The Role of the PFNA Operon of Bifidobacteria in the Recognition of Host’s Immune Signals: Prospects for the Use of the FN3 Protein in the Treatment of COVID-19

Bifidobacteria are some of the major agents that shaped the immune system of many members of the animal kingdom during their evolution. Over recent years, the question of concrete mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory properties of bifidobacteria has been addressed in both animal and human studies. A possible candidate for this role has been discovered recently. The PFNA cluster, consisting of five core genes, pkb2, fn3, aaa-atp, duf58, tgm, has been found in all gut-dwelling autochthonous bifidobacterial species of humans. The sensory region of the species-specific serine-threonine protein kinase (PKB2), the transmembrane region of the microbial transglutaminase (TGM), and the type-III fibronectin domain-containing protein (FN3) encoded by the I gene imply that the PFNA cluster might be implicated in the interaction between bacteria and the host immune system. Moreover, the FN3 protein encoded by one of the genes making up the PFNA cluster, contains domains and motifs of cytokine receptors capable of selectively binding TNF-α. The PFNA cluster could play an important role for sensing signals of the immune system. Among the practical implications of this finding is the creation of anti-inflammatory drugs aimed at alleviating cytokine storms, one of the dire consequences resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection.     

Influence of cement type on ITZ porosity and chloride resistance of self-compacting concrete

With the increasing use of self-compacting concrete (SCC) its durability has come into focus. Concerning the microstructure of concrete, the porosity in the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) is regarded as a key feature for permeability and durability. Generally, a combination of cement and mineral admixtures is used for the production of SCC. In the present study, ITZ porosity of four SCC mixtures produced with ordinary Portland cement, Portland limestone cement, slag cement and ordinary Portland cement combined with fly ash is analyzed. Additionally, the chloride migration coefficient is determined. ITZ porosity and width of the SCC mixtures are similar. The substantial differences in the chloride migration coefficients show that the binder type has a stronger influence on permeability than the pore volume in the ITZ.     

Review: current international research into cellulose nanofibres and nanocomposites

This paper provides an overview of recent progress made in the area of cellulose nanofibre-based nanocomposites. An introduction into the methods used to isolate cellulose nanofibres (nanowhiskers, nanofibrils) is given, with details of their structure. Following this, the article is split into sections dealing with processing and characterisation of cellulose nanocomposites and new developments in the area, with particular emphasis on applications. The types of cellulose nanofibres covered are those extracted from plants by acid hydrolysis (nanowhiskers), mechanical treatment and those that occur naturally (tunicate nanowhiskers) or under culturing conditions (bacterial cellulose nanofibrils). Research highlighted in the article are the use of cellulose nanowhiskers for shape memory nanocomposites, analysis of the interfacial properties of cellulose nanowhisker and nanofibril-based composites using Raman spectroscopy, switchable interfaces that mimic sea cucumbers, polymerisation from the surface of cellulose nanowhiskers by atom transfer radical polymerisation and ring opening polymerisation, and methods to analyse the dispersion of nanowhiskers. The applications and new advances covered in this review are the use of cellulose nanofibres to reinforce adhesives, to make optically transparent paper for electronic displays, to create DNA-hybrid materials, to generate hierarchical composites and for use in foams, aerogels and starch nanocomposites and the use of all-cellulose nanocomposites for enhanced coupling between matrix and fibre. A comprehensive coverage of the literature is given and some suggestions on where the field is likely to advance in the future are discussed.     

Electron spin resonance spectroscopy: a promising method for studying lipid oxidation in foods

Oxidative reactions that involve lipids are among the most important causes of deterioration of foods and affect both their shelf life and their organoleptic and nutritional properties. Radicals are intermediate key‐constituents in these reactions. Their detection is therefore essential in order to understand and predict early stages of these destructive oxidations. Several Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) methodologies (direct and indirect) make it possible to identify, quantify and measure the reactivity of radical species formed during oxidative‐reductive reactions. They are also used to evaluate the antiradical activity of antioxidants delaying lipid oxidation. An overview on the use of different ESR methodologies to study lipid oxidation in foods is reported in this paper.     

Understanding surface partial discharges in HV coils and the role of semi-conductive protection

An electrical insulating system in high voltage rotating machines is subjected to several stresses that cause changes of material properties during its lifetime. This phenomenon reduces progressively ability of the insulation to withstand the service stresses. Internal partial discharges can be located inside the high voltage insulation and usually they are dangerous for life-cycle duration. Surface discharges are generated at the solid/air interface in the gaps of machine stator slots or at the slot exits. Surface discharges can cause more intensive deterioration of the insulation, accelerate aging processes and definitively take aim toward premature failure of the machine. The application of conductive or semi-conductive protection layer provides certain protection for solid insulation from these discharges. Semi-conductive corona protection tapes are used on the coils at the slot exit region to electrical field control and prevent surface discharges. Laboratory measurements of the surface partial discharge quantities in specimens of high voltage coils with mica insulation were performed. The aim of the paper is to describe theoretically the development of surface discharges in rotating machines and to present surface partial discharge development in HV motors when semi-conductive layer protection is missing. The results can be found useful to understand better the surface discharge development and importance of high-quality semi-conductive protection technology.     

Influence of Contact Surface Type on the Mechanical Damages of Apples Under Impact Loads

This paper presents an analysis of mechanical damage carried out on ‘Golden Delicious’ apple variety, which was subjected to impact loads during free drop against various rigid plates. For this purpose, an analysis of the contact pressure based on determined contours and surface pressure distributions at the contact point between the fruit dropped from various heights against fixed hard plates was performed. The impact test was conducted by means of Tekscan® system supported by computer verifying analysis. To obtain impact loads as well as their courses, the surface pressures and the bruise volumes were determined. Furthermore, use of ultra-thin pressure sensors allowed for determination of the characteristic shape of contact area and the impact of fruit onto rigid plate. The results showed that the impact of fruit against rigid surface (concrete, wood) generates high values of maximum surface pressure and the bruise volume, observed at dropping from 10 mm. A decrease in hardness of the test material (polyethylene foam) with decreasing maximum surface pressure approximately twice was noticed. The polyethylene foam is one of the best materials which protect fruit from mechanical damage, confirmed by the relation of bruise surface to contact surface, which did not exceed 35% during the impact at 150 mm. The results of proposed studies can contribute to developing of harvest, handling, and transport processes, aiming at reduction in losses among fruit growers and production costs, i.e., by improvement of transport method.     

Determination of Antioxidant Activity and Polyphenols Content in Chips by Raman and IR Spectroscopy

The application of vibrational spectroscopy for the determination of total polyphenols content, antioxidant activity, colour parameters, and fat level in chips originated from yellow-, red- and purple-fleshed potato varieties is reported. Raman, infrared (IR) and near-infrared (NIR) spectra of the laboratory-prepared chips were collected. Combining spectral data with the results of reference analyses, partial least squares regression models were built. To characterise and compare the elaborated models, the relative standard errors of prediction were calculated for calibration and validation sets. In the case of total phenolics quantification by Raman/IR/NIR techniques, these errors (%) amounted to 4.0/7.0/7.1 and 6.4/8.5/8.4 for calibration and validation samples, respectively, whereas they were 4.9/7.7/4.8 and 6.6/8.3/6.8 for antioxidant activity. The obtained results demonstrate that both infrared and Raman spectroscopy can effectively replace commonly used extraction methods. It follows that Raman spectroscopy has the highest potential to be adopted for the online potato-derived product analysis.     

Austenitic Nickel- and Manganese-Free Fe-15Cr-1Mo-0.4N-0.3C Steel: Tensile Behavior and Deformation-Induced Processes between 298 K and 503 K (25 °C and 230 °C)

The high-temperature austenite phase of a high-interstitial Mn- and Ni-free stainless steel was stabilized at room temperature by the full dissolution of precipitates after solution annealing at 1523 K (1250 °C). The austenitic steel was subsequently tensile-tested in the temperature range of 298 K to 503 K (25 °C to 230 °C). Tensile elongation progressively enhanced at higher tensile test temperatures and reached 79 pct at 503 K (230 °C). The enhancement at higher temperatures of tensile ductility was attributed to the increased mechanical stability of austenite and the delayed formation of deformation-induced martensite. Microstructural examinations after tensile deformation at 433 K (160 °C) and 503 K (230 °C) revealed the presence of a high density of planar glide features, most noticeably deformation twins. Furthermore, the deformation twin to deformation-induced martensite transformation was observed at these temperatures. The results confirm that the high tensile ductility of conventional Fe-Cr-Ni and Fe-Cr-Ni-Mn austenitic stainless steels may be similarly reproduced in Ni- and Mn-free high-interstitial stainless steels solution annealed at sufficiently high temperatures. The tensile ductility of the alloy was found to deteriorate with decarburization and denitriding processes during heat treatment which contributed to the formation of martensite in an outermost rim of tensile specimens.