Development of α-Tocopherol Acetate Nanoparticles: Influence of Preparative Processes

We studied different methods of preparing α-tocopherol acetate (ATA) nanoparticles, which are to be used in targeting the lungs as aerosols in order to prevent cigarette smoke toxicity. Poly-(lactide) nanoparticles were prepared using nanoprecipitation and solvent evaporation techniques, which produced, respectively, too small and too large nanoparticles to be aerosolized. The emulsification-diffusion method produced 2 months stable nanoparticles with a size between (500–700 nm). Increasing ATA concentration (1–7 mg/mL) induced a decrease in the association rate (97–93%) and in the adsorbed ATA rate (7–4.5%), which was associated with variations of Zeta potentials (?27.5 to ?24.3 mV) and decrease in polymeric wall thickness and density.     

On the effective conductivity and the apparent viscosity of a thin rough polymer interface using PGD-based separated representations

Composite manufacturing processes usually proceed from preimpregnated preforms that are consolidated by simultaneously applying heat and pressure, so as to ensure a perfect contact compulsory for making molecular diffusion possible. However, in practice, the contact is rarely perfect. This results in a rough interface where air could remain entrapped, thus affecting the effective thermal conductivity. Moreover, the interfacial melted polymer is squeezed flowing in the rough gap created by the fibers located on the prepreg surfaces. Because of the typical dimensions of a composite prepreg, with thickness orders of magnitude smaller than its other in-plane dimensions, and its surface roughness having a characteristic size orders of magnitude smaller than the prepreg thickness, high-fidelity numerical simulations for elucidating the impact of surface and interface roughness remain today, despite the impressive advances in computational availabilities, unattainable. This work aims at elucidating roughness impact on heat conduction and the effective viscosity of the interfacial polymer squeeze flow by using an advanced numerical strategy able to reach resolutions never attained until now, a sort of numerical microscope able to attain the scale of the smallest geometrical detail.     

New Frontiers in Monoclonal Antibodies for the Targeted Therapy of Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) represent an unmet clinical need whose prognosis is still dismal. Alterations of immune response play a prominent role in AML/MDS pathogenesis, revealing novel options for immunotherapy. Among immune system regulators, CD47, immune checkpoints, and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) are major targets. Magrolimab antagonizes CD47, which is overexpressed by AML and MDS cells, thus inducing macrophage phagocytosis with clinical activity in AML/MDS. Sabatolimab, an inhibitor of T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM3), which disrupts its binding to galectin-9, has shown promising results in AML/MDS, enhancing the effector functions of lymphocytes and triggering tumor cell death. Several other surface molecules, namely CD33, CD123, CD45, and CD70, can be targeted with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that exert different mechanisms of action and include naked and conjugated antibodies, bispecific T-cell engagers, trispecific killer engagers, and fusion proteins linked to toxins. These novel mAbs are currently under investigation for use as monotherapy or in combination with hypomethylating agents, BCL2 inhibitors, and chemotherapy in various clinical trials at different phases of development. Here, we review the main molecular targets and modes of action of novel mAb-based immunotherapies, which can represent the future of AML and higher risk MDS treatment.     

White and green tea polyphenols inhibit pancreatic lipase in vitro

Green, white and black teas were assayed for inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity in vitro. White tea proved to be more effective than green tea with black tea showing little inhibition even at 200 μg GAE/ml. The EC₅₀ values for inhibition were 22 μg/ml for white tea and 35 μg/ml for green tea; both easily achievable from normal infusions of tea. Liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis showed that white and green teas had essentially equal amounts of flavan-3-ols but green tea had higher levels of flavonols. White tea had higher levels of 5-galloyl quinic acid, digalloyl glucose, trigalloyl glucose and the tannin, strictinin.After chromatography on Sephadex LH-20, the main inhibitory fraction was enriched in strictinin and fractions enriched in other components were ineffective. This suggests that strictinin content may be crucial for inhibition of pancreatic lipase. However, the possibility of synergies between the polyphenols cannot be disregarded.     

Microgrids and resilience: Using a systems approach to achieve climate adaptation and mitigation goals

Although energy resource sustainability has been researched extensively, the understanding of how we use and interact with electricity sustainably is less understood. New electrical designs, like microgrids, provide opportunities to better address the immediate needs of electrical sustainability and urban development. This paper analyzes the role of microgrids in urban development and examines how greater systemic thinking between infrastructure planning and energy policymaking can increase a city’s resilience.     

A comparative study for the ion exchange of Fe(III) and Zn(II) on zeolite NaY

The uptake capacity of Fe(III) and Zn(II) ions in NaY zeolite was investigated. Experiments were carried out in a fixed bed column at 30 degrees C, pH 3.5 and 4.5 for Fe(III) and Zn(II), respectively, and an average particle size of 0.180 mm. In order to minimize the diffusional resistances the influence of flow rate on the breakthrough curves at feed concentrations of 1.56 meq/L for Fe(III) and 0.844 meq/L for Zn(II) was investigated. Flow rate of the minimal resistance in the bed according to mass transfer parameter were 2.0 mL/min for iron and 8.0 mL/min for zinc ions. Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models have been used to represent the column equilibrium data. The iron dynamic isotherm was successfully modeled by the Langmuir equation and this mathematical model described well the experimental breakthrough curves for feed concentrations from 0.1 up to 3.5 meq/L. The zinc dynamic isotherm was successfully modeled by the Freundlich equation. This equilibrium model was applied to mathematical model. Experimental breakthrough curves could be predicted. Experiments were also carried out in a batch reactor to investigate the kinetics adsorption of the ions Fe(III) and Zn(II). Langmuir kinetic model fit well both experimental data.