A Role for Human Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells in Direct Allo-Recognition by CD4+ T-Cells and the Effect of Ischemia-Reperfusion

Direct allorecognition is the earliest and most potent immune response against a kidney allograft. Currently, it is thought that passenger donor professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are responsible. Further, many studies support that graft ischemia-reperfusion injury increases the probability of acute rejection. We evaluated the possible role of primary human proximal renal tubular epithelial cells (RPTECs) in direct allorecognition by CD4+ T-cells and the effect of anoxia-reoxygenation. In cell culture, we detected that RPTECs express all the required molecules for CD4+ T-cell activation (HLA-DR, CD80, and ICAM-1). Anoxia-reoxygenation decreased HLA-DR and CD80 but increased ICAM-1. Following this, RPTECs were co-cultured with alloreactive CD4+ T-cells. In T-cells, zeta chain phosphorylation and c-Myc increased, indicating activation of T-cell receptor and co-stimulation signal transduction pathways, respectively. T-cell proliferation assessed with bromodeoxyuridine assay and with the marker Ki-67 increased. Previous culture of RPTECs under anoxia raised all the above parameters in T-cells. FOXP3 remained unaffected in all cases, signifying that proliferating T-cells were not differentiated towards a regulatory phenotype. Our results support that direct allorecognition may be mediated by RPTECs even in the absence of donor-derived professional APCs. Also, ischemia-reperfusion injury of the graft may enhance the above capacity of RPTECs, increasing the possibility of acute rejection.     

Design Methodology and Area Sensitivity Analysis of Horizontal Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands

An approach is presented to satisfy the demand for simple criteria, guidelines and models for the preliminary sizing of horizontal subsurface flow (SF) constructed wetland systems. This approach eliminates time-consuming calculations and iterations by providing graphical solutions for wetland system sizing. Therefore, it can be used for the preliminary assessment of new or performance evaluation of existing subsurface flow constructed wetland systems. The validity of this methodology is checked with data from existing systems and is found to be quite satisfactory. This methodology is combined with simple equations predicting the maximum wetland capacity in summer, so as to assist designers in sizing installations in tourist areas with increased summer populations. Furthermore, based on this methodology, a sensitivity analysis is performed of the area requirements for wastewaters of various strengths and various design conditions and performance criteria. The results provide a useful overview to engineers and further simplify the design methodology of new subsurface flow constructed wetland systems.     

Photoswitching of Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals Using Unsymmetrical Chiral Thioindigo Dopants: Photoinduced Inversion of the Sign of Spontaneous Polarization

A new unsymmetrical chiral thioindigo dopant 6‐[(R,R)‐2,3‐difluorooct‐1‐yloxy]‐5′‐nitro‐6′‐[(R)‐2‐octyloxy]thioindigo ( 4 ) designed to photoinvert the sign of spontaneous polarization (P_S) in a ferroelectric chiral smectic C (SmC*) liquid crystal was prepared using a synthetic approach previously developed in our laboratory. In this new “ambidextrous” design, the (R)‐2‐octyloxy side‐chain is sterically coupled to the thioindigo core and induces a positive P_S, whereas the (R,R)‐2,3‐difluorooctyloxy side‐chain is decoupled from the core and induces a larger negative P_S. In the trans form, this dopant induces a negative polarization in the SmC host (+)‐4‐(4‐methylhexyloxy)phenyl 4‐decyloxybenzoate ( PhB ). Irradiation of a 1 mol‐% mixture of 4 in PhB at λ = 510 nm caused a sign inversion of P_S, from –0.88 to +0.42 nC cm^–2 at T – T_C = –5 °C, which is consistent with an increase in the polarization power of the coupled 2‐octyloxy/thioindigo unit over that of the 2,3‐difluorooctyloxy unit, due to the increase in transverse dipole moment of the thioindigo core upon trans–cis photoisomerization. The P_S sign inversion was confirmed by a surface‐stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal photoswitching experiment. Spectroscopic measurements on films of the doped liquid crystal mixtures showed that trans–cis photoisomerization is gradually suppressed with increasing dopant mole fraction, possibly as a result of increased dopant aggregation.     

Recent advances in the rheooptical characterization of silicon-containing networks

Recent advances in the various theories of strain-birefringenece of polymer networks are presented. The classical theories as well as the more advanced models are outlined together with some recent theoretical results on poly (dimethylsiloxane). Reference to work on other Si-containing polymers is made. The problems of intermolecular correlations occurring in polymer networks and their effect on the observed optical properties are discussed with reference to the optical-configuration parameter. Conclusions report areas of current research.This review was presented at the Second International Topical Workshop, Advances in Silicon-Based Polymer Science.     

Annotation-based access control for collaborative information spaces

Web 2.0 social platforms (e.g., Flickr, YouTube) and Collaborative Working Environments (e.g., Microsoft SharePoint, BSCW) provide Web-based collaborative information spaces which enable common users and/or professionals to work together and share their online resources. Most of these collaborative information spaces provide role-based or group-based, coarse-grained access control policies which cannot successfully cope with the requirements posed by massive and open collaboration. In this paper, we present an annotation-based access control (AnBAC) model supported by a Collaboration Vocabulary (CoVoc) as a more flexible and user-centric access control approach. Based on this, we developed two tools: Uncle-Share is a gadget that provides annotation-based access control and can be equipped with CoVoc for annotating collaborative relationships. Who-With-Whom uses CoVoc to visualize extended social networks in order to help users to select appropriate contacts to grant access to resources.     

A structured methodology for assessing and improving e-services in digital cities

Many cities all over the world are making large investments for the construction of big network infrastructures, in order to offer to local public organizations, businesses and citizens high speed connectivity, and on top of them useful e-services, aiming to achieve various social and economic objectives. The value generated from these costly ‘digital city’ investments is actually the value provided to the citizens and businesses by the e-services that will be developed and run on these network infrastructures. This paper proposes and validates a structured methodology for assessing and improving e-services developed in digital cities. The proposed methodology assesses the various types of value generated by an e-service, and also the relations among them, allowing a more structured evaluation, a deeper understanding of the value generation process and also identification and prioritization of the improvements that should be made in the e-service with the usually scarce resources in municipalities. This methodology is applied for the evaluation of an e-learning service developed in the Greek city of Karlovassi for young citizens, and also for the prioritization of the necessary improvements in it. The above application provided positive and encouraging evidence concerning the validity, usefulness and applicability of the proposed method.     

Smart Surfaces: Heterogeneous Photo-Catalysis on TiO2 Based Coatings for De-pollution Purposes in Indoor and Outdoor Environments

Topics in Catalysis - Heterogeneous photocatalysis using semiconductors, e.g. TiO2 as photocatalyst is a promising technology for the degradation of environmental pollutants. Preliminary evidence...     

Shikonin‐loaded liposomes as a new drug delivery system: Physicochemical characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity

Alkannin and shikonin are naturally occurring hydroxynaphthoquinones with a well‐established spectrum of wound healing, antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Recently, extensive scientific effort has been focused on their effectiveness on several tumors and mechanism(s) of antitumor activity. Liposomes have been proved as adequate drug carriers offering significant advantages over conventional formulations, such as controlled release and targeted drug delivery, leading to the appearance of several liposomal formulations in the market, some of them concerning anticancer drugs. The aim of the present study was to prepare shikonin‐loaded liposomes for the first time in order to enhance shikonin therapeutic index. An optimized technique based on the thin film hydration method was developed and liposomes characterization was performed in terms of their physicochemical characteristics, drug entrapment efficiency, and release profile. Results indicated the successful incorporation of shikonin into liposomes, using both 1,2‐dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and egg phosphatidylcholine lipids. Liposomes presented good physicochemical characteristics, high entrapment efficiency and satisfactory in vitro release profile. In vitro cytotoxicity of liposomes was additionally tested against three human cancer cell lines (breast, glioma, and non‐small cell lung cancer) showing a moderate growth inhibitory activity. Practical applications: Shikonin is a naturally occurring hydroxynaphthoquinone and extensive scientific research (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials) has been conducted during the last years, focusing on its effectiveness on several tumors and mechanism(s) of antitumor action. The purpose of this work was to prepare and characterize shikonin‐loaded liposomes as a new drug delivery system for shikonin. Liposomal formulations provide significant advantages over conventional dosage forms, such as controlled release and targeted drug delivery for anticancer agents. Thus, liposomes could reduce shikonin's side effects, enhance selectivity to cancer cells and protect shikonin from internal biotransformations and instability matters (oxidization and polymerization). Furthermore, liposomal delivery helps overcome the low aqueous solubility of shikonin, which is the major barrier to its oral and internal administration, since it cannot be dissolved and further absorbed from the receptor.