Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes/Hectorite Hybrid Reinforced Styrene Butadiene Rubber Nanocomposite: Preparation and Properties

Clay-assisted dispersion of MWCNT has emerged as a novel alternative to its conventional modification. The report deals with preparation of MWCNT/hectorite hybrid (HMH) by dry grinding method and its utilization for the reinforcement of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR). Significant improvement in tensile strength (210%) and elongation at break (42%) of SBR/HMH nanocomposite at 0.7 wt.% HMH shows its superior reinforcing efficiency. Comparison with individual fillers confirms significant synergy. Best thermal stability and dielectric response are achieved at 0.3 and 0.7 wt.% filler contents respectively. Improved properties of the nanocomposites are ascribed to enhanced level of filler dispersion and polymer-filler interaction.     

Osteopontin Deficiency Ameliorates Prostatic Fibrosis and Inflammation

Fibrogenic and inflammatory processes in the prostate are linked to the development of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men. Our previous studies identified that osteopontin (OPN), a pro-fibrotic cytokine, is abundant in the prostate of men with LUTS, and its secretion is stimulated by inflammatory cytokines potentially to drive fibrosis. This study investigates whether the lack of OPN ameliorates inflammation and fibrosis in the mouse prostate. We instilled uropathogenic E. coli (UTI89) or saline (control) transurethrally to C57BL/6J (WT) or Spp1^tm1Blh/J (OPN-KO) mice and collected the prostates one or 8 weeks later. We found that OPN mRNA and protein expression were significantly induced by E. coli-instillation in the dorsal prostate (DP) after one week in WT mice. Deficiency in OPN expression led to decreased inflammation and fibrosis and the prevention of urinary dysfunction after 8 weeks. RNAseq analysis identified that E. coli-instilled WT mice expressed increased levels of inflammatory and fibrotic marker RNAs compared to OPN-KO mice including Col3a1, Dpt, Lum and Mmp3 which were confirmed by RNAscope. Our results indicate that OPN is induced by inflammation and prolongs the inflammatory state; genetic blockade of OPN accelerates recovery after inflammation, including a resolution of prostate fibrosis.