A bio-inspired gelatin-based pH- and thermal-sensitive magnetic hydrogel for in vitro chemo/hyperthermia treatment of breast cancer cells

Gelatin (Gel)-based pH- and thermal-responsive magnetic hydrogels (MH-1 and MH-2) were designed and developed as novel drug delivery systems (DDSs) for cancer chemo/hyperthermia therapy. For this goal, Gel was functionalized with methacrylic anhydride (GelMA), and then copolymerized with (2-dimethylaminoethyl) methacrylate (DMAEMA) monomer in the presence of methacrylate-end capped magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as well as triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA; as crosslinker). Afterward, a thiol-end capped poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm-SH) was synthesized through an atom transfer radical polymerization technique, and then attached onto the hydrogel through “thiol-ene” click grafting. The preliminary performances of developed MHs for chemo/hyperthermia therapy of human breast cancer was investigated through the loading of doxorubicin hydrochloride (Dox) as an anticancer agent followed by cytotoxicity measurement of drug-loaded DDSs using MTT assay by both chemo- and chemo/hyperthermia-therapies. Owing to porous morphologies of the fabricated magnetic hydrogels according to scanning electron microscopy images and strong physicochemical interactions (e.g., hydrogen bonding) the drug loading capacities of the MH-1 and MH-2 were obtained as 72 ± 1.4 and 77 ± 1.8, respectively. The DDSs exhibited acceptable pH- and thermal-triggered drug release behaviors. The MTT assay results revealed that the combination of hyperthermia therapy and chemotherapy has synergic effect on the anticancer activities of the developed DDSs.     

Study of inhibition effect of carboxylic salt derivative on corrosion of C1010 carbon steel in saline solution

In the present work, sodium 4-[(4-formylbenzylidene) amino] benzoiate (4) was synthesized and its structure was confirmed using spectroscopic techniques. Prepared compound was successfully applied as a corrosion inhibitor for C1010 carbon steel in 3.5% NaCl solution at 25°C. Different electrochemical measurements such as linear polarization resistance (LPR), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to evaluate the suggested inhibitor (4). The results of different electrochemical measurements show that inhibition efficiencies obtained from EIS curves are in consistence with the results of potentiodynamic polarization and LPR measurements due to increase corrosion inhibition efficiency by increasing the concentration of organic inhibitor (4). Semi-empirical calculations with PM3 method were used to find relationship between molecular structure and inhibiting effect of suggested inhibitor (4).     

Evaluation of the localized corrosion on Mg electrode surface by electrochemical noise technique

The symmetrical and asymmetrical electrodes made of Mg were studied in 0.1-M NaCl electrolyte adjusted at pH 12. The statistical and wavelet methods were employed for analyzing the electrochemical current noise (ECN) signals. The asymmetric configuration was used for electrochemical detection of filiform corrosion on Mg electrode. The real time scale of the dominant transients of the asymmetric electrodes was detected on the basis of the maximum peak in the SDPS plots. The SDPS values of the real time scale crystals of the ECN signals resulting from asymmetrical electrodes increased with the increase in immersion time due to the onset of filiform corrosion.     

辊速差对连铸连轧7075铝板显微组织、 织构及力学性能的影响

研究辊速差对连铸连轧7075铝板显微组织、织构及力学性能的影响.采用3种不同上辊/下辊转速比(ω/ω0,ω为上辊转速,ω0为下辊转速)1:1、1:1.2及1:1.4进行多次试验.结果显示,在最大辊速差条件下(ω/ω0=1:1.4),7075铝板在轧制方向的屈服强度和极限抗拉强度分别提高41.5％和21.9％.此外,当辊...     

The Effect of Pre-oxidation Treatment on Corrosion Behavior of Ni–Cu–Fe–Al Anode in Molten CaCl<Subscript>2</Subscript> Salt

This article presents Ni–Cu–Fe–Al alloy as a novel inert anode used in FFC process (the Fray Farthing Chen) in molten calcium chloride salts for producing titanium. The alloy was prepared by vacuum induction melting; then utilized as anode material in molten CaCl₂ for 16 h at 900 °C. Morphology and the corrosion behavior of the samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The product on the cathode was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). After 16 h electrolysis of anodes, EDS and SEM analysis of the samples showed that the corrosion depth of the non-oxidized sample was shorter. Corrosion attacks more severe for the pre-oxidized sample than the non-oxidized sample, which indicated that the corrosion resistance of outer layer is higher on the non-oxidized sample. The XRD results show that the TiO₂ pellets were successfully reduced to the lower oxides using the Ni–Cu–Fe–Al inert anode.     

Theoretical and experimental analyses of rheological,compatibility and mechanical properties of PVMQ/XNBR-g GMA/XNBR/GO ternary hybrid nanocomposites

Iranian Polymer Journal - Effects of graphene oxide (GO) on various properties of rubber hybrid nanocomposites based on PVMQ/XNBR-g-GMA/XNBR (phenyl-vinyl-methyl-polysiloxane/carboxylated nitrile...     

Eco-friendly Geopolymer Composite Based on Non-heat-treated Phosphate Sludge Reinforced With Polypropylene Fibers

Silicon - Geopolymers produced with metakaolin (MK) and thermally untreated phosphate sludge (PS) are beneficial and environmentally advantageous materials, but their fragility limits its...     

Characterisation of 4043 aluminium alloy deposits obtained by wire and arc additive manufacturing using a Cold Metal Transfer process

ABSTRACT

4043 aluminium deposits were elaborated using a 3D print device equipped with a Cold Metal Transfer welding source. Two sets of process parameters leading to different average powers were compared in order to establish the relations between the powers and energies produced and the geometrical characteristics of the deposits. The effects of the travel speed and layer superposition on the transfer mechanisms as well as on the geometrical characteristics of the deposits were discussed for both sets of parameters. Finally, the formed microstructures were analysed and the porosity defects were quantified and discussed with regard to the heat input characteristics and the solidification conditions.     

Curcumin Attenuates Environment-Derived Osteoarthritis by Sox9/NF-kB Signaling Axis

Inflammation has a fundamental impact on the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA), a common form of degenerative arthritis. It has previously been established that curcumin, a component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), has anti-inflammatory properties. This research evaluates the potentials of curcumin on the pathophysiology of OA in vitro. To explore the anti-inflammatory efficacy of curcumin in an inflamed joint, an osteoarthritic environment (OA-EN) model consisting of fibroblasts, T-lymphocytes, 3D-chondrocytes is constructed and co-incubated with TNF-α, antisense oligonucleotides targeting NF-kB (ASO-NF-kB), or an IkB-kinase (IKK) inhibitor (BMS-345541). Our results show that OA-EN, similar to TNF-α, suppresses chondrocyte viability, which is accompanied by a significant decrease in cartilage-specific proteins (collagen II, CSPG, Sox9) and an increase in NF-kB-driven gene proteins participating in inflammation, apoptosis, and breakdown (NF-kB, MMP-9, Cox-2, Caspase-3). Conversely, similar to knockdown of NF-kB at the mRNA level or at the IKK level, curcumin suppresses NF-kB activation, NF-kB-promotes gene proteins derived from the OA-EN, and stimulates collagen II, CSPG, and Sox9 expression. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation assay shows that curcumin reduces OA-EN-mediated inflammation and chondrocyte apoptosis, with concomitant chondroprotective effects, due to modulation of Sox-9/NF-kB signaling axis. Finally, curcumin selectively hinders the interaction of p-NF-kB-p65 directly with DNA—this association is disrupted through DTT. These results suggest that curcumin suppresses inflammation in OA-EN via modulating NF-kB-Sox9 coupling and is essential for maintaining homeostasis in OA by balancing chondrocyte survival and inflammatory responses. This may contribute to the alternative treatment of OA with respect to the efficacy of curcumin.