Functionalization of Polylactide with Multiple Tetraphenyethane Inifer Groups to Form PLA Block Copolymers with Vinyl Monomers

In the present contribution, a new strategy for preparing block copolymers of polylactide (PLA), a bio-derived polymer of increasing importance, is described. The method should lead to multiblock copolymers of lactide with vinyl monomers (VM), i.e., monomers that polymerize according to different mechanisms, and is based on the introduction of multiple “inifer” (INItiator/transFER agent) groups into PLA’s structure. As an “inifer” group, tetraphenylethane (TPE, known to easily thermally dissociate to radicals) was incorporated into PLA chains using diisocyanate. PLA that contained TPE groups (PLA-PU) was characterized, and its ability to form initiating radicals was demonstrated by ESR measurements. PLA-PU was used as a “macroinifer” for the polymerization of acrylonitrile and styrene upon moderate heating (85 °C) of the PLA-PU in the presence of monomers. The formation of block copolymers PLA/PVM was confirmed by ¹H NMR, DOSY NMR, and FTIR spectroscopies and the SEC method. The prepared copolymers showed only one glass transition in DSC curves with T_g values higher than those of PLA-PU.     

Lipids in Atherosclerosis: Pathophysiology and the Role of Calculated Lipid Indices in Assessing Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Hyperlipidemia

The role of lipids is essential in any phase of the atherosclerotic process, which is considered a chronic lipid-related and inflammatory condition. The traditional lipid profile (including the evaluation of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein) is a well-established tool to assess the risk of atherosclerosis and as such has been widely used as a pillar of cardiovascular disease prevention and as a target of pharmacological treatments in clinical practice over the last decades. However, other non-traditional lipids have emerged as possible alternative predictors of cardiometabolic risk in addition to traditional single or panel lipids, as they better reflect the overall interaction between lipid/lipoprotein fractions. Therefore, this review deals with the lipid involvement characterizing the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, discussing some recently proposed non-traditional lipid indices and, in the light of available knowledge, their actual potential as new additive tools to better stratify cardiovascular risk in patients with hyperlipidemia as well as possible therapeutic targets in the clinical practice.     

Hot corrosion of atomized iron aluminides doped with boron and reinforced with alumina

The hot corrosion resistance of sprayed and atomized Fe–40 at.% Al, Fe40Al+0.1B and Fe40Al+0.1B+10Al₂O₃ intermetallic materials have been evaluated in NaVO₃ at 625 and 700°C using polarization curves and linear polarization resistance measurements. Also, the results were supported by X-ray diffractometry and electron microscopy studies. The tests lasted 10 days. At 625°C, the Fe40Al+0.1B+10Al₂O₃ material exhibited the lowest corrosion rate, whereas the Fe40Al had the highest corrosion rate. At 700°C the three materials exhibited erratic behavior during the first 100 h, and after this all the intermetallics had the same corrosion rate. However, the corrosion rate was higher at 625 than at 700°C. The results are discussed in terms of an electrochemical mechanism, the establishment of an Al₂O₃ layer, which is more protective in the Al₂O₃-containing aluminide and seems to increase its protectiveness as the temperature increases from 625 to 700°C.     

Omicron BA.2 Lineage,the “Stealth” Variant: Is It Truly a Silent Epidemic? A Literature Review

The epidemic curve of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is silently rising again. Worldwide, the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC) is Omicron, and its virological characteristics, such as transmissibility, pathogenicity, and resistance to both vaccine- and infection-induced immunity as well as antiviral drugs, are an urgent public health concern. The Omicron variant has five major sub-lineages; as of February 2022, the BA.2 lineage has been detected in several European and Asian countries, becoming the predominant variant and the real antagonist of the ongoing surge. Hence, although global attention is currently focused on dramatic, historically significant events and the multi-country monkeypox outbreak, this new epidemic is unlikely to fade away in silence. Many aspects of this lineage are still unclear and controversial, but its apparent replication advantage and higher transmissibility, as well as its ability to escape neutralizing antibodies induced by vaccination and previous infection, are rising global concerns. Herein, we review the latest publications and the most recent available literature on the BA.2 lineage of the Omicron variant.     

Selective Inhibition of Genomic and Non-Genomic Effects of Thyroid Hormone Regulates Muscle Cell Differentiation and Metabolic Behavior

Thyroid hormones (THs) are key regulators of different biological processes. Their action involves genomic and non-genomic mechanisms, which together mediate the final effects of TH in target tissues. However, the proportion of the two processes and their contribution to the TH-mediated effects are still poorly understood. Skeletal muscle is a classical target tissue for TH, which regulates muscle strength and contraction, as well as energetic metabolism of myofibers. Here we address the different contribution of genomic and non-genomic action of TH in skeletal muscle cells by specifically silencing the deiodinase Dio2 or the β3-Integrin expression via CRISPR/Cas9 technology. We found that myoblast proliferation is inversely regulated by integrin signal and the D2-dependent TH activation. Similarly, inhibition of the nuclear receptor action reduced myoblast proliferation, confirming that genomic action of TH attenuates proliferative rates. Contrarily, genomic and non-genomic signals promote muscle differentiation and the regulation of the redox state. Taken together, our data reveal that integration of genomic and non-genomic signal pathways finely regulates skeletal muscle physiology. These findings not only contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms involved in TH modulation of muscle physiology but also add insight into the interplay between different mechanisms of action of TH in muscle cells.     

Identification of Enterococcus sp. isolated from raw milk samples coming from the metropolitan area of Costa Rica and evaluation of its antibiotic sensibility pattern

Bacteria from the genus Enterococcus sp. were isolated and identified from nonpasteurized milk samples obtained from the Costa Rican Metropolitan Area, in order to evaluate its sensitivity pattern to common use antibiotics. One hundred five milk samples were collected from suppliers of a national dairy industry. The initial isolation was done in EVA (Ethyl violet agar). Isolated colonies were initially characterized phenotypically as Enterococcus sp. using biochemical tests, species' identification was done using the Api 20 Strep kit. The different Enterococci species were tested for their antibiotic sensitivity using the plate diffusion method; the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) to vancomycin was determined using E test. 38% of the milk samples were positive for Enterococcus; 48 different strains were isolated, where E. faecalis corresponded to 71%, E. faecium to 19%, E. durans to 4%, E. gallinarum to 4% and E. avium to 2%. The geographical distribution analysis of the species isolated did not show significant statistical differences according to the origin of the samples. All isolates identified showed an important resistance rate to the antibiotics tested. The aminoglycoside family showed the lower resistance rate, the resistance to eritromicin, tetracycline and chloranphenicol was lower than 50% and all strains were sensitive to bacitracin. An 8% resistance rate to vancomycin was determined. No relationship between the resistance rate of samples and the province of origin was found, but it is important to emphasize that the strains resistant to vancomycin came from Cartago, one of the Costa Rican regions with highest milk production.     

Collision-free motion planning and scheduling

The positioning, motion coordination and test ordering procedures of new testing equipment for printed circuit boards is presented. The equipment structure consists of four mobile probes whose movements must be coordinated to avoid collisions both with obstacles and with each other. This paper explains the algorithm used to obtain the optimum path between two points in a space with obstacles based on traditional methods but including new ideas to reduce the computation times. A new method for motion coordination that obtains the optimum sequence of consecutive or simultaneous probe movements is also introduced and is based on the decomposition of the sequence of movements into stages in which only movements without interferences are permitted. Finally, the ordering of the tests can be viewed as a traveling salesman problem, and the paper presents the results of various methods when applied to the specific characteristics of the equipment involved.     

Aggregation of polylactide with carboxyl groups at one chain end in the presence of metal cations

Polylactides with one or more carboxyl groups at one chain end were synthesized by cationic polymerization according to activated monomer mechanism and by application of “thiol-yne” click chemistry for subsequent functionalization. End groups of such obtained polylactides were converted into ionic groups by neutralization of polymer solutions with metal oxides, mainly calcium oxide, and the aggregation of individual stereoisomers as well as that of the mixture of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(d-lactide) (PDLA) was investigated. The extent and progress of the aggregation was followed by viscosity measurements, and aggregated polymers in the solid state were examined by SEM and DSC. Solution viscosity increase was observed upon the aggregation of individual PLA stereoisomers, whereas PLA stereocomplex precipitation occurred in the case of the aggregation of PLLA/PDLA/metal oxide mixture.     

Effect of heat treatment and chemical composition on the corrosion behavior of FeAl intermetallics in molten (Li + K)carbonate

The corrosion performance of various Fe–Al alloys in 62 mol. %Li₂CO₃-38 mol.%K₂CO₃ at 650 °C has been studied using the weight loss technique. Alloys included FeAl with additions of 1, 3 and 5 at.% of either Ni or Li with or without a heat treatment at 400 °C during 144 h. For comparison, 316L type stainless steel was also studied. The tests were complemented by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy and microchemical studies. Results showed that FeAl base alloy without heat treatment had the highest corrosion rate but by either heat treating it or by adding either Ni or Li the mass gain was decreased. When the FeAl base alloy was heat treated and alloyed with either 5Ni or 1Li the degradation rate reached as low values as those found for 316L stainless steel which had the lowest degradation rate. Both Ni and Li improved the adhesion of external protective layer either by avoiding the formation of voids or by lowering the number of precipitates and making them more homogenously distributed.     

Bone Regeneration Guided by a Magnetized Scaffold in an Ovine Defect Model

The reconstruction of large segmental defects still represents a critical issue in the orthopedic field. The use of functionalized scaffolds able to create a magnetic environment is a fascinating option to guide the onset of regenerative processes. In the present study, a porous hydroxyapatite scaffold, incorporating superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (MNPs), was implanted in a critical bone defect realized in sheep metatarsus. Superparamagnetic nanoparticles functionalized with hyperbranched poly(epsilon-Lysine) peptides and physically complexed with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) where injected in situ to penetrate the magnetic scaffold. The scaffold was fixed with cylindrical permanent NdFeB magnets implanted proximally, and the magnetic forces generated by the magnets enabled the capture of the injected nanoparticles forming a VEGF gradient in its porosity. After 16 weeks, histomorphometric measurements were performed to quantify bone growth and bone-to-implant contact, while the mechanical properties of regenerated bone via an atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis were investigated. The results showed increased bone regeneration at the magnetized interface; this regeneration was higher in the VEGF-MNP-treated group, while the nanomechanical behavior of the tissue was similar to the pattern of the magnetic field distribution. This new approach provides insights into the ability of magnetic technologies to stimulate bone formation, improving bone/scaffold interaction.