Sodium Alginate—Natural Microencapsulation Material of Polymeric Microparticles

From the multitude of materials currently available on the market that can be used in the development of microparticles, sodium alginate has become one of the most studied natural anionic polymers that can be included in controlled-release pharmaceutical systems alongside other polymers due to its low cost, low toxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability and gelatinous die-forming capacity in the presence of Ca²⁺ ions. In this review, we have shown that through coacervation, the particulate systems for the dispensing of drugs consisting of natural polymers are nontoxic, allowing the repeated administration of medicinal substances and the protection of better the medicinal substances from degradation, which can increase the capture capacity of the drug and extend its release from the pharmaceutical form.     

The Effects of Genistein at Different Concentrations on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells and BJ Dermal Fibroblasts

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and potential use of soy isoflavones in the treatment of skin problems, difficult-to-heal wounds and postoperative scars in women after the oncological treatment of breast cancer. The effects of different concentrations of genistein as a representative of soy isoflavonoids on MCF-7 tumor cells and BJ skin fibroblasts cultured in vitro were assessed. Genistein affects both healthy dermal BJ fibroblasts and cancerous MCF-7 cells. The effect of the tested isoflavonoid is closely related to its concentration. High concentrations of genistein destroy MCF-7 cancer cells, regardless of the exposure time, with a much greater effect on reducing cancer cell numbers at longer times (48 h). Lower concentrations of genistein (10 and 20 μM) increase the abundance of dermal fibroblasts. However, higher concentrations of genistein (50 μM and higher) are detrimental to fibroblasts at longer exposure times (48 h). Our studies indicate that although genistein shows high potential for use in the treatment of skin problems, wounds and surgical scars in women during and after breast cancer treatment, it is not completely safe. Introducing isoflavonoids to treatment requires further research into their mechanisms of action at the molecular level, taking into account genetic and immunological aspects. It is also necessary to conduct research in in vivo models, which will allow for eliminating adverse side effects of therapy.     

Probing enzyme promiscuity of SGNH hydrolases

Several hydrolases of the SGNH superfamily, including the lipase SrLip from Streptomyces rimosus (Q93MW7), the acyl-CoA thioesterase I TesA from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Q9HZY8) and the two lipolytic enzymes EstA (from P. aeruginosa, O33407) and EstP (from Pseudomonas putida, Q88QS0), were examined for promiscuity. These enzymes were tested against four chemically different classes of a total of 34 substrates known to be hydrolysed by esterases, thioesterases, lipases, phospholipases, Tweenases and proteases. Furthermore, they were also analysed with respect to their amino acid sequences and structural homology, and their phylogenetic relationship was determined. The Pseudomonas esterases EstA and EstP each have an N-terminal domain with catalytic activity together with a C-terminal autotransporter domain, and so the hybrid enzymes EstA(N)-EstP(C) and EstP(N)-EstA(C) were constructed by swapping the corresponding N- and C-terminal domains, and their hydrolytic activities were compared. Interestingly, substrate specificity and kinetic measurements indicated a significant influence of the autotransporter domains on the catalytic activities of these enzymes in solution. TesA, EstA and EstP were shown to function as esterases with different affinities and catalytic efficacies towards p-nitrophenyl butyrate. Of all the enzymes tested, only SrLip revealed lipase, phospholipase, esterase, thioesterase and Tweenase activities.     

HVAC system optimization with CO2 concentration control using genetic algorithms

This study describes the use of genetic algorithms (GAs) for operating standard HVAC systems (HVAC—heating, ventilation and air conditioning) in order to optimize performance, primarily with regard to power saving. Genetic algorithms were introduced as an instrument for solving optimization problems. Analytic optimization procedures are widely used in other fields of engineering, but they are difficult to operate within HVAC systems, because the range of the research is usually too broad, the problems are not linear but rather discontinuous, and they mostly have complex limitations. This is why for this type of system genetic algorithms are used, since they have the qualities of robustness and efficiency that are crucial for finding the optimal solution. A simulation is conducted in order to demonstrate how much power can be saved by using the suggested method of CO₂ concentration control in a standard HVAC system. In addition to Matlab Simulink, the suggested method is verified with Energy software.     

The structure of maladaptive personality traits in childhood: A step toward an integrative developmental perspective for DSM-V.

The present study describes the construction of a taxonomy of trait-related symptoms in childhood, the Dimensional Personality Symptom Item Pool (DIPSI), and examines the replicability of the taxonomy's higher order structure across maternal ratings of referred (N = 205) and nonreferred (N = 242) children and self-ratings of adolescents (N = 453). The DIPSI's 4 higher order factors--that is, Emotional Instability, Disagreeableness, Introversion, and Compulsivity--showed clear correspondence with the dimensions of personality pathology found in adulthood (Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology-Basic Questionnaire; W. J. Livesley, 1990; Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality; L. A. Clark, 1993). These 4 factors can be further organized into 2 superfactors, representing Internalizing and Externalizing Traits, demonstrating empirical and conceptual relationships with psychopathology models in childhood and adulthood. The implications for the assessment and conceptualization of early trait pathology are discussed in the context of an integrative developmental perspective on the construction of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Thermodynamic Properties of He@C60

Contributions to thermodynamic properties of the endohedral He@C₆₀, resulting from motion of He inside the cage, are calculated. The contribution to C_v shows a maximum at low temperatures. The maxima for ³He@C₆₀ and ⁴He@C₆₀ are at about 41 K and 30 K, respectively.     

Contribution of staling compounds to the aged flavour of lager beer by studying their flavour thresholds

The effect of 26 staling compounds on the aged flavour of a Belgian lager beer was studied. Strikingly, thresholds were regularly found to be substantially lower than those previously reported, and it appeared important to consider threshold values as indicative rather than absolute because of very large variations in sensitivity of individuals. In addition, a masking effect of isoamyl acetate and various interactions were observed between flavour compounds, which can considerably influence their flavour activity, even at sub-threshold concentrations. Cardboard flavour was essentially caused by (E)-2-nonenal. Additionally, methional, 3-methylbutanal, 2-furfuryl ethyl ether, β-damascenone and acetaldehyde were confirmed as key contributors to the aged flavour and to a lesser extent, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, phenylacetaldehyde, 2-methylpropanal, diacetyl and 5-hydroxymethyfurfural. Finally, the addition of a selection of compounds could fairly well reproduce the flavour of aged lager beer, indicating that these compounds account for the major part of this flavour.     

On an on-line dynamic direct coordination method in process industry

A two-level production control system based on an on-line dynamic direct coordination method is discussed. Within the structure, each local unit makes decisions keeping to the coupling outputs as recommended by the coordinator. An application to a system in process industry is given.     

Implementation of adaptive modulation as A fade countermeasure

Three key problem areas associated with implementation of the concept of adaptive modulation as a fade countermeasure in a practical VSAT system are addressed in this paper. First, the heart of such a system, an adaptive modem, is described; such a device should be able to support a number of different modulation schemes, independently for modulation and demodulation. It is shown how an adaptive modulator can be built around a VLSI numerically controlled oscillator and that an adaptive demodulator is feasible once the universal carrier tracking loop is implemented with use of digital signal processing. As regards system operation, a data transfer scenario is described which highlights that it is important to expand the set of commands and responses of the data link control protocol in order to cater for the new abilities of the system. Finally, the article describes a computer simulation of system performance evaluation under dynamic rain fading propagation conditions and applied to a K_a band link. The results confirm earlier theoretical work and show great advantage over systems using fixed modulation schemes and fixed link propagation budget margins.