Mechanochemical synthesis,structural, magnetic,optical and electrooptical properties of CuFeS2 nanoparticles

The rapid mechanochemical synthesis of nanocrystalline CuFeS₂ particles prepared by high-energy milling for 60?min in a planetary mill from copper, iron and sulphur elements is reported. The CuFeS₂ nanoparticles crystallize in tetragonal structure with mean crystallite size of about 38?±?1?nm determined by XRD analysis. HRTEM study also revealed the presence of nanocrystals with the size of 5–30?nm with the tendency to form agglomerates. The Raman spectrum confirms the chalcopyrite structure. Low temperature magnetic data for CuFeS₂ support the coexistence of antiferromagnetic and paramagnetic spin structure. Moreover, the hysteresis loops taken at temperatures from 5?K to 300?K revealed a presence of very small amount of ferromagnetic phase, which seems to be associated with the non-consumed elemental Fe in as-prepared nanoparticles. The optical band gap of CuFeS₂ nanoparticles has been detected to be 1.05?eV, larger than band gap of the bulk material. The wider gap possibly resulted from the nano-size effect. Photoresponses of CuFeS₂ nanoparticles were confirmed by I-V measurements under dark and light illumination. It was demonstrated that mechanochemical synthesis can be successfully employed in the one step preparation of nanocrystalline CuFeS₂ with good structural, magnetic, optical and electrooptical properties.     

Proteomic analysis of porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation reveals essential role for the ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1

In this study, we performed proteomic analysis of porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation. Comparison of oocytes at the initial and final stages of meiotic division characterized candidate proteins that were differentially synthesized during in vitro maturation. While the biosynthesis of many of these proteins was significantly decreased, we found four proteins with increased biosynthetic rate, which are supposed to play an essential role in meiosis. Among them, the ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1) was identified by mass spectrometry. To study the regulatory role of UCH-L1 in the process of meiosis in pig model, we used a specific inhibitor of this enzyme, marked C30, belonging to the class of isatin O-acyl oximes. When germinal vesicle (GV) stage cumulus-enclosed oocytes were treated with C30, GV breakdown was inhibited after 28 h of culture, and most of the oocytes were arrested at the first meiosis after 44 h. The block of metaphase I-anaphase transition was not completely reversible. In addition, the inhibition of UCH-L1 resulted in elevated histone H1 kinase activity, corresponding to cyclin-dependent kinase(CDK1)-cyclin B1 complex, and a low level of monoubiquitin. These results supported the hypothesis that UCH-L1 might play a role in metaphase I-anaphase transition by regulating ubiquitin-dependent proteasome mechanisms. In summary, a proteomic approach coupled with protein verification study revealed an essential role of UCH-L1 in the completion of the first meiosis and its transition to anaphase.     

Deleterious Effects of Hyperactivity of the Renin-Angiotensin System and Hypertension on the Course of Chemotherapy-Induced Heart Failure after Doxorubicin Administration: A Study in Ren-2 Transgenic Rat

Doxorubicin’s (DOX) cardiotoxicity contributes to the development of chemotherapy-induced heart failure (HF) and new treatment strategies are in high demand. The aim of the present study was to characterize a DOX-induced model of HF in Ren-2 transgenic rats (TGR), those characterized by hypertension and hyperactivity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and to compare the results with normotensive transgene-negative, Hannover Sprague-Dawley (HanSD) rats. DOX was administered for two weeks in a cumulative dose of 15 mg/kg. In HanSD rats DOX administration resulted in the development of an early phase of HF with the dominant symptom of bilateral cardiac atrophy demonstrable two weeks after the last DOX injection. In TGR, DOX caused substantial impairment of systolic function already at the end of the treatment, with further progression observed throughout the experiment. Additionally, two weeks after the termination of DOX treatment, TGR exhibited signs of HF characteristic for the transition stage between the compensated and decompensated phases of HF. In conclusion, we suggest that DOX-induced HF in TGR is a suitable model to study the pathophysiological aspects of chemotherapy-induced HF and to evaluate novel therapeutic strategies to combat this form of HF, which are urgently needed.     

(Meth)acrylate liquid crystalline polymers for membrane applications

Synthesis and characterization of a series of linear copolymers with liquid crystalline side chains is reported. Methacrylate monomers containing cyanobiphenyl as a mesogenic group were prepared. These monomers were then copolymerized with 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate in varying molar ratios. The structure and composition of the monomers and corresponding polymers were determined by ¹H‐NMR, elemental analysis and size‐exclusion chromatography. Thermal properties of the polymers were studied using differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, and X‐ray scattering techniques. Increasing mesogen content resulted in an increase of the glass transition temperature of the copolymers. In addition, above a threshold mesogen content the copolymers exhibited smectic mesophases. Using a solution casting technique, a membrane was fabricated to study single gas transport behaviors. Permeabilities, were in the order of CO₂ > propylene > O₂ > N₂ > CH₄ > propane. Diffusion coefficients correlated well to Lenard–Jones Diameter. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42694.     

Free‐volume structure of polyvinylpyrrolidone‐capped glassy As2Se3 nanocomposites prepared by mechanical milling

The method of positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) spectroscopy was first employed to study atomic‐deficient free‐volume structure of nanocomposites prepared by high‐energy mechanical milling of glassy g‐As₂Se₃ in water solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The formalism of x3‐x2‐CDA (coupling decomposition algorithm) describing conversion of bound positron‐electron (positronium Ps) states into positron traps was applied to identify free‐volume elements in pelletized PVP‐capped g‐As₂Se₃ nanocomposite in respect to parent dry‐milled g‐As₂Se₃. Under wet milling, the internanoparticle Ps‐decaying sites in preferential PVP environment were shown to replace free‐volume positron traps in dry‐milled g‐As₂Se₃ with defect‐specific positron lifetime of 0.352 ns, corresponding to diatomic/triatomic vacancies in g‐As‐Se matrix. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:2438–2442, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Differencing sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fillets frozen in different conditions by impedance measurements

The potential of electrical impedance was investigated to differentiate thawed sea bass fillets (Dicentrarchus labrax) previously subjected to different freezing conditions. The HP 4284A Precise LCR meter was used to measure impedance magnitude (|Z|) and phase (?) at 27 frequencies from 0.1 to 1000 kHz. A needle‐type multi electrode array was tested as a probe for impedance measurements. The study showed that fast and non‐invasive control method based on measurement of ? on thawed fillets could assess the freezing conditions of white fish at higher frequencies of measurements (500–1000 kHz). The advantages of ? when compared with |Z| include its independence on temperature, on puncture depth of the probe and on duration of storage prior to freezing. Usage of a needle‐type multi electrode array reduced the effect of muscle tissue anisotropy; however, even at 1 MHz, the differences in electrical measurements varied around 10–11% depending on muscle fibre direction.     

Magnetically responsive yeast cells: methods of preparation and applications

Magnetically modified yeast cells represent an interesting type of biocomposite material, applicable in various areas of bioanalysis, biotechnology and environmental technology. In this review, typical examples of magnetic modifications of yeast cells of the genera Saccharomyces, Kluyveromyces, Rhodotorula and Yarrowia are presented, as well as their possible applications as biocatalysts, active part of biosensors and biosorbents for the separation of organic xenobiotics, heavy metal ions and radionuclides. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Maternal Choline Intake Programs Hypothalamic Energy Regulation and Later‐Life Phenotype of Male Wistar Rat Offspring

Scope: High‐folic‐acid diets during pregnancy result in obesity in the offspring, associated with altered DNA‐methylation of hypothalamic food intake neurons. Like folic acid, the methyl‐donor choline modulates foetal brain development, but its long‐term programing effects on energy regulation remain undefined. This study aims to describe the effect of choline intake during pregnancy on offspring phenotype and hypothalamic energy‐regulatory mechanisms. Methods and results: Wistar rat dams are fed an AIN‐93G diet with recommended choline (RC, 1 g kg^?1 diet), low choline (LC, 0.5‐fold), or high choline (HC, 2.5‐fold) during pregnancy. Male pups are terminated at birth and 17 weeks post‐weaning. Brain 1‐carbon metabolites, body weight, food intake, energy expenditure, plasma hormones, and protein expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides are measured. HC pups have higher expression of the orexigenic neuropeptide‐Y neurons at birth, consistent with higher cumulative food intake and body weight gain post‐weaning compared to RC and LC offspring. LC pups have lower leptin receptor expression at birth and lower energy expenditure and activity during adulthood. Conclusion: Choline content of diets that are consumed by rats during pregnancy affects the later‐life phenotype of offspring, associated with altered in utero programing of hypothalamic food intake regulation.