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Cascade radical cyclization of N-arylacrylamides is an attractive method to prepare 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles. As the reported methods often require additives and/or photocatalysts, we herein report an additive- and photocatalyst-free deaminative strategy for their synthesis under mild conditions, enabled by photoactivation of an electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complex. DFT studies indicated that the involvement of an explicit xylene solvent molecule can greatly enhance the photoactivity of the EDA complex between N-arylacrylamides and Katritzky salts.

Gene PA4980 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa encodes a putative enoyl-coenzyme A hydratase/isomerase that is associated with the function of the biofilm dispersion-inducing signal molecule cis-2-decenoic acid. To elucidate the role of PA4980 in cis-2-decenoic acid biosynthesis, we reported the crystal structure of its protein product at 2.39 A. The structural analysis and substrate binding prediction suggest that it acts as a monofunctional enoyl-coenzyme A isomerase, implicating an alternative pathway of the cis-2-decenoic acid synthesis.

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose-induced hepatotoxicity is the most commonly cause of drug-induced liver failure characterized by oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell damage. Therapeutic efficacy of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) in several models of liver disease is well documented. However, the impacts of n-3 PUFA on APAP hepatotoxicity are not adequately addressed. In this study, the fat-1 transgenic mice that synthesize endogenous n-3 PUFA and wild type (WT) littermates were injected intraperitoneally with APAP at the dose of 400 mg/kg to induce liver injury, and euthanized at 0 h, 2 h, 4 h and 6 h post APAP injection for sampling. APAP overdose caused severe liver injury in WT mice as indicated by serum parameters, histopathological changes and hepatocyte apoptosis, which were remarkably ameliorated in fat-1 mice. These protective effects of n-3 PUFA were associated with regulation of the prolonged JNK activation via inhibition of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1)/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (MKK4) pathway. Additionally, the augment of endogenous n-3 PUFA reduced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) – mediated inflammation response induced by APAP treatment in the liver. These findings indicate that n-3 PUFA has potent protective effects against APAP-induced acute liver injury, suggesting that n-3 dietary supplement with n-3 PUFA may be a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of hepatotoxicity induced by APAP overdose.

This study explored the potential applications of three newly modified polymers [a linear polymer, a hydrophobic association of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HAHPAM), and a polymer–surfactant] as flooding agents in a specific oilfield. Rheological measurements were performed to examine the rheological performances of the three polymers under reservoir conditions. Their stability, viscoelasticity, and propagation properties were analyzed under simulated reservoir conditions. Propagation performance analyses were conducted in a sandpack model to study the propagation behavior of the three polymers in porous media. The results of the rheological study showed that the HAHPAM and polymer–surfactant exhibited high viscosity at low shear rates (deep reservoir), and all three showed acceptable viscosity with good injectivity at high shear rates (near wellbore area). In oscillatory deformation tests, the HAHPAM and polymer–surfactant showed a predominantly elastic behavior. The results of the propagation performance showed the linear polymer and polymer–surfactant could propagate well in porous media, whereas the HAHPAM showed poor propagation behavior. This finding contrasted with rheological tests in which the injectivity of HAHPAM was superior, with high viscosity at low shear rates. The results of the study provided insights either into matching the viscoelastic performance with propagation behavior in porous media, or upon analyzing the suitability of the polymers for flooding throughout a whole process under “from injectivity to propagation” considerations.

Wei Wang, Lin Zhang, Yan Xie, Tianchang Zhen, Gongzhang Su, Qi Zang Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Qianfoshan Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China Abstract: Targeted therapy is commonly used for treating advanced malignant tumors. Compared with cytotoxic drugs, targeted drugs have the characteristics of good curative results, less adverse effects, and convenient oral administration. Hence, they are especially suitable for patients with cancer who are not able to tolerate chemotherapy. Anti-angiogenic therapy can achieve the objective by inhibiting the formation of new blood vessels in tumors. Apatinib is a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting the intracellular domain of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2. It has been proven to be effective and safe in treating patients with gastric carcinoma and gastroesophageal junction carcinoma. So far, no reports are available on the treatment of esophageal cancer with apatinib. Two patients with advanced esophageal cancer were treated with oral apatinib because of their poor physical condition. After treatment, the dyspnea symptoms disappeared and quality of life significantly improved. Chest computed tomography showed massive necrosis of tumor tissues in each patient. The tumors significantly reduced and a cavity was formed locally in each patient. However, both patients died of massive hemoptysis, probably due to the rupture of the bronchial artery eroded by tumors. The results indicated that apatinib was effective in treating some patients with advanced esophageal cancer, and adverse effects were controllable. However, doctors should choose appropriate candidates according to apatinib’s indications. In addition, the use of apatinib should be carefully controlled for patients with esophageal cancer, especially in those with large vessels and trachea or bronchus eroded by tumor, so as to avoid or reduce the occurrence of fatal hemorrhage. Keywords: angiogenesis inhibitor, esophageal carcinoma, targeted drug, hemoptysis, VEGFR-2

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a clinically aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) with high treatment difficulty and high relapse rate. The bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins play significant roles in supporting the transcription of known DLBCL oncogene MYC, which provides a way for the development of targeted therapeutic agents to address this kind of malignant tumor. Here, we reported a novel benzoxazinone derivative YLT-LL-11 as potential BRD4 inhibitor and further investigated the biological activities against DLBCL. The results suggested that YLT-LL-11 inhibited cell growth against a panel of human hematopoietic malignancies cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, flow cytometry and Western blotting assays showed that YLT-LL-11 inhibited the proliferation of a DLBCL cell line OCI-LY10 via inducing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest with regulation of the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) expression. Furthermore, YLT-LL-11 facilitated OCI-LY10 cell apoptosis by up-regulation of pro-apoptotic protein BAX and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Taken together, these results revealed that BRD4 inhibitor YLT-LL-11 can down-regulate growth-associated transcription factors MYC in DLBCL thus resulted in cell growth inhibition and apoptosis.

Neuropathic pain increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases including hypertension with the characteristic of sympathetic overactivity. The enhanced tonically active glutamatergic input to the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) contributes to sympathetic overactivity and blood pressure (BP) in cardiovascular diseases. We hypothesize that neuropathic pain enhances tonically active glutamatergic inputs to the RVLM, which contributes to high level of BP and sympathetic outflow. Animal model with the trigeminal neuropathic pain was induced by the infraorbital nerve-chronic constriction injury (ION-CCI). A significant increase in BP and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) was found in rats with ION-CCI (BP, n=5, RSNA, n=7, p<0.05). The concentration of glutamate in the RVLM was significantly increased in the ION-CCI group (n=4, p<0.05). Blockade of glutamate receptors by injection of kynurenic acid into the RVLM significantly decreased BP and RSNA in the ION-CCI group (n=5, p<0.05). In two major sources (the paraventricular nucleus and periaqueductal gray) for glutamatergic inputs to the RVLM, the ION-CCI group (n=5, p<0.05) showed an increase in glutamate content and expression of glutaminase 2, vesicular glutamate transporter 2 proteins, and c-fos. Our results suggest that enhancement in tonically active glutamatergic inputs to the RVLM contributes to neuropathic pain-induced high blood pressure.

Angiotensin-1-7 [Ang-(1-7)], acting via the Mas receptor in the central nervous system, is involved in the regulation of cardiovascular activity. Nitric oxide (NO) is implicated as an important modulator in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), a key region involved in control of cardiovascular activity. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling in mediating the effect of Ang-(1-7) on NO generation in the NTS. In Sprague-Dawley rats, acute injection of Ang-(1-7) into the NTS significantly increased NO generation and neuronal/endothelial NO synthase (n/eNOS) activity, which were abolished by the selective Mas receptor antagonist d-Alanine-[Ang-(1-7)] (A-779), the PI3K inhibitor LY294002, or the Akt inhibitor triciribine (TCN). Western blotting analysis further demonstrated that Ang-(1-7) significantly increased levels of Akt/NOS phosphorylation in the NTS, and Ang-(1-7)-induced e/nNOS phosphorylation was antagonized by LY294002 or TCN. Furthermore, gene knockdown of PI3K by lentivirus containing small hairpin RNA in the NTS prevented the Ang-(1-7)-induced increases in NOS/Akt phosphorylation and NO production. The physiological (in vivo) experiments showed that pretreatment with the NOS inhibitor l-NAME, LY294002, or TCN abolished the decreases in blood pressure, heart rate, and renal sympathetic nerve activity induced by Ang-(1-7) injected into the NTS. Our findings suggest that nitric oxide release meditated by the Mas-PI3K-NOS signaling pathway is involved in the cardiovascular effects of Ang-(1-7) in the NTS.

Polyaniline modified graphene oxide (PANI/GO) composites were synthesized by dilute polymerization technique and were characterized by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and scan- ning electron microscopy (SEM). The characterization results indicated that polyaniline molecules were successfully grafted on GO surfaces. The application of PANI/GO composites to the adsorption of heavy metals from aqueous solu- tions was investigated under ambient conditions. The maximum adsorption capacities of Co(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and U(VI) ions on PANI/GO composites calculated from Langmuir models are 22.28, 25.67, 65.40 and 1552.31 mg/g, respec- tively. The excellent adsorption capacity suggests that PANI/GO composites can be applied as a promising adsorbent in heavy metal pollution cleanup in environmental pollution management.

Jolkinolides, isolated from Euphorbia fischeriana Steud, are naturally occurring tetracyclic ent-abietane diterpenes, some of which exhibit promising antitumor and other biological activity. An efficient strategy for the synthesis of jolkinolides A and B is described starting from readily available steviol in 10 and 11 steps with total yields of over 10%, respectively.

Low intensity laser irradiation (LILI) was found to promote the regeneration of skeletal musclein vivobut the cellular mechanisms are not fully understood. Myoblasts, normally quiescent and inactivated in adult skeletal muscle, are a type of myogenic progenitor cells and considered as the major candidates responsible for muscle regeneration. The aim of the present study was to study the effect of LILI on the growth potential and cell-cycle progression of the cultured myoblasts. Primary myoblasts isolated from rat hind legs were cultured in nutrient-deficient medium for 36 hours and then irradiated by helium-neon laser at a certain energy density. Immunohistochemical and flow cytometric analysis revealed that laser irradiation could increase the expression of cellular proliferation marker and the amount of cell subpopulations in the proliferative phase as compared with the nonirradiated control group. Meanwhile, the expressions of cell-cycle regulatory proteins in the laser-treated myoblasts were markedly upregulated as compared to the unirradiated cells, indicating that LILI could promote the reentry of quiescent myoblasts into the cell division cycle. These results suggest that LILI at certain fluences could promote their proliferation, thus contributing to the skeletal muscle regeneration following trauma and myopathic diseases.

Mg-based hydrogen storage material was prepared by ball milling, and then the material was used to react with CS2. The morphology and hydrogen desorption properties of the hydrogen storage material as well as the CS2hydrogenation product were analyzed. Results show that in situ hydrogenation and desulfurization of CS2happens with the MgH2in the hydrogen storage material as hydrogen donator and desulfurizer at 300 °C and ordinary pressure, and MgS, CH4and H2S are generated from the reaction. There is a coupling relationship between dehydrogenation of the hydrogen storage material and hydrogenation of CS2. The addition of nickel and molybdenum show negative effect on the sulfur fixation capability of the Mg-based hydrogen storage material though they could decrease the dehydrogenation temperature of the material.

Magnesium-based hydrogen storage materials were prepared by reactive milling of magnesium under hydrogen atmosphere with crystallitic carbon, prepared from anthracite coal, as milling aid. The XRD analysis shows that in the presence of 30 wt.% of crystallitic carbon, the Mg easily hydrided into β-MgH2of crystal grain size 29.7 nm and a small amount of γ-MgH2after 3 h of milling under 1 MPa H2. The enthalpy and entropy changes of the hydrogen desorption reaction are 42.7 kJ/mol and 80.7 J/mol K, respectively, calculated by the vant Hoff equation from thep-C-Tdata in 300-380°C.

The objective of this work is to develop a novel dialysis process for the isolation of phosvitin from hen egg yolk avoiding the use of organic solvents and polyvalent metals. This bioseparation process consists of NaCl precipitation, heat treatment and dialysis, which was proposed on the basis of the property difference (especially solubility and thermostability) among yolk proteins. The native molecular mass of the purified phosvitin estimated by fast protein liquid chromatography on a Superdex 75 column was about 165 kDa. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed two bands around 35 kDa. The nitrogen to phosphorus atomic ratio of the purified phosvitin was 2.8 ± 0.2, with a yield of 87.1%. The phosvitin product had α-helix of 36%, β-sheet of 28% and random coil of 36% at pH 7.0, consistent with the literature values. This shows that the purified phosvitin folded with a reasonable secondary structure.

In the present work, a hyperthermostable superoxide dismutase (SOD) was isolated from Thermus thermophilus HB27 using a membrane-based process after being expressed in E. coli. It was found that a two-stage ultrafiltration process using a 100 kDa MWCO regenerated cellulose (RC) membrane and a 50 kDa MWCO polyethersulfone (PES) membrane could successfully employed to isolate SOD from the crude feedstock. The effects of solution pH, ionic strength and permeate flux on the transmission of proteins were quantified using parameter scanning ultrafiltration. Under optimized conditions, the purity of SOD obtained was 96% with a sepcific activity of 1412 U/mg protein and the recovery of SOD from the feedback was close to 87%. The enzyme was highly stable at 90°C and retained 63% activity after heat treatment at 100°C for 1 h.

Two new barium indium phosphates BaIn2P4O14 and Ba3In2P4O16 were synthesized by high temperature solution growth method and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. They represent first compounds in the Ba–In–P–O systems. BaIn2P4O14 and Ba3In2P4O16 display different types of 3D architectures. The projections of both structures concern about the existence of the intersecting tunnels. In compound BaIn2P4O14, the tunnels are built up of the corner-sharing InO6 octahedra and P2O7 groups, whereas in compound Ba3In2P4O16, they are formed by corner sharing of PO4 tetrahedra and InO6 octahedra. The electronic band structure calculations of two compounds have been performed with the density functional theory method. The study of calculations and optical diffuse reflectance experimental results show both compounds are insulators with direct band-gap.

Two compounds Pb2In4P6O23 and Pb2InP3O11 in the new family of lead indium phosphates were synthesized by high temperature solution growth (HTSG) method and structurally characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction, powder diffraction and electron microscopy. Two title compounds display different types of 3D architectures with interesting tunnel structure are built up of the InO6 octahedra and PO4 tetrahedra, sharing the corners or edges, and the Pb2+ cations are sitting in the tunnel. The structure of Pb2In4P6O23 features a novel 3D open framework which can be considered as built from the layer of {In4(P2O7)(PO4)2}2− parallel to the ac plane interconnected by bridging the single PO4. The structure of Pb2InP3O11 can be described by the assemblage of [InP2O11] units with monophosphate groups. The stereochemical activity of the PbII lone pair has also been discussed. The electronic band structure calculations for the two compounds have also been performed with the density functional theory method. The study of calculations and optical diffuse reflectance absorption spectrum measurement show both compounds are indirect band-gap insulators.

The cytotoxic activities of (I) and (II) are evaluated showing that (II) has medium antiproliferative activity.

Food-borne trematodiasis is an emerging public health problem and there is a need to develop novel treatment options. We examined the in vivo efficacy of single oral doses of artesunate and artemether administered to rodents experimentally infected with either Clonorchis sinensis or Opisthorchis viverrini. Rats infected with adult C. sinensis were administered artesunate or artemether at doses of 75, 150 or 300 mg/kg. Hamsters infected with adult O. viverrini were administered artesunate or artemether at doses of 200, 400 or 600 mg/kg. Treatment efficacy was assessed according to reductions in worm burden compared with infected but untreated control animals. Worm burden reductions of 98.6-100% were found in C. sinensis-infected rats after a single dose of artesunate and artemether at 150 mg/kg. Administration of artesunate and artemether at a dose of 400mg/kg to O. viverrini-infected hamsters resulted in worm burden reductions of 77.6% and 65.5%, respectively. However, both drugs showed toxic effects when administered to O. viverrini-infected hamsters at a dose > or =400mg/kg. Our study demonstrates that artesunate and artemether possess excellent clonorchicidal activities in vivo. These findings provide a foundation for subsequent clinical trials. More laboratory investigations are warranted to investigate further the opisthorchicidal properties of the artemisinins.

The switching and threshold properties of quasi-one-dimensional charge-density-wave conductor rubidium blue bronze Rb0.3MoO3 single crystals are investigated in a comparative high and large temperature range. Beyond the limit temperature 50K of Littlewood's theory, even up to about 100K, typical sharp switching to negative or zero differential resistance is observed in E-I characteristic curves. Correspondingly, an obvious switching between two conducting states, from a lowly conducting state to a highly conducting state, is observed in the I-E characteristic curves in the same temperature range. Temperature dependence of the second threshold field E-T2 accompanied by this kind of high field switching behaviour is firstly obtained. These new observations are discussed in the mechanism of the current inhomogeneity and redistribution due to the existence of transverse energy barriers suggested by Zhang et al. [Solid State Commun. 85 (1993) 121].

To probe the kinetic performance of microsolvated α-nucleophile, the G2(+)M calculations were carried out for the gas-phase S(N)2 reactions of monohydrated and dihydrated α-oxy-nucleophiles XO(-)(H2O)(n = 1,2) (X = HO, CH3O, F, Cl, Br), and α-sulfur-nucleophile, HSS(-)(H2O)(n = 1,2), toward CH3Cl. We compared the reactivities of hydrated α-nucleophiles to those of hydrated normal nucleophiles. Our calculations show that the α-effect of monohydrated and dihydrated α-oxy-nucleophiles will become weaker than those of unhydrated ones if we apply a plot of activation barrier as a function of anion basicity. Whereas the enhanced reactivity of monohydrated and dihydrated ROO(-) (R = H, Me) could be observed if compared them with the specific normal nucleophiles, RO(-) (R = H, Me). This phenomena can not be seen in the comparisons of XO(-)(H2O)(n = 1,2) (X = F, Cl, Br) with ClC2H4O(-)(H2O)(n = 1,2), a normal nucleophile with similar gas basicity to XO(-)(H2O)(n = 1,2). These results have been carefully analyzed by natural bond orbital theory and activation strain model. Meanwhile, the relationships between activation barriers with reaction energies and the ionization energies of α-nucleophile are also discussed.

As a therapeutic modality, low power laser irradiation (LPLI) has been used clinically in the treatment of skeletal muscle injuries and other myopathic conditions, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms attributed to this therapy were still unclear. Myoblasts are a type of myogenic stem cells quiescence in mature skeletal muscle fibers and are considered as the source cells during the regenerating process. The purpose of this paper was to investigate the effects of LPLI on the proliferation and myogenic differentiation of the cultured myoblasts and to find out the major candidates responsible for LPLI-induced muscle regenerationin vivo. In this study, primary rat myoblasts were exposed to helium-neon (He-Ne) laser. Cell proliferation, differentiation, and the cellular responses to LPLI were monitored by using morphological observation and molecular biological methods. It was found that LPLI at a certain fluence could increase the cell growth potential for myoblasts and further induce more cells entering into S phase of the mitotic cycle as indicated by high levels of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation, while at the same time inhibiting theirin vitrodifferentiation and decreasing the expression of myogenic regulatory genes to a certain extent. Taken together, these results provide experimental evidence for the clinical applications of LPLI in regenerating skeletal muscle.

Side-Chain liquid crystalline polymethylsiloxane containing 4-(4′-undecylenoyloxy) benzoyl amino benzo-15-crown-5 used as stactionary phase for capillary gas chromatogrophy was synthesized. The polymer showed nematic phase. The main chromatographic characteristics, including polarity and selectivity, were examined. The results showed the side-chain liquid crystalline polymethylsiloxane containing benzo-15-crown-5 stationary phase possessed the behaviours of liquid crystal staionary phase.

In this work, La 0.95 Ca 0.05 F 2.95 solid electrolyte was prepared. The rare earth La sensor was made by using polycrystalline La 0.95 Ca 0.05 F 2.95 as solid electrolyte, pure La as reference electrode and Mo wire, Mo–ZrO 2 , as lead wires. The cell can be expressed as: Mo | La (s) or La (l) | La 0.95 Ca 0.05 F 2.95 | [La] Fe | Mo–ZrO 2 Ceramal . The activity of dissolved La in carbon saturated iron liquid solution (1300°C) with different La concentrations was determined. The results were in agreement with those of oxygen concentration cell e.m.f. determined by oxygen probe. The activity change of La with temperature in the solidification process (from 1350°C) was also determined. The result shows regularity. In the course of the rising and falling temperature, the La probe can be continuously used some times.

Eighty samples of Epimedium from 29 species and were determined in this study. The content of magnoflorine in leaves range between 0. 003% and 2. 603%. The results showed that the content of magnoflorine was quite stable within species except E. wushanense, E. acuminatum, E. hunanense. Genetic factors might be the main influencing ones. The contents of different parts and different collecting time of the medicinal materials were variable.

Two compounds Pb2In4P6O23 and Pb2InP3O11 in the new family of lead indium phosphates were synthesized by high temperature solution growth (HTSG) method and structurally characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction, powder diffraction and electron microscopy. Two title compounds display different types of 3D architectures with interesting tunnel structure are built up of the InO6 octahedra and PO4 tetrahedra, sharing the corners or edges, and the Pb2+ cations are sitting in the tunnel. The structure of Pb2In4P6O23 features a novel 3D open framework which can be considered as built from the layer of {In4(P2O7)(PO4)2}2− parallel to the ac plane interconnected by bridging the single PO4. The structure of Pb2InP3O11 can be described by the assemblage of [InP2O11] units with monophosphate groups. The stereochemical activity of the PbII lone pair has also been discussed. The electronic band structure calculations for the two compounds have also been performed with the density functional theory method. The study of calculations and optical diffuse reflectance absorption spectrum measurement show both compounds are indirect band-gap insulators.

We melted five types of Al-Zn-Cu-Mg-Zr alloys and added 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5 (wt.%) of scandium. Its influence on the microstructure of alloys and their mechanical properties is studied with the help of optical transmission and scanning electron microscopes. An insignificant amount of scandium promoted the formation of Al3 (Sc, Zr) particles. These particles efficiently clean the microstructure, decelerate and preserve recrystallization, and fix dislocations and substructures. The strength of the alloys increases for high levels of plasticity. It is shown that the optimal properties of the alloys with 0.21% Sc are attained after holding in a solution for 40 min at 475°C and aging for 24 h at 120°C. The strength of the alloys increases mainly as a result of dispersion solidification and microstructural hardening with Al3 (Sc, Zr) particles.

Aim: There is increasing evidence indicating that embryonic stem (ES) cells are capable of differentiating into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro. However, it is necessary to improve the differentiation efficiency so as to promote the clinical application. Here, we report an efficient culture system to support hepatocyte differentiation from ES cells by utilizing cholestatic serum. Methods: One week after the induction of E14 mouse ES cells into hepatocytes with sodium butyrate, cholestatic serum was added into the culture system at various concentrations and hepatocyte-like cells were induced to proliferate. The morphological and phenotypic markers of hepatocytes were characterized using light microscopy, immunocytochemistry, and RT-PCR, respectively. The function of glycogen storage of the differentiated cells was detected by Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction, and the ratio of hepatic differentiation was determined by counting the albumin and PAS-positive cells. Results: In the presence of conditional selective medium containing cholestatic serum, numerous epithelial cells resembling hepatocytes were observed. The RT-PCR analysis showed that undifferentiated ES cells did not express any hepatic-specific markers; however, in the presence of sodium butyrate and conditional selective medium containing cholestatic serum, hepatic differentiation markers were detected. Immunofluorescence staining showed that those ES-derived hepatocytes were α-fetoprotein, albumin, and cytokeratin 18 positive, with the ability of storing glycogen. Further determination of the hepatic differentiation ratio showed that the application of cholestatic serum efficiently enriched ES-derived hepatocyte-like cells by inducing lineage differentiation and enhancing lineage proliferation. Conclusion: The conditional selective medium containing cholestatic serum is optimal to selectively enrich hepatocyte-like cells from mixed differentiated ES cells, which may provide a novel method to improve the hepatic differentiation ratio of ES cells.

The ionic conduction of sintered samples of Bi 2 O 3 −Y 2 O 3 containing 20–30 mol% Y 2 O 3 has been investigated by means of ac conductivity experiments and EMF measurement of an oxygen concentration cell using the specimen tablet as electrolyte. Ac conductivity was measured at a frequency of 10 kHz under oxygen partial pressures ranging from 1 to 10 -21 atm. The results show that these materials possess high ionic conduction. The conductivities for samples containing 22.5–30 mol% Y 2 O 3 are many times higher than those of stabilized zirconia-based solid electrolyte at corresponding temperatures. The ratio of E meas. / E calc. of an oxygen concentration cell Pt∣O 2 (air)∣Bi 2 O 3 −Y 2 O 3 ∣O 2 (pure oxygen)∣Pt is close to 1 which shows that the materials containing 22.5 to 30 mol% Y 2 O 3 are nearly pure ionic conductors. The p-type conductivity is negligible at higher P O 2 values. The n-type conduction for a sample containing 27.5 mol% Y 2 O 3 was investigated using the Coulomb titration technique in which the following cell was used: Pt Rh∣O 2 (air)∣Bi 2 O 3 −Y 2 O 3 ∣[O] sn ∣W.log P e =-767000/ T +665. P e is equal to 2.6×10 -61 atm at 800°C. The n-type conductivity is also very small. Thus these materials are good oxygen ionic conductors.