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Using the effective-mass approximation and Floquet theory, we theoretically investigate the terahertz photon-assisted transport through a ZnSe/Zn1–xMnxSe heterostructure under an external magnetic field, an electric field, and a spatially homogeneous oscillatory field. The results show that both amplitude and frequency of the oscillatory field can accurately manipulate the magnitude of the spin-dependent transmission probability and the positions of the Fano-type resonance due to photon absorption and emission processes. Transmission resonances can be enhanced to optimal resonances or drastically suppressed for spin-down electrons tunneling through the heterostructure and for spin-up ones tunneling through the same structure, resonances can also be enhanced or suppressed, but the intensity is less than the spin-down ones. Furthermore, it is important to note that transmission suppression can be clearly seen from both the spin-down component and the spin-up component of the current density at low magnetic field; at the larger magnetic field, however, the spin-down component is suppressed, and the spin-up component is enhanced. These interesting properties may provide an alternative method to develop multiparameter modulation electron-polarized devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the effective-mass approximation and Floquet theory, we theoretically investigate the terahertz photon-assisted transport through a ZnSe/Zn1-xMnxSe heterostructure under an external magnetic field, an electric field, and a spatially homogeneous oscillatory field. The results show that both amplitude and frequency of the oscillatory field can accurately manipulate the magnitude of the spin-dependent transmission probability and the positions of the Fano-type resonance due to photon absorption and emission processes. Transmission resonances can be enhanced to optimal resonances or drastically suppressed for spin-down electrons tunneling through the heterostructure and for spin-up ones tunneling through the same structure, resonances can also be enhanced or suppressed, but the intensity is less than the spin-down ones. Furthermore, it is important to note that transmission suppression can be clearly seen from both the spin-down component and the spin-up component of the current density at low magnetic field; at the larger magnetic field, however, the spin-down component is suppressed, and the spin-up component is enhanced. These interesting properties may provide an alternative method to develop multiparameter modulation electron-polarized devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the transmission probability of a single electron transmission through a quantum ring device based on the single-band effective mass approximation method and transfer matrix theory. The time-dependent Schrödinger equation is applied on a Gaussian wave packet passing through the quantum ring system. The electron tunneling resonance peaks split when the electron transmits through a double quantum ring. The splitting energy increases as the distance between the two quantum rings decreases. We studied the tunneling time through the single electron transmission quantum ring from the temporal evolution of the Gaussian wave packet. The electron probability density is sensitive to the thickness of the barrier between the two quantum rings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Technically primates and dogs represent ideal models to investigate diseases characterized by abnormal intracortical remodeling. High expenses and ethical issues, however, restrict the use of those animals in research. Rodent models have been used as alternatives instead, but their value is limited, if none, because these animals lack intracortical bone remodeling. This study aimed at investigating the effect of ovariectomy onto the stimulation of intracortical remodeling in rat mandibles. Materials and Methods. Sixteen 12-week-old Spraque-Dawly (SD) female rats were randomly assigned into two groups, receiving either ovariectomy or sham operation. All the rats were sacrificed 18 weeks postoperatively. The entire mandibles were harvested for microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) and histomorphometric assessments. Results. Micro-CT examination showed significantly decreased bone mineral density (0.95 ± 0.01 versus 1.01 ± 0.02 g/cm3, p < 0.001) and bone volume (65.78 ± 5.45 versus 87.41 ± 4.12%, p < 0.001) in ovariectomy group. Histomorphometric assessment detected a sixfold increased intracortical bone remodeling as well as an increased bone modeling in mandibles of ovariectomized rats. Conclusion. For the first time, to the authors' knowledge, it was detected that ovariectomy stimulates intracortical remodeling in ratmandibles. This animal model might be of use to study various bone diseases associated with an abnormal intracortical remodeling process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the photon-assisted shot noise properties in the magnetic field tunable heterostructures. Transport properties of the model structure are strongly dependent on the oscillatory field and the magnetic field. In this structure, electrons can absorb or emit one or multi-photons to reach the quasi-bound state. As a result, the transmission properties are affected considerably by photon-assisted tunneling and these features cause the nontrivial variations in the shot noise and Fano factor. It is found that the shot noise becomes spin-dependent and can be modulated not only by the magnetic field, but also by the oscillatory field. Both the spin-up and spin-down components of the shot noise can be greatly suppressed by the magnetic field, and can also be drastically enhanced by the harmonically driven field. Furthermore, with increasing external magnetic field, it is important to note that the enhanced intensity is decreased, even suppressed. These results suggest another method to suppress the shot noise via modulating the oscillatory field at a diluted-magnetic semiconductors/semiconductor structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the title compound, [Cd(N3)2(C10H8N2)2], the cadmium(II) ion is coordinated by two N atoms from two azide groups and four N atoms from two 2,2′-bi­pyridine ligands. The coordin­ation geometry of the cadmium(II) ion is distorted octahedral. The packing is stabilized by intermolecular C—H⋯N hydrogen-bond interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioengineered bone substitutes might represent alternatives to autologous bone grafts in medically compromised patients due to reduced operation time and comorbidity. Due to the lack of an inherent vascular system their dimension is limited to the size of critical bone size defect. To overcome this shortcoming, the experiment tried to create heterotopic bone around vessels. In vivo, a two-component fibrin and thrombin gel containing recombinant bone morphogenic protein (rhBMP-2) and transglutamate vascular endothelial growth factor (TG-VEGF) in different ratios, respectively, was injected into a dimensionally stable membrane tube, wrapped around the femoral vessel bundle in twelve New Zealand white rabbits. Sacrifice occurred eight weeks postoperatively. Microcomputed tomography of the specimens showed significantly increased bone volume in the rhBMP-2 to TG-VEGF ratio of 10 to 1 group. Histology showed new bone formation in close proximity to the vessel bundle. Immunohistochemistry detected increased angiogenesis within the newly formed bone in the rhBMP-2 to TG-VEGF ratios of 3 to 1 and 5 to 1. Heterotopic bone was engineered in vivo around vessels using different rhBMP-2 and TG-VEGF ratios in a fibrin matrix injected into a dimensionally stable membrane tube which prevented direct contact with skeletal muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuraminidase, which plays a critical role in the influenza virus life cycle, is a target for new therapeutic agents. The study of structure-activity relationships revealed that the C-5 position amino group of oseltamivir was pointed to 150-cavity of the neuraminidase in group 1. This cavity is important for selectivity of inhibitors against N1 versus N2 NA. A serial of influenza neuraminidase inhibitors with the oseltamivir scaffold containing lipophilic side chains at the C-5 position have been synthesized and evaluated for their influenza neuraminidase inhibitory activity and selectivity. The results indicated that compound 13o (H5N1 IC50 = 0.1 ± 0.04 μ m, H3N2 IC50 = 0.26 ± 0.18 μ m) showed better inhibitory activity and selectivity against the group 1 neuraminidase. This study may provide a clue to design of better group 1 neuraminidase inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Down-regulation of let-7 microRNA (miRNA) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. k-Ras and c-Myc, two key oncogenes in lung cancer, have been found to be targeted by let-7 in vitro. However, the in vivo relevance of these findings is unknown. The aim of the present study is to determine the effect of let-7a, a member of let-7 family, on the growth of lung cancer in vivo and to investigate whether let-7-induced suppression of k-Ras and c-Myc is involved in lung cancer. A549-let-7a cell line and A549-control cell line, two stable transfected cell lines over-expressing let-7a and the control miRNA, were established and preserved in our lab. A549, A549-control, and A549-let-7a cells were injected subcutaneously into nude mice, respectively. After 30 days, the mice were killed; the xenografts were excised and weighed. The expression of let-7a in tumor xenografts was assessed by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). The expression of k-Ras and c-Myc in xenografts were determined by western blot and immunohistochemistry detection. Real-time RT-PCR showed the expression of let-7a was increased significantly in A549-let-7a cells-injected group, compared with A549-control cells-injected group and A549 cells-injected group ( P < 0.01). In the xenografts of A549-let-7a cells-injected group, a significant depression in tumor weight ( P < 0.05) and significant decrease of k-Ras and c-Myc protein were observed ( P < 0.01), compared to A549 cells-injected group and A549-control cells-injected group. Overexpression of let-7a can inhibit the growth of lung cancer transplanted subcutaneously in nude mice by suppression of k-Ras and c-Myc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to establish the physico-mechanical, digestibility, permeability and swelling properties of chitosan/Kollicoat SR30D films as potential coatings for colonic drug delivery. Free films containing different ratios of chitosan to Kollicoat SR30D were prepared by casting/solvent evaporation method. The resultant mixed films were characterized in terms of puncture strength and elongation (%), glass transition temperature, swellability, polymer miscibility, permeability, and digestibility under different media. The mixed films possessed good mechanical properties, which could be used as film-coating materials for drug delivery. The extent of digestion was directly proportional to the amount of chitosan present within the film. No apparent miscibility was detected between the chitosan and Kollicoat SR30D, regardless of the film composition. The films were found to be susceptible to digestion by bacterial or β-glucosidase enzymes in simulated colonic fluid (SCF). The SCF with rat cecal bacterial enzymes had a more profound hydrolytic activity than that with β-glucosidase enzyme for the digestion of chitosan within the mixed films. Overall, the results indicated that such chitosan/Kollicoat SR30D films had potential as a coating system for drug delivery to the colon. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The title compound, 1-hydroxy-2,3,4,7-tetra­methoxy-9 H-xanthen-9-one, C17H16O7, was isolated from Swertia Chirayita and is found to be planar with only two of the methoxy substituents lying out of the plane of the mol­ecule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]