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| 2. |
- Al-Farsi, Hissa M., et al.
(författare)
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Effects of the Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 and Innate Effector Mechanisms in Colistin-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae With mgrB Insertions
- 2019
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Microbiology. - : FRONTIERS MEDIA SA. - 1664-302X. ; 10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Colistin is a polypeptide antibiotic drug that targets lipopolysaccharides in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Inactivation of the mgrB-gene is a common mechanism behind colistin-resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kpn). Since colistin is a cyclic polypeptide, it may exhibit cross-resistance with the antimicrobial peptide LL-37, and with other innate effector mechanisms, but previous results are inconclusive. Objective To study potential cross-resistance between colistin and LL-37, as well as with other innate effector mechanisms, and to compare virulence of colistin-resistant and susceptible Kpn strains. Materials/Methods Carbapenemase-producing Kpn from Oman (n = 17) were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing. Susceptibility to colistin and LL-37 was studied. The surface charge was determined by zeta-potential measurements and the morphology of treated bacteria was analyzed with electron microscopy. Bacterial survival was assessed in human whole blood and serum, as well as in a zebrafish infection-model. Results Genome-analysis revealed insertion-sequences in the mgrB gene, as a cause of colistin resistance in 8/17 isolates. Colistin-resistant (Col-R) isolates were found to be more resistant to LL-37 compared to colistin-susceptible (Col-S) isolates, but only at concentrations >= 50 mu g/ml. There was no significant difference in surface charge between the isolates. The morphological changes were similar in both Col-R and Col-S isolates after exposure to LL-37. Finally, no survival difference between the Col-R and Col-S isolates was observed in whole blood or serum, or in zebrafish embryos. Conclusion Cross-resistance between colistin and LL-37 was observed at elevated concentrations of LL-37. However, Col-R and Col-S isolates exhibited similar survival in serum and whole blood, and in a zebrafish infection-model, suggesting that cross-resistance most likely play a limited role during physiological conditions. However, it cannot be ruled out that the observed cross-resistance could be relevant in conditions where LL-37 levels reach high concentrations, such as during infection or inflammation.
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| 3. |
- Amir, M., et al.
(författare)
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Synthesis and Characterization of CoxZn1−xAlFeO4 Nanoparticles
- 2015
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Ingår i: Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1574-1443 .- 1574-1451. ; 25:4, s. 747-754
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Nanocrystalline powders of cobalt and aluminum co-substituted zinc ferrites with general formula CoxZn1−xAlFeO4 (x = 0.0–1.0) have been synthesized for the first time. Using the citrate-microwave technique and the citric acid as combustion–complexion agent (fuel), materials with spinel mono-phase cubic spinel structure were successfully prepared. The characterization of products was done by XRD, SEM and VSM. The crystallite size estimated by Scherrer formula has been found in the range of 7.7–9.6 nm. The magnetic properties were studied by room temperature (RT) VSM magnetization measurements. The small remanent magnetization (Mr) and coercivity (Hc) values reveal the superparamagnetic nature of nanoparticles (NPs) at RT. The extrapolated saturation magnetization (Ms) is maximum for Co0.8Zn0.2AlFeO4 (17.15 emu/g) and minimum for ZnAlFeO4 particles (4.22 emu/g). This case is attributed to high or low amount of cation distribution change from normal to mixed spinel structure. The average magnetic diameters (Dmag) were calculated from magnetic fit studies of M–H spectra. Dmag values are between 8.17 and 8.46 nm and this range is in great accordance with the obtained diameters from XRD measurements. The small Mr/Ms ratios (maximum, 0.219) specify the uniaxial anisotropy according to Stoner–Wohlfarth model for CoxZn1−xAlFeO4 NPs. RT effective anisotropy constants (Keff) were calculated by using Ms and Hc values. Keff constants increased with increasing Co content in the spinel NPs.
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| 4. |
- Ballikaya, S., et al.
(författare)
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Thermoelectric and thermal stability improvements in Nano-Cu 2 Se included Ag 2 Se
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Solid State Chemistry. - : Academic Press. - 0022-4596 .- 1095-726X. ; 273, s. 122-127
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recently, silver chalcogenides have attracted great attention due to their potential application for room temperature power generation and local cooling. In this work, we report the thermoelectric properties and thermal stability of bulk Ag 2 Se with nano-Cu 2 Se inclusions ((Ag 2 Se) 1-x (Cu 2 Se) x where x = 0, 0.02 and 0.05). Ag 2 Se samples were prepared via melting, annealing and the nanocomposite was prepared by ball milling this material with required amount of nano-Cu 2 Se; finally, the samples were consolidated by spark plasma sintering. High temperature and low temperature transport properties were assessed by the measurements of the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and Hall coefficient. The phase composition and microstructure were explored by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, while the thermal stability of samples was investigated via heating microscopy and heat capacity measurement. Room temperature PXRD and SEM indicated that two separate phases of Ag 2 Se and Cu 2 Se form in nano-Cu 2 Se included composites. Heating microscopy and the heat capacity measurement indicate that the thermal stability of Ag 2 Se is enhanced with increasing nano-Cu 2 Se inclusions. The sign of the Seebeck coefficient, in agreement with the Hall coefficient, shows that electrons are the dominant carriers in all samples. The electrical conductivity of the samples increases and the Seebeck coefficient decreases with increasing amount of the nano-Cu 2 Se inclusion, likely due to augmented carrier concentration. Despite the larger electrical conductivity, the thermal conductivity is suppressed with nano-Cu 2 Se inclusions. A high power factor and reduced thermal conductivity lead to a maximum ZT value of 0.45 at 875 K for (Ag 2 Se) 1-x (nano-Cu 2 Se) x sample where x is 0.05.
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| 5. |
- Battiston, S., et al.
(författare)
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Influence of Al and Mg Addition on Thermoelectric Properties of Higher Manganese Silicides Obtained by Reactive Sintering
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. - : American Scientific Publishers. - 1533-4880 .- 1533-4899. ; 17:3, s. 1668-1673
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Higher manganese silicides (HMS), represented by MnSix (x = 1.71-1.75), are promising p-type candidates for thermoelectric (TE) energy harvesting systems at intermediate temperature range. The materials are very attractive as they may replace lead based compounds due to their nontoxicity, low cost of starting materials, and high thermal and chemical stability. Dense pellets were obtained through fast reactive sintering by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The addition -or nanoinclusion, of Al and Mg permitted the figure of merit enhancement of the material obtained with this technique, reaching the highest value of 0.40 at 600 degrees C. Morphology, composition and crystal structure of the samples were characterized by electron microscopies, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses, respectively.
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| 6. |
- Baykal, A., et al.
(författare)
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Synthesis, Characterization, and Dielectric Properties of BaFe10(Mn2+Zn2+Zn2+)O-19 Hexaferrite
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetism. - : Springer. - 1557-1939 .- 1557-1947. ; 29:1, s. 199-205
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Barium hexaferrite with nominal chemical composition BaMnZn2Fe10O19 has been synthesized by sol-gel method, using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as a template. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) were used for approving the formation of barium hexaferrites. In addition, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed to investigate the structural and morphological properties of BaM. The dielectric properties were studied by impedance measurements as a function of frequency (in the range 0.1 Hz-1 MHz). The XRD patterns confirmed the formation of single-phase magnetoplumbite with crystallite size around 73 nm. The results of dielectric parameters and conductivity measurements showed three regions with different behaviors in electrical conduction mechanism.
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| 7. |
- Bhattacharya, K., et al.
(författare)
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Lactoperoxidase-mediated degradation of single-walled carbon nanotubes in the presence of pulmonary surfactant
- 2015
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Ingår i: Carbon. - : Elsevier BV. - 0008-6223 .- 1873-3891. ; 91, s. 506-517
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may elicit inflammatory responses following pulmonary exposure. Conversely, enzymatic biodegradation of CNTs by inflammatory cells has also been reported. The aim of this study was to study the degradation of oxidized single-walled CNTs (ox-SWCNTs) by lactoperoxidase (LPO), a secreted peroxidase present in the airways, and whether pulmonary surfactant affects this biodegradation. To this end, ox-SWCNTs were incubated in vitro with recombinant bovine LPO + H2O2 + NaSCN in the presence and absence of porcine lung surfactant (Curosurf®) and biodegradation was monitored using UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The interaction of recombinant LPO with bundles of ox-SWCNTs was confirmed by atomic force microscopy. Cell-free biodegradation of ox-SWCNTs was also observed ex vivo in murine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in the presence of H2O2 + NaSCN. Our study provides evidence for biodegradation of ox-SWCNTs with a lung surfactant 'bio-corona' and expands the repertoire of mammalian peroxidases capable of biodegradation of ox-SWCNTs. These findings are relevant to inhalation exposure to these materials, as LPO serves as an important component of the airway defense system.
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| 10. |
- Doddapaneni, Venkatesh, et al.
(författare)
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Engineered PMMA-ZnO nanocomposites for improving the electric arc interruption capability in electrical switching applications : Unprecedented experimental insights
- 2017
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Ingår i: Composites Science And Technology. - : Elsevier. - 0266-3538 .- 1879-1050. ; 141, s. 113-119
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Polymer inorganic nanocomposites (PINCs) have been engineered for controlling the electrical arc and to improve the arc interruption capability of the electrical switching applications, like circuit breakers. Several PINCs are fabricated by formation of ZnO quantum dots (QDs) in a poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix via in-situ polymerization method to avoid agglomeration of QDs, leading to a good spatial distribution of QDs in the polymer matrix. These PINCs have been characterized in detail for the morphology of QDs, interaction between QDs and polymer matrix, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation absorption. ZnO QDs have been assessed to have particle diameter of 3.5 nm, and their presence in the PMMA is revealed by the unique luminescence characteristics of the QDs under UV light. The presence of ZnO QDs broadened the range of UV radiation absorption of PMMA and the absorption edge is gradually shifted from 270 nm to 338 nm with step-wise loading of ZnO QDs. The PINCs are tested to determine their reproducibility and impact on the electrical arcs of current 1.6 kA generated using a specially designed test-setup. Interaction of PINCs with the electrical arcs generates ablation of chemical species towards core of the electrical arc, resulting in increase of voltage leading to cool-down the arc temperature. This experimental study demonstrates for the first time that these PINCs are reproducible, reliable and provides superior arc interruption capability.
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