MicroRNA Expression in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines and Tumor Biopsies: Potential Therapeutic Targets

This study was carried out to quantitate the expression levels of microRNA-17, -19a, -34a, -155, and -210 (miRs) expressed in nine clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and one chromophobe renal cell carcinoma cell line with and without sarcomatoid differentiation, and in six primary kidney tumors with matching normal kidney tissues. The data in the five non-sarcomatoid ccRCC cell lines—RC2, CAKI-1, 786-0, RCC4, and RCC4/VHL—and in the four ccRCC with sarcomatoid differentiation—RCJ41T1, RCJ41T2, RCJ41M, and UOK-127—indicated that miR-17 and -19a were expressed at lower levels relative to miR-34a, -155, and -210. Compared with RPTEC normal epithelial cells, miR-34a, miR-155, and miR-210 were expressed at higher levels, independent of the sarcomatoid differentiation status and hypoxia-inducible factors 1α and 2α (HIFs) isoform expression. In the one chromophobe renal cell carcinoma cell line, namely, UOK-276 with sarcomatoid differentiation, and expressing tumor suppressor gene TP53, miR-34a, which is a tumor suppressor gene, was expressed at higher levels than miR-210, -155, -17, and -19a. The pilot results generated in six tumor biopsies with matching normal kidney tissues indicated that while the expression of miR-17 and -19a were similar to the normal tissue expression profile, miR-210, -155, -and 34a were expressed at a higher level. To confirm that differences in the expression levels of the five miRs in the six tumor biopsies were statistically significant, the acquisition of a larger sample size is required. Data previously generated in ccRCC cell lines demonstrating that miR-210, miR-155, and HIFs are druggable targets using a defined dose and schedule of selenium-containing molecules support the concept that simultaneous and concurrent downregulation of miR-210, miR-155, and HIFs, which regulate target genes associated with increased tumor angiogenesis and drug resistance, may offer the potential for the development of a novel mechanism-based strategy for the treatment of patients with advanced ccRCC.     

Fabrication of High Performance PM Nanocrystalline Bulk AA2124

AA2124 nanopowders <100 nm in particle size and 20 nm internal structure produced by high energy ball milling of gas-atomized micronpowders ~45 μm in particle size and 700 nm internal structure were processed in to bulk rods. The micro- and nanopowders were hot compacted using uniaxial pressing for preliminary densification at 0.7T _m of the alloy. Selected intact hot compacts (HCs) were promoted for warm severe plastic deformation via equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) at the minimum possible deforming temperature for final densification. Effect of the fabrication method of the consolidated powders was investigated. A combined processing via HC/ECAP produced bulk nanostructured rods 2.5 μm and 50-60 nm in grain size for the micro- and nanopowder consolidates, respectively. The powder properties controlled the degree of densification and mechanical behavior during the hot compaction stage, which influenced strongly the deformation behavior during subsequent ECAP. At the end of HC/ECAP one pass, the HC stage was responsible for about 83 and 95% of the total grain coarsening encountered for the micro- and nanopowder HCs, respectively. Throughout the various consolidation stages employed, the ball-milled (BM) nanopowder consolidates exhibited 2/3 the grain growth and displayed almost twice the hardness and compressive strength values of the gas-atomized micronpowder ones. Influence of BM and HC on the Al₂O₃ layer formed around the individual powder particles was also investigated.     

Evaluating thermal and thermooxidation stability for lubricating oils via microscale methods

Differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetry (TG) methods have been developed to evaluate the thermal and thermooxidation stability of different lubricating oils. Measurements are carried out either by heating the oil sample at a constant rate (direct programme) or by keeping it at a fixed high temperature (isothermal programme). Oxygen at a constant flow rate is used for thermooxidation measurements. Tested samples included different viscosity grades: neutral base oils, unadditivated lubricating oil blends, and industrial oils. The mechanism of thermal decomposition for ZDDP and the estimation of its optimum concentration was also considered.     

Effect of pre-treatment and hydraulic retention time on biohydrogen production from organic wastes

This study investigated the effect of pre-treatment and hydraulic retention time (HRT) on biohydrogen production from organic wastes. Various pre-treatments including thermal, base, acid, ultrasonication, and hydrogen peroxide were applied alone or in combination to enhance biohydrogen production from potato and bean wastewater in batch tests. All the pre-treated samples showed higher hydrogen production than the control tests. Hydrogen peroxide pre-treatment achieved the best results of 939.7 and 470 mL for potato and bean wastewater, respectively. Continuous biohydrogen production from sucrose, potato and bean wastewater was significantly influenced by reducing the HRT as 24, 18 and 12 h. Sucrose and potato showed similar behavior, where the hydrogen production rate (HPR) increased with decreasing the HRT. Optimum hydrogen yield results of 320 mL-H₂/g-VS (sucrose) and 150 mL-H₂/g-VS (potato) were achieved at HRT of 18 h. Bean wastewater showed optimum HPR of 0.65 L/L.d with hydrogen yield of 80 mL-H₂/g-VS at 24 h HRT.     

Effect of Ni Addition on the Morphology and Microstructure of Both Conventional Cast and Melt-Spun of Al–Si–Fe–Nb (at wt%) Alloy

Metals and Materials International - In this project the morphology and microstructure of both conventional cast and melt spun of Al–20Si–9Fe–1.2Nb and...     

Sensory and Physicochemical Studies of Thermally Micronized Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and Green Lentil (Lens culinaris) Flours as Binders in Low‐Fat Beef Burgers

Pulses are known to be nutritious foods but are susceptible to oxidation due to the reaction of lipoxygenase (LOX) with linolenic and linoleic acids which can lead to off flavors caused by the formation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Infrared micronization at 130 and 150 °C was investigated as a heat treatment to determine its effect on LOX activity and VOCs of chickpea and green lentil flour. The pulse flours were added to low‐fat beef burgers at 6% and measured for consumer acceptability and physicochemical properties. Micronization at 130 °C significantly decreased LOX activity for both flours. The lentil flour micronized at 150 °C showed a further significant decrease in LOX activity similar to that of the chickpea flour at 150 °C. The lowering of VOCs was accomplished more successfully with micronization at 130 °C for chickpea flour while micronization at 150 °C for the green lentil flour was more effective. Micronization minimally affected the characteristic fatty acid content in each flour but significantly increased omega‐3 and n‐6 fatty acids at 150 °C in burgers with lentil and chickpea flours, respectively. Burgers with green lentil flour micronized at 130 and 150 °C, and chickpea flour micronized at 150 °C were positively associated with acceptability. Micronization did not affect the shear force and cooking losses of the burgers made with both flours. Formulation of low‐fat beef burgers containing 6% micronized gluten‐free binder made from lentil and chickpea flour is possible based on favorable results for physicochemical properties and consumer acceptability.