Legionella lipoprotein activates toll-like receptor 2 and induces cytokine production and expression of costimulatory molecules in peritoneal macrophages

Legionella bacterium, an intracellular pathogen of mononuclear phagocytes, causes acute fatal pneumonia, especially in patients with impaired cellular immune responses. Until recently, however, the toll-like receptor (TLR) engagement of bacterial proteins derived from Legionella is uncertain. We previously showed that a 19-kDa highly conserved peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein (PAL) of Legionella pneumophila induced the PAL-specific B cell and T cell responses in mice. In this study, we observed that the rPAL antigen of L. pneumophila, as an effector molecule, activated murine macrophages via TLR2 and produced proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α. In both BALB/c and TLR4-deficient C3H/HeJ mice, pretreatment of macrophages with anti-TLR2 mAb showed severely impaired cytokine production in response to the rPAL. In addition, in vitro the rPAL treatment increased the cell surface expression of CD40, CD80, CD86 and MHC I/II molecules. We further showed that the synthetic CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) coadministered with the rPAL enhanced IL-12 and IL-6 production and expression of CD40, CD80 and MHC II compared to the rPAL treatment alone. In conclusions, these results indicate that Legionella PAL might activate macrophages via a TLR2-dependent mechanism which thus induce cytokine production and expression of costimulatory and MHC molecules.     

Synthesis of porous and nonporous ZnO nanobelt, multipod, and hierarchical nanostructure from Zn-HDS

Zn based hydroxide double salts (Zn-HDS) with an interlayer spacing of 20 Å was produced by dissolving dumbbell-like ZnO crystal. The resulting Zn-HDS with a ribbon-like shape has a suitable morphology to explore the remarkably mild procedure for synthesis of ZnO nanobelts. We found that the intercalated water molecules into the Zn-HDS could play a key role in the ZnO nanobelts porosity. The nonporous ZnO nanobelts were successfully synthesized from the Zn-HDS by soft-solution process at 95 °C through mild dehydration agent as Na₂CO₃. As-synthesized ZnO nanobelts were grown along not only the [0 1 −1 0], but also the [2 −1 −1 0]. On the other hand, the porous ZnO nanobelts were obtained from the Zn-HDS by calcinations at 200 and 400 °C. In addition, flower-like ZnO multipod and hierarchical nanostructures were produced from the Zn-HDS by using of strong dehydration agent (NaOH) through hydrothermal reaction at 150 and 230 °C.     

Triblock copolymer matrix‐based capillary electrophoretic microdevice for high‐resolution multiplex pathogen detection

Rapid and simple analysis for the multiple target pathogens is critical for patient management. CE‐SSCP analysis on a microchip provides high speed, high sensitivity, and a portable genetic analysis platform in molecular diagnostic fields. The capability of separating ssDNA molecules in a capillary electrophoretic microchannel with high resolution is a critical issue to perform the precise interpretation in the electropherogram. In this study, we explored the potential of poly(ethyleneoxide)‐poly(propyleneoxide)‐poly(ethyleneoxide) (PEO‐PPO‐PEO) triblock copolymer as a sieving matrix for CE‐SSCP analysis on a microdevice. To demonstrate the superior resolving power of PEO‐PPO‐PEO copolymers, 255‐bp PCR amplicons obtained from 16S ribosomal RNA genes of four bacterial species, namely Proteus mirabilis, Haemophilus ducreyi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Neisseria meningitidis, were analyzed in the PEO‐PPO‐PEO matrix in comparison with 5% linear polyacrylamide and commercial GeneScan? gel. Due to enhanced dynamic coating and sieving ability, PEO‐PPO‐PEO copolymer displayed fourfold enhancement of resolving power in the CE‐SSCP to separate same‐sized DNA molecules. Fivefold input of genomic DNA of P. aeruginosa and/or N. meningitidis produced proportionally increased corresponding amplicon peaks, enabling correct quantitative analysis in the pathogen detection. Besides the high‐resolution sieving capability, a facile loading and replenishment of gel in the microchannel due to thermally reversible gelation property makes PEO‐PPO‐PEO triblock copolymer an excellent matrix in the CE‐SSCP analysis on the microdevice.     

Further understanding of fat biology: Lessons from a fat fly

Obesity is a leading risk factor for insulin resistance, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular complications, collectively referred to as metabolic diseases. Given the prevalence of obesity and its associated medical problems, new strategies are required to prevent or treat obesity and obesity-related metabolic effects. Here we summarize contributors of obesity, and molecular mechanisms controlling adipogenesis from studies in mammalian systems. We also discuss the possibilities of using Drosophila as a genetic model system to advance our understanding of players in fat biology.     

Magnetic metal-organic framework constructed from a paramagnetic metalloligand exhibiting a significant sorption and reversible magnetic conversions

A Co(II)-Cu(II) framework based on a paramagnetic metalloligand [Co(Tt)(2)] shows a permanent porosity with a record high surface area for magnetic MOFs as well as a reversible magnetic transformation between a paramagnetic-like state and a short-range magnetic order in the low-temperature regime upon solvation-desolvation cyclings.     

Polymer matrix dependence of conformational dynamics within a π-stacked perylenediimide dimer and trimer revealed by single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy

The conformation of embedded molecule in a polymer matrix is sensitive to the local nano-environment that the molecule experiences. Particularly, single molecule spectroscopic methods have been utilized to visualize each molecular conformation in local sites of the polymer matrix by monitoring rotational diffusion and fluctuating fluorescence of the molecule. Here, we have performed single molecule spectroscopic experiments on a π-stacked perylenediimide (PDI) dimer and trimer, in which enhanced π-π interaction in π-stacked PDIs makes the fluorescence lifetime longer, embedded in two different polymers, namely poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA), to reveal the conformational change depending on the polymer matrix. The fluorescence lifetimes of π-stacked PDIs are influenced by polymer surroundings because their molecular conformations are dependent on their interactions with the local environment in the polymer matrix. Furthermore, from an in-depth analysis of autocorrelation functions of fluorescence intensity trajectories, we could assign that the first autocorrelation value (lag 1) is larger as the intensity trace becomes more fluctuating. Thus, we expect that π-stacked PDIs, a model system for the formation of PDI excimer-like states, can be utilized to probe the surrounding nano-environment by monitoring the conformational change in real time.     

Effect of the rutile content on the photovoltaic performance of the dye-sensitized solar cells composed of mixed-phase TiO2 photoelectrodes

The effect of the rutile content on the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) composed of mixed-phase TiO(2) photoelectrode has been investigated. The mixed-phase TiO(2) particles with varied amounts of rutile, relative to anatase phase, are synthesized by an in situ method where the concentration of sulfate ion is used as a phase-controlling parameter in the formation of TiO(2) using TiCl(4) hydrolysis. The surface area (S(BET)) varies from 33 (pure rutile) to 165 (pure anatase) m(2) g(-1). Generally, both the current density (J(sc)) and photo-conversion efficiency (η) decrease as the rutile content increases. The incorporation of rod-shaped rutile particles causes low uptake of dye due to the reduced surface area, as well as slow electron transport in less efficiently-stacked structure. However, maximum J(sc) (14.63 mA cm(-2)) and η (8.69%) appear when relatively low rutile content (16%) is employed. The reported synergistic effect by the efficient interparticle electron transport from rutile to anatase seems to overbalance the decrease of surface area when small amount of rutile particles is incorporated.     

Anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and whitening effects of phenolic compounds from Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen

Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen (BCL) is the distilled product of the condensation from the burning of Phyllostachys nigra var. henosis (Gramineae). The activity-guided isolation of BCL yielded four phenolic compounds: 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (1), 1,2-dihydroxybenzene (2), 1,3-dihydroxybenzene (3) and 1,2-dibenzenecarboxylic acid (4). We evaluated the anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and whitening effects of these compounds, via assays, of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells as well as inhibition of tyrosinase activity and melanin production in B16F10 melanoma cells. The results showed that 2 and 3 exhibited significant DPPH radical scavenging activity as well as inhibitory effects on NO production, tyrosinase activity and melanin production. These results suggested that BCL and compounds 2 and 3 can be developed as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and whitening ingredients.