The Age-Sensitive Efficacy of Calorie Restriction on Mitochondrial Biogenesis and mtDNA Damage in Rat Liver

Calorie restriction (CR) is the most efficacious treatment to delay the onset of age-related changes such as mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the sensitivity of mitochondrial markers to CR and the age-related boundaries of CR efficacy are not fully elucidated. We used liver samples from ad libitum-fed (AL) rats divided in: 18-month-old (AL-18), 28-month-old (AL-28), and 32-month-old (AL-32) groups, and from CR-treated (CR) 28-month-old (CR-28) and 32-month-old (CR-32) counterparts to assay the effect of CR on several mitochondrial markers. The age-related decreases in citrate synthase activity, in TFAM, MFN2, and DRP1 protein amounts and in the mtDNA content in the AL-28 group were prevented in CR-28 counterparts. Accordingly, CR reduced oxidative mtDNA damage assessed through the incidence of oxidized purines at specific mtDNA regions in CR-28 animals. These findings support the anti-aging effect of CR up to 28 months. Conversely, the protein amounts of LonP1, Cyt c, OGG1, and APE1 and the 4.8 Kb mtDNA deletion content were not affected in CR-28 rats. The absence of significant differences between the AL-32 values and the CR-32 counterparts suggests an age-related boundary of CR efficacy at this age. However, this only partially curtails the CR benefits in counteracting the generalized aging decline and the related mitochondrial involvement.     

Synthesis of thermoresponsive copolymer/silica-coated magnetite nanoparticle composite and its application for heavy metal ion recovery

To enhance chemical stability and suppress of aggregation of magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs), which are used as a support for thermoresponsive copolymer immobilization, silica coating of the MNPs is applied via the electrooxidation method. Although the resulting silica coated-MNPs also formed aggregates, the size distribution of the aggregate shifted to smaller size range. Because of that, the surface area available for copolymer immobilization increased approximately 6.7 times at maximum as compared with that of the uncoated MNPs. It contributed to the increase of the amount of the immobilized copolymer on the silica-coated MNPs, which is approximately four times larger than that on the uncoated MNPs. Fe₃O₄ dissolution test confirmed enhancement of chemical stability of MNPs. The thermoresponsive copolymer immobilized on the silica-coated MNPs shows the ability to recycle Cu(II) ion from Cu(II) containing solution by changing temperature with significantly shorter time than those in other thermoresponsive adsorbents in gel form.     

The Chemistry of DPPH· Free Radical and Congeners

Since the discovery in 1922 of 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl stable free radical (DPPH^·), the chemistry of such open-shell compounds has developed continuously, allowing for both theoretical and practical advances in the free radical chemistry area. This review presents the important, general and modern aspects of the chemistry of hydrazyl free radicals and the science behind it.     

Mechanical properties and wear behavior of Tin+1(Al,A)Cn (A = Ga,In, Sn,n = 1, 2) via quasi-high-entropy of single atomic thick A layer

The strengthening method of multi-element M-site solid solution is a common approach to improve mechanical properties of MAX phase ceramic. However, the research on capability of multi-element A-site solid solution to improve mechanical properties has rarely been reported. Thereupon, quasi-high-entropy MAX phase ceramic bulks of Ti₂(Al_1?xA_x)C and Ti₃(Al_1?xA_x)C₂ (A = Ga, In, Sn, x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) were successfully synthesized by in situ vacuum hot pressing via multi-elements solid solution. The multi-elements solid solution in single-atom thick A layer was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mappings. Effects of doped multi-elements contents on the phase, microstructure, mechanical properties, and high temperature tribological behaviors were studied. Results demonstrated that the Vickers hardness, anisotropic flexural strength, fracture toughness, and tribological properties of Ti–Al–C based MAX ceramics could be remarkably improved by constitution of quasi-high-entropy MAX phase in A layers. Moreover, the strengthening and wear mechanisms were also discussed in detail. This method of multi-element solid solution at A-site provides new way to enhance mechanical properties of other MAX phase ceramics.     

Synthesis of succinic acid-based polyamide through direct solid-state polymerization method: Avoiding cyclization of succinic acid

Succinic acid is an important synthetic monomer but it is difficult to use it as a precursor for synthesizing high molecular weight polyamide, due to its tendency to perform intra-cyclization reaction at high temperature. In order to solve this problem, in this paper, the direct solid-state polymerization (DSSP) method with the initial reactant, nylon salt which was composed of 1, 5-diaminopentane, succinic acid, and terephthalic acid, was applied to synthesize the bio-based copolyamide PA 5T/54. In comparison with the conventional melting polymerization method, the DSSP method can prevent the cyclization reaction of succinic acid effectively due to the lower reacting temperature as well as the restriction effect of the nylon salt. As a result, the product fabricated by DSSP method has higher molecular weight and much lighter color from red to white. Therefore, the DSSP method is advantageous for the synthesis of the polymers or copolymers composed of the succinic acid as the monomer. Furthermore, the polymerization mechanism proposed in this work can serve as a guidance for the design of the molecular structure and control of the polymerization process.     

Development of vibration damping materials based on butyl rubber: A study of the phase equilibrium,rheological, and dynamic properties of compositions

A detailed study of butyl rubber-based vibration damping formulations linking their composition, morphology, phase structure, viscosity, mechanical loss factor, and other characteristics is presented for the first time. High performance of the compositions including aromatic petroleum oil is explained by limited solubility of the plasticizer that leads to the formation of a highly-viscous emulsion (η_20°C ≈ 1000 Pa·s) consisting of a swollen butyl rubber matrix and dispersed oil droplets in the broad composition range. Chalk is found to be the best inorganic filler as its spherical particles provide strong adhesion to the reinforcing layer of aluminum foil. Aiming to eliminate ecologically unfriendly aromatic compounds, a new low-cost binding agent formulation based on butyl rubber mixed with polyisobutylene and highly refined mineral oil is suggested. Being environmentally safe, it possesses high viscosity of 1000–3000 Pa·s, cohesion strength of 3.5–5.0 N/cm, penetration of 4.5–6.0 mm, and mechanical loss factor up to 0.34 at room temperature, which are as good as, or even better than, the properties of currently produced vibration damping materials containing aromatic compounds. New materials can be used in car and aircraft parts for effective vibration isolation.     

Inhibition of RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis by Novel Mutant RANKL

Background: Recently, it was reported that leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 4 (LGR4, also called GPR48) is another receptor for RANKL and was shown to compete with RANK to bind RANKL and suppress canonical RANK signaling during osteoclast differentiation. The critical role of the protein triad RANK–RANKL in osteoclastogenesis has made their binding an important target for the development of drugs against osteoporosis. In this study, point-mutations were introduced in the RANKL protein based on the crystal structure of the RANKL complex and its counterpart receptor RANK, and we investigated whether LGR4 signaling in the absence of the RANK signal could lead to the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis.; Methods: The effects of point-mutated RANKL (mRANKL-MT) on osteoclastogenesis were assessed by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), resorption pit formation, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), western blot, NFATc1 nuclear translocation, micro-CT and histomorphological assay in wild type RANKL (mRANKL-WT)-induced in vitro and in vivo experimental mice model. Results: As a proof of concept, treatment with the mutant RANKL led to the stimulation of GSK-3β phosphorylation, as well as the inhibition of NFATc1 translocation, mRNA expression of TRAP and OSCAR, TRAP activity, and bone resorption, in RANKL-induced mouse models; and Conclusions: The results of our study demonstrate that the mutant RANKL can be used as a therapeutic agent for osteoporosis by inhibiting RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis via comparative inhibition of RANKL. Moreover, the mutant RANKL was found to lack the toxic side effects of most osteoporosis treatments.     

Microstructural and mechanical properties assessment of transient liquid phase bonding of CoCuFeMnNi high entropy alloy

The transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding of CoCuFeMnNi high entropy alloy (HEA) was studied. The TLP bonding was performed using AWS BNi-2 interlayer at 1050 °C with the TLP bonding time of 20, 60, 180 and 240 min. The effect of bonding time on the joint microstructure was characterized by SEM and EDS. Microstructural results confirmed that complete isothermal solidification occurred approximately at 240 min of bonding time. For samples bonded at 20, 60 and 180 min, athermal solidification zone was formed in the bonding area which included Cr-rich boride and Mn₃Si intermetallic compound. For all samples, the γ solid solution was formed in the isothermal solidification zone of the bonding zone. To evaluate the effect of TLP bonding time on mechanical properties of joints, the shear strength and micro-hardness of joints were measured. The results indicated a decrement of micro-hardness in the bonding zone and an increment of micro-hardness in the adjacent zone of joints. The minimum and maximum values of shear strength were 100 and 180 MPa for joints with the bonding time of 20 and 240 min, respectively.     

Achieving excellent energy storage density of Pb0.97La0.02(ZrxSn0.05Ti0.95-x)O3 ceramics by the B-site modification

The applications of antiferroelectric (AFE) materials in miniaturized and integrated electronic devices are limited by their low energy density. To address the above issue, the antiferroelectricity of the reinforced material was designed to improve its AFE-ferroelectric (FE) phase transition under electric fields. In this present study, the composition of Zr⁴⁺ (0.72 Å) and Ti⁴⁺ (0.605 Å) at B-site of Pb_0.97La_0.02(Zr_xSn_0.05Ti_0.95-x)O₃ ceramics with orthogonal reflections are synthesized via the tape-casting method. These ceramics are modified to enhance their antiferroelectricity by reducing their tolerance factor. A recoverable energy storage density W_rec 12.1 J/cm³ was obtained for x = 0.93 under 376 kV/cm, which is superior value than reported until now in lead-based energy storage systems. Moreover, the discharge energy density can reach 10.23 J/cm³, and 90 % of which can be released within 5.66 μs. This work provides a new window and potential materials for further industrialization of pulse power capacitors.     

A novel approach for bulk micromachining of 4H-SiC by tool-based electrolytic plasma etching in HF-free aqueous solution

Bulk micromachining of single-crystal SiC has been challenging due to its extreme stability both mechanically and chemically. To address this issue, a novel tool-based electrolytic plasma etching method is proposed, with which micropatterns and micro-holes are fabricated in SiC in a hydrofluoric acid-free aqueous solution with no need for masks. The material removal is the result of the combined effects of electrolytic plasma chemistry and physics. The chemistry refers to the reaction of Si with hydroxyl radical to form various SiO_x and with H to form silanes, and the reactions of C to form volatile carbon oxides or hydrocarbons, all of which are accomplished and enhanced under the electrolytic plasma atmosphere. Besides, the local high temperature of plasma thermally promotes the evaporation or dissolution of SiO₂ in NaOH solution. The tool-based electrolytic plasma etching method provides alternative approaches for the fabrication of SiC-based MEMS and devices.