Platelet lysate and adipose mesenchymal stromal cells on silk fibroin nonwoven mats for wound healing

In this work platelet lysate (PL) and adipose‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) seeded on nonwoven fibroin mats were in vitro and in vivo evaluated for tissue regenerative applications. Nonwoven mats obtained by a large scale water entanglement technique were characterized for their physico‐chemical properties. Results indicated a high purity of fibroin fibers, their stability after sterilization process and appropriate technological properties suitable for tissue engineering. Moreover, the scaffolds in vitro supported adhesion and migration of ASCs and the presence of PL improved the cell proliferation. The products were then applied on epithelial/dermal wounds carried out on the dorsal surface of rabbit: the skin reparative process was solved in 9 days, with a completely restitutio ad integrum of the epithelium in animals treated with PL alone; ASCs did not further improve the wound healing. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42942.     

Apparent bidimensional critical temperature as a graphite surface homogeneity criterion

Nitrogen adsorption isotherms at 77.7 K, over graphites with different surface homogeneity, are analyzed. Three of the samples exhibited the transition from a fluid to a bidimensional solid before the monolayer was completed. The apparent bidimensional critical temperature, deduced from the Hillde Boer equation (applied to experimental isotherms), is proposed as a criterion for surface homogeneity. The calculated values range from 61 K for the most homogeneous surface to 36 K for the less homogeneous one. The estimated degrees of homogeneity are in agreement with previous experimental evidence and the surface characteristics of these samples.     

Oxidative and carbonaceous patterning of Si surface in an organic media by scanning probe lithography

A simple top-down fabrication technique that involves scanning probe lithography on Si is presented. The writing procedure consists of a chemically selective patterning in mesitylene. Operating in an organic media is possible to perform local oxidation or solvent decomposition during the same pass by tuning the applied bias. The layer deposited with a positively biased tip with sub-100-nm lateral resolution consists of nanocrystalline graphite, as verified by Raman spectroscopy. The oxide pattern obtained in opposite polarization is later used as a mask for dry etching, showing a remarkable selectivity in SF₆ plasma, to produce Si nanofeatured molds.     

Where the wind blows

The power systems in Denmark, Spain, Ireland, and New Zealand have some of the highest wind penetrations in the world (see Table 1). The management of the different power systems to date, with increasing amounts of wind energy, has been successful. There have been no incidents in which the wind has directly or indirectly been a major factor causing operational problems for the system. However, there are a number of parameters that are being monitored that indicate the need for active management in the near future (and in some cases already today). In this article, we briefly describe the situations in these four countries, giving special emphasis to the market integration of wind power, the use of wind forecasting, and curtailment experience. The final section provides an overview of the main wind forecasting methodologies and challenges.     

Tailoring Effective FeOx/SiO2 Catalysts in Methane to Formaldehyde Partial Oxidation

A preparation method of highly effective methane to formaldehyde partial oxidation (MPO) FeO_x/SiO₂ catalysts (Fe 0.09--0.43 wt%) is reported, based on adsorption-precipitation (ADS/PRC) of Fe^II ions under controlled conditions. The performance of ADS/PRC catalysts in the MPO reaction at 650 °C has been compared with that of conventional systems prepared by incipient wetness (INC/WET) of silica carriers with aqueous solutions of Fe^III. The ADS/PRC method, likely enabling a higher dispersion of the active phase, provides very effective MPO catalysts featuring CH₄ turnover frequency (TOF) and HCHO productivity (STY_HCHO) values larger than those of the counterpart INC/WET systems.     

Road extraction from aerial images using a region competition algorithm.

In this paper, we present a user-guided method based on the region competition algorithm to extract roads, and therefore we also provide some clues concerning the placement of the points required by the algorithm. The initial points are analyzed in order to find out whether it is necessary to add more initial points, and this process will be based on image information. Not only is the algorithm able to obtain the road centerline, but it also recovers the road sides. An initial simple model is deformed by using region growing techniques to obtain a rough road approximation. This model will be refined by region competition. The result of this approach is that it delivers the simplest output vector information, fully recovering the road details as they are on the image, without performing any kind of symbolization. Therefore, we tried to refine a general road model by using a reliable method to detect transitions between regions. This method is proposed in order to obtain information for feeding large-scale Geographic Information System.     

Growth of Bacillus cereus on solid media as affected by agar, sodium chloride, and potassium sorbate

The effect of two independent variables: microstructure, as modified by the agar content (1.0, 4.0, 7.0%), and water activity (a(w)), as modified by the NaCl content (0.5, 2.5, 4.5%), in the absence or in the presence of potassium sorbate (0.0; 2,000 ppm) on Bacillus cereus growth on solid media was studied. The time to visible growth (TVG) and the radial growth rate (RGR) of colonies were evaluated. TVG was not affected by microstructure and K-sorbate, although when a(w) was reduced, TVG tended to increase. RGR depended on linear effects of microstructure and a(w) variables and their interaction. When K-sorbate was added to cultural media, RGR was reduced significantly. However, in the presence of K-sorbate, RGR was found to change only when a(w) vas varied.     

Direct determination of phenolic compounds in Sicilian wines by liquid chromatography with PDA and MS detection

Phenolic compounds in Sicilian wines were directly detected using an HPLC with a PDA detector coupled on-line with a MS system equipped with Electrospray Ionisation (ESI) source operated in the negative-ion mode and a quadrupole mass analyzer. In this work, MS spectra were recorded at different voltage, to obtain structural elucidations in addition to molecular mass informations. The different response of the compounds identified has been also evaluated. MS characteristics of cis- and trans-piceid were determined on the basis of the response obtained with the ESI interface.     

Cell proliferation and cancer

The discovery that phosphorylation of selected proteins by cyclin-dependent kinases is the engine which makes the cycle run provides a new image of the control of proliferation and of its deregulation. The high conservation of this machinery in the different eukaryotic organisms emphasizes its early origin and its importance for life. It also makes the extrapolation of findings between different species feasible. The control of proliferation relies basically on accelerating and braking mechanisms which act on the engine driving the cycle. This review particularly stresses the importance of checkpoint or tumor suppressor pathways as transduction systems of negative signals which may induce a cycle braking operation. They prevent any important cycle transition, as the initiation of proliferation, that of replication, mitosis, etc., until the DNA and other cellular conditions make such a progression safe. These checkpoint pathways are able to recognize and transduce signals about the adequacy of initiating or continuing proliferation for a cell at a particular time, under a particular set of external and internal conditions. Crucial components of these pathways are proteins encoded by some of the checkpoint genes that evaluate the final balance of mitogenic and antimitogenic pathways reaching them and, if the balance is negative, they prevent temporarily cycle inititation or its progression by inhibiting the corresponding cyclin-dependent kinases. On the other hand, when the balance becomes positive, they allow the activation of the cyclin-dependent kinases. Uncontrolled cell proliferation associated with cancer always depends on the functional abrogation of at least one of the checkpoint pathways. The checkpoint or tumor suppressor protein p53 is one of the proteins in them, and mutations in the gene encoding it are present in more than half of all human tumours. The review touches new pharmacological strategies which have been opened by the discovery of portions of some of the signal transduction cascades involved in the transient brake of cell proliferation. Restoration of checkpoint pathways either prevents further proliferation of cells with damaged genome until repair is over or, alternatively, the dismantling of these checkpoints induce those cells to commit suicide (apoptosis). The fact that both restoration and dismantling of checkpoint pathways sensitive to DNA damage have not disturbing effects on any other proliferating cell with undamaged DNA makes these selective strategies promissing.     

Expression of the alpha 5 beta 1 fibronectin receptor on T lymphocytes of patients with HIV-1 infection

AIMS: To evaluate the expression of the alpha 5 beta 1 integrin fibronectin receptor (FNR), which mediates several processes, including phagocytosis, cell motility and the immune response, on T lymphocytes of patients with HIV-1 infection. METHODS: T lymphocytes were incubated with monoclonal antibody directed against FNR and then with monoclonal antibodies, conjugated with phycoerythrin, directed against CD3, CD4 and CD8 positive cells. Expression of FNR on CD3, CD4 and CD8 positive cells was analysed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Normal expression of FNR was observed on CD3 positive cells from asymptomatic HIV positive patients and those with AIDS. Increased expression of FNR was observed on CD8 positive cells from asymptomatic HIV positive patients and on CD4 positive cells from patients with AIDS. Increased FNR expression was observed on CD4 positive cells from patients with AIDS, particularly those with opportunistic infections caused by Pneumocystis carinii, Mycobacterium sp, Toxoplasma gondii, and Cryptococcus neoformans. CONCLUSION: Increased expression of FNR on CD8 and CD4 positive cells in asymptomatic HIV positive patients and those with AIDS, respectively, may be an epiphenomenon correlated with lymphocyte activation by HIV-1 or opportunistic infection, Further study is required to determine whether upregulation of FNR expression has a direct role in the pathogenesis of AIDS.