Search

Smart polymers as ideal drug nanocarriers have attracted much attention due to the effective drug delivery, internalization and release once triggered by intracellular stimuli, as well as reduced cytotoxicity. We here reported the anionic micelle consisting of copolymer (PEG-b-PAsp) and a PBE (Phenylboronic Ester) group grafted, which can achieve fast response to intracellular ROS and enhanced anti-tumor activity. With this, PEG-b-PAsp-g-PBE/DOX system showed better tumor growth inhibition when studied on HeLa cell lines with high level of intracellular ROS and its subcutaneous tumor models. Additionally, the administration of PEG-b-PAsp-g-PBE/DOX did cause significantly lower systemic toxicity in comparison with free DOX. Hence, PEG-b-PAsp-g-PBE could be a highly efficient and safe nanocarrier to improve the efficacy of chemotherapeutic.

Detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), at the single-cell level, can be of great value for subsequent treatment of tumors but remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report a phage-based detection strategy for the identification of single CTC. The key assay component is the flexible recombinant M13@anti-CEA-scFv probe (M13, CEA, and scFv stand for M13 phage, carcinoembryonic antigen, and single-chain variable region fragment, respectively), which has a high, monoclonal antibody-like binding affinity for tumor cell-expressed CEA antigen, as confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell immunofluorescence experiments by confocal microscopy also demonstrate that the M13@anti-CEA-scFv could specifically bind to CEA-positive colon cancer cells such as Caco-2 and HT29, instead of CEA-negative HEK293T cells even when in great excess. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) further proves the ability to pin down single Caco-2 cell in 1 mL of spiked samples by 1,000 copies of M13@anti-CEA-scFv probe, after merely 15 min incubation. Another probe, the rigid magnetic microparticle (MMP), loaded with anti-CEA antibody, is used for the initial screening of the single CTC, which is mixed with numerous lymphocytes. The CEA on the resultant MMPs/CTC complex is subsequently recognized by numerous copies of M13@anti-CEA-scFv to form an MMP/CTC/M13@anti-CEA-scFv sandwich complex. Probing the phage DNA in this complex by qPCR leads to the unambiguous identification of the single Caco-2 cell in 1 mL of spiked blood samples. The phage-based detection strategy holds promise for the single-cell detection of any CTCs since the scFv displayed at the end of phage can be customized to the unique antigen of a specific CTC. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Ovulation is a remodeling process including blood capillary rupture and coagulation. Until now, there is no regulation and functional studies of coagulation factors in ovulation. Here, we report dramatic increases of coagulation factors (f5, f3a) in zebrafish preovulatory follicles. This upregulation was induced by progestin (DHP: 17, 20{beta}-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one), a native ligand for nuclear progestin receptor (Pgr) that is essential for ovulation in zebrafish; but was abolished in pgr-/-. In addition, promoter activities of f5 and f3a were significantly enhanced by progestin via zebrafish Pgr. Similarly, we found promoter activities of human F5 were significantly stimulated by progesterone (P4) via human PGRB. Moreover, a dramatic increase of erythrocyte numbers in capillaries on ovarian follicles was associated with ovulation. Importantly, heparin, an anticoagulant, inhibited ovulation. Furthermore, reduced fecundity and impaired ovulation were observed in f5+/- female zebrafish. Together, our results provide plausible evidence for an exceptional function of coagulation factors in ovulation. Significance StatementPrecise activation of metalloprotease is essential for ovulation. This activation is controlled by serum-derived protease inhibitors. However, the association between coagulation factors and ovulation is unclear. We demonstrated that nuclear progestin receptor (Pgr), a well-established initiator for ovulation, was a major regulator for a dramatic increase of coagulation factors (f5 & f3a) in preovulatory follicles of zebrafish. Blood coagulation in the capillaries of preovulatory follicles occurred prior to follicular rupture in wildtype zebrafish. Interestingly, this blood coagulation was blocked in Pgr knockout fish, which cant ovulate. Inhibition of blood coagulation significantly reduced ovulation. Decreased fertility was also found in F5 heterozygous zebrafish. Our findings reveal critical roles of steroid receptor-regulated coagulation factors in blood coagulation that controls ovulation.

The research and commercialization of SiC based power device have been burgeoning over the last decade worldwide, which is bringing about an increasing demand on lost-cost and low-defect SiC wafers. To meet this challenge, we have been continuously making efforts on improving the crystal growth and wafer processing techniques. Now, the mass-production of high quality 4-inch, 6-inch n-type and semi-insulating SiC wafers has been realized. Statistically, the micropipe density is lower than 0.5 cm-2. The resistivity of the wafers is lower than 0.02 Ω·cm and up to 108 Ω·cm for n-type and semi-insulating SiC single crystals, respectively. A state of the art processing technique has been developed to control wafer deformation and thickness within the desired values for subsequent epitaxy. The total defect number of the epitaxial layers grown on the "epi-ready" 4-inch SiC wafer is 63, and the usable area is 97.6%, indicating the high quality of our SiC substrates.

Background and objective The majority of experiments show that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibits osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and pre-osteoblasts by activated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling. However, the underlying mechanisms by which NF-κB signaling inhibits osteogenic differentiation are not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether EphB4 signaling inhibition mediates the effects of TNF-α-activated NF-κB signaling on osteogenic differentiation of pre-osteoblasts. Material and methods Murine MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts were treated with 10 ng/mL of TNF-α. NF-κB inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, was used to achieve NF-κB signaling inhibition. EphB4 signaling was activated using ephrinB2-fc. The mRNA expressions of runt related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), bone sialoprotein (BSP) and EphB4 were determined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The protein levels of Runx2, BSP, Col Ia1, osteopontin, EphB4, p-NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p65 were evaluated using western blot assays. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in MC3T3-E1 cells was evaluated by ALP activity kit, and mineral nodule formation was evaluated by Alizarin Red S staining. Results TNF-α inhibited EphB4 expression, while it suppressed Runx2, BSP expression from gene and protein levels as well as ALP activity and mineral nodule formation in MC3T3-E1 cells. Activation of EphB4 signaling by ephrinB2-fc promoted osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, whereas TNF-α impaired the osteogenic differentiation enhanced by ephrinB2-fc. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate blocked the activation of NF-κB signaling induced by TNF-α, while it prevented the downregulation of Runx2, BSP and EphB4, induced by TNF-α. Conclusion TNF-α inhibits osteogenic differentiation of pre-osteoblasts by downregulation of EphB4 signaling via activated NF-κB signaling pathway.

A new organogelator, L-phenylalanine dihydrazide derivative (BOC-Phe-HdHz) has been designed, synthesized and characterized. In addition, the gelling behaviors of BOC-Phe-HdHz were studied. The organogelator has been shown to be capable of forming stable thermoreversible organogels in various organic solvents at extremely low concentrations (

C-C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) is a key driver of monocyte/macrophage trafficking to sites of inflammation and has long been considered a target for intervention in autoimmune disease. However, systemic administration of CCR2 antagonists is associated with marked increases in CCL2, a CCR2 ligand, in the blood. This heretofore unexplained phenomenon complicates interpretation of in vivo responses to CCR2 antagonism. We report that CCL2 elevation after pharmacological CCR2 blockade is due to interruption in a balance between CCL2 secretion by a variety of cells and its uptake by constitutive internalization and recycling of CCR2. We observed this phenomenon in response to structurally diverse CCR2 antagonists in wild-type mice, and also found substantially higher CCL2 plasma levels in mice lacking the CCR2 gene. Our findings suggest that CCL2 is cleared from blood in a CCR2-dependent but G protein (Gαi, Gαs or Gαq/11)–independent manner. This constitutive internalization is rapid: on a given monocyte, the entire cell surface CCR2 population is turned over in

Plant WRKY genes encode a complex and ancient class of zinc-finger transcription factors that are involved in multiple biological processes, especially in regulating defense against abiotic stresses. Despite a growing number of studies on the genomic organization of the WRKY gene family in various species, little information is available about this family in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). In this study, based on the hemp genome sequence, 40 hemp WRKY (CsWRKY) genes were classified into three main groups and five subgroups according to their orthologs in Arabidopsis. Among these, 23, 15, and 14 CsWRKY genes were responsive to drought, NaCl, and Cd stress, respectively. Interestingly, the expressions of all of the 23 drought stress-responsive genes were up-regulated. Moreover, 18 CsWRKY genes were induced by abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. A total of six up-regulated genes related to all three stresses were identified. Among these, five were up-regulated, and one was down-regulated by ABA. These results indicate a diverse function of the CsWRKY genes, which provides a basis for future clarification of their function in hemp tolerance to abiotic stresses.

The power threshold for low (L) to high (H) confinement mode transition achieved by radio-frequency heating and molybdenum first wall with lithium coating has been experimentally investigated on the EAST tokamak for two sets of divertor geometries and materials: tungsten/carbon divertor and full carbon divertor. For both sets of divertors, the power threshold was found to decrease with gradual accumulation of the lithium wall coating, suggesting the important role played by the low Z impurities and/or the edge neutral density on the L–H power threshold. When operating in the upper single null configuration, with the ion grad-B drift direction away from the primary X-point, a lower normalized power threshold is observed in EAST with the tungsten/carbon divertor, compared to the carbon divertor after intensive lithium wall coating. A newly installed cryopump increasing the pumping efficiency also plays an important part in the observed lower threshold. In addition, the H-mode in the Quasi-Snowflake ...

In our present work, the asymmetric and symmetric binuclear metal phthalocyanines (M2(PcTN)2 and M2(PcTN)2S), battery catalysts, were synthesized through microwave reaction and characterized by EA, IR and UV-vis spectroscopy. Their catalytic activity in the Li/SOCl2 battery was evaluated by adding right amount catalysts into the electrolyte. The results indicated that the capacity of the catalyzed battery increased by 6.74–67.26% and 13.41–84.36%, and the energy increased by 9.29–65.72% and 14.77–88.15% respectively, compared with the battery without phthalocyanines.

Synopsis Laser-produced titanium (Ti) plasmas have been measured using temporal-spatially resolved laser-produced plasma emission spectroscopy technique. The emission peaks in the wavelength range of 7.5-15 nm were identified from the 3s-(4,5)p, 3p-4d, and 3d-4f transition lines from Ti5+ to Ti11+ ions with aid of NIST database and Cowan atomic structure calculations, as well as comparative analysis between experimental and simulated spectra based on a simplified radiation hydrodynamic model.

The aim of this research was to develop an experimental–numerical approach to characterize the effect of salt spray environment on adhesively bonded joints and predict the degradation in joint strength. Experiments were conducted on bulk adhesive specimens and single lap joints (SLJs) under salt spray condition and the corresponding experimental results were reported. The environment degradation factor, Deg, was incorporated into a bilinear cohesive zone model (CZM) to simulate the degradation process of the joints. The degraded CZM parameters, determined from static tests on bulk adhesive, were imported into the CZM using an approximate moisture concentration gradient approach. The reduction in residual strength of SLJ under salt spray environment was successfully predicted through comparing the experimental and numerical results.

The dynamics of falling droplets impact on a liquid film is numerically studied in this work. One or two two-dimensional droplets are initially placed above a liquid film and fall freely under gravity. To conduct numerical simulations, a hybrid method is adopted, in which the flow field is solved by using the lattice Boltzmann method and the interface is captured by solving the Cahn–Hilliard equation directly. At a fixed value of the thickness of liquid film (h∗) and the mean distance between the droplet and the liquid film (H∗), the effects of density ratio of droplet to ambient fluid (ρ∗), Bond number (Bo, ratio of gravity to surface tension of droplet) and droplet arrangement on the dynamic behaviors of droplet impact are systematically investigated. In the falling process, dependent to the density ratio, both the elongation and compression of droplet can be observed. After the droplet impact, the occurrence of splash is determined by the Bond number. On the other hand, in the case of two falling droplets impact, a strong center-jet or a deer-horn-like crown structure is produced for the side-by-side or tandem arrangement.

The reaction of mono- and dialdehydes with bis-borodienes (incorporating an allylboronate unit) has been studied. It was found that the initial allylboration reaction results in an allenylboronate, which has two stereogenic units: one of them has axial chirality and the other one is a stereogenic carbon center. This reaction proceeds with high diastereoselectivity. The allenylboronate formed in the allylboration reacts with an additional aldehyde with fair to high stereoselectivity depending on the aldehyde substrate. Aromatic dialdehydes react with bis-boro-butadienes creating three new stereocenters with usually high diastereoselectivity.

Aluminium and alumina were chosen to mix with nylon 46 (PA46) to prepare Al/PA46 and Al2O3/PA46 composites by twin screw extruder. Differential scanning calorimeter, X-ray diffractometer and thermogravimetric analysis were adopted to analyse the melting behaviour of the as received composites. Scanning electron microscope was used to observe the microstructure of the fractural surface of the composites. The results show that two endothermic peaks separately appear at 282 and 289°C in the Al/PA46 and Al2O3/PA46 composites when the temperature rises. The double melting behaviour of the PA46 matrix composites is analysed and discussed by combining the experimental results. It is indicated that this double melting behaviour may be associated with the different crystalline regions in the PA46 matrix formed in the extruding process.

The reduced graphene oxide (R-GO) films were first fabricated via the dip coating technique in this experiment with graphene oxide (GO) suspension followed by thermal annealing. The growth process was monitored by UV-vis, and the morphology and structure of the obtained films were investigated by AFM, SEM and XPS. The authors found that GO films can grow uniformly on the quartz slides and the thickness, morphology and microstructure of the films were influenced by the coating cycles and the solid content of GO suspension. An ideal R-GO film was obtained when the solid content of GO suspension is 0·3 mg mL−1 with five coating cycles followed by annealing at 600°C in Ar/H2 atmosphere. The sheet resistance is less than 60 kΩ□−1 and the transmittance is as high as 81% (at 550 nm). The dip coating technique might be a promising approach for fabricating R-GO films or composite films.

To obtain nanostructured calcium phosphate (CaP) and improve the adhesion of CaP coating to carbon/carbon (C/C) composites, the CaP coating was deposited on the substrate through electrodeposition under magnetic field. The effect of magnetic fields with different orientations on the morphology, phase and adhesion strength between the coating and C/C composites was investigated. The octacalcium phosphate coating was deposited on C/C composites under magnetic fields with different orientations. The morphology of the coating could be altered by superimposed magnetic field. Fishbone-like particles composed of nanofibred CaP were formed on the C/C when the magnetic field was oriented parallel to the current density. A homogeneous coating with a flower-like structure was formed when the magnetic field was applied perpendicularly to the electric field. The flower-like structure was composed of nanosized and plate-like crystals. The adhesion of the coating to the C/C substrate was improved by applying mag...

A copper-mediated trifluoromethylation of propargylic halides and trifluoroacetates was performed with high allenyl or propargyl selectivity. The reaction proceeds smoothly with aliphatic and aromatic substituents bearing either electron-withdrawing or -supplying groups. Preliminary mechanistic results indicate an ionic mechanism involving nucleophilic transfer of the CF(3) group from the Cu complex to the propargylic substrate.

The present study was designed to evaluate the possible neuroprotective effects of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR7) allosteric agonist N,N'-dibenzhydrylethane-1,2-diamine dihydrochloride (AMN082) on developmental sevoflurane neurotoxicity. To achieve the objective, hippocampal cultures (7 DIV, 7 day in vitro) were treated with different doses of L-(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP4, an agonist of group III mGluRs), (RS)-α-Methylserine-O-phosphate (MSOP, an antagonist of group III mGluRs), AMN082 or cis-2-[[(3,5-dichlorophenyl)amino]carbonyl]cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (VU0155041, an agonist of mGluR4) before exposed to sevoflurane. Cell apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end-labeling (TUNEL)-staining. For in vivo study, rat pups (7 PND, 7 postnatal day) were injected with AMN082, L-AP4 or saline before sevoflurane exposure. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax were detected by Western blot. The locomotor activity and cognitive functions were evaluated by open-field test and Morris water maze (MWM), respectively. We found that L-AP4 prevented sevoflurane-induced cell apoptosis, but MSOP promoted. Specially, application of AMN082 contributed to the relief of sevoflurane-induced apoptosis in vitro, whereas VU0155041 did not. In addition, sevoflurane treatment led to a decrease of Bcl-2 and an increase of caspase-3 and Bax, which were mitigated by AMNO82 in vivo. Moreover, we showed that sevoflurane treatment resulted in a remarkable suppression of phospho-ERK1/2, which was restored by AMN082. Application of U0126 (an inhibitor of MEK) abolished the neuroprotective effects of AMN082 on sevoflurane neurotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, sevoflurane exposure also led to an increase of phospho-JNK, but SP600125 (an inhibitor of JNK) did not attenuate sevoflurane-induced apoptosis. The total and phosphorylated p38 remained unchanged in sevoflurane-treated rat pups. Finally, AMN082 improved the learning and memory defects caused by postnatal sevoflurane exposure without alternations in emotion or locomotor activity. These preliminary data indicate that AMN082 may protect immature brain against sevoflurane neurotoxicity, and the ERK1/2 MAP kinase signaling is likely to be involved. Further studies are needed to fully assess the neuroprotective role of mGluR7 agonist AMN082 in developmental anesthetic neurotoxicity.

Feng J., Zhao N., Zhao J., Rabie A. B., Shen G. Orthopedic protraction of the maxilla may affect cranial base synchondroses indicated by increased expressions of growth factors. Orthod Craniofac Res 2012;15:62–70 © John Wiley & Sons A/S Structured Abstract Objectives – To examine the biological adaptation of cranial base synchondroses (CBS) when the maxilla was forward positioned by orthopedic force. Setting and Sample Population – The Department of Orthodontics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. 50 Sprague–Dawley rats, 4 weeks of age, were divided into experimental (n = 30) and control groups (n = 20). Material and Methods – An orthopedic appliance was fitted to the cranio-maxillary complex to advance the maxilla forward. The animals in the experimental group, together with the counterparts in the control group, were sacrificed at days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14, respectively. The whole cranial base housing both the spheno-ethmoid (SES) and spheno-occipital synchondroses (SOS) was removed for tissue processing and immunotest of Sox9, Core-binding factor α 1 (Cbfa1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), three carefully selected growth factors that are markers of chondrogenesis in different stages and its transition to endochondral ossification. Semiquantitative analysis was also conducted by using a computerizing imaging system. Results – The temporal tendency of the changes in the expressions of the three growth factors featured an increase from Day 3 and onwards for Cbfa1 and VEGF, and a following decline after Day 5 for Sox9. In both SES and SOS, the expressions of the three growth factors were significantly stronger in the experimental groups than that in groups (p

Palladium-catalyzed allylic C-H silylation was performed with use of hexamethyldisilane as the silyl source. These C-H functionalization reactions occur only in the presence of hypervalent iodine reagents or other strong oxidants and proceed with excellent regioselectivity, providing the linear allylic isomer of the allylsilane products. In demonstrating the first oxidative allylic C-H silylation of alkenes, this study marks an important advance for the catalytic C-H functionalization method.

Currently, we have little understanding of the role dissolved oxygen (O2) playing in Fenton systems. Here we conducted an experiment to investigate the role of dissolved O2 with rhodamine B (RhB) as a substrate. The removal efficiencies of RhB in the Fenton system without O2 were higher than those in the Fenton system with O2 at various COD/H2O2 ratios. The difference between the degradation efficiencies of RhB of the two systems reached the largest at a COD/H2O2 of 10. At a reaction time of 20min, COD/H2O2 ratio of 10, the removal efficiency of RhB in the Fenton system without O2 was 32.6% higher than that with O2, and the H2O2 utilisation ratios of the Fenton systems with and without O2 were 36.0% and 89.8%, respectively. The dissolved O2 in Fenton system reduced OH generation, exerting negative effect on the system. The mechanism responsible for this change is also discussed.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of an antidiabetic polysaccharide (IJP) from Inula japonica on gastrointestinal transit in normal mice and on constipation in two models of constipated mice. METHODS: Two models of constipation in mice were respectively induced by fasted water for 4 days or induced by diphenoxylate. The normal and constipated mice were administered IJP once at doses of 100 and 400 mg/kg (p.o.), the gastrointestinal vermicular motion, start time of defecation, number and weight of stool were investigated. RESULTS: After administration of IJP, the gastrointestinal propulsive rate was increased by 9.79% and 10.42%, the start time of defecation was shortened by 37.27% and 44.06%, the number of feces increased by 115.4% and 130.8% in normal mice. In fasting-water constipated mice, the start time of defecation was shortened by 9.69% and 30.52% by IJP, defecation granules raised by 22.09% and 39.53%, wet feces weights were increased by 23.50% and 39.14% compared with the untreated constipated mice. In diphenoxylate-induced mice, the start time of defecation was shortened by 25.48% and 28.13%, defecation granules raised by 100.0% and 118.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of IJP effectively improved bowel movement, stool output observed in this study. IJP may be practical in relieving constipation in the elderly diabetic population. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The heat capacities of LiNH2 and Li2MgN2H2 were measured by a modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) over the temperature range from 223 to 473 K for the first time. The value of heat capacity of LiNH2 is bigger than that of Li2MgN2H2 from 223 to 473 K. The thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy (H-H (298.15)) and entropy (S-S (298.15)) versus 298.15 K were calculated based on the above heat capacities. The thermal stabilities of them were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) at a heating rate of 10 K min(-1) with Ar gas flow rate of 30 mL min(-1) from room temperature to 1,080 K. TG curves showed that the thermal decomposition of them occurred in two stages. The order of thermal stability of them is: Li2MgN2H2 > LiNH2. The results indicate that addition of Mg increases the thermal stability of Li-N-H system and decrease the value of heat capacities of Li-N-H system.

Ternary rare-earth complexes with o-methylbenzoic acid (o-MBA) and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) Ln2(o-MBA)6(Phen)2 · nH2O(n = 0, 1) (Ln = La, Pr, Y, Yb) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, X-ray diffraction, and TG-DTG means. The complex La2(o-MBA)6(Phen)2 · H2O (I) is composed of two species of binuclear molecules in which the La3+ ion is coordinated with two nitrogen atoms of Phen and seven oxygen atoms of carboxylate groups. The carboxylate groups were bonded to La3+ in three modes: chelating-bidentate, bridging-bidentate, and chelating-bridging tridentate. The La3+ ion adopted a vigorous distorted monocapped square antiprism geometry. Complex I belongs to the triclinic crystal system, P space group, lattice parameters: a = 13.058(3), b = 12.7584(11), c = 20.773(4) A, α = 101.18(3)°, β = 93.88(3)°, γ = 115.82(3)°, V = 3283.0(11)A3, Z = 2, ρcalcd = 1.484 mg/m3, M r = 1467.06, F(000) = 1476, μ = 1.350 mm-1. The structure was refined to R l = 0.0631 and wR 2 = 0.1504. The antibacterial activity test indicates that these complexes exhibit better antibacterial ability against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus than the corresponding rare-earth chloride or o-MBA.

In this study, we examined aberrant methylation of the E-cadherin, estrogen receptor, RB1 , p16, p15, p14, and MGMT genes by the methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction method in 101 gastric carcinomas. Hypermethylation was detected in E-cadherin, estrogen receptor, RB1, p16, p14, p15, and MGMT at the rates of 27.7%, 44.6%, 44.6%, 30.7%, 19.2%, 7.7%, and 6.9%, respectively. A total of 82.2% cases had methylation in at least 1 of these genes, and 44.6% had methylation in 2 or more of these genes. Methylation of RB1 was associated with absence of lymph node metastasis. Methylation of estrogen receptor was associated with age and tumor location. Methylation of E-cadherin coincided with methylation of p16 or estrogen receptor. Moreover, loss of p16 protein was strongly associated with its gene methylation. This study indicates that aberrant methylation of multiple genes is involved in gastric carcinogenesis.

We report greater than two orders of magnitude improvements in the absolute frequency and isotope shift measurements of the In + 5s 21 S0 (F =9 /2)-5s5p 3 P1 (F =1 1/2) transition near 230.6 nm. The laser-induced fluorescence from a single In + in a radio-frequency trap is detected. The fourth-harmonic of a semiconductor laser is used as the light source. The absolute frequency is measured with the help of a frequency comb referenced to a Cs atomic clock. The resulting transition frequencies for isotopes 115 In + and 113 In + are measured to be 1 299 648 954.54(10) MHz and 1 299 649 585.36(16) MHz, respectively. The deduced cooling transition frequency difference is 630.82(19) MHz. By taking into account of the hyperfine interaction, the isotope shift is calculated to be 695.76(1.68) MHz.

Bisborodienes are transformed with various mono- and dialdehydes to form 1,4-diols with three to four stereogenic centers.

Remifentanil (an ultra-short acting μ-opioid receptor agonist) use has been associated with acute opioid tolerance and hyperalgesia. Previous electrophysiological studies have shown that remifentanil elicits rapid and prolonged upregulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) currents. However, the effect of remifentanil on the levels of the GluN1 subunit of the NMDAR in dorsal horn neurons (DHNs) has not been reported. We investigated the effect of remifentanil, along with ketamine (NMDAR antagonist) and naloxone (μ-opioid receptor antagonist), on GluN1 mRNA levels and the amount of phosphorylated GluN1 in primary cultures of embryonic rat DHNs. DHNs were isolated from 18-19-day rat embryos and treated with remifentanil or vehicle for 1 h. GluN1 mRNA and protein levels, determined by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively, were significantly and persistently increased by remifentanil exposure compared with the control group (P ＜ 0.05). These results may partially account for the mechanism of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia. This increase was prevented by ketamine (NMDAR antagonist) and naloxone (μ-opioid receptors antagonist), thus providing a potential therapeutic mechanism for the prevention of opioid-induced hyperalgesia.

We demonstrate broadband tuning visible light generation based on a multi-channel quasi-periodically poled LiTaO 3 crystal, in which a quasi-phase matched optical parametric generation process and a quasi-phase matched sum-frequency mixing process were achieved simultaneously. The conversion characters on spectrum and energy were studied by using a nanosecond pulse laser at 1.064 μm as pump light. We could tune the visible light over ~ 26 nm by means of changing the crystal's channel and temperature. The ratio of the output wavelength variation to that of temperature was ~ 0.07 nm/°C. The single-pass slope efficiency was 6.3% with the maximum output energy of 25 μJ.

Bimetallic Pd/Cu and Pd/Ag catalytic systems were used for borylation of propargylic alcohol derivatives. The substrate scope includes even terminal alkynes. The reactions proceed stererospecifically with formal SN2′ pathways to give allenyl boronates. Opening of propargyl epoxides leads to 1,2-diborylated butadienes probably via en allenylboronate intermediate.

[325810-07-9] C55H45CuF3P3 (MW 919.41) InChI = 1S/3C18H15P.CF3.Cu/c3*1-4-10-16(11-5-1)19(17-12-6-2-7-13-17)18-14-8-3-9-15-18;2-1(3)4;/h3*1-15H;;/q;;;;-3/p+3 InChIKey = OGHNPJOGWHTHKI-UHFFFAOYSA-Q (reagent for nucleophilic trifluoromethylation) Physical Data: mp (dec.): 181–182 °C. Solubility: soluble in CHCl3, DMF, THF, toluene, and C6H6. Analysis of Reagent Purity: 1H NMR (300.4 MHz, C6D6): δ 6.52–7.89 (m), 19F [1H] NMR (298.5 MHz, C6D6): δ−23.3 (br s), 31P [1H] (121.6 MHz, C6D6) δ−1.59 (br s), IR (KBr): 2998, 2903, 1421, 1189, 1052, 882 cm−1. X-ray structure1 and Natural Bond analysis (DFT)2 are available. Preparative Methods: the first synthesis of complex 1 was performed3 by transmetalation of Cu(OR)(PPh3)3 (where OR = OCH(CF2) or OPh) with Me3SiCF3. According to a recent method,1 complex 1 may be conveniently prepared from Cu(PPh3)3F (generated from CuF2 and PPh3) by transmetalation with Me3SiCF3. Purification: inert filtration after precipitation from THF. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: white powder. Common impurities (Ph3P and Ph3PO, detected by 31P NMR). Air stable for at least a month with minimal decomposition. Slow oxidation to Cu(II) and Ph3PO when stored under air for longer periods of time. Synthetic Applications: (trifluoromethyl)tris(triphenylphosphine)copper (1) is a stoichiometric trifluoromethylation reagent used for substitution of organic halides or alcohol derivatives with a trifluoromethyl group.

Bimetallic Pd/Cu and Pd/Ag catalytic systems were used for borylation of propargylic alcohol derivatives. The substrate scope includes even terminal alkynes. The reactions proceed stererospecifically with formal S(N)2' pathways to give allenyl boronates. Opening of propargyl epoxides leads to 1,2-diborylated butadienes probably via en allenylboronate intermediate. AuthorCount:4

Objective CCR2 inhibition has produced promising experimental and clinical anti-hyperglycemic effects. These results support the thesis that insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes (T2D) are associated with chronic unresolved inflammation. The aim of this study was to provide a broad analysis of the various physiological changes occurring in mouse models of T2D in connection with pharmacological CCR2 inhibition. Materials/Methods A mouse-active chemical analogue of the clinical candidate CCX140-B was tested in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice and db/db mice. Measurements included: adipose tissue inflammatory macrophage counts; peripheral blood glucose levels at steady-state and after glucose and insulin challenges; peripheral blood insulin and adiponectin levels; 24-h urine output and urinary glucose levels; pancreatic islet number and size; hepatic triglyceride and glycogen content; and hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase levels. Results In DIO mice, the CCR2 antagonist completely blocked the recruitment of inflammatory macrophages to visceral adipose tissue. The mice exhibited reduced hyperglycemia and insulinemia, improved insulin sensitivity, increased circulating adiponectin levels, decreased pancreatic islet size and increased islet number. It also reduced urine output, glucose excretion, hepatic glycogen and triglyceride content and glucose 6-phosphatase levels. Similar effects were observed in the db/db diabetic mice. Conclusions These data indicate that pharmacological inhibition of CCR2 in models of T2D can reduce inflammation in adipose tissue, alter hepatic metabolism and ameliorate multiple diabetic parameters. These mechanisms may contribute to the promising anti-diabetic effects seen in humans with at least one CCR2 antagonist.

Treatment of branched propargylic halides and trifluoroacetates with the reagent (II) at room temperature is found to yield linear allenes.

Mechanisms for low concentrations phosphorus removal in secondary effluent were studied, and a process was developed using limestone filters (LF), submerged macrophyte oxidation ponds (SMOPs) and a subsurface vertical flow wetland (SVFW). Pilot scale experimental models were applied in series to investigate the advanced purification of total phosphorus (TP) in secondary effluent at the Chengjiang sewage treatment plant. With a total hydraulic residence time (HRT) of 82.52 h, the average effluent TP dropped to 0.17 mg L−1, meeting the standard for Class III surface waters. The major functions of the LF were adsorption and forced precipitation, with a particulate phosphorus (PP) removal of 82.93% and a total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) removal of 41.07%. Oxygen-releasing submerged macrophytes in the SMOPs resulted in maximum dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH values of 11.55 mg L−1 and 8.10, respectively. This regime provided suitable conditions for chemical precipitation of TDP, which was reduced by a further 39.29%. In the SVFW, TDP was further reduced, and the TP removal in the final effluent reached 85.08%.

The reaction applies hypervalent iodine reagents as oxidants, proceeds with complete or high (E)-selectivity and tolerates a range of functional groups.

In this Letter, we demonstrate a nonlinear-mirror (NLM) mode-locked diode-pumped solid-state Nd:YVO4 laser operating at 1342 nm, in which the NLM comprises a periodically poled LiNbO3 crystal and a dichroic mirror. The self-starting threshold for cw mode locking is 1.5 W, which is significantly lower than that of saturable absorber mode locking. An average power of 1.52 W at 1342 nm is obtained under diode pump power of 10 W at 808 nm, with the slope efficiency being up to 16.8%. The pulse width and the repetition rate of the mode-locked laser output are about 9.5 ps and 101 MHz, respectively.

We demonstrate a compact all-solid-state yellow laser source based on Q-switched dual-wavelength Nd:YAG laser and periodically-poled LiTaO(3) crystal. 589-nm yellow light was generated by single-pass sum-frequency generation of the fundamental IR waves at 1064 and 1319 nm. The maximum output power of yellow light was 506 mW and the corresponding conversion efficiency was approximately 5.5% [W(-1)cm(-1)].

The epitaxial-grown diamond thin film on a natural diamond (111) substrate from a mixture of hydrogen and acetone by hot-filament-assisted CVD is studied. The deposited thin film is characterized by REM, RHEED, SEM, optical microscopy, the Laue method, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray topography. The deposited film is found to be completely epitaxial to the substrate with good crystallinity and a high degree of surface smoothness in a deposition area of about 4 mm2. No grown defect is observed except regular cleaving grooves formed during growth. REM has been employed for the characterization of the surface fine structure. It is shown that the growth of the (111) thin film occurred by the lateral motion of two sets of straight steps of atomic height consisting of (112) and (110) planes in the surface normal. This lateral epitaxial-grown pattern accounts well for the formation of large-area (111) single-crystal thin film with high quality.

In this article we develop a method to evaluate the poling quality of optical superlattice (OSL) based on two-dimensional (2D) Fourier transform. To demonstrate this method, -Z or +Z face etched OSL samples with desired patterns are fabricated by standard electric field poling technique. By analyzing the processed micrograph of the etched surfaces, the magnitude of the reciprocal vectors of the OSL are calculated directly and rapidly. Second harmonic generation (SHG) experiment is performed to validate the evaluation result.

The removal of natural organic matter under variable coagulation and flocculation pretreatment conditions was evaluated for three surface waters in an immersed ultrafiltration (UF) process. Coagulation with alum, flocculation and UF treatment were conducted in a bench-scale test apparatus designed to simulate pilot- and full-scale water treatment systems. Variable coagulation and flocculation operating conditions were investigated, including coagulant dose, hydraulic retention time (HRT) and mixing intensity (e.g. velocity gradient). Treatment performance was evaluated by measuring specific water quality parameters in the permeate stream, including dissolved organic carbon (DOC), UV254 and true colour. Coagulant dose was found to be the most important variable for treatment performance with regard to permeate water quality, with significantly lower alum dosages required to achieve enhanced coagulation water quality targets than conventional filtration systems. Experiments conducted to evaluate variable flocculation stage HRT and applied velocity gradient demonstrated that traditional set points for these operating variables, applied in conventional filtration systems, may not be required in UF systems. In particular, optimized UF permeate water quality was found with reduced flocculation retention times (e.g.

1W quasi-white-light source has been generated from a single lithium tantalate with cascaded domain modulation. The quasi-white-light is combined by proper proportion of the red, green and blue laser light. The red and the blue result from a compact self-sum frequency optical parametric oscillation when pumped by a single green laser. The efficiency of quasi-white-light from the green pump reaches 27%. This compact design can be employed not only as a stable and powerful RGB light source but also an effective blue laser generator.