The specific heat and effective thermal conductivity of composites containing single-wall and multi-wall carbon nanotubes

We present a study of the specific heat and effective thermal conductivity in anisotropic and randomly oriented multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and randomly oriented single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) composites from 300 to 400 K. Measurements on randomly oriented MWCNTs and SWCNTs were made by depositing a thin film of CNTs within a calorimetric cell. Anisotropic measurements were made on MWCNTs grown inside the highly ordered, densely packed nanochannels of anodic aluminum oxide. The specific heat of randomly oriented MWCNTs and SWCNTs showed similar behavior to the specific heat of bulk graphite powder. However, the specific heat of aligned MWCNTs is smaller and has weaker temperature dependence than that of the bulk above room temperature. The effective thermal conductivity of randomly oriented MWCNTs and SWCNTs is similar to that of powder graphite, exhibiting a maximum value near 364 K indicating the onset of phonon-phonon scattering. The effective thermal conductivity of the anisotropic MWCNTs increased smoothly with increasing temperature and is indicative of the one-dimensional nature of the heat flow.

Specific heat and thermal conductivity measurements for anisotropic and random macroscopic composites of cobalt nanowires

We report simultaneous specific heat (c(p)) and thermal conductivity (κ) measurements for anisotropic and random macroscopic composites of cobalt nanowires (Co NWs), from 300 to 400 K. Anisotropic composites of Co NW consist of nanowires grown within the highly ordered, densely packed array of parallel nanochannels in anodized aluminum oxide. Random composites are formed by drop-casting a thin film of randomly oriented Co NWs, removed from the anodized aluminum oxide host, within a calorimetric cell. The specific heat measured with the heat flow parallel to the Co NW alignment ([Formula: see text]) and that for the random sample (c(p)(R)) deviate strongly in temperature dependence from that measured for bulk, amorphous, powder cobalt under identical experimental conditions. The thermal conductivity for random composites (κ(R)) follows a bulk-like behavior though it is greatly reduced in magnitude, exhibiting a broad maximum near 365 K indicating the onset of boundary-phonon scattering. The thermal conductivity in the anisotropic sample ([Formula: see text]) is equally reduced in magnitude but increases smoothly with increasing temperature and appears to be dominated by phonon-phonon scattering.

Association between metabolic gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to peripheral nerve damage in workers exposed ton-hexane: A preliminary study

Chronic exposure to n-hexane may result in peripheral neuropathy. 2,5-Hexanedione (2,5-HD) has been identified as a toxic metabolite of n-hexane. The CYP2E1, CYP1A1 and GST genes are involved in the formation of 2,5-hexanedione from n-hexane as well as the elimination of 2,5-HD-formed electrophile, and these genes are highly polymorphic in the general population. A nested case-control study in an industrial cohort was conducted to evaluate the associations between polymorphisms in these metabolic genes and n-hexane-induced peripheral nerve damage. The study subjects included 22 cases, who worked in a printing factory with symptoms of peripheral nerve damage, and 163 controls, who came from the same factory of cases. DNA was extracted from blood samples and genotyping was conducted for CYP2E1 Pst, CYP2E1 Dra, CYP2E1 Ins96, CYP1A1 Msp, GSTT1 null, GSTM1 null and GSTP1 105V. Unconditional logistic regression was applied to estimate the odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding age, sex, smoking and alcohol status. A significant association between Dra polymorphism and peripheral nerve damage was found. The frequency of CYP2E1 Dra homozygous mutation in the case group (18.2%) was higher than that in the control group (3.7%, p=0.015). Individuals with homozygote genotype (CC) of CYP2E1 Dra had a significantly higher risk of peripheral nerve damage compared with those with DD genotype (adjusted OR=?.58, 95% CI=1.32-23.65) after n-hexane exposure duration, sex, age, smoking and alcohol status were adjusted. No significant association was found that CYP2E1 Pst, CYP2E1 Ins96, CYP1A1 Msp, GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP gene polymorphisms associated with the susceptibility of peripheral nerve damage. These findings suggested that CYP2E1 gene might increase the susceptibility to n-hexane-induced peripheral damage.

Biocompatible surfactants for water-in-fluorocarbon emulsions

Drops of water-in-fluorocarbon emulsions have great potential for compartmentalizing both in vitro and in vivo biological systems; however, surfactants to stabilize such emulsions are scarce. Here we present a novel class of fluorosurfactants that we synthesize by coupling oligomeric perfluorinated polyethers (PFPE) with polyethyleneglycol (PEG). We demonstrate that these block copolymer surfactants stabilize water-in-fluorocarbon oil emulsions during all necessary steps of a drop-based experiment including drop formation, incubation, and reinjection into a second microfluidic device. Furthermore, we show that aqueous drops stabilized with these surfactants can be used for in vitro translation (IVT), as well as encapsulation and incubation of single cells. The compatability of this emulsion system with both biological systems and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic devices makes these surfactants ideal for a broad range of high-throughput, drop-based applications.

Clostridium perfringens toxin types from freshwater fishes in one water reservoir of Shandong Province of China, determined by PCR

Four hundred and twenty intestinal content samples (not including intestinal tissues) of freshwater fishes (60 silver carps, 100 carps, 100 crucian carps, 60 catfishes and 100 zaieuws) caught from one water reservoir were examined bacteriologically for the occurrence of C. perfringens. Isolates were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for genes encoding the four lethal toxins (alpha, beta, epsilon and iota) for classification into toxin types and for genes encoding enterotoxin and the novel beta2 toxin for further subclassification. C. perfringens could be isolated in 75 intestinal contents samples (17.9%) from freshwater fish including: 13 silver carps, 2 carps, 12 crucian carps, 40 zaieuws, and 8 catfishes. In 75 isolates, 58 strains (77.3%) were C. perfringens toxin type C (alpha and beta toxin positive), 13 strains (17.3%) were toxin type A (alpha toxin positive) and 4 strains (5.3%) were toxin type B (alpha, beta and epsilon toxin positive). In addition, the gene encoding for beta2 toxin was found in 47 strains (62.7%) of all the isolates, seven from type A, two from type B, and 38 from type C. The gene encoding for enterotoxin was not found in any isolate. These amplified toxin gene fragment were cloned and sequenced and compared with reference strains, the identity varied from 98.15% to 99.29%. This is the first report of C. perfringens alpha, beta, epsilon, beta2 toxins in freshwater fish and of beta, epsilon toxins in fish in general, and is the first discovery that the beta2 toxin could be detected in strains of type B. The origin of this bacterium and its importance to human food poisoning in freshwater fish is discussed.

Isolation and characterization of Clostridium perfringens from apparently healthy animals of the Shandong province of China

In a pilot study the presence and frequency of Clostridium (C.) perfringens was investigated among apparently healthy farm animals in the Shandong province of China. 748 faecal samples were collected from 9 pig-, 4 sheep-, 7 cattle- and 5 rabbit farms. C. perfringens was isolated from 124 samples (16.6%). The isolates were classified into major toxin types by using PCR analysis detecting the genes encoding these toxins. All isolates were identified as C perfringens toxin type A. There are also some reports from different regions in China linking C. perfringens toxin type A strains to gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore further investigations about the epidemiologic role of C perfringens toxin type A strains in the Shandong region are necessary. Currently, cases of enterotoxemia from this region are investigated for the presence of C perfringens.

The immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene 3′ enhancers deregulate bcl-2 promoter usage in t(14;18) lymphoma cells

In t(14;18) lymphomas, bcl-2 is juxtaposed to the immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene (IgH), resulting in increased bcl-2 transcription and resistance to apoptosis. Regulatory elements of both the bcl-2 promoter and the IgH enhancers are believed to play a role in the increased expression of bcl-2 in t(14;18) lymphoma cells. In addition, transcription of the translocated bcl-2 allele is deregulated with activation of the normally minor bcl-2 P2 promoter. The mechanisms involved in the promoter shift from P1 to P2 are not known. We found that the murine IgH 3' enhancers increased bcl-2 P2 promoter activity in an episomal model of the translocation, and IgH enhancer region HS12 had the greatest effect. Quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays revealed that localized histone H3 hyperacetylation of the P2 promoter was observed on the translocated allele in t(14;18) DHL-4 cells and also on the stably transfected bcl-2 promoter-IgH enhancer episomal construct. Analysis of the HS12 enhancer region revealed that a previously identified nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) site and a previously uncharacterized downstream Cdx site, both of which are conserved in the human and murine IgH enhancers, were important for its enhancer activity and promoter activation. ChIP assays showed that C/EBPbeta bound to the HS12 Cdx site in vivo, and mutation of this site abrogated the binding of C/EBPbeta. Reduced expression of C/EBPbeta by transfection of small interfering RNA or interference with NF-kappaB activity decreased transcription from the bcl-2 promoters. These results demonstrate that the IgH 3' enhancers, particularly HS12, are important for the deregulation of bcl-2 promoter usage in t(14;18) lymphomas.

Oct transcription factors mediate t(14;18) lymphoma cell survival by directly regulating bcl-2 expression

Oct-1 and Oct-2 are members of the POU homeodomain family of transcriptional regulators and are critical for normal embryonic development. Gene-targeting studies showed that Oct-1 and Oct-2 are largely dispensable for B-cell development and immunoglobulin production, although both Oct-2 and Bob-1 are required for a proper immune response and germinal center formation. In these studies, we investigated the role of Oct factors in B-cell lymphomas. Recent investigations have shown increased expression of Oct-2 and Bob-1 in lymphomas, and we observed greatly increased levels of Oct-2 in lymphoma cells with the t(14;18) translocation. Decreased expression of Oct-1, Oct-2, or Bob-1 by RNA interference resulted in apoptosis and down-regulation of bcl-2 expression. Furthermore, Oct-2 induced bcl-2 promoter activity and mediated this effect through three regions in the bcl-2 P2 promoter. Although these regions did not contain canonical octamer motifs, we observed the direct interaction of Oct-2 with all three sites both in vitro by EMSA and in vivo by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Moreover, by mutation analysis we found that the ability of Oct-2 to activate bcl-2 required C/EBP, Cdx, and TATA-binding sites. Oct-2, therefore, acts as a cell survival factor in t(14;18) lymphoma cells by directly activating the antiapoptotic gene bcl-2.

Growth hormone receptor antagonist administration inhibits growth of human colorectal carcinoma in nude mice

Increasing evidence has accumulated in support of the hypothesis that growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) play a role in carcinogenesis. In order to test this hypothesis, female nude mice were xenografted with two different human colorectal cancer cell lines (COLO 205 and HT-29) and randomized to receive placebo or a GH receptor antagonist (GHRA) (B2036-PEG) every second day for 16 days. The tumour volume was measured in each animal throughout the study and by the end of the experiment the tumour weights were recorded. After 16 days of therapy in nude mice with the COLO 205 colorectal cancer, GHRA treatment caused a 39% reduction in tumour volume (p < 0.02) and a 44% reduction in tumour weight (p < 0.01). GHRA treatment equally reduced circulating IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels, while apoptosis was increased in the treatment group. Expression of IGF-I, IGF-II and the corresponding receptors in COLO 205 tumours was also decreased by the treatment. GHRA had no effect on the growth of the HT-29 colorectal cancer despite pronounced reduction in serum IGF-I. The present study thereby demonstrates a central role for the GH/IGF system in the pathogenesis of some colorectal cancers and suggests that specific GHR blockade may present a new concept in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Basal cell carcinomas in association with basaloid follicular hamartoma

We describe a unique case of various types of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) associated with basaloid follicular hamartoma (BFH) in a 56-year-old female patient. The lesion consisted of a dark brown and elastic soft nodule and papules within the area of a birthmark on the neck. The lesion was surgically excised. Histological examination of the nodular region revealed aggregations of neoplastic basaloid cells. We diagnosed the nodule as BCC with a racemiform or reticular pattern. In addition, a specimen taken from brownish black papules within the birthmark was found to be composed of anastomosing cords of basaloid cells accompanied by infundibular cystic structures. These features were consistent with an infundibulocystic BCC. In contrast, specimens from a hamartomatous plaque showed distinctive branching strands of basaloid cells that are suggestive of BFH. Therefore, our findings indicate that several types of BCC may develop within a BFH.

Quantitative analysis of the dendritic morphology of corticocortical projection neurons in the macaque monkey association cortex

The polymodal association areas of the primate cerebral cortex are heavily interconnected and play a crucial role in cognition. Area 46 of the prefrontal cortex in non-human primates receives direct inputs from several association areas, among them the cortical regions lining the superior temporal sulcus. We examined whether projection neurons providing such a corticocortical projection differ in their dendritic morphology from pyramidal neurons projecting locally within area 46. Specific sets of corticocortical projection neurons were identified by in vivo retrograde transport in young macaque monkeys. Full dendritic arbors of retrogradely labeled neurons were visualized in brain slices by targeted intracellular injection of Lucifer Yellow, and reconstructed three-dimensionally using computer-assisted morphometry. Total dendritic length, numbers of segments, numbers of spines, and spine density were analyzed in layer III pyramidal neurons forming long projections (from the superior temporal cortex to prefrontal area 46), as well as local projections (within area 46). Sholl analysis was also used to compare the complexity of these two groups of neurons. Our results demonstrate that long corticocortical projection neurons connecting the temporal and prefrontal cortex have longer, more complex dendritic arbors and more spines than pyramidal neurons projecting locally within area 46. The more complex dendritic arborization of such neurons is likely linked to their participation in cortical networks that require extensive convergence of multiple afferents at the cellular level.

Self-organization of supramolecular helical dendrimers into complex electronic materials

The discovery of electrically conducting organic crystals and polymers has widened the range of potential optoelectronic materials, provided these exhibit sufficiently high charge carrier mobilities and are easy to make and process. Organic single crystals have high charge carrier mobilities but are usually impractical, whereas polymers have good processability but low mobilities. Liquid crystals exhibit mobilities approaching those of single crystals and are suitable for applications, but demanding fabrication and processing methods limit their use. Here we show that the self-assembly of fluorinated tapered dendrons can drive the formation of supramolecular liquid crystals with promising optoelectronic properties from a wide range of organic materials. We find that attaching conducting organic donor or acceptor groups to the apex of the dendrons leads to supramolecular nanometre-scale columns that contain in their cores pi-stacks of donors, acceptors or donor-acceptor complexes exhibiting high charge carrier mobilities. When we use functionalized dendrons and amorphous polymers carrying compatible side groups, these co-assemble so that the polymer is incorporated in the centre of the columns through donor-acceptor interactions and exhibits enhanced charge carrier mobilities. We anticipate that this simple and versatile strategy for producing conductive pi-stacks of aromatic groups, surrounded by helical dendrons, will lead to a new class of supramolecular materials suitable for electronic and optoelectronic applications.

Transgenics in crops

With rapid world population growth and declining availability of fresh water and arable land, a new technology is urgently needed to enhance agricultural productivity. Recent discoveries in the field of crop transgenics clearly demonstrate the great potential of this technology for increasing food production and improving food quality while preserving the environment for future generations. In this review, we briefly discuss some of the recent achievements in crop improvement that have been made using gene transfer technology.

Immunohistochemical detection of interferon-gamma-producing cells in granuloma formation of sporotrichosis

Granuloma formation is a common response in the skin infection of sporotrichosis. The involvement of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the granuloma formation of sporotrichosis is less known. The aim of this study was to describe by immunohistochemistry the exact tissue distribution of IFN-gamma-positive cells and iNOS-positive cells in the granuloma of skin lesions from patients with sporotrichosis. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded skin biopsy sections from five patients were stained by immunohistochemical methods. Mixture of CD4-positive T cells and CD8-positive T cells were present in and around the granulomatous lesions. IFN-gamma-positive cells, like mononuclear lymphoid cells, were detected in the periphery of the granulomas in all samples. The pattern of IFN-gamma staining appeared to be a combination of intracellular staining in mononuclear lymphoid cells and extracellular deposition in the surrounding tissue. The majority of the epitheloid cells and multinucleated giant cells within the granuloma were identified by immunostaining for CD68. In contrast, no expression of immunoreactive iNOS was observed in those cells in all samples. These findings indicate that granulomas of sporotrichosis are coupled with Th1 response.

Poly(oxazolines)s with tapered minidendritic side groups. The simplest cylindrical models to investigate the formation of two-dimensional and three-dimensional order by direct visualization

The synthesis of 2-[3,4-bis(n-alkan-1-yloxy)phenyl]-2-oxazolines with alkan = octan, decan, dodecan, and tridecan is presented. Their living cationic ring opening polymerization produces cylindrical macromolecules that self-organize in a hexagonal columnar two-dimensional phase. The structural analysis of these polymers was carried out by a combination of techniques including differential scanning calorimetry, thermal optical polarized microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, scanning force microscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The diameter of these cylindrical macromolecules ranges from 33 to 44 A, and therefore they represent the simplest cylindrical macromolecules that can be directly visualized by AFM on a surface. Preliminary experiments have demonstrated the use of these cylindrical macromolecules as models to investigate the creation of two-dimensional and three-dimensional order via direct visualization and thus they represent the simplest nonbiological systems that mimic the role played by the complexes of nucleic acids with proteins in structural analysis by direct visualization.

Drosophila Lame duck, a novel member of the Gli superfamily, acts as a key regulator of myogenesis by controlling fusion-competent myoblast development

A hallmark of mature skeletal muscles is the presence of multinucleate muscle fibers. In Drosophila, the formation of muscle syncytia requires the cooperative participation of two types of myoblasts, founder cells and fusion-competent myoblasts. We show that a newly identified gene, lame duck (lmd), has an essential regulatory role in the specification and function of fusion-competent myoblasts. Embryos that lack lmd function show a loss of expression of two key differentiation and fusion genes, Mef2 and sticks-and-stones, in fusion-competent myoblasts and are completely devoid of multinucleate muscle fibers. By contrast, founder cells are specified and retain their capability to differentiate into mononucleate muscle cells. lmd encodes a novel member of the Gli superfamily of transcription factors and is expressed in fusion-competent myoblasts and their precursors in a Wingless- and Notch-dependent manner. The activity of the Lmd protein appears to be additionally controlled by its differential cytoplasmic versus nuclear localization. Results from an independent molecular screen for binding factors to a myoblast-specific Mef2 enhancer further demonstrate that Lmd is a direct transcriptional regulator of Mef2 in fusion-competent myoblasts.

Anti-thrombosis effect of paeoniflorin: evaluated in a photochemical reaction thrombosis model in vivo

In a photochemical reaction microvessel thrombosis model, the anti-thrombotic effect of PT was evaluated and the results showed that PF could significantly prolong thromobosis time. The anti-thrombotic effect of PF may relate to the inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism, the increase of t-PA activity, and the protective effect against free radical.