Polymer patterning by laser-induced multi-point initiation of frontal polymerization

Frontal polymerization (FP) is an approach for thermosetting plastics at lower energy cost than an autoclave. The potential to generate simultaneous propagation of multiple polymerization fronts has been discussed as an exciting possibility. However, FP initiated at more than two points simultaneously has not been demonstrated. Multi-point initiation could enable both large scale material fabrication and unique pattern generation. Here the authors present laser-patterned photothermal heating as a method for simultaneous initiation of FP at multiple locations in a 2-D sample. Carbon black particles are mixed into liquid resin (dicyclopentadiene) to enhance absorption of light from a Ti:Sapphire laser (800 nm) focused on a sample. The laser is time-shared by rapid steering among initiation points, generating polymerization using up to seven simultaneous points of initiation. This process results in the formation of both symmetric and asymmetric seam patterns resulting from the collision of fronts. The authors also present and validate a theoretical framework for predicting the seam patterns formed by front collisions. This framework allows the design of novel patterns via an inverse solution for determining the initiation points required to form a desired pattern. Future applications of this approach could enable rapid, energy-efficient manufacturing of novel composite-like patterned materials

Correction to "Immunomodulation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome through Structure-Based Activator Design and Functional Regulation via Lysosomal Rupture".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.8b00218.]

Cell-targeted vaccines: implications for adaptive immunity

Recent advancements in immunology and chemistry have facilitated advancements in targeted vaccine technology. Targeting specific cell types, tissue locations, or receptors can allow for modulation of the adaptive immune response to vaccines. This review provides an overview of cellular targets of vaccines, suggests methods of targeting and downstream effects on immune responses, and summarizes general trends in the literature. Understanding the relationships between vaccine targets and subsequent adaptive immune responses is critical for effective vaccine design. This knowledge could facilitate design of more effective, disease-specialized vaccines

High-throughput screen identifies non inflammatory small molecule inducers of trained immunity

Trained immunity is characterized by epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming in response to specific stimuli. This rewiring can result in increased cytokine and effector responses to pathogenic challenges, providing nonspecific protection against disease. It may also improve immune responses to established immunotherapeutics and vaccines. Despite its promise for next-generation therapeutic design, most current understanding and experimentation is conducted with complex and heterogeneous biologically derived molecules, such as β-glucan or the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine. This limited collection of training compounds also limits the study of the genes most involved in training responses as each molecule has both training and nontraining effects. Small molecules with tunable pharmacokinetics and delivery modalities would both assist in the study of trained immunity and its future applications. To identify small molecule inducers of trained immunity, we screened a library of 2,000 drugs and drug-like compounds. Identification of well-defined compounds can improve our understanding of innate immune memory and broaden the scope of its clinical applications. We identified over two dozen small molecules in several chemical classes that induce a training phenotype in the absence of initial immune activation—a current limitation of reported inducers of training. A surprising result was the identification of glucocorticoids, traditionally considered immunosuppressive, providing an unprecedented link between glucocorticoids and trained innate immunity. We chose seven of these top candidates to characterize and establish training activity in vivo. In this work, we expand the number of compounds known to induce trained immunity, creating alternative avenues for studying and applying innate immune training

Nanoparticle “switch-on” by tetrazine triggering

This work describes how a small-molecule chemical trigger, reacting through the mediatory of an inverse electron demand Diels–Alder reaction, results in enhanced cellular uptake and selective nanoparticle disintegration and cargo liberation, via gross polymeric morphological alterations. The power of these responsive nanoparticles is demonstrated through encapsulation of the anti-cancer agent doxorubicin and its triggered release, allowing controlled cell death in response to a small-molecule chemical trigger

TOLKIN – Tree of Life Knowledge and Information Network: Filling a Gap for Collaborative Research in Biological Systematics

The development of biological informatics infrastructure capable of supporting growing data management and analysis environments is an increasing need within the systematics biology community. Although significant progress has been made in recent years on developing new algorithms and tools for analyzing and visualizing large phylogenetic data and trees, implementation of these resources is often carried out by bioinformatics experts, using one-off scripts. Therefore, a gap exists in providing data management support for a large set of non-technical users. The TOLKIN project (Tree of Life Knowledge and Information Network) addresses this need by supporting capabilities to manage, integrate, and provide public access to molecular, morphological, and biocollections data and research outcomes through a collaborative, web application. This data management framework allows aggregation and import of sequences, underlying documentation about their source, including vouchers, tissues, and DNA extraction. It combines features of LIMS and workflow environments by supporting management at the level of individual observations, sequences, and specimens, as well as assembly and versioning of data sets used in phylogenetic inference. As a web application, the system provides multi-user support that obviates current practices of sharing data sets as files or spreadsheets via email

Sequential Release of Nanoparticle Payloads from Ultrasonically Burstable Capsules

In many biomedical contexts ranging from chemotherapy to tissue engineering, it is beneficial to sequentially present bioactive payloads. Explicit control over the timing and dose of these presentations is highly desirable. Here, we present a capsule-based delivery system capable of rapidly releasing multiple payloads in response to ultrasonic signals. In vitro, these alginate capsules exhibited excellent payload retention for up to 1 week when unstimulated and delivered their entire payloads when ultrasonically stimulated for 10–100 s. Shorter exposures (10 s) were required to trigger delivery from capsules embedded in hydrogels placed in a tissue model and did not result in tissue heating or death of encapsulated cells. Different types of capsules were tuned to rupture in response to different ultrasonic stimuli, thus permitting the sequential, on-demand delivery of nanoparticle payloads. As a proof of concept, gold nanoparticles were decorated with bone morphogenetic protein-2 to demonstrate the potential bioactivity of nanoparticle payloads. These nanoparticles were not cytotoxic and induced an osteogenic response in mouse mesenchymal stem cells. This system may enable researchers and physicians to remotely regulate the timing, dose, and sequence of drug delivery on-demand, with a wide range of clinical applications ranging from tissue engineering to cancer treatment

Development of surface plasmon resonance-based sensor for detection of silver nanoparticles in food and the environment

Silver nanoparticles are recognized as effective antimicrobial agents and have been implemented in various consumer products including washing machines, refrigerators, clothing, medical devices, and food packaging. Alongside the silver nanoparticles benefits, their novel properties have raised concerns about possible adverse effects on biological systems. To protect consumer’s health and the environment, efficient monitoring of silver nanoparticles needs to be established. Here, we present the development of human metallothionein (MT) based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor for rapid detection of nanosilver. Incorporation of human metallothionein 1A to the sensor surface enables screening for potentially biologically active silver nanoparticles at parts per billion sensitivity. Other protein ligands were also tested for binding capacity of the nanosilver and were found to be inferior to the metallothionein. The biosensor has been characterized in terms of selectivity and sensitivity towards different types of silver nanoparticles and applied in measurements of real-life samples—such as fresh vegetables and river water. Our findings suggest that human MT1-based SPR sensor has the potential to be utilized as a routine screening method for silver nanoparticles, that can provide rapid and automated analysis dedicated to environmental and food safety monitoring

The Lantern, 2012-2013

• How They Run • What Was Said in Boston • On the Last Day of the Month • An Angel Tries to Surprise Humans • I Wonder if God Modeled Boys After Books • Marred with Modern Scars • Feather Bed • Ode to a Pen • Objet Petit A • Breaking News: Grownups Fear Return of Disco • Neuroscience • New Document • We Were Stars, and the Sky was Our Grass • About a Man • Trojan • An Ode • Yr Body Sour • That Lake in Jamaica • Live While Chiefs are Still Fighting • Lament for Mathematics • The Robert Frost House • People Fell in Love on Me • Sunday Review • Looks Silly in Tiny Desk Chairs • Two Years Later • Better Than Nothing • Istanbul • Packs of Cigarettes • Sonnet • Outside King of Steaks • Obstinance • Coffee Grinds • Autumn Equinox • Homecoming • Oh, San Francisco • Slide: A Beginning • Slowly Last Summer • Of Dogs and Men • Letters Not Sent • Before the Race • The Little Things • Tarpon Springs • Payment for Rebellion • Wednesday • When is President\u27s Day? • Heartless Parallels and Perpendiculars • Railway • Presto Agitato • Easier Said Than Done • Waves • Four White Women • Rope • Alter Ego Self Portrait • Pebbles • Coney Island • Guanjuanto • Growth • Evolve • Winter Blackout • Honeybee • Frames • Wanderlust • Guiding Light 1 • Frick\u27s Lock • The Ones That Never Leave • In Memoriam: Rachel Blunthttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/lantern/1179/thumbnail.jp