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Low Efficiency (low + efficiency)
Selected Abstracts,-Conjugated Donor and Donor,Acceptor Metallo-PolymersMACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 9-10 2010Andreas Wild Abstract Two zinc(II)- and two ruthenium(II) containing ,-conjugated metallo-polymers were synthesized and characterized in detail. We could prove by SEC, analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) and viscosimetry the ruthenium(II) metallo-polymers to be high molar mass materials (Mfs,=,20,000,g,·,mol,1Ru1-2; Mfs,=,34,000,g,·,mol,1Ru1) exhibiting intrinsic viscosities of up to [,],=,192,·,cm3,·,g,1. Applying spin-coating we produced homogeneous films of the polymers and could, subsequently, investigate the photophysical properties in the solid state. Introducing the Ru(II) metallo-polymers mixed with PCBM[60] as photoactive layer in bulk-heterojunction solar cells resulted in very low efficiencies due to morphology problems. [source] Molecularly imprinted polymers as a tool for separation in CECELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 1-2 2007Zhao-Sheng Liu Dr. Abstract Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthesized in the presence of a template which results in the formation of specific recognition cavities complementary to the template in shape and chemical functionality. One of the most successful application areas of MIPs is chromatographic sorbents, which are tailor-made synthetic polymers for a given analyte. However, low efficiency of MIP columns is often observed because of slow kinetics of the template. CEC-based MIPs are thought to improve efficiency of MIP-based separation due to the enhanced flow dynamics of CEC. Another attractive feature is the miniaturized format of CEC, so that fewer templates or monomers for the molecular imprinting are consumed, a characteristic desired for ,green chemistry'. The small dimensions of a capillary demand the development of novel polymer formats that can be applied to a miniaturized system. This review discusses the various formats, i.e., the micro- or nanoparticle, the coating and the monolith, for application in CEC as well as the use in MIP syntheses and characteristics. [source] Mutations towards enantioselectivity adversely affect secretion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipaseFEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 1 2008Sascha Hausmann Abstract Lipases are important biocatalysts used as detergent additives to manufacture biodiesel, and in particular, for the production of enantiopure compounds such as alcohols, amines and carboxylic acids. Extensive efforts were conducted trying to optimize lipase properties and lipase LipA of Pseudomonas aeruginosa comprises the best-studied example in terms of optimizing enantioselectivity by application of numerous directed evolution methods. Its enantioselectivity in the asymmetric hydrolysis of the model substrate 2-methyldecanoic acid p -nitrophenyl ester was increased from E=1.1 for the wild-type enzyme to E=51 for the best (S)-enantioselective variant which carried six amino acid exchanges. We have observed that overexpression of this variant in the homologous host resulted in only marginal yields of enzyme in the bacterial culture supernatant, suggesting that the enantioselective LipA variant was secreted with only low efficiency. Hence, we have analysed the secretion of this lipase variant and compared it to variants carrying either the respective single mutations or some combinations. We report here the identification of two amino acid substitutions located on the protein surface, which significantly impair lipase secretion. [source] Impact of the fish Garra on the ecology of reservoirs and the occurrence of Microcystis blooms in semi-arid tropical highlands: an experimental assessment using enclosuresFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 8 2009TADESSE DEJENIE Summary 1.,Many man-made reservoirs in the semi-arid highlands of Northern Ethiopia (Tigray) are characterised by the occurrence of intensive blooms of cyanobacteria and a dominance of small riverine fishes belonging to the genus Garra. 2.,We carried out enclosure experiments to test for the effect of these small fish on abiotic characteristics, phytoplankton biomass and zooplankton community structure in the pelagic of two reservoirs (Gereb Awso and Tsinkanet). Two experiments were carried out in each of the reservoirs, one at the end of the rainy season (highest water level) and one at the end of the dry season (lowest water level). 3.,The presence of Garra in general increased the amount of suspended matter, nutrient concentrations (total nitrogen and total phosphorus), phytoplankton and Microcystis biomass (including the proportion of Microcystis in the phytoplankton community), and reduced water transparency. The positive effect of the presence of Garra on nutrient concentrations and phytoplankton productivity indicate that Garra has the potential to affect food web functioning indirectly through bottom-up effects, by enhancing nutrient concentrations through sediment resuspension and excretion of nutrients. Indeed, population densities of the cladoceran zooplankton taxa Ceriodaphnia and Diaphanosoma also showed an overall increase in enclosures with Garra. 4.,However, our data also provide some evidence for a potential of Garra to exert top-down control on large bodied daphnids (Daphnia carinata, D. barbata), although such effect varied among experiments. The limited capability of Garra to control zooplankton communities mainly reflects the low efficiency of these small, riverine and benthos-oriented fish in foraging on zooplankton and suggests the existence of an unoccupied niche for zooplanktivorous fish in the majority of the reservoirs. 5.,Although the main effects of Garra on the pelagic food web seemed to be mediated by bottom-up mechanisms, our results also indicate that one of the key variables, the relative abundance of Microcystis, was impacted by Daphnia -mediated trophic cascade effects. [source] Nearly 100% Internal Quantum Efficiency in an Organic Blue-Light Electrophosphorescent Device Using a Weak Electron Transporting Material with a Wide Energy GapADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 12 2009Lixin Xiao A blue-light electrophosphorescence with an internal quantum efficiency of nearly 100%, much higher than that of a stronger electron transporting (ET) material, was achieved with a weak ET silane. This result contradicts the conventional notion that weak ET materials result in low efficiency. [source] Analysis of nutritive sucking function in very low and extremely low birthweight infants in Japan: A pilot studyJAPAN JOURNAL OF NURSING SCIENCE, Issue 1 2005Manami MATSUBARA Abstract Aim:, The purpose of the present study was to investigate the differences in nutritive sucking patterns between very low, extremely low birth-weight infants (LBWI) and full-term infants (FTI) and to examine the change in those sucking patterns within 5 months after birth. Methods:, Sucking patterns of eight LBWI and seven FTI were compared. In addition, sucking patterns were measured in four of the LBWI and seven of the FTI until 5 months of age to determine change in sucking wave patterns over time. Results:, During the first month after birth, there was a significant difference in the sucking wave between the LBWI and FTI. The sucking cycle time was significantly shorter and the intensity of the sucking pressure was significantly smaller in the LBWI than that in the FTI. By 5 months, significant correlations were noted between the actual age or the modified age and the sucking pressure in both LBWI and FTI. Conclusions:, The findings suggest that the weakness of oral muscular function and less sucking skill can bring about the weakness of intensity of sucking pressure, decreased time of the sucking stage in a sucking cycle, and unstable intensity of sucking pressure and time of the sucking stage in LBWI infants, causing low efficiency of milk intake and smaller amounts of milk swallowing during each sucking period as they obstructs the development of oral muscular function itself. These problems last for a longer period of time in LBWI than in FTI, leading to a deficit in the development of masticatory function in LBWI. The results of the current pilot study will serve as a foundation to investigate the development of masticatory function in LBWI as they grow into early childhood. [source] A subpopulation of mesenchymal stromal cells with high osteogenic potentialJOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Issue 8b 2009Hua Liu Abstract Current bone disease therapy with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) is hampered by low efficiency. Advanced allogeneic studies on well-established mouse genetic and disease models are hindered by difficulties in isolating murine MSC (mMSC). And mMSC prepared from different laboratories exhibit significant heterogeneity. Hence, this study aimed to identify and isolate a sub-population of mMSC at an early passage number with high osteogenic potential. Enrichment of mMSC was achieved by 1-hr silica incubation and negative selection. Approximately 96% of these cells synthesized osteocalcin after 28 days of osteogenic induction in vitro, and displayed a complete dynamic alteration of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity with increasing osteogenic maturation and strong mineralization. Moreover, the cells displayed uniform and stable surface molecular profile, long-term survival, fast proliferation in vitro with maintenance of normal karyotype and distinct immunological properties. CD73 was found to be expressed exclusively in osteogenesis but not in adipogenesis. These cells also retained high osteogenic potential upon allogeneic transplantation in an ectopic site by the detection of bone-specific ALP, osteopontin, osteocalcin and local mineralization as early as 12 days after implantation. Hence, these cells may provide a useful source for improving current strategies in bone regenerative therapy, and for characterizing markers defining the putative MSC population. [source] Ozonation of complex industrial park wastewater: effects on the change of wastewater characteristicsJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 7 2009Jen-Mao Fanchiang Abstract BACKGROUND: Ozonation of complex industrial park wastewater was carried out in a semi-batch reactor. The variation of wastewater characteristics was evaluated based on the analysis of 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) concentration, BOD5/chemical oxygen demand (COD) ratio, COD fractionation, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) molecular size distribution before and after ozonation. RESULTS: The experimental results indicated that low efficiency of COD removal with increasing tendency of BOD5 concentration generally appeared after ozonation. Also, the BOD5/COD ratio increased from an initial of 0.27 to a maximum of 0.38. The COD fractionation tests revealed that most of the inert soluble COD was transformed to biodegradable soluble COD at 30 min of reaction time. Additionally, the DOC molecular size distribution tests showed that the fraction larger than 500 kDa was significantly decreased and the fraction smaller than 2 kDa was increased when the reaction time was prolonged to 240 min. CONCLUSION: This study verified that partial oxidation of the complex industrial park wastewater by ozonation could enhance wastewater biodegradability. The biodegradability enhancement was primarily because the inert soluble COD fraction was converted to the biodegradable soluble COD and the high molecular weight fraction of DOC was shifted toward the low molecular weight fraction. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Long-term RNA interference and its application to hepatitis B virusJOURNAL OF DIGESTIVE DISEASES, Issue 3 2009Jin Shui PAN RNA interference (RNAi) is an ancient defensive mechanism in eukaryotes to control gene expressing and defend their genomes from foreign invaders. It refers to the phenomenon that double-stranded RNA results in the sequence-specific silencing of target gene expression. Although it was documented in a relatively short time ago, intensive research has facilitated making its mechanism clear. Researchers have found that it was a powerful tool for analyzing the functions of genes and treating tumors, infectious diseases and genetic abnormalities that are associated with a dominant gene defect. However, delivery in vivo, low blood stability and poor intracellular uptake present significant challenges for the development of RNAi reagents in clinical use. Thus, long-term inducible RNAi was designed. There are hundreds of millions of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers in the world at present, a portion of whom will lose their lives after several years due to chronic complications such as cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinomas or both. Although a preventive vaccine is now available, the present therapeutic options for chronically infected patients are limited and of low efficiency. Admittedly, to date most RNAi experiments have been done in vitro, but it is hoped that they may be developed into a therapeutic strategy for HBV in the near future. In this article the principles and construction of long-term RNA are discussed. Its therapeutic potentiality and attention to the potential hazards will also outlined. We conclude that this ancient defensive mechanism can be recruited as a powerful weapon in the fight against HBV. [source] Advances in Research on Genetically Engineered Plants for Metal ResistanceJOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 11 2006Ri-Qing Zhang Abstract The engineering application of natural hyperaccumulators in removing or inactivating metal pollutants from soil and surface water in field trials mostly presents the insurmountable shortcoming of low efficiency owing to their little biomass and slow growth. Based on further understanding of the molecular mechanism of metal uptake, translocation, and also the separation, identification, and cloning of some related functional genes, this article highlights and summarizes in detail the advances in research on transgenic techniques, such as Agrobacterium tumefaciens -mediated transformation and particle bombardment, in breeding of plants for metal resistance and accumulation, and points out that deepening the development of transgenic plants is one of the efficient approaches to improving phytoremediation efficiency of metal-contaminated environments. From the viewpoint of sustainable development, governments should strengthen support to the development of genetic engineering for metal resistance and accumulation in plants. (Managing editor: Li-Hui Zhao) [source] Instability of the structure and allergenic protein content in Arizona cypress pollenALLERGY, Issue 12 2009Y. Shahali Background:, The allergenic characteristics of pollen and their levels of expression may vary depending on the plant species, the degree of maturation and the influence of environmental factors such as climate and atmospheric pollution. The objective of this survey was the comparison of the structure and allergenic protein content in Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica, CA) pollen collected just after microsporangia dehiscence and 2 weeks later in urban areas. Methods:, The morphology and structure of pollen were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Pollen protein content was quantitatively and qualitatively investigated by Bradford protein assay, SDS-PAGE and densitometric analysis respectively. Fifteen allergic subjects, according to their clinical history of seasonal rhino-conjunctivitis and bronchial asthma have been selected for skin prick testing and ImmunoCap using CA standard allergen and for immunoblotting using extracts of CA mature pollen collected from Tehran. Results:, After 2 weeks, numerous cracks and collapses appeared in pollen surfaces. Western blotting performed by using extracts of pollen collected from Tehran, revealed that sera-specific immunoglobulin E of all allergic subjects reacted to a 35 kDa protein. The presence of this new major allergen and the decrease of Cup a 1 provide reliable explications about the low efficiency of standard commercial allergens in the diagnosis of the CA pollen allergy in Tehran. Conclusion:, The instability of the pollen structure and protein content affects CA pollen allergenic properties. This study also suggests that to optimize CA standard allergen preparations, the eventual variability of pollen allergenic components have to be considered for each region. [source] Optimized construction of microsatellite-enriched librariesMOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 3 2010NATASCHA TECHEN Abstract The construction of microsatellite-enriched libraries is an indispensable tool to search for molecular markers as complete genome sequences are still not available for the majority of species of interest. Numerous protocols are available in the literature for the construction of these libraries; however, sometimes their low efficiency or lack of optimization in the protocols can restrict their efficacy. We have designed and tested various adapters and ligation methods; we also tested oligo-repeat combinations and hybridization temperatures, and created libraries with this new protocol for four organisms: Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam, Chionanthus retusus Lindley & Paxton, Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford & Olivera and Puccinia kuehnii W. Krüger. The number of microsatellites detected for these species ranged from 2494 to 3919 per Mb of nonredundant sequence, that was 0.86 and 1.53 microsatellites per contig, with 37,66% of di-nucleotide motifs and 21,49% of tri- to octa-nucleotide repeats combined. A simplified protocol is provided for the successful generation of SSR-enriched libraries. [source] Effect of mannitol pretreatment to improve green plant regeneration on isolated microspore culture in Triticum turgidum ssp. durum cv. ,Jennah Khetifa'PLANT BREEDING, Issue 6 2007Z. Labbani Abstract The use of doubled haploids improves the efficiency of cultivar development in many crops and can be helpful in genetic and molecular studies. The major problem with this approach is the low efficiency of green plant regeneration. We describe here an efficient method for inducing embryos and regenerating green plants directly from isolated microspores of durum wheat cv. ,Jennah Khetifa'. Tillers from donor plants were pretreated in 0.3 m mannitol and were stored at 4°C at various times: 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 12 days. Our results showed clearly that the novel pretreatment combined mannitol 0.3 m and cold for 7 days had a strong effect on the number of embryos produced and regenerated green plants. Under this condition 13 475 mature embryos were produced from 2 693 500 microspores. Moreover, 85 green plants were obtained. High green plants regeneration frequency was recorded. As an average 11.55 green plants were produced per 100 000 microspores (about the equivalent of six plants per spike). Therefore, this study showed clearly that our results are the best ones published until now in durum wheat. [source] Limited application of homozygous genotypes in apple breedingPLANT BREEDING, Issue 4 2005L. Vanwynsberghe Abstract Apple is a temperate fruit species with several breeding disadvantages such as the highly heterozygous nature of the genome and a long reproductive cycle. It is expected that homozygous apple genotypes can increase breeding efficiency, but inbreeding is prevented by the gametophytic self-incompatibility mechanism. In this paper, the production and characterization of homozygous genotypes, generated from anther culture in Malus × domestica cv. ,Braeburn', is described as well as their potential for use in breeding programmes. After determination of large scale anther culture efficiency, anther culture-derived genotypes were simple sequence repeat (SSR)-fingerprinted to determine their homozygous nature and confirm their androgenic origin. Their value for breeding was estimated based on growth and fertility measurements. The use of homozygous androgenic genotypes from ,Braeburn' in apple breeding programmes is currently not a realistic approach, partly because of the low efficiency of anther culture, but mainly because of the reduced vigour and severe sterility of the androgenic genotypes produced. [source] The ontogeny of handling hard-to-process food in wild brown capuchins (Cebus apella apella): evidence from foraging on the fruit of Maximiliana maripaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 11 2010Noëlle Gunst Abstract We examined age-related differences in wild brown capuchins' foraging efficiency and the food-processing behaviors directed toward maripa palm fruit (Maximiliana maripa). A detailed comparison of the different foraging techniques showed that plucking the fruit from the infructescence constituted the main difficulty of this task. Foraging efficiency tended to increase with age, with a threshold at which sufficient strength allowed immatures by the age of three to reach adult-level efficiency. Youngsters spent more time than older individuals browsing the infructescence and pulling the fruit in an attempt to harvest it. Infants tried to compensate for their inability to pluck fruit by adopting alternative strategies but with low payback, such as gnawing unplucked fruit and opportunistically scrounging others' partially processed food. Although around 2 years of age, young capuchins exhibited all of the behaviors used by adults, they did not reach adult-level proficiency at feeding on maripa until about 3 years (older juveniles). We compared this developmental pattern with that of extractive foraging on beetle larvae (Myelobia sp.) hidden in bamboo stalks, a more difficult food for these monkeys [Gunst N, Boinski S, Fragaszy DM. Behaviour 145:195,229, 2008]. For maripa, the challenge was mainly physical (plucking the fruit) once a tree was encountered, whereas for larvae, the challenge was primarily perceptual (locating the hidden larvae). For both foods, capuchins practice for years before achieving adult-level foraging competence, and the timeline is extended for larvae foraging (until 6 years) compared with maripa (3 years). The differing combinations of opportunities and challenges for learning to forage on these different foods illustrate how young generalist foragers (i.e. exploiting a large number of animal and plant species) may compensate for their low efficiency in extractive foraging tasks by showing earlier competence in processing less difficult but nutritious foods, such as maripa fruit. Am. J. Primatol. 72:960,973, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] In vivo electroporation and ubiquitin promoter , a protocol for sustained gene expression in the lungTHE JOURNAL OF GENE MEDICINE, Issue 7 2006Amiq Gazdhar Abstract Background Gene therapy applications require safe and efficient methods for gene transfer. Present methods are restricted by low efficiency and short duration of transgene expression. In vivo electroporation, a physical method of gene transfer, has evolved as an efficient method in recent years. We present a protocol involving electroporation combined with a long-acting promoter system for gene transfer to the lung. Methods The study was designed to evaluate electroporation-mediated gene transfer to the lung and to analyze a promoter system that allows prolonged transgene expression. A volume of 250 µl of purified plasmid DNA suspended in water was instilled into the left lung of anesthetized rats, followed by left thoracotomy and electroporation of the exposed left lung. Plasmids pCiKlux and pUblux expressing luciferase under the control of the cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter/enhancer (CMV-IEPE) or human polyubiquitin c (Ubc) promoter were used. Electroporation conditions were optimized with four pulses (200 V/cm, 20 ms at 1 Hz) using flat plate electrodes. The animals were sacrificed at different time points up to day 40, after gene transfer. Gene expression was detected and quantified by bioluminescent reporter imaging (BLI) and relative light units per milligram of protein (RLU/mg) was measured by luminometer for p.Pyralis luciferase and immunohistochemistry, using an anti-luciferase antibody. Results Gene expression with the CMV-IEPE promoter was highest 24 h after gene transfer (2932 ± 249.4 relative light units (RLU)/mg of total lung protein) and returned to baseline by day 3 (382 ± 318 RLU/mg of total lung protein); at day 5 no expression was detected, whereas gene expression under the Ubc promoter was detected up to day 40 (1989 ± 710 RLU/mg of total lung protein) with a peak at day 20 (2821 ± 2092 RLU/mg of total lung protein). Arterial blood gas (PaO2), histological assessment and cytokine measurements showed no significant toxicity neither at day 1 nor at day 40. Conclusions These results provide evidence that in vivo electroporation is a safe and effective tool for non-viral gene delivery to the lungs. If this method is used in combination with a long-acting promoter system, sustained transgene expression can be achieved. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Comparative porcine gene mapping relative to human chromosomes 9, 10, 20 and 22ANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 5 2001J. H. Lee Comparative anchor tagged sequence (CATS) consensus primers from loci mapped to human chromosomes 9, 10, 20, and 22 have been used to amplify homologous loci in pigs. Of 53, CATS primers tested in pigs, only 23 yielded products homologous to the human locus (42% success). Ten loci were physically mapped (43% success rate for verified products, but only 19% for primers tested). Due to lack of polymorphism, linkage mapping was possible only for AMBP. Map locations were consistent with human/pig ZOO-FISH, except for ADRA1A, whose position is still equivocal in humans. These CATS primers have made very limited contributions to pig/human comparative gene mapping because of low efficiency of amplification of orthologous porcine product, frequent amplification from rodent template in a somatic hybrid panel and low level of polymorphism. [source] Protein quality of larval feed with increased concentration of hydrolysed protein: effects of heat treatment and leachingAQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 5 2009A. NORDGREEN Abstract Four heat coagulated early weaning diets with increasing concentrations of pepsin hydrolysed protein, were investigated with regard to the change in protein quality during feed production and exposure to leaching. Water-soluble N, trichloroacetic acid-soluble N and amino acid (AA) profiles were determined in finished diets and in diets leached for 6 min. In vitro diet digestibility was measured and related to increasing inclusion of hydrolysed protein and N leakage. Seventeen to 47% of soluble N in the feed ingredients was made insoluble by heat denaturation during feed production, but the concentration of peptides and free amino acids (FAA) were not influenced. All peptides/FAA and 70,80% of water-soluble protein were lost after exposure to leaching. Increased inclusion of hydrolysed protein increased the loss of crude protein (15,30%). All taurine and 30% of histidine was lost during leaching, no other major changes in AA profile were found. There was no difference in digestibility between diets exposed to leaching. However, leached diets showed reduced digestibility as compared to diets that had not been exposed to leaching. In conclusion micro-bound type diets as used in this study have a low efficiency in delivering soluble N to fish larvae and should be carefully considered for this purpose. [source] Effect of different electrode configurations on the migration of copper ions during the electrokinetic remediation processASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2009Juan Almeira Abstract Electrokinetic remediation (EKR) is becoming a popular technique for removal of heavy metals from polluted soils, but its low efficiency induced from high pH area should be improved. It is known that the proper arrangement of electric field direction and intensity may influence the migration of H+ and OH, by direction and distance, which means that basic and acid zones can be optimized through electric field orientation arrangement. The aim of this work is to study the influence of the arrangement of electrodes on acid/basic zone, minimizing basic area and maximizing acid area in the soil. In this paper, five soil samples named TQ1, TQ2, TQ2, B55, and B60 were treated by EKR with different two-dimensional (2D) electrodes arrangement, in order to investigate the effect of electrode configurations on the distribution of pH and copper ions removal. Based on the results of copper removal, energy consumption, effective area, and the percentage of acid, basic and pH jump area, the best electrode configuration would be a cathode,anode,cathode arrangement with 60° angle. It can also be seen from the results that only in the area of pH < 4, copper ions could be removed effectively. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Translating Sleeping Beauty transposition into cellular therapies: Victories and challengesBIOESSAYS, Issue 9 2010Zsuzsanna Izsvák Abstract Recent results confirm that long-term expression of therapeutic transgenes can be achieved by using a transposon-based system in primary stem cells and in vivo. Transposable elements are natural DNA transfer vehicles that are capable of efficient genomic insertion. The latest generation, Sleeping Beauty transposon-based hyperactive vector (SB100X), is able to address the basic problem of non-viral approaches , that is, low efficiency of stable gene transfer. The combination of transposon-based non-viral gene transfer with the latest improvements of non-viral delivery techniques could provide a long-term therapeutic effect without compromising biosafety. The new challenges of pre-clinical research will focus on further refinement of the technology in large animal models and improving the safety profile of SB vectors by target-selected transgene integration into genomic "safe harbors." The first clinical application of the SB system will help to validate the safety of this approach. [source] Oxidative Degradation of Azo Dyes by Manganese Peroxidase under Optimized ConditionsBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 2 2003I. Mielgo The application of enzyme-based systems in waste treatment is unusual, given that many drawbacks are derived from their use, including low efficiency, high costs and easy deactivation of the enzyme. The goal of this study is the development of a degradation system based on the use of the ligninolytic enzyme manganese peroxidase (MnP) for the degradation of azo dyes. The experimental work also includes the optimization of the process, with the objective of determining the influence of specific physicochemical factors, such as organic acids, H2O2 addition, Mn2+ concentration, pH, temperature, enzyme activity and dye concentration. A nearly total decolorization was possible at very low reaction times (10 min) and at high dye concentration (up to 1500 mg L,1). A specific oxidation capacity as high as 10 mg dye degraded per unit of MnP consumed was attained for a decolorization higher than 90%. Among all, the main factor affecting process efficiency was the strategy of H2O2 addition. The continuous addition at a controlled flow permitted the progressive participation of H2O2 in the catalytic cycle through a suitable regeneration of the oxidized form of the enzyme, which enhanced both the extent and the rate of decolorization. It was also found that, in this particular case, the presence of a chelating organic acid (e.g., malonic) was not required for an effective operation. Probably, Mn3+ was chelated by the dye itself. The simplicity and high efficiency of the process open an interesting possibility of using of MnP for solving other environmental problems. [source] Dead-End Liposomal Electro-Filtration: Phenol Removal by Dioctadecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride as a Case StudyCHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 8 2010M. Hakimhashem Abstract Among the important efforts that have been made for the removal of trace organic molecules, sorption by micelles and subsequent membrane filtration is a promising method which, however, still suffers from a number of disadvantages such as low efficiency and high energy consumption. In this article, we present the results of the sorption of phenol (as an important trace organic pollutant in industrial wastewater) to dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DODAC) liposomes, as well as the filtration properties of the resulting dispersion. Whereas the sorption of phenol by a 0.5,wt,% DODAC dispersion at neutral pH and ambient temperature was only 26,35,%, it increased to above 95,% at pH,11. Applying an electric field during the filtration process considerably improved both the filtrate flow rate and the retention. An electric field of 5,V/cm increased the filtrate flow rate at 200,kPa 30-fold. [source] Toll-like receptor ligands as adjuvants in allergen-specific immunotherapyCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 12 2005P. Johansen Summary Background Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) leads to long-term amelioration of T-helper type 2 (Th2)-mediated allergic symptoms and is therefore recommended as a first line therapy for allergies. The major disadvantage of SIT is its low efficiency, requiring treatment over years. Objective In this study, we evaluated the potential of Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands to facilitate Th1-type immune responses. Methods The immunogenicity and therapeutic potential of the major bee venom allergen phospholipase A2 (PLA2) combined with various TLR ligands were tested in mice and compared with immune responses induced by conventional aluminium-based preparations. Results Regarding total IgG against PLA2, TLR2/4-binding lipopolysaccharide and TLR3-binding polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic (PolyI:C) were the superior adjuvants for prophylactic vaccination. However, TLR9-binding phosphorothioate-modified cytosine,guanosine-rich oligonucleotide (CpG), TLR-3-binding PolyI:C, and TLR2/6-binding peptidoglycan skewed the immune responses more towards IgG2a isotype and Th1 cytokines. Furthermore, in a therapeutic approach, CpG, PolyI:C and TLR7/8-binding 3M003 had immune modulating properties as they suppressed established IgE titres. Conclusion The potential of TLR ligands to adjuvate the immunogenicity of bee venom PLA2 and to skew the Th1,Th2 balance proved very heterogeneous. With respect to SIT, CpG, PolyI:C, and 3M003 were very promising. Hence, TLR ligands should be considered as adjuvants or immune modulators in SIT in human as to improve its efficiency regarding the Th1,Th2 balance of the immune response with a likely effect on therapy duration. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||