Impact of Grain Boundary Density on Oxide Scaling Revisited

Oxidation of Metals - A straightforward conceptual tool for discriminating between different oxide scaling processes deviating from the parabolic standard model is formulated. Grain boundary...     

Optimized silyl ester diblock methacrylic copolymers: A new class of binders for chemically active antifouling coatings

This work focuses on the assessment of the erosion properties and antifouling (AF) performance of silyl ester copolymer-based coatings through laboratory and field tests. Silyl ester diblock copolymers were synthesized via the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization and were selected as binders for developing copper-free chemically active coatings. AF coatings were subsequently prepared using biocides (Sea-Nine™ 211, Preventol^® A4S, and zinc pyrithione). Laboratory-based bioassays, targeting the growth of selected microorganisms (bacteria and microalgae) and barnacle settlement, highlighted that the silyl ester methacrylic-based binders did not inhibit the growth of microorganisms, are essentially non-toxic to nauplii and reduced the settlement of Amphibalanus amphitrite cyprids. The corresponding biocidal coatings are potent toward bacteria and diatoms but were demonstrated to be toxic against the barnacle larvae. Field test results showed variations with geographical locations: in sub-tropical area, the silyl ester methacrylic-based coatings failed to inhibit the settlement of barnacles; however, field tests performed in Mediterranean Sea for 18 months demonstrated that biocidal silyl ester methacrylic-based coatings were promising candidates.     

Rapid Discrimination of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder and Multiple Sclerosis Using Machine Learning on Infrared Spectra of Sera

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are both autoimmune inflammatory and demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. NMOSD is a highly disabling disease and rapid introduction of the appropriate treatment at the acute phase is crucial to prevent sequelae. Specific criteria were established in 2015 and provide keys to distinguish NMOSD and MS. One of the most reliable criteria for NMOSD diagnosis is detection in patient’s serum of an antibody that attacks the water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP-4). Another target in NMOSD is myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), delineating a new spectrum of diseases called MOG-associated diseases. Lastly, patients with NMOSD can be negative for both AQP-4 and MOG antibodies. At disease onset, NMOSD symptoms are very similar to MS symptoms from a clinical and radiological perspective. Thus, at first episode, given the urgency of starting the anti-inflammatory treatment, there is an unmet need to differentiate NMOSD subtypes from MS. Here, we used Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in combination with a machine learning algorithm with the aim of distinguishing the infrared signatures of sera of a first episode of NMOSD from those of a first episode of relapsing-remitting MS, as well as from those of healthy subjects and patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Our results showed that NMOSD patients were distinguished from MS patients and healthy subjects with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100%. We also discuss the distinction between the different NMOSD serostatuses. The coupling of infrared spectroscopy of sera to machine learning is a promising cost-effective, rapid and reliable differential diagnosis tool capable of helping to gain valuable time in patients’ treatment.     

Preclinical Evaluation of CAR T Cell Function: In Vitro and In Vivo Models

Immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells is a rapidly emerging modality that engineers T cells to redirect tumor-specific cytotoxicity. CAR T cells have been well characterized for their efficacy against B cell malignancies, and rigorously studied in other types of tumors. Preclinical evaluation of CAR T cell function, including direct tumor killing, cytokine production, and memory responses, is crucial to the development and optimization of CAR T cell therapies. Such comprehensive examinations are usually performed in different types of models. Model establishment should focus on key challenges in the clinical setting and the capability to generate reliable data to indicate CAR T cell therapeutic potency in the clinic. Further, modeling the interaction between CAR T cells and tumor microenvironment provides additional insight for the future endeavors to enhance efficacy, especially against solid tumors. This review will summarize both in vitro and in vivo models for CAR T cell functional evaluation, including how they have evolved with the needs of CAR T cell research, the information they can provide for preclinical assessment of CAR T cell products, and recent technology advances to test CAR T cells in more clinically relevant models.     

Neurotropic RNA Virus Modulation of Immune Responses within the Central Nervous System

The central nervous system (CNS) necessitates intricately coordinated immune responses to prevent neurological disease. However, the emergence of viruses capable of entering the CNS and infecting neurons threatens this delicate balance. Our CNS is protected from foreign invaders and excess solutes by a semipermeable barrier of endothelial cells called the blood–brain barrier. Thereby, viruses have implemented several strategies to bypass this protective layer and modulate immune responses within the CNS. In this review, we outline these immune regulatory mechanisms and provide perspectives on future questions in this rapidly expanding field.     

Micro-RNA and Proteomic Profiles of Plasma-Derived Exosomes from Irradiated Mice Reveal Molecular Changes Preventing Apoptosis in Neonatal Cerebellum

Cell communication via exosomes is capable of influencing cell fate in stress situations such as exposure to ionizing radiation. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that exosomes might play a role in out-of-target radiation effects by carrying molecular signaling mediators of radiation damage, as well as opposite protective functions resulting in resistance to radiotherapy. However, a global understanding of exosomes and their radiation-induced regulation, especially within the context of an intact mammalian organism, has been lacking. In this in vivo study, we demonstrate that, compared to sham-irradiated (SI) mice, a distinct pattern of proteins and miRNAs is found packaged into circulating plasma exosomes after whole-body and partial-body irradiation (WBI and PBI) with 2 Gy X-rays. A high number of deregulated proteins (59% of WBI and 67% of PBI) was found in the exosomes of irradiated mice. In total, 57 and 13 miRNAs were deregulated in WBI and PBI groups, respectively, suggesting that the miRNA cargo is influenced by the tissue volume exposed to radiation. In addition, five miRNAs (miR-99b-3p, miR-200a-3p, miR-200a, miR-182-5p, miR-182) were commonly overexpressed in the exosomes from the WBI and PBI groups. In this study, particular emphasis was also given to the determination of the in vivo effect of exosome transfer by intracranial injection in the highly radiosensitive neonatal cerebellum at postnatal day 3. In accordance with a major overall anti-apoptotic function of the commonly deregulated miRNAs, here, we report that exosomes from the plasma of irradiated mice, especially in the case of WBI, prevent radiation-induced apoptosis, thus holding promise for exosome-based future therapeutic applications against radiation injury.     

Study of the Photocrosslinking of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Terpolymer Under UV Irradiation

The photocrosslinking of thick samples of 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene–ethylene propylene diene monomer (ENB-EPDM) under air at room temperature was investigated. First, a model study was carried out on low-molecular weight oligomers: squalene, 1,2-polybutadiene, and 1,4-polybutadiene. Several crosslinking agents (meth(acrylics), bismaleimide, and thiol) combined with various photoinitiators were tested to improve the reactivity of these oligomers under UV irradiation. Gel contents, crosslinking densities, viscosities, and viscoelastic properties were measured in order to characterize the extent of crosslinking. Acrylate-based crosslinking agents appeared to be the most reactive species and these results were then applied to a low-molecular weight EPDM. Several photoinitiators were tested and benzophenone turned out to be the most efficient photoinitiator when combined with trimethylolpropane triacrylate. Finally, a commercial EPDM was subsequently photocrosslinked and high gel content and crosslinking density were obtained after only 2 min of irradiation. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:95–103, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Rheological behavior of neat and carbon fiber-reinforced poly(ether ketone ketone) for extrusion deposition additive manufacturing

To develop new materials for extrusion additive manufacturing (AM) systems, a fundamental understanding of rheological properties is essential to correlate the effect of processing on material structure and its properties. In this work, the rheological properties of five different grades of neat and carbon fiber (CF)-reinforced poly(ether ketone ketone) are reported. Rheological properties are essential to understand the effect of reinforcing fibers and AM process parameters such as time, temperature, environment, and shear rate on flow behavior during processing. Small-amplitude oscillatory shear tests and steady shear tests indicated neat grades to exhibit less increase in viscosity over time when processed in air than the CF-filled grades. The filled grades showed greater shear thinning and lower sensitivity to temperature. Overall, this rheological analysis provides a broad framework for determining appropriate processing conditions for extrusion deposition AM of such high-temperature polymer systems.