A Modular Composite Device of Poly(Ethylene Oxide)/Poly(Butylene Terephthalate) (PEOT/PBT) Nanofibers and Gelatin as a Dual Drug Delivery System for Local Therapy of Soft Tissue Tumors

In the clinical management of solid tumors, the possibility to successfully couple the regeneration of injured tissues with the elimination of residual tumor cells left after surgery could open doors to new therapeutic strategies. In this work, we present a composite hydrogel–electrospun nanofiber scaffold, showing a modular architecture for the delivery of two pharmaceutics with distinct release profiles, that is potentially suitable for local therapy and post-surgical treatment of solid soft tumors. The composite was obtained by coupling gelatin hydrogels to poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(butylene terephthalate) block copolymer nanofibers. Results of the scaffolds’ characterization, together with the analysis of gelatin and drug release kinetics, displayed the possibility to modulate the device architecture to control the release kinetics of the drugs, also providing evidence of their activity. In vitro analyses were also performed using a human epithelioid sarcoma cell line. Furthermore, publicly available expression datasets were interrogated. Confocal imaging showcased the nontoxicity of these devices in vitro. ELISA assays confirmed a modulation of IL-10 inflammation-related cytokine supporting the role of this device in tissue repair. In silico analysis confirmed the role of IL-10 in solid tumors including 262 patients affected by sarcoma as a negative prognostic marker for overall survival. In conclusion, the developed modular composite device may provide a key-enabling technology for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma.     

Micromechanical modeling of particulate-filled composites using micro-CT to create representative volume elements

International Journal of Mechanics and Materials in Design - A method based on X-ray micro-CT was introduced to create realistic representative volume elements (RVE) for particulate-filled...     

Biochemical and physiological studies of certain ticks (Ixodoidea): Isolation and partial identification of a new fatty acid in eggs ofDermacentor andersoni Stiles (Ixodidae)

Gas liquid chromatographic analysis of the fatty acid methyl esters from eggs ofDermacentor andersoni Stiles (Ixodidae) revealed the presence of significant quantities (15% total fatty acids) of an unidentified component with a retention time between C_18∶3−C_22∶0 fatty acids. Smaller amounts of the unidentified component (ca. 5% total fatty acid) also were detected in host rabbit serum. Purified, the unidentified component's methyl ester collected from the tick eggs by preparative gas liquid chromatography was partially identified and characterized by chemical and spectroscopic analyses. The evidence suggests that the unidentified component is a methyl branched C₁₅ tricarboxylic acid containing two vicinal carboxylic acid groups. Biosynthesis of the unidentified component by the tick is under investigation.     

Proteome Based Approach Defines Candidates for Designing a Multitope Vaccine against the Nipah Virus

Nipah virus is one of the most harmful emerging viruses with deadly effects on both humans and animals. Because of the severe outbreaks, in 2018, the World Health Organization focused on the urgent need for the development of effective solutions against the virus. However, up to date, there is no effective vaccine against the Nipah virus in the market. In the current study, the complete proteome of the Nipah virus (nine proteins) was analyzed for the antigenicity score and the virulence role of each protein, where we came up with fusion glycoprotein (F), glycoprotein (G), protein (V), and protein (W) as the candidates for epitope prediction. Following that, the multitope vaccine was designed based on top-ranking CTL, HTL, and BCL epitopes from the selected proteins. We used suitable linkers, adjuvant, and PADRE peptides to finalize the constructed vaccine, which was analyzed for its physicochemical features, antigenicity, toxicity, allergenicity, and solubility. The designed vaccine passed these assessments through computational analysis and, as a final step, we ran a docking analysis between the designed vaccine and TLR-³ and validated the docked complex through molecular dynamics simulation, which estimated a strong binding and supported the nomination of the designed vaccine as a putative solution for Nipah virus. Here, we describe the computational approach for design and analysis of this vaccine.     

Theoretical Analysis of the Onset of Gas Entrainment from a Stratified Region through a Single Side‐Oriented Branch at Moderate Froude Numbers

A theoretical investigation has been conducted for the prediction of the critical height at the onset of gas entrainment during single discharge from a stratified, two‐phase region, through a branch installed on an inclined flat wall. The predicted critical height at the onset of gas entrainment was proven to be a function of Froude number (Fr) and density ratio of the interface fluids. Three different experimental data sets at wall inclination angles of zero, 45 and 90 degrees (i.e. side, inclined and bottom branches) were used for comparisons. A good concurrence was illustrated between the experimental and theoretical values.     

Optimizing substrate surface and catalyst conditions for high yield chemical vapor deposition grown epitaxially aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes

Single-crystal stable-temperature (ST)-cut quartz substrates, which have a (0 1 1 1) crystallographic plane with their surface normal lying close to 38° from the y axis ([0 1 0]), were annealed in air prior to use as a support for aligned carbon nanotube growth by chemical vapor deposition. Very smooth substrate surfaces were obtained with annealing times in the vicinity of 15 h at a temperature of 750 °C. These smooth surfaces are ideal for the growth of horizontally aligned SWCNTs with high spatial density, while less dense SWCNTs were obtained with less smooth surfaces. Under optimized growth conditions, only SWCNT are observed and they can grow to lengths in excess of 100 μm. Our findings suggest structural defects interfere with the growth process. A binary Fe/Co catalyst was employed to grow the nanotubes. No obvious dependence on the Fe:Co ratio is observed.     

Copolymers of a new methacrylate monomer bearing oxime ester and ether with methyl methacrylate: Synthesis,characterization, monomer reactivity ratios,and biological activity

The free‐radical copolymerization of 2‐metil‐1‐{[(1‐{4‐[(4‐nitrobenzil)oksi]fenil}etilidene)amino]oksi}prop‐2‐en‐1‐on (NBOEMA) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out in 1,4‐dioxane at 65 ± 1°C. The copolymers were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Elemental analysis was used to determine the molar fractions of NBOEMA and MMA in the copolymers and for the characterization of the compounds. The monomer reactivity ratios were calculated according to the general copolymerization equation with the Kelen–Tudos and Fineman–Ross linearization methods. The polydispersity indices of the polymers, determined with GPC, suggested a strong tendency for chain termination by disproportionation. The thermal behaviors of the copolymers with various compositions were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The glass‐transition temperature of the copolymers increased with increasing NBOEMA content in the copolymers. Also, the apparent thermal decomposition activation energies were calculated by the Ozawa method with a Shimadzu TGA 60H thermogravimetric analysis thermobalance. All of the products showed moderate activity against different strains of bacteria and fungi. The photochemical properties of the polymers were investigated by UV spectroscopy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Oligomeric Composition of Polyols From Fatty Acid Methyl Ester: The Effect of Ring‐Opening Reactants of Epoxide Groups

Commercial availability of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) from palm oil targeted for biodiesel offers a good feedstock for the production of structurally well‐defined polyols for polyurethane applications. The effect of molecular weight (MW), odd and even carbon numbers, and the linear and branched structure reactants used in the ring‐opening reaction of epoxidized fatty acid methyl ester (E‐FAME) on the properties of polyols was investigated. Conversions of E‐FAME to PolyFAME polyols were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared analysis, oxirane oxygen content, and hydroxyl number. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) calibrated against polyether polyols as a standard and vapor pressure osmometry were used for MW determination. GPC chromatograms of PolyFAME polyols clearly demonstrated the formation of oligomers during ring‐opening reactions. MW, and odd and even carbon numbers in a structure of linear diols and branched diol used in the syntheses of PolyFAME polyols did not have an effect on crystallinity, glass transition, or melt temperatures measured using Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). PolyFAME polyols ring‐opened with water, methanol, and 1,2‐propanediol contained secondary hydroxyl groups, whereas PolyFAME polyols ring‐opened with linear diols contained a mixture of primary and secondary hydroxyl groups. It was found that the concentration of primary hydroxyl groups increased significantly by increasing the number of carbons from C2 to C3 in the linear diols. The viscosity of PolyFAME polyols also increased with the MW of linear diols used in the E‐FAME ring‐opening reaction. These findings would be beneficial for formulators in choosing the most cost effective polyols for polyurethane formulations.     

Characterization,mechanical, and thermal properties of gamma irradiated starch films reinforced with mineral clay

Composite fabricated from starch and different concentrations of clay was prepared by solution casting method. The casted film was irradiated to different gamma irradiation doses 10, 20, 30, and 40 kGy. The dispersion of clay into starch was investigated by using X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The structural morphology of the composite was measured by scanning electron microscope and infrared spectroscopy. Film properties, such as water vapor transmission, mechanical, and thermal properties were also measured. The gel content and swelling behavior of the starch/clay composite were investigated. It was found that the gel content increases with increasing clay content and irradiation dose. The results obtained indicate that the starch/clay composite showed an increase in the tensile strength, thermal stability. Moreover, there is a decrease in water vapor transmission (WVRT) which improves its barrier properties. Both XRD and infrared spectroscopy showed that starch can be intercalated into the clay galleries. Also antibiotic drug Chlortetracycline HCl was loaded into the starch/clay composite by direct adsorption method. Chlortetracycline HCl adsorption capacity of composite was found to increase from 1.13 to 4.20 mg Chlortetracycline HCl per gram dry film with increasing amount of drug concentration. In vitro drug release studies in different buffer solutions showed that the basic parameters affecting the drug release behavior of the film are pH of the solution, drug concentration, and time. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011