Structure of focal adhesion kinase in healthy heart versus pathological cardiac hypertrophy: A modeling and simulation study

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is required for signaling in the heart. S910 phosphorylated FAK is known to cause pathological cardiac hypertrophy. The switching of FAK between its inactive (-i), activated (-a) and hyperactive (-h) state is controlled by phosphorylation. FAK consists of three domains, namely: FERM, Kinase, and FAT joined by linkers L1 and L2. The structural basis of FAK phosphorylation and signaling to the downstream pathways is not understood. In this work, we carried out homology modeling and domain assembly of full length human iFAK and aFAK. 100 ns classical molecular dynamic simulations were performed using AMBER14 and effect of S910 phosphorylation on FAK was investigated. The iFAK model superposed on a small angel X-ray scattering (SAXS) derived model with RMSD of 1.18 Å for 590 Cα atoms. aFAK showed S910 phosphorylation site in L2 shielded by FERM. S910 phosphorylation in hFAK led to its exposure accompanied by a large conformational change and exposing the previously buried Grb2 interaction site responsible for causing cardiac hypertrophy. The models of FAK are in agreement with diverse experimental data and observed differences in biological action. Understanding the structure activity relationships of FAK in response to phosphorylation is important for its future therapeutic modulation.     

Comparative study of the fluid viscosity in tarsal hairy attachment systems of flies and beetles

Wet adhesive systems of insects strongly rely for their function on the formation of capillary bridges with the substrate. Studies on the chemical composition and evaporation dynamics of tarsal secretions strongly suggest a difference in chemistry of secretion in beetles and flies, both possessing hairy attachment devices. This difference is assumed to influence the viscosity of the secretion. Here, we applied a microrheological technique, based on the immersion of nanometric beads in the collected tarsal footprints, to estimate secretion viscosity in a beetle (Coccinella septempunctata) and a fly (Calliphora vicina). Both species studied possess distinct differences in viscosity, the median of which was calculated as 21.8 and 10.9 mPa s, respectively. We further present an approximate theoretical model to calculate the contact formation time of spatula-like terminal contact elements using the viscosity data of the covering fluid. The estimated contact formation time is proportional to the tarsal secretion viscosity and to the square of the contact radius of the contact element.     

Dental Chatter: Bacterial Cross-Talk in the Biofilm of the Oral Cavity

Dental biofilms are composed of hundreds of bacterial species. These biofilms are diverse biological structures due to the heterogeneity of the many different types of supports in the oral cavity. The bacteria immobilized in these biofilms are exposed to rapid environmental changes such as pH, temperature, nutrition and anti-plaque agents. One mode in which these bacteria adapt in the dental biofilm is by quorum sensing. This cell-cell communication regulates diverse sets of adhesion modes, physiological changes, virulence properties, allowing the bacteria to persist in the dental biofilm under rapid environmental changes. In this review, we will concentrate mostly on the cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans as one of the pivotal microorganisms in the supra-gingival biofilm that plays a major role in dental caries.     

横向简谐荷载作用下端锚黏结式锚杆黏结性试验研究

由于采动荷载和爆破荷载对已有支护锚杆产生影响，因此迫切需要研究锚杆在动荷载作用下的微观力学特性及黏结性变化。从工程实际出发，现场监测锚杆工作状态下轴力变化和爆破荷载作用下锚杆周边围岩振动信息，并开展探索性室内试验。通过室内试验获得锚杆在轴向荷载作用下横向固有频率振动后的振动强度与工作龄期耦合作用下锚杆黏结性衰减规律的拟合计算式。研制了横向简谐荷载作用下端锚黏结式锚杆模型试验装置，采用均匀设计方法，考虑锚杆长度和锚杆直径两个影响因素，通过动态监测系统获得了横向简谐荷载作用下锚杆应力沿锚杆长度的分布规律、锚杆应力分布与拉拔力的关系，以及剪切应力与位移的关系。最终采用大型有限差分软件FLAC3D，建立了锚杆与围岩相互作用的力学模型。     

Physicochemical and structural effects of electrolyte‐induced delamination on polyethylene teraphthalate‐coated steel plates

This research evaluated the in situ physicochemical changes and alterations occurring in an electrolytic chromium coated steel (ECCS), surface protected by polyethylene teraphthalate (PET) copolymer, after inducing a fracture on the coating in an acid acetic‐acetate medium. The delamination was characterized in the front of the failure by means of anodic and cathodic electrochemical mechanisms, and the resistance and degradation of the metal‐polymer composite's substrates were analyzed by means of Raman vibrational spectroscopy. The application of an electrochemical cell to generate in situ delamination, simulating the formation of pores or artificial defects, provided information on the activity inside the substrates of the PET‐coated ECCS composite as a result of the effect of the acetic acid. The anodic delamination mechanism is based on the diffusion of the electrolyte through the metal‐polymer interface and the pre‐existence of pores on the polymer layer. The cathodic delamination mechanism is based on the mechanical action of the gaseous hydrogen as a result of the reduction of H⁺. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Novel organic–inorganic hybrid coatings prepared by the sol–gel process: corrosion and mechanical properties

(Hyperbranched polyurethane‐urea)/[(3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane]‐ZnO (HBPUU‐APTES‐ZnO) hybrid coatings were synthesized using an inexpensive mixing technique by varying the APTES‐modified ZnO concentration. The mechanical and surface properties of the hybrid coating films were studied and compared with unmodified and modified ZnO. The corrosion, solvent and abrasion resistance show significant enhancement in HBPUU‐APTES‐ZnO hybrids and their properties are increased with increasing APTES‐ZnO concentration. This hybrid coating has opened up an opportunity for automotive topcoat application. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Experimental investigations of mechanical and tribological behaviours for organic and inorganic coatings deposited on mild steel substrate

ABSTRACT

Surface treatment technologies are constantly evolving. Increasingly, surface functionalisation is of major concern to lighten structures, improve product performance and reduce costs. To fulfil its decorative and protective functions, it is essential that a coating adheres properly to its support. During the last few decades, many new deposition techniques have been developed and more and more tribological and corrosion resistant coatings have been made available. In this context, the present research has focused on two pneumatically sprayed epoxy/polyamide and inorganic silicate coatings which are deposited on the mild steel substrate. First, the main interest in this study is devoted to the analysis of the coating/substrate adhesion strength by using the squaring and pull-off tests. Second, the study has also focused on the analysis of friction and wear behaviours for the two systems of paint coatings under consideration by using a linear reciprocating tribometer under dry sliding condition. Experimental findings have shown that after appropriate surface preparation and degree of cleaning according to the standard ISO 8501-1, selected paint systems composed of organic or inorganic coatings effectively improve the service life of coated steel. Meanwhile, under the same sliding conditions, the wear results have revealed that the organic coatings have a higher anti-wear ability compared to the inorganic coatings. Thus, both organic and inorganic coatings play an important role in protecting the substrate against severe industrial environment. From the squaring and pull-off analyses, it has been deduced that scratch and pull-off behaviours of both coatings have been severely affected by the surface preparation, the number of protective layers and the thickness of coatings. In fact, the best adhesion, friction and wear properties are obtained for the paint system containing organic coatings where the third body is formed on the entire sliding strip in the test.     

Fatal Attraction: How Bacterial Adhesins Affect Host Signaling and What We Can Learn from Them

The ability of bacterial species to colonize and infect host organisms is critically dependent upon their capacity to adhere to cellular surfaces of the host. Adherence to cell surfaces is known to be essential for the activation and delivery of certain virulence factors, but can also directly affect host cell signaling to aid bacterial spread and survival. In this review we will discuss the recent advances in the field of bacterial adhesion, how we are beginning to unravel the effects adhesins have on host cell signaling, and how these changes aid the bacteria in terms of their survival and evasion of immune responses. Finally, we will highlight how the exploitation of bacterial adhesins may provide new therapeutic avenues for the treatment of a wide range of bacterial infections.