligodendrocytes in the early phase of EAE pathogenesis. We demonstrated that mice with specific ablation of oligodendroglial TNFR2 displayed early onset and higher peak of motor dysfunction when subjected to EAE, in advance of which accelerated infiltration of immune cells was observed as early as 10 days post EAE induction. The immune cell influx was preceded by microglial activation and increased blood brain barrier permeability. Lack of oligodendroglial TNFR2 accelerated the expression of inflammatory cytokines as well as expression and activation of the inflammasome. Gene expression profiling of oligodendrocytes sorted from the spinal cord 14 days post EAE induction showed robust upregulation of inflammatory genes, some of which were elevated in cells lacking TNFR2 compared to controls. Together, our data demonstrate that oligodendrocytes are directly involved in inflammation and immune modulation in CNS disease and this function is regulated, at least in part, by TNFR2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The present work deals with the deposition of NiO and Nitrogen (N)-doped NiO thin films by sol-gel spin coating technique. Structural, morphological, linear and non-linear optical characteristics of undoped and N-doped (1–15 wt%) NiO films were studied. From XRD measurements, it is evident that single phase nano crystalline NiO is formed for all doping concentrations. Surface morphology study shows that higher concentration of N doped NiO thin films were of high quality and EDX mapping confirmed the doping of Nitrogen in films. The Raman spectra of the studied films were analyzed over the range of 1400-200 cm−1. The optical studies confirm that as doping increases, transparency of the film decreases (except at 10% N doping) and the band gap narrows. Nonlinear parameters such as refractive index and susceptibilities also depend on N dopant concentration. Z-scan studies viz., absorption index, nonlinear refractive index were carried out on undoped and N doped NiO samples and the results were matched with theoretical calculated values. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • N doped NiO films were deposited by spin coating technique. • UV-Vis-NIR study confirms high optical transparency of deposited films. • Direct energy gap was reduced from 4 eV to 3.8 eV due to n doping. • Third order nonlinear properties are enhanced due to N doping. • Values of n 2 and β are found to be of order of 10−7 and 10−2 esu, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use the Kondo lattice model to investigate the possibility of ferromagnetism and half-metallicity in local moment systems. Using the spectral density approach and making use of the fact that the spontaneous magnetization of local moment and the itinerant electron polarization are coupled, we derive an expression for the paramagnetic susceptibility. The magnetic ordering temperature is determined from the singularities of the susceptibility. The magnetic phase diagram is constructed in T - n (band filling) plane. It is found that ferromagnetism is possible only for small values of n. It is also found that the temperature drives the transition of the system from half-metal to metal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Hubbard model has been employed successfully to understand many aspects of correlation driven physical properties, in particular, the magnetic order in itenerant electron systems. In some systems such as Heusler alloys, manganites etc., it is known that, in addition to magnetic order, distortion induced by Jahn–Teller (J–T) effect also exists. In this paper, based on two-fold degenerate Hubbard model, the influence of magnetic order on J–T distortion is investigated. The electron correlation is treated using a spectral density approach and J–T interaction is added to the model. We find that magnetic order and structural distortion coexist at low temperature T for a certain range of electron correlation strength U, J–T coupling strength G and band occupation n. At , for a given n and U, magnetic order is present but distortion appears only for a G larger than a critical value. We also studied the temperature dependence of lattice strain and magnetization choosing a G close to the critical value. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroimmune disorder characterized by inflammation, CNS demyelination, and progressive neurodegeneration. Chronic MS patients exhibit impaired remyelination capacity, partly due to the changes that oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) undergo in response to the MS lesion environment. The cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is present in the MS-affected CNS and has been implicated in disease pathophysiology. Of the two active forms of TNF, transmembrane (tmTNF) and soluble (solTNF), tmTNF signals via TNFR2 mediating protective and reparative effects, including remyelination, whereas solTNF signals predominantly via TNFR1 promoting neurotoxicity. To better understand the mechanisms underlying repair failure in MS, we investigated the cellular responses of OPCs to inflammatory exposure and the specific role of TNFR2 signaling in their modulation. Following treatment of cultured OPCs with IFNγ, IL1β, and TNF, we observed, by RNA sequencing, marked inflammatory and immune activation of OPCs, accompanied by metabolic changes and dysregulation of their proliferation and differentiation programming. We also established the high likelihood of cell–cell interaction between OPCs and microglia in neuroinflammatory conditions, with OPCs able to produce chemokines that can recruit and activate microglia. Importantly, we showed that these functions are exacerbated when TNFR2 is ablated. Together, our data indicate that neuroinflammation leads OPCs to shift towards an immunomodulatory phenotype while diminishing their capacity to proliferate and differentiate, thus impairing their repair function. Furthermore, we demonstrated that TNFR2 plays a key role in this process, suggesting that boosting TNFR2 activation or its downstream signals could be an effective strategy to restore OPC reparative capacity in demyelinating disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Transparent and conducting Indium (In) doped CdO films deposited sol-gel assisted spin coating technique. • The optical constants were calculated based on Kramers-Kroning relations. • The optical band gap value decreased with doping and is in the range of 2.73 to 2.31 eV. • The linear refractive index value increased with doping concentration, and it was in the range of 2.16 to 2.62. • The present samples are suitable for optoelectronic devices. The different ratios of Indium-doped cadmium oxide thin films were deposited on a glass substrate by a sol-gel assisted spin coating technique. The structure of the films was analyzed using XRD and depicts the amorphous nature of the doped films. All the films are highly transparent, and the value of transparency is around 80 % in the visible region. The optical constants were calculated based on Kramers-Kroning relations. The optical band gap value decreased with doping and is in the range of 2.73 to 2.31 eV. The enhancement in the linear optical properties such as refractive index, absorption index, and dielectric constant was also observed with an increase in the doping concentration. The linear refractive index value increased with doping concentration, and it was in the range of 2.16 to 2.62 indicates that the present sample is useful optical window applications. The nonlinear optical properties such as χ(1), χ (3), and n(2) are varying in the range of 0.005 to 0.468, 3.283 × 10−142 to 7.746 × 10−12 esu, and 7.986 × 10−13 to 1.119 × 10−10 esu, respectively. The enhancement in the optical properties with increasing doping concentration suggests the present films are useful for various optical device applications. The maximum dielectric constants are varying from 4.54 to 6.42, which indicates that the present samples are suitable for optoelectronic devices. Furthermore, nonlinear optical properties were analyzed and reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Good quality Sn:CdS thin films were fabricated through a facile spray pyrolysis technique. • Structural and vibrational studies confirm monophasic hexagonal system of all Sn:CdS films. • The Sn existence and its homogeneity in CdS films was approved by EDX/elemental mapping. • The band gap was noticed in range from 2.43 to 2.45 eV for all Sn:CdS films. • The χ 3 and n 2 values are found of the order of 10−11 and 10−10 esu. Herein, we are focusing on to inveterate physical properties of spray pyrolysis fabricated CdS films with diverse Sn doping contents (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 wt%) named as Sn:CdS. Hexagonal mono-phase of CdS at every content of Sn was detected by structural and vibrational analyses. The mean size of crystallites (L ave), density of dislocations, strain, number of unit cells and texture coefficient were estimated and the values of L ave are observed in 20–24 nm range. To confirm the presence of Sn and its homogeneity in films the EDX/SEM mapping was carried out. Fine nanostructured and pin hole/crack free films fabrication was suggested by SEM images. The grown Sn:CdS films are showing the transparency in 50–70% range in visible to INR range. The refractive index values were calculated in 1.6–2.9 range, over 500–2500 nm wavelength region. The estimated values of E g are noticed in 2.43–2.45 eV range. At two excitation wavelengths the PL emission was recorded at both 350 and 450 nm excitation wavelength and possesses an emission at ~531 ± 20 and 530 ± 15 nm (green), correspondingly. The values of optical dielectric constant, conductivity, linear, third order- nonlinear susceptibilities and index of nonlinear refraction were estimated. Using a 650 nm wavelength laser the optical limiting was recorded and noticed to be strongly affected by Sn doping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a view to study the optical properties of La doped NiO thin films and make them available for futuristic optoelectronic devices, these films were deposited by spin coating technique assisted by sol-gel. The structural, morphological, linear and non-linear optical properties of the as-prepared films were studied. XRD shows that the films were polycrystalline, and the growth of grains was studied by AFM. The Raman spectra of the pure and La doped films were analyzed over the range 200–1400 cm−1. The optical study of the doped films shows that they are highly transparent in the visible region. Moreover, the direct and indirect band gaps of the films were evaluated and are found to be in the range of 3.84–3.96 eV for the direct and 3.26–3.4 eV for the indirect bandgap. Higher value of non-linear susceptibilities and refractive index opens a window for wide use of these films in optoelectronic devices. • La:NiO/glass films were facilely achieved by spin coating technique. • AFM study revealed the grain size rise from 6 to 14 nm with La doping. • High optical transparency of grown films was confirmed by UV-Vis-NIR study. • Direct energy gap was reduced from 3.96 to 3.84 eV due to La doping in NiO. • Values of and are noted in range 0.04 to 0.40 and 1.4×10-17 to 4.4×10-12 esu. for all films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) are having emerging applications in optoelectronic technology. Hence, herein, we have designed and fabricated the cadmium oxide (CdO/FTO) TCO films with different concentrations of Lanthanum (La) through a facile spin coating technique. The crystal system and phase confirmation of fabricated films was analyzed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The values of D 200 are found in the range of 25–31 nm indicates nanostructured thin films fabrication. EDX/SEM mapping revealed the presence of La and its homogeneity in CdO film. Atomic force microscopy was carried out to investigate the effect of La doping on surface topography of CdO films. The average values of grain size were estimated in the range of 7.56–10.95 nm along with surface roughness in range of 15.25–17.56 for pure and La-doped CdO films. The optical transparency of films was noticed in range of 75–85% in the NIR region. Direct and indirect band gap values are found in the range of 2.55–2.8 eV and 2.0–2.4 eV, respectively. The dielectric constant, loss, refractive and absorption indices were also calculated. Moreover, the linear, nonlinear susceptibilities and refractive index values were estimated and found in the range of 0.1–3, 1 × 10−12 to 1.6 × 10−7 esu and 2 × 10−12 to 1.28 × 10−8 esu, correspondingly. Image 1050 • Pure and La doped high quality CdO films were deposited by Spin coating technique. • EDX/SEM mapping confirm the doping of La in CdO. • UV–Vis–NIR measurement confirms high optical transparency of pure and doped films. • Direct optical band gap was found in range of 2.55–2.8 eV. • The n 2 and χ 3 values are found to be of order of 10−8 and 10−7 esu, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morinda reticulata Gamble is traditionally used in various diseases because of its medicinal properties. One of its uses is in musculoskeletal disorder. The aim of the study was to evaluate the skeletal muscle relaxant activity of the aqueous extract of Morinda reticulata Gamble areal parts (AEMRAP) in albino rats in comparison with diazepam. A total of 20 Swiss albino rats aged 6-7 weeks, of either sex, weighing about 100-150 g, were taken, and after acute toxicity studies two different doses were selected. The animals were divided into four different groups. The first group was kept as the control (normal saline), second as the standard (diazepam) and the remaining two groups as Test I and Test II, and given different doses of the AEMRAP. Skeletal muscle relaxant activity (motor coordination) on Rotarod and locomotor activity on photoactometer was performed. Statistical analysis was carried out by using analysis of variance, followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison tests. The result from the Actophotometer test and Rotarod test showed that the extract of AEMRAP significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the motor coordination of the tested animals. Our data indicates that AEMRAP possesses skeletal muscle relaxant activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extensive study has been carried out to predict the physical and structural properties of CPBBCR: CaF 2 -PbF 2 -Bi 2 O 3 -B 2 O 3 Cr 2 O 3 glasses. The changes in the density & molar volume due to the substitution of PbF 2 by CaF 2 have been discussed in terms of relative crystal densities of PbF 2 & CaF 2. The detailed UV–visible spectra for the CPBBCR samples have been done to study the variation of optical band, Urbach energy and Rachah parameters. The EPR spectrum of Cr3+ doped glass sample exhibited broad resonance signal with effective g = 4.12 and g = 1.97. Deconvoluted Raman spectra are used to attain hidden peaks in the Raman spectra. With the increase in CaF 2 , Raman spectra suggested that the there is a transfer of [BO 4 ] to [BO 3 ]. FTIR analysis of these samples confirmed the presence of metal cation vibrations, BiO 3 , BO 3 & BO 4 units. FTIR spectra also confirmed that the Bi 2 O 3 will act as network modifier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sol-gel spin coating technique is used to prepare pure and Ga-ZnO samples. • First time Kramers-Kronig equations are used to calculate linear and related nonlinear optical parameters. • Ga showed considerable effect on various physical parameters. • High values of χ(1), χ(3) and n(2) were observed for Ga doped ZnO samples. • All the linear and nonlinear parameters quite high compare to previous reports. Pure zinc oxide and gallium-doped ZnO films have been deposited on a glass substrate using a sol-gel assisted spin coating technique. The prepared films were characterized by structural, morphological, optical, and the effect of doping is studied. XRD analyses of the films confirm amorphous nature. Raman studies give support to XRD and confirm secondary phases are absent in the film. The AFM images give the grain size, which decreases with an increase in doping concentration from 116 nm to 81 nm. Roughness, Skewness, and Kurtosis factor are varying from 45.694 nm to 29.153 nm 1.085 to 0.453, 3.583 to 2.605, respectively. Kramers-Kronig equations are the most accurate methodology for optical thin-film technology for the calculations of optical linearity and nonlinearity parameters. The bandgap values are decreasing with increasing thickness from 2.97 to 2.79, respectively. The doped films are more transparent compared to the pure ZnO films. The enhancement in the linear optical properties such as refractive index, absorption index, and dielectric constant are also observed with an increase in the doping concentration. The nonlinear optical properties such as χ(1), χ (3) and n(2) are varying in the range of 0.288 esu to 0.252 esu, 1.1 × 10−12 esu to 7 × 10−13 esu, 1.92 × 10−11 esu to 1.30 × 10−11 esu, respectively. The enhancement in optical properties with increasing the doping concentration suggests the present films are useful for various optical device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, we systematically investigated the effect of Gd (1, 3, and 5%) doping on the structural, morphological, electrical, and optical properties of NiO thin films deposited on glass substrate using the spray pyrolysis method. X-ray diffraction study revealed that the deposited Gd:NiO(0–5%) films exhibit cubic structure with preferred orientation along (111) direction. The average crystallite size decreases from 15 nm to 12 nm with increasing Gd doping concentration. The atomic force microscope (AFM) topography study revealed that there is a decrease in grain size and variation of roughness with increasing Gd content into NiO lattice. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX)/ scanning electron microscope (SEM) mapping studies show the presence and uniform distribution of Gd in the Gd:NiO films. The average optical transparency (70%) and the optical band gap energy values decrease in Gd doped NiO films. The refractive index values are found to be in the range of 1.5–2.6. The higher values of linear and nonlinear optical parameters like χ 1 , χ 3 and n 2 are found to be 0.98 esu, 3.31 × 10−10 esu and 2.92 × 10−9 esu, respectively in Gd doped NiO films. The current study indicates that the Gd doping concentration has a strong influence on linear and non-linear optical properties of NiO films and makes them useful in several optoelectronic device applications. • Gd-doped NiO (0-5 wt.%) thin films are deposited on glass substrates using nebulizer spray pyrolysis method. • XRD and AFM support the preferred orientation of nanostructured Gd-NiO thin films. • Enhancement in linear and nonlinear optical parameters were observed. • Gd-NiO thin film is recommended for optoelectronic and nonlinear media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the preparation of zinc, lead co-doped fluoride based bismuth borate glasses reinforced with Cr3+ ions with the chemical formula ZPBBCR: xZnF 2 -(25-x) PbF 2 -25Bi 2 O 3 - 49.8B 2 O 3 -0.2Cr 2 O 3 (where x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mol%). These ZPBBCR samples were characterized using various physical and structural analyses. For density values the decreasing trend is followed with increase in ZnF 2 content while the molar volume followed the increasing trend. Characteristic absorption bands at 450 nm, 610 nm, and 710 nm are assigned to their respective transitions which are observed in UV-Visible spectra. The acquired optical band gap values shown enhancement in their magnitude with excess ZnF 2 content. The interactions and characteristic of the Cr3+ ion is observed in EPR spectra. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) in hand with Raman spectra supports the decrease in density values with increase in ZnF 2 concentration in ZPBBCR glasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An environmental survey of tabanid host spiroplasma carriage was undertaken at 10 collection sites in Australia during February 1999. A total of 164 tabanid flies, representing 27 species, were collected and sustainable spiroplasma isolations were made from 48 of the flies. The morphology of the cultured spiroplasmas, as observed in M1D medium under dark-field microscopy, was typical of either (i) Apis group spiroplasmas (relatively thick cells (~150 nm) with six or more turns) or (ii) chrysopicola-syrphidicola-TAAS-1 clade spiroplasmas (narrower, often much shorter cells) serologically related to Spiroplasma serogroup VIII. Repetitive serological analyses, involving successive rounds of dilution cloning and serological reevaluation, identified one serotype referable to the Spiroplasma serogroup VIII strain complex and five putative members of the Apis clade. Apis clade placement for these five groups was verified using 16S rRNA phylogenetic analyses. Among the Apis clade members, one serotype representing 11 isolates was identified as a geographic variant of Spiroplasma turonicum. Spiroplasma turonicum (Tab4C) was originally isolated from a tabanid Haematopoda sp. in France. The other 34 isolates represented four new serogroups (= putative species). The following strains are proposed as representatives of the new serogroups: strain GSU5478 (group XXXIX), strain GSU5490 (group XL), strain GSU5508 (group XLI), and strain GSU5603 (group XLII). In summary, six serogroups were observed from isolations originating from seven distinct sample sites in Australia. Surprisingly, the serotype with the greatest geographical range (five sites from 16°48.9′S to 35°40.0′S) and the greatest host diversity (nine species over three genera) was the geographic variant of S. turonicum, which had only been reported previously in France. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]