Apoptosis Signaling Is Altered in CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) T Regulatory Lymphocytes in Pre-Eclampsia

The aim of our study was to estimate the surface expressions of CD95 (APO-1/Fas) antigen and the intracellular expressions of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and pro-apoptotic protein Bax in CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) T regulatory lymphocytes (Tregs) as well as the percentage of CD8(+)CD28(+) T cytotoxic cells in peripheral blood of patients with pre-eclampsia in comparison with healthy pregnant women in the third trimester of physiological pregnancy. Twenty-four women with pre-eclampsia and 20 normal third trimester pregnant women were included in the study. The lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral blood samples and labeled with monoclonal antibodies. The expressions of surface antigens and intracellular proteins were estimated using flow cytometry. The population of CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) Treg cells was significantly lower in peripheral blood of patients with pre-eclampsia when compared to normal third trimester pregnant women. The percentages of CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) Treg cells that express Bcl-2 protein were significantly lower in peripheral blood of patients with pre-eclampsia when compared to healthy pregnant women, whereas the percentages of CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) Treg cells with the expressions of Bax protein did not differ in both groups. Moreover, the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of Bcl-2 protein in CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) Treg cells was significantly lower and MFI of Bax protein significantly higher in pre-eclampsia when compared to the control group. The percentage of CD8(+)CD28(+) T cells did not differ in both studied groups but MFI of CD28 antigen on T CD8(+) cells was significantly higher in pre-eclampsia when compared to the control group. The obtained results suggest that the deficit of CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) Treg lymphocytes which is observed in pre-eclampsia may be associated with altered apoptosis signaling in Tregs.     

Synthesis and surface properties of new dicephalic saccharide-derived surfactants

A new group of nonionic dicephalic saccharide amides, N-dodecyl-N,N-bis[(3-d-gluconylamido)propyl]-amine, N-dodecyl-N,N-bis[(3-d-glucoheptonylamido)propyl]-amine, and N-alkyl-N,N-bis[(3-lactobionylamido)propyl]amines (alkyl: n-C₁₂H_25′ n-C₁₆H_33′, n-C₁₈H₃₇) were synthesized and characterized. Their structure and purity were confirmed by means of ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Carbon spectra were verified using a DEPT experiment. The surface and interfacial properties such as critical micelle concentration (CMC), standard free energy of micellization, ΔG _CMC, surface excess concentration, Γ_CMC, and surface area demand per molecule, A _CMC, were determined. The tertiary nitrogen atom seems to have a surprising effect on surfactnat packing at the interface.     

A Michael-type reaction between acrylato ions and ethylenediamine coordinated to Ni(II). Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic properties of [Ni2(EDDP)2(H2O)2] · 2H2O (H2EDDP = ethylenediamine-N,N-dipropionic acid)

The reaction between NiCO₃ · Ni(OH)₂, acrylic acid and ethylenediamine in a 2:4:1 molar ratio affords the binuclear complex, [Ni₂(EDDP)₂(H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O 1. The organic ligand, EDDP^2? (the dianion of the ethylenediamine-N,N-dipropionic acid ligand), results from the addition of one amine group to the carbon–carbon double bonds of two acrylato ions. The crystal structure of 1 consists of neutral centrosymmetric entities, with the nickel ions connected by two carboxylato groups, each one acting as a monoatomic bridge. The intramolecular Ni?Ni distance is 3.212 Å. The metal ions exhibit an octahedral geometry. The cryomagnetic investigation of 1 reveals an antiferromagnetic coupling of the nickel(II) ions (J = ?21.8 cm^?1, H = ?JS_Ni1S_Ni2).     

PD-L1 Inhibitors: Different Classes,Activities, and Mechanisms of Action

Targeting the programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) interaction has become an established strategy for cancer immunotherapy. Although hundreds of small-molecule, peptide, and peptidomimetic inhibitors have been proposed in recent years, only a limited number of drug candidates show good PD-1/PD-L1 blocking activity in cell-based assays. In this article, we compare representative molecules from different classes in terms of their PD-1/PD-L1 dissociation capacity measured by HTRF and in vitro bioactivity determined by the immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) co-culture assay. We point to recent discoveries that underscore important differences in the mechanisms of action of these molecules and also indicate one principal feature that needs to be considered, which is the eventual human PD-L1 specificity.     

An agile production network enabled by reconfigurable manufacturing systems

Emergencies, and efforts to address them, create disruptions to local and global supply chains and surges in demand of emergency resources, which substantially affect global production. Reconfigurable manufacturing systems are promising solutions to improve flexibility and to reduce the effort needed to adapt supply chains and production networks to fit a perturbed environment. This paper proposes a method for coordination of reconfigurable manufacturing resources from multiple enterprises to structure ad-hoc production networks for critical products required in emergencies. Network optimization models and interaction algorithms are integrated to evolve the production network through synchronous machine-level and network-level reconfiguration driven by data.     

A PROCESS FOR DISPOSAL OF HALON 1301 (CBrF3)

We report the results of an experimental and kinetic modeling study of gas-phase reaction between methane and halon 1301 (CBrF³). At 1000 K, with an equimolar feed of CH⁴ and CBrF³ and at a residence time of 1 second, CHF³ and CH³Br are produced at selectivities in excess of 90%. Other reaction products detected include C²H²F², C²H², C²H², and CHBrF². Very good agreement between kinetic modeling and experimental results was obtained.     

Correlation Between Cutting Data Selection and Chip Form in Stainless Steel Turning

This article presents investigations related to the turning of stainless steel as a representative of difficult-to-cut materials and the effectiveness of selected chip breakers working in the local machining environment. Martensitic steel AISI 416 was used to test two commercially available types of chip breaker. The efficiency of a chip breaker working in the range of cutting conditions recommended (by the tool manufacturers) was the aim of the turning tests. As a result of the investigations an algorithm of cutting condition selection, combining both the cutting tests and the simulation procedure for the efficiency of the chip breaker was created. The vision system, equipped with a high-speed camera was used for chip form estimation. Simultaneously, the cutting force components were measured to check if the simulation calculation was correct. The FEM simulation was applied to estimate the manner in which the chip groove was filled. The article presents certain recommendations for cutting condition correction in the local machining environment for the purpose of achieving an acceptable chip form.     

Determination of forces in high speed blanking using FEM and experiments

The increasing demand for micro-formed and stamped parts such as connectors in the electronic industry is forcing manufacturers to push the speed limit of conventional press technologies to improve throughput. Designing dies/tooling for higher speeds and obtaining extended tool life requires a thorough understanding of the process. This paper discusses an experimental study of the interaction between punch, stripper plate and sheet material at various blanking velocities up to 1600 mm/s. The effect of velocity on punching force is also studied. A methodology to obtain high strain and strain rate dependent material flow stress data using blanking test and finite element modelling is presented.     

Carbon nanotube air-bubble interactions studied by atomic force microscopy

Interaction forces between a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and an air-bubble in pure deionized water and methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) solutions were measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The MWCNT terminated probe was brought into contact with the bubble at controlled applied forces. The repulsive steps followed by attractive jumps recorded in the approach force curves correspond to changes in the MWCNT diameter along its length, an observation confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) data. By processing the retraction part of the force curves obtained in pure water it is possible to estimate the end diameter of the carbon nanotube with nanometer resolution using a capillary force model.