Photosensitizedcis-trans isomerization of jojoba wax

Jojoba wax solutions were irradiated at wavelengths longer than 366 nm, in the presence of sensitizers, at room temperature.Cis-trans isomerization took place only with sensitizers with triplet energy greater than 68 kcal/mol. Quantum yields were low and a conversion of up to 25% of thetrans isomer was achieved at the photostationary state.     

Simple model of the optical characteristics of bubbles and sediments in seawater of the surf zone

The development of a simple model of the seawater inherent optical properties (IOPs) associated with bubbles and sediments would represent a great advance in surf zone optics. We present one solution for this problem using a combination of geometrical optics and Fraunhofer diffraction. An analytic model of the IOPs of bubbles and sediments (the extinction and absorption coefficients, and phase function) is developed in terms of the moments of the particle size distribution and the complex refractive index of particles.     

EGFR-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Resistance to Immunotherapy: Role of the Tumor Microenvironment

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. About 10–30% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harbor mutations of the EGFR gene. The Tumor Microenvironment (TME) of patients with NSCLC harboring EGFR mutations displays peculiar characteristics and may modulate the antitumor immune response. EGFR activation increases PD-L1 expression in tumor cells, inducing T cell apoptosis and immune escape. EGFR-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) strengthen MHC class I and II antigen presentation in response to IFN-γ, boost CD8+ T-cells levels and DCs, eliminate FOXP3+ Tregs, inhibit macrophage polarization into the M2 phenotype, and decrease PD-L1 expression in cancer cells. Thus, targeted therapy blocks specific signaling pathways, whereas immunotherapy stimulates the immune system to attack tumor cells evading immune surveillance. A combination of TKIs and immunotherapy may have suboptimal synergistic effects. However, data are controversial because activated EGFR signaling allows NSCLC cells to use multiple strategies to create an immunosuppressive TME, including recruitment of Tumor-Associated Macrophages and Tregs and the production of inhibitory cytokines and metabolites. Therefore, these mechanisms should be characterized and targeted by a combined pharmacological approach that also concerns disease stage, cancer-related inflammation with related systemic symptoms, and the general status of the patients to overcome the single-drug resistance development.     

Mass spectrometry‐based proteomics: The road to lung cancer biomarker discovery

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men and women in Western nations, and is among the deadliest cancers with a 5‐year survival rate of 15%. The high mortality caused by lung cancer is attributable to a late‐stage diagnosis and the lack of effective treatments. So, it is crucial to identify new biomarkers that could function not only to detect lung cancer at an early stage but also to shed light on the molecular mechanisms that underlie cancer development and serve as the basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Considering that DNA‐based biomarkers for lung cancer showed inadequate sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility, proteomics could represent a better tool for the identification of useful biomarkers and therapeutic targets for this cancer type. Among the proteomics technologies, the most powerful tool is mass spectrometry. In this review, we describe studies that use mass spectrometry‐based proteomics technologies to analyze tumor proteins and peptides, which might represent new diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive markers for lung cancer. We focus in particular on those findings that hold promise to impact significantly on the clinical management of this disease. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 32:129–142, 2013     

Influence of erbia or europia doping on crystal structure and microstructure of ceria–zirconia (CZ) solid solutions

In this study we have prepared three zirconia–ceria compositions, namely 12, 50 and 80 mole% CeO₂. Along with each pure ceria–zirconia composition we have prepared two parallel erbia- or europia-doped materials in which 0.5 mole% of each of the two starting oxides is replaced by 1 mole erbia or europia.     

Nanoscale Cu supported catalysts in the partial oxidation of cyclohexane with molecular oxygen

Cu supported catalysts (support: γ-Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, TiO₂) have been conveniently prepared by deposition of Cu particles from acetone solvated Cu atoms. The catalysts have been characterized by HRTEM analysis, showing a quite homogeneous Cu particle size distribution. They are active systems for the partial oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone. After the catalytic experiment the Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ and Cu/TiO₂ systems can be reused without valuable loss of activity, while the Cu/Fe₂O₃ system is quite inactive.     

Characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Listeria monocytogenes</Emphasis> isolated from tonsils of slaughtered fattening pigs in Switzerland

Of 504 tonsil samples from slaughtered fattening pigs, 5.6 % were positive for Listeria monocytogenes by culture after enrichment. The 28 L. monocytogenes isolates were analyzed to gain insights into genetic relationships and virulence-associated traits. Of the 28 isolates, 57 % belonged to serotype 1/2a (genetic lineage II), 25 % to serotype 4b (genetic lineage I) and 18 % to serotype 1/2b (genetic lineage I). These serotypes are commonly associated with human listeriosis cases. Multilocus sequence typing assigned the 28 isolates to 16 clonal complexes (CCs) and three singletons, including one new sequence type (ST768). Several of these CCs were also found in strains from human infections. Sequence analysis of the whole internalin A gene (inlA) showed that all but one isolate (CC6/serotype 4b) encoded full-length proteins. Clinical strains from human patients commonly harbor full-length inlA. On the other hand, genes for benzalkonium chloride tolerance were not found and all but one isolate lacked genes for the stress survival islet (SSI-1). Thus, tonsils of slaughtered fattening pigs can be colonized with L. monocytogenes of public health impact. To counteract this threat during slaughter, prevention of contamination of carcasses and the environment is of major importance, in particular adherence to good slaughter hygiene practice. With regard to pig tonsils, special attention must be given to the handling and contamination of head meat and pig tongues.