YB-1 Is Altered in Pregnancy-Associated Disorders and Affects Trophoblast in Vitro Properties via Alternation of Multiple Molecular Traits

Cold shock Y-box binding protein-1 (YB-1) coordinates several molecular processes between the nucleus and the cytoplasm and plays a crucial role in cell function. Moreover, it is involved in cancer progression, invasion, and metastasis. As trophoblast cells share similar characteristics with cancer cells, we hypothesized that YB-1 might also be necessary for trophoblast functionality. In samples of patients with intrauterine growth restriction, YB-1 mRNA levels were decreased, while they were increased in preeclampsia and unchanged in spontaneous abortions when compared to normal pregnant controls. Studies with overexpression and downregulation of YB-1 were performed to assess the key trophoblast processes in two trophoblast cell lines HTR8/SVneo and JEG3. Overexpression of YB-1 or exposure of trophoblast cells to recombinant YB-1 caused enhanced proliferation, while knockdown of YB-1 lead to proliferative disadvantage in JEG3 or HTR8/SVneo cells. The invasion and migration properties were affected at different degrees among the trophoblast cell lines. Trophoblast expression of genes mediating migration, invasion, apoptosis, and inflammation was altered upon YB-1 downregulation. Moreover, IL-6 secretion was excessively increased in HTR8/SVneo. Ultimately, YB-1 directly binds to NF-κB enhancer mark in HTR8/SVneo cells. Our data show that YB-1 protein is important for trophoblast cell functioning and, when downregulated, leads to trophoblast disadvantage that at least in part is mediated by NF-κB.     

New urethane oligodimethacrylates with quaternary alkylammonium for formulating dental composites

The aim of this study was to prepare urethane dimethacrylates containing quaternary alkyl (C16, C12) ammonium and polyethylene glycol short sequences (Mn, 400 g/mol) and to investigate their behaviour in some experimental formulations in order to evaluate their potential applicability in the dental composites field. The structure of urethane dimethacrylates has been confirmed by ¹H (¹³C) NMR and FTIR spectra, as well as by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography measurements. The effects of the cationic macromers on the properties of the filled/non-filled composites were examined through FTIR, photoDSC, and specific measurements as volumetric polymerization shrinkage, water sorption/solubility, contact angle, mechanical parameters, and morphology. The monomer compositions based on cationic dimethacrylate (6.88–27.52 wt%), BisGMA-analogue (48.18–68.82 wt%) and TEGDMA (23.3 wt%) showed a good photoreactivity in terms of double bond conversion (DC, 50.07–68.81 %) and polymerization rate (R_p, 0.099–0.141 s^?1) measured by photoDSC compared to a control sample (BisGMA-1/TEGDMA: DC, 45.91 %; R_p, 0.162 s^?1), while the polymerization shrinkage increased in acceptable limits (5.37–7.74 vol%). The mechanical properties (compressive, flexural and diametral tensile strength) of the composite resin incorporating 70 wt% silanized zirconium silicate micro/nanopowder can be modulated by the initial co-monomer concentrations.     

Atmospheric corrosion of magnesium alloys AZ31 and AZ61 under continuous condensation conditions

This paper studies the corrosion rate of magnesium alloys AZ31 and AZ61 exposed in humid air under continuous condensation conditions. The shape of the gravimetric curves for corrosion progress suggests that the process is controlled by factors related with the corrosion product layer growing on the metallic surface according to gravimetric results there is an initial period in which only a small part of the corroded metal is incorporated in the corrosion product layer, but after longer testing times the proportion of metal that comes to form part of this layer tends to increase very significantly.     

Physiological requirements for growth and competitiveness of Dekkera bruxellensis under oxygen-limited or anaerobic conditions

The effect of glucose and oxygen limitation on the growth and fermentation performances of Dekkera bruxellensis was investigated in order to understand which factors favour its propagation in ethanol or wine plants. Although D. bruxellensis has been described as a facultative anaerobe, no growth was observed in mineral medium under complete anaerobiosis while growth was retarded under severe oxygen limitation. In a continuous culture with no gas inflow, glucose was not completely consumed, most probably due to oxygen limitation. When an air/nitrogen mixture (O₂‐content ca. 5%) was sparged to the culture, growth became glucose‐limited. In co‐cultivations with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ethanol yields/g consumed sugar were not affected by the co‐cultures as compared to the pure cultures. However, different population responses were observed in both systems. In oxygen‐limited cultivation, glucose was depleted within 24 h after challenging with S. cerevisiae and both yeast populations were maintained at a stable level. In contrast, the S. cerevisiae population constantly decreased to about 1% of its initial cell number in the sparged glucose‐limited fermentation, whereas the D. bruxellensis population remained constant. To identify the requirements of D. bruxellensis for anaerobic growth, the yeast was cultivated in several nitrogen sources and with the addition of amino acids. Yeast extract and most of the supplied amino acids supported anaerobic growth, which points towards a higher nutrient demand for D. bruxellensis compared to S. cerevisiae in anaerobic conditions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The influence of the deposition time on morphological and optical properties of Cu x S films deposited on polypropylene substrate

Copper sulfide (Cu _x S) films deposited on polypropylene substrate were obtained by chemical bath deposition (CBD) method. The influence of the deposition time on the morphology of Cu _x S films was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy. We have found that the average particles dimension increased from 37 to 49 nm with the increase of deposition time from 20 to 30 minutes. The study of optical properties of the copper sulfide films was carried out based on optical transmission spectra recorded in the 400–1000 nm wavelength range. The optical constants, such as refractive index, extinction coefficient and dielectric constant as well as electrical and optical conductivity of Cu _x S films were calculated. The obtained values are in accordance with the ones reported in the literature:We have shown that both, morphological and optical properties of Cu _x S films are strongly affected by the deposition time.     

Copolymers of glycerol and propylene glycol diglycidyl ethers with aromatic dithiols

Monomers derived from renewable recourses have the potential to become the biobased alternatives for petroleum derived chemicals in the production of polymers. Glycerol, the byproduct of biodiesel refining, and propylene glycol derived from glycerol are promising candidates which can be used in the synthesis of polymers as they are or after chemical modification. The new copolymers of glycerol and propylene glycol diglycidyl ethers with aromatic dithiols were synthesized and investigated in this study. Their chemical structures were confirmed by IR, ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. The dependencies of the mechanical, thermal properties, swelling in the different solvents, biodegradability, and bioresistance of synthesized copolymers on their chemical structures were studied. The properties of some synthesized copolymer films were found to be comparable with those of commodity polymer films. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 4367–4374, 2013     

Nanocrystalline/Nanosized Ni1−γFe2+γO4 Ferrite Obtained by Contamination with Fe During Milling of NiO–Fe2O3 Mixture. Structural and Magnetic Characterization

The nanocrystalline nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) was synthesized by reactive milling starting from equimolar mixture of oxides. The iron contamination during milling leads to a solid state reaction between Fe and NiFe₂O₄ spinel. This reaction starts for a milling time longer than 30 h. A mixed nickel–iron ferrite (Ni_1?γFe_2+γO₄) and elemental Ni are obtained. The evolution of the nickel–iron mixed ferrite during milling and its properties were investigated using X‐ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Laser Particles Size Analyzer and magnetic measurements. Annealing treatment (350°C/4 h in vacuum) is favorable to the reaction between phases. Replacement of Ni²⁺ cations by iron cations provided by contamination leads to the increase of lattice parameter value of the spinel structure. The magnetization of the nickel–iron mixed ferrite newly formed is larger than the nickel ferrite magnetization (13.6 μ_B/f.u. and 6.22 μ_B/f.u., respectively), due to the magnetic moment of Fe²⁺ cation which is double as compared to the Ni²⁺ cation. Magnetization of the milled samples decreases during milling due to the structural changes induced by milling in the nickel–iron mixed ferrite. The annealing induces a reordering of the cations which leads to a larger magnetization.     

A comparative study of natural, formaldehyde-treated and copolymer-grafted orange peel for Pb(II) adsorption under batch and continuous mode

Natural, formaldehyde-treated and copolymer-grafted orange peels were evaluated as adsorbents to remove lead ions from aqueous solutions. The optimum pH for lead adsorption was found to be pH 5. The adsorption process was fast, reaching 99% of sorbent capacity in 10 min for the natural and treated biomasses and 20 min for the grafted material. The treated biomass showed the highest sorption rate and capacity in the batch experiments, with the results fitting well to a pseudo-first order rate equation. In the continuous test with the treated biomass, the capacity at complete exhaustion was 46.61 mg g(-1) for an initial concentration of 150 mg L(-1). Scanning electronic microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy indicated that the materials had a rough surface, and that the adsorption of the metal took place on the surface. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the functional groups responsible for metallic biosorption were the -OH, -COOH and -NH(2) groups on the surface. Finally, the thermogravimetric analysis indicates that a mass reduction of 80% can be achieved at 600 degrees C.