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The surface tension of monolayers with mixtures of anionic and nonionic surfactant at the liquid/vapour interface is studied. Previous works have observed that calculations of the surface tension of simple fluids show artificialoscillationsforsmallinterfacialareas,indicatingthatthesurfacetensiondatafluctuateduetothefinite size effects and periodic boundary conditions. In the case of simulations of monolayers composed of surfactant mixtures,thesurfacetensionnotonlyoscillatesforsmallareasbutcanalsogivenon-physicaldata,suchasnegativevalues. Analysisofthemonolayerswithdifferentsurfactantmixtures,ionic(DTAB,CTAB,SDS)andnonionic (SB3-12), was done for density profiles, parameters of order and pair correlation functions for small and large box areas and all of them present similar behaviour. The fluctuations and the non-physical values of the surface tension are corrected when boxes with large interfacial areas are considered. The results indicate that in order to obtain reliable values of the surface tension, in computer simulations, it is important to choose not only the correct force field but also the appropriate size of the simulation box. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there has been considerable debate about whether paternal mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) transmission may coexist with maternal transmission of mtDNA, it is generally believed that mitochondria and mtDNA are exclusively maternally inherited in humans. Here, we identified three unrelated multigeneration families with a high level of mtDNA heteroplasmy (ranging from 24 to 76%) in a total of 17 individuals. Heteroplasmy of mtDNA was independently examined by high-depth whole mtDNA sequencing analysis in our research laboratory and in two Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments and College of American Pathologists-accredited laboratories using multiple approaches. A comprehensive exploration of mtDNA segregation in these families shows biparental mtDNA transmission with an autosomal dominantlike inheritance mode. Our results suggest that, although the central dogma of maternal inheritance of mtDNA remains valid, there are some exceptional cases where paternal mtDNA could be passed to the offspring. Elucidating the molecular mechanism for this unusual mode of inheritance will provide new insights into how mtDNA is passed on from parent to offspring and may even lead to the development of new avenues for the therapeutic treatment for pathogenic mtDNA transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several di- or tri-functional epoxides were used to chemically modify an industrial grade cellulose pulp from Eucalyptus globulus in order to thicken castor oil by dispersing epoxidized cellulose pulp fibers, resulting gel-like formulations with potential applications as biolubricants. Rheological properties of these colloidal suspensions were evaluated by analysing the effects of epoxidation degree and the epoxide chemical structure. With this aim, epoxidized cellulose pulp samples were characterized by means of epoxy index determination, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. It was found that linear viscoelastic functions, determined in small-amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS), and viscosity values of epoxidized cellulose pulp gel-like dispersions decreased by increasing the epoxy index, whereas the shear-thinning character was dampened with the extension of epoxidation. Aromatic di-functional epoxides provide higher values of these rheological functions than aliphatic ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, alkali lignin together with different diisocyanates (hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IDI), toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and 4,4′-methylenebis (phenyl isocyanate) (MDI)) have been tested as gelling agents in a castor oil medium. A two-step process comprising first lignin functionalization with a diisocyanate and then the formation of a bio-based polyurethane with gel-like characteristics by combining the functionalized lignin with castor was followed. FTIR and thermogravimetry analysis were carried out on both the gelling agents and resulting oleogels. Moreover, oleogel rheological properties were evaluated by means of small-amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) tests and viscous flow measurements. The influences of time-temperature processing conditions during oleogel formation, lignin/diisocyanate ratio and functionalized lignin concentration on the rheological properties of oleogels were analyzed using HDI as crosslinker. 30% (w/w) thickener concentration and room temperature processing were selected to prepare oleogels with the rest of diisocyanates considered. Under the same conditions, HDI-functionalized lignin-based oleogels showed the strongest gel-like behavior whereas TDI-, IDI- and especially MDI-functionalized lignin-based oleogels displayed weak gel-like, or even a liquid-like, behaviors as a consequence of the respective chemical structures, which guide to higher steric hindrance, diminishing the formation of urethane linkages and/or Van der Waals forces. In general, oleogels exhibited an internal curing process due to the progressive formation of urethane linkages, which is closely related to the evolving rheological properties. The kinetics of this curing process was studied and an empirical model has been proposed to predict the evolution of the rheological properties with time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated intratesticular levels of hydroxyoestradiols and methoxyoestradiols, two classes of endogenous oestradiol metabolites, have been associated with male infertility. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of 2-hydroxyoestradiol (2 OHE2), 4-hydroxyoestradiol (4 OHE2), 2-methoxyoestradiol (2 ME2) and 4-methoxyoestradiol (4 ME2) on Sertoli cell viability. For this, TM4 cells were incubated with different concentrations of these metabolites for 24 h to then evaluate the viability and DNA integrity by MTS and TUNEL assay respectively. The participation of classical oestrogen receptors and the involvement of oxidative stress and apoptotic mechanisms were also evaluated co-incubating TM4 cells with these estradiol metabolites and with the drugs ICI182780, N-acetylcysteine and Z- VAD- FMK respectively. Only high concentrations of 2 OHE2 and 2 ME2 decreased cell viability inducing DNA fragmentation. In addition, ICI182780 did not block the effect of 2 OHE2 and 2 ME2, while N-Acetylcysteine and Z- VAD- FMK only blocked the effect of 2 OHE2. Moreover, 2 OHE2 but not 2 ME2 induced PARP and caspase-3 cleavage. Finally, lower 2 OHE2 and 2 ME2 concentrations (0.01-0.1-1.0 μmol l−1) decreased Sertoli cell viability 48 h post-treatment. Our results support the hypothesis that elevated intratesticular 2 OHE2 or 2 ME2 concentrations could be related to male infertility since 2 OHE2 by apoptosis and 2 ME2 by undetermined mechanisms induce DNA fragmentation in Sertoli cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the performance of first-trimester screening for aneuploidies by including assessment of tricuspid blood flow in the combined test of maternal age, fetal nuchal translucency (NT) thickness, fetal heart rate (FHR) and serum free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A). Method: Screening by the combined test was performed in singleton pregnancies, including 19 614 with chromosomally normal fetuses or the delivery of a phenotypically normal baby (euploid group), 122 with trisomy 21, 36 with trisomy 18, 20 with trisomy 13 and eight with Turner syndrome. In all cases tricuspid flow was assessed to determine if there was tricuspid regurgitation. We examined the performance of two screening strategies: firstly, assessment of tricuspid flow in all patients and secondly, first-stage screening using the combined test in all patients followed by second-stage assessment of tricuspid flow only in those with an intermediate risk of 1 in 51 to 1 in 1000 after the first stage. Results: Tricuspid regurgitation was observed in 0.9% of the euploid fetuses and 55.7%, 33.3% and 30% of the fetuses with trisomies 21, 18 and 13, respectively, and in 37.5% of those with Turner syndrome. In a screening policy based on maternal age, fetal NT, FHR, serum free beta-hCG and PAPP-A, for a fixed false positive rate of 3% the standardized detection rates were 91% for trisomy 21 and 100% for trisomy 18, trisomy 13 and Turner syndrome. Assessment of tricuspid flow in all pregnancies would increase the detection rate of trisomy 21 to 96%, and the detection rates of trisomy 18, trisomy 13 and Turner syndrome would be 92%, 100% and 100%, respectively. The same detection rates were achieved with the two-stage strategy-in which it was necessary to assess tricuspid flow in only 15% of the total population-at a false positive rate of 2.4%. Conclusions: Assessment of tricuspid flow improves the performance of first-trimester screening for trisomy 21. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: The etiology of acute liver failure (ALF) remains elusive in almost half of affected children. We hypothesized that inherited mitochondrial and fatty acid oxidation disorders were occult etiological factors in patients with idiopathic ALF and impaired energy metabolism. Methods: Twelve patients with elevated blood molar lactate/pyruvate ratio and indeterminate etiology were selected from a retrospective cohort of 74 subjects with ALF because their fixed and frozen liver samples were available for histological, ultrastructural, molecular and biochemical analysis. Results: A customized next-generation sequencing panel for 26 genes associated with mitochondrial and fatty acid oxidation defects revealed mutations and sequence variants in five subjects. Variants involved the genes ACAD9, POLG, POLG2, DGUOK, and RRM2B; the latter not previously reported in subjects with ALF. The explanted livers of the patients with heterozygous, truncating insertion mutations in RRM2B showed patchy micro- and macrovesicular steatosis, decreased mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content <30% of controls, and reduced respiratory chain complex activity; both patients had good post-transplant outcome. One infant with severe lactic acidosis was found to carry two heterozygous variants in ACAD9, which was associated with isolated complex I deficiency and diffuse hypergranular hepatocytes. The two subjects with heterozygous variants of unknown clinical significance in POLG and DGUOK developed ALF following drug exposure. Their hepatocytes displayed abnormal mitochondria by electron microscopy. Conclusion: Targeted next generation sequencing and correlation with histological, ultrastructural and functional studies on liver tissue in children with elevated lactate/pyruvate ratio expand the spectrum of genes associated with pediatric ALF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructure of lubricating greases greatly conditions their in-service performance. In that sense, optimal testing protocols are required in order to accomplish their correct morphological characterization. This study explores and compares the suitability of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques for imaging six different commercial metallic soap-based greases and two novel biopolymer-based formulations. Pros and cons of both techniques and the effect of sample preparation protocol were analysed. The results revealed a wide variety of morphological characteristics depending on composition. Thus, the four anhydrous calcium-based greases demonstrated two clearly distinct microstructures (fibrous and granular) determined by the type of base oil employed. With regard to the lithium complex greases, the typically reported microstructure characterized by well-defined entangled and fibrous network was observed in both AFM and SEM techniques. As for the two biopolymer-based greases, fibre networks were also encountered. Besides this, selected greases were subjected to different tribological tests, and the effect of high-shear frictional working treatments on their microstructure was also analysed. As a result of the friction and internal wear, the AFM results evidenced microstructural changes which depended on grease composition. Overall, the combined use of AFM and SEM techniques was demonstrated to be a powerful approach to microstructurally characterize lubricating greases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work deals with the development of oleogels based on conventional (SO) and high-oleic sunflower (HOSO) vegetable oils and ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) for lubricant applications. Particularly, the influence of EVA concentration on the tribological, rheological properties and microstructure of these oleogels was analyzed. The results showed that the evolution of linear viscoelasticity functions was similar to that found for lithium greases. The different fatty acid profile in vegetable oils tested exerted an important influence on friction and wear in the ball-on-plates contact. The friction coefficient values became lower when EVA content was decreased. The wear marks obtained after the frictional tests for EVA–SO oleogels significantly reduced the wear scars versus EVA–HOSO oleogels and it was similar to commercial grease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anticancer treatments aiming at killing malignant cells have been applied for decades but have been unsuccessful at curing the disease. The modern concept of tumor microenvironment, especially angiogenesis, suggests that the tumor is not only composed of malignant cells, but also consists of other groups of cells that work together. Recently, genetic message transfer has been revealed between tumor cells and their microenvironment. The latest cell-derived vector, extracellular membrane microvesicles (EMVs), has been found to provide membrane protection and allowed to deliver genetic information beyond the cells. Additionally, EMV-associated microRNAs are involved in a variety of cellular pathways for tumor initiation and progression. Previous published reviews have focused on miRNA that included EMVs as a sensitive marker for tumor monitoring in clinical applications that are based on the alteration of their expression levels in conjunction with disease occurrence and progression. From the aspect of cellular crosstalk, this article will review the role of EMV-mediated microRNA transfer in tumor pathogenesis, including tumor treatment obstacles, history and features, and current research in inflammatory/immune pathologies, as well as in solid tumors and hematological malignancies. This nascent crosstalk model will provide a novel insight into complementing the classic mechanisms of intercellular communication and contribute to the potential therapeutic strategy via small RNA molecule-carrying EMVs for multimodality treatment of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work focuses on the improvement of the electrospinnability of low-sulfonate lignin (LSL)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solutions by the addition of surfactants (SDS, CTAB and Tween-20) as well as on the ability of resulting nanofibers to structure castor oil. Solutions with two LSL/PVP weight ratios (70:30 and 90:10) in DMF were prepared by adding variable surfactant concentrations (0–1 wt.%), and physicochemically characterized. Electrical conductivity, surface tension and rheological measurements were performed. Variations of these physicochemical properties were explained on the basis of surfactant-polymer interactions. The addition of surfactants to LSL/PVP solutions improves electrospinnability, producing more compact and uniform fiber mats in 70:30 LSL/PVP systems, generally reducing the average diameter of the nanofibers and the number of beads. In contrast, nanofiber mats were not obtained with 90:10 LSL/PVP solutions, but different nanostructures composed of particle clusters. Dispersions of nanofiber mats obtained by electrospinning from 70:30 LSL/PVP solutions in castor oil were able to generate physically stable strong oleogels. In general, linear viscoelastic functions of oleogels increased with surfactant concentration. In addition, these oleogels exhibited excellent lubrication performance in a tribological contact, with extremely low values of the friction coefficient and wear diameters, which may lead to potential applications as lubricants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Formulation and rheological characterization of lubricating greases based on renewable resources. [•] Castor oil, high-oleic sunflower acid oil and a ricinoleic acid-derived estolide were tested as lubricant basestocks. [•] Chitosan, Kraft cellulose pulp and lithium soaps were used as thickener agents. [•] The rheological response depends on the type of vegetable oil-derived basestocks and thickener agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We simulate the fluid flow behavior in a stirred batch reactor. [•] We analyze the reactor performance through tracer evolution curve analysis. [•] We identify the best reagent feeding zone in the reactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a very important issue and the search of new alternatives is necessary. In this work, a combination of chitosan gel with silver or gold nanoparticles was prepared and characterized using thermal, rheology, bactericide, and biocompatibility analyses. ESEM images were also taken to visualize the incorporation of the nanoparticles into the gel matrix. Thermal analysis showed a better thermal stability in the chitosan-gold nanoparticles gels compared to the chitosan-silver nanoparticles gels. Rheology analyses showed that the viscosity of the gels decreased when velocity increased and there were differences in viscosity when silver and gold nanoparticles concentrations change. ESEM images showed the presence of agglomerates of silver and gold nanoparticles into the gel matrix with a good distribution; in some cases the formation of microstructures was found. Bactericide results showthat thesematerials present an antibacterial activity against S. aureus, S.mutans, and E. coli.The biocompatibility test showed neither negative reaction nor wound healing delay after the application of the gels in an in vivo test.The gels with silver and gold nanoparticles could be used to treat wound infections in oral or skin applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the capability of organo-bentonite (OBent)/recycled polypropylene (PP) and mineral oil blends to form gel-like dispersions potentially applicable as lubricating greases was explored. Specifically, the effect of both thickener concentration ratios on the rheology, thermal and some lubricant performance properties of the resulting gel-like dispersions was studied. The rheological response was qualitatively similar for all the samples studied and also similar to that found in standard lubricating greases. The plateau modulus G°N, of OBent/PP dispersions in mineral oil showed negative deviation from the additivity line and minimum values were observed for intermediate OBent/PP concentration ratios, excepting at the highest temperature studied (150°C), where a continuous increase of this viscoelastic parameter with OBent content was found. The degree of crystallinity of recycled PP in the sample was influenced by the presence of OBent. Samples formulated with lower values of OBent/PP concentration ratio yield gel-like formulations with appropriate mechanical stabilities to be used as lubricating greases. The friction coefficient evaluated in a ball-on-plate tribological contact decreased with OBent content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A hybrid hydrogel composed of chitosan and silver nanoparticles was prepared. Silver nanoparticles were synthetized prior to their incorporation into the gel and were characterized using DLS and TEM, the size of silver nanoparticles was 7nm and present spherical morphology. The chitosan gel was prepared in the presence of silver nanoparticles and was characterized using DSC and ESEM. The ability to release silver ions and the bactericide activity were also evaluated. The thermal properties of the chitosan gel containing silver nanoparticles are very similar to those presented by the chitosan gel without silver but with a slight increment on its thermal stability. This hydrogel releases silver ions during at least two weeks and its bactericide properties are comparable to that of chlorhexidine which is the antibacterial most commonly used against S. mutans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work focuses on the development of gel-like formulations for use as lubricating greases. These dispersions were formulated using mineral oil and recycled/amorphous polypropylene blends. In particular, the influence of the polypropylene concentration ratio (Wi) on the rheology, thermal and some lubricant performance properties of polymer/oil blends were studied. The rheological responses of these systems were quite different, influenced mainly by the concentration of amorphous polypropylene. At intermediate temperatures (25 °C, 50 °C) and high recycled polypropylene concentrations (Wi > 0.5), the evolution of small-amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) functions was very similar to those found with other commercial lubricating greases. Samples with lower concentrations of amorphous polypropylene (12.5%) present maximum values in the temperature range studied. An Arrhenius-type equation can be used to quantify the thermal dependence of the linear viscoelastic functions of these gel-like dispersions. In general, sample formulations studied exhibited values of the friction coefficient comparable to those found for traditional lithium lubricating greases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: mRNA-display is an amplification-based, iterative rounds of in vitro protein selection technique that circumvents a number of difficulties associated with yeast two-hybrid and phage display. Because of the covalent linkage between the genotype and the phenotype, mRNA-display provides a powerful means for reading and amplifying a peptide or protein sequence after it has been selected from a library with very high diversity. The purpose of this article is to provide a summary of the field and practical framework of mRNA-display-based selections. We summarize the advantages and limitations of selections using mRNA-display as well as the recent applications, namely, the identification of novel affinity reagents, target-binding partners, and enzyme substrates from synthetic peptide or natural proteome libraries. Practically, we provide a detailed procedure for performing mRNA-display-based selections with the aim of identifying protease substrates and binding partners of a target protein. Furthermore, we describe how to confirm the function of the selected protein sequences by biochemical assays and bioinformatic tools. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The congenital muscular dystrophies (CMDs) comprise a heterogeneous group of heritable muscle disorders with often difficult to interpret muscle pathology, making them challenging to diagnose. Serial Sanger sequencing of suspected CMD genes, while the current molecular diagnostic method of choice, can be slow and expensive. A comprehensive panel test for simultaneous screening of mutations in all known CMD-associated genes would be a more effective diagnostic strategy. Thus, the CMDs are a model disorder group for development and validation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) strategies for diagnostic and clinical care applications. Using a highly multiplexed PCR-based target enrichment method (RainDance) in conjunction with NGS, we performed mutation detection in all CMD genes of 26 samples and compared the results with Sanger sequencing. The RainDance NGS panel showed great consistency in coverage depth, on-target efficiency, versatility of mutation detection, and genotype concordance with Sanger sequencing, demonstrating the test's appropriateness for clinical use. Compared to single tests, a higher diagnostic yield was observed by panel implementation. The panel's limitation is the amplification failure of select gene-specific exons which require Sanger sequencing for test completion. Successful validation and application of the CMD NGS panel to improve the diagnostic yield in a clinical laboratory was shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The growing evidence of the beneficial role of strontium in bone has increased the interest of developing strontium-containing biomaterials for medical applications, and specifically biocompatible coatings that can be deposited on metallic implants to benefit from their load-bearing capabilities. In this work, strontium-substituted hydroxyapatite (Sr-HA) coatings have been fabricated by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) from initial targets obtained after mixing and compacting commercial HA and SrCO3 powders in different proportions. The films thus fabricated were then structurally, morphologically and chemically characterized using scanning electron microscopy, optical profilometry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The macroscopic morphology of the films presented in all cases equivalent spherical shaped aggregates of typical calcium phosphate coatings. The results reveal, however, the incorporation of Sr2+ and carbonate groups in the coatings as a function of the SrCO3 content in the ablation target, being the incorporation of Sr2+ a linear phenomenon that is accompanied by a similarly linear withdrawal of Ca2+. The role of Sr2+ in the modification of the HA structure and a possible mechanism of substitution of Sr2+ atoms in place of Ca2+ atoms are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of the present work is to evaluate the effect that different polyolefins, used as additives in small proportions, exert on the rheological properties of standard lithium lubricating greases. Grease formulations containing several polyolefins, differing in nature and molecular weight, were manufactured and rheologically characterized. The influence of the type of polymer, molecular weight, crystallinity degree and vinyl acetate content has been analyzed. Small-amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) and viscous flow measurements, as well as calorimetric (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis, were carried out. In general, the addition of polymers such as HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE and PP to lithium lubricating greases significantly increases the values of the rheological parameters analyzed, consistency and mechanical stability. However, the use of polyolefins as rheology modifiers does not significantly affect the friction coefficient determined in a tribological contact. The crystallinity degree, mainly dependent on the nature of the polymer, has been found the most highly influencing parameter on the rheology of the lubricating greases studied. However, the rheological modification exerted by EVA copolymers mainly depends on the vinyl acetate content. Thus, a negative effect in both apparent viscosity and linear viscoelastic functions of greases was obtained when polymer vinyl acetate content is higher than 28% (w/w). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Dysphagia, or abnormal swallowing of foods and/or liquids, may result as a consequence of different common diseases. Management of dysphagia is commonly done by the prescription of texture-controlled diets. The aim of the present study was to characterize the rheological behaviour, as a function of ageing, of a new ready-to-serve dysphagia diet food with spoon-like consistency (pudding). Linear (small amplitude oscillatory shear) and non-linear (steady-state flow and relaxation) material functions were measured as a function of product shelf-life at different storage temperatures. From the experimental results obtained, it may be concluded that both linear viscoelasticity moduli and viscosities of the commercial pudding studied always increase with ageing, showing maximum values for samples stored at 40 °C. A power-law model describes the frequency dependence of pudding elastic modulus. The power-law index shows minimum values for the sample stored at 40 °C, and does not depend on ageing. Linear viscoelasticity functions versus frequency curves, as a function of ageing, can be superposed into a master one. The non-linear relaxation modulus is factorable into time and strain dependent components. Commercial pudding Sauter’s diameter increases with ageing and storage temperature. However, the differences are not large enough to explain the significant increase in the rheological functions found during storage at high temperature. Protein aggregation enhancement in the continuous phase, during storage at high temperature, may explain the experimental results obtained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article examines one study which investigates the performance of a specific algorithm combining assessment of ductus venosus flow with maternal age, fetal nuchal translucency and fetal heart rate in the screening of trisomies 21, 18 and 13 and Turner syndrome. A number of pregnant women underwent screening and their a-wave results was thoroughly considered. Data analysis revealed that assessment of ductus venosus flow can improve the performance of first-trimester screening for aneuploidies.

The article examines the impact of first-trimester screening and assessment of tricuspid flow of pregnant women for trisomies and Turner syndrome. It is observed that the assessment of tricuspid flow increases the detection rate of trisomy and Turner syndrome. It concludes that assessment of tricuspid flow could improve the performance of first-trimester screening for trisomy 21.

The terrestrial experiments with neutrinos realized in last decade try to set limits on the parameters that determine its oscillations, as the differences of masses and the mixing angles. In the usual treatment of oscillations the neutrinos are considered like overlap of plane waves of equal moment, the oscillation is due to the coherence of these waves. The neutrinos of reactors and accelerators are produced in a relatively wide range of energy that does that coherence be losed after so-called length of coherence. In this work we derived the length of coherence for any distribution of energy of neutrinos. We apply the concept of coherence length for interpretating the results of the experiments of accelerators in three families context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work, the use of reactive diisocyanate-terminated polymeric materials as rheology modifiers of lubricating greases has been studied. Particularly, the influences that free NCO content, molecular weight and functionality of the reactive prepolymers exert on the rheological response and microstructure of lubricating greases were analyzed. With this aim, NCO-terminated prepolymers were prepared from several di and trifunctional polyols and polymeric MDI. Afterwards, the reaction between terminal isocyanate groups and the hydroxy group located in the hydrocarbon chain of the 12-hydroxystearate lithium soap, used as thickener, was promoted during processing of lubricating greases. Polymeric materials used as additives and final lubricating greases were characterized by FTIR, DSC and GPC techniques. The effectiveness of these reactive additives was tested by performing small-amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS), as well as standardized mechanical stability tests, on final greases. The rheological response was related to the microstructure of these greases, characterized by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM). From the experimental results obtained, it may be concluded that the effectiveness of these polymeric additives to modify the rheology of greases is due to the progress of the reaction between terminal isocyanate groups and the hydroxy group of lithium soap. However, a large dependence on both free NCO content and prepolymer molecular weight was found. Experimental results confirm that a balance between prepolymer molecular weight and NCO content is necessary to reach an optimal rheological modification of lithium greases. Moreover, this balance is a function of grease ageing, due to the progress of the reaction promoted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work deals with the influence that the addition of poly(1,4-butanediol) tolylene 2,4-diisocyanate terminated prepolymer (PBTDI) at different stages during the manufacturing process of a traditional lithium lubricating grease exerts on its rheological and morphological characteristics. With this aim, the reaction between terminal isocyanate groups and the hydroxy group located in the hydrocarbon chain of the 12-hydroxystearate lithium soap was intended to be promoted during lubricating grease processing. Several PBTDI-based greases just differing in the process stage at which this polymer was added were prepared. The polymer used and the final lubricating greases were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and DSC techniques. The effect of PBTDI addition at different processing stages was tested on final greases by performing small-amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) measurements as well as atomic force microscopy (AFM) observations. Addition of PBTDI significantly increased the values of the linear viscoelasticity functions when it was added during the final cooling stage of the manufacturing process. It was demonstrated that this increment in relation to the values found for the additive-free lubricating grease was only observed when PBTDI chemically interacted with the soap network. However, the effectiveness of PBTDI as rheology modifier was much lower when the addition took place at earlier steps of the manufacturing process. Some competitive reactions due to either the presence of water or the high temperatures applied have been proposed to explain this loss of effectiveness depending on the lubricating grease processing stage at which PBTDI was added. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nucleobindin-1 (NUCB1) and nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2) are multifunctional proteins that interact with Ca2+, nucleic acids and various regulatory proteins in different signaling pathways. So far, our understanding of the regulation of the biological functions of nucleobindins remains limited. In our proteome-wide selection for downstream caspase substrates, both NUCB1 and NUCB2 are found to be the downstream substrates of caspases. We report here the detailed analyses of the cleavage of nucleobindins by caspases. Significantly, the caspase cleavage sites are located exactly at one of the Ca2+-binding EF-hand motifs. Our results suggest that the functions of nucleobindins could be modulated by caspase-mediated cleavage in apoptosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: BNIP-2 and BNIP-XL are BCH domain-containing proteins that are implicated in programmed cell death. It has been reported that overexpression of BNIP-2 in neuroblastoma cell lines resulted in massive cell death, whereas BNIP-XL was upregulated during NGF-depletion-induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma and was involved in the regulation of differentiation, survival, and aggressiveness of tumor cells. Despite their importance in apoptosis, our understanding of BNIP-2 containing proteins is limited. In this communication, we demonstrate that both BNIP-2 and BNIP-XL are cleaved by caspases during apoptosis. Significantly, the caspase cleavage sites on BNIP-2 are located on its N-terminal EF-hand motif, while that on BNIP-XL is located upstream of the C-terminal BCH domain. Our results suggest that the caspase-mediated cleavage of BNIP-2 and BNIP-XL could result in the release of the BCH domain or smaller fragments that are crucial for their proapoptotic activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The zebrafish model has been widely used to investigate numerous signaling pathways in vertebrates, including programmed cell death. Although several zebrafish proteins homologous to mammalian caspases have been identified, our understanding of these zebrafish caspases is still limited. Recently, we identified a large number of natural caspase-3 substrates from the human proteome by using the mRNA-display selection method. Through comparative analysis, we found that the cleavage sites on some of these novel human caspase-3 substrates are highly conserved in their zebrafish orthologs. We report here the identification and characterization of 14 natural zebrafish caspase-3 substrates that have not yet been previously studied. The specific cleavage of these zebrafish proteins was compared with caspases from different species, and the protein fragments that contain the putative cleavage sites were mapped. The work described here could facilitate our understanding of the downstream signaling pathways that are mediated by caspase-3 in zebrafish. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Matrin 3 is a nuclear matrix protein that has been implicated in interacting with other nuclear proteins to anchor hyperedited RNAs to the nuclear matrix, in modulating the activity of proximal promoters, and as the main PKA substrate following NMDA receptor activation. In our proteome-wide selections for calmodulin (CaM) binding proteins and for caspase substrates using mRNA-displayed human proteome libraries, matrin 3 was identified as both a Ca2+-dependent CaM-binding protein and a downstream substrate of caspases. We report here, the in vitro characterization of the CaM-binding motif and the caspase cleavage site on matrin 3. Significantly, the Ca2+/CaM-binding motif is partially overlapped by the RRM of matrin 3 and is also very close to the bipartite NLS that is essential for its nuclear localization. The caspase cleavage site is downstream of the NLS but upstream of the second U1-like zinc finger. Our results suggest that the functions of matrin 3 could be regulated by both Ca2+-dependent interaction with CaM and caspase-mediated cleavage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Caspases are proteolytic enzymes that are essential for apoptosis. Understanding the many discrete and interacting signaling pathways mediated by caspases requires the identification of the natural substrate repertoire for each caspase of interest. Using an amplification-based protein selection technique called mRNA display, we developed a high-throughput screen platform for caspase family member specific substrates on a proteome-wide scale. A large number of both known and previously uncharacterized caspase-3 substrates were identified from the human proteome. The proteolytic features of these selected substrates, including their cleavage sites and specificities, were characterized. Substrates that were cleaved only by caspase-8 or granzyme B but not by caspase-3, were readily selected. The method can be widely applied for efficient and systematic identification of the family member specific natural substrate repertoire of any caspase in an organism of interest, in addition to that of numerous other proteases with high specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AKT kinase, also known as protein kinase B, is a key regulator of cell growth, proliferation, and metabolism. The activation of the AKT signaling pathway is one of the most frequent molecular alterations in a wide variety of human cancers. Dickson and coworkers recently observed that Ca2+·calmodulin (Ca2+·CaM) may be a common regulator of AKT1 activation (Deb, T. B., Coticchia, C. M., and Dickson, R. B. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 38903-38911). In our efforts to scan the mRNA-displayed proteome libraries for Ca2+·CaM-binding proteins, we found that both human and Caenorhabditis elegans AKT1 kinases bound to CaM in a Ca2+-dependent manner (Shen, X., Valencia, C. A., Szostak, J., Dong, B., and Liu, R. (2005) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 102, 5969-5974 and Shen, X., Valencia, C. A., Gao, W., Cotten, S. W., Dong, B., Chen, M., and Liu, R. (2007) submitted for publication). Here we demonstrate that Ca2+·CaM and human AKT1 were efficiently co-immunoprecipitated, and their interaction was direct rather than mediated by other proteins. The binding is in part attributed to the first 42 residues of the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, a region that is critical for the recognition of its lipid ligands. The PH domain of human AKT1 can disrupt the complex of the full-length AKT1 with Ca2+·CaM. In addition, Ca2+·CaM competes with phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphophate for interaction with the PH domain of human AKT1. Our findings suggest that Ca2+·CaM is directly involved in regulating the functions of AKT1, presumably by releasing the activated AKT1 from the plasma membrane and/or prohibiting it from re-association with phosphoinositides on plasma membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The recovery of plastic waste but also its applicability in product development may be an incentive to industry, since the use of such plastics represents a cheaper source of raw material. The aim of the present paper is to study the feasibility of recycling polyolefins as additives to improve the rheological properties of lithium 12-hydroxystearate lubricating greases. The effects that both soap and recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE) concentration exert on the rheology of lithium lubricating greases and its relationship with grease microstructure are discussed in this work. In this way, different lubricating grease formulations were manufactured by modifying the concentration of lithium 12-hydroxystearate and content of recycled LDPE, according to a RSM statistical design. These lubricating greases were rheologically characterized through small-amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) and viscous flow measurements. In addition to these, scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) observations and mechanical stability tests were also carried out. Recycled LDPE was found to be an effective additive to modify grease rheology, acting as filler in the soap entangled microstructure. The values of both apparent viscosity and viscoelastic functions in the linear viscoelastic region increase with soap and recycled polymer concentrations. However, the addition of recycled LDPE distort the microstructural network of these greases resulting greases with less relative elastic characteristics and poorer mechanical properties as LDPE content increases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The calcium ion (Ca2+) is a ubiquitous second messenger that is crucial for the regulation of a wide variety of cellular processes. The diverse transient signals transduced by Ca2+ are mediated by intracellular Ca2+-binding proteins, also known as Ca2+ sensors. A key obstacle to studying many Ca2+-sensing proteins is the difficulty in identifying the numerous downstream target interactions that respond to Ca2+-induced conformational changes. Among a number of Ca2+ sensors in the eukaryotic cell, calmodulin (CaM) is the most widespread and the best studied. Employing the mRNA display technique, we have scanned the human proteome for CaM-binding proteins and have identified and characterized a large number of both known and previously uncharacterized proteins that interact with CaM in a Ca2+-dependent manner. The interactions of several identified proteins with Ca2+/CaM were confirmed by using pull-down assays and coimmunoprecipitation. Many of the CaM-binding proteins identified belong to protein families such as the DEAD/H box proteins, ribosomal proteins, proteasome 26S subunits, and deubiquitinating enzymes, suggesting the possible involvement of Ca2+/CaM in different signaling pathways. The selection method described herein could be used to identify the binding partners of other calcium sensors on the proteome-wide scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato paste is used as an ingredient for the manufacture of tomato ketchup. This paper deals with the influence that some tomato paste processing variables (finisher screen opening and breaking temperature) and tomato variety exert on the linear viscoelastic properties of tomato ketchup. Two tomato varieties (H-282 and H-282F) were used. H-282 is a commercial variety whilst H-282F is a variety with a lower content in polygalacturonase (PG). Dynamic viscoelastic tests and particle size distribution measurements were carried out. Viscoelastic properties of tomato ketchup were mainly related to their mean volume diameter, tomato paste water-insoluble solids content (that depended on the tomato paste processing) and tomato variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the characterization and modeling of the non-linear rheological properties of tomato paste samples manufactured under different conditions (sieve pore size and breaking temperature). With this aim, flow measurements, dynamic linear viscoelastic and linear and non-linear stress relaxation tests have been carried out on the above-mentioned tomato paste samples. Different geometries with smooth and serrated surfaces have been used to optimize the viscous flow measurements and avoid wall-depletion phenomena. The viscous flow properties of tomato paste samples depend on water insoluble solids (WIS) content and particle size, which may be highly influenced by processing conditions. In general, viscosity follows a power-law relationship with tomato paste water insoluble content and particle diameter. A factorable non-linear viscoelasticity model, the Wagner integral equation, predicts the non-linear rheological response of these products under shear fairly well. The time-dependent part of this model is described by a continuous linear relaxation spectrum, calculated from regularization techniques. The use of the Soskey–Winter damping function provides the best predictions of the viscous flow curves. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Neurospora crassa homologue of the yeast no message in thiamine (nmt-1) gene was characterized. The deduced 342-amino-acid gene product has more than 60% identity with other fungal homologues and 42% similarity to a putative bacterial permease. In addition to three introns disrupting the coding sequence, a differentially spliced intron in the 5′ untranslated region was also detected. Unlike other fungi, the N. crassa nmt-1 gene is repressed only 6- to 8-fold by exogenous thiamine concentrations above 0.5 µM; and a high basal level of nmt-1 mRNA persists even at 5 µM thiamine. Immuno-blotting with purified antibodies detected two variants of NMT-1 which differ in size and charge. The more abundant 39-kDa form is more strongly repressed by thiamine than the 37-kDa protein. NMT-1 abundance modulates slowly in response to changes in the concentration of exogenous thiamine, suggesting that N. crassa maintains thiamine reserves in excess of immediate needs. Disruption of the nmt-1 gene demonstrated that it is essential for growth in the absence of exogenous thiamine. NMT-1-deficient strains had a growth rate and colony density which was about 70% of the wild type, despite supplementation with a wide range of exogenous thiamine. These results suggest that the nmt-1 gene plays some other role in addition to thiamine biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT: This article deals with the influence that the addition of tomato slurry into tomato juice exerts on the viscous flow and linear viscoelastic behavior of the final tomato paste. With this aim, 5 tomato paste samples, manufactured at industrial scale, have been studied. Three breaking temperatures and 2 different screen sizes were used to prepare 4 regular tomato paste samples. Moreover, a tomato paste sample with addition of 'treated tomato slurry' was manufactured using a breaking temperature of 80 °C and a sieve screen size of 1.2 mm. The results obtained suggest that the addition of treated tomato slurry may be of great interest for tomato paste production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ethylene (C2H4)–N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) binary system at 293.25, 303.05 and 323.05 K and pressures up to 18 MPa presents only a vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) behavior. The ethane (C2H6)–N,N-dimethylformamide binary system behaves quite differently. In fact this latter displays not only a vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) behavior but also liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) and vapor–liquid–liquid equilibrium (VLLE) behaviors. The ethane–N,N-dimethylformamide binary system has been studied at 264.45, 278.55, 293.15 and 313.35 K up to 18 MPa. Both systems are correlated using the Peng–Robinson equation-of-state with Wong–Sandler mixing rules. A stability test based on the tangent plan criterion, as described by Michelsen, is carried out during the flash calculations made on the ethane–N,N-dimethylformamide binary system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives – To analyze the correlation between blood pressure (BP) variability and leukoaraiosis (LA) amount in patients with symptomatic cerebral small-vessel disease. Materials and methods – We included 25 hypertensive patients: 13 with Binswanger's disease (BD) and 12 with a first-ever lacunar infarction (LI). Baseline office BP was obtained for 3 consecutive weeks. From a 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring performed 1 week later we obtained average systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP for daytime, nighttime and 24-h periods. SBP and DBP variability was defined as the within-subject standard deviation of all readings. A standardized cerebral MR was performed in each patient and an LA score was calculated. Results – No statistically significant correlation was obtained between the LA score and any of the following BP values: 1) Baseline SBP and DBP; 2) 24-h, daytime or nighttime SBP and DBP, and 3) 24-h, daytime or nighttime SBP and DBP variability. Conclusion – Increased BP variability is not associated with greater amounts of leukoaraiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the proposals of Black conservatives for socio-political solutions to the problems of the African-American community. Philosophies and functions of Black conservatism; Self-help and the affirmative action policy in 1964; Education in the African-American communities; Views on the oppression of African-American conservatives and liberals.

A system that accomplishes compression using sphere packing with the support of a hyper-elliptic curve providing encryption is presented. In addition, with use of channel code algorithms, high consistency is achieved and the expansion factor is calculated. Results of simulation are also presented where the hyper-elliptic curve encryption is concatenated with sphere packing, followed by a non-binary low density parity check encoder and sphere packing modulation. A gain of 8 dB over uncoded QPSK modulation for BER=10-4 is achieved on a two tap fading channel. Finally, system complexity is presented for a system based on symbols and a system based on bits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation The integration of multi-omic data using machine learning methods has been focused on solving relevant tasks such as predicting sensitivity to a drug or subtyping patients. Recent integration methods, such as joint Non-negative Matrix Factorization, have allowed researchers to exploit the information in the data to unravel the biological processes of multi-omic datasets. Results We present a novel method called Multi-project and Multi-profile joint Non-negative Matrix Factorization capable of integrating data from different sources, such as experimental and observational multi-omic data. The method can generate co-clusters between observations, predict profiles and relate latent variables. We applied the method to integrate low-grade glioma omic profiles from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia projects. The method allowed us to find gene clusters mainly enriched in cancer-associated terms. We identified groups of patients and cell lines similar to each other by comparing biological processes. We predicted the drug profile for patients, and we identified genetic signatures for resistant and sensitive tumors to a specific drug. Availability and implementation Source code repository is publicly available at https:/bitbucket.org/dsalazarb/mmjnmf/-Zenodo DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5150920. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses a clinical exome analysis on the blood and saliva samples of patients without bone marrow transplants (BMTs).