Magic Peptide: Unique Properties of the LRR11 Peptide in the Activation of Leukotriene Synthesis in Human Neutrophils

Neutrophil-mediated innate host defense mechanisms include pathogen elimination through bacterial phagocytosis, which activates the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) product synthesis. Here, we studied the effect of synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs), which mimic the receptor-recognized sites of bacterial (CpG-ODNs) and genomic (G-rich ODNs) DNAs released from the inflammatory area, on the neutrophil functions after cell stimulation with Salmonella typhimurium. A possible mechanism for ODN recognition by Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) and RAGE receptor has been proposed. We found for the first time that the combination of the magic peptide LRR11 from the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) of TLR9 with the CpG-ODNs modulates the uptake and signaling from ODNs, in particular, dramatically stimulates 5-LOX pathway. Using thickness shear mode acoustic method, we confirmed the specific binding of CpG-ODNs, but not G-rich ODN, to LRR11. The RAGE receptor has been shown to play an important role in promoting ODN uptake. Thus, FPS-ZM1, a high-affinity RAGE inhibitor, suppresses the synthesis of 5-LOX products and reduces the uptake of ODNs by neutrophils; the inhibitor effect being abolished by the addition of LRR11. The results obtained revealed that the studied peptide-ODN complexes possess high biological activity and can be promising for the development of effective vaccine adjuvants and antimicrobial therapeutics.     

Mechanochemical synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline BiSe, Bi2Se3 semiconductors

Mechanochemical synthesis of bismuth selenides (BiSe, Bi₂Se₃) was performed by high-energy milling of bismuth and selenium powders in a planetary ball mill. The particle size distribution and the specific surface area of Bi/Se and 2Bi/3Se powder mixtures were analysed at increasing milling time. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and transmission electron microscopy. The presence of bismuth selenide phases was observed after only 1?min of milling and full conversion into hexagonal BiSe phase (nevskite) and rhombohedral Bi₂Se₃ phase (paraguanajuatite) was reached after 10?min of milling. The nanocrystalline nature of both mechanochemically synthesised bismuth selenides was confirmed and their optical band gap energies were obtained on the basis of the recorded absorption spectra in UV–Vis spectral region.     

PBS-co-DEG与热塑性淀粉共混膜的性能研究

采用流延法制备了不同二甘醇(DEG)含量的聚丁二酸丁二醇二甘醇共聚酯(PBS-co-DEG)与热塑性淀粉(TPS)共混的复合膜,通过核磁共振氢谱仪、傅里叶变换红外光谱仪、凝胶渗透色谱仪、热重分析仪、紫外–可见分光光度计、偏光显微镜等对共聚酯的结构及复合膜的性能进行了表征和测试,采用N435脂肪酶对复合膜进行了降解实验。结果表明,随DEG含量的增加PBS-co-DEG/TPS复合膜的亲水性、光透过率和断裂伸长率均有所增加,热稳定性变化不明显;与PBS/TPS复合膜相比,PBS-co-DEG/TPS复合膜的酶降解速率显著提高。     

Synthesis of Cellulose-Based Macromolecular Coupling Agent and its Utilization in Poly (butylene succinate)/Wood Flour Composites

A long fatty side chain was introduced into the macromolecule of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) via esterification reaction. The hydrophobicity of hydroxyethyl cellulose lauric acid ester (HECLAE) was enhanced in comparison with HEC. The obtained HECLAE was used as macromolecular coupling agent in poly (butylene succinate)/wood flour composites and exhibited a positive influence on improving the mechanical performance of composites. Besides, HECLAE plays a role as a hydrophobic agent in composites. A significant increase in storage modulus (E’) was observed upon the incorporation of treated wood flour. SEM images showed that the dispersion of treated wood flour in PBS matrix was improved.     

Dynamic-MFA examination of Chilean housing stock: long-term changes and earthquake damage

The dynamics and metabolism of the built environment are important for understanding the construction, renovation and demolition activities that characterize its long-term physical development. Previous research on building stock development is limited, particularly for developing countries. As one of the most seismically active countries in the world, Chile's built environment is constantly subjected to losses. This study included earthquake vulnerability and damage in a dynamic material flow analysis (MFA) of the Chilean housing stock. Stock and flows of residential floor area were modelled using population and life style parameters. Demolition was modelled assuming a constant demolition rate. By characterizing the building stock according to vulnerability classes and establishing a mass balance per class, the effects of different typology distributions on the overall damage to the stock caused by earthquakes could be assessed. Scenarios with different trends in typology distribution for new construction and renovation suggest that significant potential exists for reducing future earthquake damage in the Chilean housing stock. This is best achieved by gradually reducing the vulnerability of buildings to earthquakes. Legislation, building standards and financial instruments could be used to ensure such reductions in earthquake damage and thereby provide socio-economic benefits in the future.     

Mechanochemistry of copper sulphides: phase interchanges during milling

Covellite, CuS and chalcocite, Cu₂S nanoparticles prepared in the explosive manner from elemental precursors were further ball-milled in order to observe additional changes caused by mechanical action. Three phases of chalcocite were interchanging during milling, monoclinic one being major at the equilibrium after 30 min. In the case of covellite synthesis, milling for 15 min brought about a significant diminishment in the content of digenite, Cu_1.8S, impurity. Covellite powder exhibited finer character than chalcocite, as documented by crystallite size, grain size and specific surface area analysis. Finally, the effect of milling speed on the explosive character of the reaction and phase composition of chalcocite was investigated. The most drastic conditions favored the formation of the monoclinic phase with the lowest symmetry and the time and intensity of the explosion was found to depend on the milling speed. The whole process is mechanically driven.     

In vitro digestibility of phenolic compounds from edible fruits: could it be explained by chemometrics?

The health benefits of phenolic compounds depend on the ingested amount, molecular diversity and gastrointestinal digestibility. The phenolic profile of eight fruits (blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, mulberry, pomegranate, green and red globe grapes) was chemometrically associated with their in vitro digestibility (oral, gastric, intestinal). Extractable phenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins strongly correlated with each other (r ≥ 0.84), proanthocyanidins with anthocyanins (r = 0.62) and hydrolysable phenols with both extractable phenols (r = 0.45) and proanthocyanidins (r = ?0.54). Two principal components explained 93% of the variance [61% (free‐phenols), 32% (bounded‐phenols)], and four clusters were confirmed by hierarchical analysis, based in their phenolic richness (CLT 1‐4: low to high) and molecular diversity. In vitro digestibility of extractable phenols and flavonoids was blackberry (CLT‐4)> raspberry (CLT‐2)> red grape (CLT‐1) related to their phenolic richness (r ≥ 0.96; P < 0.001), but anthocyanins’ digestibility was pH‐dependent. Chemometrics is useful to predict the in vitro digestibility of phenolic compounds in the assayed fruits.     

Correction to: Digitalization in knowledge work: the dream of enhanced performance

According to decision by the rector of University of Tampere, a version of the paper was submitted and published due to negligence.     

Distribution of rare earth elements in anionic,cationic and particulate fractions in boreal humus-rich streams affected by acid sulphate soils

The abundance, fractionation and physicochemical forms of rare earth elements (REEs) were determined in five boreal humus-rich streams (dissolved organic carbon, DOC = 14-40 mg/l) affected by acid sulphate soils. The sampling was carried out during high-water flow in autumn when the acid sulphate soils are extensively flushed. The analytical procedures included ion-exchange experiments in field and ICP-MS determination. There was a general decrease in pH (range 4.5-6.2) and increase in the REE concentrations (La range 0.82-23 microg/l) as the proportion of the catchment cover of acid sulphate soils increased, explained by high amounts of REEs in the acidic runoff from such soils. In each stream, four different REE fractions were identified: (1) A cationic fraction, which is dominant in the REE-rich runoff from the acid sulphate soils and which is depleted in HREEs due to hydrochemical and/or geochemical processes, (2) an anionic fraction identified as humus-REE complexes, which in general is more abundant the higher the DOC concentrations and which also becomes increasingly abundant across the lanthanide series, (3) a fraction having a well-developed MREE enrichment, presumably consisting of colloidal REEs, and (4) a minor uncharacterised particle-associated fraction. The REE pool in the streams thus consists of several coexisting and contrasting REE species. The identification and quantification of such species is a prerequisite for the precise and accurate characterisation of the REE hydrochemistry of the streams.