The mannose receptor negatively modulates the Toll-like receptor 4–aryl hydrocarbon receptor–indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase axis in dendritic cells affecting T helper cell polarization

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) are key players in the induction and re-elicitation of TH2 responses to allergens. We have previously shown that different C-type lectin receptors on DCs play a major role in allergen recognition and uptake. In particular, mannose receptor (MR), through modulation of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 signaling, can regulate indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) activity, favoring TH2 responses. Interestingly, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-dependent transcription factor with an emerging role in immune modulation, has been implicated in IDO activation in response to TLR stimulation. Objective: Here we investigated how allergens and lectins modulate the TLR4-AhR-IDO axis in human monocyte-derived DCs. Methods: Using a combination of genomics, proteomics, and immunologic studies, we investigated the role of MR and AhR in IDO regulation and its effect on T helper cell differentiation. Results: We have demonstrated that LPS induces both IDO isoforms (IDO1 and IDO2) in DCs, with partial involvement of AhR. Additionally, we found that, like mannan, different airborne allergens can effectively downregulate TLR4-induced IDO1 and IDO2 expression, most likely through binding to the MR. Mannose-based ligands were also able to downregulate IL-12p70 production by DCs, affecting T helper cell polarization. Interestingly, AhR and some components of the noncanonical nuclear factor κB pathway were shown to be downregulated after MR engagement, which could explain the regulatory effects of MR on IDO expression. Conclusion: Our work demonstrates a key role for MR in the modulation of the TLR4-AhR-IDO axis, which has a significant effect on DC behavior and the development of immune responses against allergens

Molecular design and property prediction of poly nitro pyrrolidine derivatives as high energy materials

Four new molecules 1,3,5-trinitrooctahydropyrrolo[3,4-d]imidazole (1), 1,4,6-trinitrooctahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrazine (2), tetranitrodecahydropyrrolo [3, 4-f] [1, 3, 5] triazepine (3), 1,2-dinitro-4-(3-nitro-1,3-diazetidin-1-yl)pyrazolidine-3,5-dione (4) were designed and studied the theoretical properties using DFT calculations. All the four molecules were found to exhibit better or comparable properties with the commercially available, widely used explosives RDX, HMX and useful for propellant and explosive applications

Mechanical and Tribological Behavior of Gravity and Squeeze Cast Novel Al-Si Alloy

The automotive industry traditionally reduces weight primarily by value engineering and thickness optimization. However, both of these strategies have reached their limits. A 6% reduction in automotive truck mass results in a 13% improvement in freight mass. Aluminum alloys have lower weight, relatively high specific strength, and good corrosion resistance. Therefore, the present manuscript involves manufacturing Al-based alloy by squeeze casting. The effect of applied pressure during the squeeze cast and gravity cast of a novel Al-Si alloy on microstructural evolution, and mechanical and wear behavior was investigated. The results demonstrated that squeeze casting of the novel Al-Si alloy at high-pressure exhibits superior mechanical properties and enhanced wear resistance in comparison to the gravity die-cast (GDC) counterpart. Squeeze casting of this alloy, at high pressure, yields fine dendrites and reduced dendritic arm spacing, resulting in grain refinement. The finer dendrites and reduced dendritic arm spacing in high-pressure squeeze cast alloy than in the GDC alloy were due to enhanced cooling rates observed during the solidification process, as well as the applied squeeze pressure breaks the initial dendrites that started growing during the solidification process. Reduced casting defects in the high-pressure squeeze cast alloy led to a reduced coefficient of friction, resulting in improved wear resistance even at higher loads and higher operating temperatures. Our results demonstrated that squeeze casting of the novel Al-Si alloy at high-pressure exhibits a 47% increase in tensile strength, 33% increase in hardness, 10% reduction in coefficient of friction, and 15% reduction in wear loss compared to the GDC counterpart

Mechanical and Tribological Behavior of Gravity and Squeeze Cast Novel Al-Si Alloy

The automotive industry traditionally reduces weight primarily by value engineering and thickness optimization. However, both of these strategies have reached their limits. A 6% reduction in automotive truck mass results in a 13% improvement in freight mass. Aluminum alloys have lower weight, relatively high specific strength, and good corrosion resistance. Therefore, the present manuscript involves manufacturing Al-based alloy by squeeze casting. The effect of applied pressure during the squeeze cast and gravity cast of a novel Al-Si alloy on microstructural evolution, and mechanical and wear behavior was investigated. The results demonstrated that squeeze casting of the novel Al-Si alloy at high-pressure exhibits superior mechanical properties and enhanced wear resistance in comparison to the gravity die-cast (GDC) counterpart. Squeeze casting of this alloy, at high pressure, yields fine dendrites and reduced dendritic arm spacing, resulting in grain refinement. The finer dendrites and reduced dendritic arm spacing in high-pressure squeeze cast alloy than in the GDC alloy were due to enhanced cooling rates observed during the solidification process, as well as the applied squeeze pressure breaks the initial dendrites that started growing during the solidification process. Reduced casting defects in the high-pressure squeeze cast alloy led to a reduced coefficient of friction, resulting in improved wear resistance even at higher loads and higher operating temperatures. Our results demonstrated that squeeze casting of the novel Al-Si alloy at high-pressure exhibits a 47% increase in tensile strength, 33% increase in hardness, 10% reduction in coefficient of friction, and 15% reduction in wear loss compared to the GDC counterpart

Wirkung supramolekularer Polymerstrukturen auf die Mineralisation aus waessriger Loesung Schlussbericht

In the framework of the cooperative research project, the effects of the microstructure of polymeric deposition agents on the deposition and mineralising of ZnO and CaCO3 particles from aqueous solutions has been studied by G.Wegner, J.Norwig and F.Groehn (Max-Planck-Institute for polymer research, Mainz); M.Ballauff (Polymer-Institute of the University of Karlsruhe); F.Aldinger and R.Hoffmann (Institute for non-metallic inorganic materials, Stuttgart), and J.Rieger (BASF AG, Ludwigshafen). PEO, PMMA, PEO-b-PMMA, PMMA-g-PEO, ammonium salt of polyacrylic acid and acrylic acid-co-maleic acid random copolymers were evaluated, The crystallization, crystalline structure, and nanostructure of the deposited ZnO and CaCO3 particles and their suitability as green ceramic powder and their sintering behavior were investigated.Available from TIB Hannover: F03B1085 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEBundesministerium fuer Bildung und Forschung, Berlin (Germany)DEGerman