Anthocyanins protect against A2E photooxidation and membrane permeabilization in retinal pigment epithelial cells

The pyridinium bisretinoid A2E, an autofluorescent pigment that accumulates in retinal pigment epithelial cells with age and in some retinal disorders, can mediate a detergent-like perturbation of cell membranes and light-induced damage to the cell. The photodynamic events initiated by the sensitization of A2E include the generation of singlet oxygen and the oxidation of A2E at carbon-carbon double bonds. To assess the ability of plant-derived anthocyanins to modulate adverse effects of A2E accumulation on retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, these flavylium salts were isolated from extracts of bilberry. Nine anthocyanin fractions reflecting monoglycosides of delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin and malvidin were obtained and all were shown to suppress the photooxidation of A2E at least in part by quenching singlet oxygen. The anthocyanins tested exhibited antioxidant activity of variable efficiency. The structural characteristics relevant to this variability likely included the ability to form a stable quinonoidal anhydro base at neutral pH, a conjugated diene structure in the C (pyrane) ring, the presence of hydroxyl groups on the B (benzene) ring and the relative hydrophobicity conferred by the arrangement of substituents on the B ring. Cells that had taken up anthocyanins also exhibited a resistance to the membrane permeabilization that occurs as a result of the detergent-like action of A2E.     

L3/L2 white-line intensity ratios in the electron energy-loss spectra of 3d transition-metal oxides

The L₃/L₂ white-line intensity ratio in transition-metal oxides deviates widely from the statistical value of 2 : 1 but shows interesting systematics. In a series of oxides of a given metal, the ratio reaches a maximum for the d⁵ configuration (e.g. MnO) and a minimum for the d⁰ configuration (e.g. KMnO₄). In a series of monoxides, sesquioxides and dioxides of different metals, the ratio is again a maximum at the d⁵ configuration and decreases as the configuration changes towards d⁰ or d¹⁰. Our results, obtained by electron energy-loss spectroscopy, carried out in an electron microscope, are interpreted on an atomic mechanism involving spin-spin coupling. According to this model, the L₂ transition probability decreases in the progression d⁰ to d⁵ whereas the L₃ transition probability decreases beyond d⁵.     

An efficient synthesis of 3-alkyl-1,5,3-dioxazepanes and their use as electrophiles in double-Mannich reactions

An efficient synthesis of 3-alkyl 1,5,3-dioxazepanes was developed for subsequent use in double-Mannich reactions with a variety of carbon-based nucleophiles. It was found that addition of methyltrichlorosilane to the dioxazepane led to a long-lasting reactive species that reacted rapidly with acid-sensitive ketones and β-ketoesters to afford azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes in good yield.     

cyc-DEP: Cyclic immunofluorescence profiling of particles collected using dielectrophoresis

Cancer is a highly heterogenous disease that requires precise detection tools and active surveillance methods. Liquid biopsy assays provide an agnostic way to follow the complex trajectory of cancer, providing better patient stratification tools for optimized treatment. Here, we present the development of a low-volume liquid biopsy assay called cyc-DEP (cyclic immunofluorescent imaging on dielectrophoretic chip) to profile biomarkers collected on a dielectrophoretic microfluidic chip platform. To enable on-chip cyclic imaging, we optimized a fluorophore quenching method and sequential rounds of on-chip staining with fluorescently conjugated primary antibodies. cyc-DEP allows for the quantification of a multiplex array of proteins using 25 µl of a patient plasma sample. We utilized nanoparticles from a prostate adenocarcinoma (LNCaP) cell line and a panel of six target proteins to develop our proof-of-concept technique. We then used cyc-DEP to quantify blood plasma levels of target proteins from healthy individuals, low-grade and high-grade prostate cancer patients (n = 3 each) in order to demonstrate that our platform is suitable for liquid biopsy analysis in its present form. To ensure accurate quantification of signal intensities and comparisons between different samples, we incorporated a signal intensity normalization method (fluorescent beads) and a custom signal intensity quantification algorithm that account for the distribution of signal across hundreds of collection regions on each chip. Our technique enabled a threefold improvement in multiplicity for detecting proteins associated with fluid samples, opening doors for early detection, and active surveillance through quantification of a multiplex array of biomarkers from low-volume liquid biopsies.     

The classification of topologically expansive lorenz maps

We show that topologically expansive Lorenz maps can be described up to topological conjugacy by their kneading invariants. We also give a simple condition on pairs of symbol sequences which is satisfied if and only if that pair of sequences is the kneading invariant for some topologically expansive Lorenz map. A simple extension of the theorems to the case of expansive maps of the interval with multiple discontinuities is described.     

First order phase change detection using planar waveguide Bragg grating refractometer

Solid-to-liquid and gas-to-liquid phase changes in water and ordered-to-isotropic phase changes in a nematic liquid crystal are detected with an optical sensor. A planar Bragg grating defined purely by refractive index modulation is covered with a water or liquid crystal overcladding and the temperature is controlled to trigger phase changes. Measurement of the Bragg wavelength allows changes of effective refractive index to be detected and discontinuities in behaviour caused by phase transitions can be clearly identified.     

Low Prandtl-number free convection

Zusammenfassung Eine Untersuchung der freien Konvektion wurde an einer senkrechten isothermen Platte bei Prandtlscher Zahl im Bereiche von 0,003–0,03 (das heisst flüssige Metalle) durchgeführt. Dabei wurden zahlenmässige Lösungen der laminaren Grenzschichtgleichungen erhalten. Für die örtlichen Wärmeübergänge bei diesem Bereiche der Prandtlschen Zahl lassen sich die Resultate alsNu _x =0,565 (Gr _x Pr ²)^1/4 darstellen.