Recombination of Aromatic Radicals with Molecular Oxygen

International audienceThe addition of molecular oxygen to hydrocarbon radicals yields peroxy radicals (ROO), which are crucialspecies in both atmospheric and combustion chemistry. For aromatic radicals there is little known aboutthe recombination kinetics, especially for the high temperatures of relevance to combustion. Here, we haveemployed direct CASPT2 based variable reaction coordinate transition state theory to predict the high pres-sure recombination rates for four prototypical aromatic hydrocarbon radicals: phenyl, benzyl, 1-naphthyl,and 2-naphthyl. The variation in the predicted rates is discussed in relation to their molecular structure. Thepredicted rate coefficients are in reasonably satisfactory agreement with the limited experimental data andare expected to find utility in chemical modeling studies of PAH growth and oxidation

Supramolecular assembly of an amphiphilic GdIII chelate: tuning the reorientational correlation time and the water exchange rate

In this paper we report the synthesis and the characterization of the novel ligand H5EPTPA-C16 ((hydroxymethylhexadecanoyl ester)ethylenepropylenetriaminepentaacetic acid). This ligand was designed to chelate the GdIII ion in a kinetically and thermodynamically stable way while ensuring an increased water exchange rate (kex) on the GdIII complex due to steric compression around the water binding site. The attachment of a palmitic ester unit to the pendant hydroxymethyl group on the ethylenediamine bridge yields an amphiphilic conjugate that forms micelles in aqueous solution with a long tumbling time (R). The critical micelle concentration (CMC = 0.34 mM) of the amphiphilic [Gd(EPTPA-C16)(H2O)]2- chelate was determined by variable concentration proton relaxivity measurements. A global analysis of the data obtained in variable temperature and multiple field 17O NMR, and 1H NMRD measurements allowed the determination of parameters governing relaxivity for [Gd(EPTPA-C16)(H2O)]2-; this is the first time that paramagnetic micelles with optimized water exchange are investigated. The water exchange rate was found to be kex298 = 1.7×108 s-1, very similar to that previously reported for the nitrobenzyl derivative [Gd(EPTPA-bz-NO2)(H2O)]2- (kex298 = 1.5×108 s-1). The rotational dynamics of the micelles was analysed using the Lipari-Szabo approach. The micelles formed in aqueous solution show a considerable flexibility, with a local rotational correlation time of the GdIII segments, lO298 = 330 ps, being much shorter than the global rotational correlation time of the supramolecular aggregates, gO298 = 2100 ps. This internal flexibility of the micelles is responsible for the only limited increase of the proton relaxivity observed on micelle formation (r1 = 22.59 mM-1s-1 for the micelles vs. 9.11 mM-1s-1 for the monomer chelate (20 MHz; 25°C)).Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - POCTI/QUI/47005/2002). EU Cost Action D18 "Lanthanide chemistry for diagnosis and therapy". Swiss National Science Foundation. Swiss Federal Office for Education and Science

The localisation of the apical Par/Cdc42 polarity module is specifically affected in microvillus inclusion disease

corrigéInternational audienceBACKGROUND INFORMATION: . Microvillus inclusion disease (MVID) is a genetic disorder affecting intestinal absorption. It is caused by mutations in MYO5B or syntaxin 3 (STX3) affecting apical membrane trafficking. Morphologically MVID is characterised by a depletion of apical microvilli and the formation of microvillus inclusions inside the cells, suggesting a loss of polarity. To investigate this hypothesis we examined the location of essential apical polarity determinants in five MVID patients. RESULTS: We found that the polarity determinants Cdc42, Par6B, PKCζ/ι and the structural proteins ezrin and phospho-ezrin were lost from the apical membrane and accumulated either in the cytoplasm or on the basal side of enterocytes in patients which suggests an inversion of cell polarity. Moreover microvilli-like structures were observed at the basal side in electron microscopy. We next performed Myo5B depletion in 3D-grown human Caco2 cells forming cysts and we found a direct link between the loss of Myo5B and the mislocalisation of the same apical proteins; furthermore we observed that a majority of cyst displayed an inverted polarity phenotype as seen in some patients. Finally we found that this loss of polarity was specific for MVID: tissue samples of patients with Myo5B independent absorption disorders showed normal polarity but we identified Cdc42 as a potentially essential biomarker for tricho-hepato-enteric syndrome. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the loss of Myo5B induces a strong loss of enterocyte polarity, potentially leading to polarity inversion. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results show that polarity determinants could be useful markers to help establishing a diagnosis in patients. Furthermore they could be used to characterise other rare intestinal absorption diseases

In vitro evaluation of hydroxyapatite, chitosan, and carbon nanotube composite biomaterial to support bone healing

O compósito à base de hidroxiapatita, quitosana e nanotubo de carbono foi desenvolvido com o intuito de auxiliar na consolidação óssea. Estudos anteriores sugerem que a combinação de substitutos ósseos e células-tronco mesenquimais (CTM) podem auxiliar a potencializar e promover a regeneração óssea. No presente estudo, o biomaterial foi desenvolvido e a viabilidade e a citotoxicidade de células Vero (ATCC CCL-81) e CTM obtidas de medula óssea provenientes de ovinos utilizando ensaios metil-tiazol-tetrazólio, MTT e iodeto de propídeo (PI) foram avaliadas em diferentes concentrações de extrato desse compósito. O compósito demonstrou ausência de citotoxicidade com comportamento semelhante ao grupo controle. Amostras com 50% e 10% de concentração de extrato do compósito mostraram resultados maiores comparados ao grupo controle (ensaio MTT). Esses resultados também sugerem que a presença do biomaterial pode ser utilizada em associação a CTM. Assim, esse estudo conclui que o compósito apresentado de hidroxiapatita, quitosana e nanotubo de cabono não foi considerado citotóxico e pode ser utilizado em teste in vivo.Hydroxyapatite, chitosan, and carbon nanotube composite biomaterial were developed to improve bone healing. Previous studies suggested that a combination of biomaterials and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can potentially help promote bone regeneration. In the present study, we first developed hydroxyapatite, chitosan, and carbon nanotube composite biomaterial. Then, the effect of different concentrations of the extract on the viability of Vero cells (ATCC CCL-81) and MSCs obtained from sheep bone marrow using methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) and propidium iodide (PI) assays were evaluated. The biomaterial group demonstrated an absence of cytotoxicity, similar to the control group. Samples with 50% and 10% biomaterial extract concentrations showed higher cell viability compared to samples from the control group (MTT assay). These results suggest that the presence of this composite biomaterial can be used with MSCs. This study also concluded that hydroxyapatite, chitosan, and carbon nanotube composite biomaterial were not cytotoxic. Therefore, these could be used for performing in vivo tests

Construção de fogão solar do tipo caixa a partir de materiais reutilizáveis e de baixo custo / Building a box-type solar stove from low-cost, reusable materials

O Brasil é um país em que ainda existe certa deficiência no que diz respeito a boa utilização de energias renováveis e inesgotáveis, como a eólica, hídrica e solar. Dentre elas, O estudo de tecnologias relacionadas com a energia solar vem aumentando consideravelmente nos últimos anos. Sendo assim, o presente trabalho objetivou a construção de um fogão a partir de uma composição de materiais reutilizáveis e montagem de baixo custo, e que usa da energia solar para o cozimento dos alimentos. Os testes consistiram na exposição do fogão com o alimento ao sol, e sua construção foi baseada a partir de estudos e comprovações de testes na literatura, e sua formulação é um aperfeiçoamento da união de vários modelos. Esse protótipo pode representar uma solução a desertificação e emissão de poluentes pelo uso massivo de lenha, especialmente no Nordeste, já que a incidência solar é maior nessa região

Infections with Avian Pathogenic and Fecal Escherichia coli Strains Display Similar Lung Histopathology and Macrophage Apoptosis

The purpose of this study was to compare histopathological changes in the lungs of chickens infected with avian pathogenic (APEC) and avian fecal (Afecal) Escherichia coli strains, and to analyze how the interaction of the bacteria with avian macrophages relates to the outcome of the infection. Chickens were infected intratracheally with three APEC strains, MT78, IMT5155, and UEL17, and one non-pathogenic Afecal strain, IMT5104. The pathogenicity of the strains was assessed by isolating bacteria from lungs, kidneys, and spleens at 24 h post-infection (p.i.). Lungs were examined for histopathological changes at 12, 18, and 24 h p.i. Serial lung sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), terminal deoxynucleotidyl dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) for detection of apoptotic cells, and an anti-O2 antibody for detection of MT78 and IMT5155. UEL17 and IMT5104 did not cause systemic infections and the extents of lung colonization were two orders of magnitude lower than for the septicemic strains MT78 and IMT5155, yet all four strains caused the same extent of inflammation in the lungs. The inflammation was localized; there were some congested areas next to unaffected areas. Only the inflamed regions became labeled with anti-O2 antibody. TUNEL labeling revealed the presence of apoptotic cells at 12 h p.i in the inflamed regions only, and before any necrotic foci could be seen. The TUNEL-positive cells were very likely dying heterophils, as evidenced by the purulent inflammation. Some of the dying cells observed in avian lungs in situ may also be macrophages, since all four avian E. coli induced caspase 3/7 activation in monolayers of HD11 avian macrophages. In summary, both pathogenic and non-pathogenic fecal strains of avian E. coli produce focal infections in the avian lung, and these are accompanied by inflammation and cell death in the infected areas

Comparação de métodos de avaliação da função ventricular no seguimento de pacientes submetidos à quimioterapia com adriamicina

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