Inhibition of cell cycle and induction of apoptosis by 2‐oxoheksyl isothiocyanate and alyssin in cell lines carrying various inherited BRCA1 mutations

An important aspect of the chemopreventive activity of isothiocyanates (ITC) is their ability to induce cell growth inhibition and apoptosis. In this study, the effect of two sulforaphane analogues, 2‐oxoheksyl isothiocyanate and alyssin, on lymphoblastoid cells, derived from people carrying four different germ‐line mutations in BRCA1 gene, was tested and compared to the effect on wild type cells. The mutations studied were: C61G; 3819del5; 4153delA, and 5382INSC. Changes in cell viability and density after 2‐oxoheksyl isothiocyanate and alyssin treatment were evaluated, as well as cell cycle progression, mitochondrial membrane potential changes, and phosphatidylserine externalization. Both isothiocyanates were shown to reduce cell viability and density in all cell lines tested, as well as the change in cell cycle phase's distribution. The response of cells to two ITC tested was various, as well as mutation type‐modulated. We found that change of cellular maintenance by chemopreventive agents can be modulated by single allele BRCA1 mutation. Drug Dev. Res. 65:84–92, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Adult rhombencephalosynapsis. Case report

Rhombencephalosynapsis (RS) is a relatively rare developmental disorder of the cerebellum in which the cerebellar hemispheres are fused across the midline without being separated by a cleft or the vermis. The condition may be associated with hydrocephalus and other intracranial and extracranial abnormalities. The authors report on the case of a symptomatic adult who was successfully treated with suboccipital decompression and duraplasty. A 39-year-old woman presented with intractable pain radiating from the thoracolumbar column to the occiput. A general examination yielded normal findings and a neurological examination revealed only subtle ataxia of tandem gait. The patient underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, the results of which revealed an absent cerebellar vermis with fusion of the cerebellum and mild hydrocephalus. A cine-MR image obtained to evaluate her cerebrospinal fluid flow (CSF) revealed attenuated flow in the posterior fossa and cerebral aqueduct. Preoperative intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring demonstrated no elevation of ICP (mean 4.3 mm Hg). The patient consented to undergo suboccipital craniectomy and duraplasty. Despite an increase in postoperative ICP (mean 10.77 mm Hg; difference from preoperative level according to a t-test, p = 0.002), the patient experienced symptomatic relief, which has persisted for 3 years. One year postoperatively, a cine-MR image was obtained, which revealed improvement in the patient's CSF dynamics. The authors conclude that, although RS may cause altered flow in the adult, their patient has experienced symptomatic relief, suggesting that her pain was related to local pressure in the posterior fossa.     

Micron-Scale Biogeography of Seawater Biofilm Colonies at Submersed Solid Substrata Affected by Organic Matter and Microbiome Transformation in the Baltic Sea

The aim of this research was to determine temporal and spatial evolution of biofilm architecture formed at model solid substrata submersed in Baltic sea coastal waters in relation to organic matter transformation along a one-year period. Several materials (metals, glass, plastics) were deployed for a certain time, and the collected biofilm-covered samples were studied with a confocal microscopy technique using the advanced programs of image analysis. The geometric and structural biofilm characteristics: biovolume, coverage fraction, mean thickness, spatial heterogeneity, roughness, aggregation coefficient, etc., turned out to evolve in relation to organic matter transformation trends, trophic water status, microbiome evolution, and biofilm micro-colony transition from the heterotrophic community (mostly bacteria) to autotrophic (diatom-dominated) systems. The biofilm morphology parameters allowed the substratum roughness, surface wettability, chromatic organisms colony adaptation to substrata, and quorum sensing or cell to cell signaling effects to be quantitatively evaluated. In addition to the previous work, the structural biofilm parameters could become further novel trophic state indicators.     

The Analysis of Materials Strength Used in the Construction of the Flexible Underwater Bell—Batychron

Batychron is a flexible underwater bell patented by the Gdynia Maritime University as a device used in hydro-technics engineering for underwater transport and diving while maintaining the safety of human life. This study aims to present the methods and results of strength tests and the conducted analysis of the selection of the most appropriate method of joining thermoplastic polyurethane film (TPU) and polypropylene belts for underwater use to obtain a device with a specific buoyancy force. A universal testing machine with a hydraulic drive was used for the tests. Various methods of joining polypropylene belts were tested to select the most favourable in terms of strength properties. For this purpose, two types of materials were selected: the TE324 polyester belt and the TS501_50 style belt. Various connection methods have been used: without seams; zig-zag stitch, straight cross; cross stitch, straight longitudinal; cross stitch, straight transverse, in order to select a joint with the highest strength parameters. In addition, the tensile strength of individual types of belts was tested. The methods of joining the TPU film were verified. The obtained results allowed us to determine that the strongest bond of TE324 material is a straight, longitudinal cross stitch. This is related to the load distribution in the belts tested in laboratory conditions, but also reflected in their practical application. Thanks to the results obtained, it was possible to select the optimal methods of joining (connection) and the construction of Batychron.     

Resistance of 3D-Printed Components,Test Specimens and Products to Work under Environmental Conditions—Review

The development of additive manufacturing methods known as “3D printing” started in the 1980s. In these methods, spatial models are created from a semi-finished product such as a powder, filament or liquid. The model is most often created in layers, which are created from the semi-finished product, which is most often subjected to thermal treatment or using light or ultraviolet rays. The technology of additive manufacturing has both advantages and disadvantages when compared to the traditionally used methods of processing thermoplastic materials, such as, for example, injection or extrusion. The most important advantages are low cost, flexibility and speed of manufacturing of elements with different spatial shapes. From the point of view of the user of the product, the most important disadvantages are the lower mechanical properties and lower resistance to environmental factors that occur during the use of the manufactured products. The purpose of this review is to present current information and a compilation of features in the field of research on the effects of the interactions of different types of environments on the mechanical properties of 3D-manufactured thermoplastic products. Changes in the structure and mechanical properties of the material under the influence of factors such as humidity, salt, temperature, UV rays, gasoline and the environment of the human body are presented. The presented article enables the effects of environmental conditions on common materials used in 3D printing technology to be collated in one place.     

Experimental Investigation of the Failure Scenario of Various Connection Types between Thin-Walled Beam and Sandwich Panel

The paper presents failure scenarios for various types of connections between a thin-walled beam and a sandwich panel. In addition to standard connections used in civil engineering applications, that is, self-drilling fasteners for sandwich panels, the study examined the use of bolts, blind rivets, and double-sided acrylic tape applied linearly and pointwise. The connections were subjected to the horizontal load applied with constant eccentricity with respect to the plane of the connection surface. This load arrangement simulates the behaviour of a free flange of the thin-walled beam in bending while lateral-torsional buckling occurs. In this way, the research covers the determination of the lateral stiffness of the thin-walled beam-free flange, while the other flange is connected to the sandwich panel using various connection systems.     

Assessment of the Life Cycle of a Wind and Photovoltaic Power Plant in the Context of Sustainable Development of Energy Systems

The conversion of kinetic energy from wind and solar radiation into electricity during the operation of wind and photovoltaic power plants causes practically no emissions of chemical compounds that are harmful to the environment. However, the production of their materials and components, as well as their post-use management after the end of their operation, is highly consumptive of energy and materials. For this reason, this article aims to assess the life cycle of a wind and photovoltaic power plant in the context of the sustainable development of energy systems. The objects of the research were two actual technical facilities—a 2 MW wind power plant and a 2 MW photovoltaic power plant, both located in Poland. The analysis of their life cycle was carried out on the basis of the LCA (life-cycle assessment) method, using the ReCiPe 2016 calculation procedure. The impact of the examined renewable energy systems was assessed under 22 impact categories and 3 areas of influence (i.e., human health, ecosystems, and resources), and an analysis was conducted for the results obtained as part of three compartments (i.e., air, water, and soil). The life cycle of the wind power plant was distinguished by a higher total potential negative environmental impact compared to the life cycle of the photovoltaic power plant. The highest levels of potential harmful impacts on the environment in both life cycles were recorded for areas of influence associated with negative impacts on human health. Emissions to the atmosphere accounted for over 90% of all emissions in the lifetimes of both the wind and the photovoltaic power plants. On the basis of the obtained results, guidelines were proposed for pro-ecological changes in the life cycle of materials and elements of the considered technical facilities for renewable energy sources, aimed at better implementation of the main assumptions of contemporary sustainable development (especially in the field of environmental protection).     

Experimental Study and Artificial Neural Network Simulation of Cutting Forces and Delamination Analysis in GFRP Drilling

This paper reports the results of measurements of cutting forces and delamination in drilling of Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composites. Four different types of GFRP composites were tested, made by a different manufacturing method and had a different fiber type, weight fraction (wf) ratio, number of layers, but the same stacking sequence. GFRP samples were made using two technologies: a novel method based on the use of a specially designed pressing device and hand lay-up and vacuum bag technology process. The study was conducted with variable technological parameters: cutting speed v_c and feed per tooth f_z. The two-edge carbide diamond-coated drill produced by Seco Company was used in the experiments. Cutting-force components and delamination factor were measured in the experiments, and photos of the holes were taken to determine the delamination. In addition, modeling of cause-and-effect relationships between the technological drilling parameters v_c and f_z was simulated with the use of artificial neural network modeling. For all tested GFRP materials, an increase in f_z led to an increase in the amplitude of cutting-force component F_z. The lowest values of the amplitude of cutting-force component F_z were obtained with the lowest tested feed per tooth value of 0.04 mm/tooth for all tested materials. It was observed that materials produced with the use of the specially designed pressing device were characterized by lower values of the cutting-force component F_z. It was also found that the delamination factor increased with an increase in f_z for all tested GFRP materials. A comparison of the lowest and the highest values of f_z revealed that the lowest delamination factor increase was archived by the B1 material and amounted to about 12.5%. The error margin of the obtained numerical modeling results does not exceed 15%, so it can be concluded that artificial neural networks are a suitable tool for modeling cutting force amplitudes as a function of v_c and f_z. The study has shown that the use of the special pressing device during the manufacturing of composite materials has a positive effect on delamination.     

Molnupiravir When Used Alone Seems to Be Safe and Effective as Outpatient COVID-19 Therapy for Hemodialyzed Patients and Kidney Transplant Recipients

Background: Molnupiravir demonstrated an in vitro antiviral activity against positive-sense RNA viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. The study aimed to present the results of outpatient molnupiravir use in kidney transplant recipients and hemodialysis patients during the first months of 2022 in Poland. Methods: The retrospective observational cohort study at one kidney transplant center included 36 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 with an automated nucleic acid amplification test on nasopharyngeal swab specimens. All patients received molnupiravir for home-based therapy at a dose of 800 mg every 12 h orally for 5 days. Both kidney transplant recipients (n = 16) and hemodialysis patients (n = 20) presented a lot of comorbidities with a Charlson comorbidity index of 4.1 and 5.1, respectively. Results: Patients presented with fever, cough, and weakness followed by muscle and joint pain. Five kidney transplant recipients experienced acute kidney injury with a rise in serum creatinine level from 0.4 to 1.9 mg/dL. No serious side effects of molnupiravir therapy or interactions with immunosuppressive medications were observed. Symptoms of COVID-19 improved rapidly or resolved within 24–48 h of starting treatment. Conclusion: The study suggests the safety and efficacy of molnupiravir therapy alone early after the onset of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but further investigations should be performed to confirm our preliminary results. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first published report on molnupiravir use in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients on hemodialysis and the third concerning kidney transplant recipients.     

Application of Statistical Methods to Accurately Assess the Effect of Gamma Aluminum Oxide Nanopowder on the Hardness of Composite Materials with Polyester–Glass Recyclate

Polymer composites are materials that are used in many industries. Their wide application has a direct impact on the amount of post-production and post-consumer waste. The global problem with recycling, especially of fiber-reinforced polymeric materials, has prompted research into methods of their use. Previous research on composite materials with polyester–glass recyclate showed a decrease in mechanical properties. The construction material should have the highest mechanical properties. Based on the literature, it was found that the use of nanoadditives may have a positive effect on the parameters of the materials. The use of gamma aluminum nanopowder, in a small amount can significantly increase the mechanical properties of composites with polyester–glass recyclate, and thus can affect the application of these materials to structural elements. The article is devoted to the research on the hardness of composite materials with polyester–glass recyclate and gamma aluminum nanopowder. The main goal is to investigate the possibility of using a nanoadditive as a material, increasing the mechanical properties of composites with polyester–glass recyclate, so as to create a recycled material with the highest possible strength parameters. Hardness tests were performed using the Barcol method. For each composite material, 30 measurements were made in order to subject the results to a statistical analysis. Using parametric statistical tests it was shown that the obtained hardness values at the assumed level of statistical significance p_v = 0.05 for comparisons for the samples of the reference material (B0) do not differ by chance, while for the comparisons in the configurations of the reference material (B0) with the modified materials, (R10, A2, R10A2) they do not differ by accident. Studies have shown that the addition of 2% gamma aluminum nanopowder slightly lowers the hardness of a pure polyester–glass composite, but the same additive allows the hardness of composite materials to be increased with the addition of glass recyclate. This is of particular importance for the development of the optimal composition of polyester–glass composites with the addition of recyclate, which will have good strength properties and at the same time enable the reuse of composite waste.