Nanocarriers based on interpolyelectrolyte complexation of Sulphated polysaccharide-b- PEG diblock copolymers and PLL

Publicado em "Journal of Tissue Engeneering and Regenerative Medicine", vol. 7, supp. 1 (2013)Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are integral part of the closest cellular environment: they can be found on the cells surface and in the extracellular matrix, where they interact with different proteins acting as local regulator of their activity. The use of GAGs in the preparation of protein delivery nanosystems is, therefore, prominent but so far, underexploited mainly because of the heterogeneity (composition and molecular weights) of natural glycans and the multistep procedures needed to obtain GAGs’ synthetic analogues and diblock copolymers.1 Recently, we have shown that oxime click reaction can be applied as a straightforward methodology for the synthesis of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)- hyaluronic acid (HA) diblock copolymers.2 These copolymers formed nanosized interpolyelectrolyte complexes (45 to 150 nm) by interaction with poly- L -lysine (PLL).3 Unfortunately, these complexes are not stable at physiological ionic strength. Herein, we describe a strategy to overcome this drawback; chondroitin sulphate-b-PEG diblock copolymers (CS-b-PEG) were obtained using the same oxime click reaction. The stronger negative charge of sulphate groups (versus the carboxilic groups present in HA) resulted in the complexes with higher stability: interpolyelectrolyte complexes between PLL and (CS-b-PEG) are stable up to 260 mM ionic strenght. Because carbohydrates do not activate Tcells, we believe that the reported herein complexes have an enormous potential in both drug delivery and vaccination fields

Evaluation of immunomodulatory effects of lactic acid bacteria in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)

7 pages, 4 figures.In the present work, the effects of several lactic acid bacteria on the immune response of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) macrophages have been studied both in vitro and in vivo. Out of six lactic acid bacterial strains tested, only heat-killed Lactococcus lactis significantly increased the turbot head kidney macrophage chemiluminescent (CL) response after 24 h of incubation. Nitric oxide (NO) was also significantly enhanced by this bacterium after 72 h of incubation with either viable (103 and 106 cells/ml) or heat-killed (106 cells/ml) bacteria. Viable Leuconostoc mesenteroides (106 cells/ml) was also capable of significantly increasing NO production. Since L. lactis proved to be the strain with more effects on the host immune function, further in vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted with this bacterium. The in vitro capacity of L. lactis to adhere to turbot intestinal mucus was positively confirmed. When orally administered, L. lactis significantly increased the macrophage CL response and the serum NO concentration after 7 days of daily administration. The antibacterial effect of the extracellular products from the six LAB strains against the fish-pathogenic bacterium Vibrio anguillarum was also demonstrated in vitro.This work was partially supported by the project 1FD97-0044-C03-03 from FEDER funds and a grant from Caixa Galicia (Spain). L. Villamil acknowledges the University of Vigo for a research fellowship. C. Tafalla acknowledges the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) for a research fellowship.Peer reviewe

Continuous atom laser with Bose-Einstein condensates involving three-body interactions

We demonstrate, through numerical simulations, the emission of a coherent continuous matter wave of constant amplitude from a Bose-Einstein Condensate in a shallow optical dipole trap. The process is achieved by spatial control of the variations of the scattering length along the trapping axis, including elastic three body interactions due to dipole interactions. In our approach, the outcoupling mechanism are atomic interactions and thus, the trap remains unaltered. We calculate analytically the parameters for the experimental implementation of this CW atom laser.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Genotyping: Automation and Application in Routine Laboratory Testing

A large number of assays designed for genotyping human papillomaviruses (HPV) have been developed in the last years. They perform within a wide range of analytical sensitivity and specificity values for the different viral types, and are used either for diagnosis, epidemiological studies, evaluation of vaccines and implementing and monitoring of vaccination programs. Methods for specific genotyping of HPV-16 and HPV-18 are also useful for the prevention of cervical cancer in screening programs. Some commercial tests are, in addition, fully or partially automated. Automation of HPV genotyping presents advantages such as the simplicity of the testing procedure for the operator, the ability to process a large number of samples in a short time, and the reduction of human errors from manual operations, allowing a better quality assurance and a reduction of cost. The present review collects information about the current HPV genotyping tests, with special attention to practical aspects influencing their use in clinical laboratories

BN 52021 (a platelet activating factor-receptor antagonist) decreases alveolar macrophage-mediated lung injury in experimental extrinsic allergic alveolitis.

Several lines of research indirectly suggest that platelet activating factor (PAF) may intervene in the pathogenesis of extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA). The specific aim of our study was to evaluate the participation of PAF on macrophage activation during the acute phase of EAA in an experimental model of this disease developed in guinea pigs. Initially we measured the concentration of PAF in bronchoalvedar lavage fluid, blood and lung tissue. In a second phase we evaluate the participation of PAF on alveolar macrophage activation and parenchymal lung injury. The effect of PAF on parenchymal lung injury was evaluated by measuring several lung parenchymatous lesion indices (lung index, bronchoalvedar lavage fluid (BALF) lactic hydrogenase activity and BALF alkaline phosphatase activity) and parameters of systemic response to the challenge (acute phase reagents). We observed that induction of the experimental EAA gave rise to an increase in the concentration of PAF in blood and in lung tissue. The use of the PAF-receptor antagonist BN52021 decreases the release of lysosomal enzymes (beta-glucuronidase and tartrate-sensitive acid phosphatase) to the extracellular environment both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, antagonism of the PAF receptors notably decreases pulmonary parenchymatous lesion. These data suggest that lung lesions from acute EAA are partly mediated by local production of PAF

TACTICAL BLOCKCHAIN TO PROVIDE DATA PROVENANCE IN SUPPORT OF INTERNET OF BATTLEFIELD THINGS AND BIG DATA ANALYTICS

This capstone project evaluated the use of blockchain technology to address a number of challenges with increasing amounts of disparate sensor data and an information-rich landscape that can quickly overwhelm effective decision-making processes. The team explored how blockchain can be used in a variety of defense applications to verify users, validate sensor data fed into artificial intelligence models, limit access to data, and provide an audit trail across the data life cycle. The team developed a conceptual design for implementing blockchain for tactical data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning applications; identified challenges and limitations involved in implementing blockchain for the tactical domain; described the benefits of blockchain for these various applications; and evaluated this project’s findings to propose future research into a wider set of blockchain applications. The team did this through the development of three use cases. One use case demonstrated the use of blockchain at the tactical edge in a “data light” information environment. The second use case explored the use of blockchain in securing medical information in the electronic health record. The third use case studied blockchain’s application in the use of multiple sensors collecting data for chemical weapons defense to support measurement and signature intelligence analysis using artificial intelligence and machine learning.Civilian, Department of the ArmyCivilian, Department of the ArmyCivilian, Department of the ArmyCivilian, Department of the ArmyCivilian, Department of the ArmyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Influencia de las bacterias psicrótrofas en la actividad proteolítica de la leche

La refrigeración de la leche reduce el ritmo de multiplicación y actividad de los microorganismos, pero ha generado nuevos problemas relacionados con el crecimiento y la actividad de los microorganismos psicrótrofos, que son aquellos que crecen a temperaturas inferiores a 7 °C, independientemente de su temperatura óptima. Estos microorganismos producen enzimas termoestables que degradan algunos componentes de la leche deteriorando su calidad y la de sus derivados, y disminuyendo los rendimientos queseros. Con el fin de evaluar la actividad proteolítica de las bacterias psicrótrofas sobre las caseínas y su relación con la temperatura y tiempo de almacenamiento de la leche, se inocularon diferentes lotes de leche con este tipo de bacterias, hasta obtener recuentos de 104 y 105 unidades formadoras de colonia por mililitro (ufc/ml); como control se utilizó leche que no recibió inoculación con recuento de psicrótrofos de 103 ufc/ml. Después de almacenar la lechea4y7°Cdurante tres y seis días, se evaluó la actividad proteolítica sobre las caseínas. Al almacenar leche durante tres días a 4 y 7 °C, no se presentó actividad proteolítica cuando el recuento inicial de psicrótrofos era del orden de 103 ufc/ml, mientras que cuando dicho recuento fue superior a 104 ufc/ml se observó actividad proteolítica, siendo más intensa a 7 °C que a 4 °C. Con almacenamiento de seis días, solamente la leche conservada a 4 °C con recuento inicial de 103 ufc/ml no presentó actividad proteolítica, los demás tratamientos mostraron gran actividad proteolítica sobre la fracción de caseínas aumentando dicha actividad a medida que aumenta el grado de contaminación

Tratamiento quirúrgico de las metástasis diafisarias de huesos largos en pacientes oncológicos estadio IV

La incidencia de enfermedad metastásica ósea se ha incrementado debido a la mayor supervivencia de los pacientes con cáncer. El esqueleto es la tercera localización mas frecuente de metástasis procedentes de tumores primarios. Se evalúan las indicaciones quirúrgicas para evitar la aparición de fracturas patológicas y los resultados obtenidos en metástasis diafisarias de huesos largos. Cincuenta lesiones han sido tratadas en 48 pacientes. En todos los casos se estabilizó con un clavo intramedular. La supervivencia media fue de 11 meses (2 días-48 meses). Al final del seguimiento la puntuación media en la escala MSTS fue 25/30 y 27/30 para miembro superior e inferior respectivamente. Debe considerarse la radioterapia postoperatoria para disminuir la progre - sión de la enfermedad. Hay múltiples factores a tener en cuenta en el tratamiento de pacientes con metástasis óseas incluyendo comorbilidades, características histológicas del tumor primario, la expectativa de vida y acti - vidad del paciente y el dolor.The incidence of metastatic bone disease is increasing as patients with cancer living longer. The skeleton is the third most common site for metastasis that originates from primary carcinomas. We evaluated the indications for surgery to prevent pathological fractures and the results obtained in metastases of the diaphyseal long bones. Fifty metastases bone lesion were treated in 48 patients. In all cases an intramedullary nail was in - serted. The chance of surviving was 11 moths average (2 days-48 moths). At follow-up, the MSTS average was 25/30 and 27/30 for superior and inferior limb respectively. To minimize disease progression postoperative ex - ternal-beam irradiation should be considered. There are multiples factors to consider in the treatment of patients with bone metastasic, including comorbidities, the histological characteristics of the primary tumor, the expected life span of the patient, the patient ?s activity level and pain

Soil biochemical alterations and microbial community responses under Acacia dealbata Link invasion.

A critical outcome of the invasive processes of exotic plants is the impact on soil microbial communities and chemical parameters. We studied the impact of Acacia dealbata on soils of mixed forests and shrublands. We hypothesized that A. dealbata can alter soil microbial community function and soil chemical profile in invaded ecosystems. Two sampling dates were selected depending on the phonological stage of A. dealbata (vegetative vs. reproductive). Soil chemical parameters were deeply modified in the invaded sites. Total C and N, P, K, Ca, Mg, NO3 and NH4þ content and available P, were significantly higher in invaded soils of both mixed forests and shrublands. Soil microbial community activities were affected by the sampling date, soil type and ecosystem. Enzymatic activities mainly varied in soils collected during the vegetative stage of A. dealbata in mixed forests and during both vegetative and reproductive stages in shrublands. Soils invaded by A. dealbata showed increased acid phosphatase, b-glucosidase and N-acetyl glucosaminidase activities and the geometrical mean of these activities. Soil basal respiration was significantly reduced in invaded patches of mixed forests. Our results showed an alteration of soil chemistry and microbial community function related to A. dealbata presence, probably leading to acceleration in the decomposition and mineralization rates