Identification and transcript profiles of citrus growth-regulating factor genes involved in the regulation of leaf and fruit development.

PubMed

Liu, Xiao; Guo, Ling-Xia; Jin, Long-Fei; Liu, Yong-Zhong; Liu, Tao; Fan, Yu-Hua; Peng, Shu-Ang

2016-10-01

Growth-regulating factor (GRF) is an important protein in GA-mediated response, with key roles in plant growth and development. However, it is not known whether or how the GRF proteins in citrus to regulate organ size. In this study, nine citrus GRF genes (CsGRF1-9) were validated from the 'Anliu' sweet orange (AL, Citrus sinensis cv. Anliu) by PCR amplification. They all contain two conserved motifs (QLQ and WRC) and have 3-4 exons. The transcript levels of genes were detected by qRT-PCR. Transcript analysis showed that (1) CsGRF 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, and 9 expressed predominantly in young leaf, CsGRF 3 and 4 expressed predominantly in fruit immature juice sacs and CsGRF 8 expressed predominantly in root; (2) all citrus GRF genes had significantly higher expression in young leaves than mature leaf; (3) in juice sacs, the transcript levels of CsGRF1, 4, 5, 6, and 8 increased significantly while the transcript levels of CsGRF2, 3, 7, and 9 had no significant change from 80 DAF to 100 DAF. Besides, GA3 treatment did not affect the transcript levels of CsGRF5 and CsGRF6 but significantly increased the transcript levels of the other seven CsGRF genes in young leaves. These results suggested that all CsGRF genes involve in the leaf development, CsGRF1, 4, 5, 6, and 8 act developmentally whilst CsGRF2, 3, 7, and 9 play fundamental roles in fruit cell enlargement, which may be through GA pathway or GA-independent pathway.

Characterization of the secreted cathepsin B cysteine proteases family of the carcinogenic liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis.

PubMed

Chen, Wenjun; Wang, Xiaoyun; Lv, Xiaoli; Tian, Yanli; Xu, Yanquan; Mao, Qiang; Shang, Mei; Li, Xuerong; Huang, Yan; Yu, Xinbing

2014-09-01

Clonorchis sinensis excretory/secretory products (ESP) have gained high attentions because of their potential to be vaccine candidates and drug targets in C. sinensis prevention. In this study, we extensively profiled the characteristics of four C. sinensis cathepsin B cysteine proteases (CsCB1, CsCB2, CsCB3, and CsCB4). Bioinformatics analysis showed all CsCBs contained signal peptides at the N-terminal. Functional domains and residues were found in CsCB sequences. We expressed four CsCBs and profiled immune responses followed by vaccine trials. Recombinant CsCBs could induce high IgG titers, indicating high immunogenicity of CsCB family. Additionally, ELISA results showed that both IgG1 and IgG2a levels apparently increased post-immunization with all four CsCBs, showing that combined Th1/Th2 immune responses were triggered by CsCB family. Both Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting confirmed that four CsCBs have distinct expression patterns in C. sinensis life stages. More importantly, we validated our hypothesis that CsCBs were C. sinensis excretory/secretory products. CsCBs could be recognized by C. sinensis-infected sera throughout the infection period, indicating that secreted CsCBs are immune triggers during C. sinensis infection. The protective effect was assessed by comparing the worm burden and egg per gram (EPG) between CsCB group and control group, showing that worm burden (P < 0.01) and EPG (P < 0.01) in CsCB2 and CsCB3 groups were significantly lower than in control group. In conclusion, we profiled secreted cathepsin B cysteine proteases family for the first time and demonstrated that all CsCB family were C. sinensis excretory/secretory products that may regulate host immune responses.

Maintenance of Velocity and Power With Cluster Sets During High-Volume Back Squats.

PubMed

Tufano, James J; Conlon, Jenny A; Nimphius, Sophia; Brown, Lee E; Seitz, Laurent B; Williamson, Bryce D; Haff, G Gregory

2016-10-01

To compare the effects of a traditional set structure and 2 cluster set structures on force, velocity, and power during back squats in strength-trained men. Twelve men (25.8 ± 5.1 y, 1.74 ± 0.07 m, 79.3 ± 8.2 kg) performed 3 sets of 12 repetitions at 60% of 1-repetition maximum using 3 different set structures: traditional sets (TS), cluster sets of 4 (CS4), and cluster sets of 2 (CS2). When averaged across all repetitions, peak velocity (PV), mean velocity (MV), peak power (PP), and mean power (MP) were greater in CS2 and CS4 than in TS (P < .01), with CS2 also resulting in greater values than CS4 (P < .02). When examining individual sets within each set structure, PV, MV, PP, and MP decreased during the course of TS (effect sizes 0.28-0.99), whereas no decreases were noted during CS2 (effect sizes 0.00-0.13) or CS4 (effect sizes 0.00-0.29). These results demonstrate that CS structures maintain velocity and power, whereas TS structures do not. Furthermore, increasing the frequency of intraset rest intervals in CS structures maximizes this effect and should be used if maximal velocity is to be maintained during training.

Maternal request: a reason for rising rates of cesarean section?

PubMed

Kottmel, Andrea; Hoesli, Irene; Traub, Rahel; Urech, Corinne; Huang, Dorothy; Leeners, Brigitte; Tschudin, Sibil

2012-07-01

The rising rate of cesarean sections (CS), especially those on maternal request, is an important obstetric care issue. The aim of this two-point cross-sectional study was to evaluate the prevalence of CS and their indications. We performed a retrospective chart review of the indications of all CS performed at a tertiary care clinic in Switzerland in 2002 and 2008. Chi-square, Student's t and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to identify significant differences. The number of CS rose from 23.3% (371 out of 1,594 total life births) in 2002 to 27.5% (513 out of 1,866) in 2008 (p = 0.005). Of all deliveries, the rate of CS on maternal request and, among these, especially those requested after previous CS, increased significantly (2.1 vs. 5.1% and 0.3 vs. 1.2%, respectively). The number of CS due to previous traumatic birth experience nearly doubled (0.7 vs. 1.2%, not significant). Maternal and fetal complications were rare but not negligible in the subset of low-risk patients requesting CS. The study demonstrated a significant increase in CS on maternal request, especially in case of previous CS. The findings of this study support the need for specific counseling strategies for women requesting delivery by CS.

C3H/He Mice as an Incompatible Cholangiocarcinoma Model by Clonorchis sinensis, Dicyclanil and N-Nitrosodimethylamine.

PubMed

Uddin, Md Hafiz; Li, Shunyu; Jin, Yan; Choi, Min-Ho; Jang, Ja June; Hong, Sung-Tae

2016-06-01

Clonorchis sinensis is a Group-I bio-carcinogen, associated with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). The hamster is the only experimental model of C. sinensis-mediated CCA, but we oblige another animal model. The present study intended to develop a C. sinensis (Cs) mediated CCA model using C3H/He mice, co-stimulated with N-nitrosodimethyl-amine (NDMA) and dicyclanil (DC). The mice were divided into 8 groups with different combinations of Cs, NDMA, and DC. Six months later the mice were sacrificed and subjected to gross and histopathological examination. The body weights were significantly reduced among the groups treated with 2 or more agents (eg. Cs+NDMA, Cs+DC, NDMA+DC, and Cs+NDMA+DC). In contrast, liver weight percentages to body weight were increased in above groups by 4.1% to 4.7%. A Change of the spleen weight was observed only in Cs+NDMA group. Though C. sinensis infection is evident from hyperplastic changes, only 1 worm was recovered. T wo mice, 1 from Cs and the other from Cs+DC group, showed mass forming lesions; 1 (281.2 mm(3)) from the Cs group was a hepatocellular adenoma and the other (280.6 mm(3)) from the Cs+DC group was a cystic mass (peliosis). Higher prevalence of gray-white nodules was observed in Cs group (42.9%) followed by Cs+NDMA+DC group (21.4%). The mice of the Cs+NDMA+DC group showed hyper-proliferation of the bile duct with fibrotic changes. No characteristic change for CCA was recognized in any of the groups. In conclusion, C3H/He mice produce no CCA but extensive fibrosis when they are challenged by Cs, NDMA, and DC together.

C3H/He Mice as an Incompatible Cholangiocarcinoma Model by Clonorchis sinensis, Dicyclanil and N-Nitrosodimethylamine

PubMed Central

Uddin, Md. Hafiz; Li, Shunyu; Jin, Yan; Choi, Min-Ho; Jang, Ja June; Hong, Sung-Tae

2016-01-01

Clonorchis sinensis is a Group-I bio-carcinogen, associated with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). The hamster is the only experimental model of C. sinensis-mediated CCA, but we oblige another animal model. The present study intended to develop a C. sinensis (Cs) mediated CCA model using C3H/He mice, co-stimulated with N-nitrosodimethyl-amine (NDMA) and dicyclanil (DC). The mice were divided into 8 groups with different combinations of Cs, NDMA, and DC. Six months later the mice were sacrificed and subjected to gross and histopathological examination. The body weights were significantly reduced among the groups treated with 2 or more agents (eg. Cs+NDMA, Cs+DC, NDMA+DC, and Cs+NDMA+DC). In contrast, liver weight percentages to body weight were increased in above groups by 4.1% to 4.7%. A Change of the spleen weight was observed only in Cs+NDMA group. Though C. sinensis infection is evident from hyperplastic changes, only 1 worm was recovered. T wo mice, 1 from Cs and the other from Cs+DC group, showed mass forming lesions; 1 (281.2 mm3) from the Cs group was a hepatocellular adenoma and the other (280.6 mm3) from the Cs+DC group was a cystic mass (peliosis). Higher prevalence of gray-white nodules was observed in Cs group (42.9%) followed by Cs+NDMA+DC group (21.4%). The mice of the Cs+NDMA+DC group showed hyper-proliferation of the bile duct with fibrotic changes. No characteristic change for CCA was recognized in any of the groups. In conclusion, C3H/He mice produce no CCA but extensive fibrosis when they are challenged by Cs, NDMA, and DC together. PMID:27417082

Diversity and Ecophysiology of New Isolates of Extremely Acidophilic CS2-Converting Acidithiobacillus Strains

PubMed Central

Smeulders, Marjan J.; Pol, Arjan; Zandvoort, Marcel H.; Jetten, Mike S. M.

2013-01-01

Biofiltration of industrial carbon disulfide (CS2)-contaminated waste air streams results in the acidification of biofilters and therefore reduced performance, high water use, and increased costs. To address these issues, we isolated 16 extremely acidophilic CS2-converting Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans strains that tolerated up to 6% (vol/vol) sulfuric acid. The ecophysiological properties of five selected strains (2Bp, Sts 4-3, S1p, G8, and BBW1) were compared. These five strains had pH optima between 1 (2Bp) and 2 (S1p). Their affinities for CS2 ranged between 80 (G8) and 130 (2Bp) μM. Strains S1p, G8, and BBW1 had more hydrophobic cell surfaces and produced less extracellular polymeric substance than did strains 2Bp and Sts 4-3. All five strains converted about 80% of the S added as CS2 to S0 when CS2 was supplied in excess. The rate of S0 consumption varied between 7 (Sts 4-3) and 63 (S1p) nmol O2 min−1 ml culture−1. Low S0 consumption rates correlated partly with low levels of cell attachment to externally produced S0 globules. During chemostat growth, the relative amount of CS2 hydrolase in the cell increased with decreasing growth rates. This resulted in more S0 accumulation during CS2 overloads at low growth rates. Intermittent interruptions of the CS2 supply affected all five strains. Strains S1p, G8, and BBW1 recovered from 24 h of starvation within 4 h, and strains 2Bp and Sts 4-3 recovered within 24 h after CS2 was resupplied. We recommend the use of mixtures of Acidithiobacillus strains in industrial biofilters. PMID:23995926

Synthesis of chondroitin sulfate CC and DD tetrasaccharides and interactions with 2H6 and LY111.

PubMed

Matsushita, Kenya; Nakata, Tomomi; Takeda-Okuda, Naoko; Nadanaka, Satomi; Kitagawa, Hiroshi; Tamura, Jun-Ichi

2018-03-01

We synthesized the biotinylated chondroitin sulfate tetrasaccharides CS-CC [-3)βGalNAc6S(1-4)βGlcA(1-] 2 and CS-DD [-3)βGalNAc6S(1-4)βGlcA2S(1-] 2 which possess sulfate groups at O-6 of GalNAc and an additional sulfate group at O-2 of GlcA, respectively. We also analyzed interactions among CS-CC and CS-DD and the antibodies 2H6 and LY111, both of which are known to bind with CS-A, while CS-DD was shown for the first time to bind with both antibodies. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Marking cabbage looper (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) with cesium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moss, J.I.; Van Steenwyk, R.A.

1984-04-01

Cabbage loopers (CL), Trichoplusia ni (Huebner), adults reared on artificial diet containing 1 x 10/sup -2/ M and 1 x 10/sup -3/ M CsCl were marked with cesium (Cs) which could be detected by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The cesium marks from the 10/sup -2/ M CsCl diet were sufficient to last the expected lifetime of the insects. CL reared on diet containing 1 x 10/sup -1/ M CsCl did not survive. Unmarked females mated to males reared on artificial diet containing 1 x 10/sup -2/ M and 1 x 10/sup -3/ M CsCl were marked. CL reared on cotton plantsmore » sprayed with Cs solutions of 1000, 5000, and 10,000 ..mu..g/ml were marked sufficiently to last the expected lifetime of the insect. CL adults exposed for 72 h to cotton plants sprayed with Cs solutions of 1000, 5000, and 10,000 ..mu..g/ml were marked sufficiently to last the expected lifetime of the insect. CL adults reared from field cotton plants sprayed with CsCl solutions at rates of 1.24, 2.47, and 4.94 kg of CsCl per ha were marked. 12 references, 1 figure, 5 tables.« less

Molecular structures and thermodynamic properties of 12 gaseous cesium-containing species of nuclear safety interest: Cs 2, CsH, CsO, Cs 2O, CsX, and Cs 2X 2 (X = OH, Cl, Br, and I)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Badawi, Michael; Xerri, Bertrand; Canneaux, Sébastien; Cantrel, Laurent; Louis, Florent

2012-01-01

Ab initio electronic structure calculations at the coupled cluster level with a correction for the triples extrapolated to the complete basis set limit have been made for the estimation of the thermochemical properties of Cs 2, CsH, CsO, Cs 2O, CsX, and Cs 2X 2 (X = OH, Cl, Br, and I). The standard enthalpies of formation and standard molar entropies at 298 K, and the temperature dependence of the heat capacities at constant pressure were evaluated. The calculated thermochemical properties are in good agreement with their literature counterparts. For Cs 2, CsH, CsOH, Cs 2(OH) 2, CsCl, Cs 2Cl 2, CsBr, CsI, and Cs 2I 2, the calculated ΔfH298K∘ values are within chemical accuracy of the most recent experimental values. Based on the excellent agreement observed between our calculated ΔfH298K∘ values and their literature counterparts, the standard enthalpies of formation at 298 K are estimated to be the following: ΔfH298K∘ (CsO) = 17.0 kJ mol -1 and ΔfH298K∘ (Cs 2Br 2) = -575.4 kJ mol -1.

Formation of Stoichiometric CsFn Compounds

PubMed Central

Zhu, Qiang; Oganov, Artem R.; Zeng, Qingfeng

2015-01-01

Alkali halides MX, have been viewed as typical ionic compounds, characterized by 1:1 ratio necessary for charge balance between M+ and X−. It was proposed that group I elements like Cs can be oxidized further under high pressure. Here we perform a comprehensive study for the CsF-F system at pressures up to 100 GPa, and find extremely versatile chemistry. A series of CsFn (n ≥ 1) compounds are predicted to be stable already at ambient pressure. Under pressure, 5p electrons of Cs atoms become active, with growing tendency to form Cs (III) and (V) valence states at fluorine-rich conditions. Although Cs (II) and (IV) are not energetically favoured, the interplay between two mechanisms (polyfluoride anions and polyvalent Cs cations) allows CsF2 and CsF4 compounds to be stable under pressure. The estimated defluorination temperatures of CsFn (n = 2,3,5) compounds at atmospheric pressure (218°C, 150°C, -15°C, respectively), are attractive for fluorine storage applications. PMID:25608669

Natural polymers supported copper nanoparticles for pollutants degradation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haider, Sajjad; Kamal, Tahseen; Khan, Sher Bahadar; Omer, Muhammad; Haider, Adnan; Khan, Farman Ullah; Asiri, Abdullah M.

2016-11-01

In this report, chitosan (CS) was adhered on cellulose microfiber mat (CMM) to prepare CS-CMM. This was used as host for copper (Cu) nanoparticles preparation. After adsorption of Cu2+ ions from an aqueous solution of CuSO4, the metal ions entrapped in CS coating layer was treated with sodium borohydride (NaBH4) to prepare Cu nanoparticles loaded CS-CMM (Cu/CS-CMM). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of Cu/CS-CMM hybrid. Scanning electron microscopy analysis was performed to reveal the morphology of the prepared catalyst. The prepared Cu/CS-CMM was employed as a catalyst for the degradation of nitro-aromatic compounds of 2-nitrophenol (2NP) and 4-nitrophenol (4NP) as well as an organic cresyl blue (CB) dye. Remarkably, the turnover frequency in the case of 2NP and 4NP using Cu/CS-CMM reaches 103.3 and 88.6 h-1, outperforming previously reported Cu nanoparticles immobilized in hydrogel-based catalytic systems. The rate constants for 2NP, 4NP and CB were 1.2 × 10-3 s-1, 2.1 × 10-3 s-1 and, 1.3 × 10-3 s-1, respectively. Besides, we discussed the separation of the catalyst from the reaction mixture and its re-usability.

CS Line Profiles in Hot Cores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bayet, E.; Yates, J.; Viti, S.

2011-02-01

We present a theoretical study of CS line profiles in archetypal hot cores. We provide estimates of line fluxes from the CS(1-0) to the CS(15-14) transitions and present the temporal variation of these fluxes. We find that (1) the CS(1-0) transition is a better tracer of the Envelope of the hot core whereas the higher-J CS lines trace the ultracompact core (UCC); (2) the peak temperature of the CS transitions is a good indicator of the temperature inside the hot core; (3) in the Envelope, the older the hot core the stronger the self-absorption of CS; (4) the fractional abundance of CS is highest in the innermost parts of the UCC, confirming the CS molecule as one of the best tracers of very dense gas.

Homologues of CsLOB1 in citrus function as disease susceptibility genes in citrus canker.

PubMed

Zhang, Junli; Huguet-Tapia, Jose Carlos; Hu, Yang; Jones, Jeffrey; Wang, Nian; Liu, Sanzhen; White, Frank F

2017-08-01

The lateral organ boundary domain (LBD) genes encode a group of plant-specific proteins that function as transcription factors in the regulation of plant growth and development. Citrus sinensis lateral organ boundary 1 (CsLOB1) is a member of the LBD family and functions as a disease susceptibility gene in citrus bacterial canker (CBC). Thirty-four LBD members have been identified from the Citrus sinensis genome. We assessed the potential for additional members of LBD genes in citrus to function as surrogates for CsLOB1 in CBC, and compared host gene expression on induction of different LBD genes. Using custom-designed transcription activator-like (TAL) effectors, two members of the same clade as CsLOB1, named CsLOB2 and CsLOB3, were found to be capable of functioning similarly to CsLOB1 in CBC. RNA sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed a set of cell wall metabolic genes that are associated with CsLOB1, CsLOB2 and CsLOB3 expression and may represent downstream genes involved in CBC. © 2016 BSPP AND JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD.

Computational Exploration of the Surface Properties of Cs2Te5 Photoemissive Material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruth, Anthony; Nemeth, Karoly; Harkay, Katherine; Spentzouris, Linda; Terry, Jeff

2013-03-01

Cs2Te is a broadly used photoemissive material due to its exceptionally high quantum efficiency (~ 20%). Our group has recently predicted that the acetylation of this material (Cs2TeC2) would lower its workfunction down to about 2.4 eV from ~ 3 eV, and preserve its high quantum efficiency. Such a modification is advantageous because visible light can be used in the operation of such a photoemissive device instead of ultraviolet light. To explore other variants of Cs2Te, we conducted DFT-based computational analysis of the photoemissive properties of Cs2Te5 which is a known phase of Cs and Te. Cs2Te5 attracted our attention for its rod-like 1D Te substructures embedded in a Cs matrix. This structure is similar to Cs2TeC2 as Cs2TeC2 contains TeC2 polymeric rods in a Cs matrix. In addition to that, exploration of various Cesium Telluride phases is necessary to better understand the working of Cs2Te photocathodes. We have calculated surface energies, workfunctions, and optical absorption spectra of several different surfaces of Cs2Te5. A comparison of the properties of various Cs2Te5 surfaces and their utilization in photoemissive devices will be presented.

Candidate enzymes for saffron crocin biosynthesis are localized in multiple cellular compartments.

PubMed

Demurtas, Olivia Costantina; Frusciante, Sarah; Ferrante, Paola; Diretto, Gianfranco; Azad, Noraddin Hosseinpour; Pietrella, Marco; Aprea, Giuseppe; Taddei, Anna Rita; Romano, Elena; Mi, Jianing; Al-Babili, Salim; Frigerio, Lorenzo; Giuliano, Giovanni

2018-05-29

Saffron is composed of the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus and is the most expensive spice on Earth. Its red color is due to the apocarotenoid glycosides, crocins, which accumulate in the vacuole and reach up to 10% of the stigma dry weight. We have previously characterized the first dedicated enzyme in crocin biosynthesis, CsCCD2, which cleaves zeaxanthin to yield crocetin dialdehyde. In this work, we identified six putative aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) transcripts expressed in saffron stigmas. When expressed in E. coli, only one of corresponding proteins (CsALDH3I1), was able to convert crocetin dialdehyde into the crocin precursor, crocetin. CsALDH3I1 carries a C-terminal hydrophobic domain, similar to that of a Neurospora membrane-associated apocarotenoid dehydrogenase, YLO-1. We also characterized a UDP-glycosyltransferase enzyme, CsUGT74AD1, able to convert crocetin to crocins 1 and 2'. In vitro assays showed high specificity of CsALDH3I1 for crocetin dialdehyde and long chain apocarotenals, and of CsUGT74AD1 for crocetin. Upon extract fractionation, the CsCCD2, CsALDH3I1 and CsUGT74AD1 enzymes partitioned in the insoluble fraction, suggesting that they are associated to membranes or to large insoluble complexes. Immunogold labeling of saffron stigmas and confocal microscopy of fusions to Green Fluorescent Protein expressed in N. benthamiana leaves revealed that CsCCD2 localizes to plastids, CsALDH3I1 to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and CsUGT74AD1 to the cytoplasm, in association with cytoskeletal-like structures. Based on our and on literature data, we propose that the ER and cytoplasm function as "transit centers" for metabolites whose biosynthesis starts in the plastid and are accumulated in the vacuole. {copyright, serif} 2018 American Society of Plant Biologists. All rights reserved.

Cyclosporine-induced changes in drug metabolizing enzymes in hyperlipemic rabbit kidneys could explain its toxicity.

PubMed

Elbarbry, Fawzy; Ragheb, Ahmed; Attia, Ahmed; Chibbar, Rajni; Marfleet, Travis; Shoker, Ahmed

2010-11-01

This study investigates the mechanism of cyclosporine A (CsA)-mediated nephrotoxicity by examining the hypothesis that CsA toxicity is mediated through its effect on the kidney drug metabolizing enzymes in a hyperlipemic rabbit model. Twenty-four female New Zealand white rabbits divided into four groups. Group 1 received regular diet. Group 2 received 1% cholesterol diet. Group 3 received CsA (25 mg/kg, orally once daily) and group 4 received 1% cholesterol diet and CsA (25 mg/kg, orally once daily). Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) activity in kidney microsomes was assessed by measuring p-nitrophenol hydroxylase activity. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and the protein carbonyl. Effect of CsA and hyperlipidemia on the antioxidant proteins were also assessed using standard techniques. CsA but not the high-cholesterol diet induced significant elevation in MDA, protein carbonyl and CYP2E1 activities in the kidney. The addition of cholesterol to CsA normalized ROS markers without affecting the CsA-enhanced CYP2E1 activity. Alone, CsA caused characteristic tubular injury, whereas the addition of high-cholesterol diet to CsA nearly abolished the tubular damage. CsA-enhanced rabbit kidney ROS and CYP2E1 activities. Hyperlipidemia attenuates CsA tubular injury, most probably due to normalization of renal ROS, but not CYP2E1 activity.

Transformation of Cs-IONSIV® into a ceramic wasteform by hot isostatic pressing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Tzu-Yu; Maddrell, Ewan R.; Hyatt, Neil C.; Gandy, Amy S.; Stennett, Martin C.; Hriljac, Joseph A.

2018-01-01

A simple method to directly convert Cs-exchanged IONSIV® IE-911 into a ceramic wasteform by hot isostatic pressing (1100 °C/190 MPa/2 hr) is presented. Two major Cs-containing phases, Cs2TiNb6O18 and Cs2ZrSi6O15, and a series of mixed oxides form. The microstructure and phase assemblage of the samples as a function of Cs content were examined using XRD, XRF, SEM and TEM/EDX. The chemical aqueous durability of the materials was investigated using the MCC-1 and PCT-B standard test methods. For HIPed Cs-IONSIV® samples, the MCC-1 normalised release rates of Cs were <1.57 × 10-1 g m-2 d-1 at 0-28 days, and <3.78 × 10-2 g m-2 d-1 for PCT-B at 7 days. The low rates are indicative of a safe long-term immobilisation matrix for Cs formed directly from spent IONSIV®. It was also demonstrated that the phase formation can be altered by adding Ti metal due to a controlled redox environment.

Effect of chondroitin sulfate on turpentine-induced down-regulation of CYP1A2 and CYP3A6.

PubMed

Iovu, Mirela-Onita; Héroux, Lucie; Vergés, Josep; Montell, Eulália; Paiement, Jacques; du Souich, Patrick

2012-07-01

This study aimed to assess whether chronic administration of chondroitin sulfate (CS) affects baseline expression of cytochrome P450 isoforms and impedes the decrease in expression and activity of CYP1A2 and CYP3A6 in rabbits with a turpentine-induced inflammatory reaction (TIIR). Seven groups of 5 rabbits, 3 control groups and 4 receiving 20 mg/kg/day of CS for 20 and 30 days, were used. The rabbits of 1 control group and 2 groups receiving CS had a TIIR; finally, the rabbits of one of the control groups remained in the animal facilities for 30 days to assess the effect of time and environment on cytochrome P450. In control rabbits, intake of CS for 20 and 30 days did not affect CYP3A6, CYP1A2 and NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) mRNA, protein expression and activity. Compared with control rabbits, the TIIR not only reduced mRNA, protein expression and activity of CYP3A6 and CYP1A2 but also that of CPR. In rabbits with TIIR, CS prevented the decrease of CYP3A6 expression but not the reduction in activity. CS did not impede TIIR-induced down-regulation of CYP1A2. Hepatic NO() concentrations and NF-κB nuclear translocation were increased by the TIIR, effect reversed by CS. In vitro, in hepatocytes, CS did not alter the expression and activity of CYP3A6, CYP1A2, and CPR. In conclusion, oral CS elicits a systemic effect but does not affect CYP1A2, CYP3A6, and CPR in control rabbits, although in rabbits with TIIR, CS prevents CYP3A6 protein down-regulation but not that of CYP1A2. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

H2CS abundances and ortho-to-para ratios in interstellar clouds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minh, Y. C.; Irvine, W. M.; Brewer, M. K.

1991-01-01

Several H2CS ortho and para transitions have been observed toward interstellar molecular clouds, including cold, dark clouds and star-forming regions. H2CS fractional abundances f(H2CS) about 1-2 10 to the -9th relative to molecular hydrogen toward TMC-1, Orion A, and NGC 7538, and about 5 10 to the -10th for L134N are derived. The H2CS ortho-to-para ratios in TMC-1 are about 1.8 toward the cyanopolyyne peak and the ammonia peak, which may indicate the thermalization of H2CS on 10 K grains. A ratio of about 3, the statistical value, for Orion (3N, 1E) and NGC 7538 is derived, while a value of about 2 for Orion (KL) is found.

A clinical study and meta-analysis of carotid stenosis with coexistent intracranial aneurysms.

PubMed

Yang, Ximeng; Lu, Jun; Wang, Junjie; Wang, Lijun; Qi, Peng; Hu, Shen; Chen, Kunpeng; Wang, Daming

2018-06-01

Carotid stenosis (CS) and intracranial aneurysms (IAs) may concur in one person. We studied the prevalence of IAs in CS patients in our retrospectively collected database and systematically reviewed this issue. Five hundred and fifty-seven CS (≥50%) patients confirmed by DSA in our hospital from 2010-06 to 2015-06 were screened for coexistent IAs. After searching the related literatures from English and Chinese journal literature databases, a meta-analysis was performed to pool the prevalence of CS with coexistent IAs. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore the causes of heterogeneity among studies. IAs were detected in 98(17.0%) out of the 577 CS patients. 12 literatures and the present study including a total of 6965 CS patients and 446 cases with coexistent IAs. The pooled prevalence of CS with coexistent IAs was 6.3% (95%CI: 4.2-8.3%) in all the CS patients. The pooled RR for female to male CS patients to have coexistent IAs was 1.67 (95%CI: 1.34-2.08, P = 0.000). 3 studies and the present study were carried out in Asian countries with a pooled prevalence of 10.8% (95%CI: 5.3-16.3%); 6 studies in European countries with 3.0% (95%CI: 2.2-3.7%); and 3 studies in USA with 6.0% (95%CI: 2.2-9.7%). There was a statistically significant difference between the three subgroups (P < 0.001). The prevalence of IAs in CS patients seems higher in our clinical study and the meta-analysis than in the general population and previously reported. The eastern and the women CS patients have a higher risk for coexistent IAs. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Combination of cisplatin/S-1 in the treatment of patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma: Results of noninferiority and safety analyses compared with cisplatin/5-fluorouracil in the First-Line Advanced Gastric Cancer Study.

PubMed

Ajani, J A; Buyse, M; Lichinitser, M; Gorbunova, V; Bodoky, G; Douillard, J Y; Cascinu, S; Heinemann, V; Zaucha, R; Carrato, A; Ferry, D; Moiseyenko, V

2013-11-01

The aim of developing oral fluorouracil (5-FU) is to provide a more convenient administration route with similar efficacy and the best achievable tolerance. S-1, a novel oral fluoropyrimidine, was specifically designed to overcome the limitations of intravenous fluoropyrimidine therapies. A multicentre, randomised phase 3 trial was undertaken to compare S-1/cisplatin (CS) with infusional 5-FU/cisplatin (CF) in 1053 patients with untreated, advanced gastric/gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. This report discusses a post-hoc noninferiority overall survival (OS) and safety analyses. Results (1029 treated; CS = 521/CF = 508) revealed OS in CS (8.6 months) was statistically noninferior to CF (7.9 months) [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.92 (two-sided 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.80-1.05)] for any margin equal to or greater than 1.05. Statistically significant safety advantages for the CS arm were observed [G3/4 neutropenia (CS, 18.6%; CF, 40.0%), febrile neutropenia (CS, 1.7%; CF, 6.9%), G3/4 stomatitis (CS, 1.3%; CF, 13.6%), diarrhoea (all grades: CS, 29.2%; CF, 38.4%) and renal adverse events (all grades: CS, 18.8%; CF, 33.5%)]. Hand-foot syndrome, infrequently reported, was mainly grade 1/2 in both arms. Treatment-related deaths were significantly lower in the CS arm than the CF arm (2.5% and 4.9%, respectively; P<0.047). CS is noninferior to CF with a better safety profile and provides a new treatment option for patients with advanced gastric carcinoma. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Knock-Down of CsNRT2.1, a Cucumber Nitrate Transporter, Reduces Nitrate Uptake, Root length, and Lateral Root Number at Low External Nitrate Concentration

PubMed Central

Li, Yang; Li, Juanqi; Yan, Yan; Liu, Wenqian; Zhang, Wenna; Gao, Lihong; Tian, Yongqiang

2018-01-01

Nitrogen (N) is a macronutrient that plays a crucial role in plant growth and development. Nitrate (NO3-) is the most abundant N source in aerobic soils. Plants have evolved two adaptive mechanisms such as up-regulation of the high-affinity transport system (HATS) and alteration of the root system architecture (RSA), allowing them to cope with the temporal and spatial variation of NO3-. However, little information is available regarding the nitrate transporter in cucumber, one of the most important fruit vegetables in the world. In this study we isolated a nitrate transporter named CsNRT2.1 from cucumber. Analysis of the expression profile of the CsNRT2.1 showed that CsNRT2.1 is a high affinity nitrate transporter which mainly located in mature roots. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that CsNRT2.1 is a plasma membrane transporter. In N-starved CsNRT2.1 knock-down plants, both of the constitutive HATS (cHATS) and inducible HATS (iHATS) were impaired under low external NO3- concentration. Furthermore, the CsNRT2.1 knock-down plants showed reduced root length and lateral root numbers. Together, our results demonstrated that CsNRT2.1 played a dual role in regulating the HATS and RSA to acquire NO3- effectively under N limitation. PMID:29911677

Hole doping and structural transformation in CsTl1-xHgxCl3.

PubMed

Retuerto, Maria; Yin, Zhiping; Emge, Thomas J; Stephens, Peter W; Li, Man-Rong; Sarkar, Tapati; Croft, Mark C; Ignatov, Alexander; Yuan, Z; Zhang, S J; Jin, Changqing; Paria Sena, Robert; Hadermann, Joke; Kotliar, Gabriel; Greenblatt, Martha

2015-02-02

CsTlCl(3) and CsTlF(3) perovskites have been theoretically predicted to be superconductors when properly hole-doped. Both compounds have been previously prepared as pure compounds: CsTlCl(3) in a tetragonal (I4/m) and a cubic (Fm3̅m) perovskite polymorph and CsTlF(3) as a cubic perovskite (Fm3̅m). In this work, substitution of Tl in CsTlCl(3) with Hg is reported, in an attempt to hole-dope the system and induce superconductivity. The whole series CsTl(1-x)HgxCl(3) (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8) was prepared. CsTl(0.9)Hg(0.1)Cl(3) is tetragonal as the more stable phase of CsTlCl(3). However, CsTl(0.8)Hg(0.2)Cl(3) is already cubic with the space group Fm3̅m and with two different positions for Tl(+) and Tl(3+). For x = 0.4 and 0.5, solid solutions could not be formed. For x ≥ 0.6, the samples are primitive cubic perovskites with one crystallographic position for Tl(+), Tl(3+), and Hg(2+). All of the samples formed are insulating, and there is no signature of superconductivity. X-ray absorption spectroscopy indicates that all of the samples have a mixed-valence state of Tl(+) and Tl(3+). Raman spectroscopy shows the presence of the active Tl-Cl-Tl stretching mode over the whole series and the intensity of the Tl-Cl-Hg mode increases with increasing Hg content. First-principle calculations confirmed that the phases are insulators in their ground state and that Hg is not a good dopant in the search for superconductivity in this system.

Genetic variability in calving success in Aberdeen Angus cows under extensive recording.

PubMed

Urioste, J I; Chang, Y M; Naya, H; Gianola, D

2007-09-01

Data from 2032 Uruguayan Aberdeen Angus cows under extensive management and recording practices were analysed with Bayesian threshold-liability sire models, to assess genetic variability in calving success (CS), defined as a different binary trait for each of the second (CS2), third (CS3) and fourth (CS4) calving opportunities. Sire (herd) variances ranged from 0.08 to 0.11 (0.10 to 0.20) and heritability from 0.27 to 0.35, with large credibility intervals. Correlations between herd effects on CS at different calving opportunities were positive. Genetic correlation between CS2 and CS4 was positive (0.68), whereas those involving adjacent calving opportunities (CS2-CS3 and CS3-CS4) were negative, at -0.39 and -0.54, respectively. The residual correlation CS2-CS3 was negative (-0.32). The extent of uncertainty associated with the posterior estimates of the parameters was further evaluated through simulation, assuming different true values (-0.4, -0.2, +0.2 and +0.4) for the genetic correlations and changes in the degree of belief parameters of the inverse Wishart priors for the sire covariance matrix. Although inferences were not sharp enough, CS appears to be moderately heritable. The quality of data recording should be improved, in order to effect genetic improvement in female fertility.

Preparation and antibacterial activity of compound chitosan-compound Yizhihao-nanoparticles.

PubMed

Ou, Sheng; Zhang, Yang-de

2008-05-01

To prepare chitosan (CS)-compound Yizhihao-nanoparticles (NP) and to investigate its antibacterial activity. CS NPs were formed by the incorporation of CS and Na3 PO4. CS-compound Yizhihao NPs were prepared by ion-cross-linking. The particle sizes and surface charges of CS NPs were determined by Malvern Zetasizer 1000-HAS and atomic force microscope (AFM), respectively. The antibacterial activity of CS-compound Yizhihao-NPs was studied in vitro and compared with that of compound Yizhihao powder. Malvern Zetasizer 1000-HAS and AFM demonstrated that the diameter of CS-compound Yizhihao NPs was (137.00+/-14.28)nm and CS NPs had (16.90+/-1.32)mV positive surface charges. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of CS-compound Yizhihao NPs on Staphylococcus aureus,Pneumococcus,beta-hemolytic streptococcus, and Escherichia coli were 1:32,1:32,1:16,and 1:2, respectively. The minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of CS-compound Yizhihao-NPs on Staphylococcus aureus, Pneumococcus, beta-hemolytic streptococcus, and Escherichia coli were 1:16,1:16,1:8, and 1:2, respectively. The antibacterial efficacy of CS-compound Yizhihao-NPs to Staphylococcus aureus, Pneumococcus, and beta-hemolytic streptococcus had been improved significantly (P< 0.05). CS-compound Yizhihao-nanoparticles have obvious antibacterial activity to the Staphylococcus aureus,Pneumococcus,and beta-hemolytic streptococcus,which lays the experimental foundation for new preparation of traditional Chinese medicine in future research.

Combined flurbiprofen and cyclosporin-A does not attenuate bone loss and exaggerates renal impairment.

PubMed

Sass, D A; Rucinski, B; Bryer, H P; Mann, G N; Yuan, Z; Ma, Y; Jee, W S; Epstein, S

1996-10-01

Cyclosporine (CsA) is a potent immunosuppressant that has revolutionized the success of organ transplantation. Flurbiprofen (FB), a propionic acid derivative NSAID, has been demonstrated in vivo to reduce osteoclast numbers in normal rats. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether addition of FB to CsA-treated rats could prevent the bone changes associated with CsA therapy. Forty-eight 10-12-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to receive, daily for 28 days: (1) CsA vehicle p.o. plus FB vehicle sc; (2) CsA (15 mg/kg) p.o. plus FB vehicle sc, (3) CsA vehicle p.o. plus FB (1.5 mg/kg) sc; and (4) CsA (15 mg/kg) p.o. plus FB (1.5 mg/kg) sc. Rats were weighed and venous blood sampled at baseline, 14 days, and 28 days for determination of glucose, Ca+2, BUN, creatinine, PTH, osteocalcin, and 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D. Tibiae were removed following killing, after double labeling for histomorphometry. Body mass was significantly lower than control in all rats receiving CsA on days 14 and 28 while blood glucose was only elevated in the CsA alone group. Day 28 BUN and creatinine were significantly elevated in the CsA group and the combination of CsA and FB revealed an exacerbation of this trend. Vitamin D and osteocalcin were consistently increased in the CsA and CsA/FB groups. Bone histomorphometry showed evidence of trabecular osteopenia in CsA and CsA/FB groups. CsA alone resulted in elevated bone turnover. FB was unable to prevent the trabecular bone loss induced by CsA therapy. This experiment indicates no role for FB as a therapeutic option in CsA-induced bone disease at the given doses and duration of treatment by virtue of its lack of bone sparing ability and adverse renal effects when the two drugs are administered concurrently.

P. falciparum and P. vivax Epitope-Focused VLPs Elicit Sterile Immunity to Blood Stage Infections.

PubMed

Whitacre, David C; Espinosa, Diego A; Peters, Cory J; Jones, Joyce E; Tucker, Amy E; Peterson, Darrell L; Zavala, Fidel P; Milich, David R

2015-01-01

In order to design P. falciparum preerythrocytic vaccine candidates, a library of circumsporozoite (CS) T and B cell epitopes displayed on the woodchuck hepatitis virus core antigen (WHcAg) VLP platform was produced. To test the protective efficacy of the WHcAg-CS VLPs, hybrid CS P. berghei/P. falciparum (Pb/Pf) sporozoites were used to challenge immunized mice. VLPs carrying 1 or 2 different CS repeat B cell epitopes and 3 VLPs carrying different CS non-repeat B cell epitopes elicited high levels of anti-insert antibodies (Abs). Whereas, VLPs carrying CS repeat B cell epitopes conferred 98% protection of the liver against a 10,000 Pb/Pf sporozoite challenge, VLPs carrying the CS non-repeat B cell eptiopes were minimally-to-non-protective. One-to-three CS-specific CD4/CD8 T cell sites were also fused to VLPs, which primed CS-specific as well as WHcAg-specific T cells. However, a VLP carrying only the 3 T cell domains failed to protect against a sporozoite challenge, indicating a requirement for anti-CS repeat Abs. A VLP carrying 2 CS repeat B cell epitopes and 3 CS T cell sites in alum adjuvant elicited high titer anti-CS Abs (endpoint dilution titer >1x10(6)) and provided 80-100% protection against blood stage malaria. Using a similar strategy, VLPs were constructed carrying P. vivax CS repeat B cell epitopes (WHc-Pv-78), which elicited high levels of anti-CS Abs and conferred 99% protection of the liver against a 10,000 Pb/Pv sporozoite challenge and elicited sterile immunity to blood stage infection. These results indicate that immunization with epitope-focused VLPs carrying selected B and T cell epitopes from the P. falciparum and P. vivax CS proteins can elicit sterile immunity against blood stage malaria. Hybrid WHcAg-CS VLPs could provide the basis for a bivalent P. falciparum/P. vivax malaria vaccine.

A Glycine-Rich RNA-Binding Protein, CsGR-RBP3, Is Involved in Defense Responses Against Cold Stress in Harvested Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Fruit

PubMed Central

Wang, Bin; Wang, Guang; Shen, Fei; Zhu, Shijiang

2018-01-01

Plant glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins (GR-RBPs) have been shown to play important roles in response to abiotic stresses in actively proliferating organs such as young plants, root tips, and flowers, but their roles in chilling responses of harvested fruit remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the role of CsGR-RBP3 in the chilling response of cucumber fruit. Pre-storage cold acclimation at 10°C (PsCA) for 3 days significantly enhanced chilling tolerance of cucumber fruit compared with the control fruit that were stored at 5°C. In the control fruit, only one of the six cucumber CsGR-RBP genes, CsGR-RBP2, was enhanced whereas the other five, i.e., CsGR-RBP3, CsGR-RBP4, CsGR-RBP5, CsGR-RBP-blt801, and CsGR-RBP-RZ1A were not. However, in the fruit exposed to PsCA before storage at 5°C, CsGR-RBP2 transcript levels were not obviously different from those in the controls, whereas the other five were highly upregulated, with CsGR-RBP3 the most significantly induced. Treatment with endogenous ABA and NO biosynthesis inhibitors, tungstate and L-nitro-arginine methyl ester, respectively, prior to PsCA treatment, clearly downregulated CsGR-RBP3 expression and significantly aggravated chilling injury. These results suggest a strong connection between CsGR-RBP3 expression and chilling tolerance in cucumber fruit. Transient expression in tobacco suggests CsGR-RBP3 was located in the mitochondria, implying a role for CsGR-RBP3 in maintaining mitochondria-related functions under low temperature. Arabidopsis lines overexpressing CsGR-RBP3 displayed faster growth at 23°C, lower electrolyte leakage and higher Fv/Fm ratio at 0°C, and higher survival rate at -20°C, than wild-type plants. Under cold stress conditions, Arabidopsis plants overexpressing CsGR-RBP3 displayed lower reactive oxygen species levels, and higher catalase and superoxide dismutase expression and activities, compared with the wild-type plants. In addition, overexpression of CsGR-RBP3 significantly upregulated nine Arabidopsis genes involved in defense responses to various stresses, including chilling. These results strongly suggest CsGR-RBP3 plays a positive role in defense against chilling stress. PMID:29740470

Synthesis and structure of cesium complexes of nitrilotris(methylenephosphonic) acid [Cs-μ6-NH(CH2PO3)3H4] and [Cs2-μ10-NH(CH2PO3H)3] · H2O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Somov, N. V.; Chausov, F. F.; Zakirov, R. M.

2017-07-01

3D coordination polymers cesium nitrilotris(methylenephosphonate) and dicesium nitrilotris( methylenephosphonate) are synthesized and their crystal structure is determined. In the crystal of [Cs-μ6-NH(CH2PO3)3H4] (space group P, Z = 2), cesium atoms occupy two crystallographically inequivalent positions with c.n. = 10 and c.n. = 14. The phosphonate ligand plays the bridging function; its denticity is nine. The crystal packing consists of alternating layers of Cs atoms in different environments with layers of ligand molecules between them. A ligand is bound to three Cs atoms of one layer and three Cs atoms of another layer. In the crystal of [Cs2-μ10-NH(CH2PO3H)3] · H2O (space group P, Z = 2), the complex has a dimeric structure: the bridging phosphonate ligand coordinates Cs to form a three-dimensional Cs4O6 cluster. The denticity of the ligand is equal to nine; the coordination numbers of cesium atoms are seven and nine. Two-dimensional corrugated layers of Cs4O6 clusters lie in the (002) plane, and layers of ligand molecules are located between them. Each ligand molecule coordinates eight Cs atoms of one layer and two Cs atoms of the neighboring layer.

Photoassociation studies of ultracold NaCs from the Cs 6(2)P(3/2) asymptote.

PubMed

Wakim, A; Zabawa, P; Bigelow, N P

2011-11-14

A combination of pulsed depletion spectroscopy and photoassociation spectroscopy is utilized to assign photoassociation spectra of NaCs. These methods investigate the ab initio Ω = 2 potential energy curve and indicate a previously unknown avoided crossing between the (3)Ω = 1 and (4)Ω = 1 electronic states. We present rotational assignments of deeply bound singlet ground state molecules, an improved C(6) coefficient for the (4)Ω = 1 and assignments for all twenty-three photoassociation resonances detuned from the Cs 6(2)P(3/2) asymptote.

Effect of Cordyceps sinensis on the Treatment of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis: A Pilot Study on Mice Model.

PubMed

Zhong, Shan-Shan; Xiang, Ya-Juan; Liu, Pen-Ju; He, Yang; Yang, Ting-Ting; Wang, Yang-Yang; Rong, A; Zhang, Jun; Liu, Guang-Zhi

2017-10-05

As a traditional Chinese medicine, Cordyceps sinensis (CS) possesses a variety of immunoregulatory properties. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of CS in a mice model of multiple sclerosis (MS)-experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Female C57BL/6 mice were immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein35-55to induce EAE, followed by an instant intragastric feeding with a low dosage of CS (low-CS group, n = 5), high dosage of CS (high-CS group, n = 5), or the same volume of normal saline (control group, n = 5). All the mice were observed for clinical assessment. Over the 30 days of CS treatment, flow cytometry was used to detect the frequency of helper T-cell (Th) subsets, Th1 and Th17, and CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in the spleen and lymph nodes. Meanwhile, pathological changes in brain were determined using both hematoxylin-eosin and luxol fast blue staining. Data were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Over the 15 and 30 days of CS treatment, the clinical assessment for EAE demonstrated that both high-CS group (2.51 ± 0.31 and 2.26 ± 0.39 scores, respectively) and low-CS group (2.99 ± 0.40 and 2.69 ± 0.46, respectively) had lower disease severity scores than those of control group (3.57 ± 0.53 and 3.29 ± 0.53, all P < 0.01, respectively). Meanwhile, after 15 and 30 days, the high-CS group (19.18 ± 1.34 g and 20.41 ± 1.56 g, respectively) and low-CS group (18.07 ± 1.18 g and 19.48 ± 1.69 g, respectively) had a lower body weight, as compared with control group (16.85 ± 1.15 g and 18.22 ± 1.63 g, all P < 0.01, respectively). At 30 days post-CS treatment, there was a lower Th1 frequency in the lymph nodes (2.85 ± 1.54% and 2.77 ± 1.07% vs. 5.35 ± 1.34%, respectively; P < 0.05) and spleens (3.96 ± 1.09% and 3.09 ± 0.84% vs. 5.07 ± 1.50%, respectively; P < 0.05) and less inflammatory infiltration and demyelination in the brain of CS-treated mice than that of control group. Our preliminary study demonstrated that CS efficiently alleviated EAE severity and EAE-related pathology damage and decreased the number of Th1s in the periphery, indicating its effectiveness in the treatment of murine EAE. Thus, our findings strongly support the therapeutic potential of this agent as a new traditional Chinese medicine approach in MS treatment.

Effect of Cordyceps sinensis on the Treatment of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis: A Pilot Study on Mice Model

PubMed Central

Zhong, Shan-Shan; Xiang, Ya-Juan; Liu, Pen-Ju; He, Yang; Yang, Ting-Ting; Wang, Yang-Yang; Rong, A; Zhang, Jun; Liu, Guang-Zhi

2017-01-01

Background: As a traditional Chinese medicine, Cordyceps sinensis (CS) possesses a variety of immunoregulatory properties. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of CS in a mice model of multiple sclerosis (MS)-experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Methods: Female C57BL/6 mice were immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein35–55 to induce EAE, followed by an instant intragastric feeding with a low dosage of CS (low-CS group, n = 5), high dosage of CS (high-CS group, n = 5), or the same volume of normal saline (control group, n = 5). All the mice were observed for clinical assessment. Over the 30 days of CS treatment, flow cytometry was used to detect the frequency of helper T-cell (Th) subsets, Th1 and Th17, and CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in the spleen and lymph nodes. Meanwhile, pathological changes in brain were determined using both hematoxylin-eosin and luxol fast blue staining. Data were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Over the 15 and 30 days of CS treatment, the clinical assessment for EAE demonstrated that both high-CS group (2.51 ± 0.31 and 2.26 ± 0.39 scores, respectively) and low-CS group (2.99 ± 0.40 and 2.69 ± 0.46, respectively) had lower disease severity scores than those of control group (3.57 ± 0.53 and 3.29 ± 0.53, all P < 0.01, respectively). Meanwhile, after 15 and 30 days, the high-CS group (19.18 ± 1.34 g and 20.41 ± 1.56 g, respectively) and low-CS group (18.07 ± 1.18 g and 19.48 ± 1.69 g, respectively) had a lower body weight, as compared with control group (16.85 ± 1.15 g and 18.22 ± 1.63 g, all P < 0.01, respectively). At 30 days post-CS treatment, there was a lower Th1 frequency in the lymph nodes (2.85 ± 1.54% and 2.77 ± 1.07% vs. 5.35 ± 1.34%, respectively; P < 0.05) and spleens (3.96 ± 1.09% and 3.09 ± 0.84% vs. 5.07 ± 1.50%, respectively; P < 0.05) and less inflammatory infiltration and demyelination in the brain of CS-treated mice than that of control group. Conclusions: Our preliminary study demonstrated that CS efficiently alleviated EAE severity and EAE-related pathology damage and decreased the number of Th1s in the periphery, indicating its effectiveness in the treatment of murine EAE. Thus, our findings strongly support the therapeutic potential of this agent as a new traditional Chinese medicine approach in MS treatment. PMID:28937034

Association between mode of delivery and astigmatism in preschool children.

PubMed

Liu, Fengyang; Yang, Xubo; Tang, Angcang; Liu, Longqian

2018-03-01

To determine whether mode of delivery has any impact on astigmatism. This case-control study was performed in the Department of Ophthalmology in 2015. Exposure was mode of delivery [vaginal delivery (VD) or caesarean section (CS), which here included both elective and emergency CS]. Outcome was astigmatism (≥2.5 D), which was determined by cycloplegic refraction. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were computed to assess the associations between mode of delivery and astigmatism from logistic regression models. Of the 659 children studied here (341 boys; mean age, 4.37 years), 440 were born by CS and 219 by VD. The incidence of severe astigmatism (≥2.5 D) in the CS and VD groups was 22.06% and 13.24%, respectively. Children delivered by CS had a 77.9% higher risk of severe astigmatism compared with vaginally delivered children (OR = 1.779; 95% CI, 1.121 to 2.824). After dividing CS into elective CS and emergency CS, children delivered by elective CS had an 87.3% increased risk of severe astigmatism (OR = 1.873; 95% CI, 1.157 to 3.032), but children delivered by emergency CS did not differ from vaginally delivered children. In addition, the children whose mothers had histories of breastfeeding had a 44.6% lower risk of severe astigmatism than children whose mother did not breastfeed them (OR = 0.554, 95% CI, 0.335-0.914). Birth by CS, especially elective CS, increases the risk of severe astigmatism (≥2.50 D) in childhood. © 2017 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Fabrication of chitosan/gallic acid 3D microporous scaffold for tissue engineering applications.

PubMed

Thangavel, Ponrasu; Ramachandran, Balaji; Muthuvijayan, Vignesh

2016-05-01

This study explores the potential of gallic acid incorporated chitosan (CS/GA) 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. Scaffolds were prepared by freezing and lyophilization technique and characterized. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of GA in chitosan (CS) gel. DSC and TGA analysis revealed that the structure of chitosan was not altered due to the incorporation of GA, but thermal stability was significantly increased compared to the CS scaffold. SEM micrographs showed smooth, homogeneous, and microporous architecture of the scaffolds with good interconnectivity. CS/GA scaffolds exhibited approximately 90% porosity on average, increased swelling (600-900%) and controlled biodegradation (15-40%) in PBS (pH 7.4 at 37°C) with 1 mg/mL of lysozyme. CS/GA scaffolds showed 2-4 fold decrease in CFUs (p < 0.05) for both gram positive and gram negative bacteria compared to the CS scaffold. Cytotoxicity of these scaffolds was evaluated using NIH 3T3 L1 fibroblast cells. CS/GA 0.25% scaffold showed similar viability with CS scaffold at 24 and 48 h. CS/GA scaffolds (0.5-1.0%) showed 60-75% viability at 24 h and 90% at 48 h. SEM images showed that an increased cell attachment was observed for CS/GA scaffolds compared to CS scaffolds. These findings authenticate that CS/GA scaffolds were cytocompatible and would be useful for tissue engineering applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Enhanced desorption of cesium from collapsed interlayer regions in vermiculite by hydrothermal treatment with divalent cations.

PubMed

Yin, Xiangbiao; Wang, Xinpeng; Wu, Hao; Ohnuki, Toshihiko; Takeshita, Kenji

2017-03-15

Adsorption of cesium (Cs) on phyllosilicates has been intensively investigated because natural soils have strong ability of immobilizing Cs within clay minerals resulting in difficulty of decontamination. The objectives of present study are to clarify how Cs fixation on vermiculite is influenced by structure change caused by Cs sorption at different loading levels and how Cs desorption is affected by various replacing cations induced at different treating temperature. As a result, more than 80% of Cs was readily desorbed from vermiculite with loading amount of 2% saturated Cs (5.49×10 -3 mmolg -1 ) after four cycles of treatment of 0.01M Mg 2+ /Ca 2+ at room temperature, but less than 20% of Cs was desorbed from saturated vermiculite. These distinct desorption patterns were attributed to inhibition of Cs desorption by interlayer collapse of vermiculite, especially at high Cs loadings. In contrast, elevated temperature significantly facilitated divalent cations to efficiently desorb Cs from collapsed regions. After five cycles of treatment at 250°C with 0.01M Mg 2+ , ∼100% removal of saturated Cs was achieved. X-ray diffraction analysis results suggested that Cs desorption was completed through enhanced diffusion of Mg 2+ cations into collapsed interlayer space under hydrothermal condition resulting in subsequent interlayer decollapse and readily release of Cs + . Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A first-principles study on polar hexagonal Cs2TeM3O12 (M = W, Mo): New visible-light responsive photocatalyst

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zahedi, Ehsan; Hojamberdiev, Mirabbos

2017-08-01

The crystal structures, electro-optical properties, and charge carrier effective masses of Cs2TeW3O12 and Cs2TeMo3O12 with hexagonal, polar and non-centrosymmetric crystal structure were investigated based on density functional theory. Cs2TeW3O12 and Cs2TeMo3O12 are found to be indirect K (1/3, 1/3, 0) → G (0, 0, 0) band gap semiconductors (Eg > 3 eV) with small effective masses of photogenerated charge carriers. The mixing of octahedrally coordinated d° transition metal cations (W6+ and Mo6+) with the filled p orbitals of the oxygen ligands leads to the formation of some W5+/Mo5+ sites and splitting of d orbitals into the partially filled t2g (dxy, dyz, and dzx) orbitals and empty eg (dz2 and dx2-y2) orbitals. The top of the valence bond is mainly contributed by O 2p orbital of the oxygen ligands mixed with the partially filled t2g orbitals of W 5d/Mo 4d, while the conduction band mainly consists of empty eg orbitals of W 5d/Mo 4d with a little contribution of O 2p orbitals. The dielectric function exhibits a slight anisotropic behavior and optical absorption peak for Cs2TeW3O12 and Cs2TeMo3O12 belonging to the strong electronic transition O 2p → W 5d/Mo 4d within the octahedral units. According to the estimated valence band and conduction band edges, Cs2TeW3O12 and Cs2TeMo3O12 can be applied as visible-light-responsive photocatalysts for the decomposition of organic pollutants and dye molecules. Also, Cs2TeMo3O12 can be used in water splitting for hydrogen generation but Cs2TeW3O12 requires further experimental studies to confirm its ability for water splitting.

Intron-mediated alternative splicing of Arabidopsis P5CS1 and its association with natural variation in proline and climate adaptation

PubMed Central

Kesari, Ravi; Lasky, Jesse R.; Villamor, Joji Grace; Des Marais, David L.; Chen, Ying-Jiun C.; Liu, Tzu-Wen; Juenger, Thomas E.; Verslues, Paul E.

2012-01-01

Drought-induced proline accumulation is widely observed in plants but its regulation and adaptive value are not as well understood. Proline accumulation of the Arabidopsis accession Shakdara (Sha) was threefold less than that of Landsberg erecta (Ler) and quantitative trait loci mapping identified a reduced function allele of the proline synthesis enzyme Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase1 (P5CS1) as a basis for the lower proline of Sha. Sha P5CS1 had additional TA repeats in intron 2 and a G-to-T transversion in intron 3 that were sufficient to promote alternative splicing and production of a nonfunctional transcript lacking exon 3 (exon 3-skip P5CS1). In Sha, and additional accessions with the same intron polymorphisms, the nonfunctional exon 3-skip P5CS1 splice variant constituted as much as half of the total P5CS1 transcript. In a larger panel of Arabidopsis accessions, low water potential-induced proline accumulation varied by 10-fold and variable production of exon 3-skip P5CS1 among accessions was an important, but not the sole, factor underlying variation in proline accumulation. Population genetic analyses suggest that P5CS1 may have evolved under positive selection, and more extensive correlation of exon 3-skip P5CS1 production than proline abundance with climate conditions of natural accessions also suggest a role of P5CS1 in local adaptation to the environment. These data identify a unique source of alternative splicing in plants, demonstrate a role of exon 3-skip P5CS1 in natural variation of proline metabolism, and suggest an association of P5CS1 and its alternative splicing with environmental adaptation. PMID:22615385

Radiocaesium derived from the TEPCO Fukushima accident in the North Pacific Ocean: Surface transport processes until 2017.

PubMed

Aoyama, Michio; Hamajima, Yasunori; Inomata, Yayoi; Kumamoto, Yuichiro; Oka, Eitarou; Tsubono, Takaki; Tsumune, Daisuke

2018-04-04

We report temporal variations of 137 Cs activity concentrations in surface waters of six regions of the western and central North Pacific Ocean during 2011-2017 using a combination of 1264 previously published data and 42 new data. In the western and central North Pacific Ocean at latitudes of 30-42°N and longitudes of 140°E to 160°W, eastward transport of radiocaesium was clearly apparent. 137 Cs activity concentrations in surface water decreased rapidly to ∼2-3 Bq m -3 in 2015/2016, still a bit higher than 137 Cs activity concentrations before the FNPP1 accident (1.5-2 Bq m -3 ). 134 Cs/ 137 Cs activity ratios decay-corrected to 11 March 2011 were ∼0.5-0.8. To the south of 30°N and between 130°E and 160°W in the western and central Pacific Ocean, 137 Cs activity concentrations were around 1-7 Bq m -3 in 2011/2012 but then stabilized at a few Bq m -3 up to 2017. 134 Cs activity concentrations were detected at levels of 0.1-0.9 Bq m -3 , and 134 Cs/ 137 Cs activity ratios decay-corrected to 11 March 2011 were ∼0.3-0.5. Temporal variations of model-simulated 137 Cs activity concentrations in surface water in the region of interest showed good agreement with observations, except in the southwestern North Pacific Ocean. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Antibodies derived from an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) adhesin tip MEFA (multiepitope fusion antigen) against adherence of nine ETEC adhesins: CFA/I, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS6, CS21 and EtpA.

PubMed

Nandre, Rahul M; Ruan, Xiaosai; Duan, Qiangde; Sack, David A; Zhang, Weiping

2016-06-30

Diarrhea continues to be a leading cause of death in children younger than 5 years in developing countries. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a leading bacterial cause of children's diarrhea and travelers' diarrhea. ETEC bacteria initiate diarrheal disease by attaching to host receptors at epithelial cells and colonizing in small intestine. Therefore, preventing ETEC attachment has been considered the first line of defense against ETEC diarrhea. However, developing vaccines effectively against ETEC bacterial attachment encounters challenge because ETEC strains produce over 23 immunologically heterogeneous adhesins. In this study, we applied MEFA (multiepitope fusion antigen) approach to integrate epitopes from adhesin tips or adhesive subunits of CFA/I, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS6, CS21 and EtpA adhesins and to construct an adhesin tip MEFA peptide. We then examined immunogenicity of this tip MEFA in mouse immunization, and assessed potential application of this tip MEFA for ETEC vaccine development. Data showed that mice intraperitoneally immunized with this adhesin tip MEFA developed IgG antibody responses to all nine ETEC adhesins. Moreover, ETEC and E. coli bacteria expressing these nine adhesins, after incubation with serum of the immunized mice, exhibited significant reduction in attachment to Caco-2 cells. These results indicated that anti-adhesin antibodies induced by this adhesin tip MEFA blocked adherence of the most important ETEC adhesins, suggesting this multivalent tip MEFA may be useful for developing a broadly protective anti-adhesin vaccine against ETEC diarrhea. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Retrospective determination of 137Cs specific activity distribution in spruce bark and bark aggregated transfer factor in forests on the scale of the Czech Republic ten years after the Chernobyl accident.

PubMed

Suchara, I; Rulík, P; Hůlka, J; Pilátová, H

2011-04-15

The (137)Cs specific activities (mean 32Bq kg(-1)) were determined in spruce bark samples that had been collected at 192 sampling plots throughout the Czech Republic in 1995, and were related to the sampling year. The (137)Cs specific activities in spruce bark correlated significantly with the (137)Cs depositions in areas affected by different precipitation sums operating at the time of the Chernobyl fallout in 1986. The ratio of the (137)Cs specific activities in bark and of the (137)Cs deposition levels yielded bark aggregated transfer factor T(ag) about 10.5×10(-3)m(-2)kg(-1). Taking into account the residual specific activities of (137)Cs in bark 20Bq kg(-1) and the available pre-Chernobyl data on the (137)Cs deposition loads on the soil surface in the Czech Republic, the real aggregated transfer factor after and before the Chernobyl fallout proved to be T*(ag)=3.3×10(-3)m(-2)kg(-1) and T**(ag)=4.0×10(-3)m(-2)kg(-1), respectively. The aggregated transfer factors T*(ag) for (137)Cs and spruce bark did not differ significantly in areas unequally affected by the (137)Cs fallout in the Czech Republic in 1986, and the figures for these aggregated transfer factors were very similar to the mean bark T(ag) values published from the extensively affected areas near Chernobyl. The magnitude of the (137)Cs aggregated transfer factors for spruce bark for the pre-Chernobyl and post-Chernobyl period in the Czech Republic was also very similar. The variability in spruce bark acidity caused by the operation of local anthropogenic air pollution sources did not significantly influence the accumulation and retention of (137)Cs in spruce bark. Increasing elevation of the bark sampling plots had a significant effect on raising the remaining (137)Cs specific activities in bark in areas affected by precipitation at the time when the plumes crossed, because the sums of this precipitation increased with elevation (covariable). Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tea plant SWEET transporters: expression profiling, sugar transport, and the involvement of CsSWEET16 in modifying cold tolerance in Arabidopsis.

PubMed

Wang, Lu; Yao, Lina; Hao, Xinyuan; Li, Nana; Qian, Wenjun; Yue, Chuan; Ding, Changqing; Zeng, Jianming; Yang, Yajun; Wang, Xinchao

2018-04-01

Thirteen SWEET transporters were identified in Camellia sinensis and the cold-suppression gene CsSWEET16 contributed to sugar compartmentation across the vacuole and function in modifying cold tolerance in Arabidopsis. The sugars will eventually be exported transporters (SWEET) family of sugar transporters in plants is a recently identified protein family of sugar uniporters that contain seven transmembrane helices harbouring two MtN3 motifs. SWEETs play important roles in various biological processes, including plant responses to environmental stimuli. In this study, 13 SWEET transporters were identified in Camellia sinensis and were divided into four clades. Transcript abundances of CsSWEET genes were detected in various tissues. CsSWEET1a/1b/2a/2b/2c/3/9b/16/17 were expressed in all of the selected tissues, whereas the expression of CsSWEET5/7/9a/15 was not detected in some tissues, including those of mature leaves. Expression analysis of nine CsSWEET genes in leaves in response to abiotic stresses, natural cold acclimation and Colletotrichum camelliae infection revealed that eight CsSWEET genes responded to abiotic stress, while CsSWEET3 responded to C. camelliae infection. Functional analysis of 13 CsSWEET activities in yeast revealed that CsSWEET1a/1b/7/17 exhibit transport activity for glucose analogues and other types of hexose molecules. Further characterization of the cold-suppression gene CsSWEET16 revealed that this gene is localized in the vacuolar membrane. CsSWEET16 contributed to sugar compartmentation across the vacuole and function in modifying cold tolerance in Arabidopsis. Together, these findings demonstrate that CsSWEET genes play important roles in the response to abiotic and biotic stresses in tea plants and provide insights into the characteristics of SWEET genes in tea plants, which could serve as the basis for further functional identification of such genes.

Size distribution of radioactive particles collected at Tokai, Japan 6 days after the nuclear accident.

PubMed

Miyamoto, Yutaka; Yasuda, Kenichiro; Magara, Masaaki

2014-06-01

Airborne radioactive particles released by the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident in 2011 were collected with a cascade low-pressure impactor at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) in Tokai, Japan, 114 km south of the FDNPP. Size-fractionated samples were collected twice, in the periods of March 17-April 1, 2011, and May 9-13, 2011. These size-fractionated samplings were carried out in the earliest days at a short distance from the FDNPP. Radioactivity of short-lived nuclides (several ten days of half-life) was determined as well as (134)Cs and (137)Cs. The elemental composition of size-fractionated samples was also measured. In the first collection, the activity median aerodynamic diameter (AMAD) of (129m)Te, (140)Ba, (134)Cs, (136)Cs and (137)Cs was 1.5-1.6 μm, while the diameter of (131)I was 0.45 μm. The diameters of (134)Cs and (137)Cs in the second collection were expressed as three peaks at <0.5 μm, 0.94 μm, and 7.8 μm. The (134)Cs/(137)Cs ratio of the first collection was 1.02 in total, but the ratio in the fine fractions was 0.91. A distribution map of (134)Cs/(137)Cs - (136)Cs/(137)Cs ratios was helpful in understanding the change of radioactive Cs composition. The Cs composition of size fractions <0.43 μm and the composition in the 1.1-2.1 μm range (including the AMAD of 1.5-1.6 μm) were similar to the calculated compositions of fuels in the reactors No. 1 and No. 3 at the FDNPP using the ORIGEN-II code. The Cs composition collected in May, 2011 was similar to the calculation results of reactor No. 2 fuel composition. The change of Cs composition implies that the radioactive Cs was released from the three reactors at the FDNPP via different processes. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Phytoremediation of stable Cs from solutions by Calendula alata, Amaranthus chlorostachys and Chenopodium album.

PubMed

Moogouei, Roxana; Borghei, Mehdi; Arjmandi, Reza

2011-10-01

Uptake rate of (133)Cs, at three different concentrations of CsCl, by Calendula alata, Amaranthus chlorostachys and Chenopodium album plants grown outdoors was studied. These plants grow abundantly in semi-arid regions and their varieties exist in many parts of the world. When exposed to lowest Cs concentration 68 percent Cs was remediated by Chenopodium album.(133)Cs accumulation in shoots of Amaranthus chlorostachys reached its highest value of 2146.2 mg kg(-1) at a (133)Cs supply level of 3.95 mg l(-1) of feed solution. The highest concentration ratio value was 4.89 for Amaranthus chlorostachys, whereas for the other tests it ranged from 0.74 to 3.33. Furthermore uptake of (133)Cs by all three species increased with increasing metal concentrations. The results also indicated that hydroponically grown Calendula alata, Amaranthus chlorostachys and Chenopodium album could be used as potential candidate plants for phytoremediation of solutions contaminated with Cs. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Preparation of arginine modified PEI-conjugated chitosan copolymer for DNA delivery.

PubMed

Zhang, Xi; Duan, Yajing; Wang, Dongfang; Bian, Fengling

2015-05-20

Polyethylenimine-conjugated chitosan (CS-PEI) and arginine modified polyethylenimine-conjugated chitosan (CS-PEI-Arg) were prepared, and the copolymers were characterized by FTIR, (1)H NMR, and XRD. The properties of these copolymers like plasmid DNA (pDNA) binding capacity, complexes' size and zeta potential, cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency were also evaluated. The results show that CS-PEI-Arg derivatives can bind pDNA thoroughly, and form complexes with sizes about 170 nm. Cytotoxicity assay in HepG2 and 293T cells show that CS-PEI-Arg has lower cytotoxicity compared with CS-PEI, which is similar to CS and far below that of PEI. In vitro luciferase assay show that CS-PEI-Arg has better transfection efficiency than CS-PEI, which is superior to that of PEI. The best transfection efficiency of CS-PEI-Arg (N/P = 50) is 2.3-fold, 4.2-fold of those of CS-PEI (N/P = 20) and PEI's (N/P = 10) efficiency respectively. These results display that CS-PEI-Arg is a promising candidate as an efficient gene vector. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Epiphytic fruticose lichens as biomonitors for retrospective evaluation of the (134)Cs/(137)Cs ratio in Fukushima fallout.

PubMed

Ramzaev, V; Barkovsky, A; Gromov, A; Ivanov, S; Kaduka, M

2014-12-01

In 2011-2013, sampling of epiphytic fruticose lichens of the genera Usnea, Bryoria and Alectoria was carried out on Sakhalin and Kuril Islands (the Sakhalin region, Russia) to investigate contamination of these organisms with the Fukushima-derived (134)Cs and (137)Cs. Activities of the radionuclides were determined in all 56 samples of lichens taken for the analysis. After correction for radioactive decay (on 15 March 2011), the activity concentrations ranged from 2.1 Bq kg(-1) (d.w.) to 52 Bq kg(-1) for (134)Cs and from 2.3 Bq kg(-1) to 52 Bq kg(-1) for (137)Cs. Cesium-134 and (137)Cs activities for the whole set of lichens (n = 56) were strongly positively correlated; Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was calculated as 0.991 (P < 0.01). The activity concentrations of (134)Cs and (137)Cs in Usnea lichens from the Sakhalin and Kunashir islands declined with a factor of three in the period from 2011 to 2013. The average biological half-time for both cesium radionuclides in lichens of the genus Usnea is estimated as 1.3 y. The mean of 0.99 ± 0.10 and median of 0.99 were calculated for the decay corrected (134)Cs/(137)Cs activities ratios in the lichens (n = 56). The radionuclides ratio in the lichens did not depend on location of sampling site, species and the time that had passed after the Fukushima accident. The regression analysis has shown the background pre-Fukushima level of (137)Cs of 0.4 ± 0.3 Bq kg(-1), whereas the ratio between the Fukushima-borne (134)Cs and (137)Cs in the lichens was estimated as 1.04. The (134)Cs/(137)Cs activities ratio in lichens from the Sakhalin region is consistent with the ratios reported by others for the heavy contaminated areas on Honshu Island in Japan following the Fukushima accident. The activity concentrations of natural (7)Be in lichens from the Sakhalin region varied between 100 Bq kg(-1) and 600 Bq kg(-1); the activity concentrations did not exhibit temporal variations during a 2y-period of observations. The applicability of epiphytic fruticose lichens as retrospective bio-monitors for the air-borne radiocesium contamination of the environment is discussed. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A study on the hemocompatibility of dendronized chitosan derivatives in red blood cells

PubMed Central

Zhou, Yanfang; Li, Jiemei; Lu, Fang; Deng, Junjie; Zhang, Jiahua; Fang, Peijie; Peng, Xinsheng; Zhou, Shu-Feng

2015-01-01

Dendrimers are hyperbranched macromolecules with well-defined topological structures and multivalent functionalization sites, but they may cause cytotoxicity due to the presence of cationic charge. Recently, we have introduced alkyne-terminated poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrons of different generations (G=2,3) into chitosan to obtain dendronized chitosan derivatives [Cs-g-PAMAM (G=2,3)], which exhibited a better water solubility and enhanced plasmid DNA transfection efficiency. In this study, we attempted to examine the impact of Cs-g-PAMAM (G=2,3) at different concentrations (25 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL, and 100 μg/mL) on the morphology, surface structure, and viability of rat red blood cells (RBCs). The results showed that treatment of RBCs with Cs-g-PAMAM (G=2,3) at 50 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL induced a slightly higher hemolysis than Cs, and Cs-g-PAMAM (G=3) caused a slightly higher hemolysis than Cs-g-PAMAM (G=2), but all values were <5.0%. Optical microscopic and atomic force microscopic examinations indicated that Cs-g-PAMAM (G=2,3) caused slight RBC aggregation and lysis. Treatment of RBCs with 100 μg/mL Cs-g-PAMAM (G=3) induced echinocytic transformation, and RBCs displayed characteristic irregular contour due to the folding of the periphery. Drephanocyte-like RBCs were observed when treated with 100 μg/mL Cs-g-PAMAM (G=3). Erythrocytes underwent similar shape transition upon treatment with Cs-g-PAMAM (G=2) or Cs. The roughness values (Rms) of RBCs incubated with Cs-g-PAMAM (G=2,3) were significantly larger than those for RBCs incubated with physiological saline (P<0.01), but the Rms showed no difference for Cs and Cs-g-PAMAM (G=2,3) (P>0.05). Furthermore, Cs-g-PAMAM (G=2,3) exhibited a lower cytotoxicity in human kidney 293T cells. These results indicate that Cs-g-PAMAM (G=2,3) are hemocompatible but may disturb membrane and lipid structures at higher concentrations. Further safety and biocompatibility evaluations are warranted for Cs-g-PAMAM. Our findings prove helpful for a better understanding of the advantages of combining PAMAM dendrimers and chitosan to design and develop new, safe, and effective drug delivery vehicles. PMID:25999697

Spin Polarization Spectroscopy of Alkali-Noble Gas Interatomic Potentials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mironov, Andrey E.; Goldshlag, William; Eden, J. Gary

2017-06-01

We report a new laser spectroscopic technique capable of detecting weak state-state interactions in diatomic molecules. Specifically, a weak interaction has been observed between the 6pσ antibonding orbital of the CsXe (B ^2Σ^+_{1/2}) state and a 5dσ MO associated with a 5dΛ (Λ = 0, 1) state. Thermal Cs-rare gas collision pairs are photoexcited by a circularly-polarized optical field having a wavelength within the B ^2Σ^+_{1/2} \\longleftarrow X ^2Σ^+_{1/2} (free\\longleftarrowfree) continuum. Subsequent dissociation of the B ^2Σ^+_{1/2} transient diatomic selectively populates the F= 4, 5 hyperfine levels of the Cs 6p ^2P_{3/2} state, and circularly-polarized (σ^+) amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) is generated on the Cs D_2 line. The dependence of Cs 6p spin polarization on the Cs(6p)-Xe internuclear separation (R), clearly shows an interaction between the CsXe(B ^2Σ^+_{1/2}) state and a 5dΛ (Λ = 0, 1) potential of the diatomic molecule.

First-principles thermodynamics study of phase stability in inorganic halide perovskite solid solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bechtel, Jonathon S.; Van der Ven, Anton

2018-04-01

Halide substitution gives rise to a tunable band gap as a function of composition in halide perovskite materials. However, photoinduced phase segregation, observed at room temperature in mixed halide A Pb (IxBr1-x) 3 systems, limits open circuit voltages and decreases photovoltaic device efficiencies. We investigate equilibrium phase stability of orthorhombic P n m a γ -phase CsM (XxY1-x) 3 perovskites where M is Pb or Sn, and X and Y are Br, Cl, or I. Finite-temperature phase diagrams are constructed using a cluster expansion effective Hamiltonian parameterized from first-principles density-functional-theory calculations. Solid solution phases for CsM (IxBr1-x) 3 and CsM (BrxCl1-x) 3 are predicted to be stable well below room temperature while CsM (IxCl1-x) 3 systems have miscibility gaps that extend above 400 K. The height of the miscibility gap correlates with the difference in volume between end members. Also layered ground states are found on the convex hull at x =2 /3 for CsSnBr2Cl ,CsPbI2Br , and CsPbBrCl2. The impact of these ground states on the finite temperature phase diagram is discussed in the context of the experimentally observed photoinduced phase segregation.

Alcohol-Seeking Triggered by Discrete Pavlovian Cues is Invigorated by Alcohol Contexts and Mediated by Glutamate Signaling in the Basolateral Amygdala

PubMed Central

Sciascia, Joanna M; Reese, Rebecca M; Janak, Patricia H; Chaudhri, Nadia

2015-01-01

The environmental context in which a discrete Pavlovian conditioned stimulus (CS) is experienced can profoundly impact conditioned responding elicited by the CS. We hypothesized that alcohol-seeking behavior elicited by a discrete CS that predicted alcohol would be influenced by context and require glutamate signaling in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Male, Long-Evans rats were allowed to drink 15% ethanol (v/v) until consumption stabilized. Next, rats received Pavlovian conditioning sessions in which a 10 s CS (15 trials/session) was paired with ethanol (0.2 ml/CS). Entries into a port where ethanol was delivered were measured. Pavlovian conditioning occurred in a specific context (alcohol context) and was alternated with sessions in a different context (non-alcohol context) where neither the CS nor ethanol was presented. At test, the CS was presented without ethanol in the alcohol context or the non-alcohol context, following a bilateral microinfusion (0.3 μl/hemisphere) of saline or the AMPA glutamate receptor antagonist NBQX (2,3-dioxo-6-nitro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzo[f]quinoxaline-7-sulfonamide disodium salt) in the BLA (0, 0.3, or 1.0 μg/0.3 μl). The effect of NBQX (0, 0.3 μg/0.3 μl) in the caudate putamen (CPu) on CS responding in the non-alcohol context was also tested. The discrete alcohol CS triggered more alcohol-seeking behavior in the alcohol context than the non-alcohol context. NBQX in the BLA reduced CS responding in both contexts but had no effect in the CPu. These data indicate that AMPA glutamate receptors in the BLA are critical for alcohol-seeking elicited by a discrete CS and that behavior triggered by the CS is strongly invigorated by an alcohol context. PMID:25953360

Sulfation pattern of fucose branches affects the anti-hyperlipidemic activities of fucosylated chondroitin sulfate.

PubMed

Wu, Nian; Zhang, Yu; Ye, Xingqian; Hu, Yaqin; Ding, Tian; Chen, Shiguo

2016-08-20

Fucosylated chondroitin sulfates (fCSs) are glycosaminoglycans extracted from sea cucumbers, consisting of chondroitin sulfate E (CSE) backbones and sulfated fucose branches. The biological properties of fCSs could be affected by the sulfation pattern of their fucose branches. In the present study, two fCSs were isolated from sea cucumbers Isostichopus badionotus (fCS-Ib) and Pearsonothuria graeffei (fCS-Pg). Their monosaccharide compositions of glucuronic acid (GlcA), N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), fucose (Fuc) and sulfate were at similar molar ratio with 1.0/0.7/0.9/3.1 for fCS-Ib and 1.0/0.8/1.5/2.6 for fCS-Pg. The two fCSs have different sulfation patterns on their fucose branches, fCS-Pg with 3,4-O-disulfation while fCS-Ib with 2,4-O-disulfation. Their antihyperlipidemic effects were compared using a high-fat high-fructose diet (HFFD)-fed C57BL/6J mice model. Both fCS-Ib and fCS-Pg had significant effects on lipid profile improvement, liver protection, blood glucose diminution and hepatic glycogen synthesis. Specifically, fCS-Pg with 3,4-O-disulfation fucose branches was more effective in reduction of blood cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and atherogenic index (AI). Our results indicate that both fCSs, especially fCS-Pg, could be used as a potential anti-hyperlipidemic drug. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Alloying n-Butylamine into CsPbBr3 to Give a Two-Dimensional Bilayered Perovskite Ferroelectric Material.

PubMed

Wu, Zhenyue; Ji, Chengmin; Li, Lina; Kong, Jintao; Sun, Zhihua; Zhao, Sangen; Wang, Sasa; Hong, Maochun; Luo, Junhua

2018-05-11

Cesium-lead halide perovskites (e.g. CsPbBr 3 ) have gained attention because of their rich physical properties, but their bulk ferroelectricity remains unexplored. Herein, by alloying flexible organic cations into the cubic CsPbBr 3 , we design the first cesium-based two-dimensional (2D) perovskite ferroelectric material with both inorganic alkali metal and organic cations, (C 4 H 9 NH 3 ) 2 CsPb 2 Br 7 (1). Strikingly, 1 shows a high Curie temperature (T c =412 K) above that of BaTiO 3 (ca. 393 K) and notable spontaneous polarization (ca. 4.2 μC cm -2 ), triggered by not only the ordering of organic cations but also atomic displacement of inorganic Cs + ions. To our knowledge, such a 2D bilayered Cs + -based metal-halide perovskite ferroelectric material with inorganic and organic cations is unprecedented. 1 also shows photoelectric semiconducting behavior with large "on/off" ratios of photoconductivity (>10 3 ). © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Preparation and utilization of molecularly imprinted polymer for chlorsulfuron extraction from water, soil, and wheat plant.

PubMed

Fu, Xu Wei; Wu, Yan Jiao; Qu, Jin Rong; Yang, Hong

2012-07-01

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was prepared using chlorsulfuron (CS), a herbicide as a template molecule, methacrylic acid as a functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) as a cross-linker, methanol and toluene as a porogen, and 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator. The binding behaviors of the template chlorsulfuron and its analog on MIP were evaluated by equilibrium adsorption experiments, which showed that the MIP particles had specific affinity for the template CS. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) with the chlorsulfuron molecularly imprinted polymer as an adsorbent was investigated. The optimum loading, washing, and eluting conditions for chlorsulfuron molecularly imprinted polymer solid-phase extraction (CS-MISPE) were established. The optimized CS-MISPE procedure was developed to enrich and clean up the chlorsulfuron residue in water, soils, and wheat plants. Concentrations of chlorsulfuron in the samples were analyzed by HPLC-UVD. The average recoveries of CS spiked standard at 0.05~0.2 mg L(-1) in water were 90.2~93.3%, with the relative standard deviation (RSD) being 2.0~3.9% (n=3). The average recoveries of 1.0 mL CS spiked standard at 0.1~0.5 mg L(-1) in 10 g soil were 91.1~94.7%, with the RSD being 3.1~5.6% (n=3). The average recoveries of 1.0 mL CS spiked standard at 0.1~0.5 mg L(-1) in 5 g wheat plant were 82.3~94.3%, with the RSD being 2.9~6.8% (n=3). Overall, our study provides a sensitive and cost-effective method for accurate determination of CS residues in water, soils, and plants.

Free tropospheric measurements of CS2 over a 45 deg N to 45 deg S latitude range

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tucker, B. J.; Maroulis, P. J.; Bandy, A. R.

1985-01-01

The mean value obtained from 52 free tropospheric measurements of CS2 over the 45 deg N-45 deg S latitude range was 5.7 pptv, with standard deviation and standard error of 1.9 and 0.3 pptv, respectively. Large fluctuations in the CS2 concentration are observed which reflect the apparent short atmospheric residence time and inhomogeneities in the surface sources of CS2. The amounts of CS2 in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are statistically equal.

Characterization of a Citrus R2R3-MYB Transcription Factor that Regulates the Flavonol and Hydroxycinnamic Acid Biosynthesis

PubMed Central

Liu, Chaoyang; Long, Jianmei; Zhu, Kaijie; Liu, Linlin; Yang, Wei; Zhang, Hongyan; Li, Li; Xu, Qiang; Deng, Xiuxin

2016-01-01

Flavonols and hydroxycinnamic acids are important phenylpropanoid metabolites in plants. In this study, we isolated and characterized a citrus R2R3-MYB transcription factor CsMYBF1, encoding a protein belonging to the flavonol-specific MYB subgroup. Ectopic expression of CsMYBF1 in tomato led to an up-regulation of a series of genes involved in primary metabolism and the phenylpropanoid pathway, and induced a strong accumulation of hydroxycinnamic acid compounds but not the flavonols. The RNAi suppression of CsMYBF1 in citrus callus caused a down-regulation of many phenylpropanoid pathway genes and reduced the contents of hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonols. Transactivation assays indicated that CsMYBF1 activated several promoters of phenylpropanoid pathway genes in tomato and citrus. Interestingly, CsMYBF1 could activate the CHS gene promoter in citrus, but not in tomato. Further examinations revealed that the MYBPLANT cis-elements were essential for CsMYBF1 in activating phenylpropanoid pathway genes. In summary, our data indicated that CsMYBF1 possessed the function in controlling the flavonol and hydroxycinnamic acid biosynthesis, and the regulatory differences in the target metabolite accumulation between two species may be due to the differential activation of CHS promoters by CsMYBF1. Therefore, CsMYBF1 constitutes an important gene source for the engineering of specific phenylpropanoid components. PMID:27162196

Id1, Id2 and Id3 are induced in rat melanotrophs of the pituitary gland by dopamine suppression under continuous stress.

PubMed

Konishi, H; Ogawa, T; Nakagomi, S; Inoue, K; Tohyama, M; Kiyama, H

2010-09-15

In rats under continuous stress (CS) there is decreased hypothalamic dopaminergic innervation to the intermediate lobe (IL) of the pituitary gland, which causes hyperactivation and subsequent degeneration of melanotrophs in the IL. In this study, we investigated the molecular basis for the changes that occur in melanotrophs during CS. Using microarray analysis, we identified several genes differentially expressed in the IL under CS conditions. Among the genes up-regulated under CS conditions, we focused on the inhibitor of DNA binding/differentiation (Id) family of dominant negative basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors. RT-PCR, Western blotting and in situ hybridization confirmed the significant inductions of Id1, Id2 and Id3 in the IL of CS rats. Administration of the dopamine D2 receptor agonist bromocriptine prevented the inductions of Id1-3 in the IL of CS rats, whereas application of the dopamine D2 antagonist sulpiride induced significant expressions of Id1-3 in the IL of normal rats. Moreover, an in vitro study using primary cultured melanotrophs demonstrated a direct effect on Id1-3 inductions by dopamine suppression. These results suggest that the decreased dopamine levels in the IL during CS induce Id1-3 expressions in melanotrophs. Because Id family members inhibit various bHLH transcription factors, it is conceivable that the induced Id1-3 would cooperatively modulate gene expressions in melanotrophs under CS conditions to induce hormone secretion. (c) 2010 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Preparation and Evaluation of Newly Developed Chitosan Salt Coating Dispersions for Colon Delivery without Requiring Overcoating.

PubMed

Yamada, Kyohei; Iwao, Yasunori; Bani-Jaber, Ahmad; Noguchi, Shuji; Itai, Shigeru

2015-01-01

Although chitosan (CS) has been recognized as a good material for colon-specific drug delivery systems, an overcoating with an enteric coating polymer on the surface of CS is absolutely necessary because CS is soluble in acidic conditions before reaching the colon. In the present study, to improve its stability in the presence of acid, a newly developed CS-laurate (CS-LA) material was evaluated as a coating dispersion for the development of colon-specific drug delivery systems. Two types of CS with different molecular weights, CS250 and CS600, were used to prepare CS-LA films by the casting method. The CS250-LA films had smooth surfaces, whereas the surfaces of the CS600-LA films were rough, indicating that the CS250-LA dispersion could form a denser film than CS600-LA. Both of these CS-LA films maintained a constant shape over 22 h in a pH 1.2 HCl/NaCl buffer, where the corresponding CS films rapidly disintegrated. In addition, the CS250-LA film showed specific colon degradability in a pH 6.0 phosphate buffered solution containing 1.0% (w/v) β-glucosidase. As a result of tensile strength and elongation at the break, both CS-LA films were found to have flexible film properties. Finally, the release of acetaminophen from disks coated with CS250-LA dispersions was significantly suppressed in fluids at pH 1.2 and 6.8, whereas disks coated with CS solution rapidly released the drug in pH 1.2 fluids. Taken together, this study shows that LA modification could be a useful approach in preparing CS films with acid stability and colonic degradability properties without requiring overcoating.

Human fear conditioning and extinction: Timing is everything . . . or is it?

PubMed Central

Prenoveau, Jason M.; Craske, Michelle G.; Liao, Betty; Ornitz, Edward M.

2012-01-01

A differential fear conditioning paradigm was used with 107 healthy undergraduate participants to evaluate the effect of conditioned stimulus (CS) temporal properties on fear acquisition and extinction. Two minute duration CSs were used for Day 1 fear acquisition. Participants were randomized to receive either 1, 2, or 4 minute CS durations during Day 2 extinction. Extinction re-test was examined on Day 3 using the original acquisition CS duration (2 minutes). Findings indicated that participants who were aware of the CS+/unconditioned stimulus (US) contingency (n=52) develop a temporal expectation about when the unconditioned stimulus will be delivered. Although the shorter duration CS resulted in greater fear reduction during extinction, cessation of fear responding at re-test was the same for CS extinction durations ranging from half the CS acquisition duration to twice the CS acquisition duration. Thus, extinction performance did not predict extinction at re-test, which could have important implications for optimizing exposure therapy for anxiety disorders. PMID:22349998

Three-dimensional black-blood multi-contrast carotid imaging using compressed sensing: a repeatability study.

PubMed

Yuan, Jianmin; Usman, Ammara; Reid, Scott A; King, Kevin F; Patterson, Andrew J; Gillard, Jonathan H; Graves, Martin J

2018-02-01

The purpose of this work is to evaluate the repeatability of a compressed sensing (CS) accelerated multi-contrast carotid protocol at 3 T. Twelve volunteers and eight patients with carotid disease were scanned on a 3 T MRI scanner using a CS accelerated 3-D black-blood multi-contrast protocol which comprises T 1 w, T 2 w and PDw without CS, and with a CS factor of 1.5 and 2.0. The volunteers were scanned twice, the lumen/wall area and wall thickness were measured for each scan. Eight patients were scanned once, the inter/intra-observer reproducibility of the measurements was calculated. In the repeated volunteer scans, the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the wall area measurement using a CS factor of 1.5 in PDw, T 1 w and T 2 w were 0.95, 0.81, and 0.97, respectively. The ICC for lumen area measurement using a CS factor of 1.5 in PDw, T 1 w and T 2 w were 0.96, 0.92, and 0.96, respectively. In patients, the ICC for inter/intra-observer measurements of lumen/wall area, and wall thickness were all above 0.81 in all sequences. The results show a CS accelerated 3-D black-blood multi-contrast protocol is a robust and reproducible method for carotid imaging. Future protocol design could use CS to reduce the scanning time.

Caesium-rich micro-particles: A window into the meltdown events at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

PubMed Central

Furuki, Genki; Imoto, Junpei; Ochiai, Asumi; Yamasaki, Shinya; Nanba, Kenji; Ohnuki, Toshihiko; Grambow, Bernd; Ewing, Rodney C.; Utsunomiya, Satoshi

2017-01-01

The nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) in March 2011 caused partial meltdowns of three reactors. During the meltdowns, a type of condensed particle, a caesium-rich micro-particle (CsMP), formed inside the reactors via unknown processes. Here we report the chemical and physical processes of CsMP formation inside the reactors during the meltdowns based on atomic-resolution electron microscopy of CsMPs discovered near the FDNPP. All of the CsMPs (with sizes of 2.0–3.4 μm) comprise SiO2 glass matrices and ~10-nm-sized Zn–Fe-oxide nanoparticles associated with a wide range of Cs concentrations (1.1–19 wt% Cs as Cs2O). Trace amounts of U are also associated with the Zn–Fe oxides. The nano-texture in the CsMPs records multiple reaction-process steps during meltdown in the severe FDNPP accident: Melted fuel (molten core)-concrete interactions (MCCIs), incorporating various airborne fission product nanoparticles, including CsOH and CsCl, proceeded via SiO2 condensation over aggregates of Zn-Fe oxide nanoparticles originating from the failure of the reactor pressure vessels. Still, CsMPs provide a mechanism by which volatile and low-volatility radionuclides such as U can reach the environment and should be considered in the migration model of Cs and radionuclides in the current environment surrounding the FDNPP. PMID:28198440

Caesium-rich micro-particles: A window into the meltdown events at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Furuki, Genki; Imoto, Junpei; Ochiai, Asumi; Yamasaki, Shinya; Nanba, Kenji; Ohnuki, Toshihiko; Grambow, Bernd; Ewing, Rodney C.; Utsunomiya, Satoshi

2017-02-01

The nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) in March 2011 caused partial meltdowns of three reactors. During the meltdowns, a type of condensed particle, a caesium-rich micro-particle (CsMP), formed inside the reactors via unknown processes. Here we report the chemical and physical processes of CsMP formation inside the reactors during the meltdowns based on atomic-resolution electron microscopy of CsMPs discovered near the FDNPP. All of the CsMPs (with sizes of 2.0-3.4 μm) comprise SiO2 glass matrices and ~10-nm-sized Zn-Fe-oxide nanoparticles associated with a wide range of Cs concentrations (1.1-19 wt% Cs as Cs2O). Trace amounts of U are also associated with the Zn-Fe oxides. The nano-texture in the CsMPs records multiple reaction-process steps during meltdown in the severe FDNPP accident: Melted fuel (molten core)-concrete interactions (MCCIs), incorporating various airborne fission product nanoparticles, including CsOH and CsCl, proceeded via SiO2 condensation over aggregates of Zn-Fe oxide nanoparticles originating from the failure of the reactor pressure vessels. Still, CsMPs provide a mechanism by which volatile and low-volatility radionuclides such as U can reach the environment and should be considered in the migration model of Cs and radionuclides in the current environment surrounding the FDNPP.

Caesium-rich micro-particles: A window into the meltdown events at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

PubMed

Furuki, Genki; Imoto, Junpei; Ochiai, Asumi; Yamasaki, Shinya; Nanba, Kenji; Ohnuki, Toshihiko; Grambow, Bernd; Ewing, Rodney C; Utsunomiya, Satoshi

2017-02-15

The nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) in March 2011 caused partial meltdowns of three reactors. During the meltdowns, a type of condensed particle, a caesium-rich micro-particle (CsMP), formed inside the reactors via unknown processes. Here we report the chemical and physical processes of CsMP formation inside the reactors during the meltdowns based on atomic-resolution electron microscopy of CsMPs discovered near the FDNPP. All of the CsMPs (with sizes of 2.0-3.4 μm) comprise SiO 2 glass matrices and ~10-nm-sized Zn-Fe-oxide nanoparticles associated with a wide range of Cs concentrations (1.1-19 wt% Cs as Cs 2 O). Trace amounts of U are also associated with the Zn-Fe oxides. The nano-texture in the CsMPs records multiple reaction-process steps during meltdown in the severe FDNPP accident: Melted fuel (molten core)-concrete interactions (MCCIs), incorporating various airborne fission product nanoparticles, including CsOH and CsCl, proceeded via SiO 2 condensation over aggregates of Zn-Fe oxide nanoparticles originating from the failure of the reactor pressure vessels. Still, CsMPs provide a mechanism by which volatile and low-volatility radionuclides such as U can reach the environment and should be considered in the migration model of Cs and radionuclides in the current environment surrounding the FDNPP.

Cephalometric evaluation of the effects of the Twin Block appliance in subjects with Class II, Division 1 malocclusion amongst different cervical vertebral maturation stages.

PubMed

Khoja, Aisha; Fida, Mubassar; Shaikh, Attiya

2016-06-01

To evaluate the cephalometric changes in skeletal, dentoalveolar and soft tissue variables induced by Clark's Twin Block (CTB) in Class II, Division 1 malocclusion patients and to compare these changes in different cervical vertebral maturation stages. Pre- and post-treatment/observation lateral cephalograms of 53 Class II, Division 1 malocclusion patients and 60 controls were compared to evaluate skeletal, dentoalveolar and soft tissue changes. Skeletal maturity was assessed according to cervical vertebral maturation stages. Pre- and post-treatment/observation mean changes and differences (T2-T1) were compared by means of Wilcoxon sign rank and Mann-Whitney U-tests, respectively. Intergroup comparisons between different cervical stages were performed by means of Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U-test (p ≤ 0.05) . When compared with controls, there was a significant reduction in ANB angle (p < 0.001), which was due to a change in SNB angle in CS-2 and CS-3 (p < 0.001), and in SNA (p < 0.001) and SNB (p = 0.016) angles in the CS-4 group. There was significant increase in the GoGn-SN angle in CS-2 (p = 0.007) and CS-4 (p = 0.024), and increase in Co-Gn and Go-Gn amongst all cervical stages (p < 0.05). There was significant decrease in U1-SN and increase in IMPA amongst all cervical stages (p < 0.05). There was significant retraction of the upper lip in CS-3 (p = 0.001), protrusion of the lower lip in CS-2 (p = 0.005), increase in nasolabial angle in CS-4 (p = 0.006) and Z-angle in CS-3 (p = 0.016), reduction in H-angle in CS-2 (p = 0.013) and CS-3 (p = 0.002) groups. When pre- and post-treatment mean differences were compared between different cervical stages, significant differences were found for SNA, SNB and UI-SN angles and overjet. . The Twin-Block along with the normal craniofacial growth improves facial esthetics in Class II, Division 1 malocclusion by changes in underlying skeletal and dentoalveolar structures. The favorable mandibular growth occurs during any of the cervical vertebral maturation stages, with more pronounced effect during CS-3 stage.

Cephalometric evaluation of the effects of the Twin Block appliance in subjects with Class II, Division 1 malocclusion amongst different cervical vertebral maturation stages

PubMed Central

Khoja, Aisha; Fida, Mubassar; Shaikh, Attiya

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate the cephalometric changes in skeletal, dentoalveolar and soft tissue variables induced by Clark's Twin Block (CTB) in Class II, Division 1 malocclusion patients and to compare these changes in different cervical vertebral maturation stages. Methods: Pre- and post-treatment/observation lateral cephalograms of 53 Class II, Division 1 malocclusion patients and 60 controls were compared to evaluate skeletal, dentoalveolar and soft tissue changes. Skeletal maturity was assessed according to cervical vertebral maturation stages. Pre- and post-treatment/observation mean changes and differences (T2-T1) were compared by means of Wilcoxon sign rank and Mann-Whitney U-tests, respectively. Intergroup comparisons between different cervical stages were performed by means of Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U-test (p ≤ 0.05) . Results: When compared with controls, there was a significant reduction in ANB angle (p < 0.001), which was due to a change in SNB angle in CS-2 and CS-3 (p < 0.001), and in SNA (p < 0.001) and SNB (p = 0.016) angles in the CS-4 group. There was significant increase in the GoGn-SN angle in CS-2 (p = 0.007) and CS-4 (p = 0.024), and increase in Co-Gn and Go-Gn amongst all cervical stages (p < 0.05). There was significant decrease in U1-SN and increase in IMPA amongst all cervical stages (p < 0.05). There was significant retraction of the upper lip in CS-3 (p = 0.001), protrusion of the lower lip in CS-2 (p = 0.005), increase in nasolabial angle in CS-4 (p = 0.006) and Z-angle in CS-3 (p = 0.016), reduction in H-angle in CS-2 (p = 0.013) and CS-3 (p = 0.002) groups. When pre- and post-treatment mean differences were compared between different cervical stages, significant differences were found for SNA, SNB and UI-SN angles and overjet. . Conclusions: The Twin-Block along with the normal craniofacial growth improves facial esthetics in Class II, Division 1 malocclusion by changes in underlying skeletal and dentoalveolar structures. The favorable mandibular growth occurs during any of the cervical vertebral maturation stages, with more pronounced effect during CS-3 stage. PMID:27409656

Synthesis and characterization of a new microporous cesium silicotitanate (SNL-B) molecular sieve

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NYMAN,MAY D.; GU,B.X.; WANG,L.M.

2000-03-20

Ongoing hydrothermal Cs-Ti-Si-O-H{sub 2}O phase investigations has produced several new ternary phases including a novel microporous Cs-silicotitanate molecular sieve, SNL-B with the approximate formula of Cs{sub 3}TiSi{sub 3}O{sub 9.5}{center_dot}3H{sub 2}O. SNL-B is only the second molecular sieve Cs-silicotitanate phase reported to have been synthesized by hydrothermal methods. Crystallites are very small (0.1 x 2 microns) with a blade-like morphology. SNL-B is confirmed to be a 3-dimensional molecular sieve by a variety of characterization techniques (N{sub 2} adsorption, ion exchange, water adsorption/desorption, solid state CP-MAS NMR). SNL-B is able to desorb and adsorb water from its pores while retaining its crystalmore » structure and exchanges Cs cations readily. Additional techniques were used to describe fundamental properties (powder X-ray diffraction, FTIR, {sup 29}Si and {sup 133}/Cs MAS NMR, DTA, SEM/EDS, ion selectivity, and radiation stability). The phase relationships of metastable SNL-B to other hydrothermally synthesized Cs-Ti-Si-O-H{sub 2}O phases are discussed, particularly its relationship to a Cs-silicotitanate analogue of pharmacosiderite, and a novel condensed phase, a polymorph of Cs{sub 2}TiSi{sub 6}O{sub 15}(SNL-A).« less

Formation of zeolites in metakaolin-based geopolymers and their potential application for Cs immobilization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arbel Haddad, M.; Ofer-Rozovsky, E.; Bar-Nes, G.; Borojovich, E. J. C.; Nikolski, A.; Mogiliansky, D.; Katz, A.

2017-09-01

Alkali-activated aluminisilicate materials, also known as geopolymers, have been considered as attractive candidates for nuclear waste immobilization, due to their ability to incorporate cations, combined with high chemical resistance and suitable mechanical and thermal properties. The goal of the present research was to study the incorporation and immobilization of Cs in low-Si geopolymers (SiO2:Al2O3 molar ratio ≤ 2) which are known to have a relatively high crystalline phase content. A series of low-Si geopolymers was prepared from metakaolin using activating solutions containing CsOH and NaOH at different proportions. The structural evolution of the resulting products was followed using X-ray diffraction, the incorporation of Cs in the geopolymer was followed by pore water analysis, and its immobilization efficiency was determined from leaching tests following the ANSI/ANS-16.1 standard procedure. Like low-Si NaOH-based geopolymers, the mixed CsOH-NaOH geopolymers contain a significant amount of crystalline material which is imbedded within an amorphous matrix. Formulations with 1%Cs yielded the crystalline phases zeolite A and zeolite X. At 50%Cs the Cs-bearing zeolite F was formed. All three phases were observed at an intermediate Cs content (7%Cs). Pore water analysis indicated a preference for Cs uptake from the activating solution, while leaching experiments indicated selectivity for Cs immobilization in the mixed CsOH-NaOH geopolymers. Correlation of the apparent diffusion constants for both Na and Cs, as obtained from the leaching experiments, with the structural data lead to the conclusion that Cs is more efficiently bound by zeolite F, whereas Na binding is preferred by zeolites A and X. Nevertheless, the leachability indices for both Cs and Na were well above 6, indicating that such matrices may be considered as waste forms for 137Cs.

Cs-137 and Sr-90 level in diary products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petukhov, V. L.; Gorb, T. S.; Petukhov, I. V.; Dukhanov, Yu. A.; Sevryuk, I. Z.; Patrashkov, S. A.; Korotkevich, O. S.

2003-05-01

About 70% of radioactive substances fell on the territory of the Byelorussia Republic after the Chernobyl Atom Power Station Disaster. Cs-137 and Sr-90 accumulation dynamics was studied in milk of the cows from the highest polluted Braginsky area. 408 milk samples of Black and White cows were investigated. In 1995 average Cs-137 and Sr-90 levels were 61.00 and 3.73 Bk/dm^3 respectively. Cs-137 and Sr-90 levels exceeded Byelorussia Republic upperlimits RDU 96 in 10 and 50% of milk samples respectively. After 5 years (by 2000) Cs-137 and Sr-90 levels had become almost 3 and 2 times less (21.70 Bk/dm^3 and 1.72 Bk/dm^3 respectively). Cs-137 and Sr-90 levels exceeded RDU 96 in 1.5 and 5.5% of milk samples respectively. In the same periods Cs-137 and Sr-90 levels were 7 and 2 times higher than the similar indexes in the relatively clean Novosibirsk area. Thus, radioactive element levels in milk of Black and White cows of the Byelorussia Republic decreased significantly for the past years.

Fucosylated chondroitin sulfates from the body wall of the sea cucumber Holothuria forskali: conformation, selectin binding, and biological activity.

PubMed

Panagos, Charalampos G; Thomson, Derek S; Moss, Claire; Hughes, Adam D; Kelly, Maeve S; Liu, Yan; Chai, Wengang; Venkatasamy, Radhakrishnan; Spina, Domenico; Page, Clive P; Hogwood, John; Woods, Robert J; Mulloy, Barbara; Bavington, Charlie D; Uhrín, Dušan

2014-10-10

Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (fCS) extracted from the sea cucumber Holothuria forskali is composed of the following repeating trisaccharide unit: → 3)GalNAcβ4,6S(1 → 4) [FucαX(1 → 3)]GlcAβ(1 →, where X stands for different sulfation patterns of fucose (X = 3,4S (46%), 2,4S (39%), and 4S (15%)). As revealed by NMR and molecular dynamics simulations, the fCS repeating unit adopts a conformation similar to that of the Le(x) blood group determinant, bringing several sulfate groups into close proximity and creating large negative patches distributed along the helical skeleton of the CS backbone. This may explain the high affinity of fCS oligosaccharides for L- and P-selectins as determined by microarray binding of fCS oligosaccharides prepared by Cu(2+)-catalyzed Fenton-type and photochemical depolymerization. No binding to E-selectin was observed. fCS poly- and oligosaccharides display low cytotoxicity in vitro, inhibit human neutrophil elastase activity, and inhibit the migration of neutrophils through an endothelial cell layer in vitro. Although the polysaccharide showed some anti-coagulant activity, small oligosaccharide fCS fragments had much reduced anticoagulant properties, with activity mainly via heparin cofactor II. The fCS polysaccharides showed prekallikrein activation comparable with dextran sulfate, whereas the fCS oligosaccharides caused almost no effect. The H. forskali fCS oligosaccharides were also tested in a mouse peritoneal inflammation model, where they caused a reduction in neutrophil infiltration. Overall, the data presented support the action of fCS as an inhibitor of selectin interactions, which play vital roles in inflammation and metastasis progression. Future studies of fCS-selectin interaction using fCS fragments or their mimetics may open new avenues for therapeutic intervention. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Redox transformations and transport of cesium and iodine (-1, 0, +5) in oxidizing and reducing zones of a sand and gravel aquifer

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fox, P.M.; Kent, D.B.; Davis, J.A.

2010-01-01

Tracer tests were performed in distinct biogeochemical zones of a sand and gravel aquifer in Cape Cod, MA, to study the redox chemistry (I) and transport (Cs, I) of cesium and iodine in a field setting. Injection of iodide (I -) into an oxic zone of the aquifer resulted in oxidation of I - to molecular iodine (I2) and iodate (IO3-) over transport distances of several meters. Oxidation is attributed to Mn-oxides present in the sediment. Transport of injected IO 3- and Cs+ was retarded in the mildly acidic oxic zone, with retardation factors of 1.6-1.8 for IO3- and 2.3-4.4for Cs. Cs retardation was likely due to cation exchange reactions. Injection of IO3- into a Fe-reducing zone of the aquifer resulted in rapid and complete reduction to I- within 3 m of transport. The nonconservative behavior of Cs and I observed during the tracer tests underscores the necessity of taking the redox chemistry of I as well as sorption properties of I species and Cs into account when predicting transport of radionuclides (e.g., 129I and 137Cs) in the environment.

Short-term systemic insulin-like growth factor-1 is unable to prevent cyclosporin A-induced osteopenia in the rat.

PubMed

Mann, G N; Sass, D A; Chen, H K; Buchinsky, F J; Bryer, H P; Ma, Y F; Jee, W S; Rucinski, B; Epstein, S

1996-07-01

Immunosuppression with cyclosporin A (CsA) is effective in a number of immune-mediated diseases and in preventing rejection following organ transplantation. We have repeatedly demonstrated that CsA in the rat model produces accelerated bone remodelling with net bone loss, best characterized in trabecular bone. IGF-I holds promise as a treatment for various osteopenic conditions. Although currently a subject of much controversy, various studies have suggested that in vivo it is anabolic to cortical as well as trabecular bone. The purpose of this study was, in part, to further characterize the effects of CsA and IGF-I on trabecular and cortical bone, and to see whether systemic IGF-I is able to modulate CsA's deleterious skeletal effects. Sixty 10 week-old, male, Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to receive the following daily for 3 weeks: (1) CsA vehicle (veh) per os (po) + recombinant human (rh) IGF-1 veh subcutaneously (sc); (2) CsA 15 mg/kg po + rhIGF-I-veh; (3) CsA-veh + rhIGF-I 200 microg/kg sc; (4) CsA-veh + rhIGF-I 600 microg/kg sc; (5) CsA 15 mg/kg + rhIGF-I 200 microg/kg, and (6) CsA 15 mg/kg + rhIGF-I 600 microg/kg. Rats were weighed and venous blood was sampled serially for determination of glucose, ionized calcium (Ca2+), PTH, vitamin D, and osteocalcin. Following sacrifice on day 20, histomorphometry was performed on double calcein-labeled tibial metaphysis and diaphysis. All rats receiving CsA had elevated levels of blood glucose and osteocalcin by day 9 and vitamin D at day 20. PTH was similar in all groups, and Ca2+ was only raised in the CsA and CsA + IGF-I 200 microg/kg groups. Rats receiving IGF-I 200 microg/kg and IGF-I 600 microg/kg gained more weight than either vehicle- or CsA-treated animals, attesting to IGF-1's anabolic properties. CsA caused severe trabecular bone loss, not prevented by IGF-I; it even further increased the eroded surface. CsA and IGF-I had little effect on cortical bone volume or marrow area. IGF-I increased endocortical matrix synthesis, as evidenced by the increases in the percent endocortical osteoid perimeter, an effect negated by the addition of CsA. This experiment demonstrates that trabecular bone is more susceptible than cortical bone to the deleterious effects of CsA and indicates little role for IGF-1 in the pathophysiology or treatment of CsA-induced bone disease at the given doses and duration of treatment.

Syntheses, crystal structure, and electronic properties of the five ABaMQ{sub 4} compounds RbBaPS{sub 4}, CsBaPS{sub 4}, CsBaVS{sub 4}, RbBaVSe{sub 4}, and CsBaVSe{sub 4}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mesbah, Adel; ICSM, UMR 5257 CEA / CNRS / UM / ENSCM, Site de Marcoule-Bâtiment 426, BP 17171, 30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze Cedex; Prakash, Jai

Five new compounds belonging to the ABaMQ{sub 4} family were synthesized by solid-state chemistry at 1123 K. The compounds RbBaPS{sub 4}, CsBaPS{sub 4}, CsBaVS{sub 4}, RbBaVSe{sub 4}, and CsBaVSe{sub 4} are isostructural and have the TlEuPS{sub 4} structure type. They crystallize in space group D{sup 16}{sub 2h} – Pnma of the orthorhombic system. Their structure consists isolated MQ{sub 4} tetrahedra separated by A and Ba atoms to form a salt-like structure. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations of the electronic structures with the use of the HSE functional suggest that the compounds are semiconductors with calculated band gaps of 3.3 eVmore » (RbBaPS{sub 4}), 3.4 eV (CsBaPS{sub 4}), 2.3 eV (CsBaVS{sub 4}), and 1.6 eV (RbBaVSe{sub 4}). - Graphical abstract: General view of the ABaMQ{sub 4} structure down the a axis. - Highlights: • Five new ABaMQ{sub 4} compounds were synthesized by solid-state chemistry at 1123 K. • RbBaPS{sub 4}, CsBaPS{sub 4}, CsBaVS{sub 4}, RbBaVSe{sub 4}, and CsBaVSe{sub 4} have the TlEuPS{sub 4} structure type. • The compounds are semiconductors with calculated band gaps ranging from 1.6 to 3.4 eV.« less

Functional and Biochemical Characterization of Cucumber Genes Encoding Two Copper ATPases CsHMA5.1 and CsHMA5.2*

PubMed Central

Migocka, Magdalena; Posyniak, Ewelina; Maciaszczyk-Dziubinska, Ewa; Papierniak, Anna; Kosieradzaka, Anna

2015-01-01

Plant copper P1B-type ATPases appear to be crucial for maintaining copper homeostasis within plant cells, but until now they have been studied mostly in model plant systems. Here, we present the molecular and biochemical characterization of two cucumber copper ATPases, CsHMA5.1 and CsHMA5.2, indicating a different function for HMA5-like proteins in different plants. When expressed in yeast, CsHMA5.1 and CsHMA5.2 localize to the vacuolar membrane and are activated by monovalent copper or silver ions and cysteine, showing different affinities to Cu+ (Km ∼1 or 0.5 μm, respectively) and similar affinity to Ag+ (Km ∼2.5 μm). Both proteins restore the growth of yeast mutants sensitive to copper excess and silver through intracellular copper sequestration, indicating that they contribute to copper and silver detoxification. Immunoblotting with specific antibodies revealed the presence of CsHMA5.1 and CsHMA5.2 in the tonoplast of cucumber cells. Interestingly, the root-specific CsHMA5.1 was not affected by copper stress, whereas the widely expressed CsHMA5.2 was up-regulated or down-regulated in roots upon copper excess or deficiency, respectively. The copper-induced increase in tonoplast CsHMA5.2 is consistent with the increased activity of ATP-dependent copper transport into tonoplast vesicles isolated from roots of plants grown under copper excess. These data identify CsHMA5.1 and CsHMA5.2 as high affinity Cu+ transporters and suggest that CsHMA5.2 is responsible for the increased sequestration of copper in vacuoles of cucumber root cells under copper excess. PMID:25963145

Solubility relations in the ternary system NaCl-CsCl-H2O at 1 atm. 1. Solubilities of halite from 20 to 100 °C

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chou, I.-Ming; Lee, R.D.

1983-01-01

Solubilities of halite in the ternary system NaCl-CsCl-H2O have been determined by the visual polythermal method at 1 atm from 20 to 100??C along five constant CsCl/(CsCl + H2O) weight ratio lines. These five constant weight ratios are 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5. The maximum uncertainties in these measurements are ??0.02 wt % NaCl and ??0.15??C. The data along each constant CsCl/(CsCl + H2O) weight ratio line were regressed to a smooth curve. The maximum deviation of the measured solubilities from the smooth curves is 0.06 wt % NaCl. Isothermal solubilities of halite were calculated from smoothed curves at 25, 50, and 75??C.

Rapid acquisition of magnetic resonance imaging of the shoulder using three-dimensional fast spin echo sequence with compressed sensing.

PubMed

Lee, Seung Hyun; Lee, Young Han; Song, Ho-Taek; Suh, Jin-Suck

2017-10-01

To evaluate the feasibility of 3D fast spin-echo (FSE) imaging with compressed sensing (CS) for the assessment of shoulder. Twenty-nine patients who underwent shoulder MRI including image sets of axial 3D-FSE sequence without CS and with CS, using an acceleration factor of 1.5, were included. Quantitative assessment was performed by calculating the root mean square error (RMSE) and structural similarity index (SSIM). Two musculoskeletal radiologists compared image quality of 3D-FSE sequences without CS and with CS, and scored the qualitative agreement between sequences, using a five-point scale. Diagnostic agreement for pathologic shoulder lesions between the two sequences was evaluated. The acquisition time of 3D-FSE MRI was reduced using CS (3min 23s vs. 2min 22s). Quantitative evaluations showed a significant correlation between the two sequences (r=0.872-0.993, p<0.05) and SSIM was in an acceptable range (0.940-0.993; mean±standard deviation, 0.968±0.018). Qualitative image quality showed good to excellent agreement between 3D-FSE images without CS and with CS. Diagnostic agreement for pathologic shoulder lesions between the two sequences was very good (κ=0.915-1). The 3D-FSE sequence with CS is feasible in evaluating the shoulder joint with reduced scan time compared to 3D-FSE without CS. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Efficient removal of caesium ions from aqueous solution using a calix crown ether in ionic liquids: mechanism and radiation effect.

PubMed

Xu, Chao; Yuan, Liyong; Shen, Xinghai; Zhai, Maolin

2010-04-28

The removal of radioactive (137)Cs from nuclear waste is of great importance for both the environment and energy saving. Herein, we report a study on the removal of Cs(+) using a calix crown ether bis(2-propyloxy)calix[4]crown-6 (BPC6) in ionic liquids [C(n)mim][NTf(2)], where [C(n)mim](+) is 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium and [NTf(2)](-) is bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. The BPC6/[C(n)mim][NTf(2)] system is highly efficient in removing Cs(+) from aqueous solution, even at a low concentration of BPC6. HNO(3) and metal ions such as Na(+), Al(3+) in the aqueous phase interfered with the extraction of Cs(+) by competitive interaction with BPC6 and/or salting-out effect. UV analysis confirmed that the extraction of Cs(+) by the BPC6/[C(n)mim][NTf(2)] system involves a dual extraction mechanism, i.e., via exchange of BPC6.Cs(+) complex or Cs(+) by [C(n)mim](+). Irradiation of [C(4)mim][NTf(2)] dramatically decreases Cs(+) partitioning in the ionic liquid phase by the competitive interaction of radiation-generated H(+) with BPC6, while irradiation of BPC6/[C(4)mim][NTf(2)] decreases Cs(+) partitioning more markedly due to the radiolysis of BPC6.

Combined analysis of 1,3-benzodioxoles by crystalline sponge X-ray crystallography and laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Hayashi, Yukako; Ohara, Kazuaki; Taki, Rika; Saeki, Tomomi; Yamaguchi, Kentaro

2018-03-12

The crystalline sponge (CS) method, which employs single-crystal X-ray diffraction to determine the structure of an analyte present as a liquid or an oil and having a low melting point, was used in combination with laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS). 1,3-Benzodioxole derivatives were encapsulated in CS and their structures were determined by combining X-ray crystallography and MS. After the X-ray analysis, the CS was subjected to imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) with an LDI spiral-time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS). The ion detection area matched the microscopic image of the encapsulated CS. In addition, the accumulated 1D mass spectra showed that fragmentation of the guest molecule (hereafter, guest) can be easily visualized without any interference from the fragment ions of CS except for two strong ion peaks derived from the tridentate ligand TPT (2,4,6-tris(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine) of the CS and its fragment. X-ray analysis clearly showed the presence of the guest as well as the π-π, CH-halogen, and CH-O interactions between the guest and the CS framework. However, some guests remained randomly diffused in the nanopores of CS. In addition, the detection limit was less than sub-pmol order based on the weight and density of CS determined by X-ray analysis. Spectroscopic data, such as UV-vis and NMR, also supported the encapsulation of the guest through the interaction between the guest and CS components. The results denote that the CS-LDI-MS method, which combines CS, X-ray analysis and LDI-MS, is effective for structure determination.

Protective effect of honey against cigarette smoke induced-impaired sexual behavior and fertility of male rats.

PubMed

Mohamed, Mahaneem; Sulaiman, Siti Amrah; Sirajudeen, Kuttulebbai Nainamohamed Salam

2013-04-01

Cigarette smoking is associated with sexual dysfunction and impaired fertility in males. The aim of this study was to determine the potential protective effect of honey against the toxic effect of cigarette smoke (CS) on sexual behavior and fertility of male rats. Thirty-two adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (8 rats/group) as control, honey (H), CS and H plus CS (H + CS) groups. Rats in control and CS groups received oral administration of distilled water daily while rats in H and H + CS groups received honey (1.2 g/kg body weight/day) by oral gavage. Rats in CS and H + CS groups were also exposed to CS for 8 min 3 times/day. From 10 to 13 weeks of treatment, each male rat was cohabited with 3 untreated female rats for sexual behavioral and reproductive performance studies. Honey significantly increased the percentages of rats achieving intromission and ejaculation as well as increased mating and fertility indexes of male rats exposed to CS. Thus, honey has a protective effect against CS-induced impaired sexual behavior and fertility in male rats.

Spectroelectrochemistry and Electrochemistry of Europium Ions in Alkali Chloride Melts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uehara, Akihiro; Shirai, Osamu; Nagai, Takayuki; Fujii, Toshiyuki; Yamana, Hajimu

2007-04-01

In order to investigate the redox equilibrium of europium ions in molten NaCl-2CsCl, UV-Vis absorption spectrophotometry measurements were performed for Eu2+ and Eu3+ in molten NaCl- 2CsCl at 923 K under simultaneous electrolytic control of their ratio. Molar absorptivities of EuCl3 and EuCl2 in NaCl-2CsCl at 923 K were determined to be (420±21) M -1cm-1 at 31200 cm-1 and (1130±56) M-1cm-1 at 30300 cm-1, respectively. The formal redox potential of the Eu2+/Eu3+ couple in NaCl-2CsCl melt at 923 K was determined to be (-0.941 ±0.004) V vs. Cl2/Cl- by electromotive force measurements on varying concentration ratios of Eu2+ and Eu3+, which were performed using a technique based on the combination of electrolysis and spectrophotometry. Cyclic voltammetry was also carried out in order to examine the characteristics of the voltammograms for the Eu2+/Eu3+ couple in NaCl-2CsCl melt. The formal redox potential of the Eu2+/Eu3+ couple determined by a spectroelectrochemical method agreed with that determined by cyclic voltammetry [(-0.946±0.008) V vs. Cl2/Cl-]. The effects of temperature on the redox potential of the Eu2+/Eu3+ couple in NaCl-2CsCl, NaCl-KCl, LiCl-KCl, and CsCl melts were studied by cyclic voltammetry in the range from 923 to 1123 K.

Gut T1R3 sweet taste receptors do not mediate sucrose-conditioned flavor preferences in mice.

PubMed

Sclafani, Anthony; Glass, Damien S; Margolskee, Robert F; Glendinning, John I

2010-12-01

Most mammals prefer the sweet taste of sugars, which is mediated by the heterodimeric T1R2+T1R3 taste receptor. Sugar appetite is also enhanced by the post-oral reinforcing actions of the nutrient in the gut. Here, we examined the contribution of gut T1R3 (either alone or as part of the T1R3+T1R3 receptor) to post-oral sugar reinforcement using a flavor-conditioning paradigm. We trained mice to associate consumption of a flavored solution (CS+) with intragastric (IG) infusions of a sweetener, and a different flavored solution (CS-) with IG infusions of water (23 h/day); then, we measured preference in a CS+ vs. CS- choice test. In experiment 1, we predicted that if activation of gut T1R3 mediates sugar reinforcement, then IG infusions of a nutritive (sucrose) or nonnutritive (sucralose) ligand for this receptor should condition a preference for the CS+ in B6 wild-type (WT) mice. While the mice that received IG sucrose infusions developed a strong preference for the CS+, those that received IG sucralose infusions developed a weak avoidance of the CS+. In experiment 2, we used T1R3 knockout (KO) mice to examine the necessity of gut T1R2+T1R3 receptors for conditioned flavor preferences. If intact gut T1R3 (or T1R2+T1R3) receptors are necessary for flavor-sugar conditioning, then T1R3 KO mice should not develop a sugar-conditioned flavor preference. We found that T1R3 KO mice, like WT mice, acquired a strong preference for the CS+ paired with IG sucrose infusions. The KO mice were also like WT mice in avoiding a CS+ flavor paired with IG sucralose infusions These findings provide clear evidence that gut T1R3 receptors are not necessary for sugar-conditioned flavor preferences or sucralose-induced flavor avoidance in mice.

Characterization of antigen-presenting cells from the porcine respiratory system.

PubMed

López-Robles, Guadalupe; Silva-Campa, Erika; Burgara-Estrella, Alexel; Hernández, Jesús

2015-06-01

Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are strategically placed in all anatomic sites with high antigen exposure such as the respiratory system. The aim of this study was to evaluate phenotypic and functional properties of APCs from the lung (L-Cs), mediastinal lymph node (LN-Cs) and bronchoalveolar lavage cells (BAL-Cs). The APCs were first analyzed based on forward scatter and side scatter profiles and the selection of MHC-II(high)CD172a(+) cells (referred to as APCs); then the expression of CD1a, CD163, CD206, CD16 and CD11R3 was evaluated in the APCs. The results showed that CD1a, CD163 and CD206 were differentially expressed among L-Cs, LN-Cs and BAL-Cs, suggesting the phenotype MHC-II(high)CD172a(+)CD1a(low/-)CD163(low)CD206(-) for L-Cs and MHC-II(high)CD172a(+)CD1a(+)CD163(low/-)CD206(+) for LN-Cs. BAL-Cs were MHC-II(high)CD172a(+)CD1a(-)CD163(high)CD206(+/-). The functional characteristics of L-Cs and LN-Cs were different from those of BAL-Cs, confirming that L-Cs and LN-Cs resemble specialized APCs. In conclusion, we present the characterization of APCs from L-Cs, LN-Cs and BAL-Cs of the porcine respiratory system. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Study of Cs/NF3 adsorption on GaN (0 0 1) surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diao, Yu; Liu, Lei; Xia, Sihao; Kong, Yike

2017-03-01

To investigate the optoelectronics properties of Cs/NF3 adsorption on GaN (0 0 1) photocathode surface, different adsorption models of Cs-only, Cs/O, Cs/NF3 adsorption on GaN clean surface were established, respectively. Atomic structures, work function, adsorption energy, E-Mulliken charge distribution, density of states and optical properties of all these adsorption systems were calculated using first principles. Compared with Cs/O co-adsorption, Cs/NF3 co-adsorption show better stability and more decline of work function, which is more beneficial for photoemission efficiency. Besides, surface band structures of Cs/NF3 co-adsorption system exhibit metal properties, implying good conductivity. Meanwhile, near valence band minimum of Cs/NF3 co-adsorption system, more acceptor levels emerges to form a p-type emission surface, which is conductive to the escape of photoelectrons. In addition, imaginary part of dielectric function curve and absorption curve of Cs/NF3 co-adsorption system both move towards lower energy side. This work can direct the optimization of activation process of NEA GaN photocathode.

Nanocrystalline Cs{sub x}WO{sub 3} particles: Effects of N{sub 2} annealing on microstructure and near-infrared shielding characteristics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Jing-Xiao, E-mail: drliu-shi@dlpu.edu.cn; Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Material, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8577,Japan; Shi, Fei

2013-10-15

In order to further improve the near-infrared shielding properties of cesium tungsten bronze (Cs{sub x}WO{sub 3}) for solar filter applications, Cs{sub x}WO{sub 3} particles were prepared by solvothermal reaction method and the effects of nitrogen annealing on the microstructure and near-infrared shielding properties of Cs{sub x}WO{sub 3} were investigated. The obtained Cs{sub x}WO{sub 3} samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and spectrophotometer. The results indicate that nanosheet-like Cs{sub x}WO{sub 3} particles with hexagonal structure began to transform into nanorods after annealed at temperature higher than 600 °C. The near-infrared shielding propertiesmore » of Cs{sub x}WO{sub 3} particles could be further improved by N{sub 2} annealing at 500–700 °C. Particularly, the 500 °C-annealed Cs{sub x}WO{sub 3} samples in the N{sub 2} atmosphere showed best near-infrared shielding properties. It was suggested that the excellent near-infrared shielding ability of the 500 °C-annealed Cs{sub x}WO{sub 3} samples is correlated with its minimum O/W atomic ratio and most oxygen vacancies. Highlights: • N{sub 2} annealing could further improve the near-infrared (NIR) shielding of Cs{sub x}WO{sub 3}. • Effects of N{sub 2} annealing on microstructure and NIR shielding of Cs{sub x}WO{sub 3} were studied. • The 500 °C-N{sub 2}-annealed Cs{sub x}WO{sub 3} exhibited minimum O/W ratio and most oxygen vacancies. • The 500 °C-N{sub 2}-annealed Cs{sub x}WO{sub 3} particles exhibited best NIR shielding properties.« less

Electronic structure and optical properties of CsI, CsI(Ag), and CsI(Tl)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zheng; Zhao, Qiang; Li, Yang; Ouyang, Xiao-Ping

2016-05-01

The band structure, electronic density of states and optical properties of CsI and of CsI doped with silver or thallium are studied by using a first-principles calculation based on density functional theory (DFT). The exchange and the correlation potentials among the electrons are described by using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The results of our study show that the electronic structure changes somewhat when CsI is doped with silver or thallium. The band gaps of CsI(Ag) and CsI(Tl) are smaller than that of CsI, and the width of the conduction band of CsI is increased when CsI is doped with thallium or silver. Two peaks located in the conduction band of CsI(Ag) and CsI(Tl) are observed from their electronic densities of states. The absorption coefficients of CsI, CsI(Ag), and CsI(Tl) are zero when their photon energies are below 3.5 eV, 1.5 eV, and 3.1 eV, respectively. The results show that doping can improve the detection performance of CsI scintillators. Our study can explain why doping can improve the detection performance from a theoretical point of view. The results of our research provide both theoretical support for the luminescent mechanisms at play in scintillator materials when they are exposed to radiation and a reference for CsI doping from the point of view of the electronic structure.

Searching for low-workfunction phases in the Cs-Te system: The case of Cs2Te5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruth, Anthony; Németh, Károly; Harkay, Katherine C.; Terdik, Joseph Z.; Spentzouris, Linda; Terry, Jeff

2013-05-01

We have computationally explored workfunction values of Cs2Te5 surfaces, an existing crystalline phase of the Cs-Te system and a small bandgap semiconductor, in order to search for reduced workfunction alternatives of Cs2Te that preserve the exceptionally high quantum efficiency of the Cs2Te seasoned photoemissive material. We have found that the Cs2Te5(010) surface exhibits a workfunction value of ≈1.9 eV when it is covered by Cs atoms. Cs2Te5 is analogous to our recently proposed low-workfunction materials, Cs2TeC2, and other ternary acetylides [J. Z. Terdik et al., Phys. Rev. B 86, 035142 (2012)], in as much as it also contains quasi one-dimensional substructures embedded in a Cs-matrix, forming the foundation for anomalous workfunction anisotropy and low workfunction values. The one-dimensional substructures in Cs2Te5 are polytelluride ions in a tetragonal rod-like packing. Cs2Te5 has the advantage of simpler composition and availability as compared to Cs2TeC2; however, its low workfunction surface is less energetically favored to the other surfaces than in Cs2TeC2. A significant and remarkable advantage of Cs2Te5 as compared to Cs2Te is its high optical absorption of visible photons that can allow for high quantum efficiency electron emission at visible photon energies.

Pathogenicity and Phenotypic Characterization of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Isolates from a Birth Cohort of Children in Rural Egypt

PubMed Central

Shaheen, Hind I.; Amine, Mohamed; Hassan, Khaled; Sanders, John W.; Riddle, Mark S.; Armstrong, Adam W.; Svennerholm, Ann-Mari; Sebeny, Peter J.; Klena, John D.; Young, Sylvia Y. N.; Frenck, Robert W.

2014-01-01

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) has consistently been the predominant bacterial cause of diarrhea in many birth cohort- and hospital-based studies conducted in Egypt. We evaluated the pathogenicity of ETEC isolates in a birth cohort of children living in a rural community in Egypt. Between 2004 and 2007, we enrolled and followed 348 children starting at birth until their second year of life. A stool sample and two rectal swabs were collected from children during twice-weekly visits when they presented with diarrhea and were collected every 2 weeks if no diarrhea was reported. From routine stool cultures, five E. coli-like colonies were screened for ETEC enterotoxins using a GM1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The isolates were screened against a panel of 12 colonization factor antigens (CFAs) by a dot blot assay. A nested case-control study evaluated the association between initial or repeat excretion of ETEC and the occurrences of diarrhea. The pathogenicity of ETEC was estimated in symptomatic children compared to that in asymptomatic controls. ETEC was significantly associated with diarrhea (crude odds ratio, 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24 to 1.52). The distribution of ETEC enterotoxins varied between the symptomatic children (44.2% heat-labile toxin [LT], 38.5% heat-stable toxin [ST], and 17.3% LT/ST) and asymptomatic children (55.5% LT, 34.6% ST, and 9.9% LT/ST) (P < 0.001). The CFAs CFA/I (n = 61), CS3 (n = 8), CS1 plus CS3 (n = 24), CS2 plus CS3 (n = 18), CS6 (n = 45), CS5 plus CS6 (n = 11), CS7 (n = 25), and CS14 (n = 32) were frequently detected in symptomatic children, while CS6 (n = 66), CS12 (n = 51), CFA/I (n = 43), and CS14 (n = 20) were detected at higher frequencies among asymptomatic children. While all toxin phenotypes were associated with diarrheal disease after the initial exposure, only ST and LT/ST-expressing ETEC isolates (P < 0.0001) were associated with disease in repeat infections. The role of enterotoxins and pathogenicity during repeat ETEC infections appears to be variable and dependent on the coexpression of specific CFAs. PMID:24478492

Artificial radionuclides in surface air in Finland following the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident.

PubMed

Leppänen, Ari-Pekka; Mattila, Aleksi; Kettunen, Markku; Kontro, Riitta

2013-12-01

We present observations of radionuclides released during the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident in ambient air and in deposition made in Finland during March-May 2011. The first observed fission product was (131)I, which arrived in Finland 8-9 days after the accident. Detections of (137)Cs and (134)Cs were made 2-3 days after the first (131)I observations. The highest concentrations of fission products in Finland were observed during March 31st and April 1st. The highest observed concentrations of the following isotopes were: (131)I (10.6 ± 0.4 mBq/m(3)), (134)Cs (0.397 ± 0.020 mBq/m(3)), (137)Cs (0.405 ± 0.017 mBq/m(3)), (136)Cs (28 ± 2 μBq/m(3)), (129)Te (129 ± 9 μBq/m(3)), (129m)Te (234 ± 20 μBq/m(3)), (132)Te (51 ± 3 μBq/m(3)) and (132)I (54 ± 3 μBq/m(3)). Generally, higher concentrations of fission product were observed in Southern Finland than in Northern Finland. The variations in the (137)Cs and (134)Cs activity concentration data suggest that three separate plumes passed over Finland with decreasing concentrations. The first plume, with highest cesium concentrations, passed over Finland during March 31st - April 2nd, the second plume during April 4th - 6th and the third and smallest one during April 10th - April 11th. Both aerosol and gaseous iodine fractions were sampled simultaneously and thus an accurate view of the behaviour of aerosol and gaseous fractions was obtained. Large variations between different fractions were observed with the gaseous fraction representing 65-98% of the total (131)I. The (134)Cs/(137)Cs ratio was determined to be 0.99 ± 0.10, which indicates a fuel burnup of approximately 30 MWd/t. The (136)Cs/(137)Cs and (129m)Te/(132)Te ratios were used to estimate the time lapse after the accident. The differences between true time lapse and the ones deduced from the isotope ratios were from the correct time lapse to 0-3 days for (136)Cs/(137)Cs and 5 days for (129m)Te/(132)Te, respectively. Radionuclides from the Fukuhisma Dai-ichi nuclear power plant were also observed in deposition samples. In Norther Finland, the total deposition of 0.28-0.62 Bq/m(2) for (137)Cs and 0.21-0.57 Bq/m(2) for (134)Cs was determined during March-May 2011. For (131)I the deposition of 8.5 ± 2.9 Bq/m(2) was determined at Rovaniemi from the samples from the sample collected during April 1st - 12th. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Colon-specific delivery of curcumin by exploiting Eudragit-decorated chitosan nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khatik, Renuka; Mishra, Ramakant; Verma, Ashwni; Dwivedi, Pankaj; Kumar, Vivek; Gupta, Varsha; Paliwal, Sarvesh Kumar; Mishra, Prabhat Ranjan; Dwivedi, Anil Kumar

2013-09-01

The aim of present investigation was to prepare chitosan (CS) nanoparticles (NPs) and to study the targeting ability of Eudragit S 100 (ES)-coated chitosan nanoparticles (ES-CS-NPs) in comparison with CS-NPs; both loaded with curcumin (CU); to colon, when administered orally, by restricting the size of formulation up to few nanometers and exploiting the pH sensitivity of ES. The CU-loaded CS-NPs (CS-NPs-CU) have been prepared by ionic gelation method. The coating of ES on CS-NPs-CU (ES-CS-NPs-CU) was performed by oil-in-oil solvent evaporation method using coat:core ratio (2:1). The cross-linking of CS with tri poly phosphate during the preparation of CS-NPs has been confirmed by FTIR. CS-NPs-CU and ES-CS-NPs-CU were evaluated for particle size, their size distribution, percentage drug entrapment, and in vitro drug release study. CS-NPs-CU has an average size 173 ± 4.5 nm and poly dispersity index (PDI) 0.16, whereas ES-CS-NPs-CU shows average size 236 ± 3.2 nm and PDI 0.22. Surface morphology of prepared NPs was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The release profile reveals that the ES coating on the ES-CS-NPs-CU protects the release of CU in upper gastrointestinal tract while maximum release of CU occurred in simulated colonic fluids of pH 6.8. There was no major difference in cell viability between ES-CS-NPs-CU and CS-NPs-CU when they were exposed to Caco-2 cells at all equivalent concentrations. The in vivo uptake studies revealed preferential uptake of ES-CS-NPs-CU in the colon. The significantly higher ( P < 0.01) AUC0-∞ has been observed in case of ES-CS-NPs-CU as compared to CU and CS-NPs-CU representing that ES-CS-NPs-CU was more bioavailable. These results demonstrated that ES-CS-NPs-CU may be useful as potential delivery system for treatment of colon cancer.

Intraspecific variation of Centruroides sculpturatus scorpion venom from two regions of Arizona.

PubMed

Carcamo-Noriega, Edson Norberto; Olamendi-Portugal, Timoteo; Restano-Cassulini, Rita; Rowe, Ashlee; Uribe-Romero, Selene Jocelyn; Becerril, Baltazar; Possani, Lourival Domingos

2018-01-15

This study investigated geographic variability in the venom of Centruroides sculpturatus scorpions from different biotopes. Venom from scorpions collected from two different regions in Arizona; Santa Rita Foothills (SR) and Yarnell (Yar) were analyzed. We found differences between venoms, mainly in the two most abundant peptides; SR (CsEv2e and CsEv1f) and Yar (CsEv2 and CsEv1c) identified as natural variants of CsEv1 and CsEv2. Sequence analyses of these peptides revealed conservative amino acid changes between variants, which may underlie biological activity against arthropods. A third peptide (CsEv6) was highly abundant in the Yar venom compared to the SR venom. CsEv6 is a 67 amino acid peptide with 8 cysteines. CsEv6 did not exhibit toxicity to the three animal models tested. However, both venoms shared similarities in peptides that are predicted to deter predators. For example, both venoms expressed CsEI (lethal to chick) in similar abundance, while CsEd and CsEM1a (toxic to mammals) displayed only moderate variation in their abundance. Electrophysiological evaluation of CsEd and CsEM1a showed that both toxins act on the human sodium-channel subtype 1.6 (hNav 1.6). Complete sequencing revealed that both toxins are structurally similar to beta-toxins isolated from different Centruroides species that also target hNav 1.6. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cs promoted oxidation of Zn and CuZn surfaces: a combined experimental and theoretical study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaturvedi, Sanjay; Rodriguez, JoséA.; Hrbek, Jan

1997-07-01

The interaction of O 2 with Zn, {Cs}/{Zn} and {Cs}/{CuZn} surfaces was investigated using photoemission and ab initio self-consistent-field (SCF) calculations. On zinc films, the sticking probability of O 2 is extremely low (10 -3-10 -2), and O 2 exposures in the range of 10 3 to 10 4 langmuirs are necessary to produce a significant adsorption of oxygen and the transformation of metallic zinc into zinc oxide. The presence of sub monolayer coverages of cesium enhances the oxidation rate of zinc by 2-3 orders of magnitude. In the {Cs}/{Zn} system, the alkali atom donates electrons to zinc. This charge transfer facilitates the formation of Zn→O 2 dative bonds and breaking of the OO bond. For the coadsorption of Cs and O 2 on Zn(001), the larger the electron transfer from Zn into the O 2 (1 πg) orbitals, the bigger the adsorption energy of the molecule and the elongation of the OO bond. In general, cesium does not promote the oxidation of copper. In the {Cs}/{CuZn} system, copper withdraws electrons from zinc. The presence of copper in the {Cs}/{CuZn} system inhibits the oxidation of the Zn component compared with the {Cs}/{Zn} system by lowering the electron density on the Zn atoms. After exposing the {Cs}/{CuZn} system to O 2, zinc is oxidized at a rate that is larger than that found for clean CuZn surfaces and smaller than seen in {Cs}/{Zn} surfaces. Molecular hydrogen is found to have no effect on oxidized Cu, Zn and CuZn films. However, atomic hydrogen reduces ZnO to metallic zinc and CuO to Cu 2O. In the oxidized CuZn alloy, CuO is reduced first followed by the reduction of ZnO. A comparison of the behavior of O 2/Cs/Zn and H 2O/Cs/Zn systems shows that while O 2 causes severe oxidation of Cs promoted Zn surfaces, H 2O has little or no effect.

Chitosan/polyanion surface modification of styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer membrane for wound dressing.

PubMed

Yang, Jen Ming; Yang, Jhe-Hao; Huang, Huei Tsz

2014-01-01

The surface of styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS) membrane is modified with tri-steps in this study. At first, two step modified SBS membrane (MSBS) was prepared with epoxidation and ring opening reaction with maleated ionomer. Then chitosan was used as the polycation electrolyte and sodium alginate, poly(γ-glutamic acid) (PGA) and poly(aspartic acid) (PAsp) were selected as polyanion electrolytes to deposit on the surfaces of MSBS membrane by the layer-by-layer self-assembly (LbL) deposition technique to get three [chitosan/polyanion] LbL modified SBS membranes, ([CS/Alg], [CS/PGA] and [CS/PAsp]). From the quantitative XPS analysis and water contact angle measurement, it is found that the order of wettability and the content of functional group percentages of COO(-) and OCN on the three [CS/polyanion] systems are [CS/Alg]>[CS/PGA]>[CS/PAsp]. Performances of water vapor transmission rates, fibronectin adsorption, antibacterial assessment and 3T3 fibroblast cell growth on [CS/Alg], [CS/PGA] and [CS/PAsp] membranes were also evaluated. With the evaluation of water vapor transmission rate, these [CS/Alg], [CS/PGA] and [CS/PAsp] membranes are sterile semipermeable with water evaporation at about 82±8g/day·m(2). It is found that the amount of fibronectin adsorption on the three [CS/polyanion] systems is significantly determined by the sum of the functional group of COO(-) and OCN on the surfaces of [CS/Alg], [CS/PGA] and [CS/PAsp] systems. The results are inverse with the sum of the functional group of COO(-) and OCN on the three [CS/polyanion]. From the cytotoxicity test and cell adhesion and proliferation assay of 3T3 fibroblasts on the three [CS/polyanion] systems, it revealed that the cells not only remained viable but they also proliferated on the surfaces of [CS/Alg], [CS/PGA] and [CS/PAsp]. The bactericidal activity was found on [CS/Alg], [CS/PGA] and [CS/PAsp]. The transport of bacterial through these [CS/polyanion] membranes was also conducted. No bacterial transport was found. © 2013.

Caesium and strontium accumulation in shoots of Arabidopsis thaliana: genetic and physiological aspects

PubMed Central

Kanter, Ulrike; Hauser, Andreas; Michalke, Bernhard; Dräxl, Stephan; Schäffner, Anton R.

2010-01-01

Due to the physico-chemical similarities of caesium (Cs+) to potassium (K+) on the one hand and strontium (Sr2+) to calcium (Ca2+) on the other hand, both elements can easily be taken up by plants and thus enter the food chain. This could be detrimental when radionuclides such as 137Cs and 90Sr are involved. In this study, both genetic and physiological aspects of Cs+ and Sr2+ accumulation in Arabidopsis thaliana were investigated using 86 Arabidopsis accessions and a segregating F2 population of the low Cs+ accumulating Sq-1 (Ascot, UK) crossed with the high uptaking Sorbo (Khurmatov, Tajikistan). Hydroponically grown plants were exposed to subtoxic levels of Cs+ and Sr2+ using radioactive isotopes as tracers. In the natural accessions shoot concentration of Cs+ as well as Sr2+ varied about 2-fold, whereas its heritability ranged for both ions between 0.60 and 0.73. Shoot accumulation of Cs+ and Sr2+ could be compromised by increasing concentrations of their essential analogues K+ and Ca2+, respectively, causing a reduction of up to 80%. In the case of the segregating F2/F3 population Sq-1×Sorbo, this study identified several QTL for the trait Cs+ and Sr2+ accumulation, with main QTL on chromosomes 1 and 5. According to the correlation and discrimination surveys combined with QTL-analysis Cs+ and Sr2+ uptake seemed to be mediated mostly via non-selective cation channels. A polymorphism, affecting amino acids close to the K+-pore of one candidate, CYCLIC-NUCLEOTIDE-GATED CHANNEL 1 (CNGC1), was identified in Sorbo and associated with high Cs+ concentrating accessions. PMID:20624763

[Effect of fermented cordyceps powder and prednisone on the Notch2/Hes-1 signaling activation in the kidney tubules of rats with acute aristolochic acid nephropathy].

PubMed

Huang, Ren-fa; Liang, Qun-qing; Cheng, Xin; Long, Yun; Wu, Jin-yu

2013-08-01

To investigate the effect of both fermented Cordyceps powder (CS) and prednisone on the Notch2/hes-1 signaling activation in the kidney tubules of rats with acute aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAAN). Totally 50 SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the CS group, the prednisone group, and the CS plus prednisone group, 10 in each group. The AAAN rat model was induced by intragastric administration of pure aristolochic acid A at the daily dose of 100 mg/kg for 3 days. Rats in the CS group were administered with CS at the daily dose of 5.0 g/kg by gastrogavage, while those in the prednisone group were administered with prednisone at the daily dose of 0.5 mg/kg. Rats in the CS plus prednisone group were treated by CS and prednisone. All treatment lasted for 3 successive weeks. Kidney functions [urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr)] were detected. The pathological changes of kidneys were observed by Hematoxylin-Eosin staining. The apoptosis of the renal tubular epithelial cells was detected by TUNEL. The protein expressions of Notch2 and Hes-1 in the renal tissue were detected by immunohistochemical assay and Western blot. Results of HE staining showed the structure in the nephridial tissue was regular in rats of the normal group. The renal tubular necrosis occurred in the rats of the model group. The pathological changes of kidneys were obviously improved in the CS group, the prednisone group, and the CS plus prednisone group. Compared with the normal group, levels of BUN and SCr, semi-quantitative score of the tubular interstitial tissue, ratio of apoptotic cells, and expressions of Notch2 and Hes-1 proteins significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the aforesaid indices significantly decreased in the 3 treatment groups (P < 0.01). All indices decreased most obviously in the CS plus prednisone group (P < 0.05, P < 0. 01). Notch2/hes-1 signaling activation might be associated with apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells. Both CS and prednisone could play a nephroprotective role for AAAN. But CS plus prednisone could achieve the best effect. Inhabiting the Notch2/hes-1 signaling activation could be its nephroprotective mechanism.

Radiocesium fallout in the grasslands on Sakhalin, Kunashir and Shikotan Islands due to Fukushima accident: the radioactive contamination of soil and plants in 2011.

PubMed

Ramzaev, V; Barkovsky, A; Goncharova, Yu; Gromov, A; Kaduka, M; Romanovich, I

2013-04-01

The accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant has resulted in radioactive contamination of environmental media and food in the Far East of Russia, particularly in the Sakhalin Region. To obtain the knowledge about the (134)Cs and (137)Cs spatial distribution in the Sakhalin Region, soil samples were collected at 31 representative grassland sites on Sakhalin, Kunashir and Shikotan islands (43.80°-46.40° N and 142.73°-146.84° E) in the middle of May and around the end of September to early October 2011. In the autumn, vegetation samples (mixed grass/forb crop and bamboo, Sasa sp.) were collected together with soil samples. Maximum measured activity concentrations (on dry weight) of (134)Cs and (137)Cs in soil were 30 Bq kg(-1) and 210 Bq kg(-1), respectively. Within soil profile, (134)Cs activity concentrations declined rapidly with depth. Although for both sampling occasions (in the spring and autumn) the radionuclide was completely retained in the upper 3-4 cm of soil, a deeper penetration of the contaminant into the ground was observed in the autumn. In contrast with (134)Cs, activity concentrations of (137)Cs demonstrated a broad range of the vertical distribution in soil; at most sites, the radionuclide was found down to a depth of 20 cm. This resulted from interfering the aged pre-accidental (137)Cs and the new Fukushima-borne (137)Cs. To calculate contribution of these sources to the inventory of (137)Cs, the (134)Cs:(137)Cs activity ratio of 1:1 in Fukushima fallout (the reference date 15 March 2011) was used. The maximum deposition density of Fukushima-derived (137)Cs was found on Shikotan and Kunashir Islands with average density of 0.124 ± 0.018 kBq m(-2) and 0.086 ± 0.026 kBq m(-2), respectively. Sakhalin Island was less contaminated by Fukushima-derived (137)Cs of 0.021 ± 0.018 kBq m(-2). For the south of Sakhalin Island, the reference inventory of pre-Fukushima (137)Cs was calculated as 1.93 ± 0.25 kBq m(-2) (reference date 15 March 2011). For Shikotan and Kunashir Islands, the pre-Fukushima reference levels of (137)Cs ground contamination appeared to be higher: on average, 2.81 ± 0.35 kBq m(-2). Maximum measured activity concentrations (on wet weight) of (134)Cs and (137)Cs in the vegetation were 5 Bq kg(-1) and 18 Bq kg(-1), respectively. Soil-to-plant aggregated transfer factors, T(ag)s, for (134)Cs were more than an order of magnitude higher than those for (137)Cs. For the above-ground biomass density of 1 kg per m(2) (wet weight), plant contamination may contribute approximately 2% and 0.1% to the ground deposition of Fukushima-derived and pre-accidental (137)Cs, respectively. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Oncofetal Chondroitin Sulfate Glycosaminoglycans Are Key Players in Integrin Signaling and Tumor Cell Motility.

PubMed

Clausen, Thomas Mandel; Pereira, Marina Ayres; Al Nakouzi, Nader; Oo, Htoo Zarni; Agerbæk, Mette Ø; Lee, Sherry; Ørum-Madsen, Maj Sofie; Kristensen, Anders Riis; El-Naggar, Amal; Grandgenett, Paul M; Grem, Jean L; Hollingsworth, Michael A; Holst, Peter J; Theander, Thor; Sorensen, Poul H; Daugaard, Mads; Salanti, Ali

2016-12-01

Many tumors express proteoglycans modified with oncofetal chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan chains (ofCS), which are normally restricted to the placenta. However, the role of ofCS in cancer is largely unknown. The function of ofCS in cancer was analyzed using the recombinant ofCS-binding VAR2CSA protein (rVAR2) derived from the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum We demonstrate that ofCS plays a key role in tumor cell motility by affecting canonical integrin signaling pathways. Binding of rVAR2 to tumor cells inhibited the interaction of cells with extracellular matrix (ECM) components, which correlated with decreased phosphorylation of Src kinase. Moreover, rVAR2 binding decreased migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent growth of tumor cells in vitro Mass spectrometry of ofCS-modified proteoglycan complexes affinity purified from tumor cell lines on rVAR2 columns revealed an overrepresentation of proteins involved in cell motility and integrin signaling, such as integrin-β1 (ITGB1) and integrin-α4 (ITGA4). Saturating concentrations of rVAR2 inhibited downstream integrin signaling, which was mimicked by knockdown of the core chondroitin sulfate synthesis enzymes β-1,3-glucuronyltransferase 1 (B3GAT1) and chondroitin sulfate N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 1 (CSGALNACT1). The ofCS modification was highly expressed in both human and murine metastatic lesions in situ and preincubation or early intravenous treatment of tumor cells with rVAR2 inhibited seeding and spreading of tumor cells in mice. This was associated with a significant increase in survival of the animals. These data functionally link ofCS modifications with cancer cell motility and further highlights ofCS as a novel therapeutic cancer target. The cancer-specific expression of ofCS aids in metastatic phenotypes and is a candidate target for therapy. Mol Cancer Res; 14(12); 1288-99. ©2016 AACR. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.

Reactions and products in the Cs-Zr-I-O system relevant to fission product chemistry — a review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, T.-M.; Kauzlarich, S. M.; Corbett, J. D.

1988-02-01

Some results and problems associated with the known chemistry of cesium and iodine in the presence of Zr/ZrO 2 at 400-600°C and under anaerobic conditions are described and discussed. These aspects include (1) the recently synthesized cesium zirconates Cs 2ZrO 3 and Cs 4ZrO 4 and some of their thermal and hydrolytic properties (2) the demonstration that the supposedly stable CsI reacts with ZrO 2 at 400-700°C to form Cs 2ZrO 3 and ZrI 4 (as Cs 2ZrI 6) and its implications regarding cesium and iodine distributions (3) present knowledge of binary zirconium iodides, their contamination reactions, and the limited inhibition of the reduction of ZrI 4 by metal provided by static ZrO 2 films (4) newly discovered ternary and quaternary zirconium iodides that are obtained in the presence of many common impurity atoms and, when prsesent, CsI (e.g., Zr 6I 12C, CsZr 6I 14C, Zr 6I 14Fe), the ease with which some of those form at least as low as 450°C, and the complications these and related new phases provide.

Structural and thermodynamic study of dicesium molybdate Cs2Mo2O7: Implications for fast neutron reactors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, A. L.; Kauric, G.; van Eijck, L.; Goubitz, K.; Wallez, G.; Griveau, J.-C.; Colineau, E.; Clavier, N.; Konings, R. J. M.

2017-09-01

The structure of α-Cs2Mo2O7 (monoclinic in space group P21 / c), which can form during irradiation in fast breeder reactors in the space between nuclear fuel and cladding, has been refined in this work at room temperature from neutron diffraction data. Furthermore, the compounds' thermal expansion and polymorphism have been investigated using high temperature X-ray diffraction combined with high temperature Raman spectroscopy. A phase transition has been observed at Ttr(α → β)=(621.9±0.8) K using Differential Scanning Calorimetry, and the structure of the β-Cs2Mo2O7 phase, orthorhombic in space group Pbcm, has been solved ab initio from the high temperature X-ray diffraction data. Furthermore, the low temperature heat capacity of α-Cs2Mo2O7 has been measured in the temperature range T=(1.9-313.2) K using a Quantum Design PPMS (Physical Property Measurement System) calorimeter. The heat capacity and entropy values at T=298.15 K have been derived as Cp,mo (Cs2Mo2O7 , cr , 298.15 K) = (211.9 ± 2.1) J K-1mol-1 and Smo (Cs2Mo2O7 , cr , 298.15 K) = (317.4 ± 4.3) J K-1mol-1 . When combined with the enthalpy of formation reported in the literature, these data yield standard entropy and Gibbs energy of formation as Δf Smo (Cs2Mo2O7 , cr , 298.15 K) = - (628.2 ± 4.4) J K-1mol-1 and Δf Gmo (Cs2Mo2O7 , cr , 298.15 K) = - (2115.1 ± 2.5) kJmol-1 . Finally, the cesium partial pressure expected in the gap between fuel and cladding following the disproportionation reaction 2Cs2MoO4=Cs2Mo2O7+2Cs(g)+ 1/2 O2(g) has been calculated from the newly determined thermodynamic functions.

Camelina Seed Supplementation at Two Dietary Fat Levels Change Ruminal Bacterial Community Composition in a Dual-Flow Continuous Culture System

PubMed Central

Dai, Xiaoxia; Weimer, Paul J.; Dill-McFarland, Kimberly A.; Brandao, Virginia L. N.; Suen, Garret; Faciola, Antonio P.

2017-01-01

This experiment aimed to determine the effects of camelina seed (CS) supplementation at different dietary fat levels on ruminal bacterial community composition and how it relates to changes in ruminal fermentation in a dual-flow continuous culture system. Diets were randomly assigned to 8 fermenters (1,200–1,250 mL) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square with four 10-day experimental periods that consisted of 7 days for diet adaptation and 3 days for sample collection. Treatments were: (1) no CS at 5% ether extract (EE, NCS5); (2) no CS at 8% EE (NCS8); (3) 7.7% CS at 5% EE (CS5); and (4) 17.7% CS at 8% EE (CS8). Megalac was used as a control to adjust EE levels. Diets contained 55% orchardgrass hay and 45% concentrate, and fermenters were equally fed a total of 72 g/day (DM basis) twice daily. The bacterial community was determined by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Sequencing data were analyzed using mothur and statistical analyses were performed in R and SAS. The most abundant phyla across treatments were the Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, accounting for 49 and 39% of the total sequences, respectively. The bacterial community composition in both liquid and solid fractions of the effluent digesta changed with CS supplementation but not by dietary EE. Including CS in the diets decreased the relative abundances of Ruminococcus spp., Fibrobacter spp., and Butyrivibrio spp. The most abundant genus across treatments, Prevotella, was reduced by high dietary EE levels, while Megasphaera and Succinivibrio were increased by CS supplementation in the liquid fraction. Correlatively, the concentration of acetate was decreased while propionate increased; C18:0 was decreased and polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially C18:2 n-6 and C18:3 n-3, were increased by CS supplementation. Based on the correlation analysis between genera and fermentation end products, this study revealed that CS supplementation could be energetically beneficial to dairy cows by increasing propionate-producing bacteria and suppressing ruminal bacteria associated with biohydrogenation. However, attention should be given to avoid the effects of CS supplementation on suppressing cellulolytic bacteria. PMID:29163431

The therapeutic characteristics of serial casting on congenital scoliosis: a comparison with non-congenital cases from a single-center experience.

PubMed

Cao, Jun; Zhang, Xue-Jun; Sun, Ning; Sun, Lin; Guo, Dong; Qi, Xin-Yu; Bai, Yun-Song; Sun, Bao-Sheng

2017-04-04

The therapeutic efficacy of serial casting on idiopathic scoliosis has been gradually documented. However, literatures on serial casting for congenital scoliosis (CS) remain extremely rare. This paper aimed to compare the treatment outcomes of serial casting between CS and non-CS patients to comprehensively evaluate the therapeutic characteristics of serial casting on CS patients. A total of 23 early-onset scoliosis cases were included and divided into congenital scoliosis (CS, n = 8) and non-congenital group (non-CS, n = 15). Therapeutic outcomes including the major curve Cobb angle, thoracic kyphosis angle, lumbar lodosis angle, and thoracic spine growing rate were compared between groups at precast, after the first cast, and at the latest follow-up, respectively. All patients received the first cast at the age of 3.25 ± 1.20 years and 5.70 ± 1.18 times of cast corrections. The average casting time was 17.17 ± 3.38 months, and the mean follow-up time was 23.91 ± 12.28 months. Both CS and non-CS groups had significant decrease in Cobb angle after the first cast and at the latest follow-up (all P < 0.05). Cobb angle was significantly lower in non-CS group than in CS group at both time points (all P < 0.01). The correction rate of Cobb angle was significantly higher in non-CS group than in CS group (around 50 vs. 20%, both P < 0.01). The mean thoracic growth rate was significantly lower in CS group than in non-CS group (0.72 ± 0.20 vs. 1.42 ± 0.22 cm/year, P < 0.001). At the latest follow-up, there are 2 cases receiving growing rod surgery, 8 cases wearing a brace, and 13 cases continuing serial casting. Although the therapeutic efficacy of casting on CS patients is not as good as that on non-CS patients, casting is still an efficient treatment option for CS patients to delay the need for initial surgery.

Radioactive Cs capture in the early solar system

PubMed Central

Hidaka, Hiroshi; Yoneda, Shigekazu

2013-01-01

Barium isotopic compositions of primitive materials in the solar system are generally affected by s- and r-process nucleosynthetic components that hide the contribution of the isotopic excess of 135Ba formed by decay of radioactive 135Cs. However, the Ba isotopic composition of the chemical separates from chondrules in the Sayama CM2 chondrite shows an excess of 135Ba isotopic abundance up to (0.33 ± 0.06)%, which is independent of the isotopic components from s- and r-process nucleosyntheses. The isotopic excesses of 135Ba correlate with the elemental abundance of Ba relative to Cs, providing chemical and isotopic evidence for the existence of the presently extinct radionuclide 135Cs (t1/2 = 2.3 million years) in the early solar system. The estimated abundance of 135Cs/133Cs = (6.8 ± 1.9) × 10−4 is more than double that expected from the uniform production model of the short-lived radioisotopes, suggesting remobilization of Cs including 135Cs in the chondrules of the meteorite parent body. PMID:23435551

Solvent-assisted self-assembly of fullerene into single-crystal ultrathin microribbons as highly sensitive UV-visible photodetectors.

PubMed

Wei, Lang; Yao, Jiannian; Fu, Hongbing

2013-09-24

The size, shape, and crystallinity of organic nanostructures play an important role in their physical properties and are mainly determined by the self-assembling kinetics of molecular components often involving the solvent conditions. Here, we reported a kinetically controlled self-assembly of C60 assisted by the solvent carbon bisulfide (CS2) into single-crystal ultrathin microribbons of 2C60·3CS2, upon mixing the poor solvent isopropyl alcohol with a C60/CS2 stock solution. Surface energy calculations reveal that these microribbons represent a kinetically favored high-energy state as compared with the thermodynamically stable shape of prismatic rods. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy observations clarify that association of CS2 at the nucleation stage helps to guide and rigidify the formation of π-π stacking 1D chains of C60 through the surrounding CS2 cage-like structures, which further act as glue, boosting lateral assembly of as-formed 1D chains into untrathin 2D microribbon single crystals. Precise control over the thickness, width, and length of 2C60·3CS2 microribbons was achieved by manipulation of the growth kinetics through adjusting the solvent conditions. Upon heating to 120 °C, sublimation of CS2 components results in fcc C60 microribbons. We found that both microribbons of solvated monoclinic 2C60·3CS2 and pure fcc C60 exhibit highly sensitive photoconductivity properties with a spectral response range covering UV to visible. The highest on/off ratio of two-terminal photodetectors based on single ribbons reaches around 250, while the responsitivity is about 75.3 A W(-1) in the UV region and 90.4 A W(-1) in the visible region.

Identification and Functional Analysis of the First Aquaporin from Striped Stem Borer, Chilo suppressalis

PubMed Central

Lu, Ming-Xing; Pan, Dan-Dan; Xu, Jing; Liu, Yang; Wang, Gui-Rong; Du, Yu-Zhou

2018-01-01

Aquaporins are integral membrane proteins some of which form high capacity water-selective channels, promoting water permeation across cell membranes. In this study, we isolated the aquaporin transcript (CsDrip1) of Chilo suppressalis, one of the important rice pests. CsDrip1 included two variants, CsDrip1_v1 and CsDrip1_v2. Although CsDrip1_v2 sequence (>409 bp) was longer than CsDrip1_v1, they possessed the same open reading frame (ORF). Protein structure and topology of CsDrip1 was analyzed using a predicted model, and the results demonstrated the conserved properties of insect water-specific aquaporins, including 6 transmembrane domains, 2 NPA motifs, ar/R constriction region (Phe69, His194, Ser203, and Arg209) and the C-terminal peptide sequence ending in “SYDF.” Our data revealed that the Xenopus oocytes expressing CsDrip1 indicated CsDrip1 could transport water instead of glycerol, trehalose and urea. Further, the transcript of CsDrip1 expressed ubiquitously but differentially in different tissues or organs and developmental stages of C. suppressalis. CsDrip1 mRNA exhibited the highest level of expression within hindgut and the third instar larvae. Regardless of pupae and adults, there were significantly different expression levels of CsDrip1 gene between male and female. Different from at low temperature, the transcript of CsDrip1 in larvae exposed to high temperature was increased significantly. Moreover, the mRNA levels of CsDrip1 in the third instar larvae, the fifth instar larvae, pupae (male and female), and adults (male and female) under different humidities were investigated. However, the mRNA levels of CsDrip1 of only female and male adults were changed remarkably. In conclusions, CsDrip1 plays important roles in maintaining water homeostasis in this important rice pest. PMID:29467668

Activity ratios in soil contaminated by the source of different reactor condition in the FDNPP accident

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Satou, Yukihiko; Sueki, Keisuke; Sasa, Kimikazu; Matsunaka, Tetsuya; Shibayama, Nao; Takahashi, Tsutomu; Kinoshita, Norikazu

2014-05-01

The Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear power plant (FDNPP) accident caused radioactive contamination on the surface soil at Fukushima and its adjacent prefectures. Substantial contamination has been found in the northwestern area from the FDNPP, according to the airborne monitoring and ground base survey by the Japanese government. Activity ratios would have characteristic information on emission sources because each relevant reactor had different amount of radionuclide and different activity ratio. The ratios can be used to clarify more detailed source and process in the contamination. We have addressed to consider them in Namie town, northwestern region from the FDNPP. This study focused on the gamma-ray emitting radionuclides of 134Cs, 137Cs, and 110mAg. The activities were decay-corrected as of 11th March, 2011 when all nuclear reactors scrammed. Data of activity ratios by our results and the Japanese official report classified the investigated northwestern region into 3 groups. Ratios of 0.02 for 110mAg/137Cs and 0.90 for 134Cs/137Cs were observed in the northern region of 15 km inside from the FDNPP. On the other hand, two kinds of 110mAg/137Cs ratios of 0.005 and 0.002 were distributed broadly in the region 60 km away from the plant. The 134Cs/137Cs ratio was 0.98 there. The activity ratios of 110mAg/137Cs and 134Cs/137Cs in the northern region from the FDNPP correspond to those of nuclear fuel in Unit 1 according to estimation using the ORIGEN code. The 134Cs/137Cs in the northwestern area from FDNPP agrees with that of Unit 2 and 3. The 110mAg/137Cs ratios of 0.005 and0.002 are 1/5 - 1/10 of the Unit 2 and 3. Official report has announced that discharges of the radionuclides from Unit 2 and 3 occurred on 14th March, 2011. It is known that contamination in the northwestern region from the FDNPP took place on 15th March, 2011. Plausible species for silver in reactor core, metal, and halide etc. have higher boiling point than those species for cesium. The core would be cooled down to lower temperature of the boiling point of silver at the timing contamination occurred. Thus, silver with higher boiling point was not much released than cesium with lower boiling point. The 110mAg/137Cs ratio has served to identify the specific sources of contamination in the northwestern area from the FDNPP.

Utilization of nitrogen in cows consuming wet distillers grains with solubles in alfalfa and corn silage-based dairy rations.

PubMed

Gehman, A M; Kononoff, P J

2010-07-01

The objectives of this experiment were to determine the effects of forage type on nutrient digestibility, purine derivative excretion, nitrogen utilization, and milk production in dairy cattle consuming rations containing high levels of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS). Primiparous (n=8) and multiparous (n=20) Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square. Animals were fed 1 of 4 treatments during each 21-d period: 1) CONT-CS, 0% WDGS and high corn silage; 2) CONT-AS, 0% WDGS and high alfalfa silage; 3) WDGS-CS, 25% WDGS and high corn silage; and 4) WDGS-AS, 25% WDGS and high alfalfa silage (dry matter basis). Intake and milk data were collected daily and averaged for d 15 to 21 of each period. Dry matter intake was lower for CONT-CS than for CONT-AS, WDGS-CS, and WDGS-AS (22.5, 24.6, 24.6, and 24.8 kg/d, respectively). Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and N were not affected by treatment, averaging 59.6, 62.3, 40.1, and 58.6%, respectively. Excretion of urinary purine derivatives was greatest for WDGS-AS, followed by WDGS-CS, and then CONT-CS and CONT-AS. Thus, by calculation, estimated microbial protein flow was highest for WDGS-AS (2,189.9 g/d) followed by WDGS-CS (1,996.2 g/d), CONT-AS (1,640.0 g/d), and CONT-CS (1,627.0 g/d). Mass of fecal N was not different among treatments (averaging 287.1+/-14.8 g/d), but urinary and manure N were reduced for rations with WDGS compared with those not including WDGS. Observed 4% fat-corrected milk was greatest for WDGS-AS, followed by WDGS-CS, and then CONT-CS and CONT-AS (30.7, 29.7, 28.3, and 27.2 kg/d, respectively). Milk protein yield was greatest for WDGS-AS (1.00 kg/d), followed by WDGS-CS, and then CONT-AS and CONT-CS (0.96, 0.91, 0.86 kg/d, respectively). This research demonstrated that rations can be balanced for dairy cattle to include up to 25% WDGS and result in increased microbial protein synthesis, milk production, and milk protein yield. Copyright (c) 2010 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cs/NF3 adsorption on [001]-oriented GaN nanowire surface: A first principle calculation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diao, Yu; Liu, Lei; Xia, Sihao; Kong, Yike

2017-11-01

In this study, the adsorption mechanism of Cs/NF3 on the [001]-oriented GaN nanowire surface is investigated by using the density function theory based on first-principles. In the Cs/NF3 co-activation process, the system is inclined to form NF3-in structure. Through the calculation results of adsorption energy, NF3 molecule adsorption tends to take an orientation with F atoms on top and the most favorable adsorption site is BGa-N. The NF3 activation process can further cut down the work function of the Cs-covered nanowire surface only when Cs coverage is 0.75 ML and 1 ML, which can be explained by the double dipole moment theory. With increasing Cs coverage, the valence band and conduction band both shift to lower energy side, contributing to the appearance of a downward band bending region and promoting the escape of surface photoelectrons. After NF3 molecule adsorption, the peak of total density of states near Fermi level increase due to the orbital hybridization between NF3-2s, Cs-5s states and N-2p states, which strengthen the conductivity of the nanowire surface and leads to the metallic properties. All these calculations may direct the Cs/NF3 activation process of GaN nanowire optoelectronic devices.

An Analysis of Second-Order Autoshaping

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ward-Robinson, Jasper

2004-01-01

Three mechanisms can explain second-order conditioning: (1) The second-order conditioned stimulus (CS2) could activate a representation of the first-order conditioned stimulus (CS1), thereby provoking the conditioned response (CR); The CS2 could enter into an excitatory association with either (2) the representation governing the CR, or (3) with a…

Sulfation degree not origin of chondroitin sulfate derivatives modulates keratinocyte response.

PubMed

Corsuto, Luisana; Rother, Sandra; Koehler, Linda; Bedini, Emiliano; Moeller, Stephanie; Schnabelrauch, Matthias; Hintze, Vera; Schiraldi, Chiara; Scharnweber, Dieter

2018-07-01

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) sulfation-dependently binds transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and chronic wounds often accompany with epidermal hyperproliferation due to downregulated TGF-β signaling. However, the impact of CS on keratinocytes is unknown. Especially biotechnological-chemical strategies are promising to replace animal-derived CS. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the effects of CS derivatives on the interaction with vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and on keratinocyte response. Over-sulfated CS (sCS3) interacts stronger with VEGF-A than CS. Furthermore, collagen coatings with CS variants are prepared by in vitro fibrillogenesis. Stability analyses demonstrate that collagen is firmly integrated, while the fibril diameters decrease with increasing sulfation degree. CS variants sulfation-dependently decelerate keratinocyte (HaCaT) migration and proliferation in a scratch assay. HaCaT cultured on sCS3-containing coatings produced increased amounts of solute active TGF-β1 which could be translated into biomaterials able to decrease epidermal hyperproliferation in chronic wounds. Overall, semi-synthetic and natural CS yield to comparable responses. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Critical role of aldehydes in cigarette smoke-induced acute airway inflammation

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Cigarette smoking (CS) is the most important risk factor for COPD, which is associated with neutrophilic airway inflammation. We hypothesize, that highly reactive aldehydes are critical for CS-induced neutrophilic airway inflammation. Methods BALB/c mice were exposed to CS, water filtered CS (WF-CS) or air for 5 days. Levels of total particulate matter (TPM) and aldehydes in CS and WF-CS were measured. Six hours after the last exposure, inflammatory cells and cytokine levels were measured in lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Furthermore, Beas-2b bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to CS extract (CSE) or WF-CS extract (WF-CSE) in the absence or presence of the aldehyde acrolein and IL-8 production was measured after 24 hrs. Results Compared to CS, in WF-CS strongly decreased (CS; 271.1 ± 41.5 μM, WF-CS; 58.5 ± 8.2 μM) levels of aldehydes were present whereas levels of TPM were only slightly reduced (CS; 20.78 ± 0.59 mg, WF-CS; 16.38 ± 0.36 mg). The numbers of mononuclear cells in BALF (p<0.01) and lung tissue (p<0.01) were significantly increased in the CS- and WF-CS-exposed mice compared to air control mice. Interestingly, the numbers of neutrophils (p<0.001) in BALF and neutrophils and eosinophils (p<0.05) in lung tissue were significantly increased in the CS-exposed but not in WF-CS-exposed mice as compared to air control mice. Levels of the neutrophil and eosinophil chemoattractants KC, MCP-1, MIP-1α and IL-5 were all significantly increased in lung tissue from CS-exposed mice compared to both WF-CS-exposed and air control mice. Interestingly, depletion of aldehydes in WF-CS extract significantly reduced IL-8 production in Beas-2b as compared to CSE, which could be restored by the aldehyde acrolein. Conclusion Aldehydes present in CS play a critical role in inflammatory cytokine production and neutrophilic- but not mononuclear airway inflammation. PMID:23594194

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of lycopene in mice lungs exposed to cigarette smoke.

PubMed

Campos, Keila Karine Duarte; Araújo, Glaucy Rodrigues; Martins, Thais Lourenço; Bandeira, Ana Carla Balthar; Costa, Guilherme de Paula; Talvani, André; Garcia, Camila Carrião Machado; Oliveira, Laser Antônio Machado; Costa, Daniela Caldeira; Bezerra, Frank Silva

2017-10-01

Lycopene is a carotenoid with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We aimed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of lycopene on reducing the redox imbalance and inflammation induced by cigarette smoke (CS). For the in vitro study, J774A.1 (macrophages) cells were incubated in the presence of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, 10.0 and 25 μM of lycopene for 3, 6 and 24 h or in the presence of 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.625%, 1.25%, 2.25%, 5% and 10% cigarette smoke extract (CSE) for 3, 6 and 24 h to assess cell viability and measurement of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). For the in vivo study, 40 mice were divided into 5 groups: a control exposed to ambient air (CG), a vehicle-control group that received 200 μl of sunflower oil by orogastric gavage, a group exposed to CS and two groups administered lycopene (diluted in sunflower oil) at doses of either 25 or 50 mg/kg/day prior to exposure to CS (LY25+CS and LY50+CS). The total treatment time lasted 5 days. A cell viability decrease was observed at 10- and 25-μM concentrations of lycopene in 3, 6 and 24 h compared with CG. There was an increase of ROS production in 24 h in CS compared with CG. Lycopene concentrations of 1 μM and 2 μM were able to reduce the production of ROS in 24 h compared with CS. In the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, the total number of leukocytes increased in the CS group compared with the control groups (CG). Administration with lycopene at the highest dose suppressed this CS-induced increase in leukocytes. Lipid peroxidation and DNA damage increased in the CS group compared with that in the controls, and this increase was suppressed by lycopene at the highest dose. In contrast, superoxide dismutase activity decreased in the CS group compared with that in the controls. Catalase activity also increased in the CS group compared with that in both control groups, and this increase was suppressed in LY25+CS and LY50+CS. There was an increase in the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ and interleukin-10 after exposure to CS, and these effects were suppressed by both doses of lycopene. These data elucidate the role of lycopene as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent in these two models of short-term exposure to CS. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Molecular characterization of edestin gene family in Cannabis sativa L.

PubMed

Docimo, Teresa; Caruso, Immacolata; Ponzoni, Elena; Mattana, Monica; Galasso, Incoronata

2014-11-01

Globulins are the predominant class of seed storage proteins in a wide variety of plants. In many plant species globulins are present in several isoforms encoded by gene families. The major seed storage protein of Cannabis sativa L. is the globulin edestin, widely known for its nutritional potential. In this work, we report the isolation of seven cDNAs encoding for edestin from the C. sativa variety Carmagnola. Southern blot hybridization is in agreement with the number of identified edestin genes. All seven sequences showed the characteristic globulin features, but they result to be divergent members/forms of two edestin types. According to their sequence similarity four forms named CsEde1A, CsEde1B, CsEde1C, CsEde1D have been assigned to the edestin type 1 and the three forms CsEde2A, CsEde2B, CsEde2C to the edestin type 2. Analysis of the coding sequences revealed a high percentage of similarity (98-99%) among the different forms belonging to the same type, which decreased significantly to approximately 64% between the forms belonging to different types. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that both edestin types are expressed in developing hemp seeds and the amount of CsEde1 was 4.44 ± 0.10 higher than CsEde2. Both edestin types exhibited a high percentage of arginine (11-12%), but CsEde2 resulted particularly rich in methionine residues (2.36%) respect to CsEde1 (0.82%). The amino acid composition determined in CsEde1 and CsEde2 types suggests that these seed proteins can be used to improve the nutritional quality of plant food-stuffs. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Biocompatibility of new nanostructural materials based on active silicate systems and hydroxyapatite: in vitro and in vivo study.

PubMed

Petrović, V; Opačić-Galić, V; Živković, S; Nikolić, B; Danilović, V; Miletić, V; Jokanović, V; Mitić-Ćulafić, D

2015-10-01

To evaluate in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo inflammatory response to new nanostructural materials based on active calcium silicate systems (CS) and hydroxyapatite (HA-CS). Cytotoxicity of eluates of new nanostructural noncommercial materials CS and HA-CS, and MTA (White MTA, Angelus(®) Soluções Odontológicas, Londrina, Brazil) as a control, were tested using the MTT assay on MRC-5 cells. Eluates of set materials were tested in 100% and 50% concentrations, 24 h, 7 days and 21 days post-elution. The pH values were determined for undiluted eluates of set materials. Polyethylene tubes containing the test materials (CS, HA-CS, MTA) were implanted in subcutaneous tissue of Wistar rats. Histopathological examinations were conducted at 7, 15, 30 and 60 days after the implantation. Data were statistically analyzed using three-way and one-way anova Tukey's post hoc test as well as Kruskall-Wallis test with Dunn's post hoc test at α = 0.05. All materials significantly reduced cell viability; especially when undiluted eluates were used (P < 0.001). After 24 h elution, cell viability was 10 ± 1.8%, 49.5 ± 4.2% and 61 ± 7.4%, for MTA, and HA-CS, respectively. However, CS and HA-CS were significantly less toxic than the control material MTA (P < 0.05). Cytotoxicity could be at least partially attributed to pH kinetics over time. Dilution of eluates of all tested materials resulted in better cell survival. Histopathological examination indicated similar inflammatory reaction, vascular congestion and connective tissue integrity associated with CS, HA-CS and MTA at each observation period (P > 0.05). The only significant difference was found for capsule thickness, that is thicker capsule was associated with HA-CS compared to MTA at 60 days (P = 0.0039). HA-CS induced moderately thick capsules (median score 3, score range 2-3), whereas MTA resulted in thin capsule formation (median score 2, score range 1-3). Evaluation of cytotoxicity and inflammatory response indicated better biocompatibility of CS and HA-CS, in comparison with MTA (White MTA, Angelus(®) Soluções Odontológicas, Londrina, Brazil). © 2014 International Endodontic Journal. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Evaluation of hepatitis B virus replication and proteomic analysis of HepG2.2.15 cell line after cyclosporine A treatment.

PubMed

Xie, Hai-Yang; Xia, Wei-Liang; Zhang, Chun-Chao; Wu, Li-Ming; Ji, Hao-Feng; Cheng, Yu; Zheng, Shu-Sen

2007-07-01

The effect of cyclosporine A (CsA) on hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication was investigated, and proteomics expression differentiation after CsA treatment was studied in order to provide clues to explore the effect of CsA on HBV replication. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of CsA. The HBV replication level in the HBV genomic DNA transfected HepG2.2.15 cell line was determined by an ELISA analysis of hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg) and Hepatitis B e antigens (HBeAg) in culture supernatant, while the intracellular HBV DNA replication level was analyzed by slot blot hybridization. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was used to investigate the alteration of protein expression in HepG2.2.15 after CsA treatment in vitro. The differentially-expressed proteins were identified by Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry combined with an online database search. CsA was able to inhibit the expression of HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBV DNA replication in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. A proteomics analysis indicated that the expression of 17 proteins changed significantly in the CsA treatment group compared to the control group. Eleven of the 17 proteins were identified, including the overexpression of eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIF) 3k, otubain 1, 14.3.3 protein, eIF2-1 alpha, eIF5A, and the tyrosine 3/tryptophan 5-mono-oxygenase activation protein in CsA-treated HepG2.2.15 cells. The downregulation of the ferritin light subunit, erythrocyte cytosolic protein of 51 kDa (ECP-51), stathmin 1/oncoprotein, adenine phosphoribosyl-transferase, and the position of a tumor protein, translationally controlled 1, was shifted, suggesting it had undergone posttranslational modifications. Our study identified the inhibitory effect of CsA on HBV replication, and found that a group of proteins may be responsible for this inhibitory effect.

Acute Exposure to Electronic and Combustible Cigarette Aerosols: Effects in an Animal Model and in Human Alveolar Cells

PubMed Central

Husari, Ahmad; Shihadeh, Alan; Talih, Soha; Hashem, Yasmine

2016-01-01

Abstract Background: Smoking electronic cigarettes (ECIG) is promoted as a safer alternative to smoking combustible cigarettes. This study investigates the effects of ECIG aerosol and cigarette smoke (CS) in an animal model and in human alveolar cell cultures (A549). Methods: Mice were divided into Control, ECIG, and CS. Animals were exposed for 6h/d to either lab air, ECIG or CS, for of 3 days. Total particulate matter exposure for the ECIG was set at higher levels compared to CS. Lung injury was determined by: (1) measurement of wet-to-dry ratio; (2) albumin concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; (3) transcriptional expression of inflammatory mediators IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α; (4) oxidative stress; (5) assessment of cell death; and (6) lung histopathology. Human alveolar cell cultures were treated with various concentrations of ECIG and CS aerosol extracts and the effects on cell proliferation were evaluated. Results: Wet-to-dry ratio was higher in CS when compared to ECIG. Albumin leak in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was evident in CS but not in ECIG. ECIG exposure was only associated with a significant increase in IL-1β. In contrast, CS exposure resulted in significant increases in IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α expression, and oxidative stress. TUNEL staining demonstrated significant cell death in CS but not in ECIG. At the cellular level, ECIG and CS extracts reduced cell proliferation, however, CS exhibited effects at lower concentrations. Conclusion: Despite higher exposure conditions, ECIG exhibited less toxic effects on lungs of experimental animals and on A549 cell cultures when compared to CS. PMID:26272212

Acute Exposure to Electronic and Combustible Cigarette Aerosols: Effects in an Animal Model and in Human Alveolar Cells.

PubMed

Husari, Ahmad; Shihadeh, Alan; Talih, Soha; Hashem, Yasmine; El Sabban, Marwan; Zaatari, Ghazi

2016-05-01

Smoking electronic cigarettes (ECIG) is promoted as a safer alternative to smoking combustible cigarettes. This study investigates the effects of ECIG aerosol and cigarette smoke (CS) in an animal model and in human alveolar cell cultures (A549). Mice were divided into Control, ECIG, and CS. Animals were exposed for 6h/d to either lab air, ECIG or CS, for of 3 days. Total particulate matter exposure for the ECIG was set at higher levels compared to CS. Lung injury was determined by: (1) measurement of wet-to-dry ratio; (2) albumin concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; (3) transcriptional expression of inflammatory mediators IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α; (4) oxidative stress; (5) assessment of cell death; and (6) lung histopathology. Human alveolar cell cultures were treated with various concentrations of ECIG and CS aerosol extracts and the effects on cell proliferation were evaluated. Wet-to-dry ratio was higher in CS when compared to ECIG. Albumin leak in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was evident in CS but not in ECIG. ECIG exposure was only associated with a significant increase in IL-1β. In contrast, CS exposure resulted in significant increases in IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α expression, and oxidative stress. TUNEL staining demonstrated significant cell death in CS but not in ECIG. At the cellular level, ECIG and CS extracts reduced cell proliferation, however, CS exhibited effects at lower concentrations. Despite higher exposure conditions, ECIG exhibited less toxic effects on lungs of experimental animals and on A549 cell cultures when compared to CS. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Temperature and composition phase diagram in the iron-based ladder compounds Ba1-xCsxFe2Se3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hawai, Takafumi; Nambu, Yusuke; Ohgushi, Kenya; Du, Fei; Hirata, Yasuyuki; Avdeev, Maxim; Uwatoko, Yoshiya; Sekine, Yurina; Fukazawa, Hiroshi; Ma, Jie; Chi, Songxue; Ueda, Yutaka; Yoshizawa, Hideki; Sato, Taku J.

2015-05-01

We investigated the iron-based ladder compounds (Ba,Cs ) Fe2Se3 . Their parent compounds BaFe2Se3 and CsFe2Se3 have different space groups, formal valences of Fe, and magnetic structures. Electrical resistivity, specific heat, magnetic susceptibility, x-ray diffraction, and powder neutron diffraction measurements were conducted to obtain a temperature and composition phase diagram of this system. Block magnetism observed in BaFe2Se3 is drastically suppressed with Cs doping. In contrast, stripe magnetism observed in CsFe2Se3 is not so fragile against Ba doping. A new type of magnetic structure appears in intermediate compositions, which is similar to stripe magnetism of CsFe2Se3 , but interladder spin configuration is different. Intermediate compounds show insulating behavior, nevertheless a finite T -linear contribution in specific heat was obtained at low temperatures.

[137Cs and 90Sr accumulation in birch wood (Betula pendula Roth.) growing in regions with different soil conditions].

PubMed

Perevolotskiĭ, A N; Bulavik, I M; Perevolotskaia, T V; Paskrobko, L A; Andrush, S N

2005-01-01

The studies of 137Cs and 90Sr accumulation characteristics by birch wood (Betula pendula Roth.) growing in different edaphic conditions. Were conducted was stated that the increase in soil fertility from trophotops A to D results in 5-fold 137Cs transfer factor decrease and 2-fold decrease of 90Sr. Soil humidity increase for each grade of trophic net results happens the increase of 137Cs transfer factors to wood and decrease for 90Sr. Total activity of 37Cs and 90Sr in birch wood plantation depends on plantation productivity and on radionuclide transfer factors depending on different plantation conditions. In the most prevailing edaphotops (B2, B3, C2 and C3) birch wood accumulates 0.6-1.2% of 137Cs and 13-19% of 90Sr from total activity of radionuclides in biogeocenosis.

Mineralogical and geomicrobial examination of soil contamination by radioactive Cs due to 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akai, Junji; Nomura, Nao; Matsushita, Shin; Kudo, Hisaaki; Fukuhara, Haruo; Matsuoka, Shiro; Matsumoto, Jinko

Soil contamination by radioactive Cs from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident was investigated. Absorption and desorption experiments of Cs were conducted for several phyllosillicates (kaolinite, sericite, montmorillonite, vermiculite, chrysotile and biotite), zeolite and solid organic matter (dead and green leaves). The results confirmed the characteristic sorption and desorption of Cs by these materials. The 2:1 type phyllosilicate, especially, vermiculite and montmorillonite absorbed Cs well. Heated vermiculite for agricultural use and weathered montmorillonite also adsorbed Cs. Leaves also absorbed Cs considerably but easily desorbed it. In summary, the relative capacity and strength of different materials for sorption of Cs followed the order: zeolite (clinoptilolite) > 2:1 type clay mineral > 1:1 type clay mineral > dead and green leaves. Culture experiments using bacteria of both naturally living on dead leaves in Iitate village, Fukushima Pref. and bacterial strains of Bacillus subtillis, Rhodococus erythropolis, Streptomyces aomiensis and Actinomycetospora chlora were carried out. Non-radioactive 1% Cs solution (CsCl) was added to the culture media. Two types of strong or considerable bacterial uptakes of Cs were found in bacterial cells. One is that Cs was contained mainly as globules inside bacteria and the other is that Cs was absorbed in the whole bacterial cells. The globules consisted mainly of Cs and P. Based on all these results, future diffusion and re-circulation behavior of Cs in the surface environment was discussed.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shen, Yan; Chen, Wang; Zhao, Baobing

Highlights: • CS1 is a novel nonintercalating topoisomerase IIα poison. • CS1 shows potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity. • CS1 shows 6–10-fold less toxicity to normal cells compared with etoposide. • CS1 is not a substrate of P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance irrelevant. - Abstract: DNA topoisomerase II (Topo II) is an essential nuclear enzyme and a validated target for anticancer agent screening. CS1, a novel 2-phenylnaphthalene, had potent cytotoxicity against nine tested tumor cell lines and showed 6–10-fold less toxicity against normal cell lines compared with etoposide. In addition, CS1 showed potential anti-multidrug resistance capabilities. kDNA decatenation,more » DNA relaxation and cleavage complex assays indicated that CS1 acted as a nonintercalating topoisomerase IIα (Topo IIα) inhibitor by stabilizing the DNA-Topo IIα cleavage complex. CS1 also induced DNA breaks in MDA-MB-231 cells evidenced by comet tails and the accumulation of γH2AX foci. The ability of CS1 in inducing DNA breaks mediated by Topo II resulted in G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, CS1 exhibited dramatic in vivo antitumor activity and lower toxicity compared with etoposide. This work supports the development of CS1 as a promising candidate for the treatment of cancer by targeting Topo IIα.« less

A calix[4]arene strapped calix[4]pyrrole: an ion-pair receptor displaying three different cesium cation recognition modes.

PubMed

Kim, Sung Kuk; Sessler, Jonathan L; Gross, Dustin E; Lee, Chang-Hee; Kim, Jong Seung; Lynch, Vincent M; Delmau, Laetitia H; Hay, Benjamin P

2010-04-28

An ion-pair receptor, the calix[4]pyrrole-calix[4]arene pseudodimer 2, bearing a strong anion-recognition site but not a weak cation-recognition site, has been synthesized and characterized by standard spectroscopic means and via single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In 10% CD(3)OD in CDCl(3) (v/v), this new receptor binds neither the Cs(+) cation nor the F(-) anion when exposed to these species in the presence of other counterions; however, it forms a stable 1:1 solvent-separated CsF complex when exposed to these two ions in concert with one another in this same solvent mixture. In contrast to what is seen in the case of a previously reported crown ether "strapped" calixarene-calixpyrrole ion-pair receptor 1 (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 13162-13166), where Cs(+) cation recognition takes place within the crown, in 2.CsF cation recognition takes place within the receptor cavity itself, as inferred from both single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and (1)H NMR spectroscopic studies. This binding mode is supported by calculations carried out using the MMFF94 force field model. In 10% CD(3)OD in CDCl(3) (v/v), receptor 2 shows selectivity for CsF over the Cs(+) salts of Cl(-), Br(-), and NO(3)(-) but will bind these other cesium salts in the absence of fluoride, both in solution and in the solid state. In the case of CsCl, an unprecedented 2:2 complex is observed in the solid state that is characterized by two different ion-pair binding modes. One of these consists of a contact ion pair with the cesium cation and chloride anion both being bound within the central binding pocket and in direct contact with one another. The other mode involves a chloride anion bound to the pyrrole NH protons of a calixpyrrole subunit and a cesium cation sandwiched between two cone shaped calix[4]pyrroles originating from separate receptor units. In contrast to what is seen for CsF and CsCl, single-crystal X-ray structural analyses and (1)H NMR spectroscopic studies reveal that receptor 2 forms a 1:1 complex with CsNO(3), with the ions bound in the form of a contact ion pair. Thus, depending on the counteranion, receptor 2 is able to stabilize three different ion-pair binding modes with Cs(+), namely solvent-bridged, contact, and host-separated.

Transfer factors and effective half-lives of (134)Cs and (137)Cs in different environmental sample types obtained from Northern Finland: case Fukushima accident.

PubMed

Koivurova, Matias; Leppänen, Ari-Pekka; Kallio, Antti

2015-08-01

The Fukushima NPP accident caused a small but detectable cesium fallout in northern Finland, of the order of 1 Bq/m(2). This fallout transferred further to soil, water, flora and fauna. By using modern HPGe detector systems traces of (134)Cs from the Fukushima fallout were observed in various samples of biota. In northern Finland different types of environmental samples such as reindeer meat, berries, fish, lichens and wolf were collected during 2011-2013. The observed (134)Cs concentrations varied from 0.1 Bq/kg to a few Bq/kg. By using the known (134)Cs/(137)Cs ratio observed in Fukushima fallout the increase of the Fukushima accident to the (137)Cs concentrations was found to vary from 0.06 % to 6.9 % depending on the sample type. The aggregated transfer factors (Tag) and effective half-lives (Teff) for (134)Cs and (137)Cs were also determined and then compared with known values found from earlier studies which are calculated based on the fallout from the Chernobyl accident. Generally, the Tag and Teff values determined in this study were found to agree with the values found in the earlier studies. The Teff values were sample-type specific and were found to vary from 0.91 to 2.1 years for (134)Cs and the estimates for (137)Cs ranged between 1.6 and 19 years. Interestingly, the ground lichens had the longest Teff whereas the beard lichen had the shortest. In fauna, highest Tag values were determined for wolf meat ranging between 1.0 and 2.2 m(2)/kg. In flora, the highest Tag values were determined for beard lichens, ranging from 1.9 m(2)/kg to 3.5 m(2)/kg. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An appetitive conditioned stimulus enhances fear acquisition and impairs fear extinction

PubMed Central

Leung, Hiu T.; Holmes, Nathan M.

2016-01-01

Four experiments used between- and within-subject designs to examine appetitive–aversive interactions in rats. Experiments 1 and 2 examined the effect of an excitatory appetitive conditioned stimulus (CS) on acquisition and extinction of conditioned fear. In Experiment 1, a CS shocked in a compound with an appetitive excitor (i.e., a stimulus previously paired with sucrose) underwent greater fear conditioning than a CS shocked in a compound with a neutral stimulus. Conversely, in Experiment 2, a CS extinguished in a compound with an appetitive excitor underwent less extinction than a CS extinguished in a compound with a neutral stimulus. Experiments 3 and 4 compared the amount of fear conditioning to an appetitive excitor and a familiar but neutral target CS when the compound of these stimuli was paired with shock. In each experiment, more fear accrued to the appetitive excitor than to the neutral CS. These results show that an appetitive excitor influences acquisition and extinction of conditioned fear to a neutral CS and itself undergoes a greater associative change than the neutral CS across compound conditioning. They are discussed with respect to the role of motivational information in regulating an associative change in appetitive–aversive interactions. PMID:26884229

Role of Thiobacillus thioparus in the biodegradation of carbon disulfide in a biofilter packed with a recycled organic pelletized material.

PubMed

Prenafeta-Boldú, Francesc X; Rojo, Naiara; Gallastegui, Gorka; Guivernau, Miriam; Viñas, Marc; Elías, Ana

2014-07-01

This study reports the biodegradation of carbon disulfide (CS2) in air biofilters packed with a pelletized mixture of composted manure and sawdust. Experiments were carried out in two lab-scale (1.2 L) biofiltration units. Biofilter B was seeded with activated sludge enriched previously on CS2-degrading biomass under batch conditions, while biofilter A was left as a negative inoculation control. This inoculum was characterized by an acidic pH and sulfate accumulation, and contained Achromobacter xylosoxidans as the main putative CS2 biodegrading bacterium. Biofilter operation start-up was unsuccessfully attempted under xerophilic conditions and significant CS2 elimination was only achieved in biofilter A upon the implementation of an intermittent irrigation regime. Sustained removal efficiencies of 90-100 % at an inlet load of up to 12 g CS2 m(-3) h(-1) were reached. The CS2 removal in this biofilter was linked to the presence of the chemolithoautotrophic bacterium Thiobacillus thioparus, known among the relatively small number of species with a reported capacity of growing on CS2 as the sole energy source. DGGE molecular profiles confirmed that this microbe had become dominant in biofilter A while it was not detected in samples from biofilter B. Conventional biofilters packed with inexpensive organic materials are suited for the treatment of low-strength CS2 polluted gases (IL <12 g CS2 m(-3) h(-1)), provided that the development of the adequate microorganisms is favored, either upon enrichment or by inoculation. The importance of applying culture-independent techniques for microbial community analysis as a diagnostic tool in the biofiltration of recalcitrant compounds has been highlighted.

Mobility of 137Cs in freshwater lakes: A mass balance and diffusion study of Lake St. Clair, Southeast Michigan, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jinlong; Baskaran, Mark; Niedermiller, John

2017-12-01

Cesium-137 is one of the most widely utilized anthropogenic radionuclides, both as a tracer and chronometer in the environment. Its application as an effective chronometer requires a thorough understanding of its geochemical behavior in aqueous systems. In this study, we collected and analyzed a suite of time-series water samples over a period of 8 months (April - November 2015), for particulate and dissolved 137Cs activities from a watershed in southeast Michigan, USA, using Cu2Fe(CN)6-coated cartridges developed to pre-concentrate dissolved 137Cs. We also conducted a series of laboratory experiments with the natural freshwater sediment samples and water with different chemical composition. There were seasonal variations of both particulate and dissolved 137Cs activities in the watersheds of Lake St. Clair. The distribution coefficients of 137Cs determined over a period of 8 months varied between 0.14 × 105 and 6.1 × 105 mL g-1 (mean: 2.9 × 105 mL g-1). The annual input and export flux of total 137Cs activity via rivers into and out of Lake St. Clair were calculated to be 3.6 × 1010 Bq and 1.6 × 1010 Bq, respectively. The amount of 137Cs derived by diffusion from interstitial pore water to the water column was estimated to be 0.30 × 1010 Bq (8.3% of the total input flux) which is similar to the percentage of 137Cs desorption (13%-20%) from sediment placed in oxic soft water system over a period of 30-106 days. For the same concentrations of NH4+, Mn2+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+ and Sr2+ in a distilled water, our lab work showed that the sediment-sorbed 137Cs is displaced by ions in the order NH4+ > Mn2+ > K+ > Mg2+ ≈ Ca2+ > Na+ > Sr2+. In laboratory studies, 137Cs sorbed onto sediment was found to be less mobile in oxic soft water (Kd: 2.0 × 103 mL g-1) and more mobile in anoxic soft water (Kd: 0.2 × 103 mL g-1). In a hard water system, however, there is no significant difference in Kd values for both oxic and anoxic conditions. The sequence of Kd values is: oxic soft water > oxic hard water > anoxic hard water > anoxic soft water. The desorption experiments with 137Cs-sorbed sediments also confirmed that 137Cs is much more mobile in soft water than hard water. This mobility of 137Cs under oxic hard water system makes sedimentation rate estimation by 137Cs (based on the time the introduction of 137Cs) problematic in some soft water lakes, and estuarine and coastal waters.

Biological Activities of Oleanolic Acid Derivatives from Calendula officinalis Seeds.

PubMed

Zaki, Ahmed; Ashour, Ahmed; Mira, Amira; Kishikawa, Asuka; Nakagawa, Toshinori; Zhu, Qinchang; Shimizu, Kuniyoshi

2016-05-01

Phytochemical examination of butanol fraction of Calendula officinalis seeds led to the isolation of two compounds identified as 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-oleanolic acid 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→3)-β-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (CS1) and oleanolic acid 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→3)-β-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (CS2). Biological evaluation was carried out for these two compounds such as melanin biosynthesis inhibitory, hyaluronic acid production activities, anti obesity using lipase inhibition and adipocyte differentiation as well as evaluation of the protective effect against hydrogen peroxide induced neurotoxicity in neuro-2A cells. The results showed that, compound CS2 has a melanin biosynthesis stimulatory activity; however, compound CS1 has a potent stimulatory effect for the production of hyaluronic acid on normal human dermal fibroblast from adult (NHDF-Ad). Both compounds did not show any inhibitory effect on both lipase and adipocyte differentiation. Compound CS2 could protect neuro-2A cells and increased cell viability against H2 O2 . These activities (melanin biosynthesis stimulatory and protective effect against H2 O2 of CS2 and hyaluronic acid productive activities of these triterpene derivatives) have been reported for the first time. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Post-oral appetite stimulation by sugars and nonmetabolizable sugar analogs.

PubMed

Zukerman, Steven; Ackroff, Karen; Sclafani, Anthony

2013-10-01

Post-oral sugar actions enhance the intake of and preference for sugar-rich foods, a process referred to as appetition. Here, we investigated the role of intestinal sodium glucose cotransporters (SGLTs) in sugar appetition in C57BL/6J mice using sugars and nonmetabolizable sugar analogs that differ in their affinity for SGLT1 and SGLT3. In experiments 1 and 2, food-restricted mice were trained (1 h/day) to consume a flavored saccharin solution [conditioned stimulus (CS-)] paired with intragastric (IG) self-infusions of water and a different flavored solution (CS+) paired with infusions of 8 or 12% sugars (glucose, fructose, and galactose) or sugar analogs (α-methyl-D-glucopyranoside, MDG; 3-O-methyl-D-glucopyranoside, OMG). Subsequent two-bottle CS+ vs. CS- choice tests were conducted without coinfusions. Infusions of the SGLT1 ligands glucose, galactose, MDG, and OMG stimulated CS+ licking above CS- levels. However, only glucose, MDG, and galactose conditioned significant CS+ preferences, with the SGLT3 ligands (glucose, MDG) producing the strongest preferences. Fructose, which is not a ligand for SGLTs, failed to stimulate CS+ intake or preference. Experiment 3 revealed that IG infusion of MDG+phloridzin (an SGLT1/3 antagonist) blocked MDG appetition, whereas phloridzin had minimal effects on glucose-induced appetition. However, adding phloretin (a GLUT2 antagonist) to the glucose+phloridzin infusion blocked glucose appetition. Taken together, these findings suggest that humoral signals generated by intestinal SGLT1 and SGLT3, and to a lesser degree, GLUT2, mediate post-oral sugar appetition in mice. The MDG results indicate that sugar metabolism is not essential for the post-oral intake-stimulating and preference-conditioning actions of sugars in mice.

Multisite analytical evaluation of the Abbott ARCHITECT cyclosporine assay.

PubMed

Wallemacq, Pierre; Maine, Gregory T; Berg, Keith; Rosiere, Thomas; Marquet, Pierre; Aimo, Giuseppe; Mengozzi, Giulio; Young, Julianna; Wonigeit, Kurt; Kretschmer, Robert; Wermuth, Bendicht; Schmid, Rainer W

2010-04-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the analytical performance of the Abbott ARCHITECT Cyclosporine (CsA) immunoassay in 7 clinical laboratories in comparison to liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), Abbott TDx, Cobas Integra 800, and the Dade Dimension Xpand immunoassay. The ARCHITECT assay uses a whole blood specimen, a pretreatment step with organic reagents to precipitate proteins and extract the drug, followed by a 2-step automated immunoassay with magnetic microparticles coated with anti-CsA antibody and an acridinium-CsA tracer. Imprecision testing at the 7 evaluation sites gave a range of total % coefficient of variations of 7.5%-12.2% at 87.5 ng/mL, 6.6%-14.3% at 411 ng/mL, and 5.2%-10.7% at 916 ng/mL. The lower limit of quantification ranged from 12 to 20 ng/mL. Purified CsA metabolites AM1, AM1c, AM4N, AM9, and AM19 were tested in whole blood by the ARCHITECT assay and showed minimal cross-reactivity at all 7 sites. In particular, AM1 and AM9 cross-reactivity in the ARCHITECT assay, ranged from -2.5% to 0.2% and -0.8% to 2.2%, respectively, and was significantly lower than for the TDx assay, in which the values were 3.2% and 16.1%, respectively. Comparable testing of metabolites in the Dade Dimension Xpand assay at 2 evaluation sites showed cross-reactivity to AM4N (6.4% and 6.8%) and AM9 (2.6% and 3.6%) and testing on the Roche Integra 800 showed cross-reactivity to AM1c (2.4%), AM9 (10.7%), and AM19 (2.8%). Cyclosporine International Proficiency Testing Scheme samples, consisting of both pooled specimens from patients receiving CsA therapy as well as whole-blood specimens supplemented with CsA, were tested by the ARCHITECT assay at 6 sites and showed an average bias of -24 to -58 ng/mL versus LC/MSMS CsA and -2 to -37 ng/mL versus AxSYM CsA. Studies were performed with the ARCHITECT CsA assay on patient specimens with the following results: ARCHITECT CsA assay versus LC/MSMS, average bias of 31 ng/mL; ARCHITECT versus the Dade Dimension assay (4 sites), average biases of -7 to -228 ng/mL; ARCHITECT versus AxSYM and TDx, average biases of -4 and -53 ng/mL, respectively. Spearman correlation coefficients were >or=0.89. The ARCHITECT CsA assay has significantly reduced CsA metabolite interference relative to other immunoassays and is a convenient and sensitive semiautomated method to measure CsA in whole blood.

Bone Mineral Density and Growth in Children Having Undergone Liver Transplantation With Corticosteroid-Free Immunosuppressive Protocol.

PubMed

Mager, Diana; Al-Zaben, Abeer Salman; Robert, Cheri; Gilmour, Susan; Yap, Jason

2017-05-01

Children post-liver transplantation (post-LTX) are at risk of growth delay and decreased bone mineral density (BMD) secondary to corticosteroid (CS) therapy and suboptimal intake of nutrients important for bone health. The pediatric LTX program at Stollery Children's Hospital introduced a CS-free LTX regimen in 2003. This retrospective study investigated whether the implementation of a CS-free protocol resulted in improvements in BMD (dual x-ray absorptiometry) and growth following LTX. A retrospective chart review of all children undergoing LTX was conducted. The parameters included repeated measures of anthropometric (weight, weight z score, height, height z score), BMD/bone mineral content (BMC), laboratory variables, graft function (number/severity of rejection), and CS therapy (dose, duration). A total of 39 patients met study inclusion (20 male; n = 28 on CS; n = 11 CS-free). Mean duration of follow-up was 5.5 ± 3.3 years. The mean weight and height z scores were -0.31 ± 0.14 (CS) and 0.22 ± 0.23 (CS-free; P = .09) and -0.71 ± 0.13 (CS) and 0.23 ± 0.22 (CS-free; P = .002), respectively. Lumbar and whole-body BMD z score less than -2 were present in 15% and 8% of the cohort, respectively. There were no significant differences between CS and CS-free in lumbar BMC (22.2 ± 1.4 and 23.4 ± 2.02 g; P = .165) and lumbar BMD (0.57 ± 0.02 and 0.80 ± 0.22 g/cm 2 ; P = .152), respectively. Lumbar BMC ( r 2 = 0.89, P < .05) and whole-body BMC ( r 2 = 0.93, P < .05) were inversely related to CS dose >0.2 mg/kg/d and positively related to bone age ( P < .01). CS therapy in children post-LTX is associated with reduced BMC and delayed linear growth. Understanding the clinical and nutrition factors influencing bone health is important to optimizing growth and bone health in children post-LTX.

Double-Protected All-Inorganic Perovskite Nanocrystals by Crystalline Matrix and Silica for Triple-Modal Anti-Counterfeiting Codes.

PubMed

Xu, Leimeng; Chen, Jiawei; Song, Jizhong; Li, Jianhai; Xue, Jie; Dong, Yuhui; Cai, Bo; Shan, Qingsong; Han, Boning; Zeng, Haibo

2017-08-09

Novel fluorescence with highly covert and reliable features is quite desirable to combat the sophisticated counterfeiters. Herein, we report a simultaneously triple-modal fluorescent characteristic of CsPbBr 3 @Cs 4 PbBr 6 /SiO 2 by the excitation of thermal, ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) light for the first time, which can be applied for the multiple modal anti-counterfeiting codes. The diphasic structure CsPbBr 3 @Cs 4 PbBr 6 nanocrystals (NCs) was synthesized via the typical reprecipitation method followed by uniformly encapsulation into silica microspheres. Cubic CsPbBr 3 is responsible for the functions of anti-counterfeiting, while Cs 4 PbBr 6 crystalline and SiO 2 are mainly to protect unstable CsPbBr 3 NCs from being destroyed by ambient conditions. The as-prepared CsPbBr 3 @Cs 4 PbBr 6 /SiO 2 NCs possess improved stability and are capable of forming printable ink with organic binders for patterns. Interestingly, the fluorescence of diphasic CsPbBr 3 @Cs 4 PbBr 6 /SiO 2 capsule patterns can be reversibly switched by the heating, UV, and IR light irradiation, which has been applied as triple-modal fluorescent anti-counterfeiting codes. The results demonstrate that the perovskite@silica capsules are highly promising for myriad applications in areas such as fluorescent anti-counterfeiting, optoelectronic devices, medical diagnosis, and biological imaging.

Alkali metal-templated assembly of cyanometalate ``boxes'' (NEt{sub 4}){sub 3}{l{underscore}brace}M[Cp*Rh(CN){sub 3}]{sub 4}[Mo(CO){sub 3}]{sub 4}{r{underscore}brace} (M = K, Cs). Selective binding of Cs{sup +}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Klausmeyer, K.K.; Wilson, S.R.; Rauchfuss, T.B.

1999-03-31

The box-like cages {l{underscore}brace}M[Cp*Rh(CN){sub 3}]{sub 4}[Mo(CO){sub 3}]{sub 4}{r{underscore}brace}{sup 3{minus}} form as the sole metal-containing products of the reaction of [Cp*Rh(CN){sub 3}]{sup {minus}} and ({eta}{sup 6}-C{sub 6}H{sub 3}Me{sub 3})Mo(CO){sub 3} in the presence of K{sup +} and Cs{sup +}. Well-defined species could not be identified in solutions of Cp*Rh(CN){sub 3}{sup {minus}} ({eta}{sup 6}-C{sub 6}H{sub 3}Me{sub 3})Mo(CO){sub 3} in the absence of alkali metal cations. The new cages were isolated as their Et{sub 4}N{sup +} salts, M = K{sup +} (1), Cs{sup +} (2). Crystallographic characterization of 1 and 2 reveals box-like M{sub 8}({micro}-CN){sub 12} cages containing alkali metal cations. The cagesmore » feature 12 external CO and 4 external C{sub 5}Me{sub 5} ligands. In 1, the K{sup +} is disordered over two off-center positions, whereas in the case of 2, the Cs{sup +} is centered in the cage with a formal coordination number of 24. Otherwise, the structures of the two compounds are virtually indistinguishable. The persistence of the solid-state structures in solution was established through {sup 13}C NMR spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometric measurements. {sup 133}Cs NMR spectroscopy, which readily distinguishes free from included Cs{sup +}, shows that the boxes preferentially bind Cs{sup +} relative to K{sup +}.« less

Bisacodyl plus split 2-L polyethylene glycol-citrate-simethicone improves quality of bowel preparation before screening colonoscopy.

PubMed

Valiante, Flavio; Bellumat, Angelo; De Bona, Manuela; De Boni, Michele

2013-09-07

To compare the bowel cleansing efficacy, tolerability and acceptability of split 2-L polyethylene glycol (PEG)-citrate-simethicone (PEG-CS) plus bisacodyl (BIS) vs 4-L PEG for fecal occult blood test-positive screening colonoscopy. This was a randomised, observer-blind comparative study. Two hundred and sixty-four subjects underwent screening colonoscopy (mean age 62.5 ± 7.4 years, male 61.7%). The primary objective of the study was to compare the bowel cleansing efficacy of the two preparations. BIS plus PEG-CS: 3 tablets of 5-mg BIS at 16:00, PEG-CS 1-L at 19:00 and 1-L at 7:00, 4-L PEG: 3-L at 17:00, and 1-L at 7:00. Colonoscopy was carried out after 11:00, at least 3 h after the completion of bowel preparation. Bowel cleansing was evaluated using the Harefield Cleansing Scale. Bowel preparation was successful for 92.8% of subjects in the PEG-CS group and for 92.1% of subjects in the 4-L PEG (RR = 1.01; 95%CI: 0.94-1.08). BIS + PEG-CS was better tolerated than 4-L PEG. A greater rate of patients in the BIS + PEG-CS group had no difficulty and/or were willing to repeat the same preparation compared to split-dose 4-L PEG group. Subjects in the BIS + PEG-CS group rated the prep as good or satisfactory in 90.6% as compared to 77% in the 4-L PEG (P = 0.003). Subjects receiving BIS + PEG-CS stated they fully adhered to instructions drinking all the 2-L solution in 97.1% compared with 87.3% in the 4-L PEG (P = 0.003). BIS plus split 2-L PEG-CS was as effective as but better tolerated and accepted than split 4-L PEG for screening colonoscopy. This new procedure may increase the positive attitude and participation to colorectal cancer screening colonoscopy.

Reducing sugar loss in enzymatic hydrolysis of ethylenediamine pretreated corn stover.

PubMed

Li, Wen-Chao; Li, Xia; Qin, Lei; Zhu, Jia-Qing; Han, Xiao; Li, Bing-Zhi; Yuan, Ying-Jin

2017-01-01

In this study, the effect of ethylenediamine (EDA) on enzymatic hydrolysis with different cellulosic substrates and the approaches to reduce sugar loss in enzymatic hydrolysis were investigated. During enzymatic hydrolysis, xylose yield reduced 21.2%, 18.1% and 13.0% with 7.5mL/L EDA for AFEX pretreated corn stover (CS), washed EDA pretreated CS and CS cellulose. FTIR and GPC analysis demonstrated EDA reacted with sugar and produced high molecular weight (MW) compounds. EDA was prone to react with xylose other than glucose. H 2 O 2 and Na 2 SO 3 cannot prevent sugar loss in glucose/xylose-EDA mixture, although they inhibited the browning and high MW compounds formation. By decreasing temperature to 30°C, the loss of xylose yield reduced to only 3.8%, 3.6% and 4.2% with 7.5mL/L EDA in the enzymatic hydrolysis of AFEX pretreated CS, washed EDA pretreated CS and CS cellulose. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Cyclosporin A causes oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in renal tubular cells].

PubMed

Pérez de Hornedo, J; de Arriba, G; Calvino, M; Benito, S; Parra, T

2007-01-01

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in cyclosporin A (CsA) nephrotoxicity. As mitochondria are one of the main sources of ROS in cells, we evaluated the role of CsA in mitochondrial structure and function in LLC-PK1 cells. We incubated cells with CsA 1 microM for 24 hours and studies were performed with flow citometry and confocal microscopy. We studied mitochondrial NAD(P)H content, superoxide anion (O2.-) production (MitoSOX Red), oxidation of cardiolipin of inner mitochondrial membrane (NAO) and mitochondrial membrane potential (DIOC2(3)). Also we analyzed the intracellular ROS synthesis (H2DCF-DA) and reduced glutation (GSH) of cells. Our results showed that CsA decreased NAD(P)H and membrane potential, and increased O2.- in mitochondria. CsA also provoked oxidation of cardiolipin. Furthermore, CsA increased intracellular ROS production and decreased GSH content. These results suggest that CsA has crucial effects in mitochondria. CsA modified mitochondrial physiology through the decrease of antioxidant mitochondrial compounds as NAD(P)H and the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential and increase of oxidants as O2.-. Also, CsA alters lipidic structure of inner mitochondrial membrane through the oxidation of cardiolipin. These effects trigger a chain of events that favour intracellular synthesis of ROS and depletion of GSH that can compromise cellular viability. Nephrotoxic cellular effects of CsA can be explained, at least in part, through its influence on mitochondrial functionalism.

Chitosan hydrogel beads impregnated with hexadecylamine for improved reactive blue 4 adsorption.

PubMed

Vakili, Mohammadtaghi; Rafatullah, Mohd; Ibrahim, Mahamad Hakimi; Abdullah, Ahmad Zuhairi; Salamatinia, Babak; Gholami, Zahra

2016-02-10

Adsorption performance of chitosan (CS) hydrogel beads was investigated after impregnation of CS with hexadecylamine (HDA) as a cationic surfactant, for the elimination of reactive blue 4 (RB4) from wastewater. The CS/HDA beads formed with 3.8% HDA were the most effective adsorbent. The adsorption capacity was increased by 1.43 times from 317 mg/g (CS) to 454 mg/g (CS/HDA). The RB4 removal increased with decrease in the pH of dye solution from 4 to 9. The isotherm data obtained from RB4 adsorption on CS and CS/HDA are adequately described by Freundlich model (R(2)=0.946 and 0.934, χ(2)=22.414 and 64.761). The kinetic study revealed that the pseudo-second-order rate model (R(2)=0.996 and 0.997) was in better agreement with the experimental data. The negative values of ΔG° (-2.28 and -6.30 kJ/mol) and ΔH° (-172.18 and -101.62 kJ/mol) for CS beads and HDA modified CS beads, respectively; suggested a spontaneous and exothermic process for RB4 adsorption. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spatial and temporal distributions of (134)Cs and (137)Cs derived from the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in the North Pacific Ocean by using optimal interpolation analysis.

PubMed

Inomata, Y; Aoyama, M; Tsubono, T; Tsumune, D; Hirose, K

2016-01-01

Optimal interpolation (OI) analysis was used to investigate the oceanic distributions of (134)Cs and (137)Cs released from the Tokyo Electric Power Company Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP1) accident. From the end of March to early April 2011, extremely high activities were observed in the coastal surface seawater near the FNPP1. The high activities spread to a region near 165°E in the western North Pacific Ocean, with a latitudinal center of 40°N. Atmospheric deposition also caused high activities in the region between 180° and 130°W in the North Pacific Ocean. The inventory of FNPP1-released (134)Cs in the North Pacific Ocean was estimated to be 15.3 ± 2.6 PBq. About half of this activity (8.4 ± 2.6 PBq) was found in the coastal region near the FNPP1. After 6 April 2011, when major direct releases ceased, the FNPP1-released (134)Cs in the coastal region decreased exponentially with an apparent half-time of about 4.2 ± 0.5 days and declined to about 2 ± 0.4 PBq by the middle of May 2011. Taking into account that the (134)Cs/(137)Cs activity ratio was about 1 just after release and was extremely uniform during the first month after the accident, the amount of (137)Cs released by the FNPP1 accident increased the North Pacific inventory of (137)Cs due to bomb testing during the 1950s and early 1960s by 20%.

In vivo study of novel biodegradable and osteoconductive CaO-SiO2-B2O3 glass-ceramics.

PubMed

Lee, Jae Hyup; Lee, Choon-Ki; Chang, Bong-Soon; Ryu, Hyun-Seung; Seo, Jun-Hyuk; Hong, Kug Sun; Kim, Hwan

2006-05-01

To evaluate the possibility of novel CaO-SiO2-B2O3 glass-ceramics (CS10B) as a new bone replacement material, we compared the biodegradation and osteoconduction properties of CS10B, hydroxyapatite (HA), and tricalcium phosphate (TCP). Porous CS10B implants were prepared by the polymer sponge method. L5-6 single-level posterolateral spinal fusions were performed on 30 New Zealand white male rabbits. The animals were divided into three groups by implant material: CS10B, HA, and TCP. Radiographs were performed every 2 weeks. All animals were euthanized 12 weeks after surgery. The ratio of the area occupied by the ceramics by final and initial radiographs was calculated using radiomorphometric analysis. Uniaxial tensile strength was determined from seven cases in each group. The ratio of the area occupied by HA (88.7%+/-16.1%) was significantly higher than the others (p<0.005), and the ratio of the area occupied by CS10B (28.2%+/-9.3%) was significantly lower than those of HA and TCP (37%+/-9.6%, p<0.05). The mean values of the tensile strengths of the CS10B (182.7+/-19.9 N) and HA (191.4+/-33.5 N) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of TCP (141.1+/-28.2 N). CS10B had a fusion mass tensile strength similar to that of HA. Histological analysis confirmed that CS10B was well incorporated into the fusion mass. These findings suggest that CS10B is a possible bone replacement material. Copyright (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Structure of a highly acidic β-lactamase from the moderate halophile Chromohalobacter sp. 560 and the discovery of a Cs{sup +}-selective binding site

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Arai, Shigeki; Yonezawa, Yasushi; Okazaki, Nobuo

2015-03-01

The tertiary structure of a β-lactamase derived from the halobacterium Chromohalobacter sp. 560 (HaBLA) was determined by X-ray crystallography. Three unique Sr{sup 2+}-binding sites and one Cs{sup +}-binding site were discovered in the HaBLA molecule. Environmentally friendly absorbents are needed for Sr{sup 2+} and Cs{sup +}, as the removal of the radioactive Sr{sup 2+} and Cs{sup +} that has leaked from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant is one of the most important problems in Japan. Halophilic proteins are known to have many acidic residues on their surface that can provide specific binding sites for metal ions such as Cs{sup +}more » or Sr{sup 2+}. The crystal structure of a halophilic β-lactamase from Chromohalobacter sp. 560 (HaBLA) was determined to resolutions of between 1.8 and 2.9 Å in space group P3{sub 1} using X-ray crystallography. Moreover, the locations of bound Sr{sup 2+} and Cs{sup +} ions were identified by anomalous X-ray diffraction. The location of one Cs{sup +}-specific binding site was identified in HaBLA even in the presence of a ninefold molar excess of Na{sup +} (90 mM Na{sup +}/10 mM Cs{sup +}). From an activity assay using isothermal titration calorimetry, the bound Sr{sup 2+} and Cs{sup +} ions do not significantly affect the enzymatic function of HaBLA. The observation of a selective and high-affinity Cs{sup +}-binding site provides important information that is useful for the design of artificial Cs{sup +}-binding sites that may be useful in the bioremediation of radioactive isotopes.« less

Inhibition and Ultraviolet-Induced Chemical Modification of UDP-Glucose:(1,3)-β-Glucan (Callose) Synthase by Chlorpromazine 1

PubMed Central

Harriman, Robert W.; Shao, Ai-Ping; Wasserman, Bruce P.

1992-01-01

UDP-glucose:(1,3)-β-glucan (callose) synthase (CS) from storage tissue of red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) was strongly inhibited by the phenothiazine drug chlorpromazine (CPZ). In the absence of ultraviolet irradiation, CPZ was a noncompetitive inhibitor with 50% inhibitory concentration values for plasma membrane and solubilized CS of 100 and 90 μm, respectively. Both the Ca2+- and Mg2+- stimulated components of CS activity were affected. CPZ inhibition was partially alleviated at saturating levels of Ca2+, but not Mg2+, suggesting that CPZ interferes with the Ca2+-binding site of CS. Binding experiments with [14C]CPZ, however, showed strong non-specific partitioning of CPZ into the plasma membrane, providing evidence that perturbation of the membrane environment is probably the predominant mode of inhibition. Ultraviolet irradiation at 254 nm markedly enhanced CPZ inhibition, with complete activity loss following exposure to 4 μm CPZ for 2 min. Inhibition followed a pseudo-first order mechanism with at least three CPZ binding sites per CS complex. Under these conditions, [3H]CPZ was covalently incorporated into plasma membrane preparations by a free radical mechanism; however, polypeptide labeling profiles showed labeling to be largely nonspecific, with many polypeptides labeled even at [3H]CPZ levels as low as 1 μm, and with boiled membranes. Although CPZ is one of the most potent known inhibitors of CS, its use as a photolabel will require a homogeneous CS complex or establishment of conditions that protect against the interaction of CPZ with specific binding sites located on various polypeptide components of the CS complex. PMID:16653219

Concentrations of {sup 137}Cs and {sup 40}K in edible mushrooms collected in Japan and radiation dose due to their consumption

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ban-nai, Tadaaki; Muramatsu, Yasuyuki; Yoshida, Satoshi

1997-03-01

To estimate radiocesium intake due to eating mushrooms, about 100 samples belonging to 11 species were analyzed to establish to establish representative values for {sup 137}Cs and {sup 40}K in common edible mushrooms available in food markets. Concentration ranges were <0.047-39 Bq kg{sup -1} (wet wt) for {sup 137}Cs and 30-210 Bq kg{sup -1} (wet wt) for {sup 40}K. The median concentrations were 1.3 Bq kg{sup -1} (wet wt) for {sup 137}Cs and 97 Bq kg{sup -1} (wet wt) for {sup 40}K. The {sup 137}Cs concentration is cultivated mushrooms were markedly lower than those in wild mushrooms. The annual intakemore » of {sup 137}Cs per person through mushrooms was calculated (using analytical results and food consumption data in Japan) to be 6.0 Bq for {sup 137}Cs, which is about 32% of the total dietary intake of this nuclide. The effective dose equivalent of {sup 137}Cs through mushroom was estimated to be 7.7 X 10{sup -8} Sv (range estimated from the standard deviation: 3.0 x 10{sup -8}-1.0 x 10{sup -7}). 19 refs., 1 fig., 2 tabs.« less

Novel environmental class 1 integrons and cassette arrays recovered from an on-farm bio-purification plant.

PubMed

Martini, María Carla; Quiroga, María Paula; Pistorio, Mariano; Lagares, Antonio; Centrón, Daniela; Del Papa, María Florencia

2018-03-01

Rapid dissemination and emergence of novel antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria are rising problems worldwide. Since their discovery in clinical isolates in the late 1980s, class 1 integrons have been found in a wide range of bacterial genera and have been extensively studied as contributors to dissemination of antibiotic resistance. The present study aimed to investigate the presence and structure of class 1 integrons in plasmid-carrying bacterial isolates obtained from a biopurification system used for decontamination of pesticide-contaminated water as well as their possible role as reservoir of antimicrobial resistance gene cassettes. A total of 35 representative isolates were screened for the presence of class 1 integron integrase encoded by intI1. PCR and DNA sequencing revealed the presence of six class 1 integrons with four variable regions: 5΄CS-aadA1b-3΄CS, 5΄CS-aadA2-3΄CS, 5΄CS-aadA11cΔ-3΄CS and 5΄CS-dfrB3-aadA1di-catB2-aadA6k-3΄CS, the last two being unseen arrays of antimicrobial resistance gene cassettes associated with novel environmental alleles of intI1. These four class 1 integrons were identified as being present in four different genera, including Ochrobactrum, and Variovorax, where class 1 integrons have not been previously reported. The results provide evidence of the biopurification systems as a tank of class 1 integron carrying strains and novel environmental class 1 integron integrases associated with antimicrobial resistance gene cassette arrays. © FEMS 2017. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Clonorchis sinensis granulin: identification, immunolocalization, and function in promoting the metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma.

PubMed

Wang, Caiqin; Lei, Huali; Tian, Yanli; Shang, Mei; Wu, Yinjuan; Li, Ye; Zhao, Lu; Shi, Mengchen; Tang, Xin; Chen, Tingjin; Lv, Zhiyue; Huang, Yan; Tang, Xiaoping; Yu, Xinbing; Li, Xuerong

2017-05-25

Long-term infections by Clonorchis sinensis are associated with cholangitis, cholecystitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. Molecules from the worm play vital roles in disease progress. In the present study, we identified and explored molecular characterization of C. sinensis granulin (CsGRN), a growth factor-like protein from C. sinensis excretory/secretory products (CsESPs). The encoding sequence and conserved domains of CsGRN were identified and analysed by bioinformatics tools. Recombinant CsGRN (rCsGRN) protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The localisation of CsGRN in adult worms and Balb/c mice infected with C. sinensis was investigated by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Stable CsGRN-overexpressed cell lines of hepatoma cells (PLC-GRN cells) and cholangiocarcinoma cells (RBE-GRN cells) were constructed by transfection of eukaryotic expression plasmid of pEGFP-C1-CsGRN. The effects on cell migration and invasion of CsGRN were assessed through the wound-healing assay and transwell assay. The levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 (MMP2 and MMP9) in PLC-GRN or RBE-GRN cells were detected by real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The levels of E-cadherin, vimentin, N-cadherin, zona occludens proteins (ZO-1), β-catenin, phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) and phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) were analysed by Western blotting. CsGRN, including the conserved GRN domains, was confirmed to be a member of the granulin family. CsGRN was identified as an ingredient of CsESPs. CsGRN was localised in the tegument and testes of the adult worm. Furthermore, it appeared in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes and biliary epithelium cells from infected Balb/c mouse. The enhancement of cell migration and invasion of PLC-GRN and RBE-GRN cells were observed. In addition, CsGRN upregulated the levels of vimentin, N-cadherin, β-catenin, MMP2 and MMP9, while it downregulated the level of ZO-1 in PLC-GRN/RBE-GRN cells. In total proteins of liver tissue from rCsGRN immunised Balb/c mice, vimentin level decreased, while E-cadherin level increased when compared with the control groups. Meanwhile, the levels of p-ERK reached a peak at 4 weeks post immunisation and the level of p-AKT did at 2 weeks after immunisation. The encoding sequence and molecular characteristics of CsGRN were identified. As a member of granulin superfamily, CsGRN induced mesenchymal characteristics of PLC and RBE cells and was found to regulate the activities of the downstream molecules of the ERK and PI3K/AKT signalling pathways, which could contribute to the enhancement of cell migration and invasion.

Lipid-based formulations for danazol containing a digestible surfactant, Labrafil M2125CS: in vivo bioavailability and dynamic in vitro lipolysis.

PubMed

Larsen, Anne; Holm, René; Pedersen, Mette Lund; Müllertz, Anette

2008-12-01

To evaluate the use of Labrafil M2125CS as a lipid vehicle for danazol. Further, the possibility of predicting the in vivo behavior with a dynamic in vitro lipolysis model was evaluated. Danazol (28 mg/kg) was administered orally to rats in four formulations: an aqueous suspension, two suspensions in Labrafil M2125CS (1 and 2 ml/kg) and a solution in Labrafil M2125CS (4 ml/kg). The obtained absolute bioavailabilities of danazol were 1.5 +/- 0.8%; 7.1 +/- 0.6%; 13.6 +/- 1.4% and 13.3 +/- 3.4% for the aqueous suspension, 1, 2 and 4 ml Labrafil M2125CS per kg respectively. Thus administration of danazol with Labrafil M2125CS resulted in up to a ninefold increase in the bioavailability, and the bioavailability was dependent on the Labrafil M2125CS dose. In vitro lipolysis of the formulations was able to predict the rank order of the bioavailability from the formulations, but not the absorption profile of the in vivo study. The bioavailability of danazol increased when Labrafil M2125CS was used as a vehicle, both when danazol was suspended and solubilized in the vehicle. The dynamic in vitro lipolysis model could be used to rank the bioavailabilities of the in vivo data.

K 2x Sn 4-x S 8-x (x = 0.65–1): a new metal sulfide for rapid and selective removal of Cs + , Sr 2+ and UO 2 2+ ions

DOE PAGES

Sarma, Debajit; Malliakas, Christos D.; Subrahmanyam, K. S.; ...

2015-10-27

The fission of uranium produces radionuclides, 137Cs and 90Sr, which are major constituents of spent nuclear fuel. The half-life of 137Cs and 90Sr is nearly 30 years and thus that makes them harmful to human life and the environment. The selective removal of these radionuclides in the presence of high salt concentrations from industrial nuclear waste is necessary for safe storage. We report the synthesis and crystal structure of K 2xSn 4-xS 8-x (x = 0.65–1, KTS-3) a material which exhibits excellent Cs +, Sr 2+ and UO 2 2+ ion exchange properties in varying conditions. Furthermore, the compound adoptsmore » a layered structure which consists of exchangeable potassium ions sandwiched between infinite layers of octahedral and tetrahedral tin centers. K 2xSn 4-xS 8-x (x = 0.65–1, KTS-3) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2 1/c with cell parameters a = 13.092(3) Å, b = 16.882(2) Å, c = 7.375(1) Å and β = 98.10(1)°. Refinement of the single crystal diffraction data revealed the presence of Sn vacancies in the tetrahedra that are long range ordered. The interlayer potassium ions of KTS-3 can be exchanged for Cs +, Sr 2+ and UO 2 2+. KTS-3 exhibits rapid and efficient ion exchange behavior in a broad pH range. The distribution coefficients (K d) for KTS-3 are high for Cs + (5.5 × 10 4), Sr 2+ (3.9 × 10 5) and UO 2 2+ (2.7 × 10 4) at neutral pH (7.4, 6.9, 5.7 ppm Cs +, Sr 2+ and UO 2 2+, respectively; V/m ~ 1000 mL g -1). KTS-3 exhibits impressive Cs +, Sr 2+ and UO 2 2+ ion exchange properties in high salt concentration and over a broad pH range, which coupled with the low cost, environmentally friendly nature and facile synthesis underscores its potential in treating nuclear waste.« less

Prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis Metacercariae in Freshwater Fish from Three Latitudinal Regions of the Korean Peninsula

PubMed Central

Cho, Shin-Hyeong; Na, Byoung-Kuk; Kim, Tong-Soo; Kong, Yoon; Eom, Keeseon; Seok, Won-Seok; Lee, Taejoon

2011-01-01

A large-scale survey was conducted to investigate the infection status of fresh water fishes with Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae (CsMc) in 3 wide regions, which were tentatively divided by latitudinal levels of the Korean peninsula. A total of 4,071 freshwater fishes were collected from 3 regions, i.e., northern (Gangwon-do: 1,543 fish), middle (Chungcheongbuk-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do: 1,167 fish), and southern areas (Jeollanam-do, Ulsan-si, and Gyeongsangnam-do: 1,361 fish). Each fish was examined by the artificial digestion method from 2003 to 2010. In northern areas, only 11 (0.7%) fish of 2 species, Pungtungia herzi and Squalidus japonicus coreanus from Hantan-gang, Cheolwon-gun, Gangwon-do were infected with av. 2.6 CsMc. In middle areas, 149 (12.8%) fish were infected with av. 164 CsMc. In southern areas, 538 (39.5%) fish were infected with av. 159 CsMc. In the analysis of endemicity in 3 regions with an index fish, P. herzi, 9 (6.2%) of 146 P. herzi from northern areas were infected with av. 2.8 CsMc. In middle areas, 34 (31.8%) of 107 P. herzi were infected with av. 215 CsMc, and in southern areas, 158 (92.9%) of 170 P. herzi were infected with av. 409 CsMc. From these results, it has been confirmed that the infection status of fish with CsMc is obviously different among the 3 latitudinal regions of the Korean peninsula with higher prevalence and burden in southern regions. PMID:22355206

Effects of partial replacement of corn and alfalfa silage with tall fescue hay on total-tract digestibility and lactation performance in dairy cows.

PubMed

Bender, R W; Lopes, F; Cook, D E; Combs, D K

2016-07-01

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of replacing either corn or alfalfa silage with tall fescue hay on total-tract neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility and lactation performance in dairy cows. Twenty-four primiparous (75±35 d in milk) and 40 multiparous (68±19 d in milk) Holstein cows were blocked by parity and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups in a pen equipped with 32 feeding gates to record intake by cow. Each gate was randomly assigned to 1 treatment group; thus, each cow had access to all 8 gates within the respective treatment and cow was the experimental unit. Treatments were formulated to replace either corn silage (CS) or alfalfa silage (AS) with tall fescue hay (TF) as follows (DM basis): 33% AS and 67% CS (control; 33AS67CS), 60% TF and 40% AS (60TF40AS), 60% TF and 40% CS (60TF40CS), and 33% TF and 67% CS (33TF67CS). The experiment was a 7-wk continuous lactation trial with a 2-wk covariate period. Milk production did not differ among treatments and averaged 40.4 kg/d. Fat yield and concentration and protein yield and concentration did not differ among treatments and averaged 1.58 kg/d, 3.94%, 1.28 kg/d, and 3.15%, respectively. Dry matter intake was greater for 33AS67CS (24.5 kg/d) compared with 60TF40CS (22.1 kg/d) and 33TF67CS (22.7 kg/d), and tended to be greater than 60TF40AS (23.2 kg/d). In vivo total-tract dry matter digestibility did not differ among treatments and averaged 66.2%. In vivo total-tract NDF digestibility was lower for 33AS67CS (37.8%) compared with 60TF40AS (44.4%) and 33TF67CS (45.3%), and similar to 60TF40CS (42.4%). In vivo total-tract NDF digestibility and an estimate of in situ total-tract NDF digestibility were similar between techniques across all treatment diets (42.3 vs. 42.6%, respectively). Inclusion of tall fescue grass hay increased the total-tract NDF digestibility of the diet and has the potential to replace corn silage and alfalfa silage and maintain milk production if economically feasible based on current market prices. Copyright © 2016 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Fractionation of Saprolegnia diclina (Oomycetes) satelite DNAs by AgNO3/Cs2SO4 density gradient centrifugation.

PubMed

Neish, G A; Green, B R

1977-12-14

Saprolegnia diclina DNA has been fractionated using preparative AgNO3/Cs2SO4 and CsCl density gradients. In addition to the previously identified major satellite DNA, there are two minor DNA components banding at 1.682 and 1.701 g - cm(-3) in CsCl. Purified major satellite DNA bands at 1.707 g - cm(-3) giving a base composition of 48% G + C in good agreement with 47% G + C calculated from its Tm value. The nuclear DNA base composition is 58% G + C by both methods. The base composition of the major satellite DNA suggests that it may represent ribosomal DNA cistrons.

Correlations between potassium, rubidium and cesium ((133)Cs and (137)Cs) in sporocarps of Suillus variegatus in a Swedish boreal forest.

PubMed

Vinichuk, M; Rosén, K; Johanson, K J; Dahlberg, A

2011-04-01

An analysis of sporocarps of ectomycorrhizal fungi Suillus variegatus assessed whether cesium ((133)Cs and (137)Cs) uptake was correlated with potassium (K) or rubidium (Rb) uptake. The question was whether intraspecific correlations of Rb, K and (133)Cs mass concentrations with (137)Cs activity concentrations in sporocarps were higher within, rather than among, different fungal species, and if genotypic origin of sporocarps within a population affected uptake and correlation. Sporocarps (n = 51) from a Swedish forest population affected by the fallout after the Chernobyl accident were studied. The concentrations were 31.9 ± 6.79 g kg(-1) for K (mean ± SD, dwt), 0.40 ± 0.09 g kg(-1) for Rb, 8.7 ± 4.36 mg kg(-1) for (133)Cs and 63.7 ± 24.2 kBq kg(-1) for (137)Cs. The mass concentrations of (133)Cs correlated with (137)Cs activity concentrations (r = 0.61). There was correlation between both (133)Cs concentrations (r = 0.75) and (137)Cs activity concentrations (r = 0.44) and Rb, but the (137)Cs/(133)Cs isotopic ratio negatively correlated with Rb concentration. Concentrations of K and Rb were weakly correlated (r = 0.51). The (133)Cs mass concentrations, (137)Cs activity concentrations and (137)Cs/(133)Cs isotopic ratios did not correlate with K concentrations. No differences between, within or, among genotypes in S. variegatus were found. This suggested the relationships between K, Rb, (133)Cs and (137)Cs in sporocarps of S. variegatus is similar to other fungal species. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

CS in nearby galaxies: Distribution, kinematics, and multilevel studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mauersberger, R.; Henkel, Christian

1990-01-01

As a result of observations at the Institute for Radio Astronomy in the Millimeter Range (IRAM) 30-m telescope, maps of the distribution of the J = 2-1 transition of CS toward the galaxies IC 342 and NGC 253 are presented. The distribution of the CS emission from NGC 253 is consistent with the CO 1-0 line. The distribution of the CS emission from IC 342, however, resembles more that seen in the CO 3-2 line. For the first time, the detection of the isotopic substitution C-34S is reported toward an external galaxy: The C-34S 2-1 line has been detected toward NGC 253 and M 82 and the C-34S line has been detected tentatively toward M 82. Also for the first time, extragalactic CS has been observed in the 3-2 (toward NGC 253, IC 342 and M 82) and 5-4 (NGC 253 and IC 342) transitions.

Foliar uptake of cesium from the water column by aquatic macrophytes.

PubMed

Pinder, J E; Hinton, T G; Whicker, F W

2006-01-01

The probable occurrence and rate of foliar absorption of stable cesium (133Cs) from the water column by aquatic macrophyte species was analyzed following the addition of 133Cs into a small reservoir near Aiken, South Carolina, USA. An uptake parameter u (10(3)Lkg(-1)d(-1)) and a loss rate parameter k (d(-1)) were estimated for each species using time series of 133Cs concentrations in the water and plant tissues. Foliar uptake, as indicated by rapid increases in plant concentrations following the 133Cs addition, occurred in two floating-leaf species, Brasenia schreberi and Nymphaea odorata, and two submerged species, Myriophyllum spicatum and Utricularia inflata. These species had values of u> or =0.75 x 10(3)Lkg(-1)d(-1). Less evidence for foliar uptake was observed in three emergent species, including Typha latifolia. Ratios of u to k for B. schreberi, M. spicatum, N. odorata and U. inflata can be used to estimate concentration ratios (CR) at equilibrium, and these estimates were generally within a factor of 2 of the CR for 137Cs for these species in the same reservoir. This correspondence suggests that foliar uptake of Cs was the principal absorption mechanism for these species. Assessments of: (1) the prevalence of foliar uptake of potassium, rubidium and Cs isotopes by aquatic macrophytes and (2) the possible importance of foliar uptake of Cs in other lentic systems are made from a review of foliar uptake studies and estimation of comparable u and k values from lake studies involving Cs releases.

An ultrasensitive chemiluminescence aptasensor for thrombin detection based on iron porphyrin catalyzing luminescence desorbed from chitosan modified magnetic oxide graphene composite.

PubMed

Sun, Yuanling; Wang, Yanhui; Li, Jianbo; Ding, Chaofan; Lin, Yanna; Sun, Weiyan; Luo, Chuannan

2017-11-01

In this work, an ultrasensitive chemiluminescence (CL) aptasensor was prepared for thrombin detection based on iron porphyrin catalyzing luminol - hydrogen peroxide luminescence under alkaline conditions, and iron porphyrin was desorbed from chitosan modified magnetic oxide graphene composite (CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO). Firstly, CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO was prepared. CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO has advantages of the good biocompatibility and positively charged on its surface of CS, the large specific surface area of GO and the easy separation characteristics of Fe 3 O 4 . GO, Fe 3 O 4 and CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Then, thrombin aptamer (T-Apt) and hemin (HM, an iron porphyrin) were sequentially modified on the surface of CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO to form CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO@T-Apt@HM. The immobilization properties of CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO to T-Apt and adsorption properties of CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO@T-Apt to HM were sequentially researched through the curves of kinetics and the curves of thermodynamics. When thrombin existed in solutions, HM was desorbed from the surface of CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO@T-Apt@HM owing to the strong specific recognition ability between thrombin and T-Apt, causing the changes of CL signal. Under optimized CL conditions, thrombin could be measured with the linear concentration range of 5.0×10 -15 -2.5×10 -10 mol/L. The detection limit was 1.5×10 -15 mol/L (3δ) while the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.2%. Finally, the CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO@T-Apt@HM-CL aptasensor was used for the determination of thrombin in practical serum samples and recoveries ranged from 95% to 103%. Those satisfactory results revealed potential application of the CS@Fe 3 O 4 @GO@T-Apt@HM-CL aptasensor for thrombin detection in monitoring and diagnosis of human blood diseases. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development of new ionic gelation strategy: Towards the preparation of new monodisperse and stable hyaluronic acid/β-cyclodextrin-grafted chitosan nanoparticles as drug delivery carriers for doxorubicin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mihoub, Amina Ben; Saidat, Boubakeur; Bal, Youssef; Frochot, Céline; Vanderesse, Régis; Acherar, Samir

2018-03-01

In the present study, β-cyclodextrin-grafted chitosan nanoparticles (β-CD- g-CS NPs) were prepared using a new ionic gelation strategy involving a synergistic effect of NaCl (150 mmol/L), 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES, 10 mmol/L), and water bath sonication. This new strategy afforded smaller and more monodisperse β-CD- g-CS NPs vs. the classical ionic gelation method. New HA/β-CD- g-CS NPs were also prepared using the above-mentioned strategy by adding hyaluronic acid (HA) to the β-CD- g-CS copolymer at different weight ratios until the ZP values conversion. The best result was obtained with the weight ratio of w(HA): w(β-CD- g-CS) = 2:1 and furnished new spherical and smooth HA/β-CD- g-CS NPs. Furthermore, the stability of β- CD- g-CS NPs and HA/β-CD- g-CS NPs at 4°C in physiological medium (pH 7.4) was compared for 3 weeks period and showed that HA/β-CD- g-CS NPs were more stable all maintaining their monodispersity and high negative ZP values compared to β-CD- g-CS NPs. Finally, preliminary study of HA/β-CD- g-CS NPs as carrier for the controlled release of the anticancer drug doxorubicin was investigated. These new HA/β-CD- g-CS NPs can potentially be used as drug delivery and targeting systems for cancer treatment.

Association Between Abnormal Contrast Sensitivity and Mortality Among People With Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

PubMed Central

HOLLAND, GARY N.; KAPPEL, PETER J.; NATTA, MARK L. VAN; PALELLA, FRANK J.; LYON, ALICE T.; SHAH, KAYUR H.; PAVAN, PETER R.; JABS, DOUGLAS A.

2014-01-01

PURPOSE To investigate the relationship between contrast sensitivity (CS) and mortality among people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); and to explore the hypothesis that abnormal CS is a marker of systemic, life-threatening microvascular disease. DESIGN Longitudinal, observational cohort study. METHODS We evaluated 3395 eyes of 1706 individuals enrolled in the Longitudinal Study of the Complications of AIDS (1998–2008). CS was evaluated as a risk factor for death, and was compared to the presence of systemic diseases characterized by microvasculopathy (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, renal disease) and to laboratory markers of those diseases. Abnormal CS was defined as logCS <1.5 (lower 2.5th percentile for a normal control population). RESULTS CS was abnormal in 284 of 1691 (16.8%) study participants at enrollment. There was a positive relationship between the presence of abnormal CS at study entry and mortality (relative risk 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.7-2.3, P < .0001). Abnormal CS was related to the presence of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and renal disease (all P values < .01), but abnormal CS remained associated with death even after adjustment for these diseases and for other known predictors of death among people with AIDS. Diseases characterized by microvasculopathy were more often identified as causes of death among individuals with abnormal CS than among those with normal CS, although the strength of the association was moderate (P = .06). CONCLUSIONS Abnormal CS among people with AIDS is associated with increased mortality, and is independent of other risk factors for death that are monitored routinely. The relationship may indicate life-threatening microvascular disease in other organs. PMID:20399927

Investigating the protective effects of aged garlic extract on cyclosporin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

PubMed

Wongmekiat, Orawan; Thamprasert, Kamthorn

2005-10-01

Cyclosporin A (CsA) nephrotoxicity has been described in solid organ recipients and in the patients who were treated for autoimmune diseases. Reactive oxygen species-induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidations are implicated in the pathophysiology of CsA-induced renal injury. Aged garlic extract (AGE) has been reported to exhibit potent antioxidative and free radical scavenging abilities in various disease conditions. The present study was designed to investigate whether AGE could possibly have a protective effect against nephrotoxicity induced by CsA. Male Wistar rats were treated orally with CsA (50 mg/kg/day), CsA + AGE (0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 g/kg/day started 3 days before the first dose of CsA), or the vehicle of CsA for a period of 10 days. Blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, and renal histopathological changes were evaluated after 24 h of the last treatment. CsA caused an increase in blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine by 117 and 100%, respectively, whereas it decreased creatinine clearance by 78% compared with the vehicle-treated rats (all P < 0.001). AGE treatment (0.5, 1 and 2 g/kg) significantly protected animals against CsA-induced biochemical changes, albeit blood urea nitrogen and creatinine clearance in the 0.5 g/kg AGE treated-animals were only partially restored. Kidney sections taken from CsA-treated rats showed severe vacuolations and tubular necrosis. These histopathological changes were markedly improved by pretreatment of rats with AGE at the dose of 0.5--2 g/kg. The results indicate that AGE ameliorates renal dysfunction and morphological changes induced by CsA, and imply that it could be a beneficial remedy for attenuating the CsA nephrotoxicity.

All-Ambient Processed Binary CsPbBr3-CsPb2Br5 Perovskites with Synergistic Enhancement for High-Efficiency Cs-Pb-Br-Based Solar Cells.

PubMed

Zhang, Xisheng; Jin, Zhiwen; Zhang, Jingru; Bai, Dongliang; Bian, Hui; Wang, Kang; Sun, Jie; Wang, Qian; Liu, Shengzhong Frank

2018-02-28

All-inorganic CsPbBr 3 perovskite solar cells display outstanding stability toward moisture, light soaking, and thermal stressing, demonstrating great potential in tandem solar cells and toward commercialization. Unfortunately, it is still challenging to prepare high-performance CsPbBr 3 films at moderate temperatures. Herein, a uniform, compact CsPbBr 3 film was fabricated using its quantum dot (QD)-based ink precursor. The film was then treated using thiocyanate ethyl acetate (EA) solution in all-ambient conditions to produce a superior CsPbBr 3 -CsPb 2 Br 5 composite film with a larger grain size and minimal defects. The achievement was attributed to the surface dissolution and recrystallization of the existing SCN - and EA. More specifically, the SCN - ions were first absorbed on the Pb atoms, leading to the dissolution and stripping of Cs + and Br - ions from the CsPbBr 3 QDs. On the other hand, the EA solution enhances the diffusion dynamics of surface atoms and the surfactant species. It is found that a small amount of CsPb 2 Br 5 in the composite film gives the best surface passivation, while the Br-rich surface decreases Br vacancies (V Br ) for a prolonged carrier lifetime. As a result, the fabricated device gives a higher solar cell efficiency of 6.81% with an outstanding long-term stability.

Grape hexokinases are involved in the expression regulation of sucrose synthase- and cell wall invertase-encoding genes by glucose and ABA.

PubMed

Wang, Xiu-Qin; Zheng, Li-Li; Lin, Hao; Yu, Fei; Sun, Li-Hui; Li, Li-Mei

2017-05-01

Hexokinase (HXK, EC 2.7.1.1) is a multifunctional protein that both is involved in catalyzing the first step of glycolysis and plays an important role in sugar signaling. However, the supporting genetic evidence on hexokinases (CsHXKs) from grape (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Sauvignon) berries has been lacking. Here, to investigate the role of CsHXK isoforms as glucose (Glc) and abscisic acid (ABA) sensors, we cloned two hexokinase isozymes, CsHXK1 and CsHXK2 with highly conserved genomic structure of nine exons and eight introns. We also found adenosine phosphate binding, substrate recognition and connection sites in their putative proteins. During grape berry development, the expression profiles of two CsHXK isoforms, sucrose synthases (SuSys) and cell wall invertase (CWINV) genes increased concomitantly with high levels of endogenous Glc and ABA. Furthermore, we showed that in wild type grape berry calli (WT), glucose repressed the expression levels of sucrose synthase (SuSy) and cell wall invertase (CWINV) genes, while ABA increased their expression levels. ABA could not only effectively improve the expression levels of SuSy and CWINV, but also block the repression induced by glucose on the expression of both genes. However, after silencing CsHXK1 or CsHXK2 in grape calli, SuSy and CWINV expression were enhanced, and the expressions of the two genes are insensitive in response to Glc treatment. Interestingly, exogenous ABA alone could not or less increase SuSy and CWINV expression in silencing CsHXK1 or CsHXK2 grape calli compared to WT. Meantime, ABA could not block the repression induced by glucose on the expression of SuSy and CWINV in CsHXK1 or CsHXK2 mutants. Therefore, Glc signal transduction depends on the regulation of CsHXK1 or CsHXK2. ABA signal was also disturbed by CsHXK1 or CsHXK2 silencing. The present results provide new insights into the regulatory role of Glc and ABA on the enzymes related to sugar metabolism in grape berry.

Characterization of Nrf2 activation and heme oxygenase-1 expression in NIH3T3 cells exposed to aqueous extracts of cigarette smoke.

PubMed

Knörr-Wittmann, Constanze; Hengstermann, Arnd; Gebel, Stephan; Alam, Jawed; Müller, Thomas

2005-12-01

Cigarette smoke (CS) is a complex chemical mixture estimated to be composed of up to 5000 different chemicals, many of which are prooxidant. Here we show that, at least in vitro, the cellular response designed to combat oxidative stress resulting from CS exposure is primarily controlled by the transcription factor Nrf2, a principal inducer of antioxidant and phase II-related genes. The prominent role of Nrf2 in the cellular response to CS is substantiated by the following observations: In NIH3T3 cells exposed to aqueous extracts of CS (i) Nrf2 is strongly stabilized and becomes detectable in nuclear extracts. (ii) Nuclear localization of Nrf2 coincides with increased DNA binding of a putative Nrf2/MafK heterodimer to its cognate cis-regulatory site, i.e., the antioxidant-responsive element (ARE). (iii) Studies on the regulatory elements of the oxidative stress-inducible gene heme oxygenase-1 (hmox1) using various hmox1 promoter/luciferase reporter constructs revealed that the strong CS-dependent expression of this gene is primarily governed by the distal enhancers 1 ("E1") and 2 ("E2"), which both contain three canonical ARE-like stress-responsive elements (StREs). Notably, depletion of Nrf2 levels caused by RNA interference significantly compromised CS-induced hmox1 promoter activation, based on the distinct Nrf2 sensitivity exhibited by E1 and E2. Finally, (iv) siRNA-dependent knock-down of Nrf2 completely abrogated CS-induced expression of phase II-related genes. Taken together, these results confirm the outstanding role of Nrf2 both in sensing (oxidant) stress and in orchestrating an efficient transcriptional response aimed at resolving the stressing conditions.

The significance of crystalline/chrysalis structures in the diagnosis of melanocytic and nonmelanocytic lesions.

PubMed

Balagula, Yevgeniy; Braun, Ralph P; Rabinovitz, Harold S; Dusza, Stephen W; Scope, Alon; Liebman, Tracey N; Mordente, Ines; Siamas, Katherine; Marghoob, Ashfaq A

2012-08-01

Crystalline/chrysalis structures (CS) are white shiny streaks that can only be seen with polarized dermatoscopy. We sought to estimate the prevalence and assess the clinical significance of CS in melanocytic and nonmelanocytic lesions. This was a prospective observational study in which dermatoscopic assessment of lesions was recorded in consecutive patients examined during a 6-month period. In addition, a data set of biopsy-proven melanomas was retrospectively analyzed. In all, 11,225 lesions in 881 patients were prospectively examined. Retrospectively, 229 melanomas imaged with polarized dermatoscopy were analyzed. In the prospective data set, a median of 12.7 lesions (range, 1-54) were evaluated per patient. None of clinically diagnosed Clark nevi (n = 9750, 86.8%) demonstrated CS. Overall, CS were observed in 206 (1.8%) lesions, most commonly dermatofibromas and scars among nonbiopsied lesions. A total of 265 (2.4%) lesions were biopsied, including 20 melanomas and 36 nevi. Among biopsied malignant lesions, CS were most commonly observed in basal cell carcinoma (47.6%) and invasive melanomas (84.6%). Melanomas were more likely to have CS than biopsied nevi (odds ratio = 9.7, 95% confidence interval 2.7-34.1). In the retrospective data set, CS were more commonly observed among invasive melanomas (41%) compared with in situ melanomas (17%) (odds ratio = 3.4, 95% confidence interval 1.9-6.3, P < .001). The prevalence of CS correlated with increased melanoma thickness (P = .001). Biopsied lesions represent a small percentage of the total number of lesions evaluated. Among biopsied malignant lesions, CS are most commonly observed in basal cell carcinoma and invasive melanomas and rarely seen in nevi. In melanoma, CS may reflect increased tumor thickness and progression. Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Combination of chronic stress and ovariectomy causes conditioned fear memory deficits and hippocampal cholinergic neuronal loss in mice.

PubMed

Takuma, K; Mizoguchi, H; Funatsu, Y; Hoshina, Y; Himeno, Y; Fukuzaki, E; Kitahara, Y; Arai, S; Ibi, D; Kamei, H; Matsuda, T; Koike, K; Inoue, M; Nagai, T; Yamada, K

2012-04-05

We have recently found that the combination of ovariectomy (OVX) and chronic restraint stress (CS) causes hippocampal pyramidal cell loss and cognitive dysfunction in female rats and that estrogen replacement prevents the OVX/CS-induced morphological and behavioral changes. In this study, to clarify the mechanisms underlying the OVX/CS-mediated memory impairment further, we examined the roles of cholinergic systems in the OVX/CS-induced memory impairment in mice. Female Slc:ICR strain mice were randomly divided into two groups: OVX and sham-operated groups. Two weeks after the operation, the mice of each group were further assigned to CS (6 h/day) or non-stress group. Following the 3-week-stress period, all mice were subjected to contextual fear conditioning, and context- and tone-dependent memory tests were conducted 1 or 24 h after the conditioning. Overburden with 3 weeks of CS from 2 weeks after OVX impaired context- and tone-dependent freezing and the OVX/CS caused significant Nissl-stained neuron-like cell loss in the hippocampal CA3 region, although OVX and CS alone did not cause such behavioral and histological changes. Replacement of 17β-estradiol for 5 weeks after OVX suppressed OVX/CS-induced memory impairment and hippocampal Nissl-positive cell loss. Furthermore, the OVX/CS mice exhibited a significant decrease in choline acetyltransferase in the hippocampus compared with other groups. The cholinesterase inhibitors donepezil and galantamine ameliorated OVX/CS-induced memory impairment. These data suggest that cholinergic dysfunction may be involved in the OVX/CS-induced conditioned fear memory impairment. Overall, our findings suggest that the OVX/CS mouse model is useful to study the mechanisms underlying estrogen loss-induced memory deficits. Copyright © 2012 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of algal flocculation on dissolved organic matters using cationic starch modified soils.

PubMed

Shi, Wenqing; Bi, Lei; Pan, Gang

2016-07-01

Modified soils (MSs) are being increasingly used as geo-engineering materials for the sedimentation removal of cyanobacterial blooms. Cationic starch (CS) has been tested as an effective soil modifier, but little is known about its potential impacts on the treated water. This study investigated dissolved organic matters in the bloom water after algal removal using cationic starch modified soils (CS-MSs). Results showed that the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) could be decreased by CS-MS flocculation and the use of higher charge density CS yielded a greater DOC reduction. When CS with the charge density of 0.052, 0.102 and 0.293meq/g were used, DOC was decreased from 3.4 to 3.0, 2.3 and 1.7mg/L, respectively. The excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy and UV254 analysis indicated that CS-MS exhibits an ability to remove some soluble organics, which contributed to the DOC reduction. However, the use of low charge density CS posed a potential risk of DOC increase due to the high CS loading for effective algal removal. When CS with the charge density of 0.044meq/g was used, DOC was increased from 3.4 to 3.9mg/L. This study suggested, when CS-MS is used for cyanobacterial bloom removal, the content of dissolved organic matters in the treated water can be controlled by optimizing the charge density of CS. For the settled organic matters, other measures (e.g., capping treatments using oxygen loaded materials) should be jointly applied after algal flocculation. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Prognostic Impact of Calcium Score after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Performed With New Generation Prosthesis.

PubMed

Akodad, Mariama; Lattuca, Benoit; Agullo, Audrey; Macia, Jean-Christophe; Gandet, Thomas; Marin, Grégory; Iemmi, Anaïs; Vernhet, Hélène; Schmutz, Laurent; Nagot, Nicolas; Albat, Bernard; Cayla, Guillaume; Leclercq, Florence

2018-05-15

Calcium score (CS) is a well-known prognostic factor after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) performed with first generation prosthesis but few data are available concerning new generation valves. The aim of this study was to evaluate if CS remains a prognostic factor after Sapien 3 and Evolut R valves implantation. Agatston CS was evaluated on multislice computed tomography before TAVI in 346 patients implanted with Sapien XT (n = 61), CoreValve (n = 57) devices, (group 1, n = 118), and with new generation Sapien 3 (n = 147), Evolut R (n = 81) prosthesis, (group 2, n = 228). Major adverse cardiovascular events and aortic regurgitation (AR) were evaluated at 1 month. The 2 groups were similar at baseline except for logistic Euroscore (20.1% in group 1 vs 15.0 % in group 2; p = 0.001), chronic renal failure (44.1% vs 37.2% respectively, p = 0.007) and preprocedural CS (4,092 ± 2,176 vs 3,682 ± 2,109 respectively, p = 0.022). In group 1, 28 patients (23.7%) had adverse clinical events vs 21 (9.2%) in group 2 (p <0.01). In multivariate analysis, a higher CS was predictive of adverse events in group 1 (5,785 ± 3,285 vs 3,565 ± 1,331 p <0.0001) but not in group 2 (p = 0.28). A higher CS was associated with AR in group 1 (6,234 ± 2711 vs 3,429 ± 1,505; p <0.001) and in patients implanted with an Evolut R device from group 2 (4,085 ± 3,645 vs 2,551 ± 1,356; p = 0.01). In conclusion, CS appears as an important prognostic factor of major events after TAVI with first generation valves but not with new generation devices. CS remains associated with AR only with new generation self-expandable Evolut R devices. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Interspecific chromosomal effects on agronomic traits in Gossypium hirsutum by AD analysis using intermated G. barbadense chromosome substitution lines.

PubMed

Saha, S; Wu, J; Jenkins, J N; McCarty, J C; Stelly, D M

2013-01-01

The untapped potential of the beneficial alleles from Gossypium barbadense L. has not been well utilized in G. hirsutum L. (often referred to as Upland cotton) breeding programs. This is primarily due to genomic incompatibility and technical challenges associated with conventional methods of interspecific introgression. In this study, we used a hypoaneuploid-based chromosome substitution line as a means for systematically introgressing G. barbadense doubled-haploid line '3-79' germplasm into a common Upland genetic background, inbred 'Texas marker-1' ('TM-1'). We reported on the chromosomal effects, lint percentage, boll weight, seedcotton yield and lint yield in chromosome substitution CS-B (G. barbadense L.) lines. Using an additive-dominance genetic model, we studied the interaction of alleles located on two alien substituted chromosomes versus one alien substituted chromosome using a partial diallel mating design of selected CS-B lines (CS-B05sh, CS-B06, CS-B09, CS-B10, CS-B12, CS-B17 and CS-B18). Among these parents, CS-B09 and CS-B10 were reported for the first time. The donor parent 3-79, had the lowest additive effect for all of the agronomic traits. All of the CS-B lines had significant additive effects with boll weight and lint percentage. CS-B10 had the highest additive effects for lint percentage, and seedcotton and lint yield among all of the lines showing a transgressive genetic mode of inheritance for these traits. CS-B09 had greater additive genetic effects on lint yield, while CS-B06, CS-B10 and CS-B17 had superior additive genetic effects on both lint and seedcotton yield compared to TM-1 parent. The 3-79 line had the highest dominance effects for boll weight (0.513 g) and CS-B10 had the lowest dominance effect for boll weight (-0.702). Some major antagonistic genetic effects for the agronomic traits were present with most of the substituted chromosomes and chromosome arms, a finding suggested their recalcitrance to conventional breeding efforts. The results revealed that the substituted chromosomes and arms of 3-79 carried some cryptic beneficial alleles with potential to improve agronomic traits including yield, whose effects were masked at the whole genome level in 3-79.

Heterologous expression of three Camellia sinensis small heat shock protein genes confers temperature stress tolerance in yeast and Arabidopsis thaliana.

PubMed

Wang, Mingle; Zou, Zhongwei; Li, Qinghui; Xin, Huahong; Zhu, Xujun; Chen, Xuan; Li, Xinghui

2017-07-01

CsHSP17.7, CsHSP18.1, and CsHSP21.8 expressions are induced by heat and cold stresses, and CsHSP overexpression confers tolerance to heat and cold stresses in transgenic Pichia pastoris and Arabidopsis thaliana. Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are crucial for protecting plants against biotic and abiotic stresses, especially heat stress. However, knowledge concerning the functions of Camellia sinensis sHSP in heat and cold stresses remains poorly understood. In this study, three C. sinensis sHSP genes (i.e., CsHSP17.7, CsHSP18.1, and CsHSP21.8) were isolated and characterized using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) technology. The CsHSPs expression levels in C. sinensis leaves were significantly up-regulated by heat and cold stresses. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that CsHSP17.7, CsHSP18.1, and CsHSP21.8 belong to sHSP Classes I, II, and IV, respectively. Heterologous expression of the three CsHSP genes in Pichia pastoris cells enhanced heat and cold stress tolerance. When exposed to heat and cold treatments, transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants overexpressing CsHSP17.7, CsHSP18.1, and CsHSP21.8 had lower malondialdehyde contents, ion leakage, higher proline contents, and transcript levels of stress-related genes (e.g., AtPOD, AtAPX1, AtP5CS2, and AtProT1) compared with the control line. In addition, improved seed germination vigor was also observed in the CsHSP-overexpressing seeds under heat stress. Taken together, our results suggest that the three identified CsHSP genes play key roles in heat and cold tolerance.

Reactive oxygen species responsive drug releasing nanoparticle based on chondroitin sulfate-anthocyanin nanocomplex for efficient tumor therapy.

PubMed

Jeong, Dooyong; Bae, Byoung-Chan; Park, Sin-Jung; Na, Kun

2016-01-28

To develop a reactive oxygen species (ROS) sensitive drug carrier, a chondroitin sulfate (CS)-anthocyanin (ATC) based nanocomplex was developed. Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) was loaded in the CS-ATC nanocomplex (CS-ATC-DOX) via intermolecular stacking interaction. The nanocomplex was fabricated by a simple mixing method in the aqueous phase. The morphology and size of CS-ATC-DOX were determined by ATC content. In the group with 1.5mg/ml of ATC loaded CS-ATC-DOX (CS-ATC2-DOX), the drug content and loading efficiency were 8.5% and 99.1%, respectively. The ROS sensitive drug release of CS-ATC2-DOX was confirmed under in vitro physiological conditions. The results demonstrated that 1.67 times higher DOX release occurred in CS-ATC2-DOX for 48h compared to CS-DOX (ATC absent sample). Drug release and nanocomplex destruction were induced by ROS mediated ATC degradation. We determined that 66.7% of ROS was scavenged by CS-ATC2-DOX. Additionally, an HCT-116 tumor bearing animal model was used to confirm ROS sensitive therapeutic effects of CS-ATC2-DOX. The results indicate that DOX was released from the intravenously injected CS-ATC2-DOX in the tumor tissue. Thus, nuclei shrinkage and dead cells were observed in H&E staining and TUNEL assay, respectively. These data suggest that the tumor growth was effectively inhibited. This study means that CS-ATC2-DOX has potential in improving tumor therapy. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Distribution of 137Cs and relative influencing factors on typical karst sloping land].

PubMed

Zhang, Xiao-Nan; Wang, Ke-Lin; Zhang, Wei; Chen, Hong-Song; He, Xun-Yang; Zhang, Xin-Bao

2009-11-01

Based on the field survey and the analysis of a large number of soil samples, the distribution of 137 Cs and its influencing factors were studied using 137 Cs tracer technology on typical karst sloping land. The results indicate that the distribution of 137 Cs in soil profile in karst areas show the similar characteristics as that in non-karst areas, fitted an exponential pattern in forest soils and a uniform pattern in cultivated soils. In the sinkhole points in karst areas, 137 Cs exists in deep soil layers and its specific activity vary from 1.7 to 3.3 Bq/kg in soil layers above 45cm, suggesting the existing soil around karst sinkhole is mainly formed by the accumulation of erosion materials. The 137 Cs specific activity in the soil from two rock cracks are 16.8 Bq/kg and 37.6 Bq/kg respectively, which are much higher than that in the soil around the rock, this phenomenon indicates that bare rock is an important influencing factor for 137 Cs spatial movement. With the increment of altitude, the 137 Cs area activity exhibits an irregular fluctuation and evident spatial heterogeneity. On the forest land, the 137 Cs area activities which range from 299.4 to 1 592.6 Bq/m2 are highly positively correlated with the slope gradient and positively correlated with the altitude; while on the cultivated land, the 137 Cs area activities which range from 115.8 to 1478.6 Bq/m2 are negatively correlated with the slope gradient but negatively correlated with the altitude. Topography, geomorphology and human disturbance intensity are the key factors influencing 137 Cs spatial distribution.

Investigation of the structural, mechanical, dynamical and thermal properties of CsCaF3 and CsCdF3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salmankurt, Bahadır; Duman, Sıtkı

2016-04-01

The structural, mechanical, dynamical and thermal properties of CsCaF3 and CsCdF3 are presented by using an ab initio pseudopotential method and a linear response scheme, within the generalized gradient approximation. The obtained structural and mechanical properties are in good agreement with other available theoretical and experimental studies. The calculated elastic constants of these materials obey the cubic stability conditions. It has been found that CsCaF3 is brittle whereas CsCdF3 has ductile manner. The full phonon dispersion curves of these materials are reported for the first time in the literature. We have found that calculated phonon modes are positive along the all symmetry directions, indicating that these materials are dynamically stable at the cubic structure. The obtained zone-center phonon modes for CsCaF3 (IR data) are found to be 83 (98) cm-1, 104 (115) cm-1, 120 cm-1, 180 (192) cm-1, 231 (250.5) cm-1, 361 (374) cm-1, 446 (449) cm-1. Also, we have calculated internal energy, Helmholtz free energy, constant-volume specific heat, entropy and Debye temperature as function of temperature. At the 300 K, specific heats are calculated to be 113.36 J mol-1 K-1 and 115.58 J mol-1 K-1 for CsCaF3 and CsCdF3 ,respectively, which are lower than Doulong-Petit limit (12 472 J mol-1 K-1).

Acetylcholine-hydrolyzing activities in soluble brain fraction: Characterization with reversible and irreversible inhibitors.

PubMed

Estévez, Jorge; Selva, Verónica; Benabent, Mónica; Mangas, Iris; Sogorb, Miguel Ángel; Vilanova, Eugenio

2016-11-25

Some effects of organophosphorus compounds (OPs) esters cannot be explained through actions on currently recognized targets acetylcholinesterase or neuropathy target esterase (NTE). In soluble chicken brain fraction, three components (Eα, Eβ and Eγ) of pheny lvalerate esterase activity (PVase) were kinetically discriminated and their relationship with acetylcholine-hydrolyzing activity (cholinesterase activity) were studied in previous works. In this work, four enzymatic components (CS1, CS2, CS3 and CS4) of cholinesterase activity have been discriminated in soluble fraction, according to their sensitivity to irreversible inhibitors mipafox, paraoxon, PMSF and iso-OMPA and to reversible inhibitors ethopropazine and BW284C51. Cholinesterase component CS1 can be related to the Eα component of PVase activity and identified as butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). No association and similarities can be stablished among the other PVase component (Eβ and Eγ) with the other cholinesterase components (CS2, CS3, CS4). The kinetic analysis has allowed us to stablish a method for discriminating the enzymatic component based on a simple test with two inhibitors. It can be used as biomarker in toxicological studies and for monitoring these cholinesterase components during isolation and molecular identification processes, which will allow OP toxicity to be understood by a multi-target approach. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Association of a Controlled Substance Scoring Algorithm with Health Care Costs and Hospitalizations: A Cohort Study.

PubMed

Starner, Catherine I; Qiu, Yang; Karaca-Mandic, Pinar; Gleason, Patrick P

2016-12-01

Patients often misuse a combination of prescription drugs including opioids; however, the relationship between a controlled substance (CS) score and health outcomes is unknown. To examine the association between a CS scoring algorithm and health care use, specifically total cost of care, hospitalizations, and emergency room (ER) visits. This analysis was a retrospective cohort study using administrative claims data from a large U.S. health insurer. Included in the analysis were 999,852 members with a minimum CS score of 2.5 in the fourth quarter (4Q) of 2012, who were continuously enrolled from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2013, and who were aged 18 years or older. A CS score was calculated using 4Q 2012 (3 months) prescription claims data and divided into 3 components: (1) number of CS claims, (2) number of unique pharmacies and unique prescribers, and (3) evidence of increasing CS use. The primary outcomes were total cost of care (pharmacy and medical costs), all-cause hospitalizations, and ER visits in 2013. We also quantified what a 1-point change in CS score meant for the primary outcomes. 47% of members had a CS score of 2.5, indicating a single CS claim, and 51% of members had a score between 3 and less than 12. The remaining 2% (20,858 members) had a score of 12 or more. There was a statistically significant and consistently increasing association between the 4Q 2012 CS score and hospitalizations, ER visits, and total costs of care in 2013. A 1-point change in CS score was associated with a $1,488 change in total cost of care, 0.9% change in the hospitalization rate, and 1.5% change in the ER visit rate. There is a linear association between increasing CS score and negative health outcomes. Insurers should consider interventions to lower member CS scores. This study was funded internally by Prime Therapeutics. Starner, Qiu, and Gleason are employees of Prime Therapeutics, a pharmacy benefits management company. Karaca-Mandic is an employee of the University of Minnesota and did not receive any compensation related to this work. The results of this study were presented as a poster at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy's 27th Annual Meeting and Expo; San Diego, California; April 7-10, 2015. Study concept and design were contributed by Starner, Gleason, and Qiu. Qiu took the lead in data collection, assisted by Starner and Gleason. Data interpretation was performed by all the authors. Starner primarily wrote and revised the manuscript, along with the other authors.

Observation of photoassociation of ultracold sodium and cesium at the asymptote Na (3S1/2) + Cs (6P1/2)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Jizhou; Liu, Wenliang; Wang, Xiaofeng; Ma, Jie; Li, Dan; Sovkov, Vladimir B.; Xiao, Liantuan; Jia, Suotang

2018-05-01

We report on the production of ultracold heteronuclear NaCs* molecules in a dual-species magneto-optical trap through photoassociation. The electronically excited molecules are formed below the Na (3S1/2) + Cs (6P1/2) dissociation limit. 12 resonance lines are detected using trap-loss spectroscopy based on a highly sensitive modulation technique. The highest observed rovibrational level exhibits clear hyperfine structure, which is detected for the first time. This structure is simulated within a simplified model consisting of 4 coupled levels belonging to the initially unperturbed Hund's case "a" electronic states, which have been explored in our previous work that dealt with the Na (3S1/2) + Cs (6P3/2) asymptote [W. Liu et al., Phys. Rev. A 94, 032518 (2016)].

Corneal Subbasal Nerve Density and Sensitivity After Pars Plana Vitrectomy Using Contact or Noncontact Wide-Angle Viewing Systems.

PubMed

Tosi, Gian Marco; Bacci, Tommaso; Tarantello, Antonio; Martone, Gianluca; Traversi, Claudio; Marigliani, Davide; Cevenini, Gabriele; Virgili, Gianni

2018-06-07

To assess corneal subbasal nerve density (SBND) and corneal sensitivity (CS) after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) without intraoperative 360-degree laser treatment using contact or noncontact panoramic viewing systems. This is a prospective study of 34 eyes affected by RRD, which underwent PPV using contact (18 eyes) and noncontact (16 eyes) panoramic viewing systems; 12 eyes which underwent scleral buckling, and 17 eyes which underwent cataract surgery. SBND and CS were assessed before surgery and 3 and 6 months postoperatively by in vivo confocal microscopy and Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry. Compared with baseline values, at 6 months, SBND and CS decreased in both contact PPV (SBND preoperative value: 19.1 ± 3.7 mm/mm; SBND postoperative value: 3.5 ± 1.3 mm/mm; CS preoperative value: 5.1 ± 0.5 cm; CS postoperative value: 1.5 ± 0.4 cm) and in noncontact PPV groups (SBND preoperative value: 19.5 ± 3.8 mm/mm; SBND postoperative value: 8.7 ± 2.3 mm/mm; CS preoperative value: 5.3 ± 0.5 cm; CS postoperative value: 2.5 ± 0.7 cm) (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). SBND reduction was greater in the contact PPV group than in the noncontact PPV group (P < 0.001). By contrast, the scleral buckling and cataract surgery group values were unchanged (P > 0.1 for all comparisons). In multivariate analysis, no significant effect was found for cataract surgery associated with PPV, pseudophakia, surgical time, intraocular pressure, or for laser in horizontal sectors for PPV groups. SBND was highly correlated with CS (r = 0.93). A contact viewing system reduces SBND after PPV more than a noncontact system does.

Stable solidification of silica-based ammonium molybdophosphate by allophane: Application to treatment of radioactive cesium in secondary solid wastes generated from fukushima.

PubMed

Wu, Yan; Lee, Chuan-Pin; Mimura, Hitoshi; Zhang, Xiaoxia; Wei, Yuezhou

2018-01-05

Silica-based ammonium molybdophosphate (AMP/SiO 2 ) is an absorbent material that can effectively remove Cs from radioactive-contaminated wastewater (RCW) generated by Fukushima nuclide accident. Pressing/sintering method was used for final disposal of secondary waste (spent absorbent) to achieve the volume reduction of AMP-Cs/SiO 2 (AMP/SiO 2 saturation adsorption of Cs) and stable solidification of Cs by adding natural allophane. The structure of AMP-Cs completely collapsed at approximately 700°C, and most Mo and P species in AMP sublimed. The optimal sintering temperature was estimated as 900°C. The stable crystalline phase of Cs 4 Al 4 Si 20 O 48 was recrystallized by the reaction of Cs 2 O, Al 2 O 3 , and SiO 2 , and the immobilization ratio of Cs was approximately 100%. The leachability of Cs from the sintered product in distilled water was approximately 0.41%. The high immobilization and low leachability of Cs were attributed to the excellent solidification properties of the sintered products of AMP-Cs/SiO 2 -allophane. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

CsPbBr3 nanocrystal saturable absorber for mode-locking ytterbium fiber laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Yan; Hu, Zhiping; Li, Yue; Xu, Jianqiu; Tang, Xiaosheng; Tang, Yulong

2016-06-01

Cesium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (CsPbX3, X = Cl, Br, I) have been reported as efficient light-harvesting and light-emitting semiconductor materials, but their nonlinear optical properties have been seldom touched upon. In this paper, we prepare layered CsPbBr3 nanocrystal films and characterize their physical properties. Broadband linear absorption from ˜0.8 to over 2.2 μm and nonlinear optical absorption at the 1-μm wavelength region are measured. The CsPbBr3 saturable absorber (SA), manufactured by drop-casting of colloidal CsPbBr3 liquid solution on a gold mirror, shows modulation depth and saturation intensity of 13.1% and 10.7 MW/cm2, respectively. With this SA, mode-locking operation of a polarization-maintained ytterbium fiber laser produces single pulses with duration of ˜216 ps, maximum average output power of 10.5 mW, and the laser spectrum is centered at ˜1076 nm. This work shows that CsPbBr3 films can be efficient SA candidates for fiber lasers and also have great potential to become broadband linear and nonlinear optical materials for photonics and optoelectronics.

Comparative study of four interleukin 17 cytokines of tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis: Genomic structure, expression pattern, and promoter activity.

PubMed

Chi, Heng; Sun, Li

2015-11-01

The interleukin (IL)-17 cytokine family participates in the regulation of many cellular functions. In the present study, we analyzed the genomic structure, expression, and promoter activity of four IL-17 members from the teleost fish tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis), i.e. CsIL-17C CsIL-17D, CsIL-17F, and IL-17F like (IL-17Fl). We found that CsIL-17C, CsIL-17D, CsIL-17F, and CsIL-17Fl share 21.2%-28.6% overall sequence identities among themselves and 31.5%-71.2% overall sequence identities with their counterparts in other teleost. All four CsIL-17 members possess an IL-17 domain and four conserved cysteine residues. Phylogenetic analysis classified the four CsIL-17 members into three clusters. Under normal physiological conditions, the four CsIL-17 expressed in multiple tissues, especially non-immune tissues. Bacterial infection upregulated the expression of all four CsIL-17, while viral infection upregulated the expression of CsIL-17D and CsIL-17Fl but downregulated the expression of CsIL-17C and CsIL-17F. The 1.2 kb 5'-flanking regions of the four CsIL-17 exhibited apparent promoter activity and contain a number of putative transcription factor-binding sites. Furthermore, the promoter activities of CsIL-17C, CsIL-17D, and CsIL-17F, but not CsIL-17Fl, were modulated to significant extents by lipopolysaccharide, PolyI:C, and PMA. This study provides the first evidence that in teleost, different IL-17 members differ in expression pattern and promoter activity. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Persistence of 137Cs in the litter layers of forest soil horizons of Mount IDA/Kazdagi, Turkey.

PubMed

Karadeniz, Özlem; Karakurt, Hidayet; Çakır, Rukiye; Çoban, Fatih; Büyükok, Emir; Akal, Cüneyt

2015-01-01

In 2010-2012, an extensive study was performed in forest sites of Mount IDA (Kazdagi)/Edremit 26 years after the Chernobyl accident. The (137)Cs activity concentrations were determined by gamma-ray spectrometry in the forest soil layers (OL, OF + OH and A horizons) separately. Based on 341 surface soil samples and 118 soil profiles, activity concentrations of (137)Cs in OL horizons varied between 0.25 ± 0.14 and 70 ± 1 Bq kg(-1), while the ranges of (137)Cs activity concentrations in OF + OH and A horizons were 13 ± 1-555 ± 3 Bq kg(-1) and 2 ± 1-253 ± 2 Bq kg(-1), respectively. Cesium-137 deposition in the study area was estimated to be in the range of 1-39 kBq m(-2) and a linear relationship between the deposition of (137)Cs and the altitude was observed. The distributions of (137)Cs activities in OL, OF + OH and A horizons throughout the region were mapped in detail. The highest (137)Cs activities were found in OF + OH horizons, with markedly lower (137)Cs activity in mineral horizons of soil profiles. It is observed that (137)Cs content of humus layer increases with the thickness of the humus layer for coniferous forest sites. The (137)Cs activity concentrations were higher than the recommended screening limits (150 Bq kg(-1)) at some of the investigated areas. The current activity concentration of top soil layers indicates that over many years since the initial deposition, (137)Cs activity is keeping still high in the organic horizons. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Inhibition of the mesoamygdala dopaminergic pathway impairs the retrieval of conditioned fear associations.

PubMed

Nader, K; LeDoux, J E

1999-10-01

Previous findings have demonstrated that systemic dopaminergic manipulations impair the retrieval of Pavlovian conditioned fear. A second-order fear-conditioning paradigm was used to test whether the dopaminergic projection from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the lateral and basal amygdala (LBA) can affect conditioned fear. Phase 1 entailed conditioned stimulus-unconditioned stimulus (CS1-US) pairings. In Phase 2, drugs were infused in either the LBA or VTA prior to pairings of CS2 (a second cue) with CS1. In Phase 3, freezing behavior elicited by CS2 was tested without drugs. Infusions of the D2 agonist quinpirole into the VTA or of the D1 antagonist SCH 23390 into the LBA caused a decrease in freezing to CS2. Both manipulations decrease D1 receptor activation in the LBA. Infusions of the D1 agonist SKF 38393 into the LBA had no effect. This pattern of results is consistent with the hypothesis that the VTA-LBA dopaminergic projection modulates the retrieval of an association between a CS and footshock US.

Radiocesium contamination of the moss Hypnum plumaeforme caused by the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.

PubMed

Oguri, Emiko; Deguchi, Hironori

2018-03-07

We investigated 134 Cs and 137 Cs activity concentrations in the common Japanese moss species Hypnum plumaeforme collected from 32 sites within ca. 100 km radius of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant. A total of 32 samples of H. plumaeforme were collected during the field surveys from November 2013 to September 2014. The maximum radiocesium activity concentrations in H. plumaeforme were 60.9 ± 1.8 kBq kg -1 for 134 Cs and 123 ± 2.3 kBq kg -1 for 137 Cs. The mean value for the 134 Cs/ 137 Cs was 1.17 ± 0.05, and the mean T ag value was 0.09 ± 0.13. Positive correlations were obtained between total 134 Cs + 137 Cs activity concentrations in H. plumaeforme and the air dose rate with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.55 (P = 0.001), and between 137 Cs activity concentration in H. plumaeforme and 137 Cs deposition density on soil with r of 0.55 (P = 0.001). These results suggest that the perennial moss species H. plumaeforme could be more suitable and useful as a qualitative indicator for the radiocesium pollution compared to vascular plants spreading over the lowlands including human habitation in Fukushima Prefecture. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

All-Solid-State Mechanochemical Synthesis and Post-Synthetic Transformation of Inorganic Perovskite-type Halides.

PubMed

Pal, Provas; Saha, Sujoy; Banik, Ananya; Sarkar, Arka; Biswas, Kanishka

2018-02-06

All-inorganic and hybrid perovskite type halides are generally synthesized by solution-based methods, with the help of long chain organic capping ligands, complex organometallic precursors, and high boiling organic solvents. Herein, a room temperature, solvent-free, general, and scalable all-solid-state mechanochemical synthesis is demonstrated for different inorganic perovskite type halides, with versatile structural connectivity in three (3D), two (2D), and zero (0D) dimensions. 3D CsPbBr 3 , 2D CsPb 2 Br 5 , 0D Cs 4 PbBr 6 , 3D CsPbCl 3 , 2D CsPb 2 Cl 5 , 0D Cs 4 PbCl 6 , 3D CsPbI 3 , and 3D RbPbI 3 have all been synthesized by this method. The all-solid-state synthesis is materialized through an inorganic retrosynthetic approach, which directs the decision on the solid-state precursors (e.g., CsX and PbX 2 (X=Cl/Br/I) with desired stoichiometric ratios. Moreover, post-synthetic structural transformations from 3D to 2D and 0D perovskite halides were performed by the same mechanochemical synthetic approach at room temperature. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Single-photon cesium Rydberg excitation spectroscopy using 318.6-nm UV laser and room-temperature vapor cell.

PubMed

Wang, Jieying; Bai, Jiandong; He, Jun; Wang, Junmin

2017-09-18

We demonstrate a single-photon Rydberg excitation spectroscopy of cesium (Cs) atoms in a room-temperature vapor cell. Cs atoms are excited directly from 6S 1/2 ground state to nP 3/2 (n = 70 - 100) Rydberg states with a 318.6 nm ultraviolet (UV) laser, and Rydberg excitation spectra are obtained by transmission enhancement of a probe beam resonant to Cs 6S 1/2 , F = 4 - 6P 3/2 , F' = 5 transition as partial population on F = 4 ground state are transferred to Rydberg state. Analysis reveals that the observed spectra are velocity-selective spectroscopy of Rydberg state, from which the amplitude and linewidth influenced by lasers' Rabi frequency have been investigated. Fitting to energies of Cs nP 3/2 (n = 70 -100) states, the determined quantum defect is 3.56671(42). The demodulated spectra can also be employed as frequency references to stabilize the UV laser frequency to specific Cs Rydberg transition.

Evaluation of an accelerated 3D SPACE sequence with compressed sensing and free-stop scan mode for imaging of the knee.

PubMed

Henninger, B; Raithel, E; Kranewitter, C; Steurer, M; Jaschke, W; Kremser, C

2018-05-01

To prospectively evaluate a prototypical 3D turbo-spin-echo proton-density-weighted sequence with compressed sensing and free-stop scan mode for preventing motion artefacts (3D-PD-CS-SPACE free-stop) for knee imaging in a clinical setting. 80 patients underwent 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee with our 2D routine protocol and with 3D-PD-CS-SPACE free-stop. In case of a scan-stop caused by motion (images are calculated nevertheless) the sequence was repeated without free-stop mode. All scans were evaluated by 2 radiologists concerning image quality of the 3D-PD-CS-SPACE (with and without free-stop). Important knee structures were further assessed in a lesion based analysis and compared to our reference 2D-PD-fs sequences. Image quality of the 3D-PD-CS-SPACE free-stop was found optimal in 47/80, slightly compromised in 21/80, moderately in 10/80 and severely in 2/80. In 29/80, the free-stop scan mode stopped the 3D-PD-CS-SPACE due to subject motion with a slight increase of image quality at longer effective acquisition times. Compared to the 3D-PD-CS-SPACE with free-stop, the image quality of the acquired 3D-PD-CS-SPACE without free-stop was found equal in 6/29, slightly improved in 13/29, improved with equal contours in 8/29, and improved with sharper contours in 2/29. The lesion based analysis showed a high agreement between the results from the 3D-PD-CS-SPACE free-stop and our 2D-PD-fs routine protocol (overall agreement 96.25%-100%, Cohen's Kappa 0.883-1, p < 0.001). 3D-PD-CS-SPACE free-stop is a reliable alternative for standard 2D-PD-fs protocols with acceptable acquisition times. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spin Polarization of Rb and Cs n p P2 3/2 (n =5 , 6) Atoms by Circularly Polarized Photoexcitation of a Transient Diatomic Molecule

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mironov, A. E.; Hewitt, J. D.; Eden, J. G.

2017-03-01

We report the selective population of Rb or Cs n p P2 3/2 (n =5 , 6; F =4 , 5) hyperfine states by the photodissociation of a transient, alkali-rare gas diatomic molecule. Circularly polarized (σ-), amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) on the D2 line of Rb or Cs (780.0 and 852.1 nm, respectively) is generated when Rb-Xe or Cs-Xe ground state collision pairs are photoexcited by a σ+-polarized optical field having a wavelength within the D2 blue satellite continuum, associated with the B Σ2 1/2 +←X Σ2 1/2 + (free←free ) transition of the diatomic molecule. The degree of spin polarization of Cs (6 p P3/2 2 ), specifically, is found to be dependent on the interatomic distance (R ) at which the excited complex is born, a result attributed to the structure of the B Σ2 1/2 + state. For Cs-Xe atomic pairs, tuning the wavelength of the optical field from 843 to 848 nm varies the degree of circular polarization of the ASE from 63% to almost unity because of the perturbation, in the 5 ≤R ≤6 Å interval, of the Σ2 1/2 + potential by a d σ molecular orbital associated with a higher Λ 2 electronic state. Monitoring only the Cs 6 p P3/2 2 spin polarization reveals a previously unobserved interaction of CsXe (B Σ2 1/2 + ) with the lowest vibrational levels of a Λ 2 state derived from Cs (5 d )+Xe . By inserting a molecular intermediate into the alkali atom excitation mechanism, these experiments realize electronic spin polarization through populating no more than two n p P2 3/2 hyperfine states, and demonstrate a sensitive spectroscopic probe of R -dependent state-state interactions and their impact on interatomic potentials.

CS Informativeness Governs CS-US Associability

PubMed Central

Ward, Ryan D.; Gallistel, C. R.; Jensen, Greg; Richards, Vanessa L.; Fairhurst, Stephen; Balsam, Peter D

2012-01-01

In a conditioning protocol, the onset of the conditioned stimulus (CS) provides information about when to expect reinforcement (the US). There are two sources of information from the CS in a delay conditioning paradigm in which the CS-US interval is fixed. The first depends on the informativeness, the degree to which CS onset reduces the average expected time to onset of the next US. The second depends only on how precisely a subject can represent a fixed-duration interval (the temporal Weber fraction). In three experiments with mice, we tested the differential impact of these two sources of information on rate of acquisition of conditioned responding (CS-US associability). In Experiment 1, we show that associability (the inverse of trials to acquisition) increases in proportion to informativeness. In Experiment 2, we show that fixing the duration of the US-US interval or the CS-US interval or both has no effect on associability. In Experiment 3, we equated the increase in information produced by varying the C̅/T̅ ratio with the increase produced by fixing the duration of the CS-US interval. Associability increased with increased informativeness, but, as in Experiment 2, fixing the CS-US duration had no effect on associability. These results are consistent with the view that CS-US associability depends on the increased rate of reward signaled by CS onset. The results also provide further evidence that conditioned responding is temporally controlled when it emerges. PMID:22468633

Influence of the rate of infusion on cyclosporine nephrotoxicity in the rat.

PubMed

Finn, W F; McCormack, A J; Sullivan, B A; Hak, L J; Clark, R L

1989-01-01

The effect of the rate of infusion of single and multiple doses of cyclosporine (CsA) on renal function was evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats. CsA was dissolved in cremophore (Crem) or Tween 80 (Tween) and infused over consecutive 10-min periods at doses of 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg/kg. CsA-Crem and CsA-Tween produced similar and progressive changes in MAP, RBF, and RVR. By the end of the infusion, the mean values (% of control) of MAP (122 +/- 16% and 131 +/- 22%), RBF (56 +/- 11% and 66 +/- 20%), and RVR (222 +/- 38% and 232 +/- 134%) were significantly different from their respective preinfusion values. Infusion of Crem alone resulted in renal vasodilation at low doses and renal vasoconstriction at high doses. Vasoconstriction was not produced by infusion of Tween alone. In addition, animals were treated with vehicle alone (Gp 1), CsA 10 mg/kg/day by injection (Gp 2), or CsA 20 mg/kg/day by i.v. infusion over 4 hr (Gp 3), and were studied at 1 week. Systemic toxicity was greater with the 4-hr infusion as judged by an increase in MAP. The mean values of MAP were 107 +/- 8 (Gp 1), 101 +/- 13 (Gp 2), and 135 +/- 5 mm Hg (Gp 3; p less than 0.05). However, renal function was less severely affected with the 4-hr infusion. The mean values of CIn were 434 +/- 99 (Gp 1), 298 +/- 101 (Gp 2; p less than 0.05), and 425 +/- 114 microL/min/100 g BW (Gp 3); and the mean values for RBF were 2.72 +/- 0.74 (Gp 1), 2.08 +/- 0.17 (Gp 2; p less than 0.05), and 3.35 +/- 0.61 mL/min/100 g BW (Gp 3), respectively. Microangiograms showed marked abnormalities in the intrarenal perfusion pattern in the rats injected with CsA, 10 mg/kg BW. In rats infused over 4 hr with CsA, 20 mg/kg BW, the microangiographic pattern was normal. These studies demonstrate that the acute hemodynamic effects of CsA are directly related to the rate of infusion. Furthermore, the renal toxicity which follows repetitive injection of CsA can be minimized or avoided by administering CsA as a slow infusion. In addition to the total dose administered, the rate of infusion is an important determinant of nephrotoxicity.

Crystal structure, electronic structure, temperature-dependent optical and scintillation properties of CsCe 2Br 7

DOE PAGES

Wu, Yuntao; Shi, Hongliang; Chakoumakos, Bryan C.; ...

2015-10-05

CsCe 2Br 7 is a self-activated inorganic scintillator that shows promising performance, but the understanding of the important structure-property relationships is lacking. In this work, we conduct a comprehensive study on CCsCe 2Br 7. The crystal structure of CsCe 2Br 7 is refined using single crystal X-ray study for the first time. It crystallizes into the orthorhombic crystal system with Pmnb space group. Its electronic structure is revealed by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. Two cerium emission centers are identified and the energy barriers related to the thermal quenching to 4f ground states of Ce 3+ for these two Cemore » centers are evaluated. CsCe 2Br 7 single crystal has better light yield and energy resolution than CsCe 2Cl 7, but with an additional slow decay component of 1.7 s. The existence of a deep trap with a depth of 0.9 eV in CsCe 2Cl 7 contributes to its higher afterglow level in comparison to that of CsCe 2Br 7. The most possible point defects in CsCe 2Cl 7 and CsCe 2Br 7 are proposed by considering the vapour pressure in the growth atmosphere upon melting point.« less

PbCl2-tuned inorganic cubic CsPbBr3(Cl) perovskite solar cells with enhanced electron lifetime, diffusion length and photovoltaic performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Bo; Zhang, Yanan; Zhang, Luyuan; Yin, Longwei

2017-08-01

Inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite is arousing great interest following after organic-inorganic hybrid halide perovskites, and is found as a good candidate for photovoltaic devices for its prominent photoelectric property and stability. Herein, we for the first time report on PbCl2-tuned inorganic Cl-doped CsPbBr3(Cl) perovskite solar cells with adjustable crystal structure and Cl doping for enhanced carrier lifetime, extraction rate and photovoltaic performance. The effect of PbCl2 on the morphologies, structures, optical, and photovoltaic performance of CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cells is investigated systemically. Compared with orthorhombic CsPbBr3, cubic CsPbBr3 demonstrates a significant improvement for electron lifetime (from 6.7 ns to 12.3 ns) and diffusion length (from 69 nm to 197 nm), as well as the enhanced electron extraction rate from CsPbBr3 to TiO2. More importantly, Cl doping benefits the further enhancement of carrier lifetime (14.3 ns) and diffusion length (208 nm). The Cl doped cubic CsPbBr3(Cl) perovskite solar cell exhibits a Jsc of 8.47 mA cm-2 and a PCE of 6.21%, superior to that of pure orthorhombic CsPbBr3 (6.22 mA cm-2 and 3.78%). The improvement of photovoltaic performance can be attributed to enhanced carrier lifetime, diffusion length and extraction rates, as well as suppressed nonradiative recombination.

Influenza A virus infection and cigarette smoke impair bronchodilator responsiveness to β-adrenoceptor agonists in mouse lung.

PubMed

Donovan, Chantal; Seow, Huei Jiunn; Bourke, Jane E; Vlahos, Ross

2016-05-01

β2-adrenoceptor agonists are the mainstay therapy for patients with asthma but their effectiveness in cigarette smoke (CS)-induced lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is limited. In addition, bronchodilator efficacy of β2-adrenoceptor agonists is decreased during acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD), caused by respiratory viruses including influenza A. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the effects of the β2-adrenoceptor agonist salbutamol (SALB) on small airway reactivity using mouse precision cut lung slices (PCLS) prepared from CS-exposed mice and from CS-exposed mice treated with influenza A virus (Mem71, H3N1). CS exposure alone reduced SALB potency and efficacy associated with decreased β2-adrenoceptor mRNA expression, and increased tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) expression. This impaired relaxation was restored by day 12 in the absence of further CS exposure. In PCLS prepared after Mem71 infection alone, responses to SALB were transient and were not well maintained. CS exposure prior to Mem71 infection almost completely abolished relaxation, although β2-adrenoceptor and TNFα and IL-1β expression were unaltered. The present study has shown decreased sensitivity to SALB after CS or a combination of CS and Mem71 occurs by different mechanisms. In addition, the PCLS technique and our models of CS and influenza infection provide a novel setting for assessment of alternative bronchodilators. © 2016 The Author(s).

Cesium lead iodide solar cells controlled by annealing temperature.

PubMed

Kim, Yu Geun; Kim, Tae-Yoon; Oh, Jeong Hyeon; Choi, Kyoung Soon; Kim, Youn-Jea; Kim, Soo Young

2017-02-22

An inorganic lead halide perovskite film, CsPbI 3 , used as an absorber in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) was optimized by controlling the annealing temperature and the layer thickness. The CsPbI 3 layer was synthesized by one-step coating of CsI mixed with PbI 2 and a HI additive in N,N-dimethylformamide. The annealing temperature of the CsPbI 3 film was varied from 80 to 120 °C for different durations and the thickness was controlled by changing the spin-coating rpm. After annealing the CsPbI 3 layer at 100 °C under dark conditions for 10 min, a black phase of CsPbI 3 was formed and the band gap was 1.69 eV. Most of the yellow spots disappeared, the surface coverage was almost 100%, and the rms roughness was minimized to 3.03 nm after annealing at 100 °C. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the CsPbI 3 based PSC annealed at 100 °C was 4.88%. This high PCE value is attributed to the low yellow phase ratio, high surface coverage, low rms roughness, lower charge transport resistance, and lower charge accumulation. The loss ratio of the PCE of the CH 3 NH 3 PbI x Cl 3-x and CsPbI 3 based PSCs after keeping in air was 47 and 26%, respectively, indicating that the stability of the CsPbI 3 based PSC is better than that of the CH 3 NH 3 PbI x Cl 3-x based PSC. From these results, it is evident that CsPbI 3 is a potential candidate for solar cell applications.

[Study on the difference of corresponding age at cervical vertebral maturation stages among different skeletal malocclusions].

PubMed

Zuo, Changyan; Cong, Chao; Wang, Shihui; Gu, Yan

2015-10-01

To compare the difference of corresponding age at cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) stages among different skeletal malocclusions and provide clinic guideline on optimal treatment timing for skeletal malocclusion. Based on ANB angle, 2 575 cephalograms collected from Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from May, 2006 to November, 2014 were classified into skeletal Class I (ANB 0°~5°, 1 317 subjects), Class II (ANB > 5°, 685 subjects) and Class III (ANB < 0°, 573 subjects) groups. CVM stages were evaluated with the modified version of CVM method. Independent sample t test was performed to analyze the difference of age at different CVM stages among various skeletal groups. Significant gender difference of age was found at CS3 to CS6 for skeletal Class I group (P < 0.05), at CS5 and CS6 for skeletal Class II group (P < 0.05), and at CS3 and CS5 for skeletal Class III group (P < 0.05). At CS3 stage, the average age of male in skeletal Class II and skeletal Class III groups was (11.6 ± 1.5) years old and (10.3 ± 1.9) years old, respectively; the average age of females in those two groups was (11.7 ± 1.3) years old and (9.3 ± 1.5) years old, respectively, and significant difference was found in both comparisons (P < 0.05). Compared average age at CS5 and CS6 between skeletal Class II and skeletal Class III groups [the ages of male was (15.1 ± 1.7) and (16.8 ± 1.6) years old, the ages of male was (14.6 ± 1.2) and (15.7 ± 2.5) years old], significant difference was also found (P < 0.05). Significant gender differences were found when evaluated CVM stage and age in skeletal Class I, II and III groups. Significant differences of age at different CVM stage was noted when skeletal Class II was compared with skeletal Class III groups.

Prevalence and real clinical impact of Cupressus sempervirens and Juniperus communis sensitisations in Tuscan "Maremma", Italy.

PubMed

Sposato, Bruno; Scalese, Macro

2013-01-01

The aim was to evaluate the impact of Cupressus sempervirens (Cs) and Juniperus communis (Jc) sensitisations in "Maremma" in southern Tuscany. 811 consecutive outpatients (357 F - 57.86%; age: 36.9 ± 16.6) with suspected allergic respiratory symptoms underwent skin prick tests (SPT) for common allergens and for Cs and Jc. SPT resulted negative in 295 (36.37%) subjects. A Cs/Jc sensitisation was found in 294 (36.25%): 289 (98.3%) were sensitised to Cs whereas 198 (67.34%) to Jc. There was a co-sensitisation between Cs and Jc in 193 (65.6%) subjects. Cs/Jc mono-sensitisation was found in 39 (13.6%) subjects. A higher number (p<0.0001) of Cs/Jc sensitised subjects reported winter (131-44.55%) and spring (124-42.2%) symptoms compared to Cs/Jc non-sensitised and non-allergic subjects. Most Cs/Jc sensitised subjects reported rhinitis and conjunctivitis (p<0.0001), whereas only few reported coughing and asthma (p<0.01). The most frequent co-sensitisation was with grass, olive and other trees in Cs/Jc subjects (p<0.001). Those who reported winter symptoms, likely influenced by Cupressaceae, rhinitis was the main symptom whereas asthma was less frequent. Cs/Jc sensitisation resulted to be a risk factor (OR: 1.73 [CI95% 1.18-2.55]) for rhinitis whereas the probability of being asthmatic was reduced (OR: 0.62 [CI95% 0.44-0.85]). The prevalence of Cs/Jc sensitisation is about 36% in "Maremma". However, only in 44% of the patients, Cs/Jc seem to cause typical winter symptoms. Rhinitis is the predominant symptom, whereas asthma is less frequent. Testing Cupressaceae sensitisation using Jc pollen extract, rather than Cs, may result to be less sensitive. Copyright © 2011 SEICAP. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Onyx 18 embolisation of dural arteriovenous fistula via arterial and venous pathways: preliminary experience and evaluation of the short-term outcomes

PubMed Central

Long, X-A; Karuna, T; Zhang, X; Luo, B; Duan, C-Z

2012-01-01

Objective This paper mainly focuses on our preliminary experience and short-term outcome evaluation of embolisation of non-cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulas (ncsDAVFs) and cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas (csDAVFs) using Onyx 18 (ev3, Plymouth, MN), and in combination with coils, via arterial and venous approaches, respectively. Methods Between August 2008 and March 2010, 21 DAVFs (11 ncsDAVFs and 10 csDAVFs; age range: 28–68 years; 12 females and 9 males) were undertaken. Borden classification showed Type III in 1 and Type II in 10 ncsDAVFs, and Type II in 4 and Type I in 6 csDAVFs. Onyx 18 was used in 11 ncsDAVFs (10 via single feeder and 1 via 2 feeders). Onyx 18 or in combination with coils was used in 10 csDAVFs (9 via the inferior petrosal sinus and 1 via the superior ophthalmic vein). Results Total occlusion in immediate angiography was achieved in 18 cases (85.7%; 10 ncsDAVFs and 8 csDAVFs), and near-total occlusion in 1 ncsDAVF and 2 csDAVFs. Onyx 18 was migrated into normal vasculature in two ncsDAVFs without any sequelae. One csDAVF had VI cranial nerve palsy post-operatively, which completely recovered 2 weeks post-embolisation. Follow-up angiography at 3–12 months showed complete occlusion in 20 cases (95.2%; 10 ncsDAVFs and 10 csDAVFs). One ncsDAVF (4.8%) recurred after 3 months and was successfully re-embolised. Conclusion Preliminary results achieved after embolising 11 ncsDAVFs and 10 csDAVFs using Onyx 18 and in combination with coils via arterial and venous pathways, respectively, appeared to be safe, feasible and effective, as 95.2% of cases were totally occluded without any clinical sequelae. PMID:22374275

Method for ultra-trace cesium isotope ratio measurements from environmental samples using thermal ionization mass spectrometry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Snow, Mathew S.; Snyder, Darin C.; Mann, Nick R.

2015-05-01

135Cs/ 137Cs isotope ratios can provide the age, origin and history of environmental Cs contamination. Relatively high precision 135Cs/ 137Cs isotope ratio measurements from samples containing femtogram quantities of 137Cs are needed to accurately track contamination resuspension and redistribution following environmental 137Cs releases; however, mass spectrometric analyses of environmental samples are limited by the large quantities of ionization inhibitors and isobaric interferences which are present at relatively high concentrations in the environment. We report a new approach for Cs purification from environmental samples. An initial ammonium molybdophosphate-polyacrylonitrile (AMP-PAN) column provides a robust method for extracting Cs under a wide varietymore » of sample matrices and mass loads. Cation exchange separations using a second AMP-PAN column result in more than two orders of magnitude greater Cs/Rb separation factors than commercially available strong cation exchangers. Coupling an AMP-PAN cation exchanging step to a microcation column (AG50W resin) enables consistent 2-4% (2σ) measurement errors for samples containing 3-6,000 fg 137Cs, representing the highest precision 135Cs/ 137Cs ratio measurements currently reported for soil samples at the femtogram level.« less

Desorption Induced by KEV Molecular and Cluster Projectiles.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blain, Matthew Glenn

1990-01-01

A new experimental method has been developed for studying negative secondary ion (SI) emission from solid surfaces bombarded by polyatomic primary ions of 5 to 30 keV. The method is based on the time-of-flight (TOF) analysis of primary ions which are produced by either ^ {252}Cf fission fragment induced desorption or by extraction from a liquid metal ion source, and then accelerated into a field free region. The primary ions included organic monomer, dimer, and fragment ions of coronene and phenylalanine, (CsI)_ nCs ^{+} cluster ions, and Au _sp{n}{+} cluster ions. Secondary electrons, emitted from a target surface upon primary ion impact, are used to identify which primary ion has hit the surface. An event-by-event coincidence counting technique allows several secondary ion TOF spectra, correlated to several different primary ions, to be acquired simultaneously. Negative SI yields from organic (phenylalanine and dinitrostilbene), CsI, and Au surfaces have been measured for a number of different mono- and polyatomic primary ions. The results show, for example, yields ranging from 1 to 10% for phenylalanine (M-H) ^{ -}, 1 to 10% for I^{-} , and 1 to 5% for Au^{-} , with Cs_2I^ {+} and Cs_3I _sp{2}{+} clusters as projectiles. Yields for the same surfaces using Cs ^{+} primary ions are much less than 1%, indicating that SI yields are enhanced with clusters. A yield enhancement occurs when the SI yield per atom of a polyatomic projectile is greater than the SI yield of its monoatomic equivalent, at the same velocity. Thus, a (M-H) ^{-} yield increase of a factor of 50, when phenylalanine is bombarded with Cs_3I_sp{2} {+} instead of Cs^{+ }, represents a yield enhancement factor of 10. For the projectiles and samples studied, it was observed that the heavier the mass of the constituents of a projectile, the larger the enhancement effects, and that the largest yield enhancements (with CsI and Au _ n projectiles) occur for the organic target, phenylalanine. One possible explanation for the larger enhancements with organics, namely a thermal spike process, appears unlikely. Experiments with high and low melting point isomers of dinitrostilbene, bombarded with Cs _2I^{+} and Cs^{+} projectiles, showed larger Cs_2I^ {+} yield enhancements for the high melting point isomer.

Mechanism of permeability-enhancing effect of EDTA and boric acid on the corneal penetration of 4-[1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl]-2-propyl-1-[4-[2-[tetrazole-5-yl]phenyl]phenyl] methylimidazole-5-carboxylic acid monohydrate (CS-088).

PubMed

Kikuchi, Takayuki; Suzuki, Masahiko; Kusai, Akira; Iseki, Ken; Sasaki, Hitoshi; Nakashima, Kenichiro

2005-08-11

This study was conducted to clarify the penetration properties of 4-[1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl]-2-propyl-1-[4-[2-[tetrazole-5-yl]phenyl]phenyl]methylimidazole-5-carboxylic acid monohydrate (CS-088), an ophthalmic agent, and the mechanism of the permeability-enhancing effect of EDTA and boric acid (EDTA/boric acid) on the corneal penetration of CS-088. In the absence of additives, corneal permeability decreased with increasing concentration of CS-088 as CS-088 monomers self-associate to form dimers. Presence of EDTA/boric acid caused no significant changes in the physicochemical properties of CS-088, the apparent partition coefficient or the mean particle size of CS-088. EDTA/boric acid induced only a slight change in the zeta potential of liposomes used as a model of the biological membrane. On the other hand, EDTA/boric acid significantly increased membrane fluidity of liposomes, whereas other buffering agents tested did not. This effect was synergistic and concentration-dependent for both EDTA and boric acid as was observed in in vitro corneal penetration of CS-088. In accordance with the result, the rate of CS-088 permeation into the liposomes significantly increased by the addition of EDTA/boric acid. Therefore, it was demonstrated that EDTA/boric acid promotes corneal penetration of CS-088 through the transcellular pathway by increasing membrane fluidity. Conversely, other buffering agents decreased corneal permeability of CS-088 by inducing further self-association of CS-088 aggregates.

Attenuating fearful memories: effect of cued extinction on intrusions.

PubMed

Marks, Elizabeth H; Zoellner, Lori A

2014-12-01

Exposure-based therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder are thought to reduce intrusive memories through extinction processes. Methods that enhance extinction may translate to improved treatment. Rat research suggests retrieving a memory via a conditioned stimulus (CS) cue, and then modifying the retrieved memory within a specific reconsolidation window may enhance extinction. In humans, studies (e.g., Kindt & Soeter, 2013; Schiller et al., 2010) using basic learning paradigms show discrepant findings. Using a distressing film paradigm, participants (N = 148) completed fear acquisition and extinction. At extinction, they were randomized to 1 of 3 groups: CS cue within reconsolidation window, CS cue outside window, or non-CS cue within window. Intrusions were assessed 24 hr after extinction. Participants receiving the CS cue and completing extinction within the reconsolidation window had more intrusions (M = 2.40, SD = 2.54) than those cued outside (M = 1.65, SD = 1.70) or those receiving a non-CS cue (M = 1.24, SD = 1.26), F(2, 145) = 4.52, p = .01, d = 0.55. Consistent with the reconsolidation hypothesis, presenting a CS cue does appear to activate a specific period of time during which a memory can be updated. However, the CS cue caused increased, rather than decreased, frequency of intrusions. Understanding parameters of preextinction cueing may help us better understand reconsolidation as a potential memory updating mechanism.

THE SCATTERING OF K AND Cs BY SEVERAL COMPOUNDS.

DTIC Science & Technology

The nonreactive scattering of K from C10H16, (CH3)3CBr, SiCl4 , Cl2, Br2, I2, ICl, (CN)2C=C(CN)2, and Cs from HBr has been studied in experiments with... SiCl4 , and Cs + HBr and also from the supernumerary rainbows for K + C10H16 and (CH3)3CBr. An optical model analysis on K+(CH3)3CBr and Cs + HBr

Isolation of cucumber CsARF cDNAs and expression of the corresponding mRNAs during gravity-regulated morphogenesis of cucumber seedlings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saito, Y.; Yamasaki, S.; Fujii, N.; Hagen, G.; Guilfoyle, T.; Takahashi, H.

Cucumber seedlings grown in a horizontal position develop a protuberance called peg on the lower side of the transition zone between the hypocotyl and the root. We have suggested that peg formation on the upper side of the gravistimulated transition zone is suppressed because cucumber seedlings grown in a vertical position or microgravity symmetrically develop two pegs on the transition zone. Plant hormone, auxin, is considered to play a crucial role in the gravity-regulated formation of peg. We have shown that the mRNAs of auxin-inducible genes (CsIAAs) isolated from cucumber accumulate more abundantly in the lower side of the transition zone than in the upper side when peg formation initiates. To reveal the mechanism of transcriptional regulation by auxin for peg formation, we isolated five cDNAs of Auxin Response Factors (ARFs) from cucumber and compared their mRNA accumulation with those of CsIAA1 and CsIAA2. The tissue specificity of mRNA accumulation of CsARF2 was similar to those of CsIAA1 and CsIAA2. The structural character of CsARF2 predicts it is transcriptional activator. These results suggest that CsARF2 may be involved in activation of the transcription of auxin-inducible genes including CsIAA1 for peg formation. Because mRNA accumulation of five CsARFs, including CsARF2, were affected by neither gravity nor auxin, transcriptional activity of CsARF2 may be regulated at post-transcriptional level to induce asymmetric mRNA accumulation of auxin-inducible genes in the transition zone.

Half-collision analysis of far-wing diffuse structure in Cs-Xe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Exton, R. J.; Hillard, M. E.; Lempert, W. R.

1987-01-01

Laser excitation in the far red wing of the second principal series doublet of Cs mixed with Xe revealed a diffuse structure associated with the 2P(3/2) component. The structure is thought to originate from a reflection type of spectrum between the weakly bound E 2Sigma(1/2) excited state and the X 2Sigma(1/2) repulsive ground state of CsXe.

CsNIP2;1 is a Plasma Membrane Transporter from Cucumis sativus that Facilitates Urea Uptake When Expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Arabidopsis thaliana.

PubMed

Zhang, Lu; Yan, Jiapei; Vatamaniuk, Olena K; Du, Xiangge

2016-03-01

Urea is an important source of nitrogen (N) for the growth and development of plants. It occurs naturally in soils, is the major N source in agricultural fertilizers and is an important N metabolite in plants. Therefore, the identification and characterization of urea transporters in higher plants is important for the fundamental understanding of urea-based N nutrition in plants and for designing novel strategies for improving the N-use efficiency of urea based-fertilizers. Progress in this area, however, is hampered due to scarce knowledge of plant urea transporters. From what is known, urea uptake from the soil into plant roots is mediated by two types of transporters: the major intrinsic proteins (MIPs) and the DUR3 orthologs, mediating low- and high-affinity urea transport, respectively. Here we characterized a MIP family member from Cucumis sativus, CsNIP2;1, with regard to its contribution to urea transport. We show that CsNIP2;1 is a plasma membrane transporter that mediates pH-dependent urea uptake when expressed in yeast. We also found that ectopic expression of CsNIP2;1 improves growth of wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana and rescues growth and development of the atdur3-3 mutant on medium with urea as the sole N source. In addition, CsNIP2;1 is transcriptionally up-regulated by N deficiency, urea and NO3 (-). These data and results from the analyses of the pattern of CsNIP2;1 expression in A. thaliana and cucumber suggest that CsNIP2;1 might be involved in multiple steps of urea-based N nutrition, including urea uptake and internal transport during N remobilization throughout seed germination and N delivery to developing tissues. © Crown copyright 2016.

M cell-targeting strategy facilitates mucosal immune response and enhances protection against CVB3-induced viral myocarditis elicited by chitosan-DNA vaccine.

PubMed

Ye, Ting; Yue, Yan; Fan, Xiangmei; Dong, Chunsheng; Xu, Wei; Xiong, Sidong

2014-07-31

Efficient delivery of antigen to mucosal associated lymphoid tissue is a first and critical step for successful induction of mucosal immunity by vaccines. Considering its potential transcytotic capability, M cell has become a more and more attractive target for mucosal vaccines. In this research, we designed an M cell-targeting strategy by which mucosal delivery system chitosan (CS) was endowed with M cell-targeting ability via conjugating with a CPE30 peptide, C terminal 30 amino acids of clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE), and then evaluated its immune-enhancing ability in the context of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-specific mucosal vaccine consisting of CS and a plasmid encoding CVB3 predominant antigen VP1. It had shown that similar to CS-pVP1, M cell-targeting CPE30-CS-pVP1 vaccine appeared a uniform spherical shape with about 300 nm diameter and +22 mV zeta potential, and could efficiently protect DNA from DNase I digestion. Mice were orally immunized with 4 doses of CPE30-CS-pVP1 containing 50 μg pVP1 at 2-week intervals and challenged with CVB3 4 weeks after the last immunization. Compared with CS-pVP1 vaccine, CPE30-CS-pVP1 vaccine had no obvious impact on CVB3-specific serum IgG level and splenic T cell immune responses, but significantly increased specific fecal SIgA level and augmented mucosal T cell immune responses. Consequently, much milder myocarditis and lower viral load were witnessed in CPE30-CS-pVP1 immunized group. The enhanced immunogenicity and immunoprotection were associated with the M cell-targeting ability of CPE30-CS-pVP1 which improved its mucosal uptake and transcytosis. Our findings indicated that CPE30-CS-pVP1 may represent a novel prophylactic vaccine against CVB3-induced myocarditis, and this M cell-targeting strategy indeed could be applied as a promising and universal platform for mucosal vaccine development. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hip Strength Improves Novice Surface Combat Swimming Flutterkick Performance.

PubMed

Beethe, Anne Z; Nagle, Elizabeth F; Lovalekar, Mita; Nagai, Takashi; Nindl, Bradley C; Connaboy, Christopher

2018-05-29

The current study was designed to examine strength, range of motion (ROM), anthropometric, and physiological contributions to novice surface combat swimming (sCS) performance, and establish differences from freestyle swimming (FS) performance to further understand the transition of FS to sCS performance. Thirteen competitive swimmers (7 males, 6 females; 27.7±2.3 years; 176.2±2.6 cm; 75.4±3.9 kg) completed eight testing sessions consisting of the following: physiological land-based measurements for maximal anaerobic and aerobic capacity and upper and lower extremity strength and ROM, a sCS anaerobic capacity swim test measuring peak and mean force and fatigue index, two aerobic capacity tests measuring maximal aerobic capacity for both FS and sCS, and four 500m performance swims for time, one FS and three sCS. Separate multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze predictors of both sCS and FS performance models. Freestyle swimming performance was predicted by the final FS VO 2max with a R 2 of 42.03% (F(1,10) = 7.25; p = 0.0226) whereas sCS performance was predicted by isometric hip extension peak strength with an R 2 of 41.46% (F(1,11) = 7.79; p = 0.0176). Results demonstrate different physiological characteristics predict performance, suggesting an altered strategy is utilized for novice sCS than FS. It is suggested this may be due to the added constraints as mandated by mission requirements including boots, weighted gear, and clandestine requirements with hips lowered beneath the surface. Further research should examine the kinematics of the sCS flutterkick to improve performance by developing training strategies specific for the task.

High Spatial and Temporal Resolution Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography (CE-MRA) using Compressed Sensing with Magnitude Image Subtraction

PubMed Central

Rapacchi, Stanislas; Han, Fei; Natsuaki, Yutaka; Kroeker, Randall; Plotnik, Adam; Lehman, Evan; Sayre, James; Laub, Gerhard; Finn, J Paul; Hu, Peng

2014-01-01

Purpose We propose a compressed-sensing (CS) technique based on magnitude image subtraction for high spatial and temporal resolution dynamic contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA). Methods Our technique integrates the magnitude difference image into the CS reconstruction to promote subtraction sparsity. Fully sampled Cartesian 3D CE-MRA datasets from 6 volunteers were retrospectively under-sampled and three reconstruction strategies were evaluated: k-space subtraction CS, independent CS, and magnitude subtraction CS. The techniques were compared in image quality (vessel delineation, image artifacts, and noise) and image reconstruction error. Our CS technique was further tested on 7 volunteers using a prospectively under-sampled CE-MRA sequence. Results Compared with k-space subtraction and independent CS, our magnitude subtraction CS provides significantly better vessel delineation and less noise at 4X acceleration, and significantly less reconstruction error at 4X and 8X (p<0.05 for all). On a 1–4 point image quality scale in vessel delineation, our technique scored 3.8±0.4 at 4X, 2.8±0.4 at 8X and 2.3±0.6 at 12X acceleration. Using our CS sequence at 12X acceleration, we were able to acquire dynamic CE-MRA with higher spatial and temporal resolution than current clinical TWIST protocol while maintaining comparable image quality (2.8±0.5 vs. 3.0±0.4, p=NS). Conclusion Our technique is promising for dynamic CE-MRA. PMID:23801456

Preparation and antifouling property of polyurethane film modified by chondroitin sulfate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Huihui; Xue, Jing; Qian, Bin; Chen, Huaying; Zhu, Yonggang; Lan, Minbo

2017-02-01

An antifouling polyurethane film modified by chondroitin sulfate (PU-CS) was prepared by chemical grafting with N-Boc-1,3-propanediamine as a spacer. The different mass fraction of N-Boc-1,3-propanediamine was investigated to obtain PU-CS films with different CS grafting density. The surface properties of PU-CS films were comprehensively characterized. Proteins adsorption and glycosaminoglycans adhesion on films were evaluated. Moreover, inorganic salt deposition on film with highest CS grafting density (3.70 μg/cm2) was briefly investigated. The results showed that the increase of CS grafting density improved not only the hydrophilicity but the antifouling performance of films. The best antifouling film reduced the adsorption of fibrinogen (BFG), human serum albumin (HSA) and lysozyme (LYS) by 81.4%, 95.0% and 76.5%, respectively, and the adhesion of chondroitin (CS), heparin (HP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) by 70.6%, 87.4% and 81.3%, respectively. In addition, the co-adsorption of proteins and glycosaminoglycans reduced up to 86.9% and 75.5%, respectively. Changes in inorganic salt deposition after co-adsorption of proteins and glycosaminoglycans on PU-CS(3) suggested that the proteins promoted the inorganic salt deposition, while glycosaminoglycans inhibited the crystal growth. The negatively charged polysaccharides might promote the generation of smaller crystals which could be conducive to provide theoretical and practical guide to develop novel urinary stents with significant anti-encrustation properties.

Salmon migration patterns revealed the temporal and spatial fluctuations of the radiocesium levels in terrestrial and ocean environments.

PubMed

Arai, Takaomi

2014-01-01

The disabling of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (F1NPP) resulted in the release of radionuclides, including 134Cs and 137Cs, into the air and the ocean. The unpredicted nuclear accident is of global concern for human health and the ecosystem. Although investigations of radionuclides in environments were performed shortly after the accident started, the temporal and spatial impacts and fluctuations on the releasing radionuclides to natural environment remain unclear. I focused on salmon, which migrate from inland to the open ocean globally, to reveal the three-year (May 2011 to February 2014) fluctuations and accumulations of 134Cs and 137Cs from terrestrial to open ocean environments after the F1NPP accident. The 134Cs and 137Cs concentrations in six salmonids exhibited lower temporal variations for three years after the F1NPP accident, suggesting that these radionuclides are widely distributed and these radionuclides remain in the natural environment globally with less convergence. The accumulation patterns were significantly different among the different salmon species. Fluvial (freshwater residence) type salmons exhibited significantly higher accumulation in 134Cs (25.3-40.2 Bq kg(-1) in mean) and 137Cs (41.4-51.7 Bq kg(-1) in mean) than did the anadromous (sea-run) type salmons (0.64-8.03 Bq kg(-1) in mean 134Cs and 0.42-10.2 Bq kg(-1) in mean 137Cs) suggesting widespread contamination in terrestrial environments versus the coastal and open ocean environments. Salmonids are the most highly migratory animals and are characterised by their strong tendency to return home to their natal site for reproduction. Salmonids have a potential to be a good indicator as an effective monitoring animal.

Unconditioned- and Conditioned- Stimuli Induce Differential Memory Reconsolidation and β-AR-Dependent CREB Activation

PubMed Central

Huang, Bing; Zhu, Huiwen; Zhou, Yiming; Liu, Xing; Ma, Lan

2017-01-01

Consolidated long-term fear memories become labile and reconsolidated upon retrieval by the presentation of conditioned stimulus (CS) or unconditioned stimulus (US). Whether CS-retrieval or US-retrieval will trigger different memory reconsolidation processes is unknown. In this study, we introduced a sequential fear conditioning paradigm in which footshock (FS) was paired with two distinct sounds (CS-A and CS-B). The treatment with propranolol, a β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) antagonist, after US (FS)-retrieval impaired freezing behavior evoked by either CS-A or CS-B. Betaxolol, a selective β1-AR antagonist, showed similar effects. However, propranolol treatment after retrieval by one CS (e.g., CS-A) only inhibited freezing behavior evoked by the same CS (i.e., CS-A), not the other CS (CS-B). These data suggest that β-AR is critically involved in reconsolidation of fear memory triggered by US- and CS-retrieval, whereas β-AR blockade after US-retrieval disrupts more CS-US associations than CS-retrieval does. Furthermore, significant CREB activation in almost the whole amygdala and hippocampus was observed after US-retrieval, but CS-retrieval only stimulated CREB activation in the lateral amygdala and the CA3 of hippocampus. In addition, propranolol treatment suppressed memory retrieval-induced CREB activation. These data indicate that US-retrieval activates more memory traces than CS-retrieval does, leading to memory reconsolidation of more CS-US associations. PMID:28848401

Interplay of Cation Ordering and Ferroelectricity in Perovskite Tin Iodides: Designing a Polar Halide Perovskite for Photovoltaic Applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gou, Gaoyang; Young, Joshua; Liu, Xian

2016-09-28

Owing to its ideal semiconducting band gap and good carrier transport properties, the fully inorganic perovskite CsSnI 3 has been proposed as a visible-light absorber for photovoltaic (PV) applications. However, compared to the organic inorganic lead halide perovskite CH 3NH 3PbI 3, CsSnI 3 solar cells display very low energy conversion efficiency. In this work, we propose a potential route to improve the PV properties of CsSnI 3. Using first-principles calculations, we examine the crystal structures and electronic properties of CsSnI 3, including its structural polymorphs. Next, we purposefully order Cs and Rb cations on the A site to createmore » the double perovskite (CsRb)Sn 2I 6. We find that a stable ferroelectric polarization arises from the nontrivial coupling between polar displacements and octahedral rotations of the SnI 6 network. These ferroelectric double perovskites are predicted to have energy band gaps and carrier effective masses similar to those of CsSnI 3. More importantly, unlike nonpolar CsSnI 3, the electric polarization present in ferroelectric (CsRb)Sn 2I 6 can effectively separate the photoexcited carriers, leading to novel ferroelectric PV materials with,potentially enhanced energy conversion efficiency.« less

Comparative systems toxicology analysis of cigarette smoke and aerosol from a candidate modified risk tobacco product in organotypic human gingival epithelial cultures: A 3-day repeated exposure study.

PubMed

Zanetti, Filippo; Titz, Bjoern; Sewer, Alain; Lo Sasso, Giuseppe; Scotti, Elena; Schlage, Walter K; Mathis, Carole; Leroy, Patrice; Majeed, Shoaib; Torres, Laura Ortega; Keppler, Brian R; Elamin, Ashraf; Trivedi, Keyur; Guedj, Emmanuel; Martin, Florian; Frentzel, Stefan; Ivanov, Nikolai V; Peitsch, Manuel C; Hoeng, Julia

2017-03-01

Smoking is one of the major lifestyle-related risk factors for periodontal diseases. Modified risk tobacco products (MRTP) offer a promising alternative in the harm reduction strategy for adult smokers unable to quit. Using a systems toxicology approach, we investigated and compared the exposure effects of a reference cigarette (3R4F) and a heat-not-burn technology-based candidate MRTP, the Tobacco Heating System (THS) 2.2. Human gingival epithelial organotypic cultures were repeatedly exposed (3 days) for 28 min at two matching concentrations of cigarette smoke (CS) or THS2.2 aerosol. Results showed only minor histopathological alterations and minimal cytotoxicity upon THS2.2 aerosol exposure compared to CS (1% for THS2.2 aerosol vs. 30% for CS, at the high concentration). Among the 14 proinflammatory mediators analyzed, only 5 exhibited significant alterations with THS2.2 exposure compared with 11 upon CS exposure. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis indicated a general reduction of the impact in THS2.2 aerosol-exposed samples with respect to CS (∼79% lower biological impact for the high THS2.2 aerosol concentration compared to CS, and 13 metabolites significantly perturbed for THS2.2 vs. 181 for CS). This study indicates that exposure to THS2.2 aerosol had a lower impact on the pathophysiology of human gingival organotypic cultures than CS. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Retention of potentially mobile radiocesium in forest surface soils affected by the Fukushima nuclear accident

PubMed Central

Koarashi, Jun; Moriya, Koichi; Atarashi-Andoh, Mariko; Matsunaga, Takeshi; Fujita, Hiroki; Nagaoka, Mika

2012-01-01

The fate of 137Cs derived from the Fukushima nuclear accident fallout and associated radiological hazards are largely dependent on its mobility in the surface soils of forest ecosystems. Thus, we quantified microbial and adsorptive retentions of 137Cs in forest surface (0–3 cm) soils. The K2SO4 extraction process liberated 2.1%–12.8% of the total 137Cs from the soils. Two soils with a higher content of clay- and silt-sized particles, organic carbon content, and cation exchange capacity showed higher 137Cs extractability. Microbial biomass was observed in all of the soils. However, the 137Cs extractability did not increase after destruction of the microbial biomass by chloroform fumigation, providing no evidence for microbial retention of the Fukushima-fallout 137Cs. The results indicate that uptake of 137Cs by soil microorganisms is less important for retention of potentially mobile 137Cs in the forest surface soils compared to ion-exchange adsorption on non-specific sites provided by abiotic components. PMID:23256039

The synthesis and characterization of fatty acid salts of chitosan as novel matrices for prolonged intragastric drug delivery.

PubMed

Bani-Jaber, Ahmad; Hamdan, Imad; Alkawareek, Mahmoud

2012-07-01

The aim of this study was to prepare fatty acid salts of chitosan (CS) and to evaluate the salts as matrices for sustained drug release and prolonged gastric retention. CS-laurate and CS-palmitate were formed by mixing saturated CS solution and aqueous solutions of sodium laurate and sodium palmitate, respectively, and collected by centrifugation. They were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Different matrices as effervescent tablets were prepared using each of these CS-salts, CS and the corresponding physical mixtures of CS and the fatty acids. Sodium bicarbonate as an effervescent agent and ranitidine HCl as a model drug were incorporated into these matrices. In vitro buoyancy and drug dissolution were studied for the matrices in 0.1 M HCl. Tablets with fatty acid salts of CS showed both rapid and prolonged buoyancy (> 8 h). Comparatively, CS tablets exhibited a short floatation period (< 2 h) and tablets were completely disintegrated within 1 h of soaking. In addition, slow and prolonged drug release was achieved from tablets of fatty acid salts of CS with average drug release of 80.1 and 71.8% for CS-laurate and CS-palmitate, respectively. Rapid drug release (> 80% at 1 h) was exhibited by tablets with CS or the physical mixtures.

Adsorption characteristics of UO(2)(2+) and Th(4+) ions from simulated radioactive solutions onto chitosan/clinoptilolite sorbents.

PubMed

Humelnicu, Doina; Dinu, Maria Valentina; Drăgan, Ecaterina Stela

2011-01-15

Adsorption features of UO(2)(2+) and Th(4+) ions from simulated radioactive solutions onto a novel chitosan/clinoptilolite (CS/CPL) composite as beads have been investigated compared with chitosan cross-linked with epichlorohydrin. The effects of contact time, the initial metal ion concentration, sorbent mass and temperature on the adsorption capacity of the CS-based sorbents were investigated. The adsorption kinetics was well described by the pseudo-second order equation, and the adsorption isotherms were better fitted by the Sips model. The maximum experimental adsorption capacities were 328.32 mg Th(4+)/g composite, and 408.62 mg UO(2)(2+)/g composite. The overall adsorption tendency of CS/CPL composite toward UO(2)(2+) and Th(4+) radiocations in the presence of Cu(2+), Fe(2+) and Al(3+), under competitive conditions, followed the order: Cu(2+)>UO(2)(2+)>Fe(2+)>Al(3+), and Cu(2+)>Th(4+)>Fe(2+)>Al(3+), respectively. The negative values of Gibbs free energy of adsorption indicated the spontaneity of the adsorption of radioactive ions on both the CS/CPL composite and the cross-linked CS. The desorption level of UO(2)(2+) from the composite CS/CPL, by using 0.1M Na(2)CO(3), was around 92%, and that of Th(4+) ions, performed by 0.1M HCl, was around 85%, both values being higher than the desorption level of radiocations from the cross-linked CS, which were 89% and 83%, respectively. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ultra-low dose quantitative CT myocardial perfusion imaging with sparse-view dynamic acquisition and image reconstruction: A feasibility study.

PubMed

Enjilela, Esmaeil; Lee, Ting-Yim; Hsieh, Jiang; Wisenberg, Gerald; Teefy, Patrick; Yadegari, Andrew; Bagur, Rodrigo; Islam, Ali; Branch, Kelley; So, Aaron

2018-03-01

We implemented and validated a compressed sensing (CS) based algorithm for reconstructing dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) CT images of the heart from sparsely sampled X-ray projections. DCE CT imaging of the heart was performed on five normal and ischemic pigs after contrast injection. DCE images were reconstructed with filtered backprojection (FBP) and CS from all projections (984-view) and 1/3 of all projections (328-view), and with CS from 1/4 of all projections (246-view). Myocardial perfusion (MP) measurements with each protocol were compared to those with the reference 984-view FBP protocol. Both the 984-view CS and 328-view CS protocols were in good agreements with the reference protocol. The Pearson correlation coefficients of 984-view CS and 328-view CS determined from linear regression analyses were 0.98 and 0.99 respectively. The corresponding mean biases of MP measurement determined from Bland-Altman analyses were 2.7 and 1.2ml/min/100g. When only 328 projections were used for image reconstruction, CS was more accurate than FBP for MP measurement with respect to 984-view FBP. However, CS failed to generate MP maps comparable to those with 984-view FBP when only 246 projections were used for image reconstruction. DCE heart images reconstructed from one-third of a full projection set with CS were minimally affected by aliasing artifacts, leading to accurate MP measurements with the effective dose reduced to just 33% of conventional full-view FBP method. The proposed CS sparse-view image reconstruction method could facilitate the implementation of sparse-view dynamic acquisition for ultra-low dose CT MP imaging. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Symptomatic carotid stenosis and stroke risk in patients with transient ischemic attack according to the tissue-based definition.

PubMed

Al-Khaled, Mohamed; Scheef, Björn

2016-10-01

Symptomatic carotid stenosis (sCS), a common cause of transient ischemic attack (TIA), is correlated with higher stroke risk. We investigated the frequency and associated factors of sCS in patients with TIA and the association between sCS and stroke risk following TIA. Over a three-year period (2011-2013), 861 consecutive patients with TIA, who were admitted to the Department of Neurology at the University of Lübeck, Germany, were included in a monocenter study and prospectively evaluated. Diagnosis of TIA was in accordance with the tissue-based definition (transient neurological symptoms without evidence of infarction by brain imaging). Of 827 patients (mean age, 70 ± 13.2 years; 49.7% women), 64 patients (7.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.9%-9.7%) exhibited sCS and 3 patients (0.3%) showed an occlusion of the corresponding internal carotid artery. Logistic regression revealed that sCS was associated with male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.7; 95% CI, 1.2-3.6; p = 0.012), amaurosis fugax (OR, 8.1; 95% CI, 3.4-19-4; p < 0.001), unilateral weakness (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.9-6.1; p < 0.001), symptom duration less than 1 h (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1-3.4; p = 0.019) and previous stroke (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.5-4.7; p = 0.001). During hospitalization (mean, 6.6 days), five patients (0.6%; 95% CI, 0.1%-1.2%) suffered from stroke. The stroke risk was higher in patients with sCS than in those without sCS (6.3% vs. 0.1%; p < 0.001), whereas the recurrent TIA risk (2.6%) did not differ between the groups (4.7% vs. 2.5%; p = 0.29). SCS appears to be associated with a higher risk of stroke in patients with TIA defined according to the tissue-based definition.

Interspecific comparison of radiocesium trophic transfer in two tropical fish species.

PubMed

Pouil, Simon; Teyssié, Jean-Louis; Fowler, Scott W; Metian, Marc; Warnau, Michel

2018-09-01

The trophic transfer of radiocesium ( 134 Cs) was investigated in two tropical fish, the silver moony Monodactylus argenteus and the spotted scat Scatophagus argus. Juveniles of both species were exposed to dietary 134 Cs using the pulse-chase feeding methodology. The food was brine shrimp (Artemia salina) previously exposed to the dissolved radiotracer. Depuration kinetics of 134 Cs were followed for 45 d. Results showed that Cs was similarly efficiently assimilated by both species (AE > 50%). The estimated trophic transfer factors in the two species ranked from 1 to 2, suggesting that 134 Cs could be biomagnified in both omnivorous species. In complement, dissections of 7 body compartments were carried out at three different times in order to highlight 134 Cs organotropism. 134 Cs organotropism was similar in both species: more than 50% of 134 Cs was quickly distributed in the muscles and skeleton (after 3 days of depuration), which is likely related to the analogous behavior between Cs and K, an essential element for muscle contractions and bone formation. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Critical role of NMDA but not opioid receptors in the acquisition of fat-conditioned flavor preferences in rats.

PubMed

Dela Cruz, J A D; Bae, V S; Icaza-Cukali, D; Sampson, C; Bamshad, D; Samra, A; Singh, S; Khalifa, N; Touzani, K; Sclafani, A; Bodnar, R J

2012-11-01

Animals learn to prefer flavors associated with the intake of dietary fats such as corn oil (CO) solutions. We previously reported that fat-conditioned flavor preferences in rats were relatively unaffected by systemic treatment with dopamine D1 and D2 antagonsits. The present study examined whether systemic opioid (naltrexone, NTX) or NMDA (MK-801) receptor antagonists altered the acquisition and/or expression of CO-CFP. The CFP was produced by training rats to drink one novel flavor (CS+, e.g., cherry) mixed in a 3.5% CO solution and another flavor (CS-, e.g., grape) in a 0.9% CO solution. In expression studies, food-restricted rats drank these solutions in one-bottle sessions (2 h) over 10 d. Subsequent two-bottle tests with the CS+ and CS- flavors mixed in 0.9% CO solutions occurred 0.5h after systemic administration of vehicle (VEH), NTX (0.1-5 mg/kg) or MK-801 (50-200 μg/kg). Rats displayed a robust CS+ preference following VEH treatment (85-88%) which was significantly though moderately attenuated by NTX (69-70%). The lower doses of MK-801 slightly reduced the CS+ preference; the high dose blocked the CS+ preference (49%) but also markedly reduced overall CS intake. In separate acquisition studies, rats received VEH or NTX (0.1, 0.5, 1mg/kg) or MK-801 (100 μg/kg) 0.5h prior to 1-bottle training trials with CS+/3.5% CO and CS-/0.9% CO training solutions. Additional Limited VEH groups were trained with intakes limited to that of the NTX and MK-801 groups. Subsequent two-bottle CS+ vs. CS- tests were conducted without injections. Significant and persistent CS+ preferences were observed in VEH (77-84%) and Limited VEH (88%) groups. NTX treatment during training failed to block the acquisition of CO-CFP although the magnitude of the CS+ preference was reduced by 0.5 (70%) and 1.0 (72%) mg/kg doses relative to the Limited VEH treatment (88%). In contrast, MK-801 (100 μg/kg) treatment during training blocked the acquisition of the CO-CFP. These data suggest a critical role for NMDA, but not opioid receptor signaling in the acquisition of a fat conditioned flavor preferences, and at best limited involvement of NMDA and opioid receptors in the expression of a previously learned preference. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High inter-rater reliability, agreement, and convergent validity of Constant score in patients with clavicle fractures.

PubMed

Ban, Ilija; Troelsen, Anders; Kristensen, Morten Tange

2016-10-01

The Constant score (CS) has been the primary endpoint in most studies on clavicle fractures. However, the CS was not developed to assess patients with clavicle fractures. Our aim was to examine inter-rater reliability and agreement of the CS in patients with clavicle fractures. The secondary aim was to estimate the correlation between the CS and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score and the internal consistency of the 2 scores. On the basis of sample sizing, 36 patients (31 male and 5 female patients; mean age, 41.3 years) with clavicle fractures underwent standardized CS assessment at a mean of 6.8 weeks (SD, 1.0 weeks) after injury. Reliability and agreement of the CS were determined by 2 raters. The interclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1), standard error of measurement, minimal detectable change, Cronbach α coefficient, and Pearson correlation coefficient were estimated. Inter-rater reliability of the total CS was excellent (interclass correlation coefficient, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.88-0.97), with no systematic difference between the 2 raters (P = .75). The standard error of measurement (measurement error at the group level) was 4.9, whereas the minimal detectable change (smallest change needed to indicate a real change for an individual) was 13.6 CS points. The internal consistency of the 10 CS items was good, with a Cronbach α of .85, and we found a strong correlation (r = -0.92) between the CS and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score. The CS was found to be reliable for assessing patients with clavicle fractures, especially at the group level. With high inter-rater reliability and agreement, in addition to good internal consistency, the standardized CS used in this study can be used for comparison of results from different settings. Copyright © 2016 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

First-principles calculations of different (001) surface terminations of three cubic perovskites CsCaBr3, CsGeBr3, and CsSnBr3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, C.-G.; Krasnenko, V.; Brik, M. G.

2018-04-01

Three cubic bromide perovskites CsMBr3 (M = Ca, Ge, Sn) with two different surface terminations (CsBr and MBr2) were studied in this work using the first principles method. A wide range of physical properties, including electronic band structures, atom-projected density of states for each layer, surface relaxation effects, and surface energy, were evaluated for each considered surface termination. Differences between the properties of the bulk and slab models were highlighted. It was shown that surfaces with the CsBr termination have a lower energy and a more pronounced surface rumpling than those with the MBr2 termination. As a main result of this study, it was demonstrated that the CsBr-terminated surfaces appear to be energetically more stable in each of these three considered perovskites.

Atmospheric deposition and riverine load of (90)Sr and (137)Cs to the Gulf of Gdańsk (southern Baltic Sea) in the period 2005-2011.

PubMed

Saniewski, Michał; Zalewska, Tamara

2016-01-01

In the period 2005-2011 total atmospheric fallout and the riverine input to the Gulf of Gdańsk was 1168.8 GBq of (90)Sr and 424.1 GBq (137)Cs. The major source of both radionuclides to the Gulf of Gdańsk is the Vistula river; its contribution reached 99.7% in the case of (90)Sr and 95.8% regarding (137)Cs. The atmospheric load of (137)Cs, 18.1 GBq, was nearly 4 times bigger than in the case of (90)Sr (3.75 GBq). In the period 2005-2010, the average annual atmospheric load were at the levels 2-3 GBq for (137)Cs and 0.4-0.6 GBq for (90)Sr, while in 2011, due to the Fukuchima Dai-ichi power plant break down, an increase of annual atmospheric loads was noted to 5.3 GBq of (137)Cs and to 0.87 GBq of (90)Sr. The additional loads did not have an increasing effect on the activity concentrations of (137)Cs and (90)Sr in seawater of the Gulf of Gdańsk, where mean activity concentrations in seawater were equal to 31.1 Bq m(-3) and 7.6 Bq m(-3) in the case of (137)Cs and (90)Sr respectively. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis of and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of a novel TGF-β1-SF-CS three-dimensional scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

PubMed

Tong, Shuang; Xu, Da-Peng; Liu, Zi-Mei; Du, Yang; Wang, Xu-Kai

2016-08-01

The role of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in normal human fracture healing has been previously demonstrated. The objective of the present study was to examine the biocompatibility of TGF-β1-silk fibroin-chitosan (TGF-β1-SF-CS) three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds in order to construct an ideal scaffold for bone tissue engineering. We added TGF-β1 directly to the SF-CS scaffold to construct a 3D scaffold for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, and performed evaluations to determine whether it may have potential applications as a growth factor delivery device. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were seeded on the TGF-β1-SF-CS scaffolds and the silk fibroin-chitosan (SF-CS) scaffolds. On the TGF-β1‑SF-CS and the SF-CS scaffolds, the cell adhesion rate increased in a time‑dependent manner. Using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and analyzing the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression proved that TGF-β1 significantly enhanced the growth and proliferation of BMSCs on the SF-CS scaffolds in a time-dependent manner. To examine the in vivo biocompatibility and osteogenesis of the TGF-β1‑SF-CS scaffolds, the TGF-β1-SF-CS scaffolds and the SF-CS scaffolds were implanted in rabbit mandibles and studied histologically and microradiographically. The 3D computed tomography (CT) scan and histological examinations of the samples showed that the TGF-β1-SF-CS scaffolds exhibited good biocompatibility and extensive osteoconductivity with the host bone after 8 weeks. Moreover, the introduction of TGF-β1 to the SF-CS scaffolds markedly enhanced the efficiency of new bone formation, and this was confirmed using bone mineral density (BMD) and biomechanical evaluation, particularly at 8 weeks after implantation. We demonstrated that the TGF-β1‑SF-CS scaffolds possessed as good biocompatibility and osteogenesis as the hybrid ones. Taken together, these findings indicate that the TGF-β1-SF-CS scaffolds fulfilled the basic requirements of bone tissue engineering, and have the potential to be applied in orthopedic, reconstructive and maxillofacial surgery. Thus, TGF-β1-SF-CS composite scaffolds represent a promising, novel type of scaffold for use in bone tissue engineering.

Enhanced efficiency of inverted polymer solar cells by using solution-processed TiOx/CsOx cathode buffer layer.

PubMed

Zhou, Xiaodong; Fan, Xi; Sun, Xianke; Zhang, Yunli; Zhu, Ziqiang

2015-01-01

In this work, a double-buffer film of TiOx coated with CsOx (TiOx/CsOx) was solution prepared to be applied in poly(3-hexylthiophene):indene-C60 bisadduct (P3HT:ICBA) and P3HT:[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) inverted polymer solar cells (PSCs). Compared with TiOx films and CsOx films, the TiOx/CsOx double-buffer film exhibited a favorable energy-level alignment among TiOx, CsOx, and the electron acceptor of PCBM or ICBA a better surface morphology; and an enhanced wetting and adhesion property with a contact angle of 21.0°, leading to a higher electron mobility of 5.52 × 10(-3) cm(2) V(-1)·s(-1). Moreover, the P3HT:ICBA and P3HT:PCBM photovoltaic devices with the double-buffer film showed the best power conversion efficiency up to 5.65% and 3.76%, respectively. Our results not only present that the double-buffer film is superior than the single film of TiOx and CsOx, but also imply that the solution-processed film has a potential to be generally used in roll-to-roll processed organic photovoltaic devices.

Cs 2 Hg 3 S 4 : A Low-Dimensional Direct Bandgap Semiconductor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Islam, Saiful M.; Vanishri, S.; Li, Hao

2015-01-13

Cs2Hg3S4 was synthesized by slowly cooling a melted stoichiometric mixture of Hg and Cs2S4. Cs2Hg3S4 crystallizes in the Ibam spacegroup with a = 6.278(1) angstrom, b = 11.601(2) angstrom, and c = 14.431(3)angstrom; d(calc) = 6.29 g/cm(3). Its crystal structure consists of straight chains of [Hg3S4](n)(2n-) that engage in side-by-side weak bonding interactions forming layers and are charge balanced by Cs+ cations. The thermal stability of this compound was investigated with differential thermal analysis and temperature dependent in situ synchrotron powder diffraction. The thermal expansion coefficients of the a, b, and c axes were assessed at 1.56 x 10(-5), 2.79more » x10(-5), and 3.04 x 10(-5) K-1, respectively. Large single-crystals up to similar to 5 cm in length and similar to 1 cm in diameter were grown using a vertical Bridgman method. Electrical conductivity and photoconductivity measurements on naturally cleaved crystals of Cs2Hg3S4 gave resistivity rho of >= 10(8) Omega.cm and carrier mobility-lifetime (mu tau) products of 4.2 x 10(-4) and 5.82 x 10(-5) cm(2) V-1 for electrons and holes, respectively. Cs2Hg3S4 is a semiconductor with a bandgap E-g similar to 2.8 eV and exhibits photoluminescence (PL) at low temperature. Electronic band structure calculations within the density functional theory (DFT) framework employing the nonlocal hybrid functional within Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof (HSE) formalism indicate a direct bandgap of 2.81 eV at Gamma. The theoretical calculations show that the conduction band minimum has a highly dispersive and relatively isotropic mercury-based s-orbital-like character while the valence band maximum features a much less dispersive and more anisotropic sulfur orbital-based band.« less

Caffeine dependence in rats: effects of exposure duration and concentration.

PubMed

Dingle, Rachel N; Dreumont-Boudreau, Sarah E; Lolordo, Vincent M

2008-09-03

Groups of rats were chronically exposed to a 1.0-g/L caffeine solution for 5, 10, 15 or 20 days. Upon removal of caffeine, rats were given brief exposure to a novel flavour CS (withdrawal CS) followed by 12 days of plain water and then brief exposure to a second flavour CS (neutral CS). Only rats exposed to 20 days of caffeine strongly preferred the neutral CS to the withdrawal CS in a 2-bottle test. In Experiment 2, groups of rats were chronically exposed to caffeine at one of four concentrations (1.0, 0.5, 0.25, or 0.125 g/L) for 21 days, after which withdrawal and neutral CSs were established. Only rats that drank the highest caffeine concentration, 1.0 g/L, preferred the neutral CS to the withdrawal CS. This suggests that long exposure to a strong caffeine solution is required in order to induce dependence in rats such that a CS associated with the withdrawal of caffeine becomes avoided.

Development of Dorzolamide Loaded 6-O-Carboxymethyl Chitosan Nanoparticles for Open Angle Glaucoma

PubMed Central

Ahmed, Mohammed Hadi

2013-01-01

Chitosan (CS) is a biodegradable, biocompatible, and mucoadhesive natural polymer soluble in acidic pH only and can be irritating to the eye. Objective of the study was to synthesize water soluble 6-O-carboxymethyl (OCM-CS) derivative of CS, and to develop CS and OCM-CS nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with dorzolamide hydrochloride (DRZ). CS was reacted with monochloroacetic acid (MCA) for OCM-CS synthesis and was characterized by FT-IR, DSC, and 13C NMR. CS and OCM-CS NPs were prepared by ionic gelation method. Ocular irritation potential were evaluated and therapeutic efficacy was measured by reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) in normotensive rabbits. Maximum yield was obtained when the ratio of water/isopropyl alcohol was 1/4 at 55°C. The FT-IR, DSC and 13C NMR confirmed the formation of an ether linkage between hydroxyl groups of CS and MCA. The particle size and zeta potential of optimised CSNPs was 250.3 ± 2.62 nm and +33.47 ± 0.723 mV, whereas those for OCM-CSNPs were 187.1 ± 2.72 nm and 30.87 ± 0.86 mV. The entrapment efficiency was significantly improved for OCM-CSNPs, compared to CSNPs. OCM-CSNPs had tailored drug release and improved bioavailability with reduction in pulse entry as compared to CSNPs. Hence, it can be concluded that DRZ loaded OCM-CSNPs would be better alternative option to available eye drops for glaucoma treatment. PMID:24222858

Development of dorzolamide loaded 6-o-carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles for open angle glaucoma.

PubMed

Shinde, Ujwala; Ahmed, Mohammed Hadi; Singh, Kavita

2013-01-01

Chitosan (CS) is a biodegradable, biocompatible, and mucoadhesive natural polymer soluble in acidic pH only and can be irritating to the eye. Objective of the study was to synthesize water soluble 6-O-carboxymethyl (OCM-CS) derivative of CS, and to develop CS and OCM-CS nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with dorzolamide hydrochloride (DRZ). CS was reacted with monochloroacetic acid (MCA) for OCM-CS synthesis and was characterized by FT-IR, DSC, and (13)C NMR. CS and OCM-CS NPs were prepared by ionic gelation method. Ocular irritation potential were evaluated and therapeutic efficacy was measured by reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) in normotensive rabbits. Maximum yield was obtained when the ratio of water/isopropyl alcohol was 1/4 at 55°C. The FT-IR, DSC and (13)C NMR confirmed the formation of an ether linkage between hydroxyl groups of CS and MCA. The particle size and zeta potential of optimised CSNPs was 250.3 ± 2.62 nm and +33.47 ± 0.723 mV, whereas those for OCM-CSNPs were 187.1 ± 2.72 nm and 30.87 ± 0.86 mV. The entrapment efficiency was significantly improved for OCM-CSNPs, compared to CSNPs. OCM-CSNPs had tailored drug release and improved bioavailability with reduction in pulse entry as compared to CSNPs. Hence, it can be concluded that DRZ loaded OCM-CSNPs would be better alternative option to available eye drops for glaucoma treatment.

Risk of Congenital Syphilis (CS) Following Treatment of Maternal Syphilis: Results of a CS Control Program in China.

PubMed

Hong, Fu-Chang; Wu, Xiao-Bing; Yang, Fan; Lan, Li-Na; Guan, Yang; Zhang, Chun-Lai; Feng, Tie-Jian; Yang, Ying-Zhou; Yin, Yue-Ping; Yu, Wei-Ye; Chen, Xiang-Sheng

2017-08-15

Early screening for syphilis among pregnant women and the effective treatment of maternal syphilis is fundamental to prevent congenital syphilis (CS). We obtained data from the Shenzhen Program for Prevention of CS (SPPCS) and estimated incidence rates of CS among infants born to syphilis-seropositive women treated with different regimens or untreated for maternal syphilis. A total of 4746 matched cases of syphilis-seropositive mothers and their infants were included for analyses, and 162 infants were diagnosed with CS, providing an overall incidence of 3.41% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.91%-3.98%). Among infants born to syphilis-seropositive women who had syphilis and were adequately treated before pregnancy, the incidence was 0.22% (95% CI, .05%-.66%). There were 159 cases of CS occurring in 3519 infants born to women who were syphilis-seropositive during their pregnancies, for an incidence of 4.52% (95% CI, 3.84%-5.28%). The incidence of CS was 1.82%-11.90% lower among infants born to the women treated with early benzathine penicillin G (BPG) compared with those treated with late BPG (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 8.06 [95% CI, 2.93-22.21]; P < .001), other antibiotics (aOR, 7.71 [95% CI, .86-69.28]; P = .068), or those untreated (aOR, 68.28 [95% CI, 29.64-157.28]; P < .001). The incidence rates were 0.22% (95% CI, .06%-.80%) and 0.59% (95% CI, .35%-1.02%) in infants born to women treated with 2 courses and 1 course of BPG, respectively, corresponding to a risk difference of 0.37% (aOR, 1.74; 95% CI, .37-8.26). Treatment of syphilis-seropositive pregnant women with 1 course of intramuscular BPG before 28 gestational weeks is critical for prevention of CS. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Changing US Attributes After CS-US Pairings Changes CS-Attribute-Assessments: Evidence for CS-US Associations in Attribute Conditioning.

PubMed

Förderer, Sabine; Unkelbach, Christian

2016-03-01

Attribute Conditioning (AC) refers to people's changed assessments of stimuli's (CSs) attributes due to repeated pairing with stimuli (USs) possessing these attributes; for example, when an athletic person (US) is paired with a neutral person (CS), the neutral person is judged to be more athletic after the pairing. We hypothesize that this AC effect is due to CSs' associations with USs rather than direct associations with attributes. Three experiments test this hypothesis by changing US attributes after CS-US pairings. Experiments 1 and 2 conditioned athleticism by pairing neutral men (CSs) with athletic and non-athletic USs. Post-conditioning, USs' athleticism was reversed, which systematically influenced participants' assessment of CS athleticism. Experiment 3 conditioned athleticism and changed USs' musicality after CS-US pairings. This post-conditioning change affected musicality assessments of CSs but did not influence athleticism-assessments. The results indicate that AC effects are based on an associative CS-US-attribute structure. © 2016 by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McCall, Kyle M.; Stoumpos, Constantinos C.; Kostina, Svetlana S.

The optical and electronic properties of Bridgman grown single crystals of the wide-bandgap semiconducting defect halide perovskites A3M2I9 (A = Cs, Rb; M = Bi, Sb) have been investigated. Intense Raman scattering was observed at room temperature for each compound, indicating high polarizability and strong electron–phonon coupling. Both low-temperature and room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) were measured for each compound. Cs3Sb2I9 and Rb3Sb2I9 have broad PL emission bands between 1.75 and 2.05 eV with peaks at 1.96 and 1.92 eV, respectively. The Cs3Bi2I9 PL spectra showed broad emission consisting of several overlapping bands in the 1.65–2.2 eV range. Evidence of strong electron–phononmore » coupling comparable to that of the alkali halides was observed in phonon broadening of the PL emission. Effective phonon energies obtained from temperature-dependent PL measurements were in agreement with the Raman peak energies. A model is proposed whereby electron–phonon interactions in Cs3Sb2I9, Rb3Sb2I9, and Cs3Bi2I9 induce small polarons, resulting in trapping of excitons by the lattice. The recombination of these self-trapped excitons is responsible for the broad PL emission. Rb3Bi2I9, Rb3Sb2I9, and Cs3Bi2I9 exhibit high resistivity and photoconductivity response under laser photoexcitation, indicating that these compounds possess potential as semiconductor hard radiation detector materials.« less

Interface engineering of CsPbBr3/TiO2 heterostructure with enhanced optoelectronic properties for all-inorganic perovskite solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qian, Chong-Xin; Deng, Zun-Yi; Yang, Kang; Feng, Jiangshan; Wang, Ming-Zi; Yang, Zhou; Liu, Shengzhong Frank; Feng, Hong-Jian

2018-02-01

Interface engineering has become a vital method in accelerating the development of perovskite solar cells in the past few years. To investigate the effect of different contacted surfaces of a light absorber with an electron transporting layer, TiO2, we synthesize CsPbBr3/TiO2 thin films with two different interfaces (CsBr/TiO2 and PbBr2/TiO2). Both interfacial heterostructures exhibit enhanced visible light absorption, and the CsBr/TiO2 thin film presents higher absorption than the PbBr2/TiO2 interface, which is attributed to the formation of interface states and the decreased interface bandgap. Furthermore, compared with the PbBr2/TiO2 interface, CsBr/TiO2 solar devices present larger output short circuit current and shorter photoluminescence decay time, which indicates that the CsBr contacting layer with TiO2 can better extract and separate the photo-induced carriers. The first-principles calculations confirm that, due to the existence of staggered gap (type II) offset junction and the interface states, the CsBr/TiO2 interface can more effectively separate the photo-induced carriers and thus drive the electron transfer from the CsPbBr3 perovskite layer to the TiO2 layer. These results may be beneficial to exploit the potential application of all-inorganic perovskite CsPbBr3-based solar cells through the interface engineering route.

Bisacodyl plus split 2-L polyethylene glycol-citrate-simethicone improves quality of bowel preparation before screening colonoscopy

PubMed Central

Valiante, Flavio; Bellumat, Angelo; De Bona, Manuela; De Boni, Michele

2013-01-01

AIM: To compare the bowel cleansing efficacy, tolerability and acceptability of split 2-L polyethylene glycol (PEG)-citrate-simethicone (PEG-CS) plus bisacodyl (BIS) vs 4-L PEG for fecal occult blood test-positive screening colonoscopy. METHODS: This was a randomised, observer-blind comparative study. Two hundred and sixty-four subjects underwent screening colonoscopy (mean age 62.5 ± 7.4 years, male 61.7%). The primary objective of the study was to compare the bowel cleansing efficacy of the two preparations. Interventions: BIS plus PEG-CS: 3 tablets of 5-mg BIS at 16:00, PEG-CS 1-L at 19:00 and 1-L at 7:00, 4-L PEG: 3-L at 17:00, and 1-L at 7:00. Colonoscopy was carried out after 11:00, at least 3 h after the completion of bowel preparation. Bowel cleansing was evaluated using the Harefield Cleansing Scale. RESULTS: Bowel preparation was successful for 92.8% of subjects in the PEG-CS group and for 92.1% of subjects in the 4-L PEG (RR = 1.01; 95%CI: 0.94-1.08). BIS + PEG-CS was better tolerated than 4-L PEG. A greater rate of patients in the BIS + PEG-CS group had no difficulty and/or were willing to repeat the same preparation compared to split-dose 4-L PEG group. Subjects in the BIS + PEG-CS group rated the prep as good or satisfactory in 90.6% as compared to 77% in the 4-L PEG (P = 0.003). Subjects receiving BIS + PEG-CS stated they fully adhered to instructions drinking all the 2-L solution in 97.1% compared with 87.3% in the 4-L PEG (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: BIS plus split 2-L PEG-CS was as effective as but better tolerated and accepted than split 4-L PEG for screening colonoscopy. This new procedure may increase the positive attitude and participation to colorectal cancer screening colonoscopy. PMID:24023492

Distribution of oceanic 137Cs from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant simulated numerically by a regional ocean model.

PubMed

Tsumune, Daisuke; Tsubono, Takaki; Aoyama, Michio; Hirose, Katsumi

2012-09-01

Radioactive materials were released to the environment from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant as a result of the reactor accident after the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011. The measured (137)Cs concentration in a seawater sample near the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant site reached 68 kBq L(-1) (6.8 × 10(4)Bq L(-1)) on 6 April. The two major likely pathways from the accident site to the ocean existed: direct release of high radioactive liquid wastes to the ocean and the deposition of airborne radioactivity to the ocean surface. By analysis of the (131)I/(137)Cs activity ratio, we determined that direct release from the site contributed more to the measured (137)Cs concentration than atmospheric deposition did. We then used a regional ocean model to simulate the (137)Cs concentrations resulting from the direct release to the ocean off Fukushima and found that from March 26 to the end of May the total amount of (137)Cs directly released was 3.5 ± 0.7 PBq ((3.5 ± 0.7) × 10(15)Bq). The simulated temporal change in (137)Cs concentrations near the Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Plant site agreed well with observations. Our simulation results showed that (1) the released (137)Cs advected southward along the coast during the simulation period; (2) the eastward-flowing Kuroshio and its extension transported (137)C during May 2011; and (3) (137)Cs concentrations decreased to less than 10 BqL(-1) by the end of May 2011 in the whole simulation domain as a result of oceanic advection and diffusion. We compared the total amount and concentration of (137)Cs released from the Fukushima Dai-ichi reactors to the ocean with the (137)Cs released to the ocean by global fallout. Even though the measured (137)Cs concentration from the Fukushima accident was the highest recorded, the total released amount of (137)Cs was not very large. Therefore, the effect of (137)Cs released from the Fukushima Dai-ichi reactors on concentration in the whole North Pacific was smaller than that of past release events such as global fallout, and the amount of (137)Cs expected to reach other oceanic basins is negligible comparing with the past radioactive input. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of Pseudomonas fluorescens and pyoverdine on the phytoextraction of cesium by red clover in soil pots and hydroponics.

PubMed

Hazotte, Alice; Péron, Olivier; Gaudin, Pierre; Abdelouas, Abdesselam; Lebeau, Thierry

2018-05-12

With the aim of improving the phytoextraction rate of cesium (Cs), the effect of Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 17400 and its siderophore pyoverdine (PVD) on the uptake of Cs by red clover was studied in soil pots. This work also provides a mechanistic understanding of the Cs-bacteria (or PVD)-illite-plant interactions by using a simplified experimental design, i.e., hydroponics with either Cs in solution or Cs-spiked illite in suspension. For soil spiked with 11.2 mmol kg -1 (1480 mg kg -1 ) of Cs, 0.43% of total Cs was taken up by red clover in 12 days (119 μmol g -1 (16 mg g -1 ) of Cs dry matter in roots and 40 μmol g -1 (5 mg g -1 ) in shoots). In hydroponics with Cs in solution (0.1 mmol L -1 or 13 mg L -1 ), 75% of Cs was taken up vs. only 0.86% with Cs-spiked illite suspension. P. fluorescens and PVD did not increase Cs concentrations in aboveground parts and roots of red clover and even decreased them. The damaging effect of PVD on red clover growth was demonstrated with the biomass yielding 66% of the control in soil pots (and 100% mortality after 12 days of exposition) and only 56% in hydroponics (78% with illite in suspension). Nonetheless, PVD and, to a lesser extent, P. fluorescens increased the translocation factor up to a factor of 2.8. This study clearly showed a direct damaging effect of PVD and to a lower extent the retention of Cs by biofilm covering both the roots and illite, both resulting in the lower phytoextraction efficiency.

Methane production, digestion, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen balance, and milk production of cows fed corn silage- or barley silage-based diets.

PubMed

Benchaar, C; Hassanat, F; Gervais, R; Chouinard, P Y; Petit, H V; Massé, D I

2014-02-01

This study evaluated the effects of replacing barley silage (BS) with corn silage (CS) in dairy cow diets on enteric CH4 emissions, ruminal fermentation characteristics, digestion, milk production, and N balance. Nine ruminally cannulated lactating cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design (32-d period) and fed (ad libitum) a total mixed ration (TMR; forage:concentrate ratio 60:40; dry matter basis) with the forage portion consisting of either barley silage (0% CS; 0% CS and 54.4% BS in the TMR), a 50:50 mixture of both silages (27% CS; 27.2% CS and 27.2% BS in the TMR), or corn silage (54% CS; 0% BS and 54.4% CS in the TMR). Increasing the CS proportion (i.e., at the expense of BS) also involved increasing the proportion of corn grain (at the expense of barley grain). Intake and digestibility of dry matter and milk production increased linearly as the proportion of CS increased in the diet. Increasing dietary CS proportion decreased linearly the acetate molar proportion and increased linearly that of propionate. Daily CH4 emissions tended to respond quadratically to increasing proportions of CS in the diet (487, 540, and 523 g/d for 0, 27, and 54% CS, respectively). Methane production adjusted for dry matter or gross energy intake declined as the amount of CS increased in the diet; this effect was more pronounced when cows were fed the 54% CS diet than the 27% CS diet. Increasing the CS proportion in the diet improved N utilization, as reflected by decreases in ruminal ammonia concentration and urinary N excretion and higher use of dietary N for milk protein secretion. Total replacement of BS with CS in dairy cow diets offers a strategy to decrease CH4 energy losses and control N losses without negatively affecting milk performance. Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Structure determination and optical properties of CsSm(PO{sub 3}){sub 4}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ben Hassen, N.; Ferhi, M., E-mail: ferhi.mounir@gmail.com; Horchani-Naifer, K.

2015-03-15

Graphical abstract: Projection of the CsSm(PO{sub 3}){sub 4} structure viewing along the a axis. - Highlights: • Single crystal of a new polyphosphate CsSm(PO{sub 3}){sub 4} has been synthesized. • The obtained compound has been characterized by several techniques. • The crystal structure of CsSm(PO{sub 3}){sub 4} has been resolved. • Spectroscopic properties of Sm{sup 3+} in CsSm(PO{sub 3}){sub 4} have been performed. - Abstract: A new alkali metal-rare earth polyphosphate CsSm(PO{sub 3}){sub 4} has been synthesized by flux method. The obtained compound has been characterized by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman scatteringmore » spectroscopies. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2{sub 1}/n with the following unit-cell parameters: a = 10.382(2), b = 8.978(6), c = 11.205(4) Å, β = 106.398(3)° and Z = 4. The structure of CsSm(PO{sub 3}){sub 4} is an infinite three-dimensional framework made up of double spiral (PO{sub 3}){sub n} chains linked with neighboring SmO{sub 8} and CsO{sub 11} polyhedra. Spectroscopic properties of Sm{sup 3+} in this new compound including excitation, emission, and kinetic measurement have been performed. The emission spectrum shows four transitions characteristics of Sm{sup 3+} in the orange–red region by excitation wavelength at 400 nm. The decay time curve of {sup 4}G{sub 5/2} → {sup 6}H{sub 7/2} transition has been also registered and fitted to a single exponential function.« less

Coagulation Profile in Patients with Different Etiologies for Cushing Syndrome: A Prospective Observational Study.

PubMed

Tirosh, Amit; Lodish, Maya; Lyssikatos, Charalampos; Belyavskaya, Elena; Feelders, Richard A; Stratakis, Constantine A

2017-05-01

Previous studies reported a higher prevalence of venous-thromboembolic events among patients with Cushing disease (CD) compared to those with ACTH-independent Cushing syndrome (CS) from adrenal sources. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the coagulation profile of patients with CS from different etiologies. A prospective observational study was conducted at a clinical research center. The study included adult patients admitted for evaluation of suspected CS (n=85), that were divided into 3 groups: CD (n=22), ACTH-independent CS from an adrenal tumor/hyperplasia (adrenal CS, n=21), and a control group consisting of subjects with negative screening for CS (rule-out CS, n=42). Coagulation profiles were drawn before and 8.5±4.3 months after surgery (trans-sphenoidal or adrenalectomy, n=18), and included fibrinogen, Factor VIII (FVIII), von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), antithrombin III (ATIII), Protein C (PC), Protein S (PS), α2-antiplasmin (α2AP), and aPTT measurements. Patients with CD had higher baseline mean cortisol levels, ATIII activity and vWF:Ag levels compared with adrenal CS. Differences in ATIII activity and vWF:Ag levels remained even after controlling for BMI, and ATIII after also controlling for 24-h urinary free cortisol collections. Our study showed for the first time the differences in coagulation profiles between various etiologies of CS. We assume that the higher cortisol burden among CD patients may explain the differences found in the coagulation profile as well as the higher risk for VTE compared with primary adrenal CS patients. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Occult Cushing's syndrome in type-2 diabetes.

PubMed

Catargi, Bogdan; Rigalleau, Vincent; Poussin, Agathe; Ronci-Chaix, Nathalie; Bex, Veronique; Vergnot, Vincent; Gin, Henri; Roger, Patrick; Tabarin, Antoine

2003-12-01

Subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCS) caused by adrenal incidentalomas is frequently associated with overweight and insulin resistance. Metabolic syndrome X may therefore be a clue to the presence of CS. However, the incidence of CS in this situation remains unknown. We have conducted a prospective study to evaluate the prevalence of occult CS in overweight, type-2 diabetic patients devoided of specific clinical symptoms of CS. Two hundred overweight, type-2 diabetic patients, consecutively referred for poor metabolic control (HbA(1C) > 8%), were studied as inpatients. A first screening step was performed with the 1-mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test (DST) using a revised criterion for cortisol suppression (60 nmol/liter) to maximize the sensitivity of the procedure. A second confirmatory step of biochemical investigations (midnight plasma cortisol concentration, plasma cortisol circadian rhythm, morning plasma ACTH concentration, 24-h urinary free cortisol, and 4-mg i.v. DST) was performed in patients with impaired 1-mg DST. A third step of imaging studies was performed according to the results of second-step investigations. Fifty-two patients had impaired 1-mg DST. Among these, 47 were further evaluated. Thirty were considered as false positives of the 1-mg DST, whereas 17 displayed at least one additional biological abnormality of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Definitive occult CS was identified in four patients (2% of the whole series) with Cushing's disease (n = 3) and surgically proven adrenal adenoma (n = 1). Definitive diagnosis remains to be established in seven additional patients (3.5%) with mild occult CS associated with unsuppressed plasma ACTH concentrations and a unilateral adrenal tumor of 10-29 mm in size showing prevalent uptake at radiocholesterol scintigraphy. In conclusion, a relatively high prevalence of occult CS was found in our study. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of the cure of occult CS on obesity and diabetes mellitus in these patients. Such studies might provide a rationale for systematic screening of occult CS in this population.

Glycol chitosan/oxidized hyaluronic acid hydrogels functionalized with cartilage extracellular matrix particles and incorporating BMSCs for cartilage repair.

PubMed

Liu, Chun; Liu, Deshuai; Wang, Yingying; Li, Yun; Li, Tao; Zhou, Zhiyou; Yang, Zhijian; Wang, Jianhua; Zhang, Qiqing

2018-02-05

In this article, we fabricated a bioactive hydrogel composed of glycol chitosan (G-CS) and oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA) via Schiff base reaction. Cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) particles with different concentrations were used to functionalize G-CS/OHA (S1) hydrogel. The results demonstrated that S3 (G-CS/OHA/ECM 2% w/v) hydrogel exhibited the most suitable compression strength and provided the optimal environment for proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). To assess the chondroinductivity of ECM in vitro, we compared the chondrogenesis of BMSCs in S1 (G-CS/OHA) and S3 (G-CS/OHA/ECM 2% w/v) hydrogels. The results confirmed that the higher levels of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and collagen type II (COL II) were accumulated in S3 hydrogel. In vivo, cartilage defects of rats generated most mature tissue within BMSCs-laden S3 hydrogel (S3/BMSCs group). The tissues were more integrative and contained higher levels of COL II and GAGs compared to the other groups. All these results suggested that the G-CS/OHA hydrogel functionalized with ECM particles is a good candidate biomaterial to be applied in cartilage tissue engineering.

Generation of CsI cluster ions for mass calibration in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Lou, Xianwen; van Dongen, Joost L J; Meijer, E W

2010-07-01

A simple method was developed for the generation of cesium iodide (CsI) cluster ions up to m/z over 20,000 in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS). Calibration ions in both positive and negative ion modes can readily be generated from a single MALDI spot of CsI(3) with 2-[(2E)-3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methylprop-2-enylidene] malononitrile (DCTB) matrix. The major cluster ion series observed in the positive ion mode is [(CsI)(n)Cs](+), and in the negative ion mode is [(CsI)(n)I](-). In both cluster series, ions spread evenly every 259.81 units. The easy method described here for the production of CsI cluster ions should be useful for MALDI MS calibrations. Copyright 2010 American Society for Mass Spectrometry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Vertical and lateral distribution of fallout 137Cs and soil properties along representative toposequences of central Rif, Morocco.

PubMed

Mesrar, Haytam; Sadiki, Abdelhamid; Faleh, Ali; Quijano, Laura; Gaspar, Leticia; Navas, Ana

2017-04-01

The purpose of this study is to understand and quantify the relationships between current 137 Cs inventories and the soil properties and the physiographic characteristics. A total of 36 cores were taken in seven transects with different slopes, lithology and land use. The analysis focused on the 137 Cs mass activity as well as inventories and its relationship with soil properties as grain size and organic matter. The mass activity of 137 Cs and the inventories varied between 3.6 and 63.7 Bq kg -1 and between 521.7 and 3304.4 Bq m -2 , respectively. At uncultivated soils, high concentrations of 137 Cs are located in the top 10 cm and decreased exponentially in depth. Cultivated soils record disturbed and heterogeneous 137 Cs profiles with values of mass activity and inventories up to 38.7 Bq kg -1 and 2510.8 Bq m -2 , respectively. The 137 Cs inventories were significantly higher in uncultivated soils (mean: 2086.9 Bq m -2 ) compared to cultivated soils (mean: 1397.1 Bq m -2 ). The 137 Cs mass activity showed a significant positive correlation with organic matter, silt and clay, but it was negatively correlated with sand and pH respectively. High levels of 137 Cs were found at altitudes between 500 m and 640 m a.s.l, and at slopes from 8° to 11°, as well as in dense scrub land and Fersialitic soils. A principal component analysis showed that more than 86.7% of the variance in 137 Cs mass activity was explained by the organic matter content and the land use. The results of this study provide insights into the effects of soil properties and physiographic factors on the behaviour of 137 Cs in soils of Mediterranean environments of North Africa and strengthen the reliability of this radioisotope as an erosion tracer. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Citrus ABA signalosome: identification and transcriptional regulation during sweet orange fruit ripening and leaf dehydration.

PubMed

Romero, Paco; Lafuente, María T; Rodrigo, María J

2012-08-01

The abscisic acid (ABA) signalling core in plants include the cytosolic ABA receptors (PYR/PYL/RCARs), the clade-A type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2CAs), and the subclass III SNF1-related protein kinases 2 (SnRK2s). The aim of this work was to identify these ABA perception system components in sweet orange and to determine the influence of endogenous ABA on their transcriptional regulation during fruit development and ripening, taking advantage of the comparative analysis between a wild-type and a fruit-specific ABA-deficient mutant. Transcriptional changes in the ABA signalosome during leaf dehydration were also studied. Six PYR/PYL/RCAR, five PP2CA, and two subclass III SnRK2 genes, homologous to those of Arabidopsis, were identified in the Citrus genome. The high degree of homology and conserved motifs for protein folding and for functional activity suggested that these Citrus proteins are bona fide core elements of ABA perception in orange. Opposite expression patterns of CsPYL4 and CsPYL5 and ABA accumulation were found during ripening, although there were few differences between varieties. In contrast, changes in expression of CsPP2CA genes during ripening paralleled those of ABA content and agreeed with the relevant differences between wild-type and mutant fruit transcript accumulation. CsSnRK2 gene expression continuously decreased with ripening and no remarkable differences were found between cultivars. Overall, dehydration had a minor effect on CsPYR/PYL/RCAR and CsSnRK2 expression in vegetative tissue, whereas CsABI1, CsAHG1, and CsAHG3 were highly induced by water stress. The global results suggest that responsiveness to ABA changes during citrus fruit ripening, and leaf dehydration was higher in the CsPP2CA gene negative regulators than in the other ABA signalosome components.

The Citrus ABA signalosome: identification and transcriptional regulation during sweet orange fruit ripening and leaf dehydration

PubMed Central

Rodrigo, María J.

2012-01-01

The abscisic acid (ABA) signalling core in plants include the cytosolic ABA receptors (PYR/PYL/RCARs), the clade-A type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2CAs), and the subclass III SNF1-related protein kinases 2 (SnRK2s). The aim of this work was to identify these ABA perception system components in sweet orange and to determine the influence of endogenous ABA on their transcriptional regulation during fruit development and ripening, taking advantage of the comparative analysis between a wild-type and a fruit-specific ABA-deficient mutant. Transcriptional changes in the ABA signalosome during leaf dehydration were also studied. Six PYR/PYL/RCAR, five PP2CA, and two subclass III SnRK2 genes, homologous to those of Arabidopsis, were identified in the Citrus genome. The high degree of homology and conserved motifs for protein folding and for functional activity suggested that these Citrus proteins are bona fide core elements of ABA perception in orange. Opposite expression patterns of CsPYL4 and CsPYL5 and ABA accumulation were found during ripening, although there were few differences between varieties. In contrast, changes in expression of CsPP2CA genes during ripening paralleled those of ABA content and agreeed with the relevant differences between wild-type and mutant fruit transcript accumulation. CsSnRK2 gene expression continuously decreased with ripening and no remarkable differences were found between cultivars. Overall, dehydration had a minor effect on CsPYR/PYL/RCAR and CsSnRK2 expression in vegetative tissue, whereas CsABI1, CsAHG1, and CsAHG3 were highly induced by water stress. The global results suggest that responsiveness to ABA changes during citrus fruit ripening, and leaf dehydration was higher in the CsPP2CA gene negative regulators than in the other ABA signalosome components. PMID:22888124

Phase Transition, Conformational Exchange, and Nonlinear Optical Third Harmonic Generation of A CsP 2 Se 8 ( A = K, Rb, Cs)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Haynes, Alyssa S.; Banerjee, Abhishek; Saouma, Felix O.

2016-04-12

The soluble molecular selenophosphate salts ACsP(2)Se(8) (A = K, Rb, Cs) crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Ccce with a = 14.982(3) A, b = 24.579(5) A, and c = 13.065(3) A for the Cs salt and a = 14.782(3) A, b = 23.954(5) A, and c = 13.044(3) A for the K analogue. ACsP2Se8 is composed of the molecular 6-membered ring, [P2Se8](2-), in the twist conformation charge balanced by alkali metals. The band gaps of these compounds are 2.44 +/- 0.2 eV for Cs2P2Se8, 2.41 +/- 0.2 eV for RbCsP2Se8, and 2.36 +/- 0.2 eV for KCsP2Se8. The amorphousmore » versions of these materials can be made by water quenching the melt and have band gaps for all ACsP(2)Se(8) of 2.12 +/- 0.2 eV. Raman spectroscopic studies exhibit active modes of PSe4 and Se Se in the compound. Solution P-31 NMR studies shed light into the interesting conformational fluxionality of the [P2Se8](2-) anion, including a conformation that has not been previously observed. Thermal analysis reveals ACsP(2)Se(8) exhibits a phase transition, which we investigate by in situ synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. Third harmonic generation (THG) nonlinear optical measurements determined the THG coefficient, chi(3), for amorphous and crystalline Cs2P2Se8 of 1.8 +/- 0.2 X 105 pm(2)/V-2 and 2.4 +/- 0.1 X 105 pm2/V2, respectively.« less

A Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Molten Ternary System (Li, K, Cs)Cl

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsumiya, Masahiko; Takagi, Ryuzo

2000-12-01

The self-exchange velocity (SEV) of neighboring unlike ions, has been evaluated by molecular dynamics simulations of molten CsCl, (Li, K)C1 and (Li, K, Cs)Cl at 673 K. From the increase of the SEV's in the same order as the internal mobilities it is conjectured that there is a strong correlation between these two properties. The pair correlation functions, and the self-diffusion coefficients and the SEV's of Li+, K+, and Cs+ with reference to Cl- have also been calculated. The results allow to conclude that the self-exchange velocity of the cations become vCs < vK < vLi at xCs =0.1 and vLi < vK < vCs at xCs > 0.4. The sequence of the self-diffusion coefficients agrees with that of the SEV's. The results enable to conclude that it is possible to enrich Cs at up to xCs ~ 0.3 - 0.4 in the molten LiCl-KCl eutectic system.

The transfer of {sup 137}Cs from barley to beer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Proehl, G.; Mueller, H.; Voigt, G.

Beer has been brewed from barley contaminated with {sup 137}Cs as a consequence of the Chernobyl accident. The {sup 137}Cs activity has been measured in all intermediate steps and in the by-products of the production process. About 35 % of the {sup 137}Cs in barley were recovered in beer. Processing factors defined as the concentration ratio of processed and raw products were determined to be 0.61, 3.3, 0.1 and 0.11 for malt, malt germs, spent grains and beer, respectively. 4 refs., 2 tabs.

Cigarette Smoking Impairs Adipose Stromal Cell Vasculogenic Activity and Abrogates Potency to Ameliorate Ischemia.

PubMed

Barwinska, Daria; Traktuev, Dmitry O; Merfeld-Clauss, Stephanie; Cook, Todd G; Lu, Hongyan; Petrache, Irina; March, Keith L

2018-06-01

Cigarette smoking (CS) adversely affects the physiologic function of endothelial progenitor, hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. However, the effect of CS on the ability of adipose stem/stromal cells (ASC) to promote vasculogenesis and rescue perfusion in the context of ischemia is unknown. To evaluate this, ASC from nonsmokers (nCS-ASC) and smokers (CS-ASC), and their activity to promote perfusion in hindlimb ischemia models, as well as endothelial cell (EC) survival and vascular morphogenesis in vitro were assessed. While nCS-ASC improved perfusion in ischemic limbs, CS-ASC completely lost this therapeutic effect. In vitro vasculogenesis assays revealed that human CS-ASC and ASC from CS-exposed mice showed compromised support of EC morphogenesis into vascular tubes, and the CS-ASC secretome was less potent in supporting EC survival/proliferation. Comparative secretome analysis revealed that CS-ASC produced lower amounts of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and stromal cell-derived growth factor 1 (SDF-1). Conversely, CS-ASC secreted the angiostatic/pro-inflammatory factor Activin A, which was not detected in nCS-ASC conditioned media (CM). Furthermore, higher Activin A levels were measured in EC/CS-ASC cocultures than in EC/nCS-ASC cocultures. CS-ASC also responded to inflammatory cytokines with 5.2-fold increase in Activin A secretion, whereas nCS-ASC showed minimal Activin A induction. Supplementation of EC/CS-ASC cocultures with nCS-ASC CM or with recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor, HGF, or SDF-1 did not rescue vasculogenesis, whereas inhibition of Activin A expression or activity improved network formation up to the level found in EC/nCS-ASC cocultures. In conclusion, ASC of CS individuals manifest compromised in vitro vasculogenic activity as well as in vivo therapeutic activity. Stem Cells 2018;36:856-867. © 2018 AlphaMed Press.

Radiocesium accumulation in mosses from highlands of Serbia and Montenegro: chemical and physiological aspects.

PubMed

Dragović, S; Nedić, O; Stanković, S; Bacić, G

2004-01-01

The aim of this work was (i) to determine the activity levels of 137Cs in mosses from highland ecosystems of Serbia and Montenegro, (ii) to find out if radiocesium is associated with essential biomacromolecules, and (iii) to investigate 137Cs distribution among intracellular compartments. It was found that biomolecules of mosses do not bind significant amounts of radiocesium (2.3-3.3% of the absorbed 137Cs), a behavior that was independent of the moss species. Cellular fractionation of mosses showed that membranes are the primary 137Cs-binding sites at the cellular level. They contained 26.1-43.1% of the initial radiocesium activity. It seems that 137Cs-binding molecules in different mosses are of similar chemical nature, and their distribution between various cellular compartments is not species specific.

Comparative analysis of immune effects in mice model: Clonorchis sinensis cysteine protease generated from recombinant Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis spores.

PubMed

Wu, Zhanshuai; Tang, Zeli; Shang, Mei; Zhao, Lu; Zhou, Lina; Kong, Xiangzhan; Lin, Zhipeng; Sun, Hengchang; Chen, Tingjin; Xu, Jin; Li, Xuerong; Huang, Yan; Yu, Xinbing

2017-07-01

Clonorchiasis remains a nonnegligible public health problem in endemic areas. Cysteine protease of Clonorchis sinensis (CsCP) plays indispensable roles in the parasitic physiology and pathology, and has been exploited as a promising drug and vaccine candidate. In recent years, development of spore-based vaccines against multiple pathogens has attracted many investigators' interest. In previous studies, the recombinant Escherichia coli (BL21) and Bacillus subtilis spores expressing CsCP have been successfully constructed, respectively. In this study, the immune effects of CsCP protein purified from recombinant BL21 (rCsCP) and B. subtilis spores presenting CsCP (B.s-CsCP) in Balb/c mice model were conducted with comparative analysis. Levels of specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a were significantly increased in sera from both rCsCP and B.s-CsCP intraperitoneally immunized mice. Additionally, recombinant spores expressing abundant fusion CsCP (0.03125 pg/spore) could strongly enhance the immunogenicity of CsCP with significantly higher levels of IgG and isotypes. Compared with rCsCP alone, intraperitoneal administration of mice with spores expressing CsCP achieved a better effect of fighting against C. sinensis infection by slowing down the process of fibrosis. Our results demonstrated that a combination of Th1/Th2 immune responses could be elicited by rCsCP, while spores displaying CsCP prominently induced Th1-biased specific immune responses, and the complex cytokine network maybe mediates protective immune responses against C. sinensis. This work further confirmed that the usage of B. subtilis spores displaying CsCP is an effective way to against C. sinensis.

Case mix adjusted variation in cesarean section rate in Sweden.

PubMed

Mesterton, Johan; Ladfors, Lars; Ekenberg Abreu, Anna; Lindgren, Peter; Saltvedt, Sissel; Weichselbraun, Marianne; Amer-Wåhlin, Isis

2017-05-01

Cesarean section (CS) rate is a well-established indicator of performance in maternity care and is also related to resource use. Case mix adjustment of CS rates when performing comparisons between hospitals is important. The objective of this study was to estimate case mix adjusted variation in CS rate between hospitals in Sweden. In total, 139 756 deliveries in 2011 and 2012 were identified in administrative systems in seven regions covering 67% of all deliveries in Sweden. Data were linked to the Medical birth register and population data. Twenty-three different sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were used for adjustment. Analyses were performed for the entire study population as well as for two subgroups. Logistic regression was used to analyze differences between hospitals. The overall CS rate was 16.9% (hospital minimum-maximum 12.1-22.6%). Significant variations in CS rate between hospitals were observed after case mix adjustment: hospital odds ratios for CS varied from 0.62 (95% CI 0.53-0.73) to 1.45 (95% CI 1.37-1.52). In nulliparous, cephalic, full-term, singletons the overall CS rate was 14.3% (hospital minimum-maximum: 9.0-19.0%), whereas it was 4.7% for multiparous, cephalic, full-term, singletons with no previous CS (hospital minimum-maximum: 3.2-6.7%). In both subgroups significant variations were observed in case mix adjusted CS rates. Significant differences in CS rate between Swedish hospitals were found after adjusting for differences in case mix. This indicates a potential for fewer interventions and lower resource use in Swedish childbirth care. Best practice sharing and continuous monitoring are important tools for improving childbirth care. © 2017 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

New type of borophosphate anionic radical in the crystal structure of CsAl2BP6O20

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shvanskaya, L. V.; Yakubovich, O. V.; Belik, V. I.

2016-09-01

The crystal structure of a new borophosphate CsAl2BP6O20 obtained by spontaneous crystallization in a multicomponent Cs-Cu-B-P-O system is determined by X-ray diffraction ( a = 11.815(2), b = 10.042(2), and c = 26.630(4) Å; space group Pbca, Z = 8, V = 3159.5(10) Å3; R 1 = 0.043). A new type of borophosphate anionic 2D radical characterized by the lowest B: P = 1: 6 ratio and containing P3O10 phosphate groups is found in the compound. A mixed-type anionic framework consisting of vertex-sharing BO4 and PO4 tetrahedra and AlO6 octahedra is distinguished in the structure. Large cesium atoms are located in the channels of the framework. Topological relationships are revealed between the structures of the CsAl3(P3O10)2 and CsAl2BP6O20 phases having different cationic compositions. These compounds can be considered quasi-polytypic phases.

Diagnostic performance of osteocalcin measurements in patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome.

PubMed

Belaya, Zhanna E; Iljin, Alexander V; Melnichenko, Galina A; Solodovnikov, Alexander G; Rozhinskaya, Liudmila Y; Dzeranova, Larisa K; Dedov, Ivan I

2016-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of osteocalcin (OC), as measured by automated electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA), in identifying Cushing's syndrome (CS) in two separate populations: among obese and overweight subjects and among women of postmenopausal age with osteoporosis. Among the 106 referral patients with obesity, CS was confirmed in 42 cases. The patients of the referred population provided late-night salivary cortisol (LNSC), underwent low-dose dexamethasone suppression testing (DST) and were further evaluated until CS was pathologically confirmed. A threshold of OC-8.3 ng ml(-1) differentiated CS among obese and overweight subjects with a sensitivity of 73.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 58.9-84.7) and a specificity of 96.9% (95% CI 89.3-99.1). The total area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.859 (95% CI 0.773-0.945), which was lower than LNSC or DST (P=0.01). In the retrospective portion of the study, the OC levels were evaluated in 67 subjects with newly diagnosed postmenopausal osteoporosis and in 23 patients (older than 45) with newly diagnosed CS and osteoporosis (presence of low traumatic fractures or T-score P-2.5). The diagnostic performance of OC for osteoporosis due to CS was within an AUC of 0.959 (95% CI 0.887-1.00). A threshold for OC of 8.3 ng ml-1 yielded a sensitivity of 95.4% (95% CI 78.2-99.2%) and a specificity of 98.5% (95% CI 92.0-99.7%). Thus, osteocalcin could be used in the diagnostic testing for endogenous hypercortisolism in patients referred to exclude CS and to identify CS among patients of postmenopausal age with osteoporosis.

Diagnostic performance of osteocalcin measurements in patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome

PubMed Central

Belaya, Zhanna E; Iljin, Alexander V; Melnichenko, Galina A; Solodovnikov, Alexander G; Rozhinskaya, Liudmila Y; Dzeranova, Larisa K; Dedov, Ivan I

2016-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of osteocalcin (OC), as measured by automated electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA), in identifying Cushing's syndrome (CS) in two separate populations: among obese and overweight subjects and among women of postmenopausal age with osteoporosis. Among the 106 referral patients with obesity, CS was confirmed in 42 cases. The patients of the referred population provided late-night salivary cortisol (LNSC), underwent low-dose dexamethasone suppression testing (DST) and were further evaluated until CS was pathologically confirmed. A threshold of OC—8.3 ng ml−1 differentiated CS among obese and overweight subjects with a sensitivity of 73.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 58.9–84.7) and a specificity of 96.9% (95% CI 89.3–99.1). The total area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.859 (95% CI 0.773–0.945), which was lower than LNSC or DST (P=0.01). In the retrospective portion of the study, the OC levels were evaluated in 67 subjects with newly diagnosed postmenopausal osteoporosis and in 23 patients (older than 45) with newly diagnosed CS and osteoporosis (presence of low traumatic fractures or T-score P–2.5). The diagnostic performance of OC for osteoporosis due to CS was within an AUC of 0.959 (95% CI 0.887–1.00). A threshold for OC of 8.3 ng ml-1 yielded a sensitivity of 95.4% (95% CI 78.2–99.2%) and a specificity of 98.5% (95% CI 92.0–99.7%). Thus, osteocalcin could be used in the diagnostic testing for endogenous hypercortisolism in patients referred to exclude CS and to identify CS among patients of postmenopausal age with osteoporosis. PMID:27347399

Application of Optical Coherence Tomography and Contrast Sensitivity Test for Observing Fundus Changes of Patients With Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension Syndrome.

PubMed

Wang, Zhixue; Zou, Yuanyuan; Li, Wenying; Wang, Xueyan; Zhang, Min; Wang, Wenying

2015-11-01

This study was aimed to investigate the fundus changes of patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome (PIHS) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology and contrast sensitivity (CS) tests.Ninety-eight patients with PIHS underwent routine eye examinations including vision correction, fundus examination, OCT, and CS tests. The CS test was performed at low, medium, and high frequency, respectively. Moreover, the difference in CS tests between 2 groups was analyzed by independent-samples T test. The Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test and linear regression model were used to detect the correlation of OCT with CS, respectively. Meanwhile Satterthwaite approximate T test was adopted for pairwise comparisons after nonparametric analysis of variance.The OCT test revealed that 56.76% of the examined eyes showed shallow retinal detachment in the macula lutea and around the optic disk. The differences in CS at each spatial frequency between the case and control group were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Besides, OCT manifestations were associated with CS at each spacial frequency including 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 18 frequency (P < 0.01). And patients with abnormal manifestations of OCT showed lower CS at each spacial frequency than those without abnormal OCT manifestations. What's more the OCT manifestation 1 showed the greatest impact on CS at each spacial frequency.The results showed that abnormal OCT manifestations were correlated with CS in PIHS. OCT and CS tests might be valuable methods in observing fundus changes for PIHS patients.

[The role of epicardial fat and obesity parameters in the prediction of coronary heart disease].

PubMed

Prídavková, Dana; Kantárová, Daniela; Lišková, Renáta; Červeň, Peter; Kovář, František; Mokáň, Marián

2016-04-01

To assess the relationship of parameters of obesity in relationship to coronary angiography findings with correlation of epicardial fat (EF) thickness in uppermentioned context. There were 80 patients examined (43 males, 37 postmenopausal females) undergoing elective coronary angiography. We examined the regular obesity parameters - BMI, waist circumference (WC), neck circumference (NC), total body fat (TBF), and visceral fat (VF) using bioimpedance. We assessed the echocardiographically measured EF thickness. We added examination of lipidogram, glycaemia, HOMA-IR (insulin resistance index) and AIP (aterogenic index of plasma). The set was divided into group with coronarographically proved stenosis or stenoses (withCS), and a group without finding of quantifiable stenosis or stenoses (withoutCS). The average thickness of EF in withCS group was 6.3 vs 5.6 mm in group withoutCS (p < 0.025). The differences in the thickness of EF in mentioned groups were 6.5 vs 5.2 mm in males (p < 0.025, = 20 %) and 6.1 vs 6.0 mm in females (p < 0.025, = 1.64 %). In males in withCS group, there was a dominant fat increase in epicardial region and TBF, and in females in withCS group, the fat deposits were increased in general. BMI was not a dominant parameter of adiposity in neither group (males in withCS group 31.11 vs withoutCS 30.41 kg/m(2); females in withCS group 31.40 vs withoutCS 31.20 kg/m(2)). EF was correlated the most by WC in males (r = 0.488; p < 0.005), and in females too (r = 0.564, p < 0.005). The patients in withCS group had increased HOMA-IR 4.75 vs 3.56 in withoutCS group, and AIP 0.22 vs 0.17. Thickness of EF in males and VT in females could be considered obesity parameters in assessment of pre-clinical stages of coronary atherosclerosis and prediction of risk of coronary heart disease. In adipose parameters, EF thickness was correlated the most by WC. Risk stratification of coronary artery disease is supplemented by increased HOMA-IR and AIP.

Comparing an accelerated 3D fast spin-echo sequence (CS-SPACE) for knee 3-T magnetic resonance imaging with traditional 3D fast spin-echo (SPACE) and routine 2D sequences.

PubMed

Altahawi, Faysal F; Blount, Kevin J; Morley, Nicholas P; Raithel, Esther; Omar, Imran M

2017-01-01

To compare a faster, new, high-resolution accelerated 3D-fast-spin-echo (3D-FSE) acquisition sequence (CS-SPACE) to traditional 2D and high-resolution 3D sequences for knee 3-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Twenty patients received knee MRIs that included routine 2D (T1, PD ± FS, T2-FS; 0.5 × 0.5 × 3 mm 3 ; ∼10 min), traditional 3D FSE (SPACE-PD-FS; 0.5 × 0.5 × 0.5 mm 3 ; ∼7.5 min), and accelerated 3D-FSE prototype (CS-SPACE-PD-FS; 0.5 × 0.5 × 0.5 mm 3 ; ∼5 min) acquisitions on a 3-T MRI system (Siemens MAGNETOM Skyra). Three musculoskeletal radiologists (MSKRs) prospectively and independently reviewed the studies with graded surveys comparing image and diagnostic quality. Tissue-specific signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) were also compared. MSKR-perceived diagnostic quality of cartilage was significantly higher for CS-SPACE than for SPACE and 2D sequences (p < 0.001). Assessment of diagnostic quality of menisci and synovial fluid was higher for CS-SPACE than for SPACE (p < 0.001). CS-SPACE was not significantly different from SPACE but had lower assessments than 2D sequences for evaluation of bones, ligaments, muscles, and fat (p ≤ 0.004). 3D sequences had higher spatial resolution, but lower overall assessed contrast (p < 0.001). Overall image quality from CS-SPACE was assessed as higher than SPACE (p = 0.007), but lower than 2D sequences (p < 0.001). Compared to SPACE, CS-SPACE had higher fluid SNR and CNR against all other tissues (all p < 0.001). The CS-SPACE prototype allows for faster isotropic acquisitions of knee MRIs over currently used protocols. High fluid-to-cartilage CNR and higher spatial resolution over routine 2D sequences may present a valuable role for CS-SPACE in the evaluation of cartilage and menisci.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Linaburg, Matthew R.; McClure, Eric T.; Majher, Jackson D.

The structures of the lead halide perovskites CsPbCl3 and CsPbBr3 have been determined from X-ray powder diffraction data to be orthorhombic with Pnma space group symmetry. Their structures are distorted from the cubic structure of their hybrid analogs, CH3NH3PbX3 (X = Cl, Br), by tilts of the octahedra (Glazer tilt system a–b+a–). Substitution of the smaller Rb+ for Cs+ increases the octahedral tilting distortion and eventually destabilizes the perovskite structure altogether. To understand this behavior, bond valence parameters appropriate for use in chloride and bromide perovskites have been determined for Cs+, Rb+, and Pb2+. As the tolerance factor decreases, themore » band gap increases, by 0.15 eV in Cs1–xRbxPbCl3 and 0.20 eV in Cs1–xRbxPbBr3, upon going from x = 0 to x = 0.6. The band gap shows a linear dependence on tolerance factor, particularly for the Cs1–xRbxPbBr3 system. Comparison with the cubic perovskites CH3NH3PbCl3 and CH3NH3PbBr3 shows that the band gaps of the methylammonium perovskites are anomalously large for APbX3 perovskites with a cubic structure. This comparison suggests that the local symmetry of CH3NH3PbCl3 and CH3NH3PbBr3 deviate significantly from the cubic symmetry of the average structure.« less

135Cs activity and 135Cs/137Cs atom ratio in environmental samples before and after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident

PubMed Central

Yang, Guosheng; Tazoe, Hirofumi; Yamada, Masatoshi

2016-01-01

135Cs/137Cs is a potential tracer for radiocesium source identification. However, due to the challenge to measure 135Cs, there were no 135Cs data available for Japanese environmental samples before the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident. It was only 3 years after the accident that limited 135Cs values could be measured in heavily contaminated environmental samples. In the present study, activities of 134Cs, 135Cs, and 137Cs, along with their ratios in 67 soil and plant samples heavily and lightly contaminated by the FDNPP accident were measured by combining γ spectrometry with ICP-MS/MS. The arithmetic means of the 134Cs/137Cs activity ratio (1.033 ± 0.006) and 135Cs/137Cs atom ratio (0.334 ± 0.005) (decay corrected to March 11, 2011), from old leaves of plants collected immediately after the FDNPP accident, were confirmed to represent the FDNPP derived radiocesium signature. Subsequently, for the first time, trace 135Cs amounts before the FDNPP accident were deduced according to the contribution of global and FDNPP accident-derived fallout. Apart from two soil samples with a tiny global fallout contribution, contributions of global fallout radiocesium in other soil samples were observed to be 0.338%–52.6%. The obtained 135Cs/137Cs database will be useful for its application as a geochemical tracer in the future. PMID:27052481

CsPbBr{sub 3} nanocrystal saturable absorber for mode-locking ytterbium fiber laser

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhou, Yan; Li, Yue; Xu, Jianqiu

Cesium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (CsPbX{sub 3}, X = Cl, Br, I) have been reported as efficient light-harvesting and light-emitting semiconductor materials, but their nonlinear optical properties have been seldom touched upon. In this paper, we prepare layered CsPbBr{sub 3} nanocrystal films and characterize their physical properties. Broadband linear absorption from ∼0.8 to over 2.2 μm and nonlinear optical absorption at the 1-μm wavelength region are measured. The CsPbBr{sub 3} saturable absorber (SA), manufactured by drop-casting of colloidal CsPbBr{sub 3} liquid solution on a gold mirror, shows modulation depth and saturation intensity of 13.1% and 10.7 MW/cm{sup 2}, respectively. With this SA, mode-locking operationmore » of a polarization-maintained ytterbium fiber laser produces single pulses with duration of ∼216 ps, maximum average output power of 10.5 mW, and the laser spectrum is centered at ∼1076 nm. This work shows that CsPbBr{sub 3} films can be efficient SA candidates for fiber lasers and also have great potential to become broadband linear and nonlinear optical materials for photonics and optoelectronics.« less

In vivo immuno-reactivity analysis of the porous three-dimensional chitosan/SiO2 and chitosan/SiO2 /hydroxyapatite hybrids.

PubMed

Guo, Mengxia; Dong, Yifan; Xiao, Jiangwei; Gu, Ruicai; Ding, Maochao; Huang, Tao; Li, Junhua; Zhao, Naru; Liao, Hua

2018-05-01

Inorganic/organic hybrid silica-chitosan (CS) scaffolds have promising potential for bone defect repair, due to the controllable mechanical properties, degradation behavior, and scaffold morphology. However, the precise in vivo immuno-reactivity of silica-CS hybrids with various compositions is still poorly defined. In this study, we fabricated the three-dimensional (3D) interconnected porous chitosan-silica (CS/SiO 2 ) and chitosan-silica-hydroxyapatite (CS/SiO 2 /HA) hybrids, through sol-gel process and 3D plotting skill, followed by the naturally or freeze drying separately. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated the hybrids possessed the uniform geometric structure, while, transmission electron microscopy displayed nanoscale silica, or HA nanoparticles dispersed homogeneously in the CS matrix, or CS/silica hybrids. After intramuscular implantation, CS/SiO 2 and CS/SiO 2 /HA hybrids triggered a local and limited monocyte/macrophage infiltration and myofiber degeneration. Naturally dried CS/SiO 2 hybrid provoked a more severe inflammation than the freeze-dried ones. Dendritic cells were attracted to invade into the implants embedded-muscle, but not be activated to prime the adaptive immunity, because the absence of cytotoxic T cells and B cells in muscle received the implants. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis indicated the implanted hybrids were incapable to initiate splenocytes activation. Plasma complement C3 enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay showed the hybrids induced C3 levels increase in early implanting phase, and the subsequent striking decrease. Thus, the present results suggest that, in vivo, 3D plotted porous CS/SiO 2 and CS/SiO 2 /HA hybrids are relatively biocompatible in vivo, which initiate a localized inflammatory procedure, instead of a systematic immune response. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1223-1235, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Neuronal Correlates of Cross-Modal Transfer in the Cerebellum and Pontine Nuclei

PubMed Central

Campolattaro, Matthew M.; Kashef, Alireza; Lee, Inah; Freeman, John H.

2011-01-01

Cross-modal transfer occurs when learning established with a stimulus from one sensory modality facilitates subsequent learning with a new stimulus from a different sensory modality. The current study examined neuronal correlates of cross-modal transfer of Pavlovian eyeblink conditioning in rats. Neuronal activity was recorded from tetrodes within the anterior interpositus nucleus (IPN) of the cerebellum and basilar pontine nucleus (PN) during different phases of training. After stimulus pre-exposure and unpaired training sessions with a tone conditioned stimulus (CS), light CS, and periorbital stimulation unconditioned stimulus (US), rats received associative training with one of the CSs and the US (CS1-US). Training then continued on the same day with the other CS to assess cross-modal transfer (CS2-US). The final training session included associative training with both CSs on separate trials to establish stronger cross-modal transfer (CS1/CS2). Neurons in the IPN and PN showed primarily unimodal responses during pre-training sessions. Learning-related facilitation of activity correlated with the conditioned response (CR) developed in the IPN and PN during CS1-US training. Subsequent CS2-US training resulted in acquisition of CRs and learning-related neuronal activity in the IPN but substantially less little learning-related activity in the PN. Additional CS1/CS2 training increased CRs and learning-related activity in the IPN and PN during CS2-US trials. The findings suggest that cross-modal neuronal plasticity in the PN is driven by excitatory feedback from the IPN to the PN. Interacting plasticity mechanisms in the IPN and PN may underlie behavioral cross-modal transfer in eyeblink conditioning. PMID:21411647

Mutations in CsPID encoding a Ser/Thr protein kinase are responsible for round leaf shape in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.).

PubMed

Zhang, Chaowen; Chen, Feifan; Zhao, Ziyao; Hu, Liangliang; Liu, Hanqiang; Cheng, Zhihui; Weng, Yiqun; Chen, Peng; Li, Yuhong

2018-06-01

Two round-leaf mutants, rl-1 and rl-2, were identified from EMS-induced mutagenesis. High throughput sequencing and map-based cloning suggested CsPID encoding a Ser/Thr protein kinase as the most possible candidate for rl-1. Rl-2 was allelic to Rl-1. Leaf shape is an important plant architecture trait that is affected by plant hormones, especially auxin. In Arabidopsis, PINOID (PID), a regulator for the auxin polar transporter PIN (PIN-FORMED) affects leaf shape formation, but this function of PID in crop plants has not been well studied. From an EMS mutagenesis population, we identified two round-leaf (rl) mutants, C356 and C949. Segregation analysis suggested that both mutations were controlled by single recessive genes, rl-1 and rl-2, respectively. With map-based cloning, we show that CsPID as the candidate gene of rl-1; a non-synonymous SNP in the second exon of CsPID resulted in an amino acid substitution and the round leaf phenotype. As compared in the wild type plant, CsPID had significantly lower expression in the root, leaf and female flowers in C356, which may result in the less developed roots, round leaves and abnormal female flowers, respectively in the rl-1 mutant. Among the three copies of PID genes, CsPID, CsPID2 and CSPID2L (CsPID2-like) in the cucumber genome, CsPID was the only one with significantly differential expression in adult leaves between WT and C356 suggesting CsPID plays a main role in leaf shape formation. The rl-2 mutation in C949 was also cloned, which was due to another SNP in a nearby location of rl-1 in the same CsPID gene. The two round leaf mutants and the work presented herein provide a good foundation for understanding the molecular mechanisms of CsPID in cucumber leaf development.

Alpha-amylase inhibitor, CS-1036 binds to serum amylase in a concentration-dependent and saturable manner.

PubMed

Honda, Tomohiro; Kaneno-Urasaki, Yoko; Ito, Takashi; Kimura, Takako; Matsushima, Nobuko; Okabe, Hiromi; Yamasaki, Atsushi; Izumi, Takashi

2014-03-01

(2R,3R,4R)-4-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin-3-yl 4-O-(6-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-α-D-glucopyranoside (CS-1036), which is an α-amylase inhibitor, exhibited biphasic and sustained elimination with a long t1/2 (18.4-30.0 hours) in rats and monkeys, but exhibited a short t1/2 (3.7-7.9 hours) in humans. To clarify the species differences in the t1/2, the plasma protein binding of CS-1036 was evaluated by ultrafiltration. A concentration-dependent and saturable plasma protein binding of CS-1036 was observed in rats and monkeys with the dissociation rate constant (KD) of 8.95 and 27.2 nM, and maximal binding capacity (Bmax) of 52.8 and 22.1 nM, respectively. By the assessments of the recombinant amylase and immunoprecipitation, the major binding protein of CS-1036 in rats was identified as salivary amylase (KD 5.64 nM). CS-1036 also showed concentration-dependent and saturable binding to human salivary and pancreatic amylase, with similar binding affinity in rats. However, the protein binding of CS-1036 was constant in human plasma (≤10.2%) due to the lower serum amylase level compared with rats and monkeys. From the calculation of the unbound fraction (fu) in plasma based on in vitro KD and Bmax, the dose-dependent increase in fu after oral administration is speculated to lead to a dose-dependent increase in total body clearance and a high area under the curve/dose at lower doses, such as 0.3 mg/kg in rats.

Optimization of Swine Breeding Programs Using Genomic Selection with ZPLAN+

PubMed Central

Lopez, B. M.; Kang, H. S.; Kim, T. H.; Viterbo, V. S.; Kim, H. S.; Na, C. S.; Seo, K. S.

2016-01-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the present conventional selection program of a swine nucleus farm and compare it with a new selection strategy employing genomic enhanced breeding value (GEBV) as the selection criteria. The ZPLAN+ software was employed to calculate and compare the genetic gain, total cost, return and profit of each selection strategy. The first strategy reflected the current conventional breeding program, which was a progeny test system (CS). The second strategy was a selection scheme based strictly on genomic information (GS1). The third scenario was the same as GS1, but the selection by GEBV was further supplemented by the performance test (GS2). The last scenario was a mixture of genomic information and progeny tests (GS3). The results showed that the accuracy of the selection index of young boars of GS1 was 26% higher than that of CS. On the other hand, both GS2 and GS3 gave 31% higher accuracy than CS for young boars. The annual monetary genetic gain of GS1, GS2 and GS3 was 10%, 12%, and 11% higher, respectively, than that of CS. As expected, the discounted costs of genomic selection strategies were higher than those of CS. The costs of GS1, GS2 and GS3 were 35%, 73%, and 89% higher than those of CS, respectively, assuming a genotyping cost of $120. As a result, the discounted profit per animal of GS1 and GS2 was 8% and 2% higher, respectively, than that of CS while GS3 was 6% lower. Comparison among genomic breeding scenarios revealed that GS1 was more profitable than GS2 and GS3. The genomic selection schemes, especially GS1 and GS2, were clearly superior to the conventional scheme in terms of monetary genetic gain and profit. PMID:26954222

The inhibitory effect of vitamin E on cigarette smoke-induced oxidative damage to the rat urothelium: can it prevent transitional cell carcinoma?

PubMed

Onol, Fikret Fatih; Demir, Aslan; Temiz, Yusuf; Yüksel, Meral; Eren, Funda; Türkeri, Levent N

2007-01-01

We aimed to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) and assess subsequent carcinogenesis in terms of cellular proliferation in the bladder and kidney epithelial tissues of rats exposed to cigarette smoke (CS), and to investigate the changes following vitamin E treatment. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups: group 1 was kept intact; group 2 was subjected to CS exposure for 8 weeks, and group 3 received intraperitoneal vitamin E injections (200 mg/kg/week) for 8 weeks in addition to CS exposure. Histological examination and Ki67 antigen expression measurements were made from bladder and renal pelvic tissue sections. Luminol-amplified chemiluminescence was used to measure ROS levels. All results were compared using a one-way ANOVA test. In CS-exposed rats, light microscopy of renal and bladder tissues revealed nonspecific epithelial changes; however, Ki67 expression was significantly increased in bladder tissues compared to other groups (17.5 +/- 4.7, 35 +/- 2.9 and 18.7 +/- 5.1% in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively, p < 0.05). Chemiluminescence levels in bladder and renal tissues were also significantly higher in the CS-exposed animals (78.1 +/- 11.4, 148 +/- 13.3, 97.8 +/- 6.1 rlu/mg for the bladder, and 99.8 +/- 12.2, 176.1 +/- 27.9, 67.1 +/- 9 rlu/mg, for renal pelvic tissues, respectively, p < 0.05). Vitamin E can alleviate CS-induced oxidative damage in rat bladder and kidney epithelium suggesting a potential role for vitamin E in the prevention of CS-mediated carcinogenesis. 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

Syntheses and crystal structures of two topologically related modifications of Cs(2)[(UO(2))(2)(MoO(4))(3)].

PubMed

Krivovichev, S V; Cahill, C L; Burns, P C

2002-01-14

Two polymorphs of Cs(2)(UO(2))(2)(MoO(4))(3) have been synthesized by hydrothermal (alpha-phase) and high-temperature (beta-phase) routes. Both were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction: alpha-Cs(2)(UO(2))(2)(MoO(4))(3), orthorhombic, Pna2(1), a = 20.4302(15) A, b = 8.5552(7) A, c = 9.8549(7) A, Z = 4; beta-Cs(2)(UO(2))(2)(MoO(4))(3), tetragonal, P4(2)/n, a = 10.1367(8) A, c = 16.2831(17) A, Z = 4. The structures of both phases consist of linked UO(7) pentagonal bipyramids and MoO(4) tetrahedra: alpha-Cs(2)(UO(2))(2)(MoO(4))(3) is a framework compound with large channels parallel to the c axis. Two cesium sites are located in these channels and are coordinated by 8 and 10 oxygen atoms. The structure of beta-Cs(2)(UO(2))(2)(MoO(4))(3) contains corrugated [(UO(2))(2)(MoO(4))(3)] sheets that are parallel to (001). The cesium cations are located between the sheets and are coordinated by eight oxygen atoms. The structures are topologically related; both can be described in terms of chains of 5-connected UO(7) pentagonal bipyramids and 3- and 4-connected MoO(4) tetrahedra.

CsPLDalpha1 and CsPLDgamma1 are differentially induced during leaf and fruit abscission and diurnally regulated in Citrus sinensis.

PubMed

Malladi, Anish; Burns, Jacqueline K

2008-01-01

Understanding leaf and fruit abscission is essential in order to develop strategies for controlling the process in fruit crops. Mechanisms involved in signalling leaf and fruit abscission upon induction by abscission agents were investigated in Citrus sinensis cv. 'Valencia'. Previous studies have suggested a role for phospholipid signalling; hence, two phospholipase D cDNA sequences, CsPLDalpha1 and CsPLDgamma1, were isolated and their role was examined. CsPLDalpha1 expression was reduced in leaves but unaltered in fruit peel tissue treated with an ethylene-releasing compound (ethephon), or a fruit-specific abscission agent, 5-chloro-3-methyl-4-nitro-1H-pyrazole (CMNP). By contrast, CsPLDgamma1 expression was up-regulated within 6 h (leaves) and 24 h (fruit peel) after treatment with ethephon or CMNP, respectively. CsPLDalpha1 expression was diurnally regulated in leaf blade but not fruit peel. CsPLDgamma1 exhibited strong diurnal oscillation in expression in leaves and fruit peel with peak expression around midday. While diurnal fluctuation in CsPLDalpha1 expression appeared to be light-entrained in leaves, CsPLDgamma1 expression was regulated by light and the circadian clock. The diurnal expression of both genes was modulated by ethylene-signalling. The ethephon-induced leaf abscission and the ethephon- and CMNP-induced decrease in fruit detachment force were enhanced by application during rising diurnal expression of CsPLDgamma1. The results indicate differential regulation of CsPLDalpha1 and CsPLDgamma1 in leaves and fruit, and suggest possible roles for PLD-dependent signalling in regulating abscission responses in citrus.

CsPLDα1 and CsPLDγ1 are differentially induced during leaf and fruit abscission and diurnally regulated in Citrus sinensis

PubMed Central

Malladi, Anish; Burns, Jacqueline K.

2008-01-01

Understanding leaf and fruit abscission is essential in order to develop strategies for controlling the process in fruit crops. Mechanisms involved in signalling leaf and fruit abscission upon induction by abscission agents were investigated in Citrus sinensis cv. ‘Valencia’. Previous studies have suggested a role for phospholipid signalling; hence, two phospholipase D cDNA sequences, CsPLDα1 and CsPLDγ1, were isolated and their role was examined. CsPLDα1 expression was reduced in leaves but unaltered in fruit peel tissue treated with an ethylene-releasing compound (ethephon), or a fruit-specific abscission agent, 5-chloro-3-methyl-4-nitro-1H-pyrazole (CMNP). By contrast, CsPLDγ1 expression was up-regulated within 6 h (leaves) and 24 h (fruit peel) after treatment with ethephon or CMNP, respectively. CsPLDα1 expression was diurnally regulated in leaf blade but not fruit peel. CsPLDγ1 exhibited strong diurnal oscillation in expression in leaves and fruit peel with peak expression around midday. While diurnal fluctuation in CsPLDα1 expression appeared to be light-entrained in leaves, CsPLDγ1 expression was regulated by light and the circadian clock. The diurnal expression of both genes was modulated by ethylene-signalling. The ethephon-induced leaf abscission and the ethephon- and CMNP-induced decrease in fruit detachment force were enhanced by application during rising diurnal expression of CsPLDγ1. The results indicate differential regulation of CsPLDα1 and CsPLDγ1 in leaves and fruit, and suggest possible roles for PLD-dependent signalling in regulating abscission responses in citrus. PMID:18799715

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhance Lung Recovery After Injury, Shock, and Chronic Stress

PubMed Central

Gore, Amy V.; Bible, Letitia E.; Livingston, David H.; Mohr, Alicia M.; Sifri, Ziad C.

2016-01-01

Background Normal lung healing is impaired when lung contusion (LC) is followed by hemorrhagic shock (HS) and chronic stress (CS). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are immunomodulatory, pluripotent cells that are under investigation for use in wound healing and tissue regeneration. We hypothesized that treatment with MSCs can reverse the impaired healing seen after LC combined with HS and CS (LCHS/CS). Methods Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n=6/group) underwent LCHS with or without a single iv dose of 5 × 106 SD rat MSCs following resuscitation. Thereafter, rats were subjected to two hours of CS daily on days 1–6 and were killed on day 7. Lung histology was scored according to a well-established lung injury score (LIS) that included interstitial and pulmonary edema, alveolar integrity, and inflammatory cells. Scoring ranges from 0 (normal lung) to 11 (most severely injured). Whole blood was analyzed for the presence of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T regulatory cells (Treg) by flow cytometry. Results Seven days after isolated LC, LIS had returned to 0.8 ± 0.4, however, after LCHS/CS healing is significantly delayed (7.2 ± 2.2; p<0.05). Addition of MSC to LCHS/CS decreased LIS to 2.0 ± 1.3 (p<0.05) and decreased all subgroup scores (inflammatory cells, interstitial and pulmonary edema, and alveolar integrity) significantly as compared to LCHS/CS (p<0.05). The percentage of Tregs found in the peripheral blood of animals undergoing LCHS/CS did not significantly change from LC alone (10.5 ± 3.3% vs 6.7 ± 1.7%; p>0.05). Treatment with MSCs significantly increased the Treg population as compared to LCHS/CS alone (11.7 ± 2.7% vs 6.7 ± 1.7%; p<0.05) Conclusion In this model, the severe impairment of wound healing observed one week after LCHS/CS is reversed by a single treatment with MSCs immediately after resuscitation. This improvement in lung healing is associated with a decrease in the number of inflammatory cells and lung edema and a significant increase in peripheral Tregs. Further study into timing of administration and mechanisms by which cell-based therapy using MSCs modulate the immune system and improve wound healing is warranted. PMID:26830071

A New Microfluidic Polymer Chip with an Embedded Cationic Surfactant Ion-selective Optode as a Detector for the Determination of Cationic Surfactants.

PubMed

Ashagre, Mekonnen Abiyot; Masadome, Takashi

2018-01-01

A new microfluidic polymer chip with an embedded cationic surfactant (CS) ion-selective optode (CS-optode) as a detector of flow-injection analysis (FIA) for the determination of CSs was developed. The optode sensing membrane is based on a poly(vinyl chloride) membrane plasticized with 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether containing tetrabromophenolphthalein ethyl ester. Under the optimal flow conditions of the FIA system, the CS-optode showed a good linear relationship between the peak heights in the absorbance, and the concentrations of CS in a concentration range from 50 to 400 μmol dm -3 . The sample throughput of the present system for the determination of a CS ion (300 μmol dm -3 zephiramine) was ca. 11 samples h -1 . The proposed FIA system was applied to determine the level of CS in dental rinses.

Coherent states: a contemporary panorama Coherent states: a contemporary panorama

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Twareque Ali, S.; Antoine, Jean-Pierre; Bagarello, Fabio; Gazeau, Jean-Pierre

2012-06-01

Coherent states (CS) of the harmonic oscillator (also called canonical CS) were introduced in 1926 by Schrödinger in answer to a remark by Lorentz on the classical interpretation of the wave function. They were rediscovered in the early 1960s, first (somewhat implicitly) by Klauder in the context of a novel representation of quantum states, then by Glauber and Sudarshan for the description of coherence in lasers. Since then, CS have grown into an extremely rich domain that pervades almost every corner of physics and have also led to the development of several flourishing topics in mathematics. Along the way, a number of review articles have appeared in the literature, devoted to CS, notably the 1985 reprint volume of Klauder and Skagerstam [1], the 1990 review paper by Zhang et al [2], the 1993 Oak Ridge Conference [3] and the 1995 review paper by Ali et al [4]. Textbooks also have been published, among which one might mention the ground breaking text of Perelomov [5] focusing on the group-theoretical aspects, that of Ali et al [6]1 analyzing systematically the mathematical structure beyond the group-theoretical approach and also the relation to wavelet analysis, that of Dodonov and Man'ko [7] mostly devoted to quantum optics, that of Gazeau [8] more oriented towards the physical, probabilistic and quantization aspects, and finally the very recent one by Combescure and Robert [9]. In retrospect, one can see that the development of CS has gone through a two-phase transition. First, the (simultaneous) discovery in 1972 by Gilmore and Perelomov that CS were rooted in group theory, then the realization that CS can be defined in a purely algebraic way, as an eigenvalue problem or by a series expansion (Malkin and Man'ko 1969, Barut and Girardello 1971, Gazeau and Klauder 1999; references to the original articles may be found in the textbooks quoted above). Both facts resulted in an explosive expansion of the CS literature. We thought, therefore, that the time was ripe to devote a special issue of Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical to CS. However, because of limitations of space and time, it would have been impossible to get a fully representative cross-section of papers, covering all the different facets of the subject. Consequently, we have selected 37 articles, including some by a few of the originators of the field. We thank all the authors for submitting their up-to-date thoughts on this fascinating subject. The contents of this special issue are subdivided into five categories: (1) review papers; (2) physics-oriented CS; (3) physics and quantum information; (4) mathematics, general topics; and (5) mathematics, particular problems. (1) Review papers We start with five review papers. The first paper, by Klauder, surveys the many possible applications of affine variables, both in classical and quantum physics. The second, by Sanders, proposes a grand tour of entangled CS, which are present in many fields, such as quantum optics, quantum information processing, etc. The next paper, by Rowe, surveys the field of vector CS and the attendant group representation problems (including induced representations). Then Oriti et al describe a particular class of CS relevant to (loop) quantum gravity. Finally, Combescure and Robert present a comprehensive review of fermionic CS, including all mathematical details. (2) Physics-oriented CS The six contributions in this section deal with specific physical problems: (i) Dajka-Luczka study Gazeau-Klauder cat states associated with a nonlinear Kerr oscillator, instead of the usual canonical CS leading to Schrödinger cat states; (ii) Angelova et al discuss squeezed CS associated with a 1D Morse potential, used in molecular physics; (iii) Bagrov et al study CS in a magnetic solenoid field and prove their completeness; (iv) Blasone-Jizba treat Nambu-Goldstone dynamics in spontaneously broken symmetries, using CS functional integrals; (v) Calixto et al describe accelerated relativistic particles in the context of spontaneous breakdown of conformal SU(2,2) symmetry, using SU(2,2) CS; and (vi) Mortazavi-Tavassoly study f-deformed charge CS and their physical properties (nonclassical features, sub-Poissonian statistical behavior, etc). (3) Physics and quantum information The second group of physically related CS contains four contributions with a distinct quantum information theoretic flavor. First, Thilagam describes the dynamical behavior of entanglement of a pair of qubits (excitons), using a CS basis. Next, Lavoie-de Guise study SU(3) intelligent states (i.e., minimal uncertainty states), of interest in the quantum information community. Then Muñoz constructs discrete CS for n qubits. Finally, Wagner-Kendon explore the continuous variable Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm known in quantum computing in a discrete formulation. (4) Mathematics, general topics In this subgroup, there are eight papers dealing with general properties of CS, independently of any particular system or application. A whole series discusses the interaction between CS and various mathematical objects: pseudodifferential operators and Weyl calculus (Unterberger); induced representations of the affine group and intertwining operators (Elmabrok-Hutnik) measure-free CS and reproducing kernels (Horzela-Szafraniec) extremal POV measures (Heinosaari-Pellonpää) Hilbert W*-modules (Bhattacharyya-Roy) Toeplitz operators (Hutníková-Hutník) and operator localization and homogeneous structure of nilpotent Lie groups (Kisil). In addition, Balazs et al consider multipliers for continuous frames, including CS or wavelet frames. (5) Mathematics, particular problems The second group of mathematically oriented papers contains 14 contributions, devoted to CS in particular systems. We start with a paper by Gilmore, which explores the (sometimes chaotic) evolution of atomic CS under a time-periodic driving field, using sphere maps S2 → S2. Next, we include a paper on CS on the 2-sphere in a magnetic field (Hall-Mitchell) a paper on CS for a quantum particle on a Möbius strip (Cirilo-Lombardo) a discussion of quantization on the circle (Chadzitaskos et al); SUSY CS for Pöschl-Teller potentials (Bergeron et al); generalized Bargmann functions and von Neumann lattices (Vourdas et al); partial reconstruction for a finite CS system, using the Fock-Bargmann representation (Calixto et al); phase operators for SU(3) irreps, thus for finite quantum systems (de Guise); semiclassical CS in periodic potentials (Carles-Sparber) complexified CS with non-Hermitian Hamiltonians (Graefe-Schubert) minimal uncertainty states in the context of (semisimple) group representation theory (Oszmaniec); localization operators in the time-frequency domain, i.e., in Gabor analysis (Muzhikyan-Avanesyan) and, finally, two papers about fermionic CS (Daoud-Kibler and Trifonov). This brief description illustrates perfectly the extreme versatility of the CS concept. As already stressed, coherent states constitute nowadays a flourishing research topic, with applications to a wide spectrum of domains. Indeed, CS are everywhere in physics: condensed matter physics, atomic physics, nuclear and particle physics, quantum optics, dynamics—both quantum and classical potentials—quantum gravity, quantization and quantum information theory. On the other hand, CS have grown into a fully-fledged domain in mathematics, incorporating many tools such as group representations, POV measures, frames, holomorphic functions, orthogonal polynomials and so on. Interestingly enough, the majority of contributions to this special issue (22 out of 37) are mathematically minded, demonstrating the widespread interest CS have generated in various areas of mathematics. A third field related to CS (but almost not represented in the present collection) is signal processing. Indeed both Gabor analysis and wavelet analysis derive in the first place from CS theory, namely, CS associated to the Weyl-Heisenberg and the ax + b group, respectively. Here too, a tremendous development has taken place in recent years, another testimony to the richness of the notion of CS. We leave it to the jury of public opinion to judge whether the call for a special issue of the journal, devoted to coherent states, has been justified. References [1] Klauder J R and Skagerstam B S 1985 Coherent States—Applications in Physics and Mathematical Physics (Singapore: World Scientific) [2] Zhang W-M, Feng D H and Gilmore R 1990 Coherent states: theory and some applications Rev. Mod. Phys. 62 867-927 [3] Feng D H, Klauder J R and Strayer M (ed) 1994 Coherent States: Past, Present and Future (Singapore: World Scientific) [4] Ali S T, Antoine J-P, Gazeau J-P and Mueller U A 1995 Coherent states and their generalizations: a mathematical overview Rev. Math. Phys. 7 1013-104 [5] Perelomov A M 1986 Generalized Coherent States and Their Applications (New York: Springer) [6] Ali S T, Antoine J-P and Gazeau J-P 2000 Coherent States, Wavelets and Their Generalizations (New York: Springer) [7] Dodonov V V and Man'ko V I (ed) 2003 Theory of Nonclassical States of Light (London: Taylor & Francis) [8] Gazeau J-P 2009 Coherent States in Quantum Physics (Berlin: Wiley) [9] Combescure M and Robert D 2012 Coherent States and Applications in Mathematical Physics (New York: Springer) 1 A second edition of that volume is in preparation.

Effect of lone-electron-pair cations on the orientation of crystallographic shear planes in anion-deficient perovskites.

PubMed

Batuk, Dmitry; Batuk, Maria; Abakumov, Artem M; Tsirlin, Alexander A; McCammon, Catherine; Dubrovinsky, Leonid; Hadermann, Joke

2013-09-03

Factors affecting the structure and orientation of the crystallographic shear (CS) planes in anion-deficient perovskites were investigated using the (Pb(1-z)Sr(z))(1-x)Fe(1+x)O(3-y) perovskites as a model system. The isovalent substitution of Sr(2+) for Pb(2+) highlights the influence of the A cation electronic structure because these cations exhibit very close ionic radii. Two compositional ranges have been identified in the system: 0.05 ≤ z ≤ 0.2, where the CS plane orientation gradually varies but stays close to (203)p, and 0.3 ≤ z ≤ 0.45 with (101)p CS planes. The incommensurately modulated structure of Pb0.792Sr0.168Fe1.040O2.529 was refined from neutron powder diffraction data using the (3 + 1)D approach (space group X2/m(α0γ), X = (1/2, 1/2, 1/2, 1/2), a = 3.9512(1) Å, b = 3.9483(1) Å, c = 3.9165(1) Å, β = 93.268(2)°, q = 0.0879(1)a* + 0.1276(1)c*, RF = 0.023, RP = 0.029, and T = 900 K). A comparison of the compounds with different CS planes indicates that the orientation of the CS planes is governed mainly by the stereochemical activity of the lone-electron-pair cations inside the perovskite blocks.

Tiotropium effects on airway inflammatory events in the cat as an animal model for acute cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation.

PubMed

Kolahian, Saeed; Shahbazfar, Amir Ali; Tayefi-Nasrabadi, Hossein; Keyhanmanesh, Rana; Ansarin, Khalil; Ghasemi, Hamid; Rashidi, Amir Hossein; Gosens, Reinoud; Hanifeh, Mohsen

2014-08-01

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an inflammatory lung disease mainly caused by tobacco smoke inhalation. Fifteen healthy adult male cats were categorized into 3 groups: (1) control group, (2) exposed to cigarette smoke (CS), and (3) exposed to CS treated with tiotropium. Increases in clinical signs and airway responsiveness in CS cats were found compared to control animals. The airway hyperresponsiveness and clinical signs were significantly attenuated by treatment with tiotropium. The CS-induced pulmonary release of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and tumor necrosis factor alpha was reduced in the tiotropium group. Exposure to CS significantly increased total inflammatory cells number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, which was significantly attenuated by treatment with tiotropium. The number of macrophages, eosinophils and neutrophils and lymphocytes was increased after exposure to CS. Tiotropium significantly reduced the number of all these cells. Perivascular, peribronchiolar infiltration of inflammatory cells and Reid index increased in the CS group. Treatment with tiotropium significantly reduced these parameters to control level. Enhanced lipid peroxidation with concomitant reduction of antioxidants status was observed in the CS group. Tiotropium significantly reduced the serum, lung lavage, lung, and tracheal tissue lipid peroxides to near control levels. Tiotropium also decreased lung and tracheal protein leakage, and prevented the reduction of total antioxidant status in serum, lung lavage, lung and tracheal tissue of the CS group. Cigarette smoke increases airway responsiveness and inflammation in a cat model of CS induced lung inflammation. It can effectively be reduced by treatment with tiotropium.

Dismantling the "Red Wall" of Colloidal Perovskites: Highly Luminescent Formamidinium and Formamidinium-Cesium Lead Iodide Nanocrystals.

PubMed

Protesescu, Loredana; Yakunin, Sergii; Kumar, Sudhir; Bär, Janine; Bertolotti, Federica; Masciocchi, Norberto; Guagliardi, Antonietta; Grotevent, Matthias; Shorubalko, Ivan; Bodnarchuk, Maryna I; Shih, Chih-Jen; Kovalenko, Maksym V

2017-03-28

Colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) of APbX 3 -type lead halide perovskites [A = Cs + , CH 3 NH 3 + (methylammonium or MA + ) or CH(NH 2 ) 2 + (formamidinium or FA + ); X = Cl - , Br - , I - ] have recently emerged as highly versatile photonic sources for applications ranging from simple photoluminescence down-conversion (e.g., for display backlighting) to light-emitting diodes. From the perspective of spectral coverage, a formidable challenge facing the use of these materials is how to obtain stable emissions in the red and infrared spectral regions covered by the iodide-based compositions. So far, red-emissive CsPbI 3 NCs have been shown to suffer from a delayed phase transformation into a nonluminescent, wide-band-gap 1D polymorph, and MAPbI 3 exhibits very limited chemical durability. In this work, we report a facile colloidal synthesis method for obtaining FAPbI 3 and FA-doped CsPbI 3 NCs that are uniform in size (10-15 nm) and nearly cubic in shape and exhibit drastically higher robustness than their MA- or Cs-only cousins with similar sizes and morphologies. Detailed structural analysis indicated that the FAPbI 3 NCs had a cubic crystal structure, while the FA 0.1 Cs 0.9 PbI 3 NCs had a 3D orthorhombic structure that was isostructural to the structure of CsPbBr 3 NCs. Bright photoluminescence (PL) with high quantum yield (QY > 70%) spanning red (690 nm, FA 0.1 Cs 0.9 PbI 3 NCs) and near-infrared (near-IR, ca. 780 nm, FAPbI 3 NCs) regions was sustained for several months or more in both the colloidal state and in films. The peak PL wavelengths can be fine-tuned by using postsynthetic cation- and anion-exchange reactions. Amplified spontaneous emissions with low thresholds of 28 and 7.5 μJ cm -2 were obtained from the films deposited from FA 0.1 Cs 0.9 PbI 3 and FAPbI 3 NCs, respectively. Furthermore, light-emitting diodes with a high external quantum efficiency of 2.3% were obtained by using FAPbI 3 NCs.

Dismantling the “Red Wall” of Colloidal Perovskites: Highly Luminescent Formamidinium and Formamidinium–Cesium Lead Iodide Nanocrystals

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) of APbX3-type lead halide perovskites [A = Cs+, CH3NH3+ (methylammonium or MA+) or CH(NH2)2+ (formamidinium or FA+); X = Cl–, Br–, I–] have recently emerged as highly versatile photonic sources for applications ranging from simple photoluminescence down-conversion (e.g., for display backlighting) to light-emitting diodes. From the perspective of spectral coverage, a formidable challenge facing the use of these materials is how to obtain stable emissions in the red and infrared spectral regions covered by the iodide-based compositions. So far, red-emissive CsPbI3 NCs have been shown to suffer from a delayed phase transformation into a nonluminescent, wide-band-gap 1D polymorph, and MAPbI3 exhibits very limited chemical durability. In this work, we report a facile colloidal synthesis method for obtaining FAPbI3 and FA-doped CsPbI3 NCs that are uniform in size (10–15 nm) and nearly cubic in shape and exhibit drastically higher robustness than their MA- or Cs-only cousins with similar sizes and morphologies. Detailed structural analysis indicated that the FAPbI3 NCs had a cubic crystal structure, while the FA0.1Cs0.9PbI3 NCs had a 3D orthorhombic structure that was isostructural to the structure of CsPbBr3 NCs. Bright photoluminescence (PL) with high quantum yield (QY > 70%) spanning red (690 nm, FA0.1Cs0.9PbI3 NCs) and near-infrared (near-IR, ca. 780 nm, FAPbI3 NCs) regions was sustained for several months or more in both the colloidal state and in films. The peak PL wavelengths can be fine-tuned by using postsynthetic cation- and anion-exchange reactions. Amplified spontaneous emissions with low thresholds of 28 and 7.5 μJ cm–2 were obtained from the films deposited from FA0.1Cs0.9PbI3 and FAPbI3 NCs, respectively. Furthermore, light-emitting diodes with a high external quantum efficiency of 2.3% were obtained by using FAPbI3 NCs. PMID:28231432

Using Atmospheric (137)Cs Measurements and Hysplit to Confirm Chernobyl as a Source of (137)Cs in Europe

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-10-01

USING ATMOSPHERIC 137CS MEASUREMENTS AND HYSPLIT TO CONFIRM CHERNOBYL AS A SOURCE OF 137CS IN EUROPE Erik L. Swanberg1 and Steven G. Hoffert2...Veridian Systems1, Autometric2 Sponsored by Defense Threat Reduction Agency Contract No. DTRA01-99-C-0031 ABSTRACT The Chernobyl ...this 137Cs is the ground contaminated by the Chernobyl accident. The PIDC routinely uses HYSPLIT (HYbrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated

Independence of First- and Second-Order Memories in Newborn Rabbits

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coureaud, Gerard; Languille, Solene; Joly, Virginie; Schaal, Benoist; Hars, Bernard

2011-01-01

The mammary pheromone promotes the acquisition of novel odorants (CS1) in newborn rabbits. Here, experiments pinpoint that CS1 becomes able to support neonatal learning of other odorants (CS2). We therefore evaluated whether these first- and second-order memories remained dependent after reactivation. Amnesia induced after CS2 recall selectively…

Molten salt flux synthesis and crystal structure of a new open-framework uranyl phosphate Cs{sub 3}(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(PO{sub 4})O{sub 2}: Spectroscopic characterization and cationic mobility studies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yagoubi, S., E-mail: said.yagoubi@cea.fr; Renard, C.; Abraham, F.

2013-04-15

The reaction of triuranyl diphosphate tetrahydrate precursor (UO{sub 2}){sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O){sub 4} with a CsI flux at 750 °C yields a yellow single crystals of new compound Cs{sub 3}(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(PO{sub 4})O{sub 2}. The crystal structure (monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=13.6261 (13) Å, b=8.1081(8) Å, c=12.3983(12) Å, β=114.61(12)°, V=1245.41(20) Å{sup 3} with Z=4) has been solved using direct methods and Fourier difference techniques. A full-matrix least-squares refinement on the basis of F{sup 2} yielded R1=0.028 and wR2=0.071 for 79 parameters and 1352 independent reflections with I≥2σ(I) collected on a BRUKER AXS diffractometer with MoKα radiation and a charge-coupledmore » device detector. The crystal structure is built by two independent uranium atoms in square bipyramidal coordination, connected by two opposite corners to form infinite chains {sup 1}{sub ∞}[UO{sub 5}] and by one phosphorus atom in a tetrahedral environment PO{sub 4}. The two last entities {sup 1}{sub ∞}[UO{sub 5}] and PO{sub 4} are linked by sharing corners to form a three-dimensional structure presenting different types of channels occupied by Cs{sup +} alkaline cations. Their mobility within the tunnels were studied between 280 and 800 °C and compared with other tunneled uranyl minerals. The infrared spectrum shows a good agreement with the values inferred from the single crystal structure analysis of uranyl phosphate compound. - Graphical abstract: Arrhenius plot of the electrical conductivity of tunneled compounds Cs{sub 3}U{sub 2}PO{sub 10} and CsU{sub 2}Nb{sub 2}O{sub 11.5}. Highlights: ► The reaction of (UO{sub 2}){sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O){sub 4} in excess of molten CsI leads to single-crystals of new tunneled compound Cs{sub 3}(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(PO{sub 4})O{sub 2}. ► Ionic conductivity measurements and crystal structure analysis indicate a strong connection of the Cs{sup +} cations to the tunnels. ► A low symmetry in Cs{sub 3}(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(PO{sub 4})O{sub 2} is the cause of IR activation and splitting of the bands in the IR spectrum.« less

Core stability: implications for dance injuries.

PubMed

Rickman, Ashley M; Ambegaonkar, Jatin P; Cortes, Nelson

2012-09-01

Dancers experience a high incidence of injury due to the extreme physical demands of dancing. The majority of dance injuries are chronic in nature and occur in the lower extremities and low back. Researchers have indicated decreased core stability (CS) as a risk factor for these injuries. Although decreased CS is suggested to negatively affect lower extremity joint motion and lumbar control during activity, this relationship has not been extensively discussed in previous dance literature. Understanding the relationship between CS and injury risk is important to help reduce dance injury incidence and improve performance. The purposes of this review were to discuss: 1. the core and components of CS, 2. the relationship between CS and injury, 3. CS assessment techniques, and 4. future dance CS research areas. CS is the integration of passive (non-contractile), active (contractile), and neural structures to minimize the effects of external forces and maintain stability. CS is maintained by a combination of muscle power, strength, endurance, and sensory-motor control of the lumbopelvic-hip complex. CS assessments include measuring muscle strength and power using maximal voluntary isometric and isokinetic contractions and measuring endurance using the Biering-Sorensen, plank, and lateral plank tests. Measuring sensory-motor control requires specialized equipment (e.g., balance platforms). Overall, limited research has comprehensively examined all components of CS together and their relationships to injury. Rather, previous researchers have separately examined core power, strength, endurance, or sensory-motor control. Future researchers should explore the multifactorial role of CS in reducing injury risk and enhancing performance in dancers.

Synthesis of a novel CS-g-MMCs conjugate and the inhabitation on the proliferation of Tenon's capsule fibroblasts in vitro.

PubMed

Duan, Lihong; Li, Xiaoning; Ouyang, Liangqi; Quan, Daping; Zheng, Qiongjuan; Ma, Jian; Gao, Qianying; Ge, Jian

2012-08-15

A novel anti-proliferative macromolecular conjugate, CS-g-MMCs, was synthesized in order to decrease the cytotoxicity of Mitomycin C (MMC) which was a traditional anti-proliferative agent of fibroblast in trabeculectomy. The structure of CS-g-MMCs was characterized by (1)H NMR, FT-IR spectroscopy and GPC analysis. The grafting degree (dg) of MMC onto chitosan (CS) was determined to be in the range of 2.8-11.3%, which could be controlled by variation of the molar ratios of MMC to oxidized chitosan (CS-CHO). In the drug release profiles of CS-g-MMCs in vitro, an initial burst followed by slow leakage was observed, and addition of acid or lysozyme obviously accelerated the MMC release. The MTS assay indicated that CS-CHO of 8 mg/ml has no cytotoxicity against human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (HTCFs). The inhibition of HTCFs proliferation by CS-g-MMCs increased along with increasing the dg of conjugate. The CS-g-MMCs also caused the apoptosis of HTCFs and interfered in the active DNA synthesis in HTCFs. Furthermore, the expression of a-SMA at gene and protein levels were obviously lower when HTCFs were treated with CS-g-MMCs, as compared to MMC or blend of MMC/CS-CHO (p<0.05). Our results primarily demonstrated that the CS-g-MMCs conjugates have low cytotoxicity and have the effect to inhibit fibroblast proliferation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Refractivity of Molten Nitrates and Chlorides: Binary Mixtures Containing Cesium Ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uchiyama, Yohji; Karawacki, Ernest

1981-05-01

By using an interferometric technique, the refractive index of some molten salt mixtures containing Cs+ ions was measured with high accuracy: (Li-Cs)NO3, (Na-Cs)NO3, (Ag-Cs)NO3, (Li-Cs)Cl, and also pure RbCl. The isotherms of molar refractivity show a small negative deviation from additivity in the (Li-Cs)NO3 and (Li-Cs)Cl systems and a positive deviation in the (Ag-Cs)NO3 mixture. A tentative attempt was made to relate the excess molar refractivities with the absorption bands of the ions.

A Competitive Kinetics Study of the Reaction of Cl with CS2 in Air at 298 K

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wallington, Timothy J.; Andino, Jean M.; Potts, Alan R.; Wine, Paul H.

1997-01-01

The relative rate technique has been used to investigate the kinetics of the reaction of Cl atoms with carbon disulfide, CS2, at 700 Torr total pressure of air at 298 K. The decay rate of CS2 was measured relative to CH4, CH3Cl and CHF2CL. For experiments using CH4 and CH3Cl references, the decay rate of CS2 was dependent on the ratio of the concentration of the reference to that of CS2. We ascribe this behavior to the generation of OH radicals in the system leading to complicated secondary chemistry. From experiments using CHF2Cl we are able to assign an upper limit of 4 x 10(exp -15) cu cm/(molecule s) for the overall reaction, Cl + CS2 yields products.

Changes in fatty acid content and composition between wild type and CsHMA3 overexpressing Camelina sativa under heavy-metal stress.

PubMed

Park, Won; Feng, Yufeng; Kim, Hyojin; Suh, Mi Chung; Ahn, Sung-Ju

2015-09-01

Under heavy-metal stress, CsHMA3 overexpressing transgenic Camelina plants displayed not only a better quality, but also a higher quantity of unsaturated fatty acids in their seeds compared with wild type. Camelina sativa L. belongs to the Brassicaceae family and is frequently used as a natural vegetable oil source, as its seeds contain a high content of fatty acids. In this study, we observed that, when subjected to heavy metals (Cd, Co, Zn and Pb), the seeds of CsHMA3 (Heavy-Metal P1B-ATPase 3) transgenic lines retained their original golden yellow color and smooth outline, unlike wild-type seeds. Furthermore, we investigated the fatty acids content and composition of wild type and CsHMA3 transgenic lines after heavy metal treatments compared to the control. The results showed higher total fatty acid amounts in seeds of CsHMA3 transgenic lines compared with those in wild-type seeds under heavy-metal stresses. In addition, the compositions of unsaturated fatty acids-especially 18:1 (oleic acid), 18:2 (linoleic acid; only in case of Co treatment), 18:3 (linolenic acid) and 20:1 (eicosenoic acid)-in CsHMA3 overexpressing transgenic lines treated with heavy metals were higher than those of wild-type seeds under the same conditions. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents in wild-type leaves and roots when treated with heavy metal were higher than in CsHMA3 overexpressing transgenic lines. These results indicate that overexpression of CsHMA3 affects fatty acid composition and content-factors that are responsible for the fuel properties of biodiesel-and can alleviate ROS accumulation caused by heavy-metal stresses in Camelina. Due to these factors, we propose that CsHMA3 transgenic Camelina can be used for phytoremediation of metal-contaminated soil as well as for oil production.

Utilization of 134Cs/137Cs in the environment to identify the reactor units that caused atmospheric releases during the Fukushima Daiichi accident

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chino, Masamichi; Terada, Hiroaki; Nagai, Haruyasu; Katata, Genki; Mikami, Satoshi; Torii, Tatsuo; Saito, Kimiaki; Nishizawa, Yukiyasu

2016-08-01

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power reactor units that generated large amounts of airborne discharges during the period of March 12-21, 2011 were identified individually by analyzing the combination of measured 134Cs/137Cs depositions on ground surfaces and atmospheric transport and deposition simulations. Because the values of 134Cs/137Cs are different in reactor units owing to fuel burnup differences, the 134Cs/137Cs ratio measured in the environment was used to determine which reactor unit ultimately contaminated a specific area. Atmospheric dispersion model simulations were used for predicting specific areas contaminated by each dominant release. Finally, by comparing the results from both sources, the specific reactor units that yielded the most dominant atmospheric release quantities could be determined. The major source reactor units were Unit 1 in the afternoon of March 12, 2011, Unit 2 during the period from the late night of March 14 to the morning of March 15, 2011. These results corresponded to those assumed in our previous source term estimation studies. Furthermore, new findings suggested that the major source reactors from the evening of March 15, 2011 were Units 2 and 3 and that the dominant source reactor on March 20, 2011 temporally changed from Unit 3 to Unit 2.

Utilization of (134)Cs/(137)Cs in the environment to identify the reactor units that caused atmospheric releases during the Fukushima Daiichi accident.

PubMed

Chino, Masamichi; Terada, Hiroaki; Nagai, Haruyasu; Katata, Genki; Mikami, Satoshi; Torii, Tatsuo; Saito, Kimiaki; Nishizawa, Yukiyasu

2016-08-22

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power reactor units that generated large amounts of airborne discharges during the period of March 12-21, 2011 were identified individually by analyzing the combination of measured (134)Cs/(137)Cs depositions on ground surfaces and atmospheric transport and deposition simulations. Because the values of (134)Cs/(137)Cs are different in reactor units owing to fuel burnup differences, the (134)Cs/(137)Cs ratio measured in the environment was used to determine which reactor unit ultimately contaminated a specific area. Atmospheric dispersion model simulations were used for predicting specific areas contaminated by each dominant release. Finally, by comparing the results from both sources, the specific reactor units that yielded the most dominant atmospheric release quantities could be determined. The major source reactor units were Unit 1 in the afternoon of March 12, 2011, Unit 2 during the period from the late night of March 14 to the morning of March 15, 2011. These results corresponded to those assumed in our previous source term estimation studies. Furthermore, new findings suggested that the major source reactors from the evening of March 15, 2011 were Units 2 and 3 and that the dominant source reactor on March 20, 2011 temporally changed from Unit 3 to Unit 2.

Utilization of 134Cs/137Cs in the environment to identify the reactor units that caused atmospheric releases during the Fukushima Daiichi accident

PubMed Central

Chino, Masamichi; Terada, Hiroaki; Nagai, Haruyasu; Katata, Genki; Mikami, Satoshi; Torii, Tatsuo; Saito, Kimiaki; Nishizawa, Yukiyasu

2016-01-01

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power reactor units that generated large amounts of airborne discharges during the period of March 12–21, 2011 were identified individually by analyzing the combination of measured 134Cs/137Cs depositions on ground surfaces and atmospheric transport and deposition simulations. Because the values of 134Cs/137Cs are different in reactor units owing to fuel burnup differences, the 134Cs/137Cs ratio measured in the environment was used to determine which reactor unit ultimately contaminated a specific area. Atmospheric dispersion model simulations were used for predicting specific areas contaminated by each dominant release. Finally, by comparing the results from both sources, the specific reactor units that yielded the most dominant atmospheric release quantities could be determined. The major source reactor units were Unit 1 in the afternoon of March 12, 2011, Unit 2 during the period from the late night of March 14 to the morning of March 15, 2011. These results corresponded to those assumed in our previous source term estimation studies. Furthermore, new findings suggested that the major source reactors from the evening of March 15, 2011 were Units 2 and 3 and that the dominant source reactor on March 20, 2011 temporally changed from Unit 3 to Unit 2. PMID:27546490

The mimic epitopes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis screened by phage display peptide library have serodiagnostic potential for tuberculosis.

PubMed

Wang, Li; Deng, Xiangying; Liu, Haican; Zhao, Lanhua; You, Xiaolong; Dai, Pei; Wan, Kanglin; Zeng, Yanhua

2016-11-01

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an obligate pathogenic bacterial species in the family of Mycobacteriaceae and attracts excessive immune responses which cause pathology of the lungs in active tuberculosis. The lack of more sensitive and effective diagnosis reagents advocates a further recognition for the fast diagnostic and immunological measures for tuberculosis. Here, two 12-mer peptides with core sequences of SVSVGMKPSPRP (CS1) and TMGFTAPRFPHY (CS2) were screened from a phage display random peptide library using the purified mixed tuberculosis-positive serum as a target. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and dot immunobinding assay verified that positive phages exhibited strong binding affinity to mixed tuberculosis-positive serum. BLAST analysis showed that the two sequences may be mimotopes of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis The diagnostic potential for two synthetic mimotope peptides CS1 and CS2 was evaluated using different panels of serum samples (n = 181) by ELISA, and the diagnostic parameters were calculated. CS1 and CS2 achieved sensitivity of 89.41% and 85.88%, and specificities were 90.63% and 87.50%, respectively. We hypothesized that the diagnostic based on CS1 and CS2 may become a promising strategy to enhance the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection due to higher specificity and sensitivity. Therefore, CS1 and CS2 may possess potentials to provide an experimental basis for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. © FEMS 2016. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Simultaneous conditioning of valence and arousal.

PubMed

Gawronski, Bertram; Mitchell, Derek G V

2014-01-01

Evaluative conditioning (EC) refers to the change in the valence of a conditioned stimulus (CS) due to its pairing with a positive or negative unconditioned stimulus (US). To the extent that core affect can be characterised by the two dimensions of valence and arousal, EC has important implications for the origin of affective responses. However, the distinction between valence and arousal is rarely considered in research on EC or conditioned responses more generally. Measuring the subjective feelings elicited by a CS, the results from two experiments showed that (1) repeated pairings of a CS with a positive or negative US of either high or low arousal led to corresponding changes in both CS valence and CS arousal, (2) changes in CS arousal, but not changes in CS valence, were significantly related to recollective memory for CS-US pairings, (3) subsequent presentations of the CS without the US reduced the conditioned valence of the CS, with conditioned arousal being less susceptible to extinction and (4) EC effects were stronger for high arousal than low arousal USs. The results indicate that the conditioning of affective responses can occur simultaneously along two independent dimensions, supporting evidence in related areas that calls for a consideration of both valence and arousal. Implications for research on EC and the acquisition of emotional dispositions are discussed.

Increase in incidence of congenital syphilis - United States, 2012-2014.

PubMed

Bowen, Virginia; Su, John; Torrone, Elizabeth; Kidd, Sarah; Weinstock, Hillard

2015-11-13

Congenital syphilis (CS) occurs when a mother infected with syphilis transmits the infection to her child during pregnancy. CS can cause severe illness, miscarriage, stillbirth, and early infant death. However, among pregnant women with syphilis who deliver after 20 weeks gestation, maternal treatment with penicillin is 98% effective at preventing CS (1). In the United States, the rate of CS decreased during 1991–2005 but increased slightly during 2005–2008 (2). To assess recent trends in CS, CDC analyzed national surveillance data reported during 2008–2014, calculated rates, and described selected characteristics of infants with CS and their mothers. The overall rate of reported CS decreased from 10.5 to 8.4 cases per 100,000 live births during 2008–2012, and then increased to 11.6 cases per 100,000 live births in 2014, the highest CS rate reported since 2001. From 2012 to 2014, reported cases and rates of CS increased across all regions of the United States. To reduce CS, the timely identification of and response to increases in syphilis among women of reproductive age and men who have sex with women are essential. All women should have access to quality prenatal care, including syphilis screening and adequate treatment, during pregnancy (3).

Phytoremediation of radiocesium-contaminated soil in the vicinity of Chernobyl, Ukraine

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dushenkov, S.; Mikheev, A.; Prokhnevsky, A.

1999-02-01

Remediation of soil contaminated with {sup 137}Cs remains one of the most challenging tasks after the Chernobyl 1986 accident. The objectives of this research were to (1) identify extractants that may be used to solubilize {sup 137}Cs in soil solution, (2) study the effect of soil amendments on {sup 137}Cs accumulation by plants, and (3) evaluate the applicability of phytoextraction for environmental restoration of soil contaminated with {sup 137}Cs. The availability of {sup 137}Cs to the plants in Chernobyl soil was limited, because this radionuclide was tightly bound to exchange sites of soil particles or incorporated into the crystalline structuremore » of primary and secondary minerals. Out of 20 soil amendments tested to increase {sup 137}Cs desorption/solubility in the soil, ammonium salts were found to be the most practical soil amendment that can potentially increase {sup 137}Cs bioavailability. Among the screened plants, Amaranth cultivars had the highest {sup 137}Cs accumulation. Three sequential crops of Indian mustard grown in one vegetation season at the experimental plot resulted in a small decrease of {sup 137}Cs specific activity within the top 15 cm of soil. Further improvements are necessary to make phytoremediation technology a feasible option for restoration of {sup 137}Cs-contaminated territories.« less

Self-assembling colloidal system for the ocular administration of cyclosporine A.

PubMed

Luschmann, Christoph; Tessmar, Joerg; Schoeberl, Simon; Strauß, Olaf; Luschmann, Karl; Goepferich, Achim

2014-01-01

In this study, we developed a self-assembling micellar system to deliver cyclosporine A (CsA) in an aqueous solution to the cornea. Two nonionic surfactants of the poly(ethylene glycol)-fatty alcohol ether type (Sympatens AS and Sympatens ACS) were characterized in terms of micelle size, shape, and charge, and their encapsulation efficiency for CsA. In an in situ single dose bioavailability study, the corneal CsA levels were determined in an enucleated porcine eye model. A commercial formulation and a 2% CsA olive oil solution served as references. Both surfactants formed spherical micelles with a size of 9 to 12 nm in water. A concentration as low as 0.3% (wt/vol) Sympatens AS was sufficient to entrap therapeutic levels of at least 0.1% (wt/vol) CsA. In the porcine in situ model, exceptionally high drug levels in the cornea were obtained for the micellar CsA solution (1557 ± 407 ngCsA/gcornea). They were significantly higher than those of Restasis (545 ± 137 ngCsA/gcornea) or the olive oil solution (452 ± 142 ngCsA/gcornea). In conclusion, we have shown a promising simple and efficient approach for the application of CsA in an aqueous solution to the cornea to treat inflammatory corneal diseases.

Oxidative damage in keratinocytes exposed to cigarette smoke and aldehydes.

PubMed

Avezov, Katia; Reznick, Abraham Z; Aizenbud, Dror

2014-06-01

Cigarette smoke (CS) is a significant environmental source of human exposure to chemically active saturated (acetaldehyde) and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes (acrolein) inducing protein carbonylation and dysfunction. The exposure of oral tissues to environmental hazards is immense, especially in smokers. The objectives of the current study were to examine the effect of aldehydes originating from CS on intracellular proteins of oral keratinocytes and to observe the antioxidant response in these cells. Intracellular protein carbonyl modification under CS, acrolein and acetaldehyde exposure in the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line, representing oral keratinocytes was examined by Western blot. Possible intracellular enzymatic dysfunction under the above conditions was examined by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity assay. Oxidative stress response was investigated, by DCF (2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein) assay and GSH (glutathione) oxidation. Intracellular protein carbonyls increased 5.2 times after CS exposure and 2.7 times after exposure to 1 μmol of acrolein. DCF assay revealed an increase of fluorescence intensity 3.2 and 3.1 times after CS and acrolein exposure, respectively. CS caused a 72.5% decrease in intracellular GSH levels compared to controls. Activity of intracellular LDH was preserved. α,β-Unsaturated aldehydes from CS are capable of intracellular protein carbonylation and have a role in intracellular oxidative stress elevation in keratinocytes, probably due to the reduction in GSH levels. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Imbedded Nanocrystals of CsPbBr3 in Cs4 PbBr6 : Kinetics, Enhanced Oscillator Strength, and Application in Light-Emitting Diodes.

PubMed

Xu, Junwei; Huang, Wenxiao; Li, Peiyun; Onken, Drew R; Dun, Chaochao; Guo, Yang; Ucer, Kamil B; Lu, Chang; Wang, Hongzhi; Geyer, Scott M; Williams, Richard T; Carroll, David L

2017-11-01

Solution-grown films of CsPbBr 3 nanocrystals imbedded in Cs 4 PbBr 6 are incorporated as the recombination layer in light-emitting diode (LED) structures. The kinetics at high carrier density of pure (extended) CsPbBr 3 and the nanoinclusion composite are measured and analyzed, indicating second-order kinetics in extended and mainly first-order kinetics in the confined CsPbBr 3 , respectively. Analysis of absorption strength of this all-perovskite, all-inorganic imbedded nanocrystal composite relative to pure CsPbBr 3 indicates enhanced oscillator strength consistent with earlier published attribution of the sub-nanosecond exciton radiative lifetime in nanoprecipitates of CsPbBr 3 in melt-grown CsBr host crystals and CsPbBr 3 evaporated films. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Is improved contrast sensitivity a natural consequence of visual training?

PubMed Central

Levi, Aaron; Shaked, Danielle; Tadin, Duje; Huxlin, Krystel R.

2015-01-01

Many studies have shown that training and testing conditions modulate specificity of visual learning to trained stimuli and tasks. In visually impaired populations, generalizability of visual learning to untrained stimuli/tasks is almost always reported, with contrast sensitivity (CS) featuring prominently among these collaterally-improved functions. To understand factors underlying this difference, we measured CS for direction and orientation discrimination in the visual periphery of three groups of visually-intact subjects. Group 1 trained on an orientation discrimination task with static Gabors whose luminance contrast was decreased as performance improved. Group 2 trained on a global direction discrimination task using high-contrast random dot stimuli previously used to recover motion perception in cortically blind patients. Group 3 underwent no training. Both forms of training improved CS with some degree of specificity for basic attributes of the trained stimulus/task. Group 1's largest enhancement was in CS around the trained spatial/temporal frequencies; similarly, Group 2's largest improvements occurred in CS for discriminating moving and flickering stimuli. Group 3 saw no significant CS changes. These results indicate that CS improvements may be a natural consequence of multiple forms of visual training in visually intact humans, albeit with some specificity to the trained visual domain(s). PMID:26305736

New crystals of the CsHSO{sub 4}–CsH{sub 2}PO{sub 4}–H{sub 2}O system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Makarova, I. P., E-mail: makarova@crys.ras.ru; Grebenev, V. V.; Komornikov, V. A.

2016-11-15

Cs{sub 6}H(HSO{sub 4}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}PO{sub 4}){sub 4} crystals, grown for the first time based on an analysis of the phase diagram of the CsHSO{sub 4}–CsH{sub 2}PO{sub 4}–H{sub 2}O ternary system, have been investigated by structural analysis using synchrotron radiation. The atomic structure of the crystals is determined and its specific features are analyzed.

Serial Change in Cervical Length for the Prediction of Emergency Cesarean Section in Placenta Previa

PubMed Central

Shin, Jae Eun; Shin, Jong Chul; Lee, Young; Kim, Sa Jin

2016-01-01

Purpose To evaluate whether serial change in cervical length (CL) over time can be a predictor for emergency cesarean section (CS) in patients with placenta previa. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with placenta previa between January 2010 and November 2014. All women were offered serial measurement of CL by transvaginal ultrasound at 19 to 23 weeks (CL1), 24 to 28 weeks (CL2), 29 to 31 weeks (CL3), and 32 to 34 weeks (CL4). We compared clinical characteristics, serial change in CL, and outcomes between the emergency CS group (case group) and elective CS group (control group). The predictive value of change in CL for emergency CS was evaluated. Results A total of 93 women were evaluated; 31 had emergency CS due to massive vaginal bleeding. CL tended to decrease with advancing gestational age in each group. Until 29–31 weeks, CL showed no significant differences between the two groups, but after that, CL in the emergency CS group decreased abruptly, even though CL in the elective CS group continued to gradually decrease. On multivariate analysis to determine risk factors, only admissions for bleeding (odds ratio, 34.710; 95% CI, 5.239–229.973) and change in CL (odds ratio, 3.522; 95% CI, 1.210–10.253) were significantly associated with emergency CS. Analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curve showed that change in CL could be the predictor of emergency CS (area under the curve 0.734, p < 0.001), with optimal cutoff for predicting emergency cesarean delivery of 6.0 mm. Conclusions Previous admission for vaginal bleeding and change in CL are independent predictors of emergency CS in placenta previa. Women with change in CL more than 6 mm between the second and third trimester are at high risk of emergency CS in placenta previa. Single measurements of short CL at the second or third trimester do not seem to predict emergency CS. PMID:26863133

Serial Change in Cervical Length for the Prediction of Emergency Cesarean Section in Placenta Previa.

PubMed

Shin, Jae Eun; Shin, Jong Chul; Lee, Young; Kim, Sa Jin

2016-01-01

To evaluate whether serial change in cervical length (CL) over time can be a predictor for emergency cesarean section (CS) in patients with placenta previa. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with placenta previa between January 2010 and November 2014. All women were offered serial measurement of CL by transvaginal ultrasound at 19 to 23 weeks (CL1), 24 to 28 weeks (CL2), 29 to 31 weeks (CL3), and 32 to 34 weeks (CL4). We compared clinical characteristics, serial change in CL, and outcomes between the emergency CS group (case group) and elective CS group (control group). The predictive value of change in CL for emergency CS was evaluated. A total of 93 women were evaluated; 31 had emergency CS due to massive vaginal bleeding. CL tended to decrease with advancing gestational age in each group. Until 29-31 weeks, CL showed no significant differences between the two groups, but after that, CL in the emergency CS group decreased abruptly, even though CL in the elective CS group continued to gradually decrease. On multivariate analysis to determine risk factors, only admissions for bleeding (odds ratio, 34.710; 95% CI, 5.239-229.973) and change in CL (odds ratio, 3.522; 95% CI, 1.210-10.253) were significantly associated with emergency CS. Analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curve showed that change in CL could be the predictor of emergency CS (area under the curve 0.734, p < 0.001), with optimal cutoff for predicting emergency cesarean delivery of 6.0 mm. Previous admission for vaginal bleeding and change in CL are independent predictors of emergency CS in placenta previa. Women with change in CL more than 6 mm between the second and third trimester are at high risk of emergency CS in placenta previa. Single measurements of short CL at the second or third trimester do not seem to predict emergency CS.

Sulfation and Cation Effects on the Conformational Properties of the Glycan Backbone of Chondroitin Sulfate Disaccharides

PubMed Central

Faller, Christina E.; Guvench, Olgun

2015-01-01

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is one of several glycosaminoglycans that are major components of proteoglycans. A linear polymer consisting of repeats of the disaccharide -4GlcAβ1-3GalNAcβ1-, CS undergoes differential sulfation resulting in five unique sulfation patterns. Because of the dimer repeat, the CS glycosidic “backbone” has two distinct sets of conformational degrees of freedom defined by pairs of dihedral angles: (ϕ1, ψ1) about the β1-3 glycosidic linkage and (ϕ2, ψ2) about the β1-4 glycosidic linkage. Differential sulfation and the possibility of cation binding, combined with the conformational flexibility and biological diversity of CS, complicate experimental efforts to understand CS three-dimensional structures at atomic resolution. Therefore, all-atom explicit-solvent molecular dynamics simulations with Adaptive Biasing Force sampling of the CS backbone were applied to obtain high resolution, high precision free energies of CS disaccharides as a function of all possible backbone geometries. All ten disaccharides (β1-3 vs. β1-4 linkage x five different sulfation patterns) were studied; additionally, ion effects were investigated by considering each disaccharide in the presence of either neutralizing sodium or calcium cations. GlcAβ1-3GalNAc disaccharides have a single, broad, thermodynamically important free-energy minimum whereas GalNAcβ1-4GlcA disaccharides have two such minima. Calcium cations but not sodium cations bind to the disaccharides, and binding is primarily to the GlcA –COO− moiety as opposed to sulfate groups. This binding alters the glycan backbone thermodynamics in instances where a calcium cation bound to –COO− can act to bridge and stabilize an interaction with an adjacent sulfate group, whereas, in the absence of this cation, the proximity of a sulfate group to –COO− results in two like charges being both desolvated and placed adjacent to each other and is found to be destabilizing. In addition to providing information on sulfation and cation effects, the present results can be applied to building models of CS polymers and as a point of comparison in studies of CS polymer backbone dynamics and thermodynamics. PMID:25906376

Sulfation and cation effects on the conformational properties of the glycan backbone of chondroitin sulfate disaccharides.

PubMed

Faller, Christina E; Guvench, Olgun

2015-05-21

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is one of several glycosaminoglycans that are major components of proteoglycans. A linear polymer consisting of repeats of the disaccharide -4GlcAβ1-3GalNAcβ1-, CS undergoes differential sulfation resulting in five unique sulfation patterns. Because of the dimer repeat, the CS glycosidic "backbone" has two distinct sets of conformational degrees of freedom defined by pairs of dihedral angles: (ϕ1, ψ1) about the β1-3 glycosidic linkage and (ϕ2, ψ2) about the β1-4 glycosidic linkage. Differential sulfation and the possibility of cation binding, combined with the conformational flexibility and biological diversity of CS, complicate experimental efforts to understand CS three-dimensional structures at atomic resolution. Therefore, all-atom explicit-solvent molecular dynamics simulations with Adaptive Biasing Force sampling of the CS backbone were applied to obtain high-resolution, high-precision free energies of CS disaccharides as a function of all possible backbone geometries. All 10 disaccharides (β1-3 vs β1-4 linkage × five different sulfation patterns) were studied; additionally, ion effects were investigated by considering each disaccharide in the presence of either neutralizing sodium or calcium cations. GlcAβ1-3GalNAc disaccharides have a single, broad, thermodynamically important free-energy minimum, whereas GalNAcβ1-4GlcA disaccharides have two such minima. Calcium cations but not sodium cations bind to the disaccharides, and binding is primarily to the GlcA -COO(-) moiety as opposed to sulfate groups. This binding alters the glycan backbone thermodynamics in instances where a calcium cation bound to -COO(-) can act to bridge and stabilize an interaction with an adjacent sulfate group, whereas, in the absence of this cation, the proximity of a sulfate group to -COO(-) results in two like charges being both desolvated and placed adjacent to each other and is found to be destabilizing. In addition to providing information on sulfation and cation effects, the present results can be applied to building models of CS polymers and as a point of comparison in studies of CS polymer backbone dynamics and thermodynamics.

A large Raman scattering cross-section molecular embedded SERS aptasensor for ultrasensitive Aflatoxin B1 detection using CS-Fe3O4 for signal enrichment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Quansheng; Yang, Mingxiu; Yang, Xiaojing; Li, Huanhuan; Guo, Zhiming; Rahma, M. H.

2018-01-01

With growing concern on oil safety problems, developing a simple and sensitive method to detect Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a common mycotoxin in peanut oil, is very necessary. In this study, Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) aptasensor was developed for ultrasensitive AFB1 detection using the amino-terminal AFB1 aptamer (NH2-DNA1); and thiol-terminal AFB1 complementary aptamer (SH-DNA2) conjugated magnetic-beads (CS-Fe3O4) as enrichment nanoprobe and AuNR@DNTB@Ag nanorods (ADANRs) as reporter nanoprobe respectively. 5,5‧-Dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoicacid) (DNTB) with large Raman scattering cross-section and no fluorescence interference was embedded in Au and Ag core/shell nanorods as Raman reporter molecules. CS-Fe3O4 possessed excellent biocompatibility and superparamagnetism for rapid signal enrichment. Therefore, NH2-DNA1-CS-Fe3O4 and SH-DNA2-ADANRs were fabricated via the hybrid reaction between aptamers and complementary aptamers. When there is AFB1, AFB1 would competitively combine with the NH2-DNA1-CS-Fe3O4 inducing the dissociation of SH-DNA2-ADANRs from CS-Fe3O4 and further decreasing the SERS signal. Based on this developed SERS aptasensor, a low limit of 0.0036 ng/mL and an effective linear detection range from 0.01 to 100 ng/mL with the correlation coefficient up to 0.986 for AFB1 detection were obtained. Moreover, the specificity of this SERS aptasensor was demonstrated by detecting other two mycotoxins and its accuracy for AFB1 detection in real peanut oil was further confirmed by standard addition recovery test.

Replacing alfalfa silage with corn silage in dairy cow diets: Effects on enteric methane production, ruminal fermentation, digestion, N balance, and milk production.

PubMed

Hassanat, F; Gervais, R; Julien, C; Massé, D I; Lettat, A; Chouinard, P Y; Petit, H V; Benchaar, C

2013-07-01

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of replacing alfalfa silage (AS) with corn silage (CS) in dairy cow total mixed rations (TMR) on enteric CH4 emissions, ruminal fermentation characteristics, apparent total-tract digestibility, N balance, and milk production. Nine ruminally cannulated lactating cows were used in a replicated 3×3 Latin square design (32-d period) and fed (ad libitum) a TMR [forage:concentrate ratio of 60:40; dry matter (DM) basis], with the forage portion consisting of either alfalfa silage (0% CS; 56.4% AS in the TMR), a 50:50 mixture of both silages (50% CS; 28.2% AS and 28.2% CS in the TMR), or corn silage (100% CS; 56.4% CS in the TMR). Increasing the CS proportion (i.e., at the expense of AS) in the diet was achieved by decreasing the corn grain proportion and increasing that of soybean meal. Intake of DM and milk yield increased quadratically, whereas DM digestibility increased linearly as the proportion of CS increased in the diet. Increasing the dietary CS proportion resulted in changes (i.e., lower ruminal pH and acetate:propionate ratio, reduced fiber digestibility, decreased protozoa numbers, and lower milk fat and higher milk protein contents) typical of those observed when cows are fed high-starch diets. A quadratic response in daily CH4 emissions was observed in response to increasing the proportion of CS in the diet (440, 483, and 434 g/d for 0% CS, 50% CS, and 100% CS, respectively). Methane production adjusted for intake of DM, and gross or digestible energy was unaffected in cows fed the 50% CS diet, but decreased in cows fed the 100% CS diet (i.e., quadratic effect). Increasing the CS proportion in the diet at the expense of AS improved N utilization, as reflected by the decreases in ruminal NH3 concentration and manure N excretion, suggesting low potential NH3 and N2O emissions. Results from this study, suggest that total replacement of AS with CS in dairy cow diets offers a means of decreasing CH4 output and N losses. However, the reduction in fiber degradation and the resulting increase in volatile solids content of the manure may lead to increased CH4 emissions from manure storage. Copyright © 2013 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A new route to the stable capture and final immobilization of radioactive cesium.

PubMed

Yang, Jae Hwan; Han, Ahreum; Yoon, Joo Young; Park, Hwan-Seo; Cho, Yung-Zun

2017-10-05

Radioactive Cs released from damaged fuel materials in the event of nuclear accidents must be controlled to prevent the spreading of hazardous Cs into the environment. This study describes a simple and novel process to safely manage Cs gas by capturing it within ceramic filters and converting it into monolithic waste forms. The results of Cs trapping tests showed that CsAlSiO 4 was a reaction product of gas-solid reactions between Cs gas and our ceramic filters. Monolithic waste forms were readily prepared from the Cs-trapping filters by the addition of a glass frit followed by thermal treatment at 1000°C for 3h. Major findings revealed that the Cs-trapping filters could be added up to 50wt% to form durable monoliths. In 30-50wt% of waste fraction, CsAlSiO 4 was completely converted to pollucite (CsAlSi 2 O 6 ), which is a potential phase for radioactive Cs due to its excellent thermal and chemical stability. A static leaching test for 28 d confirmed the excellent chemical resistance of the pollucite structure, with a Cs leaching rate as low as 7.21×10 -5 gm -2 /d. This simple scheme of waste processing promises a new route for radioactive Cs immobilization by synthesizing pollucite-based monoliths. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Estimation of average burnup of damaged fuels loaded in Fukushima Dai-ichi reactors by using the {sup 134}Cs/{sup 137}Cs ratio method

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Endo, T.; Sato, S.; Yamamoto, A.

2012-07-01

Average burnup of damaged fuels loaded in Fukushima Dai-ichi reactors is estimated, using the {sup 134}Cs/{sup 137}Cs ratio method for measured radioactivities of {sup 134}Cs and {sup 137}Cs in contaminated soils within the range of 100 km from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plants. As a result, the measured {sup 134}Cs/{sup 137}Cs ratio from the contaminated soil is 0.996{+-}0.07 as of March 11, 2011. Based on the {sup 134}Cs/{sup 137}Cs ratio method, the estimated burnup of damaged fuels is approximately 17.2{+-}1.5 [GWd/tHM]. It is noted that the numerical results of various calculation codes (SRAC2006/PIJ, SCALE6.0/TRITON, and MVP-BURN) are almost themore » same evaluation values of {sup 134}Cs/ {sup 137}Cs ratio with same evaluated nuclear data library (ENDF-B/VII.0). The void fraction effect in depletion calculation has a major impact on {sup 134}Cs/{sup 137}Cs ratio compared with the differences between JENDL-4.0 and ENDF-B/VII.0. (authors)« less

Superconductivity in the orthorhombic phase of thermoelectric CsPb{sub x}Bi{sub 4−x}Te{sub 6} with 0.3≤x≤1.0

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, R.X.; Yang, H.X., E-mail: hxyang@iphy.ac.cn; Tian, H.F.

2015-12-15

Experimental measurements clearly reveal the presence of bulk superconductivity in the CsPb{sub x}Bi{sub 4−x}Te{sub 6} (0.3≤x≤1.0) materials, i.e. the first member of the thermoelectric series of Cs[Pb{sub m}Bi{sub 3}Te{sub 5+m}], these materials have the layered orthorhombic structure containing infinite anionic [PbBi{sub 3}Te{sub 6}]{sup −} slabs separated with Cs{sup +} cations. Temperature dependences of electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, and specific heat have consistently demonstrated that the superconducting transition in Cs{sub 0.96}Pb{sub 0.25}Bi{sub 3.75}Te{sub 6.04} occurs at T{sub c}=3.1 K, with a superconducting volume fraction close to 100% at 1.8 K. Structural study using aberration-corrected STEM/TEM reveals a rich variety of microstructuralmore » phenomena in correlation with the Pb-ordering and chemical inhomogeneity. The superconducting material Cs{sub 0.96}Pb{sub 0.25}Bi{sub 3.75}Te{sub 6.04} with the highest T{sub c} shows a clear ordered structure with a modulation wave vector of q≈a*/2+c*/1.35 on the a–c plane. Our study evidently demonstrates that superconductivity deriving upon doping of narrow-gap semiconductor is a viable approach for exploration of novel superconductors. - Graphical abstract: Bulk superconductivity is discovered in the orthorhombic Cs{sub 0.96}Pb{sub 0.22}Bi{sub 3.80}Te{sub 6.02} materials with the superconducting transition T{sub c}=3.1 K. The compound shows a clear ordered structure with a modulation wave vector of q≈a*/2+c*/1.35 on the a–c plane. - Highlights: • Bulk superconductivity is discovered in the orthorhombic CsPb{sub x}Bi{sub 4−x}Te{sub 6} materials. • The superconducting transition in Cs{sub 0.96}Pb{sub 0.22}Bi{sub 3.80}Te{sub 6.02} occurs at T{sub c}=3.1 K. • Physical property measurements concerning the bulk superconductivity were present. • Structural modulation due to Pb-ordering was observed.« less

Hybrid composite membranes of chitosan/sulfonated polyaniline/silica as polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cells.

PubMed

Vijayakumar, Vijayalekshmi; Khastgir, Dipak

2018-01-01

A series of novel ionic cross-linked chitosan (CS) based hybrid nanocomposites were prepared by using polyaniline/nano silica (PAni/SiO 2 ) as inorganic filler and sulfuric acid as an ionic cross-linking agent. The CS-PAni/SiO 2 nanocomposites show enhanced mechanical properties and improved oxidative stabilities. These nanocomposites can be effectively used as environmental friendly proton exchange membranes. Incorporation of PAni/SiO 2 into CS matrix enhances water uptake and facilitates the phase separation which enables the formation of hydrophilic domains and improves the proton transport. Moreover, the doped polyaniline also provides some additional pathways for proton conduction. The membrane containing 3wt% loading of PAni/SiO 2 in chitosan (CS-PAni/SiO 2 -3) exhibits high proton conductivity at 80°C (8.39×10 -3 Scm -1 ) in fully hydrated state due to its excellent water retention properties. Moreover, methanol permeability of the ionic cross-linked CS-PAni/SiO 2 nanocomposite membranes significantly reduces with the addition of PAni/SiO 2 nano particles. The CS-PAni/SiO 2 -3 composite membrane displays the best overall performance as a polymer electrolyte membrane. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chlorella sorokiniana induces mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer cells and inhibits xenograft tumor growth in vivo.

PubMed

Lin, Ping-Yi; Tsai, Ching-Tsan; Chuang, Wan-Ling; Chao, Ya-Hsuan; Pan, I-Horng; Chen, Yu-Kuo; Lin, Chi-Chen; Wang, Bing-Yen

2017-02-01

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths worldwide. Marine microalgae are a source of biologically active compounds and are widely consumed as a nutritional supplement in East Asian countries. It has been reported that Chlorella or Chlorella extracts have various beneficial pharmacological compounds that modulate immune responses; however, no studies have investigated the anti-cancer effects of Chlorella sorokiniana (CS) on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we evaluated the anti-cancer effects of CS in two human NSCLC cell lines (A549 and CL1-5 human lung adenocarcinoma cells), and its effects on tumor growth in a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model. We also investigated the possible molecular mechanisms governing the pharmacological function of CS. Our results showed that exposure of the two cell lines to CS resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in cell viability. In addition, the percentage of apoptotic cells increased in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that CS might induce apoptosis in human NSCLC cells. Western blot analysis revealed that exposure to CS resulted in increased protein expression of the cleaved/activated forms of caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, except caspase-8. ZDEVD (caspase-3 inhibitor) and Z-LEHD (caspase-9 inhibitor) were sufficient at preventing apoptosis in both A549 and CL1-5 cells, proving that CS induced cell death via the mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway. Exposure of A549 and CL1-5 cells to CS for 24 h resulted in decreased expression of Bcl-2 protein and increased expression of Bax protein as well as decreased expression of two IAP family proteins, survivin and XIAP. We demonstrated that CS induces mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in NSCLC cells via downregulation of Bcl-2, XIAP and survivin. In addition, we also found that the tumors growth of subcutaneous xenograft in vivo was markedly inhibited after oral intake of CS.

Application of Optical Coherence Tomography and Contrast Sensitivity Test for Observing Fundus Changes of Patients With Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension Syndrome

PubMed Central

Wang, Zhixue; Zou, Yuanyuan; Li, Wenying; Wang, Xueyan; Zhang, Min; Wang, Wenying

2015-01-01

Abstract This study was aimed to investigate the fundus changes of patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome (PIHS) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology and contrast sensitivity (CS) tests. Ninety-eight patients with PIHS underwent routine eye examinations including vision correction, fundus examination, OCT, and CS tests. The CS test was performed at low, medium, and high frequency, respectively. Moreover, the difference in CS tests between 2 groups was analyzed by independent-samples T test. The Kruskal–Wallis rank sum test and linear regression model were used to detect the correlation of OCT with CS, respectively. Meanwhile Satterthwaite approximate T test was adopted for pairwise comparisons after nonparametric analysis of variance. The OCT test revealed that 56.76% of the examined eyes showed shallow retinal detachment in the macula lutea and around the optic disk. The differences in CS at each spatial frequency between the case and control group were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Besides, OCT manifestations were associated with CS at each spacial frequency including 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 18 frequency (P < 0.01). And patients with abnormal manifestations of OCT showed lower CS at each spacial frequency than those without abnormal OCT manifestations. What's more the OCT manifestation 1 showed the greatest impact on CS at each spacial frequency. The results showed that abnormal OCT manifestations were correlated with CS in PIHS. OCT and CS tests might be valuable methods in observing fundus changes for PIHS patients. PMID:26554764

Synthesis and single crystal growth of perovskite semiconductor CsPbBr3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Mingzhi; Zheng, Zhiping; Fu, Qiuyun; Chen, Zheng; He, Jianle; Zhang, Sen; Chen, Cheng; Luo, Wei

2018-02-01

As a typical representative of all-inorganic lead halide perovskites, cesium lead bromine (CsPbBr3) has attracted significant attention in recent years. The direct band gap semiconductor CsPbBr3 has a wide band gap of 2.25 eV and high average atomic number (Cs: 55, Pb: 82 and Br: 35), which meet most of the requirements for detection of X- and γ-ray radiation, such as high attenuation, high resistivity, and significant photoconductivity response. However, the growth of large volume CsPbBr3 single crystals remains a challenge. In this paper, the synthesis of CsPbBr3 polycrystalline powders by a chemical co-precipitation method was investigated and the optimum synthesis conditions were obtained. A large CsPbBr3 single crystal of 8 mm diameter and 60 mm length was obtained by a creative electronic dynamic gradient (EDG) method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and X-ray rocking curve showed that the CsPbBr3 crystal preferentially oriented in the (1 1 0) direction and had a low dislocation density and small residual stress in the crystal. The IR and UV-Vis transmittance and temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed the crystal had a good basic optical performance. The almost linear current-voltage (I-V) curves implied good ohmic contact between the electrodes and crystal surfaces. The resistivity of the crystal was calculated 109-1010 Ω cm. The above results showed that the quality of the obtained crystal had met the demand of optoelectronic applications.

M&S Smart System Contrast Sensitivity Measurements Compared With Standard Visual Function Measurements in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients.

PubMed

Liu, Jessica L; McAnany, J Jason; Wilensky, Jacob T; Aref, Ahmad A; Vajaranant, Thasarat S

2017-06-01

To evaluate the nature and extent of letter contrast sensitivity (CS) deficits in glaucoma patients using a commercially available computer-based system (M&S Smart System II) and to compare the letter CS measurements to standard clinical measures of visual function. Ninety-four subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma participated. Each subject underwent visual acuity, letter CS, and standard automated perimetry testing (Humphrey SITA 24-2). All subjects had a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 0.3 log MAR (20/40 Snellen equivalent) or better and reliable standard automated perimetry (fixation losses, false positives, and false negatives <33%). CS functions were estimated from the letter CS and BCVA measurements. The area under the CS function (AUCSF), which is a combined index of CS and BCVA, was derived and analyzed. The mean (± SD) BCVA was 0.08±0.10 log MAR (∼20/25 Snellen equivalent), the mean CS was 1.38±0.17, and the mean Humphrey Visual Field mean deviation (HVF MD) was -7.22±8.10 dB. Letter CS and HVF MD correlated significantly (r=0.51, P<0.001). BCVA correlated significantly with letter CS (r=-0.22, P=0.03), but not with HVF MD (r=-0.12, P=0.26). A subset of the subject sample (∼20%) had moderate to no field loss (≤-6 dB MD) and minimal to no BCVA loss (≤0.3 log MAR), but had poor letter CS. AUCSF was correlated significantly with HVF MD (r=0.46, P<0.001). The present study is the first to evaluate letter CS in glaucoma using the digital M&S Smart System II display. Letter CS correlated significantly with standard HVF MD measurements, suggesting that letter CS may provide a useful adjunct test of visual function for glaucoma patients. In addition, the significant correlation between HVF MD and the combined index of CS and BCVA (AUCSF) suggests that this measure may also be useful for quantifying visual dysfunction in glaucoma patients.

Early stages of Cs adsorption mechanism for GaAs nanowire surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diao, Yu; Liu, Lei; Xia, Sihao; Feng, Shu

2018-03-01

In this study, the adsorption mechanism of Cs adatoms on the (100) surface of GaAs nanowire with [0001] growth direction is investigated utilizing first principles method based on density function theory. The adsorption energy, work function, atomic structure and electronic property of clean surface and Cs-covered surfaces with different coverage are discussed. Results show that when only one Cs is adsorbed on the surface, the most favorable adsorption site is BGa-As. With increasing Cs coverage, work function gradually decreases and gets its minimum at 0.75 ML, then rises slightly when Cs coverage comes to 1 ML, indicating the existence of 'Cs-kill' phenomenon. According to further analysis, Cs activation process can effectively reduce the work function due to the formation of a downward band bending region and surface dipole moment directing from Cs adatom to the surface. As Cs coverage increases, the conduction band minimum and valence band maximum both shift towards lower energy side, contributed by the orbital hybridization between Cs-5s, Cs-5p states and Ga-4p, As-4s, As-4p states near Fermi level. The theoretical calculations and analysis in this study can improve the Cs activation technology for negative electron affinity optoelectronic devices based on GaAs nanowires, and also provide a reference for the further Cs/O or Cs/NF3 activation process.

Inorganic Halide Perovskites for Efficient Light-Emitting Diodes.

PubMed

Yantara, Natalia; Bhaumik, Saikat; Yan, Fei; Sabba, Dharani; Dewi, Herlina A; Mathews, Nripan; Boix, Pablo P; Demir, Hilmi Volkan; Mhaisalkar, Subodh

2015-11-05

Lead-halide perovskites have transcended photovoltaics. Perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) emerge as a new field to leverage on these fascinating semiconductors. Here, we report the first use of completely inorganic CsPbBr3 thin films for enhanced light emission through controlled modulation of the trap density by varying the CsBr-PbBr2 precursor concentration. Although pure CsPbBr3 films can be deposited from equimolar CsBr-PbBr2 and CsBr-rich solutions, strikingly narrow emission line (17 nm), accompanied by elongated radiative lifetimes (3.9 ns) and increased photoluminescence quantum yield (16%), was achieved with the latter. This is translated into the enhanced performance of the resulting PeLED devices, with lower turn-on voltage (3 V), narrow electroluminescence spectra (18 nm) and higher electroluminescence intensity (407 Cd/m(2)) achieved from the CsBr-rich solutions.

Sequestration and disposal of dissolved Cs+ using zeolite 13X

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, M.; Park, J.; Jeong, H. Y.

2017-12-01

Low-to-intermediate level liquid radioactive wastes (LILLW) typically contain high levels of radioactive 137Cs. Due to the great radiational and thermal stability as well as the high selectivity, zeolite has been commonly utilized to sequester radioactive isotopes from nuclear wastewater effluents. In this study, an Al-rich synthetic zeolite 13X was evaluated for the sorption capacity of Cs+ as a function of pH (4.0-10.5), ionic strength (0.05 and 0.2 M), and initial Cs+ concentration (1×10-6-5×10-3 M). For safe disposal, Cs+-exchanged 13X was both thermally and hydrothermally treated under different temperature and pressure. Subsequently, the resultant materials were examined for the phase transition by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the local coordination chemistry by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Our experimental results will detail the Cs+ sorption behavior by 13X under varying solution compositions. Also, the structural changes of Cs+-exchanged 13X upon thermal and hydrothermal treatment will be delineated to assess the stability of Cs+ in the treated materials.

Effect of Bioaccumulation of Cs and Sr Natural Isotopes on Foliar Structure and Plant Spectral Reflectance of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maruthi Sridhar, Y.S.B.B.; Han, F.X.; Monts, D.L.

2008-07-01

The objectives of this study are: 1.) evaluate the capacity of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) for uptake and accumulation of Cs and Sr natural isotopes; 2.) identify foliar structural and other physiological changes (biomass, relative water content, etc.) resulting from the accumulation of these two elements; and 3.) monitor Cs and Sr uptake and bioaccumulation process by spectral reflectance. Potted Indian mustard plants were exposed to different concentrations of Cs (50 and 600 ppm) and Sr (50 and 300 ppm) natural isotopes in solution form for 23 days. Bioaccumulation of Cs and Sr was found in the order of leavesmore » > stems > roots for both Cs- and Sr-treated plants. The highest leaf Sr accumulation is observed to be 2708 mg kg{sup -1}, and the highest leaf Cs accumulation is 12251 mg kg{sup -1}. High translocation efficiency for both elements is documented by shoot/root concentration ratios greater than one. Relative water content (RWC) of the plants showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in Cs-treated plants. Cs accumulation also affected the pigment concentration and internal structure of the leaf and the spectral characteristics of plants. Within the applied concentration range, Sr accumulation resulted in no significant changes in RWC, structural and spectral characteristics of mustard plants. Cs shoot concentration showed significant negative correlation with relative water content RWC (r = -0.88) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) (r = -0.68) of plant shoots. The canopy spectral reflectance and NDVI analysis clearly revealed (p < 0.05) the stress caused by Cs accumulation. (authors)« less

[Effects of thymosin alpha1 on immune effector molecules of mouse].

PubMed

Li, Wei-ye; Lu, Hui-min; Guo, Qiang; Hu, Wei-ming; Zhang, Zhao-da

2014-05-01

To analysis the effects of Talpha1 on the immune effector molecules in mouse immune system. Sixty five BABL/c mice were divided into four groups: CsA group (n=20), Talpha1 group (n= 20), CsA+Talpha1 group (n=20) and control group (n=5). In the 3 experimental groups, 10 mg/kg CsA, 400 microg/ kg Talpha1, 10 mg/kg CsA+400 microg/kg Talpha1 were respectively administrated by intraperitoneal injection daily. Luminex was performed for cytokine detection at 1 d, 7 d, 14 d, 21 d day after the above treatments. Lymphocyte culture was prepared with the mouse spleen suspension, and then treated with 0. 25 mg/mL CsA, 10 microg/mL Talpha1 or 0.25 mg/mL CsA+10 microg/mL Talpha1 in vitro, respectively. Three days later, OD values of each treated lymphocyte culture and several cytokines in the culture were measured. Compared with other groups, CsA+Talpha1 group had significant lower IL-1alpha, IL-2, IL-6, IL-17, and significant higher IL-10 at 1 d, 7 d, 14 d, 21 d after the treatments (P < 0.05). Three days after the culture, OD value in the control group was significantly higher than that in Talppha1 group, CsA group, and CsA+ Talpha1 group (P < 0.05). IL-1alpa and IL-6 in the control group were significantly higher than those in the experiment groups (P < 0.05), while IL-10 in the control group was significantly lower than that in the experiment groups (P < 0.05). IL-2 and IL-17 were similar. Talpha1 show regulatory effect on the immune effector molecules which could promote Th1 cells transforming to Th2 cells.

Monitoring 137Cs and 134Cs at marine coasts in Indonesia between 2011 and 2013.

PubMed

Suseno, Heny; Prihatiningsih, Wahyu Retno

2014-11-15

Environmental samples (seawater, sediments and biota) were collected along the eastern and western Indonesian coasts between 2011 and 2013 to anticipate the possible impacts of the Fukushima radioactive releases in Indonesia. On the eastern coasts (south and north Sulawesi), the (137)Cs concentrations in the seawater and sediments were 0.12-0.32 Bq m(-3) and 0.10-1.03 Bq kg(-1), respectively. On the western coasts (West Sumatra, Bangka Island, North Java, South Java and Madura island), the (137)Cs concentrations in the seawater and sediments were 0.12-0.66 Bq m(-3) and 0.19-1.64 Bq kg(-1), respectively. In general, the (137)Cs concentrations in the fish from several Indonesian coasts were

137Cs in the fungal compartment of Swedish forest soils.

PubMed

Vinichuk, Mykhaylo M; Johanson, Karl J; Taylor, Andy F S

2004-05-05

The (137)Cs activities in soil profiles and in the mycelia of four ectomycorrhizal fungi were studied in a Swedish forest in an attempt to understand the mechanisms governing the transfer and retention of (137)Cs in forest soil. The biomass of four species of fungi was determined and estimated to be 16 g m(-2) in a peat soil and 47-189 g m(-2) in non-peat soil to the depth of 10 cm. The vertical distribution was rather homogeneous for two species (Tylospora spp. and Piloderma fallax) and very superficial for Hydnellum peckii. Most of the (137)Cs activity in mycelium of non-peat soils was found in the upper 5 cm. Transfer factors were quite high even for those species producing resupinate sporocarps. In the peat soil only approximately 0.3% of the total (137)Cs inventory in soil was found in the fungal mycelium. The corresponding values for non-peat soil were 1.3, 1.8 and 1.9%.

Conditioned [corrected] stimulus informativeness governs conditioned stimulus-unconditioned stimulus associability.

PubMed

Ward, Ryan D; Gallistel, C R; Jensen, Greg; Richards, Vanessa L; Fairhurst, Stephen; Balsam, Peter D

2012-07-01

In a conditioning protocol, the onset of the conditioned stimulus ([CS]) provides information about when to expect reinforcement (unconditioned stimulus [US]). There are two sources of information from the CS in a delay conditioning paradigm in which the CS-US interval is fixed. The first depends on the informativeness, the degree to which CS onset reduces the average expected time to onset of the next US. The second depends only on how precisely a subject can represent a fixed-duration interval (the temporal Weber fraction). In three experiments with mice, we tested the differential impact of these two sources of information on rate of acquisition of conditioned responding (CS-US associability). In Experiment 1, we showed that associability (the inverse of trials to acquisition) increased in proportion to informativeness. In Experiment 2, we showed that fixing the duration of the US-US interval or the CS-US interval or both had no effect on associability. In Experiment 3, we equated the increase in information produced by varying the C/T ratio with the increase produced by fixing the duration of the CS-US interval. Associability increased with increased informativeness, but, as in Experiment 2, fixing the CS-US duration had no effect on associability. These results are consistent with the view that CS-US associability depends on the increased rate of reward signaled by CS onset. The results also provide further evidence that conditioned responding is temporally controlled when it emerges.

Effect of replacing calcium salts of palm oil with camelina seed at 2 dietary ether extract levels on digestion, ruminal fermentation, and nutrient flow in a dual-flow continuous culture system.

PubMed

Brandao, V L N; Dai, X; Paula, E M; Silva, L G; Marcondes, M I; Shenkoru, T; Poulson, S R; Faciola, A P

2018-06-01

Camelina is a drought- and salt-tolerant oil seed, which in total ether extract (EE) contains up to 74% polyunsaturated fatty acids. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of replacing calcium salts of palm oil (Megalac, Church & Dwight Co. Inc., Princeton, NJ) with camelina seed (CS) on ruminal fermentation, digestion, and flows of fatty acids (FA) and AA in a dual-flow continuous culture system when supplemented at 5 or 8% dietary EE. Diets were randomly assigned to 8 fermentors in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design, with four 10-d experimental periods consisting of 7 d for diet adaptation and 3 d for sample collection. Treatments were (1) calcium salts of palm oil supplementation at 5% EE (MEG5); (2) calcium salts of palm oil supplementation at 8% EE (MEG8); (3) 7.7% CS supplementation at 5% EE (CS5); and (4) 17.7% CS supplementation at 8% EE (CS8). Diets contained 55% orchardgrass hay, and fermentors were fed 72 g of dry matter/d. On d 8, 9, and 10 of each period, digesta effluent samples were taken for ruminal NH 3 , volatile fatty acids, nitrogen metabolism analysis, and long-chain FA and AA flows. Statistical analysis was performed using the MIXED procedure (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). We detected an interaction between FA source and dietary EE level for acetate, where MEG8 had the greatest molar proportion of acetate. Molar proportions of propionate were greater and total volatile fatty acids were lower on CS diets. Supplementation of CS decreased overall ruminal nutrient true digestibility, but dietary EE level did not affect it. Diets containing CS had greater biohydrogenation of 18:2 and 18:3; however, biohydrogenation of 18:1 was greater in MEG diets. Additionally, CS diets had greater ruminal concentrations of trans-10/11 18:1 and cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid. Dietary EE level at 8% negatively affected flows of NH 3 -N (g/d), nonammonia N, and bacterial N as well as the overall AA outflow. However, treatments had minor effects on individual ruminal AA digestibility. The shift from acetate to propionate observed on diets containing CS may be advantageous from an energetic standpoint. Moreover, CS diets had greater ruminal outflow of trans-10/11 18:1 and cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid than MEG diets, suggesting a better FA profile available for postruminal absorption. However, dietary EE at 8% was deleterious to overall N metabolism and AA outflow, indicating that CS can be fed at 5% EE without compromising N metabolism. Copyright © 2018 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Paclitaxel loaded magnetic nanocomposites with folate modified chitosan/carboxymethyl surface; a vehicle for imaging and targeted drug delivery.

PubMed

Bano, Shazia; Afzal, Muhammad; Waraich, Mustansar Mahmood; Alamgir, Khalid; Nazir, Samina

2016-11-20

In this study, Paclitaxel (PTX) containing, bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles were fabricated via a simple approach. Folic acid (FA) was conjugated to chitosan (CS)/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) through an esterification reaction to produce BSA-CS-FA or BSA-CMC-FA conjugates. NiFe 2 O 4 noncore (NFs) and PTX were loaded through a heat treatment and by a diffusion process. NFs-BSA-CS and NFs-BSA-CMC-FA with size of about 80nm, showed superior transversal R 2 relaxation rate of 349 (mM) -1 s -1 along with folate receptor-targeted and magnetically directed functions. NFs-BSA-CS-FA or NFs-BSA-CS-FA were found stable and biocompatible. Application of an external magnetic field effectively enhanced the PTX release from PTX-NFs-BSA-CS-FA or PTX-NFs-BSA-CS-FA and hence tumor inhibition rate. This study validate that NFs-BSA-CS-FA or NFs-BSA-CMC-FA and PTX-NFs-BSA-CS-FA or PTX-NFs-BSA-CS-FA are suitable systems for tumor diagnosis and therapy. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Ligand-mediated synthesis of compositionally related cesium lead halide CsPb2X5 nanowires with improved stability.

PubMed

Ruan, Longfei; Lin, Jin; Shen, Wei; Deng, Zhengtao

2018-04-26

Compositionally related cesium lead halide materials, such as CsPb2X5, have attracted great interest due to their considerable optoelectronic/optical properties as well as improved stability. Currently, CsPb2Br5 nanocrystals can be well-designed by tuning the ligands or precursor ratio, whereas, CsPb2X5 (with Cl- or I-) nanocrystals can only be obtained by the anion exchange method. Herein, we report a method to directly synthesize CsPb2X5 facilitated by thiol ligands. The morphology of CsPb2X5 can be designed as a nanowire. Importantly, the stability of directly synthesized CsPb2X5 nanowires is much improved when compared with the stabilities of the materials obtained by the anion-exchange method. We believe that this method will promote the application of 1D tetragonal CsPb2X5 in optoelectronics, optics and other fields.

Nanoscale spatial analysis of clay minerals containing cesium by synchrotron radiation photoemission electron microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshigoe, Akitaka; Shiwaku, Hideaki; Kobayashi, Toru; Shimoyama, Iwao; Matsumura, Daiju; Tsuji, Takuya; Nishihata, Yasuo; Kogure, Toshihiro; Ohkochi, Takuo; Yasui, Akira; Yaita, Tsuyoshi

2018-01-01

A synchrotron radiation photoemission electron microscope (SR-PEEM) was applied to demonstrate the pinpoint analysis of micrometer-sized weathered biotite clay particles with artificially adsorbed cesium (Cs) atoms. Despite the insulating properties of the clay, we observed the spatial distributions of constituent elements (Si, Al, Cs, Mg, and Fe) without charging issues and clarified reciprocal site-correlations among these elements with nanometer resolution. We found that Cs atoms were likely to be adsorbed evenly over the entire particle; however, we identified an occupational conflict between Cs and Mg atoms, implying that Cs sorption involves ion exchange processes. Spatially resolved X-ray absorption spectra (XAS) of the Cs4,5 M-edge region showed Cs to be present in a monocation state (Cs+) as typically observed for Cs compounds. Further pinpoint XAS measurements were also performed at the Fe L2,3-edge to determine the chemical valence of the Fe atoms. The shapes of the spectra were similar to those for Fe2O3, indicating that Fe in the clay was in a 3+ oxidation state. From these observations, we infer that charge compensation facilitates Cs adsorption in the vicinity of a substitution site where Si4+ ions are replaced by Fe3+ ions in SiO4 tetrahedral sheets. Our results demonstrate the utility of SR-PEEM as a tool for spatially resolved chemical analyses of various environmental substances, which is not limited by the poor conductivity of samples.

Novel bioadhesive polymers as intra-articular agents: Chondroitin sulfate-cysteine conjugates.

PubMed

Suchaoin, Wongsakorn; Bonengel, Sonja; Griessinger, Julia Anita; Pereira de Sousa, Irene; Hussain, Shah; Huck, Christian W; Bernkop-Schnürch, Andreas

2016-04-01

The aim of this study was to generate and characterize a chondroitin sulfate-cysteine conjugate (CS-cys) as a novel bioadhesive agent for intra-articular use. Mucoadhesive properties of synthesized CS-cys were investigated by rheological measurement of polymer-mucus mixture and rotating cylinder method, while bioadhesive features of CS-cys on porcine articular cartilage were evaluated via tensile studies. Thiolation was achieved by attachment of l-cysteine to CS via amide bond formation mediated by carbodiimide as a coupling reagent. The conjugate exhibited 421.17±35.14 μmol free thiol groups per gram polymer. The reduced CS-cys displayed 675.09±39.67 μmol free thiol groups per gram polymer after disulfide bonds reduction using tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine hydrochloride. The increase in dynamic viscosity of thiolated CS due to oxidative disulfide bond formation was demonstrated using capillary viscometer. The combination of CS-cys and mucus led to 4.57-fold increase in dynamic viscosity in comparison with mucus control. Furthermore, adhesion time to porcine mucosa of CS-cys-based test disk was enhanced by 2.48-fold compared to unmodified CS as measured by rotating cylinder method suggesting the interaction between thiomers and mucus gel layer via disulfide bonds formation. Tensile studies of thiolated CS on porcine articular cartilage showed 5.37- and 1.76-fold increase in the total work of adhesion and the maximum detachment force, respectively, in comparison with unmodified CS indicating bioadhesive features of CS-cys. Cytotoxicity of CS-cys was assessed in Caco-2 cells and rat primary articular chondrocytes using MTT and LDH release assay, thereby showing the safety of CS-cys at a concentration of 0.25% (w/v) in Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, 0.1% of CS-cys was found non-toxic to rat primary articular chondrocytes. According to these results, CS-cys provides improved bioadhesive properties that might be useful as an intra-articular agent for treatment of osteoarthritis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cigarette Smoke-induced Left Ventricular Remodelling is Associated with Activation of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinases

PubMed Central

Gu, Lianzhi; Pandey, Vikas; Geenen, David L.; Chowdhury, Shamim A. K.; Piano, Mariann R.

2008-01-01

Aim To determine the effects of cigarette smoke (CS) exposure on the expression/activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) (extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK1/2], p38-kinase [p38] and c-Jun NH2–terminal protein kinase [JNK]), norepinephrine (NE) levels and myocardial structure and function. Methods Rats were randomised to two groups: CS–exposed (n = 10) or room air (CON) (n = 12). After 5 weeks, the animals underwent echocardiography with pulse-wave Doppler flow measurements. Hearts were removed for microscopy and Western blot analysis. Results CS exposure was associated with significant increases in NE urinary levels and larger ventricular dimensions (mm) (CON = left ventricular end diastolic dimension [LVEDD] 7.99 ± 0.10, LV end systolic dimension [LVESD] 4.55 ± 0.20, CS = LVEDD 8.3 ± 0.10, LVESD 5.3 ± 0.09, p = 0.026, p = 0.003). There was also evidence of systolic dysfunction in the CS-exposed group compared to the CON group (fractional shortening %, CON = 43 ± 2, CS = 36 ± .09, p = 0.010). In CS-exposed hearts, significant increases in phosphorylated p38/total p38 (0.975 ± 0.05) and phosphorylated ERK1/2/totalERK1/2 (1.919 ± 0.050) were found compared to CON hearts (0.464 ± 0.008, 0.459 ± 0.050, respectively). No significant differences were found in JNK levels between the groups. Conclusions Increased NE levels and MAPK activation are associated with CS-related left ventricular remodelling. PMID:18815071

Light-Independent Ionic Transport in Inorganic Perovskite and Ultrastable Cs-Based Perovskite Solar Cells.

PubMed

Zhou, Wenke; Zhao, Yicheng; Zhou, Xu; Fu, Rui; Li, Qi; Zhao, Yao; Liu, Kaihui; Yu, Dapeng; Zhao, Qing

2017-09-07

Due to light-induced effects in CH 3 NH 3 -based perovskites, such as ion migration, defects formation, and halide segregation, the degradation of CH 3 NH 3 -based perovskite solar cells under maximum power point is generally implicated. Here we demonstrated that the effect of light-enhanced ion migration in CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 can be eliminated by inorganic Cs substitution, leading to an ultrastable perovskite solar cell. Quantitatively, the ion migration barrier for CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 is 0.62 eV under dark conditions, larger than that of CsPbI 2 Br (0.45 eV); however, it reduces to 0.07 eV for CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 under illumination, smaller than that for CsPbI 2 Br (0.43 eV). Meanwhile, photoinduced halide segregation is also suppressed in Cs-based perovskites. Cs-based perovskite solar cells retained >99% of the initial efficiency (10.3%) after 1500 h of maximum power point tracking under AM1.5G illumination, while CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 solar cells degraded severely after 50 h of operation. Our work reveals an uncovered mechanism for stability improvement by inorganic cation substitution in perovskite-based optoelectronic devices.

Combined Bladder Neck Reconstruction and Continent Stoma Creation as a Suitable Alternative for Continence in Bladder Exstrophy: a Preliminary Report.

PubMed

Kasprenski, Matthew; Benz, Karl; Jayman, John; Lue, Kathy; Maruf, Mahir; Baumgartner, Timothy; Gearhart, John

2018-05-25

To explore the use of concomitant BNR and creation of a continent stoma (CS) in patients that are not quite eligible for BNR, but still strongly desire volitional voiding. The authors retrospectively reviewed an institutional database of EEC patients for those who underwent BNR-CS between 2000 and 2015. Indications for a BNR-CS, perioperative outcomes, and continence status were evaluated. Method of voiding and continence status were analyzed for patients with greater than six months of follow-up after the BNR-CS. A total of 24 EEC patients (15 male and 9 female) underwent BNR-CS at a median age of 8.9 years (range 5.4-17.4). This included, 18 patients with classic bladder exstrophy (CBE), 5 with epispadias, and 1 with a cloacal exstrophy variant. There were 5 (20.1%) surgical complications following the BNR-CS, including 3 febrile urinary tract infections, 1 superficial wound infection, and 1 urethrocutaneous fistula. The median follow-up time from the time of BNR-CS was 1.1 years (range 0.1-14.1). Seventeen of 24 patients (71%) had a follow-up greater than 6 months and were evaluated for continence. Twelve patients (71%) were completely dry for intervals greater than 3 hours following BNR-CS. Five (29%) did not achieve continence with BNR-CS. Of those 5 patients, 3 (60%) underwent subsequent bladder neck transection. Combined BNR and CS is a suitable alternative to achieve urinary continence in patients that are not ideal candidates for BNR alone. This approach can offer a select group of patients the opportunity for volitional voiding. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Does pet-keeping modify the association of delivery mode with offspring body size?

PubMed

Cassidy-Bushrow, Andrea E; Wegienka, Ganesa; Havstad, Suzanne; Levin, Albert M; Lynch, Susan V; Ownby, Dennis R; Rundle, Andrew G; Woodcroft, Kimberley J; Zoratti, Edward M; Johnson, Christine Cole

2015-06-01

Caesarean-section (CS) delivery increases risk of childhood obesity, and is associated with a distinct early-life gut microbiome, which may contribute to obesity. Household pets may alter human gut microbiome composition. We examined if pet-keeping modified the association of CS with obesity at age 2 years in 639 Wayne County Health, Environment, Allergy and Asthma Longitudinal Study birth cohort participants. Pet-keeping was defined as having a dog or cat (indoors ≥1 h/day) at child age 2 years. We used logistic regression to test for an interaction between CS and pet-keeping with obesity (BMI ≥ 95th percentile) at age 2 years, adjusted for maternal obesity. A total of 328 (51.3 %) children were male; 367 (57.4 %) were African American; 228 (35.7 %) were born by CS; and 55 (8.6 %) were obese. After adjusting for maternal obesity, CS-born children had a non-significant (P = 0.25) but elevated 1.4 (95 % CI 0.8, 2.5) higher odds of obesity compared to those born vaginally. There was evidence of effect modification between current pet-keeping and delivery mode with obesity at age 2 years (interaction P = 0.054). Compared to children born vaginally without a pet currently in the home, children born via CS without a pet currently in the home had a statistically significant (P = 0.043) higher odds (odds ratio 2.00; 95 % CI 1.02, 3.93) of being obese at age 2 years. Pets modified the CS-BMI relationship; whether the underlying mechanism is through effects on environmental or gut microbiome requires specific investigation.

Exotic stable cesium polynitrides at high pressure

DOE PAGES

Peng, Feng; Han, Yunxia; Liu, Hanyu; ...

2015-11-19

New polynitrides containing metastable forms of nitrogen are actively investigated as potential high energy-density materials. Using a structure search method based on the CALYPSO methodology, we investigated the stable stoichiometries and structures of cesium polynitrides at high pressures. Along with the CsN 3, we identified five new stoichiometric compounds (Cs 3N, Cs 2N, CsN, CsN 2, and CsN 5) with interesting structures that may be experimentally synthesizable at modest pressures (i.e., less than 50 GPa). Nitrogen species in the predicted structures have various structural forms ranging from single atom (N) to highly endothermic molecules (N 2, N 3 , Nmore » 4, N 5, N 6) and chains (N ∞). Polymeric chains of nitrogen were found in the high-pressure C2/c phase of CsN 2. This structure contains a substantially high content of single N-N bonds that exceeds the previously known nitrogen chains in pure forms, and also exhibit metastability at ambient conditions. We also identified a very interesting CsN crystal that contains novel N 4 4- anion. In conclusion, to our best knowledge, this is the first time a charged N 4 species being reported. Results of the present study suggest that it is possible to obtain energetic polynitrogens in main-group nitrides under high pressure.« less

Exotic stable cesium polynitrides at high pressure

PubMed Central

Peng, Feng; Han, Yunxia; Liu, Hanyu; Yao, Yansun

2015-01-01

New polynitrides containing metastable forms of nitrogen are actively investigated as potential high-energy-density materials. Using a structure search method based on the CALYPSO methodology, we investigated the stable stoichiometries and structures of cesium polynitrides at high pressures. Along with the CsN3, we identified five new stoichiometric compounds (Cs3N, Cs2N, CsN, CsN2, and CsN5) with interesting structures that may be experimentally synthesizable at modest pressures (i.e., less than 50 GPa). Nitrogen species in the predicted structures have various structural forms ranging from single atom (N) to highly endothermic molecules (N2, N3, N4, N5, N6) and chains (N∞). Polymeric chains of nitrogen were found in the high-pressure C2/c phase of CsN2. This structure contains a substantially high content of single N-N bonds that exceeds the previously known nitrogen chains in pure forms, and also exhibit metastability at ambient conditions. We also identified a very interesting CsN crystal that contains novel N44− anion. To our best knowledge, this is the first time a charged N4 species being reported. Results of the present study suggest that it is possible to obtain energetic polynitrogens in main-group nitrides under high pressure. PMID:26581175

Selective Capture of Cesium and Thallium from Natural Waters and Simulated Wastes with Copper Ferrocyanide Functionalized Mesoporous Silica

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sangvanich, Thanapon; Sukwarotwat, Vichaya; Wiacek, Robert J.

2010-10-15

Copper(II) ferrocyanide immobilized inside mesoporous silica MCM-41 supports (Cu-FC-EDA-SAMMSTM) has been evaluated against iron(III) hexacyanoferrate(II) (insoluble Prussian blue) for the sorption of cesium (Cs+) and thallium (Tl+) from natural waters and simulated wastes. The affinities (in term of distribution coefficients, Kd) of both sorbents for Cs and Tl were measured as a function of solution pH, competing cations, and matrices. For the entire pH studied (pH 0.1 to 7.3), Cu-FC-EDA-SAMMS had higher affinities for Cs and Tl (one to two orders of magnitude higher Kd) than Prussian blue and was less negatively impacted by the solution pH, competing cations, andmore » matrices. The adsorption isotherms and kinetics of the two sorbents for Cs and/or Tl were also determined in seawater and simulated acid and alkaline wastes. SAMMS outperformed Prussian blue in terms of maximum adsorption capacity (e.g., 21.7 versus 2.6 mg Cs/g in acid waste stimulant, pH 1.1), and rate (e.g., over 95 wt% of Cs was removed after 2 minutes with SAMMS, while only 75 wt% was removed with Prussian blue). The lower affinity, capacity, and rate of Cs and Tl sorption on Prussian blue than those on Cu-FC-EDA-SAMMS were attributed to the molecular pore sizes, which restrict mass transport, and the insoluble Cs abducts of the Prussian blue, which restrict the ability of neighboring binding sites to further bind Cs ions. On the other hand, the large pores of SAMMS not only enable faster diffusion and faster binding chemistry, but they also allow isolation of binding sites so that one Cs binding event does not impact further Cs binding. In addition, iron (Fe) dissolved from insoluble Prussian blue over 10-fold of that from Cu-FC-EDA-SAMMS after 24 hours of contact time, indicating poorer material stability of Prussian blue.« less

Classic conditioning of the ventilatory responses in rats.

PubMed

Nsegbe, E; Vardon, G; Perruchet, P; Gallego, J

1997-10-01

Recent authors have stressed the role of conditioning in the control of breathing, but experimental evidence of this role is still sparse and contradictory. To establish that classic conditioning of the ventilatory responses can occur in rats, we performed a controlled experiment in which a 1-min tone [conditioned stimulus (CS)] was paired with a hypercapnic stimulus [8.5% CO2, unconditioned stimulus (US)]. The experimental group (n = 9) received five paired CS-US presentations, followed by one CS alone to test conditioning. This sequence was repeated six times. The control group (n = 7) received the same number of CS and US, but each US was delivered 3 min after the CS. We observed that after the CS alone, breath duration was significantly longer in the experimental than in the control group and mean ventilation was significantly lower, thus showing inhibitory conditioning. This conditioning may have resulted from the association between the CS and the inhibitory and aversive effects of CO2. The present results confirmed the high sensitivity of the respiratory controller to conditioning processes.

Cyclosporin A Inhibits Rotavirus Replication and Restores Interferon-Beta Signaling Pathway In Vitro and In Vivo

PubMed Central

He, Haiyang; Wu, Yuzhang

2013-01-01

Rotavirus (RV) is the most common cause of severe diarrhea among infants and young children. Currently, there is no specific drug available against rotavirus, largely due to the lack of an ideal target molecule which has hampered drug development. Our previous studies have revealed that cyclosporin A (CsA) might be potentially useful as an anti-RV drug. We therefore used both cellular and mouse models to study the immunological safety and effectiveness of CsA as an anti-RV drug. We found that CsA treatment of HT-29 cells before, during, and after viral infection efficiently inhibited Wa strain RV replication and restored IFN-β expression in a HT-29 cell line model. Exploring the underlying mechanisms showed that CsA promoted Interferon Regulatory Factor-5 (IRF-5) expression (a key positive regulator of the type I IFN signaling pathway), but not IRF-1, IRF-3, or IRF-7. Additionally, CsA inhibited SOCS-1 expression (the key negative regulator of IFN-α/β), but not SOCS-2 or SOCS-3. The antiviral effect of CsA was confirmed in an RV-infected neonatal mouse model by evaluation of antigen clearance and assessment of changes in intestinal tissue pathology. Also, no differences in T cell frequency or proliferation between the CsA- and vehicle-treated groups were observed. Thus, both our in vitro and in vivo findings suggest that CsA, through modulating the expression of key regulators in IFN signaling pathway, promote type I IFN-based intracellular innate immunity in RV host cells. These findings suggest that CsA may be a useful candidate to develop a new anti-RV strategy, although further evaluation and characterization of CsA on RV-induced diarrhea are warranted. PMID:23990993

Pressure-induced quantum phase transition in the quantum antiferromagnet CsFeCl3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayashida, Shohei; Zaharko, Oksana; Kurita, Nobuyuki; Tanaka, Hidekazu; Hagihala, Masato; Soda, Minoru; Itoh, Shinichi; Uwatoko, Yoshiya; Masuda, Takatsugu

2018-04-01

We have studied the pressure-induced quantum phase transition in the singlet-ground-state antiferromagnet CsFeCl3. Neutron diffraction experiments under pressure evidence the magnetic long-range order at low temperatures. Magnetic structure analysis reveals a 120∘ structure with a propagation vector of kmag=(1 /3 ,1 /3 ,0 ) . The estimated critical exponent of the order parameter suggests that CsFeCl3 belongs to the universality class of U (1 ) ×Z2 symmetry which is expected to realize the chiral liquid state.

A newly developed lubricant, chitosan laurate, in the manufacture of acetaminophen tablets.

PubMed

Bani-Jaber, Ahmad; Kobayashi, Asuka; Yamada, Kyohei; Haj-Ali, Dana; Uchimoto, Takeaki; Iwao, Yasunori; Noguchi, Shuji; Itai, Shigeru

2015-04-10

To study the usefulness of chitosan laurate (CS-LA), a newly developed chitosan salt, as a lubricant, lubrication properties such as the pressure transmission ratio and ejection force were determined at different concentrations of CS-LA in tableting. In addition, tablet properties such as the tensile strength, disintegration time, and dissolution behavior, were also determined. When CS-LA was mixed at concentrations of 0.1%-3.0%, the pressure transmission ratio was increased in a concentration-dependent manner, and the value at a CS-LA concentration of 3% was equal to that of magnesium stearate (Mg-St), a widely used lubricant. Additionally, a reduction in the ejection force was observed at a concentration from 1%, proving that CS-LA has good lubrication performance. A prolonged disintegration time and decreased tensile strength, which are known disadvantages of Mg-St, were not observed with CS-LA. Furthermore, with CS-LA, retardation of dissolution of the drug from the tablets was not observed. Conjugation of CS with LA was found to be quite important for both lubricant and tablet properties. In conclusion, CS-LA should be useful as an alternative lubricant to Mg-St. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Properties of New Layered Tungsten(VI)-Containing Materials Based on the Hexagonal-WO 3 Structure: M2(WO 3) 3SeO 3 ( M = NH 4, Rb, Cs)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harrison, William T. A.; Dussack, Laurie L.; Vogt, Thomas; Jacobson, Allan J.

1995-11-01

The hydrothermal syntheses and crystal structures of (NH4)2(WO3)3SeO3 and Cs2(WO3)3SeO3, two new noncentrosymmetric, layered tungsten(VI)-containing phases are reported. Infrared, Raman, and thermogravimetric data are also presented. (NH4)2(WO3)3SeO3 and Cs2(WO3)3SeO3 are isostructural phases built up from hexagonal-tungsten-oxide-like, anionic layers of vertex-sharing WO6 octahedra, capped on one side by Se atoms (as selenite groups). Interlayer NH+4 or Cs+ cations provide charge balance. The full H-bonding scheme in (NH4)2(WO3)3SeO3 has been elucidated from Rietveld refinement against neutron powder diffraction data. The WO6 octahedra display a 3 short + 3 long W-O bond-distance distribution within the WO6 unit in both these phases. (NH4)2(WO3)3SeO3 and Cs2(WO3)3SeO3 are isostructural with their molybdenum(VI)-containing analogues (NH4)2(MoO3)3SeO3 and Cs2 (MoO3)3SeO3. Crystal data: (NH4)2(WO3)3SeO3, Mr = 858.58, hexagonal, space group P63 (No. 173), a = 7.2291(2) Å, c = 12.1486(3) Å, V = 549.82(3) Å3, Z = 2, Rp = 1.81%, and Rwp = 2.29% (2938 neutron powder data). Cs2(WO3)3SeO3, Mr = 1088.31, hexagonal, space group P63 (no. 173), a = 7.2615(2) Å, c = 12.5426(3) Å, V = 572.75(3) Å3, Z = 2, Rp = 4.84%, and Rwp = 5.98% (2588 neutron powder data).

135Cs/ 137Cs isotopic composition of environmental samples across Europe: Environmental transport and source term emission applications

DOE PAGES

Snow, Mathew S.; Snyder, Darin C.

2015-11-02

135Cs/ 137Cs isotopic analyses represent an important tool for studying the fate and transport of radiocesium in the environment; in this work the 135Cs/ 137Cs isotopic composition in environmental samples taken from across Europe is reported. Surface soil and vegetation samples from western Russia, Ukraine, Austria, and Hungary show consistent aged thermal fission product 135Cs/ 137Cs isotope ratios of 0.58 ± 0.01 (age corrected to 1/1/15), with the exception of one sample of soil-moss from Hungary which shows an elevated 135Cs/ 137Cs ratio of 1.78 ± 0.12. With the exception of the outlier sample from Hungary, surface soil/vegetation data aremore » in quantitative agreement with values previously reported for soils within the Chernobyl exclusion zone, suggesting that radiocesium at these locations is primarily composed of homogenous airborne deposition from Chernobyl. Seawater samples taken from the Irish Sea show 135Cs/ 137Cs isotope ratios of 1.22 ± 0.11 (age corrected to 1/1/15), suggesting aged thermal fission product Cs discharged from Sellafield. Furthermore, the differences in 135Cs/ 137Cs isotope ratios between Sellafield, Chernobyl, and global nuclear weapons testing fallout indicate that 135Cs/ 137Cs isotope ratios can be utilized to discriminate between and track radiocesium transport from different nuclear production source terms, including major emission sources in Europe.« less

Layered Structures and Disordered Polyanionic Nets in the Cation-Poor Polar Intermetallics CsAu 1.4 Ga 2.8 and CsAu 2 Ga 2.6

DOE PAGES

Smetana, Volodymyr; Steinberg, Simon; Mudring, Anja-Verena

2016-12-27

Gold intermetallics are known for their unusual structures and bonding patterns. Two new compounds have been discovered in the cation-poor part of the Cs–Au–Ga system. We obtained both compounds directly by heating the elements at elevated temperatures. Structure determinations based on single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses revealed two structurally and compositionally related formations: CsAu 1.4Ga 2.8 (I) and CsAu 2Ga 2.6 (II) crystallize in their own structure types (I: Rmore » $$\\bar{3}$$, a = 11.160(2) Å, c = 21.706(4) Å, Z = 18; II: R$$\\bar{3}$$, a = 11.106(1) Å, Å, c = 77.243(9) Å, Z = 54) and contain hexagonal cationic layers of cesium. Furthermore, this is a unique structural motif, which has never been observed for the other (lighter) alkali metals in combination with Au and post transition elements. The polyanionic part is characterized in contrast by Au/Ga tetrahedral stars, a structural feature that is characteristic for light alkali metal representatives, and disordered sites with mixed Au/Ga occupancies that occur in both structures with a more significant disorder in the polyanionic component of CsAu 2Ga 2.6. Examinations of the electronic band structure for a model approximating the composition of CsAu 1.4Ga 2.8 have been completed using density-functional-theory-based methods and reveal a deep pseudogap at E F. Bonding analysis by evaluating the crystal orbital Hamilton populations show dominant heteroatomic Au–Ga bonds and only a negligible contribution from Cs pairs.« less

Pim-1L Protects Cell Surface-Resident ABCA1 From Lysosomal Degradation in Hepatocytes and Thereby Regulates Plasma High-Density Lipoprotein Level.

PubMed

Katsube, Akira; Hayashi, Hisamitsu; Kusuhara, Hiroyuki

2016-12-01

ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) exerts an atheroprotective action through the biogenesis of high-density lipoprotein in hepatocytes and prevents the formation of foam cells from macrophages. Controlling ABCA1 is a rational approach to improving atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Although much is known about the regulatory mechanism of ABCA1 synthesis, the molecular mechanism underpinning its degradation remains to be clearly described. ABCA1 possesses potential sites of phosphorylation by serine/threonine-protein kinase Pim-1 (Pim-1). Pim-1 depletion decreased the expression of cell surface-resident ABCA1 (csABCA1) and apolipoprotein A-I-mediated [ 3 H]cholesterol efflux in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2, but not in peritoneal macrophages from mice. In vitro kinase assay, immunoprecipitation, and immunocytochemistry suggested phosphorylation of csABCA1 by the long form of Pim-1 (Pim-1L). Cell surface biotinylation indicated that Pim-1L inhibited lysosomal degradation of csABCA1 involving the liver X receptor β, which interacts with csABCA1 and thereby protects it from ubiquitination and subsequent lysosomal degradation. Cell surface coimmunoprecipitation with COS-1 cells expressing extracellularly hemagglutinin-tagged ABCA1 showed that Pim-1L-mediated phosphorylation of csABCA1 facilitated the interaction between csABCA1 and liver X receptor β and thereby stabilized the csABCA1-Pim-1L complex. Mice deficient in Pim-1 kinase activity showed lower expression of ABCA1 in liver plasma membranes and lower plasma high-density lipoprotein levels than control mice. Pim-1L protects hepatic csABCA1 from lysosomal degradation by facilitating the physical interaction between csABCA1 and liver X receptor β and subsequent stabilization of the csABCA1-Pim-1L complex and thereby regulates the circulating level of high-density lipoprotein. Our findings may aid the development of high-density lipoprotein-targeted therapy. © 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.

Learning to Detect Triggers of Airway Symptoms: The Role of Illness Beliefs, Conceptual Categories and Actual Experience with Allergic Symptoms

PubMed Central

Janssens, Thomas; Caris, Eva; Van Diest, Ilse; Van den Bergh, Omer

2017-01-01

Background: In asthma and allergic rhinitis, beliefs about what triggers allergic reactions often do not match objective allergy tests. This may be due to insensitivity for expectancy violations as a result of holding trigger beliefs based on conceptual relationships among triggers. In this laboratory experiment, we aimed to investigate how pre-existing beliefs and conceptual relationships among triggers interact with actual experience when learning differential symptom expectations. Methods: Healthy participants (N = 48) received information that allergic reactions were a result of specific sensitivities versus general allergic vulnerability. Next, they performed a trigger learning task using a differential conditioning paradigm: brief inhalation of CO2 enriched air was used to induce symptoms, while participants were led to believe that the symptoms came about as a result of inhaled allergens (conditioned stimuli, CS’s; CS+ followed by symptoms, CS- not followed by symptoms). CS+ and CS- stimuli either shared (e.g., birds-mammals) or did not share (e.g. birds-fungi) category membership. During Acquisition, participants reported symptom expectancy and symptom intensity for all triggers. During a Test 1 day later, participants rated symptom expectancies for old CS+/CS- triggers, for novel triggers within categories, and for exemplars of novel trigger categories. Data were analyzed using multilevel models. Findings: Only a subgroup of participants (n = 22) showed differences between CO2 and room air symptoms. In this group of responders, analysis of symptom expectancies during acquisition did not result in significant differential symptom CS+/CS- acquisition. A retention test 1 day later showed differential CS+/CS- symptom expectancies: When CS categories did not share category membership, specific sensitivity beliefs improved retention of CS+/CS- differentiation. However, when CS categories shared category membership, general vulnerability beliefs improved retention of CS+/CS- differentiation. Furthermore, participants showed some selectivity in generalization of symptom expectancies to novel categories, as symptom expectancies did not generalize to novel categories that were unrelated to CS+ or CS- categories. Generalization to novel categories was not affected by information about general vulnerability or specific sensitivities. Discussion: Pre-existing vulnerability beliefs and conceptual relationships between trigger categories influence differential symptom expectancies to allergic triggers. PMID:28638358

Subnormothermic ex vivo liver perfusion reduces endothelial cell and bile duct injury after donation after cardiac death pig liver transplantation.

PubMed

Knaak, Jan M; Spetzler, Vinzent N; Goldaracena, Nicolas; Boehnert, Markus U; Bazerbachi, Fateh; Louis, Kristine S; Adeyi, Oyedele A; Minkovich, Leonid; Yip, Paul M; Keshavjee, Shaf; Levy, Gary A; Grant, David R; Selzner, Nazia; Selzner, Markus

2014-11-01

An ischemic-type biliary stricture (ITBS) is a common feature after liver transplantation using donation after cardiac death (DCD) grafts. We compared sequential subnormothermic ex vivo liver perfusion (SNEVLP; 33°C) with cold storage (CS) for the prevention of ITBS in DCD liver grafts in pig liver transplantation (n = 5 for each group). Liver grafts were stored for 10 hours at 4°C (CS) or preserved with combined 7-hour CS and 3-hour SNEVLP. Parameters of hepatocyte [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), international normalized ratio (INR), factor V, and caspase 3 immunohistochemistry], endothelial cell (EC; CD31 immunohistochemistry and hyaluronic acid), and biliary injury and function [alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, and bile lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)] were determined. Long-term survival (7 days) after transplantation was similar between the SNEVLP and CS groups (60% versus 40%, P = 0.13). No difference was observed between SNEVLP- and CS-treated animals with respect to the peak of serum INR, factor V, or AST levels within 24 hours. CD31 staining 8 hours after transplantation demonstrated intact EC lining in SNEVLP-treated livers (7.3 × 10(-4) ± 2.6 × 10(-4) cells/μm(2)) but not in CS-treated livers (3.7 × 10(-4) ± 1.3 × 10(-4) cells/μm(2) , P = 0.03). Posttransplant SNEVLP animals had decreased serum ALP and serum bilirubin levels in comparison with CS animals. In addition, LDH in bile fluid was lower in SNEVLP pigs versus CS pigs (14 ± 10 versus 60 ± 18 μmol/L, P = 0.02). Bile duct histology revealed severe bile duct necrosis in 3 of 5 animals in the CS group but none in the SNEVLP group (P = 0.03). Sequential SNEVLP preservation of DCD grafts reduces bile duct and EC injury after liver transplantation. © 2014 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Transport of strontium and cesium in simulated hanford tank waste leachate through quartz sand under saturated and unsaturated flow.

PubMed

Rod, Kenton A; Um, Wooyong; Flury, Markus

2010-11-01

We investigated the effects of water saturation and secondary precipitate formation on Sr and Cs transport through quartz sand columns under saturated and unsaturated flow. Column experiments were conducted at effective water saturation ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 under steady-state flow using either 0.1 M NaNO(3) or simulated tank waste leachate (STWL; 1 M NaNO(3) and 1 M NaOH) mimicking Hanford (Washington, USA) tank waste. In 0.1 M NaNO(3) columns, Sr transported like a conservative tracer, whereas Cs was retarded relative to Sr. The transport of Sr and Cs in the 0.1 M NaNO(3) columns under all water saturations could be described with the equilibrium convection-dispersion equation (CDE). In STWL columns, Sr mobility was significantly reduced compared to the 0.1 M NaNO(3) column, because Sr was incorporated into or sorbed to neo-formed secondary precipitates. Strontium sequestration by precipitates was confirmed by additional batch and electron micrograph analyses. In contrast(,) the transport of Cs was less affected by the STWL; retardation of Cs in STWL columns was similar to that found in 0.1 M NaNO(3) columns. Analysis of STWL column data revealed that both Sr and Cs breakthrough curves showed nonideal behavior that suggest nonequilibrium conditions, although nonlinear geochemical behavior cannot be ruled out.

Green Tea Polyphenols Stimulate Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Improve Renal Function after Chronic Cyclosporin A Treatment in Rats

PubMed Central

Rehman, Hasibur; Krishnasamy, Yasodha; Haque, Khujista; Lemasters, John J.; Schnellmann, Rick G.; Zhong, Zhi

2013-01-01

Our previous studies showed that an extract from Camellia sinenesis (green tea), which contains several polyphenols, attenuates nephrotoxicity caused by cyclosporine A (CsA). Since polyphenols are stimulators of mitochondrial biogenesis (MB), this study investigated whether stimulation of MB plays a role in green tea polyphenol protection against CsA renal toxicity. Rats were fed a powdered diet containing green tea polyphenolic extract (0.1%) starting 3 days prior to CsA treatment (25 mg/kg, i.g. daily for 3 weeks). CsA alone decreased renal nuclear DNA-encoded oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) protein ATP synthase-β (AS-β) by 42%, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-encoded OXPHOS protein NADH dehydrogenase-3 (ND3) by 87% and their associated mRNAs. Mitochondrial DNA copy number was also decreased by 78% by CsA. Immunohistochemical analysis showed decreased cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV (COX-IV), an OXPHOS protein, in tubular cells. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator (PGC)-1α, the master regulator of MB, and mitochondrial transcription factor-A (Tfam), the transcription factor that regulates mtDNA replication and transcription, were 42% and 90% lower, respectively, in the kidneys of CsA-treated than in untreated rats. These results indicate suppression of MB by chronic CsA treatment. Green tea polyphenols alone and following CsA increased AS-β, ND3, COX-IV, mtDNA copy number, PGC-1α mRNA and protein, decreased acetylated PGC-1α, and increased Tfam mRNA and protein. In association with suppressed MB, CsA increased serum creatinine, caused loss of brush border and dilatation of proximal tubules, tubular atrophy, vacuolization, apoptosis, calcification, and increased neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin expression, leukocyte infiltration, and renal fibrosis. Green tea polyphenols markedly attenuated CsA-induced renal injury and improved renal function. Together, these results demonstrate that green tea polyphenols attenuate CsA-induced kidney injury, at least in part, through the stimulation of MB. PMID:23755172

Ternary chalcogenides C s 2 Z n 3 S e 4 and C s 2 Z n 3 T e 4 : Potential p -type transparent conducting materials

DOE PAGES

Shi, Hongliang; Saparov, Bayrammurad; Singh, David J.; ...

2014-11-11

Here we report prediction of two new ternary chalcogenides that can potentially be used as p-type transparent conductors along with experimental synthesis and initial characterization of these previously unknown compounds, Cs 2Zn 3Ch 4 (Ch = Se, Te). In particular, the structures are predicted based on density functional calculations and confirmed by experiments. Phase diagrams, electronic structure, optical properties, and defect properties of Cs 2Zn 3Se 4 and Cs 2Zn 3Te 4 are calculated to assess the viability of these materials as p-type TCMs. Cs 2Zn 3Se 4 and Cs 2Zn 3Te 4, which are stable under ambient air, displaymore » large optical band gaps (calculated to be 3.61 and 2.83 eV, respectively) and have small hole effective masses (0.5-0.77 m e) that compare favorably with other proposed p-type TCMs. Defect calculations show that undoped Cs2Zn3Se4 and Cs2Zn3Te4 are p-type materials. However, the free hole concentration may be limited by low-energy native donor defects, e.g., Zn interstitials. Lastly, non-equilibrium growth techniques should be useful for suppressing the formation of native donor defects, thereby increasing the hole concentration.« less

Syntheses, structures, and physical properties of CsRE(2)Ag(3)Te(5) (RE = Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd-Er) and RbR(2)Ag(3)Te(5) (RE = Sm, Gd-Dy).

PubMed

Meng, Chang-Yu; Chen, Hong; Wang, Peng

2014-07-07

A new series of quaternary CsRE2Ag3Te5 (RE = Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd-Er) and RbRE2Ag3Te5 (RE = Sm, Gd-Dy), which have been synthesized from the elemental mixtures in ACl flux (A = Rb, Cs) and crystallized in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm, with a = 4.620(2)-4.504(2) Å, b = 16.232(8)-16.027(8) Å, c = 18.84(1)-18.32(2) and Z = 4, are isostructural to RbSm2Ag3Se5. These isostructural ARE2Ag3Te5 feature a three-dimensional tunnel framework constructed by ionically bound RETe6 octahedron and covalently bound AgTe4 tetrahedron in which tunnels are filled by A. Typical semiconducting behavior is revealed by the electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, optical band gap measurement, and the theoretical calculations. The undoped sintered polycrystalline pellets of CsRE2Ag3Te5 (containing 1.1-1.7% CsCl impurity) show very low electrical conductivity (σr.t. = 0.5-2.4 S/cm), very low thermal conductivity (kr,t = 0.66-0.53 W/(m·K)), and moderate Seebeck coefficient (160-200 μV/K at 700 K).

Technical note: Assessment of the oxygen pulse and heart rate method using respiration chambers and comparative slaughter for measuring heat production of cattle.

PubMed

Oss, D B; Marcondes, M I; Machado, F S; Tomich, T R; Chizzotti, M L; Campos, M M; Pereira, L G R

2016-11-01

The objective of this study was to assess the oxygen pulse and heart rate (O 2 P-HR) technique using the respiration chamber (RC) and comparative slaughter (CS) methods for measuring the heat production (HP) of crossbred (Holstein × Gyr) yearling bulls. Twenty-four bulls were used. Six bulls were slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment as a reference group to estimate the initial empty body weight (BW) and energy content of the remaining animals. The remaining bulls were assigned to a completely randomized design with 3 levels of dry matter intake, with 6 replicates. The levels of dry matter intake were 1.2% of BW, 1.8% of BW and ad libitum, with target orts of 5%. The bulls were fed a diet consisting of 59.6% corn silage and 40.4% concentrate on a dry matter basis. The HP (kcal/BW 0.75 ) was measured using 3 techniques, first using O 2 P-HR, followed by the RC and CS methods. The HP did not differ among assessed techniques, averaging 162.7kcal/BW 0.75 . The intercepts of the linear regressions (mean ± SE) were 64.82±25.515 (H 0 : intercept=0; P=0.024), 33.77±13.418 (H 0 : intercept=0), and 50.02±27.495 (H 0 : intercept=0) for O 2 P-HR versus RC, CS versus RC, and O 2 P-HR versus CS, respectively. The slopes of the linear regressions were 0.59±0.153 (H 0 : slope=1), 0.88±0.081 (H 0 : slope=1), and 0.62±0.155 (H 0 : slope=1) for O 2 P-HR versus RC, CS versus RC, and O 2 P-HR versus CS, respectively. The coefficients of determination were 0.52, 0.90, and 0.52 for O 2 P-HR versus RC, CS versus RC, and O 2 P-HR versus CS, respectively. The concordance correlation coefficients, 0.70 and 0.68, were moderate for O 2 P-HR versus RC and O 2 P-HR versus CS, respectively, but high, 0.90, for CS versus RC. The between-animal coefficient of variation was greater for the O 2 P-HR method (16.6%) compared with RC (7.7%) or CS (6.7%). We conclude that there was an agreement among the HP measurements detected using the assessed methods and that O 2 P-HR is able to predict HP in cattle with great accuracy but only moderate precision. Therefore, the O 2 P-HR method may have limitations in terms of assessing HP in low numbers of replications due to greater between-animal coefficient of variation than either the RC or CS methods. Copyright © 2016 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Autologous blood transfusion during emergency trauma operations.

PubMed

Brown, Carlos V R; Foulkrod, Kelli H; Sadler, Holli T; Richards, E Kalem; Biggan, Dennis P; Czysz, Clea; Manuel, Tony

2010-07-01

Intraoperative cell salvage (CS) of shed blood during emergency surgical procedures provides an effective and cost-efficient resuscitation alternative to allogeneic blood transfusion, which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in trauma patients. Retrospective matched cohort study. Level I trauma center. All adult trauma patients who underwent an emergency operation and received CS as part of their intraoperative resuscitation. The CS group was matched to a no-CS group for age, sex, Injury Severity Score, mechanism of injury, and operation performed. Amount and cost of allogeneic transfusion of packed red blood cells and plasma. The 47 patients in the CS group were similar to the 47 in the no-CS group for all matched variables. Patients in the CS group received an average of 819 mL of autologous CS blood. The CS group received fewer intraoperative (2 vs 4 U; P = .002) and total (4 vs 8 U; P < .001) units of allogeneic packed red blood cells. The CS group also received fewer total units of plasma (3 vs 5 U; P = .03). The cost of blood product transfusion (including the total cost of CS) was less in the CS group ($1616 vs $2584 per patient; P = .004). Intraoperative CS provides an effective and cost-efficient resuscitation strategy as an alternative to allogeneic blood transfusion in trauma patients undergoing emergency operative procedures.

Reconstruction of 137Cs activity in the ocean following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsumune, Daisuke; Aoyama, Michio; Tsubono, Takaki; Tateda, Yutaka; Misumi, Kazuhiro; Hayami, Hiroshi; Toyoda, Yasuhiro; Maeda, Yoshiaki; Yoshida, Yoshikatsu; Uematsu, Mitsuo

2014-05-01

A series of accidents at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant following the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011 resulted in the release of radioactive materials to the ocean by two major pathways, direct release from the accident site and atmospheric deposition. We reconstructed spatiotemporal variability of 137Cs activity in the ocean by the comparison model simulations and observed data. We employed a regional scale and the North Pacific scale oceanic dispersion models, an atmospheric transport model, a sediment transport model, a dynamic biological compartment model for marine biota and river runoff model to investigate the oceanic contamination. Direct releases of 137Cs were estimated for more than 2 years after the accident by comparing simulated results and observed activities very close to the site. The estimated total amounts of directly released 137Cs was 3.6±0.7 PBq. Directly release rate of 137Cs decreased exponentially with time by the end of December 2012 and then, was almost constant. The daily release rate of 137Cs was estimated to be 3.0 x 1010 Bq day-1 by the end of September 2013. The activity of directly released 137Cs was detectable only in the coastal zone after December 2012. Simulated 137Cs activities attributable to direct release were in good agreement with observed activities, a result that implies the estimated direct release rate was reasonable, while simulated 137Cs activities attributable to atmospheric deposition were low compared to measured activities. The rate of atmospheric deposition onto the ocean was underestimated because of a lack of measurements of dose rate and air activity of 137Cs over the ocean when atmospheric deposition rates were being estimated. Observed 137Cs activities attributable to atmospheric deposition in the ocean helped to improve the accuracy of simulated atmospheric deposition rates. Although there is no observed data of 137Cs activity in the ocean from 11 to 21 March 2011, observed data of marine biota should reflect the history of 137Cs activity in this early period. The comparisons between simulated 137Cs activity of marine biota by a dynamic biological compartment and observed data also suggest that simulated 137Cs activity attributable to atmospheric deposition was underestimated in this early period. In addition, river runoff model simulations suggest that the river flux of 137Cs to the ocean was effective to the 137Cs activity in the ocean in this early period. The sediment transport model simulations suggests that the inventory of 137Cs in sediment was less than 10

Variable dimensionality and framework found in a series of quaternary zinc selenites, A{sub 2}Zn{sub 3}(SeO{sub 3}){sub 4}·xH{sub 2}O (A = Na, Rb, and Cs; 0≤x≤1) and Cs{sub 2}Zn{sub 2}(SeO{sub 3}){sub 3}·2H{sub 2}O

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lü, Minfeng; Jo, Hongil; Oh, Seung-Jin

Five new alkali metal zinc selenites, A{sub 2}Zn{sub 3}(SeO{sub 3}){sub 4}·xH{sub 2}O (A = Na, Rb, and Cs; 0≤x≤1) and Cs{sub 2}Zn{sub 2}(SeO{sub 3}){sub 3}·2H{sub 2}O have been synthesized by heating a mixture of ZnO, SeO{sub 2} and A{sub 2}CO{sub 3} (A = Na, Rb, and Cs), and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and spectroscopic analyses techniques. All of the reported materials revealed a rich structural chemistry with different frameworks and connection modes of Zn{sup 2+}. While Rb{sub 2}Zn{sub 3}(SeO{sub 3}){sub 4} and Cs{sub 2}Zn{sub 3}(SeO{sub 3}){sub 4}·H{sub 2}O revealed three-dimensional frameworks consisting of isolated ZnO{sub 4} tetrahedra and SeO{submore » 3} polyhedra, Na{sub 2}Zn{sub 3}(SeO{sub 3}){sub 4}, Cs{sub 2}Zn{sub 3}(SeO{sub 3}){sub 4}, and Cs{sub 2}Zn{sub 2}(SeO{sub 3}){sub 3}·2H{sub 2}O contained two-dimensional [Zn{sub 3}(SeO{sub 3}){sub 4}]{sup 2-} layers. Specifically, whereas isolated ZnO{sub 4} tetrahedra and SeO{sub 3} polyhedra are arranged into two-dimensional [Zn{sub 3}(SeO{sub 3}){sub 4}]{sup 2-} layers in two cesium compounds, circular [Zn{sub 3}O{sub 10}]{sup 14-} chains and SeO{sub 3} linkers are formed in two-dimensional [Zn{sub 3}(SeO{sub 3}){sub 4}]{sup 2-} layers in Na{sub 2}Zn{sub 3}(SeO{sub 3}){sub 4}. Close structural examinations suggest that the size of alkali metal is significant in determining the framework geometry as well as connection modes of transition metal cations. - Graphical abstract: Variable dimensions and frameworks were found in a series of quaternary zinc selenites, A{sub 2}Zn{sub 3}(SeO{sub 3}){sub 4} (A = Na, Rb and Cs). - Highlights: • Five novel quaternary zinc selenites are synthesized. • All the selenites with different structures contain polarizable d{sup 10} and lone pair cations. • The size of alkali metal cations is significant in determining the framework geometry.« less

Phytochemical and antimicrobial activities of Himalayan Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc.

PubMed

Mamta; Mehrotra, Shubhi; Amitabh; Kirar, Vandana; Vats, Praveen; Nandi, Shoma Paul; Negi, P S; Misra, Kshipra

2015-01-01

This study evaluated the phytochemical and antimicrobial activities and also quantified bioactive nucleoside using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) of five extracts of Indian Himalayan Cordyceps sinensis prepared with different solvents employing accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) technique. The phytochemical potential of these extracts was quantified in terms of total phenolic and total flavonoid content while antioxidant activities were determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-pycryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2 -azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Total reducing power (TRP) was determined by converting iron (III) into iron (II) reduction assay. CS(50%Alc) (15.1 ± 0.67mg/g of dry extract) and CS(100%Alc) (19.3 ± 0.33 mg/g of dry extract) showed highest phenolic and flavonoid content, respectively while CS(Aq) extract showed maximum antioxidant activity and the highest concentration of the three nucleosides (adenine 12.8 ± 0.49 mg/g, adenosine 0.36 ± 0.28 mg/g and uracil 0.14 ± 0.36 mg/g of dry extract) determined by HPTLC. The evaluation of extracts for antimicrobial activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial strains showed CS(25%Alc), CS(75%Alc) and CS(100%Alc) extract to be more effective against E. coli, P. aerugenosa and B. subtilis giving 9, 7 and 6.5 mm of zone of inhibition (ZOI) in 93.75, 93.75 and 45 μg concentration, respectively, whereas CS(Aq) extract showed minimal inhibition against these.

Characterization and anti-tumor effects of chondroitin sulfate-chitosan nanoparticles delivery system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Chieh-Shen; Tang, Sung-Ling; Chiang, Chiao-Hsi; Hosseinkhani, Hossein; Hong, Po-Da; Yeh, Ming-Kung

2014-11-01

We prepared chondroitin sulfate (ChS)-chitosan (CS) nanoparticles (NPs) as a delivery carrier, and doxorubicin (Dox) was used as a model drug. The physicochemical properties and biological activities of the Dox-ChS-CS NPs including the release profile, cell cytotoxicity, cellular internalization, and in vivo anti-tumor effects were evaluated. The ChS-CS NPs and Dox-ChS-CS NPs had a mean size of 262.0 ± 15.0 and 369.4 ± 77.4 nm, and a zeta potential of 30.2 ± 0.9 and 20.6 ± 3.1 mV, respectively. In vitro release tests showed that the 50 % release time for the Dox-ChS-CS NPs was 20 h. Two hepatoma cell models, HepG2 and HuH6, were used for evaluating the cytotoxicity and cell uptake efficiency of the Dox-ChS-CS NPs. A significant difference was observed between doxorubicin solution and the Dox-ChS-CS NPs in the cellular uptake within 60 min ( p < 0.01). For the in vivo human xenograft-nude mouse model, the Dox-ChS-CS NPs were more effective with less body weight loss and anti-tumor growth suppression in comparison with the Dox solution. The prepared Dox-ChS-CS NPs offer a new effective targeting nanoparticle delivery system platform for anti-tumor therapy.

Cross equator transport of 137Cs from North Pacific Ocean to South Pacific Ocean ( BEAGLE2003 cruises)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aoyama, M.; Fukasawa, M.; Hirose, K.; Hamajima, Y.; Kawano, T.; Povinec, P. P.; Sanchez-Cabeza, J. A.

2011-04-01

The anthropogenic radionuclides such as 137Cs, 90Sr, 99Tc, 129I and some transuranics are important tracers of transport and biogeochemical processes in the ocean. 137Cs, with a half-life of 30 years, a major fission product present in a dissolved form in seawater, is a good tracer of oceanic circulation at a time scale of several decades. At WOCE P6 line along 30°S during the BEAGLE cruise in 2003, surface seawater (around 80 L) was collected a few meters below the ocean surface by a pumping system. Water column samples (from 5 to 20 L) were collected using a Rosette multisampling system and Niskin bottles. 137Cs was separated from seawater samples using ammonium phosphomolybdate (AMP) and analysed for 137Cs in low-level HPGe gamma-ray spectrometers. Results allowed to draw a detailed picture of the distribution of 137Cs in the South Pacific Ocean along P6 line. A 137Cs depth section was depicted from about 160 samples. 137Cs concentrations in the subsurface layers ranged from 0.07 ± 0.04 Bq m -3 to 1.85 ± 0.145 Bq m -3, high in the Tasman Sea and very low in the eastern region where upwelling occurs. Water column inventories of 137Cs from surface to 1000 dbar depth ranged from 270 ± 104 to 1048 ± 127 Bq m -2. It was concluded that the source of higher 137Cs concentration and inventories in the Tasman Sea was 137Cs deposited in the mid latitude of the North Pacific Ocean and transported across the equator during four decades.

Surface ground contamination and soil vertical distribution of 137Cs around two underground nuclear explosion sites in the Asian Arctic, Russia.

PubMed

Ramzaev, Valery; Mishine, Arkady; Golikov, Vladislav; Brown, Justin Emrys; Strand, Per

2007-01-01

Vertical distributions of 137Cs have been determined in vegetation-soil cores obtained from 30 different locations around two underground nuclear explosion sites--"Crystal" (event year - 1974) and "Kraton-3" (event year - 1978) in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Russia. In 2001-2002, background levels of 137Cs surface contamination densities on control forest plots varied from 0.73 to 0.97 kBq m(-2) with an average of 0.84+/-0.10 kBq m(-2) and a median of 0.82 kBq m(-2). 137Cs ground contamination densities at the "Crystal" site ranged from 1.3 to 64 kBq m(-2); the activity gradually decreased with distance from the borehole. For "Kraton-3", residual surface contamination density of radiocaesium varied drastically from 1.7 to 6900 kBq m(-2); maximal 137Cs depositions were found at a "decontaminated" plot. At all forest plots, radiocaesium activity decreased throughout the whole vertical soil profile. Vertical distributions of 137Cs in soil for the majority of the plots sampled (n=18) can be described using a simple exponential function. Despite the fact that more than 20 years have passed since the main fallout events, more than 80% of the total deposited activity was found in the first 5 cm of the vegetation-soil cores from most of the forested landscapes. The low annual temperatures, clay-rich soil type with neutral pH, and presence of thick lichen-moss carpet are the factors which may hinder 137Cs transport down the soil profile.

Lever conditioned stimulus-directed autoshaping induced by saccharin-ethanol unconditioned stimulus solution: effects of ethanol concentration and trial spacing.

PubMed

Tomie, Arthur; Festa, Eugene D; Sparta, Dennis R; Pohorecky, Larissa A

2003-05-01

Two experiments were designed to evaluate whether brief access to a saccharin-ethanol solution would function as an effective unconditioned stimulus (US) in Pavlovian-autoshaping procedures. In these experiments, the insertion of a lever conditioned stimulus (CS) was followed by the brief presentation of a sipper tube containing saccharin-ethanol US solution. Experience with this Pavlovian-autoshaping procedure engendered lever CS-directed autoshaping conditioned responses (CRs) in all rats. In Experiment 1, the concentration of ethanol [0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, or 8% (vol./vol.)] in 0.1% saccharin was systematically increased within subjects across autoshaping sessions to evaluate the relation between a rat's drinking and lever pressing. In Experiment 2, the mean intertrial interval (ITI) duration (60, 90, 120 s) was systematically increased within subjects across autoshaping sessions to evaluate the effect of ITI duration on drinking and lever pressing. A pseudoconditioning control group received lever CS randomly with respect to the saccharin-ethanol US solution. In Experiment 1, lever-press autoshaping CRs developed in all rats, and the tendency of a rat to drink an ethanol concentration was predictive of the performance of lever-press autoshaping CRs. In Experiment 2, longer ITIs induced more lever CS-directed responding, and CS-US paired procedures yielded more lever CS-directed responding than that observed in CS-US random procedures. Saccharin-ethanol is an effective US in Pavlovian-autoshaping procedures, inducing more CS-directed responding than in pseudoconditioning controls receiving CS-US random procedures. More lever CS-directed responding was observed when there was more drinking of the saccharin-ethanol US solution (Experiment 1); when the CS and US were paired, rather than random (Experiment 2); and with longer mean ITI durations (Experiment 2). This pattern of results is consistent with the hypothesis that lever CS-directed responding reflects performance of Pavlovian-autoshaping CRs.

Cesium Platinide Hydride 4Cs 2 Pt-CsH: An Intermetallic Double Salt Featuring Metal Anions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Smetana, Volodymyr; Mudring, Anja-Verena

2016-10-24

With Cs9Pt4H a new representative of ionic compounds featuring metal anions can be added to this rare-membered family. Cs 9Pt 4H exhibits a complex crystal structure containing Cs + cations, Pt 2- and H - anions. Being a red, transparent compound its band gap is in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum and the ionic type of bonding is confirmed by quantum chemical calculations. This cesium platinide hydride can formally be considered as a double salt of the “alloy” cesium–platinum, or better cesium platinide, Cs2Pt, and the salt cesium hydride CsH according to Cs 9Pt 4H≡4 Cs 2Pt∙CsH.

Unusual centrosymmetric structure of [M(18-crown-6)](+) (M = Rb, Cs and NH4) complexes stabilized in an environment of hexachloridoantimonate(V) anions.

PubMed

Ponomarova, Vira V; Rusanova, Julia A; Rusanov, Eduard B; Domasevitch, Konstantin V

2015-10-01

In (1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane)rubidium hexachloridoantimonate(V), [Rb(C12H24O6)][SbCl6], (1), and its isomorphous caesium {(1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane)caesium hexachloridoantimonate(V), [Cs(C12H24O6)][SbCl6]}, (2), and ammonium {ammonium hexachloridoantimonate(V)-1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane (1/1), (NH4)[SbCl6]·C12H24O6}, (3), analogues, the hexachloridoantimonate(V) anions and 18-crown-6 molecules reside across -3 axes passing through the Sb atoms and the centroids of the 18-crown-6 groups, both of which coincide with centres of inversion. The Rb(+) [in (1)], Cs(+) [in (2)] and NH4(+) [in (3)] cations are situated inside the cavity of the 18-crown-6 ring; they are situated on -3 axes and are equally disordered about centres of inversion, deviating from the centroid of the 18-crown-6 molecule by 0.4808 (13), 0.9344 (7) and 0.515 (8) Å, respectively. Interaction of the ammonium cation and the 18-crown-6 group is supported by three equivalent hydrogen bonds [N...O = 2.928 (3) Å and N-H...O = 162°]. The centrosymmetric structure of [Cs(18-crown-6)](+), with the large Cs(+) cation approaching the centre of the ligand cavity, is unprecedented and accompanied by unusually short Cs-O bonds [2.939 (2) and 3.091 (2) Å]. For all three compounds, the [M(18-crown-6)](+) cations and [SbCl6](-) anions afford linear stacks along the c axis, with the cationic complexes embedded between pairs of inversion-related anions.

A Retrospective Case-Control Study Evaluating the Role of Mifepristone for Induction of Labor in Women with Previous Cesarean Section.

PubMed

Sharma, Chanderdeep; Soni, Anjali; Soni, Pawan K; Verma, Suresh; Verma, Ashok; Gupta, Amit

2016-10-01

To investigate the role of "mifepristone" for induction of labor (IOL) in pregnant women with prior cesarean section (CS). In this retrospective study, all pregnant women with prior CS who received oral mifepristone (400 mg) for IOL (as per clear obstetric indications) [group 1] were compared with pregnant women with prior CS who had spontaneous onset of labor (SOL) [group 2], with respect to incidence of vaginal delivery, CS, duration of labor, and various maternal and fetal outcomes. During the study period, 72 women received mifepristone (group 1) for IOL and 346 had SOL (group 2). In group 1 after mifepristone administration, 40 (55.6 %) women had labor onset, and 24 (33.3 %) women had cervical ripening (Bishop Score ≥ 8) within 48 h. There were no statistically significant differences with respect to duration of labor (p value: 0.681), mode of delivery (i.e., normal delivery or CS-p value: 0.076 or 0.120, respectively), or maternal (blood loss or scar dehiscence/rupture uterus), or fetal outcomes (NICU admission) compared to women with previous CS with SOL (group 2). However, the need of oxytocin (p value 0.020) and dose of oxytocin requirement (p value 0.008) were more statistically significant in group 1. Mifepristone may be considered as an agent for IOL in women with prior CS.

Culture Conditions for Production of Biomass, Adenosine, and Cordycepin from Cordyceps sinensis CS1197: Optimization by Desirability Function Method

PubMed Central

Ghatnur, Shashidhar M.; Parvatam, Giridhar; Balaraman, Manohar

2015-01-01

Background: Cordyceps sinensis (CS) is a traditional Chinese medicine contains potent active metabolites such as nucleosides and polysaccharides. The submerged cultivation technique is studied for the large scale production of CS for biomass and metabolites production. Objective: To optimize culture conditions for large-scale production of CS1197 biomass and metabolites production. Materials and Methods: The CS1197 strain of CS was isolated from dead larvae of natural CS and the authenticity was assured by the presence of two major markers adenosine and cordycepin by high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. A three-level Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize process parameters culturing temperature, pH, and inoculum volume for the biomass yield, adenosine and cordycepin. The experimental results were regressed to a second-order polynomial equation by a multiple regression analysis for the prediction of biomass yield, adenosine and cordycepin production. Multiple responses were optimized based on desirability function method. Results: The desirability function suggested the process conditions temperature 28°C, pH 7 and inoculum volume 10% for optimal production of nutraceuticals in the biomass. The water extracts from dried CS1197 mycelia showed good inhibition for 2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethyl-benzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid-free radicals. Conclusion: The result suggests that response surface methodology-desirability function coupled approach can successfully optimize the culture conditions for CS1197. SUMMARY Authentication of CS1197 strain by the presence of adenosine and cordycepin and culturing period was determined to be for 14 daysContent of nucleosides in natural CS was found higher than in cultured CS1197 myceliumBox-Behnken design to optimize critical cultural conditions: temperature, pH and inoculum volumeWater extract showed better antioxidant activity proving credible source of natural antioxidants. PMID:26929580

Startle modulation and explicit valence evaluations dissociate during backward fear conditioning.

PubMed

Luck, Camilla C; Lipp, Ottmar V

2017-05-01

Blink startle magnitude is linearly modulated by affect such that, relative to neutral stimuli, startle magnitude is inhibited during pleasant stimuli and potentiated during unpleasant stimuli. Andreatta, Mühlberger, Yarali, Gerber, and Pauli (2010), however, report a dissociation between startle modulation and explicit valence evaluations during backward conditioning, a procedure in which the unconditional stimulus precedes the conditional stimulus (CS). Relative to controls, startles elicited during the CS were inhibited, suggesting that the CS had acquired positive valence, but participants still evaluated the CS as unpleasant after the experiment. In Experiment 1, we aimed to replicate this dissociation using a trial-by-trial measure of CS valence to measure startle modulation and CS valence simultaneously during forward and backward differential fear conditioning. In Experiment 2, we examined whether early and late portions of the CS could acquire differential valence by presenting startle probes at early and late probe positions during the CS. In both experiments, the dissociation between startle modulation and explicit valence evaluations in backward conditioning replicated, with CS+ evaluated as less pleasant than CS-, but startles elicited during CS+ inhibited relative to CS-. In Experiment 2, we provide preliminary evidence that this inhibition was present early, but not late, during the CS+. The results replicate the dissociation between implicit and explicit CS valence reported by Andreatta et al. (2010) using a trial-by-trial measure of valence. We also provide preliminary evidence that this dissociation may occur because the implicit and explicit measures are recorded at different times during the CS presentation. © 2017 Society for Psychophysiological Research.

[Distribution of rubidium, cesium, beryllium, strontium, and barium in blood and urine in general Chinese population].

PubMed

Ding, Chunguang; Pan, Yajuan; Zhang, Aihua; Zhu, Chun; Liu, Deye; Xu, Guang; Zheng, Yuxin; Yan, Huifang

2015-12-01

To investigate the distribution of rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), beryllium (Be), strontium (Sr), and barium (Ba) in blood and urine in general Chinese population. A total of 18 120 subjects aged 6~60 years were enrolled from 24 regions in 8 provinces in Eastern, Central, and Western China from 2009 to 2010 based on the method of cluster random sampling. Questionnaire survey was conducted to collect the data on living environment and health status. Blood and urine samples were collected from these subjects, and the levels of Rb, Cs, Be, Sr, and Ba in these samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The distribution of these elements in blood and urine in male or female subjects living in different regions was analyzed statistically. In the general Chinese population, the concentration of Be in the whole blood was below the detection limit (0.06 μg/L); the geometric mean (GM) of Ba in the whole blood was below the detection limit (0.45 μg/L), with the 95th percentile (P95)of 1.37 μg/L; the GMs (95% CI)of Rb, Cs, and Sr in the whole blood were 2 374(2 357~2 392) μg/L, 2.01 (1.98~2.05) μg/L, and 23.5 (23.3~23.7) μg/L, respectively; in males and females, the GMs (95%CI)of blood Rb, Cs, and Sr were 2 506 (2 478~2 533) μg/L and 2 248 (2 227~2 270) μg/L, 1.88 (1.83~1.94) μg/L and 2.16 (2.11~2.20) μg/L, and 23.4 (23.1~23.7) μg/L and 23.6 (23.3~23.9) μg/L, respectively(P<0.01, P>0.05, and P>0.05). In the general Chinese population, the GM of urine Be was below the detection limit (0.06 μg/L), while the GMs (95%CI)of urine Rb, Cs, Sr, and Ba were 854 (836~873) μg/L, 3.65 (3.56~3.74) μg/L, 39.5 (38.4~40.6) μg/L, and 1.10 (1.07~1.12) μg/L, respectively; in males and females, the GMs (95%CI)of urine Rb, Cs, Sr, and Ba were 876 (849~904) μg/L and 832 (807~858) μg/L, 3.83 (3.70~3.96) μg/L and 3.47 (3.35~3.60) μg/L, 42.5 (40.9~44.2) μg/L and 36.6 (35.1~38.0) μg/L, and 1.15 (1.12~1.19) μg/L and 1.04 (1.01~1.07) μg/L, respectively (all P< 0.01). Correlation analyses showed that there were weak correlations between blood Rb and urine Rb (r=0.197)and between blood Sr and urine Sr (r=0.180), but a good correlation between blood Cs and urine Cs (r=0.487). The levels of Rb, Cs, Be, Sr, and Ba in the general Chinese population are similar to those reported in other countries, and there is a significant difference in the concentration of each element among the populations living in different regions, as well as significant differences in blood Rb, urine Rb, urine Cs, urine Sr, and urine Ba between males and females.

Functional outcomes after prostatic cryosurgery.

PubMed

Mateu, L; Peri, L; Franco, A; Roldán, F; Musquera, M; Ribal, M J

2018-01-20

To assess the functional effects of prostatic cryosurgery on micturition. Prospective study of men who underwent cryosurgery (CS) for prostate cancer between 2013 - 2015. Low urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and quality of life (QoL) were assessed 1 month before surgery using IPSS questionnaire, a three-day voiding diary (3DVD) and uroflowmetry with ultrasound-measured postvoid residual volume. Need of medical treatment for LUTS was also recorded. The same assessment was performed at 3, 6 and 12 months after CS. Outcomes after surgery were compared to those prior to surgery. Forty-five patients underwent a CS during the study period, of whom 25 patients could be recruited in the study. Mean age was 73.5 years (range 66-84). Nineteen CS (76%) were performed as a primary procedure, while 6 CS (24%) as a salvage procedure. No statistical differences were found comparing results of IPSS, QoL, D3vd or uroflowmetry and PVR at 3, 6 or 12 months after CS compared to before surgery. Before CS, 8 (32%) patients were on medical treatment for LUTS, while at 6 and 12 months after surgery, 3 (13.6%) and 2 (9.5%) patients required some medication, respectively. According to the punctuation of IPSS, QoL questionnaire, and a 3-day voiding diary, LUTS does not worsen after CS. Prostatic cryosurgery does not seem to impact uroflowmetry results. Copyright © 2017 AEU. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Enhancement of intestinal water absorption and sodium transport by glycerol in rats.

PubMed

Wapnir, R A; Sia, M C; Fisher, S E

1996-12-01

Glycerol (Gly) is a hydrophilic, absorbable, and energy-rich solute that could make water absorption more efficient. We investigated the use of Gly in a high-energy beverage containing corn syrup (CS) by using a small intestine perfusion procedure in the rat, an approach shown earlier to provide good preclinical information. The effectiveness of several formulations with Gly and CS was compared with commercial products and to experimental formulas where Gly substituted for glucose (Glc). The CS-Gly combination was more effective than preparations on the market containing sucrose and Glc-fructose syrups (G-P and G-L, respectively) in maintaining a net water absorption balance in the test jejunal segment [CS-Gly = 0.21 +/- 0.226, G-L = -1.516 +/- 0.467, and G-P = -0.299 +/- 0.106 (SE) microliter.min-1.cm-1 (P = 0.0113)] and in reducing sodium release into the lumen [CS-Gly = -133.2 +/- 16.2, G-L = -226.7 +/- 25.2, and G-P = -245.6 +/- 23.4 nmol.min-1.cm-1 (P = 0.0022)]. In other preparations, at equal CS concentrations (60 and 80 g/l, respectively), Gly clearly improved net water absorption over a comparable Glc-containing product [CS60-Gly = 0.422 +/- 0.136 and CS80-Gly = 0.666 +/- 0.378 vs. CS60-Glc = -0.282 +/- 0.200 and CS80-Glc = -1.046 +/- 0.480 microliters.min-1.cm-1 (P = 0.0019)]. On the basis of the data of this rat intestine perfusion model, Gly could be a useful ingredient in energy-rich beverages and might enhance fluid absorption in humans.

Migration of fallout radiocaesium in a grassland soil from 1986 to 2001. Part I: activity-depth profiles of (134)Cs and (137)Cs.

PubMed

Schimmack, W; Schultz, W

2006-09-15

The temporal changes of the vertical distribution of (134)Cs (deposited by the Chernobyl fallout in 1986) and (137)Cs (deposited by the Chernobyl and the global fallout) in the soil were investigated at an undisturbed Bavarian grassland site in Germany. At ten sampling dates between 1986 and 2001, the activity density of (134)Cs and (137)Cs was determined in various soil layers down to 80 cm depth. In 2001, the small-scale spatial variability of the radiocaesium activity was determined by sampling five plots within 10 m(2) (coefficient of variation about 20% for the upper soil layers). Between 1987 and 1990, substantial changes of the activity-depth profiles were observed. The percentage depth distributions of (134)Cs and (137)Cs were rather similar. The 50%-depth of the accumulated activity increased from 2.4 cm in 1988 to 5.3 cm in 2001 for (134)Cs and from 2.7 to 5.8 cm for (137)Cs. This indicates that at the study site the migration data of Chernobyl-derived (137)Cs can be estimated by those of total (137)Cs. In the second part of this study, the activity-depth profiles will be evaluated by the convection-dispersion model [Schimmack, W, Feria Márquez, F. Migration of fallout radiocaesium in a grassland soil from 1986 to 2001. Part II: Evaluation of the activity-depth profiles by transport models. Sci Total Environ 2006-this issue].

Shipboard determination of radiocesium in seawater after the Fukushima accident: results from the 2011-2012 Russian expeditions to the Sea of Japan and western North Pacific Ocean.

PubMed

Ramzaev, V; Nikitin, A; Sevastyanov, A; Artemiev, G; Bruk, G; Ivanov, S

2014-09-01

A total of 88 seawater samples were collected during two Russian research expeditions (April-May 2011 and August-September 2012) to the Sea of Japan, the Oyashio Current region near Kuril Islands and the Kuroshio-Oyashio transition area in the western North Pacific Ocean. The observations were made aboard the R/V Pavel Gordienko and Akademik Shokalsky in order to study the impact of the Fukushima accident on radioactive contamination of the marine environment. On the board of a ship, the water samples were passed through filters to retain particles with the size of >1 micron. Cesium was extracted from the large volumes (100-3000 L) of the filtrated water using a selective fiber chemisorbent impregnated with copper ferrocyanide. Measurements of (134)Cs and (137)Cs activities in 83 samples of sorbents and 21 samples of filters were performed in the ship-based laboratory with a semiconductor HP-Ge detector. The quantified activity concentrations of dissolved radiocesium ranged from 1 Bq m(-3) to 34 Bq m(-3) for (137)Cs and from 0.2 Bq m(-3) to 29 Bq m(-3) for (134)Cs. Activity concentrations of (137)Cs and (134)Cs were strongly correlated with each other (r = 0.993, n = 59). The (137)Cs/(134)Cs activities ratio in the Fukushima-derived radiocesium inventory for the study areas was deduced to be 0.99 ± 0.03 (on 15 March 2011) and the pre-Fukushima background level of (137)Cs in seawater was estimated as 1.3 ± 0.3 Bq m(-3). The lowest activities of both isotopes were determined in the western part of the Sea of Japan near the Russian coast, while the maximal levels were observed in the open Pacific Ocean, some 500-800 km offshore the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant. Contamination with (134)Cs at a level of 0.3-2.6 Bq m(-3) was registered in seawater samples collected in 2011 near the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka in the Oyashio Current region. During the period from April-May 2011 to August-September 2012, activity concentrations of (137)Cs and (134)Cs in surface waters had decreased for all seven stations repeatedly sampled in the study. A detailed observation of radiocesium distribution within the water column down to the depth of 200 m at nine stations from the Kuroshio-Oyashio Interfrontal Zone and Kuroshio Extension in 2012 revealed maximal activity concentrations of both cesium radionuclides in the 100-200 m depth layer. The average inventory of Fukushima-derived (137)Cs in the top 200 m of the water column for the nine stations was estimated as 1.19 kBq m(-2) (decay corrected to 15 March 2011) which is 4.6 times higher than the background value of 0.26 kBq m(-2) expected for this depth. The monitoring results obtained in the study and relevant data published by others show that following the Fukushima accident, the Oyashio current acts as a provider of low-contaminated subarctic waters to the heavily contaminated Kuroshio-Oyashio mixed water region. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Code Status Reconciliation to Improve Identification and Documentation of Code Status in Electronic Health Records.

PubMed

Jain, Viral G; Greco, Peter J; Kaelber, David C

2017-03-08

Code status (CS) of a patient (part of their end-of-life wishes) can be critical information in healthcare delivery, which can change over time, especially at transitions of care. Although electronic health record (EHR) tools exist for medication reconciliation across transitions of care, much less attention is given to CS, and standard EHR tools have not been implemented for CS reconciliation (CSR). Lack of CSR creates significant potential patient safety and quality of life issues. To study the tools, workflow, and impact of clinical decision support (CDS) for CSR. We established rules for CS implementation in our EHR. At admission, a CS is required as part of a patient's admission order set. Using standard CDS tools in our EHR, we built an interruptive alert for CSR at discharge if a patient did not have the same inpatient (current) CS at discharge as that prior to admission CS. Of 80,587 admissions over a four year period (2 years prior to and post CSR implementation), CS discordance was seen in 3.5% of encounters which had full code status prior to admission, but Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) CS at discharge. In addition, 1.4% of the encounters had a different variant of the DNR CS at discharge when compared with CS prior to admission. On pre-post CSR implementation analysis, DNR CS per 1000 admissions per month increased significantly among patients discharged and in patients being admitted (mean ± SD: 85.36 ± 13.69 to 399.85 ± 182.86, p<0.001; and 1.99 ± 1.37 vs 16.70 ± 4.51, p<0.001, respectively). EHR enabled CSR is effective and represents a significant informatics opportunity to help honor patients' end-of-life wishes. CSR represents one example of non-medication reconciliation at transitions of care that should be considered in all EHRs to improve care quality and patient safety.

Non-noble metal vanadium phosphites with broad absorption for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Song, Jun-Ling, E-mail: s070054@e.ntu.edu.sg; State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002; Zhang, Jian-Han

2016-05-15

We reported the synthesis and crystal structures of alkali metal and alkali-earth metal phosphite, namely, CsV{sub 2}(H{sub 3}O)(HPO{sub 3}){sub 4} (1), and Ba{sub 3}V{sub 2}(HPO{sub 3}){sub 6} (2). Both compounds were prepared by hydrothermal reactions and feature unique new structures. They both exhibit 3D complicated frameworks based on VO{sub 6} octahedra which are connected by HPO{sub 3} tetrahedra via corner-sharing. Alkali or alkali earth metal cations are filled in the different channels of the frameworks. Topological analysis shows that the framework of CsV{sub 2}(H{sub 3}O) (HPO{sub 3}){sub 4} (1) is a new 3,3,3,4,5-connected network with the Schläfli symbol of {4.6"2}{submore » 2}{4"2.6"6.8"2}{6"3}{6"5.8}. The investigations of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and magnetic measurement on CsV{sub 2}(H{sub 3}O)(HPO{sub 3}){sub 4} suggest a +3 oxidation state of the vanadium ions in compound 1. Photocatalytic performance was evaluated by photocatalytic H{sub 2} evolution and degradation of methylene blue, which shows that both compounds exhibit activity under visible-light irradiation. IR spectrum, UV–vis-NIR spectrum and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of compounds were also investigated. - Graphical abstract: Metal vanadium phosphites with broad absorption for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and the degradation of methylene blue aqueous solution. - Highlights: • Two new vanadium phosphites, CsV{sub 2}(H{sub 3}O)(HPO{sub 3}){sub 4} and Ba{sub 3}V{sub 2}(HPO{sub 3}){sub 6}, are reported. • CsV{sub 2}(H{sub 3}O)(HPO{sub 3}){sub 4} and Ba{sub 3}V{sub 2}(HPO{sub 3}){sub 6} feature complicated 3D framework structures with different channels. • CsV{sub 2}(H{sub 3}O)(HPO{sub 3}){sub 4} and Ba{sub 3}V{sub 2}(HPO{sub 3}){sub 6} exhibit strong and broad absorptions in the visible and Near IR region. • Photocatalytic properties of CsV{sub 2}(H{sub 3}O)(HPO{sub 3}){sub 4} and Ba{sub 3}V{sub 2}(HPO{sub 3}){sub 6} are investigated. • The magnetic measurement of CsV{sub 2}(H{sub 3}O)(HPO{sub 3}){sub 4} was performed in the temperature range of 2–300 K.« less

Na, K, Rb, and Cs Exchange in Heulandite Single-Crystals: X-Ray Structure Refinements at 100 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Ping; Armbruster, Thomas

1996-04-01

The crystal structures of Na-, K-, Rb-, and Cs-exchanged varieties of the zeolite heulandite with the simplified compositionM+9Al9Si27O72·nH2O were studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at 100 K. The structure refinements of Na-, K-, and Rb-exchanged heulandite were performed in space groupC2/mwith resultantRvalues of 3.8, 3.0, and 4.9%, respectively. Cs-exchanged heulandite was refined in space groupC[formula], yielding anRvalue of 3.4%. X-ray single-crystal data of the Cs-exchanged variety indicated that many reflections of typeh k lwere not equivalent toh -k las expected for monoclinic symmetry. With increasing radius of the incorporated channel cations, thebaxis increases from 17.93 to 18.09 Å leading to a slight widening of the channels. The number of H2O molecules also decreases with increasing cation radius due to space limitations. Three general cation positions (II-1,C3, andB4) were found in the four exchanged heulandite samples. For Rb- and Cs-exchanged crystals, the additional cation siteA2 occurs. In Cs-exchanged heulandite symmetry lowering is due to partial Si, Al ordering in the framework accompanied with a more asymmetric arrangement of channel Cs. Only if heavy elements in the channels are present the symmetry information of the framework is enforced, thus partial Si, Al ordering can be resolved.

Identification and Assessment of Cardiac Amyloidosis by Myocardial Strain Analysis of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

PubMed

Oda, Seitaro; Utsunomiya, Daisuke; Nakaura, Takeshi; Yuki, Hideaki; Kidoh, Masafumi; Morita, Kosuke; Takashio, Seiji; Yamamuro, Megumi; Izumiya, Yasuhiro; Hirakawa, Kyoko; Ishida, Toshifumi; Tsujita, Kenichi; Ueda, Mitsuharu; Yamashita, Taro; Ando, Yukio; Hata, Hiroyuki; Yamashita, Yasuyuki

2017-06-23

We explored the usefulness of myocardial strain analysis on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) scans for the identification of cardiac amyloidosis.Methods and Results:The 61 patients with systemic amyloidosis underwent 3.0-T CMR, including CMR tagging and late-gadolinium enhanced (LGE) imaging. The circumferential strain (CS) of LGE-positive and LGE-negative patients was measured on midventricular short-axis images and compared. Logistic regression modeling of CMR parameters was performed to detect patients with LGE-positive cardiac amyloidosis. Of the 61 patients with systemic amyloidosis 48 were LGE-positive and 13 were LGE-negative. The peak CS was significantly lower in the LGE-positive than in the LGE-negative patients (-9.5±2.3 vs. -13.3±1.4%, P<0.01). The variability in the peak CS time was significantly greater in the LGE-positive than in the LGE-negative patients (46.1±24.5 vs. 21.2±20.1 ms, P<0.01). The peak CS significantly correlated with clinical biomarkers. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the diagnostic model using CS parameters for the identification of LGE-positive amyloidosis were 93.8%, 76.9%, and 90.2%, respectively. Myocardial strain analysis by CMR helped detect LGE-positive amyloidosis without the need for contrast medium. The peak CS and variability in the peak CS time may correlate with the severity of cardiac amyloid deposition and may be more sensitive than LGE imaging for the detection of early cardiac disease in patients with amyloidosis.

CS-duration and partial-reinforcement effects counteract overshadowing in select situations

PubMed Central

Urushihara, Kouji; Miller, Ralph R.

2008-01-01

Two experiments used rats in a conditioned lick suppression preparation to investigate how the conditioned stimulus (CS)-duration and partial-reinforcement effects (i.e., weakened responding due to conditioning with a CS of longer duration and presenting nonreinforced CSs intermingled with CS-unconditioned stimulus [US] pairings, respectively) interact with overshadowing. Experiment 1 found that when overshadowing treatment was combined with either extended CS duration or partial reinforcement, the response deficit was weaker than when either of these three treatments was administered alone. In Experiment 2, the generality of the findings in Experiment 1 was investigated by replicating it with various US-US intervals. This time counteraction was observed only when both the absolute duration of total CS exposure and the US-US interval were short. The results support neither the view that the ratio between the total CS exposure and total time in the context determines the CS-duration and the partial-reinforcement effects nor the view that these two effects arise from a loss of effectiveness of the excitatory CS-US association during CS-alone exposures in partial reinforcement or early periods of CS exposure with long CSs. PMID:18047218

CsMAP34, a teleost MAP with dual role: A promoter of MASP-assisted complement activation and a regulator of immune cell activity.

PubMed

Li, Mo-Fei; Li, Jun; Sun, Li

2016-12-23

In teleost fish, the immune functions of mannan-binding lectin (MBL) associated protein (MAP) and MBL associated serine protease (MASP) are scarcely investigated. In the present study, we examined the biological properties both MAP (CsMAP34) and MASP (CsMASP1) molecules from tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). We found that CsMAP34 and CsMASP1 expressions occurred in nine different tissues and were upregulated by bacterial challenge. CsMAP34 protein was detected in blood, especially during bacterial infection. Recombinant CsMAP34 (rCsMAP34) bound C. semilaevis MBL (rCsBML) when the latter was activated by bacteria, while recombinant CsMASP1 (rCsMASP1) bound activated rCsBML only in the presence of rCsMAP34. rCsMAP34 stimulated the hemolytic and bactericidal activities of serum complement, whereas anti-CsMAP34 antibody blocked complement activities. Knockdown of CsMASP1 in C. semilaevis resulted in significant inhibition of complement activities. Furthermore, rCsMAP34 interacted directly with peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) and enhanced the respiratory burst, acid phosphatase activity, chemotactic activity, and gene expression of PBL. These results indicate for the first time that a teleost MAP acts one hand as a regulator that promotes the lectin pathway of complement activation via its ability to recruit MBL to MASP, and other hand as a modulator of immune cell activity.

Influence of H2 and D2 plasmas on the work function of caesiated materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Friedl, R.; Fantz, U.

2017-08-01

Caesium-covered surfaces are used in negative hydrogen ion sources as a low work function converter for H-/D- surface production. The work function χ of the converter surface is one of the key parameters determining the performance of the ion source. Under idealized conditions, pure bulk Cs has 2.14 eV. However, residual gases at ion source background pressures of 10-7-10-6 mbar and the plasma surface interaction with the hydrogen discharge in front of the caesiated surface dynamically affect the actual surface work function. Necessary fundamental investigations on the resulting χ are performed at a dedicated laboratory experiment. Under the vacuum conditions of ion sources, the incorporation of impurities into the Cs layer leads to very stable Cs compounds. The result is a minimal work function of χvac ≈ 2.75 eV for Cs evaporation rates of up to 10 mg/h independent of substrate material and surface temperature (up to 260 °C). Moreover, a distinct degradation behavior can be observed in the absence of a Cs flux onto the surface leading to a deterioration of the work function by about 0.1 eV/h. However, in a hydrogen discharge with plasma parameters close to those of ion sources, fluxes of reactive hydrogen species and VUV photons impact on the surface which reduces the work function of the caesiated substrate down to about 2.6 eV even without Cs supply. Establishing a Cs flux onto the surface with ΓCs ≈ 1017 m-2 s-1 further enhances the work function obtaining values around 2.1 eV, which can be maintained stable for several hours of plasma exposure. Hence, Cs layers with work functions close to that of pure bulk Cs can be achieved for both H2 and D2 plasmas. Isotopic differences can be neglected within the measurement accuracy of about 0.1 eV due to comparable plasma parameters. Furthermore, after shutting down the Cs evaporation, continuing plasma exposure helps against degradation of the Cs layer resulting in a constant low work function for at least 1 h.

Impact of Compression Stockings vs. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Overnight Fluid Shift and Obstructive Sleep Apnea among Patients on Hemodialysis.

PubMed

Silva, Bruno C; Santos, Roberto S S; Drager, Luciano F; Coelho, Fernando M; Elias, Rosilene M

2017-01-01

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common in edematous states, notably in hemodialysis patients. In this population, overnight fluid shift can play an important role on the pathogenesis of OSA. The effect of compression stockings (CS) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on fluid shift is barely known. We compared the effects of CS and CPAP on fluid dynamics in a sample of patients with OSA in hemodialysis, through a randomized crossover study. Each participant performed polysomnography (PSG) at baseline, during CPAP titration, and after 1 week of wearing CS. Neck circumference (NC) and segmental bioelectrical impedance were done before and after PSG. Fourteen patients were studied (53 ± 9 years; 57% men; body mass index 29.7 ± 6.8 kg/m 2 ). Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) decreased from 20.8 (14.2; 39.6) at baseline to 7.9 (2.8; 25.4) during CPAP titration and to 16.7 (3.5; 28.9) events/h after wearing CS (CPAP vs. baseline, p  = 0.004; CS vs. baseline, p  = 0.017; and CPAP vs. CS, p  = 0.017). Nocturnal intracellular trunk water was higher after wearing CS in comparison to baseline and CPAP ( p  = 0.03). CS reduced the fluid accumulated in lower limbs during the day, although not significantly. Overnight fluid shift at baseline, CPAP, and CS was -183 ± 72, -343 ± 220, and -290 ± 213 ml, respectively ( p  = 0.006). Overnight NC increased at baseline (0.7 ± 0.4 cm), decreased after CPAP (-1.0 ± 0.4 cm), and while wearing CS (-0.4 ± 0.8 cm) (CPAP vs. baseline, p  < 0.0001; CS vs. baseline, p  = 0.001; CPAP vs. CS, p  = 0.01). CS reduced AHI by avoiding fluid retention in the legs, favoring accumulation of water in the intracellular component of the trunk, thus avoiding fluid shift to reach the neck. CPAP improved OSA by exerting local pressure on upper airway, with no impact on fluid redistribution. CPAP performed significantly better than CS for both reduction of AHI and overnight reduction of NC. Complementary studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which CPAP and CS reduce NC.

Nitric oxide-releasing nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity to tumorigenic cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pelegrino, Milena T.; Silva, Letícia C.; Watashi, Carolina M.; Haddad, Paula S.; Rodrigues, Tiago; Seabra, Amedea B.

2017-02-01

Nitric oxide (NO) is involved in several biological processes, including toxicity against tumor cells. The aim of this study was to synthesize, characterize, and evaluate the cytotoxicity of NO-releasing chitosan nanoparticles. A thiol-containing molecule, mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA), was encapsulated (encapsulation efficiency of 99%) in chitosan/sodium tripolyphosphate nanoparticles (CS NPs). The obtained nanoparticles showed an average hydrodynamic size of 108.40 ± 0.96 nm and polydispersity index of 0.26 ± 0.01. MSA-CS NPs were nitrosated leading to S-nitroso-MSA-CS NPs, which act as NO donor. The cytotoxicity of CS NPs, MSA-CS NPs, and S-nitroso-MSA-CS NPs were evaluated in several tumor cells, including human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), mouse melanoma (B16F10), and human chronic myeloid leukemia (K562) cell lines and Lucena-1, a vincristine-resistant K562 cell line. Both CS NPs and MSA-CS NPs did not cause toxic effects in these cells, whereas S-nitroso-MSA-CS NPs caused potent cytotoxic effects in all the tested tumor cell lines. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of S-nitroso-MSA-CS NPs were 19.7, 10.5, 22.8, and 27.8 μg·mL-1 for HepG2, B16F10, K562, and Lucena-1 cells, respectively. In contrast, S-nitroso-MSA-CS NPs exhibited lower cytotoxic to non-tumorigenic melanocytes (Melan-A) when compared with melanoma B16F10. Therefore, the results highlight the potential use of NO-releasing CS NPs in antitumor chemotherapy.

Isolation and Characterization of a TERMINAL FLOWER Homolog and Its Correlation with Juvenility in Citrus

PubMed Central

Pillitteri, Lynn Jo; Lovatt, Carol J.; Walling, Linda L.

2004-01-01

TERMINAL FLOWER is a key regulator of floral timing in Arabidopsis and other herbaceous species. A homolog of this gene, CsTFL, was isolated from the hybrid perennial tree crop Washington navel orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck). The deduced amino acid sequence of CsTFL was 65% identical to the Arabidopsis TFL1 protein. Wild-type Arabidopsis plants ectopically expressing CsTFL showed late-flowering phenotypes similar to those described for overexpression of Arabidopsis TFL1. In addition, the 35S:CsTFL transgene complemented the tfl1-2 mutant. The severity of the overexpression phenotypes correlated with the amount of CsTFL transcript that accumulated. Unlike many model systems that have been studied, C. sinensis maintains two distinguishable CsTFL alleles. CsTFL transcripts from either allele were not detected in adult vegetative tissues using reverse transcription-PCR, but CsTFL RNAs were detected in all floral organs. In addition, real-time PCR determined that juvenility in citrus was positively correlated with CsTFL transcript accumulation and negatively correlated with the floral-regulatory genes, LEAFY and APETALA1, RNA levels. PMID:15235113

Effects of Calcium Sulfate Combined with Platelet-rich Plasma on Restoration of Long Bone Defect in Rabbits

PubMed Central

Chen, Hua; Ji, Xin-Ran; Zhang, Qun; Tian, Xue-Zhong; Zhang, Bo-Xun; Tang, Pei-Fu

2016-01-01

Background: The treatment for long bone defects has been a hot topic in the field of regenerative medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of calcium sulfate (CS) combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on long bone defect restoration. Methods: A radial bone defect model was constructed through an osteotomy using New Zealand rabbits. The rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 in each group): a CS combined with PRP (CS-PRP) group, a CS group, a PRP group, and a positive (recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2) control group. PRP was prepared from autologous blood using a two-step centrifugation process. CS-PRP was obtained by mixing hemihydrate CS with PRP. Radiographs and histologic micrographs were generated. The percentage of bone regenerated bone area in each rabbit was calculated at 10 weeks. One-way analysis of variance was performed in this study. Results: The radiographs and histologic micrographs showed bone restoration in the CS-PRP and positive control groups, while nonunion was observed in the CS and PRP groups. The percentages of bone regenerated bone area in the CS-PRP (84.60 ± 2.87%) and positive control (52.21 ± 4.53%) groups were significantly greater than those in the CS group (12.34 ± 2.17%) and PRP group (16.52 ± 4.22%) (P < 0.001). In addition, the bone strength of CS-PRP group (43.10 ± 4.10%) was significantly greater than that of the CS group (20.10 ± 3.70%) or PRP group (25.10 ± 2.10%) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: CS-PRP functions as an effective treatment for long bone defects through stimulating bone regeneration and enhancing new bone strength. PMID:26904990

Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 levels in females and males in different cervical vertebral maturation stages

PubMed Central

Gupta, Shreya; Deoskar, Anuradha; Gupta, Puneet; Jain, Sandhya

2015-01-01

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this cross sectional study was to assess serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels in female and male subjects at various cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) stages. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 60 subjects, 30 females and 30 males, in the age range of 8-23 years. For all subjects, serum IGF-1 level was estimated from blood samples by means of chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). CVM was assessed on lateral cephalograms using the method described by Baccetti. Serum IGF-1 level and cervical staging data of 30 female subjects were included and taken from records of a previous study. Data were analyzed by Kruska-Wallis and Mann Whitney test. Bonferroni correction was carried out and alpha value was set at 0.003. RESULTS: Peak value of serum IGF-1 was observed in cervical stages CS3 in females and CS4 in males. Differences between males and females were observed in mean values of IGF-1 at stages CS3, 4 and 5. The highest mean IGF-1 levels in males was observed in CS4 followed by CS5 and third highest in CS3; whereas in females the highest mean IGF-1 levelswas observed in CS3 followed by CS4 and third highest in CS5. Trends of IGF-1 in relation to the cervical stages also differed between males and females. The greatest mean serum IGF-1 value for both sexes was comparable, for females (397 ng/ml) values were slightly higher than in males (394.8 ng/ml). CONCLUSIONS: Males and females showed differences in IGF-1 trends and levels at different cervical stages. PMID:25992990

Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 levels in females and males in different cervical vertebral maturation stages.

PubMed

Gupta, Shreya; Deoskar, Anuradha; Gupta, Puneet; Jain, Sandhya

2015-01-01

The aim of this cross sectional study was to assess serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels in female and male subjects at various cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) stages. The study sample consisted of 60 subjects, 30 females and 30 males, in the age range of 8-23 years. For all subjects, serum IGF-1 level was estimated from blood samples by means of chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). CVM was assessed on lateral cephalograms using the method described by Baccetti. Serum IGF-1 level and cervical staging data of 30 female subjects were included and taken from records of a previous study. Data were analyzed by Kruska-Wallis and Mann Whitney test. Bonferroni correction was carried out and alpha value was set at 0.003. Peak value of serum IGF-1 was observed in cervical stages CS3 in females and CS4 in males. Differences between males and females were observed in mean values of IGF-1 at stages CS3, 4 and 5. The highest mean IGF-1 levels in males was observed in CS4 followed by CS5 and third highest in CS3; whereas in females the highest mean IGF-1 levelswas observed in CS3 followed by CS4 and third highest in CS5. Trends of IGF-1 in relation to the cervical stages also differed between males and females. The greatest mean serum IGF-1 value for both sexes was comparable, for females (397 ng/ml) values were slightly higher than in males (394.8 ng/ml). Males and females showed differences in IGF-1 trends and levels at different cervical stages.

Strontium hydroxyapatite/chitosan nanohybrid scaffolds with enhanced osteoinductivity for bone tissue engineering.

PubMed

Lei, Yong; Xu, Zhengliang; Ke, Qinfei; Yin, Wenjing; Chen, Yixuan; Zhang, Changqing; Guo, Yaping

2017-03-01

For the clinical application of bone tissue engineering with the combination of biomaterials and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), bone scaffolds should possess excellent biocompatibility and osteoinductivity to accelerate the repair of bone defects. Herein, strontium hydroxyapatite [SrHAP, Ca 10-x Sr x (PO 4 ) 6 (OH) 2 ]/chitosan (CS) nanohybrid scaffolds were fabricated by a freeze-drying method. The SrHAP nanocrystals with the different x values of 0, 1, 5 and 10 are abbreviated to HAP, Sr1HAP, Sr5HAP and Sr10HAP, respectively. With increasing x values from 0 to 10, the crystal cell volumes and axial lengths of SrHAP become gradually large because of the greater ion radius of Sr 2+ than Ca 2+ , while the crystal sizes of SrHAP decrease from 70.4nm to 46.7nm. The SrHAP/CS nanohybrid scaffolds exhibits three-dimensional (3D) interconnected macropores with pore sizes of 100-400μm, and the SrHAP nanocrystals are uniformly dispersed within the scaffolds. In vitro cell experiments reveal that all the HAP/CS, Sr1HAP/CS, Sr5HAP/CS and Sr10HAP/CS nanohybrid scaffolds possess excellent cytocompatibility with the favorable adhesion, spreading and proliferation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). The Sr5HAP nanocrystals in the scaffolds do not affect the adhesion, spreading of hBMSCs, but they contribute remarkably to cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. As compared with the HAP/CS nanohybrid scaffold, the released Sr 2+ ions from the SrHAP/CS nanohybrid scaffolds enhance alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, extracellular matrix (ECM) mineralization and osteogenic-related COL-1 and ALP expression levels. Especially, the Sr5HAP/CS nanohybrid scaffolds exhibit the best osteoinductivity among four groups because of the synergetic effect between Ca 2+ and Sr 2+ ions. Hence, the Sr5HAP/CS nanohybrid scaffolds with excellent cytocompatibility and osteogenic property have promising application for bone tissue engineering. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Isotopic signature and nano-texture of cesium-rich micro-particles: Release of uranium and fission products from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

PubMed

Imoto, Junpei; Ochiai, Asumi; Furuki, Genki; Suetake, Mizuki; Ikehara, Ryohei; Horie, Kenji; Takehara, Mami; Yamasaki, Shinya; Nanba, Kenji; Ohnuki, Toshihiko; Law, Gareth T W; Grambow, Bernd; Ewing, Rodney C; Utsunomiya, Satoshi

2017-07-14

Highly radioactive cesium-rich microparticles (CsMPs) released from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) provide nano-scale chemical fingerprints of the 2011 tragedy. U, Cs, Ba, Rb, K, and Ca isotopic ratios were determined on three CsMPs (3.79-780 Bq) collected within ~10 km from the FDNPP to determine the CsMPs' origin and mechanism of formation. Apart from crystalline Fe-pollucite, CsFeSi 2 O 6  · nH 2 O, CsMPs are comprised mainly of Zn-Fe-oxide nanoparticles in a SiO 2 glass matrix (up to ~30 wt% of Cs and ~1 wt% of U mainly associated with Zn-Fe-oxide). The 235 U/ 238 U values in two CsMPs: 0.030 (±0.005) and 0.029 (±0.003), are consistent with that of enriched nuclear fuel. The values are higher than the average burnup estimated by the ORIGEN code and lower than non-irradiated fuel, suggesting non-uniform volatilization of U from melted fuels with different levels of burnup, followed by sorption onto Zn-Fe-oxides. The nano-scale texture and isotopic analyses provide a partial record of the chemical reactions that occurred in the fuel during meltdown. Also, the CsMPs were an important medium of transport for the released radionuclides in a respirable form.

Detection of CS in Neptune's atmosphere from ALMA observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moreno, R.; Lellouch, E.; Cavalié, T.; Moullet, A.

2017-12-01

Context. The large and vertically non-uniform abundance of CO in Neptune's atmosphere has been interpreted as the result of past cometary impact(s), either single or distributed in size and time, which could also be at the origin of Neptune's HCN. Aims: We aim to provide observational support for this scenario by searching for other comet-induced species, in particular carbon sulfide (CS) which has been observed continuously in Jupiter since the 1994 Shoemaker-Levy 9 impacts. Methods: In April 2016 we used the ALMA interferometer to search for CS(7-6) at 342.883 GHz in Neptune. Results: We report on the detection of CS in Neptune's atmosphere, the first unambiguous observation of a sulfur-bearing species in a giant planet beyond Jupiter. Carbon sulfide appears to be present only at submillibar levels, with a column density of (2.0-3.1) × 1012 cm-2, and a typical mixing ratio of (2-20) × 10-11 that depends on its precise vertical location. The favoured origin of CS is deposition by a putative large comet impact several centuries ago, and the strong depletion of CS with respect to CO - compared to the Jupiter case - is likely due to the CS sticking to aerosols or clustering to form polymers in Neptune's lower stratosphere. Conclusions: The CS detection, along with recent analyses of the CO profile, reinforces the presumption of a large comet impact into Neptune 1000 yr ago, that delivered CO, CS, and HCN at the same time.

Studies on soil to grass transfer factor (Fv) and grass to milk transfer coefficient (Fm) for cesium in Kaiga region.

PubMed

Karunakara, N; Ujwal, P; Yashodhara, I; Rao, Chetan; Sudeep Kumara, K; Dileep, B N; Ravi, P M

2013-10-01

Detailed studies were carried out to establish site-specific soil to grass transfer factors (Fv) and grass to cow milk transfer coefficients (Fm) for radioactive cesium ((137)Cs) and stable cesium (Cs) for Kaiga region, where a nuclear power station has been in operation for more than 10 years. The study included adopted cows, cows of local farmers, and cows from the dairy farm. A grass field was developed specifically for the study and 2 local breed cows were adopted and allowed to graze in this grass field. The soil and grass samples were collected regularly from this field and analyzed for the concentrations of (137)Cs and stable Cs to evaluate the soil to grass Fv values. The milk samples from the adopted cows were analyzed for the (137)Cs and stable Cs concentrations to evaluate Fm values. For comparison, studies were also carried out in dominant grazing areas in different villages around the nuclear power plant and the cows of local farmers which graze in these areas were identified and milk samples were collected and analyzed regularly. The geometric mean values of Fv were found to be 1.1 × 10(-1) and 1.8 × 10(-1) for (137)Cs and stable Cs, respectively. The Fm of (137)Cs had geometric mean values of 1.9 × 10(-2) d L(-1) and 4.6 × 10(-2) d L(-1), respectively, for adopted Cows 1 and 2; 1.7 × 10(-2) d L(-1) for the cows of local farmers, and 4.0 × 10(-3) d L(-1) for the dairy farm cows. The geometric mean values of Fm for stable Cs were similar to those of (137)Cs. The Fm value for the dairy farm cows was an order of magnitude lower than those for local breed cows. The Fm values observed for the local breed cows were also an order of magnitude higher when compared to the many values reported in the literature and in the IAEA publication. Possible reasons for this higher Fm values were identified. The correlation between Fv and Fm values for (137)Cs and stable Cs and their dependence on the potassium content ((40)K and stable K) in the soil and grass were also studied. In order to estimate the ingestion dose accurate data of the dietary habits of the population was necessary and this data was collected through a well planned demographic survey. The internal doses to a child due to the ingestion of (137)Cs along with the milk of the local cows and from the dairy farm were found to be 0.29 μSv y(-1) and 0.04 μSv y(-1),while that to an adult were 0.39 μSv y(-1) and 0.05 μSv y(-1), respectively. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Uptake of 40K and 137Cs in native plants of the Marshall Islands.

PubMed

Simon, S L; Graham, J C; Terp, S D

2002-01-01

Uptake of 137Cs and 40K was studied in seven native plant species of the Marshall Islands. Plant and soil samples were obtained across a broad range of soil 137Cs concentrations (0.08-3900 Bq/kg) and a narrower range of 40K soil concentrations (2.3-55 Bq/kg), but with no systematic variation of 40K relative to 137Cs. Potassium-40 concentrations in plants varied little within the range of 40K soil concentrations observed. Unlike the case for 40K, 137Cs concentrations increased in plants with increasing 137Cs soil concentrations though not precisely in a proportionate manner. The best-fit relationship between soil and plant concentrations was P = aSb where a and b are regression coefficients and P and S are plant and soil concentrations, respectively. The exponent b for 40K was zero, implying plant concentrations were a single value, while b for 137Cs varied between 0.51 and 0.82, depending on the species. For both 40K and 137Cs, we observed a decreasing concentration ratio (where concentration ratio=plant concentration/soil concentration) with increasing soil concentrations. For the CR values, the best-fit relationship was of the form CR = aSb/S = aSb(-1). For the 40K CR functions, the exponent b - 1 was close to - 1 for all species. For the 137Cs CR functions, the exponent b - 1 varied from -0.19 to -0.48. The findings presented here, aswell as those by other investigators, collectively argue against the usefulness of simplistic ratio models to accurately predict uptake of either 40K or 137Cs in plants over wide ranges of soil concentration.

Band Structure Engineering of Cs2AgBiBr6 Perovskite through Order-Disordered Transition: A First-Principle Study.

PubMed

Yang, Jingxiu; Zhang, Peng; Wei, Su-Huai

2018-01-04

Cs 2 AgBiBr 6 was proposed as one of the inorganic, stable, and nontoxic replacements of the methylammonium lead halides (CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 , which is currently considered as one of the most promising light-harvesting material for solar cells). However, the wide indirect band gap of Cs 2 AgBiBr 6 suggests that its application in photovoltaics is limited. Using the first-principle calculation, we show that by controlling the ordering parameter at the mixed sublattice, the band gap of Cs 2 AgBiBr 6 can vary continuously from a wide indirect band gap of 1.93 eV for the fully ordered double-perovskite structure to a small pseudodirect band gap of 0.44 eV for the fully random alloy. Therefore, one can achieve better light absorption simply by controlling the growth temperature and thus the ordering parameters and band gaps. We also show that controlled doping in Cs 2 AgBiBr 6 can change the energy difference between ordered and disordered Cs 2 AgBiBr 6 , thus providing further control of the ordering parameters and the band gaps. Our study, therefore, provides a novel approach to carry out band structure engineering in the mixed perovskites for optoelectronic applications.

Rotational relaxation of CS by collision with ortho- and para-H{sub 2} molecules

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Denis-Alpizar, Otoniel; Departamento de Física, Universidad de Matanzas, Matanzas 40100; Stoecklin, Thierry, E-mail: t.stoecklin@ism.u-bordeaux1.fr

Quantum mechanical investigation of the rotationally inelastic collisions of CS with ortho- and para-H{sub 2} molecules is reported. The new global four-dimensional potential energy surface presented in our recent work is used. Close coupling scattering calculations are performed in the rigid rotor approximation for ortho- and para-H{sub 2} colliding with CS in the j = 0–15 rotational levels and for collision energies ranging from 10{sup −2} to 10{sup 3} cm{sup −1}. The cross sections and rate coefficients for selected rotational transitions of CS are compared with the ones previously reported for the collision of CS with He. The largest discrepanciesmore » are observed at low collision energy, below 1 cm{sup −1}. Above 10 cm{sup −1}, the approximation using the square root of the relative mass of the colliders to calculate the cross sections between a molecule and H{sub 2} from the data available with {sup 4}He is found to be a good qualitative approximation. The rate coefficients calculated with the electron gas model for the He-CS system show more discrepancy with our accurate results. However, scaling up these rates by a factor of 2 gives a qualitative agreement.« less

Dispersion Process and Effect of Oleic Acid on Properties of Cellulose Sulfate- Oleic Acid Composite Film

PubMed Central

Chen, Guo; Zhang, Bin; Zhao, Jun

2015-01-01

The cellulose sulfate (CS) is a newly developed cellulose derivative. The work aimed to investigate the effect of oleic acid (OA) content on properties of CS-OA film. The process of oleic acid dispersion into film was described to evaluate its effect on the properties of the film. Among the formulations evaluated, the OA addition decreased the solubility and water vapor permeability of the CS-OA film. The surface contact angle changed from 64.2° to 94.0° by increasing CS/OA ratio from 1:0 to 1:0.25 (w/w). The TS increased with OA content below 15% and decreased with OA over 15%, but the ε decreased with higher OA content. The micro-cracking matrices and micro pores in the film indicated the condense structure of the film destroyed by the incorporation of oleic acid. No chemical interaction between the OA and CS was observed in the XRD and FTIR spectrum. Film formulation containing 2% (w/w) CS, 0.3% (w/w) glycerol and 0.3% (w/w) OA, showed good properties of mechanic, barrier to moisture and homogeneity.

Visual assessment of the cervical vertebral maturation stages: A study of diagnostic accuracy and repeatability.

PubMed

Perinetti, Giuseppe; Caprioglio, Alberto; Contardo, Luca

2014-11-01

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and repeatability of the visual assessment of the cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) stages. Ten operators underwent training sessions in visual assessment of CVM staging. Subsequently, they were asked to stage 72 cases equally divided into the six stages. Such assessment was repeated twice in two sessions (T1 and T2) 4 weeks apart. A reference standard for each case was created according to a cephalometric analysis of both the concavities and shapes of the cervical vertebrae. The overall agreement with the reference standard was about 68% for both sessions and 76.9% for intrarater repeatability. The overall kappa coefficients with the reference standard were up to 0.86 for both sessions, and 0.88 for intrarater repeatability. Overall, disagreements one stage and twp stage apart were 23.5% (T1) and 5.1% (T2), respectively. Sensitivity ranged from 53.3% for CS5 (T1) to 99.9% for CS1 (T2), positive predictive values ranged from 52.4% for CS5 (T2) to 94.3% for CS6 (T1), and accuracy ranged from 83.6% for CS4 (T2) to 94.9% for CS1 (T1). Visual assessment of the CVM stages is accurate and repeatable to a satisfactory level. About one in three cases remain misclassified; disagreement is generally limited to one stage and is mostly seen in stages 4 and 5.

Vibrational wave packets in the B 1Πu and D 1Σu+ states of Cs2: Determination of improved Cs2+(X) and Cs2(B) spectroscopic constants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oldenburg, A. L.; John, P. C.; Eden, J. G.

2000-12-01

Vibrational wave packets in the B 1Πu and D 1Σu+ excited states of Cs2 have been studied on the ˜100 fs time scale by pump-probe laser spectroscopy. The temporal behavior of the wave packets was monitored by photoionizing the electronically excited molecule with a time-delayed probe pulse and recording the time and energy-integrated photoelectron signal as a function of time delay between the pump and probe pulses. For the B 1Σu+ experiments, wave packets were produced by exciting the B 1Σu+←X 1Σg+ transition in the ˜740-790 nm region and subsequently detected by photoionizing the molecule at wavelengths between 565 nm and 600 nm. By simulating the experimentally observed transients with the density matrix formalism (and explicitly accounting for laser chirp and |Δv|>1 coherences), improved values for the equilibrium internuclear separation for the Cs2(B1Πu) state and Te for the Cs2+(X) state were determined to be Re(B 1Πu)=4.93±0.03 Å and Te[Cs2+(X)]=29 930±100 cm-1, respectively. Similar experiments were conducted for the D 1Σu+ state. Wave packets composed of vibrational levels (v'≈40-50) perturbed by the bound 2 3Πou state were produced on the D 1Σu+ potential surface by driving the D 1Σu+←X 1Σg+ transition in the 575-610 nm spectral interval.

Proton exchange membrane based on chitosan and solvent-free carbon nanotube fluids for fuel cells applications.

PubMed

Wang, Jie; Gong, Chunli; Wen, Sheng; Liu, Hai; Qin, Caiqin; Xiong, Chuanxi; Dong, Lijie

2018-04-15

Poor dispersion and inert ionic conduction are two major obstacles towards using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to modify polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) in energy conversion devices. In this work, solvent-free carbon nanotube fluids (CNT fluids) with liquid-like behavior are prepared through an ion exchange method and incorporated into a chitosan (CS) matrix to fabricate composite membranes. The electrostatic interactions between SO 3 - groups in the CNT fluids and NH 2 groups in the CS matrix, in addition to the unique flow properties of the CNT fluids, promote the uniform dispersion of CNT fluids in the CS matrix. Markedly, the CS/CNT fluid-3 composite membrane is simultaneously reinforced and toughened by 180% and 300% compared to pure CS membrane, respectively. Moreover, the SO 3 - groups in the CNT fluids facilitate the proton transfer such that the proton conductivity of CS/CNT fluid-3 composite membrane reaches a maximum value of 0.044 S cm -1 at 80 °C. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The 13th order resonance from Navy tracking on a diademe 2 fragment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wagner, C. A.

1974-01-01

A strong constraint on 13th order (odd degree) terms in the geopotential has been derived from Navy tracking on a DIADEME 2 fragment (1967-14F). This object (perigee height: 580 km, orbit inclination: 38.9 deg) is presently decaying slowly through perfect commensurability with these terms. The resonance forces will increase its inclination by 0.02 deg when the passage is complete by late 1974. The constraint (lumped harmonics), derived by adjustment of a pair of harmonic coefficients to the Navy inclination data (principally) is: 10 to the 9th power (14.8 + or - 0.8, 48.3 + or - 0.7) = 0.023(C,S)13,13 -0.172(C,S)15,13 0.505(C,S)17,13 - 0.884(C,S)19,13 + (C,S)21,13 0.673(C,S)23,13 0.099(C,S)25,13 0.295(C,S)27,13 -0.279(C,S)29,13 0.018(C,S)31,13 + There should be a significant contribution to this result from terms as high as 29th degree. But current geopotential solutions (for 13th order terms) to this degree are about 20% in error when judged by this independent data.

Clinical audits: A practical strategy for reducing cesarean section rates in a general hospital in Tehran, Iran.

PubMed

Mohammadi, Soheila; Källestål, Carina; Essén, Birgitta

2012-01-01

To investigate whether the introduction of clinical audits by the Safe Motherhood Committee of a general hospital in Tehran, Iran, influenced cesarean section (CS) rates, A retrospective study was performed. The number of deliveries before and after the institution of clinical audits (May to December 2005) were tabulated in the audited hospital and analyzed by Chi(2) test. Additionally, CS rates were measured in 3 other general hospitals during the same time period for comparison. A total of 3,494 deliveries were recorded during the study periods in 2004 and 2005 at the audited hospital. Subsequent to the audit, the overall CS rate decreased from 40% to 33% (p < 0.001) and the primary CS rate from 29% to 21% (p < 0.001), accounting for a 27% reduction in the risk of primary CS. In 2006 CS rates reverted to 42%. None of the other 3 general hospitals indicated a decline in CS rates in 2005. Our findings show a preventive association between the clinical audits and CS rates in a general hospital. The implementation of a clinical audit process can be an effective way to track care pathways and reduce unnecessary CS deliveries.

Markers of atherosclerosis in patients with Cushing's syndrome: a meta-analysis of literature studies.

PubMed

Lupoli, Roberta; Ambrosino, Pasquale; Tortora, Anna; Barba, Livia; Lupoli, Gelsy Arianna; Di Minno, Matteo Nicola Dario

2017-05-01

Several studies reported an increased cardiovascular (CV) risk in Cushing's syndrome (CS). We performed a meta-analysis on the impact of CS on major markers of atherosclerosis. Studies on intima-media thickness (IMT), carotid plaques prevalence, and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in CS patients and controls were searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EMBASE. Differences between cases and controls were expressed as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for continuous variables, and as Odds Ratio (OR) with 95%CI for dichotomous variables. Fourteen studies (332 CS, 462 controls) were included. Compared with controls, CS patients showed higher IMT (MD: 0.20 mm; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.28; p < .001), increased prevalence of carotid plaques (OR: 8.85, 95%CI: 4.09, 19.14; p < .001), and lower FMD (MD: -2.65%; 95% CI: -3.65, -1.65; p < .001). Difference in IMT and in the prevalence of carotid plaques was confirmed also in patients with CS remission (MD: 0.24 mm; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.40; p = .005 and OR: 9.88, 95%CI: 2.69, 36.3; p < 0.001, respectively). Regression models showed that age, diabetes, obesity, ACTH-dependent CS, serum and urinary cortisol levels impacted on the observed difference in IMT. CS is significantly associated with markers of subclinical atherosclerosis and CV risk. These findings could help establish more specific CV prevention strategies in this clinical setting. Key messages A series of studies reported an increased cardiovascular risk in patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS). In the present meta-analysis we demonstrated that CS is associated with an increased intima-media thickness, higher prevalence of carotid plaques, and lower flow-mediated dilation as compared with controls. These data consistently suggest the need for a strict monitoring of early signs of subclinical atherosclerosis in CS patients.

Cyclosporin A significantly improves preeclampsia signs and suppresses inflammation in a rat model.

PubMed

Hu, Bihui; Yang, Jinying; Huang, Qian; Bao, Junjie; Brennecke, Shaun Patrick; Liu, Huishu

2016-05-01

Preeclampsia is associated with an increased inflammatory response. Immune suppression might be an effective treatment. The aim of this study was to examine whether Cyclosporin A (CsA), an immunosuppressant, improves clinical characteristics of preeclampsia and suppresses inflammation in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced preeclampsia rat model. Pregnant rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: group 1 (PE) rats each received LPS via tail vein on gestational day (GD) 14; group 2 (PE+CsA5) rats were pretreated with LPS (1.0 μg/kg) on GD 14 and were then treated with CsA (5mg/kg, ip) on GDs 16, 17 and 18; group 3 (PE+CsA10) rats were pretreated with LPS (1.0 μg/kg) on GD 14 and were then treated with CsA (10mg/kg, ip) on GDs 16, 17 and 18; group 4 (pregnant control, PC) rats were treated with the vehicle (saline) used for groups 1, 2 and 3. Systolic blood pressure, urinary albumin, biometric parameters and the levels of serum cytokines were measured on day 20. CsA treatment significantly reduced LPS-induced systolic blood pressure and the mean 24-h urinary albumin excretion. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-17, IFN-γ and TNF-α were increased in the LPS treatment group but were reduced in (LPS+CsA) group (P<0.05). Anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 was decreased in the LPS group but was increased in (LPS+CsA) group (P<0.05). Cyclosporine A improved preeclampsia signs and attenuated inflammatory responses in the LPS induced preeclampsia rat model which suggests that immunosuppressant might be an alternative management option for preeclampsia. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Identification and bioinformatics comparison of two novel phosphatases in monoecious and gynoecious cucumber lines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pawełkowicz, Magdalena E.; Wojcieszek, Michał; Osipowski, Paweł; Krzywkowski, Tomasz; PlÄ der, Wojciech; Przybecki, Zbigniew

2016-09-01

Two Arabidopsis thaliana genes from the PP2C family of protein phosphatases (AtABI1 and AtABI2) were used to find orthologous genes in the Cucumis sativus L. cv. Borszczagowski (cucumber) genome. Cucumber has been used as a model plant for sex expression studies because although it has been defined as a monoecious species, numerous genotypes are known to produce only female, only male, or hermaphroditic flowers. We identified two new orthologous genes of AtABI1 and AtABI2 in the cucumber genome and named them CsABI1 and CsABI2. To determine the relationships between the regulation of CsABI1 and CsABI2 and flower morphogenesis in cucumber, we performed various computational analyses to define the structure of the genes, and to predict regulatory elements and protein motifs in their sequences. We also performed an expression analysis to identify differences in the expression levels of CsABI1 and CsABI2 in vegetative and generative tissues (leaf, shoot apex, and flower buds) of monoecious (B10) and gynoecious (2gg) cucumber lines. We found that the expressions of CsABI1 and CsABI2 differed in male and female floral buds, and correlated these findings with the abscisic acid signaling pathways in male and female flowers.

Hindcast and Forecast of 137Cs Activities in the North Pacific Ocean Waters from 1945 to 2020 by Eddy-resolving ROMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsubono, T.; Misumi, K.; Tsumune, D.; Aoyama, M.; Hirose, K.

2015-12-01

We conducted a hindcast and forecast of 137Cs activities in the North Pacific waters from 1945 to 2020, before and after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (F1NPP) accident. We used the Regional Ocean Model System (ROMS) with high resolution (1/12º-1/4º in horizontal, 45 levels in vertical), of which domain was the North Pacific Ocean. The model was driven by the exactly repeating "Normal Year" forcing Coordinated Ocean Reference Experiment (CORE) forcing dataset (Large and Yeager, 2008) using bulk formulae and the model-predicted sea surface temperature and the 50 years averaged SODA data as boundary conditions. The reconstructed global fallout due to atmospheric nuclear weapons' tests and Chernobyl accident was employed for atmospheric flux of 137Cs from 1945 to 2011. After the accident, the atmospheric deposition and direct release of 137Cs from F1NPP were also employed for input condition. Five ensemble calculations of 137Cs activities in seawater were conducted under different initial conditions, but had identical forcing. The net input of 16 PBq of 137Cs from F1NPP, which was employed in this study, corresponded to 26% of the total amount (61 PBq) of 137Cs that was estimated in the North Pacific before the F1NPP accident in 2011. Before the accident in 2011, the 137Cs on surface ranged from 0.75 to 1.7 Bq m-3. The direct comparison between simulated and observed 134Cs activities in the surface layer represented that the root-mean-square error and correlation coefficient were 5.6 Bq m-3 and 0.86, respectively, suggesting the model result were consistent with the observations. The main body of high 137Cs activity water from F1NPP was transported to south of the Subarctic Front around 42°N via the Oyashio Coastal Current, the Oyashio intrusion, and the Kuroshio bifurcation and then to the western North Pacific. This model simulation suggested that the 137Cs activities in surface waters at P26 (P04) would increase to 4.1 Bq m-3 (4.3 Bq m-3 ) in 2015 (2016) and then decrease to 1.3 Bq m-3 (1.8 Bq m-3 ) in last 2020.

Effects of Gallic Acid and Cyclosporine A on Antioxidant Capacity and Cardiac Markers of Rat Isolated Heart After Ischemia/Reperfusion

PubMed Central

Badavi, Mohammad; Sadeghi, Najmeh; Dianat, Mahin; Samarbafzadeh, Alireza

2014-01-01

Background: Myocardial infarction is one of the important causes of death during old ages. Gallic acid as an antioxidant or cyclosporine A (CsA) as inhibitor of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) alone could prevent these complications to some extent, but their combination effect has not been investigated. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the combined effect of gallic acid and CsA on antioxidant capacity of isolated heart tissues during ischemia reperfusion. Materials and Methods: Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to different groups: sham, control (Ca, received saline, 1 mL/kg); 3 groups were pretreated with gallic acid (G1a: 7.5, G2a: 15, G3a: 30 mg/kg) for 10 days, and the other 3 groups were pretreated with gallic acid and received CsA (0.2 µM) for 10 minutes before induction of ischemia and during the first 10 minutes of reperfusion (G1b, G2b and G3b) and the last group received CsA alone (Cb). After 10 days of pretreatment, the heart was isolated and transferred to the Langendorff apparatus and exposed to 30 minutes ischemia followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion. After that cardiac markers and antioxidant enzymes were assessed in cardiac tissues. Results: Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity increased and malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased in animals pretreated with gallic acid significantly. However, pretreatment with gallic acid followed by CsA during reperfusion improved the antioxidant capacity and cardiac marker enzymes and restored the lipid peroxidation more effective than gallic acid or CsA alone. Nevertheless, CsA did not change the cardiac marker enzymes significantly. Conclusions: Gallic acid and CsA combination improved antioxidant capacity and cell membrane integrity more than each one alone. Therefore, it can be a therapeutic approach to reduce the I/R injury. PMID:25068044

New insights on pressure, temperature, and chemical stability of CsAlSi5O12, a potential host for nuclear waste

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gatta, G. D.; Brundu, A.; Cappelletti, P.; Cerri, G.; de'Gennaro, B.; Farina, M.; Fumagalli, P.; Guaschino, L.; Lotti, P.; Mercurio, M.

2016-10-01

A Cs-bearing polyphase aggregate with composition (in wt%): 76(1)CsAlSi5O12 + 7(1)CsAlSi2O6 + 17(1)amorphous, was obtained from a clinoptilolite-rich epiclastic rock after a beneficiation process of the starting material (aimed to increase the fraction of zeolite to 90 wt%), cation exchange and then thermal treatment. CsAlSi5O12 is an open-framework compound with CAS topology; CsAlSi2O6 is a pollucite-like material with ANA topology. The thermal stability of this polyphase material was investigated by in situ high- T X-ray powder diffraction, the combined P- T effects by a series of runs with a single-stage piston cylinder apparatus, and its chemical stability following the "availability test" ("AVA test") protocol. A series of additional investigations were performed by WDS-electron microprobe analysis in order to describe the P- T-induced modification of the material texture, and to chemically characterize the starting material and the run products. The "AVA tests" of the polyphase aggregate show an extremely modest release of Cs+: 0.05 mg/g. In response to applied temperature and at room P, CsAlSi5O12 experiences an unquenchable and displacive Ama2-to- Amam phase transition at about 770 K, and the Amam polymorph is stable in its crystalline form up to 1600 K; a crystalline-to-amorphous phase transition occurs between 1600 and 1650 K. In response to the applied P = 0.5 GPa, the crystalline-to-amorphous transition of CsAlSi5O12 occurs between 1670 and 1770 K. This leads to a positive Clapeyron slope (i.e., d P/d T > 0) of the crystalline-to-amorphous transition. When the polyphase aggregate is subjected at P = 0.5 GPa and T > 1770 K, CsAlSi5O12 melts and only CsAlSi2O6 (pollucite-like; dominant) and Cs-rich glass (subordinate) are observed in the quenched sample. Based on its thermo-elastic behavior, P- T phase stability fields, and Cs+ retention capacity, CsAlSi5O12 is a possible candidate for use in the immobilization of radioactive isotopes of Cs, or as potential solid hosts for 137Cs γ-radiation source in sterilization applications. More in general, even the CsAlSi5O12-rich aggregate obtained by a clinoptilolite-rich epiclastic rock appears to be suitable for this type of utilizations.

Cyclosporine A and palmitic acid treatment synergistically induce cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Luo, Yi, E-mail: yi.luo@pfizer.com; Rana, Payal; Will, Yvonne

Immunosuppressant cyclosporine A (CsA) treatment can cause severe side effects. Patients taking immunosuppressant after organ transplantation often display hyperlipidemia and obesity. Elevated levels of free fatty acids have been linked to the etiology of metabolic syndromes, nonalcoholic fatty liver and steatohepatitis. The contribution of free fatty acids to CsA-induced toxicity is not known. In this study we explored the effect of palmitic acid on CsA-induced toxicity in HepG2 cells. CsA by itself at therapeutic exposure levels did not induce detectible cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. Co-treatment of palmitic acid and CsA resulted in a dose dependent increase in cytotoxicity, suggesting thatmore » fatty acid could sensitize cells to CsA-induced cytotoxicity at the therapeutic doses of CsA. A synergized induction of caspase-3/7 activity was also observed, indicating that apoptosis may contribute to the cytotoxicity. We demonstrated that CsA reduced cellular oxygen consumption which was further exacerbated by palmitic acid, implicating that impaired mitochondrial respiration might be an underlying mechanism for the enhanced toxicity. Inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) attenuated palmitic acid and CsA induced toxicity, suggesting that JNK activation plays an important role in mediating the enhanced palmitic acid/CsA-induced toxicity. Our data suggest that elevated FFA levels, especially saturated FFA such as palmitic acid, may be predisposing factors for CsA toxicity, and patients with underlying diseases that would elevate free fatty acids may be susceptible to CsA-induced toxicity. Furthermore, hyperlipidemia/obesity resulting from immunosuppressive therapy may aggravate CsA-induced toxicity and worsen the outcome in transplant patients. -- Highlights: ► Palmitic acid and cyclosporine (CsA) synergistically increased cytotoxicity. ► The impairment of mitochondrial functions may contribute to the enhanced toxicity. ► Inhibition of JNK activity attenuated palmitate/ CsA induced toxicity. ► Palmitate sensitizes cells to the toxicity induced by CsA at therapeutic exposure. ► Elevated free fatty acids may predispose the patients to CsA-induced toxicity.« less

A Comparison in Mechanical Properties of Cermets of Calcium Silicate with Ti-55Ni and Ti-6Al-4V Alloys for Hard Tissues Replacement

PubMed Central

Pramanik, Sumit; Shirazi, Seyed Farid Seyed; Mehrali, Mehdi; Yau, Yat-Huang; Abu Osman, Noor Azuan

2014-01-01

This study investigated the impact of calcium silicate (CS) content on composition, compressive mechanical properties, and hardness of CS cermets with Ti-55Ni and Ti-6Al-4V alloys sintered at 1200°C. The powder metallurgy route was exploited to prepare the cermets. New phases of materials of Ni16Ti6Si7, CaTiO3, and Ni31Si12 appeared in cermet of Ti-55Ni with CS and in cermet of Ti-6Al-4V with CS, the new phases Ti5Si3, Ti2O, and CaTiO3, which were emerged during sintering at different CS content (wt%). The minimum shrinkage and density were observed in both groups of cermets for the 50 and 100 wt% CS content, respectively. The cermets with 40 wt% of CS had minimum compressive Young's modulus. The minimum of compressive strength and strain percentage at maximum load were revealed in cermets with 50 and 40 wt% of CS with Ti-55Ni and Ti-6Al-4V cermets, respectively. The cermets with 80 and 90 wt% of CS showed more plasticity than the pure CS. It concluded that the composition and mechanical properties of sintered cermets of Ti-55Ni and Ti-6Al-4V with CS significantly depend on the CS content in raw cermet materials. Thus, the different mechanical properties of the cermets can be used as potential materials for different hard tissues replacements. PMID:25538954

Preparation and bioactive properties of chitosan and casein phosphopeptides composite coatings for orthopedic implants.

PubMed

Qin, Liguo; Dong, Huanhuan; Mu, Ziqing; Zhang, Yali; Dong, Guangneng

2015-11-20

Using the layer-by-layer deposition method, functional chitosan/casein phospopeptides (CS/CPP) composite coatings were produced on Co-Cr-Mo alloy. The CS/CPP composite coatings had the dendritic topography, and were quite hydrophilic. Zeta potential measurements showed the composite coatings were negative charged at neural pH. XPS results indicated that the CS/CPP composite coatings were covalently bond to the substrate. When MC3T3-E1 cells were seeded on the CS/CPP composite coatings, no cytotoxicity was observed. The bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated in MC3T3-E1 cells cultured on the composite coatings and it was twice as much as that of cells cultured on the bare substrate. The expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) mRNA and the ratio of OPG/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RNAKL) mRNA were increased 5-fold and 55-fold, respectively. These results suggested the CS/CPP composite coatings may have potential application in cobalt matrix orthopaedic implants. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

CS2164, a novel multi-target inhibitor against tumor angiogenesis, mitosis and chronic inflammation with anti-tumor potency.

PubMed

Zhou, You; Shan, Song; Li, Zhi-Bin; Xin, Li-Jun; Pan, De-Si; Yang, Qian-Jiao; Liu, Ying-Ping; Yue, Xu-Peng; Liu, Xiao-Rong; Gao, Ji-Zhou; Zhang, Jin-Wen; Ning, Zhi-Qiang; Lu, Xian-Ping

2017-03-01

Although inhibitors targeting tumor angiogenic pathway have provided improvement for clinical treatment in patients with various solid tumors, the still very limited anti-cancer efficacy and acquired drug resistance demand new agents that may offer better clinical benefits. In the effort to find a small molecule potentially targeting several key pathways for tumor development, we designed, discovered and evaluated a novel multi-kinase inhibitor, CS2164. CS2164 inhibited the angiogenesis-related kinases (VEGFR2, VEGFR1, VEGFR3, PDGFRα and c-Kit), mitosis-related kinase Aurora B and chronic inflammation-related kinase CSF-1R in a high potency manner with the IC 50 at a single-digit nanomolar range. Consequently, CS2164 displayed anti-angiogenic activities through suppression of VEGFR/PDGFR phosphorylation, inhibition of ligand-dependent cell proliferation and capillary tube formation, and prevention of vasculature formation in tumor tissues. CS2164 also showed induction of G2/M cell cycle arrest and suppression of cell proliferation in tumor tissues through the inhibition of Aurora B-mediated H3 phosphorylation. Furthermore, CS2164 demonstrated the inhibitory effect on CSF-1R phosphorylation that led to the suppression of ligand-stimulated monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation and reduced CSF-1R + cells in tumor tissues. The in vivo animal efficacy studies revealed that CS2164 induced remarkable regression or complete inhibition of tumor growth at well-tolerated oral doses in several human tumor xenograft models. Collectively, these results indicate that CS2164 is a highly selective multi-kinase inhibitor with potent anti-tumor activities against tumor angiogenesis, mitosis and chronic inflammation, which may provide the rationale for further clinical assessment of CS2164 as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of cancer. © 2016 The Authors. Cancer Science published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Cancer Association.

Complex transitions between spike, burst or chaos synchronization states in coupled neurons with coexisting bursting patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Hua-Guang; Chen, Sheng-Gen; Li, Yu-Ye

2015-05-01

We investigated the synchronization dynamics of a coupled neuronal system composed of two identical Chay model neurons. The Chay model showed coexisting period-1 and period-2 bursting patterns as a parameter and initial values are varied. We simulated multiple periodic and chaotic bursting patterns with non-(NS), burst phase (BS), spike phase (SS), complete (CS), and lag synchronization states. When the coexisting behavior is near period-2 bursting, the transitions of synchronization states of the coupled system follows very complex transitions that begins with transitions between BS and SS, moves to transitions between CS and SS, and to CS. Most initial values lead to the CS state of period-2 bursting while only a few lead to the CS state of period-1 bursting. When the coexisting behavior is near period-1 bursting, the transitions begin with NS, move to transitions between SS and BS, to transitions between SS and CS, and then to CS. Most initial values lead to the CS state of period-1 bursting but a few lead to the CS state of period-2 bursting. The BS was identified as chaos synchronization. The patterns for NS and transitions between BS and SS are insensitive to initial values. The patterns for transitions between CS and SS and the CS state are sensitive to them. The number of spikes per burst of non-CS bursting increases with increasing coupling strength. These results not only reveal the initial value- and parameter-dependent synchronization transitions of coupled systems with coexisting behaviors, but also facilitate interpretation of various bursting patterns and synchronization transitions generated in the nervous system with weak coupling strength. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11372224 and 11402039) and the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities designated to Tongji University (Grant No. 1330219127).

Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic evaluation of chitosan nanoparticles: in vitro liver cancer model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loutfy, Samah A.; Alam El-Din, Hanaa M.; Elberry, Mostafa H.; Allam, Nanis G.; Hasanin, M. T. M.; Abdellah, Ahmed M.

2016-09-01

To evaluate the cytotoxic effect of chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) on an in vitro human liver cancer cell model (HepG2) and their possible application as a drug delivery system, we synthesized water-soluble CS-NPs, investigated their properties and extensively evaluated their cytotoxic activity on the cellular and molecular levels. A human liver cancer cell line was used as a model of human liver cancer. The CS-NPs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and zeta analysis. The cytotoxic effects of the CS-NPs on HepG2 cells were monitored by sulforhodamine B colorimetric assays for cytotoxicity screening and flow cytometric analysis. Molecular investigations including DNA fragmentation and the expression of some apoptotic genes on the transcriptional RNA level were conducted. Treatment of HepG2 with different concentrations of 150 nm diameter CS-NPs did not show alteration of cell morphology after 24 h of cell exposure. Also, when cells were treated with 100 μg ml-1 of CS-NPs, 12% of them were killed and IC50 reached 239 μg ml-1 after 48 h of cell exposure. Flow cytometry evaluation of the CS-NPs revealed mild accumulation in the G2/M phase followed by cellular DNA fragmentation after 48 h of cell exposure. Extensive evaluation of the cytotoxic effect of the CS-NPs showed messenger RNA (mRNA) apoptotic gene expression (p53, Bak, Caspase3) after 24 h of cell exposure with no expression of the mRNA of the caspase 3 gene after 48 h of cell exposure, suggesting the involvement of an intrinsic apoptotic caspase-independent pathway by increasing the exposure time of 100 μg ml-1 of the CS-NPs. The engineered CS-NPs were controlled to a 150 nm size and charges of 40 mV and a concentration of 100 μg ml-1 revealed a genotoxic effect on HepG2 after 48 h of cell exposure through intrinsic apoptotic caspase-independent mechanisms. Further quantitative analysis on the molecular and protein levels is still required to confirm the impact of chitosan size and time on genotoxic effect before reaching a final conclusion and starting its biomedical application.

Interaction of the cesium cation with calix[4]arene-bis(t-octylbenzo-18-crown-6): Extraction and DFT study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Makrlik, Emanuel; Toman, Petr; Vanura, Petr

2013-01-01

From extraction experiments and c-activity measurements, the extraction constant corresponding to the equilibrium Cs+ (aq) + I (aq) + 1 (org),1Cs+ (org) + I (org) taking place in the two-phase water-phenyltrifluoromethyl sulfone (abbrev. FS 13) system (1 = calix[4]arene-bis(t-octylbenzo-18-crown-6); aq = aqueous phase, org = FS 13 phase) was evaluated as logKex (1Cs+, I) = 2.1 0.1. Further, the stability constant of the 1Cs+ complex in FS 13 saturated with water was calculated for a temperature of 25 C: log borg (1Cs+) = 9.9 0.1. Finally, by using quantum mechanical DFT calculations, the most probable structure of the cationic complexmore » species 1Cs+ was derived. In the resulting 1Cs+ complex, the central cation Cs+ is bound by eight bond interactions to six oxygen atoms of the respective 18-crown-6 moiety and to two carbons of the corresponding two benzene rings of the parent ligand 1 via cation p interaction.« less

Prevalence of cardiac sarcoidosis in white population: a case-control study: Proposal for a novel risk index based on commonly available tests.

PubMed

Martusewicz-Boros, Magdalena M; Boros, Piotr W; Wiatr, Elżbieta; Zych, Jacek; Piotrowska-Kownacka, Dorota; Roszkowski-Śliż, Kazimierz

2016-08-01

Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is a life-threatening and underdiagnosed manifestation of the disease, which requires a complicated and expensive diagnostic pathway. There is a need for simple tool for practitioners to determine the risk of CS without access to specialized equipment.The aim of study was to determine the prevalence of CS in a group of patients diagnosed with or followed up because of sarcoidosis. A secondary objective was the search for factors associated with heart involvement.We performed a prospective case-control study (screening analysis) in consecutive sarcoidosis patients collected from October 2012 to September 2015. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging was performed to confirm or exclude cardiac involvement in all patients. The study was conducted in a hospital-based referral center for patients with sarcoidosis and other interstitial lung diseases.Analysis was performed in a group of 201 patients (all white) with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis, mean age 41.4 ± 10.2, 121 of them (60.2%) males. Four patients with previously recognized cardiac diseases, which make CMR imaging for CS inconclusive, were not included.Cardiac involvement was detected by CMR in 49 patients (24.4%). Factors associated with an increased risk of CS (univariate analyses) included male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 2.5; 1.21-5.16, P = 0.01), cardiac-related symptoms (OR: 3.53; 1.81-6.89, P = 0.0002), extrathoracic sarcoidosis (OR: 3.48; 1.77-6.84, P = 0.0003), elevated serum NT-proBNP (OR: 3.82; 1.55-9.42, P = 0.004), any electrocardiography abnormality (OR: 5.38; 2.48-11.67, P = 0.0001), and contemporary radiological progression sarcoidosis in the lungs (OR: 2.98; 1.52-5.84, P = 0.001). Abnormalities in echocardiography and Holter ECG were also risk factors, but not significant in multivariate analyses. A CS Risk Index was developed using a multivariate model to predict CS, achieving an accuracy of 82%, sensitivity of 50%, specificity of 94%, and likelihood ratio 8.1.CS was detected in one fourth of patients. A CS Risk Index based on the results of easily accessible tests is cost-effective and may help to identify patients who should be urgently referred for further diagnostic procedures.

Physiologic and Perceptual Responses to Cold-Shower Cooling After Exercise-Induced Hyperthermia.

PubMed

Butts, Cory L; McDermott, Brendon P; Buening, Brian J; Bonacci, Jeffrey A; Ganio, Matthew S; Adams, J D; Tucker, Matthew A; Kavouras, Stavros A

2016-03-01

Exercise conducted in hot, humid environments increases the risk for exertional heat stroke (EHS). The current recommended treatment of EHS is cold-water immersion; however, limitations may require the use of alternative resources such as a cold shower (CS) or dousing with a hose to cool EHS patients. To investigate the cooling effectiveness of a CS after exercise-induced hyperthermia. Randomized, crossover controlled study. Environmental chamber (temperature = 33.4°C ± 2.1°C; relative humidity = 27.1% ± 1.4%). Seventeen participants (10 male, 7 female; height = 1.75 ± 0.07 m, body mass = 70.4 ± 8.7 kg, body surface area = 1.85 ± 0.13 m(2), age range = 19-35 years) volunteered. On 2 occasions, participants completed matched-intensity volitional exercise on an ergometer or treadmill to elevate rectal temperature to ≥39°C or until participant fatigue prevented continuation (reaching at least 38.5°C). They were then either treated with a CS (20.8°C ± 0.80°C) or seated in the chamber (control [CON] condition) for 15 minutes. Rectal temperature, calculated cooling rate, heart rate, and perceptual measures (thermal sensation and perceived muscle pain). The rectal temperature (P = .98), heart rate (P = .85), thermal sensation (P = .69), and muscle pain (P = .31) were not different during exercise for the CS and CON trials (P > .05). Overall, the cooling rate was faster during CS (0.07°C/min ± 0.03°C/min) than during CON (0.04°C/min ± 0.03°C/min; t16 = 2.77, P = .01). Heart-rate changes were greater during CS (45 ± 20 beats per minute) compared with CON (27 ± 10 beats per minute; t16 = 3.32, P = .004). Thermal sensation was reduced to a greater extent with CS than with CON (F3,45 = 41.12, P < .001). Although the CS facilitated cooling rates faster than no treatment, clinicians should continue to advocate for accepted cooling modalities and use CS only if no other validated means of cooling are available.

Molecular characterization of an α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase from Clonorchis sinensis.

PubMed

Lee, Myoung-Ro; Yoo, Won Gi; Kim, Yu-Jung; Kim, Dae-Won; Cho, Shin-Hyeong; Hwang, Kwang Yeon; Ju, Jung-Won; Lee, Won-Ja

2012-11-01

The α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (α-NAGAL) is an exoglycosidase that selectively cleaves terminal α-linked N-acetylgalactosamines from a variety of sugar chains. A complementary DNA (cDNA) clone encoding a novel Clonorchis sinensis α-NAGAL (Cs-α-NAGAL) was identified in the expressed sequence tags database of the adult C. sinensis liver fluke. The complete coding sequence was 1,308 bp long and encoded a 436-residue protein. The selected glycosidase was manually curated as α-NAGAL (EC 3.2.1.49) based on a composite bioinformatics analysis including a search for orthologues, comparative structure modeling, and the generation of a phylogenetic tree. One orthologue of Cs-α-NAGAL was the Rattus norvegicus α-NAGAL (accession number: NP_001012120) that does not exist in C. sinensis. Cs-α-NAGAL belongs to the GH27 family and the GH-D clan. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that the GH27 family of Cs-α-NAGAL was distinct from GH31 and GH36 within the GH-D clan. The putative 3D structure of Cs-α-NAGAL was built using SWISS-MODEL with a Gallus gallus α-NAGAL template (PDB code 1ktb chain A); this model demonstrated the superimposition of a TIM barrel fold (α/β) structure and substrate binding pocket. Cs-α-NAGAL transcripts were detected in the adult worm and egg cDNA libraries of C. sinensis but not in the metacercaria. Recombinant Cs-α-NAGAL (rCs-α-NAGAL) was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the purified rCs-α-NAGAL was recognized specifically by the C. sinensis-infected human sera. This is the first report of an α-NAGAL protein in the Trematode class, suggesting that it is a potential diagnostic or vaccine candidate with strong antigenicity.

[Chitosan-coated ophthalmic submicro emulsion for pilocarpine nitrate].

PubMed

Wei, Jun; He, Hong-Liang; Zheng, Chun-Li; Zhu, Jia-Bi

2011-08-01

The study is to design chitosan-coated pilocarpine nitrate submicro emulsion (CS-PN/SE) for the development of a novel mucoadhesive submicro emulsion, aiming to prolong the precorneal retention time and improve the ocular absorption. CS-PN/SE was fabricated in two steps: firstly, pilocarpine nitrate submicro emulsion (PN/SE) was prepared by high-speed shear with medium chain triglycerides (MCT) as oil phase and Tween 80 as the main emulsifier, and then incubated with chitosan (CS) acetic solution. The preparation process was optimized by central composite design-response surface methodology. Besides the particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency and micromorphology were investigated, CS-PN/SE's precorneal residence properties and miotic effect were especially studied using New Zealand rabbits as the animal model. When CS-PN/SE was administered topically to rabbit eyes, the ocular clearance and the mean resident time (MRT) of pilocarpine nitrate were found to be dramatically improved (P < 0.05) compared with PN/SE and pilocarpine nitrate solution (PNs), since the K(CS-PN/SE) was declined to 0.006 4 +/- 0.000 3 min(-1) while MRT was prolonged up to 155.4 min. Pharmacodynamics results showed that the maximum miosis of CS-PN/SE was as high as 46.3%, while the miotic response lasted 480 min which is 255 min and 105 min longer than that of PNs and PN/SE, respectively. A larger area under the miotic percentage vs time curve (AUC) of CS-PN/SE was exhibited which is 1.6 folds and 1.2 folds as much as that of PNs and PN/SE, respectively (P < 0.05). Therefore, CS-PN/SE could enhance the duration of action and ocular bioavailability by improving the precorneal residence and ocular absorption significantly.

Cyclosporine A regulate oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes: mechanisms via ROS generation, iNOS and Hsp70

PubMed Central

Chen, Huei-Wen; Chien, Chiang-Ting; Yu, Sung-Liang; Lee, Yuan-Teh; Chen, Wen-Jone

2002-01-01

Previous study suggested that cyclosporine A (CsA) could partially reduce ischaemia/reperfusion-induced injury in isolated heart, but the mechanism was still unclear. In this study, the possible mechanisms of cyclosporine A in regulating oxidative stress-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis were examined. Morphological (cell shrinkage, apoptotic body formation, and DNA fragmentation) and biochemical (annexin-V staining for exposed phosphatidylserine residues) evidences showed that both hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hypoxia/reoxygenation could induce apoptotic change in the embryonal rat heart myoblast-derived cells (H9c2). These effects were inhibited by pre-treatment with CsA at concentration of 0.01–1.0 μM for 24 h, but were increased with 10.0 μM CsA. While examining the mechanisms of CsA in protecting cardiomyocyte apoptosis, we found that the collapse of mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm) induced by oxidative stress was partially reversed by CsA (0.01–1.0 μM). Compared to the control, CSA at the concentration of 0.1 and 10.0 μM significantly increased the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) to 117.2±12.4% and 234.4±9.3%, respectively. Co-incubating with the antioxidant, ascorbic acid (10.0 μM), could partially reduce the protective effect of CsA (0.01–1.0 μM) and the toxic effect of 10.0 μM CsA. Pre-treatment with CsA at concentration of 0.01–1.0 μM for 24 h produced up-regulation of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp 70), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and also induced NO production, indicating that these factors might be associated with the cell protective effects of CsA. These results suggest that CsA could protect the oxidative stress-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis not only by preventing the loss of ΔΨm in mitochondria, but also through ROS generation, Hsp70, and iNOS up-regulation. PMID:12411407

Altered proteomic polymorphisms in the caterpillar body and stroma of natural Cordyceps sinensis during maturation.

PubMed

Dong, Yun-Zi; Zhang, Li-Juan; Wu, Zi-Mei; Gao, Ling; Yao, Yi-Sang; Tan, Ning-Zhi; Wu, Jian-Yong; Ni, Luqun; Zhu, Jia-Shi

2014-01-01

To examine the maturational changes in proteomic polymorphisms resulting from differential expression by multiple intrinsic fungi in the caterpillar body and stroma of natural Cordyceps sinensis (Cs), an integrated micro-ecosystem. The surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) biochip technique was used to profile the altered protein compositions in the caterpillar body and stroma of Cs during its maturation. The MS chromatograms were analyzed using density-weighted algorithms to examine the similarities and cluster relationships among the proteomic polymorphisms of the Cs compartments and the mycelial products Hirsutella sinensis (Hs) and Paecilomyces hepiali (Ph). SELDI-TOF MS chromatograms displayed dynamic proteomic polymorphism alterations among samples from the different Cs compartments during maturation. More than 1,900 protein bands were analyzed using density-weighted ZUNIX similarity equations and clustering methods, revealing integral polymorphism similarities of 57.4% between the premature and mature stromata and 42.8% between the premature and mature caterpillar bodies. The across-compartment similarity was low, ranging from 10.0% to 18.4%. Consequently, each Cs compartment (i.e., the stroma and caterpillar body) formed a clustering clade, and the 2 clades formed a Cs cluster. The polymorphic similarities ranged from 0.51% to 1.04% between Hs and the Cs compartments and were 2.8- to 4.8-fold higher (1.92%-4.34%) between Ph and the Cs compartments. The Hs and Ph mycelial samples formed isolated clades outside of the Cs cluster. Proteomic polymorphisms in the caterpillar body and stroma of Cs change dynamically during maturation. The proteomic polymorphisms in Hs and Ph differ from those in Cs, suggesting the presence of multiple Cs-associated fungi and multiple Ophiocordyceps sinensis genotypes with altered differential protein expression in the Cs compartments during maturation. In conjunction with prior mycological and molecular observations, the findings from this proteomic study support the integrated micro-ecosystem hypothesis for natural Cs.

Altered Proteomic Polymorphisms in the Caterpillar Body and Stroma of Natural Cordyceps sinensis during Maturation

PubMed Central

Wu, Zi-Mei; Gao, Ling; Yao, Yi-Sang; Tan, Ning-Zhi; Wu, Jian-Yong; Ni, Luqun; Zhu, Jia-Shi

2014-01-01

Objective To examine the maturational changes in proteomic polymorphisms resulting from differential expression by multiple intrinsic fungi in the caterpillar body and stroma of natural Cordyceps sinensis (Cs), an integrated micro-ecosystem. Methods The surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) biochip technique was used to profile the altered protein compositions in the caterpillar body and stroma of Cs during its maturation. The MS chromatograms were analyzed using density-weighted algorithms to examine the similarities and cluster relationships among the proteomic polymorphisms of the Cs compartments and the mycelial products Hirsutella sinensis (Hs) and Paecilomyces hepiali (Ph). Results: SELDI-TOF MS chromatograms displayed dynamic proteomic polymorphism alterations among samples from the different Cs compartments during maturation. More than 1,900 protein bands were analyzed using density-weighted ZUNIX similarity equations and clustering methods, revealing integral polymorphism similarities of 57.4% between the premature and mature stromata and 42.8% between the premature and mature caterpillar bodies. The across-compartment similarity was low, ranging from 10.0% to 18.4%. Consequently, each Cs compartment (i.e., the stroma and caterpillar body) formed a clustering clade, and the 2 clades formed a Cs cluster. The polymorphic similarities ranged from 0.51% to 1.04% between Hs and the Cs compartments and were 2.8- to 4.8-fold higher (1.92%–4.34%) between Ph and the Cs compartments. The Hs and Ph mycelial samples formed isolated clades outside of the Cs cluster. Conclusion Proteomic polymorphisms in the caterpillar body and stroma of Cs change dynamically during maturation. The proteomic polymorphisms in Hs and Ph differ from those in Cs, suggesting the presence of multiple Cs-associated fungi and multiple Ophiocordyceps sinensis genotypes with altered differential protein expression in the Cs compartments during maturation. In conjunction with prior mycological and molecular observations, the findings from this proteomic study support the integrated micro-ecosystem hypothesis for natural Cs. PMID:25310818

Highly stable and water-soluble monodisperse CsPbX3/SiO2 nanocomposites for white-LED and cells imaging.

PubMed

Ding, Nan; Zhou, Donglei; Sun, Xuke; Xu, Wen; Xu, Hongwei; Pan, Gencai; Li, Dongyu; Zhang, Shuang; Dong, Biao; Song, Hongwei

2018-08-24

In spite of the excellent optical properties of all-inorganic halide perovskite quantum dots (PQDs), they still suffer from inherent poor stability even when exposed to moisture from the atmosphere, restricting their applications, especially in white-light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and cells imaging. Here, we proposed a strategy by encapsulating the CsPbX 3 (X = Cl, Br, I) PQDs into silica nanoplates to prepare highly stable and water-soluble CsPbX 3 /SiO 2 nanocomposites. First, the 120 nm monodisperse CsPbX 3 /SiO 2 nanocomposites inlayed with several CsPbX 3 PQDs were fabricated via the modified Stöber method. After coating, their stability exposed in the air was largely improved for all the CsPbX 3 (X = Cl, Br, I) PQDs without changing their emission peaks and full-width at half-maximum, attributed to the suppression of the anion-exchange and decomposition. Moreover, further experiments demonstrated that the CsPbX 3 /SiO 2 nanocomposites were highly water-soluble and stable in the water. Their applications in LEDs and cell imaging demonstrated their ultrastability and high biocompatibility. Therefore, this study shows the possibility of their use in photoelectric devices and biological applications.

Exciton-to-Dopant Energy Transfer in Mn-Doped Cesium Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals.

PubMed

Parobek, David; Roman, Benjamin J; Dong, Yitong; Jin, Ho; Lee, Elbert; Sheldon, Matthew; Son, Dong Hee

2016-12-14

We report the one-pot synthesis of colloidal Mn-doped cesium lead halide (CsPbX 3 ) perovskite nanocrystals and efficient intraparticle energy transfer between the exciton and dopant ions resulting in intense sensitized Mn luminescence. Mn-doped CsPbCl 3 and CsPb(Cl/Br) 3 nanocrystals maintained the same lattice structure and crystallinity as their undoped counterparts with nearly identical lattice parameters at ∼0.2% doping concentrations and no signature of phase separation. The strong sensitized luminescence from d-d transition of Mn 2+ ions upon band-edge excitation of the CsPbX 3 host is indicative of sufficiently strong exchange coupling between the charge carriers of the host and dopant d electrons mediating the energy transfer, essential for obtaining unique properties of magnetically doped quantum dots. Highly homogeneous spectral characteristics of Mn luminescence from an ensemble of Mn-doped CsPbX 3 nanocrystals and well-defined electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of Mn 2+ in host CsPbX 3 nanocrystal lattices suggest relatively uniform doping sites, likely from substitutional doping at Pb 2+ . These observations indicate that CsPbX 3 nanocrystals, possessing many superior optical and electronic characteristics, can be utilized as a new platform for magnetically doped quantum dots expanding the range of optical, electronic, and magnetic functionality.

Antioxidant Protective Effect of Honey in Cigarette Smoke-Induced Testicular Damage in Rats

PubMed Central

Mohamed, Mahaneem; Sulaiman, Siti Amrah; Jaafar, Hasnan; Sirajudeen, Kuttulebbai Nainamohamed Salam

2011-01-01

Cigarette smoke (CS) can cause testicular damage and we investigated the possible protective effect of honey against CS-induced testicular damage and oxidative stress in rats. CS exposure (8 min, 3 times daily) and honey supplementation (1.2 g/kg daily) were given for 13 weeks. Rats exposed to CS significantly had smaller seminiferous tubules diameter and epithelial height, lower Leydig cell count and increased percentage of tubules with germ cell loss. CS also produced increased lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, as well as reduced total antioxidant status (TAS) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). However, supplementation of honey significantly reduced histological changes and TBARS level, increased TAS level, as well as significantly restored activities of GPx, SOD and CAT in rat testis. These findings may suggest that honey has a protective effect against damage and oxidative stress induced by CS in rat testis. PMID:22016605

Antioxidant protective effect of honey in cigarette smoke-induced testicular damage in rats.

PubMed

Mohamed, Mahaneem; Sulaiman, Siti Amrah; Jaafar, Hasnan; Sirajudeen, Kuttulebbai Nainamohamed Salam

2011-01-01

Cigarette smoke (CS) can cause testicular damage and we investigated the possible protective effect of honey against CS-induced testicular damage and oxidative stress in rats. CS exposure (8 min, 3 times daily) and honey supplementation (1.2 g/kg daily) were given for 13 weeks. Rats exposed to CS significantly had smaller seminiferous tubules diameter and epithelial height, lower Leydig cell count and increased percentage of tubules with germ cell loss. CS also produced increased lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, as well as reduced total antioxidant status (TAS) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). However, supplementation of honey significantly reduced histological changes and TBARS level, increased TAS level, as well as significantly restored activities of GPx, SOD and CAT in rat testis. These findings may suggest that honey has a protective effect against damage and oxidative stress induced by CS in rat testis.

Temperature and composition phase diagram in the iron-based ladder compounds Ba 1 - x Cs x Fe 2 Se 3

DOE PAGES

Hawai, Takafumi; Nambu, Yusuke; Ohgushi, Kenya; ...

2015-05-28

We investigated the iron-based ladder compounds (Ba,Cs)Fe₂Se₃. Their parent compounds BaFe₂Se₃ and CsFe₂Se₃ have different space groups, formal valences of Fe, and magnetic structures. Electrical resistivity, specific heat, magnetic susceptibility, x-ray diffraction, and powder neutron diffraction measurements were conducted to obtain a temperature and composition phase diagram of this system. Block magnetism observed in BaFe₂Se₃ is drastically suppressed with Cs doping. In contrast, stripe magnetism observed in CsFe₂Se₃ is not so fragile against Ba doping. A new type of magnetic structure appears in intermediate compositions, which is similar to stripe magnetism of CsFe₂Se₃, but interladder spin configuration is different. Intermediatemore » compounds show insulating behavior, nevertheless a finite T-linear contribution in specific heat was obtained at low temperatures.« less

Histological changes in male accessory reproductive organs in rats exposed to cigarette smoke and the protective effect of honey supplementation.

PubMed

Mohamed, Mahaneem; Sulaiman, Siti Amrah; Jaafar, Hasnan

2012-01-01

The effect of cigarette smoke (CS) on histology of male accessory reproductive organs and the possible protective effect of honey supplementation in rats were investigated in this study. Rats received distilled water, honey, CS exposure or honey plus CS exposure. Honey (1.2 g/kg body weight/day) was administered by gavage and CS exposure (3 times per day) was done in a chamber for 13 weeks. CS exposure significantly increased relative weight of epididymis and ventral prostate. There were also significantly increased number of clear cells and epithelial height of cauda epididymis as well as severe interstitial oedema and decreased epithelial height of prostate gland. However, with the supplementation of honey, these histological changes were significantly reversed suggesting the protective effect of honey against the toxic effect of CS on male accessory reproductive organs in rats.

Transport of the radioisotopes iodine-131, cesium-134, and cesium-137 from the fallout following the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor into cheesemaking products.

PubMed

Assimakopoulos, P A; Ioannides, K G; Pakou, A A; Papadopoulou, C V; Paradopoulou, C V

1987-07-01

The transport of radiation contamination from milk to products of the cheese making process has been studied. The concentration of radioactive iodine and cesium in samples of sheep milk and cheese (Gruyère) products was measured for 10 consecutive production d. Milk with concentration 100 Bq/L in each of the radionuclides 131I, 134Cs, and 137Cs cheese with concentration 82.2 +/- 3.9 Bq/kg in iodine and an average of 42.3 +/- 2.3 Bq/kg in the cesium isotopes is produced. The corresponding concentrations in cream extracted from the same milk are 26.7 +/- 2.8 Bq/kg (131I) and 18.6 +/- 1.9 Bq/kg (134Cs, 137Cs).

Chemical modification of chitosan film via surface grafting of citric acid molecular to promote the biomineralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yang; Shen, Xin; Zhou, Huan; Wang, Yingjun; Deng, Linhong

2016-05-01

We develop a novel chitosan-citric acid film (abbreviated as CS-CA) suitable for biomedical applications in this study. In this CS-CA film, the citric acid, which is a harmless organic acid has been extensively investigated as a modifying agent on carbohydrate polymers, was cross-linked by 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) onto the surface of chitosan (CS) film. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirms the graft copolymerization of the modified chitosan film (CS-CA). Surface wettability, moisturizing performance, the capacity of mineralization in vitro and biocompatibility of the films were characterized. After modification, this CS-CA film has good hydrophilicity. It is very evident that the citric acid grafting treatment significantly promotes the biomineralization of the chitosan based substrates. Cell experiments show that the MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts can adhere and proliferate well on the surface of CS-CA film. This CS-CA film, which can be prepared in large quantities and at low cost, should have potential application in bone tissue engineering.

Deposition in Chiba prefecture, Japan, of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant fallout.

PubMed

Ishii, Nobuyoshi; Tagami, Keiko; Takata, Hyoe; Fujita, Kazuhiro; Kawaguchi, Isao; Watanabe, Yoshito; Uchida, Shigeo

2013-02-01

Radioactivity from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (F-1NPP) accident in deposition samples has been monitored at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, located about 220 km south-southwest of the F-1NPP. Sampling was carried out from 15 March 2011, two to three times a day for 10 d and then once a day until 22 April 2011. Gamma-ray spectrometry of fallout deposition samples revealed the presence of (131)I, (132)I, (132)Te, (134)Cs, and (137)Cs. The largest deposition was observed during 7:00-16:00 on 21 March. The estimated total deposition densities at NIRS were 1.40 × 10(5) Bq m(-2) for (131)I, 4.12 × 10(4) Bq m(-2) for (132)Te, 1.45 × 10(4) Bq m(-2) for (134)Cs, and 1.48 × 10(4) Bq m(-2) for (137)Cs (corrected to 11 March 2011). The obtained densities of (134)Cs and (137)Cs were also supported by the accumulated amount of (134)Cs and (137)Cs in soil near the deposition sampling site. For the vertical profile of those radionuclides in soil at NIRS, about 94% of the total deposition was distributed in the top 10 mm depth on 26 April 2011.

A new ion selective electrode for cesium (I) based on calix[4]arene-crown-6 compounds.

PubMed

Ramanjaneyulu, P S; Kumar, Abha Naveen; Sayi, Y S; Ramakumar, K L; Nayak, S K; Chattopadhyay, S

2012-02-29

A polyvinylchloride (PVC) based liquid membrane ion selective electrode (ISE) for cesium has been developed. 25,27-Dihydroxycalix[4]arene-crown-6 (L1), 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-dimethoxycalix[4]arene-crown-6 (L2) and 25,27-bis(1-octyloxy)calix[4]arene-crown-6 (L3) were investigated for their use as ionophores. The cation exchange resin DOWEX-50W was used to maintain low activity Cs+ in inner filling solution to improve the performance. The best response for cesium was observed with L3 along with optimized membrane constituents and composition. Excellent Nernstian response (56.6 mV/decade of Cs(I)) over the concentration range 10(-7) to 10(-2)M of Cs(I) was obtained with a fast response time of less than 10s. Detection limit for Cs(I) using the present ISE is 8.48×10(-8) M Cs(I). Separate solution method (SSM) was applied to ascertain the selectivity for Cs(I) over alkali, alkaline earth and transition metal ions. The response of ISE for Cs(I) was fairly constant over the pH range of 4-11. The lifetime of the electrode is 10 months which is the highest life for any membrane based Cs-ISE so far developed. The concentration of cesium ion in two simulated high level active waste streams was determined and results agreed well with those obtained independently employing AAS. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The role of abscisic acid in regulating cucumber fruit development and ripening and its transcriptional regulation.

PubMed

Wang, Yanping; Wang, Ya; Ji, Kai; Dai, Shengjie; Hu, Ying; Sun, Liang; Li, Qian; Chen, Pei; Sun, Yufei; Duan, Chaorui; Wu, Yan; Luo, Hao; Zhang, Dian; Guo, Yangdong; Leng, Ping

2013-03-01

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), a kind of fruit usually harvested at the immature green stage, belongs to non-climacteric fruit. To investigate the contribution of abscisic acid (ABA) to cucumber fruit development and ripening, variation in ABA level was investigated and a peak in ABA level was found in pulp before fruit get fully ripe. To clarify this point further, exogenous ABA was applied to cucumber fruits at two different development stages. Results showed that ABA application at the turning stage promotes cucumber fruit ripening, while application at the immature green stage had inconspicuous effects. In addition, with the purpose of understanding the transcriptional regulation of ABA, two partial cDNAs of CsNCED1 and CsNCED2 encoding 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED), a key enzyme in ABA biosynthetic pathway; one partial cDNA of CsCYP707A1 for 8'-hydroxylase, a key enzyme in the oxidative catabolism of ABA and two partial cDNAs of CsBG1 and CsBG2 for β-glucosidase (BG) that hydrolyzes ABA glucose ester (ABA-GE) to release active ABA were cloned from cucumber. The DNA and deduced amino acid sequences of these obtained genes respectively showed high similarities to their homologous genes in other plants. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that ABA content may be regulated by its biosynthesis (CsNCEDs), catabolism (CsCYP707A1) and reactivation genes (CsBGs) at the transcriptional level during cucumber fruit development and ripening, in response to ABA application, dehydration and pollination, among which CsNCED1, CsCYP707A1 and CsBG1 were highly expressed in pulp and may play more important roles in regulating ABA metabolism. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitors For Spaceflight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buxton, R. E.; West, M. R.; Kalogera, K. L.; Hanson, A. M.

2016-01-01

Heart rate monitoring is required for crewmembers during exercise aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and will be for future exploration missions. The cardiovascular system must be sufficiently stressed throughout a mission to maintain the ability to perform nominal and contingency/emergency tasks. High quality heart rate data are required to accurately determine the intensity of exercise performed by the crewmembers and show maintenance of VO2max. The quality of the data collected on ISS is subject to multiple limitations and is insufficient to meet current requirements. PURPOSE: To evaluate the performance of commercially available Bluetooth heart rate monitors (BT_HRM) and their ability to provide high quality heart rate data to monitor crew health aboard the ISS and during future exploration missions. METHODS: Nineteen subjects completed 30 data collection sessions of various intensities on the treadmill and/or cycle. Subjects wore several BT_HRM technologies for each testing session. One electrode-based chest strap (CS) was worn, while one or more optical sensors (OS) were worn. Subjects were instrumented with a 12-lead ECG to compare the heart rate data from the Bluetooth sensors. Each BT_HRM data set was time matched to the ECG data and a +/-5bpm threshold was applied to the difference between the 2 data sets. Percent error was calculated based on the number of data points outside the threshold and the total number of data points. RESULTS: The electrode-based chest straps performed better than the optical sensors. The best performing CS was CS1 (1.6% error), followed by CS4 (3.3% error), CS3 (6.4% error), and CS2 (9.2% error). The OS resulted in 10.4% error for OS1 and 14.9% error for OS2. CONCLUSIONS: The highest quality data came from CS1, but unfortunately it has been discontinued by the manufacturer. The optical sensors have not been ruled out for use, but more investigation is needed to determine how to obtain the best quality data. CS2 will be used in an ISS Bluetooth validation study, because it simultaneously transmits magnetic pulse that is integrated with existing exercise hardware on ISS. The simultaneous data streams allow for beat-to-beat comparison between the current ISS standard and CS2. Upon Bluetooth validation aboard ISS, the research team will down select a new BT_HRM for operational use.

A pharmacologically-based array to identify targets of cyclosporine A-induced toxicity in cultured renal proximal tubule cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sarró, Eduard, E-mail: eduard.sarro@vhir.org; Renal Physiopathology, CIBBIM-Nanomedicine, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute; Jacobs-Cachá, Conxita, E-mail: conxita.jacobs@vhir.org

2012-01-15

Mechanisms of cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced nephrotoxicity were generally thought to be hemodynamic in origin; however, there is now accumulating evidence of a direct tubular effect. Although genomic and proteomic experiments by our group and others provided overall information on genes and proteins up- or down-regulated by CsA in proximal tubule cells (PTC), a comprehensive view of events occurring after CsA exposure remains to be described. For this purpose, we applied a pharmacologic approach based on the use of known activities of a large panel of potentially protective compounds and evaluated their efficacy in preventing CsA toxicity in cultured mouse PTC.more » Our results show that compounds that blocked protein synthesis and apoptosis, together with the CK2 inhibitor DMAT and the PI3K inhibitor apigenin, were the most efficient in preventing CsA toxicity. We also identified GSK3, MMPs and PKC pathways as potential targets to prevent CsA damage. Additionally, heparinase-I and MAPK inhibitors afforded partial but significant protection. Interestingly, antioxidants and calcium metabolism-related compounds were unable to ameliorate CsA-induced cytotoxicity. Subsequent experiments allowed us to clarify the hierarchical relationship of targeted pathways after CsA treatment, with ER stress identified as an early effector of CsA toxicity, which leads to ROS generation, phenotypical changes and cell death. In summary, this work presents a novel experimental approach to characterizing cellular responses to cytotoxics while pointing to new targets to prevent CsA-induced toxicity in proximal tubule cells. Highlights: ► We used a novel pharmacological approach to elucidate cyclosporine (CsA) toxicity. ► The ability of a broad range of compounds to prevent CsA toxicity was evaluated. ► CsA toxicity was monitored using LDH release assay and PARP cleavage. ► Protein synthesis, PI3K, GSK3, MMP, PKC and caspase inhibitors prevented CsA toxicity. ► We also identified ER stress as an early effector of CsA toxicity.« less

Carbon disulfide exposure estimate and prevalence of chronic diseases after carbon disulfide poisoning-related occupational diseases.

PubMed

Chung, Hweemin; Youn, Kanwoo; Kim, Kyuyeon; Park, Kyunggeun

2017-01-01

In Korea, Carbon disulfide (CS 2 ) toxicity was an important social problem from the late 1980s to the early 1990s but there have been few large-scale studies examining the prevalence of diseases after CS 2 exposure discontinuance. So we investigated past working exposure to CS 2 characteristics from surviving ex-workers of a rayon manufacturing plant including cumulative CS 2 exposure index. Furthermore, we studied the prevalence of their chronic diseases recently after many years. We interviewed 633 ex-workers identified as CS 2 poisoning-related occupational diseases to determine demographic and occupational characteristics and reviewed their medical records. The work environment measurement data from 1992 was used as a reference. Based on the interviews and foreign measurement documents, weights were assigned to the reference concentrations followed by calculation of individual exposure index, the sum of the portion of each time period multiplied by the concentrations of CS 2 during that period. The cumulative exposure index was 128.2 ppm on average. Workers from the spinning, electrical equipment repair, and motor repair departments were exposed to high concentrations of ≥10 ppm. Workers from the maintenance of the ejector, manufacturing of CS 2, post-process, refining, maintenance and manufacturing of viscose departments were exposed to low concentrations below 10 ppm. The prevalence for hypertension, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, arrhythmia, psychoneurotic disorder, disorders of the nervous system and sensory organ were 69.2%, 13.9%, 24.8%, 24.5%, 1.3%, 65.7%, 72.4% respectively. We estimated the individual cumulative CS 2 exposure based on interviews and foreign measurement documents, and work environment measurement data. Comparing the work environment measurement data from 1992, these values were similar to them. After identified as CS 2 poisoning, there are subjects over 70 years of average age with disorders of the nervous system and sensory organs, hypertension, psychoneurotic disorder, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and arrhythmia. Because among ex-workers of the rayon manufacturing plant, only 633 survivors recognized as CS 2 poisoning were studied, the others not identified as CS 2 poisoning should also be investigated in the future.

Ablation of atrial-ventricular junction tissues via the coronary sinus using cryo balloon technology.

PubMed

Avitall, Boaz; Lafontaine, Daniel; Rozmus, Grzegorz; Adoni, Naveed; Dehnee, Abed; Urbonas, Arvydas; Le, Khoi M; Aleksonis, Dinas

2005-04-01

The coronary sinus (CS) can provide access to targets across and within the atrioventricular (AV) junction. In 12 dogs (32 +/- 3 Kg), cryo balloons (10-19 mm) were applied to regions of the AV junction for 3 minutes at a temperature of -75.9( composite function) +/- 9(composite function)C (ranging -57 to -83). Electrical activity and pacing within the CS were assessed pre and post ablation and at least 3 months later in 9 dogs. In the 3 other dogs, hearts were examined immediately after cryo ablation. CS and circumflex angiography was performed pre and post ablation. The hearts, CS, and Cx were then examined for structural injury. The AV junction was sectioned and the hearts were immersed in Tetrazolium, and the lesions were inspected for transmurality across the AV groove. In 3/12 dogs the distal CS cryo lesions resulted in inferior ST segment depression that resolved within 5 minutes. There was no arrhythmia or hemodynamic changes. No CS electrical activity was noted post ablation. The pacing threshold increased from 2 +/- 2.3 mA to 7.4 +/- 3.6 mA (p < 0.001). Pathological examination of 3 acute hearts revealed hematomas. There was no pericardial effusion. No evidence of stenosis or thrombosis was seen within the CS and the circumflex artery. After 3 months of recovery, transmural lesions across the AV groove were present in all of the targeted AV regions. Intra-CS cryo balloon ablation is safe and can potentially replace endocardial RF ablation targeting the AV junction and the CS muscular sleeve.

Investigation of the intestinal permeability of ciclosporin using the in situ technique in rats and the relevance of P-glycoprotein.

PubMed

Zakeri-Milani, Parvin; Valizadeh, Hadi; Islambulchilar, Ziba; Damani, Sanaz; Mehtari, Maryam

2008-01-01

The primary endpoint of this study was to determine the intestinal permeability of ciclosporin (cyclosporine A, CsA, CAS 59865-13-3) using the single-pass intestinal perfusion technique (SPIP) and a range of concentrations in rats. The second objective was to assess the quantitative contribution of P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated efflux in limiting the oral bioavailability of CsA using erythromycin (Ery, CAS 114-07-8) as an inhibitor of P-gp efflux transporter. A solution containing CsA and phenol red either in the presence or in the absence of Ery as a P-gp inhibitor was perfused through a cannulated jejunal segment in rats. Outlet samples were collected every 10 min in micro tubes up to 90 min. Samples were analyzed using a modified reverse phase HPLC method. The mean effective permeability coefficients (Peff) of CsA in concentrations of 5, 10, 15 and 20 micromol/L in the perfusion solution were found to be 2.21 (+/- 0.26) x 10(-4) cm/s, 3.34 (+/- 1.29) x 10(-4) cm/s, 3.12 (+/- 0.23) x 10(-4) cm/s and 2.73 (+/- 0.28) x 10(-4) cm/s, respectively. The corresponding values in the presence of Ery were found to be 3.96 (+/- 1.04) x 10(-4) cm/s, 5.34 (+/- 1.29) x 10(-4) cm/s, 3.72 (+/- 0.21) x 10(-4) cm/s and 4.41 (+/- 0.89) x 10(-4) cm/s, respectively. The two-tailed Student's t-test showed that the intestinal permeability of CsA was significantly increased by Ery in all four CsA concentrations used (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the Peff values of CsA in different concentrations, indicating that the CsA permeation was independent of the concentration. Therefore it is concluded that at least some part of the observed clinical interaction between Ery and CsA is due to the interaction in absorption level.

Catalytic hydrolysis of carbonyl sulphide and carbon disulphide over Fe2O3 cluster: Competitive adsorption and reaction mechanism.

PubMed

Ning, Ping; Song, Xin; Li, Kai; Wang, Chi; Tang, Lihong; Sun, Xin

2017-10-31

The competitive adsorption and reaction mechanism for the catalytic hydrolysis of carbonyl sulphide (COS) and carbon disulphide (CS 2 ) over Fe 2 O 3 cluster was investigated. Compared with experimental results, the theoretical study was used to further investigate the competitive adsorption and effect of H 2 S in the hydrolysis reaction of COS and CS 2 . Experimental results showed that Fe 2 O 3 cluster enhanced the catalytic hydrolysis effect. Meanwhile, H 2 S was not conducive to the hydrolysis of COS and CS 2 . Theoretical calculations indicated that the order of competitive adsorption on Fe 2 O 3 is as follows: H 2 O (strong) >CS 2 (medium) >COS (weak). In the hydrolysis process, the C=S bond cleavage occurs easier than C=O bond cleavage. The hydrolysis reaction is initiated via the migration of an H-atom, which triggers C=S bond cleavage and S-H bond formation. Additionally, we find the first step of CS 2 hydrolysis to be rate limiting. The presence of H 2 S increases the reaction energy barrier, which is not favourable for COS hydrolysis. Fe 2 O 3 can greatly decrease the maximum energy barrier, which decreases the minimum energy required for hydrolysis, making it relatively facile to occur. In general, the theoretical results were consistent with experimental results, which proved that the theoretical study was reliable.

Comparison of outcomes in early stage uterine carcinosarcoma and uterine serous carcinoma.

PubMed

Desai, Neil B; Kollmeier, Marisa A; Makker, Vicky; Levine, Douglas A; Abu-Rustum, Nadeem R; Alektiar, Kaled M

2014-10-01

To assess whether contemporary adjuvant management of early stage uterine carcinosarcoma (CS) produces equal outcomes as in uterine serous carcinoma (USC). We reviewed 172 women treated from 2000 to 2011 for stage I-II USC (n=112, 65%) or CS (n=60, 35%). Adjuvant therapy was initiated in 154 (90%) patients, with 111 patients receiving intravaginal radiotherapy (IVRT)/chemotherapy. Median follow up was 4.6 years for surviving patients. Characteristics for USC vs. CS did not differ significantly by age ≥60, pelvic or para-aortic node sampling, stage, lymphovascular invasion, chemotherapy use, RT use or omission of adjuvant therapy. Outcomes were better for USC vs. CS in 5-year actuarial rates of recurrence [17% (C.I. 10-25%) vs. 45% (C.I. 31-59%), p<0.001],disease-related mortality (DRM) [11% (5-17%) vs. 30% (16-44%), p=0.016], and all-cause mortality [12% (C.I. 6-18%) vs. 34% (C.I. 20-48%), p=0.007]. In multivariable analysis, CS histology remained a significant predictor of risk for recurrence [HR 3.1 (C.I. 1.7-5.7), p<0.001], DRM [HR 2.4 (C.I. 1.1-5.1), p=0.024], and all-cause mortality [HR 2.4 (C.I. 1.2-4.8), p=0.012]. On sub-group analysis of 111 patients (77 USC, 34 CS) able to receive IVRT/chemotherapy, CS no longer was associated significantly with increased recurrence (29% vs. 15%, p=0.18), DRM (22% vs. 10%, p=0.39), or all-cause mortality (22% vs. 10%, p=0.45). CS was associated with worse outcomes than USC. However, that difference was not maintained in patients able to receive IVRT and chemotherapy. While intriguing, this result may be due in part to selection against rapid early relapsing CS patients in this group. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Crystal Growth and Scintillation Properties of Eu2+ doped Cs4CaI6 and Cs4SrI6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stand, L.; Zhuravleva, M.; Chakoumakos, B.; Johnson, J.; Loyd, M.; Wu, Y.; Koschan, M.; Melcher, C. L.

2018-03-01

In this work we present the crystal growth and scintillation properties of two new ternarymetal halide scintillators activated with divalent europium, Cs4CaI6 and Cs4SrI6. Single crystals of each compound were grown in evacuated quartz ampoules via the vertical Bridgman technique using a two-zone transparent furnace. Single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments showed that both crystals have a trigonal (R-3c) structure, with a density of 3.99 g/cm3 and 4.03 g/cm3. The radioluminescence and photoluminescence measurements showed typical luminescence properties due to the 5d-4f radiative transitions in Eu2+. At this early stage of development Cs4SrI6:Eu and Cs4CaI6:Eu have shown very promising scintillation properties, with light yields and energy resolutions of 62,300 ph/MeV and 3.3%, and 51,800 photons/MeV and 3.6% at 662 keV, respectively.

Verbal instructions targeting valence alter negative conditional stimulus evaluations (but do not affect reinstatement rates).

PubMed

Luck, Camilla C; Lipp, Ottmar V

2018-02-01

Negative conditional stimulus (CS) valence acquired during fear conditioning may enhance fear relapse and is difficult to remove as it extinguishes slowly and does not respond to the instruction that unconditional stimulus (US) presentations will cease. We examined whether instructions targeting CS valence would be more effective. In Experiment 1, an image of one person (CS+) was paired with an aversive US, while another (CS-) was presented alone. After acquisition, participants were given positive information about the CS+ poser and negative information about the CS- poser. Instructions reversed the pattern of differential CS valence present during acquisition and eliminated differential electrodermal responding. In Experiment 2, we compared positive and negative CS revaluation by providing positive/negative information about the CS+ and neutral information about CS-. After positive revaluation, differential valence was removed and differential electrodermal responding remained intact. After negative revaluation, differential valence was strengthened and differential electrodermal responding was eliminated. Unexpectedly, the instructions did not affect the reinstatement of differential electrodermal responding.

Development and Measurement of Guidelines-Based Quality Indicators of Caesarean Section Care in the Netherlands: A RAND-Modified Delphi Procedure and Retrospective Medical Chart Review

PubMed Central

de Boer, Karin; Burggraaf, Henriëtte; Derks, Jan B.; van Dijk, Det; van Dillen, Jeroen; Dirksen, Carmen D.; Duvekot, Johannes J.; Franx, Arie; Hasaart, Tom H. M.; Huisjes, Anjoke J. M.; Kolkman, Diny; Kwee, Anneke; Mol, Ben W.; van Pampus, Mariëlle G.; de Roon-Immerzeel, Alieke; van Roosmalen, Jos J. M.; Roumen, Frans J. M. E.; Smid-Koopman, Ellen; Spaans, Wilbert A.; Visser, Harry; van Wijngaarden, Wim J.; Willekes, Christine; Wouters, Maurice G. A. J.

2016-01-01

Background There is an ongoing discussion on the rising CS rate worldwide. Suboptimal guideline adherence may be an important contributor to this rise. Before improvement of care can be established, optimal CS care in different settings has to be defined. This study aimed to develop and measure quality indicators to determine guideline adherence and identify target groups for improvement of care with direct effect on caesarean section (CS) rates. Method Eighteen obstetricians and midwives participated in an expert panel for systematic CS quality indicator development according to the RAND-modified Delphi method. A multi-center study was performed and medical charts of 1024 women with a CS and a stratified and weighted randomly selected group of 1036 women with a vaginal delivery were analysed. Quality indicator frequency and adherence were scored in 2060 women with a CS or vaginal delivery. Results The expert panel developed 16 indicators on planned CS and 11 indicators on unplanned CS. Indicator adherence was calculated, defined as the number of women in a specific obstetrical situation in which care was performed as recommended in both planned and unplanned CS settings. The most frequently occurring obstetrical situations with low indicator adherence were: 1) suspected fetal distress (frequency 17%, adherence 46%), 2) non-progressive labour (frequency 12%, CS performed too early in over 75%), 3) continuous support during labour (frequency 88%, adherence 37%) and 4) previous CS (frequency 12%), with adequate counselling in 15%. Conclusions We identified four concrete target groups for improvement of obstetrical care, which can be used as a starting point to reduce CS rates worldwide. PMID:26783742

Increasing the availability and quality of caesarean section in Tanzania.

PubMed

Nyamtema, A; Mwakatundu, N; Dominico, S; Mohamed, H; Shayo, A; Rumanyika, R; Kairuki, C; Nzabuhakwa, C; Issa, O; Lyimo, C; Kasiga, I; van Roosmalen, J

2016-09-01

To describe the results of increasing availability and quality of caesarean deliveries and anaesthesia in rural Tanzania. Before-after intervention study design. Rural Tanzania. Ten health centres located in rural areas were upgraded to provide comprehensive emergency obstetric care (CEmOC) and the four related district hospitals were supported. Upgrading entailed constructing and equipping maternity blocks, operation rooms and laboratories; installing solar systems, backup generators and water supply systems. Associate clinicians were trained in anaesthesia and in CEmOC. Mentoring and audit of reasons for caesarean section (CS) and maternal deaths were carried out. Measures of interest were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical tests. Trends in CS rates, proportion of unjustified CS, use of spinal anaesthesia, and the risk of death from complications related to CS and anaesthesia. During the audit period (2012-2014), 5868 of 58 751 deliveries were by CS (10%). The proportion of CS considered to be unjustified decreased from 30 to 17% in health centres (P = 0.02) and from 37 to 20% in hospitals (P < 0.001). Practice of spinal anaesthesia for CS increased from 10% to 64% in hospitals (P < 0.001). Of 110 maternal deaths, 18 (16.4%) were associated with complications of CS, giving a risk of 3.1 per 1000 CS; three (2.7%) were judged to be anaesthetic-associated deaths with a risk of 0.5 per 1000 caesarean deliveries. Increasing availability and quality of CS by improving infrastructure, training and audit of reasons for CS is feasible, acceptable and required in low resource settings. Increasing availability and quality of CS in rural Africa is feasible. © 2016 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Predicting interatrial septum rotation: is the position of the heart or the direction of the coronary sinus reliable?: Implications for interventional electrophysiologists from CT studies.

PubMed

Sun, Huan; Wang, Yanjing; Zhang, Zhenming; Liu, Lin; Yang, Ping

2015-04-01

Determining the location of the interatrial septum (IAS) is crucial for cardiac electrophysiology procedures. Empirical methods of predicting IAS orientation depend on anatomical landmarks, including determining it from the direction of the coronary sinus (CS) and the position of the heart (e.g., vertical or transverse). However, the reliability of these methods for predicting IAS rotation warrants further study. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical utility of the relationship between IAS orientation, CS direction, and heart position. Data from 115 patients undergoing coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography with no evidence of cardiac structural disease were collected and analyzed. Angulations describing IAS orientation, CS direction, and heart position were measured. The relationships between IAS orientation and each of the other two parameters were subsequently analyzed. The mean angulations for IAS orientation, CS direction, and heart position were 36.8 ± 7.3° (range 19.1-53.6), 37.7 ± 6.6° (range 21.3-50.1), and 37.1 ± 8.3° (range 19.2-61.0), respectively. We found a significant correlation between IAS orientation and CS direction (r = 0.928; P < 0.01), and the linear regression equation was drawn: IAS orientation = 2.01 + 1.03 × CS direction (r(2) = 0.86). No correlation was observed between IAS orientation and heart position (P = 0.86). In patients without structural heart disease, CS direction may be a reliable predictor of IAS orientation, and may serve as a helpful reference for clinicians during invasive electrophysiological procedures. Further study is warranted to clarify the relationship between IAS orientation and heart position. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a glucose transporter (CsGLUT) in Clonorchis sinensis.

PubMed

Ahn, Seong Kyu; Cho, Pyo Yun; Na, Byoung-Kuk; Hong, Sung-Jong; Nam, Ho-Woo; Sohn, Woon-Mok; Ardelli, Bernadette F; Park, Yun-Kyu; Kim, Tong-Soo; Cha, Seok Ho

2016-01-01

A complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding a glucose transporter of Clonorchis sinensis (CsGLUT) was isolated from the adult C. sinensis cDNA library. The open reading frame of CsGLUT cDNA consists of 1653 base pairs that encode a 550-amino acid residue protein. Hydropathy analysis suggested that CsGLUT possess 12 putative membrane-spanning domains. The Northern blot analysis result using poly(A)(+)RNA showed a strong band at ~2.1 kb for CsGLUT. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, CsGLUT mediated the transport of radiolabeled deoxy-D-glucose in a time-dependent but sodium-independent manner. Concentration-dependency results showed saturable kinetics and followed the Michaelis-Menten equation. Nonlinear regression analyses yielded a Km value of 588.5 ± 53.0 μM and a Vmax value of 1500.0 ± 67.5 pmol/oocyte/30 min for [1,2-(3)H]2-deoxy-D-glucose. No trans-uptakes of bile acid (taurocholic acid), amino acids (tryptophan and arginine), or p-aminohippuric acid were observed. CsGLUT-mediated transport of deoxyglucose was significantly and concentration-dependently inhibited by radio-unlabeled deoxyglucose and D-glucose. 3-O-Methylglucose at 10 and 100 μM inhibited deoxyglucose uptake by ~50 % without concentration dependence. No inhibitory effects by galactose, mannose, and fructose were observed. This work may contribute to the molecular biological study of carbohydrate metabolism and new drug development of C. sinensis.

Correlations among steroid fear, acceptability, usage frequency, quality of life and disease severity in childhood eczema.

PubMed

Hon, Kam Lun; Tsang, Yin Ching K; Pong, Nga Hin; Luk, David C K; Lee, Vivian W; Woo, Wing Man; Lam, Chak Yiu Justin; Yeung, Yun Ting Eunice; Chau, Yiu Shing Sunny; Chui, Ka Kam Kenneth; Li, Ka Hin Gabriel; Leung, Ting Fan

2015-10-01

Topical corticosteroids (CSs) are the mainstay of treatment for eczema but CS phobia and fears are prevalent and influence therapeutic efficacy. To quantify if CS acceptability and fear affect patients' quality-of-life (QoL). Patients with eczema managed in the pediatric dermatology outpatient clinic of a university hospital were surveyed. Nottingham Eczema Severity Score (NESS) for severity, Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) for QoL, CS fear, acceptability and reported frequency of CS use were measured with quantified questions. CS fears were prevalent among parents and caregivers of patients with eczema. Fifty-eight percent of parents reported general acceptability of CS as being very good or good, and many applied CS to their child regularly every week. However, >40% of parents reported CS fear "always" or "often", 41% reported that they "always" or "often" apply CS only when eczema got worse, 57% would discuss CS fear with their doctors, 30% would request CS-sparing medications and 14% "always" or "often" use traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Fears were predominantly interpersonal and less often iatrogenic in nature. Skin problems were the most concerned side effects of CS. CS acceptability, frequency of CS usage, CS fear and usage of alternative medications were independent domains in eczema management: CS fears correlated with CDLQI; CS usage frequency correlated with NESS and negatively with parental education; and CS acceptability correlated with parental education. Ordinal logistic regressions showed worse QoL was associated with more CS fear (odds ratio: 1.092 [95% CI: 1.023-1.165], p = 0.008). The extent of CS fears is independent of CS acceptability, but correlates with patients' QoL. Desensitization of parental CS fears should be integral part of eczema education and therapeutics in order to improve therapeutic efficacy and patients' QoL.

K2xSn4–xS8–x (x = 0.65–1): a new metal sulfide for rapid and selective removal of Cs+, Sr2+ and UO22+ ions† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Raman spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microgram, X-ray crystallographic file (CIF) containing crystallographic refinement details, atomic coordinates with equivalent isotropic displacement parameters, anisotropic displacement parameters, and selected bond distances for KTS-3. See DOI: 10.1039/c5sc03040d

PubMed Central

Sarma, Debajit; Malliakas, Christos D.; Subrahmanyam, K. S.; Islam, Saiful M.

2016-01-01

The fission of uranium produces radionuclides, 137Cs and 90Sr, which are major constituents of spent nuclear fuel. The half-life of 137Cs and 90Sr is nearly 30 years and thus that makes them harmful to human life and the environment. The selective removal of these radionuclides in the presence of high salt concentrations from industrial nuclear waste is necessary for safe storage. Here we report the synthesis and crystal structure of K2xSn4–xS8–x (x = 0.65–1, KTS-3) a material which exhibits excellent Cs+, Sr2+ and UO22+ ion exchange properties in varying conditions. The compound adopts a layered structure which consists of exchangeable potassium ions sandwiched between infinite layers of octahedral and tetrahedral tin centers. K2xSn4–xS8–x (x = 0.65–1, KTS-3) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with cell parameters a = 13.092(3) Å, b = 16.882(2) Å, c = 7.375(1) Å and β = 98.10(1)°. Refinement of the single crystal diffraction data revealed the presence of Sn vacancies in the tetrahedra that are long range ordered. The interlayer potassium ions of KTS-3 can be exchanged for Cs+, Sr2+ and UO22+. KTS-3 exhibits rapid and efficient ion exchange behavior in a broad pH range. The distribution coefficients (Kd) for KTS-3 are high for Cs+ (5.5 × 104), Sr2+ (3.9 × 105) and UO22+ (2.7 × 104) at neutral pH (7.4, 6.9, 5.7 ppm Cs+, Sr2+ and UO22+, respectively; V/m ∼ 1000 mL g–1). KTS-3 exhibits impressive Cs+, Sr2+ and UO22+ ion exchange properties in high salt concentration and over a broad pH range, which coupled with the low cost, environmentally friendly nature and facile synthesis underscores its potential in treating nuclear waste. PMID:29910868

Experimental investigation of the influence of Mo contained in stainless steel on Cs chemisorption behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Lemma, F. G.; Nakajima, K.; Yamashita, S.; Osaka, M.

2017-02-01

Chemisorption phenomena can affect fission products (FP) retention in a nuclear reactor vessel during a severe accident (SA). Detailed information on the FP chemisorbed deposits, especially for Cs, are important for a rational decommissioning of the reactor following a SA, as for the Fukushima Daiichi Power Station. Moreover the retention of Cs will influence the source term assessment and thus improved models for this phenomenon are needed in SA codes. This paper describes the influence on Cs chemisorption of molybdenum contained in stainless steel (SS) type 316. In our experiments it was observed that Cs-Mo deposits (CsFe(MoO4)3, Cs2MoO4) were formed together with CsFeSiO4, which is the predominant compound formed by chemisorption. The Cs-Mo deposits were found to revaporize from the SS sample at 1000 °C, and thus could contribute to the source term. On the other hand, CsFeSiO4 will be probably retained in the reactor during a SA due to its stability.

Carbon Disulfide (CS2) Interference in Glucose Metabolism from Unconventional Oil and Gas Extraction and Processing Emissions.

PubMed

Rich, Alisa L; Patel, Jay T; Al-Angari, Samiah S

2016-01-01

Carbon disulfide (CS2) has been historically associated with the manufacturing of rayon, cellophane, and carbon tetrachloride production. This study is one of the first to identify elevated atmospheric levels of CS2 above national background levels and its mechanisms to dysregulate normal glucose metabolism. Interference in glucose metabolism can indirectly cause other complications (diabetes, neurodegenerative disease, and retinopathy), which may be preventable if proper precautions are taken. Rich et al found CS2 and 12 associated sulfide compounds present in the atmosphere in residential areas where unconventional shale oil and gas extraction and processing operations were occurring. Ambient atmospheric concentrations of CS2 ranged from 0.7 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) to 103 ppbv over a continuous 24-hour monitoring period. One-hour ambient atmospheric concentrations ranged from 3.4 ppbv to 504.6 ppbv. Using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Urban Air Toxic Monitoring Program study as a baseline comparison for atmospheric CS2 concentrations found in this study, it was determined that CS2 atmospheric levels were consistently elevated in areas where unconventional oil and gas extraction and processing occurred. The mechanisms by which CS2 interferes in normal glucose metabolism by dysregulation of the tryptophan metabolism pathway are presented in this study. The literature review found an increased potential for alteration of normal glucose metabolism in viscose rayon occupational workers exposed to CS2. Occupational workers in the energy extraction industry exposed to CS2 and other sulfide compounds may have an increased potential for glucose metabolism interference, which has been an indicator for diabetogenic effect and other related health impacts. The recommendation of this study is for implementation of regular monitoring of blood glucose levels in CS2-exposed populations as a preventative health measure.

Synthesis and characterization of chitosan nanoparticles and their effect on Fusarium head blight and oxidative activity in wheat.

PubMed

Kheiri, A; Moosawi Jorf, S A; Malihipour, A; Saremi, H; Nikkhah, M

2017-09-01

The main aim of present study was to prepare chitosan (CS) and chitosan nanoparticles (CS/NPs) to evaluate their antifungal and oxidative activity. CS/NPs were prepared based on the ionic gelation of CS with tripolyphosphate (TPP) anions by using centrifugation and pH change. The obtained nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized by size and zeta potential analysis. The antifungal activity of the CS and CS/NPs were evaluated on the Fusarium graminearum, which causes Fusarium head blight (FHB) on wheat by the method of spraying on the Potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. The Dynamic light scattering (DLS) indicated that particle diameter (z-average) was approximately 180.9±35.5-339.4±50.9 and 225.7±42.81-595.7±81.7nm for NPs prepared from CS with different molecular weights by using centrifugation and pH change methods, respectively. Different concentrations of CS and NPs were tested to know the inhibitory effect of F. graminearum. Low molecular weight (LMW) CS and its NPs had high potential of antifungal activity on suppress of fungus growth. The maximum percentage of growth reduction was 68.18%, and 77.5% by CS and its NPs at concentrations of 1000 and 5000ppm, respectively. In greenhouse trials, at 28days after inoculation (dpi), the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) from 7 dpi to 28 dpi of control plants treated with acetic acid aqueous solution and distilled water was almost up to 7.36 and 7.7, respectively, while plants treated with CS and NPs only had approximately 3.61 and 3.34, respectively. Results revealed that H 2 O 2 accumulations displayed a different pattern during the activation of plant defense systems, it had brownish sites on the infected palea. Since 24h post inoculation (hpi), the H 2 O 2 accumulations were shown in both CS and NPs, and the elevated H 2 O 2 accumulation appeared in 72 hpi in both treatments. CS and NPs at high concentration increased the degree of tissue and cell injury. The obtained results clearly suggest that CS and its NPs have remarkable potential for further field screening towards crop protection. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grochola, A.; Kowalczyk, P.; Szczepkowski, J.

Comprehensive spectroscopic studies of hot and ultracold samples of NaCs molecules were combined to complete the investigation of the (3){Omega}=1 <- X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} transition for the NaCs molecule. Polarization labeling, photoassociation, and pulsed laser depletion spectroscopy were used to collect data on rovibrational levels of the (3){Omega}=1 state [here described as the c {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} state in Hund's case (a) notation]. The highest observed level was v=72 located {approx}5 GHz below the atomic asymptote Na(3 {sup 2}S{sub 1/2}) + Cs(6 {sup 2}P{sub 3/2}). Approximately 1400 levels were used to construct the potential energy curve of the (3){Omega}=1more » state for the full range of interatomic distances.« less

Topological and morphological analysis of gamma rays irradiated chitosan-poly (vinyl alcohol) blends using atomic force microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhatt, Rinkesh; Bisen, D. S.; Bajpai, R.; Bajpai, A. K.

2017-04-01

In the present communication, binary blends of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and chitosan (CS) were prepared by solution cast method and the roughness parameters of PVA, native CS and CS-PVA blend films were determined using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Moreover, the changes in the morphology of the samples were also investigated after irradiation of gamma rays at absorbed dose of 1 Mrad and 10 Mrad for the scanning areas of 5×5 μm2, 10×10 μm2 and 20×20 μm2. Amplitude, statistical and spatial parameters, including line, 3D and 2D image profiles of the experimental surfaces were examined and compared to un-irradiated samples. For gamma irradiated CS-PVA blends the larger waviness over the surface was found as compared to un-irradiated CS-PVA blends but the values of average roughness for both the films were found almost same. The coefficient of skewness was positive for gamma irradiated CS-PVA blends which revealed the presence of more peaks than valleys on the blend surfaces.

Bluetooth(Registered Trademark) Heart Rate Monitors for Spaceflight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buxton, Roxanne E.; West, Michael R.; Kalogera, Kent L.; Hanson, Andrea M.

2016-01-01

Heart rate monitoring is required during exercise for crewmembers aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and will be for future exploration missions. The cardiovascular system must be sufficiently stressed throughout a mission to maintain the ability to perform nominal and contingency/emergency tasks. High quality heart rate data is required to accurately determine the intensity of exercise performed by the crewmembers and show maintenance of VO2max. The quality of the data collected on ISS is subject to multiple limitations and is insufficient to meet current requirements. PURPOSE: To evaluate the performance of commercially available Bluetooth® heart rate monitors (BT_HRM) and their ability to provide high quality heart rate data to monitor crew health on board ISS and during future exploration missions. METHODS: Nineteen subjects completed 30 data collection sessions of various intensities on the treadmill and/or cycle. Subjects wore several BT_HRM technologies for each testing session. One electrode-based chest strap (CS) was worn, while one or more optical sensors (OS) was worn. Subjects were instrumented with a 12-lead ECG to compare the heart rate data from the Bluetooth sensors. Each BT_RHM data set was time matched to the ECG data and a +/-5bpm threshold was applied to the difference between the two data sets. Percent error was calculated based on the number of data points outside the threshold and the total number of data points. REULTS: The electrode-based chest straps performed better than the optical sensors. The best performing CS was CS1 (1.6%error), followed by CS4 (3.3%error), CS3 (6.4%error), and CS2 (9.2%error). The OS resulted in 10.4% error for OS1 and 14.9% error for OS2. CONCLUSIONS: The highest quality data came from CS1, unfortunately it has been discontinued by the manufacturer. The optical sensors have not been ruled out for use, but more investigation is needed to determine how to get the best quality data. CS2 will be used in an ISS Bluetooth validation study, because it simultaneously transmits Magnetic Pulse which is integrated with existing exercise hardware on ISS. The simultaneous data streams allow for beat to beat comparison between the current ISS standard and CS2.Upon Bluetooth(Registered Trademark) validation aboard ISS, down select of a new BT_HRM for operational use will be made.

On a viscous critical-stress model of martensitic phase transitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weatherwax, John; Vaynblat, Dimitri; Bruno, Oscar; Rosales, Ruben

2007-09-01

The solid-to-solid phase transitions that result from shock loading of certain materials, such as the graphite-to-diamond transition and the α-ɛ transition in iron, have long been subjects of a substantial theoretical and experimental literature. Recently a model for such transitions was introduced which, based on a CS condition (CS) and without use of fitting parameters, accounts quantitatively for existing observations in a number of systems [Bruno and Vaynblat, Proc. R. Soc. London, Ser. A 457, 2871 (2001)]. While the results of the CS model match the main features of the available experimental data, disagreements in some details between the predictions of this model and experiment, attributable to an ideal character of the CS model, do exist. In this article we present a version of the CS model, the viscous CS model (vCS), as well as a numerical method for its solution. This model and the corresponding solver results in a much improved overall CS modeling capability. The innovations we introduce include: (1) Enhancement of the model by inclusion of viscous phase-transition effects; as well as a numerical solver that allows for a fully rigorous treatment of both, the (2) Rarefaction fans (which had previously been approximated by "rarefaction discontinuities"), and (3) viscous phase-transition effects, that are part of the vCS model. In particular we show that the vCS model accounts accurately for well known "gradual" rises in the α-ɛ transition which, in the original CS model, were somewhat crudely approximated as jump discontinuities.

Characterization, Cytotoxicity, and Genotoxicity of TiO2 and Folate-Coupled Chitosan Nanoparticles Loading Polyprenol-Based Nanoemulsion.

PubMed

Tao, Ran; Wang, Chengzhang; Zhang, Changwei; Li, WenJun; Zhou, Hao; Chen, Hongxia; Ye, Jianzhong

2018-07-01

The structure and bioactivity of Ginkgo biloba leaves polyprenol (GBP) are similar to that of dolichol which widely exists in human and mammalian organs. GBP possesses potential pharmacological activities against cancer. This study involved oil-in-water type nanoemulsion (NE) loading GBP was prepared by dissolving polyprenol in nanoemulsion of sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP)/TiO 2 solution, Triton X-100, and 1-octanol by inversed-phase emulsification (EIP) and ultrasonic emulsification (UE) method. Folic acid (FA)-coupled chitosan (CS) nanoparticles (NPs), GBP-FA-CS-NPs and GBP-TiO 2 -FA-CS-NPs, were fabricated by ionic cross-linking of positively charged FA-CS conjugates and negatively charged nanoemulsion with TPP/TiO 2 . And characterizations of them were investigated by TEM, SEM, FTIR, particle size, and zeta potential. The cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of GBP-TiO 2 -FA-CS-NP treatment were higher than GBP-NE, GBP-FA-CS-NPs, TiO 2 -NE, GBP-TiO 2 -NE, TiO 2 -FA-CS-NPs, and GBP-TiO 2 -FA-CS-NP treatment at the same tested concentrations in HepG2 cells. GBP-TiO 2 -FA-CS-NPs at low TiO 2 concentration (from 1 to 2.5 μg/ml) showed good inhibition capacity on HepG2 cells and low cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on HL-7702 cells. The possible mechanism of cytotoxicity on GBP-TiO 2 -FA-CS-NPs against HepG2 cells is by preventing excessive intracellular Ca 2+ into extracellular spaces via inhibiting Ca 2+ -ATPase and Ca 2+ /Mg 2+ -ATPase.

Margaritasite: a new mineral of hydrothermal origin from the Pena Blanca uranium district, Mexico.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wenrich, K.J.; Modreski, P.J.; Zielinski, R.A.; Seeley, J.L.

1982-01-01

Margaritasite, (Cs,K,H3O)2(UO2)2V2O8.nH2O (where Cs > K, H3O and n approx 1), a 10.514, b 8.425, c 7.25 A, beta 106.01o, P21/a, Z = 2, is a newly recognized uranium ore mineral named for the Margaritas deposit, Pena Blanca uranium district, Chihuahua, Mexico, at which it was discovered. A Cs-rich analogue of carnotite, margaritasite is the natural equivalent of synthetic Cs-uranyl vanadate (A.M. 43- 799, 50-825). A fine-grained yellow mineral, it is most easily distinguished from carnotite by XRD; X-ray powder patterns (CuKalpha radiation) show that the (001) reflection of margaritasite lies at 12.7o (2theta ), while that of carnotite is found at 13.8o (2theta ). The shift of the (001) reflection in margaritasite reflects the structural changes caused when Cs occupies the sites filled by K in carnotite. Synthesis experiments indicate that margaritasite also differs from carnotite in a higher-T hydrothermal origin. Chemical analyses and XRD data for margaritasite and synthetic Cs- carnotite, and chemical analyses for rocks from Sierra Pena Blanca and vicinity, are tabulated.-J.A.Z.

Synthesis and characterization of F-doped Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} particles with improved near infrared shielding ability

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Jingxiao; Luo, Jiayu; Shi, Fei, E-mail: shifei@dlpu.edu.cn

2015-01-15

F-doped Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} particles were successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal method with hydrofluoric acid as fluorine source, and a new kind of heat insulating films were prepared from dispersion of Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} nanoparticles in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) aqueous solution. The effects of F doping on the crystal structure and morphology of Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} particles as well as the near-infrared (NIR) shielding ability and heat insulation properties of Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} films were investigated. The results indicated that HF acid addition could promote the formation of rod-like Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} particles during hydrothermalmore » synthesis and increase the yield of Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} powders. Moreover, the as-prepared films from dispersion solution of Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} particles exhibited higher near-infrared (NIR) shielding ability and heat insulating properties than that of the undoped Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3} film. Particularly, the as-prepared Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} sample with F/W (molar ratio)=0.45 showed best NIR shielding ability and transparent heat insulating performance. The formation mechanism of nanorod-like particles and the effects of F doping on the properties of Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} products were discussed. - Graphical abstract: F-doped Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} particles were successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal method with hydrofluoric acid as fluorine source. HF acid addition in the precursor solution could increase the yield of Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} powders and promote the formation of rod-like Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} particles. Moreover, the as-prepared Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} films from dispersion solution of Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} particles exhibited higher near-infrared (NIR) shielding ability and heat insulating properties than that of the undoped Cs{sub x}WO{sub 3} film. Particularly, the as-prepared Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} sample with F/W (molar ratio)=0.45 showed best NIR shielding ability and transparent heat insulating performance. - Highlights: • F-doped Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} powders were successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal method. • HF acid addition could promote the formation of rod-like Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} particles. • The near infrared shielding ability of Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3} was further improved by F doping. • The Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3−x}F{sub x} films exhibited higher transparent heat insulation than Cs{sub 0.33}WO{sub 3}.« less

Evaluation and assessment of 25 years of environmental radioactivity monitoring data at Tarapur (India) nuclear site.

PubMed

Rao, D D; Baburajan, A; Sudheendran, V; Verma, P C; Hegde, A G

2010-08-01

The evaluation and assessment of monitoring data generated over a period of 1983-2007 (25 years) of a nuclear facility is presented. Time trends of particulate radioactivity, correlation between (137)Cs in discharge canal seawater and station discharged activity and correlation of (137)Cs, (60)Co, and (131)I in marine species such as sponge and Nerita (gastropod) and corresponding discharged activity are discussed. The concentration of (137)Cs and (131)I in seawater versus biota are discussed. A good correlation between (137)Cs in seawater and (137)Cs in liquid waste discharged was observed (R(2) = 0.8, p < 0.001). Similarly, correlation was good for Nerita and discharged concentration of (137)Cs, (131)I and (60)Co (R(2) = 0.55-0.73 and p < 0.001). The measurements over the years indicated that there is no accumulation of radionuclides in either the terrestrial or aquatic environments. The mean (137)Cs decreased from the pre-operational levels: 7.0-3.6 Bq kg(-1) in soil, 0.91-0.016 Bq L(-1) in milk and 0.28-0.036 Bq kg(-1) in vegetation. Similarly, the mean (90)Sr in these matrixes decreased from 3.9 to 0.26 Bq kg(-1); 0.37-0.011 Bq L(-1) and 0.34-0.022 Bq kg(-1) respectively. Cesium-137 of about 700 microBq m(-3) was measured in the air filter disks during 1986 and there was a decrease of three orders of magnitude in concentration over the 25 years. The evaluation of environmental data indicated that the radionuclide concentrations and potential impacts, in terms of effective dose to the members of public, have significantly reduced since 1969. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quasi-self-trapped Frenkel-exciton near-UV luminescence with large Stokes shift in wide-bandgap Cs4PbCl6 nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yumeng; Fan, Baolu; Liu, Yuzhen; Li, Hongxia; Deng, Kaiming; Fan, Jiyang

2018-04-01

Inorganic lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have attracted great interest owing to their superior luminescence and optoelectronic properties. In comparison to cubic CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, or I) that has visible luminescence, trigonal Cs4PbX6 has a much larger bandgap and distinct optical properties. Little has been known about the luminescence properties of the Cs4PbX6 NCs. In this study, we synthesize the well-crystallized Cs4PbCl6 NCs with sizes of 2.2-11.8 nm, which exhibit stable and near-UV luminescence (with a lifetime of 19.7-24.2 ns) with a remarkable quantum confinement effect at room temperature. In comparison to the negligible Stokes shift in the CsPbCl3 NCs, the Stokes shift of the Cs4PbCl6 NCs is very large (0.91 eV). The experimental results in combination with the first-principles calculations reveal that the near-UV luminescence of the Cs4PbCl6 NCs stems from the Frenkel excitons self-trapped in the isolated PbCl64- octahedrons. This is different from the CsPbCl3 NCs whose luminescence originates from the free Wannier excitons. The theoretical model based on the lattice relaxation is proposed to account for the large Stokes shift and its abnormal decrease with the decreasing particle size.

Pharmacology of o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS)

PubMed Central

Brimblecombe, R. W.; Green, D. M.; Muir, A. W.

1972-01-01

1. The effects of o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) have been studied on several isolated organs and tissues, anaesthetized animals and cat encéphale isolé preparations. 2. On the isolated guinea-pig ileum an initial dose of CS produced a small, non-maintained contraction. Subsequent doses had reduced effects. There was no effect on peristalsis when the substance was given intraluminally. 3. No significant effects of CS were detected on the rat phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation, the isolated perfused rabbit heart or on the contractor response of the indirectly stimulated cat tibialis muscle. 4. In the cat encéphale isolé preparation 1 mg/kg (i.v.) produced a brief period of electrocortical alerting but no abnormal activity in the electrocorticogram. Doses in excess of 10 mg/kg produced cortical depression. 5. Intravascular injection into the chloralose anaesthetized cat resulted typically in a pressor response accompanied by a brief period of apnoea. The threshold dose for the pressor response varied with the route of administration, but generally lay between 2·5 and 12·5 μg/kg; the threshold dose for apnoea was slightly higher. Small variations in this pattern of response were seen with different species and other anaesthetics. 6. When administered by stomach tube to chloralose anaesthetized cats, CS produced no measurable effects at doses of up to 100 mg/kg. 7. No changes in blood pressure or respiration were detected in anaesthetized cats given pure CS aerosol for 1 h in concentrations of between 345 mg/m3 and 1·39 g/m3 via a tracheal cannula or through the upper respiratory tract. Pure CS solution given by slow intravenous infusion at a similar dose and over a similar period produced significant effects on blood pressure and respiration. 8. Pyrotechnically generated (grenade) CS produced variable effects when given by inhalation in concentrations of between 460 and 1,040 mg/m3 for 1 hour. Respiratory depression, possibly reflex in nature, regularly occurred when the material was given via the upper respiratory tract, and respiratory stimulation occurred when it was given via a tracheal cannula. 9. Some cats were pre-exposed to a dose of 500 (mg/min)/m3 on 4 successive days and on the fifth day anaesthetized and exposed to high concentrations of grenade CS. Three out of six cats died during or after this final exposure compared to one out of six among animals not so pre-exposed. The general pattern of response to the final exposure to CS in the two groups was similar. PMID:5040666

Cs phytoremediation by Sorghum bicolor cultivated in soil and in hydroponic system.

PubMed

Wang, Xu; Chen, Can; Wang, Jianlong

2017-04-03

Cs accumulation characteristics by Sorghum bicolor were investigated in hydroponic system (Cs level at 50-1000 μmol/L) and in soil (Cs-spiked concentration was 100 and 400 mg/kg soil). Two varieties of S. bicolor Cowly and Nengsi 2# grown on pot soil during the entire growth period (100 days) did not show significant differences on the height, dry weight (DW), and Cs accumulation. S. bicolor showed the potential phytoextraction ability for Cs-contaminated soil with the bioaccumulation factor (BCF) and the translocation factor (TF) values usually higher than 1 in soil system and in hydroponic system. The aerial parts of S. bicolor contributed to 86-92% of the total removed amounts of Cs from soil. Cs level in solution at 100 μmol/L gave the highest BCF and TF values of S. bicolor. Cs at low level tended to transfer to the aerial parts, whereas Cs at high level decreased the transfer ratio from root to shoot. In soil, the plant grew well when Cs spiked level was 100 mg/kg soil, but was inhibited by Cs at 400 mg/kg soil with Cs content in sorghum reaching 1147 mg/kg (roots), 2473 mg/kg (stems), and 2939 mg/kg (leaves). In hydroponic system, average Cs level in sorghum reached 5270 mg/kg (roots) and 4513 mg/kg (aerial parts), without significant damages to its biomass at 30 days after starting Cs treatment. Cs accumulation in sorghum tissues was positively correlated with the metal concentration in medium.

Structure of Cs{sub 4}(HSO{sub 4}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}PO{sub 4}) single crystals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Makarova, I. P., E-mail: makarova@crys.ras.ru; Grebenev, V. V.; Vasil’ev, I. I.

2016-01-15

Single crystals of Cs{sub 4}(HSO{sub 4}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}PO{sub 4}) are synthesized and studied for the first time. The new compound is found in the course of studies of the phase diagram of the CsHSO{sub 4}–CsH{sub 2}PO{sub 4}–H{sub 2}O triple system. Data on the atomic crystal structure of single-crystalline and powder specimens, as well as on structural phase transitions, are obtained.

AFCF and clinoptilolite use in reduction of (137)Cs deposition in several days' contaminated broiler chicks.

PubMed

Mitrovic, B; Vitorovic, G; Vitorovic, D; Dakovic, A; Stojanovic, M

2007-01-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the binding efficiency of AFCF and clinoptilolite, mixed to the feed and administered orally using gastric tube to chronically (137)Cs alimentary contaminated broiler chicks. Seventy-five male Hybro broiler chicks, between 35 and 47 days of age were divided into five groups (15 birds per group) reared in cages (five birds in a cage) and fed a standard diet. Every day during 13 days of the experimental period all chicks received orally 1 ml CsCl water solution with activity of 1310 Bq ml(-1)(137)Cs (gastric tube). Group 1 was the control group and received no binders. The experimental groups received the binders. Group 2 received 0.2 g of AFCF in the form of water solution (gastric tube); group 3 received 0.2% AFCF in the feed; group 4 received 2g clinoptilolite in the form of water suspension (gastric tube) and group 5 received 2% clinoptilolite in the feed. Five chicks from each group were sacrificed on days 4, 10 and 13 of the experimental period. Using gamma spectrometric methods specific activity of (137)Cs was determined in the samples of breast meat, liver and gizzard. The results obtained showed that administering binders to the chronically contaminated broiler chicks significantly (p<0.01) reduced (137)Cs transfer and deposition in breast meat, liver and gizzard. Decreasing deposition of (137)Cs in breast meat and internal organs increased with time of contamination and binders' administration. With AFCF as a cesium binder, on day 13 of measuring the (137)Cs activity in breast meat was 80-83% lower than that in the control group, 89% in liver and 83-84% in gizzard. Natural clinoptilolite demonstrated lower binding efficiency. On day 13 of measuring the (137)Cs activity in breast meat was 53-69% lower than that in the control group, 67-60% in liver and 59-71% in gizzard.

Sex differences in discriminating between cues predicting threat and safety.

PubMed

Day, Harriet L L; Reed, Molly M; Stevenson, Carl W

2016-09-01

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is more prevalent in women than men. PTSD is characterized by overgeneralization of fear to innocuous stimuli and involves impaired inhibition of learned fear by cues that predict safety. While evidence indicates that learned fear inhibition through extinction differs in males and females, less is known about sex differences in fear discrimination and safety learning. Here we examined auditory fear discrimination in male and female rats. In Experiment 1A, rats underwent 1-3days of discrimination training consisting of one tone predicting threat (CS+; presented with footshock) and another tone predicting safety (CS-; presented alone). Females, but not males, discriminated between the CS+ and CS- after one day of training. After 2-3days of training, however, males discriminated whereas females generalized between the CS+ and CS-. In Experiment 1B, females showed enhanced anxiety-like behaviour and locomotor activity in the open field, although these results were unlikely to explain the sex differences in fear discrimination. In Experiment 2, we found no differences in shock sensitivity between males and females. In Experiment 3, males and females again discriminated and generalized, respectively, after three days of training. Moreover, fear generalization in females resulted from impaired safety learning, as shown by a retardation test. Whereas subsequent fear conditioning to the previous CS- retarded learning in males, females showed no such retardation. These results suggest that, while females show fear discrimination with limited training, they show fear generalization with extended training due to impaired safety learning. Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cigarette smoke exposure inhibits contact hypersensitivity via the generation of platelet activating factor agonists

PubMed Central

Sahu, Ravi P.; Petrache, Irina; Van Demark, Mary J; Rashid, Badri M.; Ocana, Jesus A.; Tang, Yuxuan; Yi, Qiaofang; Turner, Matthew J.; Konger, Raymond L.; Travers, Jeffrey B.

2013-01-01

Previous studies have established that pro-oxidative stressors suppress host immunity due to their ability to generate oxidized lipids with PAF-receptor (PAF-R) agonist activity. Although exposure to the pro-oxidative stressor cigarette smoke (CS) is known to exert immunomodulatory effects, little is known regarding the role of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in these events. The current studies sought to determine the role of PAF-R signaling in CS-mediated immunomodulatory effects. We demonstrate that CS exposure induces the generation of a transient PAF-R agonistic activity in the blood of mice. CS exposure inhibits contact hypersensitivity in a PAF-R-dependent manner as PAF-R-deficient mice were resistant to these effects. Blocking PAF-R agonist production either by systemic antioxidants or treatment with serum PAF-acetyl hydrolase enzyme blocked both the CS-mediated generation of PAF-R-agonists and PAF-R dependent inhibition of CHS reactions, indicating a role for oxidized glycerophosphocholines with PAF-R agonistic activity in this process. In addition, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition did not block PAF-R agonist production but prevented CS-induced inhibition of CHS. This suggests that COX-2 acts downstream of the PAF-R in mediating CS-induced systemic immunosuppression. Moreover, CS-exposure induced a significant increase in the expression of the regulatory T cell reporter gene in FoxP3EGFP mice but not in FoxP3EGFP mice on a PAF-R-deficient background. Finally, Treg depletion via anti-CD25 antibodies blocked CS-mediated inhibition of CHS, indicating the potential involvement of Tregs in CS-mediated systemic immunosuppression. These studies provide the first evidence that the pro-oxidative stressor CS can modulate cutaneous immunity via the generation of PAF-R agonists produced through lipid oxidation. PMID:23355733

Social opportunity and ethanol drinking in rats.

PubMed

Tomie, Arthur; Burger, Kelly M; Di Poce, Jason; Pohorecky, Larissa A

2004-11-01

Two experiments were designed to evaluate the effects of pairings of ethanol sipper conditioned stimulus (CS) with social opportunity unconditioned stimulus (US) on ethanol sipper CS-directed drinking in rats. In both experiments, rats were deprived of neither food nor water, and initiation of drinking of unsweetened 3% ethanol was evaluated, as were the effects of increasing the concentration of unsweetened ethanol (3-10%) across sessions. In Experiment 1, Group Paired (n=8) received 35 trials per session wherein the ethanol sipper CS was presented for 10 s immediately prior to 15 s of social opportunity US. All rats initiated sipper CS-directed drinking of 3% ethanol. Increasing the concentration of ethanol in the sipper CS [(3%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10% (vol./vol.)] across sessions induced escalation of daily g/kg ethanol intake. To evaluate the hypothesis that the drinking in Group Paired was due to autoshaping, Experiment 2 included a pseudoconditioning control that received sipper CS and social opportunity US randomly with respect to one another. All rats in Group Paired (n=6) and in Group Random (n=6) initiated sipper CS-directed drinking of 3% ethanol and daily mean g/kg ethanol intake in the two groups was comparable. Also comparable was daily g/kg ethanol intake, which increased for both groups with the availability of higher concentrations of ethanol in the sipper CS, up to a maximum of approximately 0.8 g/kg ethanol intake of 10% ethanol. Results indicate that random presentations of ethanol sipper CS and social opportunity US induced reliable initiation and escalation of ethanol intake, and close temporally contiguous presentations of CS and US did not induce still additional ethanol intake. This may indicate that autoshaping CR performance is not induced by these procedures, or that high levels of ethanol intake induced by factors related to pseudoconditioning produces a ceiling effect. Implications for ethanol drinking in humans are discussed.

Molecular and structural characteristics of multidrug resistance-associated protein 7 in Chinese liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis.

PubMed

Dai, Fuhong; Yoo, Won Gi; Lee, Ji-Yun; Lu, Yanyan; Pak, Jhang Ho; Sohn, Woon-Mok; Hong, Sung-Jong

2017-03-01

Multidrug resistance-associated protein 7 (MRP7, ABCC10) is a C subfamily member of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily. MRP7 is a lipophilic anion transporter that pumps endogenous and xenobiotic substrates from the cytoplasm to the extracellular milieu. Here, we cloned and characterized CsMRP7 as a novel ABC transporter from the Chinese liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis. Full-length cDNA of CsMRP7 was 5174 nt, encoded 1636 amino acids (aa), and harbored a 147-bp 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) and 116-bp 3'-UTR. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that CsMRP7 was closer to the ABCC subfamily than the ABCB subfamily. Tertiary structures of the N-terminal region (1-322 aa) and core region (323-1621 aa) of CsMRP7 were generated by homology modeling using glucagon receptor (PDB ID: 5ee7_A) and P-glycoprotein (PDB ID: 4f4c_A) as templates, respectively. CsMRP7 nucleotide-binding domain 2 (NBD2) was conserved more than NBD1, which was the sites of ATP binding and hydrolysis. Like typical long MRPs, CsMRP7 has an additional membrane-spanning domain 0 (MSD0) and cytoplasmic loop, along with a common structural fold consisting of MSD1-NBD1-MSD2-NBD2 as a single polypeptide assembly. MSD0, MSD1, and MSD2 consisted of TM1-7, TM8-13, and TM14-19, respectively. The CsMRP7 transcript was more abundant in the metacercariae than in the adult worms. Truncated NBD1 (39 kDa) and NBD2 (44 kDa) were produced in bacteria and mouse immune sera were raised. CsMRP7 was localized in the apical side of the intestinal epithelium, sperm in the testes and seminal receptacle, receptacle membrane, and mesenchymal tissue around intestine in the adult worm. These results provide molecular information and insights into structural and functional characteristics of CsMRP7 and homologs of flukes.

The Cathodic Behavior of Ti(III) Ion in a NaCl-2CsCl Melt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Yang; Jiao, Shuqiang; Hu, Liwen; Guo, Zhancheng

2016-02-01

The cathodic behavior of Ti(III) ions in a NaCl-2CsCl melt was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry, and square wave voltammetry with a tungsten electrode being the working electrode at different temperatures. The results show that the cathodic behavior of Ti(III) ion consists of two irreversible steps: Ti3+ + e = Ti2+ and Ti2+ + 2 e = Ti. The diffusion coefficient for the Ti(III) ion in the NaCl-2CsCl eutectic is 1.26 × 10-5 cm2 s-1 at 873 K (600 °C), increases to be 5.57 × 10-5 cm2 s-1 at 948K (675°C), and further rises to 10.8 × 10-5 cm2 s-1 at 1023 (750 °C). Moreover, galvanostatic electrolysis performed on a titanium electrode further presents the feasibility of electrodepositing metallic titanium in the molten NaCl-2CsCl-TiCl3 system.

High cesium concentrations in groundwater in the upper 1.2 km of fractured crystalline rock - Influence of groundwater origin and secondary minerals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mathurin, Frédéric A.; Drake, Henrik; Tullborg, Eva-Lena; Berger, Tobias; Peltola, Pasi; Kalinowski, Birgitta E.; Åström, Mats E.

2014-05-01

Dissolved and solid phase cesium (Cs) was studied in the upper 1.2 km of a coastal granitoid fracture network on the Baltic Shield (Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory and Laxemar area, SE Sweden). There unusually high Cs concentrations (up to 5-6 μg L-1) occur in the low-temperature (<20 °C) groundwater. The material includes water collected in earlier hydrochemical monitoring programs and secondary precipitates (fracture coatings) collected on the fracture walls, as follows: (a) hydraulically pristine fracture groundwater sampled through 23 surface boreholes equipped for the retrieval of representative groundwater at controlled depths (Laxemar area), (b) fracture groundwater affected by artificial drainage collected through 80 boreholes drilled mostly along the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory (underground research facility), (c) surface water collected in local streams, a lake and sea bay, and shallow groundwater collected in 8 regolith boreholes, and (d) 84 new specimens of fracture coatings sampled in cores from the Äspö HRL and Laxemar areas. The groundwater in each area is different, which affects Cs concentrations. The highest Cs concentrations occurred in deep-seated saline groundwater (median Äspö HRL: 4.1 μg L-1; median Laxemar: 3.7 μg L-1) and groundwater with marine origin (Äspö HRL: 4.2 μg L-1). Overall lower, but variable, Cs concentrations were found in other types of groundwater. The similar concentrations of Cs in the saline groundwater, which had a residence time in the order of millions of years, and in the marine groundwater, which had residence times in the order of years, shows that duration of water-rock interactions is not the single and primary control of dissolved Cs in these systems. The high Cs concentrations in the saline groundwater is ascribed to long-term weathering of minerals, primarily Cs-enriched fracture coatings dominated by illite and mixed-layer clays and possibly wall rock micaceous minerals. The high Cs concentrations in the groundwater of marine origin are, in contrast, explained by relatively fast cation exchange reactions. As indicated by the field data and predicted by 1D solute transport modeling, alkali cations with low-energy hydration carried by intruding marine water are capable of (NH4+ in particular and K+ to some extent) replacing Cs+ on frayed edge (FES) sites on illite in the fracture coatings. The result is a rapid and persistent (at least in the order of decades) buildup of dissolved Cs concentrations in fractures where marine water flows downward. The identification of high Cs concentrations in young groundwater of marine origin and the predicted capacity of NH4+ to displace Cs from fracture solids are of particular relevance in the disposal of radioactive nuclear waste deep underground in crystalline rock.

Production of complex rubidium and cesium hydrogen sulfate‒phosphates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Komornikov, V. A., E-mail: v.a.kom@mail.ru; Grebenev, V. V.; Makarova, I. P.

2016-07-15

The solubility in the CsH{sub 2}PO{sub 4}‒CsHSO{sub 4}‒H{sub 2}O system at different temperatures (25, 50, and 75°C) is studied and the phase equilibria in the Rb{sub 3}H(SO{sub 4}){sub 2}‒RbH{sub 2}PO{sub 4}‒H{sub 2}O system under isothermal conditions (at 25°C) are analyzed. The temperature and concentration conditions for forming Rb{sub 2}(HSO{sub 4})(H{sub 2}PO{sub 4}), Rb{sub 4}(HSO{sub 4}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}PO{sub 4}), Cs{sub 4}(HSO{sub 4}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}PO{sub 4}), Cs{sub 3}(HSO{sub 4}){sub 2}(H{sub 2}PO{sub 4}), Cs{sub 2}(HSO{sub 4})(H{sub 2}PO{sub 4}), and Cs{sub 6}H(HSO{sub 4}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}PO{sub 4}){sub 4} compounds (the latter has been obtained for the first time) are determined. The conditions for growing largemore » single crystals of complex acid rubidium and cesium salts are found.« less

Radiocaesium levels in game in the Czech Republic.

PubMed

Škrkal, Jan; Rulík, Petr; Fantínová, Karin; Mihalík, Ján; Timková, Jana

2015-01-01

The paper summarizes results of monitoring of (137)Cs activities in game species roaming in the woods over the territory of the Czech Republic for the time interval of 1986-2012. Geometric means and other statistical characteristics were estimated from the data sets on the assumption of log-normal distribution of the data from the time interval 2004-2012 where the character of data distribution had displayed no significant change. Geometric means (in Bq/kg) in meat were: wild boar 5.1, red deer 1.9, roe deer 0.77 and feathered game 0.14. The mean value in the less frequent game amounted to 0.36 Bq/kg. The geometrical standard deviation (GSD) widely varied from 1.6 to 21 for the studied species. Based on mass activity dependence on time, we assessed the effective and environmental half-lives of activity decline. For red deer and roe deer, the effective (137)Cs half-life was 2.9 and 3.2 years, and environmental half-life 3.2 and 3.6 years respectively. The effective half-life of (137)Cs in wild boar of 38 years was determined with large uncertainty and it shows constant influx of (137)Cs activity to the digestive tract of wild boars. A statistically significant season-based (137)Cs level was found in red deer and wild boar. Higher winter and spring activities of (137)Cs in wild boar are linked with decreasing access to naturally occurring food with lower (137)Cs content (chestnuts, acorns, and beech nuts), making boar grub around for ground-deposited food (often for mushrooms with higher activity). Higher winter activities of (137)Cs in red deer meat, most probably, are due to lower access to green diet in winter. The average annual committed effective dose for Czech population based on estimates of game species meat consumption between 2004 and 2012 was insignificant, only 0.03 μSv. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structure of a highly acidic β-lactamase from the moderate halophile Chromohalobacter sp. 560 and the discovery of a Cs+-selective binding site

PubMed Central

Arai, Shigeki; Yonezawa, Yasushi; Okazaki, Nobuo; Matsumoto, Fumiko; Shibazaki, Chie; Shimizu, Rumi; Yamada, Mitsugu; Adachi, Motoyasu; Tamada, Taro; Kawamoto, Masahide; Tokunaga, Hiroko; Ishibashi, Matsujiro; Blaber, Michael; Tokunaga, Masao; Kuroki, Ryota

2015-01-01

Environmentally friendly absorbents are needed for Sr2+ and Cs+, as the removal of the radioactive Sr2+ and Cs+ that has leaked from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant is one of the most important problems in Japan. Halophilic proteins are known to have many acidic residues on their surface that can provide specific binding sites for metal ions such as Cs+ or Sr2+. The crystal structure of a halophilic β-lactamase from Chromohalobacter sp. 560 (HaBLA) was determined to resolutions of between 1.8 and 2.9 Å in space group P31 using X-ray crystallography. Moreover, the locations of bound Sr2+ and Cs+ ions were identified by anomalous X-ray diffraction. The location of one Cs+-specific binding site was identified in HaBLA even in the presence of a ninefold molar excess of Na+ (90 mM Na+/10 mM Cs+). From an activity assay using isothermal titration calorimetry, the bound Sr2+ and Cs+ ions do not significantly affect the enzymatic function of HaBLA. The observation of a selective and high-affinity Cs+-binding site provides important information that is useful for the design of artificial Cs+-binding sites that may be useful in the bioremediation of radioactive isotopes. PMID:25760604

The epidemiology of traumatic cervical spine fractures: a prospective population study from Norway.

PubMed

Fredø, Hege Linnerud; Rizvi, Syed Ali Mujtaba; Lied, Bjarne; Rønning, Pål; Helseth, Eirik

2012-12-21

The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of traumatic cervical spine fractures (CS-fx) in a general population. The incidence of CS-fx in the general population is largely unknown. All CS-fx (C0/C1 to C7/Th1) patients diagnosed with cervical-CT in Southeast Norway (2.7 million inhabitants) during the time period from April 27, 2010-April 26, 2011 were prospectively registered in this observational cohort study. Over a one-year period, 319 patients with CS-fx at one or more levels were registered, constituting an estimated incidence of 11.8/100,000/year. The median age of the patients was 56 years (range 4-101 years), and 68% were males. The relative incidence of CS-fx increased significantly with age. The trauma mechanisms were falls in 60%, motorized vehicle accidents in 21%, bicycling in 8%, diving in 4% and others in 7% of patients. Neurological status was normal in 79%, 5% had a radiculopathy, 8% had an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI), 2% had a complete SCI, and neurological function could not be determined in 6%. The mortality rates after 1 and 3 months were 7 and 9%, respectively. Among 319 patients, 26.6% were treated with open surgery, 68.7% were treated with external immobilization with a stiff collar and 4.7% were considered stable and not in need of any specific treatment. The estimated incidence of surgically treated CS-fx in our population was 3.1/100,000/year. This study estimates the incidence of traumatic CS-fx in a general Norwegian population to be 11.8/100,000/year. A male predominance was observed and the incidence increased with increasing age. Falls were the most common trauma mechanism, and SCI was observed in 10%. The 1- and 3-month mortality rates were 7 and 9%, respectively. The incidence of open surgery for the fixation of CS-fx in this population was 3.1/100,000/year. This is a prospective observational cohort study and level II-2 according to US Preventive Services Task Force.

Depletion of abscisic acid levels in roots of flooded Carrizo citrange (Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf. × Citrus sinensis L. Osb.) plants is a stress-specific response associated to the differential expression of PYR/PYL/RCAR receptors.

PubMed

Arbona, Vicent; Zandalinas, Sara I; Manzi, Matías; González-Guzmán, Miguel; Rodriguez, Pedro L; Gómez-Cadenas, Aurelio

2017-04-01

Soil flooding reduces root abscisic acid (ABA) levels in citrus, conversely to what happens under drought. Despite this reduction, microarray analyses suggested the existence of a residual ABA signaling in roots of flooded Carrizo citrange seedlings. The comparison of ABA metabolism and signaling in roots of flooded and water stressed plants of Carrizo citrange revealed that the hormone depletion was linked to the upregulation of CsAOG, involved in ABA glycosyl ester (ABAGE) synthesis, and to a moderate induction of catabolism (CsCYP707A, an ABA 8'-hydroxylase) and buildup of dehydrophaseic acid (DPA). Drought strongly induced both ABA biosynthesis and catabolism (CsNCED1, 9-cis-neoxanthin epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase 1, and CsCYP707A) rendering a significant hormone accumulation. In roots of flooded plants, restoration of control ABA levels after stress release was associated to the upregulation of CsBGLU18 (an ABA β-glycosidase) that cleaves ABAGE. Transcriptional profile of ABA receptor genes revealed a different induction in response to soil flooding (CsPYL5) or drought (CsPYL8). These two receptor genes along with CsPYL1 were cloned and expressed in a heterologous system. Recombinant CsPYL5 inhibited ΔNHAB1 activity in vitro at lower ABA concentrations than CsPYL8 or CsPYL1, suggesting its better performance under soil flooding conditions. Both stress conditions induced ABA-responsive genes CsABI5 and CsDREB2A similarly, suggesting the occurrence of ABA signaling in roots of flooded citrus seedlings. The impact of reduced ABA levels in flooded roots on CsPYL5 expression along with its higher hormone affinity reinforce the role of this ABA receptor under soil-flooding conditions and explain the expression of certain ABA-responsive genes.

Comparison of two serpins of Clonorchis sinensis by bioinformatics, expression, and localization in metacercaria

PubMed Central

Yang, Yabo; Hu, Dong; Wang, Lexun; Liang, Chi; Hu, Xuchu; Xu, Jin; Huang, Yan; Yu, Xinbing

2014-01-01

Clonorchiasis, which has been an important public health problem in China, is caused by ingestion of raw or undercooked fish contaminated by live metacercaria. Therefore, preventing fish from infecting is of great significance for controlling the disease. SERPINs (serine protease inhibitors) are well known as negative regulators of hemostasis, thrombolysis, and innate immune responses. In the present study, two full-length sequences encoding SERPIN were identified from metacercaria cDNA library of Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis) and were denominated as CsSERPIN and CsSERPIN3, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the two sequences shares 35.9% identity to each other. Both of the sequences have SERPIN domain and the greatest difference between the two domains is the reactive centre loop. Transmembrane region was found in CsSERPIN3 while not in CsSERPIN. The expression of the two CsSERPINs was significantly higher at the life stage of metacercaria than that of adult. The transcription levels of CsSERPIN and CsSERPIN3 at metacercaria stage were 3.249- and 11.314-fold of that at adult stage, respectively. Furthermore, the expression of CsSERPIN was 4.32-fold of that of CsSERPIN3 at metacercaria stage. Immunobiochemistry revealed that CsERPIN was dispersed at subtegument and oral sucker of metacercaria, while CsSERPIN3 localized intensely in the tegument of metacercaria of C. sinensis inside of the cyst wall. All these indicated that the CsSERPINs play important roles at metacercaria stage of the parasite. CsSERPIN may take part in regulation of endogenous serine proteinase and CsSERPIN3 may be involved in immune evasion and be a potential candidate for vaccine and drug target for clonorchiasis. PMID:24831344

Comparison of two serpins of Clonorchis sinensis by bioinformatics, expression, and localization in metacercaria.

PubMed

Yang, Yabo; Hu, Dong; Wang, Lexun; Liang, Chi; Hu, Xuchu; Xu, Jin; Huang, Yan; Yu, Xinbing

2014-06-01

Clonorchiasis, which has been an important public health problem in China, is caused by ingestion of raw or undercooked fish contaminated by live metacercaria. Therefore, preventing fish from infecting is of great significance for controlling the disease. SERPINs (serine protease inhibitors) are well known as negative regulators of hemostasis, thrombolysis, and innate immune responses. In the present study, two full-length sequences encoding SERPIN were identified from metacercaria cDNA library of Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis) and were denominated as CsSERPIN and CsSERPIN3, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the two sequences shares 35.9% identity to each other. Both of the sequences have SERPIN domain and the greatest difference between the two domains is the reactive centre loop. Transmembrane region was found in CsSERPIN3 while not in CsSERPIN. The expression of the two CsSERPINs was significantly higher at the life stage of metacercaria than that of adult. The transcription levels of CsSERPIN and CsSERPIN3 at metacercaria stage were 3.249- and 11.314-fold of that at adult stage, respectively. Furthermore, the expression of CsSERPIN was 4.32-fold of that of CsSERPIN3 at metacercaria stage. Immunobiochemistry revealed that CsERPIN was dispersed at subtegument and oral sucker of metacercaria, while CsSERPIN3 localized intensely in the tegument of metacercaria of C. sinensis inside of the cyst wall. All these indicated that the CsSERPINs play important roles at metacercaria stage of the parasite. CsSERPIN may take part in regulation of endogenous serine proteinase and CsSERPIN3 may be involved in immune evasion and be a potential candidate for vaccine and drug target for clonorchiasis.

Structural and electronic studies of metal carbide clusterfullerene Sc2C2@Cs-C72

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Yongqiang; Wang, Taishan; Wu, Jingyi; Feng, Lai; Xiang, Junfeng; Ma, Yihan; Zhang, Zhuxia; Jiang, Li; Shu, Chunying; Wang, Chunru

2013-07-01

We present a metal carbide clusterfullerene Sc2C2@Cs(10528)-C72, whose structure has been baffling for many years. A motional endohedral Sc2C2 cluster, special molecule geometry and electronic structure were found in Sc2C2@Cs(10528)-C72. The paramagnetic Sc2C2@Cs-C72 anion radical was successfully prepared by a chemical reduction method and hyperfine couplings in the ESR spectrum were observed.We present a metal carbide clusterfullerene Sc2C2@Cs(10528)-C72, whose structure has been baffling for many years. A motional endohedral Sc2C2 cluster, special molecule geometry and electronic structure were found in Sc2C2@Cs(10528)-C72. The paramagnetic Sc2C2@Cs-C72 anion radical was successfully prepared by a chemical reduction method and hyperfine couplings in the ESR spectrum were observed. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details, HPLC chromatogram, and DFT calculations. CCDC 917712. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c3nr01739g

Towed Thermistor Chain Observations in JASIN,

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-07-01

Lij LiJ - S -Ky LJDC cYcc Ql I- 6? F-L T cy D- Hl-m L-L Lo i -,7W LOu CT KK _ _4 C7) 63 -) Ln CD Ln ;Lf FE - CS -JN V LO WLJCNK ua- -~ Lfl CO F (YD... DBD C _W2 + D2 Integrating (A5) yields: G8 bW -1 2cs + b z(s) = (- - 2c 3 / 2 [sinh (d - sinh- (-)] (a7) +- [(A + bs + cs) - /a]c where d = 4ac - b

A 3D human tissue-engineered lung model to study influenza A infection.

PubMed

Bhowmick, Rudra; Derakhshan, Mina; Liang, Yurong; Ritchey, Jerry; Liu, Lin; Gappa-Fahlenkamp, Heather

2018-05-05

Influenza A virus (IAV) claims approximately 250,000-500,000 lives annually worldwide. Currently, there are a few in vitro models available to study IAV immunopathology. Monolayer cultures of cell lines and primary lung cells (2D cell culture) is the most commonly used tool, however, this system does not have the in vivo-like structure of the lung and immune responses to IAV as it lacks the three-dimensional (3D) tissue structure. To recapitulate the lung physiology in vitro, a system that contains multiple cell types within a 3D environment that allows cell movement and interaction, would provide a critical tool. In this study, as a first step in designing a 3D-Human Tissue-Engineering Lung Model (3D-HTLM), we described the 3D culture of primary human small airway epithelial cells (HSAEpCs), and determined the immunophenotype of this system in response to IAV infections. We constructed a 3D chitosan-collagen scaffold and cultured HSAEpCs on these scaffolds at air-liquid interface (ALI). These 3D cultures were compared with 2D-cultured HSAEpCs for viability, morphology, marker protein expression, and cell differentiation. Results showed that the 3D-cultured HSAEpCs at ALI yielded maximum viable cells and morphologically resembled the in vivo lower airway epithelium. There were also significant increases in aquaporin-5 and cytokeratin-14 expression for HSAEpCs cultured in 3D compared to 2D. The 3D culture system was used to study the infection of HSAEpCs with two major IAV strains, H1N1 and H3N2.The HSAEpCs showed distinct changes in marker protein expression, both at mRNA and protein levels, and the release of proinflammatory cytokines. This study is the first step in the development of the 3D-HTLM, which will have wide applicability in studying pulmonary pathophysiology and therapeutics development.

Effect of a new functional CYP3A4 polymorphism on calcineurin inhibitors' dose requirements and trough blood levels in stable renal transplant patients.

PubMed

Elens, Laure; van Schaik, Ron H; Panin, Nadtha; de Meyer, Martine; Wallemacq, Pierre; Lison, Dominique; Mourad, Michel; Haufroid, Vincent

2011-10-01

CYP3A4 is involved in the oxidative metabolism of many drugs and xenobiotics including the immunosuppressants tacrolimus (Tac) and cyclosporine (CsA). The objective of the study was to assess the potential influence of a new functional SNP in CYP3A4 on the pharmacokinetic parameters assessed by dose requirements and trough blood levels of both calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) in stable renal transplant patients. A total of 99 stable renal transplant patients receiving either Tac (n = 49) or CsA (n = 50) were genotyped for the CYP3A4 intron 6 C>T (rs35599367) and CYP3A5*3 SNPs. Trough blood levels ([Tac](0) or [CsA](0) in ng/ml), dose-adjusted [Tac](0) or [CsA](0) (ng/ml per mg/kg bodyweight) as well as doses (mg/kg bodyweight) required to achieve target concentrations were compared among patients according to allelic status for CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. Dose-adjusted concentrations were 2.0- and 1.6-fold higher in T-variant allele carriers for the CYP3A4 intron 6 C>T SNP compared with homozygous CC for Tac and CsA, respectively. When CYP3A4/CYP3A5 genotypes were combined, the difference was even more striking as the so-defined CYP3A poor metabolizer group presented dose-adjusted concentration 1.6- and 4.1-fold higher for Tac, and 1.5- and 2.2-fold higher for CsA than the intermediate metabolizer and extensive metabolizer groups, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that, taken together, both CYP3A4 intron 6 and CYP3A5*3 SNPs explained more than 60 and 20% of the variability observed in dose-adjusted [Tac](0) and [CsA](0), respectively. The CYP3A4 intron 6 C>T polymorphism is associated with altered Tac and CsA metabolism. CYP3A4 intron 6 C>T along with CYP3A5*3 (especially for Tac) pharmacogenetic testing performed just before transplantation may help identifying patients at risk of CNI overexposure and contribute to limit CNI-related nephrotoxicity by refining the starting dose according to their genotype. Original submitted 5 May 2011; Revision submitted 29 June 2011.

In-column immobilization of Cs-saturated crystalline silicotitanates using phenolic resins.

PubMed

Curi, Rodrigo F; Luca, Vittorio

2018-03-01

The in situ immobilization of granulated Cs-saturated crystalline silicotitanates (Cs-CST) in fixed-bed columns has been investigated using commercially available phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin as a binding agent. Two types of PF resin were investigated as part of this study both being prepared from resol polymer having a formaldehyde:phenol ratio of 3:1. However, one of the resol polymers had water as the primary solvent and the other ethanol. Both resol polymers were observed to completely infiltrate the space between the Cs-CST beads and also the pores within the beads themselves. PF resin monoliths prepared after curing the water-based resol at 180 °C were considerably less porous than the ethanol-based counterparts cured under the same conditions. The enhanced macroporosity of the resin prepared from the ethanol-based resol was presumably the result from enhanced gas bubble generation. Little or no micro- or mesoporosity was measured using nitrogen porosimetry. For both resins cured at 180 °C, intimate contacts with the Cs-CST beads were observed that were not modified even after complete immersion in water over long time frames. Little or no migration of Cs from Cs-CST to the resin binder was observed. The compressive strength of the Cs-CST-PF resin monoliths was measured and benchmarked against cement monoliths and was found to be two to three times higher than cement in the case of the water-based resin. Leaching of the monoliths was conducted in demineralized water at 90 °C. Normalized Cs mass losses of the order of 1.0 g/m 2 were measured after 30 days for the ethanol-based resin monoliths. For the less porous water-based monoliths, the normalized mass loss was one order of magnitude lower. The leaching of monoliths irradiated with a 2-MGy dose of γ radiation showed no difference in Cs mass loss suggesting that the ability to retain Cs of either the CST or PF resin was not affected. PF resins are capable of acting as a mechanically robust, radiation-resistant, and impermeable active secondary barrier reducing the likelihood of Cs entry into the biosphere.

High temporal resolution dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI using compressed sensing-combined sequence in quantitative renal perfusion measurement.

PubMed

Chen, Bin; Zhao, Kai; Li, Bo; Cai, Wenchao; Wang, Xiaoying; Zhang, Jue; Fang, Jing

2015-10-01

To demonstrate the feasibility of the improved temporal resolution by using compressed sensing (CS) combined imaging sequence in dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) of kidney, and investigate its quantitative effects on renal perfusion measurements. Ten rabbits were included in the accelerated scans with a CS-combined 3D pulse sequence. To evaluate the image quality, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were compared between the proposed CS strategy and the conventional full sampling method. Moreover, renal perfusion was estimated by using the separable compartmental model in both CS simulation and realistic CS acquisitions. The CS method showed DCE-MRI images with improved temporal resolution and acceptable image contrast, while presenting significantly higher SNR than the fully sampled images (p<.01) at 2-, 3- and 4-X acceleration. In quantitative measurements, renal perfusion results were in good agreement with the fully sampled one (concordance correlation coefficient=0.95, 0.91, 0.88) at 2-, 3- and 4-X acceleration in CS simulation. Moreover, in realistic acquisitions, the estimated perfusion by the separable compartmental model exhibited no significant differences (p>.05) between each CS-accelerated acquisition and the full sampling method. The CS-combined 3D sequence could improve the temporal resolution for DCE-MRI in kidney while yielding diagnostically acceptable image quality, and it could provide effective measurements of renal perfusion. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Quantum Dot-Induced Phase Stabilization of ..alpha..-CsPbI3 Perovskite for High-Efficiency Photovoltaics

DOE PAGES

Swarnkar, Abhishek; Marshall, Ashley R.; Sanehira, Erin M.; ...

2016-10-07

Here, we show nanoscale phase stabilization of CsPbI 3 quantum dots (QDs) to low temperatures that can be used as the active component of efficient optoelectronic devices. CsPbI 3 is an all-inorganic analog to the hybrid organic cation halide perovskites, but the cubic phase of bulk CsPbI3 (..alpha..-CsPbI 3) -- the variant with desirable band gap -- is only stable at high temperatures. We also describe the formation of ..alpha..-CsPbI 3 QD films that are phase-stable for months in ambient air. The films exhibit long-range electronic transport and were used to fabricate colloidal perovskite QD photovoltaic cells with an open-circuitmore » voltage of 1.23 volts and efficiency of 10.77%. Furthermore, these devices function as light-emitting diodes with low turn-on voltage and tunable emission.« less

Surface modification of electrospun PVA/chitosan nanofibers by dielectric barrier discharge plasma at atmospheric pressure and studies of their mechanical properties and biocompatibility.

PubMed

Das, Punamshree; Ojah, Namita; Kandimalla, Raghuram; Mohan, Kiranjyoti; Gogoi, Dolly; Dolui, Swapan Kumar; Choudhury, Arup Jyoti

2018-03-22

In this paper, surface of electrospun PVA/Cs nanofibers is modified using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma and the relationship between the observed mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the nanofibers and plasma-induced surface properties is discussed. Plasma treatment of electrospun PVA/Cs nanofibers is carried out with both inert (argon, Ar) and reactive (oxygen, O 2 ) gases at atmospheric pressure. Incorporation of oxygen-containing polar functional groups on the surface of Ar-plasma treated (PVA/Cs/Ar) and O 2 -plasma treated (PVA/Cs/O 2 ) nanofibers and increase in surface roughness contribute to the improvement of surface wettability and the decrease of contact angle with water of the nanofibers. Both PVA/Cs/Ar and PVA/Cs/O 2 nanofibers show high tensile strength (11.6-15.6%) and Young's modulus (33.8-37.3%) as compared to the untreated one. Experimental results show that in terms of haemolytic activity the PVA/Cs/Ar and PVA/Cs/O 2 nanofibers do not cause structural changes of blood cells and meet the biocompatibility requirements for blood-contacting polymeric materials. MTT cell viability results further reveals improvement in biocompatibility of PVA/Cs nanofibers after Ar and O 2 plasma treatment. The results suggest that DBD plasma treated electrospun PVA/Cs nanofibers have the potential to be used as wound dressing and scaffolds for tissue engineering. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Malfunction of Nuclease ERCC1-XPF Results in Diverse Clinical Manifestations and Causes Cockayne Syndrome, Xeroderma Pigmentosum, and Fanconi Anemia

PubMed Central

Kashiyama, Kazuya; Nakazawa, Yuka; Pilz, Daniela T.; Guo, Chaowan; Shimada, Mayuko; Sasaki, Kensaku; Fawcett, Heather; Wing, Jonathan F.; Lewin, Susan O.; Carr, Lucinda; Li, Tao-Sheng; Yoshiura, Koh-ichiro; Utani, Atsushi; Hirano, Akiyoshi; Yamashita, Shunichi; Greenblatt, Danielle; Nardo, Tiziana; Stefanini, Miria; McGibbon, David; Sarkany, Robert; Fassihi, Hiva; Takahashi, Yoshito; Nagayama, Yuji; Mitsutake, Norisato; Lehmann, Alan R.; Ogi, Tomoo

2013-01-01

Cockayne syndrome (CS) is a genetic disorder characterized by developmental abnormalities and photodermatosis resulting from the lack of transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair, which is responsible for the removal of photodamage from actively transcribed genes. To date, all identified causative mutations for CS have been in the two known CS-associated genes, ERCC8 (CSA) and ERCC6 (CSB). For the rare combined xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) and CS phenotype, all identified mutations are in three of the XP-associated genes, ERCC3 (XPB), ERCC2 (XPD), and ERCC5 (XPG). In a previous report, we identified several CS cases who did not have mutations in any of these genes. In this paper, we describe three CS individuals deficient in ERCC1 or ERCC4 (XPF). Remarkably, one of these individuals with XP complementation group F (XP-F) had clinical features of three different DNA-repair disorders—CS, XP, and Fanconi anemia (FA). Our results, together with those from Bogliolo et al., who describe XPF alterations resulting in FA alone, indicate a multifunctional role for XPF. PMID:23623389

Malfunction of nuclease ERCC1-XPF results in diverse clinical manifestations and causes Cockayne syndrome, xeroderma pigmentosum, and Fanconi anemia.

PubMed

Kashiyama, Kazuya; Nakazawa, Yuka; Pilz, Daniela T; Guo, Chaowan; Shimada, Mayuko; Sasaki, Kensaku; Fawcett, Heather; Wing, Jonathan F; Lewin, Susan O; Carr, Lucinda; Li, Tao-Sheng; Yoshiura, Koh-ichiro; Utani, Atsushi; Hirano, Akiyoshi; Yamashita, Shunichi; Greenblatt, Danielle; Nardo, Tiziana; Stefanini, Miria; McGibbon, David; Sarkany, Robert; Fassihi, Hiva; Takahashi, Yoshito; Nagayama, Yuji; Mitsutake, Norisato; Lehmann, Alan R; Ogi, Tomoo

2013-05-02

Cockayne syndrome (CS) is a genetic disorder characterized by developmental abnormalities and photodermatosis resulting from the lack of transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair, which is responsible for the removal of photodamage from actively transcribed genes. To date, all identified causative mutations for CS have been in the two known CS-associated genes, ERCC8 (CSA) and ERCC6 (CSB). For the rare combined xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) and CS phenotype, all identified mutations are in three of the XP-associated genes, ERCC3 (XPB), ERCC2 (XPD), and ERCC5 (XPG). In a previous report, we identified several CS cases who did not have mutations in any of these genes. In this paper, we describe three CS individuals deficient in ERCC1 or ERCC4 (XPF). Remarkably, one of these individuals with XP complementation group F (XP-F) had clinical features of three different DNA-repair disorders--CS, XP, and Fanconi anemia (FA). Our results, together with those from Bogliolo et al., who describe XPF alterations resulting in FA alone, indicate a multifunctional role for XPF. Copyright © 2013 The American Society of Human Genetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A randomized, open-label, multicenter study of the efficacy and safety of intravesical hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate versus dimethyl sulfoxide in women with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis.

PubMed

Cervigni, Mauro; Sommariva, Monica; Tenaglia, Raffaele; Porru, Daniele; Ostardo, Edoardo; Giammò, Alessandro; Trevisan, Silvia; Frangione, Valeria; Ciani, Oriana; Tarricone, Rosanna; Pappagallo, Giovanni L

2017-04-01

Intravesical instillation of hyaluronic acid (HA) plus chondroitin sulfate (CS) in women with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) has shown promising results. This study compared the efficacy, safety, and costs of intravesical HA/CS (Ialuril ® , IBSA) to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Randomized, open-label, multicenter study involving 110 women with BPS/IC. The allocation ratio (HA/CS:DMSO) was 2:1. Thirteen weekly instillations of HA (1.6%)/CS (2.0%) or 50% DMSO were given. Patients were evaluated at 3 (end-of-treatment) and 6 months. Primary endpoint was reduction in pain intensity at 6 months by visual analogue scale (VAS) versus baseline. Secondary efficacy measurements were quality of life and economic analyses. A significant reduction in pain intensity was observed at 6 months in both treatment groups versus baseline (P < 0.0001) in the intention-to-treat population. Treatment with HA/CS resulted in a greater reduction in pain intensity at 6 months compared with DMSO for the per-protocol population (mean VAS reduction 44.77 ± 25.07 vs. 28.89 ± 31.14, respectively; P = 0.0186). There were no significant differences between treatment groups in secondary outcomes. At least one adverse event was reported in 14.86% and 30.56% of patients in the HA/CS and DMSO groups, respectively. There were significantly fewer treatment-related adverse events for HA/CS versus DMSO (1.35% vs. 22.22%; P = 0.001). Considering direct healthcare costs, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of HA/CS versus DMSO fell between 3735€/quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and 8003€/QALY. Treatment with HA/CS appears to be as effective as DMSO with a potentially more favorable safety profile. Both treatments increased health-related quality of life, while HA/CS showed a more acceptable cost-effectiveness profile. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Performance evaluation of D-SPECT: a novel SPECT system for nuclear cardiology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erlandsson, Kjell; Kacperski, Krzysztof; van Gramberg, Dean; Hutton, Brian F.

2009-05-01

D-SPECT (Spectrum Dynamics, Israel) is a novel SPECT system for cardiac perfusion studies. Based on CZT detectors, region-centric scanning, high-sensitivity collimators and resolution recovery, it offers potential advantages over conventional systems. A series of measurements were made on a β-version D-SPECT system in order to evaluate its performance in terms of energy resolution, scatter fraction, sensitivity, count rate capability and resolution. Corresponding measurements were also done on a conventional SPECT system (CS) for comparison. The energy resolution of the D-SPECT system at 140 keV was 5.5% (CS: 9.25%), the scatter fraction 30% (CS: 34%), the planar sensitivity 398 s-1 MBq-1 per head (99mTc, 10 cm) (CS: 72 s-1 MBq-1), and the tomographic sensitivity in the heart region was in the range 647-1107 s-1 MBq-1 (CS: 141 s-1 MBq-1). The count rate increased linearly with increasing activity up to 1.44 M s-1. The intrinsic resolution was equal to the pixel size, 2.46 mm (CS: 3.8 mm). The average reconstructed resolution using the standard clinical filter was 12.5 mm (CS: 13.7 mm). The D-SPECT has superior sensitivity to that of a conventional system with similar spatial resolution. It also has excellent energy resolution and count rate characteristics, which should prove useful in dynamic and dual radionuclide studies.

Calcium Sulphate/Hydroxyapatite Carrier for Bone Formation in the Femoral Neck of Osteoporotic Rats.

PubMed

Sirka, Aurimas; Raina, Deepak Bushan; Isaksson, Hanna; Tanner, K Elizabeth; Smailys, Alfredas; Kumar, Ashok; Tarasevicius, Sarunas; Tägil, Magnus; Lidgren, Lars

2018-06-01

We investigated bone regeneration in the femoral neck canal of osteoporotic rats using a novel animal model. We used a calcium sulphate (CS)/ Hydroxyapatite (HA) carrier to locally deliver a bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid (ZA), with or without added recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2 (rhBMP-2). Ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats of 28 weeks age were used. A 1 mm diameter and 8 mm long defect was created in the femoral neck by drilling from the lateral cortex in the axis of the femoral neck leaving the surrounding cortex intact. Three treatment groups and one control group were used 1) CS/HA alone, 2) CS/HA+ ZA (10 μg) 3) CS/HA+ZA (10 μg)+rhBMP-2 (4 μg) and 4) Empty defect. The bone formation was assessed at 4 weeks post-surgery using in vivo micro computed tomography (micro-CT). At 8 weeks post-surgery, the animals were sacrificed and both defect and contralateral femurs were subjected to micro-CT, mechanical testing and histology. Micro-CT results showed that the combination of CS/HA with ZA or ZA+rhBMP-2 increased the bone formation in the defect when compared to the other groups and to the contralateral hips. Evidence of new dense bone formation in CS/HA+ZA and CS/HA+ZA+rhBMP-2 groups was seen histologically. Mechanical testing results showed no differences in the load to fracture between the treatments in either of the treated or contralateral legs. The CS/HA biomaterial can be used as a carrier for ZA and rhBMP-2 to regenerate bone in the femoral neck canal of osteoporotic rats.

Three-Minute All-Out Test in Swimming.

PubMed

Tsai, Ming-Chang; Thomas, Scott G

2017-01-01

To validate the 3-minute all-out exercise test (3MT) protocol against the traditional critical-speed (CS) model (CSM) in front-crawl swimming. Ten healthy swimmers or triathletes (mean ± SD age 35.2 ± 10.5 y, height 176.5 ± 5.4 cm, body mass 69.6 ± 8.2 kg) completed 5 tests (3MT, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m) over 2 wk on separate days. Traditional CS and anaerobic distance capacity (D') were determined for each of the 3 traditional CSMs (linear distance-time, LIN; linear speed/time, INV; nonlinear time-speed, NLIN) from the 4 set-distance time trials. For the 3MT, CS was determined as the mean speed during the final 30 s of the test and D' was estimated as the power-time integral above the CS. Our results indicated no significant difference between the CS estimates determined from the traditional CSM and 3MT except for the INV model (P = .0311). Correlations between traditional CSMs and 3MT were high (r = .95, P < .01) However, D' differed and post hoc analysis indicated that D' estimated from 3MT was significantly lower than LIN (P = .0052) and NLIN (P < .0001). Correlations were weak (r < .55, P > .1). In addition, Bland-Altman plots between the traditional CSMs and 3MT CS estimates showed scattered points above and below the zero line, suggesting there is no consistent bias of one approach versus the other. The 3MT is a valid protocol for swimming to estimate CS. The demonstrated concurrent validity of the 3MT may allow more widespread use of CSMs to evaluate participants and responses to training.

Targeted cutaneous delivery of ciclosporin A using micellar nanocarriers and the possible role of inter-cluster regions as molecular transport pathways.

PubMed

Lapteva, Maria; Santer, Verena; Mondon, Karine; Patmanidis, Ilias; Chiriano, Gianpaolo; Scapozza, Leonardo; Gurny, Robert; Möller, Michael; Kalia, Yogeshvar N

2014-12-28

Oral administration of ciclosporin A (CsA) is indicated in the treatment of severe recalcitrant plaque psoriasis. However, CsA is both nephro- and hepatotoxic and its systemic administration also exposes the patient to other severe side effects. Although topical delivery of CsA, targeted directly to psoriatic skin, would offer significant advantages, there are no topical formulations approved for dermatological use. The aim of this work was to formulate CsA loaded polymeric micelles using the biodegradable and biocompatible MPEG-dihexPLA diblock copolymer and to evaluate their potential for delivering the drug selectively into the skin without concomitant transdermal permeation. Micelle formulations were characterised with respect to drug content, size and morphology. Micelle and drug penetration pathways were subsequently visualised with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) using fluorescein labelled CsA (Fluo-CsA) and Nile-Red (NR) labelled copolymer. Visualisation studies typically use fluorescent dyes as "model drugs"; however, these may have different physicochemical properties to the drug molecule under investigation. Therefore, in this study it was decided to chemically modify CsA and to use this structurally similar fluorescent analogue to visualise molecular distribution and transport pathways. Molecular modelling techniques and experimental determination of log D served as molecular scale and macroscopic methods to compare the lipophilicity of CsA and Fluo-CsA. The spherical, homogeneous and nanometre-scale micelles (with Zav from 25 to 52 nm) increased the aqueous solubility of CsA by 518-fold. Supra-therapeutic amounts of CsA were delivered to human skin (1.4±0.6 μg/cm2, cf. a statistically equivalent 1.1±0.5 μg/cm2 for porcine skin) after application of the formulation with the lowest CsA and copolymer content (1.67±0.03 mg/ml of CsA and 5mg/ml of copolymer) for only 1h without concomitant transdermal permeation. Fluo-CsA was successfully synthesised, characterised and incorporated into fluorescent NR-MPEG-dihexPLA micelles; its conformation was not modified by the addition of fluorescein and its log D, measured from pH4 to 8, was equivalent to that of CsA. Fluo-CsA and NR-MPEG-dihexPLA copolymer were subsequently visualised in skin by CLSM. The images indicated that micelles were preferentially deposited between corneocytes and in the inter-cluster regions (i.e. between the clusters of corneocytes). Fluo-CsA skin penetration was deeper in these structures, suggesting that inter-cluster penetration is probably the preferred transport pathway responsible for the increased cutaneous delivery of CsA. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experimental investigation of cesium mobility in the course of secondary mineral formations in Hanford sediment columns at 50 degrees C.

PubMed

Mashal, Kholoud Y; Cetiner, Ziya S

2010-10-01

Formation of secondary minerals and Cs mobility in Hanford sediments were investigated under conditions similar to the Hanford tank leak in a dynamic flow system at 50 degrees C. The objectives were to (1) examine the nature and locations of secondary mineral phases precipitated in the sediments and (2) quantify the amount of Cs retained by the sediment matrix at 50 degrees C. To this end, Hanford sediments were packed into 10-cm long columns and leached with simulated tank waste consisting of 1.4 M NaOH, 0.125 M NaAlO(2), 3.7 M NaNO(3), and 1.3 x 10(-4) M Cs at 50 degrees C. Compositions of outflow solution were monitored with time for up to 25 days, and the columns were then segmented into four 2.5-cm long layers. The colloidal fraction in these segments was characterized in terms of mineralogy, particle morphology, Cs content, and short-range Al and Si structure. It was observed that cancrinite and sodalite precipitated at 50 degrees C. Approximately 53% Cs was retained in the column treated by the simulated tank waste at this temperature. Cesium retention in the column was lowered in the high ionic strength solution due to competition from Na for the exchange sites. This can be explained by alteration of distribution and number of sorption sites which reduces the selectivity of Cs for Na, and through the formation of cancrinite and sodalite. The formation of hydroxide complexes in highly alkaline solutions could also contribute to relatively poor retention of Cs by hindering ion exchange mechanism.

Formation of Polyelectrolyte Complex Colloid Particles between Chitosan and Pectin with Different Degree of Esterification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hui; Sun, Hongyuan; He, Jieyu

2017-12-01

The effects of degree of esterification, pectin/chitosan ratio and pH on the formation of polyelectrolyte complex colloid particles between chitosan (CS) and pectin (PE) were investigated. Low methoxyl pectin (LPE) was achieved by de-esterifying high methoxyl pectin (HPE) with pectin methyl esterase. Turbidity titration and colorimetric method was used to determine the stability of complex colloid particles. The structure and morphology of complex particles were characterized by FTIR and TEM. When pectin solution was dropped into chitosan solution, complex colloidal dispersion was stable as PE/CS mass ratio was no more than 3:2. Colloidal particles of HPE-CS complex coagulated at larger ratio of PE/CS than LPE-CS. The maximum complex occurred at pH 6.1 for HPE-CS and pH 5.7 for LPE-CS, and decreasing pH leaded to the dissociation of complex particles. Electrostatic interactions between carboxyl groups on pectin and amino groups on chitosan were confirmed by FTIR. Colloidal particle sizes ranged from about 100 nm to 400 nm with spherical shape.

Radioactive artificial 137Cs and natural 40K activity in 21 edible mushrooms of the genus Boletus species from SW China.

PubMed

Falandysz, Jerzy; Zhang, Ji; Zalewska, Tamara

2017-03-01

This study, for the first time, presents the results of activity concentration determinations for 137 Cs and 40 K in a high number (21 species, 87 composite samples, and 807 fruiting bodies) of mushrooms of the genus Boletus from across Yunnan in 2011-2014 and Sichuan (Boletus tomentipes) using high-resolution high-purity germanium detector. Activity concentrations of 137 Cs demonstrated some variability and range from <4.4 to 83 ± 3 Bq kg -1 dry biomass in caps and from <3.8 to 37 ± 3 Bq kg -1 dry biomass in stipes, and of 40 K, respectively, from 420 ± 41 to 1300 ± 110 and from 520 ± 61 to 1300 ± 140 Bq kg -1 dry biomass. No significant variations were observed regarding 137 Cs and 40 K activity concentrations among the same Boletus species from different sampling sites. No activity concentrations from 134 Cs were detected in any mushrooms. Internal dose rates estimated were from intake of 1 kg of mushrooms per annum for 137 Cs range for species and regions from around <0.0031 to 0.047 ± 0.003 μSv, while those for 40 K were from around 0.22 ± 0.04 to 1.2 ± 0.1 μSv. The overall intake of 137 Cs was low since low contamination was found in Boletus species.

Molecular identification, immunolocalization, and characterization of Clonorchis sinensis triosephosphate isomerase.

PubMed

Zhou, Juanjuan; Liao, Hua; Li, Shan; Zhou, Chenhui; Huang, Yan; Li, Xuerong; Liang, Chi; Yu, Xinbing

2015-08-01

Clonorchis sinensis triosephosphate isomerase (CsTIM) is a key regulatory enzyme of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, which catalyzes the interconversion of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate to dihydroxyacetone phosphate. In this study, the biochemical characterizations of CsTIM have been examined. A full-length complementary DNA (cDNA; Cs105350) sequence encoding CsTIM was obtained from our C. sinensis cDNA library. The open reading frame of CsTIM contains 759 bp which encodes 252 amino acids. The amino acid sequence of CsTIM shares 60-65% identity with other species. Western blot analysis displayed that recombinant CsTIM (rCsTIM) can be probed by anti-rCsTIM rat serum and anti-C. sinensis excretory/secretory products (anti-CsESPs) rat serum. Quantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and western blotting analysis revealed that CsTIM messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein were differentially expressed in development cycle stages of the parasite, including adult worm, metacercaria, excysted metacercaria, and egg. In addition, immunolocalization assay showed that CsTIM was located in the seminal vesicle, eggs, and testicle. Moreover, rCsTIM exhibited active enzyme activity in catalytic reactions. The Michaelis constant (K m) of rCsTIM was 0.33 mM, when using glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate as the substrate. The optimal temperature and pH of CsTIM were 37 °C and 7.5-9.5, respectively. Collectively, these results suggest that CsTIM is an important protein involved in glycometabolism, and CsTIM possibly take part in many biological functions in the growth and development of C. sinensis.

Amino acid sequence surrounding the chondroitin sulfate attachment site of thrombomodulin regulates chondroitin polymerization.

PubMed

Izumikawa, Tomomi; Kitagawa, Hiroshi

2015-05-01

Thrombomodulin (TM) is a cell-surface glycoprotein and a critical mediator of endothelial anticoagulant function. TM exists as both a chondroitin sulfate (CS) proteoglycan (PG) form and a non-PG form lacking a CS chain (α-TM); therefore, TM can be described as a part-time PG. Previously, we reported that α-TM bears an immature, truncated linkage tetrasaccharide structure (GlcAβ1-3Galβ1-3Galβ1-4Xyl). However, the biosynthetic mechanism to generate part-time PGs remains unclear. In this study, we used several mutants to demonstrate that the amino acid sequence surrounding the CS attachment site influences the efficiency of chondroitin polymerization. In particular, the presence of acidic residues surrounding the CS attachment site was indispensable for the elongation of CS. In addition, mutants defective in CS elongation did not exhibit anti-coagulant activity, as in the case with α-TM. Together, these data support a model for CS chain assembly in which specific core protein determinants are recognized by a key biosynthetic enzyme involved in chondroitin polymerization. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

137Cs and 134Cs activity in the North Pacific Ocean water from 1945 to 2020 by eddy-resolving ROMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsubono, Takaki; Misumi, Kazuo; Tsumune, Daisuke; Aoyama, Michio; Hirose, Katsumi

2017-04-01

We conducted the simulation of 137Cs activity in the North Pacific Ocean (NPO) water from 1945 to 2020, before and after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (1F NPP) accident. Using the Regional Ocean Model System (ROMS) with high resolution (1/12°-1/4° in horizontal, 45 levels in vertical), of which domain was the NPO, we preliminarily estimated a factor multiplying the total 134Cs fluxes, which have been estimated for the atmospheric deposition and the direct discharge from the accident. The direct comparison of the observed and calculated 134Cs showed that the total 134Cs flux was 1.6 times greater than the previous estimates. We re-calculated the 134Cs activityies in the NPO water using the flux multiplied by 1.6 and confirmed the improvement of the simulation by the multiplied flux, which suggested that 134Cs and 137Cs inventories in the NPO increase by about 16PBq, respectively, due to the accident. For the hindcast and forecast of the 137Cs activityies in the NPO water, we calculated the 137Cs activityy in the NPO water from 1945 to 2020 by using the global fallout flux due to atmospheric nuclear weapons' tests and the Chernobyl accident and the estimated fluxes of the 1F NPP accident. For the calculation, five ensemble calculations of 137Cs activity were conducted by moving the start period of the input flux for one year. The 137Cs activity in the surface water showed that the plume due to the 1F NPP accident with relatively higher activity than 5 Bq m-3, which was lower than that in 1985, was transported to the western area of 135°W in 2015. The peak year of the 137Cs activity can be estimated from the hindcast and forecast. The 137Cs activity in the surface water north of 30°N shows that the 137Cs peak in 2011 occurs up to 180°, but the peak from 2012 to 2017 is distributed from near 180° to 90°W. The total inventory of 137Cs in the NPO increased up to 77 PBq in 2011 and gradually decreased to 61PBq in 2018 by transport outside of the domain, which is almost the same as that in Dec. 2010. The whole amount of 137Cs in the subsurface layer ( 200-600m depth ) is larger than that in the surface layer ( 0-200m depth) since the 1F NPP accident except 2011.

Contribution of radioactive 137Cs discharge by suspended sediment, coarse organic matter, and dissolved fraction from a headwater catchment in Fukushima after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.

PubMed

Iwagami, Sho; Onda, Yuichi; Tsujimura, Maki; Abe, Yutaka

2017-01-01

Radiocesium ( 137 Cs) migration from headwaters in forested areas provides important information, as the output from forest streams subsequently enters various land-use areas and downstream rivers. Thus, it is important to determine the composition of 137 Cs fluxes (dissolved fraction, suspended sediment, or coarse organic matter) that migrate through a headwater stream. In this study, the 137 Cs discharge by suspended sediment and coarse organic matter from a forest headwater catchment was monitored. The 137 Cs concentrations in suspended sediment and coarse organic matter, such as leaves and branches, and the amounts of suspended sediment and coarse organic matter were measured at stream sites in three headwater catchments in Yamakiya District, located ∼35 km northwest of Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) from August 2012 to September 2013, following the earthquake and tsunami disaster. Suspended sediment and coarse organic matter were sampled at intervals of approximately 1-2 months. The 137 Cs concentrations of suspended sediment and coarse organic matter were 2.4-49 kBq/kg and 0.85-14 kBq/kg, respectively. The 137 Cs concentrations of the suspended sediment were closely correlated with the average deposition density of the catchment. The annual proportions of contribution of 137 Cs discharge by suspended sediment, coarse organic matter, and dissolved fraction were 96-99%, 0.0092-0.069%, and 0.73-3.7%, respectively. The total annual 137 Cs discharge from the catchment was 0.02-0.3% of the deposition. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Index of REMR Technology and Listing of REMR Research Publications

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-10-01

Stitch drilling, CS-MR-1.7 1.15 Underwater, RB-6-5 Vibraspray S-80, RB-2-3 Vehicle mounted breaker, CS-MR- 1.4 Concrete Stain Water jet blasting, CS-MR...Development of Nondestructive Testing AD A191 312 Systems for In Situ Evaluation of Con- crete Structures, by Henry T. Thornton, Jr. and A. Michel...Evaluation of Bird Pest Problems at AD A191 173 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Projects, by Anthony J. Krzysik. 23 REMR Index REMR-EM-3 Oct

Small Column Ion Exchange Testing of Superlig 644 for Removal of 137Cs from Hanford Tank Waste Envelope A (Tank 241-AW-101)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

DE Kurath; DL Blanchard; JR Bontha

The current BNFL Inc. flow sheet for the pretreatment of the Hanford High-Level tank wastes includes the use of Superlig{reg_sign} materials for the removal of {sup 137}Cs from the aqueous fraction of the waste. The Superlig materials applicable to cesium removal include the cesium selective Superlig 632 and Superlig 644. These materials have been developed and supplied by IBC Advanced Technologies, Inc., American Fork, UT. The work contained in this report involves testing the Superlig 644 ion exchange material in a small dual column system (15 mL each; L/D = 5.7). The sample processed was approximately 2.5 L of dilutedmore » waste [Na{sup +}] = 4.6M from Tank 241-AW-101 (Envelope A). This waste had been previously clarified in a single tube cross-flow filtration unit. All ion exchange process steps were tested including resin bed preparation, loading, feed displacement water rinse, elution and resin regeneration. During the initial run, the lag column did not perform as expected so that the {sup 137}Cs concentration in the effluent composite was above the LAW treatment limits. This required a second column run with the partially decontaminated feed that was conducted at a higher flow rate. A summary of performance measures for both runs is shown in Table S1. The Cs {lambda} values represent a measure of the effective capacity of the SL-644 resin. The Cs {lambda} of 143 for the lead column in run 1 is very similar to the value obtained by the Savannah River Technology Center during Phase 1A testing. The larger Cs {lambda} value for run 2 reflects a general trend for the effective capacity of the SL-644 material to increase as the cesium concentration decreases. The low value for the lag column during the first run indicates that it did not perform as expected. This may have been due to insufficient conditioning of the bed prior to the start of the loading step or to air in the bed that caused channeling. Equilibrium data obtained with batch contacts using the AW-101 Cs IX feed indicates a range for the Cs {lambda} of 80--97. The maximum decontamination factor (DF) for {sup 137}CS is based on analysis of the first samples collected from each column and the concentration in the feed for each run. While the DF's are lower for the second run, this is attributed to the lower {sup 137}Cs concentration in the feed and the increased flowrate. The overall composite DF for run 2 was quite good since both columns functioned well. The overall DF for both runs was 3,000, which provided an effluent with a {sup 137}Cs concentration of 5.89E-02 Ci/m{sup 3} (C/C{sub 0} = 3.3 IE-04). The {sup 137}Cs concentration in the effluent composite was 7.3% of the contract limit for {sup 137}Cs and also below the basis of design limit.« less

137Cs, 239,240Pu and 241Am in boreal forest soil and their transfer into wild mushrooms and berries.

PubMed

Lehto, Jukka; Vaaramaa, Kaisa; Leskinen, Anumaija

2013-02-01

Profiles of podzolic soil from boreal forests were sampled from eight sites in Finland and the distribution of (137)Cs in the soil layers was determined. In addition, (239,240)Pu and (241)Am were determined from two soil profiles taken at one sampling site. Inventories of (137)Cs in the soil profiles varied between 1.7 kBq/m(2) and 42 kBq/m(2), reflecting known variation in (137)Cs fallout from the Chernobyl accident. The highest proportions of the radionuclides were found in the organic layer at a depth of less than 5 cm, which on average contained 47% of (137)Cs, 76% of (239,240)Pu and 79% of (241)Am. In the litter, clearly higher proportions of (137)Cs were found compared to (239,240)Pu and (241)Am, probably indicating its more effective recycling from the organic layer back to the surface. Only very minor proportions of (137)Cs were recorded below 20 cm. The concentration of (137)Cs in the soil profiles could be approximated with a declining logarithmic trend. The activity concentrations of (137)Cs were determined for six wild mushroom species and three wild berry species at two sites, as well as the aggregated transfer factors and the distribution of (137)Cs between their various parts. In addition, (239,240)Pu and (241)Am were determined in one mushroom and three berry species at one site. Very high concentrations of (137)Cs, up to 20 kBq/kg (d.w.), were found in mushrooms, and their transfer factors were between 0.1 m(2)/kg and 1.0 m(2)/kg. In berries, the transfer factors were an order of magnitude lower. (137)Cs accumulated more in the caps of mushrooms and in the fruits of berries than in other parts. Transfer factors for (239,240)Pu and (241)Am were two to three orders of magnitude lower than those of (137)Cs. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mohs micrographic surgery in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans allows tumour clearance with smaller margins and greater preservation of healthy tissue compared with conventional surgery: a study of 74 primary cases.

PubMed

Serra-Guillén, C; Llombart, B; Nagore, E; Guillén, C; Requena, C; Traves, V; Kindem, S; Alcalá, R; Rivas, N; Sanmartín, O

2015-01-01

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an uncommon skin tumour with aggressive local growth. Whether DFSP should be treated with conventional surgery (CS) or Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has long been a topic of debate. To calculate, in a large series of DFSP treated by MMS, the minimum margin that would have been needed to achieve complete clearance by CS. Secondly, to calculate the percentage of healthy tissue that was preserved by MMS rather than CS with 2- and 3-cm margins. The minimum margin was calculated by measuring the largest distance from the visible edge of the tumour to the edge of the definitive surgical defect. Tumour and surgical defect areas for hypothetical CS with 2- and 3-cm margins were calculated using AutoCAD for Windows. A mean minimum margin of 1·34 cm was required to achieve complete clearance for the 74 tumours analysed. The mean percentages of skin spared using MMS rather than CS with 2- and 3-cm margins were 49·4% and 67·9%, respectively. MMS can achieve tumour clearance with smaller margins and greater preservation of healthy tissue than CS. © 2014 British Association of Dermatologists.