Peptide crosslinked micelles: a new strategy for the design and synthesis of peptide vaccines

This report presents a new and simple methodology for the synthesis of multicomponent peptide vaccines, named the peptide crosslinked micelles (PCMs). The PCMs are core shell micelles designed to deliver peptide antigens and immunostimulatory DNA to antigen-presenting cells (APCs). They are composed of immunostimulatory DNA, peptide antigen, and a thiopyridal derived poly(ethylene glycol)-polylysine block copolymer. The peptide antigen acts as a crosslinker in the PCM strategy, which allows the peptide antigen to be efficiently encapsulated into the PCMs and also stabilizes them against degradation by serum components. Cell culture studies demonstrated that the PCMs greatly enhance the uptake of peptide antigens into human dendritic cells.     

Integrated antiherbivore, antidesiccant and ultraviolet screening properties of creosotebush resin

The surface leaf resin of creosotebush, Larrea spp. (Zygophyllaceae) exhibits antiherbivore, antidesiccant and UV screening properties. Composed mainly of monomeric phenolic aglycones, the resin absorbs most radiation of wavelength shorter than 410 nm, reduces the rate of evaporative water loss across cellulose membrane and exhibits tannin-like protein-complexing and digestibility-reducing properties. Leaf-chewing insects prefer mature leaves which have a lower resin content than young leaves. A phenoloxidaes system present in the leaves probably enhances the digestibility-reducing action of resin on in vitro proteolysis and growth-rates of Astroma quadrilobatum (Orthoptera: Proscopiidae) are negatively correlated with resin-phenoloxidase activity as measured by macerated leaf oxygen demand. Non-ideal behaviour of the resin is suggestive of cooperative action between components.     

Effect of long-term water immersion on the fracture toughness of denture base and reline resins

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00573.x
Effect of long‐term water immersion on the fracture toughness of denture base and reline resins purpose: This study evaluated the fracture toughness (FT) of one denture base (Lucitone 550 – L) and four hard reline resins [Ufi Gel Hard (UH), Tokuyama Rebase II (TR), New Truliner (NT) and Kooliner (K)], and the effect of long‐term water storage on this property. Materials and methods: Forty specimens (40 × 8 × 4 mm) of each material were made, and FT was assessed after polymerisation (control of reliners), after 48 ± 2 h in water at 37°C (control of denture base resin) and after storage in water at 37°C for 7, 90 or 180 days (all materials). Data (MPa.m^1/2) were analysed by two‐way anova and Games–Howell test (p = 0.05). Results: Resin L exhibited the highest FT mean values. After 180 days of storage, FT mean values of L (3.37), UH (1.53) and K (1.20) were higher than those of the other periods. FT mean values of NT decreased from control (1.63) to 7 days (1.30) and then remained constant. FT mean values of TR (1.13) were similar in all periods of analysis. Conclusion: The denture base resin L showed higher FT mean values than the reline resins. Long‐term water storage increased the FT of L, UH and K, reduced the FT of NT and did not influence the FT of TR.     

Influence of artificial accelerated ageing on the colour stability of paints used for ocular prosthesis iris painting

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2010.00473.x
Influence of artificial accelerated ageing on the colour stability of paints used for ocular prosthesis iris painting Objectives: To evaluate the colour stability of paints used for ocular prosthesis iris painting submitted for accelerated artificial ageing (AAA). Materials and methods: Forty specimens of acrylic resin for sclera (16 × 2 mm) were made and separated into eight groups (n = 10) according to the type of paint (gouache, GP; oil, OP; acrylic AP; and composite resin for characterisation, CR) and the colours used (blue/brown). After drying (72 h), a new layer of colourless acrylic resin was applied and the initial colour readout was performed (Spectrophotometer PCB 6807). New colour readouts were performed after AAA, and ΔE was calculated. Results: Statistical analysis (two‐way anova –Bonferroni, p < 0.05) demonstrated that the brown colour showed lower ΔE means in comparison with the blue colour, with statistically significant difference for AP only. Blue colour showed no statistically significant difference with regard to the type of paint used. Brown AP showed lower ΔE than the other groups, with significant difference for OP and GP. GP showed greater alteration in ΔE for the brown colour, being statistically similar only to OP. Conclusions: Only the AP group for brown pigment shows clinically acceptable values for colour stability after AAA.     

Prevention of trauma to edentulous ridge from opposing natural teeth

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2010.00397.x Prevention of trauma to edentulous ridge from opposing natural teeth Objective: To suggest a technique to prevent trauma of the edentulous ridge from opposing natural or restored teeth. Background: The prevalence of the condition where one edentulous arch opposes a natural or restored dentition is quite common. In most of cases, the maxillary arch is completely edentulous and either all teeth or only anterior teeth are present in the mandibular arch. These remaining teeth may continuously cause trauma to the opposing edentulous ridge during the night when a removable prosthesis is kept out of the mouth. Materials and methods: A thermoplastic acrylic resin mouthguard was fabricated on a cast of the remaining teeth dentition. Conclusion: This article presents a simple and inexpensive procedure to prevent self‐induced trauma of the edentulous ridge from opposing natural teeth by using a thermoplastic acrylic resin mouthguard.     

Evaluation of COMU as a coupling reagent for in situ neutralization Boc solid phase peptide synthesis

Benzotriazole‐based coupling reagents have dominated the last two decades of solid phase peptide synthesis. However, a growing interest in synthesizing complex peptides has stimulated the search for more efficient and low‐cost coupling reagents, such as COMU which has been introduced as a nonexplosive alternative to the classic benzotriazole coupling reagents. Here, we present a comparative study of the coupling efficiency of COMU with the benzotriazole‐based HBTU and HCTU for use in in situ neutralization Boc‐SPPS. Difficult sequences, such as ACP(65–74), Jung–Redeman 10‐mer, and HIV‐1 PR(81–99), were used as model target peptides on polystyrene‐based resins, as well as polyethylene glycol‐based resins. Coupling yields obtained using fast in situ Boc‐SPPS cycles were determined with the quantitative ninhydrin test as well as via LC‐MS analysis of the crude cleavage products. Our results demonstrate that COMU coupling efficiency was less effective compared to HBTU and HCTU with HCTU ≥ HBTU > COMU, when polystyrene‐based resins were employed. However, when the PEG resin was employed in combination with a safety catch amide (SCAL) linker, more comparable yields were observed for the three coupling reagents with the same ranking HCTU ≥ HBTU > COMU. Copyright © 2012 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

一种净化水质的复合生物修复系统

在实验室内利用人工模拟方法,选择水蕹菜(Ipomoea aquatica)、泥鳅(Misgurus anguillicaudatus)、沼泽红假单胞菌(Rhodopseudomonas palustris)为工程物种,构建一套水生经济植物-水生动物-微生物复合生物修复系统进行污水修复,研究该系统中动植物生物量及水质指标的变化。结果表明,在23d的实验周期中,水体铵态氮(NH4+-N)下降96.5%,硝态氮(NO3--N)下降82.2%,总磷(TP)下降53.2%,化学需氧量(CODMn)下降24.5%。水蕹菜平均增重31.2%,泥鳅平均增重6.1%。这种复合的生物修复模式具有较好的经济效益与环境效益。     

海洋真菌Xylaria sp.(No.2508)生产xyloketal B的发酵优化

对海洋真菌Xylariasp．（No．2508）生产xyloketa]B的摇瓶发酵过程进行了初步优化。结果表明,Xylariasp．（No．2508）在培养120h时xyloketalB产量最高,当培养168h后菌体进入衰亡期且xyloketalB迅速降解,因此Xylariasp．（No．2508）生产xyloketalB的最适发酵周期为120h;Xylariasp．（No．2508）合成xyloketalB的过程及用乙酸乙酯萃取xyloketalB的过程对pH非常敏感,其中最适xyloketalB生产的发酵液初始pH为5．7,利用乙酸乙酯萃取xyloketalB时的发酵液最适pH为3。0;最适接种量为10％（v／v）;接种前发酵液中加入10g／L的大孔树脂XAD-16可以降低某些代谢产物对xyloketalB合成的抑制作用,从而使产量提高2倍左右,而菌体进入稳定期以后加入大孔树脂XAD-16对产物产量没有影响。     

肺复合性血管内皮瘤1例报道及文献复习

目的:探讨复合性血管瘤(composite hemangioendothelioma,CHE)的临床病理和生物学特点。方法:结合相关文献对1例肺复合性血管内皮瘤伴皮肤和脑转移的临床资料、组织病理特征及免疫组化结果进行分析。结果:镜检见肿瘤组织由良性、中间型及恶性血管多种成分混合组成:肺组织与头皮的真皮及皮下组织的病变相似,为浸润性生长,病变包括上皮样血管内皮瘤(约占50%)、网状型血管内皮瘤(约占15%)、梭形细胞血管瘤(约占20%)、"血管肉瘤样"区域(约占5%)和良性血管病变(约占10%)。颅内病变可见上皮样血管内皮瘤、梭形细胞肿瘤及动静脉畸形区域。免疫组化标记示FⅧRAg( )、cD34( )。结论:肺复合性血管内皮瘤属交界性/低度恶性肿瘤,确诊依赖于病理形态学,有复发倾向,少见转移。