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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Characterization of three terpenoid glycosyltransferase genes in 'Valencia' sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck).

PubMed

Fan, Jing; Chen, Chunxian; Yu, Qibin; Li, Zheng-Guo; Gmitter, Frederick G

2010-10-01

Three putative terpenoid UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) genes, designated CsUGT1, CsUGT2, and CsUGT3, were isolated and characterized in 'Valencia' sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck). CsUGT1 consisted of 1493 nucleotides with an open reading frame encoding 492 amino acids, CsUGT2 consisted of 1727 nucleotides encoding 504 amino acids, and CsUGT3 consisted of 1705 nucleotides encoding 468 amino acids. CsUGT3 had a 145 bp intron at 730-874, whereas CsUGT1 and CsUGT2 had none. The three deduced glycosyltransferase proteins had a highly conserved plant secondary product glycosyltransferase motif in the C terminus. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CsUGT1 and CsUGT3 were classified into group L of glycosyltransferase family 1, and CsUGT2 was classified into group D. Through Southern blotting analysis, CsUGT1 was found to have two copies in the sweet orange genome, whereas CsUGT2 and CsUGT3 had at least seven and nine copies, respectively. CsUGT1, CsUGT2, and CsUGT3 were constitutively expressed in leaf, flower, and fruit tissues. The results facilitate further investigation of the function of terpenoid glycosyltransferases in citrus and the biosynthesis of terpenoid glycosides in vitro.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Cs2Bi(PO4)(WO4)

PubMed Central

Terebilenko, Kateryna V.; Zatovsky, Igor V.; Baumer, Vyacheslav N.; Slobodyanik, Nikolay S.

2009-01-01

Dicaesium bis­muth(III) phosphate(V) tungstate(VI), Cs2Bi(PO4)(WO4), has been synthesized during complex investigation in a molten pseudo-quaternary Cs2O–Bi2O3–P2O5–WO3 system. It is isotypic with K2Bi(PO4)(WO4). The three-dimensional framework is built up from [Bi(PO4)(WO4)] nets, which are organized by adhesion of [BiPO4] layers and [WO4] tetra­hedra above and below of those layers. The inter­stitial space is occupied by Cs atoms. Bi, W and P atoms lie on crystallographic twofold axes. PMID:21577386

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Regeneration of gingival tissue using in situ tissue engineering with collagen scaffold.

PubMed

Hatayama, Takahide; Nakada, Akira; Nakamura, Hiroki; Mariko, Wakatsuki; Tsujimoto, Gentarou; Nakamura, Tatsuo

2017-10-01

The aim of the study was to evaluate 2 types of collagen scaffold for gingival regeneration. Two types of collagen scaffolds, CS-pH7.4 and CS-pH3.0, were prepared by processing atelocollagen at pH 7.4 or 3.0, respectively, followed by dehydrothermal treatment. Gingival wounds with sizes of 4 × 6 mm (rectangle) or 6 mm diameter (circle) were made with buccal incisions in beagle dogs. The defective area was surgically covered with the CS-pH7.4, CS-pH3.0, or no scaffold (control). Gingival regeneration was assessed by monitoring the differences in the lengths of the epithelial and submucosal tissues at the wound site and the normal site. Histopathologic assessments were performed by 4 evaluators independently; statistical significance was evaluated by using the Wald test. Significantly higher recovery of epithelial and submucosal tissues, which, in turn, resulted in recovery of gum thickness, was observed in gingival wounds treated with the CS-pH7.4 compared with that in the control. CS-pH3.0 treatment also resulted in higher gingival regeneration compared with the control; however, the effects were more pronounced in wounds treated with the CS-pH7.4. CS-pH7.4-treated wounds showed better gingival regeneration compared with the control and CS-pH3.0-treated wounds, even after adjusting for interevaluator differences using a linear mixed model. CS-pH7.4 is a promising scaffold for gingival tissue regeneration. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

One universal common endpoint in mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

PubMed

Solomon, Jesse A; Tarnopolsky, Mark A; Hamadeh, Mazen J

2011-01-01

There is no consensus among research laboratories around the world on the criteria that define endpoint in studies involving rodent models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Data from 4 nutrition intervention studies using 162 G93A mice, a model of ALS, were analyzed to determine if differences exist between the following endpoint criteria: CS 4 (functional paralysis of both hindlimbs), CS 4+ (CS 4 in addition to the earliest age of body weight loss, body condition deterioration or righting reflex), and CS 5 (CS 4 plus righting reflex >20 s). The age (d; mean ± SD) at which mice reached endpoint was recorded as the unit of measurement. Mice reached CS 4 at 123.9±10.3 d, CS 4+ at 126.6±9.8 d and CS 5 at 127.6±9.8 d, all significantly different from each other (P<0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between CS 4 and CS 5 (r = 0.95, P<0.001), CS 4 and CS 4+ (r = 0.96, P<0.001), and CS 4+ and CS 5 (r = 0.98, P<0.001), with the Bland-Altman plot showing an acceptable bias between all endpoints. Logrank tests showed that mice reached CS 4 24% and 34% faster than CS 4+ (P = 0.046) and CS 5 (P = 0.006), respectively. Adopting CS 4 as endpoint would spare a mouse an average of 4 days (P<0.001) from further neuromuscular disability and poor quality of life compared to CS 5. Alternatively, CS 5 provides information regarding proprioception and severe motor neuron death, both could be important parameters in establishing the efficacy of specific treatments. Converging ethics and discovery, would adopting CS 4 as endpoint compromise the acquisition of insight about the effects of interventions in animal models of ALS?

Functional Characterization of Tea (Camellia sinensis) MYB4a Transcription Factor Using an Integrative Approach

PubMed Central

Li, Mingzhuo; Li, Yanzhi; Guo, Lili; Gong, Niandi; Pang, Yongzheng; Jiang, Wenbo; Liu, Yajun; Jiang, Xiaolan; Zhao, Lei; Wang, Yunsheng; Xie, De-Yu; Gao, Liping; Xia, Tao

2017-01-01

Green tea (Camellia sinensis, Cs) abundantly produces a diverse array of phenylpropanoid compounds benefiting human health. To date, the regulation of the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in tea remains to be investigated. Here, we report a cDNA isolated from leaf tissues, which encodes a R2R3-MYB transcription factor. Amino acid sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis indicate that it is a member of the MYB4-subgroup and named as CsMYB4a. Transcriptional and metabolic analyses show that the expression profile of CsMYB4a is negatively correlated to the accumulation of six flavan-3-ols and other phenolic acids. GFP fusion analysis shows CsMYB4a’s localization in the nucleus. Promoters of five tea phenylpropanoid pathway genes are isolated and characterized to contain four types of AC-elements, which are targets of MYB4 members. Interaction of CsMYB4a and five promoters shows that CsMYB4a decreases all five promoters’ activity. To further characterize its function, CsMYB4a is overexpressed in tobacco plants. The resulting transgenic plants show dwarf, shrinking and yellowish leaf, and early senescence phenotypes. A further genome-wide transcriptomic analysis reveals that the expression levels of 20 tobacco genes involved in the shikimate and the phenylpropanoid pathways are significantly downregulated in transgenic tobacco plants. UPLC-MS and HPLC based metabolic profiling reveals significant reduction of total lignin content, rutin, chlorogenic acid, and phenylalanine in CsMYB4a transgenic tobacco plants. Promoter sequence analysis of the 20 tobacco genes characterizes four types of AC-elements. Further CsMYB4a-AC element and CsMYB4a-promoter interaction analyses indicate that the negative regulation of CsMYB4a on the shikimate and phenylpropanoid pathways in tobacco is via reducing promoter activity. Taken together, all data indicate that CsMYB4a negatively regulates the phenylpropanoid and shikimate pathways. Highlight: A tea (Camellia sinensis) MYB4a is characterized to encode a R2R3-MYB transcription factor. It is shown to repressively control the phenylpropanoid and shikimate pathway. PMID:28659938

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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).

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Chemical form analysis of reaction products in Cs-adsorption on stainless steel by means of HAXPES and SEM/EDX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobata, M.; Okane, T.; Nakajima, K.; Suzuki, E.; Ohwada, K.; Kobayashi, K.; Yamagami, H.; Osaka, M.

2018-01-01

In this study, for the understandings of Cesium (Cs) adsorption behavior on structure materials in severe accidents in a light water nuclear reactor, the chemical state of Cs and its distribution on the surface of SUS304 stainless steel (SS) with different Si concentrations was investigated by hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) and scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). As a result, it was found that Cs is selectively adsorbed at the site where Si distributes with a high concentration. CsFeSiO4 is the dominant Cs products in case of low Si content, while Cs2Si2O5 and Cs2Si4O9 are formed in addition to CsFeSiO4 in case of high Si content. The chemical forms of the Cs compounds produced in the adsorption process on the SS surface have a close correlation with the concentration and chemical states of Si originally included in SS.

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

133Cs-NMR Study on the Ground State of the Equilateral Triangular Spin Tube CsCrF4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsui, K.; Goto, T.; Manaka, H.; Miura, Y.

2018-03-01

We have investigated the hyperfine coupling between Cs and Cr on the S = 3/2 equilateral triangular spin tube CsCrF4, utilizing 133Cs-NMR. At paramagnetic state above 80 K, we have obtained spectra containing a single peak, which reflects the single crystallographic Cs site. From the temperature dependence of the peak shift and peak width, we evaluated effective values of the isotropic and the anisotropic part of hyperfine coupling. The latter was compared with the calculated dipole contribution. Using obtained parameters with assumed spin structure, we tried to reproduce the broadened spectrum in the ordered state at 2.0 K. The preliminary analysis shows the 120-degree structure does not accord with the observed spectra at the ordered state.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Three novel B-type mannose-specific lectins of Cynoglossus semilaevis possess varied antibacterial activities against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

PubMed

Sun, Yuan-yuan; Liu, Li; Li, Jun; Sun, Li

2016-02-01

Lectins are a group of sugar-binding proteins that are important factors of the innate immune system. In this study, we examined, in a comparative manner, the expression and function of three Bulb-type (B-type) mannose-specific lectins (named CsBML1, CsBML2, and CsBML3) from tongue sole. All three lectins possess three repeats of the conserved mannose binding motif QXDXNXVXY. Expression of CsBML1, CsBML2, and CsBML3 was most abundant in liver and upregulated by bacterial infection. Recombinant (r) CsBML1, CsBML2, and CsBML3 bound to a wide arrange of bacteria in a dose-dependent manner and with different affinities. All three lectins displayed mannose-specific and calcium-dependent agglutinating capacities but differed in agglutinating profiles. rCsBML1 and rCsBML2, but not rCsBML3, killed target bacteria in vitro and inhibited bacterial dissemination in fish tissues in vivo. These results indicate for the first time that in teleost, different members of B-type mannose-specific lectins likely play different roles in antibacterial immunity. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

[Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel Clonorchis sinensis antigenic protein containing tandem repeat sequences].

PubMed

Liu, Qian; Xu, Xue-Nian; Zhou, Yan; Cheng, Na; Dong, Yu-Ting; Zheng, Hua-Jun; Zhu, Yong-Qiang; Zhu, Yong-Qiang

2013-08-01

To find and clone new antigen genes from the lambda-ZAP cDNA expression library of adult Clonorchis sinensis, and determine the immunological characteristics of the recombinant proteins. The cDNA expression library of adult C. sinensis was screened by pooled sera of clonorchiasis patients. The sequences of the positive phage clones were compared with the sequences in EST database, and the full-length sequence of the gene (Cs22 gene) was obtained by RT-PCR. cDNA fragments containing 2 and 3 times tandem repeat sequences were generated by jumping PCR. The sequence encoding the mature peptide or the tandem repeat sequence was respectively cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET28a (+), and then transformed into E. coli Rosetta DE3 cells for expression. The recombinant proteins (rCs22-2r, rCs22-3r, rCs22M-2r, and rCs22M-3r) were purified by His-bind-resin (Ni-NTA) affinity chromatography. The immunogenicity of rCs22-2r and rCs22-3r was identified by ELISA. To evaluate the immunological diagnostic value of rCs22-2r and rCs22-3r, serum samples from 35 clonorchiasis patients, 31 healthy individuals, 15 schistosomiasis patients, 15 paragonimiasis westermani patients and 13 cysticercosis patients were examined by ELISA. To locate antigenic determinants, the pooled sera of clonorchiasis patients and healthy persons were analyzed for specific antibodies by ELISA with recombinant protein rCs22M-2r and rCs22M-3r containing the tandem repeat sequences. The full-length sequence of Cs22 antigen gene of C. sinensis was obtained. It contained 13 times tandem repeat sequences of EQQDGDEEGMGGDGGRGKEKGKVEGEDGAGEQKEQA. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the protein (Cs22) belonged to GPI-anchored proteins family. The recombinant proteins rCs22-2r and rCs22-3r showed a certain level of immunogenicity. The positive rate by ELISA coated with the purified PrCs22-2r and PrCs22-3r for sera of clonorchiasis patients both were 45.7% (16/35), and 3.2% (1/31) for those of healthy persons. There was no cross reaction with sera of schistosomiasis and cysticercosis patients. The cross reaction with sera of paragonimiasis westermani patients was 1/15. The recombinant proteins rCs22M-2r and rCs22M-3r which only contained tandem repeats were specifically recognized by pooled sera of clonorchiasis patients. The Cs22 antigen gene of Clonorchis sinensis is obtained, and the recombinant proteins have certain diagnostic value. The antigenic determinant is located in tandem repeat sequences.

Nanostructural organization in carbon disulfide/ionic liquid mixtures: Molecular dynamics simulations and optical Kerr effect spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Peng; Voth, Gregory A.; Xiao, Dong; Hines, Larry G.; Bartsch, Richard A.; Quitevis, Edward L.

2011-07-01

In this paper, the nanostructural organization and subpicosecond intermolecular dynamics in the mixtures of CS2 and the room temperature ionic liquid (IL) 1-pentyl-3-methylimidazolium bis{(trifluoromethane)sulfonyl}amide ([C5mim][NTf2]) were studied as a function of concentration using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and optical heterodyne-detected Raman-induced Kerr effect spectroscopy. At low CS2 concentrations (<10 mol.% CS2/IL), the MD simulations indicate that the CS2 molecules are localized in the nonpolar domains. In contrast, at higher concentrations (≥10 mol.% CS2/IL), the MD simulations show aggregation of the CS2 molecules. The optical Kerr effect (OKE) spectra of the mixtures are interpreted in terms of an additivity model with the components arising from the subpicosecond dynamics of CS2 and the IL. Comparison of the CS2-component with the OKE spectra of CS2 in alkane solvents is consistent with CS2 mainly being localized in the nonpolar domains, even at high CS2 concentrations, and the local CS2 concentration being higher than the bulk CS2 concentration.

Exploratory Solid-State Synthesis of Uranium Chalcogenides and Mixed Anion Uranium Chalcogenides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ward, Matthew David

Several uranium chalcogenides and mixed anion uranium chalcogenides have been synthesized by solid-state synthetic methods. Structural determinations were carried out via single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Some of these compounds have been further characterized by magnetic measurements, optical properties measurements, Raman spectroscopy, resistivity measurements, XANES and XPS. Eight compounds of the composition MU8Q17 were synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All of these compounds crystallize in the CrU8S17 structure type. XANES measurements indicate that ScU8S17 contains Sc3+ and must be charge balanced with some amount of U 3+. Two compounds of the composition ATiU3Te9 crystallize as black rectangular plates. From single-crystal magnetic measurements, CsTiU 3Te9 is consistent with antiferromagnetic coupling between magnetic U atoms. The uranium chalcogenide compounds NiUS3 and Cr4US 8 were synthesized from reaction of the elements in various fluxes. NiUS3 crystallizes in the GdFeO3 structure type. Cr 4US8 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group D - Pnma and its structure is related to that of Li4UF 8. The compounds Rh2U6S15, Cs 2Ti2U6Se15, and Cs2Cr 2U6Se15 crystallize as black prisms in the cubic space group O-Im3m. Magnetic measurements on Cs 2Cr2U6Se15 give a value for the Weiss temperature, θWeiss, of 57.59 K, indicative of ferromagnetic coupling. Black plates of CsScU(Se2)Se3 were synthesized from the reaction of the elements in a CsCl flux. CsScU(Se2)Se 3 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group D- Cmcm . Magnetic susceptibility measurements on CsScU(Se2)Se 3 indicate three regions of magnetic response. The uranium double salt Cs5[U2(μ-S 2)2Cl8]I crystallizes as red plates. Cs 5[U2(μ-S2)2Cl 8]I displays optical anisotropy with band gap energies of 1.99 eV and 2.08 eV along the [001] and [100] polarizations. The uranium oxychalcogenides U7O2Se12 and Na2Ba2(UO2)S4 were synthesized by intentional oxygen contamination. The structure of U7O 2Se12 is related to the previously reported U7Q 12. Na2Ba2(UO2)S4 contains isolated uranyl polyhedra in which each uranium atom may be assigned an oxidation state of +6. The four uranium(IV) chlorophosphates, UCl4(POCl3), [U2Cl9][PCl4], UCl3(PO2Cl 2), and U2Cl8(POCl3) were synthesized in an effort to synthesize new novel uranyl sulfides. All are unstable, but UCl4(POCl3) is the thermodynamically favorable phase.

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.

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.

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.

Cs4PbBr6/CsPbBr3 Perovskite Composites with Near-Unity Luminescence Quantum Yield: Large-Scale Synthesis, Luminescence and Formation Mechanism, and White Light-Emitting Diode Application.

PubMed

Chen, Ya-Meng; Zhou, Yang; Zhao, Qing; Zhang, Jun-Ying; Ma, Ju-Ping; Xuan, Tong-Tong; Guo, Shao-Qiang; Yong, Zi-Jun; Wang, Jing; Kuroiwa, Yoshihiro; Moriyoshi, Chikako; Sun, Hong-Tao

2018-05-09

All-inorganic perovskites have emerged as a new class of phosphor materials owing to their outstanding optical properties. Zero-dimensional inorganic perovskites, in particular the Cs 4 PbBr 6 -related systems, are inspiring intensive research owing to the high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and good stability. However, synthesizing such perovskites with high PLQYs through an environment-friendly, cost-effective, scalable, and high-yield approach remains challenging, and their luminescence mechanisms has been elusive. Here, we report a simple, scalable, room-temperature self-assembly strategy for the synthesis of Cs 4 PbBr 6 /CsPbBr 3 perovskite composites with near-unity PLQY (95%), high product yield (71%), and good stability using low-cost, low-toxicity chemicals as precursors. A broad range of experimental and theoretical characterizations suggest that the high-efficiency PL originates from CsPbBr 3 nanocrystals well passivated by the zero-dimensional Cs 4 PbBr 6 matrix that forms based on a dissolution-crystallization process. These findings underscore the importance in accurately identifying the phase purity of zero-dimensional perovskites by synchrotron X-ray technique to gain deep insights into the structure-property relationship. Additionally, we demonstrate that green-emitting Cs 4 PbBr 6 /CsPbBr 3 , combined with red-emitting K 2 SiF 6 :Mn 4+ , can be used for the construction of WLEDs. Our work may pave the way for the use of such composite perovskites as highly luminescent emitters in various applications such as lighting, displays, and other optoelectronic and photonic devices.

Preparation and characterization of polymer nanocomposites coated magnetic nanoparticles for drug delivery applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prabha, G.; Raj, V.

2016-06-01

In the present research work, the anticancer drug 'curcumin' is loaded with Chitosan (CS)-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) (CS-PEG-PVP) polymer nanocomposites coated with superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles. The system can be used for targeted and controlled drug delivery of anticancer drugs with reduced side effects and greater efficiency. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Curcumin drug loaded Fe3O4-CS, Fe3O4-CS-PEG and Fe3O4-CS-PEG-PVP nanoparticles exhibited the mean particle size in the range of 183-390 nm with a zeta potential value of 26-41 mV as measured using Malvern Zetasizer. The encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity and in-vitro drug release behavior of curcumin drug loaded Fe3O4-CS, Fe3O4-CS-PEG and Fe3O4-CS-PEG-PVP nanoparticles were studied using UV spectrophotometer. Besides, the cytotoxicity of the prepared nanoparticles using MTT assay was also studied. The curcumin drug release was examined at different pH medium and it was proved that the drug release depends upon the pH medium in addition to the nature of matrix.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Pure zero-dimensional Cs4PbBr6 single crystal rhombohedral microdisks with high luminescence and stability.

PubMed

Zhang, Haihua; Liao, Qing; Wu, Yishi; Chen, Jianwei; Gao, Qinggang; Fu, Hongbing

2017-11-08

Zero-dimensional (0D) perovskite Cs 4 PbBr 6 has been speculated to be an efficient solid-state emitter, exhibiting strong luminescense on achieving quantum confinement. Although several groups have reported strong green luminescence from Cs 4 PbBr 6 powders and nanocrystals, doubts that the origin of luminescence comes from Cs 4 PbBr 6 itself or CsPbBr 3 impurities have been a point of controversy in recent investigations. Herein, we developed a facile one-step solution self-assembly method to synthesize pure zero-dimensional rhombohedral Cs 4 PbBr 6 micro-disks (MDs) with a high PLQY of 52% ± 5% and photoluminescence full-width at half maximum (FWHM) of 16.8 nm. The obtained rhombohedral MDs were high quality single-crystalline as demonstrated by XRD and SAED patterns. We demonstrated that Cs 4 PbBr 6 MDs and CsPbBr 3 MDs were phase-separated from each other and the strong green emission comes from Cs 4 PbBr 6 . Power and temperature dependence spectra evidenced that the observed strong green luminescence of pure Cs 4 PbBr 6 MDs originated from direct exciton recombination in the isolated octahedra with a large binding energy of 303.9 meV. Significantly, isolated PbBr 6 4- octahedra separated by a Cs + ion insert in the crystal lattice is beneficial to maintaining the structural stability, depicting superior thermal and anion exchange stability. Our study provides an efficient approach to obtain high quality single-crystalline Cs 4 PbBr 6 MDs with highly efficient luminescence and stability for further optoelectronic applications.

L-Theanine Content and Related Gene Expression: Novel Insights into Theanine Biosynthesis and Hydrolysis among Different Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis L.) Tissues and Cultivars

PubMed Central

Liu, Zhi-Wei; Wu, Zhi-Jun; Li, Hui; Wang, Yong-Xin; Zhuang, Jing

2017-01-01

L-Theanine content has tissues and cultivars specificity in tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.), the correlations of theanine metabolic related genes expression profiles with theanine contents were explored in this study. L-theanine contents in the bud and 1st leaf, 2nd leaf, 3rd leaf, old leaf, stem, and lateral root were determined by HPLC from three C. sinensis cultivars, namely ‘Huangjinya’, ‘Anjibaicha’, and ‘Yingshuang’, respectively. The theanine contents in leaves and root of ‘Huangjinya’ were the highest, followed by ‘Anjibaicha’, and ‘Yingshuang’. The theanine contents in the leaves reduced as the leaf mature gradually, and in stem were the least. Seventeen genes encoding enzymes involved in theanine metabolism were identified from GenBank and our tea transcriptome database, including CsTS1, CsTS2, CsGS1, CsGS2, CsGOGAT-Fe, CsGOGAT-NAD(P)H, CsGDH1, CsGDH2, CsALT, CsSAMDC, CsADC, CsCuAO, CsPAO, CsNiR, CsNR, CsGGT1, and CsGGT3. The transcript profiles of those seventeen genes in the different tissues of three tea plant cultivars were analyzed comparatively. Among the different cultivars, the transcript levels of most selected genes in ‘Huangjinya’ were significantly higher than that in the ‘Anjibaicha’ and ‘Yingshuang’. Among the different tissues, the transcript levels of CsTS2, CsGS1, and CsGDH2 almost showed positive correlation with the theanine contents, while the other genes showed negative correlation with the theanine contents in most cases. The theanine contents showed correlations with related genes expression levels among cultivars and tissues of tea plant, and were determined by the integrated effect of the metabolic related genes. PMID:28439281

Effects of NH4+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ on the Cesium Adsorption/Desorption in Binding Sites of Vermiculitized Biotite.

PubMed

Yin, Xiangbiao; Wang, Xinpeng; Wu, Hao; Takahashi, Hideharu; Inaba, Yusuke; Ohnuki, Toshihiko; Takeshita, Kenji

2017-12-05

The reversibility of cesium adsorption in contaminated soil is largely dependent on its interaction with micaceous minerals, which may be greatly influenced by various cations. Herein, we systematically investigated the effects of NH 4 + , K + , Mg 2+ , and Ca 2+ on the adsorption/desorption of Cs + into different binding sites of vermiculitized biotite (VB). Original VB was initially saturated by NH 4 + , K + , or Mg 2+ ; we then evaluated the adsorption of Cs + on three treated VBs, and the desorption by extraction with NH 4 + , K + , Mg 2+ , or Ca 2+ was further evaluated. Our structural analysis and Cs + extractability determinations showed that NH 4 + and K + both collapsed the interlayers of VB, resulting in the dominant adsorption of Cs + to external surface sites on which Cs + was readily extracted by NH 4 + , K + , Mg 2+ , or Ca 2+ irrespective of their species, whereas Mg 2+ maintained the VB with expanded interlayers, leading to the overwhelming adsorption of Cs + in collapsed interlayer sites on which the Cs + desorption was difficult and varied significantly by the cations used in extraction. The order of Cs + extraction ability from the collapsed interlayers was K + ≫ Mg 2+ ≈ Ca 2+ ≫ NH 4 + . These results could provide important insights into Cs migration in soil and its decontamination for soil remediation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Infection of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Roots by Meloidogyne incognita Alters the Expression of Actin-Depolymerizing Factor (ADF) Genes, Particularly in Association with Giant Cell Formation

PubMed Central

Liu, Bin; Liu, Xingwang; Liu, Ying; Xue, Shudan; Cai, Yanling; Yang, Sen; Dong, Mingming; Zhang, Yaqi; Liu, Huiling; Zhao, Binyu; Qi, Changhong; Zhu, Ning; Ren, Huazhong

2016-01-01

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is threatened by substantial yield losses due to the south root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita). However, understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the process of nematode infection is still limited. In this study, we found that M. incognita infection affected the structure of cells in cucumber roots and treatment of the cytoskeleton inhibitor (cytochalasin D) reduced root-knot nematode (RKN) parasitism. It is known that Actin-Depolymerizing Factor (ADF) affects cell structure, as well as the organization of the cytoskeleton. To address the hypothesis that nematode-induced abnormal cell structures and cytoskeletal rearrangements might be mediated by the ADF genes, we identified and characterized eight cucumber ADF (CsADF) genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the cucumber ADF gene family is grouped into four ancient subclasses. Expression analysis revealed that CsADF1, CsADF2-1, CsADF2-2, CsADF2-3 (Subclass I), and CsADF6 (Subclass III) have higher transcript levels than CsADF7-1, CsADF7-2 (Subclass II genes), and CsADF5 (Subclass IV) in roots. Members of subclass I genes (CsADF1, CsADF2-1, CsADF2-2, and CsADF2-3), with the exception of CsADF2-1, exhibited a induction of expression in roots 14 days after their inoculation (DAI) with nematodes. However, the expression of subclass II genes (CsADF7-1 and CsADF7-2) showed no significant change after inoculation. The transcript levels of CsADF6 (Subclass III) showed a specific induction at 21 DAI, while CsADF5 (Subclass IV) was weakly expressed in roots, but was strongly up-regulated as early as 7 DAI. In addition, treatment of roots with cytochalasin D caused an approximately 2-fold down-regulation of the CsADF genes in the treated plants. These results suggest that CsADF gene mediated actin dynamics are associated with structural changes in roots as a consequence of M. incognita infection. PMID:27695469

Redox-switched complexation/decomplexation of K(+) and Cs(+) by molecular cyanometalate boxes.

PubMed

Boyer, Julie L; Ramesh, Maya; Yao, Haijun; Rauchfuss, Thomas B; Wilson, Scott R

2007-02-21

The reaction of [N(PPh(3))(2)][CpCo(CN)(3)] and [Cb*Co(NCMe)(3)]PF(6) (Cb* = C(4)Me(4)) in the presence of K(+) afforded {K subset[CpCo(CN)(3)](4)[Cb*Co](4)}PF(6), [KCo(8)]PF(6). IR, NMR, ESI-MS indicate that [KCo(8)]PF(6) is a high-symmetry molecular box containing a potassium ion at its interior. The analogous heterometallic cage {K subset[Cp*Rh(CN)(3)](4)[Cb*Co](4)}PF(6) ([KRh(4)Co(4)]PF(6)) was prepared similarly via the condensation of K[Cp*Rh(CN)(3)] and [Cb*Co(NCMe)(3)]PF(6). Crystallographic analysis confirmed the structure of [KCo(8)]PF(6). The cyanide ligands are ordered, implying that no Co-CN bonds are broken upon cage formation and ion complexation. Eight Co-CN-Co edges of the box bow inward toward the encapsulated K(+), and the remaining four mu-CN ligands bow outward. MeCN solutions of [KCo(8)](+) and [KRh(4)Co(4)](+) were found to undergo ion exchange with Cs(+) to give [CsCo(8)](+) and [CsRh(4)Co(4)](+), both in quantitative yields. Labeling experiments involving [(MeC5H4)Co(CN)(3)]- demonstrated that Cs(+)-for-K(+) ion exchange is accompanied by significant fragmentation. Ion exchange of NH(4+) with [KCo(8)](+) proceeds to completion in THF solution, but in MeCN solution, the exclusive products were [Cb*Co(NCMe)(3)]PF(6) and the poorly soluble salt NH(4)CpCo(CN)(3). The lability of the NH(4+)-containing cage was also indicated by the rapid exchange of the acidic protons in [NH(4)Co(8)](+). Oxidation of [MCo(8)](+) with 4 equiv of FcPF(6) produced paramagnetic (S = 4/2) [Co(8)](4+), releasing Cs(+) or K(+). The oxidation-induced dissociation of M(+) from the cages is chemically reversed by treatment of [Co(8)](4+) and CsOTf with 4 equiv of Cp(2)Co. Cation recognition by [Co(8)] and [Rh(4)Co(4)] cages was investigated. Electrochemical measurements indicated that E(1/2)(Cs(+))--E(1/2)(K(+)) approximately 0.08 V for [MCo(8)](+).

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].

Boosting Two-Dimensional MoS2/CsPbBr3 Photodetectors via Enhanced Light Absorbance and Interfacial Carrier Separation.

PubMed

Song, Xiufeng; Liu, Xuhai; Yu, Dejian; Huo, Chengxue; Ji, Jianping; Li, Xiaoming; Zhang, Shengli; Zou, Yousheng; Zhu, Gangyi; Wang, Yongjin; Wu, Mingzai; Xie, An; Zeng, Haibo

2018-01-24

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are promising candidates for flexible optoelectronic devices because of their special structures and excellent properties, but the low optical absorption of the ultrathin layers greatly limits the generation of photocarriers and restricts the performance. Here, we integrate all-inorganic perovskite CsPbBr 3 nanosheets with MoS 2 atomic layers and take the advantage of the large absorption coefficient and high quantum efficiency of the perovskites, to achieve excellent performance of the TMD-based photodetectors. Significantly, the interfacial charge transfer from the CsPbBr 3 to the MoS 2 layer has been evidenced by the observed photoluminescence quenching and shortened decay time of the hybrid MoS 2 /CsPbBr 3 . Resultantly, such a hybrid MoS 2 /CsPbBr 3 photodetector exhibits a high photoresponsivity of 4.4 A/W, an external quantum efficiency of 302%, and a detectivity of 2.5 × 10 10 Jones because of the high efficient photoexcited carrier separation at the interface of MoS 2 and CsPbBr 3 . The photoresponsivity of this hybrid device presents an improvement of 3 orders of magnitude compared with that of a MoS 2 device without CsPbBr 3 . The response time of the device is also shortened from 65.2 to 0.72 ms after coupling with MoS 2 layers. The combination of the all-inorganic perovskite layer with high photon absorption and the carrier transport TMD layer may pave the way for novel high-performance optoelectronic devices.

In vitro antioxidant and in vivo antidepressant activity of green synthesized azomethine derivatives of cinnamaldehyde

PubMed Central

Chigurupati, Sridevi; Shaikh, Sohrab Akhtar; Mohammad, Jahidul Islam; Selvarajan, Kesavanarayanan Krishnan; Nemala, Appala Raju; Khaw, Chu How; Teoh, Chun Foo; Kee, Ting Hei

2017-01-01

OBJECTIVES: In this study, three (CS-1 to CS-3) azomethine derivatives of cinnamaldehyde were green synthesized, characterized, and their antioxidant and antidepressant activities were explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antioxidant effect of these compounds was initially performed in vitro using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay methods before subjecting them to in vivo experiments. Compounds showing potent antioxidant activity (CS-1 and CS-2) were investigated further for their antidepressant activity using the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Ascorbic acid (AA) and fluoxetine (20 mg/kg, p.o) were used as reference drugs for comparison in the antioxidant and antidepressant experiments, respectively. RESULTS: It was observed that CS-2 and CS-3 exhibited highest DPPH (half maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50]: 16.22 and 25.18 μg/mL) and ABTS (IC50: 17.2 and 28.86 μg/mL) radical scavenging activity, respectively, compared to AA (IC50: 15.73 and 16.79 μg/mL) and therefore, both CS-2 and CS-3 were tested for their antidepressant effect using FST and TST as experimental models. Pretreatment of CS-2 and CS-3 (20 mg/kg) for 10 days considerably decreased the immobility time in both the FST and TST models. CONCLUSION: The antioxidant and antidepressant effect of CS-2 and CS-3 may be attributed to the presence of azomethine linkage in the molecule. PMID:29033482

Preparation and Characterization of Facilitated Transport Membranes Composed of Chitosan-Styrene and Chitosan-Acrylonitrile Copolymers Modified by Methylimidazolium Based Ionic Liquids for CO2 Separation from CH4 and N2

PubMed Central

Otvagina, Ksenia V.; Mochalova, Alla E.; Sazanova, Tatyana S.; Petukhov, Anton N.; Moskvichev, Alexandr A.; Vorotyntsev, Andrey V.; Afonso, Carlos A. M.; Vorotyntsev, Ilya V.

2016-01-01

CO2 separation was found to be facilitated by transport membranes based on novel chitosan (CS)–poly(styrene) (PS) and chitosan (CS)–poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) copolymer matrices doped with methylimidazolium based ionic liquids: [bmim][BF4], [bmim][PF6], and [bmim][Tf2N] (IL). CS plays the role of biodegradable film former and selectivity promoter. Copolymers were prepared implementing the latest achievements in radical copolymerization with chosen monomers, which enabled the achievement of outstanding mechanical strength values for the CS-based membranes (75–104 MPa for CS-PAN and 69–75 MPa for CS-PS). Ionic liquid (IL) doping affected the surface and mechanical properties of the membranes as well as the gas separation properties. The highest CO2 permeability 400 Barrers belongs to CS-b-PS/[bmim][BF4]. The highest selectivity α (CO2/N2) = 15.5 was achieved for CS-b-PAN/[bmim][BF4]. The operational temperature of the membranes is under 220 °C. PMID:27294964

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.

TLR4 deficiency promotes autophagy during cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary emphysema.

PubMed

An, Chang Hyeok; Wang, Xiao Mei; Lam, Hilaire C; Ifedigbo, Emeka; Washko, George R; Ryter, Stefan W; Choi, Augustine M K

2012-11-01

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) exert important nonimmune functions in lung homeostasis. TLR4 deficiency promotes pulmonary emphysema. We examined the role of TLR4 in regulating cigarette smoke (CS)-induced autophagy, apoptosis, and emphysema. Lung tissue was obtained from chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) patients. C3H/HeJ (Tlr4-mutated) mice and C57BL/10ScNJ (Tlr4-deficient) mice and their respective control strains were exposed to chronic CS or air. Human or mouse epithelial cells (wild-type, Tlr4-knockdown, and Tlr4-deficient) were exposed to CS-extract (CSE). Samples were analyzed for TLR4 expression, and for autophagic or apoptotic proteins by Western blot analysis or confocal imaging. Chronic obstructive lung disease lung tissues and human pulmonary epithelial cells exposed to CSE displayed increased TLR4 expression, and increased autophagic [microtubule-associated protein-1 light-chain-3B (LC3B)] and apoptotic (cleaved caspase-3) markers. Beas-2B cells transfected with TLR4 siRNA displayed increased expression of LC3B relative to control cells, basally and after exposure to CSE. The basal and CSE-inducible expression of LC3B and cleaved caspase-3 were elevated in pulmonary alveolar type II cells from Tlr4-deficient mice. Wild-type mice subjected to chronic CS-exposure displayed airspace enlargement;, however, the Tlr4-mutated or Tlr4-deficient mice exhibited a marked increase in airspace relative to wild-type mice after CS-exposure. The Tlr4-mutated or Tlr4-deficient mice showed higher levels of LC3B under basal conditions and after CS exposure. The expression of cleaved caspase-3 was markedly increased in Tlr4-deficient mice exposed to CS. We describe a protective regulatory function of TLR4 against emphysematous changes of the lung in response to CS.

TLR4 deficiency promotes autophagy during cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary emphysema

PubMed Central

An, Chang Hyeok; Wang, Xiao Mei; Lam, Hilaire C.; Ifedigbo, Emeka; Washko, George R.; Ryter, Stefan W.

2012-01-01

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) exert important nonimmune functions in lung homeostasis. TLR4 deficiency promotes pulmonary emphysema. We examined the role of TLR4 in regulating cigarette smoke (CS)-induced autophagy, apoptosis, and emphysema. Lung tissue was obtained from chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) patients. C3H/HeJ (Tlr4-mutated) mice and C57BL/10ScNJ (Tlr4-deficient) mice and their respective control strains were exposed to chronic CS or air. Human or mouse epithelial cells (wild-type, Tlr4-knockdown, and Tlr4-deficient) were exposed to CS-extract (CSE). Samples were analyzed for TLR4 expression, and for autophagic or apoptotic proteins by Western blot analysis or confocal imaging. Chronic obstructive lung disease lung tissues and human pulmonary epithelial cells exposed to CSE displayed increased TLR4 expression, and increased autophagic [microtubule-associated protein-1 light-chain-3B (LC3B)] and apoptotic (cleaved caspase-3) markers. Beas-2B cells transfected with TLR4 siRNA displayed increased expression of LC3B relative to control cells, basally and after exposure to CSE. The basal and CSE-inducible expression of LC3B and cleaved caspase-3 were elevated in pulmonary alveolar type II cells from Tlr4-deficient mice. Wild-type mice subjected to chronic CS-exposure displayed airspace enlargement;, however, the Tlr4-mutated or Tlr4-deficient mice exhibited a marked increase in airspace relative to wild-type mice after CS-exposure. The Tlr4-mutated or Tlr4-deficient mice showed higher levels of LC3B under basal conditions and after CS exposure. The expression of cleaved caspase-3 was markedly increased in Tlr4-deficient mice exposed to CS. We describe a protective regulatory function of TLR4 against emphysematous changes of the lung in response to CS. PMID:22983353

Facile synthesis of CsPbBr3/PbSe composite clusters

PubMed Central

Nguyen, Thang Phan; Ozturk, Abdullah; Park, Jongee; Sohn, Woonbae; Lee, Tae Hyung; Jang, Ho Won; Kim, Soo Young

2018-01-01

Abstract In this work, CsPbBr3 and PbSe nanocomposites were synthesized to protect perovskite material from self-enlargement during reaction. UV absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra indicate that the addition of Se into CsPbBr3 quantum dots modified the electronic structure of CsPbBr3, increasing the band gap from 2.38 to 2.48 eV as the Cs:Se ratio increased to 1:3. Thus, the emission color of CsPbBr3 perovskite quantum dots was modified from green to blue by increasing the Se ratio in composites. According to X-ray diffraction patterns, the structure of CsPbBr3 quantum dots changed from cubic to orthorhombic due to the introduction of PbSe at the surface. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy confirmed that the atomic distribution in CsPbBr3/PbSe composite clusters is uniform and the composite materials were well formed. The PL intensity of a CsPbBr3/PbSe sample with a 1:1 Cs:Se ratio maintained 50% of its initial intensity after keeping the sample for 81 h in air, while the PL intensity of CsPbBr3 reduced to 20% of its initial intensity. Therefore, it is considered that low amounts of Se could improve the stability of CsPbBr3 quantum dots. PMID:29296127

Effect of different promoter precursors in a model Ru-Cs/graphite system on the catalytic selectivity for Fischer-Tropsch reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eslava, José L.; Iglesias-Juez, Ana; Fernández-García, Marcos; Guerrero-Ruiz, Antonio; Rodríguez-Ramos, Inmaculada

2018-07-01

The effect of using two different promoter precursors on the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis was studied over cesium promoted ruthenium catalysts supported on a high surface area graphite support. In this work we reveal significant modifications in the selectivity values for Fischer-Tropsch reaction depending on the Cs promoter precursor (CsCl vs CsNO3). Specifically the bimetallic catalyst (4Ru-4Cs), prepared from nitrates both for metal and promoter precursors, showed a high selectivity to CO2 during reaction. By modifying the cesium precursor, it was possible to inhibit the water gas shift reaction, decreasing significantly the selectivity to CO2. In order to understand the chemical origin of these modifications a careful characterization of the materials was performed including: X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy measurements, temperature programmed reduction studies, determination of the CO uptakes on the catalysts and the evolution of the CO adsorption heats as a function of surface coverages. It was found that upon reduction and under reaction atmosphere the promoter in the ex-nitrate catalyst appears as Cs2O which is considered responsible of the CO2 production, while in the catalysts prepared with Cs chloride the promoter remains as CsCl suffering a slight partial reduction.

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.

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.

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%.

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

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.

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

Sustained release of anticancer agent phytic acid from its chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles for drug-delivery system.

PubMed

Barahuie, Farahnaz; Dorniani, Dena; Saifullah, Bullo; Gothai, Sivapragasam; Hussein, Mohd Zobir; Pandurangan, Ashok Kumar; Arulselvan, Palanisamy; Norhaizan, Mohd Esa

2017-01-01

Chitosan (CS) iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were coated with phytic acid (PTA) to form phytic acid-chitosan-iron oxide nanocomposite (PTA-CS-MNP). The obtained nanocomposite and nanocarrier were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analyses. Fourier transform infrared spectra and thermal analysis of MNPs and PTA-CS-MNP nanocomposite confirmed the binding of CS on the surface of MNPs and the loading of PTA in the PTA-CS-MNP nanocomposite. The coating process enhanced the thermal stability of the anticancer nanocomposite obtained. X-ray diffraction results showed that the MNPs and PTA-CS-MNP nanocomposite are pure magnetite. Drug loading was estimated using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and showing a 12.9% in the designed nanocomposite. Magnetization curves demonstrated that the synthesized MNPs and nanocomposite were superparamagnetic with saturation magnetizations of 53.25 emu/g and 42.15 emu/g, respectively. The release study showed that around 86% and 93% of PTA from PTA-CS-MNP nanocomposite could be released within 127 and 56 hours by a phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.4 and 4.8, respectively, in a sustained manner and governed by pseudo-second order kinetic model. The cytotoxicity of the compounds on HT-29 colon cancer cells was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The HT-29 cell line was more sensitive against PTA-CS-MNP nanocomposite than PTA alone. No cytotoxic effect was observed on normal cells (3T3 fibroblast cells). This result indicates that PTA-CS-MNP nanocomposite can inhibit the proliferation of colon cancer cells without causing any harm to normal cell.

Impact of edible chitosan-cassava starch coatings enriched with Lippia gracilis Schauer genotype mixtures on the shelf life of guavas (Psidium guajava L.) during storage at room temperature.

PubMed

de Aquino, Alana Bezerra; Blank, Arie Fitzgerald; Santana, Luciana Cristina Lins de Aquino

2015-03-15

The effect of edible chitosan-cassava starch (CH-CS) coatings containing a mixture of Lippia gracilis Schauer genotypes (EOM) on the shelf life of guavas during storage at room temperature for 10 days was studied. Sixteen formulations were prepared with a range of chitosan and essential oil mixtures concentrations, and the in vitro antimicrobial activity was tested. Formulations containing 2.0% cassava starch, 2.0% chitosan and 1.0%, 2.0% or 3.0% EOM were most effective in inhibiting the growth of the majority of bacteria. The edible CH-CS coating and CH-CS with 1.0% (CH-CS-EOM1) or 3.0% EOM (CH-CS-EOM3) were added to guavas and the shelf life was evaluated. On the tenth day of storage, total aerobic mesophilic bacteria and mould and yeast counts were statistically lower (p<0.05) in the CH-CS-EOM1- or CH-CS-EOM3-coated fruits than CH-CS-coated fruits. In addition, fruits coated with CH-CS or CH-CS-EOM showed no significant changes of total soluble solids content, while CH-CS-EOM-coated fruits showed lower titratable acidity than CH-CS-coated fruits at the end of storage. CH-CS-EOM3-coated guavas showed lower a(∗) and b(∗) values and higher L(∗) and hue values than those with other coatings. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Corn silage versus corn silage:alfalfa hay mixtures for dairy cows: effects of dietary potassium, calcium, and cation-anion difference.

PubMed

Erdman, R A; Piperova, L S; Kohn, R A

2011-10-01

Corn silage (CS) has replaced alfalfa hay (AH) and haylage as the major forage fed to lactating dairy cows, yet many dairy producers believe that inclusion of small amounts of alfalfa hay or haylage improves feed intake and milk production. Alfalfa contains greater concentrations of K and Ca than corn silage and has an inherently higher dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD). Supplemental dietary buffers such as NaHCO(3) and K(2)CO(3) increase DCAD and summaries of studies with these buffers showed improved performance in CS-based diets but not in AH-based diets. We speculated that improvements in performance with AH addition to CS-based diets could be due to differences in mineral and DCAD concentrations between the 2 forages. The objective of this experiment was to test the effects of forage (CS vs. AH) and mineral supplementation on production responses using 45 lactating Holstein cows during the first 20 wk postpartum. Dietary treatments included (1) 50:50 mixture of AH and CS as the forage (AHCS); (2) CS as the sole forage; and (3) CS fortified with mineral supplements (CaCO(3) and K(2)CO(3)) to match the Ca and K content of the AHCS diet (CS-DCAD). Feed intake and milk production were equivalent or greater for cows fed the CS and CS-DCAD diets compared with those fed the AHCS diet. Fat percentage was greater in cows fed the CS compared with the AHCS diet. Fat-corrected milk (FCM; 3.5%) tended to be greater in cows fed the CS and CS-DCAD diets compared with the AHCS diet. Feed efficiencies measured as FCM/dry matter intake were 1.76, 1.80, and 1.94 for the AHCS, CS, and CS-DCAD diets, respectively. The combined effects of reduced feed intake and increased FCM contributed to increased feed efficiency with the CS-DCAD diet, which contained 1.41% K compared with 1.18% K in the CS diet, and we speculate that this might be the result of added dietary K and DCAD effects on digestive efficiency. These results indicate no advantage to including AH in CS-based diets, but suggest that improving mineral supplementation in CS-based diets may increase feed efficiency. Copyright © 2011 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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.

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.

Molecular and biochemical characterizations of three fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolases from Clonorchis sinensis.

PubMed

Li, Shan; Bian, Meng; Wang, Xiaoyun; Chen, Xueqing; Xie, Zhizhi; Sun, Hengchang; Jia, Feifei; Liang, Pei; Zhou, Chenhui; He, Lei; Mao, Qiang; Huang, Bo; Liang, Chi; Wu, Zhongdao; Li, Xuerong; Xu, Jin; Huang, Yan; Yu, Xinbing

2014-01-01

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FbA) is a ubiquitous enzyme in glycolysis. In the present study, we screened out three distinct genes encoding FbA isozymes (CsFbAs, CsFbA-1/2/3) from Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis) and characterized their sequences and structures profiles as well as biochemical properties. The amino acid sequences of CsFbAs shared homology with those of Class I FbAs from other species. The putative quaternary structures revealed that CsFbA-2 and CsFbA-3 were tetramers, while CsFbA-1 was dimer. Recombinant CsFbA-2 and CsFbA-3 (rCsFbA-2/3) were confirmed to be Class I FbAs for their stable enzymatic activities in the presence of EDTA or metal ions. However, recombinant CsFbA-1 (rCsFbA-1) did not show the catalytic activity, which might be due to the inappropriate fold and interaction between its subunits. Both rCsFbA-2 and rCsFbA-3 showed similar enzymatic properties such as optimal temperatures and broad pH ranges that similar to human FbA isozymes. They showed relatively higher affinities for fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) than fructose-1-phosphate (F-1-P). Their kcat ratios of FBP to F-1-P were in accordance with those of human FbA-A or C. In addition, CsFbAs were differentially transcribed in the developmental stages of C. sinensis, suggesting their essential roles throughout the life stages. Extensive distribution of CsFbAs in adult worms indicated that ubiquitous activities of CsFbAs took place in these organs. Collectively, these results suggested that long-term parasitic environment might adapt these isozymes similar to host FbAs for metabolic requirement. Our study will provide new insight into CsFbAs in the glycometabolism of C. sinensis and relationship between the host and the parasite. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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.

Electronic structure and optical properties of Cs2HgI4: Experimental study and band-structure DFT calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lavrentyev, A. A.; Gabrelian, B. V.; Vu, V. T.; Shkumat, P. N.; Myronchuk, G. L.; Khvyshchun, M.; Fedorchuk, A. O.; Parasyuk, O. V.; Khyzhun, O. Y.

2015-04-01

High-quality single crystal of cesium mercury tetraiodide, Cs2HgI4, has been synthesized by the vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger method and its crystal structure has been refined. In addition, electronic structure and optical properties of Cs2HgI4 have been studied. For the crystal under study, X-ray photoelectron core-level and valence-band spectra for pristine and Ar+-ion irradiated surfaces have been measured. The present X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results indicate that the Cs2HgI4 single crystal surface is very sensitive with respect to Ar+ ion-irradiation. In particular, Ar+ bombardment of the single crystal surface alters the elemental stoichiometry of the Cs2HgI4 surface. To elucidate peculiarities of the energy distribution of the electronic states within the valence-band and conduction-band regions of the Cs2HgI4 compound, we have performed first-principles band-structure calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) as incorporated in the WIEN2k package. Total and partial densities of states for Cs2HgI4 have been calculated. The DFT calculations reveal that the I p states make the major contributions in the upper portion of the valence band, while the Hg d, Cs p and I s states are the dominant contributors in its lower portion. Temperature dependence of the light absorption coefficient and specific electrical conductivity has been explored for Cs2HgI4 in the temperature range of 77-300 K. Main optical characteristics of the Cs2HgI4 compound have been elucidated by the first-principles calculations.

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.

Performance, digestion, nitrogen balance, and emission of manure ammonia, enteric methane, and carbon dioxide in lactating cows fed diets with varying alfalfa silage-to-corn silage ratios.

PubMed

Arndt, C; Powell, J M; Aguerre, M J; Wattiaux, M A

2015-01-01

Two trials were conducted simultaneously to study the effects of varying alfalfa silage (AS) to corn silage (CS) ratio in diets formulated to avoid excess protein or starch on lactating dairy cow performance, digestibility, ruminal parameters, N balance, manure production and composition, and gaseous emissions [carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and ammonia-N (NH3-N)]. In trial 1 all measurements, except gas emissions, were conducted on 8 rumen-cannulated cows in replicated 4×4 Latin squares. In trial 2, performance and emissions were measured on 16 cows randomly assigned to 1 of 4 air-flow controlled chambers in a 4×4 Latin square. Dietary treatments were fed as total mixed rations with forage-to-concentrate ratio of 55:45 [dietary dry matter (DM) basis] and AS:CS ratios of 20:80, 40:60, 60:40, and 80:20 (forage DM basis). Measurements were conducted the last 3d of each 21-d period. Treatments did not affect DM intake, DM digestibility, and milk/DM intake. However, responses were quadratic for fat-and-protein-corrected milk, fat, and protein production, which reached predicted maxima for AS:CS ratio of 50:50, 49:51, and 34:66, respectively. Nitrogen use efficiency (milk N/N intake) decreased from 31 to 24g/100g as AS:CS ratio increased from 20:80 to 80:20. Treatments did not alter NH3-N/milk-N but tended to have a quadratic effect on daily NH3-N emission. Treatments had a quadratic effect on daily CH4 emission, which was high compared with current literature; they influenced CH4 emission per unit of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake and tended to influence CO2/NDF intake. Ruminal acetate-to-propionate ratio and total-tract NDF digestibility increased linearly with increasing AS:CS ratio. In addition, as AS:CS ratio increased from 20:80 to 80:20, NDF digested increased linearly from 2.16 to 3.24kg/d, but CH4/digested NDF decreased linearly from 270 to 190g/kg. These 2 counterbalancing effects likely contributed to the observed quadratic response in daily CH4 emission, which may have been influenced also by increasing starch with increasing CS in the diet as reflected by the increased ruminal propionate molar proportion. Overall, production performances were greatest for the intermediate AS:CS ratios (40:60 and 60:40), but daily excretion of urine, manure, fecal N, urinary urea N, and urinary N decreased with increasing proportion of CS in the diet, whereas daily CH4 emission was reduced for the 2 extreme AS:CS ratios (20:80 and 80:20). However, the proportion of AS and CS in the diet did not affect CH4/fat-and-protein corrected milk. Copyright © 2015 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Syntheses, crystal structures, and properties of new layered tungsten(VI)-containing materials based on the hexagonal-WO{sub 3} structure: M{sub 2}(WO{sub 3}){sub 3}SeO{sub 3} (M = NH{sub 4}, Rb, Cs)

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

Harrison, W.T.A.; Dussack, L.L.; Jacobson, A.J.

The hydrothermal syntheses and crystal structures of (NH{sub 4}){sub 2}(WO{sub 3}){sub 3}SeO{sub 3} and Cs{sub 2}(WO{sub 3}){sub 3}SeO{sub 3}, two new noncentrosymmetric, layered tungsten(VI)-containing phases are reported. Infrared, Raman, and thermogravimetric data are also presented. (NH{sub 4}){sub 2}(WO{sub 3}){sub 3}SeO{sub 3} and Cs{sub 2}(WO{sub 3}){sub 3}SeO{sub 3} are isostructural phases built up from hexagonal-tungsten-oxide-like, anionic layers of vertex-sharing WO{sub 6} octahedra, capped on one side by Se atoms (as selenite groups). Interlayer NH{sub 4}{sup +} or Cs{sup +} cations provide charge balance. The full H-bonding scheme in (NH{sub 4}){sub 2}(WO{sub 3}){sub 3}SeO{sub 3} has been elucidated from Rietveld refinement againstmore » neutron powder diffraction data. The WO{sub 6} octahedra display a 3 short + 3 long W-O bond-distance distribution within the WO{sub 6} unit in both these phases. (NH{sub 4}){sub 2}(WO{sub 3}){sub 3}SeO{sub 3} and Cs{sub 2}(WO{sub 3}){sub 3}SeO{sub 3} are isostructural with their molybdenum(VI)-containing analogues (NH{sub 4}){sub 2}(MoO{sub 3}){sub 3}SeO{sub 3} and Cs{sub 2} (MoO{sub 3}){sub 3}SeO{sub 3}. Crystal data: (NH{sub 4}){sub 2}(WO{sub 3}){sub 3}SeO{sub 3}, M{sub r} = 858.58, hexagonal, space group P6{sub 3} (No. 173), a = 7.2291(2) {angstrom}, c = 12.1486(3) {angstrom}, V = 549.82(3) {angstrom}{sup 3}, Z = 2, R{sub p} = 1.81%, and R{sub wp} = 2.29% (2938 neutron powder data). Cs{sub 2}(WO{sub 3}){sub 3}SeO{sub 3}, M{sub r} = 1088.31, hexagonal, space group P6{sub 3} (no. 173), a = 7.2615(2) {angstrom}, c = 12.5426(3) {angstrom}{sup 3}, Z = 2, R{sub p} = 4.84%, and R{sub wp} = 5.98% (2588 neutron powder data).« less

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

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.

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.

Implication of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in cryptogenic ischemic stroke.

PubMed

Seo, Jae-Young; Lee, Kyung Bok; Lee, Jung-Gon; Kim, Ji-Sun; Roh, Hakjae; Ahn, Moo-Young; Park, Byoung Won; Hyon, Min Su

2014-09-01

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is a predictor for atrial fibrillation (AF). This study was aimed to investigate whether LVDD in cryptogenic ischemic stroke (CS) could be a clue to stroke mechanism. The clinical and echocardiographic findings of 1589 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack between 2004 and 2013 were reviewed. LVDDs among stroke subtypes were graded by transthoracic echocardiography into 4 groups by severity: normal, abnormal relaxation (grade I), pseudonormal (grade II), and restrictive diastolic filling (grade III), whereas severe LVDD was defined as grade III. We classified the lesion pattern of CS into cardioembolism-mimic or non-cardioembolism-mimic and determined whether cardioembolism-mimic lesions were associated with severe LVDD. The fraction of severe LVDD in CS was not different from that of stroke with AF (27.3% versus 37.1%; P=0.173) but was significantly higher than that of stroke without AF (27.3% versus 13.4%; P=0.008). Cardioembolism-mimic CS had more severe LVDD than non-cardioembolism-mimic CS (41.4% versus 11.5%; P=0.013). LVDD of grade II (odds ratio, 4.37; 95% confidence interval, 2.99-6.41) and grade III (odds ratio, 5.60; 95% confidence interval, 3.42-9.17) were independently related to stroke with AF after adjusting covariates. The severe LVDD could be a predictor of stroke with AF, and its frequency was similar between CS and stroke with AF. Cardioembolism-mimic CS had significantly more severe LVDD than non-cardioembolism-mimic CS. LVDD could be helpful to discriminate the stroke mechanism in the patients with acute CS. © 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Clinical Characteristics of Endogenous Cushing's Syndrome at a Medical Center in Southern Taiwan

PubMed Central

Tung, Shih-Chen; Wang, Pei-Wen; Liu, Rue-Tsuan; Chen, Jung-Fu; Hsieh, Ching-Jung; Kuo, Ming-Chun; Yang, Joseph W.; Lee, Wei-Ching; Cheng, Min-Hsiung; Lee, Tao-Chen

2013-01-01

From January 1987 to December 2011, over a total of 25 years, 84 patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) were identified at a medical center in southern Taiwan. We observed a higher incidence of ACTH-independent CS (75%) than ACTH-dependent CS (25%). A higher incidence of adrenocortical adenoma (58.3%) than Cushing's disease (CD, 21.4%) was also found. The sensitivity of the definitive diagnostic tests for CS, including loss of plasma cortisol circadian rhythm, a baseline 24 h urinary free cortisol (UFC) value >80 μg, and overnight and 2-day low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, was between 94.4% and 100%. For the 2-day high-dose dexamethasone suppression test for the differential diagnosis of CD, the sensitivity of 0800 h plasma cortisol and 24 h UFC was 44.4% and 85.7%, respectively. For the differential diagnosis of adrenal CS, the sensitivities of the 0800 h plasma cortisol and 24 h UFC were 95.5% and 88.9%, respectively. In patients with ACTH-independent CS and ACTH-dependent CS, the baseline plasma ACTH levels were all below 29 pg/mL and above 37 pg/mL, respectively. The postsurgical hospitalization stay following retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy was shorter than that observed for transabdominal adrenalectomy (4.3 ± 1.6 versus 8.8 ± 3.7 days, P < 0.001). It was easy to develop retroperitoneal and peritoneal seeding of adrenocortical carcinoma via laparoscopic adrenalectomy. PMID:24062770

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.

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).

Cs2SO4 Gradients Containing Both Hg2+ and Ag+ Effect the Complete Separation of Satellite Deoxyribonucleic Acids Having Identical Densities in Neutral CsCl Gradients

PubMed Central

Skinner, Dorothy M.; Beattie, Wanda G.

1973-01-01

A combination of both Ag+ and Hg2+ in Cs2SO4 effects the complete separation of two DNAs having identical densities in CsCl. Satellite DNAs of hermit crab, Pagurus pollicaris, and lobster, Homarus americanus, have been isolated by this means. PMID:4522292

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on 137Cs uptake by plants grown on different soils.

PubMed

Vinichuk, M; Mårtensson, A; Ericsson, T; Rosén, K

2013-01-01

The potential use of mycorrhiza as a bioremediation agent for soils contaminated by radiocesium was evaluated in a greenhouse experiment. The uptake of (137)Cs by cucumber, perennial ryegrass, and sunflower after inoculation with a commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) product in soils contaminated with (137)Cs was investigated, with non-mycorrhizal quinoa included as a "reference" plant. The effect of cucumber and ryegrass inoculation with AM fungi on (137)Cs uptake was inconsistent. The effect of AM fungi was most pronounced in sunflower: both plant biomass and (137)Cs uptake increased on loamy sand and loamy soils. The total (137)Cs activity accumulated within AM host sunflower on loamy sand and loamy soils was 2.4 and 3.2-fold higher than in non-inoculated plants. Although the enhanced uptake of (137)Cs by quinoa plants on loamy soil inoculated by the AM fungi was observed, the infection of the fungi to the plants was not confirmed. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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.

Clonorchis sinensis omega-class glutathione transferases are reliable biomarkers for serodiagnosis of clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis.

PubMed

Kim, J-G; Ahn, C-S; Sripa, B; Eom, K S; Kang, I; Sohn, W-M; Nawa, Y; Kong, Y

2018-04-09

To determine the potential for immunodiagnostic application of two recombinant forms of Clonorchis sinensis omega-class glutathione transferases (rCsGSTo1 and rCsGSTo2) against human small liver-fluke C. sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini infections. Specific antibody levels against rCsGSTo1 and rCsGSTo2 in patients' sera of egg-positive opisthorchiasis (n = 87) and clonorchiasis (n = 120), as well as those in sera from patients with other helminthic infections (n = 252) and healthy controls (n = 40) were retrospectively analysed by ELISA. We observed highly positive correlation coefficients between specific antibody levels against rCsGSTo1 and rCsGSTo2 and egg counts per gramme of faeces (EPG) of patients with opisthorchiasis (n = 87; r = 0.88 for rCsGSTo1 and r = 0.90 for rCsGSTo2). Sera from opisthorchiasis patients whose EPG counts >100 (n = 43) revealed high antibody titres against both antigens. Patients' sera with low EPG counts (<100, n = 44) also exhibited reliable sensitivities of 93.2% and 97.7% for rCsGSTo1 and rCsGSTo2, respectively. Sera from clonorchiasis patients showed sensitivities of 90% (108/120 samples) and 89.2% (107/120 sera) for rCsGSTo1 and rCsGSTo2. Overall diagnostic sensitivities for liver-fluke infections were 92.3% for rCsGSTo1 (191/207 samples) and 93.2% for rCsGSTo2 (193/207 samples). Specificities were 89.7% (rCsGSTo1) and 97.6% (rCsGSTo2). Detection of specific antibody levels against rCsGSTo1 or rCsGSTo2 might be promising for the serodiagnosis of patients infected with these two phylogenetically close carcinogenic liver-flukes. Copyright © 2018 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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.

High-pressure behaviour of Cs{sub 2}V{sub 3}O{sub 8} fresnoite

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

Grzechnik, Andrzej, E-mail: grzechnik@xtal.rwth-aachen.de; Yeon, Jeongho; Zur Loye, Hans-Conrad

2016-06-15

Crystal structure of Cs{sub 2}V{sub 3}O{sub 8} fresnoite (P4bm, Z=2) has been studied using single-crystal X-ray diffraction in a diamond anvil cell to 8.6 GPa at room temperature. Cs{sub 2}V{sub 3}O{sub 8} undergoes a reversible first-order phase transition at about 4 GPa associated with anomalies in the pressure dependencies of the lattice parameters and unit-cell volume but without any symmetry change. Both structures consist of layers of corner-sharing V{sup 5+}O{sub 4} tetrahedra and V{sup 4+}O{sub 5} tetragonal pyramids separated by the Cs{sup +} cations located between the layers. At low pressures, the compression has little effect on the polarity ofmore » the structure. Above 4 GPa, the pseudosymmetry with respect to the corresponding centrosymmetric space group P4/mbm abruptly increases. The effects of external pressure and of the A{sup +} cation substitution in the vanadate fresnoites A{sub 2}V{sub 3}O{sub 8} (A{sup +}: K{sup +}, Rb{sup +}, NH{sub 4}{sup +}, Cs{sup +}) are discussed. - Graphical abstract: Non-centrosymmetric Cs{sub 2}V{sub 3}O{sub 8} undergoes a reversible first-order phase transition at about 4 GPa associated with an abrupt change of the pseudosymmetry with respect to the centrosymmetric space group P4/mbm. Display Omitted - Highlights: • High-pressure behaviour of vanadate fresnoites depends on alkali metal cations. • The size of the alkali metal cation determines whether the high-pressure phase is centrosymmetric. • No incommensurate structures are observed upon compression.« less

Duration of the peak of adolescent growth spurt in class i and ii malocclusion subjects using a cervical vertebrae maturation analysis.

PubMed

Salazar-Lazo, Rodrigo; Arriola-Guillén, Luis E; Flores-Mir, Carlos

2014-01-01

The aim of the present work was to determine the duration of the adolescent peak growth spurt using cervical vertebral maturation analysis in class I and II malocclusion subjects. The study was conducted on a sample which consisted of 154 lateral cephalograms of children and adolescents aged 9-15 years (84 females and 70 males). The evaluation of skeletal maturation stage was performed using a visual morphological analysis of CS3 and CS4 cervical vertebrae. The sagittal skeletal relation was evaluated according to Steiner analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize chronological age in each malocclusion group and for each CS3 and CS4 skeletal maturation stage. Due to a lack of normal distribution, comparisons of CS3 and CS4 age intervals on class I and II subjects were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test for independent samples. The results show that the mean duration of the adolescent peak growth spurt was 10 months between CS3 and CS4 stages in class I malocclusion subjects, whereas in class II malocclusion patients the duration was 6 months. This difference of 4 months was statistically significant (p<0.001). Finally, a clinically significant difference of 4 months in the duration of the adolescent peak growth spurt for class I and II malocclusion subjects was identified.

Bication lead iodide 2D perovskite component to stabilize inorganic α-CsPbI3 perovskite phase for high-efficiency solar cells

PubMed Central

Zhang, Taiyang; Dar, M. Ibrahim; Li, Ge; Xu, Feng; Guo, Nanjie; Grätzel, Michael; Zhao, Yixin

2017-01-01

Among various all-inorganic halide perovskites exhibiting better stability than organic-inorganic halide perovskites, α-CsPbI3 with the most suitable band gap for tandem solar cell application faces an issue of phase instability under ambient conditions. We discovered that a small amount of two-dimensional (2D) EDAPbI4 perovskite containing the ethylenediamine (EDA) cation stabilizes the α-CsPbI3 to avoid the undesirable formation of the nonperovskite δ phase. Moreover, not only the 2D perovskite of EDAPbI4 facilitate the formation of α-CsPbI3 perovskite films exhibiting high phase stability at room temperature for months and at 100°C for >150 hours but also the α-CsPbI3 perovskite solar cells (PSCs) display highly reproducible efficiency of 11.8%, a record for all-inorganic lead halide PSCs. Therefore, using the bication EDA presents a novel and promising strategy to design all-inorganic lead halide PSCs with high performance and reliability. PMID:28975149

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

Effect of low body temperature on associative interference in conditioned taste aversion.

PubMed

Christianson, John P; Anderson, Mathew J; Misanin, James R; Hinderliter, Charles F

2005-06-01

When two novel conditioned stimuli precede an unconditioned stimulus (US), the interval between the two conditioned stimuli (CS1 and CS2) influences the magnitude of the CS-US associability of each CS. As the interval between CS1 and CS2 increases, the associability of CS1 with the US decreases due to interference by CS2 and the associability of CS2 increases, given its temporal proximity to the US. Because hypothermia has been reported to increase the interval at which conditioned taste aversions can be formed, its influence was examined on the above relationship, i.e., how interference from CS2 affects the associability of CS1 with the US. Rats received a conditioned taste aversion procedure where CS1 and CS2 were presented either one after the other or separated by an 80-min. delay. For all subjects, the US or pseudo-US was presented immediately after CS2. When hypothermia was interpolated between the two flavor stimuli that were spaced 80 min. apart, CS2-interference with the CS1-US association was greatly attenuated. We propose that hypothermia modifies internal timing mechanisms such that the externally timed 80-min. CS1-CS2 interval was perceived as much shorter for rats made hypothermic. As a result of this perceived shortened inter-CS interval, CS2 produced less interference for the CS1-US association than would be expected for such a relatively long delay between CS1 and CS2.

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.

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.

Inorganic Corrosion-Inhibitive Pigments for High-Temperature Alkali-activated Well Casing Foam Cement

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

Sugama, T.; Pyatina, T.

2014-11-01

This study evaluates inorganic pigments for improving carbon steel (CS) brine-corrosion protection by the sodium metasilicate-activated calcium aluminate cement/Fly Ash blend at 300°C. Calcium borosilicate (CBS) and zinc phosphate, significantly improved CS corrosion-protection by decreasing cement’s permeability for corrosive ions and inhibiting anodic corrosion. An amorphous Na 2O-Al 2O 3-SiO 2-H 2O phase tightly attached to CS surface formed at 300oC in CBS-modified cement pore solution. The corrosion rate of the CS covered with this phase was nearly 4-fold lower than in the case of nonmodified cement pore solution where the major phase formed on the surface of CS wasmore » crystalline analcime.« less

Inorganic Corrosion-Inhibitive Pigments for High-Temperature Alkali-activated Well Casing Foam Cement

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

Sugama, T.; Pyatina, T.

2014-11-14

This study evaluates inorganic pigments for improving carbon steel (CS) brine-corrosion protection by the sodium metasilicate-activated calcium aluminate cement/Fly Ash blend at 300°C. Calcium borosilicate (CBS) and zinc phosphate, significantly improved CS corrosion-protection by decreasing cement’s permeability for corrosive ions and inhibiting anodic corrosion. An amorphous Na 2O-Al 2O 3-SiO 2-H 2O phase tightly attached to CS surface formed at 300oC in CBS-modified cement pore solution. The corrosion rate of the CS covered with this phase was nearly 4-fold lower than in the case of nonmodified cement pore solution where the major phase formed on the surface of CS wasmore » crystalline analcime.« less

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.

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.

New silicate-germanate Cs2Pb2[(Si0.6Ge0.4)2O7] from the series A2Pb2[B2O7], A = K, Cs, B = Si, Ge with the umbrella-like [PbO3]4- group

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belokoneva, Elena L.; Morozov, Ivan A.; Volkov, Anatoly S.; Dimitrova, Olga V.; Stefanovich, Sergey Yu.

2018-04-01

New silicate-germanate Cs2Pb2[(Si0.6Ge0.4)2O7] was synthesized in multi-components hydrothermal solution with 20 w.% concentration of Cs2CO3 mineralizer, pH = 10. Novel mixed compound belongs to the structure type A2Pb2[B2O7] previously indicated for powders with A = K, B=Si or Ge. Singe crystal structure determination of Cs2Pb2[(Si0.6Ge0.4)2O7] revealed the need for the correction of the space group of the earlier suggested structural model from P-3 to P-3m1, as well as for the splitting of the Pb-atom position. Umbrella-like groups [PbO3]4- are located between [(Si,Ge)O4]4- tetrahedra in mica-like honeycomb layers and play the role of tetrahedra with the Pb-lone-pair as the forth apex. Crystal chemical comparison revealed similarities and differences with the classical structure type of α-celsian Ba[Al2Si2O8] with the tetrahedral double layer. Recently investigated nonlinear optical acentric borates Pb2(BO3)(NO3) and Pb2(BO3)Cl are both related to this structural type, possessing umbrella-like groups [PbO3]4- and honeycomb layers [Pb2(BO3)]+ with the BO3-triangles on the tetrahedral positions.

Isolation of a carbon disulfide utilizing Thiomonas sp. and its application in a biotrickling filter.

PubMed

Pol, Arjan; van der Drift, Chris; Op den Camp, Huub J M

2007-02-01

The carbon disulfide (CS2)-oxidizing bacterium Thiomonas sp. WZW was enriched and isolated using activated sewage sludge as inoculum. Growth of Thiomonas sp. WZW was observed on CS2, thiosulfate, dimethylsulfide (DMS), dimethyldisulfide (DMDS), and H2S. No growth occurred on dimethylsulfoxide, methanol, acetate, and on complex media with glucose, yeast extract, or tryptone. DMDS-grown cells respired CS2, DMS, and DMDS, while thiosulfate-grown cells did not respire CS2. Chemostat cultures growing on thiosulfate could be rapidly adapted to growth on CS2. Growth was observed between pH 6 and 8. The Ks values for CS2, thiosulfate, and sulfide of CS2-grown cells were between 5 and 10 microM. CS2 was inhibitory above 0.3 mM. A lab-scale biotrickling filter with lava stone as carrier material for treatment of CS2-polluted air was inoculated with Thiomonas sp. WZW. A rapid start up (95% removal in 1 week) was obtained at an inlet CS2 concentration of 2 cmol l(-1) and an initial space velocity (SV) of 54 h(-1). Subsequent thiosulfate addition for a week during start up increased the removal to 99%. The step-wise increase of SV to 130 h(-1) and a CS2 concentration to 3 micromol l(-1) resulted in a stable performance with a removal efficiency of 95%. Feeding mixtures of volatile sulfur compounds showed simultaneous conversion of H2S, CS2, dimethyldisulfide (DMDS), and DMS, with a preference in this order.

[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.

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

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.

A semifluorinated alkane (F4H5) as novel carrier for cyclosporine A: a promising therapeutic and prophylactic option for topical treatment of dry eye.

PubMed

Gehlsen, Uta; Braun, Tobias; Notara, Maria; Krösser, Sonja; Steven, Philipp

2017-04-01

Cyclosporine A (Cs) has been used as effective topical therapy for inflammatory dry eye disease since more than a decade. However, due to its lipophilic character, Cs is formulated as emulsions or oily solutions for topical application. This experimental study aimed to test if the use of semifluorinated alkanes (SFAs) as a preservative-free, well-tolerated non-stinging or burning vehicle maintains or even improves the benefits of Cs in the topical therapy of dry-eye disease. Desiccating stress was applied to C57BL/6 mice for 14 consecutive days to induce experimental dry-eye. Cs dissolved in SFA (perfluorobutylpentane = F4H5with 0.5% Ethanol), F4H5 with 0.5% ethanol only, 0.05% Cs (Restasis®), and dexamethasone (Monodex®) were applied three times daily beginning either at day 4 or day 11 of desiccating stress for up to 3 weeks after end of dry-eye induction. In comparison to other groups, Cs/F4H5 demonstrated high efficacy and earlier reduction of corneal staining. In this study, Cs/F4H5 had the ability to maintain conjunctival goblet cell density once applied on day 4. Flow cytometry analysis from cervical lymphnodes demonstrated a significantly lower CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in the Cs/F4H5 group following 3 weeks of therapy than at baseline, but no difference in regulatory T cells from regional lymphnodes were seen. Overall, compared to a commercially available Cs formulation (Restasis®) and dexamethasone, Cs/F4H5 was shown to be equally effective but with a significantly faster therapeutic response in reducing signs of dry-eye disease in an experimental mouse model.

Conversion of radioactive ferrocyanide compounds to immobile glasses

DOEpatents

Schulz, W.W.; Dressen, A.L.

1975-11-21

A method is described for converting complex radioactive ferrocyanide compounds of /sup 134/Cs and /sup 137/Cs to immobile glass that is resistant to leaching by water. The /sup 134/Cs and /sup 137/Cs are separated from nuclear waste solutions by precipitation from alkaline solutions by the addition of a soluble Ni/sup 2 +/, Zn/sup 2 +/, Cu/sup 2 +/, Co/sup 2 +/, UO/sub 2//sup 2 +/, or Mn/sup 2 +/ and K/sub 4/Fe(CN)/sub 6/. The dried, finely ground precipitate is mixed with Na/sub 2/CO/sub 3/ and a mixture of (a) basalt and B/sub 2/O/sub 3/ or (b) SiO/sub 2/ and CaO, melted, and allowed to solidify. (BLM)

Effects of corn silage hybrids and dietary nonforage fiber sources on feed intake, digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and productive performance of lactating Holstein dairy cows.

PubMed

Holt, M S; Williams, C M; Dschaak, C M; Eun, J-S; Young, A J

2010-11-01

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of corn silage hybrids and nonforage fiber sources (NFFS) in high forage diets formulated with high dietary proportions of alfalfa hay (AH) and corn silage (CS) on ruminal fermentation and productive performance by early lactating dairy cows. Eight multiparous Holstein cows (4 ruminally fistulated) averaging 36±6.2 d in milk were used in a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Cows were fed 1 of 4 dietary treatments during each of the four 21-d replicates. Treatments were (1) conventional CS (CCS)-based diet without NFFS, (2) CCS-based diet with NFFS, (3) brown midrib CS (BMRCS)-based diet without NFFS, and (4) BMRCS-based diet with NFFS. Diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Sources of NFFS consisted of ground soyhulls and pelleted beet pulp to replace a portion of AH and CS in the diets. In vitro 30-h neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradability was greater for BMRCS than for CCS (42.3 vs. 31.2%). Neither CS hybrids nor NFFS affected intake of dry matter (DM) and nutrients. Digestibility of N, NDF, and acid detergent fiber tended to be greater for cows consuming CCS-based diets. Milk yield was not influenced by CS hybrids and NFFS. However, a tendency for an interaction between CS hybrids and NFFS occurred, with increased milk yield due to feeding NFFS with the BMRCS-based diet. Yields of milk fat and 3.5% fat-corrected milk decreased when feeding the BMRCS-based diet, and a tendency existed for an interaction between CS hybrids and NFFS because milk fat concentration further decreased by feeding NFFS with BMRCS-based diet. Although feed efficiency (milk/DM intake) was not affected by CS hybrids and NFFS, an interaction was found between CS hybrids and NFFS because feed efficiency increased when NFFS was fed only with BMRCS-based diet. Total volatile fatty acid production and individual molar proportions were not affected by diets. Dietary treatments did not influence ruminal pH profiles, except that duration (h/d) of pH <5.8 decreased when NFFS was fed in a CCS-based diet but not in a BMRCS-based diet, causing a tendency for an interaction between CS hybrids and NFFS. Overall measurements in our study reveal that high forage NDF concentration (20% DM on average) may eliminate potentially positive effects of BMRCS. In the high forage diets, NFFS exerted limited effects on productive performance when they replaced AH and CS. Although the high quality AH provided adequate NDF (38.3% DM) for optimal rumen fermentative function, the low NDF concentration of the AH and the overall forage particle size reduced physically effective fiber and milk fat concentration. Copyright © 2010 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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.

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.

Same-day 2-L PEG-citrate-simethicone plus bisacodyl vs split 4-L PEG: Bowel cleansing for late-morning colonoscopy

PubMed Central

de Leone, Annalisa; Tamayo, Darina; Fiori, Giancarla; Ravizza, Davide; Trovato, Cristina; De Roberto, Giuseppe; Fazzini, Linda; Dal Fante, Marco; Crosta, Cristiano

2013-01-01

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, acceptability and feasibility of bisacodyl plus low volume polyethyleneglycol-citrate-simeticone (2-L PEG-CS) taken the same day as compared with conventional split-dose 4-L PEG for late morning colonoscopy. METHODS: Randomised, observer-blind, parallel group, comparative trial carried out in 2 centres. Out patients of both sexes, aged between 18 and 85 years, undergoing colonoscopy for diagnostic investigation, colorectal cancer screening or follow-up were eligible. The PEG-CS group received 3 bisacodyl tablets (4 tablets for patients with constipation) at bedtime and 2-L PEG-CS in the morning starting 5 h before colonoscopy. The control group received a conventional 4-L PEG formulation given as split regimen; the morning dose was taken with the same schedule of the low volume preparation. The Ottawa Bowel Preparation Scale (OBPS) score was used as the main outcome measure. RESULTS: A total of 164 subjects were enrolled and 154 completed the study; 78 in the PEG-CS group and 76 in the split 4-L PEG group. The two groups were comparable at baseline. The OBPS score in the PEG-CS group (3.09 ± 2.40) and in the PEG group (2.39 ± 2.55) were equivalent (difference +0.70; 95%CI: -0.09-1.48). This was confirmed by the rate of successful bowel cleansing in the PEG-CS group (89.7%) and in the PEG group (92.1%) (difference -2.4%; 95%CI: -11.40- 6.70). PEG-CS was superior in terms of mucosa visibility compared to PEG (85.7% vs 72.4%, P = 0.042). There were no significant differences in caecum intubation rate, time to reach the caecum and withdrawal time between the two groups. The adenoma detection rate was similar (PEG-CS 43.6% vs PEG 44.7%). No serious adverse events occurred. No difference was found in tolerability of the bowel preparations. Compliance was equal in both groups: more than 90% of subjects drunk the whole solution. Willingness to repeat the same bowel preparations was about 90% for both regimes. CONCLUSION: Same-day PEG-CS is feasible, effective as split-dose 4-L PEG for late morning colonoscopy and does not interfere with work and daily activities the day before colonoscopy. PMID:24044042

Same-day 2-L PEG-citrate-simethicone plus bisacodyl vs split 4-L PEG: Bowel cleansing for late-morning colonoscopy.

PubMed

de Leone, Annalisa; Tamayo, Darina; Fiori, Giancarla; Ravizza, Davide; Trovato, Cristina; De Roberto, Giuseppe; Fazzini, Linda; Dal Fante, Marco; Crosta, Cristiano

2013-09-16

To evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, acceptability and feasibility of bisacodyl plus low volume polyethyleneglycol-citrate-simeticone (2-L PEG-CS) taken the same day as compared with conventional split-dose 4-L PEG for late morning colonoscopy. Randomised, observer-blind, parallel group, comparative trial carried out in 2 centres. Out patients of both sexes, aged between 18 and 85 years, undergoing colonoscopy for diagnostic investigation, colorectal cancer screening or follow-up were eligible. The PEG-CS group received 3 bisacodyl tablets (4 tablets for patients with constipation) at bedtime and 2-L PEG-CS in the morning starting 5 h before colonoscopy. The control group received a conventional 4-L PEG formulation given as split regimen; the morning dose was taken with the same schedule of the low volume preparation. The Ottawa Bowel Preparation Scale (OBPS) score was used as the main outcome measure. A total of 164 subjects were enrolled and 154 completed the study; 78 in the PEG-CS group and 76 in the split 4-L PEG group. The two groups were comparable at baseline. The OBPS score in the PEG-CS group (3.09 ± 2.40) and in the PEG group (2.39 ± 2.55) were equivalent (difference +0.70; 95%CI: -0.09-1.48). This was confirmed by the rate of successful bowel cleansing in the PEG-CS group (89.7%) and in the PEG group (92.1%) (difference -2.4%; 95%CI: -11.40- 6.70). PEG-CS was superior in terms of mucosa visibility compared to PEG (85.7% vs 72.4%, P = 0.042). There were no significant differences in caecum intubation rate, time to reach the caecum and withdrawal time between the two groups. The adenoma detection rate was similar (PEG-CS 43.6% vs PEG 44.7%). No serious adverse events occurred. No difference was found in tolerability of the bowel preparations. Compliance was equal in both groups: more than 90% of subjects drunk the whole solution. Willingness to repeat the same bowel preparations was about 90% for both regimes. Same-day PEG-CS is feasible, effective as split-dose 4-L PEG for late morning colonoscopy and does not interfere with work and daily activities the day before colonoscopy.

Single crystal growth, electronic structure and optical properties of Cs2HgBr4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lavrentyev, A. A.; Gabrelian, B. V.; Vu, V. T.; Shkumat, P. N.; Parasyuk, O. V.; Fedorchuk, A. O.; Khyzhun, O. Y.

2015-10-01

We report on successful synthesis of high-quality single crystal of cesium mercury tetrabromide, Cs2HgBr4, by using the vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger method as well as on studies of its electronic structure. For the Cs2HgBr4 crystal, we have recorded X-ray photoelectron spectra for both pristine and Ar+ ion-bombarded surfaces. Our data indicate that the Cs2HgBr4 single crystal surface is rather sensitive with respect to Ar+ ion-bombardment. In particular, such a treatment of the Cs2HgBr4 single crystal surface alters its elemental stoichiometry. To explore peculiarities of the energy distribution of total and partial densities of states within the valence band and the conduction band of Cs2HgBr4, we have made band-structure calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) employing the augmented plane wave+local orbitals (APW+lo) method as incorporated in the WIEN2k package. The APW+lo calculations allow for concluding that the Br 4p states make the major contributions in the upper portion of the valence band, while its lower portion is dominated by contributors of the Hg 5d and Cs 5p states. Further, the main contributors to the bottom of the conduction band of Cs2HgBr4 are the unoccupied Br p and Hg s states. In addition, main optical characteristics of Cs2HgBr4 such as dispersion of the absorption coefficient, real and imaginary parts of dielectric function, electron energy-loss spectrum, refractive index, extinction coefficient and optical reflectivity have been explored from the first-principles band-structure calculations.

Electronic structure and optical properties of Cs2HgCl4: DFT calculations and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lavrentyev, A. A.; Gabrelian, B. V.; Vu, V. T.; Parasyuk, O. V.; Fedorchuk, A. O.; Khyzhun, O. Y.

2016-10-01

A high-quality single crystal of cesium mercury tetrabromide, Cs2HgCl4, was synthesized by using the vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger method and its electronic structure was studied from both experimental and theoretical viewpoints. In particular, X-ray photoelectron spectra were measured for both pristine and Ar+ ion-bombarded Cs2HgCl4 single crystal surfaces. The present XPS measurements indicate that the Cs2HgCl4 single crystal surface is sensitive with respect to Ar+ ion-bombardment: such a treatment changes substantially its elemental stoichiometry. With the aim of exploring total and partial densities of states within the valence band and conduction band regions of the Cs2HgCl4 compound, band-structure calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) using the augmented plane wave + local orbitals (APW + lo) method as incorporated within the WIEN2k package are performed. The calculations indicate that the Cl 3p states are the principal contributors in the upper portion of the valence band, while the Hg 5d and Cs 5p states dominate in its lower portion. In addition, the calculations allow for concluding that the unoccupied Cl p and Hg s states are the main contributors to the bottom of the conduction band. Furthermore, main optical characteristics of Cs2HgCl4, namely dispersion of the absorption coefficient, real and imaginary parts of dielectric function, electron energy-loss spectrum, refractive index, extinction coefficient and optical reflectivity, are elucidated based on the DFT calculations.

Postsynthesis Phase Transformation for CsPbBr3/Rb4PbBr6 Core/shell Nanocrystals with Exceptional Photostability.

PubMed

Wang, Bo; Zhang, Congyang; Huang, Shouqiang; Li, Zhichun; Kong, Long; Jin, Ling; Wang, Junhui; Wu, Kaifeng; Li, Liang

2018-06-15

Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) as promising optoelectronic materials are intensively researched. However, the instability is one of the biggest challenges needed to overcome before fulfill their practical applications. To improve their stability, we present a postsynthetic controlled phase transformation of CsPbBr3 toward CsPbBr3/Rb4PbBr6 core/shell structure triggered by rubidium oleate treatment. The resulted core/shell NCs show exceptional photostability both in solution and on-chip. The solution of CsPbBr3/Rb4PbBr6 NCs can remain over 90% of the initial emission photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQY) after 42 h of intense light-emitting diodes illumination (450 nm, 175 mW/cm2), which is even better than the conventional CdSe/CdS quantum dots whose emission drop to 50% after 18 h under the same condition. We believe that the exceptional photostability should be resulted from the protection of the robust Rb4PbBr6 shell on CsPbBr3 NCs.

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

Enhanced water-solubility, antibacterial activity and biocompatibility upon introducing sulfobetaine and quaternary ammonium to chitosan.

PubMed

Chen, Yuxiang; Li, Jianna; Li, Qingqing; Shen, Yuanyuan; Ge, Zaochuan; Zhang, Wenwen; Chen, Shiguo

2016-06-05

Chitosan (CS) has attracted much attention due to its good antibacterial activity and biocompatibility. However, CS is insoluble in neutral and alkaline aqueous solution, limiting its biomedical application to some extent. To circumvent this drawback, we have synthesized a novel N-quaternary ammonium-O-sulfobetaine-chitosan (Q3BCS) by introducing quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) and sulfobetaine, and its water-solubility, antibacterial activity and biocompatibility were evaluated compare to N-quaternary ammonium chitosan and native CS. The results showed that by introducing QAC, antibacterial activities and water-solubilities increase with degrees of substitution. The largest diameter zone of inhibition (DIZ) was improved from 0 (CS) to 15mm (N-Q3CS). And the water solution became completely transparent from pH 6.5 to pH 11; the maximal waters-solubility was improved from almost 0% (CS) to 113% at pH 7 (N-Q3CS). More importantly, by further introducing sulfobetaine, cell survival rate of Q3BCS increased from 30% (N-Q3CS) to 85% at 2000μg/ml, which is even greater than that of native CS. Furthermore, hemolysis of Q3BCS was dropped sharply from 4.07% (N-Q3CS) to 0.06%, while the water-solution and antibacterial activity were further improved significantly. This work proposes an efficient strategy to prepare CS derivatives with enhanced antibacterial activity, biocompatibility and water-solubility. Additionally, these properties can be finely tailored by changing the feed ratio of CS, glycidyl trimethylammonium chloride and NCO-sulfobetaine. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Crystal Structure and Thermodynamic Stability of Ba/Ti-Substituted Pollucites for Radioactive Cs/Ba Immobilization

DOE PAGES

Xu, Hongwu; Chavez, Manuel E.; Mitchell, Jeremy N.; ...

2015-04-23

An analogue of the mineral pollucite (CsAlSi 2O 6), CsTiSi 2O 6.5 has a potential host phase for radioactive Cs. However, as 137Cs and 135Cs transmute to 137Ba and 135Ba, respectively, through the beta decay, it is essential to study the structure and stability of this phase upon Cs → Ba substitution. In this work, two series of Ba/Ti-substituted samples, Cs xBa (1-x)/2TiSi 2O 6.5 and Cs xBa 1-xTiSi 2O 7-0.5x, (x = 0.9 and 0.7), were synthesized by high-temperature crystallization from their respective precursors. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Rietveld analysis reveal that while Cs xBa (1-x)/2TiSi 2O 6.5 samplesmore » are phase-pure, Cs xBa 1-xTiSi 2O 7-0.5x samples contain Cs3x/(2+x)Ba (1-x)/(2+x)TiSi 2O 6.5 pollucites (i.e., also two-Cs-to-one-Ba substitution) and a secondary phase, fresnoite (Ba2TiSi2O8). Thus, the Cs xBa 1-xTiSi 2O 7-0.5x series is energetically less favorable than Cs xBa (1-x)/2TiSi 2O 6.5. To study the stability systematics of Cs xBa (1-x)/2TiSi 2O 6.5 pollucites, high-temperature calorimetric experiments were performed at 973 K with or without the lead borate solvent. Enthalpies of formation from the constituent oxides (and elements) have thus been derived. Our results show that with increasing Ba/(Cs + Ba) ratio, the thermodynamic stability of these phases decreases with respect to their component oxides. Hence, from the energetic viewpoint, continued Cs → Ba transmutation tends to destabilize the parent silicotitanate pollucite structure. However, the Ba-substituted pollucite co-forms with fresnoite (which incorporates the excess Ba), thereby providing viable ceramic waste forms for all the Ba decay products.« 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.

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).

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.

Phytoremediation of a radiocesium-contaminated soil: Field evaluation of {sup 137}Cs bioaccumulation in the shoots of three plant species. Quarterly technical progress report, October 1, 1996--December 31, 1996

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

Lasat, M.M.; Ebbs, S.D.; Kochian, L.V.

1997-08-01

A field study was conducted to investigate the potential of three plant species for phytoremediation of a {sup 137}Cs-contaminated site. From the contaminated soil, approximately 40-fold more radiocesium was removed in shoots of red root pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) compared with those of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern) and tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray). The greater potential for {sup 137}Cs removal from the soil by Amaranthus was associated with both high concentration of radiocesium in shoots and high shoot biomass production. Approximately 3% of the total {sup 137}Cs was removed from the top 15 cm of the soilmore » in shoots of three-month-old Amaranthus plants. Soil leaching tests conducted with 0.1 and 0.5 M NH{sub 4}NO{sub 3} solutions eluted as much as 15 and 19%, respectively, of the soil {sup 137}Cs. Addition of NH{sub 4}NO{sub 3} to the soil, however, had no positive effect on {sup 137}Cs accumulation in shoots in any of the species investigated. It is proposed that either NH{sub 4}NO{sub 3} solution quickly percolated through the soil before interacting at specific {sup 137}Cs binding sites or radiocesium mobilized by NH{sub 4}NO{sub 3} application moved below the rhizosphere becoming unavailable for root uptake. Further research is required to enhance the phytotransfer of the NH{sub 4}NO{sub 3}-mobilized {sup 137}Cs. With two croppings of Amaranthus per year and a sustained rate of extraction, phytoremediation of this {sup 137}Cs-contaminated soil appears feasible in less than 15 years.« 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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Phase Behavior of Complex Superprotonic Solid Acids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panithipongwut, Chatr

Superprotonic phase transitions and thermal behaviors of three complex solid acid systems are presented, namely Rb3H(SO4) 2-RbHSO4 system, Rb3H(SeO4)2-Cs 3H(SeO4)2 solid solution system, and Cs6 (H2SO4)3(H1.5PO4) 4. These material systems present a rich set of phase transition characteristics that set them apart from other, simpler solid acids. A.C. impedance spectroscopy, high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction, and thermal analysis, as well as other characterization techniques, were employed to investigate the phase behavior of these systems. Rb3H(SO4)2 is an atypical member of the M3H(XO4)2 class of compounds (M = alkali metal or NH4+ and X = S or Se) in that a transition to a high-conductivity state involves disproportionation into two phases rather than a simple polymorphic transition [1]. In the present work, investigations of the Rb3H(SO4)2-RbHSO4 system have revealed the disproportionation products to be Rb2SO 4 and the previously unknown compound Rb5H3(SO 4)4. The new compound becomes stable at a temperature between 25 and 140 °C and is isostructural to a recently reported trigonal phase with space group P3m of Cs5H 3(SO4)4 [2]. At 185 °C the compound undergoes an apparently polymorphic transformation with a heat of transition of 23.8 kJ/mol and a slight additional increase in conductivity. The compounds Rb3H(SeO4)2 and Cs 3H(SeO4)2, though not isomorphous at ambient temperatures, are quintessential examples of superprotonic materials. Both adopt monoclinic structures at ambient temperatures and ultimately transform to a trigonal (R3m) superprotonic structure at slightly elevated temperatures, 178 and 183 °C, respectively. The compounds are completely miscible above the superprotonic transition and show extensive solubility below it. Beyond a careful determination of the phase boundaries, we find a remarkable 40-fold increase in the superprotonic conductivity in intermediate compositions rich in Rb as compared to either end-member. The compound Cs6(H2SO4)3(H 1.5PO4)4 is unusual amongst solid acid compounds in that it has a complex cubic structure at ambient temperature and apparently transforms to a simpler cubic structure of the CsCl-type (isostructural with CsH2PO4) at its transition temperature of 100-120 °C [3]. Here it is found that, depending on the level of humidification, the superprotonic transition of this material is superimposed with a decomposition reaction, which involves both exsolution of (liquid) acid and loss of H2O. This reaction can be suppressed by application of sufficiently high humidity, in which case Cs6(H2SO4)3(H 1.5PO4)4 undergoes a true superprotonic transition. It is proposed that, under conditions of low humidity, the decomposition/dehydration reaction transforms the compound to Cs6(H2-0.5xSO 4)3(H1.5PO4)4-x, also of the CsCl structure type at the temperatures of interest, but with a smaller unit cell. With increasing temperature, the decomposition/dehydration proceeds to greater and greater extent and unit cell of the solid phase decreases. This is identified to be the source of the apparent negative thermal expansion behavior. References: [1] L.A. Cowan, R.M. Morcos, N. Hatada, A. Navrotsky, S.M. Haile, Solid State Ionics 179 (2008) (9-10) 305. [2] M. Sakashita, H. Fujihisa, K.I. Suzuki, S. Hayashi, K. Honda, Solid State Ionics 178 (2007) (21-22) 1262. [3] C.R.I. Chisholm, Superprotonic Phase Transitions in Solid Acids: Parameters affecting the presence and stability of superprotonic transitions in the MHnXO4 family of compounds (X=S, Se, P, As; M=Li, Na, K, NH4, Rb, Cs), Materials Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California (2003).

First-principles study of paraelectric and ferroelectric CsH2PO4 including dispersion forces: Stability and related vibrational, dielectric, and elastic properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van Troeye, Benoit; van Setten, Michiel Jan; Giantomassi, Matteo; Torrent, Marc; Rignanese, Gian-Marco; Gonze, Xavier

2017-01-01

Using density functional theory (DFT) and density functional perturbation theory (DFPT), we investigate the stability and response functions of CsH2PO4 , a ferroelectric material at low temperature. This material cannot be described properly by the usual (semi)local approximations within DFT. The long-range e--e- correlation needs to be properly taken into account, using, for instance, Grimme's DFT-D methods, as investigated in this work. We find that DFT-D3(BJ) performs the best for the members of the dihydrogenated alkali phosphate family (KH2PO4 , RbH2PO4 , CsH2PO4 ), leading to experimental lattice parameters reproduced with an average deviation of 0.5%. With these DFT-D methods, the structural, dielectric, vibrational, and mechanical properties of CsH2PO4 are globally in excellent agreement with the available experiments (<2 % MAPE for Raman-active phonons). Our study suggests the possible existence of a new low-temperature phase of CsH2PO4 , not yet reported experimentally. Finally, we report the implementation of DFT-D contributions to elastic constants within DFPT.

CS Riot Control Agent Exposure in US Army Mask Confidence Training: Association Between Exposure to O-Chlorobenzylidene Malononitrile (CS) and Urinary Metabolite 2-Chlorophippuric Acid

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-05-20

9 Figure 3. Major and Minor Metabolic Pathway of CS in the Body (37) .......................... 11 Figure 4. OSHA Versatile Sampler...the primary metabolite of CS in the body (8). This study will utilize Method ERB-2537 for quantification of CHA levels in exposed test subjects...intermediate that serves as a source of high energy in skeletal muscle and the brain (38). Creatine is produced in the body , can be consumed through foods

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.

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.

Synthesis, structure, and electronic structure of CsAgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4}

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

Mei Dajiang; Yin Wenlong; Feng Kai

2012-02-15

The new metal chalcogenide CsAgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4} has been synthesized by means of the reactive flux method. It crystallizes in the space group P2{sub 1}/c of the monoclinic system with cell dimensions of a=11.225(2) A, b=7.9443(16) A, c=21.303(4) A, {beta}=103.10(3), V=1850.3(6), and Z=8. The structure contains two-dimensional {sub {infinity}}{sup 2}[AgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4}]{sup -} layers separated by Cs{sup +} cations. The {sub {infinity}}{sup 2}[AgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4}]{sup -} superlayer possesses a novel chain-sublayer-chain structure: a {sub {infinity}}{sup 2}[Ag{sub 2}GaSe{sub 6}]{sup 7-} sublayer, composed of {sub {infinity}}{sup 1}[AgGaSe{sub 4}]{sup 4-} chains that are further connected by Ag{sup +} ions, is sandwiched by parallelmore » {sub {infinity}}{sup 1}[Ga{sub 3}Se{sub 8}]{sup 7-} chains to generate the {sub {infinity}}{sup 2}[AgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4}]{sup -} superlayer. From a band structure calculation, the orbitals of all atoms have contributions to the bottoms of conduction bands, but the band gap is mainly determined by the 4s, 4p orbitals of Ga and Se. - Graphical Abstract: CsAgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4} contains two-dimensional {sub {infinity}}{sup 2}[AgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4}]{sup -} layers with a novel chain-sublayer-chain structure. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer New chalcogenide CsAgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4} has been synthesized. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer It possesses a new structure type with {sub {infinity}}{sup 2}[AgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4}]{sup -} layers separated by Cs{sup +} cations. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer {sub {infinity}}{sup 2}[AgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4}]{sup -} consists of a {sub {infinity}}{sup 2}[Ag{sub 2}GaSe{sub 6}]{sup 7-} sublayer sandwiched by {sub {infinity}}{sup 1}[Ga{sub 3}Se{sub 8}]{sup 7-} chains. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Band gap of CsAgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4} is mainly determined by the 4s, 4p orbitals of Ga and Se.« less

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.

[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.

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.

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.

Effect of ZnO:Cs2CO3 on the performance of organic photovoltaics

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

We demonstrate a new solution-processed electron transport layer (ETL), zinc oxide doped with cesium carbonate (ZnO:Cs2CO3), for achieving organic photovoltaics (OPVs) with good operational stability at ambient air. An OPV employing the ZnO:Cs2CO3 ETL exhibits a fill factor of 62%, an open circuit voltage of 0.90 V, and a short circuit current density of −6.14 mA/cm2 along with 3.43% power conversion efficiency. The device demonstrated air stability for a period over 4 weeks. In addition, we also studied the device structure dependence on the performance of organic photovoltaics. Thus, we conclude that ZnO:Cs2CO3 ETL could be employed in a suitable architecture to achieve high-performance OPV. PMID:25045340

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.

Fe3O4@SiO2@CS-TETA functionalized graphene oxide for the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) and Cu(II)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Fan; Zhang, Lijuan; Wang, Yeying; Liu, Xijian; Rohani, Sohrab; Lu, Jie

2017-10-01

The graphene oxide (GO) functionalized by Fe3O4@SiO2@CS-TETA nanoparticles, Fe3O4@SiO2@CS-TETA-GO, was firstly fabricated in a mild way as a novel adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) ions and methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions. The magnetic composites showed a good dispersity in water and can be conveniently collected for reuse through magnetic separation due to its excellent magnetism. When the Fe3O4@SiO2@CS- TETA-GO was used as an absorbent for the absorption of MB and Cu(II), the adsorption kinetics and isotherms data well fitted the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir model, respectively. Under the optimized pH and initial concentration, the maximum adsorption capacity was about 529.1 mg g-1 for MB in 20 min and 324.7 mg g-1 for Cu(II) in 16 min, respectively, exhibiting a better adsorption performance than other GO-based adsorbents reported recently. More importantly, the synthesized adsorbent could be effectively regenerated and repeatedly utilized without significant capacity loss after six times cycles. All the results demonstrated that Fe3O4@SiO2@CS-TETA-GO could be used as an excellent adsorbent for the adsorption of Cu(II) and MB in many fields.

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

The Electronic Structure of the Cs/ n-GaN(0001) Nano-Interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benemanskaya, G. V.; Lapushkin, M. N.; Marchenko, D. E.; Timoshnev, S. N.

2018-03-01

Electronic structures of the n-GaN(0001) surface and Cs/ n-GaN(0001) interface with submonolayer Cs coverages were studied for the first time in situ by the photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) method. The spectra of photoemission from the valence band, surface electron states, and core levels (Ga 3 d, Cs 4 d, Cs 5 p) under synchrotron excitation were measured in a range of photon energies within 50-150 eV. Evolution of the spectrum of surface states near the valence-band maximum was revealed by PES during the adsorption of Cs atoms. A metallic character of the Cs/ n-GaN(0001) nano-interface is demonstrated.

Aging effect of 137Cs obtained from 137Cs in the Kanto loam layer from the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident and in the Nishiyama loam layer from the Nagasaki A-bomb explosion.

PubMed

Ohta, Tomoko; Mahara, Yasunori; Kubota, Takumi; Igarashi, Toshifumi

2013-01-01

We measured (134)Cs and (137)Cs in the surface soil of the Kanto loam in the eastern Tokyo metropolitan area and the Nishiyama loam in Nagasaki, Japan. The observed (137)Cs deposition in the Kanto loam from the Fukushima nuclear power plant (NPP) accident ranged from 4.0 to 77 kBq m(-2), which corresponds to 0.3-5 times of that in the Nishiyama loam. The (137)Cs retardation factor in the Kanto loam obtained seven months after the Fukusima NPP accident and in the Nishiyama loam after 36 and 38 years from the detonation of the Pu atomic bomb (A-bomb) ranged from 180 to 260 and 2000 to 10,000, respectively. This difference in the retardation factors is attributed to an aging effect that corresponds to seven months and 36 to 38 years after the deposition of (137)Cs occurred on the soil minerals.

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

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.

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)].

Vertical distributions of (99)Tc and the (99)Tc/(137)Cs activity ratio in the coastal water off Aomori, Japan.

PubMed

Nakanishi, Takahiro; Zheng, Jian; Aono, Tatsuo; Yamada, Masatoshi; Kusakabe, Masashi

2011-08-01

Using a sector-field ICP-MS the vertical distributions of the (99)Tc concentration and (99)Tc/(137)Cs activity ratio were measured in the coastal waters off Aomori Prefecture, Japan, where a spent-nuclear-fuel reprocessing plant has begun test operation. The (99)Tc concentrations in surface water ranged from 1.8 to 2.4 mBq/m(3), no greater than the estimated background level. Relatively high (99)Tc/(137)Cs activity ratios (10-12 × 10(-4)) would be caused by the inflow of the high-(99)Tc/(137)Cs water mass from the Japan Sea. There is no observable contamination from the reprocessing plant in the investigated area. The (99)Tc concentration and the (99)Tc/(137)Cs activity ratio in water column showed gradual decreases with depth. Our results implied that (99)Tc behaves in a more conservative manner than (137)Cs in marine environments. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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.

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.

The effect of divalent salt in chondroitin sulfate solutions

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

Aranghel, D., E-mail: daranghe@nipne.ro; Extreme Light Intrastructure Nuclear Physics; Badita, C. R.

Chondroitin-4 sulfate (CS4) is the main glycosaminoglycan extracted from bovine trachea. CS4 play an important role in osteoarthritis treatment, anticoagulant activity, reduces the degradation of cartilage matrix components, reduces necrosis and apoptosis of chondrocytes and reduces the activity of collagenase. Chondroitin sulfate is also responsible for proteoglycans degradation. Chondroitin sulfate can bind calcium ions with different affinities, depending on their sulfation position. The purpose of this study was to determine the structural properties and the influence of Ca{sup 2+} cations. We carried out measurements on CS4 solutions and mixtures of liquid CS4 with Ca{sup 2+} by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS).more » CS4 have a mass fractal behavior and the addition of a salt (CaCl{sub 2}) in CS4 solutions generates the appearance of a correlation peak due to local ordering between adjacent chains with inter-chain distances between 483 Å and 233 Å for a calcium concentration of 0.01% w/w.« less

The effect of divalent salt in chondroitin sulfate solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aranghel, D.; Badita, C. R.; Radulescu, A.; Moldovan, L.; Craciunescu, O.; Balasoiu, M.

2016-03-01

Chondroitin-4 sulfate (CS4) is the main glycosaminoglycan extracted from bovine trachea. CS4 play an important role in osteoarthritis treatment, anticoagulant activity, reduces the degradation of cartilage matrix components, reduces necrosis and apoptosis of chondrocytes and reduces the activity of collagenase. Chondroitin sulfate is also responsible for proteoglycans degradation. Chondroitin sulfate can bind calcium ions with different affinities, depending on their sulfation position. The purpose of this study was to determine the structural properties and the influence of Ca2+ cations. We carried out measurements on CS4 solutions and mixtures of liquid CS4 with Ca2+ by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS). CS4 have a mass fractal behavior and the addition of a salt (CaCl2) in CS4 solutions generates the appearance of a correlation peak due to local ordering between adjacent chains with inter-chain distances between 483 Å and 233 Å for a calcium concentration of 0.01% w/w.

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.

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.

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.

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

Neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation in the conductive PEDOT-HA/Cs/Gel scaffold for neural tissue engineering.

PubMed

Wang, Shuping; Guan, Shui; Xu, Jianqiang; Li, Wenfang; Ge, Dan; Sun, Changkai; Liu, Tianqing; Ma, Xuehu

2017-09-26

Engineering scaffolds with excellent electro-activity is increasingly important in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Herein, conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with hyaluronic acid (PEDOT-HA) nanoparticles were firstly synthesized via chemical oxidant polymerization. A three-dimensional (3D) PEDOT-HA/Cs/Gel scaffold was then developed by introducing PEDOT-HA nanoparticles into a chitosan/gelatin (Cs/Gel) matrix. HA, as a bridge, not only was used as a dopant, but also combined PEDOT into the Cs/Gel via chemical crosslinking. The PEDOT-HA/Cs/Gel scaffold was used as a conductive substrate for neural stem cell (NSC) culture in vitro. The results demonstrated that the PEDOT-HA/Cs/Gel scaffold had excellent biocompatibility for NSC proliferation and differentiation. 3D confocal fluorescence images showed cells attached on the channel surface of Cs/Gel and PEDOT-HA/Cs/Gel scaffolds with a normal neuronal morphology. Compared to the Cs/Gel scaffold, the PEDOT-HA/Cs/Gel scaffold not only promoted NSC proliferation with up-regulated expression of Ki67, but also enhanced NSC differentiation into neurons and astrocytes with up-regulated expression of β tubulin-III and GFAP, respectively. It is expected that this electro-active and bio-active PEDOT-HA/Cs/Gel scaffold will be used as a conductive platform to regulate NSC behavior for neural tissue engineering.

Cell surface chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan in melanoma: role in the activation of pro-MMP-2 (pro-gelatinase A)

PubMed Central

Iida, Joji; Wilhelmson, Krista L.; Ng, Janet; Lee, Peter; Morrison, Charlotte; Tam, Eric; Overall, Christopher M.; McCarthy, James B.

2007-01-01

We previously reported that CS (chondroitin sulfate) GAG (glycosaminoglycan), expressed on MCSP (melanoma-specific CS proteoglycan), is important for regulating MT3-MMP [membrane-type 3 MMP (matrix metalloproteinase)]-mediated human melanoma invasion and gelatinolytic activity in vitro. In the present study, we sought to determine if CS can directly enhance MT3-MMP-mediated activation of pro-MMP-2. Co-immunoprecipitation studies suggest that MCSP forms a complex with MT3-MMP and MMP-2 on melanoma cell surface. When melanoma cells were treated with βDX (p-nitro-β-D-xylopyranoside) to inhibit coupling of CS on the core protein, both active form and proform of MMP-2 were no longer co-immunoprecipitated with either MCSP or MT3-MMP, suggesting a model in which CS directly binds to MMP-2 and presents the gelatinase to MT3-MMP to be activated. By using recombinant proteins, we determined that MT3-MMP directly activates pro-MMP-2 and that this activation requires the interaction of the C-terminal domain of pro-MMP-2 with MT3-MMP. Activation of pro-MMP-2 by suboptimal concentrations of MT3-MMP is also significantly enhanced in the presence of excess C4S (chondroitin 4-sulfate), whereas C6S (chondroitin 6-sulfate) or low-molecular-mass hyaluronan was ineffective. Affinity chromatography studies using CS isolated from aggrecan indicate that the catalytic domain of MT3-MMP and the C-terminal domain of MMP-2 directly bind to the GAG. Thus the direct binding of pro-MMP-2 with CS through the C-domain would present the catalytic domain of pro-MMP-2 to MT3-MMP, which facilitates the generation of the active form of MMP-2. These results suggest that C4S, which is expressed on tumour cell surface, can function to bind to pro-MMP-2 and facilitate its activation by MT3-MMP-expressing tumour cells to enhance invasion and metastasis. PMID:17217338

Tailoring mechanical and antibacterial properties of chitosan/gelatin nanofiber membranes with Fe3O4 nanoparticles for potential wound dressing application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Ning; Li, Chao; Han, Chao; Luo, Xiaogang; Shen, Liang; Xue, Yanan; Yu, Faquan

2016-04-01

In this work, magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) were utilized to improve the mechanical and antibacterial properties of chitosan (CS)/gelatin (GE) composite nanofiber membranes. Homogeneous Fe3O4/CS/GE nanofibers were electrospun successfully. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images confirmed the presence of well-dispersed Fe3O4 NPs in the composite nanofibers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra revealed the effective interactions of Fe3O4 NPs to the composite matrix through hydrogen bonding. The improvement on the thermal stability of the Fe3O4/CS/GE was observed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), which is tightly correlated to strong filler-matrix adhesion. The incorporation of Fe3O4 NPs resulted in a substantial enhancement of mechanical properties. The optimum mechanical performance was demonstrated on 1 wt% Fe3O4/CS/GE nanofiber membranes, achieving 155% augment of Young's modulus, 128% increase of tensile strength, and 100% boost of toughness from CS/GE. The excellent mechanical enhancement can be explained by the effective dispersion of fillers and the filler-matrix interactions, which ensures the efficient load transfer from CS/GE matrix to Fe3O4 nanofillers. Moreover, zones of inhibition for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus expanded markedly with the supplement of Fe3O4 NPs. In all, nanofiber membranes made of Fe3O4/CS/GE composite with tailored mechanical and antibacterial properties appear a promising wound dressing material.

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.

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.

Effect of the addition mode of carbon nanotubes for the production of chitosan hydrogel core-shell beads on adsorption of Congo red from aqueous solution.

PubMed

Chatterjee, Sudipta; Chatterjee, Tania; Lim, Seong-Rin; Woo, Seung H

2011-03-01

The adsorption performance of chitosan (CS) hydrogel beads (CSBs) generated by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gelation with multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) impregnation was investigated for Congo red removal as a model anionic dye. CNT-impregnated CSBs were prepared by four different strategies for dispersing CNTs: (a) in CS solution (CSBN1), (b) in SDS solution (CSBN2), (c) in CS solution containing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) (CSBN3), and (d) in SDS solution for gelation with CTAB-containing CS solution (CSBN4). It was observed from FE-SEM study that depending on nature of CNT dispersion, CNTs were found on the outer surface of CSBN2 and CSBN4 only. The adsorption capacity of the CSBs varied with the strategy used for CNT impregnation, and CSBN4 exhibited the highest maximum adsorption capacity (375.94 mg/g) from the Sips model. The lowest Sips maximum adsorption capacity by CSBN3 (121.07 mg/g) suggested significant blocking of binding sites of CS by CNT impregnation. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Amorphous solid dispersion of cyclosporine A prepared with fine droplet drying process: Physicochemical and pharmacokinetic characterization.

PubMed

Suzuki, Hiroki; Moritani, Tatsuru; Morinaga, Tadahiko; Seto, Yoshiki; Sato, Hideyuki; Onoue, Satomi

2017-03-15

The present study aimed to develop an amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) of cyclosporine A (CsA) by a fine droplet drying (FDD) process for improvement in oral absorption of CsA. CsA and hydroxypropyl cellulose-SSL were dissolved in 1,4-dioxane, and the solution was powdered by the FDD process to obtain the ASD formulation of CsA (ASD/CsA). The ASD/CsA was characterized in terms of morphology, particle size distribution, crystallinity, dissolution behavior, physicochemical stability, and pharmacokinetic behavior in rats. The ASD/CsA was obtained in the form of uniform spherical particles, and the span factor was calculated to be ca. 0.4. CsA in the formulation existed in an amorphous state. The ASD/CsA exhibited a higher dissolution behavior of CsA than amorphous CsA, whereas storage of the ASD/CsA under accelerated conditions led to impairment in the dissolution behavior. The constant release of CsA from non-aged ASD/CsA was observed during dissolution testing. After oral administration of CsA samples (10mg-CsA/kg) in rats, the ASD/CsA showed a high and sustained plasma concentration of CsA as evidenced by a 18-fold increase in the oral bioavailability of CsA compared with amorphous CsA. From these findings, the FDD process might be an efficacious option for the ASD formulation of CsA with enhanced biopharmaceutics properties. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and characterization of mesoporous magnetic nanocomposites wrapped with chitosan gatekeepers for pH-sensitive controlled release of doxorubicin.

PubMed

Wu, Juan; Jiang, Wei; Shen, Yewen; Jiang, Wei; Tian, Renbing

2017-01-01

Multifunctional nanocarriers based on the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles core and mesoporous silica shell (mSiO 2 ) were synthesized for controlled drug release through magnetic targeting and pH-sensitive performances. The developed Fe 3 O 4 @mSiO 2 nanocarriers exhibited a suitable size (63nm) and good magnetic responsibility, doxorubicin (DOX) could be successfully loaded into the mesoporous of Fe 3 O 4 @mSiO 2 via electrostatic interaction, and the drug loading content and loading efficiency are 29.3% and 93.6%, respectively. The chitosan (CS) was employed to wrap the Fe 3 O 4 @mSiO 2 -DOX as the blocking agent to inhibit premature drug release, and the final CS/Fe 3 O 4 @mSiO 2 -DOX exhibited excellent pH-sensitivity, 86.1% DOX was released within 48h at pH4.0. Furthermore, all the release behaviors fit the Higuchi model very well and a purely diffusion-controlled process played a major role on DOX release from CS/Fe 3 O 4 @mSiO 2 -DOX. In addition, MTT assays in human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) demonstrated that the CS/Fe 3 O 4 @mSiO 2 -DOX had high anti-tumor activity, while the Fe 3 O 4 @mSiO 2 nanocarriers were practically non-toxic. Thus, our results revealed that the CS/Fe 3 O 4 @mSiO 2 -DOX could play an important role in the development of intracellular delivery nanodevices for cancer therapy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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.

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.

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.

[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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Evaluating the performance of PI-RADS v2 in the non-academic setting.

PubMed

Jordan, Eric J; Fiske, Charles; Zagoria, Ronald J; Westphalen, Antonio C

2017-11-01

To evaluate the utility of PI-RADS v2 to diagnose clinically significant prostate cancer (CS-PCa) with magnetic resonance ultrasound (MR/US) fusion-guided prostate biopsies in the non-academic setting. Retrospective analysis of men whom underwent prostate multiparametric MRI and subsequent MR/US fusion biopsies at a single non-academic center from 11/2014 to 3/2016. Prostate MRIs were performed on a 3-Tesla scanner with a surface body coil. The Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) v2 scoring algorithm was utilized and MR/US fusion biopsies were performed in selected cases. Mixed effect logistic regression analyses and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were performed on PI-RADS v2 alone and combined with PSA density (PSAD) to predict CS-PCa. 170 patients underwent prostate MRI with 282 PI-RADS lesions. MR/US fusion diagnosed 71 CS-PCa, 33 Gleason score 3+3, and 168 negative. PI-RADS v2 score is a statistically significant predictor of CS-PCa (P < 0.001). For each one-point increase in the overall PI-RADS v2 score, the odds of having CS-PCa increases by 4.2 (95% CI 2.2-8.3). The area under the ROC curve for PI-RADS v2 is 0.69 (95% CI 0.63-0.76) and for PI-RADS v2 + PSAD is 0.76 (95% CI 0.69-0.82), statistically higher than PI-RADS v2 alone (P < 0.001). The rate of CS-PCa was about twice higher in men with high PSAD (≥0.15) compared to men with low PSAD (<0.15) when a PI-RADS 4 or 5 lesion was detected (P = 0.005). PI-RADS v2 is a strong predictor of CS-PCa in the non-academic setting and can be further strengthened when utilized with PSA density.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Do chondroitin sulfates with different structures have different activities on chondrocytes and macrophages?

PubMed

da Cunha, André L; Aguiar, Jair A K; Correa da Silva, Flavio S; Michelacci, Yara M

2017-10-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate the activities of natural chondroitin sulfates (CS) with different structures on cultured chondrocytes and macrophages. CS were isolated from cartilages of bovine trachea (BT), porcine trachea (PT), chicken sternum (Ch) and skate (Sk). The preparations were 90-98% pure, with ∼1% proteins, nucleic acids and keratan sulfate contaminants. Structural analysis of these CS and of commercial chondroitin 4- and 6-sulfate (C4S, C6S) have shown that most of their disaccharides are monosulfated, with varying proportions of 4- and 6-sulfation, and 2-7% non-sulfated disaccharides. Sk-CS and C6S contained detectable amounts of disulfated disaccharides. All the CS were polydisperse, with modal molecular weights of 26-135kDa. These CS had anti-inflammatory activities on both chondrocytes and macrophages, but with different efficiencies. On horse and human chondrocytes, they reduced the IL-1β-induced liberation of NO and PGE 2 , and on RAW 264.7 immortalized macrophage-like cell line, C4S, C6S, Ch and Sk-CS decreased the LPS-induced liberation of TNF-α, but did not affect IL-6. In contrast, on bone marrow derived macrophages, C4S, C6S, BT and PT-CS reduced the LPS-induced liberation of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and NO, indicating that the RAW response to CS was different from that of primary macrophages. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Innovatively Continuous Mass Production Couette-taylor Flow: Pure Inorganic Green-Emitting Cs4PbBr6 Perovskite Microcrystal for display technology.

PubMed

Song, Young Hyun; Choi, Seung Hee; Park, Won Kyu; Yoo, Jin Sun; Kwon, Seok Bin; Kang, Bong Kyun; Park, Sang Ryul; Seo, Young Soo; Yang, Woo Seok; Yoon, Dae Ho

2018-01-31

We report for the first time the mass production of Cs 4 PbBr 6 perovskite microcrystal with a Couette-Taylor flow reactor in order to enhance the efficiency of the synthesis reaction. We obtained a pure Cs 4 PbBr 6 perovskite solid within 3 hrs that then realized a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 46%. Furthermore, the Cs 4 PbBr 6 perovskite microcrystal is applied with red emitting K 2 SiF 6 phosphor on a blue-emitting InGaN chip, achieving a high-performance luminescence characteristics of 9.79 lm/W, external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 2.9%, and correlated color temperature (CCT) of 2976 K; therefore, this perovskite is expected to be a promising candidate material for applications in optoelectronic devices.

High current DC negative ion source for cyclotron.

PubMed

Etoh, H; Onai, M; Aoki, Y; Mitsubori, H; Arakawa, Y; Sakuraba, J; Kato, T; Mitsumoto, T; Hiasa, T; Yajima, S; Shibata, T; Hatayama, A; Okumura, Y

2016-02-01

A filament driven multi-cusp negative ion source has been developed for proton cyclotrons in medical applications. In Cs-free operation, continuous H(-) beam of 10 mA and D(-) beam of 3.3 mA were obtained stably at an arc-discharge power of 3 kW and 2.4 kW, respectively. In Cs-seeded operation, H(-) beam current reached 22 mA at a lower arc power of 2.6 kW with less co-extracted electron current. The optimum gas flow rate, which gives the highest H(-) current, was 15 sccm in the Cs-free operation, while it decreased to 4 sccm in the Cs-seeded operation. The relationship between H(-) production and the design/operating parameters has been also investigated by a numerical study with KEIO-MARC code, which gives a reasonable explanation to the experimental results of the H(-) current dependence on the arc power.

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.

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.

Thin layer chitosan-coated cellulose filter paper as substrate for immobilization of catalytic cobalt nanoparticles.

PubMed

Kamal, Tahseen; Khan, Sher Bahadar; Haider, Sajjad; Alghamdi, Yousef Gamaan; Asiri, Abdullah M

2017-11-01

A facile approach utilizing synthesis of cobalt nanoparticles in green polymers of chitosan (CS) coating layer on high surface area cellulose microfibers of filter paper (CFP) is described for the catalytic reduction of nitrophenol and an organic dye using NaBH 4 . Simple steps of CFP coating with 1wt% CS aqueous solution followed by Co 2+ ions adsorption from 0.2M CoCl 2 aqueous solution were carried out to prepare pre-catalytic strips. The Co 2+ loaded pre-catalytic strips of CS-CFP were treated with 0.19M NaBH 4 aqueous solution to convert the ions into nanoparticles. Successful Co nanoparticles formation was assessed by various characterization techniques of FESEM, EDX and XRD analyzes. TGA analyses were carried out on CFP, CS-CFP, and Co-CS-CFP for the determination of the amount of Co particles formed on the CS-FP, and to track their thermal properties. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the Co-CS-CFP showed an excellent catalytic activity and reusability in the reduction reactions a nitroaromatic compound of 2,6-dintirophenol (2,6-DNP) and brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) dye by NaBH 4 . The Co-CS-CFP catalyzed the reduction reactions of 2,6-DNP and BCB by NaBH 4 with psuedo-first order rate constants of 0.0451 and 0.1987min -1 , respectively. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[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.

The Calcineurin-NFAT Axis Controls Allograft Immunity in Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells through Reprogramming T Cell Differentiation

PubMed Central

Wang, Xiao; Bi, Yujing; Xue, Lixiang; Liao, Jiongbo; Chen, Xi; Lu, Yun; Zhang, Zhengguo; Wang, Jian; Liu, Huanrong; Yang, Hui

2014-01-01

While cyclosporine (CsA) inhibits calcineurin and is highly effective in prolonging rejection for transplantation patients, the immunological mechanisms remain unknown. Herein, the role of calcineurin signaling was investigated in a mouse allogeneic skin transplantation model. The calcineurin inhibitor CsA significantly ameliorated allograft rejection. In CsA-treated allograft recipient mice, CD11b+ Gr1+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) were functional suppressive immune modulators that resulted in fewer gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-producing CD8+ T cells and CD4+ T cells (TH1 T helper cells) and more interleukin 4 (IL-4)-producing CD4+ T cells (TH2) and prolonged allogeneic skin graft survival. Importantly, the expression of NFATc1 is significantly diminished in the CsA-induced MDSCs. Blocking NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) with VIVIT phenocopied the CsA effects in MDSCs and increased the suppressive activities and recruitment of CD11b+ Gr1+ MDSCs in allograft recipient mice. Mechanistically, CsA treatment enhanced the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and the suppressive activities of MDSCs in allograft recipients. Inhibition of IDO nearly completely recovered the increased MDSC suppressive activities and the effects on T cell differentiation. The results of this study indicate that MDSCs are an essential component in controlling allograft survival following CsA or VIVIT treatment, validating the calcineurin-NFAT-IDO signaling axis as a potential therapeutic target in transplantation. PMID:25452304

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.

Synergistic adsorption of heavy metal ions and organic pollutants by supramolecular polysaccharide composite materials from cellulose, chitosan and crown ether

PubMed Central

Mututuvari, Tamutsiwa M.; Tran, Chieu D.

2013-01-01

We have developed a simple one-step method to synthesize novel supramolecular polysaccharide composites from cellulose (CEL), chitosan (CS) and benzo-15-crown 5 (B15C5). Butylmethylimidazolium chloride [BMIm+Cl−], an ionic liquid (IL), was used as a sole solvent for dissolution and preparation of the composites. Since majority of [BMIm+Cl−] used was recovered for reuse, the method is recyclable. The [CEL/CS + B15C5] composites obtained retain properties of their components, namely superior mechanical strength (from CEL), excellent adsorption capability for heavy metal ions and organic pollutants (from B15C5 and CS). More importantly, the [CEL/CS + B15C5] composites exhibit truly supramolecular properties. By itself CS, CEL and B15C5 can effectively adsorb Cd2+, Zn2+ and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol. However, adsorption capability of the composite was substantially and synergistically enhanced by adding B15C5 to either CEL and/or CS. That is, the adsorption capacity (qe values) for Cd2+ and Zn2+ by [CS + B15C5], [CEL + B15C5] and [CEL + CS + B15C5] composites are much higher than combined qe values of individual CS, CEL and B15C5 composites. It seems that B15C5 synergistically interact with CS (or CEL) to form more stable complexes with Cd2+ (or Zn2+), and as a consequence, the [CS + B15C5] (or the [CEL + B15C5]) composite can adsorb relatively larger amount Cd2+ (or Zn2+). Moreover, the pollutants adsorbed on the composites can be quantitatively desorbed to enable the [CS + CEL + B15C5] composites to be reused with similar adsorption efficiency. PMID:24333678

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.

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.

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.

Study of leaching mechanisms of caesium ions incorporated in Ordinary Portland Cement.

PubMed

Papadokostaki, Kyriaki G; Savidou, Anastasia

2009-11-15

In this work, a study of the leaching kinetics of Cs(+) ions from cement paste solids, containing inactive Cs(2)SO(4), is presented, involving (i) the parallel performance of leaching experiments at two temperatures (30 degrees C and 70 degrees C); (ii) the performance of leaching tests with intermediate changes in temperature between 30 degrees C and 70 degrees C; (iii) the use of specimens of two different thicknesses and (iv) the determination of the distribution of Cs(+) in the cement specimen at various stages of the leaching test. The results of leaching studies at 30 degrees C with cement solids simulating the composition of real radioactive wastes, containing NaNO(3), small amounts of inactive CsNO(3) and traces of (137)Cs(+) are also reported. Concentration profiles of Cs(+) in inactive specimens showed that part of the Cs(+) (20-30%) tends to be immobilized in the matrix, while elution of the readily leachable portion follows Fick's law reasonably well. No immobilized Cs(+) was detected in the samples containing considerable amounts of NaNO(3). Long-term leaching experiments (up to 8 years) revealed acceleration of the elution process (not detectable in short-term tests), attributable to increase in porosity caused by erosion of the cement matrix. Sorption experiments of Cs(+) ions by cement granules indicated that adsorption on cement pore surfaces is not significant. On the other hand, the leaching tests at two different temperatures or with intermediate changes in temperature between 30 degrees C and 70 degrees C, yielded activation energies that indicated a more complicated kinetic behavior.

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

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.

Anti-schistosomal activity of cyclosporin A: studies on murine spleen cells and the influence of a cyclosporin antagonist on resistance to infection.

PubMed Central

Brannan, L R; Chappell, L H; Woo, J; Thomson, A W

1989-01-01

Mice were treated with 5-day courses of cyclosporin A (CsA) around the time of infection with Schistosoma mansoni. Recovery of lung-stage worms 4-8 days post-infection (p.i.) was substantially reduced (80%) and no sexually mature adults were recovered from the hepatic portal system at 7 weeks p.i. Flow cytometric analysis of spleen cells from CsA-treated animals during the period of maximal parasite attrition revealed transient reductions in CD3+ and CD4+ cells and in the CD4+: CD8+ ratio compared with drug vehicle-treated, infected controls. No significant numerical changes in B cells, macrophages or eosinophils were detected relative to vehicle-treated infected mice. Transfer of spleen cells from CsA-treated donors 8 days after infection failed to confer increased resistance to S. mansoni infection on untreated recipients. Moreover, concomitant administration of CsA and an inducer of interleukin-2 production (ADA-202-718) did not interfere with the anti-schistosomal effect of CsA. Despite our incomplete understanding of the in vivo properties of CsA and reports of its paradoxical effects on immune responses, these new data indicate that the influence of CsA in schistosomiasis is unlikely to be mediated by modulation of host cell mediated immunity. This contrasts with certain other anti-parasitic effects of CsA which appear to be mediated by an action on T cells. PMID:2503438

Cigarette Smoke Upregulates PDE3 and PDE4 to Decrease cAMP in Airway Cells.

PubMed

Zuo, Haoxiao; Han, Bing; Poppinga, Wilfred J; Ringnalda, Lennard; Kistemaker, Loes E M; Halayko, Andrew J; Gosens, Reinoud; Nikolaev, Viacheslav O; Schmidt, Martina

2018-05-03

3', 5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a central second messenger that broadly regulates cell function and can underpin pathophysiology. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung disease primarily provoked by cigarette smoke (CS), the induction of cAMP-dependent pathways, via inhibition of hydrolyzing phosphodiesterases (PDEs), is a prime therapeutic strategy. Mechanisms that disrupt cAMP signaling in airway cells, in particular regulation of endogenous PDEs are poorly understood. We used a novel Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) based cAMP biosensor in mouse in vivo, ex vivo precision cut lung slices (PCLS), and in human in vitro cell models to track the effects of CS exposure. Under fenoterol stimulated conditions, FRET responses to cilostamide were significantly increased in in vivo, ex vivo PCLS exposed to CS and in human airway smooth muscle cells exposed to CS extract. FRET signals to rolipram were only increased in the in vivo CS model. Under basal conditions, FRET responses to cilostamide and rolipram were significantly increased in in vivo, ex vivo PCLS exposed to CS. Elevated FRET signals to rolipram correlated with a protein upregulation of PDE4 subtypes. In ex vivo PCLS exposed to CS extract, rolipram reversed downregulation of ciliary beating frequency, whereas only cilostamide significantly increased airway relaxation of methacholine pre-contracted airways. We show that CS upregulates expression and activity of both PDE3 and PDE4, which regulate real-time cAMP dynamics. These mechanisms determine the availability of cAMP and can contribute to CS-induced pulmonary pathophysiology. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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.

Nickel nanoparticles-chitosan composite coated cellulose filter paper: An efficient and easily recoverable dip-catalyst for pollutants degradation.

PubMed

Kamal, Tahseen; Khan, Sher Bahadar; Asiri, Abdullah M

2016-11-01

In this report, we used cellulose filter paper (FP) as high surface area catalyst supporting green substrate for the synthesis of nickel (Ni) nanoparticles in thin chitosan (CS) coating layer and their easy separation was demonstrated for next use. In this work, FP was coated with a 1 wt% CS solution onto cellulose FP to prepare CS-FP as an economical and environment friendly host material. CS-FP was put into 0.2 M NiCl 2 aqueous solution for the adsorption of Ni 2+ ions by CS coating layer. The Ni 2+ adsorbed CS-FP was treated with 0.1 M NaBH 4 aqueous solution to convert the ions into nanoparticles. Thus, we achieved Ni nanoparticles-CS composite through water based in-situ preparation process. Successful Ni nanoparticles formations was assessed by FESEM and EDX analyses. FTIR used to track the interactions between nanoparticles and host material. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the nanocomposite displays an excellent catalytic activity and reusability in three reduction reactions of toxic compounds i.e. conversion of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol, 2-nitrophenol to 2-aminophenol, and methyl orange dye reduction by NaBH 4 . Such a fabrication process of Ni/CS-FP may be applicable for the immobilization of other metal nanoparticles onto FP for various applications in catalysis, sensing, and environmental sciences. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of the cation size on the framework structures of magnesium tungstate, A4Mg(WO4)3 (A = Na, K), R2Mg2(WO4)3 (R = Rb, Cs).

PubMed

Han, Shujuan; Wang, Ying; Jing, Qun; Wu, Hongping; Pan, Shilie; Yang, Zhihua

2015-03-28

A series of alkali metal magnesium tungstates, A4Mg(WO4)3 (A = Na, K), R2Mg2(WO4)3 (R = Rb, Cs), were synthesized from a high temperature solution, and their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Interestingly, Na4Mg(WO4)3 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, while K4Mg(WO4)3 having an identical stoichiometry with Na4Mg(WO4)3, exhibits a different framework structure belonging to triclinic symmetry with the space group P1[combining macron]. Isostructural Rb2Mg2(WO4)3 and Cs2Mg2(WO4)3 crystallize in the space group P213 of cubic symmetry and reveal a three dimensional framework composed of isolated WO4 tetrahedra, MgO6 octahedra and RO12 (R = Rb, Cs) polyhedra. The effect of the alkali metal cation size on the framework structures of magnesium tungstate has been discussed in detail. In addition, the infrared spectra, as well as the UV-Vis-NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy data, are reported. The first-principles theoretical studies are also carried out to aid the understanding of electronic structures and linear optical properties.

Sirolimus and tacrolimus rather than cyclosporine A cause bone loss in healthy adult male rats.

PubMed

Rubert, Mercedes; Montero, Mercedes; Guede, David; Caeiro, Jose-Ramón; Martín-Fernández, Marta; Díaz-Curiel, Manuel; de la Piedra, Concepción

2015-06-01

The aim of this work was to study the effects of cyclosporine (CsA), tacrolimus (FK-506), and rapamycin (RAPA) on bone mass, femoral microstructure, femoral biomechanical properties, and bone remodeling in healthy adult male rats. Forty-eight 5-month-old male Wistar rats were used. CsA (2 mg/kg/day), FK-506 (3 mg/kg/day), RAPA (1.25 mg/kg/day), or water (0.5 ml/rat/day, control group) were administered orally for 3 months. After sacrifice, mean values of immunosuppressants in blood were: CsA (670.4 ng/ml), FK-506 (19.2 ng/ml), and RAPA (4.8 ng/ml). Levels of biochemical parameters were normal in all groups. Femoral BMD was decreased in FK-506 and RAPA groups and lumbar BMD in FK-506 group. Trabecular volume fraction (BV/TV) decreased only in FK-506 group. RAPA and CsA affected femoral cortical structure, but FK-506 did not. FK-506 produced an increase in bone remodeling, and CsA a decrease. FK-506 group showed a decrease in biomechanical parameters relative to all groups. RAPA group showed a decrease in ultimate stress vs control group, and CsA group presented an increase in biomechanical parameters versus control group. We found that administration of both RAPA and FK-506 as monotherapy for healthy rats produced osteopenia. CsA treatment only produces slight damages in the cortical zone of the femur.

Systemic Allergy to Corticosteroids: Clinical Features and Cross Reactivity.

PubMed

Barbaud, Annick; Waton, Julie

2016-01-01

Systemic hypersensitivity (HS) to corticosteroids (CS) is paradoxical but does exist. Some patients with a previous contact allergy to topical CS may develop a systemic contact dermatitis (SCD) while receiving CS orally or intravenously. However, a previous contact sensitization is not mandatory for developing a systemic HS to CS. Acute or delayed urticaria can occur in immediate HS. Immediate HS can be due to excipients, mainly carboxymethylcellulose or to CS themselves. Delayed reactions, mainly maculopapular rash and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis can occur. Skin tests with systemic CS have to be standardized. It is necessary to determine if IDT with CS frequently induce skin atrophy or not and if such skin atrophy is transient by doing prospective studies using an standardized method and a limited injected volume (0.02 ml). Patch tests can be done in delayed HS, with readings at day 2, 4 and 7. In SCD, the Baeck's classification of CS in 3 chemical groups could explain cross reactivity between systemic CS. However, this classification is not applicable to explain cross-reactions between in systemic HS. According to the literature, 52/79 patients had a HS reaction to a group confirmed by a positive allergological investigations, but had a negative provocation test with another CS belonging to the same group. In case of non-severe cutaneous adverse reactions and when skin tests are negative, provocation tests have to be performed to find an alternative CS, even if it belongs to the same chemical group as those responsible for the initial reaction. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

Long-term retention of (137)Cs in three forest soil types with different soil properties.

PubMed

Suchara, Ivan; Sucharová, Julie; Holá, Marie; Pilátová, Helena; Rulík, Petr

2016-07-01

Current (137)Cs activity concentrations were studied at three localities in individual soil horizons of Stagnosol, Arenic Podzol and Haplic Cambisol soil units in soil blocks with dimensions of 20 × 20 × 40 cm situated below pine canopies (n = 3) and spruce canopies (n = 3), and below small canopy gaps, at least 15 × 15 m in area (n = 3 + 3), which have probably endured since 1986. The main zone of (137)Cs accumulation in all the localities was found to be in the organic horizons (H and F). No significant transport and accumulation of (137)Cs into illuvial soil horizons (Bm, Bs or Bhs, Bv and Bv/IIC) was found. The estimated current total (137)Cs activity concentrations in the soil blocks 40 cm in depth were only slightly higher below the coniferous canopy than they were below nearby canopy gaps. The inventory of (137)Cs in the soils was found to be in accordance with the estimated (137)Cs inputs from the Chernobyl fallout and from global fallout. The low amounts of (137)Cs found accumulated in the aboveground biomass (mosses, grasses, needles) did not substantially bias the studied radiocaesium balance in the soils. The vertical migration rate of (137)Cs in soils (cm/year) had a tendency to be higher below canopies than below canopy gaps and below pine canopies than below spruce canopies. We expected the current (137)Cs activity concentrations in the individual soil horizons to be related to the studied soil parameters: pH (H2O), pH (CaCl2), content of organic matter and mineral portion and portion of humic and fulvic acid contents (Q4/6). However, this was not confirmed. Similarly, we observed a weak tendency toward higher (137)Cs activity in soils below the canopy than in soils below canopy gaps. The available gaps used in our study may have been too small, and they may have been affected by an accumulation of litter and humus containing (137)Cs from the surrounding plots situated below neighbouring canopies. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. 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.

Financial incentives and use of Cesarean delivery: Taiwan birth data 2003 to 2007.

PubMed

Hong, Yi-Chen; Linn, George Chinhung

2012-01-01

The Cesarean section (CS) rate in Taiwan has exceeded 30% since 2000. To lower the CS rate, the Bureau of National Health Insurance in Taiwan raised the payment for vaginal delivery (VD) in May 2005, and also increased the insured's copayment for elective CS in May 2006. This study clarifies the influences of these financial incentives, and explores whether the 2 policies lowered the CS rate. The materials used are birth cases obtained from a systematic sampling of the original inpatient claim data in the National Health Insurance research database between 2003 and 2007. The empirical analysis of this study groups the birth data into 4 types: VD, unplanned CS, planned CS, and elective CS. The 4 delivery types represent the dependent variable. A multinomial logistic regression model was adopted as the empirical method. The policy changes, hospital attributes, and insured status were considered independent variables. Results indicate that the supply-side policy change in May 2005 reduced the number of CS cases. However, the policy effect was not very significant, and the CS rate decreased mainly because of planned CS cases. The demand-side policy change in May 2006 did not lower the rate of elective CS. The results imply that the financial incentives were not the main consideration for both the demand and supply sides. To encourage more VDs and lower the CS rate, the authorities could consider mechanisms other than adjusting the payment or changing the copayment.

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.

Enteric methane production, rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations, and milk fatty acid composition in lactating Holstein-Friesian cows fed grass silage- or corn silage-based diets.

PubMed

van Gastelen, S; Antunes-Fernandes, E C; Hettinga, K A; Klop, G; Alferink, S J J; Hendriks, W H; Dijkstra, J

2015-03-01

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of replacing grass silage (GS) with corn silage (CS) in dairy cow diets on enteric methane (CH4) production, rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations, and milk fatty acid (FA) composition. A completely randomized block design experiment was conducted with 32 multiparous lactating Holstein-Friesian cows. Four dietary treatments were used, all having a roughage-to-concentrate ratio of 80:20 based on dry matter (DM). The roughage consisted of either 100% GS, 67% GS and 33% CS, 33% GS and 67% CS, or 100% CS (all DM basis). Feed intake was restricted (95% of ad libitum DM intake) to avoid confounding effects of DM intake on CH4 production. Nutrient intake, apparent digestibility, milk production and composition, nitrogen (N) and energy balance, and CH4 production were measured during a 5-d period in climate respiration chambers after adaptation to the diet for 12 d. Increasing CS proportion linearly decreased neutral detergent fiber and crude protein intake and linearly increased starch intake. Milk production and milk fat content (on average 23.4 kg/d and 4.68%, respectively) were not affected by increasing CS inclusion, whereas milk protein content increased quadratically. Rumen variables were unaffected by increasing CS inclusion, except the molar proportion of butyrate, which increased linearly. Methane production (expressed as grams per day, grams per kilogram of fat- and protein-corrected milk, and as a percent of gross energy intake) decreased quadratically with increasing CS inclusion, and decreased linearly when expressed as grams of CH4 per kilogram of DM intake. In comparison with 100% GS, CH4 production was 11 and 8% reduced for the 100% CS diet when expressed per unit of DM intake and per unit fat- and protein-corrected milk, respectively. Nitrogen efficiency increased linearly with increased inclusion of CS. The concentration of trans C18:1 FA, C18:1 cis-12, and total CLA increased quadratically, and iso C16:0, C18:1 cis-13, and C18:2n-6 increased linearly, whereas the concentration of C15:0, iso C15:0, C17:0, and C18:3n-3 decreased linearly with increasing inclusion of CS. No differences were found in short- and medium-straight, even-chain FA concentrations, with the exception of C4:0 which increased linearly with increased inclusion of CS. Replacing GS with CS in a common forage-based diet for dairy cattle offers an effective strategy to decrease enteric CH4 production without negatively affecting dairy cow performance, although a critical level of starch in the diet seems to be needed. Copyright © 2015 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Molecular mechanisms of corticosteroid synergy with thyroid hormone during tadpole metamorphosis

PubMed Central

Bonett, Ronald M.; Hoopfer, Eric D.; Denver, Robert J.

2010-01-01

Corticosteroids (CS) act synergistically with thyroid hormone (TH) to accelerate amphibian metamorphosis. Earlier studies showed that CS increase nuclear 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3) binding capacity in tadpole tail, and 5′ deiodinase activity in tadpole tissues, increasing the generation of T3 from thyroxine (T4). In the present study we investigated CS synergy with TH by analyzing expression of key genes involved in TH and CS signaling using tadpole tail explant cultures, prometamorphic tadpoles, and frog tissue culture cells (XTC-2 and XLT-15). Treatment of tail explants with T3 at 100 nM, but not at 10 nM caused tail regression. Corticosterone (CORT) at three doses (100, 500, 3400 nM) had no effect or increased tail size. T3 at 10 nM plus CORT caused tails to regress similar to 100 nM T3. Thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRβ) mRNA was synergistically upregulated by T3 plus CORT in tail explants, tail and brain in vivo, and tissue culture cells. The activating 5′ deiodinase type 2 (D2) mRNA was induced by T3 and CORT in tail explants and tail in vivo. Thyroid hormone increased expression of glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) mRNAs. Our findings support that the synergistic actions of TH and CS in metamorphosis occur at the level of expression of genes for TRβ and D2, enhancing tissue sensitivity to TH. Concurrently, TH enhances tissue sensitivity to CS by upregulating GR and MR. Environmental stressors can modulate the timing of tadpole metamorphosis in part by CS enhancing the response of tadpole tissues to the actions of TH. PMID:20338173

Vector-Host Interactions of Culiseta melanura in a Focus of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Activity in Southeastern Virginia.

PubMed

Molaei, Goudarz; Armstrong, Philip M; Abadam, Charles F; Akaratovic, Karen I; Kiser, Jay P; Andreadis, Theodore G

2015-01-01

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) causes a highly pathogenic mosquito-borne zoonosis that is responsible for sporadic outbreaks of severe illness in humans and equines in the eastern USA. Culiseta (Cs.) melanura is the primary vector of EEEV in most geographic regions but its feeding patterns on specific avian and mammalian hosts are largely unknown in the mid-Atlantic region. The objectives of our study were to: 1) identify avian hosts of Cs. melanura and evaluate their potential role in enzootic amplification of EEEV, 2) assess spatial and temporal patterns of virus activity during a season of intense virus transmission, and 3) investigate the potential role of Cs. melanura in epidemic/epizootic transmission of EEEV to humans and equines. Accordingly, we collected mosquitoes at 55 sites in Suffolk, Virginia in 2013, and identified the source of blood meals in engorged mosquitoes by nucleotide sequencing PCR products of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. We also examined field-collected mosquitoes for evidence of infection with EEEV using Vector Test, cell culture, and PCR. Analysis of 188 engorged Cs. melanura sampled from April through October 2013 indicated that 95.2%, 4.3%, and 0.5% obtained blood meals from avian, mammalian, and reptilian hosts, respectively. American Robin was the most frequently identified host for Cs. melanura (42.6% of blood meals) followed by Northern Cardinal (16.0%), European Starling (11.2%), Carolina Wren (4.3%), and Common Grackle (4.3%). EEEV was detected in 106 mosquito pools of Cs. melanura, and the number of virus positive pools peaked in late July with 22 positive pools and a Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) infection rate of 4.46 per 1,000 mosquitoes. Our findings highlight the importance of Cs. melanura as a regional EEEV vector based on frequent feeding on virus-competent bird species. A small proportion of blood meals acquired from mammalian hosts suggests the possibility that this species may occasionally contribute to epidemic/epizootic transmission of EEEV.

Competitive cesium-133 NMR spectroscopic study of complexation of different metal ions with dibenzo-21-crown-7 in acetonitrile-dimethylsulfoxide and nitromethane-dimethylsulfoxide mixtures.

PubMed

Sahmsipur, Mojtaba; Dastjerdi, Leila Shafiee; Alizadeh, Nader; Bijanzadeh, Hamid Reza

2008-04-01

(133)Cs NMR spectroscopy was used to determine the stoichiometry and stability of the Cs(+) ion complex with dibenzo-21-crown-7 (DB21C7) in acetonitrile-dimethylsulfoxide (96.5:3.5, w/w) and nitromethane-dimethylsulfoxide (96.5:3.5, w/w) mixtures. A competitive (133)Cs NMR technique was also employed to probe the complexation of Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), Ag(+), Tl(+), NH(4)(+), Mg(2+), Ba(2+), Hg(2+), Pb(2+) and UO(2)(2+) ions with DB21C7 in the same solvent systems. All the resulting 1:1 complexes in nitromethane-dimethylsulfoxide were more stable than those in acetonitrile-dimethylsulfoxide solution. In both solvent systems, the stability of the resulting complexes was found to vary in the order Rb(+)>K(+) approximately Ba(2+)>Tl(+)>Cs(+)>NH(4)(+) approximately Pb(2+)>Ag(+)>UO(2)(2+)>Hg(2+)>Mg(2+)>Na(+).

Association between Maternal Mortality and Cesarean Section: Turkey Experience

PubMed Central

Uzuncakmak, Cihangir; Ozcam, Hasene

2016-01-01

Background To investigate the cesarean Section (C/S) rates and maternal mortality (MM) causes and its relation between 2002 and 2013. Methods Data were gathered from Turkish Ministry of Health and Istanbul Health Administration. The Annual Clinical Reports for 2002–2013 were reviewed and analyzed: C/Ss and maternal deaths in women who gave birth ≥20 weeks between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2013, in any hospital in Turkey and Istanbul. Results The major causes of MM were hemorrhage (20%), hypertensive disorders (18.2%), embolism (10.3%), cardiovascular conditions (9%), infection (8.5%), and other causes (10.4%). Overall, the average annual CS delivery rate was 46.4% in Istanbul and 36.6% in Turkey. There was a significant increase in the CS rates in Istanbul and Turkey from 2008 to 2013 relative to those from 2002 to 2007 (p = 0.004). There was a statistically significant and inverse relationship (97.2%) between the MMR and CS rate from 2002 to 2013 in Turkey (p = 0.001). However, no significant relationship was detected between the MMR and CS rate from 2002 to 2013 in Istanbul (p > 0.05). There was a significant inverse correlation (66.3%) between the CS rate and peripartumhemorrhage in Turkey (p = 0.019) and there was a significant inverse correlation (66.5%) between the CS rate and peripartumhemorrhage(p = 0.018) in Istanbul between 2007 to 2013. There were no significant differences in ante-intrapartum haemorrhage bleeding (p > 0.05) or postpartum hemorrhage (p > 0.05) from 2007 to 2013. Conclusions This study demonstrates that there was a inverse correlation between increased CS and maternal mortality rates during the previous decade in Turkey. Although cesarean rates increase excessively, it appears that improved health care facilities have a positive effect on MMRs in Turkey. PMID:27880841

Association between Maternal Mortality and Cesarean Section: Turkey Experience.

PubMed

Uzuncakmak, Cihangir; Ozcam, Hasene

2016-01-01

To investigate the cesarean Section (C/S) rates and maternal mortality (MM) causes and its relation between 2002 and 2013. Data were gathered from Turkish Ministry of Health and Istanbul Health Administration. The Annual Clinical Reports for 2002-2013 were reviewed and analyzed: C/Ss and maternal deaths in women who gave birth ≥20 weeks between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2013, in any hospital in Turkey and Istanbul. The major causes of MM were hemorrhage (20%), hypertensive disorders (18.2%), embolism (10.3%), cardiovascular conditions (9%), infection (8.5%), and other causes (10.4%). Overall, the average annual CS delivery rate was 46.4% in Istanbul and 36.6% in Turkey. There was a significant increase in the CS rates in Istanbul and Turkey from 2008 to 2013 relative to those from 2002 to 2007 (p = 0.004). There was a statistically significant and inverse relationship (97.2%) between the MMR and CS rate from 2002 to 2013 in Turkey (p = 0.001). However, no significant relationship was detected between the MMR and CS rate from 2002 to 2013 in Istanbul (p > 0.05). There was a significant inverse correlation (66.3%) between the CS rate and peripartumhemorrhage in Turkey (p = 0.019) and there was a significant inverse correlation (66.5%) between the CS rate and peripartumhemorrhage(p = 0.018) in Istanbul between 2007 to 2013. There were no significant differences in ante-intrapartum haemorrhage bleeding (p > 0.05) or postpartum hemorrhage (p > 0.05) from 2007 to 2013. This study demonstrates that there was a inverse correlation between increased CS and maternal mortality rates during the previous decade in Turkey. Although cesarean rates increase excessively, it appears that improved health care facilities have a positive effect on MMRs in Turkey.

Evaluation of nutrient equivalency of microbial phytase in hens in late lay given maize-soybean or distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) diets.

PubMed

Deniz, G; Gezen, S S; Kara, C; Gencoglu, H; Meral, Y; Baser, E

2013-01-01

1. An experiment was conducted with 360 Lohmann LSL-Classic White Leghorn layers (64 weeks old) to evaluate the effects of supplementation of microbial phytase on production, egg quality, bone, selected manure parameters and feed costs. 2. Experimental diets were formulated as follows: (1) maize-soybean (CS), (2) CS+300 units of phytase (FTU)/kg diet which was formulated to recoup only calcium and available phosphorus equivalency for phytase (CS+PHYCa+P), (3) CS+300 FTU/kg diet which was formulated to recoup total nutrient equivalency for phytase (CS+PHYtotal), (4) CS+100 g/kg distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), (5) DDGS+300 FTU/kg diet which was formulated to recoup only calcium and available phosphorus equivalency for phytase (DDGS+PHYCa+P), or (6) DDGS+300 FTU/kg diet which was formulated to recoup total nutrient equivalency for phytase (DDGS+PHYtotal). 3. Each dietary treatment was assigned to 4 replicate groups with 3 cages and 5 hens per cage. The hens were provided with feed and water ad libitum. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. 4. CS+PHYCa+P, CS+PHYtotal, DDGS+PHYCa+P and DDGS+PHYtotal diets supplemented with phytase provided similar percentage egg production, egg weight, egg mass, exterior egg quality, initial and final body weight compared with phytase-free diets. 5. However, supplementation of phytase to the experimental diets and calculation of the total nutrient equivalency for enzyme caused increased feed intake and decreased feed conversion ratio and Haugh unit. 6. No differences in manure dry matter, crude ash, total nitrogen, tibia crude ash, calcium and phosphorus contents were found among the experimental diets. On the other hand, manure total phosphorus content was significantly decreased in the DDGS diet and diets supplemented with phytase in comparison to the CS diet. 7. It was concluded that the addition of microbial phytase to the CS-based diets or diets with DDGS of hens in late lay and using Ca and available P equivalency of enzyme in feed; formulation may provide an economic benefit and decrease the amount of phytate P excretion in the manure without compromising production and egg quality parameters.

Molecular dissection of placental malaria protein VAR2CSA interaction with a chemo-enzymatically synthesized chondroitin sulfate library.

PubMed

Sugiura, Nobuo; Clausen, Thomas Mandel; Shioiri, Tatsumasa; Gustavsson, Tobias; Watanabe, Hideto; Salanti, Ali

2016-12-01

Placental malaria, a serious infection caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, is characterized by the selective accumulation of infected erythrocytes (IEs) in the placentas of the pregnant women. Placental adherence is mediated by the malarial VAR2CSA protein, which interacts with chondroitin sulfate (CS) proteoglycans present in the placental tissue. CS is a linear acidic polysaccharide composed of repeating disaccharide units of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine that are modified by sulfate groups at different positions. Previous reports have shown that placental-adhering IEs were associated with an unusually low sulfated form of chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) and that a partially sulfated dodecasaccharide is the minimal motif for the interaction. However, the fine molecular structure of this CS chain remains unclear. In this study, we have characterized the CS chain that interacts with a recombinant minimal CS-binding region of VAR2CSA (rVAR2) using a CS library of various defined lengths and sulfate compositions. The CS library was chemo-enzymatically synthesized with bacterial chondroitin polymerase and recombinant CS sulfotransferases. We found that C-4 sulfation of the N-acetyl-D-galactosamine residue is critical for supporting rVAR2 binding, whereas no other sulfate modifications showed effects. Interaction of rVAR2 with CS is highly correlated with the degree of C-4 sulfation and CS chain length. We confirmed that the minimum structure binding to rVAR2 is a tri-sulfated CSA dodecasaccharide, and found that a highly sulfated CSA eicosasaccharide is a more potent inhibitor of rVAR2 binding than the dodecasaccharides. These results suggest that CSA derivatives may potentially serve as targets in therapeutic strategies against placental malaria.

Enhancing the effect of secreted cyclophilin B on immunosuppressive activity of cyclosporine.

PubMed

Denys, A; Allain, F; Masy, E; Dessaint, J P; Spik, G

1998-04-27

Cyclophilin B (CyPB) is a cyclosporine (CsA)-binding protein, located within intracellular vesicles and secreted in biological fluids. In previous works, we reported that CyPB specifically interacts with the T-cell membrane and potentiates the ability of CsA to inhibit CD3-induced proliferation of T lymphocytes. CyPB levels were measured in plasma from healthy donors and transplant patients. The role of extracellular CyPB on the distribution and activity of CsA was investigated first by studies on the uptake of free and CyPB-complexed drug by blood cells, and second by studies on the inhibitory effects of these two compounds on the CD3-induced proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. A significant increase in plasma CyPB level was observed for CsA-treated patients (13+/-6.4 nM, n=42) in comparison with untreated donors (4.3+/-2.1 nM, n=34). In vitro, extracellular CyPB dose dependently modified CsA distribution between plasma, erythrocyte, and lymphocyte contents, by both retaining the complexed drug extracellularly and promoting its specific accumulation within peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Moreover, the enhanced ability of CyPB-complexed CsA to suppress CD3-induced T-cell proliferation was preserved in the presence of other blood cells, implying specific targeting of the drug to sensitive cells. Furthermore, although a large interindividual variability of sensitivity to the drug was confirmed for 18 individuals, we found that CyPB potentiated the activity of CsA in restoring a high sensitivity to the immunosuppressant. These results suggest that plasma CyPB may contribute to the acceptance and the good maintenance of organ transplantation by enhancing the immunosuppressive activity of CsA through a receptor-mediated incorporation of CyPB-complexed CsA within peripheral blood lymphocytes.

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.

Should anthropology be part of cognitive science?

PubMed

Beller, Sieghard; Bender, Andrea; Medin, Douglas L

2012-07-01

Anthropology and the other cognitive science (CS) subdisciplines currently maintain a troubled relationship. With a debate in topiCS we aim at exploring the prospects for improving this relationship, and our introduction is intended as a catalyst for this debate. In order to encourage a frank sharing of perspectives, our comments will be deliberately provocative. Several challenges for a successful rapprochement are identified, encompassing the diverging paths that CS and anthropology have taken in the past, the degree of compatibility between (1) CS and (2) anthropology with regard to methodology and (3) research strategies, (4) the importance of anthropology for CS, and (5) the need for disciplinary diversity. Given this set of challenges, a reconciliation seems unlikely to follow on the heels of good intentions alone. Copyright © 2012 Cognitive Science Society, Inc.

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.

PLA/CS/Nifedipine Nanocomposite Films: Properties and the In Vitro Release of Nifedipine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trang, Nguyen Thi Thu; Chinh, Nguyen Thuy; Giang, Nguyen Vu; Thanh, Dinh Thi Mai; Lam, Tran Dai; Hoang, Thai

2016-07-01

The polylactic acid (PLA)/chitosan (CS) films containing a drug, nifedipine (NIF), in the presence of polyethylene oxide (PEO) as a compatibilizer were prepared by the solution method. This method has not been used to form films containing four components (PLA, CS, NIF, PEO) up to now. The CS, PEO, and NIF contents are 25 wt.%, 6-8 wt.%, and 10-50 wt.% in comparison with PLA weight, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were used to characterize the interactions, properties, and morphology of the PLA/CS/PEO/NIF films. The FTIR, TGA, and DSC results show that NIF carried by PLA/CS/PEO films and PLA, CS, NIF had better interaction and were more compatible when using PEO. The surface morphology of PLA/CS/PEO/NIF films was similar to that of PLA/CS/PEO films. Moreover, this was the first time drug loading and NIF release content from PLA/CS/PEO films were determined by the ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy method. The drug loading of PLA/CS/PEO/NIF films was from 80.99% to 93.61%. The in vitro NIF release studies were carried out in pH 2, 6.8, and 7.4 solutions corresponding to the pH of stomach, colon, and duodenum regions in the human body, respectively. The NIF release content in different pH solutions is in the order: pH 2 > pH 6.8 > pH 7.4 and increases when there is increasing NIF loading. The PLA/CS/PEO films are potential materials to apply for long-circulating systems for NIF delivery.

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

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.

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.

Merits and pitfalls of mifepristone in Cushing's syndrome.

PubMed

Castinetti, F; Fassnacht, M; Johanssen, S; Terzolo, M; Bouchard, P; Chanson, P; Do Cao, C; Morange, I; Picó, A; Ouzounian, S; Young, J; Hahner, S; Brue, T; Allolio, B; Conte-Devolx, B

2009-06-01

Mifepristone is the only available glucocorticoid receptor antagonist. Only few adult patients with hypercortisolism were treated to date by this drug. Our objective was to determine effectiveness and tolerability of mifepristone in Cushing's syndrome (CS). Retrospective study of patients treated in seven European centers. Twenty patients with malignant (n=15, 12 with adrenocortical carcinoma, three with ectopic ACTH secretion) or benign (n=5, four with Cushing's disease, one with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia) CS were treated with mifepristone. Mifepristone was initiated with a median starting dose of 400 mg/day (200-1000). Median treatment duration was 2 months (0.25-21) for malignant CS, and 6 months (0.5-24) for benign CS. Clinical (signs of hypercortisolism, blood pressure, signs of adrenal insufficiency), and biochemical parameters (serum potassium and glucose) were evaluated. Treatment was stopped in one patient after 1 week due to severe uncontrolled hypokalemia. Improvement of clinical signs was observed in 11/15 patients with malignant CS (73%), and 4/5 patients with benign CS (80%). Psychiatric symptoms improved in 4/5 patients within the first week. Blood glucose levels improved in 4/7 patients. Signs of adrenal insufficiency were observed in 3/20 patients. Moderate to severe hypokalemia was observed in 11/20 patients and increased blood pressure levels in 3/20 patients. Mifepristone is a rapidly effective treatment of hypercortisolism, but requires close monitoring of potentially severe hypokalemia, hypertension, and clinical signs of adrenal insufficiency. Mifepristone provides a valuable treatment option in patients with severe CS when surgery is unsuccessful or impossible.

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.

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.

Minimally Invasive Component Separation Results in Fewer Wound-Healing Complications than Open Component Separation for Large Ventral Hernia Repairs

PubMed Central

Ghali, Shadi; Turza, Kristin C; Baumann, Donald P; Butler, Charles E

2014-01-01

BACKGROUND Minimally invasive component separation (CS) with inlay bioprosthetic mesh (MICSIB) is a recently developed technique for abdominal wall reconstruction that preserves the rectus abdominis perforators and minimizes subcutaneous dead space using limited-access tunneled incisions. We hypothesized that MICSIB would result in better surgical outcomes than would conventional open CS. STUDY DESIGN All consecutive patients who underwent CS (open or minimally invasive) with inlay bioprosthetic mesh for ventral hernia repair from 2005 to 2010 were included in a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Surgical outcomes including wound-healing complications, hernia recurrences, and abdominal bulge/laxity rates were compared between patient groups based on the type of CS repair: MICSIB or open. RESULTS Fifty-seven patients who underwent MICSIB and 50 who underwent open CS were included. The mean follow-ups were 15.2±7.7 months and 20.7±14.3 months, respectively. The mean fascial defect size was significantly larger in the MICSIB group (405.4±193.6 cm2 vs. 273.8±186.8 cm2; p =0.002). The incidences of skin dehiscence (11% vs. 28%; p=0.011), all wound-healing complications (14% vs. 32%; p=0.026), abdominal wall laxity/bulge (4% vs. 14%; p=0.056), and hernia recurrence (4% vs. 8%; p=0.3) were lower in the MICSIB group than in the open CS group. CONCLUSIONS MICSIB resulted in fewer wound-healing complications than did open CS used for complex abdominal wall reconstructions. These findings are likely attributable to the preservation of paramedian skin vascularity and reduction in subcutaneous dead space with MICSIB. MICSIB should be considered for complex abdominal wall reconstructions, particularly in patients at increased risk of wound-healing complications. PMID:22521439

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.

Magnetic and Structural Characterization of Fe-Ga Using Kerr Microscopy and Neutron Scattering

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

117 4.6 Schematic of triple axes single crystal neutron diffractometer (left). TriCS intrument at Paul Scherrer Institut, Switzerland (right...Therefore, USANS data is one-dimensional. 4.3.3 Single Crystal Neutron Diffraction The single crystal neutron diffractometer, TriCS at Paul Scherrer...crystal neutron diffractometer (left). TriCS intrument at Paul Scherrer Institut, Switzerland (right) [106] 4.4 Unpolarized SANS In this section, SANS

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.

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.

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

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.

A characteristic chondroitin sulfate trisaccharide unit with a sulfated fucose branch exhibits neurite outgrowth-promoting activity: Novel biological roles of fucosylated chondroitin sulfates isolated from the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus.

PubMed

Shida, Miharu; Mikami, Tadahisa; Tamura, Jun-Ichi; Kitagawa, Hiroshi

2017-06-03

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a class of sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains that consist of repeating disaccharide unit composed of glucuronic acid (GlcA) and N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc). CS chains are found throughout the pericellular and extracellular spaces and contribute to the formation of functional microenvironments for numerous biological events. However, their structure-function relations remain to be fully characterized. Here, a fucosylated CS (FCS) was isolated from the body wall of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. Its promotional effects on neurite outgrowth were assessed by using isolated polysaccharides and the chemically synthesized FCS trisaccharide β-D-GalNAc(4,6-O-disulfate) (1-4)[α-l-fucose (2,4-O-disulfate) (1-3)]-β-D-GlcA. FCS polysaccharides contained the E-type disaccharide unit GlcA-GalNAc(4,6-O-disulfate) as a CS major backbone structure and carried distinct sulfated fucose branches. Despite their relatively lower abundance of E unit, FCS polysaccharides exhibited neurite outgrowth-promoting activity comparable to squid cartilage-derived CS-E polysaccharides, which are characterized by their predominant E units, suggesting potential roles of the fucose branch in neurite outgrowth. Indeed, the chemically synthesized FCS trisaccharide was as effective as CS-E tetrasaccharide in stimulating neurite elongation in vitro. In conclusion, FCS trisaccharide units with 2,4-O-disulfated fucose branches may provide new insights into understanding the structure-function relations of CS chains. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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.

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.

In vitro and in vivo acute response towards injectable thermosensitive chitosan/TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber hydrogel.

PubMed

Nguyen, Trang Ho Minh; Abueva, Celine; Ho, Hai Van; Lee, Sun-Young; Lee, Byong-Taek

2018-01-15

TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCNF) is a natural material with many promising properties, including biocompatibility and degradability. In this study, we integrated TOCNF at different concentrations (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8% w/v) with chitosan (CS) and created a thermosensitive injectable hydrogel intended for biomedical applications. These hydrogels can undergo sol-gel transition at body temperature through interactions between chitosan and β-glycerophosphate. The addition of TOCNF resulted in faster gelation time and increased porosity. These hydrogels with TOCNF showed improved biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo compared to CS hydrogel. Both MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells and L929 fibroblast cells showed biocompatibility towards CS/TOCNF 0.4. After 7days of implantation, initial inflammatory response to CS/TOCNF 0.4 was found. Such response was significantly subsided within 14days. Cell infiltration within the hydrogel was also prominent, showing anti-inflammatory or wound healing (M2) macrophage at 14days after implantation. These results showed that the addition of TOCNF could significantly improve the biocompatibility of CS hydrogel as a biomaterial for biomedical application. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Coriander alleviates 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced contact dermatitis-like skin lesions in mice.

PubMed

Park, Gunhyuk; Kim, Hyo Geun; Lim, Soonmin; Lee, Wonil; Sim, Yeomoon; Oh, Myung Sook

2014-08-01

Contact dermatitis (CD) is a pattern of inflammatory responses in the skin that occurs through contact with external factors. The clinical picture is a polymorphic pattern of skin inflammation characterized by a wide range of clinical features, including itching, redness, scaling, and erythema. Coriandrum sativum L. (CS), commonly known as coriander, is a member of the Apiaceae family and is cultivated throughout the world for its nutritional and culinary values. Linoleic acid and linolenic acid in CS have various pharmacological activities. However, no study of the inhibitory effects of CS on CD has been reported. In this study, we demonstrated the protective effect of CS against 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced CD-like skin lesions. CS, at doses of 0.5-1%, applied to the dorsal skin inhibited the development of CD-like skin lesions. Moreover, the Th2-mediated inflammatory cytokines, immunoglobulin E, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-4, and IL-13, were significantly reduced. In addition, CS increased the levels of total glutathione and heme oxygenase-1 protein. Thus, CS can inhibit the development of CD-like skin lesions in mice by regulating immune mediators and may be an effective alternative therapy for contact diseases.

Serum metabonomics study of the hepatoprotective effect of Corydalis saxicola Bunting on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats by (1)H NMR analysis.

PubMed

Liang, Yong-Hong; Tang, Chao-Ling; Lu, Shi-Yin; Cheng, Bang; Wu, Fang; Chen, Zhao-Ni; Song, Fangming; Ruan, Jun-Xiang; Zhang, Hong-Ye; Song, Hui; Zheng, Hua; Su, Zhi-Heng

2016-09-10

Corydalis saxicola Bunting (CS), a traditional Chinese folk medicine, has been effectively used for treating liver disease in Zhuang nationality in South China. However, the exact hepatoprotective mechanism of CS was still looking forward to further elucidation by far. In present work, metabonomic study of biochemical changes in the serum of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury rats after CS treatment were performed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H-NMR) analysis. Metabolic profiling by means of principal components analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) indicated that the metabolic perturbation caused by CCl4 was reduced by CS treatment. A total of 9 metabolites including isoleucine (1), lactate (2), alanine (3), glutamine (4), acetone (5), succinate (6), phosphocholine (7), d-glucose (8) and glycerol (9) were considered as potential biomarkers involved in the development of CCl4-induced acute liver injury. According to pathway analysis by metabolites identified and correlation network construction by Pearson's correlation coefficency matrix, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism and glycerolipid metabolism were recognized as the most influenced metabolic pathways associated with CCl4 injury. As a result, notably, deviations of metabolites 1, 3, 4, 7 and 9 in the process of CCl4-induced acute liver injury were improved by CS treatment, which suggested that CS mediated synergistically abnormalities of the metabolic pathways, composed of alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism and glycerolipid metabolism. In this study, it was the first report to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of the CS based on metabonomics strategy, which may be a potentially powerful tool to interpret the action mechanism of traditional Chinese folk medicines. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

¹H-MAS-NMR chemical shifts in hydrogen-bonded complexes of chlorophenols (pentachlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 2,6-dichlorophenol, 3,5-dichlorophenol, and p-chlorophenol) and amine, and H/D isotope effects on ¹H-MAS-NMR spectra.

PubMed

Honda, Hisashi

2013-04-22

Chemical shifts (CS) of the ¹H nucleus in N···H···O type hydrogen bonds (H-bond) were observed in some complexes between chlorophenols [pentachlorophenol (PCP), 2,4,6-tricholorophenol (TCP), 2,6-dichlorophenol (26DCP), 3,5-dichlorophenol (35DCP), and p-chlorophenol (pCP)] and nitrogen-base (N-Base) by solid-state high-resolution ¹H-NMR with the magic-angle-spinning (MAS) method. Employing N-Bases with a wide range of pKa values (0.65-10.75), ¹H-MAS-NMR CS values of bridging H atoms in H-bonds were obtained as a function of the N-Base's pKa. The result showed that the CS values were increased with increasing pKa values in a range of DpKa < 0 [DpKa = pKa(N-Base)-pKa(chlorophenols)] and decreased when DpKa > 2: The maximum CS values was recorded in the PCP (pKa = 5.26)-4-methylpyridine (6.03), TCP (6.59)-imidazole (6.99), 26DCP (7.02)-2-amino-4-methylpyridine (7.38), 35DCP (8.04)-4-dimethylaminopyridine (9.61), and pCP (9.47)-4-dimethylaminopyridine (9.61) complexes. The largest CS value of 18.6 ppm was recorded in TCP-imidazole crystals. In addition, H/D isotope effects on ¹H-MAS-NMR spectra were observed in PCP-2-amino-3-methylpyridine. Based on the results of CS simulation using a B3LYP/6-311+G** function, it can be explained that a little changes of the N-H length in H-bond contribute to the H/D isotope shift of the ¹H-MAS-NMR peaks.

The Approaching Obsolescence of 137Cs as a Means of Dating Wetland Soils and Sediments in North America

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drexler, J. Z.; Fuller, C.

2017-12-01

137Cesium is an anthropogenic radionuclide whose maximum fallout occurred in 1963/4 at the height of above-ground nuclear weapons testing. The presence of this fallout peak in core profiles has been used widely to estimate vertical accretion and carbon accumulation rates in wetlands. 137Cs dating has long been applied with little attention to uncertainty of peak position or measurement error. Initially, this caused few problems as activities were high and peaks were generally clear; however recently the clarity of peaks has deteriorated, raising questions of method efficacy. We quantified uncertainty in 137Cs dating in 52 wetland sediment/peat cores collected from 2005 - 2015 in Maine, California, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington and compared the position of each peak to the date obtained with 210Pb. We found that the two dating methods matched within 5 years for only 20% of cores with a distinct 137Cs peak. We attribute this to a decline in 137Cs efficacy for three main reasons: (1) mobility of 137Cs resulting from diffusion independent of sediments, downwashing, and/or physical/biotic perturbation, (2) on-going decay of the original 137Cs in situ (half-life = 30.17 years), which manifests in lower signal to noise ratios, and (3) 137Cs inputs from watershed/tidal sources, which have confounded the 137Cs pattern in sediments. Such reduced efficacy is of concern because carbon accumulation rates determined with 137Cs are used for informing national-scale carbon assessments and for determining the carbon storage potential of wetlands restored as offsets for the carbon market. We conclude that 137Cs dating alone has sufficient uncertainty that it should be disallowed for carbon accounting and that any use of 137Cs should be accompanied by an uncertainty analysis of peak position. Our results suggest that soon the common practice of using 137Cs to corroborate 210Pb dating will likely be obsolete in much of North America.

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.

Effects of including NaOH-treated corn straw as a substitute for wheat hay in the ration of lactating cows on performance, digestibility, and rumen microbial profile.

PubMed

Jami, E; Shterzer, N; Yosef, E; Nikbachat, M; Miron, J; Mizrahi, I

2014-03-01

This study measured the effects of including 5% NaOH-treated corn straw (T-CS) as a substitute for 15% wheat hay in the control total mixed ration (TMR) of lactating cows on performance, digestibility, and rumen microbial profile. Two groups of 21 cows each, similar in initial performance, were fed individually 1 of the 2 TMR examined. Voluntary dry matter intake of cows fed the control TMR was 4.3% higher than that of the T-CS cows, but in vivo dry matter and organic matter digestibilities of both groups were similar. Crude protein digestibility was higher in the control cows but digestibility of neutral detergent fiber polysaccharides (cellulose and hemicelluloses) was higher in the T-CS TMR. This was followed by 4.6% reduction in rumination time of the T-CS group. A slightly higher milk yield was observed in the control cows compared with the T-CS group; however, milk fat and milk protein content were higher in cows fed the T-CS TMR. This was reflected in 1.3% increase in energy-corrected milk yield and 5.34% increase in production efficiency (energy-corrected milk yield/intake) of the T-CS cows compared with the control. Welfare of the cows, as assessed by length of daily recumbence time, was improved by feeding the T-CS TMR relative to the control group. As a whole, the rumen bacterial community was significantly modulated in the T-CS group in the experimental period compared with the preexperimental period, whereas the bacterial community of the control group remained unchanged during this period. Out of the 8 bacterial species that were quantified using real-time PCR, a notable decrease in cellulolytic bacteria was observed in the T-CS group, as well as an increase in lactic acid-utilizing bacteria. These results illustrate the effect of T-CS on the composition of rumen microbiota, which may play a role in improving the performance of the lactating cow. Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

In vitro bioactivity, tribological property, and antibacterial ability of Ca-Si-based coatings doped with cu particles in-situ fabricated by laser cladding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, Baoping; Yang, Zhao; Yang, Yuling; Zhang, Erlin; Qin, Gaowu

2018-03-01

The present study aimed to in-situ fabricate Ca-Si-based coatings doped with copper particles (Cu-CS coatings) to enhance in vitro bioactivity, tribological property, and antibacterial ability of Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The effects of copper addition on the multiple properties were evaluated. Our results showed that Ca2SiO4, CaTiO3, and Cu2O were in-situ fabricated after laser processing. The Cu-CS coatings exhibited an excellent wear resistance and enhanced wettability. Regarding the in vitro bioactivity, after soaking in simulated body fluid, Cu-CS coatings developed an apatite surface layer that was reduced in the coatings with higher weight percent Cu addition. The Cu-CS coatings enhanced the inhibitory action against E. coli strains, especially for the coating with a higher concentration of Cu in it. Hence, the synthesized Cu-CS coatings present excellent tribological properties, enhanced bioactivity, and antibacterial property, and, therefore, would be used to modify the surface properties of Ti-6Al-4V implants for bone tissue engineering applications.

Tuning the structure of CsCaI3:Eu via substitution of bromine for iodine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loyd, M.; Lindsey, A.; Stand, L.; Zhuravleva, M.; Melcher, C. L.; Koschan, M.

2017-06-01

CsCaI3:Eu is a promising scintillator material that can be grown from the melt, but undergoes a tetragonal to orthorhombic phase transition upon cooling at 255 °C, causing twinning and cloudiness. The purpose of this work is to suppress this solid to solid phase transition in the CsCaI3:Eu scintillator, which has a light yield of ∼40000 ph/MeV and energy resolution at 662 keV of ∼4%, by halide replacement to form the compound CsCaBrxI3-x. Crystals 8 cm3 in volume were grown using the vertical Bridgman method with varying bromine content from x = 0.2 to x = 1, resulting in improved transparency for crystals with bromine content x > 0.6. Powder X-ray diffraction data coupled with differential scanning calorimetry and radioluminescence measurements were used to investigate structural modifications, melting point dependence and spectral emission dependence on the bromine/iodine ratio. Partial replacement of iodine by bromine improves optical quality and scintillation properties by stabilizing the structure, rendering it useful for isotope identification for national security applications. The composition CsCaBr0.8I2.2:Eu was determined to be the best combination of improved structure and performance, and larger 22 and 38 mm Ø crystals were grown for further evaluation. Large size slabs of these crystals showed good crystal quality and improved performance over CsCaI3Eu with 8.4% and 9.5% energy resolution at 662 keV, respectively.

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.

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.

Multidrug resistance-associated protein 4 is a bile transporter of Clonorchis sinensis simulated by in silico docking.

PubMed

Dai, Fuhong; Yoo, Won Gi; Lee, Ji-Yun; Lu, Yanyan; Pak, Jhang Ho; Sohn, Woon-Mok; Hong, Sung-Jong

2017-11-21

Multidrug resistance-associated protein 4 (MRP4) is a member of the C subfamily of the ABC family of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. MRP4 regulates ATP-dependent efflux of various organic anionic substrates and bile acids out of cells. Since Clonorchis sinensis lives in host's bile duct, accumulation of bile juice can be toxic to the worm's tissues and cells. Therefore, C. sinensis needs bile transporters to reduce accumulation of bile acids within its body. We cloned MRP4 (CsMRP4) from C. sinensis and obtained a cDNA encoding an open reading frame of 1469 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that CsMRP4 belonged to the MRP/SUR/CFTR subfamily. A tertiary structure of CsMRP4 was generated by homology modeling based on multiple structures of MRP1 and P-glycoprotein. CsMRP4 had two membrane-spanning domains (MSD1 & 2) and two nucleotide-binding domains (NBD1 & 2) as common structural folds. Docking simulation with nine bile acids showed that CsMRP4 transports bile acids through the inner cavity. Moreover, it was found that CsMRP4 mRNA was more abundant in the metacercariae than in the adults. Mouse immune serum, generated against the CsMRP4-NBD1 (24.9 kDa) fragment, localized CsMRP4 mainly in mesenchymal tissues and oral and ventral suckers of the metacercariae and the adults. Our findings shed new light on MRPs and their homologs and provide a platform for further structural and functional investigations on the bile transporters and parasites' survival.

Stable thermosensitive in situ gel-forming systems based on the lyophilizate of chitosan/α,β-glycerophosphate salts.

PubMed

Wu, Guanghao; Yuan, Yuan; He, Jintian; Li, Ying; Dai, Xiaojing; Zhao, Baohua

2016-09-10

In the present study, lyophilization was attempted to improve the long-term storage of CS/GP thermogelling systems for biopharmaceutical applications. After lyophilization, CS/α,β-GP lyophilizate could not be dissolved in water, but some metal salts, such as NaCl, CaCl2, and MgCl2 surprisingly facilitated its dissolution. X-ray powder diffraction analysis suggested that calcium ions might preferentially form salts with α,β-GP, inhibit the transfer of protons from CS to α,β-GP, and then inhibit the aggregation of CS molecules during lyophilization. Comparison of the freshly prepared CS/α,β-GP/salt solutions and the reconstituted solutions from lyophilizates showed that lyophilization clearly influenced the properties of reconstituted CS/α,β-GP/salt solutions such as gelation time, viscosity, and pH. Furthermore, the reconstituted CS/α,β-GP/CaCl2 solutions maintained thermogelling properties and formed hydrogels at 37°C within approximately 5min, but did not form hydrogels at 20°C and 4°C over 2 weeks. The model protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) was further incorporated into the CS/α,β-GP/CaCl2 system. In vitro release experiments showed the sustained release of BSA from CS/α,β-GP/CaCl2 hydrogels in a pH-sensitive manner, demonstrating that CS/α,β-GP/CaCl2 may be useful as an in situ gel-forming system. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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.

Cesium migration in Hanford sediment: a multisite cation exchange model based on laboratory transport experiments.

PubMed

Steefel, Carl I; Carroll, Susan; Zhao, Pihong; Roberts, Sarah

2003-12-01

Cs+ transport experiments carried out in columns packed with uncontaminated Hanford formation sediment from the SX tank farm provide strong support for the use of a multisite, multicomponent cation exchange model to describe Cs+ migration in the Hanford vadose zone. The experimental results indicate a strong dependence of the effective Cs+ Kd on the concentrations of other cations, including Na+ that is present at high to extremely high concentrations in fluids leaking from the Hanford SX tanks. A strong dependence of the Cs+ Kd on the aqueous Cs+ concentration is also apparent, with retardation of Cs+ increasing from a value of 41 at a Cs+ concentration of 10(-4) M in the feed solution to as much as 282 at a Cs+ concentration of 5x10(-7) M, all in a background of 1 M NaNO3. The total cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the Hanford sediment was determined using 22Na isotopic equilibrium exchange in a flow-through column experiment. The value for the CEC of 120 microeq/g determined with this method is compatible with a value of 121.9 microeq/g determined by multi-cation elution. While two distinct exchange sites were proposed by Zachara et al. [Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 66 (2002) 193] based on binary batch exchange experiments, a third site is proposed in this study to improve the fit of the Cs+-Na+ and Cs+-Ca+ exchange data and to capture self-sharpened Cs+ breakthrough curves at low concentrations of Cs+. Two of the proposed exchange sites represent frayed edge sites (FES) on weathered micas and constitute 0.02% and 0.22% of the total CEC. Both of the FES show a very strong selectivity for Cs+ over Na+ (K(Na-Cs)=10(7.22) and 10(4.93), respectively). The third site, accounting for over 99% of the total CEC, is associated with planar sites on expansible clays and shows a smaller Na+-Cs+ selectivity coefficient of 10(1.99). Parameters derived from a fit of binary batch experiments alone tend to under predict Cs+ retardation in the column experiments. The transport experiments indicate 72-90% of the Cs+ sorbed in experiments targeting exchange on FES was desorbed over a 10- and 24-day period, respectively. At high Cs+ concentrations, where sorption is controlled primarily by exchange on planar sites, 95% of the Cs+ desorption was desorbed. Most of the difficulty in desorbing Cs+ from FES is a result of the extremely high selectivity of these sites for Cs+, although truly irreversible sorption as high as 23% was suggested in one experiment. The conclusion that Cs+ exchange is largely reversible in a thermodynamic sense is supported by the ability to match Cs+ desorption curves almost quantitatively with an equilibrium reactive transport simulation. The model for Cs+ retardation developed here qualitatively explains the behavior of Cs+ in the Hanford vadose zone underneath a variety of leaking tanks with differing salt concentrations. The high selectivity of FES for Cs+ implies that future desorption and migration is very unlikely to occur under natural recharge conditions.

Comparative study of antimicrobial efficiency of metallurgical slags suitable for construction applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strigac, J.; Stevulova, N.; Mikusinec, J.; Varecka, L.; Hudecova, D.

2017-10-01

The article deals with comparative study of antimicrobial efficiency of metallurgical slags suitable for construction applications. The tested slags were as follows: granulated blast-furnace slag (GS1), air cooled blast-furnace slag (AS2), demetallized steel slag (DS3), calcerous ladle slag (LS4), slag from copper refining (CS5). The antimicrobial activity was tested on selected representatives of bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi. The highest antibacterial activity possessed LS4, which intensely inhibited growth of bacteria with the lowest concentration of slag (10%) in the growth media. 100% inhibition of growth of some bacteria was observed only in slags LS4, DS3 and AS2 in concentrations 20% - 60% of slag. Antibacterial activity of slag samples was decreasing in the order: LS4 > DS3 > AS2 > GS1 > CS5. Growth of all model yeasts was 100% inhibited at as low concentration as 20% of slag GS1 and DS3, and 10% of slag LS4. Antiyeast activity of slags was decreasing in the order: LS4 > GS1 = DS3 > AS2 > CS5. Regarding that filamentous fungi were selectively sensitive to presence of slags, it is possible to determine only approximate order of inhibition effectiveness of slags to fungi: LS4 > GS1 = DS3 > AS2 = CS5.

Graphene oxide/Fe3O4/chitosan nanocomposite: a recoverable and recyclable adsorbent for organic dyes removal. Application to methylene blue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tran, Hoang V.; Bui, Lieu T.; Dinh, Thuy T.; Le, Dang H.; Huynh, Chinh D.; Trinh, Anh X.

2017-03-01

In this research, the potential of chitosan/Fe3O4/graphene oxide (CS/Fe3O4/GO) nanocomposite for efficient removal of methylene blue (MB) as a cationic dye from aqueous solutions was investigated. For this purpose, first, graphene oxide (GO) was prepared from pencil’s graphite by Hummer’s method, then after, CS/Fe3O4/GO was synthesized via chemical co-precipitation method from a mixture solution of GO, Fe3+, Fe2+ and chitosan. The synthesized CS/Fe3O4/GO was characterized by XRD, VSM and SEM techniques. Also, the various parameters affecting dye removal were investigated. Dye adsorption equilibrium data were fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm rather than Freundlich isotherm. The maximum monolayer capacity (q max), was calculated from the Langmuir as 30.10 mg · g-1. The results show that, CS/Fe3O4/GO nanocomposite, can be used as a cheap and efficient adsorbent for removal of cationic dyes from aqueous solutions.

Cardiac-Sparing Whole Lung IMRT in Children With Lung Metastasis

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

Kalapurakal, John A., E-mail: j-kalapurakal@northwestern.edu; Zhang, Yunkai; Kepka, Alan

Purpose: To demonstrate the dosimetric advantages of cardiac-sparing (CS) intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in children undergoing whole lung irradiation (WLI). Methods and Materials: Chest CT scans of 22 children who underwent simulation with 3-dimensional (n=10) or 4-dimensional (n=12) techniques were used for this study. Treatment planning was performed using standard anteroposterior-posteroanterior (S-RT) technique and CS-IMRT. Left and right flank fields were added to WLI fields to determine whether CS-IMRT offered any added protection to normal tissues at the junction between these fields. The radiation dose to the lung PTV, cardiac structures, liver, and thyroid were analyzed and compared. Results:more » CS-IMRT had 4 significant advantages over S-RT: (1) superior cardiac protection (2) superior 4-dimensional lung planning target volume coverage, (3) superior dose uniformity in the lungs with fewer hot spots, and (4) significantly lower dose to the heart when flank RT is administered after WLI. Conclusions: The use of CS-IMRT and 4-dimensional treatment planning has the potential to improve tumor control rates and reduce cardiac toxicity in children receiving WLI.« less

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.

C and RB Fountains:. Recent Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bize, S.; Sortais, Y.; Abgrall, M.; Zhang, S.; Calonico, D.; Mandache, C.; Lemonde, P.; Laurent, P.; Santarelli, G.; Salomon, C.; Clairon, A.; Luiten, A.; Tobar, M.

2002-04-01

We discuss the present performance and limits of our Cs and Rb fountains. The BNM/LPTF operates three cold atom clocks: two Cs fountains and a dual Cs-Rb fountain. By using an ultra-stable cryogenic sapphire oscillator to interrogate the atoms the frequency stability reaches 3.6 × 10-14τ-1/2. The accuracy of our fountains is now near 10-15. We discuss here the problems to be solved to reach a 10-16 accuracy. For instance this implies a continuous monitoring of the collisional frequency shift at the percent level in Cs. In contrast, 87Rb cold atom clocks exhibit a collisional shift ~ 100 times smaller than Cs which should lead to a better ultimate accuracy. Comparing the hyperfine energies of atoms with different atomic numbers Z, one can search for a possible violation of the Einstein Equivalence Principle. When interpreted as a test of the stability of the fine structure constant (α = e2/4πγ0ħc), measurements of the ratio νRb/νCs spread over a two year interval show no change of α at the 7 × 10-15/year level.

Cell Attachment and Proliferation of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells on PLGA/Chitosan Electrospun Nano-Biocomposite.

PubMed

Razavi, Shahnaz; Karbasi, Saeed; Morshed, Mohammad; Zarkesh Esfahani, Hamid; Golozar, Mohammad; Vaezifar, Sedigheh

2015-01-01

In this study, nano-biocomposite composed of poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and chitosan (CS) were electrospun through a single nozzle by dispersing the CS nano-powders in PLGA solution. The cellular behavior of human adipose derived stem cells (h-ADSCs) on random and aligned scaffolds was then evaluated. In this experimental study, the PLGA/CS scaffolds were prepared at the different ratios of 90/10, 80/20, and 70/30 (w/w) %. Morphology, cell adhesion and prolif- eration rate of h-ADSCs on the scaffolds were assessed using scanning electron microscope (SEM), 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and trypan blue staining respectively. H-ADSCs seeded on the matrices indicated that the PLGA/CS composite matrix with aligned nanofibres and higher content of CS nano-powders gave significantly better performance than others in terms of cell adhesion and proliferation rate (P<0.05). We found that CS enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation rate, and aligned nanofibers guided cell growth along the longitudinal axis of the nanofibers, which would provide a beneficial approach for tissue engineering.

[Mechanisms of myeloid cell RelA/p65 in cigarette smoking-induced lung cancer growth in mice].

PubMed

Yao, Yiwen; Wu, Junlu; Quan, Wenqiang; Zhou, Hong; Zhang, Yu; Wan, Haiying; Li, Dong

2014-06-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of cigarette smoking (CS)-induced lung cancer growth in mice. RelA/p65⁻/⁻ mice and WT mice were used to establish mouse models of lung cancer. Both mice were divided into two groups: air group and CS group, respectively. Tumor number on the lung surface was counted and maximal tumor size was evaluated using HE staining. Kaplan Meier (K-M) survival curve was used to analyze the survival rate of the mice. Expression of Ki-67, TNF-α and CD68 in the tumor tissue was determined by immunohistochemical analysis, and cyclin D1 and c-myc proteins were examined by Western blot. Apoptosis of tumor cells was analyzed using TUNEL staining. The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and KC in the mouse lung tissues were evaluated by ELISA. Compared with the WT air group, the lung weight, lung tumor multiplicity, as well as maximum tumor size in the WT mice exposed to CS were (1.5 ± 0.1)g, (64.8 ± 4.1) and (7.6 ± 0.2) mm, respectively, significantly increased than those in the WT mice not exposed to CS (P < 0.05 for all). However, there were no statistically significant differences between RelA/p65⁻/⁻ mice before and after CS exposure (P > 0.05 for all). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that CS exposure significantly shortened the life time of WT mice (P < 0.05), and deletion of RelA/p65 in myeloid cells resulted in an increased survival compared with that of the WT mice (P < 0.05 for all). The ratios of Ki-67 positive tumor cells were (43.4 ± 2.9)%, (60.6 ± 5.4)%, (12.8 ± 3.6)% and (15.0 ± 4.2)% in the WT air group, WT CS groups, RelA/p65⁻/⁻ air groups and RelA/p65⁻/⁻ CS groups, respectively. After smoking, the number of Ki-67-positive cells was significantly increased in the WT mice (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the RelA/p65⁻/⁻ groups before and after smoking (P > 0.05). The apoptosis rate of WT air, WT CS, RelA/p65⁻/⁻ air and RelA/p65⁻/⁻ CS groups were (11.6 ± 1.7)%, (13.0 ± 2.0)%, (13.2 ± 2.0)% and (11.0 ± 1.4)%, respectively, with no significant difference among them (P > 0.05). Expression of cyclin D1 and c-myc was induced in response to CS exposure in lung tumor cells of WT mice. In contrast, their expressions were not significantly changed in the RelA/p65⁻/⁻ mice after smoke exposure. CS exposure was associated with an increased number of macrophages infiltrating in the tumor tissue, in both WT and RelA/p65⁻/⁻ mice (P < 0.05). The concentrations of IL-6, KC and TNF-α were significantly increased after CS exposure in the lungs of WT mice (P < 0.05). Cigarette smoking promotes the lung cancer growth in mice. Myeloid cell RelA/p65 mediates CS-induced tumor growth. TNFα regulated by RelA/p65 may be involved in the lung cancer development.

Protonic Conductors for Intermediate Temperature Fuel Cell Electrolytes: Superprotonic CsH2PO4 Stabilization and in-Doped SnP2O7 Structure Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martinez Salinas, Heber Jair

Proton conductor solid electrolytes CsH2PO4 and In-doped tin pyrophosphate have been investigated as candidates to fill a gap of suitable electrolytes for fuel cells at the intermediate temperature range due their unusually high conductivities between 200 and 300 °C. Unfortunately, in the case of CsH2PO4, complicated experimental conditions, like a humidified environment, or high pressure, are needed to preserve the sought high conducting phase. In the first stage of this work, X-ray diffraction on CsH2PO 4 samples performed in air, and under normal conditions of humidity and pressure, evidence of the cubic phase of CsH2PO4 was observed during short intervals of temperature and time, starting at 215 °C and disappearing completely at 265 °C into a dehydrated phase. An AC impedance spectroscopy experimental setup has been assembled and data has been successfully collected on undoped, and doped CsH2PO 4 samples to investigate the effects of chemical and environmental modifications. Measurements performed in the temperature range 200 - 260 °C, and using the frequency range 1 - 6 MHz, showed that the high conducting phase of undoped CsH2PO4 was present for a very short interval of temperature. Additionally, these measurements showed that nano-silica-doped CsH2PO4, and CsH2PO4 under a humidified environment achieve the highest values of conductivity, above 10-2 S cm-1 among the samples tested. In the second stage of this investigation, AC impedance spectroscopy measurements were successfully performed on CsH2PO4 samples in air, at temperatures from 200 - 260 °C, and in the frequency range 1 - 6 MHz, inside a hermetically sealed stainless-steel chamber, which was designed and assembled in-house. Results showed that the highly conducting phase of CsH2PO 4 was achieved at temperatures measured above 230 °C, reaching conductivity values up to 1.7 x10-2 S cm-1, and remaining stable for over 40 hours. Consequent X-ray diffraction analysis of such samples showed that a monoclinic structure, characteristic of room temperature CsH 2PO4, was the only phase present even after the samples had been heated for over 40 hours at a temperature of 250 °C. By using this novel contraption, this has been the first time that undoped CsH2PO 4 has achieved its high conductivity phase and maintained a stable conductivity for a significant amount of time in air, without the use of a humidified environment, and without high pressure in an AC impedance spectroscopy study. Finally, in-house and synchrotron X-ray diffraction studies performed in the Sn1-xInxP2O7 series showed the cubic structure characteristic of the undoped compound at room temperature remains present up to temperatures of 250 °C. Sn0.9In 0.1P2O7, which is known to have the highest conductivity of the compound series, presented an increased unit cell as compared to the rest of the series when measured in air. However, the increased unit cell was not observed when measured under vacuum or an inert gas. Doping did not produce any major distortions on the P2O7 tetrahedra.

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.

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

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.

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

Ultrastrong composite film of Chitosan and silica-coated graphene oxide sheets.

PubMed

Yan, Haichen; Jiang, Lei; Xu, Xiaozhou; Li, Yanbao; Shen, Yuesong; Zhu, Shemin

2017-11-01

Chitosan (CS) has attracted significant interest in various fields due to its outstanding functional properties (especially, its chain with positive charge). However, wide-range applications of CS are severely limited because of its poor mechanical properties. Ultrastrong composite film of CS and silica-coated graphene oxide sheets (GO@SiO 2 ) were prepared by a simple solution casting method in this article. GO@SiO 2 was prepared by the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in GO ethanol solution. Compared with the pure CS film, the tensile strength of the CS/GO@SiO 2 composite film with incorporation of 1.75wt% GO@SiO 2 fillers was significantly increased 158% from 55±4 to 142±24MPa. Such high tensile strength may be caused synergistically by strong interaction between two components and high crystallinity of the CS matrix. CS based composite with ultrastrong strength may have more potential applications in biomedical fields. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of gestational length, gender, postnatal age, and birth order on visual contrast sensitivity in infants.

PubMed

Dobkins, Karen R; Bosworth, Rain G; McCleery, Joseph P

2009-09-30

To investigate effects of visual experience versus preprogrammed mechanisms on visual development, we used multiple regression analysis to determine the extent to which a variety of variables (that differ in the extent to which they are tied to visual experience) predict luminance and chromatic (red/green) contrast sensitivity (CS), which are mediated by the magnocellular (M) and parvocellular (P) subcortical pathways, respectively. Our variables included gestational length (GL), birth weight (BW), gender, postnatal age (PNA), and birth order (BO). Two-month-olds (n = 60) and 6-month-olds (n = 122) were tested. Results revealed that (1) at 2 months, infants with longer GL have higher luminance CS; (2) at both ages, CS significantly increases over a approximately 21-day range of PNA, but this effect is stronger in 2- than 6-month-olds and stronger for chromatic than luminance CS; (3) at 2 months, boys have higher luminance CS than girls; and (4) at 2 months, firstborn infants have higher CS, while at 6 months, non-firstborn infants have higher CS. The results for PNA/GL are consistent with the possibility that P pathway development is more influenced by variables tied to visual experience (PNA), while M pathway development is more influenced by variables unrelated to visual experience (GL). Other variables, including prenatal environment, are also discussed.

Effects of gestational length, gender, postnatal age, and birth order on visual contrast sensitivity in infants

PubMed Central

Dobkins, Karen R.; Bosworth, Rain G.; McCleery, Joseph P.

2010-01-01

To investigate effects of visual experience versus preprogrammed mechanisms on visual development, we used multiple regression analysis to determine the extent to which a variety of variables (that differ in the extent to which they are tied to visual experience) predict luminance and chromatic (red/green) contrast sensitivity (CS), which are mediated by the magnocellular (M) and parvocellular (P) subcortical pathways, respectively. Our variables included gestational length (GL), birth weight (BW), gender, postnatal age (PNA), and birth order (BO). Two-month-olds (n = 60) and 6-month-olds (n = 122) were tested. Results revealed that (1) at 2 months, infants with longer GL have higher luminance CS; (2) at both ages, CS significantly increases over a ~21-day range of PNA, but this effect is stronger in 2- than 6-month-olds and stronger for chromatic than luminance CS; (3) at 2 months, boys have higher luminance CS than girls; and (4) at 2 months, firstborn infants have higher CS, while at 6 months, non-firstborn infants have higher CS. The results for PNA/GL are consistent with the possibility that P pathway development is more influenced by variables tied to visual experience (PNA), while M pathway development is more influenced by variables unrelated to visual experience (GL). Other variables, including prenatal environment, are also discussed. PMID:19810800

Pharmacological and gene regulation properties point to the SlHAK5 K+ transporter as a system for high-affinity Cs+ uptake in tomato plants.

PubMed

Ródenas, Reyes; Nieves-Cordones, Manuel; Rivero, Rosa M; Martinez, Vicente; Rubio, Francisco

2018-04-01

Potassium (K + ) and cesium (Cs + ) are chemically similar but while K + is an essential nutrient, Cs + can be toxic for living organisms, plants included. Two different situations could lead to problems derived from the presence of Cs + in agricultural systems: (1) presence of Cs + at high concentrations that could produce toxic effects on plants, (2) presence of micromolar concentrations of radiocesium, which can be accumulated in the plant and affect animal and human health through the food chain. While K + uptake has been well described in tomato plants, information on molecular mechanisms involved in Cs + accumulation in this species is absent. Here, we show that in tomato plants, high concentrations of Cs + produce deficiency of K + but do not induce high-affinity K + uptake or the gene encoding the high-affinity K + transporter SlHAK5. At these concentrations, Cs + uptake takes place through a Ca 2+ -sensitive pathway, probably a non-selective cation channel. At micromolar concentrations, Cs + is accumulated by a high-affinity uptake system upregulated in K + -starved plants. This high-affinity Cs + uptake shares features with high-affinity K + uptake. It is sensitive to NH 4 + and insensitive to Ba 2+ and Ca 2+ and its presence parallels the pattern of SlHAK5 expression. Moreover, blockers of reactive oxygen species and ethylene action repress SlHAK5 and negatively regulate both high-affinity K + and Cs + uptake. Thus, we propose that SlHAK5 contributes to Cs + uptake from micromolar concentrations in tomato plants and can constitute a pathway for radiocesium transfer from contaminated areas to the food chain. © 2017 Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society.

Ion selective electrode for cesium based on 5-(4'-nitrophenylazo)25,27-bis(2-propyloxy)26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene.

PubMed

Ramanjaneyulu, P S; Singh, Parminder; Sayi, Y S; Chawla, H M; Ramakumar, K L

2010-03-15

A polyvinylchloride (PVC) based liquid membrane ion selective electrode (ISE) for cesium was fabricated with 5-(4'-nitrophenylazo)25,27-bis(2-propyloxy)26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene as ionophore. Different membrane constituents were investigated to realise optimum performance of the ISE developed. Of the four plasticizers and two ion additives studied, the best response was observed with membrane having 2-nitro phenyl octyl ether (oNPOE) as plasticizer and potassium tetrakis (perchloro phenyl) borate (KTpClPB) as ion additive. Linear response over concentration range of 10(-5)-10(-1)M CsCl was obtained. The Nernstian slope of the response was 56 mV per decade for Cs with a response time less than 20s. Matched potential method has been applied to find out the selectivity for Cs over several ions like Rb(+), K(+), Na(+), NH(4)(+), Sr(2+), Ba(2+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Cu(2+), Pb(2+), Zn(2+), Ni(2+) and Ce(3+). The response of ISE for Cs(+) was fairly constant over the pH range of 3-11. The lifetime of the electrode is 9 months which is the longest life for any membrane-based Cs-ISE so far developed. The concentration of cesium in two simulated high level active waste streams was determined and results agreed well with those obtained independently employing atomic absorption spectrometry. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. 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.

From {sub {infinity}}{sup 1}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}O(MoO{sub 4}){sub 4}]{sup 6-} to {sub {infinity}}{sup 1}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(MoO{sub 4}){sub 3}(MoO{sub 5})]{sup 6-} infinite chains in A{sub 6}U{sub 2}Mo{sub 4}O{sub 21} (A=Na, K, Rb, Cs) compounds: Synthesis and crystal structure of Cs{sub 6}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(MoO{sub 4}){sub 3}(MoO{sub 5})

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

Yagoubi, S.; Groupe de Radiochimie, Institut de Physique Nucleaire d'Orsay, Universite Paris-Sud XI, 91406 Orsay Cedex; Obbade, S., E-mail: said.obbade@phelma.grenoble-inp.f

2011-05-15

A new caesium uranyl molybdate belonging to the M{sub 6}U{sub 2}Mo{sub 4}O{sub 21} family has been synthesized by solid-state reaction and its structure determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Contrary to the other alkali uranyl molybdates of this family (A=Na, K, Rb) where molybdenum atoms adopt only tetrahedral coordination and which can be formulated A{sub 6}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}O(MoO{sub 4}){sub 4}], the caesium compound Cs{sub 6}U{sub 2}Mo{sub 4}O{sub 21} should be written Cs{sub 6}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(MoO{sub 4}){sub 3}(MoO{sub 5})] with molybdenum atoms in tetrahedral and square pyramidal environments. Cs{sub 6}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(MoO{sub 4}){sub 3}(MoO{sub 5})] crystallizes in the triclinic symmetry withmore » space group P1-bar and a=10.4275(14) A, b=15.075(2) A, c=17.806(2) A, {alpha}=70.72(1){sup o}, {beta}=80.38(1){sup o} and {gamma}=86.39(1){sup o}, V=2604.7(6) A{sup 3}, Z=4, {rho}{sub mes}=5.02(2) g/cm{sup 3} and {rho}{sub cal}=5.08(3) g/cm{sup 3}. A full-matrix least-squares refinement on the basis of F{sup 2} yielded R{sub 1}=0.0464 and wR{sub 2}=0.0950 for 596 parameters with 6964 independent reflections with I{>=}2{sigma}(I) collected on a BRUKER AXS diffractometer with Mo(K{alpha}) radiation and a CCD detector. The crystal structure of Cs compound is characterized by {sub {infinity}}{sup 1}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(MoO{sub 4}){sub 3}(MoO{sub 5})]{sup 6-} parallels chains built from U{sub 2}O{sub 13} dimeric units, MoO{sub 4} tetrahedra and MoO{sub 5} square pyramids, whereas, Na, K and Rb compounds are characterized by {sub {infinity}}{sup 1}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}O(MoO{sub 4}){sub 4}]{sup 6-} parallel chains formulated simply of U{sub 2}O{sub 13} units and MoO{sub 4} tetrahedra. Infrared spectroscopy measurements using powdered samples synthesized by solid-state reaction, confirm the structural results. The thermal stability and the electrical conductivity are also studied. The four compounds decompose at low temperature (between 540 and 610 {sup o}C). -- Graphical abstract: The staking of {sub {infinity}}{sup 1}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(MoO{sub 4}){sub 3}(MoO{sub 5})]{sup 6-} infinite uranyl molybdate ribbons in the Cs{sub 6}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(MoO{sub 4}){sub 3}(MoO{sub 5})] structure. Display Omitted Highlights: {yields} Cs{sub 6}U{sub 2}Mo{sub 4}O{sub 2} a new compound with bidimensional crystal structure, characterized by infinite uranyl molybdate chains. {yields} Crystal structure similar to these of the compounds containing Na, K, Rb. {yields} Molybdenum atoms surrounded by five oxygen atoms to form an original and strongly distorted MoO{sub 5} environment. {yields} The chains arrangement illustrates the key role of the alkaline ionic radius, in the crystal structure distortion for Cs compound.« less

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.

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.

Blunt Chest Trauma in Mice after Cigarette Smoke-Exposure: Effects of Mechanical Ventilation with 100% O2.

PubMed

Wagner, Katja; Gröger, Michael; McCook, Oscar; Scheuerle, Angelika; Asfar, Pierre; Stahl, Bettina; Huber-Lang, Markus; Ignatius, Anita; Jung, Birgit; Duechs, Matthias; Möller, Peter; Georgieff, Michael; Calzia, Enrico; Radermacher, Peter; Wagner, Florian

2015-01-01

Cigarette smoking (CS) aggravates post-traumatic acute lung injury and increases ventilator-induced lung injury due to more severe tissue inflammation and apoptosis. Hyper-inflammation after chest trauma is due to the physical damage, the drop in alveolar PO2, and the consecutive hypoxemia and tissue hypoxia. Therefore, we tested the hypotheses that 1) CS exposure prior to blunt chest trauma causes more severe post-traumatic inflammation and thereby aggravates lung injury, and that 2) hyperoxia may attenuate this effect. Immediately after blast wave-induced blunt chest trauma, mice (n=32) with or without 3-4 weeks of CS exposure underwent 4 hours of pressure-controlled, thoraco-pulmonary compliance-titrated, lung-protective mechanical ventilation with air or 100% O2. Hemodynamics, lung mechanics, gas exchange, and acid-base status were measured together with blood and tissue cytokine and chemokine concentrations, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), activated caspase-3, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α (HIF-1α) expression, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, nitrotyrosine formation, purinergic receptor 2X4 (P2XR4) and 2X7 (P2XR7) expression, and histological scoring. CS exposure prior to chest trauma lead to higher pulmonary compliance and lower PaO2 and Horovitz-index, associated with increased tissue IL-18 and blood MCP-1 concentrations, a 2-4-fold higher inflammatory cell infiltration, and more pronounced alveolar membrane thickening. This effect coincided with increased activated caspase-3, nitrotyrosine, P2XR4, and P2XR7 expression, NF-κB activation, and reduced HIF-1α expression. Hyperoxia did not further affect lung mechanics, gas exchange, pulmonary and systemic cytokine and chemokine concentrations, or histological scoring, except for some patchy alveolar edema in CS exposed mice. However, hyperoxia attenuated tissue HIF-1α, nitrotyrosine, P2XR7, and P2XR4 expression, while it increased HO-1 formation in CS exposed mice. Overall, CS exposure aggravated post-traumatic inflammation, nitrosative stress and thereby organ dysfunction and injury; short-term, lung-protective, hyperoxic mechanical ventilation have no major beneficial effect despite attenuation of nitrosative stress, possibly due to compensation of by regional alveolar hypoxia and/or consecutive hypoxemia, resulting in down-regulation of HIF-1α expression.

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

[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.

Corn silage in dairy cow diets to reduce ruminal methanogenesis: effects on the rumen metabolically active microbial communities.

PubMed

Lettat, A; Hassanat, F; Benchaar, C

2013-08-01

Methane produced by the methanogenic Archaea that inhabit the rumen is a potent greenhouse gas and represents an energy loss for the animal. Although several strategies have been proposed to mitigate enteric CH4 production, little is known about the effects of dietary changes on the microbial consortia involved in ruminal methanogenesis. Thus, the current study aimed to examine how the metabolically active microbes are affected when dairy cows were fed diets with increasing proportions of corn silage (CS). For this purpose, 9 ruminally cannulated lactating dairy cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design and fed a total mixed ration (60:40 forage:concentrate ratio on a dry matter basis) with the forage portion being either alfalfa silage (0% CS), corn silage (100% CS), or a 50:50 mixture (50% CS). Enteric CH4 production was determined using respiration chambers and total rumen content was sampled for the determination of fermentation characteristics and molecular biology analyses (cDNA-based length heterogeneity PCR, quantitative PCR). The cDNA-based length heterogeneity PCR targeting active microbes revealed similar bacterial communities in cows fed 0% CS and 50% CS diets, whereas important differences were observed between 0% CS and 100% CS diets, including a reduction in the bacterial richness and diversity in cows fed 100% CS diet. As revealed by quantitative PCR, feeding the 100% CS diet increased the number of total bacteria, Prevotella spp., Archaea, and methanogenic activity, though it reduced protozoal number. Meanwhile, increasing the CS proportion in the diet increased propionate concentration but decreased ruminal pH, CH4 production (L/kg of dry matter intake), and concentrations of acetate and butyrate. Based on these microbial and fermentation changes, and because CH4 production was reduced by feeding 100% CS diet, this study shows that the use of cDNA-based quantitative PCR to estimate archaeal growth and activity is not reliable enough to reflect changes in ruminal methanogenesis. A more robust technique to characterize changes in archaeal community structures will help to better understand the microbial process involved in ruminal methanogenesis and, hence, enabling the development of more effective dietary CH4 mitigation strategies. Copyright © 2013 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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.

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.

Tungstate-based glass-ceramics for the immobilization of radio cesium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drabarek, Elizabeth; McLeod, Terry I.; Hanna, John V.; Griffith, Christopher S.; Luca, Vittorio

2009-02-01

The preparation of tungstate-containing glass-ceramic composites (GCC) for the potential immobilization of radio cesium has been considered. The GCC materials were prepared by blending two oxide precursor compositions in various proportions. These included a preformed Cs-containing hexagonal tungsten bronze (HTB) phase (Cs 0.3Ti 0.2W 0.8O 3, P6 3/ mcm) and a blend of silica and other oxides. The use of the HTB phase was motivated on the assumption that a HTB-based adsorbent could be used to remove cesium directly from aqueous high level liquid waste feeds. In the absence of the HTB, glass-ceramics were relatively easily prepared from the Cs-containing glass-forming oxide blend. On melting the mixture a relative complex GCC phase assemblage formed. The principal components of this phase assemblage were determined using X-ray powder diffraction, 133Cs MAS-NMR, and cross-sectional SEM and included glass, various zeolites, scheelite (CaWO 4) and a range of other oxide phases and Cs-containing aluminosilicate. Importantly, under no circumstance was cesium partitioned into the glass phase irrespective of whether or not the composition included the preformed Cs-containing HTB compound. For compositions containing the HTB, cesium was partitioned into one of four major phases including zeolite; Cs-silica-tungstate bronze, pollucite (CsAlSi 2O 6), and an aluminosilicate with an Al/Si ratio close to one. The leach resistance of all materials was evaluated and related to the cesium distribution within the GCC phase assemblages. In general, the GCCs prepared from the HTB had superior durability compared with materials not containing tungsten. Indeed the compositions in many cases had leach resistances comparable to the best ceramics or glass materials.

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.

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.

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.

Coping strategies and adherence to treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Garay-Sevilla, Ma Eugenia; Porras, José Santiago; Malacara, Juan Manuel

2011-01-01

Diverse psychosocial and cultural factors are related to adherence to treatment of type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM2) such as social support, coping styles and the cost of medical attention. To study the influence of diverse psychosocial factors on adherence to treatment in patients with DM2. In a cross sectional design we studied adherence to diet and medication, and its relationship with CS for diabetes, belief in conventional medicine, social support, and the perception of the burden of treatment cost on family finances. We included 210 patients a mean age of 56.3 years, 9.4 years since diagnosis. Male DM patients had better adherence to medication (p<0.016) and social support (p<0.004), and higher rates for supportant CS (31.8 vs. 29.0; p<0.009). Adherence to diet was associated with belief in conventional medicine (p<0.035) and marginally related to fatalistic CS (p<0.05). After testing social security coverage as dummy variable, a marginal association was found (p<0.15). Adherence to medication was associated with supportant CS (p<0.02) and marginally with avoidant CS (p<0.05). Supportant CS was more frequent in men. Belief in conventional medicine, and supportant CS were associated with adherence to treatment. These factors should be considered for a more rational approach for the management of disease.

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

Analysis of root-knot nematode and fusarium wilt disease resistance in cotton (Gossypium spp.) using chromosome substitution lines from two alien species.

PubMed

Ulloa, M; Wang, C; Saha, S; Hutmacher, R B; Stelly, D M; Jenkins, J N; Burke, J; Roberts, P A

2016-04-01

Chromosome substitution (CS) lines in plants are a powerful genetic resource for analyzing the contribution of chromosome segments to phenotypic variance. In this study, a series of interspecific cotton (Gossypium spp.) CS lines were used to identify a new germplasm resource, and to validate chromosomal regions and favorable alleles associated with nematode or fungal disease resistance traits. The CS lines were developed in the G. hirsutum L. TM-1 background with chromosome or chromosome segment substitutions from G. barbadense L. Pima 3-79 or G. tomentosum. Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) and fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum) (races 1 and 4) resistance alleles and quantitative trait loci (QTL) previously placed on cotton chromosomes using SSR markers in two interspecific recombinant inbred line populations were chosen for testing. Phenotypic responses of increased resistance or susceptibility in controlled inoculation and infested field assays confirmed the resistance QTLs, based on substitution with the positive or negative allele for resistance. Lines CS-B22Lo, CS-B04, and CS-B18 showed high resistance to nematode root-galling, confirming QTLs on chromosomes 4 and 22 (long arm) with resistance alleles from Pima 3-79. Line CS-B16 had less fusarium race 1-induced vascular root staining and higher percent survival than the TM-1 parent, confirming a major resistance QTL on chromosome 16. Lines CS-B(17-11) and CS-B17 had high fusarium race 4 vascular symptoms and low survival due to susceptible alleles introgressed from Pima 3-79, confirming the localization on chromosome 17 of an identified QTL with resistance alleles from TM1 and other resistant lines. Analyses validated regions on chromosomes 11, 16, and 17 harboring nematode and fusarium wilt resistance genes and demonstrated the value of CS lines as both a germplasm resource for breeding programs and as a powerful genetic analysis tool for determining QTL effects for disease resistance. CS lines carrying small alien chromosome segments with favorable QTL alleles could be used for effective introgression of biotic stress resistance or many other desirable traits by targeting gene interactions and reducing linkage drag effects.

Magnesium-enriched hydroxyapatite compared to calcium sulfate in the healing of human extraction sockets: radiographic and histomorphometric evaluation at 3 months.

PubMed

Crespi, Roberto; Capparè, Paolo; Gherlone, Enrico

2009-02-01

Reduction of alveolar height and width after tooth extraction may present problems for implant placement, especially in the anterior maxilla where bone volume is important for biologic and esthetic reasons. Different graft materials have been proposed to minimize the reduction in ridge volume. The aim of this study was to compare radiographic and histomorphometric results of magnesium-enriched hydroxyapatite (MHA) and calcium sulfate (CS) grafts in fresh sockets after tooth extractions. Forty-five fresh extraction sockets with three bone walls were selected in 15 patients. A split-mouth design was used: 15 sockets on the right side of the jaw received MHA, 15 sockets on the left side received CS, and 15 random unfilled sockets were considered the control (C) group. Intraoral digital radiographs were taken at baseline and at 3 months after graft material placement. At 3 months, cylinder bone samples were obtained for histology and histomorphometry analysis. The difference in mean radiographic vertical bone level from baseline to 3 months was -2.48 +/- 0.65 mm in the CS group, -0.48 +/- 0.21 mm in the MHA group, and -3.75 +/- 0.63 mm in the unfilled C group. Statistically significant differences (P <0.05) were found between CS and MHA groups and between MHA and C groups. Histologic examination revealed bone formation in all treated sites; trabecular bone assessment did not differ among apical, mesial, and coronal portions of the specimens. Mean vital bone measurements for CS, MHA, and C groups were 45.0% +/- 6.5%, 40.0% +/- 2.7%, and 32.8% +/- 5.8%, respectively. Statistically significant differences (P <0.05) were found among all groups. Connective tissue percentages averaged 41.5% +/- 6.7% for the CS group, 41.3% +/- 1.3% for the MHA group, and 64.6% +/- 6.8% for the C group. Statistically significant differences (P <0.05) were found between CS and C groups and between MHA and C groups. The CS-grafted sockets showed 13.9% +/- 3.4% residual implant material, whereas the MHA-treated sockets showed 20.2% +/- 3.2% residual material. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (P <0.05). Radiographs revealed a greater reduction of alveolar ridge in the CS group than in the MHA group. Histologic examination showed more bone formation and faster resorption in the CS group and more residual implant material in the MHA group.

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.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of a Novel Ferrocyanide Functionalized Nanopourous Silica Decorporation Agent for Cesium (Cs) in Rats

PubMed Central

Timchalk, Charles; Creim, Jeffrey A; Sukwarotwat, Vichaya; Wiacek, Robert; Addleman, R Shane; Fryxell, Glen E; Yantasee, Wassana

2009-01-01

Novel decorporation agents are being developed to protect against radiological terrorist attacks. These sorbents, known as the self-assembled monolayer on mesoporous supports (SAMMS™), are hybrid materials where differing organic moieties are grafted onto mesoporous silica (SiO2). In vitro experiments focused on the evaluation, and optimization of SAMMS for capturing radiocesium (137Cs); therefore based on these studies, a ferrocyanide copper (FC-Cu-EDA)-SAMMS was advanced for in vivo evaluation. In vivo experiments were conducted comparing the performance of the SAMMS vs. insoluble Prussian blue. Groups of jugular cannulated rats (4/treatment) were evaluated. Animals in group I were administered 137Cs chloride (~40 μg/kg) by intravenous (iv) injection or oral gavage; Group II animals were administered pre-bound 137Cs- SAMMS or sequential 137Cs chloride + SAMMS (~61 ng/kg) by oral gavage; and Group III was orally administered 137Cs chloride (~61 ng/kg) followed by either 0.1 g of SAMMS or Prussian blue. Following dosing, the rats were maintained in metabolism cages for 72 hour and blood, urine and fecal samples were collected for 137Cs analysis (gamma counting). Rats were then humanely euthanized, and selected tissues analyzed. Orally administered 137Cs chloride was rapidly and well absorbed (~100% relative to iv dose), and the pharmacokinetics (blood, urine, feces & tissues) were very comparable to the iv dose group. For both exposures the urine and feces accounted for 20 and 3% of the dose, respectively. The prebound 137Cs-SAMMS was retained primarily within the feces (72% of the dose), with ~1.4% detected in the urine, suggesting that the 137Cs remained tightly bound to SAMMS. SAMMS & Prussian blue both effectively captured available 137Cs in the gut with feces accounting for 80–88% of the administered dose, while less than 2% was detected in the urine. This study suggests that the functionalized SAMMS outperforms Prussian blue in vitro at low pH, but demonstrates comparable in vivo sequestration efficacy at low exposure concentrations. The comparable response may be the result of the low 137Cs chloride dose and high sorbent dosage that was utilized. Future studies are planned to optimize SAMMS in vivo performance over a broader range of doses and conditions. PMID:20699707

Transfer of classical eyeblink conditioning with electrical stimulation of mPFC or tone as conditioned stimulus in guinea pigs.

PubMed

Yao, Juan; Wu, Guang-Yan; Liu, Guo-Long; Liu, Shu-Lei; Yang, Yi; Wu, Bing; Li, Xuan; Feng, Hua; Sui, Jian-Feng

2014-11-01

Learning with a stimulus from one sensory modality can facilitate subsequent learning with a new stimulus from a different sensory modality. To date, the characteristics and mechanism of this phenomenon named transfer effect still remain ambiguous. Our previous work showed that electrical stimulation of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) as a conditioned stimulus (CS) could successfully establish classical eyeblink conditioning (EBC). The present study aimed to (1) observe whether transfer of EBC learning would occur when CSs shift between central (mPFC electrical stimulation as a CS, mPFC-CS) and peripheral (tone as a CS, tone CS); (2) compare the difference in transfer effect between the two paradigms, delay EBC (DEBC) and trace EBC (TEBC). A total of 8 groups of guinea pigs were tested in the study, including 4 experimental groups and 4 control groups. Firstly, the experimental groups accepted central (or peripheral) CS paired with corneal airpuff unconditioned stimulus (US); then, CS shifted to the peripheral (or central) and paired with US. The control groups accepted corresponding central (or peripheral) CS and pseudo-paired with US, and then shifted CS from central (or peripheral) to peripheral (or central) and paired with US. The results showed that the acquisition rates of EBC were higher in experimental groups than in control groups after CS switching from central to peripheral or vice versa, and the CR acquisition rate was remarkably higher in DEBC than in TEBC in both transfer ways. The results indicate that EBC transfer can occur between learning established with mPFC-CS and tone CS. Memory of CS-US association for delay paradigm was less disturbed by the sudden switch of CS than for trace paradigm. This study provides new insight into neural mechanisms underlying conditioned reflex as well as the role of mPFC. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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.

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.

Collagenous sprue cross-sectional imaging: a comparative blinded study.

PubMed

Al-Bawardy, Badr; Sheedy, Shannon P; Herberts, Michelle B; Murray, Joseph A; Rubio-Tapia, Alberto; Rajan, Elizabeth; Bruining, David H; Hansel, Stephanie L; Barlow, John M; Fletcher, Joel G; Fidler, Jeff L

2017-02-01

Collagenous sprue (CS) is a rare enteropathy characterized by villous atrophy and a thickened subepithelial collagen band. The aim of this study is to describe the cross-sectional imaging findings of CS. A case-control, retrospective study with cases of all CS patients from January 2000 to 2015 was performed. Inclusion criteria were (1) Histopathologic diagnosis and (2) Imaging with computed tomography abdomen/pelvis (CT A/P), CT enterography (CTE), or magnetic resonance enterography within 6 months of small bowel (SB) biopsy. Control subjects were irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients who underwent CTE. Imaging studies were examined by two GI radiologists, blinded to patient data. 108 patients (54 CS; 54 IBS) were included. Mean age was 56.7 ± 16.5 years, and 68% were female (72% in CS group vs. 63% in IBS group; p = 0.3). CS patients were significantly older (67 ± 12 vs. 47 ± 15 year; p < 0.001) and more likely to be on angiotensin receptor blockers (41% vs. 6%; p < 0.001) as compared to the IBS group. Compared to IBS, CS patients were more likely to have mesenteric lymph node (LN) prominence (56% vs. 15%; p < 0.001), jejunoileal fold pattern reversal (46% vs. 6%; p < 0.001), SB dilation (28% vs. 0%; p < 0.001), SB conformational change (28% vs. 6%; p = 0.002), SB wall thickening (13% vs. 2%; p = 0.03), and ulcerative jejunoileitis (4% vs. 0%; p = 0.01). Radiologists suspected malabsorption in 72% in the CS group and 2% in the IBS group (p < 0.001). Imaging findings suggestive of mucosal malabsorption are commonly demonstrated in CS.

Left ventricular torsion and circumferential strain responses to exercise in patients with ischemic coronary artery disease.

PubMed

Peteiro, Jesus; Bouzas-Mosquera, Alberto; Broullon, Javier; Sanchez-Fernandez, Gabriel; Barbeito, Cayetana; Perez-Cebey, Lucia; Martinez, Dolores; Vazquez-Rodriguez, Jose M

2017-01-01

LV torsion during exercise in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is not well known. Circumferential strain (CS) and left ventricular (LV) torsion (Tor) have not been evaluated during ischemia in these patients. We aimed to assess the effect of ischemia during exercise echocardiography (ExE) on CS and Tor. We studied a group of 73 patients with true positive ExE results (Ischemic group: ischemia plus an abnormal coronary angiogram) and a matched control group of 66 patients with negative ExE and either normal coronary angiography or low post-test probability of CAD. Basal rotation (Rot) and apical rotation and basal and apical CS were studied by speckle tracking at rest and exercise. Apical CS and apical and basal Rot values were similar between groups at rest, except basal CS which was already worse in the ischemic group. At exercise, all rotational and CS parameters were impaired in the ischemic in comparison with the control group (basal CS: -18 ± 5 vs. -25 ± 7 %, p < 0.001; apical CS: -31 ± 11 vs. - 43 ± 9 %, p < 0.001; time to basal CS: 52 ± 6 vs. 48 ± 7 %, p = 0.001; time to apical CS: 55 ± 7 vs. 49 ± 6 %, p < 0.001; basal rotation: -0.7 ± 6.5° vs. -6.2 ± 8.5°, p < 0.001; LV twist 13.0 ± 10.4° vs.19.7 ± 11.5°, p < 0.001; LV-Tor 1.9 ± 1.6°/cm vs. 2.8 ± 1.7˚/cm, p = 0.001) with the exception of apical rotation which was similar (12.3 ± 7.4° vs. 13.4 ± 7.7°, p = NS). Basal and apical CS and basal rotation impair during exercise-induced ischemia. LV-Tor decreases with ischemia due to worsening of basal rotation, whereas apical rotation does not impair, suggesting the existence of an apical compensatory mechanism.

Scalp hair cortisol for diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome.

PubMed

Wester, Vincent L; Reincke, Martin; Koper, Jan W; van den Akker, Erica L T; Manenschijn, Laura; Berr, Christina M; Fazel, Julia; de Rijke, Yolanda B; Feelders, Richard A; van Rossum, Elisabeth F C

2017-06-01

Current first-line screening tests for Cushing's syndrome (CS) only measure time-point or short-term cortisol. Hair cortisol content (HCC) offers a non-invasive way to measure long-term cortisol exposure over several months of time. We aimed to evaluate HCC as a screening tool for CS. Case-control study in two academic referral centers for CS. Between 2009 and 2016, we collected scalp hair from patients suspected of CS and healthy controls. HCC was measured using ELISA. HCC was available in 43 confirmed CS patients, 35 patients in whom the diagnosis CS was rejected during diagnostic work-up and follow-up (patient controls), and 174 healthy controls. Additionally, we created HCC timelines in two patients with ectopic CS. CS patients had higher HCC than patient controls and healthy controls (geometric mean 106.9 vs 12.7 and 8.4 pg/mg respectively, P  < 0.001). At a cut-off of 31.1 pg/mg, HCC could differentiate between CS patients and healthy controls with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 90%. With patient controls as a reference, specificity remained the same (91%). Within CS patients, HCC correlated significantly with urinary free cortisol ( r  = 0.691, P  < 0.001). In two ectopic CS patients, HCC timelines indicated that cortisol was increased 3 and 6 months before CS became clinically apparent. Analysis of cortisol in a single scalp hair sample offers diagnostic accuracy for CS similar to currently used first-line tests, and can be used to investigate cortisol exposure in CS patients months to years back in time, enabling the estimation of disease onset. © 2017 European Society of Endocrinology.

High prevalence of cesarean section births in private sector health facilities- analysis of district level household survey-4 (DLHS-4) of India.

PubMed

Singh, Priyanka; Hashmi, Gulfam; Swain, Prafulla Kumar

2018-05-10

Worldwide rising cesarean section (CS) births is an issue of concern. In India, with increase in institutional deliveries there has also been an increase in cesarean section births. Aim of the study is to quantify the prevalence of cesarean section births in public and private health facility, and also to determine the factors associated with cesarean section births. We analyzed data from district level household survey data 4 (DLHS-4) combined individual level dataset for 19 states/UTs of India comprising 24,398 deliveries resulting in 22,111 live births for year 2011. The percentages and Chi-square has been computed for the select variables viz. Socio demographic, maternal, antenatal care and delivery related based on type of births (CS Vs normal births). The multiple logistic regression model has been used to identify the potential risk factors associated with CS births. Of 22,111 live birth analyzed 49.2% were delivered at public sector, 31.9% at private sector and 18.9% were home deliveries. Prevalence of CS births were 13.7% (95% CI; 13.0- 14.3%) and 37.9% (95% CI; 36.7- 39.0%) in the public and private sectors, respectively. Higher odds of CS births were observed with- delivery at private health facility (OR 3.79; 95% C.I 3.06-4.72), urban residence (OR 1.15; 95% C.I 1.00- 1.35), first delivery after 35 years of maternal age (OR 5.5; 95% C.I 1.85- 16.4), hypertension in pregnancy (OR 1.32; 95% C.I 1.06- 1.65) and breach presentation (OR 2.37; 95% C.I. 1.63- 3.43). Our findings shows that CS births are nearly three times more in private as compared to public sector health facilities.The higher rates of CS births, especially in private sector, not only increase the cost of care but may pose unnecessary risks to women (when there is no indications for CS). The government of India need to take measures to strengthen existing public health facilities as well as ensure that cesarean sections are performed based upon medical indications in both public and private sector health facilities.

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.

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.

A theoretical study of perovskite CsXCl3 (X=Pb, Cd) within first principles calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilyas, Bahaa M.; Elias, Badal H.

2017-04-01

The structural, elastic, electronic, optical acoustic and thermodynamic properties of the cubic perovskite CsPbCl3 and CsCdCl3 unit cell, were studied using an ultra-soft pseudopotential plane wave, the Trouiller-Martins-Functional was utilized to perform these calculations. The study was implemented within both the Local Density Approximation (LDA) and the Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA). the Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) scheme proposed by van Leeuwen-Baerends which is the same as the Perdew-Wang 92 functional have been carried out to preform our calculations. As for the Local Density Approximation (LDA) the Teter-Pade parametrization (4/93) was implemented which is the same as Perdew-Wang that in its turn reproduces the Ceperley-Alder-Functional. The computed GGA/LDA-lattice parameter for both CsCdCl3 and CsPbCl3 is in an exquisite agreement with the experimental and theoretical results. The energy band structure shows that CsCdCl3 is Γ-R indirect band gap insulator, while CsPbCl3 is an insulator with a direct band gap Γ-Γ separating the valence bands from the conduction bands, which shows metallic nature after pressure 30 GPa. A hybridization exists between Pb-p states and Cl-p states for CsPbCl3, and Cd-p states and Cs-p states for the CsCdCl3 in the valence bonding region. Optimization of both cell shape (geometry) volume were investigated as pressure of 0-20 GPa and 0-40 GPa for the CsCdCl3 and CsPbCl3 respectively. The Pressure dependence of cubic perovskite elastic constants, Young modulus, bulk and shear moduli, Lame's constants, elastic anisotropy factor, elastic wave velocities, phonon dispersion, Debye temperature and the density of states of CsXCl3 (X=Pb, Cd) were theoretically calculated and compared with the other available theoretical results. The above elastic constants reveal the fact that both compounds are stable and show nature of ductility. For the optical properties, both the static refractive index and dielectric constant are found to be related proportionally to the indirect band gap of CsCdCl3. The refractive index, extinction coefficient, complex dielectric function, energy loss function, optical conductivity, reflectivity and absorption coefficient for 0-25 eV incident photon energies have been predicted. The phonon properties were investigated using response functions to predict the phonon lattice dispersion and the density of states. The thermal effect on the heat capacities, entropy, enthalpy and Free energy were predicted and compared using both the quasi-harmonic Debye model and response functions, the latter provided far better results. To the best of the authors' knowledge, most of the studied properties have not been experimentally reported so far. Generally, the computed results for both CsCdCl3 and CsPbCl3 are very satisfactory and show good agreement with other calculations.

Cyclosporin A-induced gingival overgrowth in the rat: a histological, ultrastructural and histomorphometric evaluation.

PubMed

Ayanoglou, C M; Lesty, C

1999-01-01

This investigation was undertaken to further study cyclosporin A (CsA)-induced gingival overgrowth. Thirty mg/kg/d of vehicle or CsA solutions were given orally to 6-wk-old male Sprague-Dawley rats. After 4, 9, 14 and 19 wk 2 control and 2 experimental rats were anaesthetized, tissues fixed by intracardiac perfusion of fixative solution and jaws processed for Epon inclusion. Histological and ultrastructural studies conducted in a gingival portion (free gingiva) revealed the presence of hyalinization areas and of multinucleated cells (MCs) containing collagen fibrils (connective tissue), of amorphous areas and disorders of keratinization (epithelia). Histomorphometric evaluation indicated that in the CsA rats the mean cross-sectional area of the free gingiva was 2.52-fold increased compared to the controls. The connective tissue comprised 41.43% of this area (instead of 31.49% in controls). Additional histomorphometric evaluation was performed in 3 groups of free gingival portions: control (C group), CsA-non-respondent (CsA-nR) and CsA-respondent (CsA-R). The cross-sectional gingival areas studied were slightly lower than the mean area of all the control sites previously defined (groups C and CsA-nR) or showed the higher degrees of enlargement (CsA-R). In the CsA-R group the mean cross-sectioned area of the vessel profiles was increased and the number of fibroblast profiles decreased. In the CsA-nR group the number of vessel profiles and that of MCs profiles were increased. In the epithelia of the CsA-R group were increased (a) keratinized epithelia: thickness; thickness of the inner and of the outer compartments; surface area of spinous cell profiles; (b) oral gingival epithelium: number of cell layers (inner compartment); (c) oral sulcular epithelium: surface area of granular cell profiles; (d) junctional epithelium: thickness; number of cell layers. These results indicate that (a) the CsA induced modifications are not limited to enlarged gingiva (b) the overgrowth of the GCT is the result of a vasodilatation and of an increase in the volume of the extracellular matrix and (c) the increase of the epithelial thickness is mainly the result of a cell hypertrophy in the keratinized epithelia and of a cell hyperplasia in the junctional epithelium.

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.

Effectiveness of clinical supervision of physiotherapists: a survey.

PubMed

Snowdon, David A; Millard, Geraldine; Taylor, Nicholas F

2015-04-01

Limited literature exists on the practice of clinical supervision (CS) of professional physiotherapists despite current Australian safety and quality health standards stating that CS is to be provided to all physiotherapists. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of CS of physiotherapists working in an Australian public health service. CS was measured using the allied health-specific 26-item modified Manchester Clinical Supervision Scale (MCSS-26). Subscales of the MCSS-26 were summed for three domain scores (normative, restorative and formative) and a total score was calculated, which was compared with the reported threshold score of 73 for effective supervision. Sixty registered physiotherapists (response rate 92%), working for a large metropolitan public health service, with six different site locations, completed the survey. The mean (± s.d.) total MCSS-26 score was 71.0 ± 14.3 (95% confidence interval (CI) 67.4-74.6). Hospital site was the only variable that had a significant effect on total MCSS-26 score (P=0.005); there was no effect for supervisor or supervisee experience, or hospital setting (acute vs subacute). Physiotherapists scored a significantly lower mean percentage MCSS-26 score on the normative domain compared with the restorative domain (mean difference 7.8%; 95% CI 2.9-12.7; P=0.002) and the formative domain (mean difference 9.6%; 95% CI 6.3-13.0; P<0.001). Of the two subscales that form the normative domain, 'finding time' had a significantly lower mean percentage MCSS-26 score than 'importance/value of CS' (mean difference 35.4%; 95% CI 31.3-39.4; P<0.001). Within this publicly funded physiotherapy department there was uncertainty about the effectiveness of CS, with more than half the physiotherapists rating their supervision as less than effective, suggesting there is opportunity for improvement in the practice of physiotherapy CS. Physiotherapists scored lowest in the normative domain, indicating that they found it difficult to find time for CS.

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.

Physiologic and Perceptual Responses to Cold-Shower Cooling After Exercise-Induced Hyperthermia

PubMed Central

Butts, Cory L.; McDermott, Brendon P.; Buening, Brian J.; Bonacci, Jeffrey A.; Ganio, Matthew S.; Adams, J. D.; Tucker, Matthew A.; Kavouras, Stavros A.

2016-01-01

Context:  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. Objective:  To investigate the cooling effectiveness of a CS after exercise-induced hyperthermia. Design:  Randomized, crossover controlled study. Setting:  Environmental chamber (temperature = 33.4°C ± 2.1°C; relative humidity = 27.1% ± 1.4%). Patients or Other Participants:  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 m2, age range = 19–35 years) volunteered. Intervention(s):  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. Main Outcome Measure(s):  Rectal temperature, calculated cooling rate, heart rate, and perceptual measures (thermal sensation and perceived muscle pain). Results:  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). Conclusions:  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. PMID:26942657

High current DC negative ion source for cyclotron

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

Etoh, H., E-mail: Hrh-Etoh@shi.co.jp; Aoki, Y.; Mitsubori, H.

2016-02-15

A filament driven multi-cusp negative ion source has been developed for proton cyclotrons in medical applications. In Cs-free operation, continuous H{sup −} beam of 10 mA and D{sup −} beam of 3.3 mA were obtained stably at an arc-discharge power of 3 kW and 2.4 kW, respectively. In Cs-seeded operation, H{sup −} beam current reached 22 mA at a lower arc power of 2.6 kW with less co-extracted electron current. The optimum gas flow rate, which gives the highest H{sup −} current, was 15 sccm in the Cs-free operation, while it decreased to 4 sccm in the Cs-seeded operation. Themore » relationship between H{sup −} production and the design/operating parameters has been also investigated by a numerical study with KEIO-MARC code, which gives a reasonable explanation to the experimental results of the H{sup −} current dependence on the arc power.« less

Simplified Perovskite Solar Cell with 4.1% Efficiency Employing Inorganic CsPbBr3 as Light Absorber.

PubMed

Duan, Jialong; Zhao, Yuanyuan; He, Benlin; Tang, Qunwei

2018-05-01

Perovskite solar cells with cost-effectiveness, high power conversion efficiency, and improved stability are promising solutions to the energy crisis and environmental pollution. However, a wide-bandgap inorganic-semiconductor electron-transporting layer such as TiO 2 can harvest ultraviolet light to photodegrade perovskite halides, and the high cost of a state-of-the-art hole-transporting layer is an economic burden for commercialization. Here, the building of a simplified cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr 3 ) perovskite solar cell with fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)/CsPbBr 3 /carbon architecture by a multistep solution-processed deposition technology is demonstrated, achieving an efficiency as high as 4.1% and improved stability upon interfacial modification by graphene quantum dots and CsPbBrI 2 quantum dots. This work provides new opportunities of building next-generation solar cells with significantly simplified processes and reduced production costs. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Evaluation of a thiolated chitosan scaffold for local delivery of BMP-2 for osteogenic differentiation and ectopic bone formation.

PubMed

Bae, In-Ho; Jeong, Byung-Chul; Kook, Min-Suk; Kim, Sun-Hun; Koh, Jeong-Tae

2013-01-01

Thiolated chitosan (Thio-CS) is a well-established pharmaceutical excipient for drug delivery. However, its use as a scaffold for bone formation has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of Thio-CS in bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) delivery and bone formation. In vitro study showed that BMP-2 interacted with the Thio-CS and did not affect the swelling behavior. The release kinetics of BMP-2 from the Thio-CS was slightly delayed (70%) within 7 days compared with that from collagen gel (Col-gel, 85%), which is widely used in BMP-2 delivery. The BMP-2 released from Thio-CS increased osteoblastic cell differentiation but did not show any cytotoxicity until 21 days. Analysis of the in vivo ectopic bone formation at 4 weeks of posttransplantation showed that use of Thio-CS for BMP-2 delivery induced more bone formation to a greater extent (1.8 fold) than that of Col-gel. However, bone mineral density in both bones was equivalent, regardless of Thio-CS or Col-gel carrier. Taken together, Thio-CS system might be useful for delivering osteogenic protein BMP-2 and present a promising bone regeneration strategy.

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

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

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

Radioactive Cs in the estuary sediments near Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

PubMed

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

2016-05-01

The migration and dispersion of radioactive Cs (mainly (134)Cs and (137)Cs) are of critical concern in the area surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP). Considerable uncertainty remains in understanding the properties and dynamics of radioactive Cs transport by surface water, particularly during rainfall-induced flood events to the ocean. Physical and chemical properties of unique estuary sediments, collected from the Kuma River, 4.0km south of the FDNPP, were quantified in this study. These were deposited after storm events and now occur as dried platy sediments on beach sand. The platy sediments exhibit median particle sizes ranging from 28 to 32μm. There is increasing radioactivity towards the bottom of the layers deposited; approximately 28 and 38Bqg(-1) in the upper and lower layers, respectively. The difference in the radioactivity is attributed to a larger number of particles associated with radioactive Cs in the lower part of the section, suggesting that radioactive Cs in the suspended soils transported by surface water has decreased over time. Sequential chemical extractions showed that ~90% of (137)Cs was strongly bound to the residual fraction in the estuary samples, whereas 60~80% of (137)Cs was bound to clays in the six paddy soils. This high concentration in the residual fraction facilitates ease of transport of clay and silt size particles through the river system. Estuary sediments consist of particles <100μm. Radioactive Cs desorption experiments using the estuary samples in artificial seawater revealed that 3.4±0.6% of (137)Cs was desorbed within 8h. More than 96% of (137)Cs remained strongly bound to clays. Hence, particle size is a key factor that determines the travel time and distance during the dispersion of (137)Cs in the ocean. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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

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

Desorption of 137Cs from Brachythecium mildeanum moss using acid solutions with pH 4.60-6.50

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Čučulović, Ana; Veselinović, Dragan

2015-12-01

The desorption of 137Cs from the moss Brachythecium mildeanum (Schimp.) was performed using the following solutions: H2SO4 ( I), HNO3 ( II), H2SO4 + HNO3 ( III) with pH values of 4.60, 5.15, and 5.75, respectively, as well as distilled water (D) with pH 6.50. After five successive desorptions, each lasting 24 h, 20.5-37.6% 137Cs was desorbed from the moss using these solutions, while 30.7% of the starting content was desorbed using distilled water. The first desorption removed the highest percent of the original content of 137Cs in the moss (11.3-18.4%). This was determined by measuring 137Cs activity. If the current results are compared with those obtained earlier it may be concluded that 137Cs desorption from mosses is not species-dependent. The obtained results indicate the necessity of investigating the influence of acid rain, or rather, of H+ ions, on desorption of other ions from biological systems, i.e., the role of H+ ions in spreading other polluting compounds and thus producing secondary environmental pollution. From the results of this study it follows that acid rain will lead, through H+ ion action, to a similar increasing pollution of fallout waters with other ionic compounds which may not be present in the water before the contact with the plants and thus enable the pollution spreading. In the investigated system, the replacement of H+ ions from acid rains by more dangerous radioactive ions occured, increasing the concentration of the radioactive ions in the water, which demonstrates that the same process takes place in fallout water.

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

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.

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.

Sequential high gravity ethanol fermentation and anaerobic digestion of steam explosion and organosolv pretreated corn stover.

PubMed

Katsimpouras, Constantinos; Zacharopoulou, Maria; Matsakas, Leonidas; Rova, Ulrika; Christakopoulos, Paul; Topakas, Evangelos

2017-11-01

The present work investigates the suitability of pretreated corn stover (CS) to serve as feedstock for high gravity (HG) ethanol production at solids-content of 24wt%. Steam explosion, with and without the addition of H 2 SO 4 , and organosolv pretreated CS samples underwent a liquefaction/saccharification step followed by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). Maximum ethanol concentration of ca. 76g/L (78.3% ethanol yield) was obtained from steam exploded CS (SECS) with 0.2% H 2 SO 4 . Organosolv pretreated CS (OCS) also resulted in high ethanol concentration of ca. 65g/L (62.3% ethanol yield). Moreover, methane production through anaerobic digestion (AD) was conducted from fermentation residues and resulted in maximum methane yields of ca. 120 and 69mL/g volatile solids (VS) for SECS and OCS samples, respectively. The results indicated that the implementation of a liquefaction/saccharification step before SSF employing a liquefaction reactor seemed to handle HG conditions adequately. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Isotopic composition of skeleton-bound organic nitrogen in reef-building symbiotic corals: A new method and proxy evaluation at Bermuda

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, X. T.; Sigman, D. M.; Cohen, A. L.; Sinclair, D. J.; Sherrell, R. M.; Weigand, M. A.; Erler, D. V.; Ren, H.

2015-01-01

The skeleton-bound organic nitrogen in reef-building symbiotic corals may be a high-resolution archive of ocean nitrogen cycle dynamics and a tool for understanding coral biogeochemistry and physiological processes. However, the existing methods for measuring the isotopic composition of coral skeleton-bound organic nitrogen (hereafter, CS-δ15N) either require too much skeleton material or have low precision, limiting the applications of this relatively new proxy. In addition, the controlling factors on CS-δ15N remain poorly understood: the δ15N of source nitrogen and the internal nitrogen cycle of the coral/zooxanthellae symbiosis may both be important. Here, we describe a new ("persulfate/denitrifier"-based) method for measuring CS-δ15N, requiring only 5 mg of skeleton material and yielding a long-term precision better than 0.2‰ (1σ). Using this new method, we investigate CS-δ15N at Bermuda. Ten modern Diploria labyrinthiformis coral cores/colonies from 4 sampling sites were measured for CS-δ15N. Nitrogen concentrations (nitrate + nitrite, ammonium, and dissolved organic nitrogen) and δ15N of plankton were also measured at these coral sites. Among the 4 sampling sites, CS-δ15N shows an increase with proximity to the island, from ∼3.8‰ to ∼6.8‰ vs. atmospheric N2, with the northern offshore site having a CS-δ15N 1-2‰ higher than the δ15N of thermocline nitrate in the surrounding Sargasso Sea. Two annually resolved CS-δ15N time series suggest that the offshore-inshore CS-δ15N gradient has persisted since at least the 1970s. Plankton δ15N among these 4 sites also has an inshore increase, but of only ∼1‰. Coral physiological change must explain the remaining (∼2‰) inshore increase in CS-δ15N, and previous work points to the coral/zooxanthellae N cycle as a control on host tissue (and thus carbonate skeletal) δ15N. The CS-δ15N gradient is hypothesized to result mainly from varying efficiency in the internal nitrogen recycling of the coral/zooxanthellae symbiosis. It is proposed that, in more productive inshore waters, greater food uptake by the coral causes a greater fraction of its low-δ15N regenerated ammonium to be excreted rather than assimilated by zooxanthellae, raising the δ15N of the inshore corals. If so, coral tissue- and CS-δ15N may prove of use to reconstruct and monitor the state of the coral/zooxanthellae symbiosis over space and time.

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

Arsenate adsorption on three types of granular schwertmannite.

PubMed

Dou, Xiaomin; Mohan, Dinesh; Pittman, Charles U

2013-06-01

Schwertmannite was synthesized on a 2 m(3)-scale and fabricated to irregular, cylindrical and spherical shape granules using drum granulation, extrusion and spray coating, respectively. The granules were systematically evaluated for As(V) removal from drinking water in terms of both performance and safety. The irregular and cylindrical shape granules (IS and CS) had larger schwertmannite loadings, higher porosity, more abundant pore structure and larger micropore volumes than those with a spherical shape (SS). As(V) adsorption kinetics on IS, CS and SS schwertmannite granules followed a pseudo-second order rate equation and two-stages of intraparticle diffusion. The rate parameters were in an order of IS > CS > SS granules. The faster uptake kinetics of the IS granules was due to their largest pore volume and interparticle porosity. Furthermore, adsorption capacities of 34, 21 and 5 mg/g, for IS, CS and SS granular schwertmannite samples were achieved at an initial As(V) concentration of 20 mg/L and adsorbent dose of 0.5 g/L. IS and CS samples performed much better over a wide pH range versus SS samples. Except for humic acid, PO4(3-) and SiO4(4-) did not inhibit As(V) adsorption on IS and CS granular specimens. SS samples worked poorly even in the absence or presence of co-existing anions. Regeneration was achieved using 0.1 M NaOH. The recycled IS and CS granular specimens can be used for 4 different cycles with no or nominal loss of adsorption capacity. Column experiments were also conducted. The IS, CS and SS granular specimens treated 8100, 4200 and 120 bed volumes (BVs) of contaminated water. No heavy metals leached from the packed granular adsorbent and appeared in the column effluent. Furthermore, the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) showed that the spent IS and CS granules were inert and could safely be disposed of in landfills. In short, irregular-shaped granules (IS) fabricated by drum granulation is a good candidate for arsenic removal from drinking water with a high future application potential. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Coriander Alleviates 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene-Induced Contact Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions in Mice

PubMed Central

Park, Gunhyuk; Kim, Hyo Geun; Lim, Soonmin; Lee, Wonil; Sim, Yeomoon

2014-01-01

Abstract Contact dermatitis (CD) is a pattern of inflammatory responses in the skin that occurs through contact with external factors. The clinical picture is a polymorphic pattern of skin inflammation characterized by a wide range of clinical features, including itching, redness, scaling, and erythema. Coriandrum sativum L. (CS), commonly known as coriander, is a member of the Apiaceae family and is cultivated throughout the world for its nutritional and culinary values. Linoleic acid and linolenic acid in CS have various pharmacological activities. However, no study of the inhibitory effects of CS on CD has been reported. In this study, we demonstrated the protective effect of CS against 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced CD-like skin lesions. CS, at doses of 0.5–1%, applied to the dorsal skin inhibited the development of CD-like skin lesions. Moreover, the Th2-mediated inflammatory cytokines, immunoglobulin E, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-4, and IL-13, were significantly reduced. In addition, CS increased the levels of total glutathione and heme oxygenase-1 protein. Thus, CS can inhibit the development of CD-like skin lesions in mice by regulating immune mediators and may be an effective alternative therapy for contact diseases. PMID:24963872

Enhanced water-solubility and antibacterial activity of novel chitosan derivatives modified with quaternary phosphonium salt.

PubMed

Zhu, Dan; Cheng, Honghao; Li, Jianna; Zhang, Wenwen; Shen, Yuanyuan; Chen, Shaojun; Ge, Zaochuan; Chen, Shiguo

2016-04-01

Chitosan (CS) has been widely recognized as an important biomaterial due to its good antimicrobial activity, biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, CS is insoluble in water in neutral and alkaline aqueous solution due to the linear aggregation of chain molecules and the formation of crystallinity. This is one of the key factors that limit its practical applications. Therefore, improving the solubility of CS in neutral and alkaline aqueous solution is a primary research direction for biomedical applications. In this paper, a reactive antibacterial compound (4-(2,5-Dioxo-pyrrolidin-1-yloxycarbonyl)-benzyl)-triphenyl-phosphonium bromide (NHS-QPS) was synthesized for chemical modification of CS, and a series of novel polymeric antimicrobial agents, N-quaternary phosphonium chitosan derivatives (N-QPCSxy, x=1-2,y=1-4) were obtained. The water solubilities and antibacterial activities of N-QPCSxy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated compare to CS. The water solubility of N-QPCSxy was all better than that of CS at neutral pH aqueous solution, particularly, N-QPCS14 can be soluble in water over the pH range of 3 to 12. The antibacterial activities of CS derivatives were improved by introducing quaternary phosphonium salt, and antibacterial activity of N-QPCSxy increases with degree of substitution. Overall, N-QPCS14 represents a novel antibacterial polymer material with good antibacterial activity, waters solubility and low cytotoxicity. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hadal disturbance and radionuclide profiles at the deepest Japan Trench, northeastern Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oguri, Kazumasa; Kawamura, Kiichiro; Sakaguchi, Arito; Toyofuku, Takashi; Kasaya, Takafumi; Murayama, Masafumi; Glud, Ronnie; Fujikura, Katsunori; Kitazato, Hiroshi

2013-04-01

Four months after the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake, we carried out a video survey and collected sediment core collection from the hadal region (~7,600 m water depth) of the Japan Trench using an autonomous instrument. Fine material remained suspended at ~50 m above the seabed presumably induced by turbidities released during the central earthquake and the following aftershocks. Elevated levels of Cs-137 (T1/2=30 y) and excess Pb-210 (T1/2=22.3 y) concentrations suggested that 30 cm thick sediment layer had accumulated at the trench base (7,553 m) after the mainshock. However, no Cs-134 (T1/2=2 y) fallout from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear disaster was detected. In contract, inspection of a nearby sediment site (7,261 m) 4.9 km away from the central trench site revealed fewer disturbances as reflected by a recent deposition of only 4 cm sediment, but here we encountered recent Cs-134 fallouts from the top 0-1 cm depth. We propose that the apparent lack of Cs-134 in the central trench is coursed by settlement of turbidites containing Cs-137 from past atmospheric fallout and higher excess Pb-210. The fast transport of the Cs-134 to the hadal slope sediment is presumably induced by enhanced scavenging and the vertical transport associated to an intensified diatom blooming occurring just at the time of the Fukushima disaster.

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

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.

Development of an aversive Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer task in rat

PubMed Central

Campese, Vincent; McCue, Margaret; Lázaro-Muñoz, Gabriel; LeDoux, Joseph E.; Cain, Christopher K.

2013-01-01

Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT) is an effect whereby a classically conditioned stimulus (CS) enhances ongoing instrumental responding. PIT has been extensively studied with appetitive conditioning but barely at all with aversive conditioning. Although it's been argued that conditioned suppression is a form of aversive PIT, this effect is fundamentally different from appetitive PIT because the CS suppresses, instead of facilitates, responding. Five experiments investigated the importance of a variety of factors on aversive PIT in a rodent Sidman avoidance paradigm in which ongoing shuttling behavior (unsignaled active avoidance or USAA) was facilitated by an aversive CS. Experiment 1 demonstrated a basic PIT effect. Experiment 2 found that a moderate amount of USAA extinction produces the strongest PIT with shuttling rates best at around 2 responses per minute prior to the CS. Experiment 3 tested a protocol in which the USAA behavior was required to reach the 2-response per minute mark in order to trigger the CS presentation and found that this produced robust and reliable PIT. Experiment 4 found that the Pavlovian conditioning US intensity was not a major determinant of PIT strength. Experiment 5 demonstrated that if the CS and US were not explicitly paired during Pavlovian conditioning, PIT did not occur, showing that CS-US learning is required. Together, these studies demonstrate a robust, reliable and stable aversive PIT effect that is amenable to analysis of neural circuitry. PMID:24324417

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

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

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.

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.

The effect of caesarean section on self-esteem amongst primiparous women in South-Western Nigeria: a case-control study.

PubMed

Loto, Olabisi M; Adewuya, Abiodun O; Ajenifuja, Olusegun K; Orji, Ernest O; Owolabi, Alexander T; Ogunniyi, Solomon O

2009-09-01

This study aims to assess the level of self-esteem of newly delivered mothers who had caesarean section (CS) and evaluate the sociodemographic and obstetrics correlates of low self-esteem in them. Newly delivered mothers who had CS (n = 109) and who had spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) (n = 97) completed questionnaires on sociodemographic and obstetrics variables within 1 week of delivery. They also completed the Rosenberg self-esteem scale. RESULTS. Women with CS had statistically significant lower scores on the self-esteem scale than women with SVD (p = 0.006). Thirty (27.5%) of the CS group were classified as having low self-esteem compared with 11 (11.3%) of the SVD group (p = 004). The correlates of low self-esteem in the CS group included polygamy (odd ratio (OR) 4.99, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.62-15.33) and emergency CS (OR 4.66, 95% CI 1.55-16.75). CS in South-Western Nigerian women is associated with lowered self-esteem in the mothers.

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

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.

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.

Incidence of Cushing's syndrome and Cushing's disease in commercially-insured patients <65 years old in the United States.

PubMed

Broder, Michael S; Neary, Maureen P; Chang, Eunice; Cherepanov, Dasha; Ludlam, William H

2015-06-01

To estimate the incidence of Cushing's syndrome (CS) and Cushing's disease (CD) in the US. MarketScan Commercial database 2007-2010 (age <65 years) was used. CS patients were defined with ≥2 claims of CS diagnosis, while CD patients were defined with CS plus a benign pituitary adenoma diagnosis or hypophysectomy in the same calendar year. Annual incidence was calculated by dividing the number of CS or CD cases by the total number of members with the same enrollment requirement during the calendar years. CS incidence rates per million person-years were 48.6 in 2009 and 39.5 in 2010. The lowest rates of CS were in ≤17-year-olds and highest rates were in 35 to 44-year-olds. CD incidence rates were 7.6 in 2009 and 6.2 in 2010. The lowest rates of CD were in ≤17-year-olds and highest rates were in 18 to 24-year-olds. The rates varied by sex (2.3-2.7 in males, 9.8-12.1 in females). In females, lowest rates ranged 2.5-4.0 in ≤17-year-olds and highest 16.7-27.2 in 18-24 year olds. In males, there were too few cases to report estimates by age. In the first large US-based study, the annual incidence of CS in individuals <65 years old was nearly 49 cases per million, substantially higher than previous estimates, which were based primarily on European data. Using similar methods, we estimated the incidence of CD at nearly 8 cases per million US population. These estimates, if confirmed in other epidemiologic databases, represent a new data reference in these rare conditions.

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

Orbitrap mass spectrometry characterization of hybrid chondroitin/dermatan sulfate hexasaccharide domains expressed in brain.

PubMed

Robu, Adrian C; Popescu, Laurentiu; Munteanu, Cristian V A; Seidler, Daniela G; Zamfir, Alina D

2015-09-15

In the central nervous system, chondroitin/dermatan sulfate (CS/DS) glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) modulate neurotrophic effects and glial cell maturation during brain development. Previous reports revealed that GAG composition could be responsible for CS/DS activities in brain. In this work, for the structural characterization of DS- and CS-rich domains in hybrid GAG chains extracted from neural tissue, we have developed an advanced approach based on high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) using nanoelectrospray ionization Orbitrap in the negative ion mode. Our high-resolution MS and multistage MS approach was developed and applied to hexasaccharides obtained from 4- and 14-week-old mouse brains by GAG digestion with chondroitin B and in parallel with AC I lyase. The expression of DS- and CS-rich domains in the two tissues was assessed comparatively. The analyses indicated an age-related structural variability of the CS/DS motifs. The older brain was found to contain more structures and a higher sulfation of DS-rich regions, whereas the younger brain was found to be characterized by a higher sulfation of CS-rich regions. By multistage MS using collision-induced dissociation, we also demonstrated the incidence in mouse brain of an atypical [4,5-Δ-GlcAGalNAc(IdoAGalNAc)2], presenting a bisulfated CS disaccharide formed by 3-O-sulfate-4,5-Δ-GlcA and 6-O-sulfate-GalNAc moieties. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Spatiotemporal expression of chondroitin sulfate sulfotransferases in the postnatal developing mouse cerebellum.

PubMed

Ishii, Maki; Maeda, Nobuaki

2008-08-01

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) proteoglycans are major components of the cell surface and the extracellular matrix in the developing brain and bind to various proteins via CS chains in a CS structure-dependent manner. This study demonstrated the expression pattern of three CS sulfotransferase genes, dermatan 4-O-sulfotransferase (D4ST), uronyl 2-O-sulfotransferase (UST), and N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfate 6-O-sulfotransferase (GalNAc4S-6ST), in the mouse postnatal cerebellum. These sulfotransferases are responsible for the biosynthesis of oversulfated structures in CS chains such as B, D, and E units, which constitute the binding sites for various heparin-binding proteins. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that the expression of UST increased remarkably during cerebellar development. The amounts of B and D units, which are generated by UST activity, in the cerebellar CS chains also increased during development. In contrast, the expression of GalNAc4S-6ST and its biosynthetic product, E unit, decreased during postnatal development. In situ hybridization experiments revealed the levels of UST and GalNAc4S-6ST mRNAs to correlate inversely in many cells including Purkinje cells, granule cells in the external granular layer, and inhibitory interneurons. In these neurons, the expression of UST increased and that of GalNAc4S-6ST decreased during development and/or maturation. D4ST was also expressed by many neurons, but its expression was not simply correlated with development, which might contribute to the diversification of CS structures expressed by distinct neurons. These results suggest that the CS structures of various cerebellar neurons change during development and such changes of CS are involved in the regulation of various signaling pathways.

In vivo therapeutic efficacy and pharmacokinetics of colistin sulfate in an experimental model of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infection in weaned pigs.

PubMed

Rhouma, Mohamed; Beaudry, Francis; Thériault, William; Bergeron, Nadia; Beauchamp, Guy; Laurent-Lewandowski, Sylvette; Fairbrother, John Morris; Letellier, Ann

2016-05-27

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC: F4) associated with post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) in pigs has developed resistance against several antimicrobial families, leading to increased use of colistin sulfate (CS) for the treatment of this disease. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of oral CS treatment in experimental PWD due to ETEC: F4 challenge and determine the effect of this challenge on CS intestinal absorption. In this study, 96 pigs were divided into two trials based on CS dose (100 000 or 50 000 IU/kg). Fecal shedding of ETEC: F4, total E. coli, and CS-resistant E. coli, diarrhea scores, and weight changes were evaluated. Colistin sulfate plasma concentrations were determined by HPLC-MS/MS. Regardless of the dose, CS treatment resulted in a reduction of fecal ETEC: F4 and total E. coli shedding, and in diarrhea scores but only during the treatment period. However, CS treatment resulted in a slight increase in fecal shedding of CS resistant E. coli and did not prevent weight loss in challenged pigs. In addition, challenge with ETEC: F4 resulted in an increase of CS intestinal absorption. Our study is among the first to demonstrate that under controlled conditions, CS was effective in reducing fecal shedding of ETEC: F4 and total E. coli in experimental PWD. However, CS treatment was associated with a slight selection pressure on E. coli and did not prevent pig weight loss. Further studies are needed in field conditions, to better characterize CS therapeutic regimen efficacy and bacterial resistance dissemination.

The protective effect of vildagliptin in chronic experimental cyclosporine A-induced hepatotoxicity.

PubMed

El-Sherbeeny, Nagla A; Nader, Manar A

2016-03-01

The study examined the effect of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, vildagliptin, in cyclosporine (CsA)-induced hepatotoxicity. Rats were divided into 4 groups treated for 28 days: control (vehicle), vildagliptin (10 mg/kg, orally), CsA (20 mg/kg, s.c.), and CsA-vildagliptin group. Liver function was assessed by measuring serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyltransferase (γGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and albumin, and histopathological changes of liver were examined. Oxidative stress markers were evaluated. Assessment of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activity in hepatic nuclear extract, serum DPP-4, and expression of Bax and Bcl2 were also done. CsA-induced hepatotoxicity was evidenced by increase in serum levels of AST, ALT, and γGT; a decrease in serum albumin; and a significant alteration in hepatic architecture. Also, significant increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione (GSH) levels, increased expression Bax proteins with deceased expression of Bcl2, and increased hepatic activity of NF-κB and serum DPP-4 level were observed upon CsA treatment. Vildagliptin significantly improved all altered parameters induced by CsA administration. Vildagliptin has the potential to protect the liver against CsA-induced hepatotoxicity by reducing oxidative stress, DPP-4 activity, apoptosis, and inflammation.

Validation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the measurement of canine S100A12.

PubMed

Heilmann, Romy M; Cranford, Shannon M; Ambrus, Andy; Grützner, Niels; Schellenberg, Stefan; Ruaux, Craig G; Suchodolski, Jan S; Steiner, Jörg M

2016-03-01

Canine S100 calcium-binding protein A12 (cS100A12) shows promise as biomarker of inflammation in dogs. A previously developed cS100A12-radioimmunoassay (RIA) requires radioactive tracers and is not sensitive enough for fecal cS100A12 concentrations in 79% of tested healthy dogs. An ELISA assay may be more sensitive than RIA and does not require radioactive tracers. The purpose of the study was to establish a sandwich ELISA for serum and fecal cS100A12, and to establish reference intervals (RI) for normal healthy canine serum and feces. Polyclonal rabbit anti-cS100A12 antibodies were generated and tested by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. A sandwich ELISA was developed and validated, including accuracy and precision, and agreement with cS100A12-RIA. The RI, stability, and biologic variation in fecal cS100A12, and the effect of corticosteroids on serum cS100A12 were evaluated. Lower detection limits were 5 μg/L (serum) and 1 ng/g (fecal), respectively. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were ≤ 4.4% and ≤ 10.9%, respectively. Observed-to-expected ratios for linearity and spiking recovery were 98.2 ± 9.8% (mean ± SD) and 93.0 ± 6.1%, respectively. There was a significant bias between the ELISA and the RIA. The RI was 49-320 μg/L for serum and 2-484 ng/g for fecal cS100A12. Fecal cS100A12 was stable for 7 days at 23, 4, -20, and -80°C; biologic variation was negligible but variation within one fecal sample was significant. Corticosteroid treatment had no clinically significant effect on serum cS100A12 concentrations. The cS100A12-ELISA is a precise and accurate assay for serum and fecal cS100A12 in dogs. © 2016 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.

Cesarean Section Rate in Singleton Primiparae and Related Factors in Beijing, China.

PubMed

Song, Geng; Wei, Yu-Mei; Zhu, Wei-Wei; Yang, Hui-Xia

2017-10-20

The cesarean section rate (CSR) has been a main concern worldwide. The present study aimed to investigate the CSR in Beijing, China, and to analyze the related factors of CS delivery. An observational study was conducted in 15 medical centers in Beijing using a systemic cluster sampling method. In total, 15,194 pregnancies were enrolled in the study between June 20, 2013 and November 30, 2013. Independent t-tests and Pearson's Chi-square test were used to examine differences between two groups, and related factors of the CSR were examined by multivariable logistic regression. The CSR was 41.9% (4471/10,671) in singleton primiparae. Women who were more than 35 years old had a 7.4-fold increased risk of CS delivery compared with women <25 years old (odd ratio [OR] = 7.388, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.561-9.816, P < 0.001). Prepregnancy obese women had a 2-fold increased risk of CS delivery compared with prepregnancy normal weight women (OR = 2.058, 95% CI = 1.640-2.584, P < 0.001). The excessive weight gain group had a 1.4-fold increased risk of CS delivery compared with the adequate weight gain group (OR = 1.422, 95% CI = 1.289-1.568, P < 0.001). Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) women and DM women had an increased risk of CS delivery (1.2- and 1.7-fold, respectively) compared with normal blood glucose women. Women who were born in rural areas had a lower risk of CS delivery than did those who were born in urban areas (OR = 0.696, 95% CI = 0.625-0.775, P < 0.001). The risk of CS delivery gradually increased with a decreasing education level. Neonates weighing 3000-3499 g had the lowest CSR (36.2%). Neonates weighing <2500 g had a 2-fold increased risk of CS delivery compared with neonates weighing 3000-3499 g (OR = 2.020, 95% CI = 1.537-2.656, P < 0.001). Neonates weighing ≥4500 g had an 8.3-fold increased risk of CS delivery compared with neonates weighing 3000-3499 g (OR = 8.313, 95% CI = 4.436-15.579, P < 0.001). Maternal age, prepregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain, blood glucose levels, residence, education level, and singleton fetal birth weight are all factors that might significantly affect the CSR.

Combined electric and pressure cuff pain stimuli for assessing conditioning pain modulation (CPM).

PubMed

Tsukamoto, M; Petersen, K K; Mørch, C D; Arendt-Nielsen, L

2017-12-29

Aims Traditionally, conditioning pain modulation (CPM) can be assessed by applying a test stimulus (TS) before and after application of a conditioning stimulus (CS), which is normally applied extra-segmental. Currently, no studies have attempted to apply the TS and CS to the same site using different stimuli modalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate electrical TS and cuff pressure CS applied to the same experimental site for studying CPM. Methods 20 male volunteers participated in this study, which consisted of stimulations applied by a cuff-algometer (NociTech and Aalborg University, Denmark) and current stimulator (Digitimer DS5, UK), through two Ag/AgCl electrodes (Ambu® Neuroline 700, Denmark). The cuff was wrapped around the lower leg and stimulation electrodes were placed under the cuff and to the same location on the contralateral leg. Electrical TS were applied to the non-dominant leg with or without cuff pressure CS on the dominant (CS1) or the same (non-dominant) leg (CS2, electrode under cuff). The subjects were instructed to rate the electrical evoked pain intensity on a 10-cm continuous visual analog scale (VAS, "0" represented "no pain", and "10" represented "maximal pain"). The pain detection threshold (PDT) was defined as "1" on the VAS scale. Results There was no significant deference in PDT for neither CS1 nor CS2. A median split subanalysis on CPM-responders versus CPM-nonresponders to the TS + CS1 combination. Using this grouping, there was significant increase in PDT when comparing TS to TS + CS1 or TS + CS2 (4.0 mA vs 5.6 mA; P < 0.05, 4.0 mA vs 5.1 mA; P < 0.05). Conclusions The study indicates that CPM can be evoked in a subgroup of subjects by applying the electrical test stimulus and cuff pressure conditioning stimuli to the same experimental site.

Characteristics of atrial fibrillation cycle length predict restoration of sinus rhythm by catheter ablation.

PubMed

Di Marco, Luigi Yuri; Raine, Daniel; Bourke, John P; Langley, Philip

2013-09-01

Successful termination of atrial fibrillation (AF) during catheter ablation (CA) is associated with arrhythmia-free follow-up. Preablation factors such as mean atrial fibrillation cycle length (AFCL) predict the likelihood of AF termination during ablation but recurring patterns and AFCL stability have not been evaluated. To investigate novel predictors of acute and postoperative ablation outcomes from intracardiac electrograms: (1) recurring AFCL patterns and (2) localization index (LI) of the instantaneous fibrillatory rate distribution. Sixty-two patients with AF (32 paroxysmal AF; 45 men; age 57 ± 10 years) referred for CA were enrolled. One-minute electrogram was recorded from coronary sinus (CS; 5 bipoles) and right atrial appendage (HRA; 2 bipoles). Atrial activations were detected automatically to derive the AFCL and instantaneous fibrillatory rate (inverse of AFCL) time series. Recurring AFCL patterns were quantified by using recurrence plot indices (RPIs): percentage determinism, entropy of determinism, and maximum diagonal length. AFCL stability was determined by using the LI. The CA outcome predictivity of individual indices was assessed. Patients with terminated atrial fibrillation (T-AF) had higher RPI (P < .05 in CS7-8) and LI than did those with nonterminated atrial fibrillation (P < .005 in CS3-4; P < .05 in CS5-6, CS7-8, and HRA). Patients free of arrhythmia after 3-month follow-up had higher RPI and LI (all P < .05 in CS7-8). All indices except percentage determinism predicted T-AF in CS7-8 (area under the curve [AUC] ≥ 0.71; odds ratio [OR] ≥ 4.50; P < .05). The median AFCL and LI predicted T-AF in HRAD (AUC ≥ 0.75; OR ≥ 7.76; P < .05). The RPI and LI predicted 3-month follow-up in CS7-8 (AUC ≥ 0.68; OR ≥ 4.17; P < .05). AFCL recurrence and stability indices could be used in selecting patients more likely to benefit from CA. Copyright © 2013 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. 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.

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

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.

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.

Highly efficient enrichment of low-abundance intact proteins by core-shell structured Fe3O4-chitosan@graphene composites.

PubMed

Zhang, Peng; Fang, Xiaoni; Yan, Guoquan; Gao, Mingxia; Zhang, Xiangmin

2017-11-01

In proteomics research, the screening and monitoring of disease biomarkers is still a major challenge, mainly due to their low concentration in biological samples. However, the universal enrichment of intact proteins has not been further studied. In this work, we developed a Fe 3 O 4 -chitosan@graphene (Fe 3 O 4 -CS@G) core-shell composite to enrich low-abundance proteins from biological samples. Fe 3 O 4 -CS@G composite holds chitosan layer decorated Fe 3 O 4 core, which improves the hydrophilicity of materials greatly. Meanwhile, the graphene nanosheets shell formed via electrostatic assembly endows the composite with huge surface area (178m 2 /g). The good water dispersibility ensures the sufficient contact opportunities between graphene composites and proteins, and the large surface area provides enough adsorption sites for the enrichment of proteins. Using Fe 3 O 4 -CS@G, four standard proteins Cyt-c, BSA, Myo and OVA were enriched with better adsorption capacity and recovery rate, compared with previously reported magnetic graphene composites. Additionally, the mechanism of compared to" is corrected into "compared with". proteins adsorption on Fe 3 O 4 -CS@G was further studied, which indicates that hydrophobic and electrostatic interaction work together to facilitate the universal and efficient enrichment of proteins. Human plasma sample was employed to further evaluate the enrichment performance of Fe 3 O 4 -CS@G. Eventually, 123 proteins were identified from one of SAX fractions of human plasma, which is much better than commercial Sep-pak C18 enrichment column (39 proteins). All these outstanding performances suggest that Fe 3 O 4 -CS@G is an ideal platform for the enrichment of low-abundance intact proteins and thus holds great potential to facilitate the identification of biomarkers from biological samples in proteomics research. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Detection of Dust Condensations in the Orion Bar Photon-dominated Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiu, Keping; Xie, Zeqiang; Zhang, Qizhou

2018-03-01

We report Submillimeter Array dust continuum and molecular spectral line observations toward the Orion Bar photon-dominated region (PDR). The 1.2 mm continuum map reveals, for the first time, a total of nine compact (r < 0.01 pc) dust condensations located within a distance of ∼0.03 pc from the dissociation front of the PDR. Part of the dust condensations are also seen in spectral line emissions of CS (5–4) and H2CS (71,7–61,6), though the CS map also reveals dense gas further away from the dissociation front. We also detect compact emissions in H2CS (60,6–50,5), (62,4–52,3) and C34S, C33S (4–3) toward bright dust condensations. The line ratio of H2CS (60,6–50,5)/(62,4–52,3) suggests a temperature of 73 ± 58 K. A nonthermal velocity dispersion of ∼0.25–0.50 km s‑1 is derived from the high spectral resolution C34S data and indicates a subsonic to transonic turbulence in the condensations. The masses of the condensations are estimated from the dust emission, and range from 0.03 to 0.3 M ⊙, all significantly lower than any critical mass that is required for self-gravity to play a crucial role. Thus the condensations are not gravitationally bound, and could not collapse to form stars. In cooperating with recent high-resolution observations of the compressed surface layers of the molecular cloud in the Bar, we speculate that the condensations are produced as a high-pressure wave induced by the expansion of the H II region compresses and enters the cloud. A velocity gradient along a direction perpendicular to the major axis of the Bar is seen in H2CS (71,7–61,6), and is consistent with the scenario that the molecular gas behind the dissociation front is being compressed.

Comparison between capillary electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatography for detection and quantification of Hb constant spring [Hb CS; α142, Term→Gln (TAA>CAA IN α2)].

PubMed

Waneesorn, Jarurin; Panyasai, Sitthichai; Kongthai, Kanyakan; Singboottra, Panthong; Pornprasert, Sakorn

2011-01-01

Hb Constant Spring [Hb CS; α142, Term→Gln (TAA>CAA in α2)] is often missed by routine laboratory testing since its mRNA as well as gene product are unstable and presented at a low level in peripheral blood. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of capillary electrophoresis (CE) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for detecting and quantifying Hb CS in 19 heterozygotes and 14 homozygotes with Hb CS as well as 10 Hb H-CS disease subjects who were detected by molecular analysis. In the CE electrophoregram, Hb CS was seen at zone 2 and was observed in all samples, while the chromatogram of Hb CS peaks was found in 26.32% heterozygotes, 42.86% homozygotes and 90% Hb H-CS disease subjects, respectively. In addition, the Hb CS levels in each group of subjects quantified by CE were significantly higher than those quantified by HPLC. Based on the CE method, the lowest Hb CS level was found in the heterozygotes, whereas the highest level was found in the Hb H-CS disease patients. Therefore, the CE method was superior to the HPLC method for detecting Hb CS. Furthermore, the level of Hb CS quantified by CE proved useful in screening heterozygotes and homozygotes with Hb CS as well as Hb H-CS disease.

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.

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.

Dense cavity walls traced by CS in the L1157-B1 protostellar shocked region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gomez-Ruiz, Arturo; Codella, Claudio; Lefloch, Bertrand; Benedettini, Milena; Busquet, Gemma; Nisini, Brunella; Ceccarelli, Cecilia; Cabrit, Sylvie; Viti, Serena

2013-07-01

In the framework of the CHESS Key Program, an unbiased spectral survey performed with Herschel and IRAM, in the frequency range from 97 to 600 GHz, have provided a chemical census of the protostellar shock L1157-B1. Here we focus on the study of carbon monosulfide (CS), a standard tracer of high-density gas. We have detected a total of 18 emission lines, with E_u up to 183 K, due to four isotopologues (^12C^32S, ^12C^34S, ^13C^32S, and ^12C^33S). The unprecedented sensitivity of the survey allow us to carefully analyze the line profiles. These profiles can be well fitted by two exponential laws: I ∝ exp(-|v/v0|) with v0 = 4.4, and 2.5 km s-1. Remarkably these two exponential laws are the same as those found in the CO line profiles by Lefloch et al. (2012), and named g2 and g3 components, respectively. These components have been related to the cavity walls produced by the B1 shock and the older B2 shock, respectively. An important characteristic of the lines profiles is that the emission of high-J CS transitions (E_u > 60 K) comes only from the g2 component. Using the LVG approximation, the CS solutions constrain n >= 10^4.5 cm^-3. In addition, when contrasted with the CO results (that already constrained T_k of 90 K and 40 K for g2 and g3, respectively), we see that the LVG can provide strong constrains to the gas density, in this case about 5 x 10^5 cm^-3 for both g2 and g3 components. Thus, the combination of CO and CS is a powerful tool to constrain both n and T_k. Our CS observations show therefore that this molecule is highlighting the dense cavity walls produced by the episodic outflow.

Sensitive bi-enzymatic biosensor based on polyphenoloxidases-gold nanoparticles-chitosan hybrid film-graphene doped carbon paste electrode for carbamates detection.

PubMed

Oliveira, Thiago M B F; Barroso, M Fátima; Morais, Simone; Araújo, Mariana; Freire, Cristina; de Lima-Neto, Pedro; Correia, Adriana N; Oliveira, Maria B P P; Delerue-Matos, Cristina

2014-08-01

A bi-enzymatic biosensor (LACC-TYR-AuNPs-CS/GPE) for carbamates was prepared in a single step by electrodeposition of a hybrid film onto a graphene doped carbon paste electrode (GPE). Graphene and the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were morphologically characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and laser Doppler velocimetry. The electrodeposited hybrid film was composed of laccase (LACC), tyrosinase (TYR) and AuNPs entrapped in a chitosan (CS) polymeric matrix. Experimental parameters, namely graphene redox state, AuNPs:CS ratio, enzymes concentration, pH and inhibition time were evaluated. LACC-TYR-AuNPs-CS/GPE exhibited an improved Michaelis-Menten kinetic constant (26.9±0.5M) when compared with LACC-AuNPs-CS/GPE (37.8±0.2M) and TYR-AuNPs-CS/GPE (52.3±0.4M). Using 4-aminophenol as substrate at pH5.5, the device presented wide linear ranges, low detection limits (1.68×10(-9)±1.18×10(-10)-2.15×10(-7)±3.41×10(-9)M), high accuracy, sensitivity (1.13×10(6)±8.11×10(4)-2.19×10(8)±2.51×10(7)%inhibitionM(-1)), repeatability (1.2-5.8% RSD), reproducibility (3.2-6.5% RSD) and stability (ca. twenty days) to determine carbaryl, formetanate hydrochloride, propoxur and ziram in citrus fruits based on their inhibitory capacity on the polyphenoloxidases activity. Recoveries at two fortified levels ranged from 93.8±0.3% (lemon) to 97.8±0.3% (orange). Glucose, citric acid and ascorbic acid do not interfere significantly in the electroanalysis. The proposed electroanalytical procedure can be a promising tool for food safety control. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Biotechnological potential of Azolla filiculoides for biosorption of Cs and Sr: Application of micro-PIXE for measurement of biosorption.

PubMed

Ghorbanzadeh Mashkani, Saeid; Tajer Mohammad Ghazvini, Parisa

2009-03-01

The presence of Cs and Sr in culture medium of Azolla filiculoides caused about 27.4% and 46.3% inhibition of biomass growth, respectively, in comparison to A. filiculoides control weight which had not metals. Biosorption batch experiments were conducted to determine the Cs and Sr binding ability of native biomass and chemically modified biosorbents derived from Azolla namely ferrocyanide Azolla sorbents type 1 and type 2 (FAS1 and FAS2) and hydrogen peroxide Azolla sorbent (HAS). The best Cs and Sr removal results were obtained when A. filiculoides was treated by 2M MgCl(2) and 30ml H(2)O(2) 8mM at pH 7 for 12h and it was then washed by NaOH solution at pH 10.5 for 6h. Pretreatment of Azolla have been suggested to modify the surface characteristics which could improve biosorption process. The binding of Cs and Sr on the cell wall of Azolla was studied with micro-PIXE and FT-IR.

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

Cross-sectional study assessing the addition of contrast sensitivity to visual acuity when testing for fitness to drive

PubMed Central

Spreng, Lucie; Favrat, Bernard; Borruat, François-Xavier; Vaucher, Paul

2018-01-01

Objectives The aim of this study is to quantify the importance of loss of contrast sensitivity (CS) and its relationship to loss of visual acuity (VA), driving restrictions and daytime, on-road driving evaluations in drivers aged 70+. Design A predictive cross-sectional study. Setting Volunteer participants to a drivers’ refresher course for adults aged 70+ delivered by the Swiss Automobile Club in western Switzerland from 2011 to 2013. Participants 162 drivers, male and female, aged 70 years or older. Clinical predictors We used a vision screener to estimate VA and the The Mars Letter Contrast Sensitivity Test to test CS. Outcomes We asked drivers to report whether they found five driving restrictions useful for their condition; restrict driving to known roads, avoid driving on highways, avoid driving in the dark, avoid driving in dense traffic and avoid driving in fog. All participants also underwent a standardised on-road evaluation carried out by a driving instructor. Results Moderate to severe loss of CS for at least one eye was frequent (21.0% (95% CI 15.0% to 28.1%)) and often isolated from a loss of VA (11/162 cases had a VA ≥0.8 decimal and a CS of ≤1.5 log(CS); 6.8% (95% CI 3.4% to 11.8%)). Drivers were more likely (R2=0.116, P=0.004) to report a belief that self-imposed driving restrictions would be useful if they had reduced CS in at least one eye. Daytime evaluation of driving performance seems limited in its ability to correctly identify difficulties related to CS loss (VA: R2=0.004, P=0.454; CS: R2=0.006, P=0.332). Conclusion CS loss is common for older drivers. Screening CS and referring for cataract surgery even in the absence of VA loss could help maintain mobility. Reduced CS and moderate reduction of VA were both poor predictors of daytime on-road driving performances in this research study. PMID:29374663

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

Real-time detection of S(1D2) photofragments produced from the 1B2(1Σu+) state of CS2 by vacuum ultraviolet photoelectron imaging using 133 nm probe pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horio, Takuya; Spesyvtsev, Roman; Furumido, Yu; Suzuki, Toshinori

2017-07-01

Ultrafast photodissociation dynamics from the 1B2(1Σu+) state of CS2 are studied by time-resolved photoelectron imaging using the fourth (4ω, 198 nm) and sixth (6ω, 133 nm) harmonics of a femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser. The 1B2 state of CS2 was prepared with the 4ω pulses, and subsequent dynamics were probed using the 6ω vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) pulses. The VUV pulses enabled real-time detection of S(1D2) photofragments, produced via CS2*(1B2(1Σu+)) → CS(X 1Σ+) + S(1D2). The photoionization signal of dissociating CS2*(1B2(1Σu+)) molecules starts to decrease at about 100 fs, while the S(1D2) fragments appear with a finite (ca. 400 fs) delay time after the pump pulse. Also discussed is the configuration interaction of the 1B2(1Σu+) state based on relative photoionization cross-sections to different cationic states.

Anti-fibrotic effect of Cordyceps sinensis polysaccharide: Inhibiting HSC activation, TGF-β1/Smad signalling, MMPs and TIMPs.

PubMed

Peng, Jinghua; Li, Xuemei; Feng, Qin; Chen, Liang; Xu, Lili; Hu, Yiyang

2013-06-01

Cordyceps sinensis has been used to treat liver disease in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Polysaccharide extracted from cultured Cordyceps sinensis mycelia (CS-PS) is the major active components of cordyceps sinensis with anti-liver injury effects. In the present study, the effects of CS-PS on hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad pathway, as well as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, MMP9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) 1, TIMP2, were investigated in liver fibrosis in rats induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Colchicine was used as a positive control. The effect of CS-PS inhibition liver injury and fibrosis was confirmed by decreasing serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, hepatic hydroxyproline and increasing serum albumin, as well as alleviation of histological changes, which was comparable to that of colchicine. With CS-PS treatment, hepatic α-smooth muscle actin, TGF-β1, TGF-β1 receptor (TβR)-I, TβR-II, p-Smad2, p-Smad3 and TIMP2 proteins expression were down-regulated comparing to that in CCl4 group. The activities of MMP2 and MMP9 in liver tissue were also inhibited in CS-PS-treated group. It is indicated that the effects of CS-PS anti-liver fibrosis are probably associated with the inhibition on HSC activation, TGF-β1/Smads signalling pathway, as well as MMP2, MMP9 activity and TIMP2 expression.

Caesium-137 root uptake by agricultural and wild crops in post-Chernobyl landscape: the possibilities for phytoremediation?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paramonova, Tatiana; Shamshurina, Eugenia; Komissarova, Olga; Belyaev, Vladimir

2015-04-01

In spite of long term period after Chernobyl fallout (≈25 years after the accident) the level of Cs-137 in soils of contaminated landscapes remains several times more than radiation safety standard (= 37 kBq/m2). In particular, within the area of Plavsk radioactive hot spot (Tula region, Russia) current Cs-137 activities in soil are 460-500 Bq/kg (170-200 kBq/m2) on watershed, 580-680 Bq/kg (200-220 kBq/m2) in arable lower parts of slopes and 620-710 Bq/kg (210-280 kBq/m2) in untilled foots of slopes and river floodplains. To estimate the process of Cs-137 root uptake and incorporation of the radionuclide in plant tissues 6 agricultural crops of typical field rotation (spring barley, maize, summer rape, galega, potatoes, amaranth) as well as natural ecosystems of dry and wet meadows were selected for the detailed study. Total bioproductivity of agricultural crops varies between 1.7-3.9 kg/m2, natural grass ecosystems - 1.9-2.2 g/m2, and is obviously unaffected by radioactive land contamination. At the same time Cs-137 activity in total biomass slightly increases with Cs-137 activity in soil (correlation coefficient r=0.45) and with total biomass (correlation coefficient r=0.51) in the row: rape (5 Bq/kg) < amaranth, galega (17-19 Bq/kg) < barley, potatoes (31-37 Bq/kg) < maize (58 Bq/kg) < dry meadow (73 Bq/kg) < wet meadow (120 Bq/kg). Commonly, Cs-137 activity in vegetation of natural ecosystems with predominance of perennial grasses is significantly higher than in agrosystems with annual crops. But a substantial portion of Cs-137 in meadow vegetation is associated with belowground biomass, where the radionuclide's activity is 3-5 times greater than in the aboveground part. The distribution of Cs-137 activities between above- and belowground parts of agricultural crops greatly varies depending on the biological characteristics of plants: barley and maize (Gramíneae family) are also characterized by elevated Cs-137 concentrations in belowground parts (12-14 times higher than in shoots); rape (Brassicaceae family) and potatoes (Solanaceae family) are characterized by similar Cs-137 concentrations in the structural parts (but note, that belowground part of the last is mostly represented by modified shoots); while galega and amaranth (Fabaceae and Amaranthaceae families respectively) are characterized by higher Cs-137 activity in aboveground part (4-6 times more than in roots). Therefore, meadow grasses and cereals that are true accumulators of Cs-137 seem to be useless for phytoremediation purposes, as 86-97% of the radionuclide inventory is associated with roots and remains in soil after cutting of aboveground parts. On the other hand, galega and amaranth could be considered as agricultural crops potentially being used for phytoremediation, since 87-93% of Cs-137 inventory is located in shoots. Potatoes having rather high aboveground biomass and easily removed from soil underground part could be also used for phytoremediation. However, it should be clearly understood that in total Cs-137 inventory in "soil-plant" system the annual amount of the radionuclide's consumption (that may be alienated when harvesting) is less than 0.01%, while the rate of Cs-137 radioactive decay is estimated as about 2% per year. Study was conducted with the support from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project no. 14-05-00903).

Excitation functions for (d,x) reactions on (133)Cs up to Ed=40MeV.

PubMed

Tárkányi, F; Ditrói, F; Takács, S; Hermanne, A; Baba, M; Ignatyuk, A V

2016-04-01

In the frame of a systematic study of excitation functions of deuteron induced reactions the excitation functions of the (133)Cs(d,x)(133m,133mg,131mg)Ba,(134,)(132)Cs and (12)(9m)Xe nuclear reactions were measured up to 40MeV deuteron energies by using the stacked foil irradiation technique and γ-ray spectroscopy of activated samples. The results were compared with calculations performed with the theoretical nuclear reaction codes ALICE-IPPE-D, EMPIRE II-D and TALYS calculation listed in the TENDL-2014 library. A moderate agreement was obtained. Based on the integral yields deduced from our measured cross sections, production of (131)Cs via the (133)Cs(d,4n)(131)Ba→(131)Cs reaction and (133)Ba via (133)Cs(d,2n) reactions is discussed in comparison with other charged particle production routes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The influence of wearing compression stockings on performance indicators and physiological responses following a prolonged trail running exercise.

PubMed

Vercruyssen, Fabrice; Easthope, Christopher; Bernard, Thierry; Hausswirth, Christophe; Bieuzen, Francois; Gruet, Mathieu; Brisswalter, Jeanick

2014-01-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of wearing compression socks (CS) on performance indicators and physiological responses during prolonged trail running. Eleven trained runners completed a 15.6 km trail run at a competition intensity whilst wearing or not wearing CS. Counter movement jump, maximal voluntary contraction and the oxygenation profile of vastus lateralis muscle using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) method were measured before and following exercise. Run time, heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration and ratings of perceived exertion were evaluated during the CS and non-CS sessions. No significant difference in any dependent variables was observed during the run sessions. Run times were 5681.1 ± 503.5 and 5696.7 ± 530.7 s for the non-CS and CS conditions, respectively. The relative intensity during CS and non-CS runs corresponded to a range of 90.5-91.5% HRmax. Although NIRS measurements such as muscle oxygen uptake and muscle blood flow significantly increased following exercise (+57.7% and + 42.6%,+59.2% and + 32.4%, respectively for the CS and non-CS sessions, P<0.05), there was no difference between the run conditions. The findings suggest that competitive runners do not gain any practical or physiological benefits from wearing CS during prolonged off-road running.