Structure and catalytic properties of Co/ porcelain in the synthesis of 2,3‐dihydrofuran

The cyclodehydration of 1,4‐butanediol over cobalt catalysts in the liquid phase is used for the production of 2,3‐dihydrofuran. The catalyst preparation parameters considered were the metal loading, precipitation pH and reduction temperature of cobalt salt. It was found that the use of Co(NO₃)₂ together with Na₂CO₃ in a 1:1 ratio yielded better catalysts. Under the conditions used in this study the optimum cobalt loading for the selective production of 2,3‐dihydrofuran is in the range 15–50 wt%. The optimum reduction temperature of Co/porcelain catalyst depends on cobalt loading. The optimum reduction temperatures for 15 and 50 wt% cobalt loading are 773 and 723 K (reduction time 20 min), respectively. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Accumulation of dysprosium,samarium, terbium,lanthanum, neodymium and ytterbium by Arthrospira platensis and their effects on biomass biochemical composition

The growth of Arthrospira platensis and physiological changes in biomass under the effects of six rare earth elements Dy, Sm, Tb, La, Nd and Yb were evaluated. Elements were tested by three concentrations of 10, 20 and 30 mg/L. According to neutron activation analysis data A. platensis's accumulation capacity toward studied elements changes in the following order of La > Dy > Nd > Sm > Yb > Tb. The results show that Dy and La ions stimulate biomass growth and Yb ions inhibit it, while Sm, Tb and Nd ions do not affect biomass accumulation. The contents of proteins and chlorophyll a are not affected by the presence of rare earth elements in the cultivation medium. Studied elements affect to different extents carbohydrates, phycobilins, β-carotene, lipids and MDA contents in spirulina biomass. Changes in the antioxidant activity under applied metal loads reveal a moderate stress in exposed A. platensis. Cyanobacterium A. platensis can be successfully used for bioremediation of natural water contaminated with REEs as well as REEs recovery from low polluted industrial effluents.     

Inhaled Placental Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Secretome from Two- and Three-Dimensional Cell Cultures Promotes Survival and Regeneration in Acute Lung Injury Model in Mice

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common clinical problem, leading to significant morbidity and mortality, and no effective pharmacotherapy exists. The problem of ARDS causing mortality became more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Biotherapeutic products containing multipotent mesenchymal stromal cell (MMSC) secretome may provide a new therapeutic paradigm for human healthcare due to their immunomodulating and regenerative abilities. The content and regenerative capacity of the secretome depends on cell origin and type of cultivation (two- or three-dimensional (2D/3D)). In this study, we investigated the proteomic profile of the secretome from 2D- and 3D-cultured placental MMSC and lung fibroblasts (LFBs) and the effect of inhalation of freeze-dried secretome on survival, lung inflammation, lung tissue regeneration, fibrin deposition in a lethal ALI model in mice. We found that three inhaled administrations of freeze-dried secretome from 2D- and 3D-cultured placental MMSC and LFB protected mice from death, restored the histological structure of damaged lungs, and decreased fibrin deposition. At the same time, 3D MMSC secretome exhibited a more pronounced trend in lung recovery than 2D MMSC and LFB-derived secretome in some measures. Taking together, these studies show that inhalation of cell secretome may also be considered as a potential therapy for the management of ARDS in patients suffering from severe pneumonia, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), however, their effectiveness requires further investigation.     

How Immunosenescence and Inflammaging May Contribute to Hyperinflammatory Syndrome in COVID-19

Aging is characterized by the dynamic remodeling of the immune system designated “immunosenescence,” and is associated with altered hematopoiesis, thymic involution, and lifelong immune stimulation by multitudinous chronic stressors, including the cytomegalovirus (CMV). Such alterations may contribute to a lowered proportion of naïve T-cells and to reduced diversity of the T-cell repertoire. In the peripheral circulation, a shift occurs towards accumulations of T and B-cell populations with memory phenotypes, and to accumulation of putatively senescent and exhausted immune cells. The aging-related accumulations of functionally exhausted memory T lymphocytes, commonly secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines, together with mediators and factors of the innate immune system, are considered to contribute to the low-grade inflammation (inflammaging) often observed in elderly people. These senescent immune cells not only secrete inflammatory mediators, but are also able to negatively modulate their environments. In this review, we give a short summary of the ways that immunosenescence, inflammaging, and CMV infection may cause insufficient immune responses, contribute to the establishment of the hyperinflammatory syndrome and impact the severity of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in elderly people.     

Efficacy of Nerve-Derived Hydrogels to Promote Axon Regeneration Is Influenced by the Method of Tissue Decellularization

Injuries to large peripheral nerves are often associated with tissue defects and require reconstruction using autologous nerve grafts, which have limited availability and result in donor site morbidity. Peripheral nerve-derived hydrogels could potentially supplement or even replace these grafts. In this study, three decellularization protocols based on the ionic detergents sodium dodecyl sulfate (P1) and sodium deoxycholate (P2), or the organic solvent tri-n-butyl phosphate (P3), were used to prepare hydrogels. All protocols resulted in significantly decreased amounts of genomic DNA, but the P2 hydrogel showed the best preservation of extracellular matrix proteins, cytokines, and chemokines, and reduced levels of sulfated glycosaminoglycans. In vitro P1 and P2 hydrogels supported Schwann cell viability, secretion of VEGF, and neurite outgrowth. Surgical repair of a 10 mm-long rat sciatic nerve gap was performed by implantation of tubular polycaprolactone conduits filled with hydrogels followed by analyses using diffusion tensor imaging and immunostaining for neuronal and glial markers. The results demonstrated that the P2 hydrogel considerably increased the number of axons and the distance of regeneration into the distal nerve stump. In summary, the method used to decellularize nerve tissue affects the efficacy of the resulting hydrogels to support regeneration after nerve injury.     

Formation of a soluble stable complex between pristine C60-fullerene and a native blood protein

Concern is growing about the potential impact of human exposure to carbonaceous nanomaterials (such as fullerenes) in the environment. A valid biological study of how native biomolecules interact with nanomaterials at the molecular level in physiological conditions requires the preservation of their physicochemical properties, yet most investigations rely on the use of modified fullerene conjugates or aggregates. We report the formation of a stable, water-soluble, well-defined complex between a single molecule of pristine C(60)-fullerene and a native protein, bovine serum albumin protein (BSA), with the normal three-dimensional structure of BSA preserved. The ability to produce a pristine C(60)-fullerene-BSA hybrid at a physiological pH range lays a solid foundation for studying carbonaceous materials, biodelivery systems, and transport mechanisms and for characterizing the potential effects of nanomaterials on wildlife and human health, both in vitro and in vivo.     

Carbon nanomaterials based on plant biopolymers as radionuclides sorbent

Abstract

The technogenic human activities associated with the operation of nuclear power facilities lead to the contamination of natural water bodies and soils with radioactive substances, including heavy radionuclides, such as uranium and thorium. Purification of natural water bodies is a pressing environmental issue. A study of the adsorption capacity for heavy U²³⁸ and Th²³² radionuclides by the samples of new carbon nanomaterials was conducted. Nanocarbon materials was synthesized based on vegetal polymers, such as technical lignin, starch and from lignocellulosic material—the bark. It was established that the investigated samples have different sorption indices in relation to radionuclides, which is determined by their chemical composition, as well as by the surface-capillary properties of carbonized materials. It is shown that the content of mobile and fixed forms of radionuclides on the investigated sorbents are significantly different. High sorption capacity of the carbonated lignin sample with respect to uranium are shown. A sample of nanocarbon materials synthesized based on the lignocellulosic complex of the bark exhibits high sorption properties in relation to thorium. The possibility of using the carbonic nanomaterial as the sorbents of radionuclides is shown.     

Preparation and characterization of the first coordination compounds of tetrazol-2-ylacetic acid

Tetrazol-2-ylacetic acid (2-TzaH) was found to react with CuCl₂, PdCl₂, and K₂PtCl₄ in water giving Cu(2-Tza)₂, PdCl₂(2-TzaH)₂·2H₂O and PtCl₂(2-TzaH)₂, correspondingly. Obtained complexes, being the first reported examples of coordination compounds derived from 2-TzaH, have been characterized by IR spectroscopy, thermal and X-ray diffraction methods. 2-TzaH was found to act as a monodentate ligand coordinated to the metal ion via N4 atom of heteroring in palladium complex and as tridentate bridging ligand coordinated via N4 atom and two oxygen atoms in copper complex. Cu(2-Tza)₂ presents 2D coordination polymer, whereas PdCl₂(2-TzaH)₂·2H₂O is molecular complex.     

Diffusion‐controlled radiochemical oxidation of bisphenol A polysulfone

The radiochemical degradation of bisphenol A polysulfone was investigated under a γ‐ray dose rate of 24 kGy h^?1 up to 30.7 MGy total absorbed dose at 60 °C using gel permeation chromatography, sol–gel analysis, glass transition and rheometry measurements, and oxidation profile measurements by microscopy coupled with Fourier transform infrared analysis in attenuated total reflectance mode. Thin (200 µm) and thick (2 mm) samples were compared. Thin samples undergo mainly chain scissions whereas thick ones undergo mainly crosslinking. The thickness of oxidized layers and, radiochemical yields for chain scissions, crosslinking, oxygen absorption and radical formation were tentatively determined from experimental data in order to determine the influence of oxidative processes on radiochemical ageing and to establish the nature of the crosslinking reactions. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry