Mechanically Strong Polyurethane Composites Reinforced with Montmorillonite-Modified Sage Filler (Salvia officinalis L.)

Rigid polyurethane (PUR) foams reinforced with 1, 2, and 5 wt.% of salvia filler (SO filler) and montmorillonite-modified salvia filler (MMT-modified SO filler) were produced in the following study. The impact of 1, 2, and 5 wt.% of SO filler and MMT-modified SO filler on the morphological, chemical, and mechanical properties of PUR composites were examined. In both cases, the addition of 1 and 2 wt.% of SO fillers resulted in the synthesis of PUR composites with improved physicomechanical properties, while the addition of 5 wt.% of SO fillers resulted in the formation of PUR composites with a less uniform structure and, therefore, some deterioration in their physicomechanical performances. Moreover, the results showed that the modification of SO filler with MMT improved the interphase compatibility between filler surface and PUR matrix. Therefore, such reinforced PUR composites were characterized by a well-developed closed-cell structure and improved mechanical, thermal, and flame-retardant performances. For example, when compared with reference foam, the addition of 2 wt.% of MMT-modified SO filler resulted in the formation of PUR composites with greater mechanical properties (compressive strength, flexural strength) and improved dynamic-mechanical properties (storage modulus). The PUR composites were characterized by better thermal stability as well as improved flame retardancy—e.g., decreased peak rate of heat release (pHRR), reduced total smoke release (TSR), and increased limiting oxygen index (LOI).     

Fortification of low-nitrite canned pork with willow herb (Epilobium angustifolium L.)

Nitrite is a multifunctional additive used for meat products. However, cancerogenic N-nitrosoamines (NAs) can be formed from nitrite. For this reason, nitrite should be reduced or eliminated. This study aimed to (1) determine the phenolic content, composition, and in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of water lyophilized extracts of willow herb (WH); and (2) assess the effect of the extracts on lipid oxidation, colour, microbiological and chemical safety of canned pork with lower nitrite content during storage. For the preparation of extract, redistilled water at a temp. of 90°C (1:10) was used. The extracts were filtered and freeze-dried for 72 h (−80°C, 0.04 mbar). Five different variants of product were tested in the study: control (with 100 mg kg⁻¹ NaNO₂) and herbal samples (with 50, 100, 150, and 1000 mg kg⁻¹ WH). The samples were assessed for their colour, antioxidant capacity, lipid oxidation, pH, sensory characteristics, and the presence of N-nitrosamines and pathogenic bacteria. Oenothein B was found as the predominating compound in the analysed extract (HPLC) followed by querceti-3-O-rhamnoside and oenothein A, myricetin 3-O-glucoside. The addition of WH extract contributed to maintaining the typical, cured colour of canned meat as well as reducing the NaNO₂ content. Furthermore, fortification with 150 mg kg⁻¹ of Epilobium angustifolium L. extract allowed stabilising the antioxidant properties of canned meat during storage to a greater extent compared to 1000 mg kg⁻¹ of extract.     

2-Ethylhexanol Derivatives as Nonionic Surfactants: Synthesis and Properties

The synthesis and basic properties of 2‐ethylhexanol based innovative nonionic surfactants are described in this paper. 2‐Ethylhexanol as an available and relatively inexpensive raw material was used as the hydrophobe source modified by propoxylation and followed by polyethoxylation. As the result, six series of 2‐ethylhexyl alcohol polyalkoxylates (EHP_mE_n) were obtained with three steps of propoxylation, each followed by polyethoxylation and two series only with polyethoxylation (EHE_n). Two different catalysts were used, a dimetalcyanide and KOH. Values of average conversion rates and chemical content of the obtained products (GC, TG and GPC techniques) were compared. The influence of the applied catalyst and polyaddition degree on the homologue distribution, reactant conversion and amount of byproducts is discussed. The basic physicochemical parameters including refractive index, solubility in polar media, foaming properties and wettability were investigated and compared. Furthermore, surface activity parameters, i.e. surface tension (γ_CMC) and critical micelle concentrations were determined. Results are compared to C_12–14 alcohol ethoxylates (LaE_n). Accordingly, it was found that the studied 2‐ethylhexyl alcohol based compounds are effective, low foaming nonionic surfactants.     

Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids—Retrospective and Historical Developments

Cannabinoids are secondary metabolites occurring only in Cannabis plants, and Δ⁹-THC and CBD are the most important amongst them. After this discovery, synthetic cannabinoids have been produced. Different synthetic cannabinoids have distinct binding affinity for the cannabinoid receptors, thus exerting different mechanisms of action. Presently, they are a subject of numerous studies in the range of chemistry, pharmacology, and molecular biology in order to evaluate their therapeutic potential. This review presents historical perspective of Cannabis medicinal use and results of research on endocannabinoid system and syntethic cannabinoids.     

Industry evolution,rational agents and the transition to sustainable electricity production

Guiding a transition to low carbon electricity requires a good understanding of the substitution of old by new technologies in the electricity industry. With the aim of explaining historical change from coal to gas in the British electricity industry, we develop a formal model of technological change, where energy technologies diffuse through the construction of new power plants. We considered two model versions: with rational and boundedly rational investors. In each model version, we look at the causal relations between price and output setting mechanisms, fuel and labour use, and investment decisions for different institutional arrangements. We quantify model parameters on data for the United Kingdom. We find that the version of the model with rational investors is capable of replicating well core features of UK electricity history. This includes a rapid diffusion of gas in electricity production, the evolution of the average size of newly installed plants, and a high percentage of electricity sales covered by (forward) contracts-for-difference. In this model setting, nuclear and renewable energies have no chance to diffuse on the market. In the version of the model with boundedly rational investors, nuclear power typically dominates electricity production. We discuss implications of our modelling results for making a transition to low carbon electricity in the future.     

Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids—Perspectives for the Future

Isolation of cannabinoids from Cannabis and chemical production of synthetic cannabinoids resulted in understanding of their mechanism of action. Presently, renewed interest in therapeutic potential of cannabinoids is observed. There are numerous studies in the range of chemistry, pharmacology, and molecular biology that investigate the possibilities of their therapeutic application. This review presents results of research on cannabinoids with an emphasis on THC and its effect on a progression of selected diseases. The paper discusses previous reports and outlines future directions.     

Urea-Peptide Hybrids as VEGF-A165/NRP-1 Complex Inhibitors with Improved Receptor Affinity and Biological Properties

Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1), the major co-receptor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), may also independently act with VEGF-A₁₆₅ to stimulate tumour growth and metastasis. Therefore, there is great interest in compounds that can block VEGF-A165/NRP-1 interaction. Peptidomimetic type inhibitors represent a promising strategy in the treatment of NRP-1-related disorders. Here, we present the synthesis, affinity, enzymatic stability, molecular modeling and in vitro binding evaluation of the branched urea–peptide hybrids, based on our previously reported Lys(hArg)-Dab-Oic-Arg active sequence, where the Lys(hArg) branching has been modified by introducing urea units to replace the peptide bond at various positions. One of the resulting hybrids increased the affinity of the compound for NRP-1 more than 10-fold, while simultaneously improving resistance for proteolytic stability in serum. In addition, ligand binding to NRP-1 induced rapid protein stock exocytotic trafficking to the plasma membrane in breast cancer cells. Examined properties characterize this compound as a good candidate for further development of VEGF₁₆₅/NRP-1 inhibitors.