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Virtuous cycles
(2019)
Drugs containing amine groups react with CO2 to form crystalline ammonium carbamates or carbamic acids. In this approach, both the cation and anion of the salt, or the neutral CO2 adduct, are derived from the parent drug, generating new crystalline versions in a 'masked' or prodrug form. It is proposed that this approach may serve as a valuable new tool in engineering the physical properties of drugs for formulation purposes.
Taar1 is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) confined to primary cilia of rodent thyroid epithelial cells. Taar1-deficient mouse thyroid follicles feature luminal accumulation of thyroglobulin suggesting that Taar1 acts as a regulator of extra- and pericellular thyroglobulin processing, which is mediated by cysteine cathepsin proteases present at the apical plasma membrane of rodent thyrocytes. Here, by immunostaining and confocal laser scanning microscopy, we demonstrated co-localization of cathepsin L, but only little cathepsin B, with Taar1 at primary cilia of rat thyrocytes, the FRT cells. Because proteases were shown to affect half-lives of certain receptors, we determined the effect of cathepsin activity inhibition on sub-cellular localization of Taar1 in FRT cells, whereupon Taar1 localization altered such that it was retained in compartments of the secretory pathway. Since the same effect on Taar1 localization was observed in both cathepsin B and L inhibitor-treated cells, the interaction of cathepsin activities and sub-cellular localization of Taar1 was thought to be indirect. Indeed, we observed that cathepsin inhibition resulted in a lack of primary cilia from FRT cells. Next, we proved that primary cilia are a necessity for Taar1 trafficking to reach the plasma membrane of FRT cells, since the disruption of primary cilia by treatment with β-cyclodextrin resulted in Taar1 retention in compartments of the secretory pathway. Furthermore, in less well-polarized rat thyrocytes, namely in FRTL-5 cells lacking primary cilia, Taar1 was mainly confined to the compartments of the secretory pathway. We conclude that Taar1 localization in polarized thyroid epithelial cells requires the presence of primary cilia, which is dependent on the proteolytic activity of cysteine cathepsins B and L.
As the size of software program code bases in software development projects increases, insight into and comprehension of their underlying dependency structures presents a challenge for programmers. The increasing availability of virtual reality (VR) systems brings VR-based visualization of program code structures into practical reach for software developers and could support program comprehension and insight. However, the complete visual immersion with VR presents a cognitive burden and potential distractions. Applying gamification to such a VR visualization capability has hitherto been insufficiently investigated as to its potential motivation and program comprehension factors. This paper describes and evaluates a VR digital gamification approach for program code called VR Gamified Immersion in Software structures (VR-GaImS), which applies digital gamification to a multi-metaphor VR visualization of software program structures. The results of a preliminary empirical investigation utilizing our prototype indicate its potential to increase enjoyment and motivation, focus attention, and encourage the exploration of software structures.
A ferromagnetic barrier thinner than the coherence length in high-temperature superconductors is realized in the multilayers of YBa2Cu3O7-δ and La0.67Ca0.33MnO3. We used epitaxial growth of YBCO on ⟨110⟩ SrTiO3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition to prepare thin superconducting films with copper oxide planes oriented at an angle to the substrate surface. Subsequent deposition of LCMO and finally a second YBCO layer produces a superconductor/ferromagnet/superconductor trilayer containing an ultrathin ferromagnetic barrier with sophisticated geometry at which the long axis of coherence length ovoid of YBCO is pointing across the LCMO ferromagnetic layer. A detailed characterization of this structure is achieved using high-resolution electron microscopy.
Strategic IT management
(2019)
Capillary electrophoresis (CE) offers fast and high-resolution separation of charged analytes from small injection volumes. Coupled to mass spectrometry (MS), it represents a powerful analytical technique providing (exact) mass information and enables molecular characterization based on fragmentation. Although hyphenation of CE and MS is not straightforward, much emphasis has been placed on enabling efficient ionization and user-friendly coupling. Though several interfaces are now commercially available, research on more efficient and robust interfacing with nano-electrospray ionization (ESI), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP) continues with considerable results. At the same time, CE-MS has been used in many fields, predominantly for the analysis of proteins, peptides and metabolites. This review belongs to a series of regularly published articles, summarizing 248 articles covering the time between June 2016 and May 2018. Latest developments on hyphenation of CE with MS as well as instrumental developments such as two-dimensional separation systems with MS detection are mentioned. Furthermore, applications of various CE-modes including capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE), capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) and capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF) coupled to MS in biological, pharmaceutical and environmental research are summarized.
It has been recently shown, that certain strains/isolates of Bacillus subtilis can be used as a probiotic for humans. The production of the macrocyclic sactibiotic subtilosin in B. subtilis ATCC 6633 is highly regulated. To improve the subtilosin productivity of B. subtilis, different growth conditions were compared for maximal expression of the sbo promoter that regulates the expression of the subtilosin biosynthetic gene cluster. Oxygen-limiting conditions led to a strong increase of sbo promoter activities compared to aerobic conditions, and accordingly, the subtilosin amount determined by reversed phase HPLC (7.8 mg/L) was 15-fold superior to the amount of aerobic grown cultures (0.5 mg/L). A further promising enhancement of the subtilosin yield was achieved using a deletion mutant that is avoiding the general transition state regulator protein AbrB. The subtilosin titer of 42 mg/L produced by ΔabrB cells grown under oxygen-limiting conditions corresponds to an 84-fold increase compared to the subtilosin titer obtained from B. subtilis wild type cells propagated in aerobic conditions. Furthermore, evidence is provided that oxygen-limiting conditions led to a strong decrease in the productivity of the lantipeptide subtilin suggesting contrary regulatory mechanisms for the B. subtilis antimicrobials subtilin and subtilosin.
Online Monitoring System for Photovoltaic Systems Using Anomaly Detection with Machine Learning
(2019)
Online mass spectrometry of CE (SDS)-separated proteins by two-dimensional capillary electrophoresis
(2019)
Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) is the fundamental technique for protein separation by size. Applying this technology in capillary format, gaining high separation efficiency in a more automated way, is a key technology for size separation of proteins in the biopharmaceutical industry. However, unequivocal identification by online mass spectrometry (MS) is impossible so far, due to strong interference in the electrospray process by SDS and other components of the SDS-MW separation gel buffer. Here, a heart-cut two-dimensional electrophoretic separation system applying an electrically isolated valve with an internal loop of 20 nL is presented. The peak of interest in the CE (SDS) separation is transferred to the CZE-MS, where electrospray-interfering substances of the SDS-MW gel are separated prior to online electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. An online SDS removal strategy for decomplexing the protein-SDS complex is implemented in the second dimension, consisting of the co-injection of organic solvent and cationic surfactant. This online CE (SDS)-CZE-MS system allows MS characterization of proteoforms separated in generic CE (SDS), gaining additional separation in the CZE and detailed MS information. In general, the system can be applied to all kinds of proteins separated by CE (SDS). Here, we present results of the CE (SDS)-CZE-MS system on the analysis of several biopharmaceutically relevant antibody impurities and fragments. Additionally, the versatile application spectrum of the system is demonstrated by the analysis of extracted proteins from soybean flour. The online hyphenation of CE (SDS) resolving power and MS identification capabilities will be a powerful tool for protein and mAb characterization. Graphical abstract Two-dimensional capillary electrophoresis system hyphenated with mass spectrometry for the characterization of CE (SDS)-separated proteins. As first dimension, a generic and high MS-interfering CE (SDS) separation is performed for size separation. After heart-cut transfer of the unknown CE (SDS) protein peak, via a four-port nanoliter valve to a volatile electrolyte system as second dimension, interference-free mass spectrometric data of separated mAb fragments and soybean proteins are obtained.
The over-expression and aggregation of α-synuclein (αSyn) are linked to the onset and pathology of Parkinson's disease. Native monomeric αSyn exists in an intrinsically disordered ensemble of interconverting conformations, which has made its therapeutic targeting by small molecules highly challenging. Nonetheless, here we successfully target the monomeric structural ensemble of αSyn and thereby identify novel drug-like small molecules that impact multiple pathogenic processes. Using a surface plasmon resonance high-throughput screen, in which monomeric αSyn is incubated with microchips arrayed with tethered compounds, we identified novel αSyn interacting drug-like compounds. Because these small molecules could impact a variety of αSyn forms present in the ensemble, we tested representative hits for impact on multiple αSyn malfunctions in vitro and in cells including aggregation and perturbation of vesicular dynamics. We thereby identified a compound that inhibits αSyn misfolding and is neuroprotective, multiple compounds that restore phagocytosis impaired by αSyn overexpression, and a compound blocking cellular transmission of αSyn. Our studies demonstrate that drug-like small molecules that interact with native αSyn can impact a variety of its pathological processes. Thus, targeting the intrinsically disordered ensemble of αSyn offers a unique approach to the development of small molecule research tools and therapeutics for Parkinson's disease.
Additive manufacturing of optical elements out of polymer allow new design concepts for optics. The parts are built up layer by layer. Unlike polymer binding with glass particles with its sintering process no secondary step is necessary for polymer printing to create the final part. With more and more printers and transparent materials available, this technology becomes more and more relevant for prototyping or custom optics. Therefor a deep understanding of the optical effects in the part is desirable. Key property of optical elements is the refractive index. The materials for polymer printing are most commonly resins that cure under UV-exposure and show lower refractive indices in liquid phase than cured. Assuming a dependency of the refractive index on the grade of polymerization and therefor the UV-exposure, the layering process of additive manufacturing causes variations of the refractive index within the part. Using the Scanning Focused Refractive Index Microscopy, the distribution of the refractive index within and between the layers is analyzed. The analysis includes comparisons between raw parts after printing and parts after UV post curing. Additionally, layer free samples from a Continuous Liquid Interface Printing System are examined for the homogeneity of the refractive index distribution. The purpose of the presentation is to give a detailed insight into the optical effects occurring at the layer interfaces of elements created by additive manufacturing. Possible use cases of the refractive index distributions within the part are also discussed.