Analysis of Multiple Drug Resistance Mechanism in Different Types of Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Assessment of the Expression of ABC-Transporters,MVP, YB-1, and Analysis of Their Correlation with Chemosensitivity of Cancer Cells

Chemotherapy of soft tissue sarcomas (STS) is restricted by low chemosensitivity and multiple drug resistance (MDR). The purpose of our study was the analysis of MDR mechanism in different types of STS. We assessed the expression of ABC-transporters, MVP, YB-1, and analyzed their correlation with chemosensitivity of cancer cells. STS specimens were obtained from 70 patients without metastatic disease (2018–2020). Expression level of MDR-associated genes was estimated by qRT-PCR and cytofluorimetry. Mutations in ABC-transporter genes were captured by exome sequencing. Chemosensitivity (SI) of STS to doxorubicin (Dox), ifosfamide (Ifo), gemcitabine (Gem), and docetaxel (Doc) was analyzed in vitro. We found strong correlation in ABCB1, ABCC1, and ABCG2 expression. We demonstrated strong negative correlations in ABCB1 and ABCG2 expression with SI (Doc) and SI (Doc + Gem), and positive correlation of MVP expression with SI (Doc) and SI (Doc + Gem) in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. Pgp expression was shown in 5 out of 44 STS samples with prevalence of synovial sarcoma relapses and it is strongly correlated with SI (Gem). Mutations in MDR-associated genes were rarely found. Overall, STS demonstrated high heterogeneity in chemosensitivity that makes reasonable in vitro chemosensitivity testing to improve personalized STS therapy, and classic ABC-transporters are not obviously involved in MDR appearance.     

Plasmon-enhanced solar water splitting with metal oxide nanostructures: A brief overview of recent trends

In the last decade, the surface plasmon resonance-enhanced solar water splitting (SWS) has been actively investigated for improved hydrogen production. In this mini-review, we briefly introduce the mechanisms for plasmon-enhanced SWS and then review some representative studies related to these mechanisms. In addition, we also briefly discuss how metal oxide geometry affects the SWS activity in combined metal-semiconductor nanostructures. Finally, we summarize the recent discoveries and proposed a future vision for plasmon-enhanced SWS with metal oxide nanostructures.     

Statische und dynamische Berechnung von Turbinenfundamenten aus Stahlbeton

Structural and Dynamic Analysis of Turbine Foundations in Reinforced Concrete This paper presents the state of art of layout and analysis of turbine foundations in reinforced concrete from the civil engineering point of view. Possible foundation types, loads to be taken into account, and requirements to be met are discussed in detail. Current analysis methods for the determination of eigenvalues and dynamic amplitudes as well as the treatment of special cases in earthquake zones are described. Constructional aspects and characteristic data of realized gas and steam turbine foundations complete the paper.     

Etherification rates of 2‐methyl‐2‐butene and 2‐methyl‐1‐butene with ethanol for environmentally clean gasoline production

Etherification of C₅ reactive olefins available in light fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) gasoline is an attractive way to decrease the olefins and to increase the octane number. The reactivities of 2‐methyl‐1‐butene (2M1B) and 2‐methyl‐2‐butene (2M2B) in the etherification reaction with ethanol catalysed by a strongly acidic macroreticular resin catalyst were investigated in a temperature range of 333–360 K using a liquid phase differential flow reactor. In the presence of excess alcohol, the apparent reaction orders of etherification reactions of isoamylenes were found to be 0.93 and 0.69 with respect to 2M1B and 2M2B concentrations, respectively. 2M1B was shown to be more reactive than 2M2B and its activation energy is also lower in the etherification reaction. It was also shown that diffusion resistances, especially in the macropores of the catalyst, may play an important role on the observed rates. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of pH,flow rate and concentration on the sorption of Pb and Cd on montmorillonite: I. Experimental

Continuous column adsorption of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) was studied using pH adjustment and calcium‐saturated montmorillonite in a short stainless steel column. Changing either pH or flow rate, while keeping inlet concentration of the ions constant, led to considerable changes in effluent concentrations and breakthrough curves (BTCs). At low pH values (2–4), H⁺ ions competed strongly with lead and cadmium ions; at intermediate pH (4–6), ionic size played the major role in adsorption and ion exchange and at high pH (6–9) precipitation was the major process taking place especially for lead sorption. At low flow rates less than 0.5 cm³ min⁻¹, sorption of both lead and cadmium increased due to the long retention time in the column. When both lead and cadmium ions were present in the feed, adsorption remained the same while that of cadmium decreased compared with single ion experiments. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Gold nanoparticle conjugated poly(p-phenylene-β-cyclodextrin)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) for theranostic applications

Fluorescent conjugated polymers gained interest in the last decades for both imaging and targeting tumor cells for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In the light of this objective conjugated poly(p-phenylene) possessing β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) units in the main chain and poly(ethylene glycol) side chains is used as an imaging and therapeutic agent to target U87 and Vero cells. Additionally, imaging quality and therapy efficiency of the bare graft copolymer and its gold nanoparticle (AuNP) conjugated form were investigated and compared. It is observed that β-CD is effective not only for the imaging of the tumor cells, but also as a radiotherapy agent. Conjugation of the polymer with the AuNPs provides significant improvement in the therapeutic efficiency. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47250.     

Accelerated Spatial Fibrin Growth and Impaired Contraction of Blood Clots in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease associated with thrombotic complications. To elucidate pathogenic mechanisms, hemostatic disorders in RA were correlated with other laboratory and clinical manifestations. Hemostasis was assessed using relatively new complementary tests, the spatial growth of a plasma clot (Thrombodynamics assay), and contraction of whole blood clots. Platelet functionality was assessed with flow cytometry that quantified the expression of P-selectin and the fibrinogen-binding capacity of platelets before and after activation with a thrombin receptor-activating peptide. Parameters of fibrin clot growth and the kinetics of contraction of blood clots were significantly altered in patients with RA compared to the control group. In Thrombodynamics measurements, an increase in the clot growth rate, size, and optical density of plasma clots altogether indicated chronic hypercoagulability. The rate and extent of blood clot contraction in patients with RA was significantly reduced and associated with platelet dysfunction revealed by an impaired response to activation. Changes in the parameters of clot growth and contraction correlated with the laboratory signs of systemic inflammation, including hyperfibrinogenemia. These results confirm the pathogenic role of hemostatic disorders in RA and support the validity of fibrin clot growth and the blood clot contraction assay as indicators of a (pro)thrombotic state.     

A biosensor platform based on amine functionalized conjugated benzenediamine-benzodithiophene polymer for testosterone analysis

A novel benzenediamine-benzodithiophene polymer is synthesized for use in biosensor fabrication for the detection of testosterone. The sensory platform is constructed via drop coating on a screen-printed carbon electrode, using poly(benzenediamine-Bis[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]benzodithiophene) (pBDBT) as the polymer layer. Testosterone antibodies are immobilized on the polymer-coated electrode surface via glutaraldehyde, which binds to the surface through the amino functional groups on the polymer backbone. The changes in the surface features due to testosterone binding are investigated via electrochemical techniques such as differential pulse voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectrometry as well as contact angle measurements. Surface morphology of the modified electrodes is characterized by atomic force microscopy. The linear range and limit of detection of the sensor are calculated. Impact of possible interfering compounds is investigated. Furthermore, the sensory platform is utilized for testosterone analysis in synthetic biological fluids.     

On the nature of active sites in Fe/ZSM-5 catalysts for NOx abatement

Fe/ZSM-5 catalysts with high Fe loading (Fe/Al1) have been prepared by sublimation of FeCl₃ onto H-ZSM-5 samples of different Si/Al ratios. They catalyze NO_x reduction with hydrocarbons in an excess of O₂ and H₂O. TPR shows that the Fe in the zeolite cavities is different from Fe₂O₃ particles. Naked Fe³⁺ ions are absent; oxo-ions, which are equally well reducible by CO and H₂, prevail. A minority of the Fe complexes lose oxygen upon mere heating to 500°C; some of the reduced sites are reoxidized only by N₂O. The population of oxo-complexes that lose oxygen by heating depends on the Si/Al ratio, this dependence is in qualitative agreement with the model of (2+) charged binuclear ions [HO–Fe–O–Fe–OH]²⁺. Upon reacting with NO, the bridging O atom is transferred and NO₂ is formed. This step is not rate limiting for active catalysts with high Al/Si ratio and high Fe loading, but it becomes critical with zeolites of low Al/Si ratio.