Increased Expression of Galectin-3 in Skin Fibrosis: Evidence from In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Skin fibrosis is a hallmark of a wide array of dermatological diseases which can greatly impact the patients’ quality of life. Galectin-3 (GAL-3) has emerged as a central regulator of tissue fibrosis, playing an important pro-fibrotic role in numerous organs. Various studies are highlighting its importance as a skin fibrotic diseases biomarker; however, there is a need for further studies that clarify its role. This paper aims to ascertain whether the expression of GAL-3 is increased in relevant in vitro and in vivo models of skin fibrosis. We studied the role of GAL-3 in vitro using normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) and fibrocytes. In addition, we used a skin fibrosis murine model (BALB/c mice) and human biopsies of healthy or keloid tissue. GAL-3 expression was analyzed using real time PCR, Western blot and immunostaining techniques. We report a significantly increased expression of GAL-3 in NHDF and fibrocytes cell cultures following stimulation with transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1). In vivo, GAL-3 expression was increased in a murine model of systemic sclerosis and in human keloid biopsies. In sum, this study underlines the involvement of GAL-3 in skin fibrosis using several models of the disease and highlights its role as a relevant target.     

The Role of Molecular and Hormonal Factors in Obesity and the Effects of Physical Activity in Children

Obesity and overweight are defined as abnormal fat accumulations. Adipose tissue consists of more than merely adipocytes; each adipocyte is closely coupled with the extracellular matrix. Adipose tissue stores excess energy through expansion. Obesity is caused by the abnormal expansion of adipose tissue as a result of adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia. The process of obesity is controlled by several molecules, such as integrins, kindlins, or matrix metalloproteinases. In children with obesity, metabolomics studies have provided insight into the existence of unique metabolic profiles. As a result of low-grade inflammation in the system, abnormalities were observed in several metabolites associated with lipid, carbohydrate, and amino acid pathways. In addition, obesity and related hormones, such as leptin, play an instrumental role in regulating food intake and contributing to childhood obesity. The World Health Organization states that physical activity benefits the heart, the body, and the mind. Several noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes, can be prevented and managed through physical activity. In this work, we reviewed pediatric studies that examined the molecular and hormonal control of obesity and the influence of physical activity on children with obesity or overweight. The purpose of this review was to examine some orchestrators involved in this disease and how they are related to pediatric populations. A larger number of randomized clinical trials with larger sample sizes and long-term studies could lead to the discovery of new key molecules as well as the detection of significant factors in the coming years. In order to improve the health of the pediatric population, omics analyses and machine learning techniques can be combined in order to improve treatment decisions.     

Polymers and nanocomposites: synthesis and metal ion pollutant uptake

This paper is an overview of the versatile polymer materials containing different functional groups at the main or side chain to remove hazardous inorganic species. These materials include water‐insoluble, nanocomposite and water‐soluble polymers. Water‐insoluble polymers and nanocomposites are used in adsorption and ion exchange processes, whereas water‐soluble polymers are employed with ultrafiltration membranes in the liquid‐phase polymer‐based retention technique. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of flocculant molecular weight and anionic charge on flocculation behaviour and on the manufacture of fibre cement composites by the Hatschek process

Although in the industrial Hatschek process it is necessary to use flocculants to improve retention, dewatering and formation, the use of flocculants may also decrease the strength of the final product. This paper studies the influence of the molecular weight and the anionic charge of anionic polyacrylamides on the flocculation behaviour of fibre cement suspensions and on the bending strength of the final product. Flocculants influence the density of the final product and in-turn the lowering of the density results in strength reduction. Results showed that an increase in the flocculant molecular weight reduces the bending strength of the composites significantly due to its density reduction. However, an increase in flocculant anionic charge increases the bending strength of composites. Therefore, in order to optimise the fibre cement process, it is necessary to use flocculants with high anionic charge and medium molecular weight.     

Behavioral and Chemical Analysis of Venom Gland Secretion of Queens of the Ant Solenopsis geminata

Bioassays in a Y-tube olfactometer showed that workers of Solenopsis geminata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were attracted to venom gland extracts of queens. Gas chromatography coupled mass spectrometry analysis of individual glands of queens of S. geminata showed that the secretion is composed mainly of a large amount of 2-alkyl-6-methylpiperidine alkaloids and a tiny amount of a -lactone and a -pyrone, which have been earlier identified as components of the queen attractant pheromone of Solenopsis invicta Buren. However, additional small amounts of a mixture of sesquiterpenes and pentadecene were found. The possible function of the sesquiterpenoid compounds is discussed.     

Fermentative production of fumaric acid from Eucalyptus globulus wood hydrolyzates

Fumaric acid (FA) was produced from Eucalyptus globulus wood by successive steps of hydrothermal processing (to solubilize hemicelluloses and to increase the susceptibility of solids to enzymatic hydrolysis), enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation with Rhizopus arrhizus DSM 5772. For comparative purposes, additional fermentations were carried out using synthetic media. Single stage fermentation of synthetic media led to a medium containing 11.8 g FA L^?1 (Y_P/S = 0.60 g g^?1). Operating in fed batch mode, the fourth stage increased the FA concentration from 19.7 up to 43.6 g L^?1 (Y_P/S = 0.71 g g^?1). Hydrolyzate fermentation in a single stage resulted in lower fumaric acid concentration (9.65 g L^?1) and yield (0.35 g g^?1). Additional fermentations were carried out in media made with hydrolyzates subjected to membrane processing, adsorption or ion exchange. The highest yield (Y_P/S = 0.44 g g^?1) was reached in media made up of ion‐exchange treated hydrolyzates and a commercial glucose solution in proportion 85/15 w/w. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Aligned carbon nanotube, graphene and graphite oxide thin films via substrate-directed rapid interfacial deposition

A procedure for depositing thin films of carbon nanostructures is described that overcomes the limitations typically associated with solution based methods. Transparent and conductively continuous carbon coatings can be grown on virtually any type of substrate within seconds. Interfacial surface tension gradients result in directional fluid flow and film spreading at the water/oil interface. Transparent films of carbon nanostructures are produced including aligned ropes of single-walled carbon nanotubes and assemblies of single sheets of chemically converted graphene and graphite oxide. Process scale-up, layer-by-layer deposition, and a simple method for coating non-activated hydrophobic surfaces are demonstrated.     

Structural effects of WO3 incorporation on USY zeolite and application to free fatty acids esterification

Zeolites have occupied a distinguished position due to their unique properties as solid acids and catalytic results achieved in several industrial reactions. This work studied the influence of supported WO₃ on USY zeolite structure, acidity and activity towards an esterification reaction. High dispersion of WO₃ species on USY was achieved, but at higher loading (?11.4%), microcrystalites of WO₃ were detected below the theoretical monolayer coverage (∼32%). Tungsten species were deposited preferentially inside the zeolite structure and interacted with the Brønsted sites of USY as well as on silanol surface groups with the formation of small aggregates. In addition, dealumination took place, especially in the samples with high WO₃ loading. USY had the most and the strongest acidic sites (Brønsted type), but the incorporation of WO₃ decreased the amount and the strength of the new sites. However, all WO₃/USY catalysts were more active than USY in the esterification of oleic acid with ethanol (conversion above 74%, 2 h at 200 °C). The calculation of the TOF for a 1 h reaction demonstrated that 11.4% WO₃/USY was the most active catalyst. Furthermore, it had the lowest rate of deactivation of acid sites after the reaction (∼13% after four cycles). The better performance of the 11.4% WO₃/USY sample was also attributed to a better distribution of strength of the acidic sites and a more hydrophobic character of the synthesized material.     

A refined model for the mechanical properties of polymer composites with nanorods having different length distributions

The aspect ratio of rod‐like nanofillers is an important factor that governs their percolation threshold in nanocomposites with a polymer of interest. Controlling the length distribution of a filler is an effective way to manipulate the onset of network formation and thereby materials properties that are related to the latter. The use of two or more different filler types with dissimilar aspect ratio is a special case to achieve such control. We here report the modification of an existing mechanical model to describe the mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites with a binary length distribution of nanofillers. The model was exemplarily applied to materials comprised of two nanorod types having high and low aspect ratio, respectively, and used to explain why the properties of such nanocomposites are strongly weighted by the nanorod type characterized by a higher aspect ratio and stiffness. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45279.