Iron(II) Sulfate(VI) from Titania Production as a Raw Material for Preparation of Hydrogen Sulfide Sorbents

A hybrid sorbent material for removal of hydrogen sulfide from air was developed. The material is based on activated carbon and iron compounds obtained from waste iron(II) sulfate(VI) heptahydrate. The iron salt is deposited on the carbonaceous support and subjected to oxidation (Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺) using atmospheric oxygen under alkaline conditions. An effect of H₂O₂ addition to the process on the composition of the resultant material was also examined. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed easy conversion of waste FeSO₄·7H₂O to iron oxides Fe₃O₄ and FeOOH. The activated carbon supporting iron oxides revealed a higher efficiency in H₂S elimination from air compared to the commercial activated carbon, without any modification.     

The Pathophysiological Role of CoA

The importance of coenzyme A (CoA) as a carrier of acyl residues in cell metabolism is well understood. Coenzyme A participates in more than 100 different catabolic and anabolic reactions, including those involved in the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, ethanol, bile acids, and xenobiotics. However, much less is known about the importance of the concentration of this cofactor in various cell compartments and the role of altered CoA concentration in various pathologies. Despite continuous research on these issues, the molecular mechanisms in the regulation of the intracellular level of CoA under pathological conditions are still not well understood. This review summarizes the current knowledge of (a) CoA subcellular concentrations; (b) the roles of CoA synthesis and degradation processes; and (c) protein modification by reversible CoA binding to proteins (CoAlation). Particular attention is paid to (a) the roles of changes in the level of CoA under pathological conditions, such as in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, myopathies, and infectious diseases; and (b) the beneficial effect of CoA and pantethine (which like CoA is finally converted to Pan and cysteamine), used at pharmacological doses for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.     

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Oat Beta-Glucans in a Crohn’s Disease Model: Time- and Molar Mass-Dependent Effects

Background: The incidence of Crohn’s disease (CD) is increasing worldwide, and it has currently become a serious public health issue in society. The treatment of CD continues throughout a patient’s lifetime, and therefore, it is necessary to develop new, effective treatment methods, including dietotherapy. The present study aimed to determine the effects of consumption of oat beta-glucans with different molar mass on colon inflammation (colitis) in the early stages of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced CD in an animal model. Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats (control and TNBS-induced CD) were divided into three dietary groups and fed for 3 days (reflecting acute inflammation) or 7 days (reflecting remission) with a feed containing 1% low (βGl) or high (βGh) molar mass oat beta-glucan or a feed without this polysaccharide. The level of colon inflammatory markers and the expression of cytokines and their receptor genes were measured by ELISA and RT-PCR methods, respectively. Results: Acute inflammation or remission (3 or 7 days after TNBS administration, respectively) stages of experimentally induced CD were characterized by an increase in the level of inflammatory markers (IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α, CRP, MPO, COX, and PGE2) and the disruption of some cytokine signaling pathways as well as macro- and microscopic changes of colon tissue. The consumption of oat beta-glucans reduced the level of inflammatory markers and recovered the signaling pathways and histological changes, with stronger effects of βGl after 7 days of colitis. Conclusions: Dietary oat beta-glucans can reduce colitis at the molecular and organ level and accelerate CD remission.     

Acute Kidney Injury in COVID-19

COVID-19 is mainly considered a respiratory illness, but since SARS-CoV-2 uses the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2) to enter human cells, the kidney is also a target of the viral infection. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the most alarming condition in COVID-19 patients. Recent studies have confirmed the direct entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the renal cells, namely podocytes and proximal tubular cells, but this is not the only pathomechanism of kidney damage. Hypovolemia, cytokine storm and collapsing glomerulopathy also play an important role. An increasing number of papers suggest a strong association between AKI development and higher mortality in COVID-19 patients, hence our interest in the matter. Although knowledge about the role of kidneys in SARS-CoV-2 infection is changing dynamically and is yet to be fully investigated, we present an insight into the possible pathomechanisms of AKI in COVID-19, its clinical features, risk factors, impact on hospitalization and possible ways for its management via renal replacement therapy.     

Polypropylene composites obtained from self‐reinforced hybrid fiber system

The purpose of the study was to obtain a composite material with the self‐reinforced structure, which processing provide increased mechanical properties. The composites used in presented work were prepared from the two types of fiber mixtures, both were based on polypropylene fibers, the difference was in used cellulose or wood flour filler. Composites were prepared using the hot compaction method. The presented research describes the effect of the composite composition and processing conditions. The results include the static tension measurements, tensile impact tests and thermal analysis, including: DSC and DMTA. The structure has been studies using the SEM observations. Results of presented studies confirm the self‐reinforcing effect in obtained hybrid composites. It provides in the comparison to the standard wood polymer composites to the higher level of material reinforcement with lower amount of natural filler. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43283.     

A GENERALIZED BLOCK BOOTSTRAP FOR SEASONAL TIME SERIES

When time‐series data contain a periodic/seasonal component, the usual block bootstrap procedures are not directly applicable. We propose a modification of the block bootstrap – the generalized seasonal block bootstrap (GSBB) – and show its asymptotic consistency without undue restrictions on the relative size of the period and block size. Notably, it is exactly such restrictions that limit the applicability of other proposals of block bootstrap methods for time series with periodicities. The finite‐sample performance of the GSBB is also illustrated by means of a small simulation experiment.     

Sets of Piezoelectric Probeheads for Stress Evaluation with Subsurface Waves

This paper discusses the development of piezoelectric ultrasonic probeheads for measurements of time of flight of subsurface or surface wave ultrasonic pulses. Sets of such probes found application in ultrasonic stress evaluation. In precise measurements of time of flight using piezoelectric transducers, the main source of time scatter proved to be variation in the condition of liquid couplant layers. The thickness of this couplant layer depends on surface roughness of the sample being evaluated. Paper describes a new configuration of probes, composed of two transmitting and four receiving probes arranged along one line, designed to reduce coupling influence on readings. Presented is comparison of readings obtained with known sets of probes and with a new one. Also presented are results of residual stress evaluation performed with various 6-transducer sets of probes on railroad rails, monoblock railroad wheels and pillars of hydraulic press. All measurements were performed in industrial conditions, without any special surface preparation.     

Polythiophene nanoparticles in aqueous media

The article presents the data concerning the synthesis of polythiophene (PTh) nanoparticles in aqueous medium applying emulsion polymerization. The synthetic method was studied in variety of combinations of initiator and surfactant. It was found that application of potassium peroxydisulfate (KPS) as initiator and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as the surfactant gives the best product yields. The structure, morphology, and physicochemical properties have been analyzed showing that the resulting latex have conducting film forming properties. Resulting polymers were characterized via fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetry‐differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and electrochemical methods [e.g. current–voltage characteristics (I–V), activation energy of electric conductivity, and doping processes]. A mechanism of the polymerization reaction is also discussed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43495.     

Functional Properties of Gelatin/Polyvinyl Alcohol Films Containing Black Cumin Cake Extract and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Produced via Casting Technique

This study aimed to develop and characterize gelatin/polyvinyl alcohol (G/PVA) films loaded with black cumin cake extract (BCCE) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs). The BCCE was also applied for the green synthesis of ZnONPs with an average size of less than 100 nm. The active films were produced by a solvent-casting technique, and their physicochemical and antibacterial properties were investigated. Supplementation of G/PVA film in ZnONPs decreased the tensile strength (TS) from 2.97 MPa to 1.69 MPa. The addition of BCCE and ZnONPs increased the elongation at the break (EAB) of the enriched film by about 3%. The G/PVA/BCCE/ZnONPs film revealed the lowest water vapor permeability (WVP = 1.14 × 10⁻⁹ g·mm·Pa⁻¹·h⁻¹·mm⁻²) and the highest opacity (3.41 mm⁻¹). The QUick, Easy, New, CHEap and Reproducible (QUENCHER) methodologies using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) were applied to measure antioxidant capacity (AC) of the prepared films. The incorporation of BCCE and ZnONPs into G/PVA films enhanced the AC by 8–144%. The films containing ZnONPs and a mixture of BCCE and ZnONPs inhibited the growth of three Gram-positive bacterial strains. These nanocomposite films with desired functional properties can be recommended to inhibit microbial spoilage and oxidative rancidity of packaged food.