Discovery of Long Non-Coding RNA MALAT1 Amplification in Precancerous Colorectal Lesions

A colorectal adenoma, an aberrantly growing tissue, arises from the intestinal epithelium and is considered as precursor of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we investigated structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations in adenomas, hypothesizing that chromosomal instability (CIN) occurs early in adenomas. We applied array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) to fresh frozen colorectal adenomas and their adjacent mucosa from 16 patients who underwent colonoscopy examination. In our study, histologically similar colorectal adenomas showed wide variability in chromosomal instability. Based on the obtained results, we further stratified patients into four distinct groups. The first group showed the gain of MALAT1 and TALAM1, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). The second group involved patients with numerous microdeletions. The third group consisted of patients with a disrupted karyotype. The fourth group of patients did not show any CIN in adenomas. Overall, we identified frequent losses in genes, such as TSC2, COL1A1, NOTCH1, MIR4673, and GNAS, and gene gain containing MALAT1 and TALAM1. Since long non-coding RNA MALAT1 is associated with cancer cell metastasis and migration, its gene amplification represents an important event for adenoma development.     

Recalibration of the Large Scale Gap‐Test to a Stress Scale

A series of gap‐test experiments were conducted in accordance with the EMTAP Test 22a guidelines to characterize the stress output from a donor charge of ROWANEX 3601. Forty eight successful gap‐tests were conducted at the University of Pardubice in addition to two supporting plate impact experiments performed at the Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge. The experiments indicated that there are two principal release mechanisms, which produce the observed reduction in stress with increasing gap distance. The first is attenuation of the input wave, something which is expected during explosive loading due to the triangular nature of the loading pulse. The second is an interaction between the input wave and lateral release waves from the edges of the test sample at the measurement station. Attenuation of the input wave due to visco‐elastic loss in the PMMA “gap” used is likely to be less significant than these other two release mechanisms. The data generated by this investigation forms a robust dataset that gives an accurate calibration for ROWANEX 3601 for users of the EMTAP 22a test procedure. In addition the data represent an excellent “set problem” for those developing and wishing to validate, computational models of similar physical phenomena.     

Wall pressure issues in the aeration of bulk material silos

Operators of bulk material silos frequently face various flow defects. These include defects in flow continuity, vaults, stick rings, and dead zones in the bulk material. The application of aeration systems in bulk material silos is an effective method used in order to eliminate the above defects. This paper presents a study of the effect of an aeration system on wall pressures σ_W of bulk material in a silo during a targeted bulk material aeration and relaxation process, and analyses the results in light of the calculation standards for designing bulk material silos, namely ?SN 73 5570 a DIN 1055.     

CFD Process Modeling of the Industrial Calcination of Diatomite

Calcination of diatomite is an expensive process frequently resulting in products with unpredictable structure. Alternatively, calcination in swirling flow is an energy‐saving option. Computational fluid dynamics modeling of an experimental calcination process unit is presented. Experimental results and systematic collection of process data were used to define boundary condition for steady‐state and transient simulation runs. The comparison of experimental and simulation results shows the complexity of the calcination process. The results can be used for further process optimization.     

A Novel Nanoprobe for Multimodal Imaging Is Effectively Incorporated into Human Melanoma Metastatic Cell Lines

To facilitate efficient drug delivery to tumor tissue, several nanomaterials have been designed, with combined diagnostic and therapeutic properties. In this work, we carried out fundamental in vitro and in vivo experiments to assess the labeling efficacy of our novel theranostic nanoprobe, consisting of glycogen conjugated with a red fluorescent probe and gadolinium. Microscopy and resazurin viability assays were used to study cell labeling and cell viability in human metastatic melanoma cell lines. Fluorescence lifetime correlation spectroscopy (FLCS) was done to investigate nanoprobe stability. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to study T₁ relaxivity in vitro, and contrast enhancement in a subcutaneous in vivo tumor model. Efficient cell labeling was demonstrated, while cell viability, cell migration, and cell growth was not affected. FLCS showed that the nanoprobe did not degrade in blood plasma. MRI demonstrated that down to 750 cells/μL of labeled cells in agar phantoms could be detected. In vivo MRI showed that contrast enhancement in tumors was comparable between Omniscan contrast agent and the nanoprobe. In conclusion, we demonstrate for the first time that a non-toxic glycogen-based nanoprobe may effectively visualize tumor cells and tissue, and, in future experiments, we will investigate its therapeutic potential by conjugating therapeutic compounds to the nanoprobe.     

Methacrylate hydrogels reinforced with bacterial cellulose

Composite hydrogels consisting of nanofibrous bacterial cellulose (BC) embedded in a biocompatible polymeric matrix of various methacrylates were synthesized by UV polymerization using the ‘ever‐wet’ technique. The effect of monomer(s) type and ratio, system dilution at polymerization, monomer(s) hydrophilicity, crosslink density and cellulose/hydrogel ratio was investigated. The effect of BC reinforcement on equilibrium swelling depends on whether the neat gel swells more when brought into contact with water. The major improvement achieved by introduction of 1%–2% BC concerns mechanical properties. Compared with neat gels, the storage shear modulus G′ increased by a factor 10‐20, and the loss part G″ also rose significantly. The compression modulus ranged from 2 to 5.5 MPa for composites swollen to equilibrium (20‐70 wt% water). The BC‐hydrogel composites are considered for application in the tissue engineering area. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Interaction of Cucurbit[7]uril with Oxime K027, Atropine,and Paraoxon: Risky or Advantageous Delivery System?

Antidotes against organophosphates often possess physicochemical properties that mitigate their passage across the blood–brain barrier. Cucurbit[7]urils may be successfully used as a drug delivery system for bisquaternary oximes and improve central nervous system targeting. The main aim of these studies was to elucidate the relationship between cucurbit[7]uril, oxime K027, atropine, and paraoxon to define potential risks or advantages of this delivery system in a complex in vivo system. For this reason, in silico (molecular docking combined with umbrella sampling simulation) and in vivo (UHPLC—pharmacokinetics, toxicokinetics; acetylcholinesterase reactivation and functional observatory battery) methods were used. Based on our results, cucurbit[7]urils affect multiple factors in organophosphates poisoning and its therapy by (i) scavenging paraoxon and preventing free fraction of this toxin from entering the brain, (ii) enhancing the availability of atropine in the central nervous system and by (iii) increasing oxime passage into the brain. In conclusion, using cucurbit[7]urils with oximes might positively impact the overall treatment effectiveness and the benefits can outweigh the potential risks.     

Fluorine containing self‐crosslinking acrylic latexes with reduced flammability and their application as polymer binders for heterogeneous cation‐exchange membranes

In this study, self‐crosslinking core–shell latexes comprising copolymerized perfluorethyl groups and a novel flame retardant based on phosphazene derivative were prepared by the semi‐continuous non‐seeded emulsion polymerization of 2,2,2‐trifluorethyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, methacrylic acid, and hexaallylamino‐cyclo‐triphosphazene as main monomers. For interfacial crosslinking, diacetone acrylamide was copolymerized into the shell layer of latex particles to provide sites for subsequent reaction with adipic acid dihydrazide. The heterogeneous cation‐exchange membranes were obtained by dispersing commercial strong acid cation‐exchange resin powder in the latex binder and casting the mixture followed by keto‐hydrazide crosslinking reaction. It was found that the increased concentration of fluorine atoms and phosphazene units in the macromolecular structure of interfacially crosslinked emulsion polymers resulted in a significant enhancement of their flame resistance and shape stability in aqueous environment. Moreover, the easily prepared heterogeneous cation‐exchange membranes based on latexes with higher amounts of fluorine and phosphazene units were shown to exhibit satisfactory physicochemical and electrochemical properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45467.     

Dyeing of leather with microencapsulated acid dye

CI Acid Black 210 was microencapsulated into liposomic systems, and the effects of the microencapsulation on dyebath exhaustion, depth of shade, colour fastness properties and through‐dyeing of chrome‐tanned leather were studied. In comparison with the original dyestuff form, the microencapsulated dye showed a deeper shade and a greater depth of through‐dyeing. Exhaustion and colour fastness values were the same.