Nanoparticle morphology and magnetic properties modified by synthesis conditions

In this paper, we present a comparative analysis of the physicochemical properties of magnetite nanoparticles synthesized via two primary methods: (i) co-precipitation of iron (II) and (III) chloride in an ammonia solution and (ii) thermal decomposition of Fe(acac)3 in an organic solvent. In each case, variable synthesis conditions were used (mixing, temperature, inert gas presence, time of synthesis), which significantly influenced the resulting nanoparticle characteristics, including size, size distribution, shape, and magnetic properties. By utilization of such techniques as transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy, we demonstrate the ability to exert control over particle growth to a considerable extent. Our findings underscore the innovative aspect of our work, revealing quantitative insights into the precise manipulation of nanoparticle properties, thus offering promising ways for tailored applications in diverse fields

Biological properties and structural study of new aminoalkyl derivatives of benzimidazole and benzotriazole, dual inhibitors of CK2 and PIM1 kinases

The new aminoalkyl-substituted derivatives of known CK2 inhibitors 4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole (TBBi) and 4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzotriazole (TBBt) were synthesized, and their influence on the activity of recombinant human CK2 alpha, CK2 holoenzyme and PIM1 kinases was evaluated. All derivatives inhibited the activity of studied kinases and the most efficient were aminopropyl-derivatives 8b and 14b. These compounds also exerted inhibition of cancer cell lines - CCRF-CEM (acute lymphoblastoid leukemia), MCF-7 (human breast cancer), and PC-3 (prostate cancer) proliferation and their EC50 is comparable with the value for clinically studied CK2 inhibitor CX-4945. Preliminary structure activity relationship analysis indicated that the spacer length affected antitumor potency, and two to three methylene units were more favorable. The complex of CK2 alpha(1-335)/8b was crystallized, both under high-salt conditions and under low-salt conditions giving crystals which diffracted X-rays to about 2.4 angstrom resolution, what enabled the determination of the corresponding 3D-structures

Exploring the Consistency and Value of Humour Style Profiles

Establishing generalisable humour style profiles promises to have significant value for educational, clinical, and occupational application. However, previous research investigating such profiles has thus far presented inconsistent results. To determine the generalisability and value of humour style profiles, a large and geographically diverse examination of humour styles was conducted through a cross-sectional questionnaire methodology involving 863 participants from across three world regions. Findings identify inconsistencies in the humour style profiles across countries tested and the extant literature, possibly indicative of cultural differences in the behavioural expression of trait humour. Furthermore, when directly compared, humour types, rather than humour styles, consistently provide the greatest predictive value for friendship and well-being outcomes. As such, with respect to both consistency and value, capturing humour style profiles appears to represent a relatively reductionist approach to appreciating the nuances in the use and consequences of humour

Exploring the Consistency and Value of Humour Style Profiles (Registered Report Stage 2 Accepted)

Establishing generalisable humour style profiles promises to have significant value for educational, clinical, and occupational application. However, previous research investigating such profiles has thus far presented inconsistent results. To determine the generalisability and value of humour style profiles, a large and geographically diverse examination of humour styles was conducted through a cross-sectional questionnaire methodology involving 863 participants from across three world regions. Findings identify inconsistencies in the humour style profiles across countries tested and the extant literature, possibly indicative of cultural differences in the behavioural expression of trait humour. Furthermore, when directly compared, humour types, rather than humour styles, consistently provide the greatest predictive value for friendship and well-being outcomes. As such, with respect to both consistency and value, capturing humour style profiles appears to represent a relatively reductionist approach to appreciating the nuances in the use and consequences of humour

Disparate T cell requirements of two subsets of lupus-specific autoantibodies in pristane-treated mice

Intraperitoneal injection of pristane induces a lupus-like disease in BALB/c and other non-autoimmune mice characterized by autoantibody production and the development of immune complex disease closely resembling lupus nephritis. Two subsets of autoantibodies are induced by pristane: IgG anti-DNA and -chromatin autoantibodies are strongly IL-6-dependent, whereas IgG anti-nRNP/Sm and -Su antibodies are not. The present studies were carried out to examine the role of T cells in establishing this dichotomy between the production of anti-nRNP/Sm/Su versus anti-DNA/chromatin autoantibodies. Autoantibody production and renal disease were evaluated in athymic (nude) mice treated with pristane. BALB/c nu/nu mice spontaneously developed IgM and IgG anti-single-stranded (ss)DNA and -chromatin, but not anti-nRNP/Sm or -Su, autoantibodies. Pristane treatment increased the levels of IgG anti-chromatin antibodies in nu/nu mice, but did not induce production of anti-nRNP/Sm or -Su antibodies. In contrast, BALB/c nu/+ and +/+ control mice did not spontaneously produce autoantibodies, whereas anti-nRNP/sm and -Su autoantibodies were induced by pristane in approx. 50% of nu/+ and +/+ mice and anti-DNA/chromatin antibodies at lower frequencies. Nude mice spontaneously developed mild renal lesions that were marginally affected by pristane, but were generally milder than the lesions developing in pristane-treated nu/+ and +/+ mice. The data provide further evidence that two distinct pathways with different cytokine and T cell requirements are involved in autoantibody formation in pristane-induced lupus. This dichotomy may be relevant to understanding differences in the regulation of anti-DNA versus anti-nRNP/Sm autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as the association of anti-DNA, but not anti-nRNP/Sm, with lupus nephritis