In Vitro Activity of Copper(II) Complexes,Loaded or Unloaded into a Nanostructured Lipid System,against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused mainly by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), presenting 9.5 million new cases and 1.5 million deaths in 2014. The aim of this study was to evaluate a nanostructured lipid system (NLS) composed of 10% phase oil (cholesterol), 10% surfactant (soy phosphatidylcholine, sodium oleate), and Eumulgin^® HRE 40 ([castor oil polyoxyl-40-hydrogenated] in a proportion of 3:6:8), and an 80% aqueous phase (phosphate buffer pH = 7.4) as a tactic to enhance the in vitro anti-Mtb activity of the copper(II) complexes [CuCl₂(INH)₂]·H₂O (1), [Cu(NCS)₂(INH)₂]·5H₂O (2) and [Cu(NCO)₂(INH)₂]·4H₂O (3). The Cu(II) complex-loaded NLS displayed sizes ranging from 169.5 ± 0.7095 to 211.1 ± 0.8963 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) varying from 0.135 ± 0.0130 to 0.236 ± 0.00100, and zeta potential ranging from −0.00690 ± 0.0896 to −8.43 ± 1.63 mV. Rheological analysis showed that the formulations behave as non-Newtonian fluids of the pseudoplastic and viscoelastic type. Antimycobacterial activities of the free complexes and NLS-loaded complexes against Mtb H₃₇Rv ATCC 27294 were evaluated by the REMA methodology, and the selectivity index (SI) was calculated using the cytotoxicity index (IC₅₀) against Vero (ATCC^® CCL-81), J774A.1 (ATCC^® TIB-67), and MRC-5 (ATCC^® CCL-171) cell lines. The data suggest that the incorporation of the complexes into NLS improved the inhibitory action against Mtb by 52-, 27-, and 4.7-fold and the SI values by 173-, 43-, and 7-fold for the compounds 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The incorporation of the complexes 1, 2 and 3 into the NLS also resulted in a significant decrease of toxicity towards an alternative model (Artemia salina L.). These findings suggest that the NLS may be considered as a platform for incorporation of metallic complexes aimed at the treatment of TB.     

Neuroprotective Effects of Testosterone in the Hypothalamus of an Animal Model of Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is known to be associated to inflammation and alteration in the hypothalamus, a brain region implicated in the control of several physiological functions, including energy homeostasis and reproduction. Previous studies demonstrated the beneficial effects of testosterone treatment (TTh) in counteracting some MetS symptoms in both animal models and clinical studies. This study investigated the effect of TTh (30 mg/kg/week for 12 weeks) on the hypothalamus in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced animal model of MetS, utilizing quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses. The animal model recapitulates the human MetS features, including low testosterone/gonadotropin plasma levels. TTh significantly improved MetS-induced hypertension, visceral adipose tissue accumulation, and glucose homeostasis derangements. Within hypothalamus, TTh significantly counteracted HFD-induced inflammation, as detected in terms of expression of inflammatory markers and microglial activation. Moreover, TTh remarkably reverted the HFD-associated alterations in the expression of important regulators of energy status and reproduction, such as the melanocortin and the GnRH-controlling network. Our results suggest that TTh may exert neuroprotective effects on the HFD-related hypothalamic alterations, with positive outcomes on the circuits implicated in the control of energy metabolism and reproductive tasks, thus supporting a possible role of TTh in the clinical management of MetS.     

Strategies to Modulate Specialized Metabolism in Mediterranean Crops: From Molecular Aspects to Field

Plant specialized metabolites (SMs) play an important role in the interaction with the environment and are part of the plant defense response. These natural products are volatile, semi-volatile and non-volatile compounds produced from common building blocks deriving from primary metabolic pathways and rapidly evolved to allow a better adaptation of plants to environmental cues. Specialized metabolites include terpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, glucosinolates, tannins, resins, etc. that can be used as phytochemicals, food additives, flavoring agents and pharmaceutical compounds. This review will be focused on Mediterranean crop plants as a source of SMs, with a special attention on the strategies that can be used to modulate their production, including abiotic stresses, interaction with beneficial soil microorganisms and novel genetic approaches.     

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) with zinc oxide and carbon nanotubes applied to pressure sheath layers in oil and gas pipelines

In this work, PVDF composites containing 0.2% (m/m) of carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), PVDF with 5.0% (m/m) of zinc oxide (ZnO), and composites containing both particles in the same contents in the matrix were melt processed in a mini-extruder machine with double screws, using the counter-rotation mode. Composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic-mechanical analysis (DMA), and contact angle tests (CA). The samples presented the predominance of the α phase, with an increased degree of crystallinity as well as an increase in dimensional stability by incorporating both fillers, showing a synergistic effect between these particles, as shown on FTIR, DSC, and XRD results. SEM images showed a good dispersion of high aspect ratio particles. In general, DMA and TGA analysis showed that composites had not decreased their thermal and mechanical performance when compared to neat PVDF. Results of CA analysis showed an increase in the hydrophobicity of the sample containing MWCNTs. Permeability tests were also performed using a differential pressure system, combining high temperature and pressure, obtaining permeability measures and time lag. This work presents an alternative of composite materials, suggesting its application in the internal pressure sheath layers of oil and gas flexible pipes.     

Water-repellent films from corn protein and tomato cutin

Flexible and hydrophobic biobased films were obtained using zein esterified with methanol and para-toluene (p-toluene) sulfonic acid, cutin from tomato peels and ethanol. Esterification was confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Non-modified zein films were brittle and hydrophilic. ATR-FTIR demonstrated that zein esterification increased zein hydrophobicity. Without cutin, esterified zein films were hydrophobic but brittle. Addition of cutin yielded films that were flexible and hydrophobic, as demonstrated by contact angle measurements. Principal component analysis (PCA) of ATR-FTIR data showed that intensities at 3195 cm⁻¹ and 3490 cm⁻¹ were correlated to the relative hydrophobicity of zein films. PCA also showed that films of esterified zein and cutin were more hydrophobic than their counterparts (non-modified zein without cutin). Optical and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that esterified zein was compatible with cutin and yielded cohesive films, which did not fracture upon bending.     

Growth of carbon nanotube forests on carbon fibers with an amorphous silicon interface

Aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube forests were grown by chemical vapour deposition on carbon fibers by the use of an amorphous Si interface. The Si layer creates a barrier, hindering the Fe catalyst diffusion into the carbon fibers. This method provides a way to tailor the thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of the fiber-resin interface of a polymer composite.     

Nonlinear Viscoelastic Characteristics of Sn-Ag-Cu Solder Pastes Used in Electronics Assembly Applications

Sn-Ag-Cu solder pastes are widely used as the joining material in the electronic assembly process. The aim of this work was to evaluate the nonlinear viscoelastic behaviors of three different Sn-Ag-Cu solder pastes. Three novel rheological test methods were developed for this purpose. These include viscosity, thixotropic loop, and oscillatory amplitude sweep tests. The nonlinear flow curves obtained from the viscosity tests revealed the “shear-thinning” behavior of solder paste samples. Thixotropic loop test results explain the time-dependent structural breakdown and recovery of solder pastes. The viscoelastic properties of solder pastes were interpreted through oscillatory test parameters: storage modulus (G′), loss modulus (G″), and phase angle (δ). The discrepancies observed in the rheological behaviors of the paste samples were found to be related with flux composition (liquid phase in the solder paste) and particle size distribution.     

Ferroelasticity in a metal–organic framework perovskite; towards a new class of multiferroics

A metal–organic framework perovskite, [(CH₂)₃NH₂][Mn(HCOO)₃], exhibits a weakly first order ferroelastic phase transition at ～272 K, from orthorhombic Pnma to monoclinic P2₁/n, and a further transition associated with antiferromagnetic ordering at ～8.5 K. The main structural changes, through the phase transition, are orientational ordering of the azetidium groups and associated changes in hydrogen bonding. In marked contrast to conventional improper ferroelastic oxide perovskites, the driving mechanism is associated with the X-point of the cubic Brillouin zone rather than being driven by R- and M-point octahedral tilting. The total ferroelastic shear strain of up to ～5% is substantially greater than found for typical oxide perovskites, and highlights the potential of the flexible framework to undergo large relaxations in response to local structural changes. Measurements of elastic and anelastic properties by resonant ultrasound spectroscopy show some of the characteristic features of ferroelastic materials. In particular, acoustic dissipation below the transition point can be understood in terms of mobility of twin walls under the influence of external stress with relaxation times on the order of ～10^?7 s. Elastic softening as the transition is approached from above is interpreted in terms of coupling between acoustic modes and dynamic local ordering of the azetidium groups. Subsequent stiffening with further temperature reduction is interpreted in terms of classical strain–order parameter coupling at an improper ferroelastic transition which is close to being tricritical. By way of contrast, there are no overt changes in elastic or anelastic properties near 9 K, implying that any coupling of the antiferromagnetic order parameter with strain is weak or negligible.     

Hydrocarbon condensation modelling to mitigate fluid coker cyclone fouling

FLUID COKING is a continuous process that thermally converts heavy hydrocarbons, such as oil sands bitumen, to lighter and higher‐value products by horizontal spray injection onto a fluidized bed of hot coke particles. The cyclone sections of commercial fluid coker reactors experience fouling during typical operation, which limits unit run lengths. The main objective of this work is to improve fluid coker reliability by proposing cyclone fouling mitigation strategies based on practical operation modifications. This study developed a process simulation in Aspen Plus to establish the combined impact of vapour‐liquid equilibrium, endothermic thermal cracking reactions, pressure changes, and overall fluid dynamics in the selected fluid coker control volumes. The hydrocarbon composition was defined by applying an assay characterization of distillation data for representative hydrocarbon streams. Case studies were performed to determine the sensitivity of the predicted temperatures and hydrocarbon condensate flow rates for: (a) the burner‐to‐fluid coker transfer line temperature; (b) the hot coke flow rate; (c) hot coke entrainment from the freeboard region; and (d) scouring coke flow rate in the horn chamber. The scouring coke flow rate was identified as the most promising process lever to mitigate fluid coker cyclone fouling.     

Precision Oncology via NMR-Based Metabolomics: A Review on Breast Cancer

Precision oncology is an emerging approach in cancer care. It aims at selecting the optimal therapy for the right patient by considering each patient’s unique disease and individual health status. In the last years, it has become evident that breast cancer is an extremely heterogeneous disease, and therefore, patients need to be appropriately stratified to maximize survival and quality of life. Gene-expression tools have already positively assisted clinical decision making by estimating the risk of recurrence and the potential benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. However, these approaches need refinement to further reduce the proportion of patients potentially exposed to unnecessary chemotherapy. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics has demonstrated to be an optimal approach for cancer research and has provided significant results in BC, in particular for prognostic and stratification purposes. In this review, we give an update on the status of NMR-based metabolomic studies for the biochemical characterization and stratification of breast cancer patients using different biospecimens (breast tissue, blood serum/plasma, and urine).