Synthesis of Polyol Tetrabromophthalate and Its Use as a Component for Preparing Foamed Polyurethanes of Reduced Flammability

A procedure was suggested for preparing brominated polyols of reduced viscosity for the synthesis of foamed polyurethanes of reduced flammability. The flame-retarding action of the synthesized polyol tetrabromophthalate in polyurethane was studied in comparison with that of other widely used flame retardants. Evaluation of the effect exerted on the flammability of the polurethane compound by the polyol tetrabromophthalate synthesized, melamine, and aluminum hydroxide shows that all the samples containing flame retardants are self-extinguishing. The shortest combustion time was observed for the sample containing 6% polyol tetrabromophthalate synthesized. The sample containing as a flame retardant additive solely the synthesized polyole tetrabromophthalate also exhibits the highest performance as a heat-insulating material from the viewpoint of thermal conductivity.

     

Recent advances and challenges in the recovery and purification of cellular exosomes

Exosomes are nanovesicles secreted by most cellular types that carry important biochemical compounds throughout the body with different purposes, playing a preponderant role in cellular communication. Because of their structure, physicochemical properties and stability, recent studies are focusing in their use as nanocarriers for different therapeutic compounds for the treatment of different diseases ranging from cancer to Parkinson's disease. However, current bioseparation protocols and methodologies are selected based on the final exosome application or intended use and present both advantages and disadvantages when compared among them. In this context, this review aims to present the most important technologies available for exosome isolation while discussing their advantages and disadvantages and the possibilities of being combined with other strategies. This is critical since the development of novel exosome‐based therapeutic strategies will be constrained to the effectiveness and yield of the selected downstream purification methodologies for which a thorough understanding of the available technological resources is needed.     

Optimized spacer layer thickness for plasmonic-induced enhancement of photocurrent in a-Si:H

Journal of Nanoparticle Research - Plasmonic interfaces consisting of silver nanoparticles of different sizes (50–100&;nbsp;nm) have been processed by the self-assembled dewetting...     

Formation and pharmacological activity of silicon—chitosan-containing glycerohydrogels obtained by biomimetic mineralization

The biomimetic sol—gel synthesis of silicon—chitosan-containing glycerohydrogels was carried out using silicon tetraglycerolate as a precursor. It was found that chitosan accelerates gel formation in weakly acidic media. In more acidic media, the kinetics of the process changes according to the curve with a maximum, which can be attributed to different mechanisms of silanol condensation before and after the isoelectric point. The investigated silicon—chitosan-containing glycerohydrogels exhibit antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activity. The synthesized hybrid glycerohydrogels are promising materials for biomedical applications.     

Elemental distribution by synchrotron X-ray microfluorescence of prostate 3D cell culture

Prostate cancer is a highly prevalent disease and ranks second among malignant neoplasms that affect men around the world, behind lung cancer alone. Trace elements are very important and are involved in many cellular processes. The X-ray microfluorescence technique is an advanced tool of high spatial resolution, sensitivity, multielemental analysis, and nondestructiveness for trace element study. This study aimed to investigate the elemental distribution in spheroids obtained through the following human prostate cell lines using synchrotron X-ray microfluorescence: tumor cell line androgen independent (DU145), tumor cell line androgen dependent (LNCaP), and normal cell line (RWPE-1). The measurements were performed with a standard geometry of 45° of incidence, excited by a white beam using a pixel of 25 μm and an acquisition time of 300 ms/pixel at the X-ray fluorescence beamline at the Synchrotron Light National Laboratory (Campinas, Brazil). The synchrotron X-ray microfluorescence results showed differences between groups in all elements analyzed and suggested that further studies should be performed to understand the relationship of these trace elements with the progression and development of the disease.     

Synthesis of a disaccharide of phenolic glycolipid from Mycobacterium leprae (PGL-I) and its conjugates with bovine serum albumin

Russian Chemical Bulletin - Terminal disaccharide fragment of phenolic glycolipid from Mycobacterium leprae (PGL-I) was synthesized as a glycoside with 4-(2-aminoethoxy)phenyl aglycon. The obtained...