CRISPR Therapeutics for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive neuromuscular disorder with a prevalence of approximately 1 in 3500–5000 males. DMD manifests as childhood-onset muscle degeneration, followed by loss of ambulation, cardiomyopathy, and death in early adulthood due to a lack of functional dystrophin protein. Out-of-frame mutations in the dystrophin gene are the most common underlying cause of DMD. Gene editing via the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system is a promising therapeutic for DMD, as it can permanently correct DMD mutations and thus restore the reading frame, allowing for the production of functional dystrophin. The specific mechanism of gene editing can vary based on a variety of factors such as the number of cuts generated by CRISPR, the presence of an exogenous DNA template, or the current cell cycle stage. CRISPR-mediated gene editing for DMD has been tested both in vitro and in vivo, with many of these studies discussed herein. Additionally, novel modifications to the CRISPR system such as base or prime editors allow for more precise gene editing. Despite recent advances, limitations remain including delivery efficiency, off-target mutagenesis, and long-term maintenance of dystrophin. Further studies focusing on safety and accuracy of the CRISPR system are necessary prior to clinical translation.     

Efficient manganese decorated cobalt based catalysts for hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) biofuel

2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) is a promising compound in the production of biofuel with high-quality properties. In this study, it is aimed to develop new efficient catalysts to synthesize DMF from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Co, Mn/Co, and Ru/Co catalysts were prepared using the NaBH₄ reduction method. The catalysts were subjected to activity tests for the hydrogenation of HMF to DMF by changing the reaction parameters, such as temperature and time. Mn/Co catalysts prepared from metal precursors at various molar ratios of Mn/Co were found to be effective in hydrogenation reactions of HMF to DMF. A 91.8% DMF yield was achieved in the presence of a Mn/Co (50/50) catalyst without noble metal at 180°C for 4 hours. The Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) method, x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and induction coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) techniques were used to characterize the efficient Mn/Co catalyst.     

Poly(2-oxazoline)s with a 2,2′-Iminodiacetate End Group Inhibit and Stabilize Laccase

Poly(2-oxazoline)s (POxs) with 2,2′-iminodiacetate (IDA) end groups were investigated as inhibitors for laccase. The polymers with the IDA end groups are reversible, competitive inhibitors for this enzyme. The IC₅₀ values were found to be in a range of 1–3 mm . Compared with IDA alone, the activity was increased by a factor of more than 30; thus indicating that attaching a polymer chain to an inhibitor can already improve the activity of the former. The enzyme activity drops to practically zero upon increasing the concentration of the most active telechelic inhibitor, IDA-PEtOx₃₀-IDA (PEtOx: poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)), from 5 to 8 mm . This unusual behavior was investigated by means of dynamic light scattering, which showed specific aggregation above 5 mm . Furthermore, the laccase could be stabilized in the presence of POx-IDA, upon addition at a concentration of 20 mm and higher. Whereas laccase becomes completely inactive at room temperature after one week, the stabilized laccase is fully active for at least a month in aqueous solution.     

The effect of different exposure conditions on the biofilm/copper interface

The effects of the different exposure conditions on the electrochemical behavior of copper were evaluated in a growth medium containing Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. Impedance spectra were recorded at the corrosion potential (E_corr) in three different cells for one week of exposure followed by cyclic voltammetry. A second time constant was observed in the impedance spectra of copper that was partially immersed in the test cell, where the electrode was in contact with an air/liquid interface (cell B). These spectra resembled those usually observed for metals covered with a polymer coating. Complete immersion of copper in the electrolyte (no air/liquid interface) or deaeration of cell B resulted in one-time-constant spectra that are typical of those found for passive metals. Excellent corrosion protection was provided by MR-1 regardless of exposure condition. E_corr increased with time for the partially immersed Cu electrode exposed to the aerated solution in cell B, while it decreased for the other two exposure conditions. Cathodic polarization curves recorded after exposure for 7 days showed two reduction peaks for copper tested in cell B, while no reduction peaks were observed for the other cases. Similar results were obtained using cyclic voltammetry.     

Ionic liquid intercalated clay nanofillers for chromatographic applications

In this study, the preparation and characterization of ionic liquid (IL) intercalated montmorillonite (MMT) and their application as a micro-solid phase extraction material for the determination of Chlorpyrifos (CP) pesticide in water samples were reported. The ionic liquids bearing different chain lengths [1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium bromide (C₈mimBr), 1-methyl-3-undecyl-imidazolium bromide (C₁₂mimBr) and 1-methyl-3-octadecyl-imidazolium bromide (C₁₈mimBr)] were intercalated in the galleries of MMT. The IL-intercalated MMTs were characterized by means of XRD and TG methods. The (C₁₂mimBr)-intercalated MMT had the highest sorption efficiency for the CP, which was 32 times higher than the original MMT. We also optimized the parameters for extracting CP from the (C₁₂mimBr)-intercalated MMT.     

The use of aminolysis,aminoglycolysis, and simultaneous aminolysis–hydrolysis products of waste PET for production of paint binder

This work is concerned with the use of aminolysis, aminoglycolysis, and simultaneous aminolysis–hydrolysis products of waste PET for production of paint binder based on alkyd resin. For this purpose, first, aminolysis, aminoglycolysis, and simultaneous hydrolysis–aminolysis reactions of waste PET were carried out in the presence of different chemical agents in xylene medium at high pressures. Reactions of waste PET flakes obtained from grinding postconsumer water bottles were carried out in an autoclave at higher temperatures. Then, four alkyd resins, formulated to have oil content 40–50%, were prepared using these depolymerization products. One of resins is “reference alkyd resin” which was prepared by using soybean oil fatty acid, phthalic anhydride, glycerine, and ethylene glycol for comparison. Other three alkyds are “depolymerization product‐based alkyd resins” in which depolymerization products is used instead of ethylene glycol. Then, the physical and chemical surface coating properties and thermal behaviors of alkyd resins films were investigated comparatively. As a result, we concluded that aminolysis, aminoglycolysis, and simultaneous aminolysis‐hydrolysis products of waste PET are suitable for manufacturing both air drying and oven curing paint binder based on alkyd resins. The film prepared from alkyd resin based on simultaneous aminolysis‐hydrolysis product showed extremely good surface coating properties and thermal stability. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2272–2281, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Using dairy ingredients to alter texture of foods: Implications based on oral processing considerations

Food quality is directly linked to the food's appearance, texture and flavor. All three components must be in harmony for the food to be considered delicious. Understanding how various textures can be designed requires a comprehensive approach of evaluating food structure, oral processing and sensory evaluation. Oral processing considers the physiological processes in first bite, mastication and swallowing. Sensory stimuli during oral processing are used to determine the acceptance of texture. Recent research has focused on how milk proteins can be used to create desirable textures. Whey protein–polysaccharide mixtures were used to show how microstructure can be manipulated to produce a range of textures and control water release. The importance of microstructure in determining a variety of texture terms was demonstrated in whey protein emulsion gels. Finally, fat content in Cheddar cheese was shown to be critical to producing a desirable breakdown pattern. These and other applications will be discussed.