Folate receptor-targeted quantum dot liposomes as fluorescence probes

In this study, the preparation of the novel imaging agents, folate receptor (FR)-targeted liposomes encapsulating hydrophilic CdTe quantum dots (QDs), and their use as luminescence probes for live cell imaging are reported. Hydrophilic CdTe QDs were directly synthesized in the water phase, and FR-targeted QD liposomes were prepared by hydrating the lipid thin film with CdTe suspension. Formulations were characterized by UV-visible and fluorescent measurements, liposomal particle size, and zeta potential. The targeting and imaging ability of FR-targeted liposomes were investigated against the human uterine cervix cancer cell line (HeLa). Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of QD liposomes was evaluated by HeLa cells incubated with FR-targeted QD liposomes, nontargeted QD liposomes, and free QDs. The results showed that FR-targeted QD liposomes were spherically shaped with high fluorescence yield, excellent photochemical stability, good cancer targeting, and minimal cytotoxicity. The average size of FR-targeted fluorescence liposomes was ~105 nm, and their size distribution was rather narrow. After storage at 4 degrees C for 11 months, QD liposomes maintained similar size and did not show any leakage of QDs. FR-targeted CdTe QD liposomes, which can target tumor cells via FR-mediated endocytosis, would become an attractive probe for tumor cell or tissue imaging for a long-time monitoring.

Genome-wide identification of quantitative trait loci for carcass composition and meat quality in a large-scale White Duroc x Chinese Erhualian resource population

Carcass and meat quality traits are economically important in pigs. In this study, 17 carcass composition traits and 23 meat quality traits were recorded in 1028 F(2) animals from a White Duroc x Erhualian resource population. All pigs in this experimental population were genotyped for 194 informative markers covering the entire porcine genome. Seventy-seven genome-wide significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) for carcass traits and 68 for meat quality were mapped to 34 genomic regions. These results not only confirmed many previously reported QTL but also revealed novel regions associated with the measured traits. For carcass traits, the most prominent QTL was identified for carcass length and head weight at 57 cM on SSC7, which explained up to 50% of the phenotypic variance and had a 95% confidence interval of only 3 cM. Moreover, QTL for kidney and spleen weight and lengths of cervical vertebrae were reported for the first time in pigs. For meat quality traits, two significant QTL on SSC5 and X were identified for both intramuscular fat content and marbling score in the longissimus muscle, while three significant QTL on SSC1 and SSC9 were found exclusively for IMF. Both LM and the semimembranous muscle showed common QTL for colour score on SSC4, 5, 7, 8, 13 and X and discordant QTL on other chromosomes. White Duroc alleles at a majority of QTL detected were favourable for carcass composition, while favourable QTL alleles for meat quality originated from both White Duroc and Erhualian.

Molecular characterization of PeSOS1: the putative Na(+)/H (+) antiporter of Populus euphratica

Populus euphratica is a salt-tolerant tree species growing in semi-arid saline areas. A Na(+)/H(+) antiporter gene was successfully isolated from this species through RACE cloning, and named PeSOS1. The isolated cDNA was 3665 bp long and contained a 3438 bp open reading frame that was predicted to encode a 127-kDa protein with 12 hypothetical transmembrane domains in the N-terminal part and a long hydrophilic cytoplasmic tail in the C-terminal part. The amino acid sequence of this PeSOS1 gene showed 64% identity with the previously isolated SOS1 gene from the glycophyte Arabidopsis thaliana. The level of protein expressed by PeSOS1 in the leaves of P. euphratica was significantly up-regulated in the presence of high (200 mM) concentrations of NaCl, while the mRNA level in the leaves remained relatively constant. Immunoanalysis suggested that the protein encoded by PeSOS1 is localized in the plasma membrane. Expression of PeSOS1 partially suppressed the salt sensitive phenotypes of the EP432 bacterial strain, which lacks the activity of the two Na(+)/H(+) antiporters EcNhaA and EcNhaB. These results suggest that PeSOS1 may play an essential role in the salt tolerance of P. euphratica and may be useful for improving salt tolerance in other tree species.

Mesostructured Selenides with Cubic MCM-48 Type Symmetry: Large Framework Elasticity and Uncommon Resiliency to Strong Acids

The metal mesostructured Pt/Sn/Se chalcogenides with cubic MCM-48 type pore symmetry are found to be surprisingly stable in concentrated oxidizing acids. Their metal chalcogenide framework exhibits high flexibility during reversible proton exchange as it expands and contracts in an apparent breathing-like action.

[In situ FTIR reflection spectroscopy of molecule probe studies of enhanced IR adsorbtion and response rate to potential on Pd nanoparticles confined]

Palladium nanoparticles (nm-Pd) were synthesized in the supercages of Y-zeolite via "ship-in-a-bottle". Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and Nafion were used as bonds respectively to prepare zeolite-modified electrode loading nm-Pd by mixed coat and steped coat. IR optical properties of adsorbed CO (COad) were studied by in situ electrochemical FTIR spectrum on zeolite-modified electrode surface prepared by different bond and coating method. Results display the same enhanced IR absorption of COad and different response rate to potential as well as the ability of electron transfer on PVC and Nafion film. Time-dependent vCOB shift was studied for obtaining the information of response rate to potential and electron transfer ability of PVC and Nafion coating. A larger potential lag on PVC coating electrode and a very small potential lag on Nafion coating film were found, showing that different bond and prepared method affect response rate to potential of zeolite-modified electrode. These findings are significant in understanding special optical performance and the electron transfer mechanism of zeolite-modified electrode.

[In situ FTIR studies of CO adsorption on palladium loading zeolite electrode]

Adsorption of CO on palladium loading zeolite electrode supported on Pt or GC substrate was studied by in situ MSFTIR spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that the geometry of faujasite supercages favors the formation of bridge-bonded CO species. The enhanced IR adsorption of CO adsorbed on Pd clusters located in the supercages of zeolite has been observed for the first time, which is a new phenomenon and differs from the abnormal infrared effects discovered by our group and the surface enhanced infrared absorption phenomenon reported in the literature.

[The relationship of lung function and heart function of RHD patients in different period]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship of heart function and lung function in RHD patients.

METHODS

We compared heart posterior-anterior film, lung function test results, PaO(2) and O(2) Sat of blood gas analysis before and after motion before operation, early postoperation, late postoperation, according to heart function and cardiothoracic ratio in 98 RHD patients.

RESULTS

With worsening of heart function and enlargement of cardiothoracic ratio, lung function worsened too. PaO(2) and O(2) Sat did not change apparently. The lung function of early postoperation did not improve significantly. The lung function improved gradually with better heart function and shortening of heart in later postoperation. But small air way obstruction and diffuse function and function residue volume changed slowly.

CONCLUSIONS

Heart function affects the lung function directly. They were positively correlated.

[In vitro toxicity evaluation of 12 kinds of dental materials using a modified cell culture technique]

In view of the fact that up to date the various cell toxicity tests could not come to an identical result and compare with each other. This paper, referring to the covering documents of F.D.I. and I.S.O., summing up the principles and characteristics of various cell culture techniques, establishes a modified cell toxicity test. This method, with more respects of wide observations and tangible results, is easy to grasp, well to repeat and can be reserved for checking the results, meanwhile, it can be avoided the contradiction caused by the different experiments on one kind of material. Therefore, it is very worthy of appraising the biological safety of the materials. The study of 12 kinds of dental materials expressed that the toxicity order of copper alloy was mean value of 0 (Jiao Tong University), copper alloy tridium was mean value of 3 (U.S.A.), copper alloy T was mean value of 2 (Jiao Tong University) and the others were mean value of 0-1. This paper also discussed several problems with common concerns in studying the cell toxicity of the biomaterials.