969 resultados para Exogenous Surfactants


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Correspondence between the T-cell epitope responses of vaccine immunogens and those of pathogen antigens is critical to vaccine efficacy. In the present study, we analyzed the spectrum of immune responses of mice to three different forms of the SARS coronavirus nucleocapsid (N): (1) exogenous recombinant protein (N-GST) with Freund's adjuvant; (2) DNA encoding unmodified N as an endogenous cytoplasmic protein (pN); and (3) DNA encoding N as a LAMP-I chimera targeted to the lysosomal MHC II compartment (p-LAMP-N). Lysosomal trafficking of the LAMP/N chimera in transfected cells was documented by both confocal and immunoelectron microscopy. The responses of the immunized mice differed markedly. The strongest T-cell IFN-gamma and CTL responses were to the LAMP-N chimera followed by the pN immunogen. In contrast, N-GST elicited strong T cell IL-4 but minimal IFN-gamma responses and a much greater antibody response. Despite these differences, however, the immunodominant T-cell ELISpot responses to each of the three immunogens were elicited by the same N peptides, with the greatest responses being generated by a cluster of five overlapping peptides, N76-114, each of which contained nonameric H2(d) binding domains with high binding scores for both class I and, except for N76-93, class II alleles. These results demonstrate that processing and presentation of N, whether exogenously or endogenously derived, resulted in common immunodominant epitopes, supporting the usefulness of modified antigen delivery and trafficking forms and, in particular, LAMP chimeras as vaccine candidates. Nevertheless, the profiles of T-cell responses were distinctly different. The pronounced Th-2 and humoral response to N protein plus adjuvant are in contrast to the balanced IFN-gamma and IL-4 responses and strong memory CTL responses to the LAMP-N chimera. (C) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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We have developed a series of sustainable peptide surfactants (Pepfactants) capable of stabilizing foams and emulsions in a stimuli-responsive manner, based on the reversible formation of a mechanically strong interfacial film. Under conditions where the interfacially adsorbed peptide forms a mechanically strong film state, foam or emulsion stabilization occurs as a direct result of the film strength. Under conditions where the interfacially adsorbed peptide forms a mobile detergent state, foam or emulsion stabilization is either reduced, or does not occur. Preformed foams or emulsions stabilized by Pepfactants undergo rapid phase coalescence when the film state is converted to the detergent state. Switching between film and detergent states is readily and reversibly achieved by a change in the bulk solution composition, such as a change in pH, or the addition or sequestering of metal ions. Copyright © 2007 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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To field test the hypothesis that lichen thalli can use environmental sources of carbon, solutions of ribitol, arabitol and mannitol were added to intact thalli of Xanthoparmelia conspersa (Ach.) Hale and a yellow species of Rhizocarpon (Rhizocarpon Ram. Em. Th. Fr. subgenus Rhizocarpon). In addition, ribitol and an arabitol/mannitol mixture were added to the marginal hypothalli of Rhizocarpon thalli after removal of the areolae. Carbohydrates were added at the beginning of 2- or 3-month growth periods for up to 15 months at concentrations approximately three times the levels estimated to be in the thalli. Addition of carbohydrates to intact thalli of both species had no effect on total radial growth but addition of mannitol significantly increased growth of X. conspersa thalli in the September/October growth period in one experiment. However, this effect was not repeated in a subsequent experiment in which different concentrations of mannitol were added to intact thalli. Addition of ribitol to hypothalli of Rhizocarpon resulted in significantly increased growth in the first few months of the experiment, growth then declining to levels below that of untreated thalli. The data suggest that although hypothalli of Rhizocarpon may have the ability to utilise exogenous carbohydrates for growth, there was little evidence that intact thalli of either species utilise environmental sources of carbon in the field.

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Two different membrane emulsification methods were used to study mechanisms for co-stabilisation of emulsions, by either electrostatic or steric stabilised nanoparticles with anionic, cationic or non-ionic surfactants. The experimental results demonstrated the existence of two distinct co-stabilisation mechanisms that arise from interactions of the nanoparticles and surfactant molecules. When significant interaction is not involved, independent competitive adsorption of nanoparticles and surfactant molecules occurs spontaneously to stabilise droplets in formation. The adsorption/desorption equilibrium between surfactant molecules determines the longevity of the droplet stability. When the surfactant molecule reacts with the nanoparticle surface, the resultant surface modification appears to generate faster wetting kinetics for nanoparticles at the oil/water interface and yields enhanced stabilisation. The paper discusses the implications of controlling these interactions for emulsion production membrane systems.

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Magnesium borate hydroxide (MBH) nanowhiskers were synthesized using a one step hydrothermal process with different surfactants. The effect surfactants have on the structure and morphology of the MBH nanowhiskers has been investigated. The X-ray diffraction profile confirms that the as-synthesized material is of single phase, monoclinic MgBO2(OH). The variations in the size and shape of the different MBH nanowhiskers have been discussed based on the surface morphology analysis. The annealing of MBH nanowhiskers at 500 °C for 4 h has significant effect on the crystal structure and surface morphology. The UV–vis absorption spectra of the MBH nanowhiskers synthesized with and without surfactants show enhanced absorption in the low-wavelength region, and their optical band gaps were estimated from the optical band edge plots. The photoluminescence spectra of the MBH nanowhiskers produced with and without surfactants show broad emission band with the peak maximum at around 400 nm, which confirms the dominant contribution from the surface defect states.

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The availability of African lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus) in many communities in Uganda is declining. Indigenous efforts to culture this fish usually produce poor yields and depend on feeding fish fry, minced meat, and leftover food. This study evaluates three formulated diets (diet-1, diet-2, diet-3) fed to wild caught lungfish fingerlings reared in indoor tanks for 77 days. Experimental fish gradually accepted sinking pellets, and marginal increases in average body weight were observed. Mean (± SE) final weight (15.86 ± 0.80 g) for fish fed on diet-3 was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than fish fed diet-1 and diet-2. Specific growth rates (SGR) for diet- 3 were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than diet-1, and marginally more than diet-2 (0.37 ± 0.04 %/ d). Feed conversions were similar (p >0.05), ranging from 1.61 ± 0.26 to 2.07 ± 0.11. Survivals after an 11-week culture were relatively low (< 60%), but generally increased (R2 = 0.667, P = 0.007) with increasing dietary proteins. Diet-3 had a significant higher survival rate (p< 0.05) than diet-1 and diet-2. Significant growth performance was attained with diet-3. This study demonstrated that sinking fish feed pellets can be used to culture wild-caught African fingerlings in captivity.

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The interaction of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with the ionic surfactants sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS, anionic), cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC, cationic) and N-hexadecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate (HPS, zwitterionic) was studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of spin label covalently bound to the single free thiol group of the protein. EPR spectra simulation allows to monitor the protein dynamics at the labeling site and to estimate the changes in standard Gibbs free energy, enthalpy and entropy for transferring the nitroxide side chain from the more motionally restricted to the less restricted component. Whereas SDS and CTAC showed similar increases in the dynamics of the protein backbone for all measured concentrations. HPS presented a smaller effect at concentrations above 1.5 mM. At 10 mM of surfactants and 0.15 mM BSA, the standard Gibbs free energy change was consistent with protein backbone conformations more expanded and exposed to the solvent as compared to the native protein, but with a less pronounced effect for HPS. In the presence of the surfactants, the enthalpy change, related to the energy required to dissociate the nitroxide side chain from the protein, was greater, suggesting a lower water activity. The nitroxide side chain also detected a higher viscosity environment in the vicinity of the paramagnetic probe induced by the addition of the surfactants. The results suggest that the surfactant-BSA interaction, at higher surfactant concentration, is affected by the affinities of the surfactant to its own micelles and micelle-like aggregates. Complementary DLS data suggests that the temperature induced changes monitored by the nitroxide probe reflects local changes in the vicinity of the single thiol group of Cys-34 BSA residue. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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Intra-diffusion coefficients of three fluorinated alcohols, 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropan-1-ol (PFP), 2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutan-1-ol (HFB) and 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,5-nonafluoropentan-1-ol (NFP) in water have been measured by the PFG–NMR spin-echo technique as a function of temperature and composition, focusing on the alcohol dilute region. For comparison, intra-diffusion coefficients of 2,2,2- trifluoroethanol (TFE) and HFB have also been measured in heavy water using the same method and conditions. As far as we know, these are the first experimental measurements of this property for these binary systems. Intra-diffusion coefficients for NFP in water and for TFE and HFB in heavy water have also been obtained by molecular dynamics simulation, complementing those for TFE, PFP and HFB reported in a previous work. The agreement between experimental and simulated results for PFP, HFB and NFP in water is reasonable, although presenting higher deviations than for the TFE/water system. From the dependence of the intra-diffusion coefficients on temperature, diffusion activation energies were estimated for all the solutes in water and heavy water.

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The 15-deoxy-(Delta 12,14)-PG J(2) (15d-PGJ(2)) has demonstrated excellent anti-inflammatory results in different experimental models. It can be used with a polymeric nanostructure system for modified drug release, which can change the therapeutic properties of the active principle, leading to increased stability and slower/prolonged release. The aim of the current study was to test a nano-technological formulation as a carrier for 15d-PGJ(2), and to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of this formulation in a mouse periodontitis model. Poly (D, L-lactide-coglycolide) nanocapsules (NC) were used to encapsulate 15d-PGJ(2). BALB/c mice were infected on days 0, 2, and 4 with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and divided into groups (n = 5) that were treated daily during 15 d with 1, 3, or 10 mu g/kg 15d-PGJ(2)-NC. The animals were sacrificed, the submandibular lymph nodes were removed for FACS analysis, and the jaws were analyzed for bone resorption by morphometry. Immunoinflammatory markers in the gingival tissue were analyzed by reverse transcriptase-quantitative PCR, Western blotting, or ELISA. Infected animals treated with the 15d-PGJ(2)-NC presented lower bone resorption than infected animals without treatment (p < 0.05). Furthermore, infected animals treated with 10 mu g/kg 15d-PGJ(2)-NC had a reduction of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) cells and CD4/CD8 ratio in the submandibular lymph node (p < 0.05). Moreover, CD55 was upregulated, whereas RANKL was downregulated in the gingival tissue of the 10 mu g/kg treated group (p < 0.05). Several proinflammatory cytokines were decreased in the group treated with 10 mu g/kg 15d-PGJ(2)-NC, and high amounts of 15d-PGJ(2) were observed in the gingiva. In conclusion, the 15d-PGJ(2)-NC formulation presented immunomodulatory effects, decreasing bone resorption and inflammatory responses in a periodontitis mouse model. The Journal of Immunology, 2012, 189: 1043-1052.

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The use of surfactants to improve enzymatic hydrolysis of the macroalgae Sargassum muticum has been investigated. Visible absorption spectroscopy has been used to quantify the solubilization of both polysaccharides and phlorotannins in the hydrolysates.   After total extraction, results showed that Sargassum muticum contained 2.74% (expressed in percent of the dry weight of the algae) of phlorotannins whose 32 % were in the cell wall. This result shows that it is important to access to the parietal phlorotannins. To reach this objective, we chose the enzymatic approach for destructurating the cell wall of the algae. The use of 5% dry weight (DW - 5% by weight of hydrolyzed algae) of an enzymatic mix containing a commercial beta-glucanase, a commercial protease and an alginate lyase extracted from Pseudomonas alginovora led after 3 hours of hydrolysis to the solubilization of 2.43% DW polysaccharides and 0.52% DW phlorotannins. The use of 0.5% volume of the surfactant Triton® X-100 with 10% DW of the enzymatic mix has allowed to reaching the value of 2.63% DW of solubilized phlorotannins, that is 96% of the total phenolic content.   The use of non-ionic surfactant, combined to enzymatic hydrolysis, showed an increased efficiency in disrupting cell wall and solubilizing phlorotannins in Sargassum muticum.