Two Motors and One Spring: Hypothetic Roles of Non-Muscle Myosin II and Submembrane Actin-Based Cytoskeleton in Cell Volume Sensing

Changes in plasma membrane curvature and intracellular ionic strength are two key features of cell volume perturbations. In this hypothesis we present a model of the responsible molecular apparatus which is assembled of two molecular motors [non-muscle myosin II (NMMII) and protrusive actin polymerization], a spring [a complex between the plasma membrane (PM) and the submembrane actin-based cytoskeleton (smACSK) which behaves like a viscoelastic solid] and the associated signaling proteins. We hypothesize that this apparatus senses changes in both the plasma membrane curvature and the ionic strength and in turn activates signaling pathways responsible for regulatory volume increase (RVI) and regulatory volume decrease (RVD). During cell volume changes hydrostatic pressure (HP) changes drive alterations in the cell membrane curvature. HP difference has opposite directions in swelling versus shrinkage, thus allowing distinction between them. By analogy with actomyosin contractility that appears to sense stiffness of the extracellular matrix we propose that NMMII and actin polymerization can actively probe the transmembrane gradient in HP. Furthermore, NMMII and protein-protein interactions in the actin cortex are sensitive to ionic strength. Emerging data on direct binding to and regulating activities of transmembrane mechanosensors by NMMII and actin cortex provide routes for signal transduction from transmembrane mechanosensors to cell volume regulatory mechanisms.     

Thermal stability of Al-Ni-Fe-La aluminum amorphous alloys

The thermal stability of aluminum amorphous alloys with various contents of nickel, iron, and lanthanum is studied by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and electron-microscopic analysis in the initial state and after heat and deformation treatment. The alloys are found to crystallize in two stages. The alloy with the maximum iron content (Al₈₅Ni₇Fe₄La₄) is shown to have the maximum thermal stability. Preliminary annealing at temperatures below the temperature of the onset of crystallization weakly affects this temperature. Preliminary severe plastic deformation increases the thermal stability of the alloys, which is caused by the existence of the first stage of crystallization during deformation. The structural aspects affecting the thermal stability of the alloys are considered.     

A new synthesis approach for proton exchange membranes based on ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene

A new approach for gas-phase modification of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) film for synthesis of proton exchange membranes (PEMs) has been successfully realized. First, the membrane precursors have been prepared by soaking the films in a monomers/AIBN solution followed by their modification with polystyrene (PS) in styrene vapor at 110°C. The developed method is characterized by high efficiency, simplicity, and ecological purity. The modified UHMWPE films containing up to 60 wt% of PS have been obtained. Then, PEMs were prepared by sulfonation of these precursors. According to energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy of the sulfonated samples, almost uniform distribution of PS through the film thickness was observed. The membranes with an ion exchange capacity up to 2.7 mmol/g and proton conductivity up to 60 mS/cm (water, 25°C) were obtained. Comparative tests of the obtained UHMWPE-sulfonated PS and commercial Nafion-115 membranes in a hydrogen–air fuel cell have been carried out. It has been shown that the cell with the synthesized membranes exhibits better performance than that with Nafion-115.     

Dual-phase polyphenylene oxide membranes with copolyimide branched modifiers

Poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) membranes are attractive due to high permeability for gases; however, the selectivity of these membranes is insufficient. In this work, the gas selectivity was improved without significant loss of the permeability. For this purpose, PPO was modified via incorporation of the branched copolyimide filler–grafted copolyimide (PI-g-PMMA) with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) side chains. Two series of mixed self-supporting PPO/PI-g-PMMA films (with variation of the filler content) were prepared and studied as gas separation membranes. The length of the polymide (PI) chain and the density of PMMA grafting were the same in both series, however, in one series the grafted chains contained 50 MMA units, and in the other 150 units. The intermolecular interactions between the PPO matrix and the PI-g-PMMA fillers were investigated using viscometry, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The compatibility of the polymer components is limited; however, for both series, the contents of the respective filler are found, which ensures phase segregation only in a microscale. Therefore, the mechanical properties of the films allow their use as gas separation membranes. It is shown that the degree of the segregation as well as the mechanical and gas transport properties of the membranes depend on the length of the PMMA chains, and the membranes with filler-containing shorter branches (50 MMA units) show better selectivity.     

Structure of polycrystalline Al-Ni-Fe-La alloys after quenching and plastic deformation by shear under pressure

The structure and phase composition of aluminum-based polycrystalline alloys (85 at % Al) containing transition (Fe, Ni) and rare-earth (La) metals are studied by metallography, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and electron-microscopic analysis after melt quenching and subsequent severe plastic deformation (SPD) by shear under pressure. The melt-quenched alloys are shown to have a four-phase structure consisting of an aluminum-based solid solution, intermetallics Al₃Ni and Al₁₁La₃, and iron intermetallics. SPD results in the fragmentation and spheroidization of all phase constituents of the alloys and in the dissolution of the iron intermetallics. A multiphase nanostructured state forms in the alloys. The nanocrystallite sizes after SPD at various deformation parameters are determined. The microhardness is maximal after deformation corresponding to six anvil revolutions at a pressure of 8 or 10 GPa. The structural parameters and the microhardnesses are compared after SPD by shear under pressure of the alloys having the same compositions and different structural states (namely, amorphous and polycrystalline) before deformation. An amorphous-nanocrystalline structure with the minimum nanograin sizes and the maximum microhardnesses forms in the alloys having an initial amorphous structure and subjected to SPD.     

Seasonal dynamics of fatty acid content of a common food fish from the Yenisei river,Siberian grayling, Thymallus arcticus

Seasonal variations of fatty acid contents in muscle tissue of one of the main food fish species in Siberian rivers, grayling, Thymallus arcticus, were studied over 3 years. Under a comparatively low range of water temperature variations, spawning appeared to be the main cause of seasonal changes in contents of quantitatively prominent and essential fatty acids in fish filets. In general, fish accumulated essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), such as eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA), in their muscle tissue before reproductive seasons and then the PUFA seemed to be transferred into gonads during their formation. Hard roe of Siberian grayling had 3–4 times higher PUFA contents, than had that of the muscle tissue. The fish species, T. arcticus, was found to be a valuable source of the essential PUFA, including EPA and DHA, for human diet.     

Sealing Devices for the Plunger in Hydrostatic High-Pressure Equipment for Powder

Recommendations are given for the use of sealing devices for plungers in high-pressure equipment for powder hydrostatic compaction. A new seal structure is suggested.     

Numerical modeling of parasitic barrier formation at the SiGe/Si heterojunction due to p–n junction displacement

The formation and characteristics of a parasitic conduction band barrier located at a SiGe/Si heterojunction have been investigated using a commercial numerical simulator and a simple, three-region model of a heterojunction with a nearby p–n junction. The barrier’s formation is examined as a function of the displacement of the p–n junction from the heterojunction, but also found to depend on the germanium concentration, junction doping and the applied bias. The phenomenon is of interest for understanding the performance of SiGe/Si heterojunction bipolar transistors, where the p–n junction is intentionally displaced from the heterojunction at either the emitter or collector junctions or where boron outdiffusion from the base produces p–n junction displacement. The barrier is found to scale with the germanium mole fraction and to be significantly larger when the heterojunction is displaced into the p-side of the p–n junction. Beyond some minimum separation of the junctions, the barrier height rises with junction displacement and saturates. For a given displacement, the barrier’s height can be suppressed with reverse bias or enhanced by forward bias of the p–n junction. The results of the numerical simulations are compared with those from a simple analytical model as an aid in understanding the barrier’s formation and characteristics.     

Generation of chromophore Tyr-containing mutants of the ribosomal protein L7/L12 from Escherichia coli by site-directed mutagenesis and characterization

1. The effects of tachykinins and capsaicin were studied by means of intracellular membrane potential and isometric tension recordings in the isolated trachea of the guinea-pig. 2. The basal membrane potential averaged -51 mV, and most preparations demonstrated spontaneous slow waves. Tetraethylammonium (TEA), a potassium channel blocker (8 x 10(-3) M), depolarized the membrane potential to -44 mV and induced a rhythmic activity. 3. In control solution, substance P (10(-8)-10(-6) M), [Nle10]-neurokinin A(4-10) (10(-8)-10(-6) M) and capsaicin (10(-7)-10(-6) M) induced concentration-dependent depolarizations which were statistically significant at the highest concentration tested (depolarization by 10(-6) M: 8, 11 and 16 mV for the NK1 agonist, the NK2 agonist and capsaicin, respectively). 4. In the presence of TEA (8 x 10(-3) M), the three substances induced depolarizations which were statistically significant at the highest concentration tested for substance P (10(-6) M) and at 10(-7) and 10(-6) M for both [Nle10]-neurokinin A(4-10) and capsaicin (depolarization by 10(-6) M: 11, 17 and 10 mV for substance P, [Nle10]neurokinin A(4-10) and capsaicin, respectively). 5. In the presence or absence of tetraethylammonium, [MePhe7]-neurokinin B (10(-8)-10(-6) M) did not induce any significant changes in membrane potential. 6. The depolarizing effects of substance P (10(-6) M) and [Nle10]-neurokinin A(4-10) (10(-6) M) were blocked only by the specific antagonists for NK1 and NK2 receptors, SR 140333 (10(-7) M) and SR 48968 (10(-7) M), respectively. The effects of capsaicin (10(-6) M) were partially inhibited by each antagonist and fully blocked by their combination. 7. Substance P (10(-9) to 10(-4) M), [Nle10]-neurokinin A(4-10) (10(-10) to 10(-5) M), [MePhe7]-neurokinin B and capsaicin (10(-7) to 10(-5) M) evoked concentration-dependent contractions. 8. The contractions to substance P were significantly inhibited by SR 140333 (10(-8) to 10(-6) M) but unaffected by SR 48968 (10(-8) to 10(-6) M). Furthermore, the response to [Nle10]-neurokinin A(4-10) was significantly inhibited by SR 48968 and unaffected by SR 140333 at the same concentrations. Although SR 48968 (10(-7) M) alone did not influence the effects of substance P, it potentiated the inhibitory effect of SR 140333 (10(-7) M). A similar synergetic effect of these two compounds was observed in the inhibition of the contractile response to [Nle10]-neurokinin A(4-10). 9. Neither SR 140333 (10(-7) M) nor SR 48968 (10(-7) M) alone influenced the contractions to [MePhe7]-neurokinin B and capsaicin. However, the combination of the two antagonists abolished the contractions to either peptide. 10. These results demonstrate that the stimulation of both NK1 and NK2 tachykinin-receptors induced contraction and depolarization of the guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle and that both receptors were stimulated during the endogenous release of tachykinins by capsaicin. There was no evidence for a major role of NK3 receptors in the contractile and electrical activity of the guinea-pig isolated trachea.