Passivation of Al–Cr–Fe and Al–Cu–Fe–Cr complex metallic alloys in 1 M H2SO4 and 1 M NaOH solutions

The corrosion mechanisms of Al–Cr–Fe and Al–Cu–Fe–Cr complex metallic alloys have been investigated by potentiodynamic and potentiostatic polarization. Very good passivation of the Al–Cr–Fe surface is exhibited from 1 M H₂SO₄ to 1 M NaOH solutions, which was confirmed by ICP-OES analysis over a period of 273 days. Potentiostatically formed passive films analysed by XPS revealed chromium enrichment in the outermost layer of the aluminium oxy-hydroxide film. Although Al–Cu–Fe–Cr showed passivation during potentiodynamic polarization, heavy active corrosion at OCP was revealed by ICP-OES. For the Al–Cu–Fe–Cr alloy, the 10% content of Cr is insufficient to maintain a protective “chemically stable” Cr oxide/hydroxide.     

The Rheological and Instrumental Textural Properties of Selected Table Fats

The rheological and instrumental textural properties of the butters, margarines and spreads were determined in this study. Three factors affected on the rheology and the instrumental texture of the examined yellow fat products: temperature of the measurement, origin and the content of the fat. The results obtained at 5 and 20°?C showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in spreadability and hardness. The highest hardness and the lowest spreadability values were recorded for the butters and mixed fat products with high fat content. Generally, milk fat content caused a significant increase of hardness and decrease of spreadability. The best spreadability was measured for the spreads with the lowest fat content. Adhesiveness and cohesiveness analysis revealed that the most adhesive and less cohesive were the products with high fat content, less adhesive and the most cohesive were spreads with the lowest content of lipids. All of the samples exhibited thixotropic and shear-thinning behavior. High correlation was found between spreadability and hardness. Apparent viscosity did not correlate with spreadability and hardness.     

Criterion validity of the Holden Psychological Screening Inventory Social Symptomatology Scale in a prison sample.

The 36-item, self-report Holden Psychological Screening Inventory (HPSI; R. R. Holden, 1996) and the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL–R; R. D. Hare, 1991) were administered to 214 male, adult prison inmates in Canadian federal correctional facilities. The 12-item HPSI Social Symptomatology scale, a measure of antisocial behavior, demonstrated a large effect size in significantly differentiating between PCL–R-identified psychopaths and nonpsychopaths. HPSI scales not theoretically related to psychopathic behavior showed no such significant effects. Findings are interpreted as supporting the criterion validity of the Social Symptomatology scale and suggest that this brief, self-report screen has research and clinical merit. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Role of Neutrophils in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Tumor-associated neutrophils appear to be a crucial element of the tumor microenvironment that actively participates in the development and progression of cancerous diseases. The increased lifespan, plasticity in changing of phenotype, and functions of neutrophils influence the course of the disease and may significantly affect survival. In patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), disturbances in neutrophils functions impede the effective immune defense against pathogens. Therefore, understanding the mechanism underlying such a phenomenon in CLL seems to be of great importance. Here we discuss the recent reports analyzing the phenotype and functions of neutrophils in CLL, the most common leukemia in adults. We summarize the data concerning both the phenotype and the mechanisms by which neutrophils directly support the proliferation and survival of malignant B cells.     

Determination of Glucoamylase Activity with Glucose Electrode

The method of glucoamylase activity assay by oxygen electrode with immobilized glucose oxidase is described. The optimal conditions of assay were established and are following: 1% starch, pH 4.5, and 25°C. The method could be applied to kinetic measurements of glucoamylase action on starch. The results of such investigations are similar to obtained earlier by chemical method. The method could be used for assay of glucoamylase activity in the presence of α-amylase by changing the pH of solution to 7.     

Effect of B2O3 addition on structure and properties of Yb3+/Al3+/B3+-co-doped silica glasses

The homogeneous Yb³⁺/Al³⁺/B³⁺-co-doped silica glasses were prepared via a sol-gel method. The impact of B₂O₃ addition on the physical and optical properties and network structure was systematically studied. The network structure was investigated by the Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), Raman spectra, and Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (SSNMR). Herein, B₂O₃ addition can continuously decrease the refractive index and density. When B₂O₃ is lower than 2 mol%, B₂O₃ addition can obviously decrease the scalar crystal field parameters, Yb³⁺ asymmetry degree, Yb³⁺ cross-sections, due to the generation of Yb–O–B bonds at the cost of partial Yb–O–Al/Si ones. When B₂O₃ is more than 2 mol%, FT-IR, Raman spectra, and SSNMR results indicate that further increased B atoms prefer to connect with Si and Al rather than Yb. Consequently, the above parameters are basically unchanged. Based on the results, an intuitive model of structure and properties evolution during the substitution of SiO₂ by B₂O₃ has been established.     

Genetic Deficiency and Pharmacological Stabilization of Mast Cells Ameliorate Pressure Overload-Induced Maladaptive Right Ventricular Remodeling in Mice

Although the response of the right ventricle (RV) to the increased afterload is an important determinant of the patient outcome, very little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Mast cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of left ventricular maladaptive remodeling and failure. However, the role of mast cells in RV remodeling remains unexplored. We subjected mast cell-deficient WBB6F1-KitW/W-v (Kit^W/Kit^W-v) mice and their mast cell-sufficient littermate controls (MC^+/+) to pulmonary artery banding (PAB). PAB led to RV dilatation, extensive myocardial fibrosis, and RV dysfunction in MC^+/+ mice. In PAB Kit^W/Kit^W-v mice, RV remodeling was characterized by minimal RV chamber dilatation and preserved RV function. We further administered to C57Bl/6J mice either placebo or cromolyn treatment starting from day 1 or 7 days after PAB surgery to test whether mast cells stabilizing drugs can prevent or reverse maladaptive RV remodeling. Both preventive and therapeutic cromolyn applications significantly attenuated RV dilatation and improved RV function. Our study establishes a previously undescribed role of mast cells in pressure overload-induced adverse RV remodeling. Mast cells may thus represent an interesting target for the development of a new therapeutic approach directed specifically at the heart.     

Melatonin Protects Cholangiocytes from Oxidative Stress-Induced Proapoptotic and Proinflammatory Stimuli via miR-132 and miR-34

Biosynthesis of melatonin by cholangiocytes is essential for maintaining the function of biliary epithelium. However, this cytoprotective mechanism appears to be impaired in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). MiR-132 has emerged as a mediator of inflammation in chronic liver diseases. The effect of melatonin on oxidative stress and bile acid-induced apoptosis was also examined in cholangiocyes overexpressing miR506, as a PBC-like cellular model. In PBC patients the serum levels of melatonin were found increased in comparison to healthy controls. Whereas, in cholangiocytes within cirrhotic PBC livers the melatonin biosynthetic pathway was substantially suppressed even though the expressions of melatonin rate-limiting enzyme aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), and CK-19 (marker of cholangiocytes) were enhanced. In cholangiocytes exposed to mitochondrial oxidative stress melatonin decreased the expression of proapoptotic stimuli (PTEN, Bax, miR-34), which was accompanied by the inhibition of a pivotal mediator of inflammatory response Nf-κB-p65 and the activation of antiapoptotic signaling (miR-132, Bcl2). Similarly, melatonin reduced bile acid-induced proapoptotic caspase 3 and Bim levels. In summary, the insufficient hepatic expression of melatonin in PBC patients may predispose cholangiocytes to oxidative stress-related damage. Melatonin, via epigenetic modulation, was able to suppress NF-κB signaling activation and protect against biliary cells apoptotic signaling.     

Cytotoxic Efficacy and Resistance Mechanism of a TRAIL and VEGFA-Peptide Fusion Protein in Colorectal Cancer Models

TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a type II transmembrane protein capable of selectively inducing apoptosis in cancer cells by binding to its cognate receptors. Here, we examined the anticancer efficacy of a recently developed chimeric AD-O51.4 protein, a TRAIL fused to the VEGFA-originating peptide. We tested AD-O51.4 protein activity against human colorectal cancer (CRC) models and investigated the resistance mechanism in the non-responsive CRC models. The quantitative comparison of apoptotic activity between AD-O51.4 and the native TRAIL in nine human colorectal cancer cell lines revealed dose-dependent toxicity in seven of them; the immunofluorescence-captured receptor abundance correlated with the extent of apoptosis. AD-O51.4 reduced the growth of CRC patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) with good efficacy. Cell lines that acquired AD-O51.4 resistance showed a significant decrease in surface TRAIL receptor expression and apoptosis-related proteins, including Caspase-8, HSP60, and p53. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of AD-O51.4 protein in CRC preclinical models and identify the potential mechanism underlying acquired resistance. Progression of AD-O51.4 to clinical trials is expected.