Ligand Binding Promiscuity of Human Liver Fatty Acid Binding Protein: Structural and Dynamic Insights from an Interaction Study with Glycocholate and Oleate

Human liver fatty acid binding protein (hL‐FABP) has been reported to act as an intracellular shuttle of lipid molecules, thus playing a central role in systemic metabolic homeostasis. The involvement of hL‐FABP in the transport of bile salts has been postulated but scarcely investigated. Here we describe a thorough NMR investigation of glycocholate (GCA) binding to hL‐FABP. The protein molecule bound a single molecule of GCA, in contrast to the 1:2 stoichiometry observed with fatty acids. GCA was found to occupy the large internal cavity of hL‐FABP, without requiring major conformational rearrangement of the protein backbone; rather, this led to increased stability, similar to that estimated for the hL‐FABP:oleate complex. Fast‐timescale dynamics appeared not to be significantly perturbed in the presence of ligands. Slow motions (unlike for other proteins of the family) were retained or enhanced upon binding, consistent with a requirement for structural plasticity for promiscuous recognition.     

Functional polysiloxanes

Summary Carboxyester- and carboxyamido-terminated polydimethylsiloxanes were obtained through the reaction of cyclic anhydrides (succinic, maleic and phthalic anhydride) with hydroxypropyl- and aminoalkyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxanes, respectively. The reactivity of the starting compounds and the influence of the reaction conditions on the characteristics of the final products are discussed.Part 1: Eur. Polym. J., in press     

Catalytic activity of Fe/AC, obtained by impregnation of activated carbon in aqueous and non-aqueous media, to neutralize NO

The influence of the nature of the impregnating solutions media (aqueous or non-aqueous) on the forming of active phases is investigated in case of preparing iron catalysts, supported on activated carbon with respect to their catalytic activity in the reaction of NO reduction by CO. The catalysts are characterized by chemical analysis (AAS), BET surface area, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), magnetic susceptibility, and Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS). The catalytic investigations and TPD are carried out in a flow apparatus. Three peculiarities are observed with respect to this influence—the ratio between the separate iron species in different oxidation state of Fe species, which build up the catalytic active complexes (CAC), common participation of superficial groups of the carbon support and Fe components of the impregnating solutions as well as different dispersion of the active phase on the surface of the samples. As a result the highest catalytic activity was observed with the sample, obtained by impregnation with an aqueous solution, while with the other samples, obtained from organic solutions, the catalytic activity decreases in the order of: Methanol > Ethyl Ether > Acetone. It was assumed that the different catalytic activities are connected most probably with the process of forming of CAC during the process of preparation of the samples.     

Effect of calcium and/or barium crosslinking on the physical and antimicrobial properties of natamycin-loaded alginate films

The preparation of alginate films with suitable properties requires a two-step contact with reticulating agents: initially a weakly structured pre-film is formatted which is further crosslinked in a second stage by immersion in a more concentrated solution. The present work evaluated the effects of a combined crosslinking procedure using calcium and barium ions on the physical and morphological properties of alginate-based films containing natamycin as antimicrobial agent. The release behavior of natamycin in water was evaluated as well as the antimicrobial activity against four target microorganisms, which are common cheese product contaminants. Films attributes were affected by the type of ion used in the second stage while the natamycin release rate and the antimicrobial activity were influenced by the ion used in the first stage. Films crosslinked with Ba²⁺ in the first and Ca²⁺ in the second stage (Ba–Ca films) exhibited physical properties very similar to films crosslinked with calcium in both stages. Release kinetics of natamycin in water fitted well to Fick's second law diffusional model, with effective diffusivity values ranging from 0.40 × 10⁻¹¹ to 1.74 × 10⁻¹¹ cm²/s. Ba–Ca films presented the lowest natamycin diffusion coefficient and the smallest inhibition zone diameter against the four microorganisms tested.     

Natural silica fiber as reinforcing filler of nylon 6

Short silica fiber (SF) content on the mechanical and morphological properties of composites based on nylon 6 and rubber-toughened nylon 6 matrices was examined. Binary nylon 6/SF and ternary [nylon 6/EPDM-g-MA (ethylene–propylene–diene grafted with maleic anhydride)/SF] composites containing 0–20 wt% SF were formulated. The flexural modulus increased with the SF content at all fiber compositions investigated; however, the value of this property gradually diminished when 20 wt% rubber was added to the polymer. Notched Izod impact strength of 80/20 nylon 6/EPDM-g-MA blend was reduced up to 50% with the addition of 5 wt% SF. However, these composites still retained good stiffness and toughness and presented a good interfacial adhesion between the phases. The results suggest that silica fibers can be employed as an alternative reinforcement of nylon 6 matrices, resulting in materials with useful properties.     

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of selected microalgae and cyanobacteria

In vitro activity of nine cyanobacterial and ten microalgal newly isolated or culture collection strains against eight significant food‐borne pathogens has been evaluated and compared. Water extracts and culture liquids of Gloeocapsa sp. and Synechocystis sp. demonstrated the widest spectrum of activity with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 1.56 to 12.5 mg mL^?1. Culture liquid of Anabaena sp. had the highest activity (MIC = 0.39 mg mL^?1) but only to Gram‐positive bacteria. Ethanol extracts and fatty acids from all cyanobacteria and microalgae were active against Streptococcus pyogenes and/or Staphylococcus aureus. The fatty acids of Synechocystis sp. inhibited the growth of Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans (MIC values of 2.5–1.25 mg mL^?1, respectively). Exopolysaccharides (EPS) of Gloeocapsa sp. were the sample that exhibited activity against all test pathogens with lowest MIC values (0.125–1 mg mL^?1). High activity with a narrower range of susceptible targets demonstrated the exopolysaccharides of Synechocystis sp. and Rhodella reticulata. Antimicrobial activity was proven for phycobiliproteins isolated from Synechocystis sp., Arthrospira fusiformis, Porphyridium aerugineum and Porphyridium cruentum, respectively. In conclusion Gloeocapsa sp. and Synechocystis sp. and especially their exopolysaccharides showed the most promising potential against the examined food pathogens.     

Administration of corticosterone after the first downshift trial enhances consummatory successive negative contrast.

Rats given access to a 32% sucrose solution and then downshifted to a 4% solution exhibit less contact with the sipper tube than unshifted controls always given access to 4% solution. This phenomenon, called consummatory successive negative contrast, was facilitated in Experiment 1 by a posttrial injection of corticosterone (3 mg/kg) administered immediately after the first downshift trial. Experiment 2 demonstrated that this facilitatory effect of posttrial corticosterone does not occur when administered 3 hr after the first downshift trial. These results support the hypothesis that corticosterone strengthens an aversive emotional component elicited by the surprising downshift in reward magnitude during the initial downshift trial. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Analyzing the interactions and miscibility of silk fibroin/mucin blends

Mucin, a glycoprotein with viscoelastic properties, and silk fibroin, a protein excreted from silkworms with properties of thermal and mechanical resistance, have been probed as building blocks in the design of biomaterials. Aiming to evaluate the interaction and miscibility between mucin and fibroin, we synthesized silk fibroin and mucin (SF/MU) blends for biomedical applications. The morphological analysis of the SF/MU blends showed the presence of two phases, suggesting a partial miscibility between the polymers. The degradation temperature of the SF/MU blends increased with an increase in the silk fibroin content, indicating that silk fibroin contributed to the thermal stability of the blends. The glass transition temperature of the SF/MU blends lay between the values of the pure polymers. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy results pointed out that the interaction between fibroin and mucin occurred between the amine group of silk fibroin and mucin carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. The outcomes of this work provided essential information on the miscibility of the SF/MU blends. These findings will be critical for further studies with fibroin and mucin-based biomaterials, especially in mucoadhesive systems and wound healing applications.     

Single- and Multiscale Laser Patterning of 3D Printed Biomedical Titanium Alloy: Toward an Enhanced Adhesion and Early Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells

This study explores the enhancement of biocompatible titanium-based implants through surface functionalization for improved bone healing. Specifically, a near-beta type Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy is 3D printed using laser powder bed fusion and subsequently textured using nanosecond (ns) and picosecond (ps) direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) to create single-scale and multi-scale surface textures. On these textures, the cell behavior, morphology, metabolic activity and osteogenic differentiation potential of human bone marrow stromal cells are assessed using fluorescence microscopy and MTS assays. Moreover, tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase activity served as an early osteoblast production marker. Compared to untextured specimens, both types of textures exhibited higher metabolic activity and cell proliferation. Single-scale ns-DLIP textures encouraged cell extensions anchored in groove regions, while ps-DLIP textures with hierarchical structures promoted cell extensions attaching to nanostructures on sidewalls. The groove width and nanotopographies in groove areas facilitated cell spreading. Surface topography, roughness, and surface chemistry (surface energy, wettability) influenced cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. A comprehensive evaluation of DLIP-generated surface textures, including their topography and chemical states, complements the factors affecting in vitro cell behavior. Overall, this research demonstrates the potential of surface-functionalized 3Dprinted titanium for a novel generation of biocompatible implants.