Incorporation of norbixin in biodegradable alginate films crosslinked with Ca2+: Pro-oxidant action

Alginate is a biopolymer with film-forming properties that can be used as food packaging material. Norbixin is a carotenoid with antioxidant properties, commonly used as a natural food coloring. The research objective was to create calcium-crosslinked alginate films and incorporated with norbixin concentrations (N%) of 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.50% (g norbixin/g alginate). The polymer matrix helped to retard the thermal degradation of norbixin during the drying process and decreased leaching losses during the crosslinking process. The addition of norbixin influenced film opacity in ultraviolet light (all N%) and visible light (higher N%), causing an increase in red-yellow coloration. Only the higher N% influenced the water vapor permeability of film. Norbixin thus improved the overall barrier properties of the crosslinked sodium alginate film, with a 0.50 N% showing the most promising results. When used as sunflower oil packaging, films with a N% above 0.10 provided pro-oxidant activity during storage.     

Ascorbic Acid Supplementation Improves Skeletal Muscle Growth in Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) Juveniles: In Vivo and In Vitro Studies

In fish, fasting leads to loss of muscle mass. This condition triggers oxidative stress, and therefore, antioxidants can be an alternative to muscle recovery. We investigated the effects of antioxidant ascorbic acid (AA) on the morphology, antioxidant enzyme activity, and gene expression in the skeletal muscle of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) following fasting, using in vitro and in vivo strategies. Isolated muscle cells of the pacu were subjected to 72 h of nutrient restriction, followed by 24 h of incubation with nutrients or nutrients and AA (200 µM). Fish were fasted for 15 days, followed by 6 h and 15 and 30 days of refeeding with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of AA supplementation. AA addition increased cell diameter and the expression of anabolic and cell proliferation genes in vitro. In vivo, 400 mg/kg of AA increased anabolic and proliferative genes expression at 6 h of refeeding, the fiber diameter and the expression of genes related to cell proliferation at 15 days, and the expression of catabolic and oxidative metabolism genes at 30 days. Catalase activity remained low in the higher supplementation group. In conclusion, AA directly affected the isolated muscle cells, and the higher AA supplementation positively influenced muscle growth after fasting.     

Personalized Development of Antisense Oligonucleotides for Exon Skipping Restores Type XVII Collagen Expression in Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa

Intermediate junctional epidermolysis bullosa caused by mutations in the COL17A1 gene is characterized by the frequent development of blisters and erosions on the skin and mucous membranes. The rarity of the disease and the heterogeneity of the underlying mutations renders therapy developments challenging. However, the high number of short in-frame exons facilitates the use of antisense oligonucleotides (AON) to restore collagen 17 (C17) expression by inducing exon skipping. In a personalized approach, we designed and tested three AONs in combination with a cationic liposomal carrier for their ability to induce skipping of COL17A1 exon 7 in 2D culture and in 3D skin equivalents. We show that AON-induced exon skipping excludes the targeted exon from pre-mRNA processing, which restores the reading frame, leading to the expression of a slightly truncated protein. Furthermore, the expression and correct deposition of C17 at the dermal–epidermal junction indicates its functionality. Thus, we assume AON-mediated exon skipping to be a promising tool for the treatment of junctional epidermolysis bullosa, particularly applicable in a personalized manner for rare genotypes.     

Analysis of Grinding Strategies Applied to Crankshaft Manufacturing

A critical step in the manufacture of forged crankshafts is the grinding of the sidewalls. The present research investigation was undertaken to evaluate strategies for high-speed CBN grinding of crankshafts sidewalls. Three strategies were analytically and experimentally compared: axial plunge grinding, axial face grinding, and multi-step axial face grinding. While all three strategies could produce acceptable parts, the multi-step face grinding strategy was found to be particularly advantageous for providing flexibility in the process control.     

A low resolution model for the interaction of G proteins with G protein-coupled receptors

A model is presented for the interaction between G proteinsand G protein-coupled receptors. The model is based on the factthat this interaction shows little specificity and thus conservedparts of the G proteins have to interact with conserved partsof the receptors. These parts are a conserved negative residuein the G protein, a fully conserved arginine in the receptorand a series of residues that are not conserved but always hydrophobiclike the hydrophobic side of the C-terminal helix of the G proteinand the hydrophobic side of a helix in the C-terminal domainof the receptor. Other, mainly cytosolic, factors determinethe specificity and regulation of this interaction. The relationbetween binding and activation will be shown. A large body ofexperimental evidence supports this model. Despite the factthat the model does not provide atomic resolution, it can beused to explain some experimental data that would otherwiseseem inexplicable, and it suggests experiments for its falsificationor verification.     

The effect of thermal cycling on oxide scale structure and morphology on a hot-pressed silicon nitride

Dense Si₃N₄ hot-pressed with the aid of 9 wt% Y₂O₃ was oxidised in ‘dry’ synthetic air at both 1000 and 1200°C for up to 500 h under thermal cycling conditions. The experiments revealed that thermal cycling has little effect on oxidation kinetics although the morphology of surface oxidation products is affected by the cycling frequency. Cracks formed in the oxide layers on cooling healed immediately on re-exposure to high temperature, and there was no apparent change in the oxidation rate controlling mechanism over the time period investigated. The exposure of the material at 1000°C did not result in catastrophic oxidation as observed for some other Y₂O₃-doped hot-pressed Si₃N₄ compositions. Additionally, it was observed that crystallisation of the oxide layer with time (assisted in part by the outward diffusion of intergranular phase cations from the bulk ceramic to the surface scale) leads to non-parabolic kinetics owing to reduced rates of diffusion through crystalline phases in the surface scale. ©     

Corrosion behaviour of a dissimilar joint TIG weld between austenitic AISI 316L and ferritic AISI 444 stainless steels

The AISI 444 stainless steel (SS) has become an option to substitute the AISI 316L SS because of its low cost and satisfactory corrosion resistance. However, the use of AISI 444 alloy tubes in heat exchangers causes the welding of a dissimilar joint. The aim of this study was evaluate the corrosion resistance of the tube-to-tubesheet welded by a TIG process composed of AISI 316L and AISI 444. Preparation of samples was executed through replication of tube-to-tubesheet joints. In order to test the corrosion resistance of the welded joint, the following tests were applied: sensitisation, mass loss from room temperature up to 90 °C and electrochemical corrosion tests in 0.5 mol/L HCl and 0.5 mol/L H₂SO₄ electrolytes. The results have shown that the dissimilar joint suffers galvanic corrosion with increased degradation of the heat-affected zone of the AISI 444 tube. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of localised corrosion (pit and intergranular) were more active in the AISI 316L alloy. It is concluded that the dissimilar joint showed better corrosion resistance than the welded joint composed solely of AISI 316L at temperatures up to 70 °C, as the conditions observed in this work.     

Comparing mechanical behaviour of aluminium welds produced by laser beam welding (LBW), friction stir welding (FSW), and riveting for aeronautical structures

Three welding processes for aluminium parts have been considered for aircraft fabrication: riveting, friction stir welding (FSW) and laser beam welding (LBW). These processes have advantages and threats, which were analysed in the present work focusing on T-pull and Hoop tensile properties. Concerning T-pull tests, LBW coupons presented higher ability to withstand the applied loads. This was due to the better distribution of loads when the strain is done in the stringer direction. In the case of the Hoop tests, which stress only the skin, the results obtained after FSW were notably higher in terms of ultimate tensile stress, yield stress and maximum strain. It was concluded that both LBW and FSW could replace riveting usually applied for commercial aircraft manufacturing.     

Additive manufacturing: the role of welding in this window of opportunity

Additive manufacturing (AM) can be considered as an evolution from rapid prototyping as it allows us to manufacture a component from a computer file (CAD 3D), though its applications extrapolate the production of prototypes. This technique involves the layered design of a component and subsequent welding deposition of the multilayer structure to produce parts without the need of moulds or other tools. Although AM is frequently associated with the use of high density processes, the need for higher competitiveness expanded its range of technologies to include arc welding processes. This article aims to summarize up-to-date information on AM, particularly involving arc welding processes. Emphasis is given on the challenges associated with the building up of components during multilayered deposition and on post-deposition procedures.     

Electrochemical behavior of Ti-Mo alloys applied as biomaterial

Electrochemical investigation on the as-cast Ti-Mo alloys (4-20 Mo wt.%) applied as biomaterials in Na₂SO₄ and Ringer physiological solutions is reported. Analyses of the open-circuit potential indicated that all alloys present spontaneous passivation. SEM and cyclic voltammograms obtained in the Ringer solution showed that the samples studied do not present pitting corrosion at potentials up to 8 V (SCE), indicating high corrosion resistance. Open-circuit potential profiles of the anodic oxides growth in both solutions show that the presence of chloride ions during the anodization does not influence the oxides’ chemical stability, and also clearly indicate that adding Mo to pure Ti improves the stability of the anodic oxides. All these results suggest Ti-Mo alloys promissory to be applied as biomaterials.