Complement-Opsonized Nano-Carriers Are Bound by Dendritic Cells (DC) via Complement Receptor (CR)3, and by B Cell Subpopulations via CR-1/2, and Affect the Activation of DC and B-1 Cells

The development of nanocarriers (NC) for biomedical applications has gained large interest due to their potential to co-deliver drugs in a cell-type-targeting manner. However, depending on their surface characteristics, NC accumulate serum factors, termed protein corona, which may affect their cellular binding. We have previously shown that NC coated with carbohydrates to enable biocompatibility triggered the lectin-dependent complement pathway, resulting in enhanced binding to B cells via complement receptor (CR)1/2. Here we show that such NC also engaged all types of splenic leukocytes known to express CR3 at a high rate when NC were pre-incubated with native mouse serum resulting in complement opsonization. By focusing on dendritic cells (DC) as an important antigen-presenting cell type, we show that CR3 was essential for binding/uptake of complement-opsonized NC, whereas CR4, which in mouse is specifically expressed by DC, played no role. Further, a minor B cell subpopulation (B-1), which is important for first-line pathogen responses, and co-expressed CR1/2 and CR3, in general, engaged NC to a much higher extent than normal B cells. Here, we identified CR-1/2 as necessary for binding of complement-opsonized NC, whereas CR3 was dispensable. Interestingly, the binding of complement-opsonized NC to both DC and B-1 cells affected the expression of activation markers. Our findings may have important implications for the design of nano-vaccines against infectious diseases, which codeliver pathogen-specific protein antigen and adjuvant, aimed to induce a broad adaptive cellular and humoral immune response by inducing cytotoxic T lymphocytes that kill infected cells and pathogen-neutralizing antibodies, respectively. Decoration of nano-vaccines either with carbohydrates to trigger complement activation in vivo or with active complement may result in concomitant targeting of DC and B cells and thereby may strongly enhance the extent of dual cellular/humoral immune responses.     

Thermal properties of new varieties of yam starches

Starches isolated from yam varieties of Dioscorea alata and Dioscorea cayenensis‐rotundata species were prepared at different time–temperature conditions and characterised by DSC, amperometric iodine titration, light microscopy and rheology and compared to native and chemical modified tapioca starches. The observation by light microscopy showed different morphologies of the granules when heated above 100°C and the tendency for disintegration decreased in the order native tapioca starch > yam starch > modified tapioca starch. Differences between yam and tapioca starches were also revealed by DSC. Yam starch enthalpy is higher than tapioca starch, but the peak temperature is low. However, the significant differences between yam and the other tested starches were found in terms of their rheological behaviour. The viscosity of yam starch was very stable at high temperatures on the viscograph. With this property, yam starch can be used as thickening and gelling agent in food.     

Bootstrap Unit‐Root Tests: Comparison and Extensions

Abstract. In this article, we study and compare the properties of several bootstrap unit‐root tests recently proposed in the literature. The tests are Dickey–Fuller (DF) or Augmented DF, based either on residuals from an autoregression and the use of the block bootstrap or on first‐differenced data and the use of the stationary bootstrap or sieve bootstrap. We extend the analysis by interchanging the data transformations (differences vs. residuals), the types of bootstrap and the presence or absence of a correction for autocorrelation in the tests. We show that two sieve bootstrap tests based on residuals remain asymptotically valid. In contrast to the literature which focuses on a comparison of the bootstrap tests with an asymptotic test, we compare the bootstrap tests among themselves using response surfaces for their size and power in a simulation study. This study leads to the following conclusions: (i) augmented DF tests are always preferred to standard DF tests; (ii) the sieve bootstrap performs better than the block bootstrap; (iii) difference‐based tests appear to have slightly better size properties, but residual‐based tests appear more powerful.     

Small‐Molecule Inhibitors of the Tumor Suppressor Fhit

The tumor suppressor Fhit and its substrate diadenosine triphosphate (Ap₃A) are important factors in cancer development and progression. Fhit has Ap₃A hydrolase activity and cleaves Ap₃A into adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP); this is believed to terminate Fhit‐mediated signaling. How the catalytic activity of Fhit is regulated and how the Fhit ? Ap₃A complex might exert its growth‐suppressive function remain to be discovered. Small‐molecule inhibitors of the enzymatic activity of Fhit would provide valuable tools for the elucidation of its tumor‐suppressive functions. Here we describe the development of a high‐throughput screen for the identification of such small‐molecule inhibitors of Fhit. Two clusters of inhibitors that decreased the activity of Fhit by at least 90 % were identified. Several derivatives were synthesized and exhibited in vitro IC₅₀ values in the nanomolar range.     

SkaSim – Skalierbare HPC‐Software für molekulare Simulationen in der chemischen Industrie

This article outlines advances in molecular modeling and simulation using massively parallel high‐performance computers (HPC). In the SkaSim project, partners from the HPC community collaborated with users from science and industry. The aim was to optimize the prediction of thermodynamic property data in terms of efficiency, quality and reliability using HPC methods. In this context, various topics were dealt with: atomistic simulation of homogeneous gas bubble formation, surface tension of classical fluids and ionic liquids, multicriteria optimization of molecular models, the development of the molecular simulation codes ls1 mardyn and ms2, atomistic simulation of gas separation processes, molecular membrane structure generators, transport resistors and the evaluation of predictive property data models based on specific mixture types.     

Nucleate Boiling on a Single Site: Contact Angle Analysis for a Quasi-2D Growing Vapour Bubble

Heat transfer prediction under boiling condition is still unresolved. In this paper, a basic study on bubble growth is carried out. Recent works show that contact line region plays an important role for heat and mass transfer in nucleate boiling regime. Three dimension experimental set-up lead to a mirage effect which disturbs measurements. To overcome this problem, a new quasi two dimensional experimental set-up is designed. This Hele–Shaw like configuration allows measuring the contact angle and contact line displacement during the bubble growth. A noticeable behavior of the contact angle is observed, and the influence of the sub-cooling level on the bubble growth rate and the contact angle value is studied.     

行动研究与绿色计划

介绍针对改善医院,学校及公共建筑等不同的建筑类型的研究,讨论行动研究、基础研究、应用研究这三种研究者与组织机构之间合作的例子,以促进负责任的环境实践.     

Process engineering parameters and type of n-octenylsuccinate-derivatised starch affect oxidative stability of microencapsulated long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

Aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of the emulsifying carrier matrix constituent, n-octenylsuccinate-derivatised (OSA)-starch, and process conditions on physical characteristics and oxidative stability of microencapsulated fish oil. Furthermore, the effect of the drying medium, i.e. air or nitrogen, on lipid oxidation during spray-drying and subsequent storage was investigated. Particle characteristics and lipid oxidation of microencapsulated fish oil were both influenced by the type of OSA-starch and the drying conditions. The highest oxidative stability was observed for fish oil microencapsulated in OSA-starch with the lowest average molecular weight and glucose syrup spray-dried at a moderate temperature setting. Particle characteristics of the microcapsules were not attributable for differences in lipid oxidation during storage. In spray-dried carrier matrix particles, the particle size increased with increasing average molecular weight of the OSA-starch and was attributed to an increase in air inclusion. Thus differences in lipid oxidation of the microencapsulated fish oil were attributed to differences in air inclusion as affected by the type of OSA-starch. In terms of spray-drying under inert conditions and in the presence of air, lipid oxidation of microencapsulated fish oil was rather attributed to oxygen availability in the feed emulsion than in the drying gas.