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Demand projections for civil aviation have forecast increases in operations in future decades. Increases in demand are beneficial to the growth and advancement of the aviation industry, but also come with the threat of significant increase in environmental impacts. In response, the industry is focusing on programs to develop technologies for reductions in fuel burn, NO x emissions, and noise. While aircraft-level impacts are an obvious metric of success, it is difficult to make informed robust technology investment decisions with respect to noise without understanding the fleet-level impacts. Fleet-level predictions of noise for technology explorations are especially complicated because it is computationally expensive, highly combinatorial, and airport-specific. Recently, rapid automated airport noise models have been developed, which can be simulated using Design of Experiments (DOE). The results of these simulations are used to generate surrogate models for airport noise contour area, which can be summed to yield a fleet-level impact. These models make use of simplifying assumptions to provide estimates of airport-level noise that are substantially cheaper to compute. They can be used to perform parametric trade-off analyses in conjunction with the equivalency assumption. Equivalency asserts that environmental impacts of a technology infused aircraft can be represented by scaled operations of the baseline aircraft in the same class. This simple assumption allows for the modeling of technology and market penetration factors under the same units: operations. This research uses surrogate models in conjunction with the equivalency assumption to examine two potential technology scenarios in a target forecast year, simulating technology and market performance factors to identify vehicle classes that could have the greatest impact in reducing contour area. Results show that technology and market performance of future notional Small Single Aisle and Large Single Aisle vehicle aircraft have the highest positive correlations with potential reductions in contour area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unmanned lighter-than-air (LTA) technology is arguably the mother of unmanned airborne surveillance, having been around in a variety of different forms for over 100 years. Goodyear blimps and Zeppelin airships - in particular the Hindenburg famed for its crash in 1937 - are well known historical systems. Far from remaining in the history books, revivals over the years have occurred, particularly in support of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. During these campaigns, FOBs have been protected by LTA systems, providing persistent surveillance of on-site and off-site activity, with arguably little cost and logistical burden. According to a Government Accountability Offi ce (GAO) paper, from October 2012, US investment in aerostat and airship development ranged from $339 million in 2007 to $2.2 billion in 2010 and $1.3 billion in 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Infections with Clostridium difficile increasingly cause morbidity and mortality worldwide. Bacterial surface glycans including lipoteichoic acid (LTA) were identified as auspicious vaccine antigens to prevent colonization. Here, we report on the potential of synthetic LTA glycans as vaccine candidates. We identified LTA-specific antibodies in the blood of C. difficile patients. Therefore, we evaluated the immunogenicity of a semi-synthetic LTA-CRM 197 glycoconjugate. The conjugate elicited LTA-specific antibodies in mice that recognized natural LTA epitopes on the surface of C. difficile bacteria and inhibited intestinal colonization of C. difficile in mice in vivo. Our findings underscore the promise of synthetic LTA glycans as C. difficile vaccine candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activation of toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling that initiates an innate immune response to pathogens must be strictly regulated to prevent excessive inflammatory damage in the host. Here, we demonstrate that Mer receptor tyrosine kinase (MerTK) is a negative regulatory molecule in the lipoteichoic acid (LTA)-induced inflammatory response. LTA that activated TLR2 signaling concomitantly induced activation of MerTK signaling in RAW264.7 macrophages, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3). Moreover, LTA induced MerTK activation in a time-dependent manner, and LTA-induced MerTK activation was dependent on the ligand Gas6. Additionally, pretreatment with a specific Mer-blocking antibody significantly inhibited LTA-induced phosphorylation of MerTK, while further enhancing LTA-induced phosphorylation of IκB-α and NF-κBp65 as well as production of TNF-α and IL-6. Meanwhile, the antibody blockade of MerTK markedly prevented LTA-induced Akt phosphorylation and SOCS3 expression, both of which were crucial for the inhibition of TLR2-mediated immune response. Collectively, these results suggest, for the first time, that MerTK is an intracellular negative feedback regulator that inhibits the inflammatory response of LTA-stimulated macrophages through the PI3K/Akt pathway and SOCS3 protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extracellular polysaccharides ofVibrio vulnificusplay different roles during biofilm development. Among them, the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is crucial for bacterial adherence to surfaces during the initial stage of biofilm formation, on the formation process was examined using various types of LPS extracts. Exogenously added LPS strongly inhibited biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the exogenous addition of a deacylated form of LPS (dLPS) also inhibited biofilm formation. However, an LPS fraction extracted from a mutant not able to produceO-antigen polysaccharides (O-Ag) did not have an inhibitory effect. Furthermore, biofilm formation by several Gram-negative bacteria was inhibited by dLPS addition. In contrast, biofilm formation by Gram-positive bacteria was not influenced by dLPS but was affected by lipoteichoic acid. Therefore, this study demonstrates thatO-Ag in LPS is important for inhibiting biofilm formation and may serve an efficient anti-biofilm agent specific for Gram-negative bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) composed of small-pore zeolites with various topologies (CHA (Si/Al = 5), LTA (Si/Al = 1 and 5), and Rho (Si/Al = 5)) as dispersed phase, and the hugely permeable poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) as continuous phase, have been synthesized via solution casting, in order to obtain membranes that could be attractive for oxygen-enriched air production. The O2/N2 gas separation performance of the MMMs has been analyzed in terms of permeability, diffusivity, and solubility in the temperature range of 298-333 K. The higher the temperature of the oxygen-enriched stream, the lower the energy required for the combustion process. The effect of temperature on the gas permeability, diffusivity, and solubility of these MMMs is described in terms of the Arrhenius and Van't Hoff relationships with acceptable accuracy. Moreover, the O2/N2 permselectivity of the MMMs increases with temperature, the O2/N2 selectivities being considerably higher than those of the pure PTMSP. In consequence, most of the MMMs prepared in this work exceeded the Robeson's upper bound for the O2/N2 gas pair in the temperature range under study, with not much decrease in the O2 permeabilities, reaching O2/N2 selectivities of up to 8.43 and O2 permeabilities up to 4,800 Barrer at 333 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slow crystallization kinetics and a limited thermodynamical stability of the target crystal phase are characteristic to zeolite formation, representing some of the key obstructions for fast zeolite synthesis. In this paper, the possibility of accelerating NaA zeolite synthesis in a continuous flow reactor (CFR) is studied. The CFR reduces the thermal lag by increasing surface to volume ratio, expediting heat transfer and mass transfer. The properties of the CFR and the reference batch synthesized particles were similar as confirmed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, particle size measurement using laser scattering and water adsorption equilibria. The reduced residence time and reduction in thermal lag provided an ideal synthesis environment for NaA zeolite, without side products, yielding 160 g/h per liter reactor volume of dry NaA crystals synthesized in 16 min and 2–3 μm particles for a single CFR. In comparison, the batch process produces 33 g/h per liter reactor volume The effects of diluting with NaOH-solution and temperature were studied in the CFR, allowing to determine the optimal conditions. With the enhanced reaction kinetics gained from the increased temperature and molar composition, NaA synthesis is performed 10 times faster than in the optimal batch synthesis. The optimal conditions for the synthesis of NaA in the CFR were determined as: a gel composition of Na 2 O :4.75 – SiO 2 :1.93 – Al 2 O 3 :1.0 – H 2 O :192, at a synthesis temperature of 150 °C during 16 min without, aging of the gel mixture. This paper shows that the bottlenecks in NaA zeolite synthesis can be widened resulting in faster synthesis in a CFR, making it a feasible pathway for more controllable zeolite synthesis at higher mass production rates (160 g/(h l-reactor)) while reducing the risk of blockage in a continuous flow reactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the effect of termination and charge distribution on water structuring, density and rate of loading in Linde Type A (LTA) zeolites via Molecular Dynamics methods. We also examined the consequences of compensating for the interfacial charge imbalance within the zeolite-bulk region. The results showed that termination plays a secondary role compared to the effect of charge distribution for all of investigated properties. Furthermore, small changes in bulk zeolite framework charges have profound impact on the dynamics of water molecules crossing from one zeolite cavity to another. It was also observed that the rate of loading was directly affected by the interfacial charge distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses interactions of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) gene polymorphisms with C-reactive protein (CRP) or lymphotoxin α (LTA) gene on serum CRP and TNF-α levels and handgrip strength. Eleven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including rs2794520, rs1205, rs1130864, rs1800947, and rs3093059 in CRP; rs1799964, rs1800629, and rs3093662 in TNF-α; and rs2239704, rs909253, and rs1041981 in LTA, were genotyped in 472 unrelated elders (mean age 73.8 years). Among elders with TNF-α rs1799964 AA genotype, adjusted mean difference for handgrip strength decreased by −2.60 (−4.82, −0.38) and −2.51 kg (−4.75, −0.28) for LTA rs909253 and rs1041981 in women and by −2.39 kg (−3.98, −0.81) for CRP rs3093059 in men. Among elders with TNF-α rs1799964 AA genotype, adjusted mean ratios for hs-CRP levels increased by 2.32 (1.38, 3.90) and 2.27 (1.35, 3.84) for both CRP rs909253 and rs1041981 in women. The A-A-C LTA haplotype was associated with TNF-α levels that were 1.55 times higher than those of the C-G-A haplotype (P = 0.005). The joint effects of SNPs (the rs1800947 or rs3093059 of CRP, rs1799964 or rs1800629 of TNF-α, and rs909253 or rs1041981 of LTA) and physical inactivity appeared to have greater magnitude of decreased handgrip strength than main effects of these SNPs and physical inactivity. Our data showed that significant interactions of TNF-αrs1799964 and LTA rs909253 were observed. Moreover, joint effects of these CRP, TNF-α, and LTA risk alleles with physical inactivity in elders were observed, suggesting that physical activity may modulate effects of genotypes on handgrip strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPS) are ancestral components in the evolution of immunity from protozoans to metazoans. Their expression can be constitutive or inducible by infectious challenge. Although characterized in detail in their structure and activity, the temporal and spatial expression of AMPS during vertebrate embryogenesis is still poorly understood. In the present study, we identified selected AMPs in zebrafish, and characterized their expression during early development, and upon experimental immune challenge in adult animals, with the goal of establishing this genetically-tractable model system for further AMP studies. By mining available genomic databases, zebrafish AMP sequences homologous to AMPs from other vertebrates were selected for further study. These included parasin I and its enzyme cathepsin D, β-defensin (DB1), liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2), bactericidal permeability-increasing protein (BPI), and chromogranin-A and -B (CgA and CgB). Specific primers were designed for RT-PCR amplification of each AMP gene of interest and amplicons between 242 bp and 504 bp were obtained from RNA extracted from adult zebrafish. Sequencing of the amplicons and alignment of their deduced amino acid sequences with those from AMPs from other vertebrate species confirmed their identity. The temporal expression of AMPs was investigated by RT-PCR analysis in fertilized oocytes, embryos, and adult individuals. Parasin I and chatepsin D transcripts were detectable immediately after fertilization, while the transcripts for CgA and CgB became evident starting at 48 h post fertilization. Mature transcripts of LEAP2 and DB1 were detectable only in the adult zebrafish, while BPI transcripts were detectable starting from the 12th day post fertilization. To explore the possible upregulation of AMP expression by infectious challenge, experiments were carried out in adult zebrafish by intraperitoneal injection of a cocktail of lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acid. Except for CgA and CgB, amplicons corresponding to all tested AMPs showed stronger signals in the experimental animals as compared to the unchallenged controls. This study provided information on the early expression of AMPs in zebrafish from ontogeny to adulthood and their inducibility by microbials. This information could be useful to actuate new prophylactic strategies as an alternative to the use of antibiotics in culture.

This work aimed to determine the influence of different regeneration conditions on CO 2 adsorption on NaA zeolite at high pressures through cyclic processes. To reach this goal, NaA characterization, high-pressure adsorption isotherms, heat of adsorption and working capacities for CO 2 /NaA system were performed. NaA zeolite characterization showed a high crystalline and stable microporous structure with 0.43 nm pore diameter and 247 m² g-1 specific area. CO 2 adsorption isotherms are strongly favorable, showing adsorption uptakes equal to 4.73, 4.54 and 4.44 mol kg-1 (c.a. 20 wt%) at 40 bar and 20, 30 and 40 °C, respectively. Jensen-Seaton model fits experimental data and was used to determine CO 2 /NaA heats of adsorption from 10 to 40 kJ mol-1, which are characteristic of physisorption process. This was corroborated by constant working capacity for all regeneration processes, reaching 1.44, 3.27, and 4.27 mol kg-1 for REG-1 (1 bar, 30 °C), REG-2 (vacuum, 30 °C) and REG-3 (vacuum, 150 °C) regeneration processes, respectively. The working capacity simulation showed a strong influence of pressure and practically insensitive to adsorption temperature from 20° to 40°C. Therefore, NaA zeolite is a regenerative material showing a high potential for utilization in high pressure cyclic adsorption processes, such as fixed and fluidized beds, for CO 2 separation when pressure and temperature are changed in blowdown/regeneration step. [Display omitted] • CO 2 /NaA working capacities from 1.44 up to 4.27 mol kg-1 were found for different regeneration conditions studied system. • Working capacity curves found can be considered as a kernel for regeneration cyclic processes. • Jensen-Seaton model fits CO 2 /NaA adsorption data better than Langmuir, Sips, Tóth and Dubinin-Astakhov models. • Heat of adsorption reaches 40 kJ mol-1 maximum value probably due to adsorbate-adsorbate interaction below 5.5 bar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To study the effect of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and 5-FU on the expression of caspase-3, EGFR, TGF-α proteins of tumor tissue of H22 cancer bearing mice and its anti-tumor mechanism. Methods A total of 40 SPF grade Kunming mice were selected to establish H22 liver cancer model, and then the mice were divided into 4 groups at random with ten mice in each group. Group A was given saline lavage treatment, Group B was treated with 5-FU by intraperitoneal injection, Group C was treated with LTA by lump body injection; Group D was treated with LTA by lump body injection and 5-FU by intraperitoneal injection. Two weeks after the treatment, the mice in each group were executed and the tumor tissue was stripping and weighted, and the tumor growth inhibition ratio was calculated. Then the tumor tissue was processed for conventional embedding, sectioned to observe the expression of caspase-3, EGFR, TGF-α by immunohistochemical staining method. Results The tumor inhibitory rate o f Group D was significantly higher than Groups B and C ( P < 0.05); B, the tumor inhibitory rate o f Group B had no statistical difference compared with Group C ( P > 0.05). The IDO values of TGF-α, EGFR proteins in Groups B, C, D mice tumor tissue were significantly lower than that in group A ( P < 0.05); while IDO value of caspase-3 in Groups B, C, D group mice tumor tissue was significantly higher than that in Group A ( P < 0.05). The IDO value of TGF-α, EGFR in Group D mice tumor tissue were significantly lower than that in Groups B and C; While IDO value of aspase-3 in Group D was significantly higher than that in Groups B and C ( P < 0.05). Conclusions LTA combined with 5-FU can effectively inhibit the tumorigenesis of H22 tumor bearing mice, increase the caspase-3 protein expression, inhibit TGF-α and EGFR protein expression, further promote tumor cell apoptosis and play a synergistic antitumor effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is an immune-stimulatory component found in the cell wall of lactic acid bacteria, which are a major group of Gram-positive bacteria known to have beneficial health effects in humans. In this study, we evaluated the stimulatory effects of LTAs isolated from different lactobacilli species with mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Methods: RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with pLTA (isolated from Lactobacillus plantarum K8), rLTA (isolated from Lactobacillus rhamnosus), dLTA (isolated from Lactobacillus delbreukii), and sLTA (isolated from Lactobacillus sakei K101). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-10 production were examined by ELISA, and nitric oxide (NO) production was assayed using Griess reaction. The mRNA and protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was examined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. Signaling molecules were also examined by Western blotting. Results: pLTA and rLTA moderately induced TNF-α, IL-10, and NO production compared with stimulation of RAW 264.7 cells with dLTA and sLTA. Similar results were obtained for the mRNA and protein expression levels of iNOS. Western blot analysis showed that treatment of cells with pLTA or rLTA resulted in minimal phosphorylation of ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK while, dLTA and sLTA were strong activators of MAPK signaling. In addition, the glycolipid structure of LTAs was found to be composed of different fatty acid chain groups and lengths. Taken together, these results suggest that the differential immuno-stimulatory effects of LTAs isolated from different lactobacillus species may be related to their different ability to activate the MAPK signaling pathway, which are modulated by a unique glycolipid structure of LTA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed-matrix membranes (MMM) consisting of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) as continuous matrix and small-pore LTA-framework zeolites with Si/Al ratios from 1 (commercial zeolite A) to ∞ (ITQ-29) as dispersed phase were prepared by solution casting. The thermal stability of the MMM is as high as that of glassy PTMSP polymer, whose high permeability is maintained even at increasing temperature. The effect of the Si/Al ratio in the zeolite fillers on the membrane performance is observed by the increasing CO2/N2 permselectivity of low-Si/Al ratio zeolite A-based membranes, in comparison with pure silica ITQ-29. The performance of the LTA-type zeolite-PTMSP MMM was adjusted to the modified Maxwell model by estimating the chain immobilization factor and the interphase thickness as a function of temperature, Si/Al ratio, and zeolite loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated inflammatory processes are supposed to be involved in pathophysiology of spontaneous abortion and preterm labor. Here, we investigated functional responses of human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) and whole endometrial cells (WECs) to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA). Methods: Endometrial tissues were obtained from 15 cycling women who underwent laparoscopic tubal ligation. Modulation of TLR2, TLR4 and MyD88 expression and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by WECs and ESCs in response to LPS and LTA were assessed. Results: WECs and ESCs expressed significant levels of TLR4 and MyD88 transcripts but, unlike WECs, ESCs failed to express TLR2 gene. Regardless of positive results of Western blotting, ESCs did not express TLR4 at their surface as judged by flow cytometry. Immunofluorescent staining revealed intracellular localization of TLR4 with predominant perinuclear pattern. LPS stimulation marginally increased TLR4 gene expression in both cell types, whereas such treatment significantly upregulated MyD88 gene expression after 8 hr (p<0.05). At the protein level, however, LPS activation significantly increased TLR4 expression by ESCs (p<0.05). LTA stimulation of WECs was accompanied with non-significant increase of TLR2 and MyD88 transcripts. LPS and LTA stimulation of WECs caused significant production of IL-6 and IL-8 in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). Similarly, ESCs produced significant amounts of IL-6, IL-8 and also TNF-α in response to LPS activation (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results provided further evidence of initiation of inflammatory processes following endometrial TLR activation by bacterial components which could potentially be harmful to developing fetus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differences in trauma symptoms among men and women in two court-involved substance abuse treatment programs were examined using latent transition analysis (LTA). It was hypothesized that women would be more likely to report clinical-level trauma symptoms than would men, but that both groups would show reductions in symptoms over time. Symptom classifications were determined by the LTA. Scores on the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI) were obtained on 381 program participants, 112 men and 269 women, at intake and after 6 months in treatment. Three ordered classes were obtained for men and women at each time point: non-clinical (no TSI scales elevated), moderate symptoms (1 or 2 scales elevated) and severe symptoms (all scales elevated). Men were more likely to be represented in the non-clinical class at intake, while women had higher representation in the severe symptom s classification. There was a reduction of trauma symptoms for most men and women, but some groupings had symptoms that remained the same or became worse over time. Using gender and trauma-symptoms to help determine interventions is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of Holstein genotype on innate immune response were assessed with ex-vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) stimulation of whole blood from unselected (UH, n = 10) and contemporary (CH, n = 11) Holsteins that differ in production by more than 4,500 kg/lactation. Blood was collected at −14, 7, 28, and 49 days in milk (DIM), mixed with a pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) molecule (0.01 or 1.0 µg LPS or 10 or 100 µg LTA per mL blood) and incubated (4 h, 37 °C). Plasma cytokines were quantified by ELISA, log 10 -transformed and analyzed by repeated measures with DIM as the repeated effect. Cytokine responses increased with PAMP dose and decreased as DIM increased. There was a genotype by LPS dose interaction for IL-1β as response to the low dose was greater in UH but did not differ between genotypes for the high dose. The IL-1β response was greater while the IL-6 response to LTA tended to be greater in UH than in CH cows. The more negative energy balance of CH cows did not impact genotype difference in cytokine responses. Results indicate selection since the mid-1960s has decreased ex-vivo , whole blood cytokine response of CH cows to LPS and to LTA. • The unselected versus contemporary Holstein model can assess effects of selection. • Ex-vivo cytokine response to PAMP decreased in both genotypes postpartum. • Cytokine responses to Gram positive and negative PAMP were lower in contemporary cows. • Energy balance did not impact genotype differences in ex-vivo cytokine response. • Reduced immune responses could make contemporary cows more susceptible to infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of triquaternary organic structure directing agents (OSDAs) for the synthesis of microporous materials is relatively unexplored. Here a triquaternary OSDA prepared by reacting 1,2-dimethylimidazole with 1,3,5-tris(bromomethyl)benzene promotes the formation of LTA in the aluminophosphate or germanosilicate reaction chemistries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we apply the Hagan-Poiseuille Model and the resistance model to perform an original analysis of previous experimental studies of water transport through polycrystalline Linde Type A (LTA) zeolite membranes and nanocomposite polymer/LTA membranes. From our analysis we estimate the intrinsic water permeability of LTA zeolites and the zeolite/polymer interface. We find that the permeability of a single LTA crystal is significantly greater than the intrinsic permeability of a commercial seawater reverse osmosis membrane or a commercial cellulose-acetate forward osmosis membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The LTA and SOD zeolites were synthesized from the mechanically activated solid mixtures of metakaolin, NaOH and γ-Al 2 O 3 . The process of synthesis is controlled by X-ray diffraction, IR-spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The stages of both thermal treatment and hydrothermal crystallization were investigated and optimized. The size of LTA particle was directly measured by scanning electron microscopy as well as calculated using the X-ray diffraction spectroscopy data. It was shown that the maximum content of LTA can be achieved with an γ-Al 2 O 3 excess over the stoichiometry of the synthesis reaction in an amount of 30–50 mol%. The absence of aluminum oxide in the reaction mixture leads to the formation of SOD. It was found that the optimal temperature of the thermal treatment is 600 °C. An increase of the temperature leads to a decrease in the amount of the zeolite crystalline phase as well as in the formation of nepheline. The optimum concentration of the NaOH solution at the hydrothermal crystallization stage was defined to form both LTA and SOD. They are 2–4 mol/l for the LTA and more than 8 mol/l for the SOD. Under these conditions, the amount of the zeolites is more than 90 wt.%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CD6 is a lymphocyte glycoprotein receptor that physically associates with the antigen‐specific receptor complex at the center of the immunological synapse, where it interacts with its ligand CD166/ALCAM. The present work reports the carbohydrate‐dependent interaction of CD6 and CD166/ALCAM with Galectin‐1 and ‐3, two well‐known soluble mammalian lectins. Both galectins interfered with superantigen‐induced T cell proliferation and cell adhesion phenomena mediated by the CD6‐CD166/ALCAM pair, while CD6 expression protected cells from galectin‐induced apoptosis. The results suggest that interaction of Galectin‐1 and ‐3 with CD6 and CD166/ALCAM might modulate some relevant aspects of T cell physiology.Galectin‐1 and ‐3 are two new interacting proteins for CD6 and its ligand CD166/ALCAM. Galectin‐1 and ‐3 modulate T cell proliferation and adhesion involving CD6‐CD166/ALCAM. The intracellular region of CD6 has protective effects against galectin‐induced T cell apoptosis. The interaction of Galectin‐1 and ‐3 with CD6 has a modulatory effect on T cell physiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accumulating number of studies are revealing that platelet reactivity above specific cut-off scores leads to exponentially increased rates of post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) ischemic events. To evaluate the optimal predictive values for three different platelet function measurement assays of platelet reactivity on early clinical outcomes in Korean patients undergoing PCI, we enrolled 228 patients receiving clopidogrel prior to PCI. Platelet reactivity was measured by light transmittance aggregometry (LTA), VerifyNow P2Y12 assay, and multiple electrode platelet aggregometry (MEA). The primary endpoint was the 30-day occurrence of ischemic events after PCI. MACE occurred in 36 patients (15.8%), including 35 patients (15.4%) with periprocedural MI and the death of one patient (0.4%). ADP-induced LTA and VerifyNow values (pre- and post-PCI) were significantly higher in patients with the subsequent occurrence of periprocedural MI, but the MEA assay data (PCI and post-PCI) displayed no significant differences (pre-PCI p = 0.25 and post-PCI p = 0.33). ROC curve analysis demonstrated HPR values for LTA (pre-PCI, >66% and post-PCI, >53 %, all p < 0.001), VerifyNow (pre-PCI, >347 PRU and post-PCI >272 PRU, all p < 0.001) and MEA (pre-PCI, >50 U and post-PCI >39 U, all p > 0.05). The platelet reactivity measurements by LTA and the VerifyNow assay can discriminate the risk of 30-day ischemic events after PCI. The predictive cut-off values for adverse events are dependent on sampling time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published data suggests that the presence of CYP2C19*2 or *3 loss of function ( LOF) alleles is indicative of increased platelet aggregation and a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events after clopidogrel administration. We sought to determine cut-off values using three different assays for prediction of the CYP2C19 phenotype in Korean percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients. We enrolled 244 patients with drug-eluting stent implantation who were receiving clopidogrel and aspirin maintenance therapy for one month or more. Platelet reactivity was assessed with light transmittance aggregometry (LTA), multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) and the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay (VN). The CYP2C19 genotype was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and snapshot method. The frequency of CYP2C19 LOF allele carriers was 58.6%. The cut-off values from LTA, MEA and VerifyNow for the identification of LOF allele carriers were as follows: 10 µM ADP-induced LTA ≥ 48 %, VN > 242 PRU and MEA ≥ 37 U. Between the three tests, correlation was higher between LTA vs. VN assays ( r = 0.69) and LTA vs. MEA ( r = 0.56), with moderate agreement ( κ = 0.46 and κ = 0.46), but between VN assay and MEA, both devices using whole blood showed a lower correlation ( r = 0.42) and agreement ( κ = 0.3). Our results provide guidance regarding cut-off levels for LTA, VerifyNow and MEA assays to detect the CYP2C19 LOF allele in patients during dual antiplatelet maintenance therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and lymphotoxin alpha (LTA) are pivotal cytokines in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). To investigate the possible association of the polymorphism of the TNF promoter gene −308 and that of the LTA gene 252 with susceptibility to SLE and with phenotypic disease features in Egyptian patients. A case control study involving 100 SLE patients and 100 unrelated healthy controls. Polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism methods were applied to detect genetic polymorphism. We found that TNF−308 genotype AA was significantly increase by 26 % in SLE patients compared to 10 % in the control group ( p = 0.003; OR 3.16; CI 1.43-6.98) and the frequency of the A allele of the TNF promoter −308 was significantly higher in the SLE patients (42 %) than in the control subjects (24 %) ( p < 0.001; OR 2.29; 95 % CI 1.49-3.52). Genotype LTA 252 GG showed a significant increase by 22 % in SLE patients compared to 6 % in the control group ( p = 0.001; OR 4.42; 95 % CI 1.71-11.44), and the frequency of the G allele of the LTA was significantly higher in the SLE patients (38 %) than in the control subjects (21 %) ( p < 0.001; OR 2.31; 95 % CI 1.48-3.6). Genotype (AA+GA) of TNF was significantly associated with clinical manifestations as malar rash, arthritis, oral ulcers, serositis and systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index. Genotype (GG+GA) of LTA was significantly associated with arthritis. These results suggest that TNF and LTA genetic polymorphisms contribute to SLE susceptibility in the Egyptian population and are associated with disease characteristics. TNF−308 and LTA+252 polymorphic markers may be used for early diagnosis of SLE and early prediction of clinical manifestations, like arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 has drawn worldwide attention to the need for personal protective equipment. Face masks can be transformed from passive filters into active protection. For this purpose, it is sufficient to apply materials with oligodynamic effect to the fabric of the masks, which makes it possible to destroy infectious agents that have fallen on the mask with aerosol droplets from the air stream. Zeolites themselves are not oligodynamic materials, but can serve as carriers for nanoparticles of metals and/or compounds of silver, zinc, copper, and other materials with biocidal properties. Such a method, when the particles are immobilized on the surface of the substrate, will increase the lifetime of the active oligodynamic material. In this work, we present the functionalization of textile materials with zeolites to obtain active personal protective equipment with an extended service life. This is done with the aim to extend the synthesis of zeolitic materials to polymeric fabrics beyond cotton. The samples were characterized using XRD, SEM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Data of physicochemical studies of the obtained hybrid materials (fabrics with crystals grown on fibers) will be presented, with a focus on the effect of fabrics in the growth process of zeolites.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine if xanthohumol, a prenylated chalcone found in Hop (Humulus lupulus), has anti-inflammatory effects in healthy humans if applied in low doses achievable through dietary intake., Methods: In a placebo-controlled single-blinded cross-over design study, 14 healthy young men and women either consumed a beverage containing 0.125 mg xanthohumol or a placebo. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated before and 1 h after the intake of the beverages. Subsequently, PBMCs were stimulated with or without lipoteichoic acid (LTA) for 24 and 48 h. Concentrations of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and soluble cluster of differentiation (sCD14) protein were determined in cell culture supernatant. Furthermore, hTLR2 transfected HEK293 cells were stimulated with LTA in the presence or absence of xanthohumol and sCD14., Results: The stimulation of PBMCs with LTA for 24 and 48 h resulted in a significant induction of IL-1β, IL-6, and sCD14 protein release in PBMCs of both, fasted subjects and subjects after the ingestion of the placebo. In contrast, after ingesting xanthohumol, LTA-dependent induction of IL-1β, IL-6, and sCD14 protein release from PBMCs was not significantly higher than in unstimulated cells after 48 h. In hTLR2 transfected HEK293 cells xanthohumol significantly suppressed the LTA-dependent activation of cells, an effect attenuated when cells were co-incubated with sCD14., Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that an ingestion of low doses of xanthohumol can suppress the LTA-dependent stimulation of PBMCs through mechanisms involving the interaction of CD14 with TLR2. Study registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04847193, 22.03.2022)., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

When susceptibility to diseases is caused by cis-effects of multiple alleles at adjacent polymorphic sites, it may be difficult to assess with confidence the genetic phase and identify individuals carrying the risk haplotype. Experimental assessment of genetic phase is still challenging and most population studies use statistical approaches to infer haplotypes given the observed genotypes. While these statistical approaches are powerful and have been proven very useful in large scale genetic population studies, they may be prone to errors in studies with small sample size, especially in the presence of compound heterozygotes. Here, we describe a simple and novel approach using the popular PCR-RFLP based strategy to assess the genetic phase in compound heterozygotes. We apply this method to two extensively studied SNPs in two clustered immune-related genes: The -308 (G>A) and the + 252 (A>G) SNPs of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) and the lymphotoxin alpha (LTA) genes, respectively. Using this method, we successfully determined the genetic phase of these two SNPs in known compound heterozygous individuals and in every sample tested. We show that the A allele of TNF -308 is carried on the same chromosome as the LTA +252(G) allele.

Objective: T-cell lymphoma is a highly aggressive malignant lymphoma that is rare in Caucasians but relatively common in Asian populations. Factors regulating T-cell proliferation and function may play an important role in the pathogenesis of T-cell lymphoma. Methods: A total of 8 single nucleotide polymorphisms in cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α), and lymphotoxin-a (LTA) genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction-ligation detection reaction analysis in a Chinese population of 291 patients with T-cell lymphoma and 300 healthy controls. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals for the associations of genotypes and haplotypes with T-cell lymphoma risk. Results: Among these polymorphisms, the LTA +252AA genotype was significantly associated with T-cell lymphoma risk (OR, 2.3; P = 0.002). Furthermore, the TNF-α/LTA haplotype C-G-G-A (TNF-α -857C, -308G, and -238G and LTA +252A) showed a significantly increased risk for T-cell lymphoma (OR, 1.6; P = 0.001). Conclusion: Our study suggested that the LTA +252G>A polymorphism may influence susceptibility to T-cell lymphoma in the Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]