Myofibroblast accumulation induced by transforming growth factor-beta is involved in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps

Myofibroblasts that express alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) are detected in many chronic inflammatory diseases. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a potent inducer of myofibroblast accumulation in tissues. In this study, scattered myofibroblasts and TGF-beta were quantified and localized in nasal polyps (NPs) and normal nasal mucosa (NM). NPs were sampled in 16 patients during ethmoidectomy and NM was obtained from 10 control subjects during rhinoplasty. alpha-SMA and TGF-beta were detected using immunohistochemistry and the numbers of labeled cells were quantified (alpha-SMA and TGF-beta indices) and compared between NPs and NM. In eight NPs, in which the pedicle was preserved, alpha-SMA and TGF-beta were evaluated and compared in the pedicle, central, and tip areas. Finally, TGF-beta expression was compared between low (zone 1), moderate (zone 2), and high (zone 3) zones of alpha-SMA positivity. alpha-SMA and TGF-beta indices were significantly higher in NPs than in NM. In the eight selected NPs, alpha-SMA-positive cells were significantly more abundant in the pedicle than in the central and tip areas, whereas TGF-beta-positive cells were significantly more numerous in the pedicle than in the tip area. The number of TGF-beta-positive cells was significantly higher in zone 3 than in zone 1 of alpha-SMA positivity. Myofibroblasts, which are abundant in NPs but rare in NM, could be involved in the growth of NPs by inducing extracellular matrix accumulation. The local development of myofibroblasts in NPs could be controlled by TGF-beta, locally produced by inflammatory cells.     

Effect of electron irradiation on alternating current electrical properties of gelatin – cadmium sulfide nano-composite films

Gelatin was doped with 1 %, 3 %, 5 % and 10 % cadmium sulfide nanoparticles in weight concentrations forming the gelatin-cadmium sulfide nanocomposites and irradiated by various electron beam doses equals 50 kGy, 75 kGy, 100 kGy, and 150 kGy using 3 MeV – 3 mA electron accelerator. The applied alternating current electrical field frequency ranging from 70 Hz to 5 MHz is what caused the fluctuation in dielectric properties and alternating current electrical conductivity of these nanocomposites. The results showed that the films of 1 %, 3 %, 5 %, and 10 % for blank (nanocomposite film without electron beam irradiation) nanocomposites had the highest dielectric parameters (έ, ϵ′′, tan δ) at 0.5 kHz with values of (0.696, 0.0233, 0.034), (0.533, 0.0114, 0.0215), (0.402, 0.001196, 0.003), and (0.459, 0.00418, 0.0091), respectively. However, the lowest dielectric parameters were (0.645, 0.00618, 0.0066), (0.523, 0.00165, 0.0215), (0.417, 0.00035, 0.0008), and (0.455, 0.00066, 0.0015) at 5 MHz, respectively. The highest conductivity values for blank nanocomposites of 1 %, 3 %, 5 %, and 10 % were 1.79×10⁻⁴ S/m, 1.45×10⁻⁴ S/m, 1.16×10⁻⁴ S/m, 1.27×10⁻⁴ S/m at 5 MHz, and the lowest values were 1.92×10⁻⁸ S/m, 1.49×10⁻⁸ S/m, 1.13×10⁻⁸ S/m, 1.26×10⁻⁸ S/m at 0.5 kHz, respectively. For irradiated nanocomposites at 5 MHz, the dielectric constant order for 1 % was 100 kGy, 150 kGy, 50 kGy, and 75 kGy with values 0.63, 0.537, 0.532, and 0.523, respectively. For 10 % weight concentration, the order was 50 kGy, 100 kGy, 150 kGy, and 75 kGy with values 0.515, 0.477, 0.47, and 0.437, respectively. Otherwise the dielectric constant order for 3 % and 5 % was 100 kGy, 75 kGy, 150 kGy, and 50 kGy. The highest dielectric properties and conductivity values for blank and irradiated nanocomposites were observed at 100 kGy for 1 %, 3 %, and 5 %.     

Prediction and analysis of flow behavior of a polymer melt through nanochannels using artificial neural network and statistical methods

A new methodology, namely, artificial neural network (ANN) approach was proposed for modeling and predicting flow behavior of the polyethylene melt through nanochannels of nanoporous alumina templates. Wetting length of the nanochannels was determined to be a function of time, temperature, diameter of nanochannels, and surface properties of the inner wall of the nanochannels. An ANN was designed to forecast the relationship between the length of wetting as output parameter and other aforementioned parameters as input variables. It was demonstrated that the ANN method is capable of modeling this phenomenon with high accuracy. The designed ANN was then employed to obtain the wetting length of the nanochannels for those cases, which were not reported by the wetting experiments. The results were then analyzed statistically to identify the effect of each independent variable, namely, time, temperature, diameter of nanochannels, and surface properties of the inner wall of nanochannels as well as their combinations on the wetting length of the nanochannels. Interesting results were attained and discussed.     

A heuristic method for the vehicle routing problem with mixed deliveries and pickups

The vehicle routing problem with deliveries and pickups is a challenging extension to the vehicle routing problem that lately attracted growing attention in the literature. This paper investigates the relationship between two versions of this problem, called “mixed” and “simultaneous”. In particular, we wish to know whether a solution algorithm designed for the simultaneous case can solve the mixed case. To this end, we implement a metaheuristic based on reactive tabu search. The results suggest that this approach can yield good results.     

Microencapsulation of Nigella sativa seeds oil containing thymoquinone by spray‐drying for functional yogurt production

The present work reports on the microencapsulation of Nigella sativa seeds oil containing thymoquinone (TQ) by spray‐drying, using modified starch (MS) and maltodextrin (MD) mixture as wall materials aimed at producing functional yogurt. First, the impact of different ratios of MS/MD on microencapsulation efficiency (ME) and TQ retention was investigated. The highest ME (90.10%) was found in microcapsules prepared from emulsion with 80/20 ratio of MS/MD; however, the microcapsules prepared with 50/50 ratio was selected for considering TQ stability under storage conditions and functional yogurt production due to an acceptable ME (89.48%) and better TQ retention (61.12%). The results showed that the microcapsules stored at refrigerator temperature had the highest content of TQ after 4 weeks. Moreover, the results of chemical and sensory analysis suggest that N. sativa seeds oil microcapsules can be used for producing functional yogurt due to high stability of TQ and proper chemical and sensory properties.     

Synthesis and characterization of multiwall carbon nanotube/waterborne polyurethane nanocomposites

The preparation of thermoplastic nanocomposites of waterborne polyurethane (WBPU) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) via an in situ polymerization approach is presented. The effects of the presence and content of MWCNTs on the morphology and thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. Carbon nanotubes were modified with amide groups in order to enhance their chemical affinity towards WBPU. Thermogravimetric studies show enhanced thermal stability of the nanocomposites. Scanning and transmission electronic microscopy images prove that functionalized carbon nanotubes can be effectively dispersed in WBPU matrix. Mechanical properties reveal that Young's modulus and tensile strength tend to increase when appropriate amounts of MWCNTs are loaded due to the reinforcing effect of the functionalized carbon nanotubes. Thermal properties show an increase in the glass transition temperature and storage modulus with an increase in MWCNT content. X‐ray diffraction reveals better crystallization of the WBPU in the presence of MWCNTs. The WBPU/MWCNT nanocomposite film containing 1 wt% of MWCNTs exhibits a conductivity nearly five orders of magnitude higher than that of WBPU film. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry