The miscibility of poly(butylene terephthalate)(PBT)with phosphorus polyester flame retardants

Erratum to 'Possible interactions between dietary fibres and 5-aminosalicyclic acid' by C Henriksen, S Hansen, I Nordgaard-Lassen, J Rikardt Anderson and P Madsen. Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology (2010) 3(1) 5-9 [DOI: 10.1177/ 1756283X09347810][This corrects the article on p. 5 in vol. 3.]

Exploring the suitability of phosphorus-containing polyesters to improve the flame retardancy of poly(butylene succinate)

DOPO-containing partially biobased polyesters were prepared and investigated for their potential as polymeric flame retardant in PBS. Blends with PBS were immiscible and a certain improvement in flame retardancy was achieved

Stress-induced OMA1 activation and autocatalytic turnover regulate OPA1-dependent mitochondrial dynamics

The dynamic network of mitochondria fragments under stress allowing the segregation of damaged mitochondria and, in case of persistent damage, their selective removal by mitophagy. Mitochondrial fragmentation upon depolarisation of mitochondria is brought about by the degradation of central components of the mitochondrial fusion machinery. The OMA1 peptidase mediates the degradation of long isoforms of the dynamin-like GTPase OPA1 in the inner membrane. Here, we demonstrate that OMA1-mediated degradation of OPA1 is a general cellular stress response. OMA1 is constitutively active but displays strongly enhanced activity in response to various stress insults. We identify an amino terminal stress-sensor domain of OMA1, which is only present in homologues of higher eukaryotes and which modulates OMA1 proteolysis and activation. OMA1 activation is associated with its autocatalyic degradation, which initiates from both termini of OMA1 and results in complete OMA1 turnover. Autocatalytic proteolysis of OMA1 ensures the reversibility of the response and allows OPA1-mediated mitochondrial fusion to resume upon alleviation of stress. This differentiated stress response maintains the functional integrity of mitochondria and contributes to cell survival

Poly(vinylidene fluoride)-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes for the preparation of composites with improved conductivity

The surface of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) was functionalized with azide-terminated poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). Functionalization was confirmed by dispersibility, Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analyses. Raman spectra show disordering of the SWCNTs, thus, strongly suggesting that PVDF was covalently attached to SWCNTs. Functionalized SWCNTs were mixed with commercially available PVDF in a twin-screw extruder and thin films were obtained by melt-pressing. Films containing 0.5 and 1 wt% PVDF-functionalized SWCNTs exhibited significantly improved electrical conductivity compared to PVDF films containing pristine SWCNTs