Powder metallurgy of the porous Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy of different powder grain size

The objective of the present project was to determine the effects of powder granulation (fraction of grain size) for the Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy, produced by powder metallurgy, on its porosity, grain cohesion, compressive strength, and Young`s modulus. Two powder fractions, 45–105 µm, and 106–250 µm were applied. The 50 mass pct of NH<sub>4</sub>HCO<sub>3</sub> was added as a space holder. The specimens were in compaction stage uniaxially pressed at pressure 625 MPa for 120 s. The brown bodies were sintered at a temperature 1150°C for 3.5 h. The well-joined grains were observed for both powder granulations. The increase in powder granulation resulted in an increase of porosity from 51% to 59%, and it was only 30% with no space holder used. The compressive strength increased with decreased porosity from 57 to 236 MPa. Young`s modulus was measured as 4.8 GPa for finer powder and 0.9 GPa for coarser powder. It is evident from the results obtained that the applied process parameters, the space holder and its fraction, and the use powder granulation between 45 and 105 µm bring out the porous material fulfilling mechanical and biological requirements specific of load-bearing titanium implants.     

Compendium About Multicomponent Interdiffusion in Two Dimensions

Interdiffusion between dissimilar solids can change the properties of joined materials. Although much work has been done to study experimentally and theoretically interdiffusion in one-dimensional (1-D) diffusion couples, studying interdiffusion in two-dimensional (2-D) or three-dimensional (3-D) solids remains a challenge. In this article, we report an experiment and develop a model to study interdiffusion in a multicomponent system of 2-D geometry. The results (concentration maps and profiles) are compared with data obtained by modeling and numerical simulations. It is assumed that the system satisfies Vegard’s rule and diffusion coefficients are composition dependent. To model the multidimensional diffusion with a drift, we take benefit of the concept of the drift potential. A nonlinear parabolic-elliptic system of strongly coupled differential equations is formulated and the implicit difference method, preserving Vegard’s rule, is applied in the simulations.

     

The effect of ultrasound and freezing/thawing treatment on the physical properties of blueberries

Food Science and Biotechnology - The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of ultrasound treatment and freezing/thawing on the physical properties of blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)....     

The Influence of New Silicate Cement Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA Repair HP) on Metalloproteinase MMP-2 and MMP-9 Expression in Cultured THP-1 Macrophages

The aim of the present study was to investigate the new silicate cement mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA Repair HP) with respect to its effect on the inflammation process involving the tooth and periodontal tissues. The composition of MTA Repair HP was supplemented with plasticizer agents which can have a negative effect on the modulation of tooth inflammation. The silicate-based material in question is widely used in regeneration of the pulp-dentin complex, treatment of perforations of various locations in the tooth, as well as in surgical treatment of the complications of periapical tissue. The improved bioceramic restorative cement can affect the expression of metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 in monocytes/macrophages involved in modulation of inflammation and regenerative processes of the tooth and periodontal tissues. The novel aspect of the present study lies in the application of the model of THP-1 monocyte/macrophage and applying the biomaterial in direct contact with the cells. Hence, it provides a representation of clinical conditions with respect to regenerative pulp and periodontal treatment with the use of MTA Repair HP. A lack of macrophage activation (as measured with flow cytometry) was found. Moreover, the study identified a lack of expression stimulation of the studied metalloproteinases (with the use of Western blotting and fluorescent microscopy). Similarly, no increase in MMP-2 and MMP-9 concentration was found (measured by ELISA method) in vitro when incubated with MTA Repair HP. Based on the results it can be concluded that new MTA Repair HP does not increase the inflammatory response in monocytes/macrophages associated with the activity of the described enzymes. It can also be speculated that they do not affect the process of dentin regeneration in which MMP-2 and MMP-9 play significant roles.     

Tedizolid-Cyclodextrin System as Delayed-Release Drug Delivery with Antibacterial Activity

Progressive increase in bacterial resistance has caused an urgent need to introduce new antibiotics, one of them being oxazolidinones with their representative tedizolid. Despite the broad spectrum of activity of the parent tedizolid, it is characterized by low water solubility, which limits its use. The combination of the active molecule with a multifunctional excipient, which is cyclodextrins, allows preservation of its pharmacological activity and modification of its physicochemical properties. Therefore, the aim of the study was to change the dissolution rate and permeability through the model membrane of tedizolid by formation of solid dispersions with a cyclodextrin. The research included identification of tedizolid-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (tedizolid/HP-β-CD) inclusion complex by thermal method (Differential Scanning Colorimetry), spectroscopic methods (powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy), and molecular docking. The second part of the research concerned the physicochemical properties (dissolution and permeability) and the biological properties of the system in terms of its microbiological activity. An increase in the dissolution rate was observed in the presence of cyclodextrin, while maintaining a high permeation coefficient and high microbiological activity. The proposed approach is an opportunity to develop drug delivery systems used in the treatment of resistant bacterial infections, in which, in addition to modifying the physicochemical properties caused by cyclodextrin, we observe a favorable change in the pharmacological potential of the bioactives.     

Single‐Cell Biodetection by Upconverting Microspinners

Near‐infrared‐light‐mediated optical tweezing of individual upconverting particles has enabled all‐optical single‐cell studies, such as intracellular thermal sensing and minimally invasive cytoplasm investigations. Furthermore, the intrinsic optical birefringence of upconverting particles renders them light‐driven luminescent spinners with a yet unexplored potential in biomedicine. In this work, the use of upconverting spinners is showcased for the accurate and specific detection of single‐cell and single‐bacteria attachment events, through real‐time monitoring of the spinners rotation velocity of the spinner. The physical mechanisms linking single‐attachment to the angular deceleration of upconverting spinners are discussed in detail. Concomitantly, the upconversion emission generated by the spinner is harnessed for simultaneous thermal sensing and thermal control during the attachment event. Results here included demonstrate the potential of upconverting particles for the development of fast, high‐sensitivity, and cost‐effective systems for single‐cell biodetection.     

Molecular and Functional Characterization of MobK Protein—A Novel-Type Relaxase Involved in Mobilization for Conjugational Transfer of Klebsiella pneumoniae Plasmid pIGRK

Conjugation, besides transformation and transduction, is one of the main mechanisms of horizontal transmission of genetic information among bacteria. Conjugational transfer, due to its essential role in shaping bacterial genomes and spreading of antibiotics resistance genes, has been widely studied for more than 70 years. However, new and intriguing facts concerning the molecular basis of this process are still being revealed. Most recently, a novel family of conjugative relaxases (Mob proteins) was distinguished. The characteristic feature of these proteins is that they are not related to any of Mobs described so far. Instead of this, they share significant similarity to tyrosine recombinases. In this study MobK—a tyrosine recombinase-like Mob protein, encoded by pIGRK cryptic plasmid from the Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical strain, was characterized. This study revealed that MobK is a site-specific nuclease and its relaxase activity is dependent on both a conserved catalytic tyrosine residue (Y¹⁷⁹) that is characteristic of tyrosine recombinases and the presence of Mg²⁺ divalent cations. The pIGRK minimal origin of transfer sequence (oriT) was also characterized. This is one of the first reports presenting tyrosine recombinase-like conjugative relaxase protein. It also demonstrates that MobK is a convenient model for studying this new protein family.     

Composites of Nucleic Acids and Boron Clusters (C2B10H12) as Functional Nanoparticles for Downregulation of EGFR Oncogene in Cancer Cells

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the most promising molecular targets for anticancer therapy. We used boron clusters as a platform for generation of new materials. For this, functional DNA constructs conjugated with boron clusters (B-ASOs) were developed. These B-ASOs, built from 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane linked with two anti-EGFR antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), form with their complementary congeners torus-like nanostructures, as previously shown by atomic force microscope (AFM) and transmission electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-TEM) imaging. In the present work, deepened studies were carried out on B-ASO’s properties. In solution, B-ASOs formed four dominant complexes as confirmed by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). These complexes exhibited increased stability in cell lysate comparing to the non-modified ASO. Fluorescently labeled B-ASOs localized mostly in the cytoplasm and decreased EGFR expression by activating RNase H. Moreover, the B-ASO complexes altered the cancer cell phenotype, decreased cell migration rate, and arrested the cells in the S phase of cell cycle. The 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane-containing nanostructures did not activate NLRP3 inflammasome in human macrophages. In addition, as shown by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP MS), these nanostructures effectively penetrated the human squamous carcinoma cells (A431), showing their potential applicability as anticancer agents.