In-situ synthesis of CuO nanoparticles on cotton fabrics using spark discharge method to fabricate antibacterial textile

In this research, the spark discharge method (SDM) was used for in-situ synthesis of copper and copper oxide nanoparticles (NPs) on cotton fabrics for producing antibacterial textile. Varieties of analytical techniques were applied for the characterization of both NPs and synthesized CuO NPs on cotton fabrics. The structural characterization of the particles was carried out by the X-ray powder diffraction method. Also, the morphological properties of treated cotton samples were investigated using scanning electron microscope. Particle size and size distribution were measured by dynamic light scattering apparatus. The results show that concentration of 100 ppm is enough for killing 10⁶ CFU/mL of bacteria. It is indicated that the synthesized CuO NPs are very strong against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Also, the durability of antibacterial efficiency after 15 times of washing was tested. The results confirm that the antibacterial fastness properties are significant and no colonies spread over agar plate after 15 cycles of washing. It was concluded that SDM for in-situ synthesize of nano-CuO on cotton fabrics in batch systems is very promising method.     

Increasing the Dimensionality of Soft Microstructures through Injection‐Induced Self‐Folding

Devices fabricated using soft materials have been a major research focus of late, capturing the attention of scientists and laypersons alike in a wide range of fields, from microfluidics to robotics. The functionality of such devices relies on their structural and material properties; thus, the fabrication method is of utmost importance. Here, multilayer soft lithography, precision laser micromachining, and folding to establish a new paradigm are combined for creating 3D soft microstructures and devices. Phase‐changing materials are exploited to transform actuators into structural elements, allowing 2D laminates to evolve into a third spatial dimension. To illustrate the capabilities of this new fabrication paradigm, the first “microfluidic origami for reconfigurable pneumatic/hydraulic” device is designed and manufactured: a 12‐layer soft robotic peacock spider with embedded microfluidic circuitry and actuatable features.     

Synthesis of Four Steroidal Carbamates with Antitumor Activity against Mouse Colon Carcinoma CT26WT Cells: In Vitro and In Silico Evidence

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide. If detected on time, surgery can expand life expectations of patients up to five more years. However, if metastasis has grown deliberately, the use of chemotherapy can play a crucial role in CRC control. Moreover, the lack of selectivity of current anticancer drugs, plus mutations that occur in cancerous cells, demands the development of new chemotherapeutic agents. Several steroids have shown their potentiality as anticancer agents, while some other compounds, such as Taxol and its derivatives bearing a carbamate functionality, have reached the market. In this article, the synthesis, characterization, and antiproliferative activity of four steroidal carbamates on mouse colon carcinoma CT26WT cells are described. Carbamate synthesis occurred via direct reaction between diosgenin, its B-ring modified derivative, and testosterone with phenyl isocyanate under a Brønsted acid catalysis. All obtained compounds were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), High Resolution Mass Spectroscopy (HRMS); their melting points are also reported. Results obtained from antiproliferative activity assays indicated that carbamates compounds have inhibitory effects on the growth of this colon cancer cell line. A molecular docking study carried out on Human Prostaglandin E Receptor (EP4) showed a high affinity between carbamates and protein, thus providing a valuable theoretical explanation of the in vitro results.     

miRNA and mRNA Expression Profiles Associated with Lymph Node Metastasis and Prognosis in Penile Carcinoma

Penile cancer (PeC) is a rare disease, and no prognostic biomarkers have been adopted in clinical practice yet. The objective of the present study was to identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs) and genes (DEGs) as potential biomarkers for lymph node metastasis and other prognostic factors in PeC. Tumor samples were prospectively obtained from 24 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. miRNA microarray analysis was performed comparing tumors from patients with inguinal lymph node metastatic and localized disease, and the results were validated by qRT-PCR. Eighty-three gene expression levels were also compared between groups through qRT-PCR. Moreover, DEmiRs and DEGs expression levels were correlated with clinicopathological variables, cancer-specific (CSS), and overall survival (OS). TAC software, TM4 MeV 4.9 software, SPSS v.25.0, and R software v.4.0.2 were used for statistical analyses. We identified 21 DEmiRs in microarray analysis, and seven were selected for validation. miR-744-5p and miR-421 were overexpressed in tissue samples of metastatic patients, and high expression of miR-421 was also associated with lower OS. We found seven DEGs (CCND1, EGFR, ENTPD5, HOXA10, IGF1R, MYC, and SNAI2) related to metastatic disease. A significant association was found between increased MMP1 expression and tumor size, grade, pathological T stage, and perineural invasion. Other genes were also associated with clinicopathological variables, CSS and OS. Finally, we found changes in mRNA–miRNA regulation that contribute to understanding the mechanisms involved in tumor progression. Therefore, we identified miRNA and mRNA expression profiles as potential biomarkers associated with lymph node metastasis and prognosis in PeC, in addition to disruption in mRNA–miRNA regulation during disease progression.     

Contingency management treatments: Reinforcing abstinence versus adherence with goal-related activities.

Contingency management (CM) interventions usually reinforce submission of drug-negative specimens, but they can also reinforce adherence with goal-related activities. This study compared the efficacy of the 2 approaches. Substance-abusing outpatients (N = 131) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 12-week treatments: standard treatment (ST), ST with CM for submitting negative urine toxicology screens, or ST with CM for completing goal-related activities. CM patients remained in treatment longer and achieved more abstinence than ST patients, but the CM condition that reinforced submission of negative samples resulted in better outcomes than the CM condition that reinforced goal-related activities. Abstinence at 6- and 9-month follow-ups did not differ by group, but longest duration of abstinence achieved during treatment was associated with abstinence posttreatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gastrulation and hatch as critical thermal windows for salmonid embryo development

Climate change and impoundment increase river temperatures, shifting the bioclimatic envelope in which freshwater biota have evolved and increasing salmonid egg mortality. To mitigate this, conservation flows from reservoirs are often implemented to maintain favourable water temperatures downstream from impoundments throughout salmonid embryo development. However, as water to maintain conservation flows becomes scarcer, there is a need to understand the requirements of salmonid embryos and balance these with anthropogenic demands. This study combines a laboratory-based and a modelling approach to test the effect of different temperatures on the survival from fertilisation to hatch of a model salmonid species. Further, the effect of dropping temperatures from high to optimal conditions at hatch—a perceived period of greater sensitivity to high temperatures—is tested. The study shows embryo mortality increases with temperature and is greatest during gastrulation and hatch. Also, embryos that experienced high temperatures during gastrulation had high mortality rates at hatch, even when hatch conditions were optimal. This indicates sublethal developmental abnormalities caused by high temperatures during gastrulation increase mortality at hatch. Therefore, to maintain high rates of salmonid embryo survival, cold water resources from reservoirs ideally will target both gastrulation and hatch developmental stages.     

Space photovoltaics

The key elements of spacecraft photovoltaic cell and array design are identified and the historical development of space photovoltaics is discussed. Important parameters are listed for earth orbiting, near-earth, near-sun and outer planetary missions. The earth-orbiting missions are described within the context of low earth orbit, mid-altitude earth orbit and geosynchronous earth orbit. Requirements governed by the choice of mission, such as total power, insolation, temperature, radiation environment and stowed volume, are discussed with respect to the solar cell parameters important to that mission (conversion efficiency, weight, tolerance to the space radiation environment, cost and availability). Array parameters (dollars per watt, watts per kilogram, watts per square meter) are discussed for three types of arrays (rigid, lightweight flexible and concentrator). Progress in cell efficiencies is noted with a record GaInP/GaAs cell efficiency of 26·9%. Recent advances in thin-film cells (copper–indium diselenide and amorphous silicon) are discussed. Manufacturing capability and progress in multiple bandgap cells is noted. Space photovoltaics can look forward to an exciting next 10 years as the demand for a variety of satellites continues to grow. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. This paper was produced under the auspices of the US Government and it is therefore not subject to copyright in the USA