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•Microwave radiation was successfully applied for crude oil demulsification.•Multimode microwave radiation provided faster heating.•Single mode microwave radiation spent less ...energy.•Total applied energy rules the demulsification efficiency.
During petroleum production and refining, water-in-crude oil emulsions are formed in a desirable or undesirable fashion. However, for economic and operational reasons it is necessary to separate water from oil. In order to present an alternative to the currently available techniques used to solve such task, this study aims to analyze the influence of microwave application modes (multimode and single mode) on the breaking efficiency of a synthetic water-in-crude oil emulsion. In both heating modes, it was observed that the water content, temperature, and total applied energy are preponderant parameters regarding obtain higher efficiencies. The single mode heating required less energy to reach the same temperature and/or demulsification efficiency while the multimode provided better reproducibility. The power dissipation and, consequently, the microwave heating efficiency was dependent on the heating temperature and the emulsion water content. Furthermore, it was noticed that the presence of chemical additives tends to minimize any effect of irradiation mode on demulsification efficiency at temperatures above the 120°C.
Acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) results from oligo-clonal evolution of B-cell progenitors endowed with initiating and propagating leukemia properties. The activation of both the Rac ...guanine nucleotide exchange factor (Rac GEF) Vav3 and Rac GTPases is required for leukemogenesis mediated by the oncogenic fusion protein BCR-ABL. Vav3 expression becomes predominantly nuclear upon expression of BCR-ABL signature. In the nucleus, Vav3 interacts with BCR-ABL, Rac, and the polycomb repression complex (PRC) proteins Bmi1, Ring1b and Ezh2. The GEF activity of Vav3 is required for the proliferation, Bmi1-dependent B-cell progenitor self-renewal, nuclear Rac activation, protein interaction with Bmi1, mono-ubiquitination of H2A(K119) (H2AK119Ub) and repression of PRC-1 (PRC1) downstream target loci, of leukemic B-cell progenitors. Vav3 deficiency results in de-repression of negative regulators of cell proliferation and repression of oncogenic transcriptional factors. Mechanistically, we show that Vav3 prevents the Phlpp2-sensitive and Akt (S473)-dependent phosphorylation of Bmi1 on the regulatory residue S314 that, in turn, promotes the transcriptional factor reprogramming of leukemic B-cell progenitors. These results highlight the importance of non-canonical nuclear Rho GTPase signaling in leukemogenesis.
Disease progression and recurrence are major barriers to survival for breast cancer patients. Understanding the etiology of recurrent or metastatic breast cancer and underlying mechanisms is critical ...for the development of new treatments and improved survival. Here, we report that two commonly overexpressed breast cancer oncogenes, Ron (Recepteur d'Origine Nantaise) and DEK, cooperate to promote advanced disease through multipronged effects on β-catenin signaling. The Ron receptor is commonly activated in breast cancers, and Ron overexpression in human disease stimulates β-catenin nuclear translocation and is an independent predictor of metastatic dissemination. Dek is a chromatin-associated oncogene whose expression has been linked to cancer through multiple mechanisms, including β-catenin activity. We demonstrate here that Dek is a downstream target of Ron receptor activation in murine and human models. The absence of Dek in the MMTV-Ron mouse model led to a significant delay in tumor development, characterized by decreased cell proliferation, diminished metastasis and fewer cells expressing mammary cancer stem cell markers. Dek complementation of cell lines established from this model was sufficient to promote cellular growth and invasion. Mechanistically, Dek expression stimulated the production and secretion of Wnt ligands to sustain an autocrine/paracrine canonical β-catenin signaling loop. Finally, we show that Dek overexpression promotes tumorigenic phenotypes in immortalized human mammary epithelial MCF10A cells and, in the context of Ron receptor activation, correlates with disease recurrence and metastasis in patients. Overall, our studies demonstrate that DEK overexpression, due in part to Ron receptor activation, drives breast cancer progression through the induction of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are aggressive sarcomas without effective therapeutics. Bioinformatics was used to identify potential therapeutic targets. Paired Box (PAX), Eyes ...Absent (EYA), Dachsund (DACH) and Sine Oculis (SIX) genes, which form a regulatory interactive network in Drosophila, were found to be dysregulated in human MPNST cell lines and solid tumors. We identified a decrease in DACH1 expression, and increases in the expressions of PAX6, EYA1, EYA2, EYA4, and SIX1-4 genes. Consistent with the observation that half of MPNSTs develop in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients, subsequent to NF1 mutation, we found that exogenous expression of the NF1-GTPase activating protein-related domain normalized DACH1 expression. EYA4 mRNA was elevated more than 100-fold as estimated by quantitative real-time PCR in most MPNST cell lines. In vitro, suppression of EYA4 expression using short hairpin RNA reduced cell adhesion and migration and caused cellular necrosis without affecting cell proliferation or apoptotic cell death. MPNST cells expressing shEYA4 either failed to form tumors in nude mice or formed very small tumors, with extensive necrosis but similar levels of proliferation and apoptosis as control cells. Our findings identify a role of EYA4 and possibly interacting SIX and DACH proteins in MPNSTs and suggest the EYA4 pathway as a rational therapeutic target.
Epigenetically regulated transcriptional plasticity has been proposed as a mechanism of differentiation arrest and resistance to therapy. BCR-ABL leukemias result from leukemic stem cell/progenitor ...transformation and represent an opportunity to identify epigenetic progress contributing to lineage leukemogenesis. Primary human and murine BCR-ABL
leukemic progenitors have increased activation of Cdc42 and the downstream atypical protein kinase C (aPKC). While the isoform aPKCζ behaves as a leukemic suppressor, aPKCλ/ι is critically required for oncogenic progenitor proliferation, survival, and B-cell differentiation arrest, but not for normal B-cell lineage differentiation. In vitro and in vivo B-cell transformation by BCR-ABL requires the downregulation of key genes in the B-cell differentiation program through an aPKC λ/ι-Erk dependent Etv5/Satb2 chromatin repressive signaling complex. Genetic or pharmacological targeting of aPKC impairs human oncogenic addicted leukemias. Therefore, the aPKCλ/ι-SATB2 signaling cascade is required for leukemic BCR-ABL
B-cell progenitor transformation and is amenable to non-tyrosine kinase inhibition.
The solubility of propylene, ethylene, and propylene–ethylene mixtures in isotactic polypropylene (iPP) is measured with a high‐pressure sorption balance at different temperatures and pressures. The ...obtained sorption isotherms of both binary systems (propylene–iPP and ethylene–iPP) are fitted with the Sanchez–Lacombe equation of state. It is found that both binary interaction parameters for ethylene and propylene in iPP decrease with temperature. At temperatures above 70 °C, the overall solubility of ethylene plus propylene mixtures can be modeled using purely binary systems. However, at temperatures under 70 °C it is necessary to use a ternary solubility model that accounts for interactions between the penetrants and the polymer. Furthermore, at lower temperatures, the total solubility of the gas mixture is higher than the sum of gas solubilities of individual components because the anti‐solvent effect of ethylene (on propylene) is weaker than the co‐solvent effect of propylene on ethylene. Moreover, the molar ratio of ethylene to propylene dissolved in iPP increases with temperature and pressure. Desorption studies show that the effective diffusion coefficient increases with pressure and temperature and that the effective diffusivity of gaseous ethylene–propylene mixtures is lower than that of either of the individual gases.
Sorption experiments using a suspension magnetic balance show that the codiffusion of ethylene and propylene in polypropylene appears to be characterized by a lower value of the effective diffusivity than is the case for either of the individual penetrants diffusing alone.
The determination of the xylene soluble fraction in high impact polypropylene is used to estimate the rubber content in the polymer material. In analytical laboratories, the soluble fraction is ...measured by solvent extraction using gravimetric methods according to ASTM5492 or ISO6427. These methods require a large quantity of polymers, large volume of solvent, and long extraction times. It is therefore highly desirable to develop other laboratory methodologies for this task; preferably methodologies that employ existing laboratory equipment. It is found that the SEC method proposed here yields estimates of rubber contents very close to those found using standardized technics but in much shorter times.
In analytical laboratory, rubber content in a high impact polypropylene is determined by xylene soluble fraction using the gravimetric method. This value is proportional to the amorphous content of the materials. It is widely used for product quality control or monitoring properties of the polymer. In this paper, we describe a new method based on the use of size exclusion chromatography for measuring the amount of rubber present in copolymer. The obtained data are compared to the conventional ASTM testing method.
Background and Objectives
Pathogen reduction technology using amustaline (S‐303) was developed to reduce the risk of transfusion‐transmitted infection and adverse effects of residual leucocytes. In ...this study, the viability of red blood cells (RBCs) prepared with a second‐generation process and stored for 35 days was evaluated in two different blood centres.
Materials and Methods
In a single‐blind, randomized, controlled, two‐period crossover study (n = 42 healthy subjects), amustaline‐treated (Test) or Control RBCs were prepared in random sequence and stored for 35 days. On day 35, an aliquot of 51Cr/99mTc radiolabeled RBCs was transfused. In a subgroup of 26 evaluable subjects, 24‐h RBC post‐transfusion recovery, mean life span, median life span (T50) and life span area under the curve (AUC) were analysed.
Results
The mean 24‐h post‐transfusion recovery of Test and Control RBCs was comparable (83·2 ± 5·2 and 84·9 ± 5·9%, respectively; P = 0·06) and consistent with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) criteria for acceptable RBC viability. There were differences in the T50 between Test and Control RBCs (33·5 and 39·7 days, respectively; P < 0·001), however, these were within published reference ranges of 28–35 days. The AUC (per cent surviving × days) for Test and Control RBCs was similar (22·6 and 23·1 per cent surviving cells × days, respectively; P > 0·05). Following infusion of Test RBCs, there were no clinically relevant abnormal laboratory values or adverse events.
Conclusion
RBCs prepared using amustaline pathogen reduction meet the FDA criteria for post‐transfusion recovery and are metabolically and physiologically appropriate for transfusion following 35 days of storage.
Summary
The impact of injection conditions of a supported Ziegler Natta catalyst on the rate of polymerization of propylene in a gas phase process is investigated. It is observed that the ...instantaneous rate of propylene polymerization is higher if the catalyst is injected wetted with a hydrocarbon before being charged to the reactor. This is attributed to the effect of the hydrocarbon in decreasing local particle overheating for the critical initial instants of polymerization, due to lower diffusion of the monomer to the active sites and to absorption of the heat of vaporization. An enhancement of the observed initial polymerization rate is also observed with prepolymerization.
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