Theoretical and Experimental Studies of the Shock-Compressed Gas Parameters in the Welding Gap.

This work is devoted to the study of the processes that take place in the welding gap during explosive welding (EW). In the welding gap, when plates collide, a shock-compressed gas (SCG) region is formed, which moves at supersonic speed and has a high temperature that can affect the quality of the weld joint. Therefore, this work focuses on a detailed study of the parameters of the SCG. A complex method of determining the SCG parameters included: determination of the detonation velocity using electrical contact probes, ceramic probes, and an oscilloscope; calculation of the SCG parameters; high-speed photography of the SCG region; measurement of the SCG temperature using optical pyrometry. As a result, it was found that the head front of the SCG region moved ahead of the collision point at a velocity of 3000 ± 100 m/s, while the collision point moved with a velocity of 2500 m/s. The calculation of the SCG temperature showed that the gas was heated up to 2832 K by the shock compression, while the measured temperature was in the range of 4100-4400 K. This is presumably due to the fact that small metal particles that broke off from the welded surfaces transferred their heat to the SCG region. Thus, the results of this study can be used to optimize the EW parameters and improve the weld joint quality.

Preparation of NiAl-AlMg6 Functionally Graded Composite Using the Energy of a Highly Exothermic Ti-C Mixture during Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis.

A functionally graded composite NiAl-AlMg6 was prepared using the pressure of gaseous reaction products (impurity gases) produced during the synthesis of reactive powders in a sealed reactor. It has been shown that this method can be used to prepare a NiAl/AlMg6 composite with both chaotically oriented pores in the NiAl layer and unidirectionally oriented pores (lotus-type pores). The pore shape in NiAl was found to be dependent on the pressure of the impurity gases and hydrogen present in the starting titanium powder. A mechanism for pore formation in NiAl and AlMg6 composite during SHS is proposed. Thus, functionally graded high-temperature composites can be produced by SHS in a sealed reactor using the chemical reaction energy and the pressure of impurity gases and hydrogen. Additionally, minimizing the influence of impurity gases on the contact zone increases the interface area between NiAl and AlMg6.

Morphology and Structure of Brass-Invar Weld Interface after Explosive Welding.

This paper presents the results of a study of the morphology and structure at the weld interface in a brass-Invar bimetal, which belongs to the class of so-called thermostatic bimetals, or thermobimetals. The structure of the brass-Invar weld interface was analyzed using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), with the use of energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry and back-scattered electron diffraction (BSE) to identify the phases. The distribution of the crystallographic orientation of the grains at the weld interface was obtained using an e-Flash HR electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD) detector and a forward-scatter detector (FSD). The results of the study indicated that the weld interface had the wavy structure typical of explosive welding. The wave crests and troughs showed the presence of melted zones consisting of a disordered Cu-Zn-Fe-Ni solid solution and undissolved Invar particles. The pattern quality map showed that the structure of brass and Invar after explosive welding consisted of grains that were strongly elongated towards the area of the highest intensive plastic flow. In addition, numerous deformation twins, dislocation accumulations and shear bands were observed. Thus, based on the results of this study, the mechanism of Cu-Zn-Fe-Ni structure formation can be proposed.

Synthesis of NiAl Intermetallic Compound under Shock-Wave Extrusion.

This paper presents the implementation of the first stage of a study on the synthesis of the intermetallic compound in the Ni-Al system under shock-wave extrusion (SWE). A method was developed and experiments involving SWE of the reactive Ni-Al powder mixture were carried out. As a result, it was possible to obtain up to 56 vol.% of the final product and achieve 100% synthesis of NiAl. The results of metallographic analysis indicate that the process of high-velocity collapse of the tube created conditions for the formation of a cumulative flow, which directly affects the phase formation in NiAl. It was shown that the presence of the central hole in the powder sample reduced the effect of the Mach stem on the homogeneity of the NiAl structure. It was also determined that with a central hole with a 5 mm diameter, the effect of the Mach stem could not be observed at all. The goals of further studies are achieving 90-100 vol.% of the final product and reducing the porosity in the final product. Preliminary experimental studies have shown great potential for SWE to produce composite metal-intermetallic materials.

Organ-specific extracellular matrix directs trans-differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and formation of salivary gland-like organoids in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Current treatments for salivary gland (SG) hypofunction are palliative and do not address the underlying cause or progression of the disease. SG-derived stem cells have the potential to treat SG hypofunction, but their isolation is challenging, especially when the tissue has been damaged by disease or irradiation for head and neck cancer. In the current study, we test the hypothesis that multipotent bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in a rat model are capable of trans-differentiating to the SG epithelial cell lineage when induced by a native SG-specific extracellular matrix (SG-ECM) and thus may be a viable substitute for repairing damaged SGs. METHODS: Rat BM-MSCs were treated with homogenates of decellularized rat SG-ECM for one hour in cell suspension and then cultured in tissue culture plates for 7 days in growth media. By day 7, the cultures contained cell aggregates and a cell monolayer. The cell aggregates were hand-selected under a dissecting microscope, transferred to a new tissue culture dish, and cultured for an additional 7 days in epithelial cell differentiation media. Cell aggregates and cells isolated from the monolayer were evaluated for expression of SG progenitor and epithelial cell specific markers, cell morphology and ultrastructure, and ability to form SG-like organoids in vivo. RESULTS: The results showed that this approach was very effective and guided the trans-differentiation of a subpopulation of CD133-positive BM-MSCs to the SG epithelial cell lineage. These cells expressed amylase, tight junction proteins (Cldn 3 and 10), and markers for SG acinar (Aqp5 and Mist 1) and ductal (Krt 14) cells at both the transcript and protein levels, produced intracellular secretory granules which were morphologically identical to those found in submandibular gland, and formed SG-like organoids when implanted in the renal capsule in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest the feasibility of using autologous BM-MSCs as an abundant source of stem cells for treating SG hypofunction and restoring the production of saliva in these patients.

Combinatorial assembly of small molecules into bivalent antagonists of TrkC or TrkA receptors.

A library of peptidomimetics was assembled combinatorially into dimers on a triazine-based core. The pharmacophore corresponds to ß-turns of the neurotrophin polypeptides neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), nerve growth factor (NGF), or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). These are the natural ligands for TrkC, TrkA, and TrkB receptors, respectively. The linker length and the side-chain orientation of each monomer within the bivalent mimics were systematically altered, and the impact of these changes on the function of each ligand was evaluated. While the monovalent peptidomimetics had no detectable binding or bioactivity, four bivalent peptidomimetics (2c, 2d, 2e, 3f) are selective TrkC ligands with antagonistic activity, and two bivalent peptidomimetics (1a, 1b) are TrkC and TrkA ligands with antagonistic activity. All these bivalent compounds block ligand-dependent receptor activation and cell survival, without affecting neuritogenic differentiation. This work adds to our understanding of how the neurotrophins function through Trk receptors, and demonstrates that peptidomimetics can be designed to selectively disturb specific biological signals, and may be used as pharmacological probes or as therapeutic leads. The concept of altering side-chain, linker length, and sequence orientation of a subunit within a pharmacophore provides an easy modular approach to generate larger libraries with diversified bioactivity.

A monovalent agonist of TrkA tyrosine kinase receptors can be converted into a bivalent antagonist.

BACKGROUND: Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) act through dimerization. Previously it was thought that only bivalent ligands could be agonistic, whereas monovalent ligands should be antagonistic. This notion changed after the demonstration that monovalent ligands can be agonistic, including our report of a small molecule monovalent ligand "D3" that is a partial agonist of the NGF receptor TrkA. A bivalent "D3-linker-D3" was expected to increase agonism. METHODS: Dimeric analogs were synthesized and tested in binding, biochemical, and biological assays. RESULTS: One analog, 1-ss, binds TrkA with higher affinity than D3 and induces or stabilizes receptor dimers. However, 1-ss exhibited antagonistic activity, through two mechanisms. One mechanism is that 1-ss blocks NGF binding, unlike D3 which is non-competitive. Inhibition of NGF binding may be due to the linker of 1-ss filling the inter-receptor space that NGF traverses before docking. In a second mechanism, 1-ss acts as a pure antagonist, inhibiting NGF-independent TrkA activity in cells over-expressing receptors. Inhibition is likely due to 1-ss "freezing" the TrkA dimer in the inactive state. CONCLUSIONS: Dimerization of an RTK can result in antagonism, through two independent mechanisms. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: we report a small molecule monovalent agonist being converted to a bivalent antagonist.

In glaucoma the upregulated truncated TrkC.T1 receptor isoform in glia causes increased TNF-alpha production, leading to retinal ganglion cell death.

PURPOSE: Glaucoma is a distinct neuropathy characterized by the chronic and progressive death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The etiology of RGC death remains unknown. Risk factors for glaucomatous RGC death are elevated intraocular pressure and glial production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Previously, the authors showed that glaucoma causes a rapid upregulation of a neurotrophin receptor truncated isoform lacking the kinase domain, TrkC.T1, in retina. Here they examined the biological role of TrkC.T1 during glaucoma progression. METHODS: Rat and mouse models of chronic ocular hypertension were used. Immunofluorescence Western blot analysis and in situ mRNA hybridization were used to identify cells upregulating TrkC.T1. A genetic model of engineered mice lacking TrkC.T1 (TrkC.T1(-/-)) was used to validate a role for this receptor in glaucoma. Pharmacologic studies were conducted to evaluate intravitreal delivery of agonists or antagonists of TrkC.T1, compared with controls, during glaucoma. Surviving RGCs were quantified by retrograde-labeling techniques. Production of neurotoxic TNF-α and α2 macroglobulin were quantified. RESULTS: TrkC.T1 was upregulated in retinal glia, with a pattern similar to that of TNF-α. TrkC.T1(-/-) mice had normal retinas. However, during experimental glaucoma, TrkC.T1(-/-) mice had lower rates of RGC death and produced less TNF-α than wild-type littermates. In rats with glaucoma, the pharmacologic use of TrkC antagonists delayed RGC death and reduced the production of retinal TNF-α. CONCLUSIONS: TrkC.T1 is implicated in glaucomatous RGC death through the control of glial TNF-α production. Overall, the data point to a paracrine mechanism whereby elevated intraocular pressure upregulated glial TrkC.T1 expression in glia; TrkC.T1 controlled glial TNF-α production, and TNF-α caused RGC death.

A peptidomimetic of NT-3 acts as a TrkC antagonist.

Neurotrophins are a family of growth factors that regulate the peripheral and central nervous system. We designed and tested a mini-library of small molecules peptidomimetics based on beta-turns of the neurotrophin growth factor polypeptides NT-3, which is the natural ligand for TrkC receptors. Biological studies identified a peptidomimetic 2Cl that exhibited selective antagonism of TrkC. 2Cl reduces TrkC activation and signaling promoted by NT-3, and selectively blocks ligand-dependent cell survival. 2Cl also blocks ligand-independent TrkC activation and signals that take place when the receptor is over-expressed. This work adds to our understanding of how the neurotrophins function through Trk receptors, and demonstrates that peptidomimetics can be designed to selectively disturb neurotrophin-receptor interactions, and receptor activation.

Total stepwise solid-phase peptide-oligonucleotide conjugate synthesis on macroporous polystyrene.

An efficient total stepwise solid-phase synthesis of oligonucleotide-peptide conjugates on a macroporous polystyrene is described. Extending our homoserine linker approach, we prepared a range of fluorescein-labelled conjugates containing one of two different peptides together with oligonucleotides containing 2'-deoxynucleoside or 2'-O-methylribonucleoside phosphodiesters, or gapmers containing 2'-deoxyphosphorothioate sequences flanked by 2'-O-methyl wings.

A structure-activity study of the inhibition of HIV-1 Tat-dependent trans-activation by mixmer 2'-O-methyl oligoribonucleotides containing locked nucleic acid (LNA), alpha-L-LNA, or 2'-thio-LNA residues.

The HIV-1 trans-activation responsive element (TAR) RNA stem-loop interacts with the HIV trans-activator protein Tat and other cellular factors to stimulate transcriptional elongation from the viral long terminal repeat (LTR). Inhibitors of these interactions block full-length transcription and, hence, would potentially inhibit HIV replication. We have studied structure-activity relationships in inhibition of trans-activation by steric block 2'-O-methyl (OMe) oligonucleotides chimeras (mixmers) containing locked nucleic acid (LNA) units. Inhibition was measured both in Tat-dependent in vitro transcription from an HIV-1 DNA template directed by HeLa cell nuclear extract and in a robust HeLa cell reporter assay that involves use of stably integrated plasmids to express firefly luciferase Tat dependently and Renilla luciferase Tat-independently. OMe oligonucleotides with optimally 40%-50% LNA units and a minimum of 12 residues in length were active in the cellular assay when delivered with cationic gemini surfactant GS11 at 50% inhibitory concentrations of 230 +/- 40 nM, whereas activity in the in vitro transcription assay was observed down to 9 residues. No cellular activity was observed for OMe oligonucleotides of 12 or 16 residues, which was shown to be due to poor cellular uptake. Both 12-mer mixmers containing alpha -L-LNA or 2'-thio-LNA (S-LNA) were also active in in vitro transcription and the former in cellular reporter inhibition assays, demonstrating that the property of promotion of cellular uptake by LNA is not due to specific sugar conformational effects. Covalent conjugates of OMe/LNA chimeras with Kaposi-fibroblast growth factor (K-FGF) or Transportan peptides failed to enter HeLa cells without a delivery agent but were fully active when delivered by cationic gemini surfactant, showing that in principle, peptide conjugation does not interfere with cellular activity. Thus, OMe/LNA mixmers are powerful reagents for use as steric block inhibitors of gene expression regulated by protein-RNA interactions within HeLa cell nuclei.

(R)-2,4-Dihydroxybutyramide seco-pseudonucleosides: new versatile homochiral synthons for synthesis of modified oligonucleotides.

[reaction: see text] Two series of seco-pseudonucleoside synthons were synthesized from (R)-(+)-alpha-hydroxy-gamma-butyrolactone and (R)-(-)-pantolactone by aminolysis, side-chain protection, dimethoxytritylation, and phosphitylation or solid-phase attachment. The phosphoramidites and solid supports were used in automated DNA synthesis to prepare oligonucleotides modified with one or more 2,4-dihydroxybutyramide units bearing side-chain reporter groups. These new oligonucleotide modification reagents allow the introduction of a label into any desired position within an oligonucleotide chain during solid-phase assembly.

Total stepwise solid-phase synthesis of oligonucleotide-(3'-->N)-peptide conjugates.

[structure: see text] An efficient total stepwise solid-phase synthesis of oligonucleotide-(3'-->N)-peptide conjugates is described that makes use of either a controlled pore glass support or macroporous polystyrene beads. Extending our previous homoserine linker approach, we prepared a range of conjugates containing one of four different cell or nuclear penetration peptides together with oligonucleotides containing 2'-deoxynucleoside or 2'-O-methylribonucleoside phosphodiesters, or gapmers containing 2'-deoxyphosphorothioates. The route also allows incorporation of a fluorescent label within the conjugate for cell uptake studies.