Dimethyl Sulfoxide Concentration Research Articles

Nonlinear composition dependence of hydrogen bond lifetime in water-DMSO binary mixtures: The role of hydrophobic interaction.

The lifetime of a hydrogen bond between water and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is found to be considerably longer than that between two water molecules in neat water. This is counter-intuitive because the charge on the oxygen in DMSO is considerably less than that in water. Additionally, the strength of the water-dimethyl sulfoxide (w-D) hydrogen bond is found to be strongly composition dependent; the lifetime of the hydrogen bond is ten times larger at 30% than at very low concentrations. Using computer simulations, we perform microscopic structural and dynamic analysis to find that these anomalies arise at least partly from an "action-at-a-distance" effect where the attraction between the hydrophobic methyl groups results in the self-aggregation of DMSO molecules that "cages" both the rotational and linear motions of the molecules involved. This is reflected in the observed strong correlation of the lifetime with the local coordination number of the associated methyl groups. The elongated w-D h-bond lifetime causes a slowdown of collective dynamics and affects the lifetime of the w-w h-bond. This nonlinear feedback mechanism explains the strong composition dependence of viscosity and is anticipated to play a dominant role in many self-assemblies. Furthermore, the w-D hydrogen bond breaking mechanism changes from low to high DMSO concentration, a phenomenon not anticipated a priori. We introduce a new order parameter-based free energy surface of the bond breaking pathway. A two-dimensional transition state rate theory calculation is performed for the lifetime of the w-D h-bond that is found to be semi-quantitatively accurate.

Optimizing the feasibility of polyvinyl alcohol-potassium iodine gel for medical dosimeter

This work aims to improve the post stabilty of reusable potassium iodide hydrogel dosimter. A reusable and low-cost radiochromic dosimeter containing a gel matrix of polyvinyl alcohol, potassium iodide dye, froctose as reducing agent and glutaraldehyde as cross-linking agent was developed for dose calibration in radiotherapy. The gel samples were exposed to different absorbed doses using a medical linear acceleration. UV–vis Spectrophotometry was utilized to investigate the changes in optical-properties of irradiated gels with regard to peak wavelength of 353 nm. The stability of the gel (one of the most limitation of using this dosimeter) was improved significantly by the addition of certain concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide. The two-dimensional optical imaging system of charge-coupled-device (CCD) camera with a uniform RGB light-emitting-diode (LED) array source was used for diffusion coefficient purpose using two dimensional gel template. The value of diffusion coefficient reported is significant and highly reduced compared with other dosimeters reported in the literatures. Moreover, heating the improved gels to certain temperatures results in resetting their optical properties, which makes it possible to reuse for multiple times.

Hydrogel encapsulation facilitates a low-concentration cryoprotectant for cryopreservation of mouse testicular tissue

Cryopreserved testicular tissue offers a promising method to restore fertility in male infertility patients. Current protocols rely on high concentrations of penetrating cryoprotectants (pCPAs), such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which necessitating complex washing procedures and posing risks of toxicity. Hydrogel encapsulation presents a non-toxic alternative for cellular cryopreservation. This study investigates the effects of various types, concentrations, and thicknesses of hydrogel encapsulation on the cryopreservation of mouse testicular tissue. Testicular tissues loaded with varying concentrations of DMSO were encapsulated in alginate or gelatin-methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels. We evaluated hydrogels as potential CPAs to reduce pCPA concentrations and determine optimal combinations for cryopreservation. Post-cryopreservation, tissues were cultured using organ culture methods to assess spermatogenesis progression. Cryomicroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to examine ice crystal formation, melting enthalpy, and non-freezing water content in different hydrogels during cooling. Results indicate that 3% alginate or 5% GelMA hydrogel with thin encapsulation optimally preserves mouse testicular tissue. Using 20% DMSO in 5% GelMA thin encapsulation showed comparable apoptosis rates, improved morphology, higher mitochondrial activity, and enhanced antioxidant capacity compared to conventional 30% DMSO without encapsulation. This suggests that hydrogel encapsulation reduces pCPA concentration by 10%, thereby mitigating toxic damage. Hydrogel encapsulation can reduce basement membrane shrinkage of testicular tissue during cryopreservation. Moreover, frozen tissues remained viable with preserved germ cells after being cultured for one week on alginate methacryloyl (AlgMA) hydrogel using the gas-liquid interphase method. Cryomicroscopy and DSC studies confirmed the hydrogel's ability to inhibit ice crystal growth. In conclusion, this study introduces novel strategies for male fertility preservation and advances cryopreservation technology for clinical applications in assisted reproduction.

Pillared graphene oxide frameworks for the adsorption and separation of polar protic and aprotic liquid solvents: The cases of pure water, methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, and dimethyl sulfoxide-water mixtures.

Potential applications of previously synthesized pillared graphene oxide frameworks with phenyldiboronic acid linkers in the field of the adsorption and separation of polar protic and aprotic liquid solvents have been systematically explored using grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations. Particular attention was initially paid to the adsorption of pure liquid water, methanol, and dimethyl sulfoxide. The results obtained a significant increase in the isosteric heat of adsorption at low uptake in the case of dimethyl sulfoxide, which is about 17.9 and 26.8kJ/mol higher than the values corresponding to methanol and water adsorption. These findings indicated that from a thermodynamic point of view, these pillared graphene oxide frameworks could be used in the separation of dimethyl sulfoxide-water liquid mixtures. Systematic grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations were then subsequently performed for dimethyl sulfoxide-water mixtures, with a low dimethyl sulfoxide concentration. The calculated values of the separation selectivity indicate that these materials could have potential applications in the separation of these mixed liquid solvents. Molecular dynamics simulations performed for a representative adsorbed mixture have revealed a substantial slowing down of the dynamics under confinement, particularly in the case of the hydrogen bonds formed between water and dimethyl sulfoxide.

DMSO and Its Role in Differentiation Impact Efficacy of Human Adenovirus (HAdV) Infection in HepaRG Cells.

Differentiated HepaRG cells are popular in vitro cell models for hepatotoxicity studies. Their differentiation is usually supported by the addition of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), an amphipathic solvent widely used in biomedicine, for example, in potential novel therapeutic drugs and cryopreservation of oocytes. Recent studies have demonstrated drastic effects, especially on epigenetics and extracellular matrix composition, induced by DMSO, making its postulated inert character doubtful. In this work, the influence of DMSO and DMSO-mediated modulation of differentiation on human adenovirus (HAdV) infection of HepaRG cells was investigated. We observed an increase in infectivity of HepaRG cells by HAdVs in the presence of 1% DMSO. However, this effect was dependent on the type of medium used for cell cultivation, as cells in William's E medium showed significantly stronger effects compared with those cultivated in DMEM. Using different DMSO concentrations, we proved that the impact of DMSO on infectability was dose-dependent. Infection of cells with a replication-deficient HAdV type demonstrated that the mode of action of DMSO was based on viral entry rather than on viral replication. Taken together, these results highlight the strong influence of the used cell-culture medium on the performed experiments as well as the impact of DMSO on infectivity of HepaRG cells by HAdVs. As this solvent is widely used in cell culture, those effects must be considered, especially in screening of new antiviral compounds.

Modulation of bacterial membranes and cellular macromolecules by dimethyl sulfoxide: A dose-dependent study providing novel insights

Using Escherichia coli as a model, this manuscript delves into the intricate interactions between dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and membranes, cellular macromolecules, and the effects on various aspects of bacterial physiology. Given DMSO's wide-ranging use as a solvent in microbiology, we investigate the impacts of both non-growth inhibitory (1.0 % and 2.5 % v/v) and slightly growth-inhibitory (5.0 % v/v) concentrations of DMSO. The results demonstrate that DMSO causes alterations in bacterial membrane potential, influences the electrochemical characteristics of the cell surface, and exerts substantial effects on the composition and structure of cellular biomolecules. Genome-wide gene expression data from DMSO-treated E. coli was used to further investigate and bolster the results. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the complex relationship between DMSO and biological systems, with potential implications in drug delivery and cellular manipulation. However, it is essential to exercise caution when utilizing DMSO to enhance the solubility and delivery of bioactive compounds, as even at low concentrations, DMSO exerts non-inert effects on cellular macromolecules and processes.

Optimization of Culture Medium for the Production of an Exopolysaccharide (p-CY02) with Cryoprotective Activity by Pseudoalteromonas sp. RosPo-2 from the Antarctic Sea.

When cells are exposed to freezing temperatures, high concentrations of cryoprotective agents (CPA) prevent ice crystal formation, thus enhancing cell survival. However, high concentrations of CPAs can also cause cell toxicity. Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) from polar marine environments exhibit lower toxicity and display effects similar to traditional CPA. In this study, we sought to address these issues by i) selecting strains that produce EPS with novel cryoprotective activity, and ii) optimizing culture conditions for EPS production. Sixty-six bacteria producing mucous substances were isolated from the Ross Sea (Antarctic Ocean) using solid marine agar plates. Among them, Pseudoalteromonas sp. RosPo-2 was ultimately selected based on the rheological properties of the produced EPS (p-CY02). Cryoprotective activity experiments demonstrated that p-CY02 exhibited significantly cryoprotective activity at a concentration of 0.8% (w/v) on mammalian cells (HaCaT). This activity was further improved when combined with various concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) compared to using DMSO alone. Moreover, the survival rate of HaCaT cells treated with 5% (v/v) DMSO and 0.8% (w/v) p-CY02 was measured at 87.9 ± 2.8% after freezing treatment. This suggests that p-CY02 may be developed as a more effective, less toxic, and novel non-permeating CPA. To enhance the production of EPS with cryoprotective activity, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was implemented, resulting in a 1.64-fold increase in production of EPS with cryoprotective activity.

DMSO synergized with sugars: optical clearing agent modulation of optical coherence tomography of skin tissues.

The stratum corneum of the outermost skin is an important barrier impeding transdermal permeation, and permeation enhancers can reduce the barrier resistance of the stratum corneum and enhance the permeation of drugs in tissues. The optical imaging depth, signal intensity, and scattering coefficient variation rules of skin tissues in time dimension are obtained by using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The effect of optical clearing agents (OCAs) on OCT imaging is obtained by quantitatively analyzing the changes in the optical properties of tissues. D-fructose, one of the monosaccharides, and sucrose, one of the disaccharides, were selected for the ex vivo optical clearing experiments on pig skin tissues utilizing the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) carrier effect. We find that DMSO synergized with sugars applied to skin tissue has a more significant increase in the optical imaging depth and signal intensity, and a reduction in the scattering coefficient with an increasing concentration of DMSO. DMSO with a high concentration and D-fructose with saturated concentration (10:1; v/v) effectively reduce light attenuation in OCT imaging and improve the image quality. This operation will also shorten the application time to minimize skin damage from hyperosmotic agents.

Interface Water Assists in Dimethyl Sulfoxide Crossing and Poration in Model Bilayer.

Understanding the mechanism of transport and pore formation by a commonly used cryoprotectant, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), across cell membranes is fundamentally crucial for drug delivery and cryopreservation. To shed light on the mechanism and thermodynamics of pore formation and crossing behavior of DMSO, extensive all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of 1,2-dimyristoyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) bilayers are performed at various concentrations of DMSO at a temperature above the physiological temperature. Our results unveil that DMSO partially depletes water from the interface and positions itself between lipid heads without full dehydration. This induces a larger area per headgroup, increased disorder, and enhanced fluidity without any disintegration even at the highest DMSO concentration studied. The enhanced disorder fosters local fluctuations at the interface that nucleate dynamic and transient pores. The potential of mean force (PMF) of DMSO crossing is derived from two types of biased simulations: a single DMSO pulling using the umbrella sampling technique and a cylindrical pore formation using the recently developed chain reaction coordinate method. In both cases, DMSO crossing encounters a barrier attributed to unfavorable polar nonpolar interactions between DMSO and lipid tails. As the DMSO concentration increases, the barrier height reduces along with the faster lateral and perpendicular diffusion of DMSO suggesting favorable permeation. Our findings suggest that the energy required for pore formation decreases when water assists in the formation of DMSO pores. Although DMSO displaces water from the interface toward the far interface region without complete dehydration, the presence of interface water diminishes pore formation free energy. The existence of interface water leads to the formation of a two-dimensional percolated water-DMSO structure at the interface, which is absent otherwise. Overall, these insights into the mechanism of DMSO crossing and pore formation in the bilayer will contribute to understanding cryoprotectant behavior under supercooled conditions in the future.

Antifungal activity of Durio zibethinus Murray peel extract against Candida albicans: A preliminary study.

The incidence of antifungal resistance to Candida albicans infections has been growing over the past years; therefore, innovations are required to develop medicinal plants with antifungal properties such as durian fruit peels (Durio zibethinus Murray) that contain significant of bioactive compounds with antifungal properties. The aim of this study was to determine the antifungal activity of D. zibethinus fruit peel extract against C. albicans by analyzing the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). A post-test only control group experiment was conducted from July to October 2020. D. zibethinus peel was collected from Simalungun Regency, Medan, Indonesia, and extracted by maceration technique using 70% ethanol to obtain D. zibethinus peel ethanol extract (DPEE). Samples of C. albicans were obtained from the Laboratory of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia. The diffusion method was used to determine the antifungal activity. Six groups with different concentrations of DPEE (6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, and 50%), ketoconazole (positive control) and dimethyl sulfoxide (negative control) were exposed to C. albicans in six replicates. Six lower concentrations (12.5%, 6.25%, 3.12%, 3%, 1.56%, and 0.78%) were divided to perform the liquid dilution method to obtain the MIC and affirmation test for MBC. The diameter of the inhibition zone was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Tukey post-hoc test for differences between concentrations. Our data indicated that the DPEE 6.25% had the largest inhibition zone (17.26±5.64 mm) and the inhibition zones were significant different among concentrations of DPEE (p<0.05). Furthermore, the DPEE had a MIC of 0.78% and MBC of 3.125% against C. albicans. This study highlights that the ethanol extract of D. zibethinus has potential antifungal activity against C. albicans. However, a further study is needed to determine its antifungal activities in more precise manner.

Towards liquid EPR dosimetry using nitroxides in aqueous solution.

Objective. Water-equivalent dosimeters are desirable for dosimetry in radiotherapy. The present work investigates basic characteristics of novel aqueous detector materials and presents a signal loss approach for electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) dosimetry.Approach. The proposed principle is based on the radiation dose dependent annihilation of EPR active nitroxides (NO·) in aqueous solutions. Stable nitroxide radicals (3-Maleimido-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1-pyrrolidinyloxy (MmP), 3-Carbamoyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1-pyrrolidinyloxy (CmP)) in aqueous solutions containing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as an additive were filled in glass capillaries for irradiation and EPR readout. Radiation doses ranging from 1 to 64 Gy were applied with a clinical 6 MV flattening filter free photon beam. EPR readout was then performed with a X-band benchtop spectrometer. The dose response, temporal stability and reproducibility of the samples' EPR signal amplitudes as well as the influence of the nitroxide concentration between 10 and 160μM on the absolute signal loss were investigated using MmP. CmP was used to examine the dependence of the dose response on DMSO concentration between 0 and 10 vol%. An indirect effect model was fitted to the experimental data assuming irradiation induced radical reactions as the underlying mechanism.Main results. For an initial MmP concentration of 20μM, absolute EPR signal loss is linear up to a dose of 16 Gy with a yield G(-NO·) of approximately 0.4μmol J-1. Within five weeks upon sample irradiation to doses between 0 and 32 Gy relative EPR signal fluctuations were on average (126 readouts) below 1% (1σ). For c(MmP) ≥ 20μM, absolute signal loss is only weakly dependent on c(MmP), whereas it increases strongly with increasing c(DMSO) in the range 0-5 vol%. An indirect effect model is applicable to describe the reaction mechanism resulting in the observed dose response curve.Significance. Liquids consisting of nitroxides in aqueous solution and small amounts of DMSO (2 vol%) show promising basic characteristics for application as water-equivalent EPR dosimeter materials in radiotherapy. The EPR signal loss is based on an indirect effect mediated by diffusing radicals originating from the radiolysis of the water/DMSO mixture.

Dimethyl Sulfoxide: An Ideal Electrochemical Probe for Hydroxyl Radical Detection.

In situ and real-time determination of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) in physiological and pathological processes is a great challenge due to their ultrashort lifetime. Herein, an electrochemical method was developed by using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a trapping probe for rapid determination of •OH in aqueous solution. When DMSO reacted with •OH, an intermediate product methane sulfinic acid (MSIA) was formed, which can be electrochemically oxidized to methanesulfonic acid (MSA) on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE), resulting in a distinct voltammetric signal that is directly proportional to the concentration of •OH. Other commonly encountered reactive oxygen species (ROS), including hypochlorite anions (ClO-), superoxide anions (O2•-), sulfate radicals (SO4•-), and singlet oxygen (1O2), have showed no interference for •OH determination. Thus, an electrochemical method was developed for the determination of •OH, which exhibits a wide linear range (0.4-5120 μM) and a low limit detection of 0.13 μM (S/N = 3) and was successfully applied for the quantification of •OH in aqueous extracts of cigarette tar (ACT). Alternatively, the same reaction mechanism is also applicable for the determination of DMSO, in which a linear range of 40-320 μM and a detection limit 13.3 μM (S/N = 3) was achieved. The method was used for the evaluation of DMSO content in cell cryopreservation medium. This work demonstrated that DMSO can serve as an electrochemical probe and has valuable application potential in radical study, biological research, and environmental monitoring.

Impact of lower concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide on cryopreservation of autologous hematopoietic stem cells: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical studies

Background aimsCryopreservation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is crucial for autologous transplantation, cord blood banking and other special circumstances. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is used most commonly for cryopreserving HSC products but can cause infusional toxicities and affect cell viability and engraftment after transplant. A systematic review of controlled studies using lower concentrations of DMSO to cryopreserve HSC products in clinical transplant studies is needed to determine the effect of reducing DMSO concentrations on post-thaw cell viability, initial engraftment and adverse effects on patient health. MethodsAll studies identified in our systematic search (to July 11, 2023) examining the use of cryopreserved peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) for autologous stem cell transplantation (AHCT) were included. Meta-analysis was performed to determine how varying the concentration of DMSO during cryopreservation effects post-thaw cell viability, initial engraftment and adverse effects on patient health. ResultsA total of 1547 studies were identified in our systematic search, with seven published articles meeting eligibility for inclusion in meta-analysis. All patients underwent AHCT using (PBSCs) to treat hematologic malignancies. The viability of CD34+ cells post thaw was greater when cryopreserved with 5% DMSO compared with 10% DMSO, with lower rates of adverse side effects in patients. DMSO concentration had minimal impact on rates of initial engraftment. Significant heterogeneity in outcome reporting was observed and the potential for bias was identified in all studies. ConclusionsReducing the concentration of DMSO from 10% to 5% during cryopreservation of autologous PBSCs may improve cell viability and reduce DMSO-associated adverse effects in patients undergoing AHCT. Data from more studies with similar patients and standard outcome reporting are needed to increase confidence in our initial observations. Protocol registrationPROSPERO; registration number CRD42023476809 registered November 8, 2023.

Diel variation of seawater volatile organic compounds, DMSP-related compounds, and microbial plankton inside and outside a tropical coral reef ecosystem

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play key roles in coral reef ecosystems, where, together with dimethylated sulfur compounds, they are indicators of ecosystem health and are used as defense strategies and infochemicals. Assessment and prediction of the exchange rates of VOCs between the oceans and atmosphere, with implications for atmospheric reactivity and climate, are hampered by poor knowledge of the regulating processes and their temporal variability, including diel cycles. Here, we measured the variation over 36h of the concentrations of DMSPCs (dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP)-related compounds, namely DMSP, dimethylsulfoxide, acrylate, dimethylsulfide, and methanethiol as dimethyl disulfide) and VOCs (COS, CS2, isoprene, the iodomethanes CH3I and CH2ClI, and the bromomethanes CHBr3 and CH2Br2), in surface waters inside the shallow, northern coral-reef lagoon of Mo’orea (French Polynesia) and 4 km offshore, in the tropical open ocean. Comparisons with concurrent measurements of sea surface temperature, solar radiation, biogeochemical variables (nutrients, organic matter), and the abundances and taxonomic affiliations of microbial plankton were conducted with the aim to explain interconnections between DMSPCs, VOCs, and their environment across diel cycles. In open ocean waters, deeper surface mixing and low nutrient levels resulted in low phytoplankton biomass and bacterial activity. Consequently, the diel patterns of VOCs were more dependent on photochemical reactions, with daytime increases for several compounds including dissolved dimethylsulfoxide, COS, CS2, CH3I, and CH2ClI. A eukaryotic phytoplankton assemblage dominated by dinoflagellates and haptophytes provided higher cell-associated DMSP concentrations, yet the occurrence of DMSP degradation products (dimethylsulfide, dimethyl disulfide) was limited by photochemical loss. Conversely, in the shallow back reef lagoon the proximity of seafloor sediments, corals and abundant seaweeds resulted in higher nutrient levels, more freshly-produced organic matter, higher bacterial activity, and larger algal populations of Mamiellales, diatoms and Cryptomonadales. Consequently, DMSP and dimethylsulfoxide concentrations were lower but those of most VOCs were higher. A combination of photobiological and photochemical processes yielded sunny-daytime increases and nighttime decreases of dimethylsulfide, dimethyl disulfide, COS, isoprene, iodomethanes and bromomethanes. Our results illustrate the important role of solar radiation in DMSPC and VOC cycling, and are relevant for the design of sampling strategies that seek representative and comparable measurements of these compounds.

Investigation of Excess Thermo‐Acoustic Behavior of Binary Liquid Mixture with Various Temperatures Using Ultrasonic Technique

AbstractUltrasonic methods have been very fruitful in studying the physical properties of binary liquid combinations. In this present study, the thermoacoustic behavior of benzyl propionate with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is observed using ultrasound, density, and viscosity at different temperatures between 308 and 328 K with a phase of 10 °C. Benzyl propionate is a sweet‐smelling liquid that is used in the botanical and fruit fragrance industries, as well as in the flavoring of organic products. DMSO is a dipolar aprotic, naturally soluble compound used for slow drug synthesis, device synthesis, and drug delivery to the body. Estimated values such as adiabatic compressibility, intermolecular free length, internal pressure, and free volume are determined from arbitrary ultrasonic velocity, density, and viscosity data. The same excess parameters of adiabatic compressibility, intermolecular free length, internal pressure, and free volume support finding the nature of the reaction. The sort of interactions has been accounted for utilizing these qualities. In the present work, benzyl propionate with dimethyl sulfoxide has been characterized by using ultrasonic waves and since this wave is a well‐known tool for NDT, so the mixture is properly characterized. These thermoacoustic parameters with different concentrations of DMSO at different temperatures have been used to study the complex formation and binding through intermolecular forces.

Janus kinase inhibitors modify the fatty acid profile of extracellular vesicles and modulate the immune response

BackgroundJanus kinase inhibitors (jakinibs) are immunomodulators used for treating malignancies, autoimmune diseases, and immunodeficiencies. However, they induce adverse effects such as thrombosis, lymphocytosis, and neutropenia that could be mediated by extracellular vesicles (EVs). These particles are cell membrane-derived structures that transport cellular and environmental molecules and participate in intercellular communication. Jakinibs can modify the content of EVs and enable them to modulate the activity of different components of the immune response. Objectiveto evaluate the interactions between immune system components of healthy individuals and EVs derived from monocytic and lymphoid lineage cells generated in the presence of baricitinib (BARI) and itacitinib (ITA) and their possible effects. MethodsEVs were isolated from monocytes (M) and lymphocytes (L) of healthy individuals, as well as from U937 (U) and Jurkat (J) cells exposed to non-cytotoxic concentrations of BARI, ITA, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; vehicle control). The binding to and engulfment of EVs by peripheral blood leukocytes of healthy individuals were analyzed by flow cytometry using CFSE-stained EVs and anti-CD45-PeCy7 mAb-labeled whole blood. The effect of EVs on respiratory burst, T-cell activation and proliferation, cytokine synthesis, and platelet aggregation was evaluated. Respiratory burst was assessed in PMA-stimulated neutrophils by the dihydrorhodamine (DHR) test and flow cytometry. T-cell activation and proliferation and cytokine production were assessed in CFSE-stained PBMC cultures stimulated with PHA; expression of the T-cell activation markers CD25 and CD69 and T-cell proliferation were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the cytokine levels were quantified in culture supernatants by Luminex assays. Platelet aggregation was analyzed in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) samples by light transmission aggregometry. The EVs’ fatty acid (FA) profile was analyzed using methyl ester derivatization followed by gas chromatography. ResultsITA exposure during the generation of EVs modified the size of the EVs released; however, treatment with DMSO and BARI did not alter the size of EVs generated from U937 and Jurkat cells. Circulating neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes showed a 2-fold greater tendency to internalize ITA-U-EVs than their respective DMSO control. The neutrophil respiratory burst was attenuated in greater extent by M-EVs than by L-EVs. Autologous ITA-M-EVs reduced T-cell proliferation by decreasing IL-2 levels and CD25 expression independently of CD69. A higher accumulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines was observed in PHA-stimulated PBMC cultures exposed to M-EVs than to L-EVs; this difference may be related to the higher myristate content of M-EVs. Platelet aggregation increased in the presence of ITA-L/M-EVs by a mechanism presumably dependent on the high arachidonic acid content of the vesicles. ConclusionsCellular origin and jakinib exposure modify the FA profile of EVs, enabling them, in turn, to modulate neutrophil respiratory burst, T-cell proliferation, and platelet aggregation. The increased T-cell proliferation induced by BARI-L/M-EVs could explain the lymphocytosis observed in patients treated with BARI. The higher proportion of arachidonic acid in the FA content of ITA-L/M-EVs could be related to the thrombosis described in patients treated with ITA. EVs also induced a decrease in the respiratory burst of neutrophils.

Double-Network Organohydrogels Toughened by Solvent Exchange.

Double-network hydrogels based on calcium alginate are extensively exploited. Unfortunately, their low strength and unstable constitution to open environments limit their application potential. Herein, a new type of double-network organohydrogel (OHG) is proposed. By solvent exchange, a stable physical network is established based on dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-alginate in the presence of a polyacrylamide network. The DMSO content endows tunable mechanical properties, with a maximum tensile strength of ≈1.7MPa. Importantly, the OHG shows much better environmental stability compared to the conventional double-network hydrogels. Due to the reversible association of hydrogen bonds, the OHG possesses some unique properties, including free-shapeability, shape-memory, and self-adhesion, that offers several promising ways to utilize alginate-based gels for wide applications.

Antimicrobial Activity of Nanozirconium Oxide.

The goal behind this work is to prepare, characterize, and study the antimicrobial behavior of zirconia (ZrO2) nanoparticles (NPs). Various techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), were used for studying the mineralogical structure and crystal size. The microstructure and chemical composition of the prepared particles were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope attached with an energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) unit. The antagonistic ability against several Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including Salmonella paratyphi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Alcaligenes aquatilis, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus, was assessed using the well diffusion method. The results of XRD and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses revealed that the prepared material exhibited the phase of zirconium nanoparticles with particle sizes ranging between 40 and 75 nm. The antimicrobial test results demonstrated that the inhibitory effect increased with the increase of concentration. The inhibitory effect was more pronounced against Gram-positive bacteria, as indicated by the larger size of the inhibitory zone. At a 9% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) concentration, the inhibitory zone had a diameter of 3.50 mm for S. aureus compared to a diameter of 3.40 mm for S. pneumoniae. The use of zirconium oxide nanoparticles reduced the diameter of the inhibitory zone when tested against S. aureus at a 3% DMSO concentration (0.50 mm diameter) and against S. pneumoniae (0.40 mm diameter). Zirconia nanoparticles were also evaluated for their antifungal activity against several species, including Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Penicillium sp. The size of the inhibitory zone indicated the susceptibility of microorganisms to nanozirconium oxide, resulting in a stronger inhibition of Penicillium sp. at a 100% DMSO concentration (4.50 mm diameter) compared to A. niger and A. flavus (3.00 mm diameter). The results for Penicillium sp. at a 3% DMSO concentration showed a diameter of the inhibitory zone of 0.90 mm, while for A. niger and A. flavus, the diameter was 0.80 mm. Thus, our findings demonstrate that the zirconium oxide nanoparticles possess the capability to reduce the inhibition zone effectively for both bacterial and fungal activities.

Investigation of supramolecular structures in various aqueous solutions of an amyloid forming peptide using small-angle X-ray scattering.

Aggregation of peptide molecules into amyloid fibrils is a characteristic feature of several degenerative diseases. However, the details behind amyloid-formation, and other self-assembled peptide aggregates, remain poorly understood. In this study, we have used small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), static and dynamic light scattering (SLS and DLS) as well as cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) to determine the structural geometry of self-assembled peptide aggregates in various dilute aqueous solutions. Pramlintide was used as a model peptide to assess the aggregation behaviour of an amyloid-forming peptide. The effects of adding sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN), and sodium fluoride (NaF) and the co-solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on the aggregation behaviour were studied. Our scattering data analysis demonstrates that small oligomeric fibrils aggregate to form networks of supramolecular assemblies with fractal dimensions. The choice of anion in small amounts of added salt has a significant impact on the size of the fibrils as well as on the fractal dimensions of supramolecular clusters. In DMSO the fractal dimension decreased with increasing DMSO concentration, indicating the formation of a less compact structure of the supramolecular assemblies.

Justification of the maximum single maximum permissible concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide in the atmospheric air of urban and rural settlements

Introduction. Atmospheric air pollution by volatile sulfur compounds is one of the most urgent environmental and hygienic problems. However, the maximum single maximum permissible concentration (MPC) of dimethyl sulfoxide in the atmospheric air of urban and rural settlements has not yet been established.&#x0D; The study aims to substantiate the maximum single maximum permissible concentration оf dimethyl sulfoxide in the atmospheric air of urban and rural settlements.&#x0D; Materials and methods. White mongrel male rats weighing 180–240 gr., dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), CAS No. 67-68-5. The authors conducted the study in accordance with the current regulatory, methodological and instructional documents. Experts conducted surveys of experimental animals according to a generally accepted and unified methodology. Statistical processing of the research materials was carried out using standard Statistica 10.0 application programs.&#x0D; Results. During the study of dimethyl sulfoxide, researchers found that the threshold of acute inhalation general toxic effect (Limac) is a concentration of 2.4±0.09 mg/m3, the threshold of irritant effect (Limir) is 0.6±0.03 mg/m3, the odor threshold (Limolf) is 1.741 mg/m3. Unpleasant odors and general toxic effect of the substance are prevented by a concentration of 0.6 mg/m3, irritant effect — a concentration of 0.3 mg /m3.&#x0D; Conclusion. In accordance with the principle of the limiting index of harmfulness, a concentration of 0.3 mg/m3 is recommended as the concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in the atmospheric air, which prevents odors, general toxic and irritating effects.&#x0D; Ethics. The material of the article was approved by the Ethics Committee at the Novosibirsk Research Institute of Hygiene of Rospotrebnadzor (No. 1 of January 21, 2022).