Modulation of humoral immune response to oral BCG vaccination by Mycobacterium bovis BCG Moreau Rio de Janeiro (RDJ) in healthy adults

We hypothesize that the energy strategy of a cell is a key factor for determining how, or if, the immune system interacts with that cell. Cells have a limited number of metabolic states, in part, depending on the type of fuels the cell consumes. Cellular fuels include glucose (carbohydrates), lipids (fats), and proteins. We propose that the cell's ability to switch to, and efficiently use, fat for fuel confers immune privilege. Additionally, because uncoupling proteins are involved in the fat burning process and reportedly in protection from free radicals, we hypothesize that uncoupling proteins play an important role in immune privilege. Thus, changes in metabolism (caused by oxidative stresses, fuel availability, age, hormones, radiation, or drugs) will dictate and initiate changes in immune recognition and in the nature of the immune response. This has profound implications for controlling the symptoms of autoimmune diseases, for preventing graft rejection, and for targeting tumor cells for destruction.     

Identification of archaeal proteins that affect the exosome function in vitro

Background  

The archaeal exosome is formed by a hexameric RNase PH ring and three RNA binding subunits and has been shown to bind and degrade RNA in vitro. Despite extensive studies on the eukaryotic exosome and on the proteins interacting with this complex, little information is yet available on the identification and function of archaeal exosome regulatory factors.     

Designed iron carbonyls as carbon monoxide (CO) releasing molecules: rapid CO release and delivery to myoglobin in aqueous buffer, and vasorelaxation of mouse aorta

The physiological roles of CO in neurotransmission, vasorelaxation, and cytoprotective activities have raised interest in the design and syntheses of CO-releasing materials (CORMs) that could be employed to modulate such biological pathways. Three iron-based CORMs, namely, [(PaPy(3))Fe(CO)](ClO(4)) (1), [(SBPy(3))Fe(CO)](BF(4))(2) (2), and [(Tpmen)Fe(CO)](ClO(4))(2) (3), derived from designed polypyridyl ligands have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. In these three Fe(II) carbonyls, the CO is trans to a carboxamido-N (in 1), an imine-N (in 2), and a tertiary amine-N (in 3), respectively. This structural feature has been correlated to the strength of the Fe-CO bond. The CO-releasing properties of all three carbonyls have been studied in various solvents under different experimental conditions. Rapid release of CO is observed with 2 and 3 upon dissolution in both aqueous and nonaqueous media in the presence and absence of dioxygen. With 1, CO release is observed only under aerobic conditions, and the final product is an oxo-bridged diiron species while with 2 and 3, the solvent bound [(L)Fe(CO)](2+) (where L = SBPy(3) or Tpmen) results upon loss of CO under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The apparent rates of CO loss by these CORMs are comparable to other CORMs such as [Ru(glycine)(CO)(3)Cl] reported recently. Facile delivery of CO to reduced myoglobin has been observed with both 2 and 3. In tissue bath experiments, 2 and 3 exhibit rapid vasorelaxation of mouse aorta muscle rings. Although the relaxation effect is not inhibited by the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ, significant inhibition is observed with the BK(Ca) channel blocker iberiotoxin.     

The effect of data scaling on dual prices and sensitivity analysis in linear programs

In many practical situations scaling the data is necessary to solve linear programs. This note explores the relationships in translating the sensitivity analysis between the original and the scaled problems.     

Modulation of humoral immune response to oral BCG vaccination by Mycobacterium bovis BCG Moreau Rio de Janeiro (RDJ) in healthy adults

Background  

Oral administration of BCG was the route initially used by Calmette and Guérin, but was replaced by intradermal administration in virtually all countries after the Lubeck accident. However, Brazil continued to administer oral BCG Moreau RDJ, which was maintained until the mid-1970s when it was substituted by the intradermal route. Although BCG vaccination has been used in humans since 1921, little is known of the induced immune response. The aim of this study was to analyse immunological responses after oral vaccination with M. bovis BCG Moreau RDJ.     

Renewable hydrogen by aqueous-phase reforming of glucose

Hydrogen can be produced from aqueous solutions containing 10 wt% glucose with high selectivities through the combined use of a hydrogenation reactor for conversion of glucose to sorbitol, followed by a reforming reactor for conversion of sorbitol to H(2) and CO(2) and then a gas-liquid separator for the removal of high-pressure H(2)-rich reformate gas, ready for use in a fuel cell.