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Transdermal drug delivery is the controlled release of drugs through the skin to obtain therapeutic levels systematically. Several technological advances have been made in the recent decades to enhance percutaneous drug penetration. This overview focuses on the physical, biochemical, and chemical means of penetration enhancement, as well as the classification and mechanisms of chemical penetration enhancers, their application in transdermal drug delivery, and trends and development in penetration enhancement.

A novel silica gel–water adsorption chiller is designed and its performance is predicted in this work. This adsorption chiller includes three vacuum chambers: two adsorption/desorption (or evaporation/condensation) vacuum chambers and one heat pipe working vacuum chamber as the evaporator. One adsorber, one condenser and one evaporator are housed in the same chamber to constitute an adsorption/desorption unit. The evaporators of two adsorption/desorption units are combined together by a heat-pipe heat exchanger to make continuous refrigerating capacity. In this chiller, a vacuum valve is installed between the two adsorption/desorption vacuum chambers to increase its performance especially when the chiller is driven by a low temperature heat source. The operating reliability of the chiller rises greatly because of using fewer valves. Furthermore, the performance of the chiller is predicted. The simulated results show that the refrigerating capacity is more than 10 kW under a typical working condition with hot water temperature of 85 °C, the cooling water temperature of 31 °C and the chilled water inlet temperature of 15 °C. The COP exceeds 0.5 even under a heat source temperature of 65 °C.

The prototype of a novel silica gel–water adsorption chiller is built and its performance is tested in detail. The experimental results show that the refrigerating capacity (RC) and COP of the chiller are 7.15 and 0.38 kW, respectively, when the hot water temperature is 84.8 8C, the cooling water temperature is 30.6 8C, and the chilled water outlet temperature is 11.7 8C. The RC will reach 6 kW under the condition of 65 8C hot water temperature, 30.5 8C cooling water temperature and 17.6 8C chilled water temperature. The results confirm that this kind of adsorption chiller is an effective refrigerating machine though its performance is not as fine as the prediction results. Also it is well effectively driven by a low-grade heat source. Therefore, its applications to the low-grade heat source are much attractive. q 2005 Elsevier Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved.

Single, epitaxial buffer layers of insulating LaMnO3 (LMO) or conductive La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) have been grown by sputter deposition on biaxially textured Ni and Ni–alloy substrates. We report baseline investigations of their compatibility with the Yba2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) coatings and demonstrate biaxially textured YBCO films grown by pulsed-laser deposition on these single-buffered tapes. Superconducting property characterizations revealed better properties for YBCO films on LMO-buffered tapes relative to those grown on LSMO layers. Self-field critical current densities (Jc) exceeding 1 × 106 A/cm2 at 77 K have been obtained for the YBCO (200 nm) films on LMO-buffer layers. These results offer prospects for the use of single, LMO-buffered metal tapes in the development of practical YBCO-coated conductors.

Crater-like structures are experimentally studied with an ultrashort, ultraintense laser pulse with an intensity of 1.5 × 1018 W/cm2, irradiating borosilicate glass targets, which extends laser-induced craters to the region of relativistic intensities. The morphology of the crater-like structures is measured accurately using a three-dimensional laser scanning confocal microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The experimental results indicate that a circular bowl shape is formed with a depth-to-diameter ratio of about 1/5, which is similar to that of meteorite impact craters. A plasma fireball model is applied to analyze the experimental results. Studies show that catastrophic asteroid strikes may be investigated by irradiating foils with intense laser pulses.

The authors studied the vascular anatomy of the buccinator muscle by dissecting fresh cadavers. The anatomy of the buccal branches of the facial artery consistently confirmed the existence of a posterior buccal branch, a few inferior buccal branches, and anterior buccal branches to the posterior, inferior, and anterior portions of the buccinator. The buccal artery and posterior buccal branch anastomose to each other and ramify over the muscle. Several veins originate from the lateral aspect of the muscle, converge into the buccal venous plexus, and drain into the facial vein (from two to four tributaries) or into the pterygoid plexus and the internal maxillary vein (from the buccal vein). These vessels and nerves enter the posterior half of the buccinator posterolaterally. The facial artery and vein are located at variable distances from each other around the oral commissure and the nasal base. Two patterns of buccinator musculomucosal island flaps supplied by these buccal arterial branches are proposed in this article. The buccal musculomucosal neurovascular island flap (posteriorly based), supplied by the buccal artery, its posterior buccal branch, and the long buccal nerve, can be passed through a tunnel under the pterygomandibular ligament for closure of mucosal defects in the palate, pharyngeal sites, the alveolus, and the floor of the mouth. The buccal musculomucosal reversed-flow arterial island flap (superiorly based), supplied by the distal portion of the facial artery through the anterior buccal branches, can be used to close mucosal defects in the anterior hard palate, alveolus, maxillary antrum, nasal floor and septum, lip, and orbit. The authors have used the flaps in 12 patients. There has been no flap necrosis, and results have been satisfactory, both aesthetically and functionally.

The temperature dependence of the positron lifetime was measured in the range from 80 to 400 K for Y1−xPrxBa2Cu3O7−δ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0). The mean lifetime showed a clear temperature dependence for YBa2Cu3O7−δ. As Pr is doped, the temperature dependence becomes weaker systematically. There is no temperature dependence of the mean lifetime for PrBa2Cu3O7−δ. Two components can be extracted for the samples with x = 0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 at lower temperatures. The long-lived lifetime is 188 ps and does not depend on either the Pr concentration or the temperature. The bulk lifetime of Y1−xPrxBa2Cu3O7−δ is 164 ps, regardless of the Pr concentration. Positron trapping effect is also discussed.

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an acute, post-infectious, immune-mediated, demyelinating disease of peripheral nerves and nerve roots. Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) is an animal model of GBS. Chrysin, which is a naturally occurring flavonoid, exhibits various biological activities. This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of preventative and therapeutic chrysin treatment in EAN rats. For preventative treatment, chrysin was administered orally from day 1 to day 16 (50mg/kg once daily) while, for therapeutic treatment, rats received chrysin from day 7 to day 16 at the same dose once daily. Control animals received the same volume of the vehicle (phosphate-buffered saline/2% dimethylsulfoxide). Regardless of the treatment regimen, chrysin attenuated the severity and duration of the clinical course of EAN and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and demyelination of sciatic nerves. In the sciatic nerves, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2 and nuclear factor kappa B was reduced. Furthermore, chrysin inhibited the splenic mononuclear cell secretion of interleukin-1β, interleukin-2, interleukin-6, inteleukin-12, interferon γ and tumor necrosis factor α, and elevated the level of inteleukin-4. In summary, our data demonstrate that chrysin is a potentially useful agent for the treatment of EAN with its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.

The objective of this study was to determine the true digestible P requirement of 10- to 20-kg pigs by broken-line regression analysis of growth performance using 6 levels of true total-tract digestible P. In Exp. 1, 48 barrows were used to determine the true total-tract digestibility (TTTD) of P in monocalcium phosphate using the regression method. The dietary treatments included a negative control (3.30 g/kg total P) and 7 additional dietary treatments with incremental addition of 0.74 g/kg P through monocalcium phosphate, resulting in a dietary range of 3.30 to 8.45 g/kg total P. Limestone was added accordingly to maintain a constant Ca to P ratio of 1.25:1 across all diets. A 5-d adjustment period preceded a 5-d total collection of feces. Ferric oxide was used to time the initiation and termination of fecal collection. In Exp. 2, 108 barrows and gilts were used in a 3-wk growth performance study. Monocalcium phosphate was added to a corn-soybean meal-based diet to set up 6 levels of TTTD-based digestible P, ranging from 1.55 to 4.21 g/kg at an increment of 0.53 g/kg digestible P. Limestone was added accordingly to maintain a constant Ca level across all diets. The results of Exp.1 showed dietary P intake, fecal P output, and digested P increased linearly (P0.001) with the increasing P level, whereas the apparent total-tract digestibility of P increased both linearly and quadratically (P0.01). The regression of daily digested P against daily P intake gave a TTTD of 67.5% for P in monocalcium phosphate. In Exp. 2, ADG increased linearly (P0.001) with the increasing P level in wk 1. In wk 2, wk 3, and the overall 3-wk duration, both linear and quadratic effects of P level (P0.05) were observed for ADG. Average daily feed intake increased with the addition of monocalcium phosphate linearly in wk 2 (P0.05) and during the overall period (P0.001) and both linearly (P0.001) and quadratically (P0.05) in wk 3. For any period, the G:F was improved in both a linear (P0.001) and quadratic (P0.05) fashion. The true digestible P requirement, defined as the breakpoint using G:F of the overall duration, was estimated to be 3.22, 2.81, and 3.45 g/kg of diet with dietary DM averaged at 887 g/kg for pigs of mixed sex, barrows, and gilts, respectively. Using ADG, the corresponding P requirement was 3.19, 3.40, and 2.97 g/kg of diet. In conclusion, the true digestible P requirement of pigs from 10 to 20 kg BW was determined to be 3.2 g/kg of diet.

HIV-1 penetration of the brain is a pivotal event in the neuropathogenesis of AIDS-associated dementia. The establishment of productive viral replication or up-regulation of adhesion molecule expression on brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVEC) could permit entry of HIV into the central nervous system. To investigate the contribution of both, we inoculated primary human BMVEC with high titer macrophage-tropic HIV-1 or cocultured them with virus-infected monocytes. In both instances, BMVEC failed to demonstrate productive viral replication. Cell to cell contact between monocytes and microvascular endothelium resulted in E-selectin expression on BMVEC. BMVEC. cocultured with LPS-activated HIV-infected monocytes expressed even higher levels of E-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Transwell assays supported a role of soluble factors, from virus-infected monocytes, for the induction of adhesion molecules on BMVEC. To verify the in vivo relevance of these findings, levels of adhesion molecules were compared with those of proinflammatory cytokines and HIV-1 gene products in brain tissue of AIDS patients with or without encephalitis and HIV-seronegative controls. E-Selectin, and to a lesser degree VCAM-1, paralleled the levels of HIV-1 gene products and proinflammatory cytokines in brain tissue of subjects with encephalitis. Most importantly, an association between macrophage infiltration and increased endothelial cell adhesion molecules was observed in encephalitic brains. Monocyte binding to encephalitic brain tissue was blocked with Abs to VCAM-1 and E-selectin. These data, taken together, suggest that HIV entry into brain is, in part, a consequence of the ability of virus-infected and immune-activated monocytes to induce adhesion molecules on brain endothelium.

The frictional characteristics of a soil-geosynthetic interface can be determined by direct shear and pullout tests. The direct shear test is commonly conducted according to ASTM standard D5321. However, at present there is no ASTM method for pullout testing of geosynthetics. During the past 10 years different researchers have obtained a wealth of information from direct shear and pullout tests of geosynthetics. A critical analysis of direct shear and pullout tests and an evaluation of the effects of fundamental material and testing parameters on test results are presented.

FeCl3 etching solution is widely used in etching processes due to its strong oxidation and corrosion properties. However, significant amounts of waste etching solution is produced, which pollutes the environment and wastes materials. Aiming to address problems related to the use of recycled FeCl3 waste etching solution containing Cu, the crystallization regeneration process in an enterprise was improved and the copper element was recovered in the form of copper chloride crystal. Based on the original process, a hydrocyclone was added to preseparate the slurry. By investigating the change of the inlet flow rate and separation efficiency of the hydrocyclone with inlet pressure under different concentrations, the optimal inlet pressure was determined to be approximately 0.25Mpa. Experimental results indicated that the workload of the centrifuge was reduced by approximately 80%, the average specific surface area of the copper chloride crystal was decreased by 50%, the production of copper chloride crystal byproducts after washing process was increased by approximately 20% and regeneration of FeCl3 waste etching solution was also realized.

HIV-1-infected brain macrophages participate in neurologic dysfunction through their continual secretion of neurotoxins. We previously demonstrated that astroglial cells activate HIV-1-infected monocytes to produce such neurotoxic activities. In this study, the mechanism underlying these monocyte secretory activities was unraveled and found dependent on HIV-1's ability to prime monocytes for activation. LPS stimulation of HIV-1-infected monocytes resulted in an overexpression of eicosanoids, platelet-activating factor (PAF), and TNF-alpha. This was dependent on the level of HIV-1 infection and monocyte stimulation. Cell to cell interactions between activated virus-infected monocytes and primary human astrocytes reduced monocyte secretions. The capacity of astrocytes to deactivate monocytes was, notably, TGF-beta independent. Although astrocytes constitutively produced latent TGF-beta 2, HIV-1-infected monocytes neither affected TGF-beta 2 production nor converted it into a bioactive molecule. Furthermore, addition of rTGF-beta 1 or rTGF-beta 2 or its Abs to LPS-stimulated monocyte-astrocyte mixtures had no effect on monokine production. In contrast, addition of rIL-10 to LPS-stimulated monocytes produced a dose-dependent decrease in TNF-alpha. IL-10 mRNAs were detected in monocytes, but not astrocytes, following LPS treatment. These results suggest that macrophage activation, a major component of HIV-1 infection in the brain, precipitates neuronal injury by causing virus-infected cells to synthesize neurotoxins. The neurotoxins produced by monocytes are then regulated by astrocytes. Astrocytes therefore, can play either positive or negative roles for disease depending on prior macrophage activation. These findings begin to unravel the cellular control mechanisms that influence cognitive and motor dysfunctions in HIV-1-infected individuals.

Two-dimensional tailoring of a proton beam is realized by a “particle lens” in our experiment. A large quantity of electrons, generated by an intense femtosecond laser irradiating a polymer target, produces an electric field strong enough to change the trajectory and distribution of energetic protons flying through the electron area. The experiment shows that a strip pattern of the proton beam appears when hot electrons initially converge inside the plastic plate. Then the shape of the proton beam changes to a “fountain-like” pattern when these hot electrons diffuse after propagating a distance.

Focal spot effects on the generation of proton beams are investigated by a high-intensity high-contrast laser irradiating on solid foil in target normal sheath acceleration experiments. Different spot size, transverse shape, and intensity of the laser are obtained by appropriately using deformable mirrors and parabolic mirrors. Experiments show that the maximum proton energy is mainly determined by the laser intensity if the focal spot size is not seriously changed. Compared with the previous experimental results, the optimum foil thickness d o is scaled by the laser intensity I as d o ~ I 0.33. The corresponding theoretical estimation is carried out as d o ~ I 0.25 for ultra-high intensity laser systems with similar contrast. MULTI and particle-in-cell simulations are used to interpret the experimental results.

A new calibration standard design is presented in this paper for the purpose to calibrate polarization correlation millimeter wave radiometers in vacuum chamber. This new configuration consists of one polarization grid, one temperature adjusted targets, and one cold target. Compared with traditional calibration model, the new one doesn't need any unpolarized target when calibrating a polarization correlation radiometer by regulating the physical of calibration targets. The design for polarizing grid and wide aperture radiator are also introduced in related section. The simulation results of calibration process prove validity of the new design.

A new calibration method for tri-polarization microwave radiometers is presented in this paper. The method can be used to calibrate the radiometers having the output of the first three Stokes parameters. By using two calibration targets with temperature adjusted function and a polarizing grid, the new means also may provide a full rank Stokes matrix to compute the elements in the gain matrix of polarization-correlating radiometers. The merit of this method is that need not nonpolarized target in radiometer calibration because the existence of temperature-adjusted function of two calibration loads. Hence, it will be helpful in some special spot such as thermal-vacuum chamber. An optimal criterion based on condition number is also provided to decrease the error limit of radiometer calibration. The simulation results show the method's validity.

The reviews and prospects for radiometer calibration research of BIRMM (Beijing Radio Institute of Metrology and Measurement) are presented in this paper. The paper's interests are concentrated on three principal parts as follows. Firstly, the timetable about research for radiometer calibration target is shown in a figure according to time sequence since 1995. Second, the traceability link for calibration targets, including their operational theory, is introduced in the section III and section IV concisely. Finally, the discussion about two key points of radiometer calibration and summary based on content above are presented in the end.

The diagnostics of cracks in structures has been gaining importance in recent years. In the past decade, numerous sensors were developed to detect and monitor the crack propagation, but very few sensors can extract quantified information about the crack such as its size and orientation. Recently, we have presented a passive wireless antenna sensor that can detect sub-millimeter crack growth when the crack is parallel to one edge of the antenna patch. This paper studies the capability of the antenna sensor to detect crack orientation. Based on the principle of microstrip patch antenna, an antenna sensor with a rectangular patch radiates at two resonant frequencies. Cracks in the ground plane of the sensor with different orientations influence these two resonant frequencies in two different ways. Thus by monitoring the changes in both resonant frequencies of the antenna sensor, quantitative information about the crack orientations can be obtained. The resonant frequencies of the antenna sensor were first simulated using an EM simulation tool by modeling the crack as a 0.7 mm wide slot oriented at various angles. Simulation results confirmed that the resonant frequencies of the antenna sensor are sensitive to the crack orientation. Subsequently, the antenna sensor's capability to detect crack orientation was experimentally validated by fabricating an antenna sensor on a double-clad circuit board. A mini-milling machine was employed to produce cracks in the ground plane at different angles. The resonant frequencies of the antenna sensor were then measured at different crack lengths to study the effect of crack orientation and length on both frequencies of the antenna sensor. The principle of operation will be discussed first, followed by detailed descriptions on the simulation model, sensor design and fabrication, experimental setup and procedure, results and analysis.

CYP2C9 is the major contributor to gliclazide metabolic clearance in vitro, while the pharmacokinetics of gliclazide modified release are affected mainly by CYP2C19 genetic polymorphisms in vivo. This study aims to investigate the influence of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of gliclazide in healthy Chinese Han volunteers.Eighteen healthy Han subjects with various combinations of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 genotypes received 80 mg gliclazide. Plasma gliclazide concentrations were measured by a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for 84 h and plasma glucose and insulin levels were measured up to 15 h post-dose.There was no difference in either pharmacokinetic and or pharmacodynamic parameters of gliclazide when group A (CYP2C9*1/*1, CYP2C19 extensive metabolizers) was compared with group B (CYP2C9*1/*3, CYP2C19 *1/*1). When group C (CYP2C9*1/*1 and CYP2C19 poor metabolizers) was compared with group A, the AUC(0-∞) and C(max) in group C were significantly higher [83.94 ± 40.41 vs. 16.39 ± 5.10 μg·h/mL (P = 0.000) and 1.50 ± 0.85 vs. 0.45 ± 0.18 μg/mL (P = 0.000)], and the oral clearance was significantly lower [1.17 ± 0.63 vs. 5.38 ± 1.86 L/h (P = 0.000)]. The half-life of gliclazide was also significantly prolonged in group C subjects when compared with that of group A (33.47 ± 12.39 vs. 19.34 ± 10.45 h), but the difference was not significant (P = 0.052). The increase in serum glucose level at 11 h after dosing (ΔC(glu11)) in group C was significantly higher than that of group A (-1.08 ± 0.42 vs. 0.22 ± 1.01 mmol/L, P = 0.022). The corresponding insulin levels showed no difference between the two groups.CYP2C9*3 was not associated with any change in the disposition of gliclazide. CYP2C19 polymorphisms appear to exert the dominant influence on the pharmacokinetics of gliclazide in healthy Chinese Han subjects, and may also affect the observed pharmacodynamics of the drug as a result.

The importance of size reduction in relation to pharmaceutical active agents and excipients is well known. A variety of types of equipment are used for milling, such as ball mill and fluid energy mill. This article focuses on particle size reduction methods, characterization of particle size and shape, the importance of controlling particle characteristics to ensure the success of pharmaceutical powder processing, and the manufacture of elegant pharmaceutical products. Keywords: particle size reduction; milling; ball mill; fluid energy mill

The aim of this study was to investigate the solubility of mefenamic acid (MA), a highly cohesive, poorly water-soluble drug in a copolymer of polyoxyethylene–polyoxypropylene (Lutrol F68®), and to understand the effect drug polymer solubility has on in vitro dissolution of MA. Solid dispersions (SD) of MA were prepared by a hot melt method, using Lutrol F68® as a thermoplastic polymeric platform. High-speed differential scanning calorimetry (Hyper-DSC), Raman spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD) and hot-stage/fluorescence microscopy were used to assess the solubility of the drug in molten and solid polymer. Drug dissolution studies were subsequently conducted on single-phase solid solutions and biphasic SD using phosphate buffer pH 6.8 as dissolution media. Solubility investigations using Hyper-DSC, Raman spectroscopy and hot-stage microscopy suggested MA was soluble in molten Lutrol F68® up to a concentration of 35% (w/w). Conversely, the solubility in the solid-state matrix was limited to

This study compared three model decontaminant solutions (tap water, isotonic saline, and hypertonic saline) for their ability to remove a model herbicide (glyphosate) from an in vitro human skin model. Human cadaver skin was dosed (approximately 375microg) of [14C]-glyphosate on 3cm2 per skin. After each exposure time (1, 3, and 30min post-dosing, respectively), the surface skin was washed three times (4ml per time) with each solution. After washing, the skin was stripped twice with tape discs. Lastly, the wash solutions, strippings, receptor fluid, and remainder of skin were liquid scintillation analyzer counted to determine the amount of glyphosate. There were no statistical differences among these groups at any time points. The total mass balance recovery at three time exposure points was between 94.8% and 102.4%. The wash off rates (glyphosate in wash solutions) at three different exposure times is 79-101.2%. Thus the three tested decontaminants possess similar effectiveness in removing glyphosate from skin. This in vitro model is not only economic and rapid, but also provides quantitative data that may aid screening for optimal decontaminants.

To reduce irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in industry, application of moisturizers as well as barrier creams (BC) before or during work, wearing appropriate gloves and clothing may be indicated. Topical corticoids and other therapy approaches are critically reviewed.

Barrier creams (BC) are used in hand care to protect the user against damage from surfactants and other irritants; their clinical value remains debatable; some reports indicate that inappropriate BC application might induce a deleterious rather than a beneficial effect. Since many cosmetic formulations contain 'skin protectants', we review concept, application, and efficacy from the pertinent scientific literature.

Decontamination of a chemical from skin is often an emergency measure. This study utilized an in vitro model to compare the decontamination capacity of three model decontaminant solutions (tap water, isotonic saline, and hypertonic saline). Human cadaver skin was dosed (approximately 0.25 microg on 3 cm(2) per skin) with radio-labeled [(14)C]-formaldehyde. After a defined exposure time (1, 3, and 30 min post-dosing, respectively), the surface skin was washed three times (4ml per time) with each solution. After washing, the skin was stripped with tape discs twice. Lastly, the wash solutions, strippings, receptor fluid, and remainder of skin were liquid scintillation analyzer counted to determine the amounts of formaldehyde. Additionally, an evaporation test at different exposure times (1min, 3min, 15min, 30min, and 60min, respectively) was conducted to monitor formaldehyde % evaporation. There were no statistical differences among these groups except isotonic saline, at 3min post-exposure (in wash solutions), showed a significantly difference (p

In this paper, we focus on the damping coefficient of single crystal Fe ultrathin films obtained from FMR linewidth.

Physical carrier sensing is an effective mechanism of medium access control (MAC) protocols to reduce collisions in wireless networks, and the size of the carrier sensing range has a great impact on the system performance. Previous studies have shown that the MAC layer overhead plays an important role in determining the optimal carrier sensing range. However, variable transmission ranges and receiver sensitivities for different channel rates and the impact of multihop forwarding have been ignored. In this paper, we investigate the impacts of these factors as well as several other important factors, such as SINR (signal to interference plus noise ratio), node topology, hidden/exposed terminal problems and bidirectional handshakes, on determining the optimum carrier sensing range to maximize the throughput through both analysis and simulations. The results show that if any one of these factors is not addressed properly, the system performance may suffer a significant degradation. Furthermore, considering both multirate capability and carrier sensing ranges, we propose to use bandwidth distance product as a routing metric, which improves end-to-end throughput by up to 27% in the simulated scenario.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as H2O2, can be produced by enzymes involved in electron leakage of respiration chain in mitochondria, and by neurochemical enzymes such as monoamine oxidase in neural cells. ROS are toxic to cells, and can result in cell death. ROS also play an important role in some diseases, especially in neurodegenerative diseases by yet unknown mechanisms. In the current research, the N-2a neuroblastoma cell was treated with H2O2, and the morphological changes of cell death were characterized. Our results show that N-2a cell death is different from classical apoptosis, but belongs type II nerve cell programmed death, which shows condensed chromatin within intact nuclear envelope and no apoptotic body. The chromatin DNA of dead cells shows no internucleosomal cleavage, as well as no requirement for caspase-3, 1 activity. However, the H2O2-induced N-2a cell death can be inhibited by Bcl-XL. It can be concluded that type II nerve cell death is the result of cell toxicity mediated by ROS. The results pave the way for further research of type II nerve cell death.

In this paper, a new method of extracting the dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium cohnii chromosomes was proposed. The ultrastructure of dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium cohnii chromosome was studied by transmission electron microscope. The chromosome fibres of dinoflagellate fold in a different manner from that of typical eukaryotes.

Ceramide, a key molecule in sphingolipid metabolism and a candidate second messenger, has been shown to inhibit the activity of phospholipase D. This biochemical pathway has been implicated to regulate cell differentiation, apoptosis and cellular senescence. Ceramide is generated in response to a number of extracellular inducers(for example: TNF, IL-1 and Fas ligands etc.), and acts as a second messenger to mediate many of the effects of these inducers. HUVECs are the monolayer cells located inside the vein wall and play an important role in the regulation of vein physiology and blood function. It has been reported that the C6 ceramide can induce senescence of WI-38 HDF and promote the activity of beta-galactosidase, but, C2 ceramide has no such effect. In this study, we investigated the role of C6 ceramide in the senescence of HUVECs. 10 mumol/ml of C6 ceramide treatment for more than 72 hours can induce morphological alterations (such as: enlarged, flattened and irregular cell body), cell cycle arrested at G1 phase and the expression of the senescent histochemical marker-beta-galactosidase in HUVECs. These results showed that C6 ceramide could induce senescence-like changes of HUVECs. The detection of reactive oxygen species(ROS) and the anti-oxidative ability of the cells showed that the C6 ceramide induced senescence-like cells still have normal ability of anti-oxidation. Further investigations are ongoing.

The paper presents the arbiter design using one level and two level lookahead technique with two step arbitration for N-user B-server case with favorite and non-favorite priorities. The implementation of the proposed arbiter can work more efficiently and faster than the iterative method and is fairer and more complete than pure lookahead technique in the realistic multiprocessor system. >

Neurofilaments were isolated from bovine spinal cords by ultra-speed centrifugation and examined by negative staining. The neurofilament triplet proteins: NF-L, NF-M and NF-H were purified by DE-52 anion exchange chromatography in the presence of 6 mol/L urea. The reassembly of NF-L under controlled conditions was studied. NF-L can reassemble into 10 nm width filaments within 60 minutes at physiological condition of around 0.15 mol/L NaCl, 2 mmol/L MgCl2, neutral pH(pH 6.8) and 37 degrees C. In 6 mol/L urea, NF-L was examined as 12 nm-diameter particle by low angle rotary shadowing. When dialyzed against reassembly buffer for 20 minutes, some irregular filaments were formed. Further dialyzed for another 40 minutes, the long smooth filaments appeared. Some filaments were unraveled at the end regions, where existed 2-4 subfilaments. Four subfilaments were more often observed. That is to say, the 10 nm-width filament was composed of 4 subfilaments. While dialyzed against the alkaline buffer containing 0.15 mol/L NaCl, NF-L reconstituted into 45-180 nm-long, 10 nm-width filaments, which were not able to elongate into long filaments.

By using the NAMA-Ur DNA selective staining method, we have observed in situ the location of nucleolar DNA in onion cells and found it at the boundary between fibrillar centres (FC) and dense fibrillar component (DFC) in transcriptionally active nucleolus. We have also used anti-NOR serum, which is identified as the RNA Polymerase I transcription factor (UBF) antibody, to study its reactivity with higher plant cells and demonstrated this factor associated to the DFC but not present at the interior of FC. Finally, by employing anti-DNA/RNA hybrid antibodies, we labeled the transcriptionally active rRNA genes in active nucleolus and testified that at the boundary between FC and DFC. The results provide the evidence that the boundary between FC and DFC is the genuine transcription site of rRNA genes in nucleolus.

To estimate the effects of therapy of short veno-venous hemofiltration (SVVH, 4hr) on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).Twenty patients were divided randomly into hemofiltration group (HF, 10 pts) and non-hemofiltration group (NHF, 10 pts). The local, systemic manifestations were compared between two groups; and the concentration of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFalpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, sIL-2R) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-10) were determined at different observation points.In the HF and NHF group, the duration for disappearance of abdominal pain and tenderness, and amelioration for abdominal distension was (8.5 +/- 6.3) d vs. (90.0 +/- 49.0) d and (16.9 +/- 5.2) d vs. (63.4 +/- 36.0) d. CT scores at the 14th day and APACHE II scores at the 10th day was (5.6 +/- 1.3) vs. (7.7 +/- 0.8) and (4.5 +/- 1.5) vs. (7.4 +/- 2.1). The average hospital stay and cost of therapy were (33.0 +/- 20.7) d vs. (56.4 +/- 16.0) d and (53,200 +/- 16,000) vs. (89,100 +/- 25,000) RMB (P0.05). The concentration of 5 serum pro-inflammatory cytokines at each observation points after hemofiltration was decreased significantly (P0.05) in the HF group. But the concentration of the two serum anti-inflammatory cytokines was increased significantly (P0.05) as compared with that of the NHF group.Through SVVH, the imbalance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines has been corrected at early stage; thus, the severity of the disease is ameliorated significantly and the efficacy of therapy is increased.

To explore the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) monoclonal antibody (MAb) on tissue TNF-alpha and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) mRNA expression, and multiple organ dysfunction in rats after thermal injury.24 male Wistar rats were subjected to a 35% total body surface area full-thickness thermal injury.The tissue TNF-alpha and LBP mRNA expressions of liver, lung, intestine, and kidney were markedly increased (P0.05 approximately equal 0.01) after thermal injury. Treatment with TNF-alpha MAb could significantly lower TNF-alpha mRNA expression of lung, intestine and kidney, but had no effect on liver TNF-alpha mRNA expression (P0.05). Similarly, the tissue LBP mRNA expression also decreased significantly (36.0% - 72.9%), and returned to normal in lung, intestine and kidney. In addition, biochemical parameters including GPT, TBiL, BUN, CK-MB, and LDH were markedly elevated after thermal injury, and decreased significantly after treatment with TNF-alpha MAb.The increase of tissue TNF-alpha gene expression caused by thermal injury might be associated with a marked elevation of tissue LBP mRNA expression, which could contribute to the development of multiple organ dysfunction. The early use of TNF-alpha MAb seems to be effective in inhibiting significant LBP mRNA expression in various tissues and ameliorating multiple organ damage after major thermal injury.

This paper introduced with emphasis the physiological meaning of hydraulic architecture and its parameters, e.g., hydraulic conductivity(Kh), specific conductivity(Ks), leaf specific conductivity(LSC), Huber value(Hv) and water storage capacitance(C), the hydraulic architecture patterns of woods and woody plants, and the developmental trend in their research. The relationship between the hydraulic archteciture of woody plants and their drought resistance was tried to be expounded in mechanism.

Corn is the most important cereal crop in China. Over 34.94 million ha of corn is cultivated in the country annually. However, fungal diseases are a major limiting factor in corn production. In August 2008, 50 ha in several corn fields in Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang provinces were observed to be severely affected by a disease causing a yield loss of 30%. Results from field surveys suggested an epidemic during late corn growth stages that affected corn sheaths, causing irregularly circular spots with grayish brown to dark brown lesions. Lesions ranged from 2.5 to 3 × 3 to 5 cm. To isolate the causal agent, tissue was removed from the border of lesions and surface sterilized in 75% ethanol for 30 sec and 0.1% HgCl2 for 1 min. The sample was then triple rinsed in sterile distilled water. The isolate was purified and subcultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 25 ± 2°C. The initial color of the mycelium was white, turning brown after being cultured for 7 days. A pale brown to dark brown pigment developed in the agar beneath the colony. Chlamydospores, solitary but also in short chains, measuring 7.2 to 15.3 μm, were produced on carnation leaf agar (CLA) after 10 days and became verrucose 20 days later. Macroconidia were produced on CLA in orange sporodochia from monophialides on branched conidiophores, usually 5- to 7-septate, and apical cells were tapered and elongate. Basal cells were prominent, foot-shaped, and elongated in appearance. Microconidia were not observed (1). These morphological characteristics matched the description of Fusarium equiseti reported by Leslie and Summerell (1). A pathogenicity test was conducted with an isolate from each of the 36 corn plants by spraying 2 ml of spore suspension (106 conidia/ml) on 45-day-old corn sheaths (cv. Huang Zao). For the control treatment, 36 corn plants were sprayed with an equal volume of sterilized water. Inoculated plants were placed in a greenhouse at 32 to 34°C and 95% relative humidity. Typical irregularly circular lesions were observed 7 days after inoculation, except in the control samples. Each treatment was replicated three times. The suspected pathogen was consistently re-isolated from diseased tissue according to Koch's postulates, and was found to be morphologically similar to F. equiseti. Preliminary morphological identification of the fungus was confirmed by a PCR assay using genomic DNA extracted from the mycelia of a 7-day-old culture on PDA at 25 ± 2°C. A 750-bp amplified region of the transcription elongation factor (TEF) of rDNA was generated using TEF1 (5′-ATGGGTAAGGAGGACAAGAC-3′) and TEF2 (5′-GGAAGTACCAGTGATCATGTT-3′) primers. The TEF region (GenBank Accession No. KF754798) was sequenced by Sangon Biotech Co., Ltd. (Shanghai, China) and displayed 99% nucleotide similarity with the rDNA-TEF of F. equiseti (JN127347.1) separately after a BLASTn search in GenBank. Based on the symptoms, fungal morphology, TEF sequence, and pathogenicity testing, this fungus was identified as F. equiseti. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. equiseti on corn sheaths in China. This report will establish a foundation for further study of F. equiseti to address the disease effectively and to determine the severity of damage caused by F. equiseti. Reference: (1) J. F. Leslie and B. A. Summerell. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual. Blackwell, Ames, IA, 2006.

To investigate the dynamic changes in tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha) mRNA expression and the relationship between TNF-alpha mRNA and gut-derived endotoxemia in rats after thermal injury.56 male Wistar rats were subjected to a 35% total body surface area full-thickness thermal injury and randomly divided into 3 groups: normal controls, 35% III* injury group, and polymyxin B treatment group. Plasma endotoxin was measured by limulus amebocyte lysate test, and tissue TNF-alpha mRNA expression was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).It was found that a significant elevation of endotoxin concentration in both portal and systemic circulation was observed at 2 hours after thermal injury, peaking at 8 hours (P0.05-0.01) and lowering at 24 hours. Meanwhile, TNF-alpha mRNA expression significantly increased in liver, lung, intestine, and kidney at 2 hours, peaking at 8 hours, and a high level was maintained till 24 hours. However, treatment with a low-dose polymyxin B could lower both portal and systemic endotoxin levels, and markedly inhibit TNF-alpha mRNA expression in various organs. In addition, a positive correlation between portal endotoxin concentration and pulmonary, intestinal and renal TNF-alpha mRNA expression was noted (r = 0.365-0.484, all P0.05).This study suggests that major burns can lead to a marked elevation of tissue TNF-alpha mRNA expression in vital organs, which may be associated with gut-derived endotoxemia caused by acute thermal injury.

Occlusion, widely used to enhance percutaneous absorption of drugs, also increases penetration of other chemicals and antigens, and hence may exacerbate irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. This overview summarizes the adverse effects of occlusion.

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of the new method--adoptive cell immunotherapy on ovarian carcinoma.Tumor soluble antigen (TSA) was extracted from cells of ovarian carcinoma (COC1 and COC2n). To generate cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) collected from healthy persons were induced by TSA and anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (CD3-McAb). The antitumor effect of CTL on COC1 cells in vitro was compared with LAK and CD3-AK, whereas the growth inhibitory effect of CTL on COC2n transplantation tumors in nude mice was compared with CD3-AK.The cytotoxicity of CTL, CD3-AK and LAK was 79.4%, 52.1% and 51.7% respectively (P0.01). Mean volume of tumor in nude mice on the 9th day after ovarian carcinoma cells transplanted was 44.4 +/- 24.2 mm3 in CTL group, 118.8 +/- 40.0 mm3 in CD3-AK group and 443.0 +/- 158.7 mm3 in control (no treatment) (P0.01), whereas mean duration of survival was 28.5 days, 25.5 days and 17 days respectively (P0.01).The results indicated that CTL exhibited higher cytotoxic effect in vitro and greater inhibitory effect on tumor growth resulting in longer survival in vivo. It suggested that the adoptive cell immunotherapy might provide a new idea for treatment of ovarian carcinoma.

Skin care products are complex formulations that may cause sensory irritation symptoms, characterized by stinging, burning, and itching. Substances capable of counteracting sensory irritation are of great practical interest. Strontium salts have been demonstrated to inhibit sensory irritation and inflammation when applied topically. In this double-blind study, we evaluated the efficacy of strontium nitrate in reducing chemically-induced skin sensory irritation in 8 subjects. In a random order, 20% strontium nitrate in 70% glycolic acid (pH=0.6) (mixture) was applied to the volar aspect of the forearm and a positive control (70% glycolic acid, pH=0.6) to the contralateral forearm. The irritation sensation was evaluated each min for the first 20 min after topical application using a scale from 0-4. The duration of the irritation sensation in min was also recorded. Strontium nitrate mixed with glycolic acid, in comparison with glycolic acid alone, markedly (p0.01) shortened the duration of the irritation sensation from 24.4+/-4.1 (mean+/-SEM) min to 8.9+/-3.7 (mean+/-SEM) min, and significantly (p0.05) reduced the mean magnitude of the irritation sensation at all time points (overall). The study demonstrated that strontium nitrate potently suppresses the sensation of chemically-induced irritation.

It is not always practical for persons, whose occupation or activities mandate the use of irritants or allergens, to avoid their use. In order to reduce the risk of developing irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in industry, prophylactic measures are indicated. Application of moisturizers as well as barrier creams (BCs) before or during work and wearing appropriate gloves and clothing may be protective. Oral and, to a lesser extent, topical corticoids have demonstrated significant efficacy in the treatment of ACD. Additional therapies include UVB/UVA treatment, other immunosuppressives, and Grenz ray.