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Inflammopharmacology Jun 2021Inflammation is not only a defense mechanism of the innate immune system against invaders, but it is also involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases such as... (Review)
Review
Inflammation is not only a defense mechanism of the innate immune system against invaders, but it is also involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, diabetes, epilepsy, and many neurodegenerative disorders. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports worldwide estimates of people (9.6% in males and 18.0% in females) aged over 60 years, suffering from symptomatic osteoarthritis, and around 339 million suffering from asthma. Other chronic inflammatory diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are also highly prevalent. The existing anti-inflammatory agents, both non-steroidal and steroidal, are highly effective; however, their prolonged use is marred by the severity of associated side effects. A holistic approach to ensure patient compliance requires understanding the pathophysiology of inflammation and exploring new targets for drug development. In this regard, various intracellular cell signaling pathways and their signaling molecules have been identified to be associated with inflammation. Therefore, chemical inhibitors of these pathways may be potential candidates for novel anti-inflammatory drug approaches. This review focuses on the anti-inflammatory effect of these inhibitors (for JAK/STAT, MAPK, and mTOR pathways) describing their mechanism of action through literature search, current patents, and molecules under clinical trials.
Topics: Acrylonitrile; Aniline Compounds; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Colitis, Ulcerative; Crohn Disease; Humans; Inflammation; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intracellular Fluid; Janus Kinase Inhibitors; MTOR Inhibitors; STAT Transcription Factors; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 34002330
DOI: 10.1007/s10787-021-00813-y -
Journal of Environmental Management Dec 2023Environmental concerns associated with the rapid rising plastic consumption have led to the search for better waste utilization and management. Pyrolysis has emerged as...
Environmental concerns associated with the rapid rising plastic consumption have led to the search for better waste utilization and management. Pyrolysis has emerged as an ideal and promising technique for energy extraction from plastic waste. The aim of this work is to explore the waste plastic pyrolysis behavior under non-isothermal heating conditions. The decomposition characteristics, reaction mechanism, kinetics and thermodynamics of a typical widely used thermosetting plastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), were studied via coupled thermogravimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (TG-FTIR-GC/MS). Kinetic analysis showed the average E values are estimated to be 187.02, 188.55, 187.04 and 185.67 kJ/mol via advanced Vyazovkin, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), Tang and Starink model-free method, respectively. Model-fitting CR and master-plots method indicated that f(α)=(1-α) is the most probable reaction mechanism. The equation of kinetic compensation effect was further developed as lnA = -3.1955 + 0.1736 E. Based on these initial inferences, a new reaction scheme coupled with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) was put forward for modeling ABS pyrolysis. The optimized values of E, A and n are 198.07 kJ/mol, 7.61 × 10 s and 1.56, respectively. The predicted results showed that the experimental data can be well characterized by the optimized parameters from PSO, validating the effectiveness and accuracy of the inverse modeling procedure. Moreover, it is found that the volatile products are mainly composed of aromatic compounds, ketones, amines, esters, nitrile compounds, alkenes and amines. Based on the FT-IR and GC-MS results, the possible chemical reactions for ABS pyrolysis from molecular structure were proposed. Finally, thermodynamic analysis was carried out, the calculated values of enthalpy ΔH, Gibb's free energy ΔG and entropy ΔS indicated that non-spontaneous reactions with low favorability exists during ABS decomposition, the process is complex therefore extra energy is needed to promote the reaction. The obtained results should offer as an important reference for future disposal and thermochemical management of such polymer waste.
Topics: Acrylonitrile; Kinetics; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Butadienes; Styrene; Thermogravimetry; Amines
PubMed: 37827086
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119080 -
Indian Journal of Microbiology Dec 2022Degradation of nitriles by mixed biofilms of nitrile-hydrolyzing bacteria 2 and gt 1 grown on basalt and carbon carriers, in a submerged packed-bed reactor was...
UNLABELLED
Degradation of nitriles by mixed biofilms of nitrile-hydrolyzing bacteria 2 and gt 1 grown on basalt and carbon carriers, in a submerged packed-bed reactor was studied. It was shown the formation of a massive mixed biofilm of 2 and gt 1 and the effective removal of nitriles and products of their degradation from the reaction medium. After the accumulation of carboxylic acid and some of the unprocessed substrate, the system adapts to 600-1000 h of biofilter operation, which is expressed in a decrease in the content of substrate and reaction products in the medium. The rate of acetonitrile and acrylonitrile utilization was 0.072-0.086 and 0.039-0.215 g/h, respectively, and acrylonitrile utilization with maximum rate was realized by a mixed biofilm on carbon fibers. Biofilms grown on mixed fibers in a "sandwich"-type reactor had the best characteristics for the transformation of aceto- and acrylonitrile (removal capacity of 99.6-99.9%, nitrile utilization rate of 0.080-0.095 g/h). Biofilms grown on basalt fiber with a diameter of 4-12 μm are also well suited for the degradation of acetonitrile (removal capacity of 100%, nitrile utilization rate of 0.086 g/h). The results of metagenomic analysis showed the resistance of 2 and gt 1 mixed biofilms against leaching from a biofilter and to competitive growth in an open system, indicating the advantages of biofilms over homogeneous biomass for wastewater treatment from nitrile compounds. Biofilms of two species of nitrile hydrolyzing bacteria on basalt and carbon fibers effectively purify water from nitriles in a submerged packed-bed reactor.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-022-01030-z.
PubMed: 36458224
DOI: 10.1007/s12088-022-01030-z -
Organic Letters Jun 2023A highly enantioselective formal α-allylic alkylation of acrylonitrile is developed using 4-cyano-3-oxotetrahydrothiophene (c-THT) as a safe and easy-to-handle...
A highly enantioselective formal α-allylic alkylation of acrylonitrile is developed using 4-cyano-3-oxotetrahydrothiophene (c-THT) as a safe and easy-to-handle surrogate of acrylonitrile. This two-step process consists of an Ir(I)/(,olefin)-catalyzed branched-selective allylic alkylation using easily accessible branched -allylic alcohols as the allylic electrophile followed by retro-Dieckmann/retro-Michael fragmentation and is shown to be applicable for the enantioselective synthesis of α-allylic acrylates as well as α-allylic acrolein.
Topics: Allyl Compounds; Iridium; Acrylonitrile; Stereoisomerism; Catalysis; Alkylation
PubMed: 37311003
DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c01552 -
Cells Jan 2022(1) Background: Three-dimensional (3D) collagen I-based skin models are commonly used in drug development and substance testing but have major drawbacks such as...
(1) Background: Three-dimensional (3D) collagen I-based skin models are commonly used in drug development and substance testing but have major drawbacks such as batch-to-batch variations and ethical concerns. Recently, synthetic nanofibrous scaffolds created by electrospinning have received increasing interest as potential alternatives due to their morphological similarities to native collagen fibrils in size and orientation. The overall objective of this proof-of-concept study was to demonstrate the suitability of two synthetic polymers in creating electrospun scaffolds for 3D skin cell models. (2) Methods: Electrospun nanofiber mats were produced with (i) poly(acrylonitrile-co-methyl acrylate) (P(AN-MA)) and (ii) a blend of pullulan (Pul), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) (Pul/PVA/PAA) and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectra. Primary skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes were seeded onto the nanofiber mats and analyzed for phenotypic characteristics (phalloidin staining), viability (Presto Blue HS assay), proliferation (Ki-67 staining), distribution (H/E staining), responsiveness to biological stimuli (qPCR), and formation of skin-like structures (H/E staining). (3) Results: P(AN-MA) mats were more loosely packed than the Pul/PVA/PAA mats, concomitant with larger fiber diameter (340 nm ± 120 nm vs. 250 nm ± 120 nm, < 0.0001). After sterilization and exposure to cell culture media for 28 days, P(AN-MA) mats showed significant adsorption of fetal calf serum (FCS) from the media into the fibers (DRIFT spectra) and increased fiber diameter (590 nm ± 290 nm, < 0.0001). Skin fibroblasts were viable over time on both nanofiber mats, but suitable cell infiltration only occurred in the P(AN-MA) nanofiber mats. On P(AN-MA) mats, fibroblasts showed their characteristic spindle-like shape, produced a dermis-like structure, and responded well to TGFβ stimulation, with a significant increase in the mRNA expression of , , and (all < 0.05). Primary keratinocytes seeded on top of the dermis equivalent proliferated and formed a stratified epidermis-like structure. (4) Conclusion: P(AN-MA) and Pul/PVA/PAA are both biocompatible materials suitable for nanofiber mat production. P(AN-MA) mats hold greater potential as future 3D skin models due to enhanced cell compatibility (i.e., adsorption of FCS proteins), cell infiltration (i.e., increased pore size due to swelling behavior), and cell phenotype preservation. Thus, our proof-of-concept study shows an easy and robust process of producing electrospun scaffolds for 3D skin cell models made of P(AN-MA) nanofibers without the need for bioactive molecule attachments.
Topics: Acrylonitrile; Collagen; Glucans; Nanofibers; Tissue Engineering; Tissue Scaffolds
PubMed: 35159255
DOI: 10.3390/cells11030445 -
Chemistry (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Sep 2022The direct hydrodimerization of acrylates and acrylonitrile offers a general streamlined access to industrially important intermediates to nylon 6,6. However, a...
The direct hydrodimerization of acrylates and acrylonitrile offers a general streamlined access to industrially important intermediates to nylon 6,6. However, a practical catalytic method for this process has thus far underdeveloped owing to the challenges in regioselectivity and environmental compatibility of applied reagents. Here, we report a cobalt-catalyzed tail-to-tail hydrodimerization of activated alkenes driven by a visible-light photoredox catalysis at ambient temperature, which is applicable to both adipates and adiponitrile synthesis from potentially renewable feedstocks. This protocol utilizes half equivalent of hantzsch ester as a recyclable two-electron and two-proton donor with the assistance of catalytic amount of base as a proton shuttle, and has been shown to be highly regioselective and efficient for hydrodimerizing various activated alkenes to 1,4-difunctionalized butane derivatives.
Topics: Acrylates; Acrylonitrile; Adipates; Alkenes; Butanes; Catalysis; Cobalt; Esters; Molecular Structure; Nitriles; Protons
PubMed: 35766153
DOI: 10.1002/chem.202201442 -
ACS Omega Sep 2021Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) is becoming an important tool in the characterization of polymeric materials. The sensitivity of EELS to changes in the chemical...
Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) is becoming an important tool in the characterization of polymeric materials. The sensitivity of EELS to changes in the chemical structure of polymeric materials dictates its applicability. In particular, it is important for compositional analysis to have reference spectra of pure components. Here, we report the spectra of the carbon K-edge of six polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene terephthalate, and polylactic acid) including copolymers (styrene acrylonitrile and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), to be used as reference spectra for future EELS studies of polymers. We have successfully decomposed the carbon K-edge of each of the polymers and assigned the observed peaks to bonding transitions. The spectra have been acquired in standard experimental conditions, and electron beam damage has been taken into account during establishment of spectral-structural relationships. We found that the more commonly available low-energy resolution spectrometers are adequate to chemically fingerprint linear saturated hydrocarbons such as PE, PP, and PLA. We have thus moved a step closer toward creating an atlas of polymer EELS spectra, which can be subsequently used for chemical bond mapping of polymeric materials with nanoscale spatial resolution.
PubMed: 34568672
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c02939 -
RSC Advances Jun 2022Fabricating a simple and valid high-property graphene-based supercapacitor employing engineered plastic waste as the original material has attracted tremendous interest....
Fabricating a simple and valid high-property graphene-based supercapacitor employing engineered plastic waste as the original material has attracted tremendous interest. Herein we report an extendable method for producing nitrogen and phosphorus dual-doped porous three-dimensional (3D) graphene materials from the blends of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and polycarbonate (PC)/acrylonitrile ((A), butadiene (B), and styrene (S)) (ABS) using a simple laser direct-writing technique. In APP/PC/ABS blends, APP/PC/ABS, a waste by-product generated in car interiors and exterior decoration and electronic device shells and other fields, served as a sufficient and economic carbon source, while APP was employed as a nitrogen and phosphorus source as well as flame retardant. APP/PC/ABS blends could be transformed into nitrogen and phosphorus dual-doped laser-induced graphene (NPLIG) scribing under a CO laser in air conditions. In addition, a supercapacitor was fabricated applying NPLIG as the electrode material, and KOH solution as the electrolyte. The as-fabricated NPLIG supercapacitor exhibited excellent electrochemical behaviours, namely, a high specific areal capacitance (239 F g) at a current density of 0.05 A g, which outperformed many LIG-based and GO-based supercapacitors. The concept of designing supercapacitors that can be obtained with a facile laser-scribing technology can stimulate both the building of supercapacitors and preparation of graphene, and the sustainable utilization of engineering plastics.
PubMed: 35865584
DOI: 10.1039/d2ra02477b -
Critical Reviews in Toxicology Feb 2023Acrylonitrile (ACN) is a known rodent and possible human carcinogen. There have also been concerns as to it causing adverse reproductive health effects. Numerous... (Review)
Review
Acrylonitrile (ACN) is a known rodent and possible human carcinogen. There have also been concerns as to it causing adverse reproductive health effects. Numerous genotoxicity studies at the somatic level in a variety of test systems have demonstrated ACN's mutagenicity; its potential to induce mutations in germ cells has also been evaluated. ACN is metabolized to reactive intermediates capable of forming adducts with macromolecules including DNA, a necessary first step in establishing a direct mutagenic mode of action (MOA) for its carcinogenicity. The mutagenicity of ACN has been well demonstrated, however, numerous studies have found no evidence for the capacity of ACN to induce direct DNA lesions that initiate the mutagenic process. Although ACN and its oxidative metabolite (2-cyanoethylene oxide or CNEO) have been shown to bind with isolated DNA and associated proteins, usually under non-physiological conditions, studies in mammalian cells or have provided little specification as to an ACN-DNA reaction. Only one early study in rats has shown an ACN/CNEO DNA adduct in liver, a non-target tissue for its carcinogenicity in the rat. By contrast, numerous studies have shown that ACN can act indirectly to induce at least one DNA adduct by forming reactive oxygen species (ROS) but it has not been definitively shown that the resulting DNA damage is causative for the induction of mutations. Genotoxicity studies for ACN in somatic and germinal cells are summarized and critically reviewed. Significant data gaps have been identified for bringing together the massive data base that provides the basis of ACN's current genotoxicity profile.
Topics: Rats; Humans; Animals; Mutagens; DNA Adducts; Acrylonitrile; Mutagenicity Tests; DNA Damage; DNA; Mammals
PubMed: 37278976
DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2023.2179912 -
Electrophoresis Mar 2023Electroosmotic flow (EOF) was determined in tridimensional (3D)-printed microchannels with dimensions smaller than 100 µm. Fused deposition modeling 3D printing using...
Electroosmotic flow (EOF) was determined in tridimensional (3D)-printed microchannels with dimensions smaller than 100 µm. Fused deposition modeling 3D printing using thermoplastic filaments of PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), PLA (polylactic acid), and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) were used to fabricate the microchannels. The current monitoring method and sodium phosphate solutions at different pH values (3-10) were used for the EOF mobility (µ ) measurements, which ranged from 2.00 × 10 to 12.52 × 10 cm V s . The highest and the smallest µ were obtained for the PLA and PETG microchannels, respectively. Adding the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide to the sodium phosphate solution caused EOF direction reversion in all the studied microchannels. The obtained results can be interesting for developing 3D-printed microfluidic devices, in which EOF is relevant.
Topics: Electroosmosis; Phosphates; Printing, Three-Dimensional
PubMed: 36495094
DOI: 10.1002/elps.202200211