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High Electrical Resistance (high + electrical_resistance)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	50%

Selected Abstracts

Towards Thermoconductive, Electrically Insulating Polymeric Composites with Boron Nitride Nanotubes as Fillers

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 12 2009
Chunyi Zhi
Abstract Ultilizing boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) as fillers, composites are fabricated with poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, poly(vinyl butyral), or poly(ethylene vinyl alcohol) as the matrix and their thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties are evaluated. More than 20-fold thermal conductivity improvement in BNNT-containing polymers is obtained, and such composites maintain good electrical insulation. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the BNNT-loaded polymers is dramatically reduced because of interactions between the polymer chains and the nanotubes. Moreover, the composites possess good mechanical properties, as revealed by Vickers microhardness tests. This detailed study indicates that BNNTs are very promising nanofillers for polymeric composites, allowing the simultaneous achievement of high thermal conductivity, low CTE, and high electrical resistance, as required for novel and efficient heat-releasing materials. [source]

Development of the blood-brain barrier: A historical point of view

THE ANATOMICAL RECORD : ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2006
Domenico Ribatti
Abstract Although there has been considerable controversy since the observation by Ehrlich more than 100 years ago that the brain did not take up dyes from the vascular system, the concept of an endothelial blood-brain barrier (BBB) was confirmed by the unequivocal demonstration that the passage of molecules from blood to brain and vice versa was prevented by endothelial tight junctions (TJs). There are three major functions implicated in the term "BBB": protection of the brain from the blood milieu, selective transport, and metabolism or modification of blood- or brain-borne substances. The BBB phenotype develops under the influence of associated brain cells, especially astrocytic glia, and consists of complex TJs and a number of specific transport and enzyme systems that regulate molecular traffic across the endothelial cells. The development of the BBB is a complex process that leads to endothelial cells with unique permeability characteristics due to high electrical resistance and the expression of specific transporters and metabolic pathways. This review article summarizes the historical background underlying our current knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of the BBB. Anat Rec (Part B: New Anat) 289B:3,8, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Integration of K+ and Cl, currents regulate steady-state and dynamic membrane potentials in cultured rat microglia

THE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005
Evan W. Newell
The role of ion channels and membrane potential (Vm) in non-excitable cells has recently come under increased scrutiny. Microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, express voltage-gated Kv1.3 channels, a Kir2.1-like inward rectifier, a swelling-activated Cl, current and several other channels. We previously showed that Kv1.3 and Cl, currents are needed for microglial cell proliferation and that Kv1.3 is important for the respiratory burst. Although their mechanisms of action are unknown, one general role for these channels is to maintain a negative Vm. An impediment to measuring Vm in non-excitable cells is that many have a very high electrical resistance, which makes them extremely susceptible to leak-induced depolarization. Using non-invasive Vm -sensitive dyes, we show for the first time that the membrane resistance of microglial cells is several gigaohms; much higher than the seal resistance during patch-clamp recordings. Surprisingly, we observed that small current injections can evoke large Vm oscillations in some microglial cells, and that injection of sinusoidal currents of varying frequency exposes a strong intrinsic electrical resonance in the 5- to 20-Hz frequency range in all microglial cells tested. Using a dynamic current clamp that we developed to actively compensate for the damage done by the patch-clamp electrode, we found that the Vm oscillations and resonance were more prevalent and larger. Both types of electrical behaviour required Kv1.3 channels, as they were eliminated by the Kv1.3 blocker, agitoxin-2. To further determine how the ion currents integrate in these cells, voltage-clamp recordings from microglial cells displaying these behaviours were used to analyse the biophysical properties of the Kv1.3, Kir and Cl, currents. A mathematical model that incorporated only these three currents reproduced the observed Vm oscillations and electrical resonance. Thus, the electrical behaviour of this ,non-excitable' cell type is much more complex than previously suspected, and might reflect a more common oversight in high resistance cells. [source]

Establishment of a matrix-associated transepithelial resistance invasion assay to precisely measure the invasive potential of synovial fibroblasts

ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 9 2009
Christina Wunrau
Objective Synovial fibroblasts (SFs) contribute to several aspects of the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and have been implicated most prominently in the progressive destruction of articular cartilage. Targeting the invasive phenotype of RASFs has therefore gained increasing attention, but the precise measurement of their invasive capacity and the evaluation of potential treatment effects constitute a challenge that needs to be addressed. This study used a novel in vitro invasion assay based on the breakdown of transepithelial electrical resistance to determine the course of fibroblast invasion into extracellular matrix. Methods A matrix-associated transepithelial resistance invasion (MATRIN) assay was used to assess SFs from patients with RA in comparison with SFs from patients with osteoarthritis (OA). The SFs were grown on a commercially available collagen mix that was placed onto the upper side of a Transwell polycarbonate membrane. In addition, freshly isolated cartilage extracts were studied to assess the conditions in vivo. Under this membrane, a monolayer of MDCK-C7 cells was seeded to create a high electrical resistance. Results Invasion of fibroblasts into the matrix affected the integrity of the MDCK-C7 monolayer and led to a measurable decrease and subsequent breakdown of electrical resistance. Unlike in the assay with OASFs, which did not achieve a breakdown of resistance up to 72 hours, RASFs exhibited a pronounced invasiveness in this assay, with a 50% breakdown after 42 hours. Treatment of fibroblasts with either a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor or antibodies against ,1 integrin significantly reduced the invasiveness of RASFs. Conclusion The MATRIN assay is a valuable and sensitive biologic assay system that can be used to determine precisely the invasive potential of RASFs in vitro, and thus would be suitable for screening anti-invasion compounds. [source]