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Arsenic pollution in freshwater poses a serious threat to aquatic organisms. However, dissolved organic matter (DOM) in water can modulate arsenic environmental toxicity by either suppressing or promoting its bioaccumulation. In this study, we investigated the toxicity, bioaccumulation, and biotransformation of inorganic arsenic (arsenite As

Objective: Our review aimed to demonstrate the therapeutic effect of vasopressin as alternative treatment for cardiac arrest.Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trials from inception until November 2021. Vasopressin use during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) was compared to no vasopressin or placebo. The primary outcome was the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The secondary outcomes included mild-term survival and mild-term good neurological outcome.Results: Twelve studies (n=6718) were included, of which eight trials (n=5638) reported the data on patients with OHCA and four trials (n=1080) on patients with IHCA. There were no significant differences between intravenous vasopressin and placebo in the outcomes of ROSC (relative risk [RR]: 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.99–1.26), mild-term survival (RR: 1.23; 95% CI: 0.90–1.66), and mild-term good neurological outcome (RR,1.20; 95% CI: 0.77–1.87). However, in the subgroup analysis, intravenous vasopressin as part of the vasopressin, steroids and epinephrine (VSE) protocol can significantly improve the rate of ROSC (RR, 1.32; 95% CI: 1.18–1.47) but not the rate of mild-term survival (RR, 2.15; 95% CI:0.75–6.16) and mild-term good neurological outcome (RR,1.80; 95% CI, 0.81–4.01) for patients with IHCA. For patients with OHCA, there was no significant difference between groups in terms of ROSC (RR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.91–1.07), mild-term survival (RR, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.86–1.72) and mild-term good neurological outcome (RR, 0.94; 95% CI: 0.55–1.61). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis found that intravenous vasopressin may not significantly improve the rate of ROSC, mild-term survival and good neurological outcome. In the subgroup analysis, vasopressin as a part of VSE protocol is associated with the improvement of ROSC in patients with IHCA. However, no mild‐term survival or mild-term good neurological outcome benefit has been demonstrated. Better-designed trials on a large group of patients should be conducted in the future to address the therapeutic effect of vasopressin or vasopressin-steroids-epinephrine in cardiac arrest.

To compare the therapeutic effect on post-stroke lower limb spasticity between the combined treatment of abdominal moxibustion from 7 am to 9 am and rehabilitation training and the simple rehabilitation training.A total of 100 patients with post-stroke lower limb spasticity were randomized into an observation group (50 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (50 cases, 4 cases dropped off ). In the control group, the basic treatment of internal medicine and rehabilitation training of the limbs were adopted. In the observation group, on the basis of the treatment in the control group, at the time zone from 7 am to 9 am, moxibustion on the abdomen with "eight-trigram" moxa box [the central moxa box accurately facing Shenque (CV 8)] was given, lasting for 2 h, once every two days. Both groups were treated for 6 weeks. Separately, before and after treatment, the score of Fugl-Meyer assessment of the lower extremity (FMA-LE) and the grade of modified Ashworth scale (MAS) of ankle joint were evaluated on the affected side in patients of the two groups. Muscle skeleton ultrasound (MSUS) was adopted to determine the first layer muscle thickness (MT) anterior to the tibia, the number of pennation angle (PA) and the length of muscle fibers in the medial head of gastrocnemius muscle on the affected side. Besides, after treatment, the therapeutic effect was evaluated in the two groups.After treatment, the score of FMA-LE and the grade of MAS of ankle joint on the affected side were both improved as compared with those before treatment in patients of the two groups (The combined treatment of abdominal moxibustion from 7 am to 9 am and rehabilitation training effectively relieves post-stroke lower limb spasticity and improves the limb functions and muscle structure. The total effective rate of this combined treatment is better than that of simple rehabilitation training.

The press hardening steel sheets WHF1500H with different original structures produced by compact strip production (CSP) line in Wuhan Iron and Steel Ltd. were austenitized at 950 °C for 5 min, and then hot stamped and quenched by using the flat die. The microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated by optical microscope, transmission electron microscope and universal testing machine. The results show that the microstructure after stamping and quenching is fully composed of lath martensite. The mechanical properties of the steel samples with different original structures are different after hot stamping and quenching, and this difference is smaller than that before hot stamping and quenching. When the original structure consists of ferrite and pearlite, the austenite grains after austenitization are fine and uniform. In addition, the martensite structure obtained after hot stamping and quenching is also uniform and fine, leading to higher mechanical properties. With the increase of the strength of the original steel, when the original structure is martensite, the austenite grains after austenitization are coarse, and the martensite structures obtained after quenching is also coarse, and thereby decreasing the strength.

Moxifloxacin (MFX) shows goodA formulation ofSignificantly increased survival rate was observed with different AZM concentrations. However, increasing MFX concentration did not result in a significant decrease in ZF survival curve. No significant differences in bacterial burdens by CFU loads were observed between AZM and MFX groups at various concentrations. Bacterial fluorescence intensity in ZF was significantly correlated with AZM concentration. However, with increasing MFX concentration, fluorescence intensity decreased slightly when observed under fluorescence microscope. Transferring rates at various concentrations were comparable between the MFX and AZM groups, with no significant difference.MFX showed limited efficacy against

Symmetric quantum correlations and properties have been often investigated earlier in the process of quantum decoherence. However, the asymmetric quantum features, such as steering, have been rarely considered in this context. In this work, we study Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen steering, measured by steering robustness R, for two-qubit systems under asymmetric noise channels. For the one-sided asymmetric noise channels, we explore the influence of several typical channels on the asymmetric decay of steering. Our results show that the asymmetric steering is directly linked to the initial state as well as the type of noises. We prove that asymmetric decay can be used to characterize the properties of the channels in some certain. For the two-sided asymmetric noise channels, the results show that the behavior of steering are also both initial states and combination types depended. Moreover, we show that there always exist asymmetric steering even the initial state is high symmetry for the depolarizing-amplitude damping combination channel.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of determination of chemokines in the occurrence of renal transplant rejection. Methods Twenty one recipients of renal transplantation and 10 healthy volunteers admitted to 309th Hospital of PLA from January 2011 to December 2011 were enrolled in this study, and they were divided into acute rejection group (AR group, n=11), and stable renal allograft function group (F group, n=10). Ten healthy volunteers served as control group (C group). Cytometric bead array (CBA) was used to monitor plasma levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), reduced upon activation normal T cell expression and secretion (RNATES), neutrophil-activating protein 1(NAP-1/IL-8), monokine induced by interferon-γ (MIG), and IFN-γ-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) before transplantation, and on day 1, 7, 14, 28 day post-transplantation, and also when acute rejection occurred. Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between the levels of chemokines and creatinine. Results The levels of MCP-1, MIG and IP-10 in the recipients of renal transplantation before surgery were elevated significantly compared with those in the healthy volunteers (P0.05). The levels of MCP-1, IL-8, MIG and IP-10 were elevated significantly in AR group compared with F group with a statistically significant difference (P0.05). The correlation analysis between chemokine and creatinine indicated that both IL-8 and MIG were positively correlated with creatinine (r=0.4 896, 0.6 245 respectively, P0.05). Conclusion Chemokines play an important role in the occurrence of acute rejection of the renal transplant, and their changes should be monitored after renal transplantation. DOI: 10.11855/j.issn.0577-7402.2014.10.14

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of immature dendritic cells(iDCs) on LPS-mediated maturation of iDCs phagocytizing allogeneic spleen lymphocytes after being treated bypsoralen plus ultraviolet A(PUVA). Methods Bone marrow-derived DCs were obtained from bone marrow cells of C57BL/6 mice by co-cultivation with recombinant mouse IL-4 and GM-CSF. Spleenlymphocytes(SLP) of BALB/c mice were isolated and transformed to PUVA-SLP by treatment with 8-methoxy PUVA irradiation.The bone marrow-derived iDCs of C57BL/6 were co-cultured with PUVA-SLP of BALB/c mice to obtain PUVA¬SLPDCs. After incubation, iDCs and PUVA-SP DCs were induced to maturation by LPS(10ng/ml,24h), and then they were analyzed by flow cytometry.At the same time,the concentrations of the immunoreactive proteins IL-12p70,IL-12p40andIL-10 in cell supernatants were determined by ELISA kits according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Results PUVA-SLP DCs and iDCs were compared in terms of LPS responsiveness.The phenotype of iDCs(CD40,CD80, andCD86) was 50.58%, 66.29%, 71.20%, respectively, showed more rapid changes from immature to mature statein response to LPS stimulation compared with PUVA-SP DCs, the phenotype of which was 21.26%,38.50% and 39.78%, respectively(P0.05).PUVA-SPDCs secreted high levels of IL-10(435.6±13.9), but lowlevels of IL-12(p7018.56±1.3,p4015.22±1.2), as compared with those of iDCs (132.6±2.8, p70192.1±5.9, p40999.8±26.9, P

Objective To investigate the effect of recipient immature dendritic cells (imDCs) loaded with PUVA-treated donor apoptotic splenic lymphocytes (PUVA-SP DC) on IL-10+CD19+regulatory B cells (Breg) and the survival duration of skin allograft in mice. Methods Bone marrow-derived DCs of C57BL/6 mice were obtained from bone marrow cells by co-culturing with recombinant mouse IL-4 and GM-CSF. Spleen lymphocytes (SP) of BALB/c mice were isolated and prepared as PUVA-SP by treating the cells with 8-methoxypsoralen plus ultraviolet A irradiation. The bone marrow-derived imDCs of C57BL/6 mice were co-cultured with PUVA-SP of BALB/c mice to obtain PUVA-SP DCs. The skin allograft model was then established. Animals were randomly grouped according to different pretreatments as follows: the control group was iv. introduction of PBS (0.2ml) alone 7 days before skin transplantation, the PUVA-SP DC group received an iv. injection of PUVA-SP DCs, the maDC (mature DC) group received recipient maDCs, and the imDC group was given recipient imDCs. Mice were monitored daily from day 6 after transplantation for signs of rejection of skin graft. The recipients' peripheral blood serum samples were then collected and the level of cytokines were measured by using ELISA kits. The survival time of skin allograft was evaluated every day. The expression of IL10+CD19+regulatory B cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results After transplantation, the proportion of IL-10+CD19+Breg in the peripheral blood of PUVA-SP DC group was 7.48%, which was obviously higher than that of imDC group (4.12%), maDC group (3.01%) and control group (2.37%). The serum level of cytokine IL-10 in PUVA-SP DC group was 58.2±0.9ng/ml, and it was significantly higher than that in maDC group (20.1±1.6ng/ml), imDC group (26.2±1.3ng/ml) and control group (19.0±0.6ng/ ml, P

The outcome of renal transplantation is difficult to predict, even with an allograft biopsy. The aim of this study was to develop a sensitive, specific and noninvasive method for prediction of acute cellular rejection (ACR). Luminex analysis was used to determine the levels of 95 cytokines/chemokines and their soluble receptors in sera from recipients with: ACR (in the first month post-transplantation, before and during rejection, and after rejection reversal); stable allograft function; delayed graft function (DGF); pulmonary infection. Evaluation of significant differential protein expression in ACR patients compared with stable allograft controls revealed a three-analyte combination as a marker of renal transplantation outcome. The predictive value of this combination was further validated in DGF and infection groups and in a blind binary code study of 24 additional serum samples. Significant differential expression was detected in 26 proteins expressed in patients during the period preceding an ACR episode compared with stable controls. A blood test for discrimination of such patients was developed based on the simultaneous quantification of three analytes (IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-20 and sCD40 ligand). This test exhibited 90.9 % sensitivity, 96 % specificity, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 95.2 % and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 92.3 %. Moreover, this combination allowed discrimination between patients with ACR and DGF and pulmonary infection. With further development and validation, this blood test can be used to predict ACR and direct the treatment of transplant patients in the clinic.

CD20 Expression in the Transplanted Kidney of Patients with Graft Loss and Transient Allograft Dysfunction This study aimed to explore the relationship between the infiltration of CD20+ B cells and the survival time of a renal allograft and to investigate the role of infiltrated B cells in the rejection of the renal allograft. A total of 40 patients with renal allograft loss due to refractory rejection and 20 patients with transient renal allograft dysfunction were recruited. Renal biopsy was done and CD20 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. In addition, the survival time of the renal allograft was also obtained. The relationships between the CD20 expression and the survival time of the renal allograft and graft loss due to rejection were analyzed. The associations of gender, age and clinicopathogical types with the CD20 expression were also investigated. The proportion of patients positive for CD20 in the transplanted kidney was higher in patients receiving nephrectomy of the allograft due to rejection than in those with transient allograft dysfunction. The diffuse infiltration of CD20+ B cells was considered as positive staining. In 40 samples from patients with graft loss, 19 had diffuse infiltration of CD20+ B cells (47.5%). In 19 patients positive for CD20, hyperacute rejection was found in 1 patient, acute rejection in 5 and chronic rejection in 13. Statistical analysis showed the CD20 expression was not associated with the age and gender of donors and recipients, regimen for immunosuppressive treatment, cold/warm ischemia time and secondary transplantation. CD20+ B cell infiltration predicts a poor prognosis of patients with kidney transplantation and is one of the risk factors of graft loss.

To compare the differences in the clinical function and lumbar and abdominal myodynamia in patiants of lumbar disc herniation treated with moxibustion at Dazhui (GV 14) and Guanyuan (CV 4) and acupuncture.Forty cases were randomized into a moxibustion group and an acupuncture group, 20 cases in each group. In the moxibustion group, the warm moxibustion was applied alternatively at Dazhui (GV 14) and Guanyuan (CV 4) once every other day, 1 h each time, once every day. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to the corresponding acupoints based on the affected lumbar vertebras, such as Jiaji (EX-B 2), Shens-hu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25) and Huantiao (GB 30), etc. , once evey day 30 min each time. The treatment for 3 weeks was taken as one session in each group. Totally, one session treatment was required. Surface electromyography (SEMG) of bilateral paraspinal muscle and rectus muscle, and JOA score of low back pain were observed in the two groups.(1) JOA score: the score of subjective symptoms, score of activity of daily living (ADL) and total score were improved obviously as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P0.01, P0.05). The results of subjective symptoms score, score of ADL and total score in the acupuncture group were superior to those in the moxibustion group after treatment (6.95+/-0.94 vs 5.50 +/-0.89,10. 90+/-1.86 vs 8.90+/- 1. 92,22.50 +/- 2.82 vs 19.35 +/- 2. 70, all P0. 05). (2) SEMG comparison: root-mean-square value (RMS) was all reduced in SEMG of the anteflexion, rear protraction, orthostatism, bilateral bending and neck and leg rear flexion for strengthening lumbar muscle as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P0.05, P0. 01). RMS of the anteflexion and bilateral bending in the acupunture group were reduced much obviously as compared with the moxibustion group. In terms of sitting position anteflexion, rear protraction, orthostatism, bilateral bending and neck and leg rear flexion for strengthening lumbar muscle, median frequency (MF) after treatment was all improved as compared with that before treatment in the two groups (P0. 05, P0. 01). In terms of anteflexion, the electrode MF after treatment was improved much obviously in the acupuncture group(P0. 05).Moxibustion at Dazhui (GV 14) and Guanyuan (CV 4) and conventional acupuncture all improve muscle function, relieve muscle fatigue, increase the ability of anti-muscle fatigue, strengthen lumbar vertebral stability, release subjective symptoms and improve ADL. But, the effects of moxibustion are slightly lower than those of acupuncture.

To observe the ratio of Tim-1(+)CD19(+) B cell in the peripheral blood of kidney transplantation recipients and elucidate its functions.From December 2009 to June 2010, a total of 35 pairs of kidney transplant recipients were selected and divided into 3 groups: healthy donors as control (n = 35), pre-transplantation (n = 35) and post-transplantation (n = 35). The profiles of Tim-1(+)CD19(+) B cell in kidney transplantation donors and recipients were analyzed and sorted by flow cytometry (FCM). Mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) was carried out between kidney transplantation donors and recipients. After the additions of Tim-1(+)CD19(+) and Tim-1(-)CD19(+) B cells, there were 3 groups: Tim-1(+), Tim-1(-) and blank. Lymphocyte proliferation and inhibition status were evaluated by propidium iodide uptake and Annexin V binding. And the cytokine levels were detected by FCM.The absolute values of peripheral CD19(+)B cells were (170 ± 90), (202 ± 99), (155 ± 71) cells/µl in the pre-transplantation, post-transplantation and control groups respectively, post-transplantation group were higher than control group (P = 0.0300). The Tim-1(+)CD19(+) cell ratios were (2.20 ± 0.98)%, (35.46 ± 10.66)% and (1.95 ± 0.95)% in three groups. And the differences were statistically significant (both P0.01). Tim-1(+)CD19(+) B and Tim-1(-)CD19(+) B cells were added into MLC respectively. The early apoptotic cells of the Tim-1(+) group were higher than those in the Tim-1(-) group [(45.31 ± 12.37)% vs (10.92 ± 2.14)%, P0.05] and significantly higher than the blank group [(1.93 ± 0.26)%, P0.01]. Late apoptotic and dead cells of the Tim-1(+) group were higher than those in the Tim-1(-) group [(21.32 ± 5.67)% vs (2.32 ± 0.31)%, P0.01] and the blank group [(1.27 ± 0.19)%, P0.05]. The interleukin 10 levels in MLC supernatant of the Tim-1(+) group were significantly higher than those in the Tim-1(-) group [(5.32 ± 0.37) pg/ml vs (2.46 ± 0.25) pg/ml, P = 0.0001]. However, the interferon-γ levels were lower than those in the Tim-1(-) group [(1.51 ± 0.22) pg/ml vs (4.69 ± 0.32) pg/ml, P = 0.0015].Present in the peripheral blood of kidney transplantation recipients, Tim-1(+)CD19(+) B cell has the capacity of promoting lymphocytic apoptosis. As a new regulatory subset of B cells, it plays important roles in the immune responses of transplantation.

To find whether the up-regulation of soluble human leucocyte antigen-G5 (sHLA-G5) levels is a new function mechanism of anti-interleukin-2 receptors (anti-IL-2R) monoclonal antibody treatment in kidney transplantation.A total of 215 recipients at our centre from January 2006 to December 2007 were divided into antibody use group (n = 141) and antibody non-use group (n = 74) and another healthy group (n = 69). The sHLA-G5 level in peripheral blood was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). And the expression of HLA-G5 was confirmed by Western blot and Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).sHLA-G5 levels was (56 ± 30) µg/L in using anti-IL-2 receptor monoclonal antibody before transplantation, It was higher than that before use antibody [(34 ± 20) µg/L], also higher than healthy group [(35 ± 17) µg/L] and antibody non-use group [(36 ± 19) µg/L, P0.05, respectively]. At Day 1, Day 4, Week 1, Week 2 post-transplantation, the level of sHLA-G5 of recipients with antibody use was significantly higher than that of those with antibody non-use. The values were as follows: (95 ± 35) µg/L vs (54 ± 16) µg/L, (131 ± 24) µg/L vs (75 ± 22) µg/L, (167 ± 44) µg/L vs (62 ± 17) µg/L, (172 ± 35) µg/L vs (45 ± 16) µg/L (all P0.01). And the results of Western blot and RT-PCR corresponded to those of ELISA.The preoperative use of first dose of anti-IL-2R monoclonal antibodies results in the up-regulated level of sHLA-G5. Thus it is beneficial for protecting the kidney survival and reducing the risks of acute rejection.

to study the feasibility of human leucocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) as a post-transplantation prognostic biomarker and discuss the correlation of its receptor expression and the mechanisms.a total of 215 recipients in our centre from February 2006 to June 2008 were divided into stable kidney function group (n = 173) and acute rejection group (n = 42). The soluble human leucocyte antigen-G5 (sHLA-G5) level in peripheral plasma was detected by ELISA. And the HLA-G receptor ILT-2, KIR2DL4 on T, B, NK lymphocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). The sHLA-G5 cutoff level by ROC curve was employed to predict the events of acute post-transplantation rejection. And regression analysis was used to determine the association of sHLA-G5 with acute rejection.an optimal cutoff value of 139.0 microg/L could be defined for sHLA-G5 (sensitivity: 63.6%, specificity: 82.1%, AUC: 0.780). Binary regression analysis showed that sHLA-G5 played an independent role on acute rejection (P = 0.019, OR = 0.039, 95%CI: 2.091 - 5.661). The rate of HLA-G receptor ILT-2 on CD4(+)T cell, CD8(+)T cell and B cell in acute rejection group was statistically lower than that in stable kidney function group (21% ± 7% vs 52% ± 17%, 23% ± 6% vs 39% ± 16%, 21% ± 7% vs 39% ± 16%, all P0.05). The expression of KIR2DL4 on NK cells in acute rejection group was statistically lower than that in stable kidney function group (31% ± 10%vs 57% ± 21%, P0.05).sHLA-G5 level may be predicted for acute rejection with a high sensitivity and specificity. The up-regulated expression of ILT-2 and KIR2DLT may contribute to immunology tolerance in peripheral circulation.

To investigate the expression of non-classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I molecule, human leucocyte antigen (HLA) G, including membrane-bound HLA-G (mHLA-G), intracellular HLA-G (iHLA-G) and soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G), in peripheral blood of surviving kidney transplantation recipients and understand the relevance between HLA-G and the function of transplanted organ, as well as the onset of acute rejection.A longitudinal study was performed on 175 kidney transplantation recipients. Three groups were involved in this study, including acute rejection group (n = 36), function stable group (n = 139) and healthy control group (n = 30). The expression of mHLA-G1 and iHLA-G1 in the T lymphocytes of peripheral blood was detected by flow cytometry analysis and the sHLA-G5 level detected by ELISA.The average rate of CD4(+)mHLA-G1(+), CD8(+)mHLA-G1(+), CD4(+)iHLA-G1(+), CD8(+)iHLA-G1(+) in T lymphocytes of healthy control group was 0.43% +/- 0.19%, 1.23% +/- 0.41%, 27% +/- 13% and 36% +/- 14% respectively. That of acute rejection group was 0.57% +/- 0.34%, 1.31% +/- 0.56%, 26% +/- 8% and 37% +/- 17%; that of function stable group was 0.61% +/- 0.43%, 1.39% +/- 0.47%, 26% +/- 9% and 37% +/- 17% respectively. There was no significant difference among the three groups (all P0.05). The average of sHLA-G5 levels in plasma of control group was (25 +/- 14) ng/ml, acute rejection group (24 +/- 15) ng/ml (pre-operative) and (34 +/- 21) ng/ml (post-operative), function stable group (25 +/- 11) ng/ml (pre-operative) and (56 +/- 32) ng/ml (post-operative). There was no significant difference among the three groups (pre-operative, P0.05). The average of sHLA-G5 levels in plasma of function stable group was higher than that of acute rejection group (post-operative, P0.05).There is a subset of CD4(+)HLA-G1(+) and CD8(+)HLA-G1(+)T lymphocytes with low percentage in peripheral blood of those surviving kidney transplantation recipients. The expressions of mHLA-G1 and iHLA-G1 have no relevance with the onset of acute rejection. sHLA-G5 is correlated with acute rejection in peripheral blood of surviving transplantation recipients.

A triphenyltin (TPT)-decomposing strain, Pseudomonas aeruginosa CGMCC 1.860, was screened out. It secreted an unknown TPT-decomposing factor into the medium, later shown to be pyochelin, even in the presence of 100 μM iron. To our knowledge, this is the first report of organotin decomposition by pyochelin.

Conjugates of oligodeoxyribonucleotide phosphorothioate (ODN-PS) with folic acid, retinoic acid, arachidonic acid, and methoxypoly(ethylene glycol)propionic acid have been synthesized. The procedure involved the initial solid-phase preparation of 5'-amino-functionalized ODN-PS using N-pent-4-enoyl-derived (PNT) nucleoside phosphoramidites followed by conjugation of the oligonucleotide either to the ligand acids, using 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide as a coupling reagent, or to their corresponding succinimidyl derivatives. Subsequent exposure of the support to aqueous ammonium hydroxide (28%, 2 h, 55 degrees C) resulted in the release of the fully deprotected ODN conjugates, which were purified by reversed-phase HPLC or by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The identity of the oligonucleotide conjugates was confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectral analysis.