Injury results in release of cytoplasmic ATP, which is sensed by monocytes/macrophages via ATP receptor P2X7. This swiftly induces inflammasome activation, caspase-1-dependent cleavage and release of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-18 and HMGB1. Excessive systemic IL-1ß release is the first stage of a reaction chain causing SIRS and high patient mortality.

IL-1ß is involved in host defense against infections. Pathogen-induced inflammasome activation, however, typically involve ATP-independent pathways. Hence, a-1-antitrypsin, SLPI, CRP, and DPPC inhibit injury induced inflammation but do not inhibit clearance of pathogens.

Scope of application: SIRS, Major surgery, Trauma, Extracorporeal circulation (e.g. cardiopulmonary bypass, ECMO), Chronic inflammation, Lung injury

SIRS-related multi organ dysfunction (MODS) and acute lung injury (ALI) are among the leading causes of death worldwide. The proposed remedies have the potential to become affordable life-saving medicaments for numerous indications.

Precise knowledge about the thermo-dynamical processes is crucial in combustion engineering and process engineering. With this new method it is possible to calculate the caloric quantities of state accurately, resulting in precise knowledge of process efficiency. A better assessment of the efficiency of combustion processes, resulting in a better prediction of the performance of turbines or engines.

“To get to this point in time, we had to overcome a number of engineering challenges,” said Brent Robertson, the deputy project manager of the Magnetospheric…

A year before Albert Einstein came up with the special theory of relativity, or E=mc2, physicists predicted the existence of something else: cyclotron…

Astronomers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of California Observatories, and Tennessee State…

Scientists at NJIT's Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) have captured the first high-resolution images of the flaring magnetic structures known as solar flux…

“You can imagine that with large protein complexes made from many different, smaller subunits there are many ways for them to be assembled. These can end up…

The ultimate aim is to construct a multi-mission-capable space utility vehicle, while accelerating the overall development process for this critical capability…

Focal adhesions are cell junctions that act as mechanical linkages between the intracellular actin cytoskeleton of a live cell and the extracellular matrix (ECM). They have a wide functional scope. In this context Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) plays a pivotal role. FAK is often overexpressed in tumor cells and is partly responsible for the high tissue invasiveness of the infected cells. Now “small molecules” have been developed at the University of Konstanz, Germany, that interfere with the localization and thus with FAK functioning. Therefore, these molecules can be deployed in cancer treatment as well as in the prevention and treatment of restenosis via drug-eluting stents.
The novel FAK inhibitors are highly effective, cell-penetrating, easy to sterilize and can be produced through chemically defined synthesis.

“With this, you can walk through the Siemens Digitalization Forum virtually,” said Rebecca Johnson, pointing to a small cardboard case in which she had just…

In their recent publication in “Nature Nanotechnology”, NIM graduate Florian Schülein and his supervisor NIM-Professor Hubert Krenner at the chair of…

With magnetic stray flux inspections, these flaws can be quickly visualized without destroying or contaminating the material.

Nowadays, biological wastewater treatment can efficiently remove carbon sources. The challenge however lies in the purification and elimination of nitrogen sources within a compact plant design. HAWK-Scientists developed an on-side and energy-efficient biological purification system for a decentralized wastewater treatment.

Using fluorescence microscopy to observe the Volvox embryos, the researchers were able to test a mathematical model of morphogenesis – the origin and…

Scientists at the Universities of Stuttgart and Constance have developed a technology which should significantly improve ingrowth of implants into the surrounding tissue and at the same time ensure long-term stability.
A new type of implant coating created of a non-water-soluble, functionalized extracellular matrix (FECM) is achieved by means of metabolic oligosaccharide engineering. The coating improves the cell-material interaction at the interface between tissue and biomaterials (e. g. titanium). Since the patient's own cells can be used to produce the FECM, no immunogenicity of the implant coating is to be feared.

The silver used by Beth Gwinn's research group at UC Santa Barbara has value far beyond its worth as a commodity, even though it's used in very small amounts.