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International audience; The aim of this study was to visualize apoptosis throughout the reproductive cycle and after castration, castration then treatment with testosterone, and ligation of efferent ducts. The sand rat, Psammomys obesus, Cretzschmar 1828, is a diurnal rodent belonging to the family Gerbillidae. Its breeding cycle is seasonal with reproduction in autumn, winter and early spring and a short resting period from late spring to early summer. Five groups of males were studied: (1) animals captured during the breeding season; (2) animals captured during the resting season; (3) animals castrated and kept 30 days; (4) animals castrated, kept 30 days, and then treated with testosterone for 15 days; (5) animals subjected to the ligation of efferent ducts and kept 30 days. Epididymis were removed and the presence of apoptotic cells was explored using the “Apostain” immunohistochemical method. Histological results showed cell and tissue remodeling. During the breeding season, a positive apoptotic signal was observed mainly in smooth muscle cells of caput and cauda epididymis. This signal persisted throughout the resting season. The orchiectomy induced apoptosis in almost of epithelial and connective cells. However, this intense cell death was not reversed by treatment with testosterone. In animals that experienced efferent duct ligation, principal cells and smooth muscle cells showed a positive signal for apoptosis. Our results converge to qualify the sand rat epididymis as an excellent model for the study of apoptosis and argue for continued cell death, at least independent of circulating testosterone levels.; L’objectif de cette étude est la mise en évidence de l’apoptose dans l’épididyme du rat des sables au cours du cycle de reproduction saisonnier et suite à des expérimentations, castration, castration puis traitement par testostérone et ligature des canaux efférents. Le modèle animal est le rat des sables, Psammomys obesus, Cretzschmar 1828, un rongeur déserticole diurne présentant un cycle de reproduction saisonnier avec une période d’activité de l’automne jusqu’au début du printemps, puis une période de repos sexuel limitée de la fin du printemps au début de l’été. Cinq lots ont été constitués; le premier et le deuxième concernent les animaux capturés en saison de reproduction et de repos sexuel respectivement. Le troisième et le quatrième correspondent respectivement aux groupes d’animaux castrés depuis 30 jours, et castrés depuis 30 jours puis traités pendant 15 jours à la testostérone. Le cinquième est le groupe d’animaux ayant subi la ligature des canaux efférents pendant 30 jours. Après sacrifice des animaux et prélèvement des épididymes proximaux et distaux, la recherche des cellules apoptotiques a été effectuée par la technique immunohistochimique Apostain. Pendant la saison de reproduction, un signal apoptotique positif est localisé principalement dans les cellules musculaires lisses de tête et la queue de l’épididyme. Cette apoptose persiste pendant la saison de repos sexuel. La castration induit une mort cellulaire concernant la plupart des cellules épithéliales et conjonctives tandis que le traitement des animaux castrés ne prévient pas cette dernière. Chez les animaux ligaturés, les cellules principales et les cellules musculaires lisses sont positives. Il semblerait que l’apoptose soit un processus continu indépendant de la durée de la castration et insensible à la testostérone. Malgré la diversité des éléments inducteurs de l’apoptose retrouvés chez les différentes espèces, l’épididyme du rat des sables semble constituer un très bon modèle pour l’étude de l’apoptose induite par la castration.

The article considers the danger of thorium due to its radioactive toxicity. There has been proved the diversity of thorium compounds and the influence of thorium on a human body and the environment. A polymer chelating sorbent containing fragments of 4-amino - thiouracil has been investigated. An isotherm of thorium sorption with the sorbent is constructed and the optimal concentration conditions are determined: pH = 4; = 6 • 10–3 mol/l; Vob = 25 ml; msorb = 0.03 g; sorptive capacity (CE) = 1 163 mg/g. The degree of extraction of thorium(IV) ions under optimal conditions exceeds 95%. The developed technique was applied to extract thorium from clay. Studying sorption was carried out under static conditions using special equipment.

We have characterized the petrophysical and geomechanical properties of the Late Cretaceous Turonian and Cenomanian carbonate reservoirs from the southeast Constantine Basin, northern Algeria. In general, Turonian carbonates exhibit a wide range of porosities (2%–15%) and permeabilities (0.001–10 mD), whereas the Cenomanian reservoir appears to be very tight (10% porosity and 0.5–10 mD permeability). The reservoir pore-pressure gradient is interpreted to be a little above the hydrostatic (0.51 psi/ft), whereas the minimum horizontal stress ([Formula: see text]) has a 0.72 psi/ft gradient. In situ stress analysis establishes a dominant strike-slip tectonic stress field in the basin. Shale intercalations associated with the carbonate facies are characterized by comparatively high failure pressure that can lead to wellbore failures, which may be avoided considering the recommended minimum drilling mud weight as obtained from the rock failure criterion. Extensive wellbore breakouts (C-quality) were observed in the acoustic image logs recorded in the studied reservoir intervals, inferring a mean maximum horizontal stress azimuth of 350°N. We recommend that deviated wells in the direction of the interpreted [Formula: see text] orientation (approximately east–west) using hydraulic fracturing can be useful to attain optimum wellbore stability and effective permeability enhancement. Our findings have significant implications for enhanced production within the tight carbonate reservoirs situated in a strike-slip domain.

Recently, polymer composite material has shown excellent performance in a wide range of technological applications, such as renewable energy, biomedical applications, optoelectronic devices …etc. As the knowledge-base on this emergent material continues to grow, a new kind of hybrid sensors fabricated with semiconducting metal oxides and conducting polymers had been synthesized and had demonstrated high sensing capability for several poisonous gases and chemical warfare agents at room temperature. This research work introduces the synthesis and the characterization of a novel polymer P-DSBT composite consisting of ZnO nanoparticles (P-DSBT/ZNO). The composite films P-DSBT/ZNO are prepared by spin coating technique and then studied using different spectroscopic characterization techniques, i.e., FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, AFM and UV–Vis to further investigate on the structure and the morphology of this material. For assessing the P-DSBT/ZNO selectivity, different oxidizing and reducing gases were applied and it was found that the nanocomposite has the best selectivity for methane (CH4). The obtained P-DSBT/ZNO shows a wide sensing range (0–200 ppm) and a very high response magnitude, i.e., relative resistance changes of approximately 40% per 60 ppm of CH4. The key finding of this work is that sensitivity for gas detection is greatly improved by the interaction of ZnO-based hybrid materials at room temperature.

The objective of the present manuscript is to describe the impact of polypropylene fibers on the behavior of heated concrete subjected to heating and cooling cycles at temperatures of 200, 450 and 600 °C respectively for six hours, through a series of experimental tests on mass loss, water absorption, porosity, compressive and tensile strength. For this purpose, mixes were prepared with a water/cement ratio with the incorporation of polypropylene fibers with a rate varying from 0.5 to 1.5%. These fibers were added in order to improve the thermal stability and to prevent the concrete from splitting. The results show that a considerable loss of strength was noticed for all tested specimens. The relative compressive strengths of the concretes containing polypropylene fibers were higher than those of the concretes without fibers. Also, a greater loss of mass of the polypropylene fibers compared to those without fibers was noticed when increasing the temperature. The flexural tensile strength of the concrete was more sensitive to elevated temperatures than the compressive strength and a rapid increase in porosity was observed for the fiber-reinforced concrete compared to the reference concrete. Furthermore, water absorption by the fibers is proportional to the fiber content of the concrete. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091745 Full Text: PDF

Current and future power systems require chromia-forming alloys compatible with high-temperature CO2. Important questions concerning the mechanisms of oxidation and carburization remain unanswered. Herein we shed light onto these processes by studying the very initial stages of oxidation of Fe22Cr and Fe22Ni22Cr model alloys. Ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy enabled in situ analysis of the oxidizing surface under 1 mbar of flowing CO2 at temperatures up to 530 °C, while postexposure analyses revealed the structure and composition of the oxidized surface at the near-atomic scale. We found that gas purity played a critical role in the kinetics of the reaction, where high purity CO2 promoted the deposition of carbon and the selective oxidation of Cr. In contrast, no carbon deposition occurred in low purity CO2 and Fe oxidation ensued, thus highlighting the critical role of impurities in defining the early oxidation pathway of the alloy. The Cr-rich oxide formed on Fe22Cr in high purity CO2 was both thicker and more permeable to carbon compared to that formed on Fe22Ni22Cr, where carbon transport appeared to occur by atomic diffusion through the oxide. Alternatively, the Fe-rich oxide formed in low purity CO2 suggested carbon transport by molecular CO2.

Diffraction patterns of polyacrylic acid (PAA) encapsulated-(Fe)-modified ZnAl hydrotalcite (ZnAlH) showed the integration of Fe in the H lattice, resulting in a hybrid nanocomposite (Fe-PAA-ZnAlH), which was mainly verified with the characteristic shift in the 59–63° (2θ) region of the ZnAlH (110) reflection plane. The rise in the unit cell parameters (c and a) as the Fe % incremented, denoted incorporation of Fe in the ZnAlH red. Nonetheless, changes in the immobilizer molecular weight (PAA MW) from 1250 kDa to 5.1 kDa did not cause a difference in the distance between layers (c parameter) but in the cation-cation separation (a parameter), which meant that the nanoparticle was not located between layers, but in the lattice. The resulting band gap energies of the calcined hybrid nanocomposites were among 1.07–1.21 eV, which is an additional support of Fe+3 integration, suggesting insertion of Fe+3 3d orbitals between the valence and the conduction band of ZnO. Furthermore, nZVI were prepared through a pre-agglomeration reduction method, where COOH-groups were bound to metal cations. Initially, aqueous Fe+2 was bound to PAA [Fe+2-PAA], then reduced to obtain enclosed hybrid (nZVI-PAA). Less stability and more aggregation were observed with the lower molecular weight PAA. Additionally, PAA dissociation caused by pH changes affected the clustering of the nZVI particles. At higher MW, the hydrodynamic diameter and size distribution become smaller and tighter, respectively, allowing a more monodispersed population with sphere shape and organized in core–shell beads chains.

In the present work the 3D-supramolecular network is stabilized by N–H…O and O–H…O hydrogen bonds, by O…N interactions involving the organic cation and inorganic anion as checked by Hirshfeld surface analysis. The van der Waals contacts play a key role in the consolidation of the packing of 4-chloro-2-methylanilinium dihydrogenphosphate[4-CMDHP] structure. In order to support experimental results, density functional theory calculations have been performed using B3LYP functional with 3-21 G basis set. All of the obtained theoretical results are in a perfect agreement with the experimental ones. Furthermore, nonlinear optical behavior of 4-CMDHP has been investigated by determining the Hirshfeld surface, density of states and HOMO-LUMO energy gap using the same basis set. Finally, the molecular electrostatic potential surface of 4-CMDHP molecule was simulated and discussed.

This paper examines the impact of oil resources endowment, measured by proven reserves and oil rents, on the economic growth in the presence of quality of governance factors. To address this issue,...

The aims of this work are to examine the effect of Vanadium (V) addition on the microstructure and mechanical proprieties of A6061 aluminum alloy processed by the accumulative roll bonding method (ARB). The results show that with the addition of 0.1 or 0.2 wt.% V to the A6061 ARBed alloy, the synergistic improvement in ductility and strength was successfully achieved. Indeed, the improvement in resistance can reach 22% compared to the ARBed A6061 without vanadium addition; the slight drop in elongation recorded is mainly because of detachments at the interfaces. These improvements are due to the combined effects of segregation and solid solution strengthening by the addition of V and the effects of grain refinement by ARB.

The use of flow cytometry (FCM) with environmental or clinical samples to enumerate viruses (flow virometry) has become popular with the development of sensitive fluorescent dyes that bind to nucle...

Carbon-based nanomaterials, such as polymeric graphitic carbon nitrides, have garnered attention due to their metal-free structure, exceptional thermal and mechanical stability and unique extended aromatic system, imparting them with semiconductor properties. Furthermore, their efficient electron storage and fast charge transfer have opened new research possibilities in a plethora of applications. However, bulk polymeric carbon nitrides present limited surface areas and scarce functional groups, limiting their application. Exfoliation of these bulk systems, to nanosheets, is an effective way to overcome these drawbacks. However, there is a lack of understanding as to how these exfoliation processes affect their properties. Herein, we present a study of the effects of thermal and acid exfoliation processes on melamine, dicyandiamide and urea-based carbon nitrides' morphology and optical properties. We investigate how both exfoliation methods affect their microstructure, surface area and thermal stability. The thermally treated samples lead to single sheets and more organized structures without significantly impacting the surface chemistry. Contrarily, the acid treatment increases the samples' thickness while reducing their length and imparts them with oxygenated moieties. Both treatments affect the bandgap energies and electronic transitions, influencing their fluorescence profiles, lifetimes and fluorescence quantum yields. Our results provide a comprehensive understanding of how the exfoliation processes can be used to modulate the properties of polymeric graphitic carbon nitrides for the development of efficient materials in applications spanning wastewater treatment to biodiesel production.

BACKGROUND Nanoparticles are becoming increasingly important against resistant superbugs including Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. AIMS Exploration of Azithromycin as an adjunctive therapy to Ciprofloxacin for treatment of P. aeruginosa infections. Also, preparation of Ciprofloxacin-Azithromycin nanoparticles on chitosan nanocarrier (Cipro-AZM-CS) and assessment of its antimicrobial effect in vitro and in vivo. METHODS Detection of biofilm production and biofilm-specific antibiotic resistance ndvB and tssC1 genes was attempted. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) were done in vitro for assessment of P. aeruginosa planktonic and biofilm forms eradication, respectively. In In vivo study, Cipro-AZM-CS and free form were used to evaluate survival rate, wound contraction and bacterial load in mice after third degree burn. RESULTS All isolates were positive for biofilm production and ndvB and tssC1 genes. Majority of isolates (37, 74%) were extensively drug resistant. In the planktonic state, MIC values of Cipro-AZM free and CS forms were significantly lower than free Cipro MIC (P = 0.015 and P

Date palm pollen (DPP) has been widely tested in vitro in preservation of spermatozoa of different farm animals except in rabbits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of various concentrations (20, 40, 80 mg/mL) of DPP aqueous extract on epididymal and ejaculated rabbit spermatozoa during in vitro incubation at 37 °C during 120 min. NaCl Pollen Extender (NPE) and TRIS Base Extender (TPE) were respectively used in epididymal and ejaculated sperm preservation. Sperm motility parameters were objectively analysed by a Computer Aided Sperm Analyser (CASA). The results revealed that in epididymal sperm at 0 minute, sperm motility showed significant higher values (p ≤ 0.05) for all doses of DPP in comparison to the control group. After 30, 60 and 120 min, the motility rate was higher (p > .05) in all the experimental groups compared to the control. Concerning velocity traits (VCL and VAP), and trajectories parameters (LIN, ALH, BCF), the doses of 40 mg/mL and 80 mg/mL showed the highest values than Control. In ejaculated samples, the motility rate at 0 minute improved only with the dose of 80 mg/mL and DPP showed protective effect at all doses (20, 40, 80 mg/mL) up to 60 min of incubation. DPP enhanced spermatozoa velocity (VCL and VAP) and the trajectory of sperm (LIN, ALH, BCF) even from 20 mg/mL at any points of storage. In conclusion, aqueous extract of date palm pollen is a suitable supplement to the extender for rabbit sperm by protecting and improving sperm motility parameters.HIGHLIGHTS The addition of DPP extract improves the quality of epididymal and ejaculated rabbit sperm. The extender supplemented with 80 mg/mL of DPP in NPE has a beneficial effect on kinetic traits of epididymal sperm. Nevertheless, in TPE extender, 20 mg/mL of DPP was enough to improve sperm motility traits in ejaculated rabbit semen.

In the present work a lateral flow immunochromatographic test (LFT) for rapid detection of Clostri­dium perfringens toxins types, alpha (α), beta (β) and epsilon (ε) in clinical samples was developed. C. perfringens toxins were prepared, purified and inactivated with 0.2% formalin. Polyclonal antibodies specific to C. perfringens toxins types α, β and ε toxoids were prepared in rabbits and guinea pigs. The toxoid specific polyclonal antibodies prepared in rabbits were labelled with gold chloride nanoparticles. The prepared toxin specific rabbit and guinea pigs antibodies and goat anti-rabbit antibodies were utilised in development of a lateral flow immunochromatographic test and the latter - evaluated for detection of C. perfringens α, β and ε toxins in clinical samples. The sensitivity and specificity and accuracy of the developed LFT were determined by comparison with a commercially available ELISA used for detection of these toxins. The prepared LFT was capable to detect C. perfringens α, β and ε toxins in quantities of 2 μg/ml, 250 ng/ml and 60 ng/ml, respectively. One hundred poultry suspected faecal samples was examined both with the prepared LFT and commercial ELISA to test the validity of developed LFT. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the LFT for detection of C. perfringens toxins were 81%, 95.2% and 90%, respectively, for α toxin, 76.6%, 98.5% and 72%, respectively, for β toxin and 66.6%, 98.8% and 95%, respectively, for ε toxin.

The recent introduction of nanotechnology in plant science has paved the way for the development of more efficient fertilizers. However, progress in research is currently hampered by a poor understanding of the interactions between nanomaterials and plant tissue. The present study investigates the potential of nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAP) as a phosphorus (P) fertilizer and the mechanisms involved during plant utilization of such nanoparticles. Using a combination of techniques to assay P functionality in metabolism and for bioimaging of P with cellular resolution, we demonstrate that contact between citrate-stabilized nHAP and roots of P deficient barley plants (grown hydroponically for 21 days) leads to a significant increase in leaf P concentration (from 6000 ppm) and to a subsequent restoration of plant P functionality in less than 48 hours. Within the first 24 hours, intact nHAP adheres to the root epidermis without dissolving. Within the following 24 hours, nHAP penetrates the roots through the apoplast of mature epidermal and cortical cells, and dissolve here due to the acidic environment of the cell wall matrix. The mucilage layer surrounding the root cap prevents, in this specific region, the entrance of nHAP, which gradually dissolves without penetrating into deeper cell layers. In parallel, we investigate citrate-stabilized nano-rock phosphate (nRP), and demonstrate that it possesses equivalent plant bioavailability as synthetic nHAP. Since nRP was prepared through simple mechanical grinding of mined and flotated rock phosphate, this underlines its potential for direct use in agriculture, provided that contact between root tissue and nanoparticles is established. Overall, the results provide the first mechanistic evidence showing how nutrient deficient plants interact with intact nanoparticles to restore functionality in metabolism.

International audience

The principal objective of this study was to assess the capability of waste rice husk fibers as reinforcement for recycled plastics. The fabrication of Wood-plastic composites (WPCs) based on rice husk (RH) fibers and recycled linear low polyethylene in the presence of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (3 phc) were made by melt blending method. The impact of nanosilica and nanocaly, at different concentrations (2, 4, and 6 phc) on morphological, physical–mechanical and thermal properties of the prepared WPCs were studied to distinguish the most efficient nanoparticle. The highest improvement of mechanical properties was achieved at 6phc nanosilica loading and 4phc nanoclay. At a high level of nanoclay loading (6phc), increased population of clay pellets leads to agglomeration, and stress transfer gets blocked. Izod impact strength was decreased by the incorporation of different nanoparticles in contrast with the hardness. The addition of different nanoparticles decreased the water absorption and thickness swelling of composites. The interaction of the rice husk fibers with the polymer matrix as well as the impact of nanosilica and nanoclay in the improvement of the adhesion was shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, the thermal stability showed slightly improved by the addition of nanoparticles, but there are no perceptible changes in the values of melting temperature by increasing the nanosilica and nanoclay content. The degree of crystallinity (Xc) of the composites decreased with the incorporation of RH fibers and increased with the addition of nanoparticles. The finding demonstrated that WPCs treated by nanosilica had the most elevated properties than nanoclay.

International audience; The stiction phenomenon which results in the adhesion of the brake pad to the disc brake of a vehicle has been investigated from a corrosion point of view. Asbestos-free organic pad that contains copper associated with a cast iron disc was investigated and compared to a model system which consisted in a ceramic pad (chemically inert) associated with the same cast iron disc. The whole system was described as a thin-layer cell of electrolyte and was studied using different electrochemical methods including polarization curves and impedance spectroscopy. The influence of the cell geometry was pointed out, but the corrosion of the system is enhanced due to the presence of copper in the pad. Indeed, the copper dissolves from the pad and redeposits on the disc. This was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy observations and Raman spectroscopy. A mechanism taking into account the thin-layer geometry was then proposed to account for the role of metallic additive (in this case copper) on the corrosion of the disc.

Background 131-iodine (131I) administration after surgery remains a standard practice in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). In 2014, the American Thyroid Association presented new guidelines for the staging and management of DTC, including no systematic 131I in patients at low-risk of recurrence and a reduced 131I activity in intermediate risk. The present study aims at evaluating the rate of response to treatment following this new therapeutic management compared to our previous treatment strategy in patients with DTC of different risks of recurrence. Methods Patients treated and followed up for DTC according to the 2014-ATA guidelines (Group 2) were compared to those treated between 2007 and 2014 (Group 1) in terms of general characteristics, risk of recurrence (based on the 2015-ATA recommendations), preparation to 131I administration, cumulative administered 131I activity and response to treatment. Results In total, 136 patients were included: 78 in Group 1 and 58 in Group 2. The two groups were not statistically different in terms of clinical characteristics nor risk stratification: 42.3% in Group 1 and 31% in Group 2 were classified as low risk, 38.5 and 48.3% as intermediate risk and 19.2 and 20.7% as high risk (P = 0.38). Two patients (one in each group) with distant metastases were excluded from the analysis. Preparation to 131I administration consisted in rhTSH stimulation in 23.4% of the patients in Group 1 and 100% in Group 2 (p 131I was administered to 46/77 patients (59.7%) in Group 1 (5 at low risk of recurrence) and 38/57 patients (66.7%) in Group 2 (0 with a low risk). Among the patients treated by 131I, median cumulative activity was significantly higher in Group 1 (3.70GBq [100 mCi] range 1.11–11.1 GBq [30–300 mCi]) than in Group 2 (1.11 GBq [30 mCi], range 1.11–7.4 GBq [30–200 mCi], P P = 0.20). Conclusions Using the 2015-ATA evidence-based guidelines for the management of DTC, meaning no 131I administration in low-risk patients, a low activity in intermediate and even high risk patients, and a systematic use of rhTSH stimulation before 131I therapy allowed us to reduce significantly the median administered 131I activity, with a similar rate of complete therapeutic response.

International audience; The choice of the functional monomer is addressed in the present study. It is not only dictated by its ability to interact with the template molecule. Its reactivity towards the cross-linker in the radical polymerization reaction is also to be considered in order to yield a suitable distribution of the monomer bearing binding groups within the material and also to adjust the cross-linking degree which provides rigidity to MIP network. MIPs prepared using two functional monomers of very different reactivity in radical polymerization allowed to investigate the criteria for the optimum choice of the functional monomer. MIPs were made of cross-linked poly(methacrylic acid) or poly(maleic acid) bound as thin films to a silica solid support. Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate was the cross-linker. Calculations of the composition drift of the copolymer material from monomers reactivity ratios give new insights into the control of MIP properties by the choice of the functional monomer. As a consequence of the lower reactivity of maleic acid than methacrylic acid for copolymerization with methacrylic esters, the incorporation of maleic acid is low, the cross-linking density is very high, the polymer coating is very thin, and the specific area is high. The final structure of the MIP network with a predominance of isolated functional units closely surrounded by cross-links yields a rigid material capable of preserving the memory of the model molecule of patulin in molecular imprints. Low reactivity of the functional monomer has beneficial effects regarding the binding selectivity for the target molecule compared to materials prepared from the more reactive methacrylic acid which lead to the formation of flexible polymer formed of short poly(methacrylic acid) sequences.

This work was designed to study the efficacy of two types of silicon compounds (sodium silicate and potassium silicate) to control charcoal rot disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina in vitro, u...

The main goal of this work was to assess the technical feasibility of palm rachis (PR) as a reinforcing agent in the production of wood–plastic composites. Recycled linear low-density polyethylene/PR fiber composites were prepared at constant content (3 phc (per hundred compounds)) of maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene as compatibilizer by melt blending method utilizing a two-roll mill and compression molding. The effect of nanosilica (NS), nanoclay (NC), and hybrid nanoparticles (NSNC) at different concentrations (2, 4, and 6 phc) on mechanical, physical, thermal, and morphological properties was investigated. The results of mechanical properties measurements demonstrated that when 6 phc NS, 4 phc NC, and 4 phc NSNC were added, tensile, modulus strength, and hardness reached their optimum values. At a high level of NC loading (6 phc), the increased populace of NC layers led to agglomeration and stress transfer gets restricted. Elongation at break and Izod impact strength were decreased by the incorporation of different nanoparticles. Water absorption and thickness swelling of prepared composites were found to decrease on the incorporation of NS and NC. In addition, the thermal stability showed slightly improved by the addition of nanoparticles, but there are no perceptible changes in the values of melting temperature by increasing the content of NS and NC or NSNC. Scanning electron microscopy study approved the good interaction of the PR fibers with the polymer matrix as well as the effectiveness of NS and NC in the improvement of the interaction. The finding indicated that wood–plastic composite treated by NS had the highest properties than other composites.

International audience; Magnetic resonance imaging is widely used as a diagnostic tool in the clinic. Magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents such as gadolinium are very often used to improve the quality of images acquired by magnetic resonance imaging. Until recently, it was believed that gadolinium is effectively cleared within 24 hours after intravenous injection, and that it does not have any harmful effects on the human body. However, recent studies on animals and analyses of clinical data have indicated that gadolinium is retained in the body for many years post-administration, and may cause various diseases. This is especially concerning for paediatric patients because of the anticipated longer time of exposure and its effects on children's continuing development, and patients who receive repeated magnetic resonance imaging scans and hence repeated doses of gadolinium. Here, we give a short review of the most recent findings on the accumulation and side effects of gadolinium.

Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (FCScs) isolated from sea cucumber Cucumaria syracusana was characterized by Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FT-IR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and high performance size exclusion chromatograph, a multi-angle laser light scattering detector, a viscometer and a differential refractive index (dRI) detector (HPSEC-MALLS-dRI). The anticoagulant activities of FCScs were studied by the classical clotting time assays and the purified systems containing thrombin and antithrombin or heparin cofactor II. The effect on thrombin generation was investigated using calibrated automated thrombography (CAT). The results obtained showed that the FCS with high sulfate content 31 % and relatively low average molecular weight of 36.3 kDa was isolated from C. syracusana in amount of ∼ 35.6 mg/g dry body wall. Structural analysis of this polysaccharide revealed the presence backbone structure of chondroitin sulfate chain branched by two types of fucose 2,4-O-di and 3,4-O-disulfated residues in respective ratios of 57.5 and 42.5 %. The FCScs exhibited a high anticoagulant activity mediated essentially by heparin cofactor II (HCII) and to lesser extent by antithrombin (AT) with IC50 values of 0.05 μg/mL and 0.09 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the results of CAT assay showed that the velocity index decreases 3-times at 50 μg/mL in comparison with normal plasma. The overall results showed high anticoagulant activity attributed to the high sulfate content and abundance of disulfated fucose branches of FCScs which made it a promising candidate of anticoagulation drug.