SUL-151 Decreases Airway Neutrophilia as a Prophylactic and Therapeutic Treatment in Mice after Cigarette Smoke Exposure

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) caused by cigarette smoke (CS) is featured by oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Due to the poor efficacy of standard glucocorticoid therapy, new treatments are required. Here, we investigated whether the novel compound SUL-151 with mitoprotective properties can be used as a prophylactic and therapeutic treatment in a murine CS-induced inflammation model. SUL-151 (4 mg/kg), budesonide (500 μg/kg), or vehicle were administered via oropharyngeal instillation in this prophylactic and therapeutic treatment setting. The number of immune cells was determined in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Oxidative stress response, mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, and mitophagy-related proteins were measured in lung homogenates. SUL-151 significantly decreased more than 70% and 50% of CS-induced neutrophils in BALF after prophylactic and therapeutic administration, while budesonide showed no significant reduction in neutrophils. Moreover, SUL-151 prevented the CS-induced decrease in ATP and mitochondrial mtDNA and an increase in putative protein kinase 1 expression in the lung homogenates. The concentration of SUL-151 was significantly correlated with malondialdehyde level and radical scavenging activity in the lungs. SUL-151 inhibited the increased pulmonary inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction in this CS-induced inflammation model, which implied that SUL-151 might be a promising candidate for COPD treatment.     

Influence of the stress,strain, and temperature on the surface roughness of an AlSl 52100 steel due to an orthogonal cut

In recent years, the finite element method (FEM) has become the main tool for simulating the metal cutting process because research based on trial and error is time consuming and requires high investment. Early studies were done by different investigators. In this research AISI 52100, hardened steel (62 HRC) was selected for an orthogonal machining process as well as metal cutting simulation using the software DEFORM-2D. This software is based on a forging process and has been adapted to an orthogonal machining process. The results of simulated cutting forces were compared with experimental cutting force data to validate the orthogonal cut simulation. Also, the surface roughness was measured, and the influence of the stress, strain, and temperature on the surface roughness was studied.     

Cu/SBA-15 as adsorbent for propane/propylene separation

Samples of mesoporous silica SBA-15 were prepared under hydrothermal conditions where Cu cations were incorporated to the structure by impregnation in order to compare the adsorption behavior in the presence and absence of this element. The adsorption/desorption equilibrium isotherms of propylene, propane, and N₂ were measured to evaluate their usefulness in the propane/propylene separation. All the adsorption isotherms of SBA-15 measured in the absence of Cu cations were described by the Freundlich equation, while the adsorption isotherms of propane on Cu/SBA-15 were better represented by the Henry equation and those of propylene were satisfactorily described by the Langmuir model in the range P < 100 Torr. The adsorption uptake of propylene increased and that of propane decreased in Cu/SBA-15 as compared to the amounts observed in the SBA-15 sample. The presence of Cu atoms in the adsorbent lattice increased the selectivity towards propylene. Under some working conditions the adsorbed amount of propylene in Cu/SBA-15 sample was totally reversible and the propane uptake, negligible.     

SOLUBILITY AND DIFFUSIVITY OF GASES IN AN ORGANIC SOLUTION OF AMINE

Solubilities and diffusivities of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide in a mixture of toluene and isopropanol organic solution of cyclohexylamine were measured at 20°C in the range of pressures of solute from 1 to 3 bars. This was performed with an original chromatographic technique taking into account the presence of the product of the reaction.     

Crystallinity in PPS–carbon composites: A study using diffuse reflection FT-IR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry

A method based on diffuse reflection Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy has been developed for determining the state of crystallinity in composite materials made from poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) reinforced with carbon fibers. Using this technique, good-quality spectra can be obtained directly from the surface of prepreg or molded composite; thus the method is rapid and nondestructive. Several peaks in the spectrum are sensitive to the crystallinity and can be used for quantitative characterization purposes. The recommended indicator is the ratio of the heights of the peaks at 1075 and 1093 cm^?1. Using a range of samples of varying crystallinity prepared by annealing amorphous prepreg, it has been shown that there is a very good correlation between this ratio and the enthalpy of crystallization as determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The effects of such annealing, as well as heating in air at high temperatures, have been investigated.     

Lead recovery from aqueous environment by using porous carbon of citrus fruits waste: equilibrium,kinetics and thermodynamic studies

ABSTRACT

The mixture of citrus fruits (orange, grapefruit, mandarin, and lemon) wastes was utilized to obtain high surface area activated carbon (AC) by H₃PO₄ activation. The production conditions were optimized and the optimum conditions were determined. The optimal-activated carbon (CFWAC) was characterized by various physicochemical techniques. CFWAC was also used as a sorbent for Pb (II) ions from water. Batch experiments were performed to explore the adsorption capacity and mechanism. The Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model showed good fitness to the experimental data. The maximum Pb (II) adsorption capacity of CFWAC was found to be 163.93 mg/g.     

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networds produced with polyethylene terephthalate oligomer and unsaturated polyester resin

A series of semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPN's) based on different compositions of an acyclic polyethylene terephthalate oligomer and unsaturated polyester resin (UP) were prepared. The oligomer was dissolved in the resin containing styrene crosslinker. Later this mixture was crosslinked at room temperature using methyl ethyl ketone peroxide catalyst and cobalt naphtanate as promoter. The tensile strength of the IPN's decreases as the concentration of oligomer increases, whereas, elongation to break increases. A characterization of the oligomer used is also presented.     

Effect of Adding Transition Metals to Copper on the Dehydrogenation Reaction of Ethanol

The present work aims to investigate the effect adding Ag, Co, Ni, Cd and Pt to copper on ethanol dehydrogenation. The catalysts synthesized by deposition–precipitation method were characterized using various physicochemical methods such as N₂ adsorption–desorption, TPR, SEM–EDX, XRD, XPS and TGA–DSC-MS. Catalytic evaluation results revealed that the predominant product of the reaction was acetaldehyde. Monometallic copper or mixed with Cd, Ag or Co show good catalytic performances. Adding nickel to copper improves the process conversion but reduces acetaldehyde selectivity, giving rise to methane in produced hydrogen. Pt-Cu/SiO₂ catalyst guides the reaction towards diethyl ether. Time on stream tests performed during 12 h at 260 °C, showed that adding Cd to Cu enhances its stability by over 30% of conversion, this is explained by the reduction of copper crystallites sintering, which makes Cd-Cu/SiO₂ a promising catalyst for the production of acetaldehyde by ethanol dehydrogenation.

Graphic Abstract

     

Varnish layer hardness of oriental beech (fagus orientalist L.) wood as affected by impregnation and bleaching

The impacts of impregnation and bleaching on the varnish layer hardness of Oriental beech (Fagus orientalist L.) wood were investigated. A number of bleaching combinations {[NaOH−H₂O₂], [NaOH−Ca(OH)₂−H₂O₂], [NaOH−MgSO₄−H₂O₂] [NaHSO₃−H₂C₂O₄], [NaSiO₃−H₂O₂], [KMnO₄+NaHSO₃+H₂O₃]} were applied at 18% concentration for bleaching to both impregnated and unimpregnated specimens of Oriental beech wood. Subsequently, water-based (WB) varnish was coated over the samples and the varnish layer hardness values were determined in accordance with ASTM D 4366-95. All of the chemicals used for bleaching reduced the surface hardness. However, after varnish coating, the hardness of most samples was similar to that of the varnish-coated natural (control) samples.