A high performance laccase‐based biofuel cell cathode is developed using carbon nanosheets (CNS) as the catalyst support and buckypaper (BP) as the substrate electrode. Compared to multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT)‐based electrodes, CNS‐based electrodes exhibit better electrochemical properties for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) under biologically relevant conditions. It is shown that CNSs are conformally coated on the nanotubule bundles within the BP and that laccase is intimately attached to the CNS‐BP. Electrochemical characterization is carried out to derive the kinetic parameters of the ORR at the laccase‐CNS‐BP cathode. The laccase‐CNS‐BP exhibits a steep ORR cathodic wave with a Tafel slope of 19 mV decade‐1. The onset potential obtained for laccase ORR at CNS‐BP is 20 mV higher than that of the MWNT‐based electrodes, and the laccase‐CNS‐BP cathode has a higher current density than MWNT electrodes.

Inflammatory arthritis (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis; RA) is a complex disease driven by the interplay of multiple cellular lineages. Fullerene derivatives have previously been shown to have anti-inflammatory capabilities mediated, in part, by their ability to prevent inflammatory mediator release by mast cells (MC). Recognizing that MC can serve as a cellular link between autoantibodies, soluble mediators, and other effector populations in inflammatory arthritis, it was hypothesized that fullerene derivatives might be used to target this inflammatory disease. A panel of fullerene derivatives was tested for their ability to affect the function of human skin-derived MC as well as other lineages implicated in arthritis, synovial fibroblasts and osteoclasts. It is shown that certain fullerene derivatives blocked FcγR- and TNF-α-induced mediator release from MC; TNF-α-induced mediator release from RA synovial fibroblasts; and maturation of human osteoclasts. MC inhibition by fullerene derivatives was mediated through the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential and FcγR-mediated increases in cellular reactive oxygen species and NF-κB activation. Based on these in vitro data, two fullerene derivatives (ALM and TGA) were selected for in vivo studies using K/BxN serum transfer arthritis in C57BL/6 mice and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1 mice. Dye-conjugated fullerenes confirmed localization to affected joints in arthritic animals but not in healthy controls. In the K/BxN moldel, fullerenes attenuated arthritis, an effect accompanied by reduced histologic inflammation, cartilage/bone erosion, and serum levels of TNF-α. Fullerenes remained capable of attenuating K/BxN arthritis in mast cell-deficient mice Cre-Master mice, suggesting that lineages beyond the MC represent relevant targets in this system. These studies suggest that fullerene derivatives may hold promise both as an assessment tool and as anti-inflammatory therapy of arthritis.

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In t he co urse of a contin uin g investigation of the knock rat in gs of alip hatic hydrocarbons, pu re paraffin s and olefins have been prepared in quantities suffi cien t for en gin e teBts. Thi s reports describes the m eth ods of preparation a nd purification of t hree pcntancs. four hcxane , t hree heptanes, ro ur octanes, e igh t nonanes, seven decancs, fou r hexe nes, fi ve octenes, s ix nonenes, s ix dccencs, and a number of alcohoL, ketones, esters, and alky l hal ides . Most of t hese compounds were hi ghly pu r ified . Phys ical co nstants m casured include f rcez in g point, bo iling po in t, and its va ri ation w ith press ure, rcfractive index, a nd d ensity, and t hcir variations with temperat ure. **