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Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), the first enzyme regulating lipid synthesis, promotes thrombus formation by increasing platelet phospholipid content. Inhibition of its activity decreases lipogenesis and increases the content in acetyl-CoA which can serve as a substrate for protein acetylation. This posttranslational modification plays a key role in the regulation of platelet aggregation, via tubulin acetylation. To demonstrate that ACC inhibition may affect platelet functions via an alteration of lipid content and/or tubulin acetylation. Platelets were treated 2 hours with CP640.186, a pharmacological ACC inhibitor, prior to thrombin stimulation. Platelet functions were assessed by aggregometry and flow cytometry. Lipogenesis was measured via 14C-acetate incorporation into lipids. Lipidomics analysis was carried out on the commercial Lipidyzer platform. Protein phosphorylation and acetylation were evaluated by western blot. Treatment with CP640.186 drastically decreased platelet lipogenesis. However, the quantitative lipidomics analyses showed that preincubation with the compound did not affect global platelet lipid content. Interestingly, this short-term ACC inhibition was sufficient to increase tubulin acetylation level, at basal state and after thrombin stimulation. It was associated with an impaired platelet aggregation, in response to low thrombin concentration, while granules secretion was not affected. Mechanistically, we highlighted a decrease in Rac1 activity, associated with a reduced phosphorylation of its downstream effector PAK2. Surprisingly, actin cytoskeleton was not impacted but we evidenced a significant decrease in ROS production, which could result from a decreased NOX2 activity. Pharmacological ACC inhibition decreases platelet aggregation upon thrombin stimulation. The mechanism depends on increased tubulin acetylation, with subsequent alteration of the Rac1/PAK2/NOX2 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of the present paper was to investigate the efficiency of polyether polyol as shrinkage-reducing admixture on pastes and mortars prepared with calcium sulfoaluminate cement (CSA). CSA was prepared by mixing CSA clinker and re-crystallized gypsum in different proportions. Three types of polyether polyol were added at a dosage of 1.5wt% of CSA when hydrating pure pastes and standard mortars. The engineering properties of mortars (compressive strength, drying shrinkage) and the microstructure of pastes were investigated. The results show that polyol reduces drying shrinkage of CSA-based mortars without affecting the nature of hydrates formed. The effect of polyol mainly depends on its molecular weight. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The development of cement-based screed unbound to its support is still limited because of the curling that occurs at the corners and perimeter of the screed. This phenomenon is mainly due to the moisture gradient that appears within the thickness of the screed: the upper surface dries and shrinks, whereas lower regions dry less and stay wetter. This paper demonstrates this phenomenon can be mitigated through the use of calcium sulfoaluminate cement instead of ordinary Portland cement. Experiments utilizing an original, specially designed device, show that curling is 3.5 times lower when calcium sulfoaluminate cement is used compared to ordinary Portland cement. The moisture gradient within the thickness of the screed is also lower. A model based on simplified poroelasticity theory describes both fluid transfer and hydro-mechanical coupling. The comparison between experimental and calculated results shows that the model gives a good estimation of the kinetics of the mass loss, and that the numerical simulation is an effective tool to predict curling due to drying. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents the results of a laboratory study undertaken to examine the treatment of demolition waste containing calcium sulfate by means of calcium sulfoaluminate clinker (CSA). The quantity of CSA necessary to entirely consume calcium sulfate was determined. Using infrared spectrometry analysis and X-ray diffraction, it was shown that calcium sulfate was entirely consumed when the ratio between CSA and calcium sulfate was 4. Standard sand was polluted by 4% calcium sulfate. Two solutions were investigated: [•] either global treatment of sand by CSA, [•] or immobilization of calcium sulfate by CSA, followed by the introduction of this milled mixture in standard sand. Regardless of the type of treatment, swelling was almost stabilized after 28 days of immersion in water. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper presents four innovative utilizations of calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement:–development of concrete with high early strength: 40 MPa, 6 h after its preparation, and higher than 55 MPa after 24 h,–design of self-leveling screed with limited curling, when unbonded to its support,–design of self-leveling topping mortar presenting the following properties: time of workability higher than 30 min, set within 75 min, and low drying shrinkage (<250μm/m).–glass-fiber-reinforced cement (GFRC) composites that can be demolded 4 h after casting and present high ductility and durability after aging in different weathering conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Every year in EU nations, it is estimated that 3 million tonnes of automotive shredder residue (ASR) are generated. Half of the ASR is composed of rubber, textiles and plastics, which can be either transformed into alternative fuel or recycled. The second half, which is landfilled, is incombustible and has not yet been valorized.This waste contains 30% organic matter, as well as inorganic compounds such as quartz, calcite, magnetite, hematite, and anhydrite. It is also very rich in zinc (1–3.5%) and lead (0.7–3.3%). These elements are powerful retarders of ordinary Portland cement. For this reason, two ways of processing of this waste have been investigated: (1) transformation into aggregates after a thermal treatment followed by a chemical treatment or (2) directly into concrete with the use of calcium sulfoaluminate cement.This second way is especially very interesting for engineers and scientists. As established by leaching tests, zinc and lead are integrated and fixed in the structure of ettringite, the main hydration product of calcium sulfoaluminate cement. Therefore, it is possible to produce concrete for some applications including road construction from this currently landfilled “waste” (i.e., the ASR is shown to be useful recyclable material that can be converted into an environmentally friendly “green” concrete). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives Activation of the adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) leads to phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) on serine 79 (phosphoACC) and its subsequent inhibition. Given the role of AMPK-ACC signaling in platelet lipid metabolism and function, this pathway could be affected in the platelets of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), where the atherogenic environment has an impact on platelet biology. We hypothesized that platelet AMPKACC signaling is activated by atherogenic lipids and could be considered as a metabolic signature in high-risk CAD patients. We also explored the consequences of platelet phosphoACC on platelet lipid metabolic profile. Approach and results Blood samples from 188 consecutive patients admitted for coronary angiography were processed. Lipid extracts from the platelets of 31 patients were subjected to lipidomic analysis. PhosphoACC level in circulating platelets of CAD patients were significantly increased and was linked to the severity of coronary artery calcification as well as acute coronary syndrome (OR: 6.71, 95% CI: 2.06–21.91; P = 0.002). The triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio, a well-known atherogenic marker, was strongly associated with increased phosphoACC in our CAD cohort. Hence, oxLDL activated AMPK-ACC signaling through a CD36-dependent pathway. Lipidomic analysis revealed that increased phosphoACC led to a down-regulation of intraplatelet TG, particularly of those containing C14:0 fatty acid chains. Conclusion Platelet phosphoACC is a marker for risk stratification in suspected CAD patients and reveals an interaction between platelets and lipids. Inhibitory phosphoACC impacts platelet lipid content by down-regulating TG, which in turn may affect platelet function (ACCTHEROMA, NCT03034148). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We study solitary wave solutions to the focusing nonlinear cubic Schrödinger equation on the surface of a torus. • We identify bright-solitary-waves localized in both angular directions. • We identify bright-solitary-waves localized in one direction and homogeneous in the other. • The stability properties of the waves are examined and one family is found to be spectrally stable. • Dynamics can give rise to collapse or to oscillations around the spectrally stable solution family. Motivated by recent developments in the realm of matter waves, we explore the potential of creating solitary waves on the surface of a torus. This is an intriguing perspective due to the role of curvature in the shape and dynamics of the coherent structures. We find different families of bright solitary waves for attractive nonlinearities including ones localized in both angular directions, as well as waves localized in one direction and homogeneous in the other. The waves localized in both angular directions have also been partitioned into two types: those whose magnitude decays to zero and those who do not. The stability properties of the waves are examined and one family is found to be spectrally stable in a suitable parametric regime while most are spectrally unstable, a feature that we comment on. Finally, the nature of the ensuing nonlinear dynamics is touched upon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty to fifty percent of patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LA SCCHN) relapse despite multimodal treatment. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has the potential to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) after curative-intent therapy and to identify earlier which patients will progress. We developed a tumor-agnostic plasma ctDNA assay to detect MRD in unselected LA SCCHN with the aim of predicting progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival without the need for tumor sequencing. A 26-gene next-generation sequencing panel was constructed that included the most frequently mutated genes in SCCHN and two HPV-16 genes. MRD was assessed in each patient through an in-house informatic workflow informed by somatic mutations identified in the corresponding pre-treatment plasma sample. The presence of MRD was defined as the detection of ctDNA in one plasma sample collected within 1-12 weeks of the end of curative treatment. The primary endpoint was the PFS rate at 2 years. At least 32 patients were planned for inclusion with the hypothesis that PFS at 2 years was >80% in MRD-negative patients and <30% in MRD-positive patients (α = 0.05, β = 0.9). We sequenced DNA from 116 plasma samples derived from 53 LA SCCHN patients who underwent curative-intent treatment. ctDNA was detected in 41/53 (77%) patients in the pre-treatment samples. Out of these 41 patients, 17 (41%) were MRD positive after treatment. The 2-year PFS rate was 23.53% (9.9% to 55.4%) and 86.6% (73.4% to 100%) in MRD-positive and MRD-negative patients, respectively (P < 0.05). Median survival was 28.37 months (14.30 months-not estimable) for MRD-positive patients and was not reached for the MRD-negative cohort (P = 0.011). Our ctDNA assay detects MRD in LA SCCHN and predicts disease progression and survival without the need for tumor sequencing, making this approach easily applicable in daily practice. • ctDNA may detect MRD after curative-intent therapy and allow the early identification of patients likely to progress. • A tumor-agnostic ctDNA assay was designed for LA SCCHN. • The assay detects MRD in LA SCCHN and predicts PFS and survival without the need for tumor sequencing. • This tumor-agnostic approach has the potential to be used broadly, and further studies are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Calcium Carbide method is a classical field technic for residual water evaluation. • Study focuses on residual water evaluation on model materials for SLU applications. • Comparison of residual water measurements techniques evidence biases. • Residual water evaluation is highly dependents of hydrates microstructure. • New evaluation techniques are proposed for material with weakly bound water. Abstract A self-leveling underlayment is a thin layer used to smooth floors and has to contain a very low level of residual water prior to covering with the final coating. Therefore, the evaluation of residual water is a key point. The aim of this study is to compare two residual water evaluation techniques: the calcium carbide method (CCM) and oven drying at 40 °C. The following model materials are investigated: silica, gypsum, plaster, and ettringite. The CCM measurements provide an effective indicator of free water for silica and gypsum. Although not a field measurement, oven drying offers a reliable and truly representative measure of the residual water, regardless of the material used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The water resistance of plaster of Paris is limited due to the high solubility of calcium sulphate hemihydrate. In order to improve this resistance, calcium sulphoaluminate clinker was added to plaster at different contents: 30, 50, and 70%. Mortars were cast using these new binders and subjected to the Soxhlet extraction test. The presence of calcium sulphoaluminate clinker considerably reduced the quantity of sulphate extracted per day and after 5days: from 78.9% to 89.1%. The analysis of microstructure showed the stability of ettringite during the leaching test and the refinement of the porosity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Materials with a cement matrix classically present early-age volume variations (shrinkage and/or swelling). This intrinsic early-age behavior strongly influences the length of time the buildings and structures will last because of the micro-cracking and cracking that results from it. One explanation for the macroscopic shrinkage is the presence of pore pressure in the porous medium. In this study, fine modeling of the coupling mechanism behind these internal strains is proposed. The chemical reaction associated with hydration is considered as the main force behind the hydric and mechanical evolutions in an endogenous configuration. Thus, the influence of chemical contraction, porosity, pore-size distribution and pore pressure are central to the study in the light of the numerical and experimental results obtained. A self-leveling layer of mortar of sulfo-aluminous concrete base was used. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Phosphogypsum (calcium sulfate) is a naturally occurring part of the process of creating phosphoric acid (H3PO4), an essential component of many modern fertilizers. For every tonne of phosphoric acid made, from the reaction of phosphate rock with acid, commonly sulfuric acid, about 3t of phosphogypsum are created. There are three options for managing phosphogypsum: (i) disposal or dumping, (ii) stacking, (iii) use-in, for example, agriculture, construction, or landfill. This paper presents the valorization of two Tunisian phosphogypsums (referred as G and S) in calcium sulfoaluminate cement in the following proportions: 70% phosphogypsum–30% calcium sulfoaluminate clinker. The use of sample G leads to the production of a hydraulic binder which means that it is not destroyed when immersed in water. The binder including sample S performs very well when cured in air but is not resistant in water. Formation of massive ettringite in a rigid body leads to cracking and strength loss. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Early-age volume variations of self-leveling mortar of sulfo-aluminous cement base are evaluated in an endogenous configuration and during the drying process. Two displacement measuring techniques are used: a classical method using displacement sensors and a more original one using digital 3-D image correlation. The latter technique reveals itself to be very useful in measuring shrinkage and swelling as soon as the screed is poured. An advanced hydromechanical modelization confirms on the one hand the amplitude of the deformations measured by digital 3-D image correlation and underlines on the other the importance of Young''s modulus concerning this amplitude. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]