Factors Influencing the Adhesion of Microorganisms to Surfaces

Starvation, growth phase, and carbon source influenced bacterial cell surface hydrophobicity. Both the number and kind of microorganisms that colonized metal surfaces depended on the type of metal and the presence of an imposed electrical potential. No significant differences in attachment and growth of a pure culture were observed when metal surfaces were dipped in an exogenous energy source. The chemical composition of naturally occurring adsorbed organic films on metal surfaces was shown to be independent of surface composition and polarization.     

The Crosstalk of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSC), Oxidative Stress,and Inflammation in Protective and Adaptive Responses

The potential use of stem cell-based therapies for the repair and regeneration of various tissues and organs is a major goal in repair medicine. Stem cells are classified by their potential to differentiate into functional cells. Compared with other sources, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have the advantage of being abundant and easy to obtain. ADSCs are considered to be tools for replacing, repairing, and regenerating dead or damaged cells. The capacity of ADSCs to maintain their properties depends on the balance of complex signals in their microenvironment. Their properties and the associated outcomes are in part regulated by reactive oxygen species, which mediate the oxidation-reduction state of cells as a secondary messenger. ADSC therapy has demonstrated beneficial effects, suggesting that secreted factors may provide protection. There is evidence that ADSCs secrete a number of cytokines, growth factors, and antioxidant factors into their microenvironment, thus regulating intracellular signaling pathways in neighboring cells. In this review, we introduce the roles of ADSCs in the protection of cells by modulating inflammation and immunity, and we develop their potential therapeutic properties.     

Daily Intake of Cod or Salmon for 2?Weeks Decreases the 18:1n-9/18:0 Ratio and Serum Triacylglycerols in Healthy Subjects

Intake of fish and omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids is associated with a reduced concentration of plasma triacylglycerols (TAG) but the mechanisms are not fully clarified. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) activity, governing TAG synthesis, is affected by n-3 fatty acids. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) display expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism. The aim of the present study was to estimate whether intake of lean and fatty fish would influence n-3 fatty acids composition in plasma phospholipids (PL), serum TAG, 18:1n-9/18:0 ratio in plasma PL, as well as PBMC gene expression of SCD1 and fatty acid synthase (FAS). Healthy males and females (n = 30), aged 20–40, consumed either 150 g of cod, salmon, or potato (control) daily for 15 days. During intervention docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) increased in the cod group (P < 0.05), while TAG concentration decreased (P < 0.05). In the salmon group both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and DHA increased (P < 0.05) whereas TAG concentration and the 18:1n-9/18:0 ratio decreased (P < 0.05). Reduction of the 18:1n-9/18:0 ratio was associated with a corresponding lowering of TAG (P < 0.05) and an increase in EPA and DHA (P < 0.05). The mRNA levels of SCD1 and FAS in PBMC were not significantly altered after intake of cod or salmon when compared with the control group. In conclusion, both lean and fatty fish may lower TAG, possibly by reducing the 18:1n-9/18:0 ratio related to allosteric inhibition of SCD1 activity, rather than by influencing the synthesis of enzyme protein.     

Characterization of PAX‐21 Insensitive Munition Detonation Residues

Insensitive high explosives are being used in military munitions to counteract unintended detonations during storage and transportation. These formulations contain compounds such as 2,4‐dinitroanisole (DNAN) and 3‐nitro‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐one (NTO), which are less sensitive to shock and heat than conventional explosives. We conducted a series of four tests on snow‐covered ice utilizing 60‐mm mortar cartridges filled with 358 g of PAX‐21, a mixture of RDX, DNAN, and ammonium perchlorate. Rounds were detonated high‐ and low‐order using a fuze simulator to initiate detonation. Blow‐in‐place (BIP) operations were conducted on fuzed rounds using an external donor charge or a shaped‐charge initiator. Results indicate that 0.001 % of the original mass of RDX and DNAN were deposited during high‐order detonations, but up to 28 % of the perchlorate remained. For the donor block BIPs, 1 % of the RDX and DNAN remained. Residues masses for these operations were significantly higher than for conventional munitions. Low‐order detonations deposited 10–15 % of their original explosive filler in friable chunks up to 5.2 g in mass. Shaped‐charge BIPs scattered 15 % of the filler and produced chunks up to 15 g. Ammonium perchlorate residue masses were extremely high because of the presence of large AP crystals, up to 400 μm in the recovered particles.     

Physical Characterization of Anhydrous and Hydrous Forms of the Hydrochloride Salt of BVT.5182 A Novel 5-HT6 Receptor Antagonist

ABSTRACT

The physicochemical properties of 1-benzenesulfonyl-4-(piperazin-1-yl)-indole hydrochloride, a novel 5-HT₆ receptor antagonist for the treatment of obesity were characterized. Two solid state forms were identified at ambient conditions (23°C): an anhydrate form (1) and a hydrate form (2), with 1.5 moles of H₂O. The latter easily dehydrates and rehydrates without affecting the crystal morphology. Investigations of the propensity for interconversion between the two forms reveal that a) conversion of 2→1 takes place above 145°C and that b) conversion of 1→2 only occurs after crystallization from supersaturated aqueous solutions at a water activity ≥0.94 or in the presence of comparable amounts of crystals of 2 in water at ambient conditions. However, in an equimolar suspension of 1 and 2 at 37°C no phase transformation was observed. Thus, the difference in chemical potential between the two forms is small. Form 1 was shown to have overall favorable solid state properties and, hence, considered the preferred form for continued pharmaceutical development. The characterization was performed by means of light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, FTIR/NIR-spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, hot stage microscopy, thermogravimetry, dynamic vapor sorption, Karl Fischer water content determination, phase stability studies of suspensions, solubility, and intrinsic dissolution rate measurements.     

Integrating Ecological,Social and Cultural Dimensions in the Implementation of the Landscape Convention

Implementation of the European Landscape Convention requires new tools that link ecological, social and cultural dimensions in practical planning. Here, we propose connectivity as a conceptual tool to include different dimensions into landscape and spatial planning. We present a short review of the connectivity concept in relation to ecological, social and cultural dimensions and illustrate it by examples from a real landscape planning case.     

Fate of fertilizer 15N in intensive ridge cultivation with plastic mulching under a monsoon climate

Reducing nitrogen (N) leaching to groundwater requires an improved understanding of the effect of microtopography on N fate. Because of the heterogeneity between positions, ridge tilled fields, frequently used in intensive agriculture, should be treated as two distinct management units. In this study, we measured N dynamics in plastic-mulched ridges and bare furrows with the goal of developing more sustainable agricultural practices with optimal gains, namely crop production versus limited impacts on water quality. We investigated: (1) biomass production; (2) crop N uptake; (3) N retention in soil; and (4) N leaching using ¹⁵N fertilizer in a radish crop. Broadcast mineral N fertilizer application prior to planting resulted in high total leaching losses (of up to 390 N kg ha^?1). The application of plastic mulch in combination with local fertilizer management did not help to reduce N leaching. At all fertilizer N rates, the mean NO₃ ^? concentrations in seepage water were found to be above the WHO drinking water standard of 50 mg NO₃ ^? l^?1. To reduce NO₃ ^? leaching, we recommend: (1) decreasing the fertilizer N rates to a maximum of 150 kg N ha^?1; (2) applying fertilizer N in 3–4 split applications according to the plant’s N needs; (3) applying fertilizer N to the ridges (after their formation) to avoid losses from the furrows; and (4) increasing the soil organic matter content to enhance the water and nutrient retention by covering the furrows with plant residues.     

Interaction of highly dissociated low pressure hydrogen plasma with W-C thin film deposits

Thin film deposits of carbon and tungsten on stainless steel substrate were prepared by RF sputtering of a tungsten target in acetylene atmosphere. At the target bias of − 1700 V and the target current of 30 mA cm^− 2, a rather uniform film containing 50 at.% of C and 50 at.% of W was deposited. The thickness of the deposited film was about 1 μm. Samples were exposed to highly dissociated hydrogen plasma created by a microwave discharge at the power of 1000 W. Some samples were heated additionally by concentrated solar radiation. After plasma treatment, the samples were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction and Auger Electron Spectroscopy. The results showed that aggressive hydrogen plasma allows for the removal of carbon from the deposits at moderated temperatures. Prolonged treatment showed formation of highly crystalline pure tungsten, and finally the tungsten film interacted with the substrate forming a thin film rich of Fe₇W₆ compound. The range of temperature and/or treatment time for the removal of carbon from the W-C film was found very narrow.