Effect of electrodeposition current density on the microstructure and the degradation of electroformed iron for degradable stents

Pure iron has become one of the most interesting candidate materials for degradable metallic stents due to its high mechanical properties and moderate degradation. In this work we studied the effect of electrodeposition current density on microstructure and degradation of pure iron films electrodeposited on Ti alloy substrate for degradable metallic stent application. Iron sheets were produced by electrodeposition using four different current densities 1, 2, 5 and 10 A dm⁻². The films were then studied by SEM (scanning electron microscope) and EBSD (electron backscatter diffraction) to observe the surface morphology, grain size and orientation. Potentiodynamic polarization and static immersion tests were used to determine the corrosion rate and to study the degradation behavior of iron films, respectively. The current density was found to significantly influence the texture, the grain size and the grain shape of the electrodeposited iron. At current densities of 1, 5 and 10 A dm⁻², weak textures corresponding to 〈1 0 1〉, 〈1 1 1〉 and 〈1 1 2〉 in the normal (electrodeposition) direction were obtained, respectively. At these current densities, average grain sizes smaller than 3 μm were also obtained. However, at 2 A dm⁻², a strong 〈1 1 1〉//ND texture with density of 7.4 MUD was obtained with larger average grain size of 4.4 μm. The microstructure of iron samples changed after annealing at 550 °C because of the induced recrystallization. Different corrosion rates were obtained from potentiodynamic polarization curves of iron films deposited at different current densities because of their microstructures. Fe-2 showed the lowest corrosion rate due to its larger grains size and its texture. The corrosion rates of all iron samples decreased after annealing. Static degradation showed lower corrosion rates for iron because of the formation of a degradation layer on samples surface which reduced the degradation reaction rate. The degradation morphology was uniform for Fe-2 due to its strong texture. On the other hand, microscopic pits were found for Fe-1, Fe-5 and Fe-10.     

On the formulation design and rheological evaluations of pectin-based functional gels

In the current study, formulation design and development of a novel pectin-based functional gel were investigated. Amidated low methoxyl pectin (ALMP), high methoxyl pectin (HMP), sorbitol, inulin, rebaudioside-A, gardenia, phloridzin, quercetin, apple flavor, and calcium chloride (as its dihydrated salt) were selected as general ingredients. Response surface methodology was applied to design different formulations and to investigate on their experimental responses. The oscillatory tests were carried out in 2 stages with ALMP, HMP, sorbitol, and inulin as the variables of the 1st stage and ALMP and calcium chloride as the variables of the 2nd stage. Results of the 1st stage indicated relatively similar behaviors throughout the frequency range applied for all of the samples studied (true gels). However, magnitudes of the 5 rheological parameters of this study (storage modulus, loss modulus, loss tangent, complex modulus, and complex viscosity) were affected by different variables (ALMP, HMP, inulin, and sorbitol concentrations). Experimental results confirmed that sorbitol could be omitted from the formula while inulin and HMP could be used at their highest levels studied. At the 2nd stage, only 2 formulas indicated a strong gel behavior and other formulas showed typical behaviors of weaker gels or those of the concentrated solutions. At the conclusion of this study, a finished gelled product formula was suggested with the application of the best levels of the ingredients. The resultant gel was found to be set rapidly with no syneresis and showed a potential to be considered as a functional gelled dessert.     

Association between antiinflammatory cytokine,IL‐10, and sleep quality in patients on maintenance hemodialysis

Elevated proinflammatory cytokines have been attributed to poor sleep quality in patients receiving hemodialysis. This is the first investigation about the relationship between sleep quality and circulating levels of antiinflammatory markers in these patients. A total of 72 patients who were receiving maintenance hemodialysis were enrolled in this cross‐sectional study. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to measure sleep quality. Patients were divided into two groups: good sleepers (PSQI score < 5) and poor sleepers (PSQI score ≥ 5). Assessments were made for serum biochemical parameters (albumin, parathyroid hormone), inflammatory (interleukin [IL]‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha [TNF‐α], and high‐sensitivity c‐reactive protein [hs‐CRP] ) and antiinflammatory (IL‐10) markers. Fifty‐four patients (75%) were classified as poor sleepers. Poor sleepers showed significantly lower levels of serum IL‐10 and higher serum triglyceride and parathyroid hormone concentrations. These patients were more likely to have more comorbidities. The global PSQI score was significantly correlated with serum IL‐10 (p = 0.03) and triglyceride levels (p = 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a direct correlation between PSQI and having comorbidities (p = 0.011, odds ratio [OR] = 3.918; confidence interval 95% [CI] = 2.742–19.031), between PSQI and serum triglyceride (p = 0.027, OR = 1.027 [95% CI = 1.007–1.048] ), and an inverse correlation between PSQI and serum IL‐10 level (p = 0.021, OR = 0.424 [95% CI = 0.195–0.922]). Reduced circulating levels of the antiinflammatory cytokine IL‐10 were significantly associated with poor sleep quality in hemodialysis patients. Factors including serum IL‐10 and triglyceride concentrations and having comorbidities may predict patients prone to poor sleep quality.     

Effects of H<Subscript>2</Subscript> Atmospheres on Sintering of Low Alloy Steels Containing Oxygen-Sensitive Masteralloys

Processing of novel sintered steels with compositions including oxygen-sensitive elements requires deep understanding of the chemistry of sintering. The use of H₂ atmospheres alleviates the oxygen transference from the base powder to the oxygen-sensitive particles. However, in H₂, methane formation at 700–1200°C causes dramatic homogeneous decarburization of the part that affects both mechanical behavior and dimensional stability. The intensity and the critical temperatures of this effect depend strongly on the alloying elements, being significantly enhanced in presence of Si. When combining the alloying elements as Fe-Mn-Si masteralloys, methane formation is enhanced around 760°C due to the high Mn content (40 wt.%) in the masteralloys. Nevertheless, the benefits of H₂ towards oxide reduction can still be advantageously used if diluting it in the form of N₂-H₂ atmospheres, or if limiting the use of H₂ to temperatures below 500°C. Thus, decarburization due to methane formation can be successfully controlled.     

Adsorption of divalent heavy metal ions from water using carbon nanotube sheets

Removal of some divalent heavy metal ions (Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Pb(2+), Cd(2+), Co(2+)) from aqueous solutions using carbon nanotube (CNT) sheets was performed. CNT sheets were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition of cyclohexanol and ferrocene in nitrogen atmosphere at 750°C, and oxidized with concentrated nitric acid at room temperature and then employed as adsorbent for water treatment. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used to describe the adsorption behavior of heavy metal ions by oxidized CNT sheets. The obtained results demonstrated that the oxidized CNT sheets can be used as an effective adsorbent for heavy metal ions removal from water. It was found out that kinetics of adsorption varies with initial concentration of heavy metal ions. Preference of adsorption onto the oxidized CNT sheets can be ordered as Pb(2+)>Cd(2+)>Co(2+)>Zn(2+)>Cu(2+). Using the oxidized CNT sheets, waste water treatment without CNT leakage into water is economically feasible. Therefore, CNT sheets have good potential application in environmental protection.     

Continuous Application of Polyglycerol‐Supported Salen in a Membrane Reactor: Asymmetric Epoxidation of 6‐Cyano‐2,2‐dimethylchromene

In the current work, suitability of hyperbranched polyglycerol as a high loading catalyst support is demonstrated. A polyglycerol‐supported manganese‐salen complex (chemzyme) is applied as a homogeneous catalyst in the epoxidation of 6‐cyano‐2,2‐dimethylchromene. The recyclability of the corresponding catalyst was investigated in repetitive batch experiments as well as a continuous operation of the reaction in an ultrafiltration membrane reactor. An enhanced stability of the catalyst in repetitive batches was observed as a result of immobilization whereby the total turnover number increased from 23 in a single batch to 80 in four repetitive batches. To enable continuous operation, a continuously operated, stirred tanked reactor (CSTR) was equipped with an ultrafiltration membrane (MPF‐50) and a retention of 98% was determined. The continuous chemzyme membrane reactor was operated over the course of 20 residence times. After approximately 12 residence times, the steady state was reached yielding 70% conversion as well as an enantiomeric excess up to 92%. A space‐time yield (sty) of 458 g L ⁻¹ d⁻¹ and a turnover frequency (TOF_reaction) of up to 18 h⁻¹ was reached in the steady state. It was determined that the total turnover number (TTN) was enhanced by a factor of 10 from 24 (batch) up to 240 for 20 residence times in CSTR operation.     

Change in optic disk topography after trabeculectomy

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between optic disk topography and intraocular pressure before and after trabeculectomy with confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. METHODS: The eyes of 49 consecutive patients undergoing trabeculectomy at a university-based glaucoma practice underwent preoperative and postoperative imaging using a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph). Three images of one eye of each patient were obtained with a 15-degree field of view. Preoperative images were obtained approximately 2 months before surgery (mean +/- SD, 2.4 +/- 1.6 months). Postoperative images were obtained at least 3 months after surgery (mean, 4.5 +/- 2.6 months). RESULTS: Mean preoperative intraocular pressure, postoperative intraocular pressure, and percent change in intraocular pressure respectively were 23.1 +/- 6.8 mm Hg, 12.7 +/- 7.1 mm Hg, and 43.8% +/- 29.9%. A significant association (P < .01) was found between percent decrease in intraocular pressure and decreases in cup area, cup volume, and cup/disk area ratio as well as between percent decrease in intraocular pressure and increases in rim area, rim volume, mean height contour, retinal cross-section area, and height in contour. Between 11.7% and 31.2% of the variability (R2) in these parameters was explained by the percent change in intraocular pressure. Topography changes were more strongly associated with percent change than with mean change in intraocular pressure. We found no association between percent decrease in intraocular pressure and reference plane height or maximum cup depth. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in optic nerve topography were associated with reduction in intraocular pressure after trabeculectomy.     

Additional cassettes for epitope and fluorescent fusion proteins in Candida albicans

Epitope tags that confer specific properties, including affinity for resins or antibodies or detection by fluorescence microscopy, are highly useful for biochemical and cell biological investigations. In Candida albicans and several other related yeasts, the CUG codon specifies serine instead of leucine, requiring that molecular tools be customized for use in this important human fungal pathogen. Here we report the construction of a set of plasmids containing 13‐Myc, 3HA, GST, V5 or His9 epitope cassettes that facilitate PCR‐mediated construction of epitope‐tagged proteins. Common primer sets amplify the different tags with two different selectable markers. In addition, we report construction of a codon‐optimized Discosoma red fluorescent protein (DsRFP) gene. Like mCherryRFP, this DsRFP signal is detectable in transformants at the colony level and is useful in double‐labelling experiments with green fluorescent protein (GFP). Finally, we describe a construct that directs PCR‐mediated two‐step insertion of GFP internal to a coding sequence, which facilitates tagging of secreted proteins, including GPI‐anchor cell wall proteins that require endogenous N‐ and C‐termini for function. These reagents expand the repertoire of molecular tools available for working with C. albicans and other members of the CUG clade of pathogenic yeasts. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.