Cytoprotective effect of a bilberry extract against oxidative damage of rat hepatocytes

The effect of a bilberry extract (BE, 25% anthocyanins) against oxidative damage in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes, induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide and allyl alcohol, was investigated. BE displayed cytoprotective effects at 100 and 500 μg/ml in the MTT viability test. It protected the cells against lactate dehydrogenase leakage and lipoperoxidation products formation. Maximum protection (58%) was noted using 500 μg/ml of BE and intoxication by allyl alcohol. The observed cytoprotective effect is probably due to the antioxidant properties of its constituents, mainly anthocyanins. BE scavenged DPPH (IC₅₀ 3.99 ± 0.14 μg/ml) and enzymatically generated superoxide radical with an activity equivalent to 108 ± 7.2 U of superoxide dismutase per mg of extract. Our results support the use of bilberry and bilberry extracts in functional foods and food supplements designed for the prevention of chronic diseases associated with oxidative stress.     

Temperature fields of the extruded pipe under conditions of co-current cooling

This article examines the temperature fields of the thick wall pipe while cooling it under the process of extrusion. We solved the Fourier–Kirchhoff equation by Fourier method in the form of an infinite row and with the help of Bessel’s functions. The equations were transformed into dimensionless forms and a solution of during heat we got as the function of Biot’s and Fourier’s number, dimensionless inner radius and thermal capacitance ratio of contact phases.     

Chalcone-Acridine Hybrid Suppresses Melanoma Cell Progression via G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest,DNA Damage,Apoptosis, and Modulation of MAP Kinases Activity

This study was focused on investigating the antiproliferative effects of chalcone hybrids in melanoma cancer cells. Among seven chalcone hybrids, the chalcone-acridine hybrid 1C was the most potent and was selected for further antiproliferative mechanism studies. This in vitro study revealed the potent antiproliferative effect of 1C via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction. Cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase was associated with modulation of expression or phosphorylation of specific cell cycle-associated proteins (cyclin B1, p21, and ChK1), tubulins, as well as with the activation of the DNA damage response pathway. Chalcone 1C also induced apoptosis accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction evidenced by a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, increase in Bax/Bcl-xL ratio and cytochrome c release followed by caspase 3/7 activation. In addition, increased phosphorylation of MAP kinases (Erk1/2, p38 and JNK) was observed in chalcone 1C-treated melanoma cells. The strong antiproliferative activities of this chalcone-acridine hybrid suggest that it may be useful as an antimelanoma agent in humans.     

Detection of DNA fragments from wheat in blood of animals

Delivery of foreign DNA is still a very controversial issue, especially in relation to genetically modified organisms. It is not necessary to use genetically modified feed to verify the possible transfer of DNA from food into the body. In this study, we evaluated the possible transfer of DNA from wheat forage (of single component diet) into the blood of three different organisms. DNA isolation kits were used to isolate total DNA from blood and feed. Blood was taken for analysis from rats (after 23 days feeding wheat), broilers (15 days), and carp (34 days). Housekeeping genes were used to verify blood samples (rats: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase/GAPDH/, broilers: growth hormone gene/GCH/and carp: small ribosomal subunit/40S/). We used GAPDH and actin to determine whether DNA from wheat was transferred into animal blood. No purple and common wheat DNA fragments were detected in the blood of any animal tested, suggesting no transfer of the tested wheat DNA into the body. Various contents of anthocyanins in the feeding variants had no effect on the transfer of wheat DNA into the blood of animals. Our results correspond to some studies that have not proved transfer DNA from genetically modified feed into the target organism.     

Cardiovascular Disease-Associated MicroRNAs as Novel Biomarkers of First-Trimester Screening for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the Absence of Other Pregnancy-Related Complications

We assessed the diagnostic potential of cardiovascular disease-associated microRNAs for the early prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in singleton pregnancies of Caucasian descent in the absence of other pregnancy-related complications. Whole peripheral venous blood samples were collected within 10 to 13 weeks of gestation. This retrospective study involved all pregnancies diagnosed with only GDM (n = 121) and 80 normal term pregnancies selected with regard to equality of sample storage time. Gene expression of 29 microRNAs was assessed using real-time RT-PCR. Upregulation of 11 microRNAs (miR-1-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-20b-5p, miR-23a-3p, miR-100-5p, miR-125b-5p, miR-126-3p, miR-181a-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-499a-5p, and miR-574-3p) was observed in pregnancies destinated to develop GDM. Combined screening of all 11 dysregulated microRNAs showed the highest accuracy for the early identification of pregnancies destinated to develop GDM. This screening identified 47.93% of GDM pregnancies at a 10.0% false positive rate (FPR). The predictive model for GDM based on aberrant microRNA expression profile was further improved via the implementation of clinical characteristics (maternal age and BMI at early stages of gestation and an infertility treatment by assisted reproductive technology). Following this, 69.17% of GDM pregnancies were identified at a 10.0% FPR. The effective prediction model specifically for severe GDM requiring administration of therapy involved using a combination of these three clinical characteristics and three microRNA biomarkers (miR-20a-5p, miR-20b-5p, and miR-195-5p). This model identified 78.95% of cases at a 10.0% FPR. The effective prediction model for GDM managed by diet only required the involvement of these three clinical characteristics and eight microRNA biomarkers (miR-1-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-20b-5p, miR-100-5p, miR-125b-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-499a-5p, and miR-574-3p). With this, the model identified 50.50% of GDM pregnancies managed by diet only at a 10.0% FPR. When other clinical variables such as history of miscarriage, the presence of trombophilic gene mutations, positive first-trimester screening for preeclampsia and/or fetal growth restriction by the Fetal Medicine Foundation algorithm, and family history of diabetes mellitus in first-degree relatives were included in the GDM prediction model, the predictive power was further increased at a 10.0% FPR (72.50% GDM in total, 89.47% GDM requiring therapy, and 56.44% GDM managed by diet only). Cardiovascular disease-associated microRNAs represent promising early biomarkers to be implemented into routine first-trimester screening programs with a very good predictive potential for GDM.     

Cutting wood specimens for observation in the scanning electron microscope

This report deals with the cutting of wood specimens for observation in the scanning electron microscope. Several cutting devices and types of knives are described and critically evaluated.     

The control of graphene double-layer formation in copper-catalyzed chemical vapor deposition

The growth of graphene during Cu-catalyzed chemical vapor deposition was studied using ¹²CH₄ and ¹³CH₄ precursor gasses. We suggest that the growth begins by the formation of a multilayer cluster. This seed increases its size but the growth speed of a particular layer depends on its proximity to the copper surface. The layer closest to the substrate grows fastest and thus further limits the growth rate of the upper layers. Nevertheless, the growth of the upper layers continues until the copper surface is completely blocked. It is shown that the upper layers can be removed by modification of the conditions of the growth by hydrogen etching.     

Revealed comparative advantages in academic publishing of “old” and “new” European Union Member States 1998–2018

Scientometrics - The paper uses a variant of the Revealed Comparative Advantage index to examine comparative advantages of the European Union (EU) countries in 254 research areas and their...     

LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 with morphology optimized for novel concept of 3D Li accumulator

An array of LiNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂ (NMC 111) samples with a hollow-sphere morphology enabling the use of binder-free, millimeter-thick electrodes in a battery are prepared by a combination of ball milling, hydrothermal treatment and calcination. Materials are studied by powder X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption measurements, X-ray fluorescence analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Their electrochemical performance for Li⁺ extraction/insertion is tested by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic chronopotentiometry on thin-film electrodes. Optimized materials, prepared by mechanical and thermal treatment with surface areas of 7 to 10 m² g⁻¹, provide charge capacity values of 141 to 156 mAh g⁻¹. The concentration of the crystalline phase in NMC 111 materials with a hollow-sphere morphology is found to be the decisive parameter for their galvanostatic cycling stability. Hollow spheres with well-developed NMC nanocrystals and a low concentration of amorphous phase in the walls, exhibiting excellent cycling stability and charge capacity in thin-film electrodes are incorporated into a NMC/graphite 3D-battery module. This 122 Ah/451 Wh 3D-battery provides 78% of theoretical capacity and 73% of theoretical energy after 10 formatting cycles. Additionally, the battery prototype exhibits stable performance over more than 200 cycles at C/10 rate. A series of analogous 3D Li accumulators, currently assembled and tested in a pilot plant, represent the first step toward large-scale production of novel 3D Li accumulator.