Search

Objective: To study the putative effects of Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPPs) and Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD)., Methodology: AGEs, AOPPs, e-NOS, lipid profile, circulating stress and inflammatory biomarkers were evaluated among fifty cardiovascular patients and fifty controls. Independent student's t -test was done for statistical analysis., Results: The malondialdehyde mean level in CVD patients (5.45 nmol/ml) was significantly higher than control (1.36 nmol/ml) (p value = 0.018). Nitric oxide in CVD patients (55.72 ng/ml) was remarkably increased as compared to normal subjects (19.19 ng/ml). A significant change in the mean serum level of AGEs in CVD patients (2.74 ng/ml) and normal individuals (0.85 ng/ml) was recorded (p value = 0.000). The AOPPs also showed significant increased levels in CVD group (132.07 ng/ml) in comparison with normal subjects (83.05 ng/ml) (p value = 0.011). The mean eNOS serum level in CVD group (15.50 U/L) was higher than control group (11.28 U/L) (p value = 0.004). Cardiovascular disease patients, in comparison with healthy controls, showed increased level of total cholesterol (5.48 mmol/L vs 4.45 mmol/L), triglycerides (2.59 mmol/L vs 1.24 mmol/L), and low density lipoprotein (2.47 mmol/L vs 2.31 mmol/L) along with decrease in high density lipoprotein (1.39 mmol/L vs 1.74 mmol/L). The mean MMP-11 serum levels in CVD group (98.69 ng/ml) was almost double of control group (45.60 ng/ml) (p value = 0.017). The mean serum level of TNF-α and IL1-α were 32.16 pg/ml and 6.64 pg/ml in CVD patient. The significant decreasing trend of SOD (p value = 0.041), CAT (p value = 0.018), GSH (p value = 0.036) and GRx (p value = 0.029) but increasing drift of GPx (0.023) level was observed in CVD patients., Conclusion: This study provides strong evidence that CVD patients presented with elevated oxidative stress, enhanced inflammation and lipid profile in their serum. Therefore, the study strongly approves that AGEs, AOPPs, inflammatory and lipoxidative biomarkers hold predictive potential in causing and aggravating the disease, thus by controlling these factors CVD progression can be inhibited.

Background: Multiple reports have detailed clinical outcomes in surgically treated patients with borderline hip dysplasia. The purpose of this systematic review was to define patient outcomes following these surgical interventions., Methods: Searches were developed using an iterative process of gathering and evaluating terms. Comprehensive strategies including both index and keyword methods were devised for the following databases: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL. Independent review and data abstraction was performed by two authors. Inclusion criteria were clear delineation of outcomes for patients with borderline hip dysplasia (Lateral center edge angle (LCEA) 18-25°) and outcomes following hip arthroscopy and/ or periacetabular osteotomy (PAO), including patient reported outcomes (PROs), revision arthroscopy, and conversion to Total Hip Arthroplasty. Exclusion criteria included alternative surgical procedures including "shelf" or "salvage" osteotomies, studies without patient outcomes or clearly delineated results for patients with borderline dysplasia, inclusion of <5 borderline patients, or inadequate follow-up defined as < 12 months., Results: Thirteen of 2109 articles met inclusion criteria for full data analysis. 505 patients (mean age 29.6 years, 67.7% female) with borderline dysplasia (mean LCEA 22.3°) were treated with hip arthroscopy. The majority of studies reported outcomes using the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) and Hip Outcome Score Sports Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS); all showed post-operative improvement with mean increase of 21.0 and 26.8 points, respectively. Revision arthroscopy rate was 7.5% (31/412), and a total hip arthroplasty conversion rate was 4.0% (18/455). The average combined total reoperation rate was 13.7% (69/505)., Conclusion: Arthroscopic management of borderline hip dysplasia is associated with meaningful improvement in PRO scores. However, there appears to be a high reoperation rate including both arthroscopic and open revision procedures. There is a paucity of studies reporting outcomes of PAO in patients with borderline hip dysplasia. Level of evidence: Systematic review of Level III and Level IV studies., Competing Interests: Disclosures: The authors report no potential conflicts of interest related to this study., (Copyright © The Iowa Orthopaedic Journal 2019.)

By the virtue of burgeoning terrorism, the exponential growth of advanced weaponry, and allied aids for explosions, it is quite evident that infrastructural facilities in the world have increasingly become more susceptible to sabotaging activities. The ever enhancing employment of reinforced concrete (RC) in the construction industry around the globe, the progressive collapse mechanisms, and respective mitigation strategies in the context of terrorism have garnered quite an attraction by the structural engineering community. The proficiency to envisage the complete collapse under the chain reaction of structural failures, partial collapse of key structural members, or the strength degradation of fundamental structural elements under the blast or impact loading can deliver significant information to cope with partial or complete structural failure. It is quite convenient to say that during the service life, a structure may experience extreme loading conditions. The current study has proposed a new methodology to cover the effect of uncertainty involved in loading on key structural elements of new and complex structures by emphasizing a very realistic structural capacity loss mechanism that allows the incremental reduction in the structural capacities of pivotal structural elements against any sort of impact loading instead of their complete annihilation. To demonstrate the application of the proposed methodology, a 13-story complex structure was selected that was comprised of a diverse structural configuration. The outcomes and results ensured the structural integrity against the applied loadings, as well as the effectiveness of the proposed methodology., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interest of any kind.

Since the inception of global industrialization, the growth of steroid estrogens becomes a matter of emerging serious concern for the rapid population. Steroidal estrogens are potent endocrine-upsetting chemicals that are excreted naturally by vertebrates (e.g., humans and fish) and can enter natural waters through the discharge of treated and raw sewage. Steroidal estrogens in plants may enter the food web and become a serious threat to human health. We evaluated the uptake and accumulation of ethinylestradiol (EE2) and 17β-estradiol (17β-E2) in lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa) grown under controlled environmental condition over 21 days growth period. An effective analytical method based on ultrasonic liquid extraction (ULE) for solid samples and solid phase extraction (SPE) for liquid samples with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) has been developed to determine the steroid estrogens in lettuce plants. The extent of uptake and accumulation was observed in a dose-dependent manner and roots were major organs for estrogen deposition. Unlike the 17β-E2, EE2 was less accumulated and translocated from root to leaves. For 17β-E2, the distribution in lettuce was primarily to roots after the second week (13%), whereas in leaves it was (10%) over the entire study period. The distribution of EE2 at 2000 μg L -1 in roots and leaves was very low (3.07% and 0.54%) during the first week and then was highest (12% in roots and 8% in leaves) in last week. Bioaccumulation factor values of 17β-E2 and EE2 in roots were 0.33 and 0.29 at 50 μg L -1 concentration as maximum values were found at 50 μg L -1 rather than 500 and 2000 in all observed plant tissues. Similar trend was noticed in roots than leaves for bioconcentration factor as the highest bioconcentration values were observed at 50 μg L -1 concentration instead of 500 and 2000 μg L -1 spiked concentration. These findings mainly indicate the potential for uptake and bioaccumulation of estrogens in lettuce plants. Overall, the estrogen contents in lettuce were compared to the FAO/WHO recommended toxic level and were found to be higher than the toxic level which is of serious concern to the public health. This analytical procedure may aid in future studies on risks associated with uptake of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in lettuce plants.

Background: Cancer patients when treated with different chemotherapeutic drugs often develop mild to severe sight threatening diseases during or after chemotherapy. The mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of ocular toxicities is poorly understood. Oxidative stress, inflammation and MMPs (angiogenic factor) are involved in the progression of chemotherapy related ocular disorders., Materials and Methods: The concentration of oxidative stress markers such as MDA, NO and levels of different antioxidant molecules such as SOD, CAT, GSH, GPx, GPr, VIT A, VIT E and VIT C present in the serum of chemotherapy treated patients ( n  = 50) and in normal persons ( n  = 20) were estimated by the direct spectrophotometric method while the concentration of TNF-α and MMP-9 activity were determined using human TNF-α and MMP-9 ELISA kits., Results: The concentration of SOD and CAT (0.356 ± 0.05 μg/dl and 1.26 ± 0.01 μmol/mol of protein) was significantly lower as compared to that (1.09 ± 0.03 μg/dl and 3.99 ± 0.04 μmol/mol of protein) in controls. The levels of GPx (0.06 ± 0.01 mmol/dl) in the cancer patients were much lower than those in the controls (0.78 ± 0.06 mmol/dl). Lower level of GSH (0.96 ± 0.003 μg/dl) in serum of the diseased group was observed as compared to healthy group (7.26 ± 1.40 μg/dl). The level of Vit A, Vit C and Vit E was lower in systemic circulation of cancer patients (109.99 ± 6.35 μg/ml, 1.26 ± 0.36 μg/ml and 1.29 ± 0.191 μg/ml) as compared to control subjects (166.35 ± 14.26 μg/ml, 3.25 ± 0.099 μg/ml and 6.354 ± 2.26 μg/ml) respectively. The concentration of nitric oxide was significantly higher in the cancer patients (45.26 ± 6.35 ng/ml) than that in the normal subjects (16.35 ± 3.26 ng/ml). The higher concentration of MDA (8.65 ± 3.26 nmol/ml) was observed in the patients than normal ones (1.254 ± 0.065 nmol/ml). The quantity of TNF-α was significantly higher in chemotherapy treated patients (32.68 ± 4.33 pg/ml) as compared to the control group (20.979 ± 1.98 pg/ml). Significantly higher concentration of MMP-9 (40.26 ± 3.26 ng/ml) was observed in the cancer patients than the controls (7.256 ± 1.95 ng/ml)., Conclusion: Lower levels of antioxidant enzymes and non-enzymatic small molecules and higher levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory clinical parameters such as NO, MDA, TNF-α and MMP-9 may be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic chemotherapy related ocular complications such as cataract, glaucoma, blepharitis, retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, pterygium and retinal degeneration.

The synthesis and full characterization of a series of neutral ligand α-diimine complexes of aluminum are reported. The compounds [Al(L Ar ) 2 Cl 2 )][AlCl 4 ] [L Ar = N, N'-bis(4-R-C 6 H 4 )-2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diazabutadiene] are structurally analogous, as determined by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and solid-state X-ray diffraction, across a range of electron-donating [R = Me (2), t Bu (3), OMe (4), and NMe 2 (5)] and electron-withdrawing [R = Cl (6), CF 3 (7), and NO 2 (8)] substituents in the aryl side arm of the ligand. UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and electrochemistry were used to access the optical and electrochemical properties, respectively, of the complexes. Both sets of properties are shown to be dependent on the R substituent. Density functional theory calculations performed on the [Al(L Ph ) 2 Cl 2 )][AlCl 4 ] complex (1) indicate primarily ligand-based frontier orbitals and were used to help support our discussion of both the spectral and electrochemical data. We also report the reaction of the L Ph ligand with both AlBr 3 and AlI 3 and demonstrate a different reactivity profile for the heavier halide relative to the lighter members of the group.

Background: The distinction between meningioma, schwannoma and solitary fibrous tumour/ hemangiopericytoma can be challenging in some cases. This study evaluates the expression of Somatostatin receptor 2A (SSTR2A) and Claudin-1 in these different tumours., Material and Methods: Thirty-five cases of meningioma, 10 cases of intracranial schwannoma and 10 cases of hemangiopericytoma were assessed. The immunohistochemical expression of SSTR2A and Claudin-1 was evaluated and scored according to the percentage of immunostained tumour cells (0: 1+, 2+ and 3). The intensity of staining was classified as weak, moderate and strong., Results: Positivity for SSTR2A and Claudin-1 was encountered in 89% and 49% of meningiomas respectively. None of the schwannomas or hemangiopericytomas was positive for any of both markers. All grade I and II meningiomas were positive for SSTR2A, and only 20% of grade III showed positive staining (p < 0.05). Claudin-1 positivity was detected in 50%, 43% and 60% of grade I, II and III meningioma respectively, with significantly higher intensity in grade III (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: SSTR2A is highly sensitive and specific for meningioma. Claudin-1 is highly specific for meningioma, with low sensitivity. The adjunctive use of both markers can be very helpful in the diagnosis of meningioma and its distinction from schwannoma and hemangiopericytoma.

A novel and safe essential amino acid (Leucine) incorporating sulfanilamide was synthesized, and evaluated for its anti-ulcerogenic activity and in vitro anti- Helicobacter pylori activity. The new molecule showed a dose dependent activity against absolute ethanol-induced ulcer in rats, it produced percent protection of control ulcer by 66.7 at dose 100 mg/kg. In addition it showed a potent anti- Helicobacter pylori activity in vitro against 7 clinically isolated strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranged from 12.5 to 50 μg/ml. The preliminary safety studies and toxicity profile are optimistic and encouraging.

A combination between the nanostructured photocatalyst and cellulose-based materials promotes a new functionality of cellulose towards the development of new bio-hybrid materials for various applications especially in water treatment and renewable energy. The excellent compatibility and association between nanostructured photocatalyst and cellulose-based materials was induced by bio-combability and high hydrophilicity of the cellulose components. The electron rich hydroxyl group of celluloses helps to promote superior interaction with photocatalyst. The formation of bio-hybrid nanostructured are attaining huge interest nowadays due to the synergistic properties of individual cellulose-based material and photocatalyst nanoparticles. Therefore, in this review we introduce some cellulose-based material and discusses its compatibility with nanostructured photocatalyst in terms of physical and chemical properties. In addition, we gather information and evidence on the fabrication techniques of cellulose-based hybrid nanostructured photocatalyst and its recent application in the field of water treatment and renewable energy., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Eyelid reconstruction is complex and challenging since it is not only for structural and functional restoration, but also for an acceptable aesthetic result. In full thickness eyelid injuries, it will involve both anterior and posterior lamella. Therefore, when reconstructing the defect, it requires at least two layers; one will be a flap with blood supply, and the other can be a free graft. In this case, a rotational advancement cheek flap and composite graft were used to reconstruct the lower eyelid.

In recent years, the increasing level of CO₂ in the atmosphere has not only contributed to global warming but has also triggered considerable interest in photocatalytic reduction of CO₂. The reduction of CO₂ with H₂O using sunlight is an innovative way to solve the current growing environmental challenges. This paper reviews the basic principles of photocatalysis and photocatalytic CO₂ reduction, discusses the measures of the photocatalytic efficiency and summarizes current advances in the exploration of this technology using different types of semiconductor photocatalysts, such as TiO₂ and modified TiO₂, layered-perovskite Ag/ALa₄Ti₄O 15 (A = Ca, Ba, Sr), ferroelectric LiNbO₃, and plasmonic photocatalysts. Visible light harvesting, novel plasmonic photocatalysts offer potential solutions for some of the main drawbacks in this reduction process. Effective plasmonic photocatalysts that have shown reduction activities towards CO₂ with H₂O are highlighted here. Although this technology is still at an embryonic stage, further studies with standard theoretical and comprehensive format are suggested to develop photocatalysts with high production rates and selectivity. Based on the collected results, the immense prospects and opportunities that exist in this technique are also reviewed here., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

This research involves the rare utilisation of the kapok fibre (Ceiba pentandra) as a raw material for the fabrication of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) and self-assembled CNC membranes. The isolation of CNC from Ceiba pentandra began with the extraction of cellulose via the chemical alkali extraction by using 5wt% NaOH, followed by the typical acidified bleaching method and, finally, the CNC production through acid hydrolysis with 60wt% H 2 SO 4 at the optimum time of 60min. The prepared CNC was then employed for the preparation of self-assembled membrane through the water suspension casting evaporation technique. The obtained CNC membrane was characterised in terms of its composition, crystallinity, thermal stability, as well as, structural and morphological features with the use of several techniques including FTIR, XRD, AFM, TEM, FESEM, and TGA. The FESEM and AFM analyses had illustrated the achievement of a self-assembled CNC membrane with a smooth surface and a well-distributed nano-porous structure, with the porosity of 52.82±7.79%. In addition, the findings proved that the self-assembled CNC membrane displayed good adsorption capability indicated by the recorded efficiency of 79% and 85% for 10mg/L and 5mg/L of methylene blue in an aqueous solution, respectively., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Breast reconstructive surgery has evolved tremendously since its inception. Following tumour clearance surgery, physical restoration with breast reconstruction is an important aspect of physical and emotional rehabilitation. Various methods have been described to suit patients demand for the best aesthetic outcome. Surgeon's preference, experience and practicality of differing procedures must be considered. We describe a simultaneous bilateral breast reconstruction with free deep inferior epigastric (DIEP) flap and pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap immediately post mastectomies for bilateral breast cancers. The surgery described has resulted in a reasonable technical ease, acceptable flap and abdominal morbidity and good aesthetic outcome.

Oral administration of the total alcohol extract of Convolvulus pilosellifolius Desr. (250 and 500 md/kg) showed potent anti-ulcerogenic activity in absolute ethanol-induced ulcer model in rats; it showed percent protection of control ulcer by 69.2 and 84.6%, respectively, while standard ranitidine (100 mg/kg) exhibited 46.2%. Bio-guided work leads to isolation of two novel compounds (1 and 2), which were identified through 1 H, 13 C NMR, HMPC, HMQC and DEPT as: methyl 2-(hydroxymethyl) octanoate, named as amanitate, and 16-amino-9,13-dimethyl-17-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-hexadecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a] phenanthren-3-ol, named as asmatol. Both compounds (50 mg/kg) possessed anti-ulcerogenic activity with 95.4% and 55.84% protection, respectively. Two known compounds (3 and 4) were also isolated and identified through comparison with authentic samples and confirmed through different NMR techniques as kampeferol and quercetin. These compounds also showed anti-ulcerogenic activity with 78.38% and 5.38% protection, respectively. The cytoprotective mechanism explains the potent anti-ulcerogenic activity of the total alcohol extract and the isolated compounds. The extract was highly safe as the LD 50 was more than 5000 mg/kg. These results were well supported by the sub-chronic toxicity study, as the extract (500 mg/kg) administrated orally to rats for 35 consecutive days showed no alteration in the liver and kidney functions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., (Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Objective: To evaluate success of pulpal anaesthesia of mandibular 1st molar by using 4% articaine in buccal infiltration versus 2% lidocaine in inferior alveolar nerve block., Study Design: Randomized control trial., Place and Duration of Study: Department of Operative Dentistry, Sardar Begum Dental College, Gandhara University, Peshawar, from March to August 2014., Methodology: One hundred and fifty-six emergency patients, who had 1st molar diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis, participated in the study. Subjects were divided into two groups by random allocation. One group received 4% articaine buccal infiltration and the other group received inferior alveolar nerve block of 2% lidocaine. Subjects&rsquo;self-reported pain response was recorded on Heft Parker Visual Analogue Scale after local anaesthetic administration during access cavity preparation and pulp extirpation., Results: Mean age of subjects was 31.46 &plusmn;10.994 years. The success rate of 4% buccal infiltration was 76.9%; whereas the success rate of 2% lidocaine inferior alveolar nerve block was 62.8%. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups., Conclusion: 4% articaine buccal infiltration can be considered a viable alternative to 2% lidocaine inferior alveolar nerve block in securing successful pulpal anaesthesia for endodontic therapy.

Objective: To investigate a correlation between serum alkaline phosphatase level and body mass index in human subjects., Methods: The comparative cross-sectional study was carried out at the National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faisalabad, Pakistan, from April 2012 to June 2013. Blood serum alkaline phosphatase levels were estimated and the subjects were divided into three sub-groups on the basis of their body mass., Index: normal weight (<25kg/m2), overweight (25-27kg/m2) and obese (>27kg/m2) subjects. The serum samples were used for the estimation of clinically important biochemical parameters, using commercial kits on clinical chemistry analyser., Results: Of the 197 subjects, 97(49%) were obese and 100(51%) were non-obese. The serum alkaline phosphatase level increased in obese (214±6.4 IU/L) compared to the non-obese subjects (184.5±5 IU/L). Furthermore, a significant linear relationship (r=0.3;p-0.0001) was found between serum alkaline phosphatase and body mass index. Other biochemical variables were not correlated to the body mass index., Conclusions: Over activity and higher amounts of alkaline phosphatase were linked to the development of obesity.

Background: The Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase (COMT) gene polymorphism (I/D of C nucleotide at base position 900) has been previously implicated in the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and kidney disease. So, aim of this study was to find association of I/D polymorphism with T2D, and its associated factors like family history and nephropathy (End Stage Renal Disease, ESRD) patients in a cohort of Pakistani Punjabis., Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from human subjects divided as four study groups: controls (n = 46), diabetics (n = 46), diabetics with nephropathy/ESRD (n = 53), and non-diabetics without nephropathy/ESRD (n = 43). The 900 I/D C polymorphism in the COMT gene was tested by PCR-RFLP method. Genotype and allele frequencies as well as Odds Ratios were calculated for these groups. Groups were compared statistically for the analysis of genotypes, alleles, biochemical parameters as well as disease status., Results: In comparison with control group (non-diabetic, non-nephropathy), there was no significant difference in rest of the three groups for allele or genotype frequencies of COMT gene. However, Chi square (χ(2)) analysis identified a significant (p = 0.02) correlation of the 900 I/D C polymorphism with family history of diabetes, as it was found that greater number (74%) of patients having I allele had a positive family history of T2D., Conclusions: A significant correlation of the COMT polymorphism (900 I/D C) with the family history of T2D has been observed, which has not been previously reported in Pakistani Punjabi population, however, this preliminary finding requires further validation studies.

Diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial disorder of hyperglycemia caused by a combination of biochemical, molecular and genetic factors, which leads to the dysfunction of various organs including kidneys. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the microvascular complications of diabetes that results due to poor glycemic control. Several molecular and biochemical pathways have been implicated in the pathogenesis of DN. Of these, the Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS) is considered as a key pathway. RAAS involves various subsystems which contribute to the development of DN. Mutations in several genes of the RAAS pathway have been associated with the development of DN. These genes or their products present them as therapeutic targets for potent drugs to control or prevent DN, and development of new drugs for targeting the RAAS. Drugs in use for DN are mainly the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptors Blockers (ARB) and renin inhibitors which play important roles in reducing DN. Hence, the present review is focused on the pathophysiology and genetic factors for DN by exploring the RAAS pathway and emphasizing the benefits of blocking this pathway to control and prevent DN.

Objective: To determine the sequence variant of TLL1 gene (rs1503298, T > C) in three British cohorts (PREDICT, UDACS and ED) of patients with type-2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in order to assess its association with coronary heart disease (CHD)., Study Design: Analytical study., Place and Duration of Study: UCL, London, UK. Participants were genotyped in 2011-2012 for TLL1 SNP. Samples and related information were previously collected in 2001-2003 for PREDICT, and in 2001-2002 for UDACS and ED groups., Methodology: Patients included in PREDICT (n=600), UDACS (n=1020) and ED (n=1240) had Diabetes. TLL1 SNP (rs1503298, T > C) was genotyped using TaqMan technology. Allele frequencies were compared using c2 test, and tested for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The risk of disease was assessed from Odds ratios (OR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI). Moreover, for the PREDICT cohort, the SNP association was tested with Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC) scores., Results: No significant association was found for this SNP with CHD or CAC scores in these cohorts., Conclusion: This SNP could not be confirmed as a risk factor for CHD in T2DM patients. However, the low power of thesmall sample size available is a limitation to the modest effect on risk. Further studies in larger samples would be useful.

The addition of a photocatalyst to ordinary building materials such as concrete creates environmentally friendly materials by which air pollution or pollution of the surface can be diminished. The use of LiNbO3 photocatalyst in concrete material would be more beneficial since it can produce artificial photosynthesis in concrete. In these research photoassisted solid-gas phases reduction of carbon dioxide (artificial photosynthesis) was performed using a photocatalyst, LiNbO3, coated on concrete surface under illumination of UV-visible or sunlight and showed that LiNbO3 achieved high conversion of CO2 into products despite the low levels of band-gap light available. The high reaction efficiency of LiNbO3 is explained by its strong remnant polarization (70 µC/cm(2)), allowing a longer lifetime of photoinduced carriers as well as an alternative reaction pathway. Due to the ease of usage and good photocatalytic efficiency, the research work done showed its potential application in pollution prevention.

Background: It has long been postulated that the relative abundance of specific nutrients can affect cognitive processes and emotions. Newly described influences of dietary factors on neuronal function and synaptic plasticity have revealed some of the vital mechanisms that could be responsible for the action of diet on brain health and cognitive function. Here, through a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we asked if the newly discovered chicken meat ingredient-168 (CMI-168) could be beneficial to the cognitive function in healthy adults., Methods: Normal, healthy subjects were supplemented with either placebo or CMI-168 for 6 weeks. The subjects were given a series of cognitive tests to examine their levels of cognitive functioning at the beginning and end of supplementation, as well as two weeks after termination of supplementation. The combination of these tests, namely Digit Span Backwards, Letter-Number Sequencing, and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), was used to assess the subjects' attention and working memory. For all comparisons, the probability level of p < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant using repeated measure 2-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post-hoc test., Results: Overall, subjects supplemented with CMI-168 showed significantly (p < 0.01) better performance in all cognitive tests after 6 weeks' supplementation compared to control and such superior performance was maintained even 2 weeks after termination of supplementation., Conclusions: The present study reveals the cognition-enhancing properties of a recently developed chicken meat ingredient, likely arising from the promotion of attention and prefrontal cortex functions.

A 63-year-old man with hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) and an undifferentiated connective tissue disease is described. Combined therapy with prednisolone and azathioprine improved his symptoms. The association between an undifferentiated connective tissue disease and HP is discussed.

Primed and unprimed lymphocytes are usually classified as separate subsets of cells, based on phenotypic and functional distinctions. In the case of CD4+ T lymphocytes, primed cells are thought to proliferate more vigorously, quickly and easily, and to release a different profile of cytokines, than their naive equivalent. However, most of these data were obtained from studies in which populations of lymphocytes were compared before and after antigenic stimulation, and therefore did not distinguish between the effects resulting from the clonal expansion of specific precursor cells within such populations and those due to cell differentiation per se. We have investigated the contribution of precursor cell frequency to some of the functional changes observed in populations of CD4+ T cells following antigenic stimulation, using approaches in which antigen-specific precursor frequencies are high in both primary and secondary stimulations: mixed leukocyte reaction responses and cells from alpha beta T cell receptor transgenic mice. Our data suggest that when equivalent numbers of antigen-specific naive and previously primed CD4+ responder T cells are compared, there is no difference in their potency to proliferate but only the previously activated subset can generate cytokines such as interferon-gamma.

Any base change at position 530 introduced into Escherichia coli on a multicopy plasmid leads to cell death [Powers & Noller (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87, 1042-1046]. It was suggested that these mutants cannot carry out chain elongation. To define more precisely the function of base 530, we have studied ribosomes in which G530 was mutated to U530. In vivo, U530 16S rRNA was incorporated into 30S subunits and could combine with 50S to make 70S ribosomes. 16S rRNA in vitro transcripts containing U530 were assembled into 30S ribosomes, and their activity was tested in defined steps of protein synthesis. Mutant 30S ribosomes were as active as wild-type in poly(U)-dependent poly(Phe) synthesis, P- and A-site tRNA binding, and 30S initiation complex formation. 30S initiation complexes, in the presence of 50S, could react with puromycin like the wild-type. The rate, extent, and position of cross-linking of AcVal-tRNA in the P site to 16S RNA were identical in mutant and wild-type ribosomes. Although there appeared to be no defect in 70S initiation complex formation or in direct A-site binding of Phe-tRNA dependent on poly(U), U530 30S ribosomes were nevertheless defective in carrying out synthesis of fMet-Val dipeptide using natural mRNA. Mutant 30S ribosomes were also refractory to streptomycin-induced misreading although no misreading was observed in its absence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Endothelial cells are known to bind to laminin, and two peptides derived from the laminin A (CTFALRGDNP) and B1 (CDPGYIGSR) chains block the capillary-like tube formation on a laminin-rich basement membrane matrix, Matrigel. In the present study, we have used various in vitro and in vivo assays to investigate the angiogenic-biologic effects of a third active site in the laminin A chain, CSRARKQAASIKVAVSADR (designated PA22-2) on endothelial cells. The SIKVAV-containing peptide was as active as the YIGSR-containing peptide for endothelial cell attachment but was less active than either the RGD-containing peptide or intact laminin. Endothelial cells seeded on this peptide appeared fibroblastic with many extended processes, unlike the normal cobblestone morphology observed on tissue culture plastic. In addition, in contrast to normal tube formation on Matrigel, short irregular structures formed, some of which penetrated the matrix and sprouting was more apparent. Analysis of endothelial cell conditioned media of cells cultured in the presence of this peptide indicated degradation of the Matrigel and zymograms demonstrated active collagenase IV (gelatinase) at 68 and 62 Kd. A murine in vivo angiogenesis assay and the chick yolk sac/chorioallantoic membrane assays with the peptide demonstrated increased endothelial cell mobilization, capillary branching, and vessel formation. These data suggest that the -SIKVAV-site may play an important role in initiating branching and formation of new capillaries from the parent vessels, a behavior that is observed in vivo in response to tumor growth or in the normal vascular response to injury.

NIH-3T3 cells are non-tumorigenic when injected into athymic mice. If these cells are mixed with an extract of basement-membrane proteins (matrigel) and injected s.c., they form locally invasive and highly vascularized tumors. Cells cultured from the NIH-3T3-matrigel-induced tumors showed a transformed phenotype and lacked contact inhibition. When cultured in a gel of matrigel, they proliferated and formed branched and invasive colonies. In contrast, the parental NIH-3T3 cells cultured on matrigel remained as cell aggregates and were not invasive. I.V. injections of the tumor-derived NIH-3T3 cells produced many colonies on the surface of the lungs, whereas the parental NIH-3T3 cells were not metastatic. Zymographic analysis of the conditioned media obtained from both the tumor-derived and parental NIH-3T3 cells demonstrated higher amounts of the 72-kDa gelatinase (type-IV collagenase) enzyme in the tumor-derived cells. Also, tumor-derived NIH-3T3 cells, but not parental NIH-3T3 cells, secreted the 92-kDa type-IV collagenase. These studies suggest that the interaction of pre-malignant NIH-3T3 cells with extracellular matrix components may contribute to the process of tumor progression.

Laminin is a potent promoter of neurite outgrowth, and a synthetic peptide of 19 amino acids, PA22-2, from the A chain has been found to promote process formation. Using peptide affinity chromatography, we have identified a 110-kDa, cell surface ligand from both neural cells and brain which binds this sequence. This binding protein does not share immunological identity with the B1 chain of integrin, and reduction does not alter its mobility in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Antibody to the 110-kDa protein stained cellular processes in vivo. Sequence analysis of the first 18 amino acids from the amino terminus yielded almost exact sequence identity with nucleolin, a major 110-kDa nucleolar phosphoprotein. Antibody to nucleolin, however, does not interact with the neural-derived, laminin-peptide-binding 110-kDa protein. The 110-kDa protein appears to be a ligand for a specific site on laminin.

Laminin, the major glycoprotein component of basement membrane, promotes the malignant phenotype. Cells which are adherent to laminin are more malignant than the non-adherent cells and in certain tumor cells, the number of laminin receptors is positively correlated with malignancy. Laminin also increases collagenase IV activity, an enzyme demonstrated to be critical for tumor spread. A site on laminin, containing the amino acid sequence SIKVAV, has been identified which when injected intravenously with B16F10 melanoma cells, causes an increase in the number of colonies on the surface of the lungs. This peptide does not affect tumor cell arrest in the vasculature or the immune system. It does promote angiogenesis in various in vitro and in vivo models, thereby facilitating tumor cell survival. When a complex mixture of laminin-enriched basement membrane components (Matrigel) is coinjected with tumor cells subcutaneously, tumor incidence and growth increases. Various tumor cell lines and primary isolates, which previously could not form tumors in mice, can be induced to grow rapidly in the presence of Matrigel. Slowly growing tumors or arrested tumors can also be induced to grow more quickly with additional injections of Matrigel. When an SIKVAV-containing synthetic peptide is coinjected with B16F10 tumor cells and Matrigel subcutaneously in mice, larger tumors are formed than that observed with either Matrigel or cells alone. Such studies define the role of laminin in tumor growth and spread and generate new models for studying therapeutic agents. Of particular interest is the ability to grow primary isolates which generally do not grow in mice.

Previously we found that the reconstituted basement membrane matrix Matrigel, when premixed with human small-cell lung carcinoma cells and injected subcutaneously into athymic mice, permitted tumor growth, whereas cells injected in the absence of Matrigel did not form tumors. In the present study, we examined additional cell types and determined some of the underlying mechanisms involved in the promotion of tumor formation by Matrigel. The tumor cell lines that we studied included transformed mouse Englebreth-Holm-Swarm tumor cells (T-EHS), human submandibular carcinoma A253 cells, mouse melanoma B16F10 cells, human epidermoid carcinoma KB cells, and human primary renal cell carcinoma cells. When coinjected subcutaneously with Matrigel, these cell lines formed rapidly proliferating tumors. Primary biopsy specimens of human colon carcinoma, when dispersed and coinjected with Matrigel, also formed tumors. Only A253, KB, and B16F10 cells formed small tumors in the absence of Martrigel, but a fivefold to tenfold increase in tumor size was observed in the presence of Matrigel. These data demonstrate a useful method for improving the growth of human tumors in athymic mice.