Interleukin-1β Modulation of the Mechanobiology of Primary Human Pulmonary Fibroblasts: Potential Implications in Lung Repair

Pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1β (IL-1β) are upregulated during early responses to tissue damage and are expected to transiently compromise the mechanical microenvironment. Fibroblasts are key regulators of tissue mechanics in the lungs and other organs. However, the effects of IL-1β on fibroblast mechanics and functions remain unclear. Here we treated human pulmonary fibroblasts from control donors with IL-1β and used Atomic Force Microscopy to unveil that IL-1β significantly reduces the stiffness of fibroblasts concomitantly with a downregulation of filamentous actin (F-actin) and alpha-smooth muscle (α-SMA). Likewise, COL1A1 mRNA was reduced, whereas that of collagenases MMP1 and MMP2 were upregulated, favoring a reduction of type-I collagen. These mechanobiology changes were functionally associated with reduced proliferation and enhanced migration upon IL-1β stimulation, which could facilitate lung repair by drawing fibroblasts to sites of tissue damage. Our observations reveal that IL-1β may reduce local tissue rigidity by acting both intracellularly and extracellularly through the downregulation of fibroblast contractility and type I collagen deposition, respectively. These IL-1β-dependent mechanical effects may enhance lung repair further by locally increasing pulmonary tissue compliance to preserve normal lung distension and function. Moreover, our results support that IL-1β provides innate anti-fibrotic protection that may be relevant during the early stages of lung repair.     

Selective Binding of Cyclodextrins with Leflunomide and Its Pharmacologically Active Metabolite Teriflunomide

The selectivity of encapsulation of leflunomide and teriflunomide by native α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrins was investigated through ¹H NMR and molecular modeling. Thermodynamic analysis revealed the main driving forces involved in the binding. For α-cyclodextrin, the partial encapsulation was obtained while deep penetration was characterized for the other two cyclodextrins, where the remaining polar fragment of the molecule is located outside the macrocyclic cavity. The interactions via hydrogen bonding are responsible for high negative enthalpy and entropy changes accompanying the complexation of cyclodextrins with teriflunomide. These results were in agreement with the molecular modeling calculations, which provide a clearer picture of the involved interactions at the atomic level.     

Distribution of Mixing Efficiency in a Split-Cylinder Gas-Lift Bioreactor with Immobilized Yarrowia Lipolytica Cells Used for Olive Oil Mill Wastewater Treatment

The distribution of mixing in a split-cylinder gas-lift bioreactor has been investigated for suspensions of immobilized Yarrowia lipolytica cells with particles diameter varying between 3 and 4.2 mm. The results indicated important variation of mixing time on the height of riser or downcomer, as well as different behavior of suspensions flows in these two regions. Therefore, for the riser, the mixing efficiency increases from its bottom to the top, allowing the biocatalyst particles with intermediate size (3.6-mm diameter) reaching the most intense circulation of suspension. The analysis of the suspension flow in the downcomer region revealed that the intermediate positions are associated with the highest mixing mainly for the largest immobilized yeast particles (4.2-mm diameter). In both cases, the influence of aeration on turbulence extent is positive only for air superficial velocity up to 1.05–1.35 × 10^?3 m/s, the magnitude of this effect being correlated with the biocatalyst size and position on the riser or downcomer. By means of the experimental data, mathematical correlations for mixing time have been proposed for each circulation region, taking into consideration both the operational parameters and the distance from the bioreactor bottom. These equations offer a good concordance with the experiment, the average deviation being of 5.82% for the riser and 6.06% for the downcomer zone.     

Thermodynamic and Structural Properties of Sodium Lithium Niobate Solid Solutions

Thermodynamics of the Na_1−xLi _x NbO₃ system is investigated by high-temperature drop-solution calorimetry in molten 3Na₂O–4MoO₃ solvent at 973 K. Standard molar enthalpies of formation are derived. The estimated heats of transition between hypothetical and stable structures, lithium niobate and perovskite for NaNbO₃ and vice versa for LiNbO₃ are −6 kJ/mol and −10 kJ/mol, respectively. X-ray diffraction studies at room temperature showed for 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.14 there are three phases based on different ordering of the perovskite type lattice: orthorhombic with a quadrupled reduced perovskite cell at 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.02, orthorhombic with a doubled reduced perovskite cell at 0.015 ≤ x ≤ 0.14, and rhombohedral at 0.08 ≤ x ≤ 0.13. There are two two-phase (morphotropic) regions with coexistence of the two orthorhombic phases at 0.015 ≤ x ≤ 0.02 and with the second orthorhombic phase coexisting with the rhombohedral phase at 0.08 ≤ x ≤ 0.13. A reproducible anomaly in specific heat at ∼600 K, not reported previously, has been observed in pure NaNbO₃. Heat-capacity measurements confirm a phase transition at 553 K for 0.07 ≤ x ≤ 0.09. With increasing lithium concentration, a gradual disappearance of high-temperature phase transitions associated with tilting of oxygen octahedra has been observed.     

Cold atoms photoassociation with intense laser pulses

We study the vibrational dynamics produced when two cold atoms are photoassociated in a diatomic molecule by an intense laser pulse (with the duration of hundreds ps), inducing a resonance condition at small interatomic distances. The example analysed is the population transfer from the continuum to the 1_g(6s + 6p_3/2) excited electronic potential of the Cs₂ molecule, at a temperature T ≈ 0.11 mK. We use a non-perturbative treatment by following the wavepackets dynamics on the ground and excited surfaces. We show that cold molecules can be efficiently produced in both ground and excited electronic potentials.     

A fuzzy decision tree method for fault classification in the steam generator of a pressurized water reactor

This paper extends a method previously introduced by the authors for building a transparent fault classification algorithm by combining the fuzzy clustering, fuzzy logic and decision trees techniques. The baseline method transforms an opaque, fuzzy clustering-based classification model into a fuzzy logic inference model based on linguistic rules which can be represented by a decision tree formalism. The classification model thereby obtained is transparent in that it allows direct interpretation and inspection of the model. An extension in the procedure for the development of the fuzzy logic inference model is introduced to allow the treatment of more complicated cases, e.g. splitted and overlapping clusters. The corresponding computational tool developed relies on a number of parameters which can be tuned by the user to optimally compromise the level of transparency of the classification process and its efficiency. A numerical application is presented with regards to the fault classification in the Steam Generator of a Pressurized Water Reactor.     

Performance evaluation of a submerged membrane bioreactor for the treatment of brackish oil and natural gas field produced water

Produced water, which is co-produced during oil and gas manufacturing, represents one of the largest sources of oily wastewaters. Therefore, treatment of this produced water may improve the economic viability and lead to a new source of water for beneficial use. In this study a submerged hollow fiber membrane bioreactor (MBR) has been studied experimentally for the treatment of brackish oil and natural gas field produced water. This type of wastewater is also characterized with relatively moderate to high amount of salt, oil and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH). However, the bacteria which are growing in conventional activated sludge and MBR cannot survive at these strict conditions, therefore acclimation of the bacteria is of vital importance. The performance of the biological system, membrane permeability, the rate and extent of TPH biodegradability have been investigated under different sludge age and F/M ratios. The results obtained by gas chromatography analyses showed that the MBR system could be very effective in the removal of TPH from produced water and a significant improvement in the effluent quality was achieved.     

Training,research, and technical assistance to improve the water resources management in Southern Italy — The experience of CSEI Catania

Water resources management may be improved through the activities of organizations devoted to practice-oriented research, continuing education, and technical assistance. The experience carried out in southern Italy by CSEI Catania during 13 years of activity is presented. Two main activities are discussed: the research and training program on regional pollution control plans and the development of a water data bank.     

Investigations on Sweet Cherry Phenolic Degradation During Thermal Treatment Based on Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Inactivation Kinetics

Five anthocyanins were detected in the sweet cherry extract as follows: cyanidin 3-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-glucoside, peonidin 3-rutinoside, peonidin 3-glucoside, and pelargonidin 3-rutinoside, whereas the cyanidin 3-rutinoside was found to be in the highest amount. The effect of thermal treatment on the degradation of the polyphenolic compounds in sweet cherry extract was investigated in the range of 70–120 °C by means of fluorescence spectroscopy and spectrophotometric techniques. The fluorescence spectra were dominated by emission bands with maximum ranging from 356 nm at 25 °C to 350 nm at 110 °C. The heating of sweet cherry extract resulted in structural changes that led to a significant decrease in fluorescence intensity when increasing temperature. Degradation rate constants were estimated using a fractional conversion kinetic model. The activation energy values revealed a higher-temperature dependence of antioxidant activity, followed by anthocyanins, total polyphenols, and total flavonoids.