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Near-infrared (NIR) luminescence phosphors ACaPO4 : Eu2+, Nd2+ (A = Li, K, Na) were prepared by conventional solid state method and the sensitization of Nd3+ near-infrared luminescence by Eu2+ was investigated. The characteristic NIR luminescence of Nd3+ in ACaPO4 matrix is greatly enhanced by co-doping of Eu2+. The fluorescence properties of ACaPO4 : Eu2+, the NIR luminescence properties of ACaPO4 : Eu2+, Nd3+ and the fluorescence lifetime were studied. The effect of emission wavelength of Eu2+ on NIR luminescence of Nd3+ was investigated; The energy transfer mechanism between Eu2+ and Nd3+ was also discussed. Emission peak wavelength of Eu2+ In ACaPO4 matrixes was found red shift with the series of A = Li, K, Na and the extent of the overlap with the different excitation peaks of Nd3+ changes obviously. It was concluded that the emission peak position of Eu2+ is a very important factor for energy transfer, and the optimal wavelength range for Eu2+ --> Nd3+ energy transfer is 500 to 550 nm.

Objective: To identify the candidate auto-antigen of rheumatic heart disease as a molecular marker for this disease., Methods: The total RNA of the heart tissue of patients with rheumatic heart disease was extracted and reverse-transcribed into long cDNA to construct the phage expression library. The library was screened using the serum from patients with active rheumatic fever, and the positive clone was identified and analyzed by bioinformatics and expressed in vitro. The expressed products were evaluated with Western blotting and its cross-reactivity was assessed., Results: The phage expression library of the heart tissue of patients with rheumatic heart disease was constructed, with the titer of the primary library of 3.3×10(6) pfu/ml, recombinant rate of 99%, and 81% of the inserted segments were larger than 1 kb. An auto-antigen RHDAG1 was identified by screening, which was homologous to keratin 18. RHDAG1 was detected in the serum of patients with active rheumatic fever and of those with rheumatic heart disease, but not in the serum of healthy subjects., Conclusion: Phage display library can be an effective strategy to screen the auto-antigens of rheumatic heart disease. The auto-antigen RHDAG1 can be a candidate molecular biomarker of rheumatic heart disease and/or rheumatic fever.

Sr2 SiO4 : Eu2+ , Nd3+ was synthesized by solid state synthesis method, and the sensitization of Nd3+ near-infrared luminescence by Eu2+ was investigated. The characteristic near-infrared luminescence of Nd2+ in Sr2 SiO4 matrix was greatly enhanced by co-doping of Eu2+. The mechanism of energy transfer from Eu2+ to Nd3+ was analyzed through investigation of fluorescence excitation and emission spectra, and fluorescence lifetime. Excited Eu2+ (II) transfers energy effectively to Nd3+ through non-radiative energy transfer process in Sr2SiO4, resulting in greatly enhanced near-infrared luminescence of Nd3+, while sensitization of Nd3+ by Eu2+ (I) was achieved by the way of Eu2+ (II).

A phosphorescent material in the form of Y 2 O 2 S:Eu 3+ , Mg 2+ , Ti 4+ hollow microspheres was prepared by homogeneous precipitation using monodispersed carbon spheres as hard templates. Y 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ hollow microspheres were first synthesized to serve as the precursor. Y 2 O 2 S:Eu 3+ , Mg 2+ , Ti 4+ powders were obtained by calcinating the precursor in a CS 2 atmosphere. The crystal structure, morphology and optical properties of the composites were characterized. X-ray diffraction measurements confirmed the purity of the Y 2 O 2 S phase. Electron microscopy observations revealed that the Y 2 O 2 S:Eu 3+ , Mg 2+ , Ti 4+ particles inherited the hollow spherical shape from the precursor after being calcined in a CS 2 atmosphere and that they had a diameter of 350-450 nm and a wall thickness of about 50-80 nm. After ultraviolet radiation at 265 or 325 nm for 5 min, the particles emitted strong red long-lifetime phosphorescence originating from Eu 3+ ions. This phosphorescence is associated with the trapping of charge carriers by Ti 4+ and Mg 2+ ions.

Hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH), often associated with mutations in the beta-globin gene cluster, is normally benign, but a person carrying both HPFH and another beta-thalassemia (beta-thal) mutation will develop serious anemia. These people might be erroneously diagnosed as having homozygous beta-thal with common reverse dot-blot methods. Here we report a 5-year old boy with thalassemia intermedia, who is a compound heterozygote for the rare HPFH-6 deletion with codons 41/42 (-TCTT) beta(0)-thal, who inherited the deletion from his mother and the beta(41/42) mutation from his father.

Objective: To investigate the potential of siRNAs targeting sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1 (SMPD1) in protecting the oocytes from apoptosis, and explore new approaches to female fertility preservation., Methods: Chemically synthesized siRNA targeting SMPD1 were introduced into mouse oocytes retrieved by hyperstimulation, and the cell apoptosis was analyzed by comic assay 48 and 72 h later., Results: In the oocytes without any siRNA injection, oocyte DNA damage occurred after 24 h, and large amount of DNA fragments migrated from the cells 48 h later. In oocytes injected with siRNA003, DNA migration decreased significantly as compared with the control and the other two groups injected with siRNA001 and siRNA002 (P<0.01)., Conclusion: siRNA targeting SMPD1 may protect the oocytes from apoptosis, and has the potential for use in future female fertility preservation.

The present reports a hydrothermal process to synthesize the precursor of Eu(3+)-doped LaPO4 nanoparticles with PEG2000 used as additive. SEM shows that the nanoparticles are similar to spheres. The Eu(3+-)doped LaPO4 phosphor was characterized by powder X-ray diffractometer. According to our measurements with XRD, the products belong to monoclinic monazite type, and the samples were well crystallized after sintering at 700 degrees C for 2 h. The effects of synthesis condition, sintering temperature and time on the luminescence of the samples were investigated. The luminescence data indicated that the optimum condition for synthesizing the precursor was at 180 degrees C for 14 h, and the optimum condition for heat-treatment of the precursor was at 850 degrees C for 1 hour. The effects of different contents of Eu3+ on the luminescence of LaPO4 : EuO3+ nanoparticles were also investigated, and the results showed that the luminescence intensity was enhanced with the slight increase in the Eu3+ content, and the optimum Eu(3+)-doping concentration was 4% (mole fraction).

Objective: To identify the type of the intermediate filament (IF) protein of Angiostrongylus cantonensis and analyze its tissue localization., Methods: Recombinant pET-IF of antigen IF was expressed in E.coli with IPTG induction, and the expression products were purified by His.Bind column and identified for determining the type of the IF protein by Western blotting. Anti-IF antibody was prepared by multi-spot subcutaneous injection into mouse and used to detect the tissue slices of A. cantonensis by immunohistochemical analysis., Results: The antigen IF were correctly expressed and purified, and identified as a keratin located in the intestine wall and cytoplusma., Conclusion: The antigen IF is distributed in the intestine wall of A. cantonensis.

CaTiO3 : Pr nanophosphors were prepared with a gel-network precipitation technique using cheap inorganic precursors. The samples, being well dispersed and sphere-like with an average diameter of 100 nm, were observed with transmission electron microscope (TEM). The mechanism of coprecipitation and crystallization was discussed briefly based on TG-DTA and the X-ray diffractometer (XRD) results. The luminescent properties were investigated by the fluorescence spectrophotometer. The conditions of the preparation process were also studied systematically and the optimal conditions were concluded. The results show that the products with strongest luminescence intensity could be prepared at 1 100 degrees C for one hour, and the luminescent features of samples synthesized by the gel-network precipitation technique are similar to those by solid-state reaction, while the calcining temperature is reduced about 200 degrees C. In conclusion, uniform long-afterglow nanophosphors CaTiO3 : Pr were successfully synthesized with simple apparatus at low cost.

Objective: To optimize the condition for inducing the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into adipocytes and study the expression of PTEN tumor suppression gene in this process, aiming to understand the regulatory role of PTEN in normal adipocyte differentiation and collect laboratory evidence for developing drugs targeting PTEN., Methods: The differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes cultured in high-glucose DMEM were induced according to 2 protocols with different combinations of dexamethasone, isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) and insulin, and the resultant adipocytes were identified by oil red O staining. The total proteins of 3T3-L1 were extracted and analyzed by Western blotting, and PTEN homology between mice and human was analyzed by bioinformatic method., Results: For optimized 3T3-L1 differentiation, 3T3-L1 cells were initially induced with the combination of 1 micromol/L dexamethasone, 0.5 mmol/L IBMX and 5 microg/ml insulin for 48 h, followed by treatment with 5 microg/ml insulin in 4.5 g/L glucose DMEM for 48 h, which resulted in high differentiation rate of 3T3-L1 cells (up to 90% on the 10th day) with unified morphology and size. PTEN expression varied quantitatively in the process of differentiation, especially low on the 12th day as compared with those measured on days 4, 6 and 9. The mice PTEN mRNA shared 96% homology and PTEN amino acid 100% homology with their human counterparts., Conclusion: Endogenous PTEN expression is down-regulated during 3T3-L1 differentiation, suggesting that PTEN may enhance insulin sensitivity and promote adipogenesis under physiological conditions.

Green-emitting LaF3:Ce, Tb phosphor nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method and characterized by XRD, TEM and fluorescence spectra. The prepared samples had a hexagonal shape, fine size (30 nm), and high brightness under ultraviolet, and the structure of LaF3 remained unchanged after being doped with Ce3+ and Tb3+ ions. The blue Ce3+ emission centered at 261 nm is efficiently quenched in the samples of LaF3:Ce, Tb, in which the dominant emission is in the green at 544 nm, originating from the doped Tb3+ ions' transition of (5)D4 to (7)F5. Excitation spectra of the LaF3:Ce, Tb, observed at 544 nm, consist of both contributions from Ce3+ and Tb3+ ions. There is energy transfer of Ce3+ --> Tb3+ in this system. The energy transfer mechanism was discussed. Above all, the phosphor nanoparticles have high photoluminescence intensity even without any calcination, about twice that of bulk materials prepared by high temperature solid synthesis, and the intensity is also stronger than calcined phosphor nanoparticles.

LaF3:Eu3+ nanoparticles were prepared by a simple hydrothermal process at low temperature and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescence spectrum. Well-dispersed nanoparticles with an average size of 30 nm and a hexagonal shape were obtained. The influences of reaction temperature and time on the preparation and luminescence of LaF3:Eu3+ nanoparticles were investigated. Luminescent quenching occurred at a much higher concentration ( approximately 25mol%) and stronger luminescent intensity than in bulk LaF3:Eu3+. Fluorescence intensity of the LaF3:Eu3+ nanoparticles varied remarkably with calcination temperatures. It was found that samples without any further calcinations can emit quite strong fluorescence.

A reagent of N'1,N'2-bis[(1E)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)methylene]ethanedihydrazide (DSOD) was synthesized, and characterized by IR spectra and element analysis. A highly sensitive fluorimetric method for the determination of trace amounts of zinc was proposed based on the reaction of Zn2+ with DSOD in ethanol at pH 7.00. The linear range of the method was 0-65.0 microg x L(-1) with a detection limit of 0.30 microg x L(-1). The interferences of 16 common ions were investigated and the results showed that the DSOD had a good selectivity. The analytical results of detecting trace amounts of Zn2+ in zinc rich salt and hair by this method were satisfactory.

A kinetic method for determination of chlorine in air was described in the present work. The method based on fading of methyl orange (MO) containing solution in air absorption process. A determination limit of 2.64 microg L(-1) was found. With the present method, chlorine concentration could be determined in several minutes with convenient manipulation. As concentration variation of methyl orange in the absorption solution did not affect the experimental results, fabrication and preservation of the stock absorption is also convenient. The present method is promising in monitoring chlorine concentration in atmosphere.

Background: A monoclonal antibody would be an effective tool for the detection of circulating antigens in the serum of patients with schistosomiasis, but the traditional way of producing monoclonal antibodies is not cost-effective. The objective of this study was to find a new method for the large-scale production of monoclonal antibodies against Schistosoma japonicum (Sj)., Methods: A phage display antibody library for Sj was constructed. To obtain a single-chain variable fragment antibody (scFv) against Sj, the library was screened with metabolic antigens from adult Sj worms (Sj-MAg) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The soluble scFvs selected were used to detect Sj antigens in the serum of acute and chronic schistosomiasis patients., Results: Six positive clones with good reactivity to Sj-MAg were obtained from the phage display antibody library of about 1.07 x 10(6) individual clones. Only two of these six clones bound specifically to Sj-MAg and were chosen for further analysis. Specific soluble anti-Sj-MAg scFvs were produced by inducing the 2 clones with isopropyl-D-thiogalactopyranoside. The characteristics of the scFvs were then determined. The results of Western blot showed that these scFvs could bind to Sj-MAg specifically and had a molecular weight of about 31 kD. When testing serum from schistosomiasis patients with one of the two specific scFvs, its sensitivity was found to be 60% and 37% in acute and chronic patients, respectively, with a specificity of 90%. When the two specific scFvs were combined, their sensitivity was found to be 75% and 57% in acute and chronic patients, respectively, with a specificity of 85%., Conclusions: The results indicate that the scFvs are potentially useful for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis. The library construction also provides a useful tool for the further screening of other antibodies for both diagnostic and immunotherapeutic applications and for epitope analysis and vaccine design.

In the present work, sensitized near-infrared fluorescence from Yb3+-chrome blue-black R (CBR) complex was studied. It was found that Yb3+ forms 1:2 complex with CBR in natural ethanol solution. The visible fluorescence from CBR was quenched when the complex forms, while the near-infrared fluorescence from Yb3+ was greatly enhanced. A mechanism in which CBR absorbs excitation light and transfers its energy to Yb3+ ions was suggested. Near-infrared fluorescence intensity of Yb3+ is proportional to its concentration under the experimental condition, and was not disturbed by the addition of a small amount of other lanthanide ions, which indicate that near-infrared fluorometric analysis should be promising in the determination of single langthanide ions.

Fluorescence spectrum of EuS4N complex at low temperature is very different from that at room temperature. When temperature changes, shapes of both excitation and emission spectra change dramatically at about 160 K, which is taken as an indicator of the structural change of EuS4N. Peak splitting of 5D0-->7F0 also indicates that there are two different types of coordination structure for Eu3+ ions at low temperature, while only one at room temperature. Thermal effect for the structure transition is also deduced from the relation between fluorescence intensity and temperature changing manner. These results were in good accordance with directly measurement on sample temperature. The reason for the structure change is also discussed from the structure of the EuS4N complex. This study proved that lanthanide luminescent probe, as a complementarity to X-ray diffraction technique, should be an effective tool in low temperature crystal structure study.

The use of ethylenediaminetetrakis(methylphosphonic) acid (EDTP) in the fluorimetry determination of trace amounts of Ce3+ ions is described. The fluorescence intensity of Ce3+ was greatly enhanced when an 1:1 complex with EDTP in solution of pH 7-8 formed. The apparent excitation and emission wavelength used were 313 and 397 nm, respectively. The fluorescence intensity varied linearly with the concentration of Ce3+ in the range of 1 x 10(-8) -1 x 10(-4) mol l(-1). The quenching effects of coexist ions (other rare earth ions, Fe3+ and some inorganic anions) were studied. This technique has unique advantage in eliminating disturb of coexist.

Fluorescence of Ce(III) aqua ion at pH 6.0 is found to be in good linear relationship with its concentration, and the intensity is strong enough to be employed to determine its concentration. TRNA(Phe) evidently quench this fluorescence. Fluorescence titration experiments were performed to Ce(III)-tRNA(Phe) system, the binding number and association constant was estimated with a Scatchard plot. Two classes of binding sites with association constant of 5.2 x 10(7) and 4.4 x 10(6) M, respectively, were found. Addition of spermine slightly decrease binding number and association constant of Ce(III) ion.

1. Pyrene was administered i.p. as a single dose to trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Urine was collected continuously for 3 days and bile sampled at the end of this period. Pyrene metabolites in these biological fluids were identified by 1H-nmr spectrometry, glc-ms and hplc-ms. 2. 1-Hydroxypyrene was the major oxidation metabolite in the urine and bile. Small amounts of 1,6-dihydroxypyrene and a putative 1,8-dihydroxypyrene metabolite also were detected. Unchanged pyrene was not found in any of these biological fluids. 3. Both free and conjugated metabolites of pyrene were found in the bile and urine. The majority of the pyrene metabolites in the bile were conjugated with glucuronic acid or sulphate.

Dissolution rate of megestrol acetate in the injection of microencapsulated compound megestrol acetate was determined by the first derivative spectrum amplitude method. The experimental results reveal that t50 of the microencapsulated sample (I) is about 60.16 d, while the broken microencapsulated sample (II) is about 15.89 d and the unmicroencapsulated sample (III) about 15.87 d. The difference is regarded as of obvious significance (P less than 0.01). The values of the dissolution rate were linear with the parameters of rabbits and women both in vivo.