Insights from computational modeling in inflammation and acute rejection in limb transplantation

Acute skin rejection in vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) is the major obstacle for wider adoption in clinical practice. This study utilized computational modeling to identify biomarkers for diagnosis and targets for treatment of skin rejection. Protein levels of 14 inflammatory mediators in skin and muscle biopsies from syngeneic grafts [n = 10], allogeneic transplants without immunosuppression [n = 10] and allografts treated with tacrolimus [n = 10] were assessed by multiplexed analysis technology. Hierarchical Clustering Analysis, Principal Component Analysis, Random Forest Classification and Multinomial Logistic Regression models were used to segregate experimental groups. Based on Random Forest Classification, Multinomial Logistic Regression and Hierarchical Clustering Analysis models, IL-4, TNF-α and IL-12p70 were the best predictors of skin rejection and identified rejection well in advance of histopathological alterations. TNF-α and IL-12p70 were the best predictors of muscle rejection and also preceded histopathological alterations. Principal Component Analysis identified IL-1α, IL-18, IL-1β, and IL-4 as principal drivers of transplant rejection. Thus, inflammatory patterns associated with rejection are specific for the individual tissue and may be superior for early detection and targeted treatment of rejection. © 2014 Wolfram et al

Thermo-responsive nanomaterials for thermoelectric generation

In the past decades, as an emission-free technique capable of realizing direct energy conversion between heat and electricity, thermoelectric materials/applications have attracted extensive attention. The efficiency of thermoelectric modules/devices is dominated by the material dimensionless figure of merit, zT. zT of thermoelectric materials can be enhanced through both optimizing carrier transportation properties and refraining the lattice thermal conductivity. Module design can also influence the energy conversion efficiency. Proper module design, such as segmented or cascade design, can effectively utilize the potential of composing materials. Furthermore, through proper device design, the thermoelectric modules can be designed as both flexible and rigid types and applied in both niche and macro-fields