Interaction of cylindrical polymer brushes in dilute and semi-dilute solution

We present a systematic study of flexible cylindrical brush-shaped macromolecules in a good solvent by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), static light scattering (SLS), and by dynamic light scattering (DLS) in dilute and semi-dilute solution. The SLS and SANS data extrapolated to infinite dilution lead to the shape of the polymer that can be modeled in terms of a worm-like chain with a contour length of 380 nm and a persistence length of 17.5 nm. SANS data taken at higher polymer concentration were evaluated by using the polymer reference interaction site model (PRISM). We find that the persistence length reduce from 17.5 nm at infinite dilution to 5.3 nm at the highest concentration (volume fraction 0.038). This is comparable with the decrease of the persistence length in semi-dilute concentration predicted theoretically for polyelectrolytes. This finding reveals a softening of stiffness of the polymer brushes caused by their mutual interaction

Epigenetic mechanisms in virus-induced tumorigenesis

About 15–20% of human cancers worldwide have viral etiology. Emerging data clearly indicate that several human DNA and RNA viruses, such as human papillomavirus, Epstein–Barr virus, Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human T-cell lymphotropic virus, contribute to cancer development. Human tumor-associated viruses have evolved multiple molecular mechanisms to disrupt specific cellular pathways to facilitate aberrant replication. Although oncogenic viruses belong to different families, their strategies in human cancer development show many similarities and involve viral-encoded oncoproteins targeting the key cellular proteins that regulate cell growth. Recent studies show that virus and host interactions also occur at the epigenetic level. In this review, we summarize the published information related to the interactions between viral proteins and epigenetic machinery which lead to alterations in the epigenetic landscape of the cell contributing to carcinogenesis

Charakterystyka wybranych właściwości fizyko-mechanicznych oraz składu chemicznego kruszyw wyprodukowanych na bazie: żużli stalowniczych, porfiru i diabazu

This paper presents the results of tests of selected physical and mechanical properties as well as the chemical composition of two types of natural aggregates: porphyry and diabase, as well as artificial aggregate based on steel slags. Based on the conducted tests, it was established that the physical and mechanical properties of the artificial aggregate exhibit slightly lower parameters as compared to the results obtained for porphyry and diabase aggregates. However, this does not limit the possibility of using the aggregate based on steel slags, as according to the applicable WT-4 and WT-5 standards, it can be used in mixtures unbound to the improved subsoil and layers of the road foundation as well as road mixtures with hydraulic binders for each category of traffic load. The chemical composition of the aggregate based on steel slags differs from the chemical composition of the tested natural aggregates. The slags contain lower amounts of SiO2 and Al2O3, while the concentration of CaO and Fe2O3 is greater. Additionally, heavy metals have also been exhibited in the slags. However, it was established that the alkaline nature of the slags, which is affected by low sulphur content and a significant proportion of CaO, as well as the way the metals occur limit the possibility of heavy metals release and migration from slags. The tested steel slags may constitute a prospective material used in road construction.W artykule przedstawiono wyniki badań wybranych właściwości fizyko-mechanicznych oraz składu chemicznego dwóch rodzajów kruszywa naturalnego: porfirowego i diabazowego oraz kruszywa sztucznego wyprodukowanego na bazie żużli stalowniczych. Na podstawie przeprowadzonych badań stwierdzono, że właściwości fizyko-mechaniczne (gęstość objętościowa, nasiąkliwość, mrozoodporność, odporność na rozdrabnianie LA, wytrzymałość na miażdżenie) kruszywa sztucznego wykazują nieco niższe parametry w odniesieniu do wyników oznaczeń uzyskanych dla kruszywa porfirowego i diabazowego. Nie ogranicza to jednak możliwości wykorzystania kruszywa na bazie żużli stalowniczych, gdyż wg obowiązujących standardów WT-4 i WT-5, może być ono stosowane w mieszankach niezwiązanych do ulepszonego podłoża i warstw podbudowy drogowej oraz drogowych mieszankach związanych spoiwami hydraulicznymi dla każdej kategorii obciążenia ruchem. Skład chemiczny kruszywa na bazie żużli stalowniczych różni się od składu chemicznego badanych kruszyw naturalnych. Żużle zawierają mniejsze ilości SiO2 oraz Al2O3, wzrasta w nich natomiast koncentracja CaO oraz Fe2O3, w żużlach oznaczono także obecność metali ciężkich. Stwierdzono jednak, że zasadowy charakter żużli, na który wpływa niska zawartość siarki oraz znaczny udział CaO, jak również sposób występowania metali przede wszystkim w formie rozproszonej w szkliwie oraz jako podstawienia w strukturze wewnętrznej faz krzemianowych i tlenkowych ograniczają możliwości uwalniania i migracji metali ciężkich z żużli. Badane żużle stalownicze mogą stanowić perspektywiczny materiał znajdujący zastosowanie w budownictwie drogowym

Three-dimensional Structure of the Photosystem II Core Dimer of Higher Plants Determined by Electron Microscopy

Here we report the first three-dimensional structure of a higher plant photosystem II core dimer determined by electron crystallography at a resolution sufficient to assign the organization of its transmembrane helices. The locations of 34 transmembrane helices in each half of the dimer have been deduced, 22 of which are assigned to the major subunits D1 (5), D2 (5), CP47 (6), and CP43 (6). CP47 and CP43, located on opposite sides of the D1/D2 heterodimer, are structurally similar to each other, consisting of 3 pairs of transmembrane helices arranged in a ring. Both CP47 and CP43 have densities protruding from the lumenal surface, which are assigned to the loops joining helices 5 and 6 of each protein. The remaining 12 helices within each half of the dimer are attributed to low-molecular-weight proteins having single transmembrane helices. Comparison of the subunit organization of the higher plant photosystem II core dimer reported here with that of its thermophilic cyanobacterial counterpart recently determined by X-ray crystallography shows significant similarities, indicative of a common evolutionary origin. Some differences are, however, observed, and these may relate to variations between the two classes of organisms in antenna linkage or thermostability. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science

Thermal characterization of halloysite materials for porous ceramic preforms

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of sintering raw (natural) halloysite and pure halloysite to produce porous ceramic preforms, and determination of sintering temperature based on the results of investigations into thermal effects, linear changes and phase transitions. Design/methodology/approach: Due to mullitisation ability of halloysite at high temperature, alternative applications based on the sintering technology (including the production of reinforcement of metal matrix composites) are being searched for. Pure halloysite and Dunino halloysite were selected for the study. Findings: Pure halloysite, characterized by low impurities, dimensional stability during sintering, softening temperature above 1500ºC and ability to transform into mullite at temperatures above 950ºC could be used as a base for the production of sintered, porous mullite preforms. Research limitations/implications: Presence of impurities in Dunino halloysite, contribute to the shift of the sintering temperature towards lower temperatures and caused a rapid and uncontrolled shrinkage of the sample and the appearance of the softening temperature at 1300ºC. Practical implications: Based on the research of thermal (DTA/TG, linear changes in high-temperature microscopy) and XRD studies it is possible to determine the sintering temperature of pure halloysite to manufacture the porous mullite preforms with open porosity. Originality/value: The received results show the possibility of obtaining the new mullite preforms based on pure halloysite. </jats:p