Starch-Derived Products for Detergents

Recent developments in the formulation of detergents have been driven by a strong consumer demand for natural and biodegradable products. Detergent manufacturers responded to this demand with corresponding products and advertising slogans such as “fully biodegradable”, “natural” or even “double natural” to oust their competitors. In a detergent formulation, starch- derived products can in principle be used for the following purposes: as the hydrophilic head group in surfactants, as the starting material for (poly)carboxylate co-builders and as the backbone of bleaching activators. Non-ionic classical surfactants can be replaced by alkylpolyglucosides (APGs), a class of products completely based on renewable resources such as glucose and fatty alcohols derived from natural fatty acids. Sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), the product responsible for the eutrophication of surface waters, can be substituted by a combination of an inorganic zeolite and highly oxidised starch (dicarboxylic starch) or by citrate. Acetylated polyols derived from hydrogenated carbohydrates such as sorbitol can take over the function of the petrochemically-based tetraacetyl ethylene diamine (TAED) used as activator to allow perborate bleaching at lower washing temperatures.     

The Deubiquitinase OTUB1 Is a Key Regulator of Energy Metabolism

Dysregulated energy metabolism is a major contributor to a multitude of pathologies, including obesity and diabetes. Understanding the regulation of metabolic homeostasis is of utmost importance for the identification of therapeutic targets for the treatment of metabolically driven diseases. We previously identified the deubiquitinase OTUB1 as substrate for the cellular oxygen sensor factor-inhibiting HIF (FIH) with regulatory effects on cellular energy metabolism, but the physiological relevance of OTUB1 is unclear. Here, we report that the induced global deletion of OTUB1 in adult mice (Otub1 iKO) elevated energy expenditure, reduced age-dependent body weight gain, facilitated blood glucose clearance and lowered basal plasma insulin levels. The respiratory exchange ratio was maintained, indicating an unaltered nutrient oxidation. In addition, Otub1 deletion in cells enhanced AKT activity, leading to a larger cell size, higher ATP levels and reduced AMPK phosphorylation. AKT is an integral part of insulin-mediated signaling and Otub1 iKO mice presented with increased AKT phosphorylation following acute insulin administration combined with insulin hypersensitivity. We conclude that OTUB1 is an important regulator of metabolic homeostasis.     

Short communication: Evaluation of an automated in-house hematology analyzer for bovine blood

The objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of the V-Sight hematology analyzer (A. Menarini Pharma GmbH, Vienna, Austria) for bovine blood by a comparison with a reference device (Advia 2120i, Siemens AG, Erlangen, Germany). In total, 97 blood samples were obtained from 75 dairy cows. Analyzed parameters included counts of white blood cells (WBC), lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, red blood cells (RBC), and platelets (PLT), as well as hemoglobin concentration (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), MCH concentration (MCHC), mean platelet volume (MPV), and plateletcrit (PCT). Based on Passing-Bablok regression, the V-Sight provided accurate and precise results for MCH and MCHC only. The PCT results were comparable to the reference method, but precision was inconclusive. Significant proportional differences were detected for monocytes, granulocytes, HCT, and PLT. For all other analytes, significant proportional and systemic differences were observed. The WBC and lymphocyte results from the V-Sight were characterized by poor accuracy, poor precision, and a high number of false positive outliers. Bland-Altman analysis indicated negative biases for all WBC parameters, the erythrocyte indices, and PLT. Positive biases were observed for RBC, HGB, HCT, MPV, and PCT. Correlation coefficients of >0.9 between the V-Sight and the reference method were found only for RBC, HGB, HCT, and MPV. Intraassay precision of the V-Sight analyzer was acceptable (coefficient of variation <5%) for granulocytes, the erythrocyte indices, and MPV. It was unacceptable (coefficient of variation ≥5%) for WBC, lymphocytes, monocytes, as well as RBC, and inconclusive for HGB, HCT, PLT, and PCT. Sensitivity was high for all RBC counts and indices as well as PLT, but low for monocytes, granulocytes, and MPV. Specificity was high for monocytes and granulocytes, but low for RBC, HCT, MCH, and MCHC. With accurate and precise results for only 2 out of 13 parameters, the V-Sight cannot be recommended for analysis of bovine blood.     

Wind energy potential in southern Sweden-Example of planning methodology

This study presents a planning model for Swedish activities in the field of wind power. Models and results of calculations of the land-based wind energy potential with the Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Programme, WA^sP, are described and analysed in a geographical information systems (GIS) called the ArcView^® GIS system. One county in southern Sweden was chosen as a case study to present the methods used. The results from that case study indicate a great wind energy potential but there are nevertheless many factors limiting that potential. The study calls for a further development of planning tools in the field. Important areas for the future are the development of knowledge in market issues, wind power technology, environmental issues, and public opinion on constructing wind turbines.     

科帕卡格拉纳建筑 奥地利维亚纳

正科帕卡格拉纳位于新多瑙河12.5公里处,毗邻Reichsbrücke大桥。出于同旧有设计保持协调性考虑,力求能让大楼融入当地环境,迎合自身功能性需要,GERNER GERNER PLUS团队充分考虑现有周边环境,对大楼重新规划设计。新的设计突显建筑的特殊性和重要性,面向河流的立面是科帕卡格拉纳大楼最重要的部分,所以设计的重点也放在了这里。现有的城市中轴线是一个参照物,为了视觉上和氛围上形成一体化城市的感     

Nitroreductase-Mediated Release of Inhibitors of Lysine-Specific Demethylase 1 (LSD1) from Prodrugs in Transfected Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Cells

Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) has evolved as a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment, especially in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). To approach the challenge of site-specific LSD1 inhibition, we developed an enzyme-prodrug system with the bacterial nitroreductase NfsB (NTR) that was expressed in the virally transfected AML cell line THP1-NTR⁺. The cellular activity of the NTR was proven with a new luminescent NTR probe. We synthesised a diverse set of nitroaromatic prodrugs that by design do not affect LSD1 and are reduced by the NTR to release an active LSD1 inhibitor. The emerging side products were differentially analysed using negative controls, thereby revealing cytotoxic effects. The 2-nitroimidazolyl prodrug of a potent LSD1 inhibitor emerged as one of the best prodrug candidates with a pronounced selectivity window between wild-type and transfected THP1 cells. Our prodrugs are selectively activated and release the LSD1 inhibitor locally, proving their suitability for future targeting approaches.