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The results of the first run (December 2020) for the commissioning of the new superconducting synchrotron Booster at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research are presented. Vacuum conditions and measurements of the lifetime of the single-charged helium ion beam at injection energy of 3.2 MeV per nucleon have been analyzed and the acceleration of ions up to energy of 100 MeV per nucleon has been demonstrated. The measured lifetime of the beam $${{\tau }_{{\exp}}} = (1.32 \pm 0.06)$$ s is compared to the theoretical value $${{\tau }_{{{\text{theor}}}}} = (1.74 \pm 0.50)$$ s calculated with original program code. The results of the first switching-on of the electron cooling system are presented.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of deproteinized bovine bone mineral with 10% collagen alone (DBBMC) or with enamel matrix derivative (DBBMC-EMD) in ridge preservation. METHODS: 42 maxillary anterior teeth were extracted and received either a DBBMC (control) or DBBMC-EMD (test) treatment protocol. CBCT taken before and 4 months after the extraction procedure was used to measure changes in alveolar ridge width (RW), buccal bone height (BH) and palatal bone height (PH). Bone cores were harvested during implant osteotomy preparation and the samples processed histomorphometrically to assess the fraction of new bone (%NB), residual graft (%RG), and soft tissue matrix (%STM). RESULTS: Overall, both treatment groups showed significant reductions in mean RW from baseline to 4 months after extraction, but no significant change in either mean BH or PH over this time. When CBCT measurements were analysed according to the initial thickness of the buccal wall (BT

Ni(II) complexes of the Schiff base of the chiral auxiliary (S)-2-N-(N′-benzylprolyl)aminobenzophenone (BPB) and α-substituted propargylglycines as the initial complexes in the Glaser reaction were...

The use of bioactive materials has become a standard tool in the arsenal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Bioactive materials have gained great attention due to their ability to mimic tissues physically, chemically and mechanically. Although a plethora of both natural and synthetic polymers have been identified, wool-based keratin which has a natural propensity to self-assemble, is biocompatible, cytocompatible, biodegradable, non-toxic and non-immunogenic, can also diminish the adhesion and growth of bacterial biofilm. Keratin based materials have been subsequently been applied in various tissue engineering applications from wound healing to drug and growth factor delivery to bone regeneration. This review focuses on the key properties of keratin including porosity and pore size, swelling rate, degradation rate, wettability and mechanical properties responsible for its biofunctional activity, as well as recent advances in keratin-based biomaterials for biomedical applications.

Phase equilibria in the Ag2Te-PbTe-Sb2Te3 system were experimentally investigated by means of differential thermal analysis, powder X-ray diffraction techniques and electromotive force (EMF) measurement method. A liquidus surface projection of the system, 750 K and 300 K isothermal sections, as well as five vertical sections of the phase diagram, were constructed. The primary crystallization fields of phases and homogeneity range of phases were also determined. The character and temperature of the various nonvariant and monovariant equilibria were identified. The studied sys-tem is characterized by the formation of a wide continuous band of a high-temperature cubic structured solid solution (?-phase) between PbTe and Ag1-xSb1 + xTe2 + x intermediate phase. The partial molar thermodynamic functions of lead telluride in alloys and standard integral thermodynamic functions of the ?-solid solutions along the 2PbTe-"AgSbTe2" section were calculated based on the EMF measurements results.

The current research reports the antibacterial effects of silver (Ag) and citric acid coated iron oxide (Fe3O4) NPs on Escherichia coli wild type and kanamycin-resistant strains, as well as on Salmonella typhimurium MDC1759. NPs demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against these bacteria, but antibacterial effect of Ag NPs is more pronounced at low concentrations. Ag NPs inhibited 60–90% of S. typhimurium and drug-resistant E. coli. The latter is more sensitive to Fe3O4 NPs than wild type strain: the number of bacterial colonies is decreased ~ 4-fold. To explain possible mechanisms of NPs action, H+-fluxes through the bacterial membrane and the H+-translocating FOF1-ATPase activity of bacterial membrane vesicles were studied. N,N′-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD)-sensitive ATPase activity was increased up to ~ 1.5-fold in the presence of Fe3O4 NPs. ATPase activity was not detected by Ag NPs even in the presence of DCCD, which confirms the bactericidal effect of these NPs. The H+-fluxes were changed by NPs and by addition of DCCD. H2 yield was inhibited by NPs; the inhibition by Ag NPs is stronger than by Fe3O4 NPs. NPs showed antibacterial effect in bacteria studied in concentration-dependent manner by changing in membrane permeability and membrane-bound enzyme activity. The FOF1-ATPase is suggested might be a target for NPs.

Introduction. Tartrazine is an azofood additive widely used in the pharmaceu-cal, cosmetic, food, and other industries. Objective. To assess the effects of tartrazineon the attitude to move and to eat, and histological changes in digestive, and renal sys-tem, after an acute treatment on a biological model the snail Helix aspersa. Material and Methods. Snails were exposed orally, and by contact to flour contaminated with this dye for 24 hours. Adult snails were divided into two groups of 20 animals each. The control group fed flour alone. The experimental group was administered orally with flour treated with tartrazine (200mg/g flour). Results. The observation of behaviour revealed inhibitory effects of tartrazine on locomotion, and nutrition of snails. Histolo-gical examination of intestines, hepatopancreas, and kidney of treated animals showed altered tissue structures, with advanced degeneration of digestive tubules, connective tissue, and smooth muscle fibers of the walls surrounding the three organs, in response to tartrazine, compared to controls. Conclusion. This study suggests that acute exposure to tartrazine may lead to disorders in locomotor, and nutritional behavior, in addition to tissue alterations. Therefore, this study on behavior, supported by histological changes in H. Aspersa can be used as potential biomarkers of exposure to other azodyes.

Purpose: This systematic review was carried out to investigate the effects of keratin and chitosan hydrogel preparations on dental implant osseointegration. Materials and Methods: The electronic search was conducted on five databases: Scopus, EBSCOhost MEDLINE, EBSCOhost Dentistry and Oral Science, PubMed, and Web of Science. Studies that determined the in vitro or in vivo efficacy of keratin and chitosan hydrogel on osseointegration were included in the review. Results: Of the 760 studies initially gathered, nine met the inclusion criteria. These studies demonstrated that dental implants coated with keratin and chitosan hydrogels resulted in improved biological properties. It was also concluded that the inclusion of chitosan in keratin hydrogels improves the mechanical strength and helps increase durability through ameliorating degradation and swelling characters. Both the polymers increased bone-implant contact and new bone formation in animal models. Conclusion: This systematic review demonstrates that keratin and chitosan hydrogel, is effective in initiating osteogenesis, reinforcing the currently available evidence that these polymers could be a substrate in dental implant treatment.

Calcium phosphate (CaP) coating on melt electrowritten (MEW) substrates is a potential candidate for bone regeneration influencing the interaction of osteoblasts with implanted scaffolds. Pretreatment to improve hydrophilicity of the hydrophobic polymer fibres affects subsequent coating with bioactive compounds like CaP. Therefore, this study evaluated the subsequent stability and structural properties of CaP coated MEW Poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) scaffolds following pre-treatment with either argon-oxygen plasma or sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Scanning electron microscopy and μ-CT showed uniform CaP coating after one hour immersion in simulated body fluid following plasma pretreatment. Moreover, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the presence of hydroxyapatite, tetracalcium phosphate and halite structures on the coated scaffolds. Contact angle measurement showed that the plasma pretreatment and CaP coating improved the hydrophilicity of the scaffold. However, the mechanical properties of the scaffolds were degraded after both plasma and NaOH treatments. The tensile stability was significantly improved following mineralization in plasma-treated scaffolds due to the smaller crystal size formed on the surface resulting in a dense CaP layer. The results obtained by thermogravimetric analysis also confirmed higher deposition of CaP particles on coated scaffolds following plasma modification. The results of this study show that plasma pre-treated mineralized MEW PCL scaffolds are sufficiently stable to be useful for further development in bone regeneration applications. Keywords: Calcium phosphate coating, Polycaprolactone, Melt electrowriting, Apatite mineralization, Plasma treatment, Bone regeneration

Background Cell-scaffold based therapies have the potential to offer an efficient osseous regenerative treatment and PCL has been commonly used as a scaffold, however its effectiveness is limited by poor cellular retention properties. This may be improved through a porous scaffold structure with efficient pore arrangement to increase cell entrapment. To facilitate this, melt electrowriting (MEW) has been developed as a technique able to fabricate cell-supporting scaffolds with precise micro pore sizes via predictable fibre deposition. The effect of the scaffold’s architecture on cellular gene expression however has not been fully elucidated. Methods The design and fabrication of three different uniform pore structures (250, 500 and 750 μm), as well as two offset scaffolds with different layout of fibres (30 and 50%) and one complex scaffold with three gradient pore sizes of 250–500 - 750 μm, was performed by using MEW. Calcium phosphate modification was applied to enhance the PCL scaffold hydrophilicity and bone inductivity prior to seeding with osteoblasts which were then maintained in culture for up to 30 days. Over this time, osteoblast cell morphology, matrix mineralisation, osteogenic gene expression and collagen production were assessed. Results The in vitro findings revealed that the gradient scaffold significantly increased alkaline phosphatase activity in the attached osteoblasts while matrix mineralization was higher in the 50% offset scaffolds. The expression of osteocalcin and osteopontin genes were also upregulated compared to other osteogenic genes following 30 days culture, particularly in offset and gradient scaffold structures. Immunostaining showed significant expression of osteocalcin in offset and gradient scaffold structures. Conclusions This study demonstrated that the heterogenous pore sizes in gradient and fibre offset PCL scaffolds prepared using MEW significantly improved the osteogenic potential of osteoblasts and hence may provide superior outcomes in bone regeneration applications.

The anti-angiogenic effects of bisphosphonates have been hypothesized as one of the major etiologic factors in the development of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), a severe debilitating condition with limited treatment options. This study evaluated the potential of a gelatine-hyaluronic acid hydrogel loaded with the angiogenic growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as a local delivery system to aid in maintaining vascularization in a bisphosphonate-treated (Zoledronic Acid) rodent maxillary extraction defect. Healing was assessed four weeks after implantation of the VEGF-hydrogel into extraction sockets. Gross examination and histological assessment showed that total osteonecrosis and inflammatory infiltrate was significantly reduced in the presence of VEGF. Also, total vascularity and specifically neovascularization, was significantly improved in animals that received VEGF hydrogel. Gene expression of vascular, inflammatory and bone specific markers within the defect area were also significantly altered in the presence of VEGF. Furthermore, plasma cytokine levels were assessed to determine the systemic effect of locally delivered VEGF and showed similar outcomes. In conclusion, the use of locally delivered VEGF within healing extraction sockets assists bone healing and prevents MRONJ via a pro-angiogenic and immunomodulatory mechanism.

The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is widely accepted for clean and distributed power generation use. The model of SOFC is belongs to highly nonlinear systems where perfect knowledge of their parameters is unattainable by conventional modelling techniques. The expected progress on these devices requires studies on components and their integration. The core of these systems is the solid oxide electrochemical cell whose structure is a multi-layer with complex behaviour involving different areas of physics. The electrochemistry of solids, the physics and chemistry of ceramics, thermal or the mechanics of materials are all areas to be considered to properly describe and analyze the response of such systems.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Objectives: As biomaterial‐induced modulation of mediators of the immune response may be a potential therapeutic approach to enhance wound healing events, the aim of this study was to delineate the effects of titanium surface modification on macrophage phenotype and function. Material and methods: Rodent bone marrow‐derived macrophages were polarized into M1 and M2 phenotypes and cultured on micro‐rough (SLA) and hydrophilic modified SLA (modSLA) titanium discs. Macrophage phenotype and cytokine secretion were subsequently assessed by immunostaining and ELISA, respectively. Osteoblast gene expression in response to culture in the M1 and M2 macrophage conditioned media was also evaluated over 7 days by RT‐PCR. Results: M1 macrophage culture on the modSLA surface promoted an M2‐like phenotype as demonstrated by marked CD163 protein expression, Arg1 gene expression and the secretion of cytokines that significantly upregulated in osteoblasts the expression of genes associated with the TGF‐s/BMP signalling pathway and osteogenesis. In comparison, M2 macrophage culture on SLA surface promoted an inflammatory phenotype and cytokine profile that was not conducive for osteogenic gene expression. Conclusions: Macrophages are able to alter or switch their phenotype according to the signals received from the biomaterial surface. A hydrophilic micro‐rough titanium surface topography elicits a macrophage phenotype associated with reduced inflammation and enhanced pro‐osteogenic signalling.

The proliferation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the environment and resultant transport into aquatic systems have raised concerns regarding their potential toxicity to various organisms. These environmental and ecological concerns demand reliable AgNP detection methods which can measure environmentally relevant quantities of AgNPs in real aquatic systems. This study developed a method that couples a rapid vacuum filtration technique with a portable Raman spectrometer to achieve on-site detection of ultra-low levels of AgNPs in typical and complex aquatic systems. To extract and detect AgNPs, aluminum chloride and ferbam were added for AgNP aggregation and labelling, respectively. The AgNP aggregates were filtered through a membrane, and their presence and quantity were determined based upon the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) peak intensity of ferbam. Under the optimized conditions, the extraction efficiencies are 99 ± 0.001% in ultrapure water and 98 ± 0.025% in marine water for 1 mg/L AgNPs. This method enables simple volume adjustment and improves the consistency of AgNP distribution on the membrane. The performance of the method was evaluated in different environmental waters, including marine water, fresh waters (pond water, river water, and reservoir outlet water) and drinking waters (municipal tap water and well water), with highest signal intensity in marine water and lowest signals in fresh waters. The signal intensity difference was suggested to be caused by the amount of natural organic matter (NOM) in these environmental waters. Using pond water as an example, the interference was minimized by changing the aggregating salt from AlCl3 to MgCl2, and AgNPs as low as 5 μg/L were reliably detected with a volume of 100 mL. At the same volume, the developed method was sensitive enough to detect 1 μg/L AgNPs in marine water and also holds promise for assessing the time-dependent transformation of AgNPs.

Iron and sulfur oxidizing bacteria produce capsular and colloidal extracellular polymeric substances. The properties and functional role of capsular polysaccharides are well studied. However, colloidal polysaccharides produced by iron oxidizing bacteria have not been sufficiently explored. In this paper, the physical and chemical properties of colloidal polysaccharides produced by the iron oxidizing bacterial isolate Leptospirillum ferriphilum CC have been studied. Colloidal polysaccharides were extracted and further investigated by optical polarized microscopy and analytical programs (LobVIEW15 and NOVA) that allowed determining the size, changes in shape, perimeter, degree of hydration, and crystallization of polysaccharides. Computer modeling of the experimental data has revealed that polysaccharides concentration does not contribute to the size of colloids but influence the number of particles.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess changes in the fluorescence characteristics of Enterococcus faecalis in human dentine over a period of 24 h following treatment with endodontic irrigants. Method: Sterilised, non-functional extracted third molars were embedded in acrylic resin and uniformly sectioned into 2 mm thick dentine sections. After the removal of smear layer, the dentine sections were inoculated with E. faecalis and cultured for 7 days. The infected dentine sections were subsequently treated with different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and hydrogen peroxide (HO). Bacterial fluorescence readings were assessed at different time points using a calibrated laser device. All data were assessed for normality (Kolmogorov Smirnoff test) and analysed using ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc tests. Results: Fluorescence readings were quenched when E. faecalis infected human dentine sections were treated with oxidizing irrigants in vitro. Throughout a 24-hour period, fluorescence recovered in part but did not return to baseline level. Conclusion: The fluorescence quenching effect of these oxidizing agents needs to be considered when using laser fluorescence in assessing the quality of root canal debridement or disinfection.

Background Biomaterial-based bone tissue engineering represents a promising solution to overcome reduced residual bone volume. It has been previously demonstrated that gradient and offset architectures of three-dimensional melt electrowritten poly-caprolactone (PCL) scaffolds could successfully direct osteoblast cells differentiation toward an osteogenic lineage, resulting in mineralization. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the in vivo osteoconductive capacity of PCL scaffolds with these different architectures. Methods Five different calcium phosphate (CaP) coated melt electrowritten PCL pore sized scaffolds: 250 μm and 500 μm, 500 μm with 50% fibre offset (offset.50.50), tri layer gradient 250–500-750 μm (grad.250top) and 750–500-250 μm (grad.750top) were implanted into rodent critical-sized calvarial defects. Empty defects were used as a control. After 4 and 8 weeks of healing, the new bone was assessed by micro-computed tomography and immunohistochemistry. Results Significantly more newly formed bone was shown in the grad.250top scaffold 8 weeks post-implantation. Histological investigation also showed that soft tissue was replaced with newly formed bone and fully covered the grad.250top scaffold. While, the bone healing did not happen completely in the 250 μm, offset.50.50 scaffolds and blank calvaria defects following 8 weeks of implantation. Immunohistochemical analysis showed the expression of osteogenic markers was present in all scaffold groups at both time points. The mineralization marker Osteocalcin was detected with the highest intensity in the grad.250top and 500 μm scaffolds. Moreover, the expression of the endothelial markers showed that robust angiogenesis was involved in the repair process. Conclusions These results suggest that the gradient pore size structure provides superior conditions for bone regeneration.

Acceleration of wound healing can be achieved with the use of wound dressings. Through the electrospinning technique, a polymeric scaffold composed of two layers was processed: a gelatin and polyvinylpyrrolidone layer with gentamicin, and a second layer of cellulose acetate. The conditions for the electrospinning process were standardized for voltage parameters, feed flow and the distance from the injector to the collector. Once the values of the main variables for the electrospinning were optimized, a three-hour processing time was established to allow the separation of the material from the collector. The obtained material was characterized by observations on scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis, contact angle measurement was performed to evaluate wettability properties, and antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated using the Kirby&ndash, Bauer test. The obtained fibers that form the bi-layer scaffold present diameters from 100 to 300 nm. The scaffold presents chemical composition, thermal stability, wettability characteristics and antibacterial activity that fulfill the proposal from this study, based on obtaining a scaffold that could be used as a drug delivery vehicle and a wound dressing material.

Certain CD8 T cell responses are particularly effective at controlling infection, as exemplified by elite control of HIV in individuals harboring HLA-B57. To understand the structural features that contribute to CD8 T cell elite control, we focused on a strongly protective CD8 T cell response directed against a parasite-derived peptide (HF10) presented by an atypical MHC-I molecule, H-2Ld. This response exhibits a focused TCR repertoire dominated by Vβ2, and a representative TCR (TG6) in complex with Ld-HF10 reveals an unusual structure in which both MHC and TCR contribute extensively to peptide specificity, along with a parallel footprint of TCR on its pMHC ligand. The parallel footprint is a common feature of Vβ2-containing TCRs and correlates with an unusual Vα-Vβ interface, CDR loop conformations, and Vβ2-specific germline contacts with peptide. Vβ2 and Ld may represent “specialist” components for antigen recognition that allow for particularly strong and focused T cell responses.

Antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections can become ineffective over time or result in the emergence of antibiotic resistant pathogens. With the advent of nanotechnology, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained significant attention as a therapeutic agent due to the well-known antimicrobial properties of silver. However, there are concerns and limited literature on the potential cytotoxicity of nanoparticles at effective antimicrobial concentrations. AgNPs prepared from silver nitrate with glucose reduction were characterized by surface plasmon resonance, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential analysis and transmission electron microscopy. The cytotoxicity of AgNPs towards human gingival fibroblasts over 7 days was determined using cell proliferation assays and confocal microscopy. AgNP MIC and antibacterial effects alone and in combination with 11 antibiotics were determined against a panel of nine microbial species including gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial species. AgNPs concentrations ≤ 1 μg/mL were non-cytotoxic but also showed no antibacterial effects. However, when combined with each of eleven antibiotics, the biocompatible concentration of AgNPs (1 μg/mL) resulted in significant inhibition of bacterial growth for multiple bacterial species that were resistant to either the antibiotics or AgNPs alone. This study presents a promising strategy with further testing in vivo, to develop novel antimicrobial agents and strategies to confront emerging antimicrobial resistance.

With the purpose of discovering new anticancer molecules that might have fewer side effects or reduce resistance to current antitumor drugs, a bioprospecting study of the microalgae of the Cuatro Cienegas Basin (CCB), an oasis in the Chihuahuan desert in Mexico was conducted. A microalgae was identified as Granulocystopsis sp. through sequencing the rbcL gene and reconstruction of a phylogenetic tree, and its anticancer activities were assessed using various in vitro assays and different cell lines of human cancers, including lung, skin melanoma, colorectal, breast and prostatic cancers, as well as a normal cell line. The values of IC50 of the microalgae methanolic extract using the MTT assay were lower than 20 μg/ml, except that in the lung cancer line and the normal cell line. In vitro, the microalgae extract caused the loss of membrane integrity, monitored by the trypan blue exclusion test and exhibited marked inhibition of adhesion and cell proliferation in cancer cell lines, through the evaluation of the clonogenic assay. Also, typical nuclear changes of apoptotic processes were observed under the microscope, using the dual acridine orange/ethidium bromide fluorescent staining. Finally, the microalgae extract increased the activity of caspases 3 and 7 in skin melanoma, colon, breast and prostate cancer cells, in the same way as the apoptotic inductor and powerful antitumoral drug, doxorubicin. This study shows the anticancer activity from Granulocystopsis sp., a microalgae isolated from the CCB.

Certain CD8 T cell responses are particularly effective at controlling infection, as exemplified by elite control of HIV in individuals harboring HLA-B57. To understand the structural features that contribute to CD8 T cell elite control, we focused on a strongly protective CD8 T cell response directed against a parasite-derived peptide (HF10) presented by an atypical MHC-I molecule, H-2L d . This response exhibits a focused TCR repertoire dominated by Vβ2, and a representative TCR (TG6) in complex with L d -HF10 reveals an unusual structure in which both MHC and TCR contribute extensively to peptide specificity, along with a parallel footprint of TCR on its pMHC ligand. The parallel footprint is a common feature of Vβ2-containing TCRs and correlates with an unusual Vα-Vβ interface, CDR loop conformations, and Vβ2-specific germline contacts with peptide. Vβ2 and L d may represent “specialist” components for antigen recognition that allow for particularly strong and focused T cell responses.

Melt electrospinning writing (MEW) using an automated stage has recently been developed as a direct additive manufacturing method for the fabrication of orderly, precise and complex porous 3D fibrous structures that can promote cell infiltration and growth. The further incorporation of inorganic particles within fibrous scaffolds is desirable in order to enhance bioactivity, however this remains challenging with the MEW fabrication process. To address this challenge, flexible, osteoconductive, medical grade polycaprolactone (m-PCL) - hydroxyapatite (HAp) composite 3D fibrous structures with high porosity (96–98%) and fully interconnected pore architectures were fabricated using MEW under precisely controlled parameters. The physical properties of these 3D fibrous composite scaffolds including fibre size, mechanical characteristics, and in vitro degradation rate were investigated. The results showed that the composite m-PCL/HAp fibrous scaffolds degraded in an alkaline environment at 37 °C faster than plain m-PCL and provided a favourable platform for the infiltration and growth of human osteoblasts. Moreover, confocal imaging confirmed that the scaffolds contained HAp nano-particles (NPs) which induced a more homogeneous distribution of cells within the scaffold particularly after 7 days of culture. Osteoblast activity and viability in the m-PCL/HAp composite scaffolds indicated a favourable cell/material interaction, suggesting great potential for use in mineralised tissue reconstruction / regeneration applications.

Owing to its biocompatibility and corrosion resistance, titanium is one of the most commonly used implantable biomaterials. Numerous in vitro and in vivo investigations have established that titanium surfaces with a nanoscale topography outperform conventional smooth or micro-rough surfaces in terms of achieving desirable bonding with bone (i.e. enhanced bioactivity). Among these nanoscale topographical modifications, ordered nanostructures fabricated via electrochemical anodization, especially titania nanotubes (TNTs), are particularly attractive. This is due to their ability to augment bioactivity, deliver drugs and the potential for easy/cost-effective translation into the current implant market. However, the potential of TNT-modified implants to modulate the host immune-inflammatory response, which is critical for achieving timely osseointegration, remains relatively unexplored. Such immunomodulatory effects may be achieved by modifying the physical and chemical properties of the TNTs. Furthermore, therapeutic/bioactive enhancements performed on these nano-engineered implants (such as antibacterial or osteogenic functions) are likely to illicit an immune response which needs to be appropriately controlled. The lack of sufficient in-depth studies with respect to immune cell responses to TNTs has created research gaps that must be addressed in order to facilitate the design of the next generation of immuno-modulatory titanium implants. This review article focuses on the chemical, topographical and mechanical features of TNT-modified implants that can be manipulated in order to achieve immuno-modulation, as well as providing an insight into how modulating the immune response can augment implant performance.

The surfaces of nanoparticles (NPs) are continuously evolving as they are exposed to different environmental conditions. Under the same sulfidation conditions, silver NPs (AgNPs) are generally considered to undergo the same surface modifications (i.e., removal of original ligands and formation of a new silver sulfide (Ag2S) shell). We examined this generalization by studying how different ligands, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and thiolated polyethylene glycol (PEG), affected 1) the formation of a new Ag2S shell and 2) the subsequent mobility of these transformed AgNPs. The deposition of PEG-AgNPs onto a silica substrate decreased by a factor of 40 after sulfidation, while the deposition of PVP-AgNPs increased by a factor of 15. The decreased deposition of sulfidized PEG-AgNPs was attributed to the removal of PEG and the formation of Ag2S, which created a more negatively charged surface (−15 mV to −30 mV) and consequently greater electrostatic repulsion with the silica substrate. The increased deposition of sulfidized PVP-AgNPs was suggested to be caused by the removal of PVP and the absence of Ag2S, which decreased steric repulsion with the silica substrate. For the first time, this study revealed the unique abilities of two common polymeric coatings of AgNPs to form Ag2S during sulfidation and how Ag2S determined their subsequent mobility. The results of this communication also highlighted the importance of monitoring the continuous evolution of the NP surface for better prediction of NP exposure and toxicity.

BackgroundThe ligand for the receptor tyrosine kinase FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) plays an importantrole in hematopoiesis. FLT3 signaling is required for the differentiation andexpansion of dendritic cells. In the context of cancer immunity, the conventional dendritic cellsubtype 1 (cDC1) are required for the generation of tumor-specific T cell responses in mousepreclinical models. In human tumors cDC1 are often underrepresented in thetumor microenvironment, supporting the hypothesis that therapeutically increasing their number via FLT3 pathway stimulation has the potential to promote T cell-mediated anti-tumor efficacy.MethodsGS-3583 is a fusion protein composed of the extracellular domain (ECD) of human FLT3 ligand(FLT3L) combined with a modified fragment crystallizable (Fc) region of human IgG4. GS-3583was designed to induce cDC1 expansion and subsequently promote tumor-reactive T cell priming, activation and recruitment into the tumor microenvironment. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of FLT3 stimulation in vivo, a mouse surrogate mGS-3583was designed using the ECD of mouse FLT3L fused to an engineered mouse IgG2a Fc withattenuated binding to mouse FcgRs.Results mGS-3583 bound to recombinant mouse FLT3 with an estimated affinity of 15 nM, and to mouse FLT3-expressing cells with an EC50 of 0.15 nM. In vivo, mGS-3583 showed single agent dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition (TGI) in tumors that correlated with peripheral and intratumoral cDC1 expansion. In tumors with no initial immune infiltration, mGS-3583 led to an influx of T cells into the tumors. In addition to single agent efficacy, mGS-3583 combined effectively with programmed cell death protein (ligand)-1 (PD(L)-1) pathway blockade.ConclusionsIn vivo expansion of dendritic cells can convert uninflamed (cold) tumors to immunologically active (hot) tumors and initiate productive anti-tumor immune responses. These findings support the development GS-3583 as a promising candidate for cancer immunotherapy.

Microorganisms are part of the natural environments and reflect the effects of different physical factors of surrounding environment, such as gamma (γ) radiation. This work was devoted to the study of the influence of low doses of γ radiation with the intensity of 2.56 μW (m2 s)−1 (absorbed doses were 3.8 mGy for the radiation of 15 min and 7.2 mGy—for 30 min) on Escherichia coli M-17 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa GRP3 wild type cells. The changes of bacterial, growth, survival, morphology, and membrane activity had been studied after γ irradiation. Verified microbiological (specific growth rate, lag phase duration, colony-forming units (CFU) number, and light microscopy digital image analysis), biochemical (ATPase activity of bacterial membrane vesicles), and biophysical (H+ fluxes throughout cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria) methods were used for assessment of radiation implications on bacteria. It was shown that growth specific rate, lag phase duration and CFU number of these bacteria were lowered after irradiation, and average cell surface area was decreased too. Moreover ion fluxes of bacteria were changed: for P. aeruginosa they were decreased and for E. coli—increased. The N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) sensitive fluxes were also changed which were indicative for the membrane-associated F0F1-ATPase enzyme. ATPase activity of irradiated membrane vesicles was decreased for P. aeruginosa and stimulated for E. coli. Furthermore, DCCD sensitive ATPase activity was also changed. The results obtained suggest that these bacteria especially, P. aeruginosa are sensitive to γ radiation and might be used for developing new monitoring methods for estimating environmental changes after γ irradiation.

A previous study with spr2 mutant tomato plants which are negatively affected in the synthesis of jasmonic acid (JA), suggested that JA regulates the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization via the control of carbon (C) partitioning. Although this and other studies have suggested the important positive role played by JA in the regulation of AMF root colonization in tomato plants, it is currently unclear how different host plant genetic backgrounds affect gene expression and secondary metabolites variation during JA-dependent mycorrhization. In this study, wild type and spr2 mutant tomato plants having “low”, “medium” and “high” mycorrhizal colonization with Rhizophagus irregularis, were analyzed independently using transcriptomic and untargeted metabolomic approaches. The results obtained revealed that the degree of mycorrhizal colonization efficiency could be associated with contrasting expression levels of certain key genes controlling gibberellin signaling, ethylene biosynthesis and signaling, and synthesis of apocarotenoids, phenylpropanoids and tomatine, in roots. Only a few wound responsive genes, including JA signaling and biosynthesis genes, such as Prosystemin and JAZ2 were found to influence AMF colonization. Conversely, a systemic and JA-dependent induction/ repression of genes different from those altered in roots was detected in leaves of mycorrhizal plants. The most significant changes in metabolite abundance were detected in roots with reduced AMF colonization. Included among the latter were metabolites known to be associated with important aspects of AMF symbiosis, such as signaling, nutrient exchange and modulation of pathogen defense response. Αlpha-tomatine levels appeared to be an important factor, whose abundance negatively correlated wit h AMF colonization levels in tomato, suggesting a regulatory role for JA in the synthesis of this metabolite during the AMF symbiosis.

Titanium surface mediated immunomodulation may address compromised post-implantation bone healing in diabetes mellitus. To assess in vitro phenotypic changes, M1 and M2 polarised Type 2 diabetic rat (Goto Kakizaki, GK) macrophages were cultured on micro-rough (SLA) or hydrophilic nanostructured SLA (modSLA) titanium. The in vivo effects of the SLA and modSLA surfaces on macrophage phenotype, wound-associated protein expression and bone formation were investigated using a critical-sized calvarial defect model. Compared to healthy macrophages, GK M2 macrophage function was compromised, secreting significantly lower levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. The modSLA surface attenuated the pro-inflammatory cellular environment, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production and promoting M2 macrophage phenotype differentiation. ModSLA also suppressed gene expression associated with macrophage multinucleation and giant cell formation and stimulated pro-osteogenic genes in co-cultured osteoblasts. In vivo, modSLA enhanced osteogenesis compared to SLA in GK rats. During early healing, proteomic analysis of both surface adherent and wound exudate material showed that modSLA promoted an immunomodulatory pro-reparative environment. The modSLA surface therefore successfully compensated for the compromised M2 macrophage function in Type 2 diabetes by attenuating the pro-inflammatory response and promoting M2 macrophage activity, thus restoring macrophage homeostasis and resulting in a cellular environment favourable for enhanced osseous healing.

Journal of Instrumentation 15(12), T12013 - T12013 (2020). doi:10.1088/1748-0221/15/12/T12013, Published by IOP Publ., London

BACKGROUND: In a randomized, controlled trial that compared liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 analogue, with placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk who were receiving usual care, we found that liraglutide resulted in lower risks of the primary end point (nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes) and death. However, the long-term effects of liraglutide on renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes are unknown. METHODS: We report the prespecified secondary renal outcomes of that randomized, controlled trial in which patients were assigned to receive liraglutide or placebo. The secondary renal outcome was a composite of new-onset persistent macroalbuminuria, persistent doubling of the serum creatinine level, end-stage renal disease, or death due to renal disease. The risk of renal outcomes was determined with the use of time-to-event analyses with an intention-to-treat approach. Changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria were also analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 9340 patients underwent randomization, and the median follow-up of the patients was 3.84 years. The renal outcome occurred in fewer participants in the liraglutide group than in the placebo group (268 of 4668 patients vs. 337 of 4672; hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.67 to 0.92; P=0.003). This result was driven primarily by the new onset of persistent macroalbuminuria, which occurred in fewer participants in the liraglutide group than in the placebo group (161 vs. 215 patients; hazard ratio, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.91; P=0.004). The rates of renal adverse events were similar in the liraglutide group and the placebo group (15.1 events and 16.5 events per 1000 patient-years), including the rate of acute kidney injury (7.1 and 6.2 events per 1000 patient-years, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This prespecified secondary analysis shows that, when added to usual care, liraglutide resulted in lower rates of the development and progression of diabetic kidney disease than placebo. (Funded by Novo Nordisk and the National Institutes of Health; LEADER ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01179048 .).

Plant biomass offers a renewable and environmentally favorable source of sugars that can be converted to different chemicals, second-generation ethanol, and other liquid fuels. Cellulose makes up approximately 45 % of the dry weight of lignocellulosic biomass. Prior to the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose must be structurally altered or removed, at least in part, by chemical and/or physical pretreatments. However, the high cost and low efficiency of the enzymatic hydrolysis prevent the process from being economically competitive. For this reason, it is necessary to find enzymes suitable for this type of process, with higher specific activities and greater efficiency. Members of the Bacillus and Paenibacillus genera have been traditionally used for the production of many enzymes for industrial applications. Cellulases produced by both genera have shown activity on soluble and crystalline cellulose and high thermostability and/or activity over a wide pH spectrum. In this review, the most recent information about the characterization of cellulolytic enzymes obtained from new strains of the Bacillus and Paenibacillus genera are reviewed. We focused on the variety of isoenzymes produced by these cellulolytic strains, their optimal production and reaction conditions, and their kinetic parameters and biotechnological potential.

This study assessed the effect of titanium surface modification on macrophage phenotype polarization and osseous healing under diabetic conditions.Critical-sized calvarial defects were created in healthy and streptozotocin-induced type I diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats. Titanium (Ti) discs with either large-grit sandblasted and acid-etched micro-rough (SLA) or hydrophilic-modified SLA (modSLA) surfaces were used to cover the healing defect for a period of up to 28 days. Samples of the exudate within the calvarial defect and beneath the titanium discs were collected 1, 4 and 7 days post-surgery for inflammatory cytokine analysis using an ELISA. The macrophage phenotype(s) on the Ti disc surfaces were determined by CD11c+ (M1) and CD163+ (M2) immunofluorescent staining. Samples of the healing defects at days 14 and 28 were also prepared for histomorphometric analysis.Cytokine levels in the diabetic animals were higher than those of the healthy group throughout the observation period. The modSLA surface significantly reduced MIP-2 levels at day 1 in both diabetic and healthy animals, and MCP-1 levels at day 4 in the diabetic animals. Immuno-fluorescent staining showed that an M2-like macrophage phenotype was more frequently found on the modSLA surface at day 1 in healthy and day 4 in both healthy and diabetic animals. Histomorphometric analysis showed more new bone formation on the modSLA surface at days 14 and 28 in both groups, although statistically significant differences were only found in the healthy group.Diabetic conditions greatly increased the expression of proinflammatory cytokines during osseous healing. The modSLA surface was shown to promote an M2-like macrophage phenotypic response in titanium adherent macrophages despite the significantly elevated inflammatory environment induced by uncontrolled type I diabetes. Modulation of the macrophage phenotype by the modSLA surface in the early healing period was associated with osseous healing under both healthy and uncontrolled diabetic conditions.

Microorganisms have a large number of tools to withstand different, and sometimes strong, environmental stresses, including irradiation, but this ability should be further evaluated for certain applications. Growth inhibition and morphological alterations of Escherichia coli M-17 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa GRP3 wild-type cells caused by UV-A irradiation have been detected in the present study. Comparative analysis was carried out using well-established microbiological methods (determination of specific growth rate, growth lag phase duration, and colony-forming unit number-CFU) and computational approaches, employing light microscopy and digital image analysis to evaluate bacterial cell morphology. Decreases in the specific growth rate, prolonged lag-phases, and lowered CFUs were observed after 5 and 10 min of UV irradiation (approx. 40 Gy) compared to the control (nonirradiated) cells. Accordingly, two computational parameters-the average bacterial cell surface area and the bacterial cell perimeter (i.e., of the 2D projection of bacterial cells in microscopy image)-were reduced. The ratio of bacterial cell surface area (S) to the square of the perimeter (p (2) ) was reduced after 5 min of irradiation, but after 10 min of irradiation the studied bacterial cells became flat cylinders. The revealed findings are concluded to be highly useful in developing new, rapid analysis methods to monitor environmental and UV irradiation effects on bacteria and to detect bacterial cell morphology alterations.

Intrinsic plasticity has emerged as an important mechanism regulating neuronal excitability and output under physiological and pathological conditions. Here, we report a novel form of intrinsic plasticity. Using perforated patch clamp recordings, we examined the modulatory effects of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR II) on voltage-gated potassium (KV) currents and the firing properties of neurons in the chicken nucleus laminaris (NL), the first central auditory station where interaural time cues are analyzed for sound localization. We found that activation of mGluR II by synthetic agonists resulted in a selective increase of the high-threshold KV currents. More importantly, synaptically released glutamate (with reuptake blocked) also enhanced the high-threshold KV currents. The enhancement was frequency-coding region dependent, being more pronounced in low-frequency neurons compared to middle- and high-frequency neurons. The intracellular mechanism involved the Gβγ signaling pathway associated with phospholipase C and protein kinase C. The modulation strengthened membrane outward rectification, sharpened action potentials, and improved the ability of NL neurons to follow high-frequency inputs. These data suggest that mGluR II provides a feedforward modulatory mechanism that may regulate temporal processing under the condition of heightened synaptic inputs.

Growing concerns over the potential release and threat of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to environmental and biological systems urge researchers to investigate their fate and behavior. However, current analytical techniques cannot meet the requirements for rapidly, sensitively and reliably probing AgNPs in complex matrices. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has shown great capability for rapid detection of AgNPs based on an indicator molecule that can bind on the AgNP surface. The objective of this study was to exploit SERS to detect AgNPs in environmental and biological samples through optimizing the Raman indicator for SERS. Seven indicator molecules were selected and determined to obtain their SERS signals at optimal concentrations. Among them, 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene (BPE), crystal violet and ferric dimethyl-dithiocarbamate (ferbam) produced the highest SERS intensities. Further experiments on binding competition between each two of the three candidates showed that ferbam had the highest AgNPs-binding ability. The underlying mechanism lies in the strong binding affinity of ferbam with AgNPs via multiple sulfur atoms. We further validated ferbam to be an effective indicator for SERS detection of as low as 0.1mg/L AgNPs in genuine surface water and 0.57 mg/L in spinach juice. Moreover, limited interference on SERS detection of AgNPs was found from environmentally relevant inorganic ions, organic matter, inorganic particles, as well as biologically relevant components, demonstrating the ferbam-assisted SERS is an effective and sensitive method to detect AgNPs in complex environmental and biological samples.

Molecular mechanisms of the impact of ultraviolet (UV) rays on biological systems can be divided into three categories: structural and functional changes of DNA, photoinactivation of proteins and structural damage of cell membranes. Though a large number of studies have explored the first two categories of UV ray impacts on biological systems and have proposed various feasible models for the pathways of these impacts, few studies have explored structural damage of cell membranes and the only proposed mechanisms for this UV impact is that of lipid, peroxide, and amino acid oxidation with the impact of various wave lengths of UV rays, A (400–320 nm), B (300–275 nm), and C (275–180 nm) being explained by these mechanisms. In the present work, we have studied the biological impact of UV rays on the phospholipid bilayer by using simultaneous small and large angle X-ray diffraction method.

Background The ability to determine the effectiveness of root canal disinfection in real-time prior to the final root filling could significantly influence the management and treatment outcomes of root canal therapy. Laser fluorescence devices can detect bacterial fluorescence in real-time, however since quenching of fluorescence is a possible confounding factor, this study explored the effects of oxidising endodontic irrigants on laser fluorescence in dentine. Methods A total of 78 transverse 2 mm thick sections were prepared from the crowns of sterilised extracted non-functional third molars that had been embedded in acrylic resin. The dentine sections where then treated with different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide, with or without further rinsing with distilled water wash. Fluorescence values were recorded over 24 h using the DIAGNOdent laser fluorescence device. Results Both sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide cause quenching of fluorescence readings of human dentine, with reductions of 30–60% in fluorescence readings. The quenching effect occurred quickly, and recovery to baseline readings took from 1 h to 24 h. Rinsing with water reduced but did not eliminate the quenching effect. Conclusion The use of laser fluorescence to reliably detect root canal bacteria porphyrins in real-time could significantly influence the management of teeth needing root canal therapy. This study highlighted the quenching effects of some root canal irrigants on human teeth root dentine, a variable that should be considered and controlled prior to using lasers to assist in assessing root canal sterility.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization, sampled at 32–50 days post-inoculation (dpi), was significantly reduced insuppressor of prosystemin-mediated responses2 (spr2)mutant tomato plants impaired in the ω−3FATTY ACID DESATURASE7(FAD7) gene that limits the generation of linolenic acid and, consequently, the wound-responsive jasmonic acid (JA) burst. Contrary to wild-type (WT) plants, JA levels in root and leaves ofspr2mutants remained unchanged in response to AMF colonization, further supporting its regulatory role in the AM symbiosis. Decreased AMF colonization inspr2plants was also linked to alterations associated with a disrupted FAD7 function, such as enhanced salicylic acid (SA) levels and SA-related defense gene expression and a reduction in fatty acid content in both mycorrhizalspr2roots and leaves. Transcriptomic data revealed that lower mycorrhizal colonization efficiency inspr2mutants coincided with the modified expression of key genes controlling gibberellin and ethylene signaling, brassinosteroid, ethylene, apocarotenoid and phenylpropanoid synthesis, and the wound response. Targeted metabolomic analysis, performed at 45 dpi, revealed augmented contents of L-threonic acid and DL-malic acid in colonizedspr2roots which suggested unfavorable conditions for AMF colonization. Additionally, time- and genotype-dependent changes in root steroid glycoalkaloid levels, including tomatine, suggested that these metabolites might positively regulate the AM symbiosis in tomato. Untargeted metabolomic analysis demonstrated that the tomato root metabolomes were distinctly affected by genotype, mycorrhizal colonization and colonization time. In conclusion, reduced AMF colonization efficiency inspr2mutants is probably caused by multiple and interconnected JA-dependent and independent gene expression and metabolomic alterations.

Nanoscale fibers mimicking the extracellular matrix of natural tissue can be produced by conventional electrospinning, but this approach results in two-dimensional thin dense fibrous mats which can hinder effective cell infiltration. The aim of the present study was to design a thick, three-dimensional (3D) cylindrical scaffold with an open pore structure assembled from short polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers using a facile airbrushing approach. In addition, magnesium particles were incorporated into the PCL solution to both enhance the mechanical properties of the scaffold and stimulate cellular activity following cell seeding. Separated short composite airbrushed fibers were assembled into a 3D cylindrical structure by cold-press molding and thermal cross-linking. The microstructure, chemical composition, porosity and thermal properties were subsequently investigated, along with changes in mechanical performance following immersion in PBS for 60 d. The results showed that the assembled 3D fibrous 10 mm thick cylindrical matrix had an interconnected fibrous network structure with 31.5%-60% porosity. Encapsulation of the Mg particles into the 3D assembled fibrous scaffold enhanced the mechanical properties of the plain PCL scaffolds. The results also demonstrated controlled release of Mg ions into the PBS media for up to 60 d, as evaluated by changes in Mg ion concentration and pH of the media. In addition, the 3D fibrous assembled matrix was shown to support human osteoblast-like cell adhesion, proliferation and penetration. The results suggest that this novel fabrication method of biodegradable thick 3D scaffolds with an open pore structure is promising for the production of a new generation of 3D scaffolds for tissue regeneration applications.

It is now generally accepted that the response to a particular signal, such as the surgical trauma following implant placement, is not the result of a single linear signalling pathway, but rather reflects pathway integration, which can occur at multiple levels. Although it is well documented that both SLA and SLActive surfaces are able to promote bone formation and osseointegration, it is still unclear which are the key signalling pathways involved and how surface hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity might affect pathway integration.To combine gene and protein data from in vivo studies applying titanium hydrophobic (Sandblasting, Large-grit, Acid-etching, SLA) and hydrophilic (SLActive) surfaces to understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for the pro-osteogenic properties of these surfaces.The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGGBoth genomic and proteomic data showed that the osteogenesis process takes place mainly at 7 and 14 days of healing on both SLA and SLActive surfaces. Surface hydrophilicity enhances bone formation at multiple levels, by directly promoting an earlier expression of pathways involved in cell proliferation and osteoblast precursor differentiation (eg, mitogen-activated protein kinase, phosphoinositide-3 kinase-AKT, Wnt, Notch, transforming growth factor-β), but also by positively regulating angiogenesis, bone mineralization and bone remodelling.This study combined, for the first time, different 'omics' outputs to get new insights on the molecular mechanisms behind the influence of surface hydrophilicity on osseointegration/bone formation. Specific signalling pathways, such as Wnt, vascular endothelial growth factor and mitogen-activated protein kinase, were identified as differentially modulated by titanium surface hydrophilicity both at a genomic and proteomic level. These findings may be used in the future to monitor/predict the bone formation/osseointegration process, or as a screening tool towards the manufacture of new pro-osteogenic implant surfaces. In order to take into account the full complexity and interplay of cell signalling during bone formation, powerful bioinformatics tools integrating different 'omics' data and predicting signalling pathways trends should be applied by future studies.

It is known that Hall effect takes place in different media. The Hall effect is well studied in semiconductors. It is known quantum, quantum spin, the anomalous Hall effect, as well as the Hall effect in ionized gases. However, up to date, as evidenced from the review of scientific literature, the study of this effect in lyotropic liquid crystals (LLC) was given insufficient attention. In this paper the peculiarities of the Hall effect in the LLC were studied. It was shown that in liquid crystal systems Hall potential is approximately 100 times greater than in semiconductors. Also it was shown that after removal of the electric and magnetic fields, the Hall potential in LLC remained intact, decreasing over time, and periodically reversing its sign.

Direct measurements of net N2 production, oxygen, and inorganic nutrient fluxes at the sediment–water interface were conducted in the San Jose Lagoon (SJL), a tropical coastal lagoon located at the San Juan Bay Estuary, Puerto Rico, that is heavily impacted by anthropogenic activities. Sediment of the SJL had high organic matter (average = 16.7 %; SD = 9.0), pore water ammonium (541 μM ± 422), and pore water soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) (57 μM ± 48) concentrations. High fluxes of oxygen (−1999 μmol m−2 h−1 ± 2180) and N2–N (192 μmol m−2 h−1 ± 315) fluxes were observed. Similarly, high fluxes of ammonium (770 μmol m−2 h−1 ± 701) and SRP fluxes (167 μmol m−2 h−1 ± 138) were measured, with moderate nitrate fluxes (−40 μmol m−2 h−1 ± 53) mostly directed into the sediment. The dissolved inorganic nitrogen and soluble reactive phosphorus ratio (DIN/SRP) was low relative to the Redfield ratio and suggested that the sediment would support SJL as a nitrogen-limited system. An experiment with higher nitrate concentration resulted in a significant response (p

Amphipterygium adstringensis a plant widely used in Mexican traditional medicine for its known anti-inflammatory and antiulcer properties. In this work, we evaluated thein vitroantimicrobial and antiproliferative activities of the methanolic extract ofA. adstringensagainst oral pathogens such asStreptococcus mutans,Porphyromonas gingivalis,Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans,Candida albicans, andCandida dubliniensis, using microdilution (MIC) and agar diffusion methods (MBC), and the antiproliferative activity evaluating total growth inhibition (TGI) by staining the protein content with sulforhodamine B (SRB), using nine human cancer cell lines. Crude extract (CE) ofA. adstringensshowed some degree of activity against one or more of the strains with a MIC from 0.125 mg/mL to 63 mg/mL and MBC from 1.6 to 6.3 mg/mL and cytotoxic activity, particularly against NCI-ADR/RES, an ovarian cell line expressing multiple resistance drugs phenotype. The CE is a complex mixture of possible multitarget metabolites that could be responsible for both antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities, and further investigation is required to elucidate the identity of active compounds. Nevertheless the CE itself is useful in the development of new antimicrobial treatment based on natural products to prevent oral diseases and as alternative natural source for cancer treatment and prevention.

In the research, aminoethyl imidazolines of cottonseed oil fatty acids with diethylenetriamine have been synthesized using the ultrasonic device creating the effect of cavitation. The yield of imidazolines was 90% - 95%. The influence of the synthesized imidazolines on lubricity quality of low sulfur diesel fuels having low lubricating quality was studied. The results showed that at concentrations 200 - 250 ppm the synthesized imidazolines can be applied as additives enhancing lubricity quality of diesel fuels.

Polymer scaffolds produced through an electrospinning process are frequently explored as tissue substitutes for regenerative medicine. Despite offering desirable surface area to volume ratios and tailorable pore sizes, their poor structural mechanical properties limit their applicability in load-bearing regions. In this study, we present a simple strategy to improve the mechanical properties of a vascular graft scaffold. We achieved the formation of biphasic tubular scaffolds by electrospinning polyurethane (PU) onto an airbrushed tube made of polycaprolactone (PCL). After preparation, the scaffold was subsequently thermally-crosslinked (60 °C) to strengthen the bonding between the two materials. The tensile strength and tensile elastic (Young's) modulus of the biphasic scaffolds were significantly enhanced from 4.5 ± 1.72 and 45 ± 15 MPa (PU-only) up to 67.5 ± 2.4 and 1039 ± 81.8 MPa (PCL/PU; p < 0.05). Additionally, suture retention force, burst pressure, and compliance were all improved. The cytotoxicity of the fabricated samples was investigated using an MTT assay after 7 days of cell culture and found to be negligible (~ 100% viability). In conclusion, we have demonstrated the preparation and characterization of a stable and mechanically robust vascular graft scaffold using a novel combination of well-established fabrication techniques. This study could also be extended to the fabrication of other biphasic scaffolds to better enhance the mechanical properties of the electrospun fibers mat without deteriorating its architecture structure.