Random and aligned PLLA : PRGF electrospun scaffolds for regenerative medicine

Random and aligned electrospun scaffolds were prepared combining poly(l ‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and activated platelet‐rich plasma (PRGF) at various proportions, with the aim of elucidating the role of nanofibers orientation and growth factors on cell attachment and proliferation. PRGF is released from scaffolds in a sustained way for at least 3 weeks, without an initial burst effect. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seeded on the random scaffolds present a polygonal and random orientation in any direction of the scaffold. On the other hand, aligned scaffolds are able to promote cell attachment and proliferation in the direction of the nanofibers. The incorporation of PRGF in the scaffolds enhances cell proliferation for at least 2 weeks. Overall, aligned electrospun PLLA : PRGF scaffolds can encapsulate growth factors at relatively large proportions and sustain their release to enhance cell attachment and proliferation as well as eliciting cell alignment. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41372.     

Use of Poultry Byproduct for Production of Keratinolytic Enzymes

The production of keratinolytic enzymes by Chryseobacterium sp. isolated from the poultry industry was tested on different growth substrates: casein, peptone, yeast extract, gelatin, soybean meal, fish meal, feather meal, raw feathers, and cheese whey. Raw feather, an important byproduct from the poultry industry, was the selected growth substrate to test the effect of three variables (temperature, initial pH, and feather concentration) on keratinase production by response surface methodology. A 2³ central composite design was performed with the central point chosen as: temperature 30 °C, initial pH 8.0, and feather concentration 20 g l⁻¹. Statistical analysis of results showed that, in the range studied, temperature had a strong effect on keratinase production. The interaction between temperature and feather concentration and between temperature and initial pH had a significant effect on enzyme production. Response surface data showed maximum keratinase production at 23 °C, initial pH 9.0, and 30 g l⁻¹ of raw feathers. Under these conditions, the model predicted a keratinase activity of 1,559 U ml⁻¹.     

Transcriptional Analysis of C-Repeat Binding Factors in Fruit of Citrus Species with Differential Sensitivity to Chilling Injury during Postharvest Storage

Citrus fruit are sensitive to chilling injury (CI) during cold storage, a peel disorder that causes economic losses. C-repeat binding factors (CBFs) are related to cold acclimation and tolerance in different plants. To explore the role of Citrus CBFs in fruit response to cold, an in silico study was performed, revealing three genes (CBF1, CBF2, and CBF3) whose expression in CI sensitive and tolerant cultivars was followed. Major changes occurred at the early stages of cold exposure (1–5 d). Interestingly, CBF1 was the most stimulated gene in the peel of CI-tolerant cultivars (Lisbon lemon, Star Ruby grapefruit, and Navelina orange), remaining unaltered in sensitive cultivars (Meyer lemon, Marsh grapefruit, and Salustiana orange). Results suggest a positive association of CBF1 expression with cold tolerance in Citrus cultivars (except for mandarins), whereas the expression of CBF2 or CBF3 genes did not reveal a clear relationship with the susceptibility to CI. Light avoidance during fruit growth reduced postharvest CI in most sensitive cultivars, associated with a rapid and transient enhance in the expression of the three CBFs. Results suggest that CBFs-dependent pathways mediate at least part of the cold tolerance responses in sensitive Citrus, indicating that CBF1 participates in the natural tolerance to CI.     

Evaluation of process conditions on osmotic dehydration and quality indexes of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) and further polymeric film selection for packaging and refrigerated storage

We studied the influence of composition and concentration of solutions and product size on mass transfer kinetics during Anco pumpkin osmotic dehydration (OD). Once optimal conditions were determined, samples packed in commercial polymeric films were microbiologically analysed during refrigerated storage. The optimal OD time was 3 h, when the efficiency index WL/SG (water loss/solid gain) was stabilised. At this time, 1.0 and 1.5 cm cubes presented the highest index value (about 11) in binary solution (sucrose 55°Bx). WL was higher in 1.0 cm cubes for each dehydrating ternary salt solution tested, and no significant differences in firmness were observed with Calcium Lactate addition. Thus, optimal condition for OD in ternary solutions was 180 min and 55°Bx – 2% NaCl. Microbiological determinations were done for dehydrated (55°Bx without/with 2% NaCl) and untreated samples, packaged in different polymeric films. The combination with lowest mesophilic and psychrophilic counts at day 10 was: samples dehydrated with ternary solution of sucrose-salt packed in Polypropylene film.     

6th San Luis Conference on Surfaces,Interfaces and Catalysis

Topics in Catalysis -     

Multi‐Drug‐Resistance‐Reverting Agents: 2‐Aryloxazole and 2‐Arylthiazole Derivatives as Potent BCRP or MRP1 Inhibitors

The 2‐aryloxazole and 2‐arylthiazole scaffolds were used for generating compounds that we characterized for their inhibitory activity toward ATP binding cassette transporters involved in multi‐drug resistance, such as BCRP and MRP1, by using tumor cell lines overexpressing each transporter. These SAR studies are a significant step toward improving the inhibitory potency against P‐glycoprotein, BCRP, and MRP1.

     

Kinetic and thermodynamic study of thermal inactivation of the antimicrobial peptide P34 in milk

The knowledge on thermal inactivation of biopreservatives in a food matrix is essential to allow their proper utilisation in food industry, enabling the reduction of heating times and optimisation of heating temperatures. In this work, thermal inactivation of the antimicrobial peptide P34 in skimmed and fat milk was kinetically investigated within the temperature range of 90–120 °C. The inactivation kinetic follows a first-order reaction with k-values between 0.071 and 0.007 min⁻¹ in skimmed milk, and 0.1346 and 0.0119 min⁻¹ in fat milk. At high temperatures, peptide P34 was less resistant in fat milk, with a significant decrease in residual activity as compared with skimmed milk. At temperatures below 110 °C, the fat globules seem to have protective effect to the peptide P34. Results suggest that peptide P34 is heat stable in milk with activation energy of 90 kJ mol⁻¹ in skimmed milk and 136 kJ mol⁻¹ in fat milk.     

Yielding from Field Behavior and its Influence on Oil Tank Settlements

One of the problems of major concern in designing large oil storage tanks is the interaction with the foundation soil, particularly in terms of differential settlements. Ultimate or serviceability limit states can be reached due to nonallowable local displacements along the tank perimeter. This paper presents experimental data obtained during the construction of a thermal power plant in Northern Italy. The performed analyses have been particularly devoted to highlighting the occurrence of local soil yielding and its influence on the performance of oil tank structures. The analyses address the influence of local soil yielding on excess pore pressure response as well as on the trend of lateral displacements and perimeter differential settlements. As soon as the soil reaches a yielding condition, significant changes occur in terms of the overall soil-structure interaction phenomena, with consequences mainly in the displacement patterns and rates. The obtained evidence reported in the paper are aimed to focus the attention of the designer on the need to properly detect the stress history of the soil deposit.