3D structure reconstruction of nanoengineered polymeric capsules using Coherent X-Ray diffraction imaging.

Nanoengineered polymeric capsules (NPCs) are smart objects that can be filled in with some desired chemical substance. They are considered among the most versatile tools in biology, pharmacy, medicine etc. Most often they have been used as containers for drug delivery.

Synthesis and crystal structures of nickel(ii) and palladium(ii) complexes with o-carboranyl amidine ligands.

A number of new nido-carboranyl amidines 10-R(CH)NHC(Et)[double bond, length as m-dash]HN-7,8-CBH (n = 2, R = OH, OMe, and NMe; n = 3, R = OH) were synthesized by the nucleophilic addition of amino alcohols and N,N-dimethylethylenediamine to the highly activated -C[triple bond, length as m-dash]N- triple bond of the 10-propionitrilium derivative of nido-carborane. A similar reaction of 10-EtC[triple bond, length as m-dash]N-7,8-CBH with ethylenediamine unexpectedly resulted in the cleavage of the C[triple bond, length as m-dash]N bond to form the ammonium derivative 10-HN-7,8-CBH. The complexation of the synthesized carboranyl amidines 10-MeO(CH)NHC(Et)[double bond, length as m-dash]HN-7,8-CBH and 10-MeN(CH)NHC(Et)[double bond, length as m-dash]HN-7,8-CBH with nickel and palladium phosphine complexes [(PhP)MCl] (M = Ni, Pd) was studied.

Surface NKG2C Identifies Differentiated αβT-Cell Clones Expanded in Peripheral Blood.

T cells that express CD56 in peripheral blood of healthy humans represent a heterogeneous and poorly studied subset. In this work, we analyzed this subset for NKG2C expression. In both CD56 and CD56 subsets most of the NKG2C T cells had a phenotype of highly differentiated CD8 TEMRA cells.

CD56 CD57 NKG2C NK cells retaining proliferative potential are possible precursors of CD57 NKG2C memory-like NK cells.

Formation of the adaptive-like NK cell subset in response to HCMV infection is associated with epigenetic rearrangements, accompanied by multiple changes in the protein expression. This includes a decrease in the expression level of the adapter chain FcεRIγ, NKp30, and NKG2A receptors and an increase in the expression of NKG2C receptor, some KIR family receptors, and co-stimulating molecule CD2. Besides, adaptive-like NK cells are characterized by surface expression of CD57, a marker of highly differentiated cells.

HLA-DR-expressing NK cells: Effective killers suspected for antigen presentation.

HLA-DR-expressing cells comprise an intriguing group of NK cells, which combine phenotypic characteristics of both NK cells and dendritic cells. These cells can be found in humans and mice; they are present in blood and tissues in healthy conditions and can expand in a spectrum of pathologies. HLA-DR NK cells are functionally active: they produce proinflammatory cytokines, degranulate, and easily proliferate in response to stimuli.

Dimorphism of HLA-E and its Disease Association.

is a nonclassical member of the major histocompatibility complex class I gene locus. HLA-E protein shares a high level of homology with MHC Ia classical proteins: it has similar tertiary structure, associates with β2-microglobulin, and is able to present peptides to cytotoxic lymphocytes. The main function of HLA-E under normal conditions is to present peptides derived from the leader sequences of classical HLA class I proteins, thus serving for monitoring of expression of these molecules performed by cytotoxic lymphocytes.

Encapsulation of vitamin B into nanoengineered capsules and soft matter nanosystems for targeted delivery.

Targeted delivery of vitamins to a desirable area is an active branch in a modern pharmacology. The most important and difficult delivery of vitamin B is that to bone marrow and nerve cells. Herein we present a first step towards the development of two types of smart carriers, polymer capsules and lyotropic liquid-crystalline nanosystems, for vitamin B targeted delivery and induced release.

The Role of O-Antigen in LPS-Induced Activation of Human NK Cells.

NK cells can be stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Unlike macrophages, human NK cells do not express or express very low level of surface TLR4 receptor normally required for the LPS stimulation. This has led to the assumption that the mechanisms of stimulating action of LPS on macrophages and NK cells differs.

Recurrent Stimulation of Natural Killer Cell Clones with K562 Expressing Membrane-Bound Interleukin-21 Affects Their Phenotype, Interferon-γ Production, and Lifespan.

A pattern of natural killer cell (NK cell) heterogeneity determines proliferative and functional responses to activating stimuli in individuals. Obtaining the progeny of a single cell by cloning the original population is one of the ways to study NK cell heterogeneity. In this work, we sorted single cells into a plate and stimulated them via interleukin (IL)-2 and gene-modified K562 feeder cells that expressed membrane-bound IL-21 (K562-mbIL21), which led to a generation of phenotypically confirmed and functionally active NK cell clones.

Analysis of NK cell clones obtained using interleukin-2 and gene-modified K562 cells revealed the ability of "senescent" NK cells to lose CD57 expression and start expressing NKG2A.

In this work, we analyzed the phenotype and growth of human NK cell clones obtained by the stimulation of individual NK cells with IL-2 and gene-modified K562 feeder cells expressing membrane-bound IL-21 (K562-mbIL21). We generated clones from NK cells at distinct differentiation and activation stages, determined by CD56, CD57 and HLA-DR expression levels. Less differentiated CD56bright NK cell subsets showed higher cloning efficiency compared with more differentiated CD56dim subsets, especially with the CD57bright subset.

Current Approaches to Engineering of NK Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Natural Killer (NK) cells belong to a unique subtype of lymphocytes with a great potential for cancer immunotherapy due to their ability to rapidly recognize and efficiently kill tumor cells. Their anti-cancer potential can be further increased by genetic and non-genetic modifications. However, the attempts of genetic improvements of NK cells over the past 20 years have been hampered by the difficulties of gene delivery into this cell type, thus preventing researchers from producing clinically relevant numbers of viable and biologically active NK cells.

HLA-DR NK cells are mostly characterized by less mature phenotype and high functional activity.

NK cells change their phenotype and functional characteristics during activation. In this work, we searched for a relationship of HLA-DR expression with differentiation stages and functional activity of NK cells ex vivo and stimulated in vitro with IL-2 challenged with gene modified feeder K562 cells expressing membrane-bound IL-21 (K562-mbIL21). This stimulation technique has been described for NK cell expansion in clinical use.

Retroviral gene transfer into primary human NK cells activated by IL-2 and K562 feeder cells expressing membrane-bound IL-21.

Natural killer (NK) cells are capable of rapidly recognizing and efficiently killing tumor cells. This makes them a potentially promising agent for cancer immunotherapy. Additional genetic modifications of NK cells may further improve their anti-tumor efficacy.

Identification of Human Memory-Like NK Cells.

Our understanding of NK biology is increased dramatically, a product of improved flow-cytometric techniques for analyzing these cells. NK cells undergo significant changes in repertoire during differentiation. A repeating stimulus, such as a cytomegalovirus infection, may result in accumulation of certain types of highly differentiated NK cells designated as memory-like, or adaptive NK cells.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide activates CD57-negative human NK cells.

NK cells play an important regulatory role in sepsis by induction and augmentation of proinflammatory reactions in early stages of the septic process and by suppression of immune response in later stages of inflammation. The present work was aimed at the effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the main pathogenic factor of sepsis development, on human NK cells ex vivo. We show that LPS activates immature CD57-negative NK cells, which typically constitute less than half of the normal NK cell population in human peripheral blood.

Collagen containing microcapsules: smart containers for disease controlled therapy.

The protein collagen is the major component of connective tissue and it is involved in many biological functions. Its degradation is at the basis of different pathological processes. The up-regulated expression of matrix metalloproteinases and the down-regulated expression of their inhibitors are the causes for such degradation.

Electrochemical control of the conductivity in an organic memristor: a time-resolved X-ray fluorescence study of ionic drift as a function of the applied voltage.

Grazing-incidence X-ray fluorescence measurements were applied for a time-resolved study of an organic memristor conductivity variation mechanism. A comparison of these results with electrical measurements has allowed us to conclude that the variation of the fluorescence intensity of Rb ions is directly connected to the ionic charge transferred between the conducting polymer and the solid electrolyte, which made up the device. In addition, the conductivity of the memristor was shown to be a function of the transferred ionic charge.

Paclitaxel-containing nano-engineered polymeric capsules towards cancer therapy.

Paclitaxel is one of the anticancer agents most often used in clinical oncology practice for the treatment of ovarian, breast and non-small cell lung cancers. Nanoengineered polymeric capsules (NPCs) represent a new and very effective tool for the encapsulation and smart release of different compounds. In present work capsules were fabricated by means of the layer-by-layer assembly of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes onto colloidal particles, followed by removal of the cores at low pH to obtain hollow microcapsules.

Light-driven release from polymeric microcapsules functionalized with bacteriorhodopsin.

Bacteriorhodopsin was incorporated into the shell of polymeric capsules. Light-driven variation of intercapsule volume pH with successive pore opening was demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy. Release of the encapsulated dye molecules was studied by confocal fluorescence microscopy.

X-ray reflectivity measurements of layer-by-layer films at the solid/liquid interface.

In this Letter, we present a method for the decoration of layer-by-layer (LbL) structures by heavy metal ions, which allows X-ray reflectivity (XRR) measurements at the solid/water interface. The improved contrast has allowed us to obtain well-structured X-ray reflectivity curves from samples at the liquid/solid interface that can be used for the film structure modeling. The developed technique was also used to follow the formation of complexes between DNA and the LbL multilayer.

Structural study of the DNA dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine complex at the air-water interface.

We present here results that demonstrate the formation of a complex of DNA with zwitterionic dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) monolayer at the air-water interface in the presence of Ca2+ ions; in particular, we show that the presence of Ca2+ cations is essential for the formation of the complex of DPPC with DNA. We characterize the resulting structure by X-ray reflectivity and by null-ellipsometry. We show that DNA maintains its native double helix form when attached to the zwitterionic lipid monolayer, at difference with the case of ammine containing monolayers.

Interaction of DNA oligomers with cationic lipidic monolayers: complexation and splitting.

Interactions of native DNA with octadecylamine (ODA) and hexadecymdimethylammonium bromide (HTAB) monolayers at the air/water interface were studied by pi-A isotherms, ellipsometry, and X-ray reflectivity. We show that the microscopic structure of ODA-DNA complexes is definitely consistent with a single-stranded form for DNA. On the contrary, with HTAB, DNA complexes in its native form.

[Clinico-immunological and allergological characteristics of population of the Middle ural].

Clinical investigation of immune and allergic state of 633 adult dwellers of the Middle Ural region was carried out. The first (occupational) group consisted of 479 workers of the industrial plant, most of which exposed to negative factors such as radiation, harmful chemical substances and stress. The second (control) group consisted of 154 town-dwellers, who did not work at the industrial plant.

[Clinico-serologic study of humans with diseases epidemiologically related to halprowiosis (chlamydiosis) of farm animals].

A toxico-allergo-asthenic syndrome, primarily detected as a group disease (16 cases) affecting the workers of a cattle-ranch with the record of halproviosis (chlamydiosis) of agricultural animals, is described. A rise in temperature, sickness, vomiting, headache, loss of appetite, pain in the jaws and the joints, conjunctivitis and episcleritis, frequent urination, weakness, irritability, emaciation appeared to be its most characteristic symptoms. The halprovial nature of this syndrome was revealed on the basis of differential clinico-laboratory studies, serological, epizootic and epidemiological data.

[Study of the probable role of the agent of enzootic ovine abortion in infectious human pathology. Preliminary report].

418 workers were surveyed at a meat-packing plant. The presence of complement-fixing antibodies to the causative agent of enzootic abortion of sheep (EAS) was detected in 59 workers (14.27%), brucellosis in 32 workers (7.