The Effect of Fullerenol C60(OH)36 on the Antioxidant Defense System in Erythrocytes

Background: Fullerenols (water-soluble derivatives of fullerenes), such as C₆₀(OH)₃₆, are biocompatible molecules with a high ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), but the mechanism of their antioxidant action and cooperation with endogenous redox machinery remains unrecognized. Fullerenols rapidly distribute through blood cells; therefore, we investigated the effect of C₆₀(OH)₃₆ on the antioxidant defense system in erythrocytes during their prolonged incubation. Methods: Human erythrocytes were treated with fullerenol at concentrations of 50–150 µg/mL, incubated for 3 and 48 h at 37 °C, and then hemolyzed. The level of oxidative stress was determined by examining the level of thiol groups, the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione transferase), and by measuring erythrocyte microviscosity. Results: The level of thiol groups in stored erythrocytes decreased; however, in the presence of higher concentrations of C₆₀(OH)₃₆ (100 and 150 µg/mL), the level of -SH groups increased compared to the control. Extending the incubation to 48 h caused a decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity, but the addition of fullerenol, especially at higher concentrations (100–150 µg/mL), increased its activity. We observed that C₆₀(OH)₃₆ had no effect on the microviscosity of the interior of the erythrocytes. Conclusions: In conclusion, our results indicated that water-soluble C₆₀(OH)₃₆ has antioxidant potential and efficiently supports the enzymatic antioxidant system within the cell. These effects are probably related to the direct interaction of C₆₀(OH)₃₆ with the enzyme that causes its structural changes.     

SI-ATRP Decoration of Magnetic Nanoparticles with PHEMA and Post-Polymerization Modification with Folic Acid for Tumor Cells’ Specific Targeting

Targeted nanocarriers could reach new levels of drug delivery, bringing new tools for personalized medicine. It is known that cancer cells overexpress folate receptors on the cell surface compared to healthy cells, which could be used to create new nanocarriers with specific targeting moiety. In addition, magnetic nanoparticles can be guided under the influence of an external magnetic field in different areas of the body, allowing their precise localization. The main purpose of this paper was to decorate the surface of magnetic nanoparticles with poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) by surface-initiated atomic transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) followed by covalent bonding of folic acid to side groups of the polymer to create a high specificity magnetic nanocarrier with increased internalization capacity in tumor cells. The biocompatibility of the nanocarriers was demonstrated by testing them on the NHDF cell line and folate-dependent internalization capacity was tested on three tumor cell lines: MCF-7, HeLa and HepG2. It has also been shown that a higher concentration of folic acid covalently bound to the polymer leads to a higher internalization in tumor cells compared to healthy cells. Last but not least, magnetic resonance imaging was used to highlight the magnetic properties of the functionalized nanoparticles obtained.     

Immature Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Healthy Murine Arteries and Atherosclerotic Plaques: Localization and Activity

The local development of atherosclerotic lesions may, at least partly, be associated with the specific cellular composition of atherosclerosis-prone regions. Previously, it was demonstrated that a small population of immature vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) expressing both CD146 and neuron-glial antigen 2 is postnatally sustained in atherosclerosis-prone sites. We supposed that these cells may be involved in atherogenesis and can continuously respond to angiotensin II, which is an atherogenic factor. Using immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, wound migration assay xCELLigence system, and calcium imaging, we studied the functional activities of immature VSMCs in vitro and in vivo. According to our data, these cells do not express nestin, CD105, and the leptin receptor. They are localized in atherosclerosis-prone regions, and their number increases with age, from 5.7% to 23%. Immature VSMCs do not migrate to low shear stress areas and atherosclerotic lesions. They also do not have any unique response to angiotensin II. Thus, despite the localization of immature VSMCs and the presence of the link between their number and age, our study did not support the hypothesis that immature VSMCs are directly involved in the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. Additional lineage tracing studies can clarify the fate of these cells during atherogenesis.     

From miRNA Target Gene Network to miRNA Function: miR-375 Might Regulate Apoptosis and Actin Dynamics in the Heart Muscle via Rho-GTPases-Dependent Pathways

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, single-stranded, non-coding ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules, which are involved in the regulation of main biological processes, such as apoptosis or cell proliferation and differentiation, through sequence-specific interaction with target mRNAs. In this study, we propose a workflow for predicting miRNAs function by analyzing the structure of the network of their target genes. This workflow was applied to study the functional role of miR-375 in the heart muscle (myocardium), since this miRNA was previously shown to be associated with heart diseases, and data on its function in the myocardium are mostly unclear. We identified PIK3CA, RHOA, MAPK3, PAFAH1B1, CTNNB1, MYC, PRKCA, ERBB2, and CDC42 as key genes in the miR-375 regulated network and predicted the possible function of miR-375 in the heart muscle, consisting mainly in the regulation of the Rho-GTPases-dependent signaling pathways. We implemented our algorithm for miRNA function prediction into a Python module, which is available at GitHub.     

Modeling of the High Pressure Core Spray Systems with fuzzy cognitive maps for operational transient analysis in nuclear power reactors

In this paper the application of fuzzy cognitive maps (FCM) to model a risk scenario for Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) in a Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) is presented, specifically for failure modes and effects analysis of High Pressure Core Spray System (HPCS) during loss of reactor coolant inventory transients. A simplified model of the HPCS is analyzed with the fault tree analysis technique in order to compare this results with those obtained with the FCM and show consistency with the results, although this process is not a validation of the FCM techniques. The decision making in an NPP is a complex process, because of the numerous elements involved in its operation, and the permanent attention demanded by its maintenance. This is the first step in the development of an expert system that will help in the decision making process, through the design of the knowledge representation and the design of reasoning with FCM to automate the decision making process.     

High-Pressure Treatment and Freezing of Raw Goat Milk Curd for Cheese Manufacture: Effects on Cheese Characteristics

High-pressure treatment of raw goat milk curd was investigated as an alternative to thermal treatment of milk in cheese manufacture, and curd freezing as a procedure to surmount the seasonality of goat milk production. Experimental cheeses were made by mixing (70:30) fresh cow milk curd with frozen curd from pasteurized goat milk (PGC), frozen curd from raw goat milk (RGC), or frozen pressurized curd from raw goat milk (PRGC). Control cheese was made from a mixture (70:30) of pasteurized cow and goat milk. RGC cheese showed the highest counts of staphylococci, Gram-negative bacteria and coliforms, whereas PRGC cheese had maximum aminopeptidase activity, esterase activity, and overall proteolysis. Control cheese exhibited the highest dry matter content and peptide levels, the lowest concentration of free amino acids, the highest concentration of volatile compounds such as free fatty acids, alcohols and esters, and the firmest texture. Differences in sensory characteristics between experimental and control cheeses were of minor importance. High-pressure treatment of curd allowed the production of cheese of bacteriological quality similar to that of control cheese made using pasteurized milk, while curd freezing did not alter the sensory characteristics of experimental cheeses with respect to control cheese.     

Multifunctional TiO2 coatings for Cultural Heritage

Environmental pollution arising from industrial implants and urban factors is constantly increasing, causing aesthetical and durability concerns to urban structures exposed to the atmosphere.     

Structured Estolides: Control of Length and Sequence

Using ester-forming reactions such as carbodiimide coupling and a modified Yamaguchi symmetrical anhydride method, a variety of estolides based on 17-hydroxy oleic and 17-hydroxy stearic acid have been prepared. These hydroxy fatty acids are produced in good yields from hydrolysis of sophorolipids, which are in turn derived from fermentation of fats and oils. Since the estolides are formed one unit, or ester bond, at a time, their length and sequence can be precisely controlled. The key to this control is the use of protecting groups at either the carboxylic or hydroxy end of the starting hydroxy fatty acids. Two mono-protected dimers, for example, when combined in a fragment-condensation approach, give a tetramer with no “contamination” from estolides of other lengths. This methodology opens the way to functionalized estolides, and several variants were prepared: hybrid estolides, containing non-fatty acid moieties such as amino acids; polymerizable estolides, containing a norbornene unit; and non-linear estolides that extend from a branched core such as glycerol or pentaerythritol. With the benzoyl chloride-mediated symmetrical anhydride method, yields for individual coupling steps ranged from 75 to 93%. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture.     

深层气井封隔器胶筒力学行为仿真

以深层气井测试作业过程中常用的RTTS封隔器为对象,采用ANSYS软件建立了封隔器胶筒非线性材料大变形接触问题的力学模型,开展了坐封后胶筒的受力与变形规律研究,并对影响封隔器密封性能的各种结构参数和材料参数进行了敏感性分析。分析结果表明,胶筒高度越高、胶筒硬度越小,越易坐封;胶筒厚度越小、胶筒高度越高、胶筒摩擦因数越小,胶筒与套管间接触力越大。需要特别指出的是,存在一个胶筒坐封最容易的中等厚度,存在一个胶筒与套管内壁接触力最大的胶筒硬度,随着摩擦因数的增大,胶筒与套管内壁间接触力减小,摩擦力增大。