Adventitial Tertiary Lymphoid Organs as Potential Source of MicroRNA Biomarkers for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an inflammatory disease associated with marked changes in the cellular composition of the aortic wall. This study aims to identify microRNA (miRNA) expression in aneurysmal inflammatory cells isolated by laser microdissection from human tissue samples. The distribution of inflammatory cells (neutrophils, B and T lymphocytes, mast cells) was evaluated in human AAA biopsies. We observed in half of the samples that adventitial tertiary lymphoid organs (ATLOs) with a thickness from 0.5 to 2 mm were located exclusively in the adventitia. Out of the 850 miRNA that were screened by microarray in isolated ATLOs (n = 2), 164 miRNAs were detected in ATLOs. The three miRNAs (miR-15a-3p, miR-30a-5p and miR-489-3p) with the highest expression levels were chosen and their expression quantified by RT-PCR in isolated ATLOs (n = 4), M1 (n = 2) and M2 macrophages (n = 2) and entire aneurysmal biopsies (n = 3). Except for the miR-30a-5p, a similar modulation was found in ATLOs and the two subtypes of macrophages. The modulated miRNAs were then evaluated in the plasma of AAA patients for their potential as AAA biomarkers. Our data emphasize the potential of miR-15a-3p and miR-30a-5p as biomarkers of AAA but also as triggers of ATLO evolution. Further investigations will be required to evaluate their targets in order to better understand AAA pathophysiology.     

Characterization of extensional rheological filament stretching with a dual‐mode Giesekus model

A new, simple, formulation that describes capillary thinning as predicted by a two‐mode Giesekus model is derived, and its application in analyzing data from extensional rheometry (capillary thinning) experiments is discussed. An algorithm is presented that can be used to fit the expressions obtained from the Giesekus model to extensional rheometry data. Examples of data fitting are given for an idealized data set, for measurements obtained for aqueous solutions of 6 wt % 900,000 molecular weight polyethylene oxide, and for biological fluids obtained from pitchers of Nepenthes Rafflesiana. Good fits to the data were obtained, with coefficients of determination in excess of 0.98. For each data set, it was possible to calculate values of extensional viscosity and relaxation time for each of the two modes, allowing quantitative comparison of different fluids or of the same fluid as it ages. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 2188–2199, 2016     

Influence of FeO/SiO2 and CaO/SiO2 Ratios in Iron‐Saturated ZnO‐Rich Fayalite Slags on the Corrosion of MgO

The corrosion behavior of MgO in iron‐saturated ZnO‐rich fayalite (ZFS) slags having various FeO/SiO₂ ratio and CaO/SiO₂ ratio was investigated using MgO crucible tests for 12 h at 1200°C. The FeO/SiO₂ and CaO/SiO₂ ratios in the ZFS slags were varied from 1.0 to 2.2, and from 0.04 to 0.32, respectively. In all of the tests, it was observed that MgO dissolves into ZFS slags and that (Zn,Fe,Mg)₂SiO₄ olivine and (Zn,Fe,Mg)O solid solution are formed at the crucible/slag interface. The MgO dissolution decreased with the FeO/SiO₂ ratio up to a value of 1.7 and then slightly increased, whereas it continuously increased with the CaO/SiO₂ ratio. There is no obvious relationship between the amount of olivine and the FeO/SiO₂ ratio or CaO/SiO₂ ratio. In comparison, the formation of (Zn,Fe,Mg)O solid solution is enhanced by increasing the FeO/SiO₂ ratio or CaO/SiO₂ ratio in ZFS slags. The results suggest that MgO corrosion is the lowest for FeO/SiO₂ and CaO/SiO₂ ratios around 1.7 and 0, respectively.     

Optimierte Beschreibung von Dispersionsschichten an einem vertikalen Abscheider

The image analysis of dispersion layers in a vertical separator is realized by the development of an evaluation routine. The influence on the dispersion layer of the volume flow and hydrostatic pressure is investigated in continuous and discontinuous settling tests. A direct relationship between volumetric flow / hydrostatic pressure and dispersion layer height can be determined. The observed properties of the dispersion layer are explained by the underlying coalescence and sedimentation processes. The modeling of the dispersion layer is analyzed using four different model approaches.     

Synthesis and properties of YBa2Cu3O7-δ – Y2Ba4CuWO10.8 superconducting composites

YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ (YBCO) is a well-known high-temperature superconductor. However, its critical current density and thus maximum trapped magnetic field can be improved significantly by introducing the secondary phases (artificial pinning centers). In this contribution, we successfully prepared YBCO single-grain bulks with Y₂Ba₄CuWO_10.8 phase serving as a source of pinning centers. This phase was prepared by solid-state reaction and further refined by milling. In the next step single-grain YBCO bulks with homogeneously distributed Y₂Ba₄CuWO_10.8 were prepared by top-seeded melt growth. Precursors as well as the final product were characterized by XRD, SEM and EDS. The phase composition of YBCO bulks containing Y₂Ba₄CuWO_10.8 was analyzed using Rietveld analysis. Thermal stability of YBCO bulk was studied by STA. Furthermore, PPMS was used to study electrical resistivity and critical current density. Bulk superconducting properties such as levitation force and trapped field ability were also measured.     

Effect of Oxime Ether Incorporation in Acyl Indole Derivatives on PPAR Subtype Selectivity

Compounds that simultaneously activate peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) subtypes α and γ have the potential to effectively treat dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a single pharmaceutically active molecule. The frequently observed side effects of selective PPARγ agonists, such as edema and weight gain, were expected to be overcome by using additive PPARα activity, leading to dual PPARα/γ agonists with balanced activity for both subtypes. Herein we report the discovery, synthesis, and optimization of a new series of α‐ethoxyphenylpropionic acid bearing 5‐ or 6‐substituted indoles. The incorporation of oxime ethers on the carbonyl portion of the benzoyl group can bring the PPARα/γ potency ratio equal to or slightly greater than one, as is the case for compounds 20 c and 21 a . Compound 20 c shows high efficacy in an ob/ob mouse model of T2D and dyslipidemia, similar to that of rosiglitazone and tesaglitazar, but with a significant increase in body weight gain. In contrast, compound 21 a , less potent as a dual PPARα/γ activator than 20 c , showed an interesting pharmacological profile, as it elicits a decrease in body weight relative to reference compounds.     

Escherichia coli Biofilm Characteristics on Polymeric Heat Exchanger Surfaces

Time‐dependent effects on the apparent roughness and surface free energy of different polymeric surfaces and stainless steel were studied during the biofouling process for Escherichia coli K12. The surface roughness increases during primary adhesion of E. coli on the surfaces and is later reduced as the surface between scattered bacteria is completely covered, forming a uniform biofilm. During the fouling process, the polar fraction of the surface free energy significantly increased, whereas the dispersive fraction decreased for all substrates. The attachment of E. coli and subsequent bacterial production of extracellular polymeric substances increased the polarity of the initially nonpolar polymeric surfaces to increase wettability.     

The application of organophosphorus flame‐retardants in epoxy resin

The influence of two novel aryl phosphate mixtures on fire retardancy and the thermal stability of epoxy resin were studied. Combustion behavior, decomposition pathway, and thermal and thermo‐oxidative degradation of the epoxy resin were examined by using the limiting oxygen index, vertical burning test (UL‐94), cone calorimeter test, thermogravimetric analysis, and thermogravimetry coupled with Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology of the residues from the degradation of flame‐retarded epoxy resins was investigated by using scanning electron microscopy. Data from the cone calorimeter test demonstrated that the total heat evolved, heat release rate, and peak heat release rate decreased significantly when the epoxy resin contained these retardants. Moreover, a 20 wt% of both phosphate mixtures in the epoxy resin allowed for a satisfactory oxygen index (30–33%) and for UL‐94 V2 to be achieved. The condensed‐phase and gas‐phase actions of these aryl phosphate flame‐retardants are proposed as the mode of flame‐retardancy in epoxy resins. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 23:142–151, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers