Polymorphism of Alpha-Synuclein Amyloid Fibrils Depends on Ionic Strength and Protein Concentration

Protein aggregate formation is linked with multiple amyloidoses, including Alzheimer‘s and Parkinson‘s diseases. Currently, the understanding of such fibrillar structure formation and propagation is still not sufficient, the outcome of which is a lack of potent, anti-amyloid drugs. The environmental conditions used during in vitro protein aggregation assays play an important role in determining both the aggregation kinetic parameters, as well as resulting fibril structure. In the case of alpha-synuclein, ionic strength has been shown as a crucial factor in its amyloid aggregation. In this work, we examine a large sample size of alpha-synuclein aggregation reactions under thirty different ionic strength and protein concentration combinations and determine the resulting fibril structural variations using their dye-binding properties, secondary structure and morphology. We show that both ionic strength and protein concentration determine the structural variability of alpha-synuclein amyloid fibrils and that sometimes even identical conditions can result in up to four distinct types of aggregates.     

Phyto‐fabricated silver nanoparticles inducing microbial cell death via reactive oxygen species‐mediated membrane damage

Eco‐friendly synthesis of the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has a number of advantages like simplicity, biocompatibility, low toxicity in nature over their physical and chemical methods. In the present study, the authors report biosynthesized AgNPs using the root extract of the perennial plant ‘Spiny gourd’ (Momordica dioica) and investigated their anti‐bacterial application with mechanistic approaches. Different biophysical techniques such as UV‐Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, TEM, SAED, and DLS were employed for AgNPs characterization. The synthesized AgNPs were polydispersed, crystalline in nature, with anionic surface (−22.3 mV), spherical in shape with an average size of 13.2 nm. In addition, the AgNPs were stable in room temperature and in different biological buffers. The anti‐bacterial activities of AgNPs were studied with respect to the pathogens such as Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus (Gram‐positive), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella planticola (Gram‐negative), and Candida albicans. Also, mechanistic studies of AgNPs such as protein leakage assay, nucleic acid leakage assay, ATP leakage assay, ROS accumulation, determination of biofilm degrading activity, measurement of potassium, showing that the synthesized AgNPs are capable of containing a potential application in the antimicrobial therapeutic agents and the pharmaceutical industry.     

Modification of cement mortars by polymer latex

The polymer systems of vinyl latex, epoxy latex/resin, and phenol formaldehyde were used to modify sand-cement mortar at room temperature. The compressive strength increased with an increase of the latex/resin concentration, with the addition of CaCl₂ or CaCO₃, and with the addition of superplasticizer. Tensile and flexural strengths also increased with polymer incorporation. The porosity of the modified mortar decreased with the addition of resin. The percentage of water absorption and acid solubility were found to decrease for the latex/resin modified samples. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 63: 1251–1257, 1997     

Morphology,thermomechanical properties,and biodegradability of low density polyethylene/starch blends

The biodegradability of low density polyethylene (LDPE)/starch and LDPE/starch/starch acetate (STAc) blends was tested and observed to be dependent on STAc content. The binary and ternary blends containing up to a maximum concentration of 30% starch were examined for their thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties. The blends with no STAc or 2.5% STAc show almost no adherence of two phases. With 10% STAc, dispersion of starch was observed to increase with some adherence to LDPE. Tensile strength, elongation at break, and Izod impact strength of the blends decreased with increased starch content. However, incorporation of STAc along with starch improved all these properties, particularly elongation at break and toughness. The melt flow index was also improved on partial substitution of starch by STAc. Maximum biodegradability was observed for the blends containing 30% (starch + STAc). Cell growth was observed to increase with increasing concentration of (starch + STAc) in the blends. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 2791–2802, 1999     

Relationship between morphology and mechanical properties of binary and compatibilized ternary blends of polypropylene and nylon 6

The effect of compatibilization on the morphology, mechanical properties, and dynamic mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene (IPP)/nylon-6 (Ny-6) binary blends was investigated. Maleic anhydride (MAH) functionalized IPP was used as a compatibilizer in binary blends. The morphological, mechanical, and dynamic mechanical properties of binary and ternary blends were compared. The blends containing IPP-g-MAH showed more regular and finer dispersion of phases, different dynamic properties, and improved mechanical properties due to better adhesion between the two phases. The blends were also characterized for their flow properties and extent of water absorption. The melting peak temperature and percent crystallinity of IPP and Ny-6 phases were decreased in compatibilized blends. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Orientation of aqueous stretched cottons as measured by X-ray diffraction

The structural changes produced by aqueous swelling and stretching in cotton is found to be irreversible. This article present the X-ray angle data of six varieties of cotton that belong to Gossypium hirsutum. A marked decrease in X-ray angles was found in all treated samples, thereby indicating better orientation. Improvement in the orientation is associated with ncrease in the stretch. The improvement is high in all tension-dried cottons, showing the impact of the tension drying. Similar improved orientation is found in all varieties, indicating the varietal response of G. hirsutum. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Thermo-mechanical treatments of Sc- and Mg-modified Al–Cu alloy welds

High-strength heat-treatable aluminum alloy AA2219 finds application in aerospace industries. Though it has good weldability, with alternating current–tungsten inert gas welding, the joint efficiency obtained is only 40%, particularly in thicker plates. In the present study, an attempt has been made to improve the weld metal properties by modifying the chemistry of fusion zone and post-weld thermo-mechanical treatments. Fillers were made through casting route by melting conventional 2319 filler with Sc and Mg. Two levels of Sc (0.3% and 0.6%) and four levels of Mg (0.3% to 0.6%) were varied. Compressive deformation was done on the fusion zone of the weld to get three levels of percentage of reduction (4%, 8%, and 12%). As welded specimens and welds after compressive deformation, those were subjected to post-weld aging treatments at 190ºC for different periods up to 100 h. Compressive deformation on the welds made with modified filler of 2319 with Sc and Mg resulted in significant improvement in the weld metal strength.     

Kinetic Alfven Waves Excited by Cometary Newborn Ions with Large Perpendicular Energies

Stability of the kinetic Alfven wave in a plasma of hydrogen, oxygen and electrons is studied. Each species is modeled by drifting ring distributions in the direction parallel to the magnetic field, while in the perpendicular direction the distribution is simulated with a loss cone type distribution obtained through the subtraction of two Maxwellian distributions with different temperatures. It is found that for frequencyw^* < Ｗ_Hwith w^* andＷ_H the Doppler shifted and hydrogen ion gyro-frequencies, respectively, the growth rate of the kinetic Alfven wave increases with the increase in propagation angles and density of oxygen ions. On the other hand, for frequencies w^* < Ｗ_OwithＷ_Othe oxygen ion gyro-frequency the growth rate is independent of the oxygen ion density.     

Lamotrigine‐loaded polyacrylate nanoparticles synthesized through emulsion polymerization

A series of copolymeric nanoparticles of the partially water‐soluble monomer ethyl methacrylate and the water‐soluble monomer 2‐hydroxyl ethyl methacrylate were synthesized from emulsions containing sodium dodecyl sulfate via free‐radical polymerization. Lamotrigine, as a model drug, was loaded in nanoparticles during in situ polymerization. A stable and transparent poly(ethyl methacrylate‐co‐hydroxyl ethyl methacrylate) nanolatex was produced for all compositions and characterized for particle size by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Particles were found to be smaller than 50 nm in size. Structural characterization of copolymers was done by infrared spectrometry, gel permeation chromatography, and NMR spectroscopy. Drug encapsulation efficiency was determined by ultraviolet (UV)–visible spectrometry and was found to be 26–62% for copolymers with different compositions. UV data suggest molecular‐level dispersion of the drug in the nanoparticles. In vitro drug‐release studies showed the controlled release of lamotrigine. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008