“Dual‐Template” Synthesis of One‐Dimensional Conductive Nanoparticle Superstructures from Coordination Metal–Peptide Polymer Crystals

Bottom‐up fabrication of self‐assembled structures made of nanoparticles may lead to new materials, arrays and devices with great promise for myriad applications. Here a new class of metal–peptide scaffolds is reported: coordination polymer Ag(I)‐DLL belt‐like crystals, which enable the dual‐template synthesis of more sophisticated nanoparticle superstructures. In these biorelated scaffolds, the self‐assembly and recognition capacities of peptides and the selective reduction of Ag(I) ions to Ag are simultaneously exploited to control the growth and assembly of inorganic nanoparticles: first on their surfaces, and then inside the structures themselves. The templated internal Ag nanoparticles are well confined and closely packed, conditions that favour electrical conductivity in the superstructures. It is anticipated that these Ag(I)‐DLL belts could be applied to create long (>100 μm) conductive Ag@Ag nanoparticle superstructures and polymetallic, multifunctional Fe₃O₄@Ag nanoparticle composites that marry the magnetic and conductive properties of the two nanoparticle types.     

Third‐generation EUCLIDES concentrator results

This paper presents salient results from the third‐generation EUCLIDES linear photovoltaic concentrator, which was developed within the framework of the IDEOCONTE European project. There were two broad objectives for this project: firstly, to review and resolve the difficulties associated with previous prototypes (the Madrid prototype and the Tenerife plant), where the lack of qualification standards and quality control were identified as significant causes of failure under real‐world operation; and secondly, to optimise and commercialise the functionally effective components. During the development period, research activities focussed on cell encapsulation, the reliability of the system components, and the monitoring of field performance across three different test sites. The third‐generation EUCLIDES concentrator system has achieved an overall efficiency of 10%, which is similar to the efficiencies of previous EUCLIDES systems. The main third‐generation improvements relate to the industrialisation and improved reliability of single element system component. The expected system cost, for an annual production of 2 MW, is €3.70/Wp. However, the maximum allowable projected system cost under the Spanish feed‐in‐tariff of 2010 is €3.00/Wp. This will be very difficult to achieve with the current system efficiency. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New liquid crystalline columnar poly(epichlorohydrin‐co‐ethylene oxide) derivatives leading to biomimetic ion channels

A new family of liquid crystalline columnar polyethers was obtained by modification of Poly(epichlorohydrin‐co‐ethylene oxide) (P(ECH‐co‐EO)) with the dendron 3,4,5‐tris[4‐(n‐dodecan‐1‐yloxy)benzyloxy]benzoate, under different conditions. The highest modification degree that we could achieve was 69%. The copolymers were fully characterized by ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscopy (POM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). All copolymers exhibited liquid‐crystalline columnar behavior whose range of stability depended on the modification degree. X‐ray diffraction experiments on oriented samples showed that the dendrons are approximately perpendicular to the column axis and that their average number per unit cell ranged from 5 to 6. The formation of a stable columnar mesophase in the polyether should determine the presence of a continuous ion channel along the column axis. Therefore, these copolymers are suitable candidates for the preparation of membranes for small cation transport, in agreement with the results that we obtained by using poly(oxy‐1‐chloro methylethylene) (PECH) modified with the same dendron. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Drebrin Regulates Acetylcholine Receptor Clustering and Organization of Microtubules at the Postsynaptic Machinery

Proper muscle function depends on the neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), which mature postnatally to complex “pretzel-like” structures, allowing for effective synaptic transmission. Postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) at NMJs are anchored in the actin cytoskeleton and clustered by the scaffold protein rapsyn, recruiting various actin-organizing proteins. Mechanisms driving the maturation of the postsynaptic machinery and regulating rapsyn interactions with the cytoskeleton are still poorly understood. Drebrin is an actin and microtubule cross-linker essential for the functioning of the synapses in the brain, but its role at NMJs remains elusive. We used immunohistochemistry, RNA interference, drebrin inhibitor 3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl pyrazole (BTP2) and co-immunopreciptation to explore the role of this protein at the postsynaptic machinery. We identify drebrin as a postsynaptic protein colocalizing with the AChRs both in vitro and in vivo. We also show that drebrin is enriched at synaptic podosomes. Downregulation of drebrin or blocking its interaction with actin in cultured myotubes impairs the organization of AChR clusters and the cluster-associated microtubule network. Finally, we demonstrate that drebrin interacts with rapsyn and a drebrin interactor, plus-end-tracking protein EB3. Our results reveal an interplay between drebrin and cluster-stabilizing machinery involving rapsyn, actin cytoskeleton, and microtubules.     

Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Nano-Conjugates for Effective Extraction of Food Components—A Model Study of Tyramine Determination in Craft Beers

In this paper, magnetic molecularly imprinted nano-conjugates were synthesized to serve as selective sorbents in a model study of tyramine determination in craft beer samples. The molecularly imprinted sorbent was characterized in terms of morphology, structure, and composition. The magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction protocol was developed and combined with liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to determine tyramine. Ten samples of craft beers were analyzed using a validated method, revealing tyramine concentrations in the range between 0.303 and 126.5 mg L⁻¹. Tyramine limits of detection and quantification were 0.033 mg L⁻¹ and 0.075 mg L⁻¹, respectively. Therefore, the fabricated molecularly imprinted magnetic nano-conjugates with a fast magnetic responsivity and desirable adsorption performance could be an effective tool for monitoring tyramine levels in beverages.     

Sustained Elevated Blood Pressure Accelerates Atherosclerosis Development in a Preclinical Model of Disease

The continuous relationship between blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular events makes the distinction between elevated BP and hypertension based on arbitrary cut-off values for BP. Even mild BP elevations manifesting as high-normal BP have been associated with cardiovascular risk. We hypothesize that persistent elevated BP increases atherosclerotic plaque development. To evaluate this causal link, we developed a new mouse model of elevated BP based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene transfer. We constructed AAV vectors to support transfer of the hRenin and hAngiotensinogen genes. A single injection of AAV-Ren/Ang (10¹¹ total viral particles) induced sustained systolic BP increase (130 ± 20 mmHg, vs. 110 ± 15 mmHg in controls; p = 0.05). In ApoE^−/− mice, AAV-induced mild BP elevation caused larger atherosclerotic lesions evaluated by histology (10-fold increase vs. normotensive controls). In this preclinical model, atheroma plaques development was attenuated by BP control with a calcium channel blocker, indicating that a small increase in BP within a physiological range has a substantial impact on plaque development in a preclinical model of atherosclerosis. These data support that non-optimal BP represents a risk for atherosclerosis development. Earlier intervention in elevated BP may prevent or delay morbidity and mortality associated with atherosclerosis.     

A Review of Honeybee Venom Allergens and Allergenicity

Honeybee venom is a source of proteins with allergenic properties which can result in in various symptoms, ranging from local reactions through to systematic life-threatening anaphylaxis, or even death. According to the World Allergy Organization (WAO), honeybee venom allergy is one of the most common causes of anaphylaxis. Among the proteins present in honeybee venom, 12 protein fractions were registered by the World Health Organization’s Allergen Nomenclature Sub-Committee (WHO/IUIS) as allergenic. Most of them are highly immunogenic glycoproteins that cross-react with IgE and, as a consequence, may give false positive results in allergy diagnosis. Allergenic fractions are different in terms of molecular weight and biological activity. Eight of these allergenic fractions have also been identified in honey. This explains frequent adverse reactions after consuming honey in people allergic to venom and sheds new light on the causes of allergic symptoms in some individuals after honey consumption. At the same time, it also indicates the possibility of using honey as a natural source of allergen in specific immunotherapy.     

Astroglial and Microglial Purinergic P2X7 Receptor as a Major Contributor to Neuroinflammation during the Course of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that leads to the progressive disability of patients. A characteristic feature of the disease is the presence of focal demyelinating lesions accompanied by an inflammatory reaction. Interactions between autoreactive immune cells and glia cells are considered as a central mechanism underlying the pathology of MS. A glia-mediated inflammatory reaction followed by overproduction of free radicals and generation of glutamate-induced excitotoxicity promotes oligodendrocyte injury, contributing to demyelination and subsequent neurodegeneration. Activation of purinergic signaling, in particular P2X7 receptor-mediated signaling, in astrocytes and microglia is an important causative factor in these pathological processes. This review discusses the role of astroglial and microglial cells, and in particular glial P2X7 receptors, in inducing MS-related neuroinflammatory events, highlighting the importance of P2X7R-mediated molecular pathways in MS pathology and identifying these receptors as a potential therapeutic target.     

Tolerogenic Dendritic Cell-Based Approaches in Autoimmunity

Dendritic cells (DCs) dictate the outcomes of tissue-specific immune responses. In the context of autoimmune diseases, DCs instruct T cells to respond to antigens (Ags), including self-Ags, leading to organ damage, or to becoming regulatory T cells (Tregs) promoting and perpetuating immune tolerance. DCs can acquire tolerogenic properties in vitro and in vivo in response to several stimuli, a feature that opens the possibility to generate or to target DCs to restore tolerance in autoimmune settings. We present an overview of the different subsets of human DCs and of the regulatory mechanisms associated with tolerogenic (tol)DC functions. We review the role of DCs in the induction of tissue-specific autoimmunity and the current approaches exploiting tolDC-based therapies or targeting DCs in vivo for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Finally, we discuss limitations and propose future investigations for improving the knowledge on tolDCs for future clinical assessment to revert and prevent autoimmunity. The continuous expansion of tolDC research areas will lead to improving the understanding of the role that DCs play in the development and treatment of autoimmunity.     

Total antioxidant activity and trace elements in human milk: the first 4 months of breast-feeding

The content of many nutrients in breast milk are dependent on the nutritional status of the lactating woman. This is particularly true for fat and water-soluble vitamins, some of which have antioxidant properties. The aim of the study entertained herein was to evaluate the changes in total antioxidant status of human milk during the first 4 months of lactation, and to correlate such changes with the contents in specific antioxidant oligoelements (Cu, Zn, Mn and Se). Milk samples were collected from (31) lactating women recruited at the Service of Obstetrics of the Hospital de São João in Porto, after 1, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after birth. The total antioxidant status (TAS) of human milk was measured by the Randox^® commercial kit and trace metals by ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry). The results found for TAS and oligoelements under study show a decrease in the concentration of these parameters from 7 days to 4 months of breast-feeding and significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between TAS and Cu, Zn and Se (not Mn). The decreases of Cu, Zn and Se were also correlated, but not proportional between them, suggesting diverse excretion mechanisms for all. Between primipara and multipara women, a significant difference was found only for Cu and Zn concentrations at 7 days of lactation, but not for the other metals or TAS. With respect to the mother’s age, no correlation was found, either for trace metal concentrations or TAS.