Controlling the synthetic pathways of TiO2-derived nanostructured materials

A comprehensive study of the hydrothermal synthesis of TiO2-derived nanostructured materials, including layered protonic trititanate (H2Ti3O7), metal-ion exchangeable titanate (Na(x)H(2-x)Ti3O7), TiO2(B) and anatase nanotubes and TiO2-anatase nanowires, was conducted. Nanoscaled tubular structures were found to be already present in the samples derived from prolonged hydrothermal process of bulk anatase TiO2 and could be converted to various types of nanotubes, nanowires or nanorodes by post-synthesis treatments. 0.1 M HCI acid wash and air annealing were the two key parameters to select the types of nanotubes/nanowires as the final products. XRD, Raman, TG, and XPS core level and valence band studies were carried out to elucidate our proposed synthetic pathways.

Device for Measurement of Human Tissue Properties In Vivo

We present a method for measurement of human tissue compliance in vivo using a commercial haptic interface to apply known step changes in force while recording the resulting displacements. We introduce our system, the soft-tissue compliance meter. Our motivation was to improve the compliance realism of our virtual haptic back model, but there are many potential applications for this method. We present calibration of the haptic interface, pseudostatic compliance measurement techniques, measurement of contracted muscle compliances, and several important issues affecting our results.

Establishment of a cell-based drug screening system for identifying selective down-regulators of mPGES-1

OBJECTIVE

To establish a drug screening system based on transcriptional regulation of microsomal PGE(2) synthase 1 (mPGES-1), cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and 2 (COX-2) for discovering selective down-regulators of mPGES-1.

METHODS

The upstream regulatory sequences of mPGES-1, COX-1, COX-2 were respectively cloned into pGL3B-neo vector containing luciferase gene and neomycin resistance gene (the pGL3B-neo vector had been previously constructed by cloning the neomycin resistance gene into the Sal I site of the pGL3-Basic vector). After that, the recombinant reporter gene vectors pGL3B-neo/mPGES-1, pGL3B-neo/COX-1, pGL3B-neo/COX-2 were respectively transfected into A549 cells and therefore stable cell lines, namely M 1, M 2 and M 3, were obtained. Samples were detected then by testing luciferase activity of M 1, M 2 and M 3 cells in microtiter wells to identify compounds that can selectively down-regulate mPGES-1 expression. Through luciferase activity testing, the compounds which had more than 40 % inhibition ratio on M 1 and less than 20 % inhibition ratio on M 2 and M 3 cells could be regarded as hits.

RESULTS

Using the cell-based reporter gene assay, we screened compounds for selectively down-regulation of mPGES-1 expression and several compounds were discovered.

CONCLUSION

A cell-based drug screening system was established to screen selective down-regulators of mPGES-1 expression, and compound CM188 was identified, which might become a lead compound for novel anti-arthritic drugs.

Frequency of genetic polymorphisms of COX1, GPIIIa and P2Y1 in a Chinese population and association with attenuated response to aspirin

Background: Aspirin is a frequently prescribed drug for primary and secondary prevention of myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiovascular death. However, aspirin resistance may affect up to 45% of the population. Little is known on the role of genetic factors that contribute to resistance or augmented response to aspirin in different human populations. Methods: In a large sample of nonsmoker, medication-free healthy volunteers from mainland China (n = 323; age: 22.1 ± 2.0 years) (mean ± standard deviation), we determined the frequency of polymorphisms in cyclooxygenase 1 (COX1) (A-842G and C50T), glycoprotein IIIa (GPIIIa) (PLA1/A2) and purinergic receptor P2Y (P2Y1) (C893T and A1622G) genes. These candidate genes were chosen on the basis of their impact on platelet physiology and aspirin mode of action. A four panel P2Y1 genotype-stratified sample of healthy volunteers (n = 24 in total), identified from the large study sample above, prospectively received a 100 mg daily oral dose of aspirin for 7 days. We measured changes in platelet aggregation before and after aspirin treatment. As a comparison reference group, 6 out of 24 subjects in the prospective aspirin trial had the P2Y1 CT893/AG1622 genotype that displays a low frequency (<7%) in the Chinese population. Results: COX1 A-842G, C50T and GPIIIa PLA1/A2 genetic polymorphisms were not observed in our sample from mainland China. Allele frequencies of P2Y1 893T and 1622G were 3.5 and 30.6%, respectively. The heterozygosity for the P2Y1 A1622G polymorphism observed in the present study was different to Caucasians; Chinese displayed a higher allele frequency for the 1622G allele. After aspirin treatment, the net decrease in arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation was significantly larger in the P2Y1 CT893/AG1622 genotype panel (83.4 ± 3.7%, net reduction by aspirin expressed as percentage of baseline) compared with CC893/GG1622 (68.2 ± 13.5%), CC893/AG1622 (68.9  ± 9.6%) and CC893/AA1622 (65.1 ± 9.1%) genotypic groups (p = 0.012, 0.025 and 0.004, respectively; statistical power = 77%). There was no significant difference in antiplatelet effect of aspirin among the CC893/GG1622, CC893/AG1622 and CC893/AA1622 genotypes (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The COX1 A-842G, C50T and GPIIIa PLA1/A2 polymorphisms are rare in Chinese. In contrast to previous studies in Caucasian populations, these candidate functional polymorphisms are unlikely to be significant contributors to aspirin pharmacodynamics in Chinese persons. Importantly, the presence of the P2Y1 893CC genotype appears to confer an attenuated antiplatelet effect during aspirin treatment in healthy Chinese volunteers. These data collectively underscore the importance of population-to-population variability in clinical pharmacogenetics research and provide a basis for further long-term studies of aspirin response and P2Y1 genetic variation in patients with cardiovascular risk.

Association between plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme level and radiation pneumonitis

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in pulmonary fibrosis and may be involved in the development of radiation-induced lung damage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of plasma ACE in radiation pneumonitis (RP). Patients with stage I-III lung cancer were treated with radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. ACE levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before radiotherapy (pre-RT) and when a median dose of 45 Gy (Range: 40-48 Gy) was reached (during-RT). The primary end point was > or = grade 2 RP. Statistic significances were evaluated with independent T-test and chi-square. Thirty-nine patients were enrolled in this study, among which 33.3% experienced > or = grade 2 RP. ACE levels, either pre-RT or during-RT, were significantly lower in the RP group than in the non-RP group (P=0.02 and 0.03, respectively). Nine out of the 19 patients (47.4%) with pre-RT ACE levels < or = 462 ng/mL experienced RP, versus 3 of 19 (15.8%) patients with ACE levels > 462 ng/mL (P=0.04). This study suggested that plasma ACE as a predictive factor for radiation pneumonitis deserves further study.

Effects of rhFSH dose on ovarian follicular response, oocyte recovery and embryo development in rhesus monkeys

The objective was to study the effects of dose of recombinant human follicular stimulating hormone (rhFSH) for ovarian stimulation in rhesus monkeys. Nineteen pubertal and 109 adult female rhesus monkeys were given 37.5, 18, or 9 IU of rhFSH twice-daily for 8 days (total of 600, 300, or 150 IU of rhFSH per cycle, respectively; designated Regimens 1, 2 and 3). Ovarian responses were assessed with ultrasonography, serum concentrations of E2 and FSH, and by in vitro developmental potential (following IVF) of retrieved oocytes. Regimen 1 had more monkeys with very large follicles (diameter>8 mm) than Regimen 2 (P<0.05), which impaired development potential. However, there were no differences between Regimens 1 and 2 in oocyte recovery, whereas Regimen 3 did not elicit superovulation. The developmental potential of embryos obtained from Regimen 2 was higher than that of Regimen 1, as determined by culture to the blastocyst stage in vitro (proportion of blastocysts relative to collected MII oocytes was 55.8% versus 36.8% in pubertal and 63.8% versus 44.2% in adult monkeys; P<0.05 for each), and the results of embryo transfer from Regimen 2 were acceptable. In conclusion, we inferred that the optimal rhFSH dose for ovarian stimulation in rhesus monkeys was a total of 300 IU; this dose should be efficacious for ovarian stimulation as the quality or recovered oocytes was higher and the risk of overstimulation was reduced.

[Changes of peripheral plasmacytoid dendritic cells and lymphocyte subsets in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with consensus interferon alpha]

OBJECTIVE

To study the changes of peripheral plasmacytoid dendritic cells and lymphocyte subsets in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during consensus interferon (CIFN) treatment.

METHODS

Twenty-three patients with CHB were treated with CIFN for 24 weeks and followed up for another 24 weeks. Peripheral plasmacytoid dendritic cells and lymphocyte subsets were measured throughout the treatment and follow-up periods.

RESULTS

After CIFN treatment, 43.5% of the patients had virological and biochemical responses. The percentage and absolute number of peripheral plasmacytoid dendritic cells decreased significantly (P less than 0.05), the number of CD3+ cells, CD4+ T cells, B cells and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ cells decreased also (P less than 0.05), but the number of CD8+ T cells and NK cells increased (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Consistent virological and biochemical responses can be seen in some patients with CHB virus infection after CIFN treatment, and the percentage and number of their peripheral plasmacytoid dendritic cells greatly decreased, but the number of CD8+ T cells and NK cells increased.

Establishment of a cell-based drug screening model for identifying down-regulators of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B expression

Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), an important negative regulator of insulin signaling, is thought to be an attractive therapeutic target for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. For the aim of screening PTP1B expression down-regulators, we established the drug screening cellular model based on transcriptional regulation of PTP1B. In this study, the promoter sequences of PTP1B were cloned into pGL3B-neo vector containing luciferase gene and neomycin resistance gene. The recombinant reporter gene vector pGL3B-neo /PTP1B was transfected into CV1 cells and therefore stable cell line, namely SPTP1B, was obtained. With the cell-based reporter gene assay, we detected more than one hundred compounds in microtiter wells. In the screening process, the compound CM107 which had extracted from the traditional Chinese medicinal herbs was identified to repress the activity of PTP1B promoter significantly in mode of dose-dependence.

Dissecting multiple steps of GLUT4 trafficking and identifying the sites of insulin action

Insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation is central to glucose homeostasis. Functional assays to distinguish individual steps in the GLUT4 translocation process are lacking, thus limiting progress toward elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanism. Here we have developed a robust method, which relies on dynamic tracking of single GLUT4 storage vesicles (GSVs) in real time, for dissecting and systematically analyzing the docking, priming, and fusion steps of GSVs with the cell surface in vivo. Using this method, we have shown that the preparation of GSVs for fusion competence after docking at the surface is a key step regulated by insulin, whereas the docking step is regulated by PI3K and its downstream effector, the Rab GAP AS160. These data show that Akt-dependent phosphorylation of AS160 is not the major regulated step in GLUT4 trafficking, implicating alternative Akt substrates or alternative signaling pathways downstream of GSV docking at the cell surface as the major regulatory node.

Relating landscape characteristics to non-point source pollution in mine waste-located watersheds using geospatial techniques

Landscape characteristics of a watershed are important variables that influence surface water quality. Understanding the relationship between these variables and surface water quality is critical in predicting pollution potential and developing watershed management practices to eliminate or reduce pollution risk. To understand the impacts of landscape characteristics on water quality in mine waste-located watersheds, we conducted a case study in the Tri-State Mining District which is located in the conjunction of three states (Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma). Severe heavy metal pollution exists in that area resulting from historical mining activities. We characterized land use/land cover over the last three decades by classifying historical multi-temporal Landsat imagery. Landscape metrics such as proportion, edge density and contagion were calculated based on the classified imagery. In-stream water quality data over three decades were collected, including lead, zinc, iron, cadmium, aluminum and conductivity which were used as key water quality indicators. Statistical analyses were performed to quantify the relationship between landscape metrics and surface water quality. Results showed that landscape characteristics in mine waste-located watersheds could account for as much as 77% of the variation of water quality indicators. A single landscape metric alone, such as proportion of mine waste area, could be used to predict surface water quality; but its predicting power is limited, usually accounting for less than 60% of the variance of water quality indicators.

230 GENERATION OF PUTATIVE RABBIT EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

The rabbit, as a laboratory animal model, has several advantages in the study of human physiological disorders. In this study, stable putative pluripotent rabbit embryonic stem cells (rESCs) were derived from in vivo-fertilized and in vitro-cultured blastocysts. The rabbit ICMs were obtained by 0.05% trypsin–0.008% EDTA treatment and mechanical separation; the ES-like cell colonies seen several days later. ICM-derived outgrowths which were treated with 5 mg/mL-1 dispase, followed by 0.05% trypsin–0.008% EDTA, were mechanically disaggregated into small clumps and reseeded on MEFs. The putative ES cell lines maintained expression of pluripotent cells markers and normal XY karyotype for long periods of culture (&gt;1 month). The putative rESCs expressed alkaline phosphatase, transcription factor Oct-4, stage-specific embryonic antigens (SSEA-1, SSEA-3, and SSEA-4), and tumor-related antigens (TRA-1-60 and TRA-1-81). The morphological characteristics of the putative ESCs are closer to those of human ESCs; their high speed of proliferation, however, is closer to that of mouse ESCs. Putative rabbit ESCs were induced to differentiate into many cell types including trophoblast cells, similar to primate ESCs, in vitro, and formed teratomas with derivatives of the 3 major germ layers in vivo when injected into SCID mice. Using RT-PCR measurement, but with some differences in ligands and inhibitors, and comparing with human and mouse ESCs, the putative rabbit ESCs expressed similar genes related to pluripotency (Oct-4, Nanog, SOX2, and UTF-1) and similar genes of FGF, WNT, and TGF signaling pathways related to the proliferation and self-renewal. Our further research work showed that TGF beta and FGF pathways cooperate to maintain pluripotency of rabbit ESCs similar to those of human ES cells.

351 EFFECTS OF FETAL CALF SERUM, GROWTH FACTOR, AND HORMONE SUPPLEMENTATION DURING IN VITRO MATURATION ON PARTHENOGENETIC ACTIVATION AND EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT OF FOLLICULAR RABBIT OOCYTES

Improvement of the in vitro maturation (IVM) system for rabbit oocytes could play a role in rabbit biotechnology. Our goal was to improve IVM to have an efficient source of rabbit oocytes for further studies on nuclear transfer. The effects of FCS, growth factors, and hormone supplementation on oocyte maturation, activation, and embryo development rates were evaluated. Rabbit ovaries were transferred from the slaughterhouse to the laboratory in PBS. Oocytes were collected by aspiration and subjected to IVM in 3 types of media based on TCM-199. In one group, growth factors (50 ng mL−1 of insulin-like growth factor-I and 10 ng mL−1 of epidermal growth factor) and hormones (5 IU mL−1 of hCG and 5 IU mL−1 of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin) and BSA were added to the IVM medium (IVM+); in the other groups, IVM medium was supplemented with either 10% (IVM + 10% FCS) or 20% FCS (IVM + 20% FCS). Maturation was assessed by the presence of a polar body after 16 h. Matured oocytes were activated twice by electric stimuli (3 DC pulses, 1.6 kV cm−1, 60 µs) and twice by chemical activation (incubation with 2.5 mM 6-DMAP for 30 min, second time for 2 h) and cultured in vitro in Earle's balanced salt solution complete medium at 38.5°C under 5% CO2 in air. Cleavage rates were recorded 16 h after activation and the blastocyst rates were recorded at Day 5 of in vitro culture. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. Maturation rates did not differ between the treatment groups (Table 1). There was no significant difference in cleavage rates between the IVM+ and the IVM + 10% FCS groups; however, the cleavage rate of the IVM + 20% FCS group was significantly lower compared with the others (Table 1; P &lt; 0.05). Development to the blastocyst did not differ significantly between the treatment groups (Table 1; P &lt; 0.05). The results showed that high (20%) FCS supplementation during IVM had a detrimental effect on oocyte cleavage. Hormonal and growth factor supplementation had no beneficial effects on maturation, activation rates, or blastocyst formation, and in fact were not essential for in vitro embryo production in the rabbit. Table 1.Effect of hormonal and growth factor supplementation on embryo development in rabbit oocytes The project was supported by RABIOTECH OMFB-00330/2004, EU FP6 (MEXT-CT-2003-509582, and 518240), Wellcome Trust (Grant No. 070246), and TET CH-28/04.

Electron core-hole interaction and its induced ionic structural relaxation in molecular systems under x-ray irradiation

The experiments on perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic-3,4,9,10-dianhydride and 16FCuPc on Ag(111) surfaces by the normal incidence x-ray standing wave are poorly reproduced by first-principles ground state calculations but well reproduced by considering initial- and final-state effects, which include the response of the valence electrons to screen a core hole created by x-ray photoemission and further induced ionic structural relaxation. This study shows that the initial- and final-state effects due to screening are of great importance in characterizing molecules on metal surfaces in the normal incidence x-ray standing wave experiments.

Anti-hyperlipidemic properties of CM108 (a flavone derivative) in vitro and in vivo

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and liver X receptor alpha are ligand-activated transcription factors that belong to nuclear receptors superfamily and are involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism. PPAR, especially PPAR-alpha, PPAR-gamma agonists and liver X receptor alpha agonists can regulate the expression or biosynthesis of some factors involved in the formation and function of HDL, such as apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1). It is well known that HDL plays an important role in the treatment of hyperlipidemia as the carrier of reverse cholesterol transport. In the present study, the anti-hyperlipidemic properties of CM108, a derivative of flavone, 9-Hydroxy-2-mercapto-6-phenyl-2-thioxo-1,3,5-trioxa-2lambda(5)-phospha-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-8-one, were studied. Through the transactivation assays of in vitro study, it was discovered that CM108 could activate PPAR-alpha PPAR-gamma and liver X receptor alpha at 40-150 microg/ml, which subsequently resulted in activating ABCA1 promoter and enhancing apoA-I and apoA-II production, whereas reducing apoC-III production significantly. Furthermore, after in vivo study that the hyperlipidemic rats were treated with CM108 for 4 weeks, a significant increase was found in HDL cholesterol levels (26.7%, P<0.05) and a significant decrease was also noticed in triglyceride levels (26.3%, P<0.01) at 100 mg/kg CM108 group compared with that of control animals. Meanwhile, the atherogenicity index, represented by total cholesterol/HDL ratio, was significantly reduced (P<0.01). In conclusion, CM108 can effectively elevate HDL levels and lower triglyceride levels in hyperlipidemic rats maybe by regulating a series of genes, receptors and proteins related to HDL.

Selective nontemplated adsorption of organic molecules on nanofacets and the role of bonding patterns

A key element of functionalizing nanocrystals with organic molecules is the nontemplated selective adsorption of different molecules on different facets. Here we report scanning-tunneling-microscopy images of perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic-dianhydride and 2,5-dimethyl-N,N'-dicyanoquinonediimine on silver, demonstrating selective adsorption on different facets. We also report first-principles calculations that account for the data and show that bonding, which controls selectivity, occurs via the end atoms, while the molecule's midregion arches away from the substrate. The results are also consistent with data that have been interpreted in terms of bonding via the midregion.

Gravitation-dependent, thermally-induced self-diffraction in carbon nanotube solutions

We report the observation of thermally-induced self-diffraction in carbon nanotube (CNT) solutions under the influence of the gravity. We present a theoretical model in which CNTs are assumed to obey the Boltzmman distribution law. Under the approximations of small temperature rise and a very narrow distribution of CNT masses, the model simulation is consistent with the data measured at low laser powers. An immediate application of such a gravitation-dependent characteristic is the optical measurement for molecular weights of CNTs.

Identification of substituted 4-aminopiperidines and 3-aminopyrrolidines as potent MCH-R1 antagonists for the treatment of obesity

A substituted 4-aminopiperidine was identified as showing activity in an MCH assay from an HTS effort. Subsequent structural modification of the scaffold led to the identification of a number of active MCH antagonists. 3,5-Dimethoxy-N-(1-(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)benzamide (5c) was among those with the highest binding affinity to the MCH receptor (K(i)=27nM), when variations were made at benzoyl and naphthylmethyl substitution sites from the initial HTS hit. Further optimization via piperidine ring contraction resulted in enhanced MCH activity in a 3-aminopyrrolidine series, where (R)-3,5-dimethoxy-N-(1-(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)-pyrrolidin-3-yl)benzamide (10i) was found to be an excellent MCH antagonist (K(i)=7nM).

Design and synthesis of substituted quinolines as novel and selective melanin concentrating hormone antagonists as anti-obesity agents

A novel series of substituted quinoline analogs were designed and synthesized as potent and selective melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) antagonists. These analogs show potent (nM) activity (12a-k) with a moderate selectivity. Conversely, the conformationally constrained thienopyrimidinone analogs (18a-g) showed improved activity in MCH-1R and selectivity over 5HT2C.

Developmental potential of vitrified holstein cattle embryos fertilized in vitro with sex-sorted sperm

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a feasible way to utilize sex-sorted sperm to produce offspring of a predetermined sex in the livestock industry. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of various factors on bovine IVF and to systematically improve the efficiency of IVF production using sex-sorted sperm. Both bulls and sorting contributed to the variability among differential development rates of embryos fertilized by sexed sperm. Increased sorting pressures (275.8 to 344.75 kPa) did not have a significant effect on the in vitro fertility of the sorted sperm; neither did an extended period of 9 to 14 h from semen collection to sorting. As few as 600 sorted sperm were used to fertilize an oocyte, resulting in blastocyst development of 33.2%. Postwarming of vitrified sexed IVF embryos resulted in high morphological survival (96.3%) and hatching (84.4%) rates, similar to those fertilized by nonsexed sperm (93.1 and 80.6%, respectively). A 40.9% pregnancy rate was established following the transfer of 3,627 vitrified, sexed embryos into synchronized recipients. This was not different from the rates with nonsexed IVF (41.9%, n = 481), or in vivo-produced (53.1%, n = 192) embryos. Of 458 calves born, 442 (96.5%) were female and 99.6% appeared normal. These technologies (sperm sexing-IVF-vitrification-embryo transfer) provide farmers, as well as the livestock industry, with a valuable option for herd expansion and heifer replacement programs. In summary, calves were produced using embryos fertilized by sex-sorted sperm in vitro and cryopreserved by rapid cooling vitrification.

Rational Synthesis, Self-Assembly, and Optical Properties of PbS−Au Heterogeneous Nanostructures via Preferential Deposition

High-quality, monodisperse PbS-Au(1), PbS-Au(4), and PbS-Au(n) nanostructures have been synthesized via a facile and convenient solution chemistry approach. HRTEM images of these nanostructures showed good selectivity of gold deposition on the semiconductor in several spatially correlated directions. The formation of these regular nanostructures can be explained by the difference in polarity of crystal facets that led to the selective growth of metal on the semiconductor surface. Owing to their narrow size distribution and intrinsic high-symmetry, the resulting PbS-Au(4) and PbS-Au(n) heterogeneous nanostructures could spontaneously self-assemble into ordered arrays with different symmetries. From the results of the pump-probe measurements, the presence of Au in PbS-Au(4) nanostructures has substantially altered the nonlinear optical response of PbS nanocrystals.

Strong green luminescence of Mg-doped ZnO nanowires

The ZnO nanowires doped with Mg (Mg-ZnONWs) were produced by thermally oxidizing Zn and Mg powders. TEM and XRD patterns indicated that Mg-ZnONWs were crystalline with a wurzite structure. The Mg doping was confirmed with XPS measurements. The green emission band at 500 nm in the photoluminescence spectrum of Mg-ZnONWs and peaks at 366 nm in low intensity were observable. Raman spectrum indicated that oxygen deficiency was not the dominant factor for the green emission. The green emission was further directly observed with a digital camera.

Role of lateral alkyl chains in modulation of molecular structures on metal surfaces

We use low energy electron diffraction, scanning tunneling microscopy, first-principles density-functional theory, and molecular mechanics calculations to analyze the adsorption and growth of quinacridone derivatives (QA) with alkyl chains of 4 and 16 carbon atoms on a Ag(110) substrate. Surprisingly, we find that the alkyl chains determine the orientation of the molecular overlayers. While the interaction of QA and the Ag substrate is primarily due to chemical bonding of oxygen to the silver substrate, determining the molecular orientation and preferred adsorption site, the intermolecular arrangement can be adjusted via the length of alkyl chains. We are thus able to fabricate uniform QA films with very well controlled physical properties.

[Effects of costimulatory pathway OX40/OX40L on the pathogenesis of allergic asthma in mice]

OBJECTIVE

Allergic asthma is thought to be mediated by CD4+ T lymphocytes producing the Th2-associated cytokines, which play a critical role in the development of the airway hyper-responsiveness and the eosinophilic inflammatory response. The costimulatory pathway CD28/B7 has been shown to play an important role in CD4+ T cell activation in allergic asthma. This study was conducted to evaluate the role of another costimulatory pathway OX40/OX40 ligand (L) in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma in BALB/c mice.

METHODS

An allergic asthma model in BALB/c mice was established. Thirty-six BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups with 12 in each. Mice in treatment group (group B) were treated with neutralizing anti-OX40L monoclonal antibody (mAb, 300 microg per mouse) during the sensitization period. Mice in two control groups, asthma model group (group A) and IgG antibody group (group C) were treated with normal saline (NS) and control IgG respectively instead of anti-OX40L mAb. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected from the mice of each group for counting the total number of white blood cells (including neutrophil granulocyte, lymphocyte, monocyte and eosinophil granulocyte) and the proportions of these cells. The levels of IL-4 and INF-gamma in BALF were measured by ELISA. Lungs were removed for morphological examination after HE and PAS staining, and expression of OX40 in lungs was evaluated by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTS

(1) The count of total number of white blood cells in BALF (x10(6)/ml) was lower in group B than that of group A and group C (26.6 +/- 4.6 vs. 36.8 +/- 5.2 and 34.3 +/- 6.9, respectively), the difference between the treatment group (group B) and two control groups (groups A and C) was significant; The proportions of eosinophils and lymphocytes in the BALF (%) were lower in group B than those in group A and group C (eosinophils 15.1 +/- 2.6 vs. 20.0 +/- 4.1 and 19.9 +/- 3.9, respectively; lymphocytes 7.0 +/- 0.9 vs. 8.9 +/- 1.6 and 8.6 +/- 1.8, respectively), the difference between the treatment group and two control groups was significant. (2) The IL-4 level in BALF (pg/ml) was lower in group B than that in group A and group C (672 +/- 58 vs. 809.57 +/- 106.00 and 784 +/- 58, respectively), but the INF-gamma levels in BALF (pg/ml) were higher than those in group A and group C (0.86 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.69 +/- 0.15 and 0.67 +/- 0.13 respectively), and all the differences were statistically significant. (3) The expression of OX40 in the lungs of mice in group B were at a lower level than that of group A and group C, and the morphological changes of asthma were ameliorated in the mice of the treatment group. The signs of mice in treatment group were obviously ameliorated as compared to the two control groups.

CONCLUSION

Blocking the costimulatory pathway by administering the neutralizing anti-OX40L mAb during the sensitization period of allergic asthma model could balance the Th1/Th2 responses, inhibit lung inflammation and ameliorate the signs of mice model of asthma.

Selective analysis of molecular states by functionalized scanning tunneling microscopy tips

Selective analysis of molecular states in scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) has so far been achieved in a few cases by tuning the bias range of the STM in high-resolution measurements. Correspondingly, perylene adsorbed in a close-packed monolayer on Ag(110) is imaged mainly through the pi states of the molecule. By contrast, functionalizing the STM tip with a perylene molecule leads to a mismatch between the energy levels of the STM tip and the molecule adsorbates and, instead, images only the metal states of the underlying silver surface. The observation opens a route for better energy selectivity in electron transport measurements through organic interfaces.

Synthesis of "cactus" top-decorated aligned carbon nanotubes and their third-order nonlinear optical properties

We report a new morphology of "cactus" top-decorated aligned carbon nanotubes grown by the PECVD method using pure C2H2 gas. Unlike most previous reports, no additional carrier gas is used for pretreatment. Carbon nanotubes can still grow and maintain the tubular structure underneath the "cactus" tops. It is proposed that the H atoms produced by the dissociation of C2H2 activate the catalyst nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that the top "cactus" morphology is composed of a large quantity of small nanosheets. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals the amorphous carbon nature of these "cactus" structures. The formation of these "cactus" structures is possibly due to covalent absorption and reconstruction of carbon atoms on the broken graphite layers of nanotubes produced by the strong ion bombardment under plasma. The third-order optical nonlinearities and nonlinear dynamics are also investigated. The third-order nonlinear susceptibility magnitude /chi(3)/ is found to be 2.2 x 10(-11) esu, and the relaxation process takes place in about 1.8 ps.

Generation and analysis of expressed sequence tags from NaCl-treated Glycine soja

BACKGROUND

Salinization causes negative effects on plant productivity and poses an increasingly serious threat to the sustainability of agriculture. Wild soybean (Glycine soja) can survive in highly saline conditions, therefore provides an ideal candidate plant system for salt tolerance gene mining.

RESULTS

As a first step towards the characterization of genes that contribute to combating salinity stress, we constructed a full-length cDNA library of Glycine soja (50109) leaf treated with 150 mM NaCl, using the SMART technology. Random expressed sequence tag (EST) sequencing of 2,219 clones produced 2,003 cleaned ESTs for gene expression analysis. The average read length of cleaned ESTs was 454 bp, with an average GC content of 40%. These ESTs were assembled using the PHRAP program to generate 375 contigs and 696 singlets. The resulting unigenes were categorized according to the Gene Ontology (GO) hierarchy. The potential roles of gene products associated with stress related ESTs were discussed. We compared the EST sequences of Glycine soja to that of Glycine max by using the blastn algorithm. Most expressed sequences from wild soybean exhibited similarity with soybean. All our EST data are available on the Internet (GenBank_Accn: DT082443-DT084445).

CONCLUSION

The Glycine soja ESTs will be used to mine salt tolerance gene, whose full-length cDNAs will be obtained easily from the full-length cDNA library. Comparison of Glycine soja ESTs with those of Glycine max revealed the potential to investigate the wild soybean's expression profile using the soybean's gene chip. This will provide opportunities to understand the genetic mechanisms underlying stress response of plants.

Gloss as an aspect of the measurement of appearance

The perception and measurement of gloss is just one part of the concept of appearance measurement. We describe the comparison between data derived by 20 observers who each scaled the perceived gloss of a set of 84 neutral and colored test samples and measurements of those samples made using a glossmeter and a sphere-based spectrophotometer. With a glossmeter, the relationship between the visual-scaled data and the measured gloss values could be described by a three-part linear fit or, with a higher correlation, a cubic function. For the sphere-based spectrophotometer, the difference in the luminance factor, deltaY, between specular-included and specular-excluded measurements, was found to give a better linear correlation with the observer-scaled data. The color of the samples did not appear to significantly change the perceived gloss of the surface.

199 DIFFERENTIATION OF HIGHLY ENRICHED OLIGODENDROCYTE PRECURSORS AND MATURE OLIGODENDROCYTES FROM RHESUS MONKEY EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

Generating homologous oligodendrocytes are required for studying the molecular mechanisms of oligodendrogliogenesis and for providing donor cells for transplantation therapies. Previous studies have shown that embryonic stem (ES) cells can be induced to generate neural stem cells with many kinds of culture systems; however, few or no oligodendrocytes were obtained from these culture systems. Here we present a simple method containing five steps for obtaining highly enriched oligodendrocyte precursors (75 � 6.8%) and mature oligodendrocytes (81 � 8.6%) from rhesus monkey embryonic stem (rES) cells. We expanded rES cells on a feeder layer of irradiated MESF (ear skin fibroblasts from a one-week-old rhesus monkey), formed embryoid bodies (EBs), promoted Day 9 (3 days in hanging drop and 6 days in suspension) differentiation into highly enriched (90.2 � 6.1%) neural progenitors (NPs) with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and G5 supplement [containing 5 ng/mL (bFGF) and 10 ng/mL epidermal growth factor (EGF)], purified NPs with 0.0625% trypsin in 0.04% EDTA (98% of cells were nestin-positive), amplified those progenitors in HGF and G5 media for two months, and then induced oligodendrocyte precursors differentiation in the absence of G5, but in the presence of 20 ng/mL HGF for 2 days. To obtain terminal oligodendrocytes, neurospheres cultured for 2 months were plated on laminin-coated plates for 3 weeks in the presence of HGF. The results showed that differentiated cells expressed myelin basic protein (MBP) and had typical mature oligodendrocyte morphology. Our studies also revealed that HGF significantly increased the NP proliferation speed (P < 0.05) by both decreasing cell apoptosis rate (P < 0.05) and shortening cell cycle time (P < 0.05) in the presence of G5. Additionally, HGF promoted oligodendrocyte maturation by increasing the length and number of branches and the expression of MBP. To test whether the original HGF had similar functions for oligodendrocyte specification, a series of experiments were evaluated by adding HGF or G5 to differentiation or expansion media at different differentiation stages. The results demonstrated that the ability of HGF responsiveness to initiate oligodendrocyte differentiation was regulated by G5 and by HGF alone without G5-induced rES cell differentiation into neurons. Further studies showed that the crucial time point of G5 action was from EBs to NPs; the early addition of HGF to EBs in the presence of G5 increased oligodendrocyte differentiation rate, but was not necessary, and the treatment during the first 2 days was enough to produce a similar effect; and HGF was required for terminal oligodendrocyte differentiation from NPs. Taken together, these results showed that HGF and G5 cooperatively promote rES cell differentiation into highly enriched oligodendrocyte precursors and mature oligodendrocytes.These observations set the method for obtaining highly enriched oligodendrocytes from ES cells in the nonhuman primate for clinical application and provide a platform to probe the molecular mechanisms that control oligodendrocyte differentiation.

A rapid and facile method for hydrothermal synthesis of CdTe nanocrystals under mild conditions

By using a novel procedure, a new kind of water-soluble CdTe nanocrystals (NCs) is synthesized in aqueous solutions at the temperature of 100 degrees C. In this procedure, tripeptide thiol glutathione was used as stabilizing agent, CdTe NCs with controllable photoluminescence wavelength from 500 nm to 680 nm were prepared within two hours. Compared with CdTe NCs prepared with thiohydracrylic acid as stabilizing agent, as-prepared NCs show much narrower photoluminescence FWHM, more symmetrical emission peak and higher photoluminescence quantum yield. The surface structure of as-prepared CdTe NCs is deduced, therefore, there may be some unreported circular structure on the surface. Experimental results show that as-prepared NCs have very good biological compatibility and they are nontoxic. And these CdTe NCs can conjugate with biological molecules for further biological luminescence study. The proposed hydrothermal synthesis procedure has the advantage of simplicity, inexpensiveness, time saving and mild operating conditions.

One-pot synthesis and third-order nonlinear optical properties of AgInS2 nanocrystals

Good quality colloidal nanocrystals of metastable orthorhombic phase of AgInS2 obtained by decomposing the single-precursor [(Ph3P)2AgIn(SCOPh)4] in a mixture of dodecanethiol and oleic acid at 125-200 degrees C, exhibit significant third order non-linear optical properties.

Templated Deposition of MoS2 Nanotubules Using Single Source Precursor and Studies of Their Optical Limiting Properties

We demonstrate a simple way of fabricating bulk quantities of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) porous nanotubules (NTs) by templated deposition from a single source precursor based on tetrakis(diethylaminodithiocarbomato)molybdate(IV). Bulk quantities of crystalline MoS2 NTs that consist of agglomerates of nested nanocapsules were obtained by this one-step evaporation method. We found that MoS2 NTs show good optical limiting behavior with 532-and 1064-nm nanosecond laser pulses, and the size-effect of the NTs on optical transmission was observed.

Three-photon absorption in ZnO and ZnS crystals

We report a systematic investigation of both three-photon absorption (3PA) spectra and wavelength dispersions of Kerr-type nonlinear refraction in wide-gap semiconductors. The Z-scan measurements are recorded for both ZnO and ZnS with femtosecond laser pulses. While the wavelength dispersions of the Kerr nonlinearity are in agreement with a two-band model, the wavelength dependences of the 3PA are found to be given by (3Ephoton/Eg-1)5/2(3Ephoton/Eg)-9. We also evaluate higher-order nonlinear optical effects including the fifth-order instantaneous nonlinear refraction associated with virtual three-photon transitions, and effectively seventh-order nonlinear processes induced by three-photon-excited free charge carriers. These higher-order nonlinear effects are insignificant with laser excitation irradiances up to 40 GW/cm2. Both pump-probe measurements and three-photon figures of merits demonstrate that ZnO and ZnS should be a promising candidate for optical switching applications at telecommunication wavelengths.

Synthesis, DFT calculations, linear and nonlinear optical properties of binuclear phthalocyanine gallium chloride

The axially substituted binuclear GaCl/GaCl phthalocyanine 1 with an unsymmetrical pattern of substitution has been prepared and its nonlinear optical (NLO) properties determined. The resulting binuclear complex retains approximately the same transition energies of monomeric (RO)8PcGaCl as far as the linear optical spectrum is concerned, although 1 has a double concentration of central atoms per molecule and an enlarged conjugated ligand. The lack of significant spectral shifts in passing from mononuclear to binuclear complexes has been rationalized theoretically by means of density functional theory calculations. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether binuclearity affects the optical limiting behavior of 1 with respect to monomeric (RO)8PcGaCl in the NLO regime determined by nanosecond laser pulses.

Stable, Reproducible Nanorecording on Rotaxane Thin Films

Stable, reversible conductance transitions and memory effects were observed in solid-state rotaxane-based Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) thin films. Taking advantage of the switching property, we have achieved reproducible nanometer-scale recording dots on rotaxane LB films via voltage application using a scanning tunneling microscope probe. The stable and easily controlled conductance switching makes the rotaxanes a hopeful candidate for nanorecording.

Observation of Interband Two-Photon Absorption Saturation in CdS Nanocrystals

We report the observation of interband two-photon absorption (TPA) saturation in cadmium sulfide nanocrystals (CdS NCs) under intense femtosecond laser excitation with 1.6 eV photon energy. The observation has been compared to interband TPA saturation in bulk CdS under the same experimental conditions. By using both Z-scan techniques and transient absorption measurements, the saturation intensity has been determined to be 190 GW/cm2 for CdS NCs of 4-nm diameter, which is 2 orders of magnitude greater than that for CdS bulk crystal. The results are in agreement with an inhomogeneously broadened, saturated TPA model.

Room-Temperature Hydrogen Uptake by TiO2 Nanotubes

TiO(2) nanotubes can reproducibly store up to approximately 2 wt % H(2) at room temperature and 6 MPa. However, only about 75% of this stored hydrogen can be released when the hydrogen pressure is lowered to ambient conditions, suggesting that both physisorption and chemisorption are responsible for the hydrogen uptake. FTIR spectroscopy, temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), and pressure-composition (P-C) isotherms suggest that 75% of the H(2) is physisorbed and can be reversibly released upon pressure reduction. Approximately 13% is weakly chemisorbed and can be released at 70 degrees C as H(2), and approximately 12% is bonded to oxide ions and released only at temperatures above 120 degrees C as H(2)O.

[Clinical profiles of circulating dendritic cell subsets in chronically HBV-infected patients with interferon-alpha treatment]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes of circulating dendritic cell (DC) sunsets in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with alpha-interferon and correlation thereof with therapeutic effectiveness.

METHODS

Twenty-five patients with chronic hepatitis B. 24 males and 1 females, aged 18 approximately 43, were treated with subcutaneous injection of alpha-interferon for 24 weeks and then followed up for another 24 weeks. Blood routine, liver function, renal function, and serum HBV DNA were examined before treatment, and 12, 24, and 48 weeks after beginning of treatment. Peripheral blood samples were collected to detect the DC subsets by flow cytometry.

RESULT

Those patients with complete or partial recovery of alanine transaminase (ALT) and negative seroconversion or decrease of HBV DNA with/without negative seroconversion of HBeAg and HBsAg were grouped as alpha-interferon responders, and those failing to reach the above criteria were grouped as nonresponders. The negative seroconversion rates of HBV DNA and HBeAg, and positive seroconversion rate of anti-HBe were 35%, 40%, and 10 respectively after 24 weeks' treatment and were 40%, 33.3%, and 20% respectively after 48 weeks' treatment. The numbers of myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) were 16.5 +/- 5.51 x 10(6)/L, 9.86 +/- 5.2 x 10(6)/L, 9.20 +/- 3.19 x 10(6)/L, and 10.0 +/- 3.64 x 10(6)/L respectively in the alpha-interferon responders (P = 0.045); and were 14.41 +/- 6.62 x 10(6)/L, 14.0 +/- 5.27 x 10(6)/L, 10.40 +/- 4.6 x 10(6)/L, and 12.3 +/- 5.23 x 10(6)/L respectively in the non-responders (P = 0.283) before treatment, and after 12, 1 24, and 48 weeks' treatment respectively. The numbers of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) were 5.91 +/- 2.35 x 10(6)/L, 4.25 +/- 2.00 x 10(6)/L, 3.30 +/- 1.55 x 10(6)/L, and 4.32 +/- 1.59 x 10(6)/L respectively in the alpha-interferon responders (P = 0.004); and were 5.10 +/- 1.72 x 10(6)/L, 4.06 +/- 1.67 x 10(6)/L, 3.89 +/- 1.25 x 10(6)/L, and 4.06 +/- 8.12 x 10(6)/L respectively in the non-responders before treatment, and after 12, 24, and 48 weeks' treatment respectively ((P = 0.211).

CONCLUSION

Effective on CHB, alpha-interferon induces the percentages and numbers of circulating DC subsets, especially in the-interferon responders.

Photoluminescence and optical limiting properties of silicon nanowires

Si nanowires (SiNWs) have been produced by thermal vaporization on Si(111) substrate without catalysts added. The grown SiNWs have been characterized by Raman scattering, SEM, XRD, and electron diffraction and shown to be highly crystalline with only little impurities such as amorphous Si and silicon oxides. Photoluminescence (PL) study has illustrated that the Si band-to-band gap increases from 1.1 eV for bulk Si to 1.56 eV for the as-grown SiNWs due to quantum confinement effect. A strong PL peak at 521 nm (2.37 eV) is attributed to the relaxation of the photon-induced self-trapped state in the form of surface Si-Si dimers, which may also play an important role in optical limiting of SiNWs with 532-nm nanosecond laser pulses. With the observation of optical limiting at 1064 nm, nonlinear scattering is believed to make a dominant contribution to the nonlinear response of SiNWs.

Effects of Rebixiao granules on blood uric acid in patients with repeatedly attacking acute gouty arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To observe the clinical effect of Rebixiao granule (RBXG) in treating repeatedly attacking acute gouty arthritis and through experimental study on blood uric acid to explore RBXG's therapeutic mechanism.

METHODS

Ninety repeatedly attacking acute gouty arthritis patients were divided into the treated group (n = 60) and control group (n = 30). The treated group was treated with RBXG, and the control group was treated with Futalin tablets (diclofenac sodium). The baseline treatment including good rest, low purine diet, sufficient water drinking and urine alkalization, etc. was then given to both groups. Hypoxanthine 600 mg/kg and niacin 100 mg/kg was applied to hyperuricemic mice by gastrogavage to establish the animal models.

RESULTS

The clinical effective rate of the treated group was 95.0% and that of the control 90.0%. Good therapeutic effects were won, insignificant difference (P > 0.05)was shown between the two groups. However, the cure rate of the treated group was 26.7% while that of the control group was 10.0%, with significant difference (P < 0.01) shown between them. The treated group had its blood uric acid lowered, which was significantly different (P < 0.05) from that of the control group. The animal experiment indicated that all the three groups treated with different dosages of RBXG, as well as the Ash bark and Smilax glabra rhizome groups had their blood uric acid content reduced in the hyperuricemic mice.

CONCLUSION

RBXG has a quicker initiation and better treatment effects than sole anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents on the treatment of repeatedly attacking acute gouty arthritis, showing no obvious toxic or adverse reactions and therefore good for long-term administration and likely to be a safe TCM preparation to control the symptoms and reduce the onsets of repeatedly attacking of acute gouty arthritis. The animal experiment shows that both the compound preparation and part of the single ingredients in the recipe have the function of reducing blood uric acid. However, the compound recipe has better therapeutic effects, proving to be superior to single drugs.