3D Printing of Dual-Cure Networks Based on (Meth)acrylate/Bispropargyl Ether Building Blocks

In recent years, dual-cure chemistry has been exploited to realize interpenetrating networks (IPNs) that provide enhanced thermo-mechanical properties. In this contribution, photoinduced curing of (meth)acrylates is used to build the desired 3D structure, whereas the thermally triggered polymerization reaction of 2H-chromene functionalized building blocks is utilized to create the IPN. This strategy combines the advantages of traditional UV-curable monomers with high-performance thermosets. After the successful synthesis of the bispropargyl ether derivative, i.e., 4,4′-(propane-2,2-diyl)bis((ethynyloxy)benzene), its thermally induced conversion to the corresponding 2H chromene functionalized prepolymer is studied by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The network formation as well as the printability of various formulations containing different amounts of the thermo-curable building block is investigated. The obtained IPNs provide enhanced thermo-mechanical properties making these resins suitable for the additive manufacturing of functional 3D parts for high-performance applications.     

Xanthohumol kills B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells by an apoptotic mechanism

B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is an indolent lymphoid malignancy with variable prognosis. Adverse prognostic factors comprise treatment resistance, cytogenetics (11q- and 17p-), the presence of unmutated Ig genes, and the more comprehensive activation marker Zap 70. In contrast to diminished sensitivity to chemotherapy, Zap 70+ B-CLL cells retain their responsiveness to manipulation of signal transduction and monoclonals. Xanthohumol (XA) has recently been documented to have an impact on breast cancer cell growth and invasiveness in vitro. Based on these observations, lymphocytes from patients with B-CLL were cultured in the presence of XA in vitro. XA induced a dose-dependent killing of B-CLL cells at an LD(50) ((24 h)) of 24.4 +/- 6.6 microM, independent of known adverse prognostic factors including functional loss of p53. Cell death was associated with poly (ADP)-ribose polymerase cleavage and annexin V positivity, suggestive of an apoptotic mechanism. Surprisingly, p 70(S 6 K) phosphorylation was stimulated upon XA treatment. In conclusion, XA has an antitumor activity on B-CLL cells in vitro. The molecular mechanisms behind this pro-apoptotic effect deserve further investigation.     

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella recovered from processed poultry

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolates recovered from processed poultry. Four hundred eighty pre- and postchill whole broiler chicken carcasses were collected from a poultry processing plant between July 2004 and June 2005. Water samples also were collected at the entrance and exit of the chiller. After preenrichment, carcass and water samples were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella using the automated BAX system followed by traditional culture methods. The proportions of pre- and postchill carcasses that were positive for Salmonella were 88.4 and 84.1%, respectively. Ninety-two percent of water samples collected at the entrance of the chiller were positive for Salmonella, but all exit samples were negative. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of Salmonella between pre- and postchill carcasses (P > 0.05). Salmonella isolates recovered were serotyped and tested for susceptibility to antimicrobials. Thirteen serotypes were identified; the most common were Salmonella Kentucky (59.5%) and Salmonella Typhimurium (17.8%). Three hundred thirty-nine (79.8%) of the isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial, and 53.4% were resistant to three or more antimicrobials. Resistance was most often observed to tetracycline (73.4% of isolates), ampicillin (52.9%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (52%), ceftiofur (51.7%), streptomycin (35.2%), and sulfisoxazole (21.8%). These results indicate the high prevalence of Salmonella contamination in whole broiler carcasses, and a large number of these Salmonella isolates were resistant to commonly used antimicrobials.     

Survey on the content of vitisin A and hydroxyphenyl-pyranoanthocyanins in Tempranillo wines

Little is known about the content and development of pyranoanthocyanins, pigments mainly formed during red wine ageing, in commercial wines. Some of the major pyranoanthocyanins in a wide selection of 1–10 years-old Spanish Tempranillo wines and also in a 29 years wide-vertical series of Tempranillo wines from an individual cellar have been determined. Great variability in pyranoanthocyanin concentrations was found (range, mg/l): vitisin A, 0–10.76; pinotin A, 0–4.26; and malvidin 3-glucoside-4-vinylphenol, 0.03–1.37. Vitisin A and malvidin 3-glucoside-4-vinylphenol were already present in 1–2 years-old wines, whereas pinotin A was only detectable in a few of the 1 and 2 years-old wines. Vitisin A tended to decrease with wine age, while hydroxyphenyl-pyranoanthocyanins showed the reverse trend. However, the aforementioned trends were interrupted by various temporary maxima, most likely due to some “refreshment” of the oldest wines (i.e., addition of young wine), as suggested by unexpected high concentrations of malvidin 3-glucoside, in contrast to the results found in the wine vertical series. The effects of addition of young wine on aged wine pyranoanthocyanin concentrations were confirmed by wine refreshment experiments.     

Kernel‐based gluten contamination of gluten‐free oatmeal complicates gluten assessment as it causes binary‐like test outcomes

Gluten‐free (GF) foods, whose claim compliance is controlled at the ‘serving level’, hold better chances of protecting gluten‐intolerant consumers. This is particularly true for GF oatmeal, as oats are easily contaminated with gluten‐rich kernels of wheat, rye and barley, which remain intact to the spoon as pill‐like flakes. A single contaminant kernel in otherwise pure oats results in GF labelling noncompliance, thereby posing a risk to patients with coeliac disease. Our in‐market survey of 965 GF oatmeal servings uncovered that one in fifty‐seven servings exceeded the GF labelling maximum of 20 mg kg^?1 (i.e. 20 ppm). The noncompliance pattern was ‘binary‐like’, with kernel‐based contamination the suspected pass/fail driver. We have highlighted probabilities of misassessment for various sample sizes in light of oat's natural propensity for kernel‐based contamination and proposed use of attribute‐based sampling for compliance assessment, thereby providing a way to assess/manage/control ‘rates of servings containing a contaminant kernel’ within acceptable limits with high confidence.     

Short communication: Passive shedding of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in commercial dairy goats in Brazil

Goat farming is a low-cost alternative to dairy production in developing countries. In Brazil, goat production has increased in recent years due in part to the implementation of programs encouraging this activity. Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the causative agent of paratuberculosis, a disease that causes chronic granulomatous enteritis in ruminants, but MAP transmission dynamics are still poorly understood in goats. In a previously published study of our research group, 10 dairy goat farms (467 animals) from Minas Gerais state were analyzed for MAP detection; 2 fecal cultures and 11 milk samples tested positive for MAP by conventional PCR and were confirmed by sequencing. Because no clinical signs were observed over 1 yr of monitoring, we hypothesized that these MAP-positive goats could be passive shedders. Thus, in the present study, 4 positive goats (4/13) from the previous study were purchased and feces and milk samples were collected for evaluation (twice, with an interval of 3 mo between tests) by culture of MAP, IS900 PCR, or both. All analyses were negative for MAP. At the last time point, blood samples were collected for ELISA, the animals were killed, and tissues collected for tissue culture and histopathology. At necropsy, no macroscopic lesions related to paratuberculosis were observed. Similarly, no histological changes were observed and MAP in samples stained by Ziehl–Neelsen was not detected. These animals were characterized as potential passive shedders with upward contamination of the teat canal by MAP. This is the first report of the passive shedding phenomenon in goats in Brazil and it highlights the importance of identifying these animals for control programs and to ensure the quality of dairy products.     

Reversible electrochemical insertion of anions in poly-p-phenylene from aqueous electrolytes

Poly-p-phenylene (PPP) was synthesized from benzene according to the Kovacic method. Electrodes were made from this electronic insulator by cold- or hot-pressing of the loose, brown powder, under the addition of 7.5 wt. % soot (Corax L^®, Degussa AG). The electrochemical insertion and removal of anions HSO⁻₄, ClO⁻₄ in this material in aqueous solutions of the corresponding acids was investigated by slow cyclic voltammetry.

Initially, only a surface layer of about 0.1 mm thickness takes part in the electrochemical processes, which are reversible. A maximum concentration of anions in the solid of [(−C₆H₄−)⁺₇ A⁻] is attainable. The maximum degree of insertion is equal to 0.14. The insertion potential U_I shifts strongly into the negative direction with increasing concentration c of the acid. A linear U_I/c relationship is observed as in the case of graphite, where the intercalation potential is more positive by 20–200 mV for the same electrolyte. The round trip current efficiency for the insertion/removal cycle increases with increasing acid concentration attaining 100% in 14 M H₂SO₄ or 11.3 M CHlO₄. For a given concentration, increases in the same order as with graphite (H₂SO₄ < HClO₄ < HBF₄), being somewhat lower for a given electrolyte composition. From anodic current limitation (j_lim = 5–10 mA cm⁻²), a diffusion coefficient of about D = 2 × 10⁻⁷ cm² s⁻¹ is derived for the transport of anions in the bulk of PPP. The striking similarity of our results to former findings with graphite is thoroughly discussed. Some general conclusions are derived thereof.