Measurement of linear thermal expansion coefficient of alkali-activated aluminosilicate composites up to 1000 °C

The effect of high temperatures up to 1000 °C on the length changes of two alkali-activated aluminosilicate composites, one of them with quartz sand aggregates, the second with electrical porcelain, is analyzed in the paper. The thermal strain vs. temperature functions of both materials are found to increase monotonically in the whole temperature range studied so that the thermal expansion mismatch (the gel undergoes thermal shrinkage, the aggregates expand with increasing temperature) results in positive values of the apparent linear thermal expansion coefficient. The composite material with electrical porcelain aggregates exhibits a more desired thermomechanical behavior which is a consequence of the better high-temperature thermal stability of electrical porcelain as compared to quartz. In a comparison with Portland-cement based composites, the linear thermal expansion coefficient of both studied aluminosilicates is substantially lower in the whole temperature range of 20–1000 °C.     

Characterization of the diffusion of polyethylene glycol in Streptococcus mutans biofilms by Raman microspectroscopy

We used Raman microspectroscopy to investigate in situ the spatial distribution of the biomass in Streptococcus mutans biofilms. We used the CH stretching band to probe the organic matter and the area of the OH stretching band as an internal intensity standard, the biofilms being highly hydrated. The size of the biofilm regions that were mapped was 300 x 300 microm. We also recorded, in the confocal mode, the z profiles describing the biomass distribution as a function of depth in the biofilms. In our growth conditions, the biofilm is described as an approximately 75 microm thick mat completely covering the surface and includes columnar clusters with a diameter of approximately 100 microm surrounded by voids filled with water. Raman mapping was also used to examine the diffusion of HOD and polyethylene glycol with a molar mass of 10,000 (PEG-10k) in the biofilms. This study establishes that HOD can diffuse practically everywhere in the biofilms but that the penetration of PEG-10k is limited. There is a correlation between the restricted penetration of the macromolecule and the biomass content in the different regions of the biofilms. The method presented here provides a convenient approach to determine the diffusion of molecules, including antibacterials, in bacterial biofilms.     

Synthesis of New Biscoumarin Derivatives,In Vitro Cholinesterase Inhibition,Molecular Modelling and Antiproliferative Effect in A549 Human Lung Carcinoma Cells

A series of novel C4-C7-tethered biscoumarin derivatives (12a–e) linked through piperazine moiety was designed, synthesized, and evaluated biological/therapeutic potential. Biscoumarin 12d was found to be the most effective inhibitor of both acetylcholinesterase (AChE, IC₅₀ = 6.30 µM) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, IC₅₀ = 49 µM). Detailed molecular modelling studies compared the accommodation of ensaculin (well-established coumarin derivative tested in phase I of clinical trials) and 12d in the human recombinant AChE (hAChE) active site. The ability of novel compounds to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) was predicted with a positive outcome for compound 12e. The antiproliferative effects of newly synthesized biscoumarin derivatives were tested in vitro on human lung carcinoma cell line (A549) and normal colon fibroblast cell line (CCD-18Co). The effect of derivatives on cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, quantification of cell numbers and viability, colony-forming assay, analysis of cell cycle distribution and mitotic activity. Intracellular localization of used derivatives in A549 cells was confirmed by confocal microscopy. Derivatives 12d and 12e showed significant antiproliferative activity in A549 cancer cells without a significant effect on normal CCD-18Co cells. The inhibition of hAChE/human recombinant BChE (hBChE), the antiproliferative activity on cancer cells, and the ability to cross the BBB suggest the high potential of biscoumarin derivatives. Beside the treatment of cancer, 12e might be applicable against disorders such as schizophrenia, and 12d could serve future development as therapeutic agents in the prevention and/or treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.     

Hydrogel-elastomer composite biomaterials: 2. Effects of aging methacrylated gelatin solutions on the preparation and physical properties of interpenetrating polymer networks

This study was conducted to understand the effects of aging methacrylated gelatin solutions on the properties of gelatin-HydroThane^TM Interpenetrating Polymer Network (IPN) films. The latter were prepared from methacrylated gelatin solutions that were either freshly made or stored at different concentrations and temperatures for various periods. The morphology, swelling stability and mechanical properties of the IPNs were then accordingly characterized. The IPNs prepared with aged solutions showed a reduced phase separation; changed from a network-like structure to a continuous phase structure; and demonstrated higher swelling stabilities and higher elasticity under optimal aging conditions, compared to the IPN prepared with a fresh methacrylated gelatin solution. An increase in viscosity and a change in phase transition of aged methacrylated gelatin solutions were also observed, presumably due to the physical structuring of methacrylated gelatin chains (e.g., by the formation of a helix structure), thus altering the resulting IPN characteristics. A better understanding of the effects of aging methacrylated gelatin solution on the formation and properties of gelatin-HydroThane^TM IPNs should enable us to further develop our composite biomaterials for different dressing applications.     

Fabrication and Characterization of Ionic Conducting Nanofibers

The electrospinning method was used to fabricate nanostructures of Nafion‐poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and Nafion‐poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). Depending on the ratio between the two polymers, nanospheres and/or nanofibers could be obtained in a reproducible manner. The Nafion‐PVA mats were found to be more conductive than the Nafion‐PEO ones, possibly because of their better mechanical properties when swollen by water. The fiber morphology was always found to be more conductive than the sphere morphology. However, all electrospun mats presented ionic conductivities slightly lower than extruded Nafion 115 or Nafion‐PVA cast films.

     

Effect of epidermal growth factor-like peptides on pig cumulus cell expansion, oocyte maturation, and acquisition of developmental competence in vitro: comparison with gonadotropins

The aim of this work was to assess the FSH-stimulated expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like peptides in cultured cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and to find out the effect of the peptides on cumulus expansion, oocyte maturation, and acquisition of developmental competence in vitro. FSH promptly stimulated expression of amphiregulin (AREG) and epiregulin (EREG), but not betacellulin (BTC) in the cultured COCs. Expression of AREG and EREG reached maximum at 2 or 4 h after FSH addition respectively. FSH also significantly stimulated expression of expansion-related genes (PTGS2, TNFAIP6, and HAS2) in the COCs at 4 and 8 h of culture, with a significant decrease at 20 h of culture. Both AREG and EREG also increased expression of the expansion-related genes; however, the relative abundance of mRNA for each gene was much lower than in the FSH-stimulated COCs. In contrast to FSH, AREG and EREG neither stimulated expression of CYP11A1 in the COCs nor an increase in progesterone production by cumulus cells. AREG and EREG stimulated maturation of oocytes and expansion of cumulus cells, although the percentage of oocytes that had reached metaphase II was significantly lower when compared to FSH-induced maturation. Nevertheless, significantly more oocytes stimulated with AREG and/or EREG developed to blastocyst stage after parthenogenetic activation when compared to oocytes stimulated with FSH alone or combinations of FSH/LH or pregnant mares serum gonadotrophin/human chorionic gonadotrophin. We conclude that EGF-like peptides do not mimic all effects of FSH on the cultured COCs; nevertheless, they yield oocytes with superior developmental competence.     

Monitoring the early-age hydration of self-compacting concrete using ultrasonic p-wave transmission and isothermal calorimetry

The early-age hydration (≤48 h) of a series of self-compacting concretes and corresponding mortars and one traditionally vibrated concrete and mortar is monitored in a continuous way using ultrasonic testing and isothermal calorimetry. The mixtures differ in type of mineral addition, superplasticizer, cement, cement-to-powder ratio and water-to-powder ratio. The influence of these different mixture compositions on the kinetics of the hydration during the first days of the hydration is characterized by the heat production rate q and the evolution of the p-wave velocity, which is a consequence of the microstructural changes. The variations in the acceleration caused by mineral additions and the deceleration caused by superplasticizers lead to a significantly different behavior. Separating the impact of each of the affecting factors is not always possible due to their combined actions. The nature of the acceleration due to limestone additions and the deceleration caused by polycarboxylate ether superplasticizers can be distinguished clearly, but cannot be quantified. The correlation between the ultrasonic and isothermal calorimetric results is investigated based on parameters related to the start and the end of the setting and reveals the meaningfulness of these parameters when assessing the hydration of self-compacting mixtures with continuous ultrasonic techniques.     

Effects of the Surface Densities of Glycoclusters on the Determination of Their IC50 and Kd Value Determination by Using a Microarray

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is an opportunistic bacterium involved in 10–30 % of nosocomial diseases. It causes severe lung injury to cystic fibrosis patients, often leading to patient death. PA strains are multidrug resistant, thus making the design of new therapeutics a challenge for public health. One promising therapeutic option is to design glycoclusters that target the virulence factor of PA. LecA is a galactose‐specific lectin that might be involved in adhesion and biofilm formation by PA. The DNA‐directed immobilization (DDI) microarray is a powerful tool for screening and understanding of structure–activity relationships between glycoclusters and lectins. High‐throughput and multiplexed analysis of lectin–glycocluster interactions on a DDI microarray allows measurement of IC₅₀ and dissociation constant (K_d) values with minute amounts of material. In order to study the robustness of the DDI microarray in determination of IC₅₀ and K_d values, the impact of glycocluster surface density was investigated. The data obtained show that measured IC₅₀ values were influenced by glycocluster surface density: as the density of glycoclusters increases, the measured IC₅₀ values increase too. In contrast, the measured K_d values were not affected by glycocluster surface density, provided that the experimental conditions allow interaction between glycocluster and lectin at single‐molecule level (no surface cluster effect).     

Processes affecting oxygen isotope ratios of atmospheric and ecosystem sulfate in two contrasting forest catchments in Central Europe

Sulfate aerosols are harmful as respirable particles. They also play a role as cloud condensation nuclei and have radiative effects on global climate. A combination of delta18O-SO4 data with catchment sulfur mass balances was used to constrain processes affecting S cycling in the atmosphere and spruce forests of the Czech Republic. Extremely high S fluxes via spruce throughfall and runoff were measured at Jezeri (49 and 80 kg S ha(-1) yr(-1), respectively). The second catchment, Na Lizu, was 10 times less polluted. In both catchments, delta18O-SO4 decreased in the following order: open-area precipitation > throughfall > runoff. The delta18O-SO4 values of throughfall exhibited a seasonal pattern at both sites, with maxima in summer and minima in winter. This seasonal pattern paralleled delta18O-H2O values, which were offset by -18 per thousand. Sulfate in throughfall was predominantly formed by heterogeneous (aqueous) oxidation of SO2. Wet-deposited sulfate in an open area did not show systematic delta18O-SO4 trends, suggesting formation by homogeneous (gaseous) oxidation and/or transport from large distances. The percentage of incoming S that is organically cycled in soil was similar under the high and the low pollution. High-temperature 18O-rich sulfate was not detected, which contrasts with North American industrial sites.