The migration and degradation of N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine from rubber hoses in milk lines

N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD), an anti-ageing agent in rubber hoses used in milk lines, may migrate into the milk and cause safety issues. Thus its migration and degradation in simulants/milk were studied to explore the changing trends and final levels, by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that 6PPD continuously increased in 95% ethanol and degraded more easily in simulants with a high water content. The degradation may be attributed to the π-conjugated system of 6PPD and smaller steric hindrance of degradation products. No migration was observed into milk after 10 min. This study provides a novel and effective approach to evaluating 6PPD trends and safety for the dairy industry.     

How is the AKT/mTOR pathway involved in cell migration and invasion?

As a pathway that plays a role in nutrient absorption, anabolic response, cell growth and survival, the important role of AKT/mTOR in tumorigenesis has also come to light. For cancer patients, most deaths are caused by the growth of metastatic tumors outside the primary focus. Therefore, migration and invasion in the late stage of tumor progression are the main unresolved issues in the study of tumor pathogenesis, and AKT/mTOR has been found to participate in the migration and invasion of cancer cells, which means that the study of this pathway may contribute to a solution for the problem. Because of its extensive and complex functions in the organism, this pathway can be regulated by a variety of different signals in the body, and then realize its function through different downstream signal molecules. This article reviews the proteins that can indirectly affect this pathway by regulating the common upstream signaling molecules of this pathway, and the proteins that can directly affect the level of phosphorylation of AKT/mTOR in cancer cells. We also review the proteins that can co-regulate this pathway and its downstream pathways. Through this study, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of the regulatory mechanism of the AKT/mTOR pathway in cancer cells, in hopes of finding effective and harmless cancer treatment targets in the future.     

Aufreinigung von Nano- und Submikronpartikeln durch präparative Gelelektrophorese

The preparative gel electrophoresis enables the separation of nano- and submicron particles based on different electrophoretic mobilities. In this contribution, we show that a fractionation not only by particle size is possible, but also by surface charge/chemistry and morphology. Whilst this method, in analogy to its application in biotechnology, is yet restricted to small quantities, possibilities for an increase of the particle throughput as well as for a continuous separation are shown.     

Near critical and supercritical impregnation and kinetic release of thymol in LLDPE films used for food packaging

The impregnation of organic compounds in polymeric materials using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) is a well-known technique, which is currently used in drug/polymer formulation. In this work, near critical and supercritical impregnation of thymol in linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) films was done in order to develop a new technique for preparation of active polymers to be used as food packages. The properties of thymol as a natural antimicrobial and antioxidant agent have motivated this study about the assessment of its migration from the polymer to different food simulant. Impregnation assays of thymol in LLDPE films were done in a high-pressure cell, where pure thymol was solubilized in supercritical carbon dioxide at 313 K and pressures varying from 7 to 12 MPa. This procedure allowed the preparation of plastic films with thymol concentrations ranged between 5100 and 13,200 ppm. Migration tests showed that the pressure applied during the impregnation procedure is a key parameter that affects the content of the active compound into the polymer, since thymol solubility in scCO₂ and absorption phenomena in the polymer increased with the pressure. The correlation between experimental data and a phenomenological transfer model allowed the estimation of the diffusion coefficient of thymol in LLDPE, which was ranged from 7.5 × 10⁻¹³ to 3.0 × 10⁻¹² m² s⁻¹.     

Migration stress,risky Internet uses,and scam victimization: An empirical study among Chinese migrant workers

In China, Internet scams against migrant workers have grown increasingly prevalent. This study uses routine activity theory and uses and gratifications theory to investigate how migration stress affects susceptibility to risky internet use and scam-related outcomes among Chinese migrant workers. The present study utilized a survey of 543 migrant workers. Findings revealed that migration stress was a significant predictor of engaging in risky online leisure activities, risky online shopping, privacy disclosure, and a lack of protective measures. The failure to adopt protective behaviors and engagement in risky online leisure activities, online loaning, and privacy disclosure were also found to increase migrant workers’ exposure to scam information and victimization. Study results sheds light on the impact of migration stress on the online behavior of migrant workers in China and provides insights into protecting them from Internet scams. Our findings may inform the development of interventions aimed at preventing online scams against migrant workers and promoting safer Internet use.