Vitamin D Compounds PRI-2191 and PRI-2205 Enhance Anastrozole Activity in Human Breast Cancer Models

1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol, the hormonally active vitamin D₃ metabolite, is known to exhibit therapeutic effects against breast cancer, mainly by lowering the expression of estrogen receptors and aromatase activity. Previously, the safety of the vitamin D active metabolite (24R)-1,24-dihydroxycholecalciferol (PRI-2191) and 1,25(OH)₂D₃ analog PRI-2205 was tested, and the in vitro activity of these analogs against different cancer cell lines was studied. We determined the effect of the two vitamin D compounds on anastrozole (An) activity against breast cancer based on antiproliferative activity, ELISA, flow cytometry, enzyme inhibition potency, PCR, and xenograft study. Both the vitamin D active metabolite and synthetic analog regulated the growth of not only estrogen receptor-positive cells (T47D and MCF-7, in vitro and in vivo), but also hormone-independent cancer cells such as SKBR-3 (HER-2-positive) and MDA-MB-231 (triple-negative), despite their relatively low VDR expression. Combined with An, PRI-2191 and PRI-2205 significantly inhibited the tumor growth of MCF-7 cells. Potentiation of the antitumor activity in combined treatment of MCF-7 tumor-bearing mice is related to the reduced activity of aromatase by both An (enzyme inhibition) and vitamin D compounds (switched off/decreased aromatase gene expression, decreased expression of other genes related to estrogen signaling) and by regulation of the expression of the estrogen receptor ERα and VDR.     

Investigation of the Sharkskin melt instability using optical Fourier analysis

An optical method allowing the characterization of melt flow instabilities typically occurring during an extrusion process of polymers and polymer compounds is presented. It is based on a camera-acquired image of the extruded compound with a reference length scale. Application of image processing and transformation of the calibrated image to the frequency domain yields the magnitude spectrum of the instability. The effectiveness of the before mentioned approach is shown on Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) compounds, covering a wide range of silica filler content, extruded through a Göttfert capillary rheometer. The results of the image-based analysis are compared with the results from the sharkskin option, a series of highly sensitive pressure transducers installed inside the rheometer. A simplified version of the code used to produce the optical analysis results is included as supplementary material. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48806.     

Distinct Pharmacological Properties of Gaseous CO and CO-Releasing Molecule in Human Platelets

Carbon monoxide (CO)—gaseous or released by CO-RMs—both possess antiplatelet properties; however, it remains uncertain whether the mechanisms involved are the same. Here, we characterise the involvement of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) in the effects of CO—delivered by gaseous CO–saturated buffer (CO_G) and generated by CORM-A1—on platelet aggregation and energy metabolism, as well as on vasodilatation in aorta, using light transmission aggregometry, Seahorse XFe technique, and wire myography, respectively. ODQ completely prevented the inhibitory effect of CO_G on platelet aggregation, but did not modify antiplatelet effect of CORM-A1. In turn, CO_G did not affect, whereas CORM-A1 substantially inhibited energy metabolism in platelets. Even though activation of sGC by BAY 41-2272 or BAY 58-2667 inhibited significantly platelet aggregation, their effects on energy metabolism in platelets were absent or weak and could not contribute to antiplatelet effects of sGC activation. In contrast, vasodilatation of murine aortic rings, induced either by CO_G or CORM-A1, was dependent on sGC. We conclude that the source (CO_G vs. CORM-A1) and kinetics (rapid vs. slow) of CO delivery represent key determinants of the mechanism of antiplatelet action of CO, involving either impairment of energy metabolism or activation of sGG.     

Rheological characteristics of oligomeric semiproducts gained via chemical degradation of polyurethane foam using crude glycerin in the presence of different catalysts

Polyurethane (PU) recycling is a topic of growing interest due to the increasing amount of polyurethane waste. The main purpose of polyurethane chemical recycling is to recover the starting polyol. In this study, a method of polyurethane thermochemical recycling, glycerolysis by means of crude glycerin, is proposed. This work presents a comparative study of commercial catalysts used in order to accelerate the decomposition process, namely triethylamine (TEA), potassium acetate (KAc), 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), dibutyltin dilaurate (DbDl), and stannous octoate (StOc).The effect of used catalyst on the chemical structure and rheological properties was studied. The type of catalyst does not have significant influence on the chemical structure, but causes different course of reaction: split‐ and single‐phase in applied conditions. Glycerolysates were measured by Brookfield Rheometer. It was found that repolyols can be described by the Herschel–Bulkely mathematical model in the best accuracy. The investigation showed that the rheological behavior of glycerolysates depended on the catalyst used in glycerolysis process. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:891–900, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Wetting Behavior and Reactivity of Molten Silicon with h-BN Substrate at Ultrahigh Temperatures up to 1750 °C

For a successful implementation of newly proposed silicon-based latent heat thermal energy storage systems, proper ceramic materials that could withstand a contact heating with molten silicon at temperatures much higher than its melting point need to be developed. In this regard, a non-wetting behavior and low reactivity are the main criteria determining the applicability of ceramic as a potential crucible material for long-term ultrahigh temperature contact with molten silicon. In this work, the wetting of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) by molten silicon was examined for the first time at temperatures up to 1750 °C. For this purpose, the sessile drop technique combined with contact heating procedure under static argon was used. The reactivity in Si/h-BN system under proposed conditions was evaluated by SEM/EDS examinations of the solidified couple. It was demonstrated that increase in temperature improves wetting, and consequently, non-wetting-to-wetting transition takes place at around 1650 °C. The contact angle of 90° ± 5° is maintained at temperatures up to 1750 °C. The results of structural characterization supported by a thermodynamic modeling indicate that the wetting behavior of the Si/h-BN couple during heating to and cooling from ultrahigh temperature of 1750 °C is mainly controlled by the substrate dissolution/reprecipitation mechanism.     

The Impact of Zeta Potential and Physicochemical Properties of TiO2‐Based Nanocomposites on Their Biological Activity

The aim of this research was to observe the relationship between zeta potential, morphology, surface area, porosity, chemical composition, and ecotoxicity of nanocomposite powders such as Au/TiO₂, Ag₂O/TiO₂, PdO/TiO₂, Ag/TiO₂/SiO₂, Ag/N(C)TiO₂, and SiO₂/TiO₂ from which Ag₂O/TiO₂, Ag/N(C)/TiO_2, and Ag/TiO₂/SiO₂ were exhibiting good antimicrobial properties. It was observed, that nanomaterials characterized by similar morphology and zeta potential revealed the similar toxic behavior. The samples of higher agglomeration and higher zeta potential, especially Ag/TiO₂/SiO₂ xerogel and TiO₂/SiO₂ aerogel were generally less ecotoxic to water organisms and plants. They were also not genotoxic in concentrations up to 500 and 250 mg/L, respectively.     

泥炭淤泥质土壤的理化性质与其腐植酸组分之间的统计关系

腐植酸对土壤环境的影响仍然是科学研究需要讨论的话题。本研究目的是调查11种泥炭淤泥质土壤的理化性质与从中分离的腐植酸属性的相关关系。本次测量的土壤参数有:总碳和有机碳、容重、灰分、腐殖化度和吸水指数。选择的腐植酸参数有:280 nm吸光度,465 nm和655 nm、260 nm和655 nm的吸光度比值,元素组成,H/C,O/H,O/C,C/N,氧化程度,羧基和酚基官能团含量。统计分析显示:容重、腐殖化度、吸水指数的升高导致腐植酸参数280 nm吸光度、含氧量、O/H、O/C、氧化度、官能团含量的显著升高。研究还发现土壤属性参数与腐植酸的碳氢含量及H/C比值呈明显负相关。因此,只要测量一些土壤参数,即使没有耗时分离腐植酸,弄清腐植酸的性质也成为可能。     

Polyaniline–silver composites prepared by the oxidation of aniline with silver nitrate in solutions of sulfonic acids

Aniline was oxidized with silver nitrate in aqueous solutions of sulfonic acids: camphorsulfonic, methanesulfonic, sulfamic, or toluenesulfonic acids. Polyaniline–silver composites were produced slowly in 4 weeks in good yield, except for the reaction, which took place in sulfamic acid solution, where the yield was low. Polyaniline in the emeraldine form was identified with UV–visible, FTIR, and Raman spectra. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to determine the silver content, which was close to the theoretical prediction of 68.9 wt.%. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of silver nanoparticles of ca 50 nm average sizes as the dominating species, and hairy polyaniline nanorods having diameter 150–250 nm accompanied them. The highest conductivity of 880 S cm⁻¹ was found with the composite prepared in methanesulfonic acid solution. Its conductivity decreased with temperature increasing in the 70–315 K range, which is typical of metals such as silver. The conductivity of composites prepared in solutions of other acids was lower and increased with increasing temperature. Such dependence is typical of semiconductors, reflecting the dominating role of polyaniline in the conductivity behaviour. It is proposed that interfaces between the polyaniline matrix and dispersed silver nanoparticles play a dominating role in macroscopic level of conductivity.     

Active Packaging Applications for Food

The traditional role of food packaging is continuing to evolve in response to changing market needs. Current drivers such as consumer's demand for safer, “healthier,” and higher‐quality foods, ideally with a long shelf‐life; the demand for convenient and transparent packaging, and the preference for more sustainable packaging materials, have led to the development of new packaging technologies, such as active packaging (AP). As defined in the European regulation (EC) No 450/2009, AP systems are designed to “deliberately incorporate components that would release or absorb substances into or from the packaged food or the environment surrounding the food.” Active packaging materials are thereby “intended to extend the shelf‐life or to maintain or improve the condition of packaged food.” Although extensive research on AP technologies is being undertaken, many of these technologies have not yet been implemented successfully in commercial food packaging systems. Broad communication of their benefits in food product applications will facilitate the successful development and market introduction. In this review, an overview of AP technologies, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant or carbon dioxide‐releasing systems, and systems absorbing oxygen, moisture or ethylene, is provided, and, in particular, scientific publications illustrating the benefits of such technologies for specific food products are reviewed. Furthermore, the challenges in applying such AP technologies to food systems and the anticipated direction of future developments are discussed. This review will provide food and packaging scientists with a thorough understanding of the benefits of AP technologies when applied to specific foods and hence can assist in accelerating commercial adoption.     

New Carvone-Based Deep Eutectic Solvents for Siloxanes Capture from Biogas

During biogas combustion, siloxanes form deposits of SiO₂ on engine components, thus shortening the lifespan of the installation. Therefore, the development of new methods for the purification of biogas is receiving increasing attention. One of the most effective methods is physical absorption with the use of appropriate solvents. According to the principles of green engineering, solvents should be biodegradable, non-toxic, and have a high absorption capacity. Deep eutectic solvents (DES) possess such characteristics. In the literature, due to the very large number of DES combinations, conductor-like screening models for real solvents (COSMO-RS), based on the comparison of siloxane activity coefficient of 90 DESs of various types, were studied. DESs, which have the highest affinity to siloxanes, were synthesized. The most important physicochemical properties of DESs were carefully studied. In order to explain of the mechanism of DES formation, and the interaction between DES and siloxanes, the theoretical studies based on σ-profiles, and experimental studies including the ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and FT-IR spectra, were applied. The obtained results indicated that the new DESs, which were composed of carvone and carboxylic acids, were characterized by the highest affinity to siloxanes. It was shown that the hydrogen bonds between the active ketone group (=O) and the carboxyl group (-COOH) determined the formation of stable DESs with a melting point much lower than those of the individual components. On the other hand, non-bonded interactions mainly determined the effective capture of siloxanes with DES.