Molecular mechanisms of IL-18BP regulation in DLD-1 cells: pivotal direct action of the STAT1/GAS axis on the promoter level

Interleukin (IL)-18, formerly known as interferon (IFN)-γ-inducing factor, is a crucial mediator of host defence and inflammation. Control of IL-18 bioactivity by its endogenous antagonist IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) is a major objective of immunoregulation. IL-18BP is strongly up-regulated by IFN-γ, thereby establishing a negative feedback mechanism detectable in cell culture and in vivo. Here we sought to investigate in D.L. Dexter (DLD) colon carcinoma cells molecular mechanisms of IL-18BP induction under the influence of IFN-γ. Mutational analysis revealed that a proximal γ-activated sequence (GAS) at the IL-18BP promoter is of pivotal importance for expression by IFN-γ-activated cells. Use of siRNA underscored the essential role of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-1 in this process. Indeed, electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis proved STAT1 binding to this particular GAS site. Maximal expression of IL-18BP was dependent on de novo protein synthesis but unaffected by silencing of interferon regulatory factor-1. Altogether, data presented herein indicate that direct action of STAT1 on the IL-18BP promoter at the proximal GAS element is key to IL-18BP expression by IFN-γ-stimulated DLD-1 colon carcinoma cells

Mischung unterschiedlicher Faserarten für die Vliesherstellung mit Hilfe einer einfachen Laboranlage

Diese Studienarbeit beschäftigt sich mit dem Thema „Mischung unterschiedlicher Faserarten für die Vliesherstellung mit Hilfe einer einfachen Laboranlage“. Zunächst wird grundlegend auf die Herstellung von Fließstoffen und die möglichen Herstellungsverfahren eingegangen. Außerdem werden die Besonderheiten hybrider Vliesstoffe kurz dargestellt. Nach einem Überblick über den Stand der Technik, werden die Überlegungen und die Entwicklungsschritte der Laboranlage erläutert. Im nachfolgendem Kapitel werden die gewonnenen Ergebnisse aus der Faservermischung dokumentiert

Environmental analysis of innovative sustainable composites with potential use in aviation sector - A life cycle assessment review

The forecast of growing air transport in the upcoming decades faces the challenge of an increasing environmental impact. Aviation industry is working on promising technologies to mitigate this environmental impact. Lightweight design is a strong lever to lower the fuel consumption and, consequently, with it the emissions of aviation. High performance composites are a key technology to help achieve these aims thanks to their favourable combination of mechanical properties and low weight in primary structures. However, mainly synthetic materials such as petrol based carbon fibres and epoxy resins are used nowadays to produce composite in aviation. Renewable materials like bio-based fibres and resin systems offer potential environmental advantages. However, they have not found their way into aviation, yet. The reasons are reduced mechanical properties and, especially for the use of natural fibres, their flammability. Improvements of these shortcomings are under investigation. Therefore the application of bio-based and recycled materials in certain areas of the aircraft could be possible in the future. Good examples for applications are furnishings and secondary structures. The motivation for this paper is to give an overview of potential environmental properties by using such eco-materials in aviation. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool to calculate environmental impacts during all life stages of a product. The main focus is laid on the bio-fibres flax and ramie, recycled carbon fibres and bio-based thermoset resin systems. Furthermore an overview of environmental aspects of existing composite materials used in aviation is given. Generally, a lack of LCA results for the substitution of synthetic materials by bio-based/recycled composite materials in aviation applications has been identified. Therefore, available information from other transport areas, such as automotive, has been summarized. More detailed LCA data for eco-composite materials and technologies to improve their properties is important to understand potential environmental effects in aviation

Fire, noise and lightweight materials

REFRESCO investigated how to set the framework for the implementation of new materials in the railway sector through the evolution of certification processes for rolling stock. Such materials have a high potential to reduce the weight of rolling stock compared to the metals currently used. The advantages of composites are already exploited in other sectors, such as aeronautics, where a real revolution has occurred on this matter. REFRESCO generated recommendations and provided the information needed to adapt the regulatory framework of railway carbody structures for the introduction of composite materials. The final conference will cover topics such as strength, crash and fire resistance, noise and vibration Performance and maintainability of the composite materials. The researchers took into account earlier studies from other industries such as aviation, aerospace, automotive and shipping, which already have extensive knowledge of the use of composites

The ECO-COMPASS EU-China Project

Fibre reinforced polymers are important materials used in aviation due to their excellent specific properties enabling the reduction of fuel consumption. For example, carbon fibre reinforced epoxy resins are used in fuselage and wing structures. Glass fibre reinforced phenolic resins are mainly used for the interior panels due to their low weight and favourable fire properties. All these composite materials used in aviation have one thing in common: they are man-made. Renewable materials like bio-fibres and bio-resins are under investigation for a long time for composites but they did not made it into modern aircraft in high amounts yet. The project ECO-COMPASS under Horizon 2020 aims to bundle the knowledge of 17 partners from China and Europe to develop ecological improved composites for the use in aircraft interior and secondary structures. Bio-based reinforcements, epoxy resin and sandwich cores are developed and improved for their application in aviation. Furthermore the use of recycled carbon fibres to increase the mechanical strength and multifunctional aspects of bio-composites are evaluated. In order to withstand the special stresses in aviation environment, protection technologies to mitigate the risks of fire, lightning and moisture uptake are under investigation. An adapted modelling and simulation will enable the optimization of the composite design. Electrical conductive composites for electromagnetic interference shielding and lightning strike protection are under investigation in ECO-COMPASS as well. The cooperation includes the exchange of knowledge and materials in order to optimize the development of ecological friendly composites. The aim of the presentation at the EMUS conference is to give an overview of the project objectives and its special background with the collaboration of Chinese and European partners. Selected topics and results of the ECO-COMPASS project will be presented. A special attention will be given to the multifunctional aspects of the composites under evaluation in the ECO-COMPASS project. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 690638 and the Special Research Plan on Civil Aircraft of Ministry for Industry and Information of the People’s Republic of China (MIIT) under Grant No MJ-2015-H-G-103

Model-based extension of high-throughput to high-content data

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>High-quality quantitative data is a major limitation in systems biology. The experimental data used in systems biology can be assigned to one of the following categories: assays yielding average data of a cell population, high-content single cell measurements and high-throughput techniques generating single cell data for large cell populations. For modeling purposes, a combination of data from different categories is highly desirable in order to increase the number of observable species and processes and thereby maximize the identifiability of parameters.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this article we present a method that combines the power of high-content single cell measurements with the efficiency of high-throughput techniques. A calibration on the basis of identical cell populations measured by both approaches connects the two techniques. We develop a mathematical model to relate quantities exclusively observable by high-content single cell techniques to those measurable with high-content as well as high-throughput methods. The latter are defined as free variables, while the variables measurable with only one technique are described in dependence of those. It is the combination of data calibration and model into a single method that makes it possible to determine quantities only accessible by single cell assays but using high-throughput techniques. As an example, we apply our approach to the nucleocytoplasmic transport of STAT5B in eukaryotic cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The presented procedure can be generally applied to systems that allow for dividing observables into sets of free quantities, which are easily measurable, and variables dependent on those. Hence, it extends the information content of high-throughput methods by incorporating data from high-content measurements.</p

Life Cycle Assessment of ecological improved Composites for aviation - a review

Today, mainly synthetic materials like petrol based carbon fibres and epoxy resins are used to produce composite parts for application as primary structures, secondary structures and interior furnishings in aviation. Renewable materials like natural fibres or bio-based resin systems offer good specific properties and environmental advantages, but have not found their way into aviation, yet. Life Cycle Assessment is a tool to calculate environmental impacts during all life stages of a product, from raw material extraction to the end of life. This paper aims to give an overview on already published Life Cycle Assessment results and data availability for materials that are considered to have a reduced environmental impact. The main focus was laid on the bio-based bast fibres flax and ramie, recycled carbon fibres and bio-based thermoset resin systems. Furthermore an overview of existing state-of-the-art composite materials used in aviation with their environmental aspects is given

Dismembered and non-dismembered retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasty for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in children

Purpose: Open dismembered pyeloplasty according to Anderson-Hynes (AHP) is the gold standard treatment for ureteropelvic junction obstruction in children. However, during the last decade, the management has been revolutionized with introduction of laparoscopy and endourology yielding comparable results and less morbid outcomes. Methods: Between 1997 and 2010, dismembered and non-dismembered retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasty was performed in 41 children with a median age of 130month (range 5-192). 20 children underwent a dismembered pyeloplasty (Anderson-Hynes) and 21 children were operated by a non-dismembered pyeloplasty (Y-V-Plasty). Results: The mean operation time was 120min (range 52-257). Intraoperative findings revealed in 29 cases a significant crossing vessel. Based on a furosemide nephrogram and subjective complaints, the success rate was 88% with a median follow-up of 69month (range 14-142). The 5 failures (2 Y-V-Plasty, 3 AHP) have been treated by open AHP (n=2), Laser endopyelotomy (n=2) and Lap-AHP (n=1) without further problems. Conclusion: With increasing improvement of the suture techniques, the laparoscopic pyeloplasty represents in experienced hands an alternative method with comparable success rates to the open technique. In our opinion, retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasty is technically possible and feasible even in infants. We found in our series no statistically significant difference between dismembered and non-dismembered pyeloplast

Flexural Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Nonwoven Made of Flax Fibres and Recycled Carbon Fibres

Can a hybrid composite made of recycled carbon fibres and natural fibres improve the flexural mechanical properties of epoxy composites compared to pure natural fibre reinforced polymers (NFRP)? Growing environmental concerns have led to an increased interest in the application of bio-based materials such as natural fibres in composites. Despite their good specific properties based on their low fibre density, the application of NFRP in load bearing applications such as aviation secondary structures is still limited. Low strength NFRP, compared to composites such as carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP), have significant drawbacks. At the same time, the constantly growing demand for CFRP in aviation and other transport sectors inevitably leads to an increasing amount of waste from manufacturing processes and end-of-life products. Recovering valuable carbon fibres by means of recycling and their corresponding re-application is an important task. However, such recycled carbon fibres (rCF) are usually available in a deteriorated (downcycled) form compared to virgin carbon fibres (vCF), which is limiting their use for high performance applications. Therefore, in this study the combination of natural fibres and rCF in a hybrid composite was assessed for the effect on flexural mechanical properties. Monolithic laminates made of hybrid nonwoven containing flax fibres and recycled carbon fibres were manufactured with a fibre volume fraction of 30% and compared to references with pure flax and rCF reinforcement. Three-point bending tests show a potential increase in flexural mechanical properties by combining rCF and flax fibre in a hybrid nonwoven