Lipopolysaccharide is a frequent contaminant of plasmid DNA preparations and can be toxic to primary cells in the presence of adenovirus

Endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) is commonly found as a contaminant in plasmid DNA preparations. We demonstrate here that the quantities of LPS typically contaminating DNA preparations can generate a toxicity to primary cells (primary human skin fibroblasts, primary human melanoma cells) in the presence of entry-competent adenovirus particles. Toxicity can be observed with as little as 100 ng/ml free LPS or 100 pg/ml LPS when the LPS is assembled into polylysine/adenovirus complexes. Simple and effective methods of removing the contaminating LPS using either a polymyxin B resin or Triton X-114 extraction are described. Treatment of DNA samples to remove LPS eliminates the toxicity to primary cells

Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory for Driven Lattice Gas Systems with Interactions

We present a new method to describe the kinetics of driven lattice gases with particle-particle interactions beyond hard-core exclusions. The method is based on the time-dependent density functional theory for lattice systems and allows one to set up closed evolution equations for mean site occupation numbers in a systematic manner. Application of the method to a totally asymmetric site exclusion process with nearest-neighbor interactions yields predictions for the current-density relation in the bulk, the phase diagram of non-equilibrium steady states and the time evolution of density profiles that are in good agreement with results from kinetic Monte Carlo simulations.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure

Kinetics in one-dimensional lattice gas and Ising models from time-dependent density functional theory

Time-dependent density functional theory, proposed recently in the context of atomic diffusion and non-equilibrium processes in solids, is tested against Monte Carlo simulation. In order to assess the basic approximation of that theory, the representation of non-equilibrium states by a local equilibrium distribution function, we focus on one-dimensional lattice models, where all equilibrium properties can be worked exactly from the known free energy as a functional of the density. This functional determines the thermodynamic driving forces away from equilibrium. In our studies of the interfacial kinetics of atomic hopping and spin relaxation, we find excellent agreement with simulations, suggesting that the method is useful also for treating more complex problems.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Cluster density functional theory for lattice models based on the theory of Mobius functions

Rosenfeld's fundamental measure theory for lattice models is given a rigorous formulation in terms of the theory of Mobius functions of partially ordered sets. The free-energy density functional is expressed as an expansion in a finite set of lattice clusters. This set is endowed a partial order, so that the coefficients of the cluster expansion are connected to its Mobius function. Because of this, it is rigorously proven that a unique such expansion exists for any lattice model. The low-density analysis of the free-energy functional motivates a redefinition of the basic clusters (zero-dimensional cavities) which guarantees a correct zero-density limit of the pair and triplet direct correlation functions. This new definition extends Rosenfeld's theory to lattice model with any kind of short-range interaction (repulsive or attractive, hard or soft, one- or multi-component...). Finally, a proof is given that these functionals have a consistent dimensional reduction, i.e. the functional for dimension d' can be obtained from that for dimension d (d'<d) if the latter is evaluated at a density profile confined to a d'-dimensional subset.Comment: 21 pages, 2 figures, uses iopart.cls, as well as diagrams.sty (included

Fundamental measure theory for lattice fluids with hard core interactions

We present the extension of Rosenfeld's fundamental measure theory to lattice models by constructing a density functional for d-dimensional mixtures of parallel hard hypercubes on a simple hypercubic lattice. The one-dimensional case is exactly solvable and two cases must be distinguished: all the species with the same lebgth parity (additive mixture), and arbitrary length parity (nonadditive mixture). At the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the latter case is considered. Based on the one-dimensional exact functional form, we propose the extension to higher dimensions by generalizing the zero-dimensional cavities method to lattice models. This assures the functional to have correct dimensional crossovers to any lower dimension, including the exact zero-dimensional limit. Some applications of the functional to particular systems are also shown.Comment: 22 pages, 7 figures, needs IOPP LaTeX styles file

Valorization of Peel-Based Agro-Waste Flour for Food Products: A Systematic Review on Proximate Composition and Functional Properties

With the steadily growing world population, effective methods are needed to alleviate food shortages. One possible strategy could be to utilize agro-waste materials that accumulate in large quantities at every stage of the economic chain during harvesting, food production, and consumption. Peel-based agro-waste consists of promising materials that can be utilized to potentially substitute commonly used raw materials in products traditionally made from wheat, tapioca, and rice flours. In this systematic review, we aim at establishing prospective proximate components as basic nutrients and their valorization potential as substitutes in traditional flour products (bread, biscuits, etc.). Generally, the peel contains high levels of fiber and relatively low digestible carbohydrates, providing a healthier food ingredient. In terms of protein, it should be pointed out that seeds such as wheat utilize insoluble gluten as their major storage protein, while proteins in peel were found in quite high percentage although they were not yet well characterized. However, the general effect of using peel to substitute wheat in food products are the reduction of dough elasticity, increased hardness of the end-products, faster water absorption rate of the products, and in some cases, bitter taste and darker colors. The latter two could have been contributed by the secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds. On the other hand, substitution of peel into food products can have valuable health benefits, e.g., retention of antioxidant activity due to the phenolic compounds or simply adding fiber. In this review, literature on the composition of promising agro-waste raw materials is being discussed in the relationship with physical properties and appearance of potential end-products. Antinutritional compounds and pretreatment processes are also being considered. It is hoped that a critical discussion will lead to a better understanding and higher acceptance of the incorporation of peel into food products

Blockade of VEGF-C and VEGF-D modulates adipose tissue inflammation and improves metabolic parameters under high-fat diet

Objective: Elevated serum levels of the lymphangiogenic factors VEGF-C and -D have been observed in obese individuals but their relevance for the metabolic syndrome has remained unknown. Methods: K14-VEGFR-3-Ig (sR3) mice that constitutively express soluble-VEGFR-3eIg in the skin, scavenging VEGF-C and -D, and wildtype (WT) mice were fed either chow or high-fat diet for 20 weeks. To assess the effect of VEGFR-3 blockage on adipose tissue growth and insulin sensitivity, we evaluated weight gain, adipocyte size and hepatic lipid accumulation. These results were complemented with insulin tolerance tests, FACS analysis of adipose tissue macrophages, in vitro 3T3-L1 differentiation assays and in vivo blocking antibody treatment experiments. Results: We show here that sR3 mice are protected from obesity-induced insulin resistance and hepatic lipid accumulation. This protection is associated with enhanced subcutaneous adipose tissue hyperplasia and an increased number of alternatively-activated (M2) macrophages in adipose tissue. We also show that VEGF-C and -D are chemotactic for murine macrophages and that this effect is mediated by VEGFR-3, which is upregulated on M1 polarized macrophages. Systemic antibody blockage of VEGFR-3 in db/db mice reduces adipose tissue macrophage infiltration and hepatic lipid accumulation, and improves insulin sensitivity. Conclusions: These results reveal an unanticipated role of the lymphangiogenic factors VEGF-C and -D in the mediation of metabolic syndrome-associated adipose tissue inflammation. Blockage of these lymphangiogenic factors might constitute a new therapeutic strategy for the prevention of obesity-associated insulin resistance. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier GmbH.Peer reviewe