Senescent CD4+CD28− T Lymphocytes as a Potential Driver of Th17/Treg Imbalance and Alveolar Bone Resorption during Periodontitis

Senescent cells express a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) with a pro-inflammatory bias, which contributes to the chronicity of inflammation. During chronic inflammatory diseases, infiltrating CD4⁺ T lymphocytes can undergo cellular senescence and arrest the surface expression of CD28, have a response biased towards T-helper type-17 (Th17) of immunity, and show a remarkable ability to induce osteoclastogenesis. As a cellular counterpart, T regulatory lymphocytes (Tregs) can also undergo cellular senescence, and CD28⁻ Tregs are able to express an SASP secretome, thus severely altering their immunosuppressive capacities. During periodontitis, the persistent microbial challenge and chronic inflammation favor the induction of cellular senescence. Therefore, senescence of Th17 and Treg lymphocytes could contribute to Th17/Treg imbalance and favor the tooth-supporting alveolar bone loss characteristic of the disease. In the present review, we describe the concept of cellular senescence; particularly, the one produced during chronic inflammation and persistent microbial antigen challenge. In addition, we detail the different markers used to identify senescent cells, proposing those specific to senescent T lymphocytes that can be used for periodontal research purposes. Finally, we discuss the existing literature that allows us to suggest the potential pathogenic role of senescent CD4⁺CD28⁻ T lymphocytes in periodontitis.     

A numerical model to predict the powder–binder separation during micro-powder injection molding

The micro-powder injection molding (micro-PIM) process has the potential to bridge the gap between the design and manufacturing of micro-components that are often used in small and handy devices. Numerical modeling helps to analyze and overcome various difficulties of micro-PIM. In the present work, a numerical model is developed to predict the powder–binder separation (a common defect in PIM and especially severe in micro-PIM) during the injection of an alumina feedstock. A powder–binder separation criterion is proposed dealing with applied injection pressure and friction force between the powder and binder. An indirect comparison of feedstock travel time between two locations is used to validate the model. The predicted segregation from the simulated result is supported by a qualitative experimental measurement. The developed model can be used to optimize injection parameters to get a defect-free product.     

Coalescence of bubbles and stability of foams in aqueous solutions of Tween surfactants

Coalescence of air bubbles and stability of foams in aqueous solutions of Tween 20, 40, 60 and 80 are reported in this work. Adsorption of the surfactants at air–water interface was studied by measuring the surface tension of the surfactant solutions. The surface tension profiles were fitted using a surface equation of state derived from the Gibbs and Langmuir adsorption equations. The critical micelle concentration and surface tension at this concentration were determined. The effect of surfactant concentration on coalescence of air bubbles at flat air–water interface was studied. The role of steric force on coalescence time was investigated. The coalescence time distributions were fitted by the stochastic model. The mean values of the distributions were compared with the predictions of seven film-drainage models. Stability of foams was analyzed by the Ross–Miles test. The initial and residual foam heights were measured at different surfactant concentrations. The stability of foams was compared with the coalescence time of the bubbles.     

Revisiting the mechanism of the triosephosphate isomerase reaction: the role of the fully conserved glutamic acid 97 residue

An analysis of 503 available triosephosphate isomerase sequences revealed nine fully conserved residues. Of these, four residues—K12, H95, E97 and E165—are capable of proton transfer and are all arrayed around the dihydroxyacetone phosphate substrate in the three‐dimensional structure. Specific roles have been assigned to the residues K12, H95 and E165, but the nature of the involvement of E97 has not been established. Kinetic and structural characterization is reported for the E97Q and E97D mutants of Plasmodium falciparum triosephosphate isomerase (Pf TIM). A 4000‐fold reduction in k_cat is observed for E97Q, whereas the E97D mutant shows a 100‐fold reduction. The control mutant, E165A, which lacks the key catalytic base, shows an approximately 9000‐fold drop in activity. The integrity of the overall fold and stability of the dimeric structure have been demonstrated by biophysical studies. Crystal structures of E97Q and E97D mutants have been determined at 2.0 Å resolution. In the case of the isosteric replacement of glutamic acid by glutamine in the E97Q mutant a large conformational change for the critical K12 side chain is observed, corresponding to a trans‐to‐gauche transition about the Cγ? Cδ (χ³) bond. In the E97D mutant, the K12 side chain maintains the wild‐type orientation, but the hydrogen bond between K12 and D97 is lost. The results are interpreted as a direct role for E97 in the catalytic proton transfer cycle. The proposed mechanism eliminates the need to invoke the formation of the energetically unfavourable imidazolate anion at H95, a key feature of the classical mechanism.     

Rare‐earth‐doped SiO2‐CaF2 glass ceramic nano‐particle with upconversion properties

Rare‐earth‐doped upconversion nano‐phosphor shows new possibilities in the field of bioimaging because of its unique properties like higher penetration depth, low signal to noise ratio (SNR), good photo stability, and zero auto fluorescence. The oxyfluoride glass system is the combination of both fluoride and oxide where fluoride host offers high optical transparency due to low phonon energy and oxide network offers high physical stability. Thus, in the present work, an attempt has been made to synthesize 1 mol% Er³⁺ doped SiO₂‐CaF₂ glass ceramic nano‐particles through sol‐gel route. The synthesized glass ceramic particles were heat treated at 4 different temperatures starting from 600°C to 900°C.The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis confirmed the formation of CaF₂ nano‐crystals in the matrix which is 20‐30 nm in size. The vibrational spectroscopic analysis of the glass ceramics sample has been investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The UV‐Visible‐NIR spectroscopy analysis was carried out to analyze the absorption intensity in the near infrared region. Upon 980 nm excitation, the sample shows red emission corresponds to ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 energy level transition. The prepared nano‐particles showed excellent biocompatibility when tasted on MG‐63 osteoblast cells.     

Electro-Fenton treatment of synthetic organic dyes: Influence of operational parameters and kinetic study

This work investigates oxidative decolorization of two different dyes, Methylene blue and Titan yellow in aqueous solution using an environmentally friendly advanced electro-chemical oxidation (electro-Fenton) process. The effect of operating conditions like H₂O₂ concentration, current density, initial dye concentration was studied in a batch stirred cell. Individual decolorization decay kinetics for both dyes was investigated. The second-order absolute rate constants (L mol^?1 s^?1) between hydroxyl radical and dye have been calculated from experimental data by fitting it to the decolorization model. The apparent kinetic constants, k _app (s^?1) for Methylene blue and Titan yellow dye decolorization were also determined. The experimental data showed a good fit to the theoretical model, which can predict data in a wide range of % dye decolorization. This process also reduces COD of the dye solution, and the unit energy demand (UED) in kWh/kg COD removed for different electrical current has been reported.     

Separation of acid–water mixtures by pervaporation using nanoparticle filled mixed matrix copolymer membranes

BACKGROUND: Low energy and less expensive membrane based separation of acetic acid‐water mixtures would be a better alternative to conventional separation processes. However, suitable acid resistant membranes are still lacking. Thus, the objective of the present study was to develop mixed matrix membrane (MMM) which would allow high flux and water selectivity over a wide range of feed concentrations of acid in water. RESULTS: Three MMMs, namely PANBA0.5, PANBA1.5 and PANBA3 were made by emulsion copolymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) and butyl acrylate (BA) with 5.5:1 comonomer ratio and in situ incorporation of 0.5, 1.5 and 3 wt%, sodium montmorilonite (Na‐MMT) nanofillers, respectively. For a feed concentration of 99.5 wt% of acid in water the membranes show good permeation flux (2.61, 3.19, 3.97 kg m^?2 h^?1 µm^?1, for PANBA0.5, PANBA1.5 and PANBA3 membrane, respectively) and very high separation factors for water (1473, 1370, 1292 for PANBA0.5, PANBA1.5 and PANBA3 membrane, respectively) at 30 °C. Similarly for a dilute acid–water solution, i.e. for 71.6 wt% acid the membrane showed a very high thickness normalize flux (8.67, 9.44, 11.56 kg m^?2 h^?1 µm^?1, for PANBA0.5, PANBA1.5 and PANBA3 membrane, respectively) and good water selectivity (101.7, 95.3, 79 for PANBA0.5, PANBA1.5 and PANBA3 membrane, respectively) at the same feed temperature. The permeation ratio, permeability, diffusion coefficient and activation energy for permeation of the membranes were also estimated. CONCLUSION: Unlike most of the reported membranes, the present MMMs allowed high flux and selectivity over a wide range of feed concentrations. These membranes may also be effective for separating other similar organic‐water mixtures. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

ENGAGE compatibilized HDPE/EPDM blends: Modification of some industrially pertinent properties and morphology upon incorporation of Mg(OH)2 filler and electron beam crosslinked network

To observe the effect of ENGAGE (a poly‐olefin elastomer) on compatibilization of industrially important incompatible blend, high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/ethylene‐propylene diene elastomer (EPDM), 15 wt % ENGAGE is incorporated into the system and the latter is found satisfactorily efficient as compatibilizer for the above system. To improve some industrially pertinent properties another strategies are also followed in addition, incorporation of magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)₂] and electron beam (EB) crosslinking into the system. The gel content was found to increase with radiation dose, EPDM content and Mg(OH)₂ dispersion. ENGAGE interestingly increases the gel content that is, promotes crosslinking. It is unique that filler dispersion and crosslinked network formation maintain the compatibility of the ternary system, which is confirmed by X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, mechanical properties, and scanning electron microscope. The compatibilization, Mg(OH)₂ dispersion, and EB crosslinking improve the mechanical, thermo mechanical, flame retardant properties, and phase morphology considerably. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44922.