Optimization of Focused Ultrasound Extraction and Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Volatile Compounds and Antioxidants from Aromatic Plants

In this work, we have accomplished the optimization of focused ultrasound extraction and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of volatile oils and phenolic compounds from aromatic plants such as rosemary, oregano, and chamomile. The response surface analysis was the overall procedure to tackle this work. On the one hand, the focused ultrasound extraction method of volatile compounds was studied based on the use of cyclohexane as extractant (chamomile required cyclohexane:isopropanol (95:5)), and three parameters were optimized (cycles, amplitude, and time) for each plant. The quantification of the volatile compounds was performed by means of GC?×?GC-MS analysis and the volatile oil concentration rounded 10–310 μg/g for the oregano; 7–2,920 μg/g for the rosemary, and 0.8–244.2 mg/g for the chamomile. In the SFE method, four parameters were studied (oven temperature, pressure, CO₂ flow, and EtOH?%). The total polyphenol content was determined by Folin–Ciocalteu obtaining values from 1,000 to 12,000 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g plant. The antioxidant capacity was measured by Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity obtaining values from 1.1 to 46.7 μmol Trolox equivalent/g plant.     

Optimization of cold-formed steel pallet racking cross-sections for flexural–torsional buckling with constraints on the geometry

Starting from a comprehensive set of experimental test results of upright cross-sections in compression, this paper is focussed on how the section can be optimally designed to achieve the highest possible failure load in global buckling. The aim is to optimize a cross-section prototype shape with restrictions on its geometry attending to manufacturing feasibility and assembly constraints. The proposed scheme consists of maximizing the design strength with respect to flexural–torsional buckling, according to European Standard prEN 15512:2008 [European Standard prEN 15512:2008. Steel static storage systems - Adjustable pallet racking systems - Principles for structural design] / Fédération Européenne de la Manutention [Fédération Européenne de la Manutention (Section X): The design of static steel pallet racking. FEM 10.2.02; August 2000] design recommendations. This is a bicriteria optimization problem which is solved by formulating a nonlinear mathematical program. Optimization is performed prior to the finite element method (FEM) nonlinear analysis of the solution design. The procedure herein presented has two advantages: on the one hand it considerably reduces the number of nonlinear analyses, and on the other it ensures that the best design is achieved.     

Molecular diagnosis of 5α-reductase type II deficiency in Brazilian siblings with 46,XY disorder of sex development

The steroid 5α-reductase type II enzyme catalyzes the conversion of testosterone (T) to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and its deficiency leads to undervirilization in 46,XY individuals, due to an impairment of this conversion in genital tissues. Molecular analysis in the steroid 5α-reductase type II gene (SRD5A2) was performed in two 46,XY female siblings. SRD5A2 gene sequencing revealed that the patients were homozygous for p.Gln126Arg missense mutation, which results from the CGA > CAA nucleotide substitution. The molecular result confirmed clinical diagnosis of 46,XY disorder of sex development (DSD) for the older sister and directed the investigation to other family members. Studies on SRD5A2 protein structure showed severe changes at NADPH binding region indicating that structural modeling analysis can be useful to evaluate the deleterious role of a mutation as causing 5α-reductase type II enzyme deficiency.     

Precipitation of Nb in Ferrite After Austenite Conditioning. Part II: Strengthening Contribution in High-Strength Low-Alloy (HSLA) Steels

Often, Nb contributes to the strength of a microalloyed steel beyond the expected level because of the grain size strengthening resulting from thermomechanical processing. Two different mechanisms are behind this phenomenon, and both of them have to do with the amount of Nb remaining in solution after hot rolling. The first of them is the increase of the hardenability of the steel as a result of Nb, and the second one is the fine precipitation of NbC in ferrite. Three Nb microalloyed steels were thermomechanically processed in the laboratory and coiled at different temperatures to investigate the effect of Nb content on the tensile properties. The extra strength was linearly related to the Nb remaining in solution after the hot working. The maximum contribution from Nb was reached for a coiling temperature of 873?K (600?°C).     

Morpholine‐based RAFT agents for the reversible deactivation radical polymerization of vinyl acetate and N‐vinylimidazole

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of less‐activated monomers in a controlled fashion is challenging due to the high reactivity and instability of the propagating radicals. We have designed dithiocarbamate‐based RAFT agents with morpholine as activating ‘Z’ group and benzyl, ethyl(1‐ethanoate)yl, ethyl(2‐propanoate)yl and cyanomethyl as ‘R’ leaving groups and investigated them for the reversible deactivation radical polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) and N‐vinylimidazole (N‐VIm). RAFT polymerization of VAc and N‐VIm at 70 °C using azobisisobutyronitrile as a free radical initiator proceeded in a controlled fashion as demonstrated by a linear increase in molar mass with conversion. Interestingly, the polymerization of VAc followed fast kinetics (approx. 60 min) with good to moderate control affording high‐molar‐mass poly(VAc) polymers. Furthermore, the synthesized chain transfer agents were able to polymerize N‐VIm under controlled conditions. The morpholine RAFT agents bearing cyanomethyl and ethyl(2‐propanoate)yl leaving groups showed better control of the polymerization of VAc and N‐VIm compared to the others. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry     

Decreased Levels of Microfibril-Associated Glycoprotein (MAGP)-1 in Patients with Colon Cancer and Obesity Are Associated with Changes in Extracellular Matrix Remodelling

Objective: The protein microfibril-associated glycoprotein (MAGP)-1 constitutes a crucial extracellular matrix protein. We aimed to determine its impact on visceral adipose tissue (VAT) remodelling during obesity-associated colon cancer (CC). Methods: Samples obtained from 79 subjects (29 normoponderal (NP) (17 with CC) and 50 patients with obesity (OB) (19 with CC)) were used in the study. Circulating concentrations of MAGP-1 and its gene expression levels (MFAP2) in VAT were analysed. The impact of inflammation-related factors and adipocyte-conditioned media (ACM) on MFAP2 mRNA levels in colon adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells were further analysed. The effects of MAGP-1 in the expression of genes involved in the extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling and tumorigenesis in HT-29 cells was also explored. Results: Obesity (p < 0.01) and CC (p < 0.001) significantly decreased MFAP2 gene expression levels in VAT whereas an opposite trend in TGFB1 mRNA levels was observed. Increased mRNA levels of MFAP2 after the stimulation of HT-29 cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (p < 0.01) and interleukin (IL)-4 (p < 0.01) together with a downregulation (p < 0.05) after hypoxia mimicked by CoCl₂ treatment was observed. MAGP-1 treatment significantly enhanced the mRNA levels of the ECM-remodelling genes collagen type 6 α3 chain (COL6A3) (p < 0.05), decorin (DCN) (p < 0.01), osteopontin (SPP1) (p < 0.05) and TGFB1 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, MAGP-1 significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the gene expression levels of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (COX2/PTGS2), a key gene controlling cell proliferation, growth and adhesion in CC. Interestingly, a significant decrease (p < 0.01) in the mRNA levels of MFAP2 in HT-29 cells preincubated with ACM from volunteers with obesity compared with control media was observed. Conclusion: The decreased levels of MAGP-1 in patients with obesity and CC together with its capacity to modulate key genes involved in ECM remodelling and tumorigenesis suggest MAGP-1 as a link between AT excess and obesity-associated CC development.     

Photopolymerization of Epoxy Coatings Containing Iron‐Oxide Nanoparticles

Iron‐oxide nanoparticles were functionalized with epoxy groups and were dispersed into a dicyclo‐aliphatic epoxy resin to obtain organic‐inorganic hybrid coatings via cationic ring‐opening photopolymerization. TEM investigations confirmed that the filler has a size‐distribution range between 5 to 20 nm, without the formation of aggregates. The influence of the presence of Fe₂O₃ on the rate of polymerization was investigated by real time FT‐IR spectroscopy. Increasing the iron‐oxide nanofiller in the photocurable resin induced an increase in the T_g values. By controlling the phase separation it was possible to obtain transparent iron‐oxide nanostructured coatings, characterized by improved hardness.

     

Variants of STAR,AMH and ZFPM2/FOG2 May Contribute towards the Broad Phenotype Observed in 46,XY DSD Patients with Heterozygous Variants of NR5A1

Variants of NR5A1 are often found in individuals with 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD) and manifest with a very broad spectrum of clinical characteristics and variable sex hormone levels. Such complex phenotypic expression can be due to the inheritance of additional genetic hits in DSD-associated genes that modify sex determination, differentiation and organ function in patients with heterozygous NR5A1 variants. Here we describe the clinical, biochemical and genetic features of a series of seven patients harboring monoallelic variants in the NR5A1 gene. We tested the transactivation activity of novel NR5A1 variants. We additionally included six of these patients in a targeted diagnostic gene panel for DSD and identified a second genetic hit in known DSD-causing genes STAR, AMH and ZFPM2/FOG2 in three individuals. Our study increases the number of NR5A1 variants related to 46,XY DSD and supports the hypothesis that a digenic mode of inheritance may contribute towards the broad spectrum of phenotypes observed in individuals with a heterozygous NR5A1 variation.     

Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Cellular Populations of the Central Nervous System: The Influence of Donor Age

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a biologic therapy that promotes healing responses across multiple medical fields, including the central nervous system (CNS). The efficacy of this therapy depends on several factors such as the donor’s health status and age. This work aims to prove the effect of PRP on cellular models of the CNS, considering the differences between PRP from young and elderly donors. Two different PRP pools were prepared from donors 65–85 and 20–25 years old. The cellular and molecular composition of both PRPs were analyzed. Subsequently, the cellular response was evaluated in CNS in vitro models, studying proliferation, neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and inflammation. While no differences in the cellular composition of PRPs were found, the molecular composition of the Young PRP showed lower levels of inflammatory molecules such as CCL-11, as well as the presence of other factors not found in Aged PRP (GDF-11). Although both PRPs had effects in terms of reducing neural progenitor cell apoptosis, stabilizing neuronal synapses, and decreasing inflammation in the microglia, the effect of the Young PRP was more pronounced. In conclusion, the molecular composition of the PRP, conditioned by the age of the donors, affects the magnitude of the biological response.