Characterization of Iron Catalysts Prepared by Chemical Vapor Deposition on Nonzeolitic Supports

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of FeCl3 has been used to deposit Fe3+ ions on the surface of sulfated zirconia (SZ) and silica-alumina (SA). Upon exposure to FeCl3 vapor most Brønsted acid sites and silanol groups are replaced by Fe, as evidenced by IR. With SZ the concentration of the acid sites and thus the retention of Fe increase with the sulfate loading up to approximately 45% of a monolayer, followed by an abrupt decrease at higher loadings. This indicates condensation of sulfate groups to polysulfates, which is in line with a lower number of Brønsted sites per sulfate. Release of HCl due to the reaction of Brønsted sites with FeCl3 peaks at 85 degrees C for SZ but only at 345 degrees C for SA. After replacing Cl- by OH- and calcining, the materials were tested as De-NOx catalysts and characterized by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) with H2 or CO. Mononuclear and dinuclear oxo-ions of Fe coexist with Fe oxide particles in calcined Fe/SA, resulting in a low selectivity for NOx reduction. During reduction of Fe/SA up to 800 degrees C, a significant fraction of the Fe forms a chemical compound with SA, possibly an aluminate. In Fe/SZ the Fe dramatically increases the reducibility of the sulfate groups, from 57% partial reduction to SO2 in the absence of Fe, to 90% deep reduction to S2- ions in its presence. Formation of Fe sulfide is indicated by the enhanced sulfur retention upon reduction. Fe/SZ is active for NOx reduction with isobutane. Catalysts with low Fe content that are prepared by controlled sublimation are superior to those prepared by impregnation. At 450 degrees C and GHSV = 30,000 h(-1), 65% of NOx is reduced to N2 in excess O2.

n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids decrease mucosal/epidermal reactions and enhance antitumour effect of ionising radiation with inhibition of tumour angiogenesis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) on normal tissue (lip mucosa) and tumour growth when combined with ionising radiation. The oral region (snout) of C57 black mice was irradiated with 16.5 Gy and n-3 PUFAs (100 microl) were injected intravenously for 2 weeks. After exposure to irradiation, the degree and duration of the acute reactions decreased significantly when mice were treated with n-3 PUFAs as compared to the control group. Interestingly, the range of the reactions in the n-3 PUFAs-treated group compared favourably to the group receiving amifostine (27.5 mg/kg i.v.). the effect of n-3 PUFAs was further evaluated in HEP-2 human carcinoma xenograft transplanted in nude mice. An inhibition of tumour growth was observed when mice were treated with n-3 PUFAs alone and this effect was maximal when combined with irradiation. Similar results were obtained using eicosapentaenoic acid. The effect of n-3 PUFAs was associated with inhibition of angiogenesis and tumour proliferation, and significantly decreased expression of cyclooxygenase-2. In conclusion, n-3 PUFAs administration decrease mucosal response, while moderately enhancing the antitumour effect of irradiation. The magnitude of the differential effect suggests that n-3 PUFAs need to be further investigated in the clinic.

Effect of gastrin on differentiation of rat intestinal epithelial cells in vitro

AIM: To investigate the effect of gastrin on differentiation of IEC-6 cell line in vitro.

METHODS: IEC-6 cells were incubated with gastrin. On day 7 after treatment, cell morphology was examined by light microscope, and on day 20, the cellular ultrastructures were examined by electron microscope. After exposure to gastrin for 6 hours, villin mRNA was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and on day 7, the expression of villin was examined by immunocytochemical analysis with laser confocal microscope.

RESULTS: After exposure to gastrin, IEC-6 cells showed differentiated phenotypes as villas enterocytes and contained an abundance of plasma, small nuclei with nucleoli, and were arranged regularly. There were numerous microvilli around edge of the cells, and several cells showed columnar structures. Villin mRNA expression in cytoplasm was increased in comparison with control.

CONCLUSION: Differentiated characteristics of villus enterocytes and phenotypic changes of rat intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6) are induced by gastrin, and the effects of gastrin are correlated to increased villin expression.

[The inhibitory effect of anti-streptococcus mutans immunoglobulin of yolk on glucan synthesis of Streptococcus mutans]

OBJECTIVES

To observe the inhibitory effect of anti-Streptococcus mutans Hen-egg-yolk (IgY) on glucan synthesis of Streptococcus mutans.

METHODS

Determine the glucan with anthrone method after using the different titer of IgY on S.mutans and S.sobrinus.

RESULTS

The inhibitory effect of antibody on S.mutans and S.sobrinus synthesis glucan had a similar tendency. The effect of inhibit glucan synthesis was influenced by the titer of antibody. High titer with high inhibition. Begin with the group of 1:16 titer, the group of 1:2 titer showed the highest inhibition (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The antibody can reduce synthesis of glucan from S.mutans and S.sobrinus.

Tyrphostin AG 1024 modulates radiosensitivity in human breast cancer cells

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays an important growth-promoting effect by activating the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway, inhibiting apoptotic pathways and mediating mitogenic actions. Tyrphostin AG 1024, one selective inhibitor of IGF-1R, was used to evaluate effects on proliferation, radiosensitivity, and radiation-induced cell apoptosis in a human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Exposure to Tyrphostin AG 1024 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in a time-dependent manner, and the degree of growth inhibition for IC20 plus irradiation (4 Gy) was up to 50% compared to the control. Examination of Tyrphostin AG 1024 effects on radiation response demonstrated a marked enhancement in radiosensitivity and amplification of radiation-induced apoptosis. Western blot analysis indicated that Tyrphostin AG 1024-induced apoptosis was associated with a downregulation of expression of phospho-Akt1, increased expression of Bax, p53 and p21, and a decreased expression of bcl-2 expression, especially when combined with irradiation. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing that an IGF-1 inhibitor was able to markedly increase the response of tumour cells to ionizing radiation. These results suggest that Tyrphostin AG 1024 could be used as a potential therapeutic agent in combination with irradiation.

Uptake and distribution of rare earth elements in rice seeds cultured in fertilizer solution of rare earth elements

The uptake behavior of rare earth elements (REEs) under pot conditions using deionized water and a REE fertilizer solution as the culture media as well as the distribution of REEs in rice proteins were studied. The uptake of REEs in rice seeds increased dramatically after a lag period of approximately three days. Roots can accumulate a much higher content of REEs than germs and the resting seeds. The REE content in each water-soluble (albumin) and salt-soluble (globulin) component of the rice seeds accounted for 5-8% and 4-6% of the total REEs, respectively. However, there are less than 1.5% of the total REEs were found in the alcohol-soluble (prolamin) and acetic acid-soluble (glutelin) components. The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the gel permeation and the reserved-phase were used to monitor changes in the molecular weight distribution changes of the soluble proteins of rice seeds during germination after having been cultured in the same solution for seven days. No changes occurred in the prolamin, while a slight change occurred in the albumin, globulin and glutelin. Fractionation of the albumin of rice seeds cultured in a REE fertilizer solution on the Sephadex G-100 column indicated that REEs, especially Ce, La, Pr and Nd, were associated mainly with biological compounds of a molecular weight between 10,000 and 12,000.

[Using L-form bacterium ATP bioluminescence assay for rapid testing L-form bacterial susceptibility]

Adenosine triphosphate is a kind of necessary metabolites in living cells. The authors detected ATP contents by using bioluminescence method in 111 strains of L-form bacteria after exposing to 5 kinds of antibiotics. The results showed that the mean value of CPM was less than (35 +/- 10.2)%.s-1. Thus, the value could be acted as a critical concentration between susceptibility and resistance. The conincidence rate of this method and K-B method was 95.3%. It indicates that the bioluminescence method has a high sensitivity. It can be used to detect L-form bacterium-drug susceptibility quickly and may play an important role for choosing the antibiotics.

Isolation and characterization of rare earth element-binding protein in roots of maize

Rare earth element-binding protein was isolated from maize, which was grown under greenhouse conditions and characterized in terms of molecular weight, amino acid composition, and ultraviolet absorption. The molecular weight of the maize protein was determined to be 183,000, with two distinct subunits of approximately molecular weights of 22,000 and 69,000, respectively. The protein is particularly rich in asparagine/aspartic acid, glutamine/glutamic acid, glycine, alanine, and leucine and contains 8.0% of covalently bound carbohydrate. The ultraviolet absorption of the protein is low at 280 nm and no change in the adsorption was observed with a change in pH. Compared to the unique features of the metallothioneins with a molecular weight of approximately 10,000, a high cysteine content of 30%, high absorption at 254 nm and a low absorption at 280 nm, and absorption change with pH, the REE-binding protein is unlikely to be plant metallothionein in nature. It was found that an almost twofold greater concentration was found for most of the REEs in the protein isolated from the maize with REE fertilizer use than that without REE fertilizer. This study suggests that the REE-binding protein is a glycoprotein and REEs can be firmly bound with the protein of maize roots.

Freedericksz transition in an anticlinic liquid crystal

The Freedericksz geometry is used to show experimentally that a very-long-pitch, surface stabilized, anticlinic liquid crystal undergoes a two-step electric-field-induced transition to the synclinic phase. The liquid crystal remains undistorted below the threshold field E(th). For E>E(th), a Freedericksz transition occurs, wherein molecules in adjacent smectic layers undergo unequal azimuthal rotations about the layer normal, resulting in a nonzero polarization that couples to the applied field. Measurements of E(th) as a function of temperature are reported. Related quasielastic light scattering measurements demonstrate that acoustic Goldstone mode fluctuations are quenched by a dc electric field E>E(th). At high fields a transition to the synclinic phase occurs via solitary waves.

[Relationship between CYP1A1, GSTM1 genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between susceptibility of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and the genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1 and GSTM1.

METHODS

Subjects were comprised of 107 esophageal cancer patients and 111 healthy controls. Genotyping of both CYP1A1 and GSTM1 were performed in cancer tissues of all 107 patients and peripheral blood leukocytes taken from the controls by polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the frequency distribution of CYP1A1 polymorphisms between esophageal cancer patients and healthy controls although the frequency of CYP1A1 with at least one allele of Val showed slightly higher in individuals with esophageal cancer. However, significant difference was observed in the frequency of GSTM1-nulled individuals with esophageal cancer comparing with the controls (P < 0.05). When subjects were categorized by both CYP1A1 genotype and GSTM1 genotype, GSTM1 (-) became markedly expressed in patients with CYP1A1 (I/I) than in the corresponding controls (67% versus 40%, P < 0.01). The frequency of CYP1A1 genotype with at least one allele of Val (I/V and V/V) was also statistically higher in patients with GSTM1 (+), comparing to the corresponding controls (64% versus 41%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It was suggested that: genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1 and GSTM1 were susceptible to esophageal cancer; individuals who are GSTM1-null have an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer; individuals with combined CYP1A1 (I/I) and GSTM1 (-) or with combined CYP1A1 (I/V, V/V) and GSTM1 (+) were more susceptible, when comparing to those with combined CYP1A1 (I/I) and GSTM1 (+).

[Bacteriological analysis of chronic sinusitis in school-age children (36 cases report)]

OBJECTIVE

To research the bacteriological characters of chronic sinusitis in school-age children and to provide basis for clinical treatment.

METHOD

The purrent discharges taken from middle meatus of 36 patients were cultured for bacteria and the antimicrobial suscepility was determined.

RESULT

The positive rate of bacteria culture was 83.3%, the compound infection rate was 36.1%. Aerobic bacteria were present in 76.7%, anaerobic bacteria were present in 55.6%. The result of antimicrobial susceptibility test was scattered.

CONCLUSION

Infection rate of anaerobic bacteria was high in chronic sinusitis in school-age children and result of antimicrobial susceptibility was scattered. It was important to have anti-anaerobic treatment in chronic sinusitis in school-age children and to take an antimicrobial susceptibility test before medical treatment.

Freedericksz transition in an anticlinic liquid crystal

It is shown experimentally that a very-long-pitch, surface-stabilized, anticlinic liquid crystal undergoes a two-step electric-field-induced transition to the synclinic phase. The liquid crystal remains undistorted below a threshold field E(th). For E>E(th), a Freedericksz transition occurs, wherein molecules in adjacent smectic layers undergo unequal azimuthal rotations about the layer normal. At higher fields a transition to the synclinic phase occurs via solitary waves.

[Morphological changes of external eyes before and after blepharoplasty]

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the morphological changes of external eyes before and after blepharoplasty.

METHODS

A survey of 92 patients treated by blepharoplasty was carried out to compare the external eye morphology of pre-operation with that of post-operation.

RESULTS

It was found significant differences in the post-operative patients, including the increased length and height of eyelids, and obvious changes of the length and angle of the exposed eyelashes.

CONCLUSION

Blepharoplasty makes the eyelashes exposed and held up, and increases the up-to-low distance of eyelids. These changes promote the beauty of eyes.

Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia

We report a 50-year-old male patient with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia poorly responsive to conventional chemotherapy, who went on to receive high-dose melphalan as conditioning before autologous PBSC infusion. Autologous hematopoiesis was reconstituted 5 weeks after transplant. Complete remission was confirmed by blood and marrow examination. The patient remains well at 12 months, with no detectable monoclonal IgM in his serum and absence of plasmacytoid lymphocytes in his marrow. Our results suggest that, at least in this case, high-dose chemotherapy with autologous PBSC support was an effective therapeutic approach for Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia.

[Rapid bioluminescence method for pathogen detection of nephropyelitis patient]

ATP is a kind of necessary metabolites in the living cells. We detected ATP contents in 222 bacteriuria or the urine germ by bioluminescence method. The results showed that the patient had been infected when the mean value was > 130.9 +/- 11.38 and had not when the mean value was < 32.9 +/- 2.26. The results were the same with the Gram Stain, L-form bacteriuria culture and the common bacteriuria culture. The mean values of positive specimens are higher than that of the negative specimens by the bioluminescence. Thus, it is indicated that the bioluminescence method has high sensitivity. This method can be used to detect L-form bacteriuria in the urine germ quickly and is important for early diagnosis by the doctors.