The influence of molecular weight on the properties of polyacetal/hydroxyapatite nanocomposites. Part 1. Microstructural analysis and phase transition studies

In this work the influence of molecular weight of three polyoxymethylene (POM) copolymers on the properties of (POM)/hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanocomposites for long-term bone implants have been investigated by various physicochemical methods. Electron microscopy observations confirmed uniform dispersion of HAp in the polymer matrix, whereby DSC results show that HAp influences the degree of crystallinity of POM matrix. Temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) was applied to study the melting and recrystallization processes of POM matrix—it was found that with decreasing of POM molecular weight the amout of reversible melting increases. WAXD results show no shift in 2θ for pure POM copolymers and all POM/hydroxyapatite nanocomposites, indicating that the addition of HAp does not change the hexagonal system of POM. For all three copolymers, Young’s modulus increases with increasing hydroxyapatite concentration, whereby elongation at break decreases. On the contrast, HAp concentration does not have a significant influence on the tensile strength.     

Prices of Apartments in Relation to Noise Level in Poland

Acoustic climate of a given area ought to be a factor of considerable significance in investment processes in an urbanized area, especially in a residential real estate market, due to its extensive influence on the living standards of its inhabitants. In the following article, the authors have given an analysis of the residential market of housing units located in areas of acceptable and excessive noise levels in preselected regions of Poland. With this end in view, an entirely new source of information has been used in the research--an acoustic map which has been defined and applied to produce the outcome of the analysis. It allowed for the recognition of whether or not the noise level influences decisions made by investors existing in a local residential real estate market.     

Evaluation of gap formation at the composite resin‐tooth interface after using universal adhesives: In vitro SEM study using the replica technique

The aim of this study was to evaluate gap formation after using two universal adhesives, Peak Universal Bond (P), which contains chlorhexidine and Adhese Universal (A), which contains 10‐MDP monomer, and to compare them with two gold standard adhesives. The adhesives were tested in different etching modes, etch‐and‐rinse (ER) or self‐etch (SE), and under thermomechanical loading (TML). Two identical Class V cavities were prepared in each of 30 human third molar teeth, and resin‐composite restorations were made. Before and after TML, replicas of the restorations were prepared. Gap formation and their frequency according to the modified classification of Blunck and Zaslansky and the width of the maximum marginal gap (MG) were separately evaluated in enamel and dentin. Gap frequency did not differ significantly only in the enamel before TML, despite the use of different adhesives or etching modes. At both timepoints, the highest MG values were obtained with the Peak Universal Bond self‐etch (PSE) group in enamel (6.2 μm before TML, 12.2 μm after TML) and the Peak Universal Bond etch‐and‐rinse (PER) group in dentine (21.3 μm before TML, 35.5 μm after TML). After TML, there was a significant increase of gap frequency for Adhese universal self‐etch (ASE) group and MG values for PER, PSE, ASE groups at the resin‐enamel interface, and gap frequency and MG values for all groups at the resin‐dentin interface. Universal adhesive with 10‐MDP monomer have beneficial effect on the resin‐dentin interface, while chlorhexidine may reduce the resistance of the universal adhesive system to oral cavity conditions.     

Barrett’s Metaplasia Progression towards Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: An Attempt to Select a Panel of Molecular Sensors and to Reflect Clinical Alterations by Experimental Models

The molecular processes that predispose the development of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) towards esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) induced by gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) are still under investigation. In this study, based on a scientific literature screening and an analysis of clinical datasets, we selected a panel of 20 genes covering BE- and EAC-specific molecular markers (FZD5, IFNGR1, IL1A, IL1B, IL1R1, IL1RN, KRT4, KRT8, KRT15, KRT18, NFKBIL1, PTGS1, PTGS2, SOCS3, SOX4, SOX9, SOX15, TIMP1, TMEM2, TNFRSF10B). Furthermore, we aimed to reflect these alterations within an experimental and translational in vitro model of BE to EAC progression. We performed a comparison between expression profiles in GSE clinical databases with an in vitro model of GERD involving a BE cell line (BAR-T) and EAC cell lines (OE33 and OE19). Molecular responses of cells treated with acidified bile mixture (BM) at concentration of 100 and 250 μM for 30 min per day were evaluated. We also determined a basal mRNA expression within untreated, wild type cell lines on subsequent stages of BE and EAC development. We observed that an appropriately optimized in vitro model based on the combination of BAR-T, OE33 and OE19 cell lines reflects in 65% and more the clinical molecular alterations observed during BE and EAC development. We also confirmed previous observations that exposure to BM (GERD in vitro) activated carcinogenesis in non-dysplastic cells, inducing molecular alternations in the advanced stages of BE. We conclude that it is possible to induce, to a high extent, the molecular profile observed clinically within appropriately and carefully optimized experimental models, triggering EAC development. This experimental scheme and molecular marker panel might be implemented in further research, e.g., aiming to develop and evaluate novel compounds and prodrugs targeting GERD as well as BE and EAC prevention and treatment.     

Biological Activity,Lipophilicity and Cytotoxicity of Novel 3-Acetyl-2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazolines

Antibiotic resistance is now a global problem, and the lack of effective antimicrobial agents for the treatment of diseases caused by resistant microbes is increasing. The 3-acetyl-2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazolines presented in this article may provide a good starting point for the development of potential new effective antimicrobial agents useful in the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections. Particular attention is drawn to the 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivative marked with the number 29 with 5-nitrofuran-2-yl substituent in its chemical structure. This substance showed a strong bactericidal effect, especially against Staphylococcus spp., and no cytotoxicity to the L929 normal cell line.     

Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Properties of Bisquaternary Ammonium Bromides of Different Spacer Length

A group of cationic gemini surfactants (bisquaternary ammonium bromides) with different spacer chain lengths (8–6–8, 8–7–8, 8–8–8, 8–9–8) was investigated, paying special attention to antimicrobial and the cytotoxic properties as well as their antimicrobial activity during long‐term storage. It was shown that the compounds investigated exhibit excellent antimicrobial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram‐negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) as well as antifungal properties (Candida albicans). The gemini surfactants tested had the differential level of cytotoxicity against normal lymphocytes. It was shown that the spacer chain length plays an important role in antibacterial activity and influences the cytotoxicity. The gemini surfactants with shorter spacer chain length, that had higher critical micelle concentration, showed generally weaker antibacterial properties, but on the other hand, these exhibited lower level of cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the aqueous solution of gemini surfactants exhibited the same antimicrobial activity even after 3 months.     

Differential Scanning Calorimetry Study of Blends of Poly(ethylene glycol) with Selected Fatty Acids

A series of blends of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with different molecular weights with: (i) capric, (ii) lauric, (iii) myristic, (iv) palmitic or (v) stearic acid, as a thermal energy storage material, has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Transition temperatures and latent heat of transition of PEG, fatty acids and their binary blends were determined since these properties are of primary importance in the design of phase change energy storage materials. The experimental results showed that it is possible to obtain homogeneous (as indicated by DSC data) polymer/fatty acid blends by mixing in the melt and subsequent solidification. The melting ranges of PEG/fatty acid systems were observed to be from 30 to 72 °C while their heat of transition lies in the range of 168–208 J · g^?1. Synergistic action of the components was found for PEG 10 000/stearic acid blend – heat of transition was ca. 15 and 35% higher than for pure stearic acid and PEG, respectively. This phenomena may be explained in terms of strengthened specific interactions via hydrogen bonding leading to formation of more perfect crystalline lattice.

DSC melting and freezing curves of blends PEG/lauric acid. 1 ‐ PEG 3 400/lauric acid, 2 ‐ PEG 10 000/lauric acid, 3 ‐ PEG 20 000/lauric acid, 4 ‐ PEG 35 000/lauric acid (cooling ‐ 10 K · min^?1), 5 ‐ PEG 3 400/lauric acid, 6 ‐ PEG 10 000/lauric acid, 7 ‐ PEG 20 000/lauric acid, 8 ‐ PEG 35 000/lauric acid (heating ‐ 10 K · min^?1).     

Synthesis and structures of the novel triple-decker complexes with 9-nickelafluorenyl ring

The new triple-decker compounds 2 (C₃₂H₃₃Ni₃PF₆) and 2a (C₄₂H₅₃Ni₃PF₆) were synthesised in the reaction of the oxidized 9-nickelafluorenyl sandwich complexes of Nickel (II) 1 (C₂₇H₂₈Ni₂PF₆) and 1a (C₃₂H₃₈Ni₂PF₆) in acetone. Decomposition of 1 and 1a followed by the stacking of {CpNi} species on the compounds 1 and 1a, respectively, resulted in the formation of the triple-decker complexes. The compound 2 was characterized by X-ray single crystal analysis. It crystallises from dichloromethane and diethyl ether mixture in the orthorhombic crystal system and the Pna2₁ space group.     

Nanoarchitectonics: Complexes and Conjugates of Platinum Drugs with Silicon Containing Nanocarriers. An Overview

The development in the area of novel anticancer prodrugs (conjugates and complexes) has attracted growing attention from many research groups. The dangerous side effects of currently used anticancer drugs, including cisplatin and other platinum based drugs, as well their systemic toxicity is a driving force for intensive search and presents a safer way in delivery platform of active molecules. Silicon based nanocarriers play an important role in achieving the goal of synthesis of the more effective prodrugs. It is worth to underline that silicon based platform including silica and silsesquioxane nanocarriers offers higher stability, biocompatibility of such the materials and pro-longed release of active platinum drugs. Silicon nanomaterials themselves are well-known for improving drug delivery, being themselves non-toxic, and versatile, and tailored surface chemistry. This review summarizes the current state-of-the-art within constructs of silicon-containing nano-carriers conjugated and complexed with platinum based drugs. Contrary to a number of other reviews, it stresses the role of nano-chemistry as a primary tool in the development of novel prodrugs.     

Atomic migration on ordering and diffusion in bulk and nanostructured FePt intermetallic

“Order-order” kinetics was studied by means of in situ and quasi-residual resistometry in bulk polycrystal stoichiometric L1₀-ordered FePt and in epitaxially deposited FePt thin film. In addition, Fe diffusion in FePt thin film was examined by means of a combination of nuclear resonant scattering and nuclear tracer techniques. In bulk FePt, a discontinuous drop of the activation energy for chemical ordering (from 2.7–15 eV) was detected below 850 K, definitely away from the Curie point (735 K). The activation energy for Fe radiotracer diffusion in the FePt thin film studied below 900 K was found to be equal to 1.7 eV (in view of the value higher than 3 eV measured above 1100 K). Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of order-order processes in bulk and nanolayered FePt reproduced their experimentally observed multi-time-scale character. In simulated FePt nanolayers, a reorientation of the initial z-variant L1₀ superstructure into a mixture of x and y variants was definitely a dominating process.