Easy One-Pot Synthesis of a Reactive Hydrogel from Commercially Available 2-Isocyanatoethyl Methacrylate and K2S2O5

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Free/bound water absorption in an epoxy adhesive

International audienceThe classic Fickian approach for describing the kinetics of liquid diffusion/absorption in solids was supplemented some 25 years ago by the 2-phase model of Carter and Kibler, referred to by them (modestly) as ‘Langmuir-type'. Their theory assumes the existence of ‘mobile' and ‘bound' diffusant molecules. In this contribution, we have studied water uptake by an epoxy resin, using gravimetry, and found a good, overall, empirical agreement with the Carter and Kibler description. The ‘mobile' and ‘bound' components have also been considered separately. In addition, deuterium NMR analysis has been employed to study the mobility of water absorbed. Analysis and decomposition of spectra permitted us to assign two signals to the fractions of ‘mobile' and ‘bound' water. We suggest that the ‘mobile' phase corresponds to diffusing molecules, whereas the ‘bound' phase corresponds to ‘clusters'

Immobilization of a functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) onto B-cyclodextrine-coated surfaces by formation of inclusion complexes; application to the coupling of proteins

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DMT1 Inhibitors Kill Cancer Stem Cells by Blocking Lysosomal Iron Translocation

International audienceCancer stem cells (CSC) constitute a cell subpopulation in solid tumors that is responsible for resistance to conventional chemotherapy, metastasis and cancer relapse. The natural product Salinomycin can selectively target this cell niche by directly interacting with lysosomal iron, taking advantage of upregulated iron homeostasis in CSC. Here, inhibitors of the divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) have been identified that selectively target CSC by blocking lysosomal iron translocation. This leads to lysosomal iron accumulation, production of reactive oxygen species and cell death with features of ferroptosis. DMT1 inhibitors selectively target CSC in primary cancer cells and circulating tumor cells, demonstrating the physiological relevance of this strategy. Taken together, this opens up opportunities to tackle unmet needs in anti-cancer therapy

Potential physio-pathological effects of branched fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids

International audienceBranched Fatty Acid Esters of Hydroxy Fatty Acids (FAHFAs) are a new endogenous lipid class with recently uncovered interesting biological effects and which have been detected in food of plant and animal origins. Some FAHFAs can improve glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, stimulate insulin secretion, and exert anti-inflammatory effects. Other beneficial health effects have also been suggested, in particular against some cancers. FAHFAs could therefore be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of numerous metabolic disorders such as type II diabetes, hepatic steatosis, cardiovascular diseases and various cancers. Their recent discovery has generated a great interest in the field of human health. This short review aims at bringing together the information available to date in the literature concerning their chemical synthesis, biosynthesis and degradation pathways as well as their potential physio-pathological beneficial effects

Les FAHFAs, une nouvelle classe de lipides endogènes bioactifs

Fatty acid hydroxylated fatty acid esters (FAHFAs) are a family of endogenous lipids recently rediscovered by Professor Kahn's team (Yore et al., 2014). Several studies have shown that FAHFAs improve glucose tolerance, sensitivity to and secretion of insulin and have anti-inflammatory effects. FAHFAs are found in blood and many tissues in humans and in rodents, as well as in breast milk and in food. They are synthesized de novo in tissues, however the biosynthesis and degradation pathways of these bioactive lipids are not yet elucidated. Several studies show that the levels of FAHFAs are regulated in mice and humans by physiological and physiopathological conditions such as fasting, obesity and insulin resistance. In this review, we will present the current state of the art concerning FAHFAs and in particular, the biological effects of these bioactive lipids.Les esters d’acides gras hydroxylés (FAHFAs) sont une famille de lipides endogènes récemment découverts par l’équipe du Pr Kahn (Yore et al., 2014). Plusieurs travaux montrent que les FAHFAs améliorent la tolérance au glucose, la sensibilité à l’insuline et sa sécrétion, et possèdent des effets anti-inflammatoires. Les FAHFAs sont présents dans le sang et dans de nombreux tissus chez l’homme et chez le rongeur, mais également dans le lait maternel et dans les aliments. Les FAHFAs sont synthétisés de novo dans les tissus, cependant leurs voies de biosynthèse et de dégradation ne sont pas élucidées à ce jour. Les taux de FAHFAs dans l’organisme seraient modifiés par des altérations physiologiques et physiopathologiques tels le jeûne, l’obésité et l’insulinorésistance. Dans cette revue, nous ferons un bilan sur l’état des connaissances concernant les FAHFAs et présenterons en particulier les effets biologiques de ces lipides bioactifs connus à l’heure actuell