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In this study, an ionic liquid (IL), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, was used to prepare ionogels with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and halloysite (Hal). SEM, XRD, TG, DSC, FTIR spectroscopy, conductometry and mechanical tests were used to study the morphology, structure, thermal behaviour and electrophysical and mechanical characteristics of synthesised ionogels. XRD analysis showed a slight decrease in the interlayer space of halloysite in ionogels containing MCC, which may have been associated with the removal of residual water molecules resulting from hydrophilic IL anions and polymer macromolecules. A change in conductivity and glass-transition temperature of the ionic liquid was revealed due to intercalation into halloysite (a confinement effect) and modification with cellulose. For triple IL/Hal/MCC ionogels, the characteristic thermal degradation temperatures were higher than the corresponding values for IL/Hal composites. This indicates that the synthesised IL/Hal/MCC ionogels are characterised by a greater thermal stability than those of IL/Hal systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that blood lipoproteins (LPs) are multimolecular complexes of lipids and proteins that play a crucial role in lipid transport. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are a class of blood plasma LPs that mediate reverse cholesterol transport (RCT)—cholesterol transport from the peripheral tissues to the liver. Due to this ability to promote cholesterol uptake from cell membranes, HDL possess antiatherogenic properties. This function was first observed at the end of the 1970s to the beginning of the 1980s, resulting in high interest in this class of LPs. It was shown that HDL are the prevalent class of LPs in several types of living organisms (from fishes to monkeys) with high resistance to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disorders. Lately, understanding of the mechanisms of the antiatherogenic properties of HDL has significantly expanded. Besides the contribution to RCT, HDL have been shown to modulate inflammatory processes, blood clotting, and vasomotor responses. These particles also possess antioxidant properties and contribute to immune reactions and intercellular signaling. Herein, we review data on the structure and mechanisms of the pleiotropic biological functions of HDL from the point of view of their evolutionary role and complex dynamic nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites of montmorillonite K10 (MMT K10) and ionic liquid (IL) containing a 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium cation ([BMIm]+) and various anions, such as bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide ([NTf2]−), trifluoromethanesulfonate ([OTf]−), and dicyanamide ([DCA]−) have been obtained in this work. A number of methods, such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption–desorption have been used to characterize clay, and to study the structure and thermal behaviour of the composites. It has been found that the MMT K10 powder has a narrow particle size distribution with a peak at 246 nm and a mesoporous structure (SBET=195 m2/g). According to the FTIR spectra, MMT K10/IL interaction depends on the IL type. It has been identified that confined ionic liquid interacts with both clay and adsorbed water in accordance with the hydrophilicity and size of the anion, in the following order: [DCA]− > [OTf]− > [NTf2]−. Characteristic temperatures of glass transition, crystallization, and melting have been determined for the ionic liquids under study and their MMT K10 composites. It has been revealed that when IL is adsorbed on the surface of clay, the phase transitions in IL change. The greatest changes are observed in the case of BMImNTf2. By applying the method of thermogravimetric analysis, it is shown that composite formation is accompanied by a decrease in the IL thermal stability. Apparently, the highly developed surface of montmorillonite K10, obtained by acid treatment, plays a major role in the decrease in the IL's thermal stability. The influence of the IL anion on the thermal and spectral characteristics of an MMT K10/IL composite was studied for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is devoted to further development of magnetron sputtering technology for catalysts and catalysts layer production for fuel cells and other electrochemical devices. Platinum-carbon films with Pt content up to 95–97 wt % were deposited using different sputtering regimes—DC (direct current) sputtering with and without application of a pulse negative bias voltage to the titanium substrate and also bipolar pulse sputtering with frequency of 10 kHz and 100 kHz. Composite platinum carbon targets were used for sputtering. Characteristics of platinum-carbon films were compared with those of platinum films deposited using the same regimes. The main methods of investigation were scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy; potentiostatic and potentiodynamic methods. The catalytic activity of platinum-carbon films increased with platinum content and at a platinum concentration of 95–97 wt % became higher than that of platinum films sputtered in the same regimes. It was proposed that carbon atoms deposited on the substrate limited the mobility of the deposited platinum species and inhibited Pt cluster growth. Platinum-carbon films produced by pulsed DC magnetron sputtering with pulsed frequency 100 kHz consisted of narrow Pt columns with dome nanotops forming a well-developed surface. The porosity and specific surface of these columnar nanopillar films were higher compared with those of pure platinum films deposited under the same conditions. Moreover, the platinum-carbon films deposited using a bipolar pulse regime with a frequency of 100 kHz had the highest specific surface, porosity (30%) and catalytic activity in hydrogen and oxygen evolution due to a high ion current density and reduced pulse duration which inhibited the growth of large platinum globules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important problems in the development of proton exchange membrane fuel cells remains the selection of an efficient electrocatalyst support capable of providing a low loading of active metal with minimal changes in the electrochemical surface, electronic conductivity, and activity. In this work, carbon nanotube arrays (CNTAs) grown directly on commercial gas diffusion layers (GDLs) are used to form electrodes of a new type. The CNTAs are used in the electrode as a microporous layer. The catalytic layer is formed in the microporous layer by a method that does not destroy the carbon support structure and consists of the controlled impregnation of CNTAs with the Pt-precursor with subsequent reduction in platinum particles in the surface volume of the layer. The resulting electrode was studied by scanning/transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. This electrode provides increased electrical conductivity of the layer and can also improve stability and longer service life due to the enhanced adhesion of carbon materials to the GDL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fast catalytic pyrolysis of polystyrene in the hydrocarbon medium (light and heavy cycle oil) over zeolite catalysts at 450–550 °C was investigated. The influence of reaction conditions (medium, temperature, vapor residence time, polystyrene concentration) on polymer conversion and product distribution was studied. It was found that the polymer conversion is close to 100%, while ethylbenzene, benzene, and toluene are the main products of its transformation. The maximum yield of ethylbenzene (80%) was achieved at 550 °C, vapor residence time 1–2 s, polystyrene concentration 10%, and heavy cycle oil as the medium. The influence of zeolite topology on product distribution was explored. The possible mechanism of polystyrene pyrolysis was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Oncolytic viruses infect tumor cells and trigger their death and elimination by the immune system. Several viral strains have been introduced into clinical practice. However, their therapeutic efficacy remains controversial. Here, we show that Coxsackievirus B5 (CVB5) causes the death of glioblastoma cells. Interestingly, 2-deoxyglucose, an inhibitor of glycolysis augments the oncolytic effect induced by CVB5. This synergism occurs in cells with a high respiratory phenotype and increased glycolytic capacity. Thus, 2-deoxyglucose or its analogs can be evaluated further as drugs to potentiate the oncolytic effects of enteroviruses against glioblastoma multiforme. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common types of brain tumor. Despite intensive research, patients with GBM have a poor prognosis due to a very high rate of relapse and significant side effects of the treatment, with a median survival of 14.6 months. Oncolytic viruses are considered a promising strategy to eliminate GBM and other types of cancer, and several viruses have already been introduced into clinical practice. However, identification of the factors that underly the sensitivity of tumor species to oncolytic viruses or that modulate their clinical efficacy remains an important target. Here, we show that Coxsackievirus B5 (CVB5) demonstrates high oncolytic potential towards GBM primary cell species and cell lines. Moreover, 2-deoxyglucose (2DG), an inhibitor of glycolysis, potentiates the cytopathic effects of CVB5 in most of the cancer cell lines tested. The cells in which the inhibition of glycolysis enhanced oncolysis are characterized by high mitochondrial respiratory activity and glycolytic capacity, as determined by Seahorse analysis. Thus, 2-deoxyglucose and other analogs should be considered as adjuvants for oncolytic therapy of glioblastoma multiforme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer cell lines responded differentially to type I interferon treatment in models of oncolytic therapy using vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Two opposite cases were considered in this study, glioblastoma DBTRG-05MG and osteosarcoma HOS cell lines exhibiting resistance and sensitivity to VSV after the treatment, respectively. Type I interferon responses were compared for these cell lines by integrative analysis of the transcriptome, proteome, and RNA editome to identify molecular factors determining differential effects observed. Adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing was equally induced in both cell lines. However, transcriptome analysis showed that the number of differentially expressed genes was much higher in DBTRG-05MG with a specific enrichment in inflammatory proteins. Further, it was found that two genes, EGFR and HER2, were overexpressed in HOS cells compared with DBTRG-05MG, supporting recent reports that EGF receptor signaling attenuates interferon responses via HER2 co-receptor activity. Accordingly, combined treatment of cells with EGF receptor inhibitors such as gefitinib and type I interferon increases the resistance of sensitive cell lines to VSV. Moreover, sensitive cell lines had increased levels of HER2 protein compared with non-sensitive DBTRG-05MG. Presumably, the level of this protein expression in tumor cells might be a predictive biomarker of their resistance to oncolytic viral therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]