Modulation of Biodistribution,Pharmacokinetics, and Photosensitivity with the Delivery Vehicle of a Bacteriochlorin Photosensitizer for Photodynamic Therapy

Intravenous (i.v.) formulations with various amounts of organic solvents [PEG₄₀₀, propylene glycol (PG), cremophor EL (CrEL)] were used to deliver a fluorinated sulfonamide bacteriochlorin to mice, rats, and minipigs. Biodistribution studies in mice showed that a low‐content CrEL formulation combines high bioavailability with high tumor‐to‐muscle and tumor‐to‐skin ratios. This formulation was also the most successful in the photodynamic therapy of mice with subcutaneously implanted CT26 murine colon adenocarcinoma tumors. Pharmacokinetic studies in mice and minipigs revealed that with the same low CrEL formulation, the half‐life of the photosensitizer in the central compartment was longer in minipigs. Differences in biodistribution with the various formulations, and in pharmacokinetics between the two animal species with the same formulation, are attributed to the interaction of the formulations with low‐density lipoproteins (LDLs). Skin photosensitivity studies in rats showed that 30 min exposure of the skin to a solar simulator 7 days after i.v. administration of the fluorinated sulfonamide bacteriochlorin at 1 mg kg^?1 did not elicit significant skin reactions.     

Implicit Decals: Interactive Editing of Repetitive Patterns on Surfaces

Texture mapping is an essential component for creating 3D models and is widely used in both the game and the movie industries. Creating texture maps has always been a complex task and existing methods carefully balance flexibility with ease of use. One difficulty in using texturing is the repeated placement of individual textures over larger areas. In this paper, we propose a method which uses decals to place images onto a model. Our method allows the decals to compete for space and to deform as they are being pushed by other decals. A spherical field function is used to determine the position and the size of each decal and the deformation applied to fit the decals. The decals may span multiple objects with heterogeneous representations. Our method does not require an explicit parametrization of the model. As such, varieties of patterns, including repeated patterns like rocks, tiles and scales can be mapped. We have implemented the method using the GPU where placement, size and orientation of thousands of decals are manipulated in real time.     

The effect of different starter cultures and ripening temperatures on formation of biogenic amine in Turkish fermented sausages

Different starter culture added groups (Group I: Lactobacillus sake, Staphylococcus xylosus; Group II: Lactobacillus plantarum, Staphylococcus carnosus; Group III: Lactobacillus curvatus, Staphylococcus carnosus, and Staphylococcus xylosus) and control group sausage samples were produced experimentally at two different temperatures (22 and 26 °C). In raw materials and all groups, by the 0th, 2nd, 5th and 7th days of the ripening period, the analysis of HPLC and biogenic amine (tyramine, histamine, cadaverine, putrescine, phenylethylamine, tryptamine, spermine, and spermidine) amounts, microbiological (Lactic acid bacteria, Micrococcus/Staphylococcus, Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus spp., and moulds–yeasts) and chemical (pH, dry matter, and salt) have been done. During the ripening period, there is no statistical discrepancy (P > 0.05) in terms of biogenic amine amounts, microbiological, and chemical values detected from the sausage samples produced at 26 and 22 °C. However, in both levels of temperature, there is statistical discrepancy (P < 0.001) detected in terms of tyramine, putrescine values and the count of Enterococcus spp. between the starter culture added samples and control group samples. By this study, it has been stated that the ripening temperature does not make any statistical discrepancy (P > 0.05) for all values but the use of starter culture prevents the formation of biogenic amine in Turkish fermented sausages.     

Fatty acid composition of egg yolk phospholipid fractions following feed supplementation of Lohmann Brown hens with humic-fat preparations

The effect of feed supplementation with humic-fat preparations on the fatty acid composition of egg yolk phospholipid fractions was studied. The Lohmann Brown was the experimental hen strain and two feeding mixtures were applied – the standard feed and the mixture supplemented with humic-fat preparations. The fatty acid profile of yolk lipids was significantly affected (P = .05) by the supplementation of feed and total increase of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was established. A different distribution of n-3 PUFA in egg yolk lipid fractions was observed: α-linolenic acid (18:3) was found in the triacylglycerol fraction, whereas docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) was detected in the phospholipid fractions. Supplementation of the hen’s diet with humic-fat preparations resulted in the production of n-3 enriched eggs with decreased n-6/n-3 ratio in all phospholipid fractions in comparison to the eggs from the control group.     

Nanoausferritic matrix of ductile iron

Abstract

Austempered ductile iron is known for its excellent mechanical properties resulting from special phase composition and austempering heat treatment. Typical microstructure consists of ferrite plates of micrometre size submerged in untransformed austenite matrix. It has been recently shown that by use of appropriate chemical composition of cast iron and well targeted heat treatment parameters, it is possible to reduce ferrite plates width to submicron or even nanometric size. This creates the potential to achieve even higher mechanical properties of austempered ductile iron. The paper describes the influence of applied heat treatment parameters on microstructure of selected austempered ductile iron grades. Conditions necessary to reduce size of phases to a nanometric scale by heat treatment in austempered ductile iron are discussed.     

The interplay between leadership and organizational culture in the Turkish construction sector

Organizational culture and leadership are purported to be deeply integrated and intertwined within an organization. Although there is a substantial amount of research demonstrating the importance of the interplay of culture and leadership, there exist few empirical examinations of the nature of this link. To examine this link, based on Cameron and Quinn's Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument and Hofstede's Values Survey Module, a questionnaire survey was conducted. The sample consists of 499 managerial personnel out of 107 contracting firms. With the aim of achieving a better understanding of how leadership style is influenced by organizational culture, Multinomial Logistic Regression was used. The findings demonstrate that managers in the contracting companies with different cultural characteristics tend to adopt different leadership styles to lead their employees to succeed in their business. Information contained in this paper will feed into country-specific understanding of leadership and organizational culture within the construction industry.     

Extraction of phenolic compounds from sour cherry pomace with supercritical carbon dioxide: Impact of process parameters on the composition and antioxidant properties of extracts

Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) is rich in biologically active phenolic compounds. These compounds are concentrated in fruit skin and most of them remain in the leftovers during the production of juice. Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction was used to separate phenolic compounds from sour cherry pomace. The effects of temperature, pressure and the addition of ethanol on anthocyanin and the total phenolic content and radical scavenging activity of the extracts were investigated. The best results were acquired for 35°C, 10 MPa and 80% ethanol addition. A strong correlation was found between the phenolic content and other features of the extracts.     

Properties of Light MMCs Modified with Cordierite Synthesized from Fly Ash

This paper presents novel opportunities for management of fly ash by synthesizing the material into cordierite ceramics and using it as a reinforcing phase for light metal alloys. Metal matrix composites (based on magnesium alloy and aluminum alloy) were produced by squeeze casting. The magnesium matrix composites with a suitably selected reinforcing phase content (2 wt.%) exhibited much better strength properties than the unmodified alloy (AM60). It was also demonstrated that the wettability (or the lack thereof) in the metal-ceramic system is critical to successful production of the composites based on the AK7 alloy with cordierite. Light alloy matrix composites reinforced with cordierite ceramics particles are innovative materials that combine high strength with low weight, which may be a key factor of merit for numerous applications of the composite in various branches of industries.     

Evaluation of Gene Expression Knock-Down by Chemically and Structurally Modified Gapmer Antisense Oligonucleotides

We analyzed the effect of modified nucleotides within gapmer antisense oligonucleotides on RNase H mediated gene silencing. Additionally, short hairpins were introduced into antisense oligonucleotides as structural motifs, and their influence on biological and physicochemical properties of pre-structured gapmers was investigated for the first time. The results indicate that two LNA residues in specified positions of the gap flanking regions are sufficient and favorable for efficient knock-down of the β-actin gene. Furthermore, the introduction of other modified nucleotides, i. e. glycyl-amino-LNA−T, 2′-O-propagyluridine, polyamine functionalized uridine, and UNA, in specified positions, also increases the inhibition of β-actin expression. Importantly, the presence of hairpins within the gapmers improves their silencing properties.