A route to possible civil engineering materials: the case of high-pressure phases of lime.

PubMed

Bouibes, A; Zaoui, A

2015-07-23

Lime system has a chemical composition CaO, which is known as thermodynamically stable. The purpose here is to explore further possible phases under pressure, by means of variable-composition ab initio evolutionary algorithm. The present investigation shows surprisingly new stable compounds of lime. At ambient pressure we predict, in addition to CaO, CaO2 as new thermodynamically stable compound. The latter goes through two phases transition from C2/c space group structure to Pna21 at 1.5 GPa, and Pna21 space group structure to I4/mcm at 23.4 GPa. Under increasing pressure, further compounds such as CaO3 become the most stable and stabilize in P-421m space group structure above 65 GPa. For the necessary knowledge of the new predicted compounds, we have computed their mechanical and electronic properties in order to show and to explain the main reasons leading to the structural changes.

Bis[2-(hy-droxy-imino-meth-yl)phenolato]nickel(II): a second monoclinic polymorph.

PubMed

Rusanova, Julia A; Buvaylo, Elena A; Rusanov, Eduard B

2011-01-15

The title compound, [Ni(C(7)H(6)NO(2))(2)], (I), is a second monoclinic polymorph of the compound, (II), reported by Srivastava et al. [Acta Cryst. (1967), 22, 922] and Mereiter [Private communication (2002) CCDC refcode NISALO01]. The bond lengths and angles are similar in both structures. The mol-ecule in both structures lies on a crystallographic inversion center and both have an inter-nal hydrogen bond. The title compound crystallizes in the space group P2(1)/c (Z = 2), whereas compound (II) is in the space group P2(1)/n (Z = 2) with a similar cell volume but different cell parameters. In both polymorphs, mol-ecules are arranged in the layers but in contrast to the previously published compound (II) where the dihedral angle between the layers is 86.3°, in the title polymorph the same dihedral angle is 29.4°. The structure of (I) is stabilized by strong intra-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonding between the O-H group and the phenolate O atom.

Structures of chloralide, ?-lactic acid chloralide, malic acid chloralide and citric acid chloralide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koh, L. L.; Huang, H. H.; Chia, L. H. L.; Liang, E. P.

1995-06-01

The crystal and molecular structures of chloralide ( 1), D-lactic acid chloralide ( 2), malic acid chloralide ( 3) and citric acid chloralide ( 4) have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group, {P2 1}/{c}, a = 6.201(2), b = 17.11(2), c = 10.357(6) Å, β = 95.21(4)°, Z = 4; compound 2 in the monoclinic space group P2 1, a = 7.600(4), b = 5.902(4), c = 9.743(6) Å, β = 99.20(5), Z = 2; compound 3 in the monoclinic space group {P2 1}/{c}, a = 16.500(6), b = 5.819(3), c = 10.120(4) Å, β = 91.41(3), Z = 4; compound 4 in the monoclinic space group {P2 1}/{c}, a = 12.041(3), b = 6.1190(10), c = 17.259(4) Å, β = 101.85(2), Z = 4. The five-membered ring systems of all the compounds are slightly twisted out-of-plane, that of compound 4 being the most puckered. The CCl 3 group is trans to the second CCl 3 group in 1, to the CH 3 group in 2 and to the CH 2COOH group in 3. The two CH 2COOH groups in 4 are disposed axially with respect to the ring. Dipole moment and Kerr constant data for D-lactic acid chloralide suggest a structure in solution which is consistent with the X-ray results. The IR spectra of 2, 3 and 4 are discussed in relation to the structures of these compounds.

Revised Space Groups for Three Molybdenum(V) Phosphate Compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leclaire, A.; Borel, M. M.; Guesdon, A.; Marsh, Richard E.

2001-06-01

The space groups of three previously described Mo(V) phosphate structures are revised. (1) δ-KMo2P3O13, originally reported as triclinic, Poverline1, is revised to monoclinic, C2/c; it is identical to the compound previously identified as K4Mo8P12O52. (2) The compound formulated as [Mo12CdP8O50(OH)12]Cd [N(CH3)4]2(H3O)6·5H2O, originally described as monoclinic, Pn, is revised to P21/n (also monoclinic). (3) Rb3O2(MoO)4(PO4)4, originally reported as orthorhombic, C2221, is revised to tetragonal, P43212. The general descriptions of the structures are unchanged; however, for compound 2 the revision involves the addition of a center of symmetry and, as a result, there are significant changes in the interatomic distances and angles.

N,N-dimethylbiguanide complexes displaying low cytotoxicity as potential large spectrum antimicrobial agents.

PubMed

Olar, Rodica; Badea, Mihaela; Marinescu, Dana; Chifiriuc, Mariana-Carmen; Bleotu, Coralia; Grecu, Maria Nicoleta; Iorgulescu, Emilia-Elena; Lazar, Veronica

2010-07-01

The new complexes M(DMBG)(2)(ClO(4))(2) (M:Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn; DMBG: N,N-dimethylbiguanide) have been synthesized and characterized by IR, EPR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR as well as electronic spectroscopy data. Complex [Ni(DMBG)(2)](ClO(4))(2).2DMF (DMF: N,N-dimethylformamide) crystallizes in the monoclinic P2(1)/c space group while [Cu(DMBG)(2)](ClO(4))(2) adopt monoclinic P21/c space group as X-ray single crystal data indicate. The redox behavior of complexes was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The metal-free N,N-dimethylbiguanide and complexes exhibit specific anti-infective properties as demonstrated the low MIC values, a large antimicrobial spectrum and also inhibit the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus strains to colonize the inert surfaces. The complexes exhibit also a low cytotoxicity levels on HeLa cells. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Transition metal complexes of 2-amino-3,5-dihalopyridines: Syntheses, structures and magnetic properties of (3,5-diCAPH)2CuX4 and (3,5-diBAPH)2CuX4.

PubMed

Tremelling, Grant W; Foxman, Bruce M; Landee, Christopher P; Turnbull, Mark M; Willett, Roger D

2009-12-21

A family of bis(2-amino-3,5-dihalopyridinium)tetrahalocuprate(II) compounds has been synthesized, including (3,5-diCAPH)2CuCl4 (1), (3,5-diCAPH)2CuBr4 (2), (3,5-diBAPH)2CuCl4 (3), and (3,5-diBAPH)2CuBr4 (4) [3,5-diCAPH = 2-amino-3,5-dichloropyridinium; 3,5-diBAPH = 2-amino-3,5-dibromopyridinium]. These complexes have been analyzed through single crystal X-ray diffraction and temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility. Compound 1 crystallizes in the P-1 space group and the tetrachlorocuprate ion is best described as possessing a distorted square planar geometry. Compounds 2-4 are structurally similar and crystallized in the P2(1)/n, P2(1)/c, and P2(1)/n space groups respectively. The tetrahalocuprate ions are best described as distorted tetrahedra. All four compounds show antiferromagnetic interactions and were fit to the uniform chain Heisenberg model with resulting 2J/kB values of -11.71(2) K, -2.21(1) K, -12.43 (2) K, and -1.36(1) K, respectively. The exchange values correlate well with the two-halide exchange pathway parameters. The unusual observation that the chloride complexes show stronger magnetic exchange than the bromide complexes provides strong support that the exchange can be strongly dependent upon the Cu-X...X angles and Cu-X...X-Cu torsion angles.

L-serine picrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zakharov, B. A.; Ghazaryan, V. V.; Boldyreva, E. V.; Petrosyan, A. M.

2015-11-01

Two crystalline salts have been obtained from the system L-serine - picric acid - H2O: L-serinium picrate monohydrate (I) and tris(L-serine) bis(L-serinium) dipicrate trihydrate (II). The salt (I) crystallizes in monoclinic system (space group P21, Z = 4). Asymmetric unit of (I) contains two formula units. Carboxyl groups of both L-serinium cations form hydrogen bonds with picrate anions with O···O distances: 2.595 (6) Å and 2.638 (5) Å. The salt (II) crystallizes in orthorhombic system (space group P212121, Z = 4). Asymmetric unit of (II) contains one formula unit. Carboxyl groups of both L-serinium cations form short O-H···O hydrogen bonds with two of three zwitterionic moieties, forming two dimeric (L-serine L-serinium) cations with O···O distances: 2.485 (3) Å and 2.487 (3) Å. The infrared and Raman spectra of obtained salts are recorded and discussed.

Salt and stress synergize H. pylori-induced gastric lesions, cell proliferation, and p21 expression in Mongolian gerbils.

PubMed

Gamboa-Dominguez, Armando; Ubbelohde, Tom; Saqui-Salces, Milena; Romano-Mazzoti, Luis; Cervantes, Minerva; Domínguez-Fonseca, Claudia; de la Luz Estreber, Maria; Ruíz-Palacios, Guillermo M

2007-06-01

Our aim was to determine if salt and stress enhance Helicobacter pylori (Hp) lesions in Meriones unguiculatus. Two hundred seventy-eight pathogen-free gerbils were allocated to seven groups: Hp-Sydney strain (45), 8% higher-salt diet (38), stress (60% space reduction/water immersion; 36), Hp + salt (33), Hp + stress (34), N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (34), and sham (58). Gerbils were sacrificed at 1 week (67), 12 weeks (73), 52 weeks (65), and 68 weeks (73). Sydney, Padova, and Lauren classifications were blindly used. Proliferation, p53, p21, and apoptosis were assessed. Follicular active gastritis (grade 2/3) was observed in 10% of Hp gerbils, 38% of Hp + salt gerbils, and 29% of Hp + stress gerbils at 52 weeks and 67%, 83%, and 43% at 68 weeks (P < 0.05). Heterotopic proliferative glands were identified in synergy groups from 52 weeks, with increases in their number and size by 68 weeks. Higher proliferative rates were observed in Hp+salt gerbils (P < 0.0001), and p21 overexpression in Hp+salt and Hp+stress gerbils (both P's < 0.0001), by 68 weeks, without p53 increases. We conclude that salt and stress synergize Hp damage and increase pseudo-invasive gland foci.

The Impact of Group Size on Welfare Indicators of Ewes during Pregnancy

PubMed Central

Averós, Xavier; Beltrán de Heredia, Ignacia; Ruiz, Roberto; Estevez, Inma

2016-01-01

Group size (GS) and space allowance have major implications for the welfare of production species, however their effects are often confounded. In a previous study we investigated the impact of varying space allowance at constant GS. In the present work we report the consequences of varying GS on pregnant ewes while controlling space allowance. We housed ewes at 6 (GS6) or 12 ewes/enclosure (GS12), while controlling space allowance to 1.5 m2/ewe (3 enclosures/treatment), and necessarily varying enclosure size. Therefore, when indicating GS effects we implicitly reflect a confounding effect with that of enclosure size. Movement, use of space, behaviour, serum cortisol concentration and body condition score (BCS) were collected during the last 12 gestation weeks. Movement, use of space, and behaviour were collected every other week, during 2 days/week, using 10 minute continuous scan samplings. Blood was collected during weeks 10, 13, 17, and 21 of gestation, and BCS during weeks 15 and 21. Data were analysed using repeated measures, generalized linear mixed models, with GS, week, and their interaction as fixed effects, and enclosure as random effect. GS mainly affected movement and use of space. GS12 ewes walked longer distances using longer steps (P<0.001). An interaction GS by week was observed for angular dispersion (P<0.0001), which was smaller for GS12 from week 10 onwards. Initial restlessness levels were lower for GS12, as shown by the reduced frequency of location changes (P<0.0001). Furthest and mean neighbour distances increased with GS (P<0.0001). The effect of GS on behaviour was only evident for eating behaviour as an interaction with gestation week (P<0.05). Changes in behaviour, movement and use of space along the study indicated an activity peak during weeks 3 to 5. Cortisol changes during gestation (P<0.01) also reflected this activity peak, while BCS (P<0.001) reflected normal physical condition changes during pregnancy. Although the separate effects of GS and enclosure size cannot be disentangled, we conclude that if enough space/ewe is given during gestation, larger GS will result in larger effective space, and no major implications for the welfare of ewes should be expected as GS increases. Ewes will adapt their movement patterns and use of space to enclosure size, and no further behavioural, physiological and physical consequences should be expected. PMID:27893817

Preoperative CA125 and fibrinogen in patients with endometrial cancer: a risk model for predicting lymphovascular space invasion

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Objective The aim of this study was to build a model to predict the risk of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) in women with endometrial cancer (EC). Methods From December 2010 to June 2013, 211 patients with EC undergoing surgery at Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital were enrolled in this retrospective study. Those patients were divided into a positive LVSI group and a negative LVSI group. The clinical and pathological characteristics were compared between the two groups; logistic regression was used to explore risk factors associated with LVSI occurrence. The threshold values of significant factors were calculated to build a risk model and predict LVSI. Results There were 190 patients who were negative for LVSI and 21 patients were positive for LVSI out of 211 patients with EC. It was found that tumor grade, depth of myometrial invasion, number of pelvic lymph nodes, and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (p<0.05) were associated with LVSI occurrence. However, cervical involvement and age (p>0.05) were not associated with LVSI. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves revealed that the threshold values of the following factors were correlated with positive LVSI: 28.1 U/mL of CA19-9, 21.2 U/mL of CA125, 2.58 mg/dL of fibrinogen (Fn), 1.84 U/mL of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and (6.35×109)/L of white blood cell (WBC). Logistic regression analysis indicated that CA125 ≥21.2 (p=0.032) and Fn ≥2.58 mg/dL (p=0.014) were significantly associated with LVSI. Conclusion Positive LVSI could be predicted by CA125 ≥21.2 U/mL and Fn ≥2.58 mg/dL in women with EC. It could help gynecologists better adapt surgical staging and adjuvant therapies. PMID:27894164

Crystal structure of the heptamolybdate(VI) (paramolybdate) ion, [Mo7O24]6-, in the ammonium and potassium tetrahydrate salts

USGS Publications Warehouse

Evans, H.T.; Gatehouse, B.M.; Leverett, P.

1975-01-01

The crystal structures of the isomorphous salts MI6 [Mo7O24],4H2O (M = NH4 or K) have been refined by three-dimensional X-ray diffraction methods. Unit cell dimensions of these monoclinic compounds, space group P21/C with Z = 4, are, ammonium salt: a = 8.3934 ?? 0.0008, b = 36.1703 ?? 0.0045, c = 10.4715 ?? 0.0011 A??, ?? = 115.958?? ?? 0.008??; and potassium salt: a = 8.15 ?? 0.02, b = 35.68 ?? 0.1, c = 10.30 ?? 0.02 A??, ?? = 115.2?? ?? 02??. By use of multiple Weissenberg patterns, 8197 intensity data (Mo-K?? radiation) for the ammonium compound and 2178 (Cu-K?? radiation) for the potassium compound were estimated visually and used to test and refine Lindqvist's proposed structure in the space group P21/c. Lindqvist's structure was confirmed and the full matrix least-squares isotropic refinement led to R 0.076 (ammonium) 0.120 (potassium), with direct unambiguous location of the cations and water molecules in the potassium compound.

Expression, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of the extracellular IgV-like domain of the human natural killer cell inhibitory receptor p75/AIRM1.

PubMed

Dimasi, Nazzareno; Moretta, Lorenzo; Biassoni, Roberto; Mariuzza, Roy A

2003-10-01

p75/AIRM1 (Siglec-7) is a sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin recently identified as an inhibitory receptor on natural killer cells. The expression, in vitro folding, circular-dichroism spectroscopy, crystallization and preliminary X-ray characterization of the Ig-V like domain of p75/AIRM1 are reported. X-ray data were collected from a single crystal at 100 K, with a maximum useful diffraction pattern extending to 1.45 A resolution on a synchrotron source. The crystal belongs to a primitive monoclinic space group, with unit-cell parameters a = 32.65, b = 49.72, c = 39.79 A, alpha = gamma = 90, beta = 113 degrees. The systematic absences indicate that the space group is P2(1). Assuming one molecule per asymmetric unit, V(M) (the Matthews coefficient) was calculated to be 1.879 A(3) Da(-1) and the solvent content was estimated to be 32.01%.

Synthesis of three new thiophene condensed pyrene derivatives, crystal structure and evaluation of their photophysical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moriguchi, Tetsuji; Yakeya, Daisuke; Tsuge, Akihiko; Jalli, Venkataprasad

2018-04-01

Three new thiophene condensed fluorescent pyrene derivatives have been synthesized by a two-step process, via. Wittig reaction followed by iodine promoted photocyclization. These molecules have been characterized by 1H NMR and EI-MS. Further, the molecular structures of 4a, 4b and 4c has been confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The protons located in the fjord and cove-regions of molecules 4b and 4c showed downfield shifts of the protons. Molecule 4a crystallized under monoclinic system with space group P21/c, molecule 4b crystallized under monoclinic system with space group C2/c and the molecule 4c crystalized under triclinic system with space group P-1. Molecules 4a, 4b and 4c showed strong absorption maxima wavelengths at 305, 358 and 330 nm, respectively. The molar extinctinction coefficients (ε) of the compounds 4a, 4b and 4c indicated molecule 4c has better ability to absorb UV light, molecule 4b has better fluorescence intensity than molecule 4a and 4c.

Hydrothermal synthesis and structural analysis of new mixed oxyanion borates: Ba11B26O44(PO4)2(OH)6, Li9BaB15O27(CO3) and Ba3Si2B6O16

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heyward, Carla; McMillen, Colin D.; Kolis, Joseph

2013-07-01

Several new borate compounds, Ba11B26O44(PO4)2(OH)6 (1), Li9BaB15O27(CO3) (2), and Ba3Si2B6O16 (3) were synthesized containing other hetero-oxyanion building blocks in addition to the borate frameworks. They were all prepared under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, and IR spectroscopy. Crystal data: For 1; space group P21/c, a=6.8909 (14) Å, b=13.629 (3) Å, c=25.851 (5) Å, β=90.04 (3)°; For 2; space group P-31c, a=8.8599 (13) Å, c=15.148 (3) Å; For 3; space group P-1, a=5.0414 (10) Å, b=7.5602 (15) Å, c=8.5374 (17) Å, α=77.15 (3)°, β=77.84 (3)°, γ=87.41 (3)° for 3. Compounds 1 and 2 contain isolated oxyanions [PO4]3- and [CO3]2- respectively, sitting in channels created by the borate framework, while structure 3 has the [SiO4]4- groups directly bonded to the borate groups creating a B-O-Si framework.

Cloning, expression, purification and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of mouse protein arginine methyltransferase 7.

PubMed

Cura, Vincent; Troffer-Charlier, Nathalie; Lambert, Marie-Annick; Bonnefond, Luc; Cavarelli, Jean

2014-01-01

Protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7) is a unique but less characterized member of the family of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) that plays a role in male germline gene imprinting. PRMT7 is the only known PRMT member that catalyzes the monomethylation but not the dimethylation of the target arginine residues and harbours two catalytic domains in tandem. PRMT7 genes from five different species were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli and Sf21 insect cells. Four gave soluble proteins from Sf21 cells, of which two were homogeneous and one gave crystals. The mouse PRMT7 structure was solved by the single anomalous dispersion method using a crystal soaked with thimerosal that diffracted to beyond 2.1 Å resolution. The crystal belonged to space group P4(3)2(1)2, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 97.4, c = 168.1 Å and one PRMT7 monomer in the asymmetric unit. The structure of another crystal form belonging to space group I222 was solved by molecular replacement.

Cloning, expression, purification and preliminary X-­ray crystallographic analysis of mouse protein arginine methyltransferase 7

PubMed Central

Cura, Vincent; Troffer-Charlier, Nathalie; Lambert, Marie-Annick; Bonnefond, Luc; Cavarelli, Jean

2014-01-01

Protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7) is a unique but less characterized member of the family of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) that plays a role in male germline gene imprinting. PRMT7 is the only known PRMT member that catalyzes the monomethylation but not the dimethylation of the target arginine residues and harbours two catalytic domains in tandem. PRMT7 genes from five different species were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli and Sf21 insect cells. Four gave soluble proteins from Sf21 cells, of which two were homogeneous and one gave crystals. The mouse PRMT7 structure was solved by the single anomalous dispersion method using a crystal soaked with thimerosal that diffracted to beyond 2.1 Å resolution. The crystal belonged to space group P43212, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 97.4, c = 168.1 Å and one PRMT7 monomer in the asymmetric unit. The structure of another crystal form belonging to space group I222 was solved by molecular replacement. PMID:24419624

Phytotoxicity, structural and computational analysis of 2-methyl-1,5-diarylpentadienones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Din, Zia Ud; Rodrigues-Filho, Edson; de Cassia Pereira, Viviane; Gualtieri, Sonia Cristina Juliano; Deflon, Victor Marcelo; da Silva Maia, Pedro Ivo; Kuznetsov, Aleksey E.

2017-08-01

In our studies aimed to produce new chemicals used in weed control, 2-methyl-1,5-diarylpentadienones were synthesized by the reaction of p-methoxybenzaldehyde, p-nitrobenzaldehyde and p-N,N-dimethylbenzaldehyde, respectively, with 2-butanone, resulting in four model compounds. The phytotoxicity of these compounds against wheat coleoptiles and Sesame seedling was observed at μM concentrations, indicating good potential for their usage in weed management in the field. Spectroscopic and computational studies were performed in order to gain understanding on their mechanisms of action and to clarify some structural complexities due existence of conformers and substituent effects. These compounds probably act as hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitors. The tested compounds were characterized by spectroscopic and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Solid crystalline state of the compound A (2-Methyl-1-(p-methophyphenyl)-5-(phenyl)-diarylpentadienone) is observed in the monoclinic space group P21/c with unit cell dimensions a = 14.3366(4) Å, b = 11.3788(4) Å, c = 9.6319(3) Å, β = 96.596, V = 1560.88(9) Å3 and Z = 4. Compound C (2-Methyl-1-(p-methophyphenyl)-5-(p-nitrophenyl)-diarylpentadienone) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with unit cell dimensions a = 17.8276(9) Å, b = 7.3627(4) Å, c = 12.9740(6) Å, β = 107.6230(10), V = 1623.04(14) Å3 and Z = 4. LC-UV-MS analysis furnished important data helpful for their characterization. The spectroscopic data and computational (DFT) analysis revealed the fact that each of the compounds A-D occurs in solution as four conformers.

Investigation of phase segregation using Rietveld refinement in Mg doped BaTiO3 solid solutions and their ferroelectric properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aanchal, Kaur, Kiranpreet; Singh, Anupinder; Singh, Mandeep

2018-05-01

Ba(1-x) Mgx Ti O3 (BMT) samples were synthesised using solid state reaction route with `x' varying from 0.025 to 0.10. The structural and ferroelectric properties of the bulk samples were investigated. The XRD analysis shows the presence of two phases, the first phase being magnesium doped BT (space group P4mm) and the second phase being Ba2TiO4 (space group Pna21). The tetragonal phase was found to be the major phase in the samples. The double phase Rietveld refinement was done and the weight percentage of orthorhombic phase was found to vary from 3.43% to 6.96% for x varying from 0.025≤x≤0.10. The P - E measurements reveal that all the samples exhibit lossy behaviour.

Structure of 1,5-benzodiazepinones in the solid state and in solution: Effect of the fluorination in the six-membered ring

PubMed Central

Pérez-Torralba, Marta; Ángeles García, M; López, Concepción; Torralba, M Carmen; Rosario Torres, M; Alkorta, Ibon; Elguero, José

2013-01-01

Summary Two novel tetrafluorinated 1,5-benzodiazepinones were synthesized and their X-ray structures determined. 6,7,8,9-Tetrafluoro-4-methyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,5-benzodiazepin-2-one crystallizes in the monoclinic P21/c space group and 6,7,8,9-tetrafluoro-1,4-dimethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,5-benzodiazepin-2-one in the triclinic P−1 space group. Density functional theory studies at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level were carried out on these compounds and on four non-fluorinated derivatives, allowing to calculate geometries, tautomeric energies and ring-inversion barriers, that were compared with the experimental results obtained by static and dynamic NMR in solution and in solid state. PMID:24204428

NMR, symmetry elements, structure and phase transitions in the argyrodite family

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaudin, E.; Taulelle, F.; Boucher, F.; Evain, M.

1998-02-01

Cu7PSe6 belongs to a family of structures known as the argyrodites. It undergoes two phases transitions. The high temperature phase has been determined by X-ray diffraction. It has a Foverline{4}3m space group. Medium temperature phases have been refined using a non-harmonic technique and the space group proposed is P213. The low temperature phase had an apparent space group of Foverline{4}3m also. Use of X-ray diffraction and NMR together has allowed to determine the space groups of all phases as being respectively Foverline{4}3m, P213 and Pmn21. Positioning of disordered coppers in the structure is therefore possible and the structure can be described by connex polyhedra of PSe3-4 and SeCux-2_x. The phase transitions can be understood by an ordered motion of SeCux-2x polyhedra. If these polyhedra set in motion independently two transitions are to be observed, if they are coupled only one is observed. Cu7PSe6 appartient à une famille de composés connus sous le nom d'argyrodites. Cu7PSe6 possède deux transitions de phase. La structure de haute température a été déterminée par diffraction des rayons X. Elle se décrit par le groupe d'espace Foverline{4}3m. La phase de moyenne température a été raffinée en utilisant une technique non-harmonique et le groupe d'espace proposé est P213. La phase de basse température possède également un groupe d'espace apparent Foverline{4}3m. En utilisant ensemble la diffraction des rayons X et la RMN, il a été possible de déterminer les groupes d'espace de toutes les phases comme étant respectivement Foverline{4}3m, P213 et Pmn21. Placer les atomes de cuivre, désordonnés, dans la structure devient alors possible et la structure peut se décrire comme un ensemble de polyèdres connexes de PSe3-4 et SeCux-2_x. Les transitions de phases se décrivent alors comme des mouvements ordonnés des polyèdres SeCux-2_x. Si ces polyèdres se mettent en mouvement indépendamment, deux transitions de phases sont attendues, si leur mise en mouvement est couplée, une seule est observée.

Characteristics of the Li+-Ion Conductivity of Li3R2(PO4)3 Crystals (R = Fe, Sc) in the Superionic State

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sorokin, N. I.

2018-05-01

The characteristics of Li+-ion conductivity σdc of structural γ modifications of Li3R2(PO4)3 compounds (R = Fe, Sc) existing in the superionic state have been investigated by impedance spectroscopy. The type of structural framework [R2P3O12]∞ 3- affects the σdc value and the σdc activation enthalpy in these compounds. The ion transport activation enthalpy in γ-Li3R2(PO4)3 (Δ H σ = 0.31 ± 0.03 eV) is lower than in γ-Li3Fe2(PO4)3 (Δ H σ = 0.36 ± 0.03 eV). The conductivity of γ-Li3Fe2(PO4)3 (σdc = 0.02 S/cm at 573 K) is twice as high as that of γ-Li3R2(PO4)3. A decrease in temperature causes a structural transformation of Li3R2(PO4)3 from the superionic γ modification (space group Pcan) through the intermediate metastable β modification (space group P21/ n) into the "dielectric" α modification (space group P21/ n). Upon cooling, σdc for both phosphates decreases by a factor of about 100 at the superionic TSIC transition. In Li3Fe2(PO4)3 σdc gradually decreases in the temperature range T SIC = 430-540 K, whereas in Li3R2(PO4)3 σdc undergoes a jump at T SIC = 540 ± 25 K. Possible crystallochemical factors responsible for the difference in the σdc and Δ H σ values and the thermodynamics and kinetics of the superionic transition for Li3R2(PO4)3 are discussed.

[Anti-apoptosis and expression of microRNA-21 in rat myocardium during early ischemia-reperfusion injury].

PubMed

Yang, Qiong; Yang, Kan; Li, Anying; Tan, Wenpeng

2013-05-01

To observe the expression and anti-apoptosis of microRNA-21(miR-21) in rat myocardium during early ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R). Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: a control group (transfected with rAAV9-ZsGreen by coronary injection), a miR-21group (transfected rAAV9-ZsGreen-premiR- 21 by coronary injection), a sham group (open-chest only), an I/R group (I/R), and an I/ R+miR-21 (I/R after transfected rAAV9-ZsGreen-pre-miR-21 by coronary injection). Realtime PCR was used to assess the expression level of miR-21. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to determine the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 and Bcl-2/Bax. MiR-21 was increased by 4.43 times in the miR-21 group (P<0.001). MiR-21 was downregulated in the ischemia zone after I/R compared with the sham group (P<0.05), but that in the non-ischemia zone was significantly increased compared with the sham group (P<0.01). MiR- 21 expression was decreased in the I/R group compared with that in the sham group at 1 h, 2 h and 6 h after I/R (P<0.05), and it was up-regulated in the I/R+miR-21 group at the same time point compared with the I/R group (P<0.01). The expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 was upregulated and Bcl-2/Bax was decreased in the ischemia zone in the I/R group and I/R+miR-21 group than the sham group(P<0.05). Compared with the I/R group, the expression of Bcl-2 and caspase-3 was down-regulated and Bcl-2/Bax was increased in the ischemia zone in the I/ R+miR-21 group (P<0.05). MiR-21 expression is down-regulated and cell apoptosis is increased in rat myocardium during early ischemia-reperfusion injury. Myocardial cell apoptosis may be alleviated by miR-21 over-expression.

Structural properties of platinum(II) biphenyl complexes containing 1,10-phenanthroline derivatives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rillema, D. Paul; Cruz, Arvin J.; Tasset, Brandon J.; Moore, Curtis; Siam, Khamis; Huang, Wei

2013-06-01

Seven platinum(II) complexes formulated as Pt(bph)L, where bph is the 2,2'-biphenyl dianion and L = 4-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4-Mephen), 5-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline (5-Mephen), 5-chloro-1,10-phenanthroline (5-Clphen), 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (5,6-Me2phen), 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4,7-Me2phen), 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4,7-Ph2phen) and 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (3,4,7,8-Me4phen) are reported. Protons attached to the phen ligand resonate downfield from those attached to the bph ligand and two proton signals are split by interaction with 195Pt. Pt(bph)(3,4,7,8-Me4phen), Pt(bph)(4,7-Me2phen), Pt(bph)(5,6-Me2phen), Pt(bph)(4,7-Ph2phen) and Pt(bph)(5-Mephen) crystallize in the space groups Pna21, P21/n, P21/c, P - 1 and Pca21, respectively. The structures of the complexes deviate from true planarity and divide themselves into two groups where the bph and phen ligands cross in an X configuration or bow out in a butterfly (B) configuration. Circular dichroism revealed two different spectra with respect to the X and B configurations.

Novel 3D bismuth-based coordination polymers: Synthesis, structure, and second harmonic generation properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wibowo, Arief C.; Smith, Mark D.; Yeon, Jeongho; Halasyamani, P. Shiv; zur Loye, Hans-Conrad

2012-11-01

Two new 3D bismuth containing coordination polymers are reported along with their single crystal structures and SHG properties. Compound 1: Bi2O2(pydc) (pydc=pyridine-2, 5-dicarboxylate), crystallizes in the monoclinic, polar space group, P21 (a=9.6479(9) Å, b=4.2349(4) Å, c=11.9615(11) Å, β=109.587(1)°), which contains Bi2O2 chains that are connected into a 3D structure via the pydc ligands. Compound 2: Bi4Na4(1R3S-cam)8(EtOH)3.1(H2O)3.4 (1R3S cam=1R3S-camphoric acid) crystallizes in the monoclinic, polar space group, P21 (a=19.0855(7) Å, b=13.7706(5) Å, c=19.2429(7) Å, β=90.701(1)°) and is a true 3D coordination polymer. These are two example of SHG compounds prepared using unsymmetric ligands (compound 1) or chiral ligands (compound 2), together with metals that often exhibit stereochemically-active lone pairs, such as Bi3+, a synthetic approach that resulted in polar, non-centrosymmetric, 3D metal-organic coordination polymer.

An Integrated Interactive-Spaced Education Radiology Curriculum for Preclinical Students.

PubMed

Tshibwabwa, Eli; Mallin, Robert; Fraser, Madeleine; Tshibwabwa, Martin; Sanii, Reza; Rice, James; Cannon, Jenifer

2017-01-01

The objective of this study is to determine whether a radiology module, together with online spaced education, helps students of an integrated problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum increase their radiology knowledge and long-term retention. Second-year students at the American University of Antigua College of Medicine participated in small groups of ten students each into two 2 h of radiology laboratories. The study comprised two cohorts: winter and fall 2013 students (control group) and 2014 students (experimental group). Both groups used face-to-face PBL. The students of the experimental group received additional online-spaced education. The skills were assessed for both groups before the beginning of laboratories and 4 weeks and 7 months after laboratories. There was no significant difference on pretest between the control and experimental groups. On completion of the radiology laboratories, comparison of test results before and after training showed net improvement for both groups. The corresponding difference for the experimental group was higher compared to the one for the control group (7.83 vs. 6.21, P < 0.001). The difference between the scores on delayed test and pretest showed that the students of both groups demonstrated average knowledge improvement even though their level of performance was slightly below the posttest. The corresponding difference for the experimental group did not differ much from the posttest ( P > 0.05), and no significant difference of scores was observed 7 months later for either group. Further, a higher percentage of the students in the experimental group strongly agreed that their learning objectives were met (92% vs. 71%, P > 0.001), and this trend persisted throughout the study. Online spaced education combined to a face-to-face PBL enhances not only the student's knowledge of basic radiology along with his/her self-assessment skills but also the long-term retention of radiology material and satisfaction with the integrated interactive system-based module. Future research is needed to see if medical students in need of additional education support may benefit from spaced education in the field of remediation.

Ethane-1,1,2-trisphosphonic acid hemihydrate.

PubMed

Delain-Bioton, Lise; Lohier, Jean François; Villemin, Didier; Sopková-de Oliveira Santos, Jana; Hix, Gary; Jaffrès, Paul Alain

2008-02-01

Ethane-1,1,2-trisphosphonic acid crystallizes as a hemihydrate, C(2)H(9)O(9)P(3).0.5H(2)O, in which the water O atom lies on an inversion centre in the space group P2(1)/c. The acid component, which contains a short but noncentred O-H...O hydrogen bond, adopts a gauche conformation. The acid components are linked by an extensive series of O-H...O hydrogen bonds to form layers, which are linked into pairs by the water molecules.

Pyrrole-pyridine and pyrrole-naphthyridine hosts for anion recognition.

PubMed

García, M Angeles; Farrán, M Angeles; María, Dolores Santa; Claramunt, Rosa M; Torralba, M Carmen; Torres, M Rosario; Jaime, Carlos; Elguero, José

2015-05-27

The association constants of the complexes formed by two hosts containing pyrrole, amide and azine (pyridine and 1,8-naphthyridine) groups and six guests, all monoanions (Cl-, CH3CO2-, NO3-, H2PO4-, BF4-, PF6-), have been determined using NMR titrations. The X-ray crystal structure of the host N2,N5-bis(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-3,4-diphenyl-1H-pyrrole- 2,5-dicarboxamide (1) has been solved (P21/c monoclinic space group). B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) and calculations were carried out in an attempt to rationalize the trends observed in the experimental association constants.

Syntheses, spectroscopic characterization, crystal structure and natural rubber vulcanization activity of new disulfides derived from sulfonyldithiocarbimates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alves, Leandro de Carvalho; Rubinger, Mayura Marques Magalhães; Tavares, Eder do Couto; Janczak, Jan; Pacheco, Elen Beatriz Acordi Vasques; Visconte, Leila Lea Yuan; Oliveira, Marcelo Ribeiro Leite

2013-09-01

The compounds (Bu4N)2[(4-RC6H4SO2NCS2)2] [Bu4N = tetrabutylammonium cation; R = H (1), F (2), Cl (3) and Br (4)] and (Ph4P)2[(4-RC6H4SO2NCS2)2]ṡH2O [Ph4P = tetraphenylphosphonium cation and R = I (5)] were synthesized by the reaction of the potassium dithiocarbimates (4-RC6H4SO2NCS2K2ṡ2H2O) with I2 and Bu4NBr or Ph4PCl. The IR data were consistent with the formation of the dithiocarbimatodisulfides anions. The NMR spectra showed the expected signals for the cations and anions in a 2:1 proportion. The structures of compounds 1-5 were determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction. The compounds 2, 3 and 4 are isostructural and crystallise in the centrosymmetric space group C2/c of the monoclinic system. Compound 1 crystallises in the monoclinic system in the space group of P21/n and the compound 5 crystallises in the centrosymmetric space group P-1 of the triclinic system. The complex anions of compounds 2, 3 and 4 exhibit similar conformations having twofold symmetry, while in 1 and 5 the anions exhibit C1 symmetry. The activity of the new compounds in the vulcanization of the natural rubber was evaluated and compared to the commercial accelerators ZDMC, TBBS and TMTD. These studies confirm that the sulfonyldithiocarbimato disulfides anions are new vulcanization accelerators, being slower than the commercial accelerators, but producing a greater degree of crosslinking, and scorch time values compatible with good processing safety for industrial applications. The mechanical properties, stress and tear resistances were determined and compared to those obtained with the commercial accelerators.

Structural study of dehydration mechanisms of NH4Th(NO3)5·9H2O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knyazev, A. V.; Komshina, M. E.; Baranov, E. V.; Savushkin, I. A.; Nipruk, O. V.; Lukoyanov, A. Yu.

2017-12-01

The new pentanitrate thorium compounds NH4Th(NO3)5·nH2O were synthesized and their crystal structures were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis: space group P21/n, a = 10.5476(5), b = 14.0444(7), c = 15.5287(8) Å, β = 109.4999(7)°, Z = 4; R = 0.0246 (NH4Th(NO3)5·9H2O); space group P212121, a = 8.7039(4), b = 11.9985(6), c = 16.3531(8) Å, Z = 4; R = 0.0259 (NH4Th(NO3)5·5H2O). Features of structural changes in the dehydration were revealed. Conditions of thermal decomposition of the thorium compound were established using differential scanning calorimetry. The compound was investigated by IR spectroscopy and its bands are assigned.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of gene product 44 from bacteriophage Mu

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

Kondou, Youhei; Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama; Kitazawa, Daisuke

2005-01-01

Bacteriophage Mu baseplate protein gene product 44 was crystallized. The crystal belongs to space group R3, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 126.6, c = 64.2 Å. Bacteriophage Mu baseplate protein gene product 44 (gp44) is an essential protein required for the assembly of viable phages. To investigate the roles of gp44 in baseplate assembly and infection, gp44 was crystallized at pH 6.0 in the presence of 20% 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol. The crystals belong to space group R3, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 127.47, c = 63.97 Å. The crystals diffract X-rays to at least 2.1 Å resolution andmore » are stable in the X-ray beam and are therefore appropriate for structure determination. Native data have been collected to 2.1 Å resolution using a DIP6040 image-plate system at beamline BL44XU at the SPring-8 facility in Japan.« less

Arterial Structure and Function in Women and Men Following Long Duration Bed Rest

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Stuart M. C.; Stenger, Michael B.; Martin, David S.; Platts, Steven H.

2008-01-01

Orthostatic intolerance is a well-recognized consequence of space flight and bed rest (BR), with a greater incidence reported in women. We hypothesized that leg, but not arm, arterial structure and function would be altered following prolonged BR, as a model of space flight, and that women would be more susceptible to BR-induced deconditioning than men. METHODS: Ten volunteers (5 males, 5 females) completed 90 d of 6 head-down BR. Subjects participated in tests of brachial (BA) and anterior tibial (AT) artery endothelium-dependent (flow mediated dilation [FMD] following 5-7 min of arterial occlusion) and endothelium-independent (0.4 mg sublingual nitroglycerin [SN]) vasodilation before BR (PRE) and on days 7 (BR7), 21 (BR21), and 90 (BR90) of BR. Vessel diameter and intimal medial thickness (IMT) were measured by ultrasound. IMT, baseline diameter, and percent change in diameter from baseline during FMD and SN tests were compared across BR and between genders using repeated measures two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc tests in which PRE and women were control conditions. RESULTS: Baseline vessel diameter was lower in women than in men in both the BA (p=0.005) and AT (p=0.01) across all days. Baseline AT diameter decreased during BR (p=0.01) and tended to be more profound in women (interaction, p=0.06). AT diameter was reduced in women at BR21 and BR90 (p<0.01) but not in men. In contrast, there was no BR effect on baseline BA diameter. IMT also decreased in the AT (p<0.001) but not in the BA during BR; AT IMT was reduced by BR21 (p<0.05). As a group, there was no effect of BR on AT FMD, BA FMD, and AT SN-dilation, although BA SN-dilation was significantly reduced on BR21 (p=0.01). Across all BR days, women exhibited higher AT FMD (p=0.03), BA FMD (p=0.02), and BA SN-dilation (p=0.01) and tended to demonstrate greater AT SN-dilation (p=0.11). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that arterial remodeling occurs during BR in the leg (decreased diameter and IMT), but not in the arm, and that women appear to be more responsive to BR than men. These changes in the leg, coupled with larger responses to direct and indirect stimulation of the arterial smooth muscle, may be related to the greater incidence of orthostatic intolerance in women after BR and space flight.

Gigantic magnetic-field-induced polarization and magnetoelectric coupling in a ferrimagnetic oxide CaBaCo 4 O 7

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

Caignaert, V.; Maignan, A.; Singh, K.

2013-11-01

Below Tc, the single-crystal study of CaBaCo40,, a noncollinear ferrimagnet (Tc = 64 K) with a polar orthorhombic space group (Pbn21) between 4 and 293 K, shows a large change inthe electric polarization along its c axis reaching !!iP = 17 mC/m2 at 10 K. At 62.5 K, a magnetic-field-driven giant variation inpolarization P(9 T) - P(O T) = 8 mC/m2 is observed. Moreover, the present magnetoelectric measurements are fully consistent withthe m'm2' magnetic point group. This ferrimagnetic oxide, which belongs to the "114" structural family, opens an avenue for the search for new magnetoelectrics.

Temperature Increase during Different Post Space Preparation Systems: An In Vitro Study

PubMed Central

Nazari Moghadam, Kiumars; Shahab, Shahriar; Shirvani, Soghra; Kazemi, Ali

2011-01-01

 INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate external root surface temperature rise during post space preparation using LA Axxess bur, Beefill pack System, and Peeso Reamer drill. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The distal canals of forty-five extracted human permanent mandibular first molars were instrumented in crown-apical manner and obturated with lateral condensation technique. Teeth were then randomly divided into three groups according to post space preparation technique including: group 1. LA Axxess bur (Sybronendo Co., CA, USA), group 2 Beefill pack System (VD W Co., Munich, Germany) and group 3 Peeso Reamer drill (Mani Co., Tochigi-ken, Japan). Temperature was measured by means of digital thermometer MT-405 (Comercio Co., Sao Paulo, Brazil) which was installed on the root surfaces. Data was collected and submitted to one-way ANOVA and Post hoc analysis. RESULTS: Root surface temperatures were found to be significantly higher (7.3±2.7 vs. 4.3±2.1 and 4±2.4,) in samples of Beefill pack System compared with the two other groups (P<0.02). CONCLUSION: Using Beefill pack System during post space preparation may be potentially hazardous for periodontal tissues. PMID:24778690

Temperature Increase during Different Post Space Preparation Systems: An In Vitro Study.

PubMed

Nazari Moghadam, Kiumars; Shahab, Shahriar; Shirvani, Soghra; Kazemi, Ali

2011-01-01

  The purpose of this study was to evaluate external root surface temperature rise during post space preparation using LA Axxess bur, Beefill pack System, and Peeso Reamer drill. The distal canals of forty-five extracted human permanent mandibular first molars were instrumented in crown-apical manner and obturated with lateral condensation technique. Teeth were then randomly divided into three groups according to post space preparation technique including: group 1. LA Axxess bur (Sybronendo Co., CA, USA), group 2 Beefill pack System (VD W Co., Munich, Germany) and group 3 Peeso Reamer drill (Mani Co., Tochigi-ken, Japan). Temperature was measured by means of digital thermometer MT-405 (Comercio Co., Sao Paulo, Brazil) which was installed on the root surfaces. Data was collected and submitted to one-way ANOVA and Post hoc analysis. Root surface temperatures were found to be significantly higher (7.3±2.7 vs. 4.3±2.1 and 4±2.4,) in samples of Beefill pack System compared with the two other groups (P<0.02). Using Beefill pack System during post space preparation may be potentially hazardous for periodontal tissues.

Correlates of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among preschoolers during unstructured outdoor play periods.

PubMed

Nicaise, Virginie; Kahan, David; Sallis, James F

2011-10-01

Quantify moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and its correlates in preschool children during outdoor unstructured play periods using direct observation. Cross-sectional data consisting of 204 observation periods collected from 51 four- and five-year-old children using the Observation System for Recording Physical Activity in Children - Preschool (OSRAC-P) at a preschool in southern California, autumn and spring 2009-2010. Gender and BMI classification and OSRAC-P environmental codes were related to observed MVPA in multiple logistic regression models. Less than 21% of intervals were spent in MVPA overall. Boys and normal weight children engaged in higher intensity levels than their respective counterparts. More MVPA was associated with normal weight (OR=2.49-3.25, R(2)=3%), location (grass, playground, looping cycle path; OR=3.21-4.90, R(2)=4-12%), play context (ball/objects, wheel, open space; OR=2.78-8.51, R(2)=9%), and group composition (solitary, one-on-one; OR=1.34-2.08, R(2)=1%). Open spaces located in playgrounds and grass fields, and activity-genic portable equipment, manipulative objects, and riding vehicles are some design and equipment features that appear to foster MVPA. Lowering play space density and engaging children through teacher prompts and teacher-arranged activities may further increase MVPA on playgrounds. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Noninvasive intracranial pressure estimation by orbital subarachnoid space measurement: the Beijing Intracranial and Intraocular Pressure (iCOP) study.

PubMed

Xie, Xiaobin; Zhang, Xiaojun; Fu, Jidi; Wang, Huaizhou; Jonas, Jost B; Peng, Xiaoxia; Tian, Guohong; Xian, Junfang; Ritch, Robert; Li, Lei; Kang, Zefeng; Zhang, Shoukang; Yang, Diya; Wang, Ningli

2013-07-24

The orbital subarachnoid space surrounding the optic nerve is continuous with the circulation system for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and can be visualized by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We hypothesized that the orbital subarachnoid space width (OSASW) is correlated with and can serve as a surrogate for intracranial pressure (ICP). Our aim was to develop a method for a noninvasive measurement of the intracranial CSF-pressure (CSF-P) based on MRI-assisted OSASW. The prospective observational comparative study included neurology patients who underwent lumbar CSF-P measurement and 3.0-Tesla orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for other clinical reasons. The width of the orbital subarachnoid space (OSASW) around the optic nerve was measured with MRI at 3, 9, and 15 mm behind the globe. The study population was randomly divided into a training group and a test group. After adjusting for body mass index (BMI) and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), algorithms for the associations between CSF-P and OSASW were calculated in the training group. The algorithms were subsequently verified in the test group. Main outcome measures were the width of the orbital subarachnoid space (OSASW) and the lumbar cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSF-P). Seventy-two patients were included in the study. In the training group, the algorithms for the associations between CSF-P and OSASW were as follows: (a) CSF-P = 9.31 × OSASW (at 3 mm) + 0.48 × BMI + 0.14 × MABP-19.94; (b) CSF-P = 16.95 × OSASW (at 9 mm) + 0.39 × BMI + 0.14 × MABP-20.90; and (c) CSF-P = 17.54 × OSASW (at 15 mm) + 0.47 × BMI + 0.13 × MABP-21.52. Applying these algorithms in the independent test group, the measured lumbar CSF-P (13.6 ± 5.1 mm Hg) did not differ significantly from the calculated MRI-derived CSF-P (OSASW at 3 mm: 12.7 ± 4.2 mm Hg (P = 0.07); at 9 mm: 13.4 ± 5.1 mm Hg (P = 0.35); and at 15 mm: 14.0 ± 4.9 mm Hg (P = 0.87)). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were higher for the CSF-P assessment based on OSASW at 9 mm and at 15 mm behind the globe (all ICCs, 0.87) than for OSASW measurements at 3 mm (ICC, 0.80). In patients with normal, moderately decreased or elevated ICP, MRI-assisted measurement of the OSASW appears to be useful for the noninvasive quantitative estimation of ICP, if BMI and MABP as contributing parameters are taken into account. Clinical trial registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-OCC-11001271.

Continued Benefit to Rectal Separation for Prostate Radiation Therapy: Final Results of a Phase III Trial

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

Hamstra, Daniel A., E-mail: Daniel.Hamstra@gmail.com; Mariados, Neil; Sylvester, John

Purpose: SpaceOAR, a Food and Drug Administration–approved hydrogel intended to create a rectal–prostate space, was evaluated in a single-blind phase III trial of image guided intensity modulated radiation therapy. A total of 222 men were randomized 2:1 to the spacer or control group and received 79.2 Gy in 1.8-Gy fractions to the prostate with or without the seminal vesicles. The present study reports the final results with a median follow-up period of 3 years. Methods and Materials: Cumulative (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0) toxicity was evaluated using the log-rank test. Quality of life (QOL) was examined using the Expandedmore » Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC), and the mean changes from baseline in the EPIC domains were tested using repeated measures models. The proportions of men with minimally important differences (MIDs) in each domain were tested using repeated measures logistic models with prespecified thresholds. Results: The 3-year incidence of grade ≥1 (9.2% vs 2.0%; P=.028) and grade ≥2 (5.7% vs 0%; P=.012) rectal toxicity favored the spacer arm. Grade ≥1 urinary incontinence was also lower in the spacer arm (15% vs 4%; P=.046), with no difference in grade ≥2 urinary toxicity (7% vs 7%; P=0.7). From 6 months onward, bowel QOL consistently favored the spacer group (P=.002), with the difference at 3 years (5.8 points; P<.05) meeting the threshold for a MID. The control group had a 3.9-point greater decline in urinary QOL compared with the spacer group at 3 years (P<.05), but the difference did not meet the MID threshold. At 3 years, more men in the control group than in the spacer group had experienced a MID decline in bowel QOL (41% vs 14%; P=.002) and urinary QOL (30% vs 17%; P=.04). Furthermore, the control group were also more likely to have experienced large declines (twice the MID) in bowel QOL (21% vs 5%; P=.02) and urinary QOL (23% vs 8%; P=.02). Conclusions: The benefit of a hydrogel spacer in reducing the rectal dose, toxicity, and QOL declines after image guided intensity modulated radiation therapy for prostate cancer was maintained or increased with a longer follow-up period, providing stronger evidence for the benefit of hydrogel spacer use in prostate radiation therapy.« less

Continued Benefit to Rectal Separation for Prostate Radiation Therapy: Final Results of a Phase III Trial.

PubMed

Hamstra, Daniel A; Mariados, Neil; Sylvester, John; Shah, Dhiren; Karsh, Lawrence; Hudes, Richard; Beyer, David; Kurtzman, Steven; Bogart, Jeffrey; Hsi, R Alex; Kos, Michael; Ellis, Rodney; Logsdon, Mark; Zimberg, Shawn; Forsythe, Kevin; Zhang, Hong; Soffen, Edward; Francke, Patrick; Mantz, Constantine; Rossi, Peter; DeWeese, Theodore; Daignault-Newton, Stephanie; Fischer-Valuck, Benjamin W; Chundury, Anupama; Gay, Hiram; Bosch, Walter; Michalski, Jeff

2017-04-01

SpaceOAR, a Food and Drug Administration-approved hydrogel intended to create a rectal-prostate space, was evaluated in a single-blind phase III trial of image guided intensity modulated radiation therapy. A total of 222 men were randomized 2:1 to the spacer or control group and received 79.2 Gy in 1.8-Gy fractions to the prostate with or without the seminal vesicles. The present study reports the final results with a median follow-up period of 3 years. Cumulative (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0) toxicity was evaluated using the log-rank test. Quality of life (QOL) was examined using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC), and the mean changes from baseline in the EPIC domains were tested using repeated measures models. The proportions of men with minimally important differences (MIDs) in each domain were tested using repeated measures logistic models with prespecified thresholds. The 3-year incidence of grade ≥1 (9.2% vs 2.0%; P=.028) and grade ≥2 (5.7% vs 0%; P=.012) rectal toxicity favored the spacer arm. Grade ≥1 urinary incontinence was also lower in the spacer arm (15% vs 4%; P=.046), with no difference in grade ≥2 urinary toxicity (7% vs 7%; P=0.7). From 6 months onward, bowel QOL consistently favored the spacer group (P=.002), with the difference at 3 years (5.8 points; P<.05) meeting the threshold for a MID. The control group had a 3.9-point greater decline in urinary QOL compared with the spacer group at 3 years (P<.05), but the difference did not meet the MID threshold. At 3 years, more men in the control group than in the spacer group had experienced a MID decline in bowel QOL (41% vs 14%; P=.002) and urinary QOL (30% vs 17%; P=.04). Furthermore, the control group were also more likely to have experienced large declines (twice the MID) in bowel QOL (21% vs 5%; P=.02) and urinary QOL (23% vs 8%; P=.02). The benefit of a hydrogel spacer in reducing the rectal dose, toxicity, and QOL declines after image guided intensity modulated radiation therapy for prostate cancer was maintained or increased with a longer follow-up period, providing stronger evidence for the benefit of hydrogel spacer use in prostate radiation therapy. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, structural, photophysical and thermal studies of benzoate bridged Sm(III) complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Udai P.; Kumar, Rajeev; Upreti, Shailesh

2007-04-01

One samarium coordination polymer (chain like) 1 with composition [{Sm(OBz) 3(MeO) 2} 2] n has been prepared from the reaction of SmCl 3 and sodium benzoate in 1:3 ratio whereas four binuclear samarium complexes with chemical composition [{(tp)Sm(μ- p-X-OBz) 2} 2] have been prepared by the reaction of SmCl 3, potassium hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate [K(tp)] and sodium p-X-benzoate (where X = H, Cl, F, NO 2) in 1:1:2 ratio. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, optical properties, X-ray and magnetic measurement studies. The X-ray structure shows that the complexes 2- 5 are isostructural whereas the structure of 1 is different. The coordination number around metal center in 1 is eight whereas in complexes 2- 5, each samarium is seven coordinate. The X-ray studies indicate that the complex 1 crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2(1)/ c with the cell dimensions a = 9.75(7), b = 21.83(15), c = 22.28(15) Å, whereas the complexes 2 and 3 crystallizes isostructurally in the triclinic space group P1¯ with the cell dimension a = 11.77(10), b = 12.60(10), c = 17.57(13) Å and a = 9.55(3), b = 12.80(4), c = 14.47(5) Å, respectively. The samarium ions in 2 and 3 are coordinated by three N atoms of pyrazolylborate ligand and four O atoms from benzoate groups. The photophysical properties of above complexes have been studied with ultraviolet absorption, excitation and emission spectral studies. The complexes 1- 5 excited at 240 nm wavelength produced characteristic luminescence features, arising mostly due to the f-f transitions.

A monoclinic polymorph of (1E,5E)-1,5-bis-(2-hy-droxy-benzyl-idene)thio-carbono-hydrazide.

PubMed

Schmitt, Bonell; Gerber, Thomas; Hosten, Eric; Betz, Richard

2011-08-01

The title compound, C(15)H(14)N(4)O(2)S, is a derivative of thio-ureadihydrazide. In contrast to the previously reported polymorph (ortho-rhom-bic, space group Pbca, Z = 8), the current study revealed monoclinic symmetry (space group P2(1)/n, Z = 4). The mol-ecule shows non-crystallographic C(2) as well as approximate C(s) symmetry. Intra-molecular bifurcated O-H⋯(N,S) hydrogen bonds, are present. In the crystal, inter-molecular N-H⋯S hydrogen bonds and C-H⋯π contacts connect the mol-ecules into undulating chains along the b axis. The shortest centroid-centroid distance between two aromatic systems is 4.5285 (12) Å.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Strobamine and its Analogues

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

of bis[(R,R)- or (S,S)- phenylethylamine ]·HCl (0.30 g, 1.2 mmol) in dry THF (28 mL) at 0 °C. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 1 h, then...absorption effects . The crystal was orthorhombic in space group P21212 with unit cell dimensions a = 11.2517(6) Å, b = 21.5455(12) Å, c = 6.5032(4) Å

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of two thermostable α-galactosidases from glycoside hydrolase family 36

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

Foucault, M.; Watzlawick, H.; Mattes, R.

2006-02-01

The α-galactosidases AgaA, AgaB and AgaA A355E mutant from Geobacillus stearothermophilus have been overexpressed in Escherichia coli. Crystals of AgaB and AgaA A355E have been obtained by the vapour-diffusion method and synchrotron data have been collected to 2.0 and 2.8 Å resolution, respectively. α-Galactosidases from thermophilic organisms have gained interest owing to their applications in the sugar industry. The α-galactosidases AgaA, AgaB and AgaA A355E mutant from Geobacillus stearothermophilus have been overexpressed in Escherichia coli. Crystals of AgaB and AgaA A355E have been obtained by the vapour-diffusion method and synchrotron data have been collected to 2.0 and 2.8 Å resolution,more » respectively. Crystals of AgaB belong to space group I222 or I2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2{sub 1}, with unit-cell parameters a = 87.5, b = 113.3, c = 161.6 Å. Crystals of AgaA A355E belong to space group P3{sub 1}21 or P3{sub 2}21, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 150.1, c = 233.2 Å.« less

Crystallization and X-ray diffraction analysis of a putative bacterial class I labdane-related diterpene synthase.

PubMed

Serrano-Posada, Hugo; Centeno-Leija, Sara; Rojas-Trejo, Sonia; Stojanoff, Vivian; Rodríguez-Sanoja, Romina; Rudiño-Piñera, Enrique; Sánchez, Sergio

2015-09-01

Labdane-related diterpenoids are natural products with potential pharmaceutical applications that are rarely found in bacteria. Here, a putative class I labdane-related diterpene synthase (LrdC) identified by genome mining in a streptomycete was successfully crystallized using the microbatch method. Crystals of the LrdC enzyme were obtained in a holo form with its natural cofactor Mg(2+) (LrdC-Mg(2+)) and in complex with inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) (LrdC-Mg(2+)-PPi). Crystals of native LrdC-Mg(2+) diffracted to 2.50 Å resolution and belonged to the trigonal space group P3221, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 107.1, c = 89.2 Å. Crystals of the LrdC-Mg(2+)-PPi complex grown in the same conditions as the native enzyme with PEG 8000 diffracted to 2.36 Å resolution and also belonged to the trigonal space group P3221. Crystals of the LrdC-Mg(2+)-PPi complex grown in a second crystallization condition with PEG 3350 diffracted to 2.57 Å resolution and belonged to the monoclinic space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 49.9, b = 104.1, c = 66.5 Å, β = 111.4°. The structure was determined by the single-wavelength anomalous dispersion (SAD) technique using the osmium signal from a potassium hexachloroosmate (IV) derivative.

Design and preliminary biomechanical analysis of artificial cervical joint complex.

PubMed

Jian, Yu; Lan-Tao, Liu; Zhao, Jian-ning; Jian-ning, Zhao

2013-06-01

To design an artificial cervical joint complex (ACJC) prosthesis for non-fusion reconstruction after cervical subtotal corpectomy, and to evaluate the biomechanical stability, preservation of segment movements and influence on adjacent inter-vertebral movements of this prosthesis. The prosthesis was composed of three parts: the upper/lower joint head and the middle artificial vertebrae made of Cobalt-Chromium-Molybdenum (Co-Cr-Mo) alloy and polyethylene with a ball-and-socket joint design resembling the multi-axial movement in normal inter-vertebral spaces. Biomechanical tests of intact spine (control), Orion locking plate system and ACJC prosthesis were performed on formalin-fixed cervical spine specimens from 21 healthy cadavers to compare stability, range of motion (ROM) of the surgical segment and ROM of adjacent inter-vertebral spaces. As for stability of the whole lower cervical spine, there was no significant difference of flexion, extension, lateral bending and torsion between intact spine group and ACJC prosthesis group. As for segment movements, difference in flexion, lateral bending or torsion between ACJC prosthesis group and control group was not statistically significant, while ACJC prosthesis group showed an increase in extension (P < 0.05) compared to that of the control group. In addition, ACJC prosthesis group demonstrated better flexion, extension and lateral bending compared to those of Orion plating system group (P < 0.05). Difference in adjacent inter-vertebral ROM of the ACJC prosthesis group was not statistically significant compared to that of the control group. After cervical subtotal corpectomy, reconstruction with ACJC prosthesis not only obtained instant stability, but also reserved segment motions effectively, without abnormal gain of mobility at adjacent inter-vertebral spaces.

Elastic behaviour and high-pressure phase transition of the P21/n LiAlGe2O6pyroxene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Artac, Andreas; Miletich-Pawliczek, Ronald; Nestola, Fabrizio; Redhammer, Günther J.; Secco, Luciano

2014-05-01

In a recent work by Redhammer et al. (2012), investigating a synthetic pyroxene sample with composition LiAlGe2O6, a new space group for the big family of pyroxenes has been surprisingly discovered renewing the interest for Li-bearing pyroxene compounds. Actually, the authors of that work intended to investigate the effect of the Si-Ge substitution on the high-pressure behaviour and possibly on the phase transition with respect to spodumene, LiAlSi2O6, investigated by Arlt and Angel in 2000. Spodumene in fact, not only shows a strong first order phase transition at 3.19 GPa from C2/c to P21/c but the low symmetry C2/c shows the greatest bulk modulus never found in pyroxenes (i.e. 144.2 GPa with the first pressure derivative fixed to 4). Redhammer et al. (2012) discovered that substituting Si for Ge in the spodumene structure the effect is dramatic in terms of symmetry change at room conditions with the Ge-spodumene showing a P21/n space group, first discovery of such symmetry in the big family of pyroxene. In this work we loaded one crystal of LiAlGe2O6 in a diamond-anvil cell and investigated the elastic behaviour and its possible high-pressure phase transition by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In detail, we measured the unit-cell parameters using a Huber four-circle diffractometer equipped with a point detector up to about 9 GPa. The crystal structure was measured at different pressures loading simultaneously two fragments of the same crystal with a different orientation in the same diamond-anvil cell in order to cover a wider portion of the reciprocal space. The intensity data were measured on a STADI IV four-circle diffractometer equipped with a CCD using a diamond-backing plate cell, which gives better structural results with respect to a beryllium backing plate one (i.e. Periotto et al. 2011). The first important result of our work is that we found at about 5.2 GPa a very strong first-order phase transformation from P21/n to P21/c and this is the first discover of such a transition in pyroxenes. The volume discontinuity at the transition is marked by a big volume decrease reaching a variation of about 3.6% between 5.207 and 5.249 GPa. The entire volume decrease up to 9 GPa is of nearly 10%. The equation of states of the two symmetries P2/n and P21/c clearly show that the high pressure phase is slightly less compressible than the P21/n and this is an anomalous behaviour in Li-bearing pyroxenes, which usually show the higher symmetry phase having a higher compressibility (i.e. Nestola et al. 2008). Structural details and elasticity data will be discussed. References Arlt T., Angel R.J. (2000) Displacive phase transitions in C-centered clinopyroxenes: spodumene, LiScSi2O6 and ZnSiO3. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 27, 719-731. Periotto B., Nestola F., Balic-Zunic T., Angel R.J., Miletich R., Olsen L.A. (2011) Comparison between beryllium and diamond-backing plates in diamond-anvil cells: Application to single-crystal x-ray diffraction high-pressure data. Review of Scientific Instruments, 82, Article Number: 055111. Redhammer G.J., Nestola F., Miletich R. (2012) Synthetic LiAlGe2O6: the first pyroxene with P21/n symmetry. American Mineralogist, 97, 1213-1218. Nestola F., Boffa Ballaran T., Ohashi H. (2008) The high-pressure C2/c - P21/c phase transition along the LiAlSi2O6-LiGaSi2O6 solid solution. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 35, 477-484.

Crystal structures of [NEt3H]5[XCoIIW11O39]·3H2O (X = P or As)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Evans, H.T.; Weakley, T.J.R.; Jameson, G.B.

1996-01-01

The orthorhombic crystal structures of [NEt3H]5[XCoIIW11O39]·3H2O for X = P and As have been determined with data collected at room temperature, and for X = P at –100 °C, using Mo-Kα radiation. For the latter the space group is Pna21, a= 21.670(11), b= 14.805(4), c= 20.393(5)Å and Z= 4. The structure consists of chains of α-Keggin-type molecules joined by W–O–links aligned in the a-axis direction. The Co/W occupancy at the link is disordered, with 61% Co on one side and 39% on the other. Further probable disorder, by lamellar merohedral twinning on (001) and by misorientation of the triethylammonium ions, has obscured the ethyl groups and the water molecules. In polarized light the crystals are deep wine-red normal to the chains (in the b direction), but nearly colourless in the a and c directions. The structure of the arsenate is similar to that of the phosphate.

A Comparative Study of Biodegradation of Nickel and Chromium from Space Maintainers: An in vitro Study.

PubMed

Anand, Ashish; Sharma, Arun; Kumar, Piush; Sandhu, Meera; Sachdeva, Shobhit; Sachdev, Vinod

2015-01-01

The aim of the study was to compare and evaluate the in vitro biodegradation of nickel and chromium from space maintainers, made of three different companies, i.e (Dantaurum, Rocky mountain and Dtech) in artificial saliva. The study comprised of 30 space maintainers out of which 10 were fabricated using Dantaurum, 10 using Rocky mountain and 10 using Dtech band materials. Stainless steel wire (Dantaurum, Rocky mountain and Konark) was used for making loops and Leone solder and flux was used for soldering. Each group was further divided into four subgroups containing 1, 2, 3 and 4 space maintainers respectively. The space maintainers in each subgroup were placed in separate glass beakers containing 100 ml of artificial saliva at 37°C for 4 weeks. Salivary samples from each beaker was analyzed for nickel and chromium ions separately on days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrophotometer. Total release of nickel and chromium from all band and loop space maintainers ranged from 0.020 to 1.524 ppm and 0.002 to 0.289 ppm respectively. The release of nickel and chromium between the groups and within the groups was not significant (p < 0.5). There was no substantial release of nickel and chromium from space maintainers made of Dantaurum, Rocky mountain and Dtech which could cause any toxicity. How to cite this article: Anand A, Sharma A, Kumar P, Sandhu M, Sachdeva S, Sachdev V. A Comparative Study of Biodegradation of Nickel and Chromium from Space Maintainers: An in vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2015; 8(1):37-41.

Synthesis, molecular structure and physicochemical properties of bis(3‧-azido-3‧-deoxythymidin-5‧-yl) carbonate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raviolo, Mónica A.; Williams, Patricia A. M.; Etcheverry, Susana B.; Piro, Oscar E.; Castellano, Eduardo E.; Gualdesi, Maria S.; Briñón, Margarita C.

2010-04-01

3'-Azido-3'-deoxythymidine (zidovudine, AZT), a synthetic analog of natural nucleoside thymidine, has been used extensively in AIDS treatments. We report here the synthesis, X-ray crystal and molecular structure, NMR, IR and Raman spectra and the thermal behavior of a novel carbonate of AZT [(AZT-O) 2C dbnd O], prepared by the reaction of zidovudine with carbonyldiimidazole. The carbonate compound, C 21H 24N 10O 9, crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4 12 12 with a = b = 15.284(1), c = 21.695(1) Å, and Z = 8 molecules per unit cell. It consists of two AZT moieties of closely related conformations which are bridged by a carbonyl group to adopt a folded Z-like shape.

The crystallographic, spectroscopic and theoretical studies on (E)-2-(((4-chlorophenyl)imino)methyl)-5-(diethylamino)phenol and (E)-2-(((3-chlorophenyl)imino)methyl)-5-(diethylamino)phenol molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demirtaş, Güneş; Dege, Necmi; Ağar, Erbil; Uzun, Sümeyye Gümüş

2018-01-01

Two new salicylideneaniline (SA) derivative compounds (E)-2-(((4-chlorophenyl)imino)methyl)-5-(diethylamino)phenol, compound (I), and (E)-2-(((3-chlorophenyl)imino)methyl)-5-(diethylamino)phenol, compound (II), have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and theoretical methods. Both of the compounds which are Schiff base derivatives are isomer of each other. While the compound (I) crystallizes in centrosymmetric monoclinic space group P 21/c, the compound (II) crystallizes in orthorhombic space group P 212121. The theoretical parameters of the molecules have been calculated by using Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP) with 6-31G (d,p) basis set. These theoretical parameters have been compared with the experimental parameters obtained by XRD. The experimental geometries of the compounds have been superimposed with the theoretical geometries calculated by HF and DFT methods. Furthermore, the theoretical IR calculations, molecular electrostatic potential maps (MEP) and frontier molecular orbitals have been created for the compounds.

Bismuth(III) 5-sulfosalicylate complexes: structure, solubility and activity against Helicobacter pylori.

PubMed

Andrews, Philip C; Deacon, Glen B; Ferrero, Richard L; Junk, Peter C; Karrar, Abdulgader; Kumar, Ish; MacLellan, Jonathan G

2009-08-28

Treatment of 5-sulfosalicylic acid (H(3)Ssal) with BiPh(3) results in the formation of the first dianionic carboxylate-sulfonate bismuth complex, [PhBi(HSsal)H(2)O](infinity) 1a, and its ethanol analogue [PhBi(HSsal)EtOH](infinity) 1b (space group P2(1)/c), while Bi(OAc)(3) gives the mixed monoanionic and dianionic complex, {[Bi(HSsal)(H(2)Ssal)(H(2)O)(3)](2) x 2 H(2)O}(infinity) 2 (space group P1). The three complexes are all polymeric in the solid state as determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, with extended frameworks constructed from dimeric [Bi(HSsal)](2), 1a and 1b, or from [Bi(HSsal)(H(2)Ssal)](2) units, 2. The heteroleptic bismuth complexes 1a and 2 display remarkable aqueous solubility, 10 and 2.5 mg ml(-1) respectively, resulting in a clear solution of pH 1.5. In contrast, 1b is essentially insoluble in aqueous environments. All three complexes show significant activity against the bacterium Helicobacter pylori of <6.25 microg ml(-1).

[Application research of presacral space drainage tube combined with subcutaneous vacuum pressure suction in the laparoscopic-assisted abdominoperineal resection].

PubMed

Chen, Liqi; Zeng, Changqing; Chi, Liangjie; Huang, Liangxiang; Li, Jiandang

2017-08-25

To study the management for the perineal incision after laparoscopic-assisted abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer. Clinical data of 87 patients undergoing laparoscopic Miles operation for lower rectal cancer from June 2009 to February 2014 were collected and studied. Presacral space drainage group: presacral space drainage tube was applied in 42 patients. Combined drainage group: presacral space drainage tube combined with subcutaneous vacuum pressure suction was applied in 45 cases. In combined drainage group, except the presacral drainage tube, another drainage tube was placed subcutaneously and connected to a negative pressure ball, which was fixed on the lateral anterior of perineal wound by the further incision and drainage. After subcutaneous tube was placed for 2 weeks, as drainage fluid was limpid and <15 ml/d for 3 days, meanwhile no obvious pelvic fluid was detected by ultrasound, and the wound healed quite well without redness and edema, then the subcutaneous tube with the negative pressure ball could be removed. There were 51 males and 36 females with the mean age of 26-78(56.9±10.8) years old. The laparoscopic Miles operation was successfully completed in all the cases without death and complications. The drainage tube was placed for 4-13(8.0±2.5) days in presacral space drainage group, and for 4-14(6.7±2.4) days in combined drainage group. The subcutaneous tube was placed for 14-24(15.8±3.0) days. The primary healing rate of perineal wound in presacral space drainage group and combined drainage group was 66.7%(28/42) and 91.1%(41/45) respectively, while the perineal wound infection rate was 21.4%(9/42) and 4.4%(2/45) respectively, whose differences between two groups were both significant (χ 2 =7.911, P=0.005 and χ 2 =5.674, P=0.017). Presacral space drainage tube combined with subcutaneous vacuum pressure suction in laparoscopic-assisted abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer has better efficacy and lower infection rate for perineal incision, which is worth wide application.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the arginine repressor of the hyperthermophile Thermotoga neapolitana

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

Massant, Jan, E-mail: jan.massant@vub.ac.be; Peeters, Eveline; Charlier, Daniel

2006-01-01

The arginine repressor of the hyperthermophile T. neapolitana was crystallized with and without its corepressor arginine. Both crystals diffracted to high resolution and belong to the orthorhombic space group P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2{sub 1}, with similar unit-cell parameters. The arginine repressor of Thermotoga neapolitana (ArgRTnp) is a member of the family of multifunctional bacterial arginine repressors involved in the regulation of arginine metabolism. This hyperthermophilic repressor shows unique DNA-binding features that distinguish it from its homologues. ArgRTnp exists as a homotrimeric protein that assembles into hexamers at higher protein concentrations and/or in the presence of arginine. ArgRTnp was crystallized with andmore » without its corepressor arginine using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. Crystals of the aporepressor diffracted to a resolution of 2.1 Å and belong to the orthorhombic P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2{sub 1} space group, with unit-cell parameters a = 117.73, b = 134.15, c = 139.31 Å. Crystals of the repressor in the presence of its corepressor arginine diffracted to a resolution of 2.4 Å and belong to the same space group, with similar unit-cell parameters.« less

Structure, dielectric and electric properties of diisobutylammonium hydrogen sulfate crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bednarchuk, Tamara J.; Kinzhybalo, Vasyl; Markiewicz, Ewa; Hilczer, Bożena; Pietraszko, Adam

2018-02-01

Diisobutylammonium hydrogen sulfate, a new organic-inorganic hybrid compound, was successfully synthesized and three structural phases in 298-433 K temperature range were revealed by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffraction studies. Single crystal X-ray diffraction data were used to describe the crystal structures in each particular case. In phase III (below 336/319 K on heating/cooling) the crystal arrangement appears to be within the triclinic symmetry with P-1 space group. During heating in the 336-339 K region (and 319-337 K on cooling) the crystal exists in the phase II, characterized by monoclinic symmetry with P21/c space group. Consequently, above 339 K (during heating, and 337 K during cooling temperature sequences), i.e. in phase I the crystal exhibits orthorhombic symmetry (Cmce space group). Ferroelastic domain structure was observed in phase III. These phase boundaries (III→II and II→I) were accompanied by the presence of small anomalies, apparent in the dielectric permittivity and electric conductivity experimental data. Fast proton transport with activation energy of 0.23 eV was observed in the high temperature phase I and related to phonon assisted proton diffusion conditioned by disorder of diisobutylammonium (diba) cations, as well as by high thermal displacements of oxygen and sulfur atoms of hydrogen sulfate anion (hs).

Effects of strong hydrogen bonds and weak intermolecular interactions on supramolecular assemblies of 4-fluorobenzylamine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shi; Ding, Xue-Hua; Li, Yong-Hua; Huang, Wei

2015-07-01

A series of supramolecular salts have been obtained by the self-assembly of 4-fluorobenzylamine and halide ions or metal chloride with 18-crown-6 as the host in the hydrochloric acid medium, i.e. (C7H9FN)+ṡX- (X = Cl-, 1; Br-, 2), [(C7H9FN)2ṡ(18-crown-6)2]2+ṡ(MCl4)2- (M = Mn, 3; Co, 5; Zn, 7; Cd, 8), [(C7H9FN)ṡ(18-crown-6)]+ṡ(FeCl4)- (4) and [(C7H9FN)ṡ(18-crown-6)]+ṡ1/2(CuCl4)2- (6). Structural analyses indicate that 1-2 crystallize in the triclinic space group P-1, 4 in orthorhombic space group Pnma and 3, 5, 6-8 in the monoclinic space group P21/c or C2/c. In these compounds, extensive intermolecular interactions have been utilized for the self-assembly of diverse supramolecular architectures, ranging from strong N-H⋯X (X = O, Cl, Br) hydrogen bonds to weak C-H⋯Y (Y = F, Cl, π) interactions. N-H⋯Cl/Br hydrogen bonds offer the major driving force in the crystal packing of salts 1-2 while N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds are found in salts 3-8.

Frustrated magnetism in doped quasi-triangular lattice materials, Cu2(1-x)Zn2x(OH)3NO3/(C7H15COO)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Jian; Werner, Fletcher; Gangopadhyay, Anup K.; Solin, S. A.

2010-03-01

We have performed DC and AC magnetic susceptibility measurements on the spin S=1/2 quasi-triangular lattice materials Cu2(1-x)Zn2x(OH)3NO3/(C7H15COO). The X-ray diffraction experiments reveal that this class of materials has a crystal structure in P21/m space group, in which Cu^2+ and Zn^2+ ions are arranged on a slightly distorted triangular lattice [1]. Cu2(1-)Zn2x(OH)3NO3 with a short inorganic intercalation NO3 group, have a long-range antiferromagnetic order at low temperature. The Neel temperature TN decreases from 11K to 5.6K while the Curie-Weiss temperature increases from -5.1K to +2.8K as the Zn concentration increases from 0 to 65%. After a longer alkanecarboxylate C7H15COO group was introduced into the interlayer space, a spin-glass like behavior in magnetic properties was observed [2]. The value |θcw /TN| is approximately 20, indicating the materials are in a medium level frustrated state. The onset of a ferromagnetic correlation was found in both DC and AC susceptibility data. The interplay of geometrical frustration and the coexistence of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic couplings has driven the materials into a glassy ground state. [1] G. Linder, et al., Journal of Solid State Chemistry (1995) [2] M. A. Girtu et al, Phys Rev B 61,4117(2000).

Comparative crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of locked nucleic acid and RNA stems of a tenascin C-binding aptamer

PubMed Central

Förster, Charlotte; Brauer, Arnd B. E.; Brode, Svenja; Schmidt, Kathrin S.; Perbandt, Markus; Meyer, Arne; Rypniewski, Wojciech; Betzel, Christian; Kurreck, Jens; Fürste, Jens P.; Erdmann, Volker A.

2006-01-01

The pharmacokinetic properties of an aptamer against the tumour-marker protein tenascin-C have recently been successfully improved by the introduction of locked nucleic acids (LNAs) into the terminal stem of the aptamer. Since it is believed that this post-SELEX optimization is likely to provide a more general route to enhance the in vitro and in vivo stability of aptamers, elucidation of the structural basis of this improvement was embarked upon. Here, the crystallographic and X-ray diffraction data of the isolated aptamer stem encompassed in a six-base-pair duplex both with and without the LNA modification are presented. The obtained all-LNA crystals belong to space group P41212 or P43212, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 52.80, c = 62.83 Å; the all-RNA crystals belong to space group R32, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 45.21, c = 186.97 Å, γ = 120.00°. PMID:16820689

A comparative study on the crystal structure of bicycle analogues to the natural phytotoxin helminthosporins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barbosa, Luiz Cláudio de Almeida; Teixeira, Robson Ricardo; Nogueira, Leonardo Brandão; Maltha, Celia Regina Alvares; Doriguetto, Antônio Carlos; Martins, Felipe Terra

2016-02-01

Herein we described structural insights of a series of analogues to helminthosporin phytotoxins. The key reaction used to prepare the compounds corresponded to the [3 + 4] cycloaddition between the oxyallyl cation generated from 2,4-dibromopentan-3-one and different furans. Their structures were confirmed upon IR, NMR and X-ray diffraction analyses. While bicycles 7, 8 and 9 crystallize in the centrosymmetric monoclinic space group P21/c, compound 10 was solved in the noncentrosymmetric orthorhombic space group P212121. The solid materials obtained were shown to be racemic crystals (7, 8, 9) or racemic conglomerate (10). In all compounds, there is formation of a bicycle featured by fused tetrahydropyranone and 2,5-dihydrofuran rings. They adopt chair and envelope conformations, respectively. Crystal packing of all compounds is stabilized through C-H•••O contacts. Conformational aspects as well as similarities and differences among the crystal structures of the synthesized analogues are discussed.

Studies on the syntheses, structural characterization, antimicrobial-, and DPPH radical scavenging activity of the cocrystals caffeine:cinnamic acid and caffeine:eosin dihydrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suresh Kumar, G. S.; Seethalakshmi, P. G.; Bhuvanesh, N.; Kumaresan, S.

2013-10-01

Two organic cocrystals namely, caffeine:cinnamic acid [(caf)(ca)] (1) and caffeine:eosin dihydrate [(caf)(eos)]·2H2O (2) were synthesized and studied by FT-IR, TGA/DTA, and single crystal XRD. The crystal system of cocrystal 1 is triclinic with space group P-1 and Z = 2 and that of cocrystal 2 is monoclinic with space group P21/C and Z = 4. An imidazole-carboxylic acid synthon is observed in the cocrystal 1. The intermolecular hydrogen bond, O-H⋯N and π-π interactions play a major role in stabilizing 1 whereas the intermolecular hydrogen bonds, O-H⋯O, O-H⋯N, and intramolecular hydrogen bond, O-H⋯Br; along with π-π interactions together play a vital role in stabilizing the structure of 2. The antimicrobial- and DPPH radical scavenging activities of both the cocrystals were studied.

A low-temperature polymorph of m-quinquephenyl.

PubMed

Gomes, Ligia R; Howie, R Alan; Low, John Nicolson; Rodrigues, Ana S M C; Santos, Luís M N B F

2012-12-01

A low-temperature polymorph of 1,1':3',1'':3'',1''':3''',1''''-quinquephenyl (m-quinquephenyl), C(30)H(22), crystallizes in the space group P2(1)/c with two molecules in the asymmetric unit. The crystal is a three-component nonmerohedral twin. A previously reported room-temperature polymorph [Rabideau, Sygula, Dhar & Fronczek (1993). Chem. Commun. pp. 1795-1797] also crystallizes with two molecules in the asymmetric unit in the space group P-1. The unit-cell volume for the low-temperature polymorph is 4120.5 (4) Å(3), almost twice that of the room-temperature polymorph which is 2102.3 (6) Å(3). The molecules in both structures adopt a U-shaped conformation with similar geometric parameters. The structural packing is similar in both compounds, with the molecules lying in layers which stack perpendicular to the longest unit-cell axis. The molecules pack alternately in the layers and in the stacked columns. In both polymorphs, the only interactions between the molecules which can stabilize the packing are very weak C-H...π interactions.

X-ray and conformational investigations of a 4:1 mixture of 6-(N-benzyl-N-tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-2,3,6,7-tetradeoxy-alpha- DL-ery thro- and -beta-DL-threo-hept-2-enopyranos-4-uloses.

PubMed

Krajewski, J W; Urbańczyk-Lipkowska, Z; Gluziński, P; Jurczak, J; Raczko, J; Gołebiowski, A

1990-07-01

The crystals of a 4:1 mixture of 6-(N-benzyl-N-tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-2,3,6,7-tetradeoxy-a-DL-er ythro- and -beta-DL-threo-hept-2-enopyranos-4-ulose were monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, with cell dimensions: a = 9.490(2), b = 21.516(5), c = 10.279(2) A, beta = 115.31(1) degrees, Z = 4. The ulose ring had a half-chair conformation deformed towards the sofa (envelope) form.

1-Nitro-4-(4-nitro-phen-oxy)benzene: a second monoclinic polymorph.

PubMed

Naz, Mehwish; Akhter, Zareen; McKee, Vickie; Nadeem, Arif

2013-11-06

In the title compound, C12H8N2O5, the aromatic rings are inclined to one another by 56.14 (7)°. The nitro groups are inclined by to the benzene rings to which they are attached by 3.86 (17) and 9.65 (15)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional structure. The title compound is a new monoclinic polymorph, crystallizing in space group P21/c. The first polymorph crystallized in space group C2/c and the mol-ecule possesses twofold rotation symmetry. Two low-temperature structures of this polymorph (150 K and 100 K, respectively) have been reported [Meciarova et al. (2004). Private Communication (refcode IXOGAD). CCDC, Cambridge, England, and Dey & Desiraju (2005). Chem. Commun. pp. 2486-2488].

A second ortho-rhom-bic polymorph of (Z)-3-(9-anthr-yl)-1-(2-thien-yl)prop-2-en-1-one.

PubMed

Chantrapromma, Suchada; Suwunwong, Thitipone; Boonnak, Nawong; Fun, Hoong-Kun

2010-01-09

The title heteroaryl chalcone, C(21)H(14)OS, is a second ortho-rhom-bic polymorph which crystallizes in the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1). The structure was previously reported [Fun et al. (2009 ▶). Acta Cryst. E65, o2168-o2169] in the space group Pna2(1). The bond distances and angles are similar in both structures. In contrast, the overall crystal packing is different from that in the first ortho-rhom-bic Pna2(1) polymorph in which mol-ecules were stacked into columns along the b axis and the thio-phene units of two adjacent columns were stacked in a head to tail fashion. In the present polymorph, mol-ecules are found to dimerize through a weak S⋯S inter-action [3.6513 (7) Å] and these dimers are arranged into sheets parallel to the bc plane. There are no classical hydrogen bonds in the packing which features short C⋯O [3.2832 (2)-3.6251 (9) Å], C⋯S [3.4879 (17)-3.6251 (19) Å] and S⋯O [2.9948 (16) Å] contacts, together with C-H⋯π inter-actions. Similar contacts were found in the other polymorph.

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

Chao, Tzu-Ling; Yang, Chen-I., E-mail: ciyang@thu.edu.tw

The preparations and properties of three new homochiral three-dimensional (3D) coordination polymers, [M(D-cam)(pyz)(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}]{sub n} (M=Co (1) and Ni (2); D-H{sub 2}cam=(+) D-camphoric acid; pyz=pyrazine) and [Mn{sub 2}(D-cam){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}] (3), under solvothermal conditions is described. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that all of compounds are homochiral 3D structure. 1 and 2 are isostructural and crystallize in the trigonal space group P3{sub 2}21, while 3 crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2{sub 1}. The structure of 1 and 2 consists of metal-D-cam helical chains which are pillared with pyrazine ligands into a 3D framework structure and 3 features amore » 3D homochiral framework involving one-dimensional manganese-carboxylate chains that are aligned parallel to the b axis. Magnetic susceptibility data of all compounds were collected. The findings indicate that μ{sub 2}-pyrazine dominate weak antiferromagnetic coupling within 1 and 2, while 3 exhibits antiferromagnetic behavior through the carboxylate groups of D-cam ligand. -- Graphical abstract: The preparations and properties of three new homochiral three-dimensional (3D) coordination polymers, [M(D-cam)(pyz)(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}]{sub n} (M=Co (1) and Ni (2); D-H{sub 2}cam=(+) D-camphoric acid; pyz=pyrazine) and [Mn{sub 2}(D-cam){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}] (3), under solvothermal conditions is described. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that all of compounds are homochiral 3D structure. 1 and 2 are isostructural and crystallize in the trigonal space group P3{sub 2}21, while 3 crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2{sub 1}. The structure of 1 and 2 consists of metal-D-cam helical chains which are pillared with pyrazine ligands into a 3D framework structure and 3 features a 3D homochiral framework involving one-dimensional manganese-carboxylate chains that are aligned parallel to the b axis. Magnetic susceptibility data of all compounds were collected. The findings indicate that μ{sub 2}-pyrazine dominate weak antiferromagnetic coupling within 1 and 2, while 3 exhibits antiferromagnetic behavior through the carboxylate groups of D-cam ligand. Highlights: • Three homochiral 3D coordination polymers were synthesized. • 1 and 2 are 3D structure with metal-D-cam helical chains pillared by pyrazine. • 3 shows a 3D homochiral framework involving 1D manganese-carboxylate chains. • Magnetic data analysis indicates that 1–3 exhibit weak antiferromagnetic coupling.« less

Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of latent, active and recombinantly expressed aurone synthase, a polyphenol oxidase, from Coreopsis grandiflora

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

Molitor, Christian; Mauracher, Stephan Gerhard; Rompel, Annette, E-mail: annette.rompel@univie.ac.at

2015-05-22

Latent and active aurone synthase purified from petals of C. grandiflora (cgAUS1) were crystallized. The crystal quality of recombinantly expressed latent cgAUS1 was significantly improved by co-crystallization with the polyoxotungstate Na{sub 6}[TeW{sub 6}O{sub 24}] within the liquid–liquid phase-separation zone. Aurone synthase (AUS), a member of a novel group of plant polyphenol oxidases (PPOs), catalyzes the oxidative conversion of chalcones to aurones. Two active cgAUS1 (41.6 kDa) forms that differed in the level of phosphorylation or sulfation as well as the latent precursor form (58.9 kDa) were purified from the petals of Coreopsis grandiflora. The differing active cgAUS1 forms and themore » latent cgAUS1 as well as recombinantly expressed latent cgAUS1 were crystallized, resulting in six different crystal forms. The active forms crystallized in space groups P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2{sub 1} and P12{sub 1}1 and diffracted to ∼1.65 Å resolution. Co-crystallization of active cgAUS1 with 1,4-resorcinol led to crystals belonging to space group P3{sub 1}21. The crystals of latent cgAUS1 belonged to space group P12{sub 1}1 and diffracted to 2.50 Å resolution. Co-crystallization of recombinantly expressed pro-AUS with the hexatungstotellurate(VI) salt Na{sub 6}[TeW{sub 6}O{sub 24}] within the liquid–liquid phase separation zone significantly improved the quality of the crystals compared with crystals obtained without hexatungstotellurate(VI)« less

Structural and fluorescence properties of the 2,2‧-methylenediphenoxy and 1,1‧-methylenedi-2-naphthoxy cyclotriphosphazene derivatives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yenilmez Çiftçi, Gönül; Eker, Yakup; Şenkuytu, Elif; Yuksel, Fatma

2016-08-01

In the present work, the partially or fully substituted spiro-, ansa, open-chain forms of 2,2'-methylenediphenoxy, 1,1'-methylenedi-2-naphthoxy cyclotriphosphazene derivatives and their spectral properties were reported. The reactions of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene [trimer, N3P3Cl6, (1)] with 2,2'-methylenediphenol (2) and 1,1'-methylenedi-2-naphthol (3) in THF produced new cyclotriphosphazene compounds (4-11). All these compounds (4-11) were fully characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, UV Vis, 1H, 13C and 31P NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of 4, 5, 7, 9 and 10 were also determined by X-ray crystallography. All five structures were found in monoclinic system, C2/c, P21/n or P21/c space groups. The fluorescence behaviour of the studied cyclotriphosphazene derivatives (9-11) were also examined in THF solution. Compound 11 showed the highest fluorescence emission behaviour that of compounds 4-10.

Mechanisms of filtration failure during postischemic injury of the human kidney. A study of the reperfused renal allograft.

PubMed

Alejandro, V; Scandling, J D; Sibley, R K; Dafoe, D; Alfrey, E; Deen, W; Myers, B D

1995-02-01

Postischemic filtration failure in experimental animals results primarily from depression of the transcapillary hydraulic pressure difference (delta P), a quantity that cannot be determined in humans. To circumvent this limitation we determined the GFR and each of its remaining determinants in transplanted kidneys. Findings in 12 allografts that exhibited subsequent normofiltration (group 1) were compared with those in 11 allografts that exhibited persistent hypofiltration (group 2). Determinations were made intraoperatively in the exposed graft after 1-3 h of reperfusion. GFR (6 +/- 2 vs 29 +/- 5 ml/min) and renal plasma flow by Doppler flow meter (140 +/- 30 vs 315 +/- 49 ml/min) were significantly lower in group 2 than group 1. Morphometric analysis of glomeruli obtained by biopsy and a structural hydrodynamic model of viscous flow revealed the glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient to be similar, averaging 3.5 +/- 0.6 and 3.1 +/- 0.2 ml/(min.mmHg) in group 2 vs 1, respectively. Corresponding values for plasma oncotic pressure were also similar, averaging 19 +/- 1 vs 21 +/- 1 mmHg. We next used a mathematical model of glomerular ultrafiltration and a sensitivity analysis to calculate the prevailing range for delta P from the foregoing measured quantities. This revealed delta P to vary from only 20-21 mmHg in group 2 vs 34-45 mmHg in group 1 (P < 0.001). Further morphometric analysis revealed the diameters of Bowman's space and tubular lumens, as well as the percentage of tubular cells that were necrotic or devoid of brush border, to be similar in the two groups. We thus conclude (a) that delta P depression is the predominant cause of hypofiltration in this form of postischemic injury; and (b) that afferent vasoconstriction rather than tubular obstruction is the proximate cause of the delta P depression.

Structural, spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman) and theoretical studies of the 1:1 cocrystal of isoniazid with p-coumaric acid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ravikumar, N.; Gaddamanugu, Gopikrishna; Anand Solomon, K.

2013-02-01

The 1:1 cocrystal of isoniazid (INH) with p-coumaric acid (pCA) has been prepared by slow evaporation method in methanol, which was crystallized in monoclinic P21/n space group having four molecules in the asymmetric unit. The cocrystal has been characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis, FTIR, FT Raman and DFT calculations. The crystal structure was stabilized by Osbnd Hphenol⋯Npyridine, Nsbnd H⋯Odbnd C, COOH⋯Nsbnd H and Csbnd H⋯O hydrogen bonding interactions. The geometry optimized structure of the cocrystal at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory has been used to calculate the vibrational frequencies.

Comparing the effects of two in-flight aerobic exercise protocols on standing heart rates and VO(2peak) before and after space flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Siconolfi, S. F.; Charles, J. B.; Moore, A. D. Jr; Barrows, L. H.

1994-01-01

The effects of regular aerobic exercise on orthostatic tolerance have been the subject of a long-standing controversy that will influence the use of exercise during space flight. To examine these effects, astronauts performed continuous (CE) aerobic exercise (n = 8), interval (IE) aerobic exercise (n = 4), or no (NE) exercise (n = 5) during flights of 7 to 11 days. Heart rate (HR) responses to an orthostatic challenge (stand test) were measured 10 days before flight and on landing day. VO(2peak) (graded treadmill exercise) was measured 7 to 21 days before and 2 days after flight. No significant differences across the groups were observed in standing HRs before or after flight. However, the within-group mean HRs significantly increased in the NE (71-89 beats/min) and CE (60-85 beats/min) groups after space flight. The HRs for the IE group did not significantly increase (75-86 beats/min) after space flight. VO(2peak) decreased (P < .05) in the NE (-9.5%) group, but did not change in the CE (-2.4%) and IE (1%) groups. The relationship (r = 0.237) between the delta HR and delta VO(2peak) was not significant. These preliminary results indicate that: (1) continuous exercise does not affect the orthostatic HR response after space flight; (2) interval exercise may minimize an increase in the postflight orthostatic HR; and (3) both exercise protocols can maintain VO(2peak).

Determination of the absolute chirality of tellurium using resonant diffraction with circularly polarized x-rays.

PubMed

Tanaka, Y; Collins, S P; Lovesey, S W; Matsumami, M; Moriwaki, T; Shin, S

2010-03-31

Many proteins, sugars and pharmaceuticals crystallize into two forms that are mirror images of each other (enantiomers) like our right and left hands. Tellurium is one enantiomer having a space group pair, P3(1)21 (right-handed screw) and P3(2)21 (left-handed screw). X-ray diffraction with dispersion correction terms has been playing an important role in determining the handedness of enantiomers for a long time. However, this approach is not applicable for an elemental crystal such as tellurium or selenium. We have demonstrated that positive and negative circularly polarized x-rays at the resonant energy of tellurium can be used to absolutely distinguish right from left tellurium. This method is applicable to chiral motifs that occur in biomolecules, liquid crystals, ferroelectrics and antiferroelectrics, multiferroics, etc.

Conformational flexibility and packing plausibility of repaglinide polymorphs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rani, Dimpy; Goyal, Parnika; Chadha, Renu

2018-04-01

The present manuscript highlights the structural insight into the repaglinide polymorphs. The experimental screening for the possible crystal forms were carried out using various solvents, which generated three forms. The crystal structure of Form II and III was determined using PXRD pattern whereas structural analysis of Form I has already been reported. Form I, II and II was found to exist in P212121, PNA21 and P21/c space groups respectively. Conformational analysis was performed to account the conformational flexibility of RPG. The obtained conformers were further utilized to obtain the information about the crystal packing pattern of RPG polymorphs by polymorph prediction module. The lattice energy landscape, depicting the relationship between lattice energy and density of the polymorphs has been obtained for various possible polymorphs. The experimentally isolated polymorphs were successfully fitted into lattice energy landscape.

Phenotype in combination with genotype improves outcome prediction in acute myeloid leukemia: a report from Children’s Oncology Group protocol AAML0531

PubMed Central

Voigt, Andrew P.; Brodersen, Lisa Eidenschink; Alonzo, Todd A.; Gerbing, Robert B.; Menssen, Andrew J.; Wilson, Elisabeth R.; Kahwash, Samir; Raimondi, Susana C.; Hirsch, Betsy A.; Gamis, Alan S.; Meshinchi, Soheil; Wells, Denise A.; Loken, Michael R.

2017-01-01

Diagnostic biomarkers can be used to determine relapse risk in acute myeloid leukemia, and certain genetic aberrancies have prognostic relevance. A diagnostic immunophenotypic expression profile, which quantifies the amounts of distinct gene products, not just their presence or absence, was established in order to improve outcome prediction for patients with acute myeloid leukemia. The immunophenotypic expression profile, which defines each patient’s leukemia as a location in 15-dimensional space, was generated for 769 patients enrolled in the Children’s Oncology Group AAML0531 protocol. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering grouped patients with similar immunophenotypic expression profiles into eleven patient cohorts, demonstrating high associations among phenotype, genotype, morphology, and outcome. Of 95 patients with inv(16), 79% segregated in Cluster A. Of 109 patients with t(8;21), 92% segregated in Clusters A and B. Of 152 patients with 11q23 alterations, 78% segregated in Clusters D, E, F, G, or H. For both inv(16) and 11q23 abnormalities, differential phenotypic expression identified patient groups with different survival characteristics (P<0.05). Clinical outcome analysis revealed that Cluster B (predominantly t(8;21)) was associated with favorable outcome (P<0.001) and Clusters E, G, H, and K were associated with adverse outcomes (P<0.05). Multivariable regression analysis revealed that Clusters E, G, H, and K were independently associated with worse survival (P range <0.001 to 0.008). The Children’s Oncology Group AAML0531 trial: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: 00372593. PMID:28883080

Crystal structures of two cross-bridged chromium(III) tetra­aza­macrocycles

PubMed Central

Prior, Timothy J.; Maples, Danny L.; Maples, Randall D.; Hoffert, Wesley A.; Parsell, Trenton H.; Silversides, Jon D.; Archibald, Stephen J.; Hubin, Timothy J.

2014-01-01

The crystal structure of di­chlorido­(4,10-dimethyl-1,4,7,10-tetra­aza­bicyclo­[5.5.2]tetra­deca­ne)chromium(III) hexa­fluorido­phosphate, [CrCl2(C12H26N4)]PF6, (I), has monoclinic symmetry (space group P21/n) at 150 K. The structure of the related di­chlorido­(4,11-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetra­aza­bicyclo­[6.6.2]hexa­deca­ne)chromium(III) hexa­fluorido­phosphate, [CrCl2(C14H30N4)]PF6, (II), also displays monoclinic symmetry (space group P21/c) at 150 K. In each case, the CrIII ion is hexa­coordinate with two cis chloride ions and two non-adjacent N atoms bound cis equatorially and the other two non-adjacent N atoms bound trans axially in a cis-V conformation of the macrocycle. The extent of the distortion from the preferred octa­hedral coordination geometry of the CrIII ion is determined by the parent macrocycle ring size, with the larger cross-bridged cyclam ring in (II) better able to accommodate this preference and the smaller cross-bridged cyclen ring in (I) requiring more distortion away from octa­hedral geometry. PMID:25309165

Structure-property relationship of supramolecular ferroelectric [H-66dmbp][Hca] accompanied by high polarization, competing structural phases, and polymorphs.

PubMed

Kobayashi, Kensuke; Horiuchi, Sachio; Ishibashi, Shoji; Kagawa, Fumitaka; Murakami, Youichi; Kumai, Reiji

2014-12-22

Three polymorphic forms of 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridinium chloranilate crystals were characterized to understand the origin of polarization properties and the thermal stability of ferroelectricity. According to the temperature-dependent permittivity, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction, structural phase transitions were found in all polymorphs. Notably, the ferroelectric α-form crystal, which has the longest hydrogen bond (2.95 Å) among the organic acid/base-type supramolecular ferroelectrics, transformed from a polar structure (space group, P21) into an anti-polar structure (space group, P21/c) at 378 K. The non-ferroelectric β- and γ-form crystals also exhibited structural rearrangements around hydrogen bonds. The hydrogen-bonded geometry and ferroelectric properties were compared with other supramolecular ferroelectrics. A positive relationship between the phase-transition temperature (TC ) and hydrogen-bond length () was observed, and was attributed to the potential barrier height for proton off-centering or order/disorder phenomena. The optimized spontaneous polarization (Ps ) agreed well with the results of the first-principles calculations, and could be amplified by separating the two equilibrium positions of protons with increasing . These data consistently demonstrated that stretching is a promising way to enhance the polarization performance and thermal stability of hydrogen-bonded organic ferroelectrics. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Modelling redshift space distortion in the post-reionization H I 21-cm power spectrum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarkar, Debanjan; Bharadwaj, Somnath

2018-05-01

The post-reionization H I 21-cm signal is an excellent candidate for precision cosmology, this however requires accurate modelling of the expected signal. Sarkar et al. have simulated the real space H I 21-cm signal and have modelled the H I power spectrum as P_{{H I}}(k)=b^2 P(k), where P(k) is the dark matter power spectrum and b(k) is a (possibly complex) scale-dependent bias for which fitting formulas have been provided. This paper extends these simulations to incorporate redshift space distortion and predicts the expected redshift space H I 21-cm power spectrum P^s_{{H I}}(k_{\\perp },k_{allel }) using two different prescriptions for the H I distributions and peculiar velocities. We model P^s_{{H I}}(k_{\\perp },k_{allel }), assuming that it is the product of P_{{H I}}(k)=b^2 P(k) with a Kaiser enhancement term and a Finger of God (FoG) damping which has σp the pair velocity dispersion as a free parameter. Considering several possibilities for the bias and the damping profile, we find that the models with a scale-dependent bias and a Lorentzian damping profile best fit the simulated P^s_{{H I}}(k_{\\perp },k_{allel }) over the entire range 1 ≤ z ≤ 6. The best-fitting value of σp falls approximately as (1 + z)-m with m = 2 and 1.2, respectively, for the two different prescriptions. The model predictions are consistent with the simulations for k < 0.3 Mpc-1 over the entire z range for the monopole P^s_0(k), and at z ≤ 3 for the quadrupole P^s_2(k). At z ≥ 4 the models underpredict P^s_2(k) at large k, and the fit is restricted to k < 0.15 Mpc-1.

A monoclinic polymorph of (1E,5E)-1,5-bis­(2-hy­droxy­benzyl­idene)thio­carbono­hydrazide

PubMed Central

Schmitt, Bonell; Gerber, Thomas; Hosten, Eric; Betz, Richard

2011-01-01

The title compound, C15H14N4O2S, is a derivative of thio­ureadihydrazide. In contrast to the previously reported polymorph (ortho­rhom­bic, space group Pbca, Z = 8), the current study revealed monoclinic symmetry (space group P21/n, Z = 4). The mol­ecule shows non-crystallographic C 2 as well as approximate C s symmetry. Intra­molecular bifurcated O—H⋯(N,S) hydrogen bonds, are present. In the crystal, inter­molecular N—H⋯S hydrogen bonds and C—H⋯π contacts connect the mol­ecules into undulating chains along the b axis. The shortest centroid–centroid distance between two aromatic systems is 4.5285 (12) Å. PMID:22091213

Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of D-tagatose 3-epimerase from Pseudomonas cichorii.

PubMed

Yoshida, Hiromi; Yamada, Mitsugu; Nishitani, Takeyori; Takada, Goro; Izumori, Ken; Kamitori, Shigehiro

2007-02-01

D-Tagatose 3-epimerase (D-TE) from Pseudomonas cichorii catalyzes the epimerization of various ketohexoses at the C3 position. The epimerization of D-psicose has not been reported with epimerases other than P. cichorii D-TE and D-psicose 3-epimerase from Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Recombinant P. cichorii D-TE has been purified and crystallized. Crystals of P. cichorii D-TE were obtained by the sitting-drop method at room temperature. The crystal belongs to the monoclinic space group P2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 76.80, b = 94.92, c = 91.73 A, beta = 102.82 degrees . Diffraction data were collected to 2.5 A resolution. The asymmetric unit is expected to contain four molecules.

Polymorphism of the hydroxide perovskite Ga(OH)3 and possible proton-driven transformational behaviour

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Welch, M. D.; Kleppe, A. K.

2016-07-01

The crystal structure of hydroxide perovskite Ga(OH)3, the mineral söhngeite, has been determined for a natural sample by single-crystal XRD in space group P42/ nmc to R 1 = 0.031, wR 2 = 0.071, GoF = 1.208, and for comparison also in space group P42/ n to R 1 = 0.031, wR 2 = 0.073, GoF = 1.076. Unit cell parameters are a = 7.4546(2) Å, c = 7.3915(2) Å, V = 410.75(2) Å3. The two structures are very similar and both have tilt system a + a + c -. The approximate positions of all H atoms in each structure have been refined. In the P42/ nmc structure all five H sites are half-occupied, whereas in the P42/ n structure four sites are half-occupied and one is fully occupied. The presence of five non-equivalent OH groups in söhngeite is confirmed by single-crystal Raman spectroscopy, but does not allow a choice between these two space groups to be made. There is only a single very weak violator of the c-glide of P42/ nmc and the two refined structures are essentially the same, but are significantly different from that of the original description in which orthorhombic space group Pmn21 was reported with corresponding tilt system a 0 a 0 c +. It is argued here that such a structure is very implausible for a hydroxide perovskite. On heating söhngeite to 423 K, transformation to a cubic structure with Imbar{3} symmetry ( a + a + a +) of the aristotype occurs. This cubic phase was recovered on cooling to 293 K without back-transformation to the tetragonal polymorph. As there is no continuous group/subgroup pathway from P42/ nmc (or P42/ n) to Imbar{3}, the transformation must be first-order, which is consistent with the large hysteresis observed. The change from the tetragonal to cubic structures involves a change in tilt system a + a + c - → a + a + a +, with a significant reconfiguration of hydrogen-bonding topology. The very different tilt systems and hydrogen-bonding configurations of the two polymorphs are responsible for hysteresis and metastable preservation of the cubic phase at 293 K. As the Ga(OH)6 octahedra of the low- and high- T polymorphs are very similar it is inferred that the transformation is driven by proton behaviour, presumably involving proton re-ordering.

Crystal structure of carnidazole form II from synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction: structural comparison with form I, the hydrated form and the low energy conformations in vacuo.

PubMed

de Armas, Héctor Novoa; Peeters, Oswald M; Blaton, Norbert; Van den Mooter, Guy; De Ridder, Dirk J A; Schenk, Henk

2006-10-01

The crystal structure of carnidazole form II, O-methyl [2-(2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazole-1-yl)ethyl]thiocarbamate, has been determined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction in combination with simulated annealing and whole profile pattern matching, and refined by the Rietveld method. For structure solution, 12 degrees of freedom were defined: one motion group and six torsions. Form II crystallizes in space group P2(1)/n, Z=4, with unit cell parameters after Rietveld refinement: a=13.915(4), b=8.095(2), c=10.649(3) A, beta=110.83(1) degrees, and V=1121.1(5) A3. The two polymorphic forms, as well as the hydrate, crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n having four molecules in the cell. In form II, the molecules are held together by forming two infinite zig-zag chains via hydrogen bonds of the type N--H...N, the same pattern as in form I. A conformational study of carnidazole, at semiempirical PM3 level, was performed using stochastic approaches based on modification of the flexible torsion angles. The values of the torsion angles for the molecules of the two polymorphic forms and the hydrate of carnidazole are compared to those obtained from the conformational search. Form I and form II are enantiotropic polymorphic pairs this agrees with the fact that the two forms are conformational polymorphs. Copyright (c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association

Group space allowance has little effect on sow health, productivity, or welfare in a free-access stall system

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Free-access stalls allow sows to choose the protection of a stall or use of a shared group space. This study investigated the effect of group space width: 0.91 (SS), 2.13 (IS), and 3.05 (LS) m on the health, production, behavior, and welfare of gestating sows. At gestational day (GD) 35.4 ± 2.3, 21 ...

Supramolecular hydrogen-bonding network in 1-(diaminomethylene)thiouron-1-ium 4-hydroxybenzenesulfonate crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perpétuo, Genivaldo J.; Gonçalves, Rafael S.; Janczak, Jan

2015-09-01

The single crystals of 1-(diaminomethylene)thiouron-1-ium 4-hydroxybenzenesulfonate were grown using a solution growth technique. The compound crystallises in the centrosymmetric P21/c space group of the monoclinic system. The conformation of the 1-(diaminomethylene)thiouron-1-ium cation is not strictly planar, but twisted. Both arms of the cation are oppositely rotated by 8.5(1)° around the Csbnd N bonds involving the central N atom. The arrangement of oppositely charged components, i.e. 1-(diaminomethylene)thiouron-1-ium cations and 4-hydroxybenzenesulfonate anions in the crystal is mainly determined by ionic and hydrogen-bonding interactions forming supramolecular network. The possible hydrogen-bonding interactions between cation and anion units were analysed on the basis of molecular orbital calculations. The obtained deuterated analogue crystallises similar as H-compound in the monoclinic system (P21/c) with quite similar lattice parameters. The compound was also characterised by the FT-IR and Raman spectroscopies. The characteristic bands of the functional and skeletal groups of the protiated and deuterated analogue of 1-(diaminomethylene)thiouron-1-ium 4-hydroxybenzenesulfonate are discussed.

L-Nitroargininium picrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Apreyan, R. A.; Fleck, M.; Atanesyan, A. K.; Sukiasyan, R. P.; Petrosyan, A. M.

2015-12-01

L-Nitroargininium picrate has been obtained from an aqueous solution containing equimolar quantities of L-nitroarginine and picric acid by slow evaporation. Single crystal was grown by evaporation method. Crystal structure was determined at room temperature. The salt crystallizes in monoclinic crystal system (space group P21). Vibrational spectra and thermal properties were studied. Second harmonic generation efficiency measured by powder method is found to be four times higher than in L-nitroarginine, which in turn is ten times more efficient than KDP (KH2PO4).

Fıbroblast growth factor 21 and ıts relatıonshıp wıth ınsulın sensıtıvıty ın fırst-degree relatıves of patıents wıth type 2 dıabetes mellıtus.

PubMed

Ors, Damla; Eroglu Altinova, Alev; Yalçın, Mehmet Muhittin; Gulbahar, Ozlem; Akturk, Mujde; Arslan, Metin; Balos Toruner, Fusun

2016-01-01

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF 21) has been suggested as a predictor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to determine FGF 21 levels in normoglycaemic (Group 1) and prediabetic (Group 2) first-degree relatives (FDR) of patients with T2DM in comparison with normoglycaemic subjects without a history of T2DM in their FDR (Group 3). There was a significant difference between Group 1, 2, and 3 with respect to plasma FGF 21 concentrations (143.3 ± 93.8, 221.9 ± ± 171.7 and 121.2 ± 119.8 pg/mL, respectively, p = 0.01). FGF 21 levels were significantly increased in prediabetic FDR of patients with T2DM compared to normoglycaemic subjects without a history of T2DM in their FDR (p = 0.02). FGF 21 levels did not differ between normoglycaemic FDR of patients with T2DM and normoglycaemic subjects without a history of T2DM in their FDR (p > 0.05). In the whole group, FGF 21 correlated positively with age (r = 0.31, p = 0.003), BMI (r = 0.38, p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.38, p = 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.26, p = 0.02), fasting blood glucose (r = 0.24, p = 0.02), HOMA-IR (r = 0.23, p = 0.03), AUC glucose (r = 0.35, p = 0.001), and AUC insulin (r = 0.32, p = 0.003) and negatively with HDL cholesterol (r = -0.24, p = 0.02) and Matsuda ISI (r = -0.33, p = 0.002). In the regression analysis, BMI was the most predictive factor for FGF 21 levels (beta = 0.41, r2 = 0.17, p < 0.001). We showed that FGF 21 concentrations are increased in prediabetic FDR of patients with T2DM and that there is a significant association between FGF 21 and obesity and insulin sensitivity. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (3): 260-264).

Functional significance of cardiac reinnervation in heart transplant recipients.

PubMed

Schwaiblmair, M; von Scheidt, W; Uberfuhr, P; Ziegler, S; Schwaiger, M; Reichart, B; Vogelmeier, C

1999-09-01

There is accumulating evidence of structural sympathetic reinnervation after human cardiac transplantation. However, the functional significance of reinnervation in terms of exercise capacity has not been established as yet; we therefore investigated the influence of reinnervation on cardiopulmonary exercise testing. After orthotopic heart transplantation 35 patients (mean age, 49.1 +/- 8.4 years) underwent positron emission tomography with scintigraphically measured uptake of C11-hydroxyephedrine (HED), lung function testing, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Two groups were defined based on scintigraphic findings, indicating a denervated group (n = 15) with a HED uptake of 5.45%/min and a reinnervated group (n = 20) with a HED uptake of 10.59%/min. The two study groups did not show significant differences with regard to anthropometric data, number of rejection episodes, preoperative hemodynamics, and postoperative lung function data. The reinnervated group had a significant longer time interval from transplantation (1625 +/- 1069 versus 800 +/- 1316 days, p < .05). In transplant recipients with reinnervation, heart rate at maximum exercise (137 +/- 15 versus 120 +/- 20 beats/min, p = .012), peak oxygen uptake (21.0 +/- 4 versus 16.1 +/- 5 mL/min/kg, p = .006), peak oxygen pulse (12.4 +/- 2.9 versus 10.2 +/- 2.7 mL/min/beat, p = .031), and anaerobic threshold (11.2 +/- 1.8 versus 9.5 +/- 2.1 mL/min, p = .046) were significantly increased in comparison to denervated transplant recipients. Additionally, a decreased functional dead space ventilation (0.24 +/- 0.05 versus 0.30 +/- 0.05, p = .004) was observed in the reinnervated group. Our study results support the hypothesis that partial sympathetic reinnervation after cardiac transplantation is of functional significance. Sympathetic reinnervation enables an increased peak oxygen uptake. This is most probably due to partial restoration of the chronotropic and inotropic competence of the heart as well as an improved oxygen delivery to the exercising muscles and a reduced ventilation-perfusion mismatching.

A second ortho­rhom­bic polymorph of (Z)-3-(9-anthr­yl)-1-(2-thien­yl)prop-2-en-1-one1

PubMed Central

Chantrapromma, Suchada; Suwunwong, Thitipone; Boonnak, Nawong; Fun, Hoong-Kun

2010-01-01

The title heteroaryl chalcone, C21H14OS, is a second ortho­rhom­bic polymorph which crystallizes in the space group P212121. The structure was previously reported [Fun et al. (2009 ▶). Acta Cryst. E65, o2168-o2169] in the space group Pna21. The bond distances and angles are similar in both structures. In contrast, the overall crystal packing is different from that in the first ortho­rhom­bic Pna21 polymorph in which mol­ecules were stacked into columns along the b axis and the thio­phene units of two adjacent columns were stacked in a head to tail fashion. In the present polymorph, mol­ecules are found to dimerize through a weak S⋯S inter­action [3.6513 (7) Å] and these dimers are arranged into sheets parallel to the bc plane. There are no classical hydrogen bonds in the packing which features short C⋯O [3.2832 (2)–3.6251 (9) Å], C⋯S [3.4879 (17)–3.6251 (19) Å] and S⋯O [2.9948 (16) Å] contacts, together with C—H⋯π inter­actions. Similar contacts were found in the other polymorph. PMID:21579743

Challenges associated with reentry maxillary sinus augmentation.

PubMed

Mardinger, Ofer; Moses, Ofer; Chaushu, Gavriel; Manor, Yifat; Tulchinsky, Ze'ev; Nissan, Joseph

2010-09-01

This study was a retrospective assessment of reentry sinus augmentation compared with sinus augmentation performed for the first time. There were 38 subjects who required sinus augmentation. The study group (17 patients, 21 sinuses) included subjects following failure of a previous sinus augmentation procedure that required reentry augmentation. The control group (21 patients, 21 sinuses) included subjects in which sinus augmentation was performed for the first time. Patients' medical files were reviewed. A preformed questionnaire was used to collect data regarding demographic parameters, medical and dental health history, habits, and intra- and postoperative data. Operative challenges in the study group included adhesions of the buccal flap to the Schneiderian membrane (62%, 13/21, P<.001), bony fenestration of the lateral wall with adhesions (71%, 15/21, P<.001), limited mobility of a clinical fibrotic Schneiderian membrane (71%, 15/21, P<.001), and increased incidence of membrane perforations (47%, 10/21, versus 9.5%, 2/21, P=.03). In the control group the Schneiderian membrane was thin and flexible. Sinus augmentation succeeded in all cases of both groups. Implant failure was significantly higher in the study group (11% versus 0%, P<.001). Clinical success of reentry sinus augmentation is predictable despite its complexity. Clinicians should be aware of anatomical changes caused by previous failure of this procedure. Patients should be informed about the lower success rate of implants when reentry sinus augmentation is required. Copyright (c) 2010 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Crystal structures reveal an induced-fit binding of a substrate-like Aza-peptide epoxide to SARS coronavirus main peptidase.

PubMed

Lee, Ting-Wai; Cherney, Maia M; Liu, Jie; James, Karen Ellis; Powers, James C; Eltis, Lindsay D; James, Michael N G

2007-02-23

The SARS coronavirus main peptidase (SARS-CoV M(pro)) plays an essential role in the life-cycle of the virus and is a primary target for the development of anti-SARS agents. Here, we report the crystal structure of M(pro) at a resolution of 1.82 Angstroms, in space group P2(1) at pH 6.0. In contrast to the previously reported structure of M(pro) in the same space group at the same pH, the active sites and the S1 specificity pockets of both protomers in the structure of M(pro) reported here are in the catalytically competent conformation, suggesting their conformational flexibility. We report two crystal structures of M(pro) having an additional Ala at the N terminus of each protomer (M(+A(-1))(pro)), both at a resolution of 2.00 Angstroms, in space group P4(3)2(1)2: one unbound and one bound by a substrate-like aza-peptide epoxide (APE). In the unbound form, the active sites and the S1 specificity pockets of both protomers of M(+A(-1))(pro) are observed in a collapsed (catalytically incompetent) conformation; whereas they are in an open (catalytically competent) conformation in the APE-bound form. The observed conformational flexibility of the active sites and the S1 specificity pockets suggests that these parts of M(pro) exist in dynamic equilibrium. The structural data further suggest that the binding of APE to M(pro) follows an induced-fit model. The substrate likely also binds in an induced-fit manner in a process that may help drive the catalytic cycle.

Synthesis, structural characterization, and thermal stability studies of heteroleptic cadmium(II) dithiocarbamate with different pyridyl groups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Onwudiwe, Damian C.; Hosten, Eric C.

2018-01-01

The synthesis, characterization and crystal structures of three chloroform solvated adducts of cadmium with mixed ligands of N-alkyl-N-phenyldithiocarbamate and pyridine, 2,2-bipyridine and 1, 10 phenanthroline represented as [CdL1L2 (py)2]·CHCl3(1), [CdL1L2bpy]•CHCl3(2), and [CdL1L2phen]•CHCl3(3) (LI = N-methyl-N-phenyldithiocarbamate, L2 = N-ethyl-N-phenyldithiocarbamate, py = pyridine, bpy = 2,2-bipyridine and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) respectively are reported. Complex 1, which crystallized in the monoclinic space group P-1, is a centrosymmetric dimeric structure where each Cd center is bonded to two monodentate pyridine, a bidentate terminal dithiocarbamate, and another bidentate bridging dithiocarbamate to form a four-membered ring. Complex 2 crystallized in the monoclinic space group P21/c, with four discrete monomeric molecules in the asymmetric unit. The structure presents a cadmium atom coordinated by two sulphur atoms of a dithiocarbamate ligand and two nitrogen atoms of the 2,2‧-bipyridine to form a CdS4N2 fragment, thus giving the structure around the Cd atom a distorted trigonal prism geometry. Complex 3 contains two discrete monomeric molecules of (phenanthroline) (N, N-methyl phenyl-N, N-ethyl phenyl dithiocarbamato)cadmium (II) per unit cell, and the complex crystallized in the triclinic space group P-1. The structure showed that the Cd atom is bonded to two bidentate dithiocarbamate ligands and to one bidentate phenanthroline ligand in a distorted trigonal prism geometry. All the compounds resulted in CdS as residue upon thermal decomposition process conducted under inert atmosphere.

75 FR 52375 - NASA Advisory Council; Exploration Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-25

... NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION [Notice: (10-094)] NASA Advisory Council... National Aeronautics and Space Administration announces a meeting of the Exploration Committee of the NASA Advisory Council. DATES: Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 1 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Local Time. ADDRESSES: NASA...

High-pressure structures of yttrium hydrides

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

Liu, Lu -Lu; Sun, Hui -Juan; Wang, C. Z.

2017-07-14

In this study, the crystal structures of YH 3 and YH 4 at high pressure (100–250 GPa) have been explored using a genetic algorithm combined with first-principles calculations. New structures of YH 3 with space group symmetries of P21/m and I4/mmm were predicted. The electronic structures and the phonon dispersion properties of various YH 3 and YH 4 structures at different temperatures and pressures were investigated. Among YH 3 phases, the P21/m structure of YH 3 was found to have a relatively high superconducting transformation temperature T c of 19 K at 120 GPa, which is reduced to 9 Kmore » at 200 GPa. Other YH 3 structures have much lower T cs. Compared with YH 3, the T c of the YH 4 compound is much higher, i.e. 94 K at 120 GPa and 55 K at 200 GPa.« less

Pressure-induced changes of the structure and properties of monoclinic α -chalcocite Cu2S

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zimmer, D.; Ruiz-Fuertes, J.; Morgenroth, W.; Friedrich, A.; Bayarjargal, L.; Haussühl, E.; Santamaría-Pérez, D.; Frischkorn, S.; Milman, V.; Winkler, B.

2018-04-01

The high-pressure behavior of monoclinic (P 21/c ) α -chalcocite, Cu2S , was investigated at ambient temperature by single-crystal x-ray diffraction, electrical resistance measurements, and optical absorption spectroscopy up to 16 GPa. The experiments were complemented by density-functional-theory-based calculations. Single-crystal x-ray diffraction data show that monoclinic α -chalcocite undergoes two pressure-induced first-order phase transitions at ˜3.1 and ˜7.1 GPa. The crystal structure of the first high-pressure polymorph, HP1, was solved and refined in space group P 21/c with a =10.312 (4 )Å , b =6.737 (3 )Å , c =7.305 (1 )Å , and β =100.17 (2) ∘ at 6.2(3) GPa. The crystal structure of the second high-pressure polymorph, HP2, was solved and refined in space group P 21/c with a =6.731 (4 )Å , b =6.689 (2 )Å , c =6.967 (8 )Å , and β =93.18 (3) ∘ at 7.9(4) GPa. Electrical resistance measurements upon compression and optical absorption experiments upon decompression show that the structural changes in α -chalcocite are accompanied by changes of the electrical and optical properties. Upon pressure release, the band gap Eg of α -chalcocite (1.24 eV at ambient conditions) widens across the first structural phase transition, going from 1.24 eV at 2.2 GPa (α -chalcocite) to 1.35 eV at 2.6 GPa (HP1), and closes significantly across the second phase transition, going from 1.32 eV at 4.4 GPa (HP1) to 0.87 eV at 4.9 GPa (HP2). The electrical resistance shows similar behavior: its highest value is for the first high-pressure polymorph (HP1), and its lowest value is for the second high-pressure polymorph (HP2) of α -chalcocite. These results are interpreted on the basis of calculated electronic band structures.

Synthesis and characterization of two novel inorganic/organic hybrid materials based on polyoxomolybdate clusters: (C5H5N5)2(C5H6N5)4[(HAsO4)2Mo6O18]·11H2O and Na2(Himi)3[SeMo6O21(CH3COO)3]·6H2O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ayed, Meriem; Mestiri, Imen; Ayed, Brahim; Haddad, Amor

2017-01-01

Two new organic-inorganic hybrid compound, (C5H5N5)2(C5H6N5)4[(HAsO4)2Mo6O18]·11H2O (I) and Na2(Himi)3[SeMo6O21(CH3COO)3]·6H2O (II) were synthesized and structurally characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental analyses, FTIR, UV spectroscopy, thermal stability analysis, XRD and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data: (I) triclinic system, space group P-1, a = 11,217 (9) Å, b = 11,637 (8) Å, c = 14,919 (8) Å, α = 70,90 (5)°, β = 70,83 (2)°, γ = 62,00(1)° and Z = 1; (II) triclinic system, space group P-1, a = 10.6740(1) Å, b = 10.6740(1) Å, c = 20.0570(1) Å, α = 76.285(1)°, β = 82.198(2)°, γ = 87.075(1)°, Z = 1. The crystal structure of (I) can be described by infinite polyanions [(HAsO4)2Mo6O18]4- organized with water molecules in layers parallel to the c-direction; adjacent layers are further joined up by hydrogen bonding interactions with organic groups which were associated in chains spreading along the b-direction. The structure of (II) consists of functionalized selenomolybdate clusters [SeMo6O21(CH3COO)3]5-, protonated imidazole cations, sodium ions and lattice water molecules, which are held together to generate a three-dimensional supramolecular network via hydrogen-bonding interaction. Furthermore, the electrochemical properties of these compounds have been studied.

The self-assembling zwitterionic form of L-phenylalanine at neutral pH.

PubMed

Mossou, Estelle; Teixeira, Susana C M; Mitchell, Edward P; Mason, Sax A; Adler-Abramovich, Lihi; Gazit, Ehud; Forsyth, V Trevor

2014-03-01

The title zwitterion (2S)-2-azaniumyl-1-hydroxy-3-phenylpropan-1-olate, C9H11NO2, also known as L-phenylalanine, was characterized using synchrotron X-rays. It crystallized in the monoclinic space group P21 with four molecules in the asymmetric unit. The 0.62 Å resolution structure is assumed to be closely related to the fibrillar form of phenylalanine, as observed by electron microscopy and electron diffraction. The structure exists in a zwitterionic form in which π-π stacking and hydrogen-bonding interactions are believed to form the basis of the self-assembling properties.

Growth and structure of a new photonic crystal: Chlorine substituted chalcone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarveshwara, H. P.; Raghavendra, S.; A, Jayarama; Menezes, Anthoni Praveen; Dharmaprakash, S. M.

2015-06-01

A new organic photonic material 3-(2, 4-dichlorophenyl)-1-(2,5-dimethylthiophen-3-yl)propan-1-one(DMTP) has been synthesized and crystallised in acetone solution. The functional groups present in the new material were identified by FTIR spectroscopy. The material is optically transparent in the wavelength range of 400-1100 nm. The crystal structure of DMTP was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The title compound crystallizes in monoclinic system with a centrosymmetric space group P21/c. The Z-scan study revealed that the optical limiting property exhibited by the DMTP molecule is based on the reverse saturable absorption phenomena.

Average and local crystal structures of (Ga 1–xZn x)(N 1–xO x) solid solution nanoparticles

DOE PAGES

Feygenson, Mikhail; Neuefeind, Joerg C.; Tyson, Trevor A.; ...

2015-11-06

We report the comprehensive study of the crystal structure of (Ga 1–xZn x)(N 1–xO x) solid solution nanoparticles by means of neutron and synchrotron x-ray scattering. In our study we used four different types of (Ga 1–xZn x)(N 1–xO x) nanoparticles, with diameters of 10–27 nm and x = 0.075–0.51, which show the narrow energy-band gaps from 2.21 to 2.61 eV. The Rietveld analysis of the neutron diffraction data revealed that the average crystal structure is the hexagonal wurtzite (space group P6 3mc), in agreement with previous reports on similar bulk materials. The pair-distribution function (PDF) analysis of the samemore » data found that the local structure is more disordered than the average one. It is best described by the model with a lower symmetry space group P1, where atoms are quasirandomly distorted from their nominal positions in the hexagonal wurtzite lattice.« less

Crystal structures, vibrational spectra and DFT calculations of five halogeno-derivatives of 7-azaindole (3Br7AI, 4Br7AI, 4Cl7AI, 3Br4Cl7AI and 5Br3Cl7AI): a comparative study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morzyk-Ociepa, Barbara; Dysz, Karolina; Turowska-Tyrk, Ilona; Michalska, Danuta

2018-01-01

Structures and vibrational spectra of 3-bromo-7-azaindole (3Br7AI), 4-bromo-7-azaindole (4Br7AI), 4-chloro-7-azaindole (4Cl7AI), 5-bromo-3-chloro-7-azaindole (5Br3Cl7AI) and 3-bromo-4-chloro-7-azaindole (3Br4Cl7AI) have been investigated. For the first time a single crystal analysis is reported for the three compounds: 3Br7AI (P21/n space group; a = 12.6586(3), b = 3.98664(12), c = 14.1189(4)Å, β = 100.901(2)o, Z = 4); 4Br7AI (P21/n space group; a = 5.38136 (13), b = 9.2262 (2), c = 13.9806 (4)Å, β = 90.052 (2)o, Z = 4); and 5Br3Cl7AI (C2/c space group; a = 22.9444(10), b = 3.91953(12), c = 17.8500(6)Å, β = 102.621(4)o, Z = 8). In the crystal structure, a pair of molecules forms a centrosymmetric dimer connected by dual nearly linear Nsbnd H⋯N hydrogen bonds between the pyrrole and pyridine rings. In addition, the structures of 4Br7AI and 5Br3Cl7AI are stabilized by C2sbnd H2⋯Br hydrogen bonds. The IR and Raman spectra of all compounds and their N-deuterated derivatives were recorded in the solid state. The theoretical molecular structures and vibrational spectra of the centrosymmetric dimers of five investigated compounds were calculated using the B3LYP method with the 6-311G++(d,p) basis set. The optimized structural parameters and the calculated vibrational spectra reproduce well the experiment. Detailed vibrational assignments for all these compounds have been made on the basis of the calculated potential energy distributions (PEDs). The characteristic marker bands for the chloro- and bromo-derivativeds of 7-azaindoles are reported.

Effects of preoperative nutritional support on colonic anastomotic healing in malnourished rats

PubMed Central

Gündoğdu, Rıza Haldun; Yaşar, Uğur; Ersoy, Pamir Eren; Ergül, Emre; Işıkoğlu, Semra; Erhan, Atilla

2015-01-01

Objective: It has been proven that malnutrition increases postoperative morbidity and mortality, and it may also negatively affect wound healing in the gastrointestinal tract. In the literature, there is only one study evaluating the effects of preoperative nutritional support on colonic anastomotic healing under malnourished conditions. In order to improve the data on this topic, an experimental study was planned to evaluate the effects of preoperative nutritional support on colonic anastomotic healing in malnourished rats. Material and Methods: The study included 18 male Wistar albino rats divided into 3 groups. The control (C) group was fed ad libitum for 21 days. The malnutrition (M) group and preoperative nutrition (P) group were given 50% of the daily food consumed by the rats in Group C for 21 days to induce malnutrition. At the end of 21 days, Group P was fed ad libitum for 7 days (preoperative nutritional support). Colonic transection and end-to-end anastomosis was performed at 21 days in Group C and Group M and at 28 days in Group P. The rats were sacrificed at postoperative 4 days, anastomotic bursting pressure was measured, and samples were taken to analyze tissue hydroxyproline levels. Results: Anastomotic bursting pressure was significantly higher in Group C than in Group M and Group P (p<0.05), and it was significantly higher in Group P than in Group M (p<0.05). Tissue hydroxyproline levels in Group P were found to be significantly higher than those in Group M and Group C (p<0.05). Conclusion: One week of preoperative nutritional support increases collagen synthesis in the colon and positively affects anastomotic healing under malnourished conditions. PMID:26504412

Effects of preoperative nutritional support on colonic anastomotic healing in malnourished rats.

PubMed

Gündoğdu, Rıza Haldun; Yaşar, Uğur; Ersoy, Pamir Eren; Ergül, Emre; Işıkoğlu, Semra; Erhan, Atilla

2015-01-01

It has been proven that malnutrition increases postoperative morbidity and mortality, and it may also negatively affect wound healing in the gastrointestinal tract. In the literature, there is only one study evaluating the effects of preoperative nutritional support on colonic anastomotic healing under malnourished conditions. In order to improve the data on this topic, an experimental study was planned to evaluate the effects of preoperative nutritional support on colonic anastomotic healing in malnourished rats. The study included 18 male Wistar albino rats divided into 3 groups. The control (C) group was fed ad libitum for 21 days. The malnutrition (M) group and preoperative nutrition (P) group were given 50% of the daily food consumed by the rats in Group C for 21 days to induce malnutrition. At the end of 21 days, Group P was fed ad libitum for 7 days (preoperative nutritional support). Colonic transection and end-to-end anastomosis was performed at 21 days in Group C and Group M and at 28 days in Group P. The rats were sacrificed at postoperative 4 days, anastomotic bursting pressure was measured, and samples were taken to analyze tissue hydroxyproline levels. Anastomotic bursting pressure was significantly higher in Group C than in Group M and Group P (p<0.05), and it was significantly higher in Group P than in Group M (p<0.05). Tissue hydroxyproline levels in Group P were found to be significantly higher than those in Group M and Group C (p<0.05). One week of preoperative nutritional support increases collagen synthesis in the colon and positively affects anastomotic healing under malnourished conditions.

EVA no. 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-037725 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Chris Cassidy (right) and Tom Marshburn completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station's far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

EVA no. 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-037728 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Chris Cassidy (right) and Tom Marshburn completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station's far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

EVA no. 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-037726 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Chris Cassidy (right) and Tom Marshburn completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station's far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of d-alanine-d-alanine ligase from Streptococcus mutans

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

Lu, Yong-Zhi; Sheng, Yu; Li, Lan-Fen

2007-09-01

A potential target for antibiotic drug design, d-alanine-d-alanine ligase from S. mutans, was expressed in E. coli, purified and crystallized. Diffraction data were collected to 2.4 Å resolution. d-Alanine-d-alanine ligase is encoded by the gene ddl (SMU-599) in Streptococcus mutans. This ligase plays a very important role in cell-wall biosynthesis and may be a potential target for drug design. To study the structure and function of this ligase, the gene ddl was amplified from S. mutans genomic DNA and cloned into the expression vector pET28a. The protein was expressed in soluble form in Escherichia coli strain BL21 (DE3). Homogeneous proteinmore » was obtained using a two-step procedure consisting of Ni{sup 2+}-chelating and size-exclusion chromatography. Purified protein was crystallized and the cube-shaped crystal diffracted to 2.4 Å. The crystal belongs to space group P3{sub 1}21 or P3{sub 2}21, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 79.50, c = 108.97 Å. There is one molecule per asymmetric unit.« less

Synthesis and description of intermolecular interactions in new sulfonamide derivatives of tranexamic acid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashfaq, Muhammad; Arshad, Muhammad Nadeem; Danish, Muhammad; Asiri, Abdullah M.; Khatoon, Sadia; Mustafa, Ghulam; Zolotarev, Pavel N.; Butt, Rabia Ayub; Şahin, Onur

2016-01-01

Tranexamic acid (4-aminomethyl-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid) was reacted with sulfonyl chlorides to produce structurally related four sulfonamide derivatives using simple and environmental friendly method to check out their three-dimensional behavior and van der Walls interactions. The molecules were crystallized in different possibilities, as it is/after alkylation at its O and N atoms/along with a co-molecule. All molecules were crystallized in monoclinic crystal system with space group P21/n, P21/c and P21/a. X-ray studies reveal that the molecules stabilized themselves by different kinds of hydrogen bonding interactions. The molecules are getting connected through O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds to form inversion dimers which are further connected through N-H⋯O interactions. The molecules in which N and O atoms were alkylated showed non-classical interaction and generated centro-symmetric R22(24) ring motif. The co-crystallized host and guest molecules are connected to each other via O-H⋯O interactions to generate different ring motifs. By means of the ToposPro software an analysis of the topologies of underlying nets that correspond to molecular packings and hydrogen-bonded networks in structures under consideration was carried out.

Effects of near-infrared LED therapy on experimental tooth replantation in rats.

PubMed

Pigatto Mitihiro, Débora; de Paula Ramos, Solange; Corazza Montero, Janaína; Alves Campos, Aline; de Oliveira Toginho Filho, Dari; Dezan Garbelini, Cassia Cilene

2017-02-01

Dental avulsion damages periodontal tissues and may induce dentoalveolar ankylosis and root resorption after replantation. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of light-emitting diode (LED) therapy after tooth replantation. The upper right incisors of 36 male Wistar rats were extracted and replanted after 15 min. The control group (Co, n = 18) was submitted to replantation and the LED group (n = 18) was submitted to replantation and LED therapy (940 nm, 4 J cm -2 ) for three consecutive days (0, 24, and 48 h). Six animals from each group were euthanized at 7, 14, and 21 days for histological analysis. The upper left incisors were used as a negative control. Data were compared using the Fisher exact test, considering P < 0.05. After 7 days, the Co (73.3%) and LED (72.2%) groups presented areas of periodontal ligament necrosis. However, periodontal ligament necrosis was more frequent in the LED group at 14 (70%, P < 0.05) and 21 days (43.2%, P < 0.05) in relation to the Co group (33 and 21.6%). Inflammatory cell infiltration was more frequent in the Co group at 7 days (100%) than the LED group (24.4%, P < 0.05), but increased in the LED group after 21 days (83.3%, P < 0.05). Bone necrosis was more frequent in the LED group after 14 (79%, P < 0.05) and 21 days (60%, P < 0.005) than in the Co group (45% and 20%). Bone repair was evident in the Co group at 14 days. All of the replanted teeth had pulp necrosis. The results suggest that the application of LED therapy up to 48 h after tooth replantation may delay periodontal ligament repair. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Facial and meridional isomers of holmium-nitrate N-tert-butylacetamide complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Ye-Di; Xue, Jun-Hui; Kang, Xiao-Yan; Yang, Li-Min; Li, Wei-Hong; Xu, Yi-Zhuang; Zhao, Guo-Zhong; Zhang, Gao-Hui; Liu, Ke-Xin; Chen, Jia-Er; Wu, Jin-Guang

2018-06-01

Two Ho(C6H13NO)3(NO3)3 complexes formed by holmium nitrate and N-tert-butylacetamide (NtBA) (Ho-NtBA(I) in a Cc space group, and Ho-NtBA(II) in a P21/c space group) are reported here to investigate the coordination of lanthanide ions with amide groups. Using X-ray single crystal diffraction, FTIR, Raman, FIR and THz methods the structures of the two complexes were identified, in which Ho3+ is 9-coordinated to three carbonyl oxygen atoms provided by three NtBA ligands and three bidentate nitrate ions to form the "facial" and "meridional" isomers. Their FTIR and Raman spectra indicate the formation of two holmium complexes, the variations of NtBA after holmium coordination and the spectra are similar for the isomers in some extent. Their FIR and THz spectroscopic results show the coordination of holmium ions and THz maybe more sensitive to isomers. The results demonstrate the coordination behaviors of holmium ions and NtBA ligand.

Three new hydrochlorothiazide cocrystals: Structural analyses and solubility studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ranjan, Subham; Devarapalli, Ramesh; Kundu, Sudeshna; Vangala, Venu R.; Ghosh, Animesh; Reddy, C. Malla

2017-04-01

Hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) is a diuretic BCS class IV drug with poor aqueous solubility and low permeability leading to poor oral absorption. The present work explores the cocrystallization technique to enhance the aqueous solubility of HCT. Three new cocrystals of HCT with water soluble coformers phenazine (PHEN), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) and picolinamide (PICA) were prepared successfully by solution crystallization method and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), fourier transform -infraredspectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Structural characterization revealed that the cocrystals with PHEN, DMAP and PICA exists in P21/n, P21/c and P21/n space groups, respectively. The improved solubility of HCT-DMAP (4 fold) and HCT-PHEN (1.4 fold) cocrystals whereas decreased solubility of HCT-PICA (0.5 fold) as compared to the free drug were determined after 4 h in phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, at 25 °C by using shaking flask method. HCT-DMAP showed a significant increase in solubility than all previously reported cocrystals of HCT suggest the role of a coformer. The study demonstrates that the selection of coformer could have pronounced impact on the physicochemical properties of HCT and cocrystallization can be a promising approach to improve aqueous solubility of drugs.

Influence of sex and ethnic tooth-size differences on mixed-dentition space analysis

PubMed Central

Altherr, Edward R.; Koroluk, Lorne D.; Phillips, Ceib

2013-01-01

Introduction Most mixed-dentition space analyses were developed by using subjects of northwestern European descent and unspecified sex. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive accuracy of the Tanaka-Johnston analysis in white and black subjects in North Carolina. Methods A total of 120 subjects (30 males and 30 females in each ethnic group) were recruited from clinics at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry. Ethnicity was verified to 2 previous generations. All subjects were less than 21 years of age and had a full complement of permanent teeth. Digital calipers were used to measure the mesiodistal widths of all teeth on study models fabricated from alginate impressions. The predicted widths of the canines and the premolars in both arches were compared with the actual measured widths. Results In the maxillary arch, there was a significant interaction of ethnicity and sex on the predictive accuracy of the Tanaka-Johnston analysis (P = .03, factorial ANOVA). The predictive accuracy was significantly overestimated in the white female group (P <.001, least square means). In the mandibular arch, there was no significant interaction between ethnicity and sex (P = .49). Conclusions The Tanaka-Johnston analysis significantly overestimated in females (P <.0001) and underestimated in blacks (P <.0001) (factorial ANOVA). Regression equations were developed to increase the predictive accuracy in both arches. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2007;132:332-9) PMID:17826601

Influence of the Organic Species and Oxoanion in the Synthesis of two Uranyl Sulfate Hydrates, (H 3 O) 2 [(UO 2 ) 2 (SO 4 ) 3 ­(H 2 O)]·7H 2 O and (H 3 O) 2 [(UO 2 ) 2 (SO 4 ) 3 (H 2 O)]·4H 2 O, and a Uranyl Selenate-Selenite [C 5 H 6 N][(UO 2 )(SeO 4 )(HSeO 3 )

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

Jouffret, Laurent J.; Wylie, Ernest M.; Burns, Peter C.

2012-08-08

Two uranyl sulfate hydrates, (H3O)2[(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)]·7H2O (NDUS) and (H3O)2[(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)]·4H2O (NDUS1), and one uranyl selenate-selenite [C5H6N][(UO2)(SeO4)(HSeO3)] (NDUSe), were obtained and their crystal structures solved. NDUS and NDUSe result from reactions in highly acidic media in the presence of L-cystine at 373 K. NDUS crystallized in a closed vial at 278 K after 5 days and NDUSe in an open beaker at 278 K after 2 weeks. NDUS1 was synthesized from aqueous solution at room temperature over the course of a month. NDUS, NDUS1, and NDUSe crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/n, a = 15.0249(4) Å,b = 9.9320(2) Å, c = 15.6518(4)more » Å, β = 112.778(1)°, V = 2153.52(9) Å3,Z = 4, the tetragonal space group P43212, a = 10.6111(2) Å,c = 31.644(1) Å, V = 3563.0(2) Å3, Z = 8, and in the monoclinic space group P21/n, a = 8.993(3) Å, b = 13.399(5) Å, c = 10.640(4) Å,β = 108.230(4)°, V = 1217.7(8) Å3, Z = 4, respectively.The structural units of NDUS and NDUS1 are two-dimensional uranyl sulfate sheets with a U/S ratio of 2/3. The structural unit of NDUSe is a two-dimensional uranyl selenate-selenite sheets with a U/Se ratio of 1/2. In-situ reaction of the L-cystine ligands gives two distinct products for the different acids used here. Where sulfuric acid is used, only H3O+ cations are located in the interlayer space, where they balance the charge of the sheets, whereas where selenic acid is used, interlayer C5H6N+ cations result from the cyclization of the carboxyl groups of L-cystine, balancing the charge of the sheets.« less

1,3-dialkyl- and 1,3-diaryl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene rhodium(i) and palladium(II) complexes: synthesis, structure, and reactivity.

PubMed

Mayr, Monika; Wurst, Klaus; Ongania, Karl-Hans; Buchmeiser, Michael R

2004-03-05

The synthesis of novel 1,3-diaryl- and 1,3-dialkylpyrimidin-2-ylidene-based N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and their rhodium(i) and palladium(II) complexes is described. The rhodium compounds bromo(cod)[1,3-bis(2-propyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene]rhodium (7), bromo(cod)(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)rhodium (8) (cod=eta(4)-1,5-cyclooctadiene, mesityl=2,4,6-trimethylphenyl), chloro(cod)(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)rhodium (9), and chloro(cod)[1,3-bis(2-propyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene]rhodium (10) were prepared by reaction of [[Rh(cod)Cl](2)] with lithium tert-butoxide followed by addition of 1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidinium bromide (3), 1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidinium tetrafluoroborate (4), 1,3-di-2-propyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidinium bromide (6), and 1,3-di-2-propyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidinium tetrafluoroborate, respectively. Complex 7 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, and 8 in the monoclinic space group P2(1). Complexes 9 and 10 were used for the synthesis of the corresponding dicarbonyl complexes dicarbonylchloro(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)rhodium (11), and dicarbonylchloro[1,3-bis(2-propyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene]rhodium (12). The wavenumbers nu(CO I)/nu(CO II) for 11 and 12 were used as a quantitative measure for the basicity of the NHC ligand. The values of 2062/1976 and 2063/1982 cm(-1), respectively, indicate that the new NHCs are among the most basic cyclic ligands reported so far. Compounds 3 and 6 were additionally converted to the corresponding cationic silver(i) bis-NHC complexes [Ag(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(2)]AgBr(2) (13) and [Ag[1,3-bis(2-propyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene](2)]AgBr(2) (14), which were subsequently used in transmetalation reactions for the synthesis of the corresponding palladium(II) complexes Pd(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(2) (2+)(Ag(2)Br(2)Cl(4) (4-))(1/2) (15) and Pd[1,3-bis(2-propyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(2)]Cl(2) (16). Complex 15 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, and 16 in the monoclinic space group C(2)/c. The catalytic activity of 15 and 16 in Heck-type reactions was studied in detail. Both compounds are highly active in the coupling of aliphatic and aromatic vinyl compounds with aryl bromides and chlorides with turnover numbers (TONs) up to 2000000. Stabilities of 15 and 16 under Heck-couplings conditions were correlated with their molecular structure. Finally, selected kinetic data for these couplings are presented.

X-ray crystallographic and tungsten-183 nuclear magnetic resonance structural studies of the [M4(H2O)2(XW9O34) 2]10- heteropolyanions (M = COII or Zn, X = P or As)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Evans, H.T.; Tourne, C.M.; Tourne, G.F.; Weakley, T.J.R.

1986-01-01

The crystal structures of K10[Co4(H2O)2(PW9O 34)2]??22H2O (1) and isomorphous K10[Zn4(H2O)2(AsW9O 34)2]??23H2O (2) have been determined {Mo-K?? radiation, space group P21/n, Z = 2; (1) a = 15.794(2), b = 21.360(2), c = 12.312(1) A??, ?? = 91.96??, R = 0.084 for 3 242 observed reflections [I ??? 3??(I)]; (2) a = 15.842(4), b = 21.327(5), c = 12.308(4) A??, ?? = 92.42(4)??, R = 0.066 for 4 675 observed reflections [F ??? 3??(F)]}. The anions have crystallographic symmetry 1 and non-crystallographic symmetry very close to 2/m (C2h). Each consists of two [XW9O34]9- moieties [??-B isomers; X = P (1) or As (2)] linked via four CoIIO6 or ZnO6 groups. Two Co or Zn atoms each carry a water ligand. The 183W n.m.r. spectra of the anions [Zn4(H2O)2(XW9O34) 2]10- (X = P or As) confirm that the anions retain 2/m symmetry in aqueous solution. Homonuclear coupling constants between 183W atoms are 5.8-9.0 Hz for adjacent WO6 octahedra sharing edges, and 19.6-25.0 Hz for octahedra sharing corners.

The structure of the karrikin-insensitive protein (KAI2) in Arabidopsis thaliana.

PubMed

Bythell-Douglas, Rohan; Waters, Mark T; Scaffidi, Adrian; Flematti, Gavin R; Smith, Steven M; Bond, Charles S

2013-01-01

KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE 2 (KAI2) is an α/β hydrolase involved in seed germination and seedling development. It is essential for plant responses to karrikins, a class of butenolide compounds derived from burnt plant material that are structurally similar to strigolactone plant hormones. The mechanistic basis for the function of KAI2 in plant development remains unclear. We have determined the crystal structure of Arabidopsis thaliana KAI2 in space groups P2(1) 2(1) 2(1) (a =63.57 Å, b =66.26 Å, c =78.25 Å) and P2(1) (a =50.20 Å, b =56.04 Å, c =52.43 Å, β =116.12°) to 1.55 and 2.11 Å respectively. The catalytic residues are positioned within a large hydrophobic pocket similar to that of DAD2, a protein required for strigolactone response in Petunia hybrida. KAI2 possesses a second solvent-accessible pocket, adjacent to the active site cavity, which offers the possibility of allosteric regulation. The structure of KAI2 is consistent with its designation as a serine hydrolase, as well as previous data implicating the protein in karrikin and strigolactone signalling.

The Structure of the Karrikin-Insensitive Protein (KAI2) in Arabidopsis thaliana

PubMed Central

Bythell-Douglas, Rohan; Waters, Mark T.; Scaffidi, Adrian; Flematti, Gavin R.; Smith, Steven M.; Bond, Charles S.

2013-01-01

KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE 2 (KAI2) is an α/β hydrolase involved in seed germination and seedling development. It is essential for plant responses to karrikins, a class of butenolide compounds derived from burnt plant material that are structurally similar to strigolactone plant hormones. The mechanistic basis for the function of KAI2 in plant development remains unclear. We have determined the crystal structure of Arabidopsis thaliana KAI2 in space groups P21 21 21 (a  = 63.57 Å, b  = 66.26 Å, c  = 78.25 Å) and P21 (a  = 50.20 Å, b  = 56.04 Å, c  = 52.43 Å, β  = 116.12°) to 1.55 and 2.11 Å respectively. The catalytic residues are positioned within a large hydrophobic pocket similar to that of DAD2, a protein required for strigolactone response in Petunia hybrida. KAI2 possesses a second solvent-accessible pocket, adjacent to the active site cavity, which offers the possibility of allosteric regulation. The structure of KAI2 is consistent with its designation as a serine hydrolase, as well as previous data implicating the protein in karrikin and strigolactone signalling. PMID:23349965

Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of d-tagatose 3-epimerase from Pseudomonas cichorii

PubMed Central

Yoshida, Hiromi; Yamada, Mitsugu; Nishitani, Takeyori; Takada, Goro; Izumori, Ken; Kamitori, Shigehiro

2007-01-01

d-Tagatose 3-epimerase (D-TE) from Pseudomonas cichorii catalyzes the epimerization of various ketohexoses at the C3 position. The epimerization of d-­psicose has not been reported with epimerases other than P. cichorii D-­TE and d-psicose 3-epimerase from Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Recombinant P. cichorii D-TE has been purified and crystallized. Crystals of P. cichorii D-TE were obtained by the sitting-drop method at room temperature. The crystal belongs to the monoclinic space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 76.80, b = 94.92, c = 91.73 Å, β = 102.82°. Diffraction data were collected to 2.5 Å resolution. The asymmetric unit is expected to contain four molecules. PMID:17277456

Responsive copolymers for enhanced petroleum recovery. Quarterly technical progress report, June 23--September 21, 1994

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

McCormick, C.; Hester, R.

Summaries are given on the technical progress on three tasks of this project. Monomer and polymer synthesis discusses the preparation of 1(7-aminoheptyloxymethyl)naphthalene and poly(maleic anhydride-alt-ethyl vinyl ether). Task 2, Characterization of molecular structure, discusses terpolymer solution preparation, UV analysis, fluorescence analysis, low angle laser light scattering, and viscometry. The paper discusses the effects of hydrophobic groups, the effect of pH, the effect of electrolyte addition, and photophysical studies. Task 3, Solution properties, describes the factorial experimental design for characterizing polymer solutions by light scattering, the light scattering test model, orthogonal factorial test design, linear regression in coded space, confidence levelmore » for coded space test mode coefficients, coefficients of the real space test model, and surface analysis of the model equations.« less

USSR Space Life Sciences Digest. Index to issues 21-25

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hooke, Lydia Razran (Editor)

1990-01-01

This bibliography provides an index to issues 21 through 25 of the USSR Space Life Sciences Digest. There are two sections. The first section lists bibliographic citations of abstracts in these issues, grouped by topic area categories. The second section provides a key word index for the same abstracts. The topic categories include exobiology, space medicine and psychology, human performance and man-machine systems, various life/body systems, human behavior and adaptation, biospherics, and others.

Affine Kac-Moody symmetric spaces related with A1^{(1)}, A2^{(1)},} A2^{(2)}

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nayak, Saudamini; Pati, K. C.

2014-08-01

Symmetric spaces associated with Lie algebras and Lie groups which are Riemannian manifolds have recently got a lot of attention in various branches of Physics for their role in classical/quantum integrable systems, transport phenomena, etc. Their infinite dimensional counter parts have recently been discovered which are affine Kac-Moody symmetric spaces. In this paper we have (algebraically) explicitly computed the affine Kac-Moody symmetric spaces associated with affine Kac-Moody algebras A1^{(1)}, A2^{(1)}, A2^{(2)}. We hope these types of spaces will play similar roles as that of symmetric spaces in many physical systems.

The Cytoplasmic and Periplasmic Expression Levels and Folding of Organophosphorus Hydrolase Enzyme in Escherichia coli

PubMed Central

Latifi, Ali Mohammad; Khajeh, Khosro; Farnoosh, Gholamreza; Hassanpour, Kazem; Khodi, Samaneh

2015-01-01

Background: Organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) is a type of organophosphate-degrading enzyme which is widely used in the bioremediation process. Objectives: In this study, the periplasmic and cytoplasmic productions and the activity of recombinant OPH in Escherichia coli were investigated and compared using two pET systems (pET21a and pET26b). Materials and Methods: The sequence encoding the opd gene was synthesized and expressed in the form of inclusion body using pET21a-opd and in the periplasmic space in pET26b-opd. Results: Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis showed a band of about 37 kDa with a maximum expression level at 30°C from pET21a-opd.However, the obtained results of the periplasmic space extraction of OPH (pET26b-opd) showed a very weak band, while the cytoplasmic expression of OPH (pET21a-opd) produced a strong protein band. Conclusions: The activities studied by the production of PNP were determined by following the increase at 410 nm. The maximum PNP was produced at 30°C with an optical density of 10.62 in the presence of cytoplasmic expression of OPH (pET21a-opd). Consequently, our results suggest cytoplasmic expression system as an appropriate candidate with a high amount of OPH in spite of inclusion body formation, which needs an additional refolding step. PMID:26870308

EVA no. 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-037731 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Chris Cassidy (pictured) and Tom Marshburn (out of frame) completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station's far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

US EVA no. 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-036815 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Chris Cassidy (left) and Tom Marshburn completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station?s far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

EVA 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-040237 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Chris Cassidy (pictured) and Tom Marshburn (out of frame) completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station's far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

US EVA 21

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-21

ISS035-E-037011 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Tom Marshburn (pictured) and Chris Cassidy (out of frame) completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station?s far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

EVA 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-040238 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Chris Cassidy (pictured) and Tom Marshburn (out of frame) completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station's far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

US EVA no. 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-037030 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Chris Cassidy (pictured) and Tom Marshburn (out of frame) completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station?s far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

US EVA no. 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-037027 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Tom Marshburn (pictured) and Chris Cassidy (out of frame) completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station?s far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

EVA no. 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-037733 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Chris Cassidy (pictured) and Tom Marshburn (out of frame) completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station's far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

EVA no. 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-037734 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Chris Cassidy (pictured) and Tom Marshburn (out of frame) completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station's far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

US EVA no. 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-036825 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Tom Marshburn (pictured) and Chris Cassidy (out of frame) completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station?s far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

EVA 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-040239 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Chris Cassidy (pictured) and Tom Marshburn (out of frame) completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station's far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

US EVA no. 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-037414 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Tom Marshburn (pictured) and Chris Cassidy (out of frame) completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station's far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

US EVA no. 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-036990 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Chris Cassidy (pictured) and Tom Marshburn (out of frame) completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station?s far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

US EVA no. 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-036810 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Chris Cassidy (left) and Tom Marshburn completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station?s far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

US EVA no. 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-036992 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Chris Cassidy (pictured) and Tom Marshburn (out of frame) completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station?s far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

US EVA no. 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-036829 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Tom Marshburn (pictured) and Chris Cassidy (out of frame) completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station?s far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

Topical anesthesia for penetrating trabeculectomy.

PubMed

Sauder, Gangolf; Jonas, Jost B

2002-09-01

To evaluate the efficacy and clinical practicability of topical anesthesia in comparison with retrobulbar anesthesia for penetrating trabeculectomy. The prospective single-surgeon clinical interventional trial included 20 consecutive patients, who were randomly distributed into a topical anesthesia group ( n=10) and a retrobulbar anesthesia group ( n=10). In the topical anesthesia group, patients received preoperatively oxybuprocaine 0.4% eye drops and cocaine hydrochloride eye drops 10%. The patients of the retrobulbar group received 5 ml mepivacaine 2% injected into the retrobulbar space. To assess intraoperative pain, each patient was asked immediately after surgery to quantitate his/her pain using a 10-point pain rating scale. The topical anesthesia group and the retrobulbar anesthesia study group did not vary significantly in duration of surgery (21.5+/-3.37 min vs 20.2+/-4.46 min, P=0.31), preoperative intraocular pressure (32.2+/-14.62 mmHg vs 30.6+/-12.33 mmHg, P=0.22), postoperative intraocular pressure (8.0+/-4.47 mmHg vs 9.12+/-3.13 mmHg, P=0.64), subjective pain score by the patient (2.25+/-1.23 relative units vs 2.33+/-1.08 relative units ( P= 0.71), and practicability score by the surgeon (2.24+/-1.76 vs 2.56+/-1.58, P=0.82). In view of its clinical feasibility and its minimally invasive character, topical anesthesia may be an option for penetrating trabeculectomy.

The high pressure crystal structures of tin sulphate: a case study for maximal information recovery from 2D powder diffraction data

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

Hinrichsen, Bernd; Dinnebier, Robert E.; Liu, Haozhe

2008-12-09

Our recently proposed method for automatic detection, calibration and evaluation of Debye-Scherrer ellipses using pattern recognition techniques and advanced signal filtering was applied to 2D powder diffraction data of tin sulphate in dependence on pressure. Three phase transitions towards higher pressure could be identified, and their respective crystal structures have been determined. The high pressure behaviour of the stereoactive lone pair of Sn{sup 2+} was investigated. At ambient conditions, SnSO{sub 4} crystallizes in a strongly distorted Barite structure type in space group Pnma (phase I). In the pressure range between P = 0.15 and P = 0.2 GPa, it exhibitsmore » a displacive second order phase transition into a structure with space group P112{sub 1}/a (phase II at P = 0.2 GPa: a = 8.7022(9) {angstrom}, b = 5.3393(5) {angstrom}, c = 7.0511(6) A, y = 89.90(1){sup o}). A second displacive phase transition occurs between P = 4.40 and P = 5.07 GPa into another structure with space group PI (phase III at P = 13.5 GPa: a = 8.067(3) {angstrom}, b = 5.141(2) {angstrom}, c = 6.609(2) {angstrom}, a = 90.56(3){sup o}, {beta} = 90.65(2){sup o}, y = 89.46(2){sup o}). A third displacive phase transition towards another crystal structure in space group P1 occurs between P = 13.6 and P = 15.3 GPa (phase IV at P = 20.5 GPa: a = 7.889(5) {angstrom}, b = 5.028(3) {angstrom}, c = 6.462(3) {angstrom}, a = 90.99(3){sup o}, {beta}=91.01(3){sup o}, y = 89.89(4){sup o}). A non-linear compression behaviour over the entire pressure range is observed, which can be described by three Vinet relations in the ranges from P = 0.21 to 4.4 GPa, from P = 5.07 to 13.55 GPa and from P = 15.26 to 20.5 GPa. The extrapolated bulk moduli of the high-pressure phases were determined to K{sub 0} = 48(1) GPa for phase II, K{sub 0} = 56(2) GPa for phase III, and K{sub 0} = 51(13) GPa for phase IV. The crystal structures of all phases are refined against X-ray powder diffraction data measured at several pressures between 0.15 and 20.5 GPa. The structural phase transitions of SnSO{sub 4} are mainly characterized by a reorientation of the SO{sub 4} tetrahedra, in order to optimize crystal packing. With increasing pressure, the lone pair which is localized at Sn{sup 2+} increasingly adopts pure s-character.« less

Interaction of microRNA-21/145 and Smad3 domain-specific phosphorylation in hepatocellular carcinoma

PubMed Central

Wang, Ji Yu; Fang, Meng; Boye, Alex; Wu, Chao; Wu, Jia Jun; Ma, Ying; Hou, Shu; Kan, Yue; Yang, Yan

2017-01-01

MicroRNAs 21 and 145 exhibit inverse expression in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but how they relate to Smad3 C-terminal and Link region phosphorylation (pSmad3C and pSmad3L) downstream of TGF-β/MAPK signaling, remains inconclusive. Our results suggest microRNA-145 targets Smad3 in HepG2 cells. Decreased tumor volume and increased apoptosis were produced in both microRNA-21 antagomir and microRNA-145 agomir groups compared to controls. Inhibition of TβRI and MAPK (ERK, JNK, and p38) activation respectively produced decreased microRNA-21 but increased microRNA-145 expression. Correspondingly, the expression level of pSmad3C obviously increased while pSmad3L decreased in microRNA-145 agomir-group and the expression of pSmad3C/3L were not markedly changed but pERK, pJNK, pp38 decreased in microRNA-21 antagomir-group compared to controls. On the other hand, microRNA-145 and 21 increased respectively in xenografts of HepG2 cells transfected with Smad3 EPSM and 3S-A plasmid, and this correlated with the overexpression of pSmad3C and pSmad3L respectively compared to control. To conclude, microRNA-21 promotes tumor progression in a MAPK-dependent manner while microRNA-145 suppresses it via domain-specific phosphorylation of Smad3 in HCC. Meanwhile, increased pSmad3C/3L lead to the up-regulation of microRNA-145/21 respectively. The interaction between pSmad3C/3L and microRNA-145/21 regulates HCC progression and the switch of pSmad3C/3L may serve as an important target for HCC therapy. PMID:29156696

Toxicity of Mycotoxins from Contaminated Corn with or withoutYeast Cell Wall Adsorbent on Broiler Chickens.

PubMed

Shang, Q H; Yang, Z B; Yang, W R; Li, Z; Zhang, G G; Jiang, S Z

2016-05-01

This study investigated the effects of feeds naturally contaminated with mycotoxins on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, carcass traits, and splenic heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) mRNA expression levels in broiler chickens. The efficacy of yeast cell wall (YCW) adsorbent in preventing mycotoxicosis was also evaluated. Three hundred 1-d-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 3 treatments in completely randomized design for 42 d. Each treatment group had 5 replicate pens with 20 birds. The treatments were as follows: i) basal diet (control), ii) naturally contaminated diet (NCD), and iii) NCD+0.2% YCW adsorbent (NCDD). The NCD decreased average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.01) of 0 to 21 d, 22 to 42 d, and 0 to 42 d, and increased feed conversion ratio (p<0.01) of 22 to 42 d and 0 to 42 d. Both the breast meat percentage and thigh meat percentage of the NCD group were significantly higher (p<0.01) than that of the control group on d 21. The NCD group showed significantly increased levels of triglycerides (p<0.05) and cholesterol (p<0.05) on both d 21 and d 42 compared to the control group. However, the NCD significantly reduced (p<0.01) the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) on d 42 compared to controls. Compared with the NCD, supplementation with YCW significantly improved (p<0.01) the ADG of 0 to 21 d and 0 to 42 d, and increased (p<0.01) concentrations of HDL on d 42, and on d 21, and triglycerides (p<0.05) on d 21 and d 42. Supplementation with YCW reduced (p<0.01) the breast meat percentage, the thigh meat percentage, the concentrations of cholesterol (p<0.01) and the low-density lipoprotein (p<0.05) on d 21, and improved (p<0.01) the splenic Hsp70 mRNA expression levels compared with the NCD group. The results of this study indicated that feeding NCD for 42 d had adverse effects on broiler chickens, and that YCW might be beneficial in counteracting the effects of mycotoxins.

Structure of Escherichia coli AdhP (ethanol-inducible dehydrogenase) with bound NAD.

PubMed

Thomas, Leonard M; Harper, Angelica R; Miner, Whitney A; Ajufo, Helen O; Branscum, Katie M; Kao, Lydia; Sims, Paul A

2013-07-01

The crystal structure of AdhP, a recombinantly expressed alcohol dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli K-12 (substrain MG1655), was determined to 2.01 Å resolution. The structure, which was solved using molecular replacement, also included the structural and catalytic zinc ions and the cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). The crystals belonged to space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 68.18, b = 118.92, c = 97.87 Å, β = 106.41°. The final R factor and Rfree were 0.138 and 0.184, respectively. The structure of the active site of AdhP suggested a number of residues that may participate in a proton relay, and the overall structure of AdhP, including the coordination to structural and active-site zinc ions, is similar to those of other tetrameric alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes.

Molecular structures and antiproliferative activity of side-chain saturated and homologated analogs of 2-chloro-3-(n-alkylamino)-1,4-napthoquinone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pal, Sanjima; Jadhav, Mahesh; Weyhermüller, Thomas; Patil, Yogesh; Nethaji, M.; Kasabe, Umesh; Kathawate, Laxmi; Konkimalla, V. Badireenath; Salunke-Gawali, Sunita

2013-10-01

Side chain homologated derivatives of 2-chloro-3-(n-alkylamino)-1,4-naphthoquinone {n-alkyl: pentyl; L-5, hexyl; L-6, heptyl; L-7 and octyl; L-8} have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H NMR, UV-visible spectroscopy and LC-MS. Compounds, L-4, {n-alkyl: butyl; L-4}, L-6 and L-8 have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The single crystal X-ray structures reveal that L-4 and L-8 crystallizes in P21 space group, while L-6 in P21/c space group. Molecules of L-4 and L-8 from polymeric chains through Csbnd H⋯O and Nsbnd H⋯O close contacts. L-6 is a dimer formed by Nsbnd H⋯O interaction. Slipped π-π stacking interactions are observed between quinonoid and benzenoid rings of L-4 and L-8. Orientations of alkyl group in L-4 and L-8 is on same side of the chain and polymeric chains run opposite to one another to form zip like structure to the alkyl groups. Antiproliferative activities of L-1 to L-8{n-alkyl: methyl; L-1, ethyl; L-2, propyl; L-3 and butyl; L-4} were studied in cancer cells of colon (COLO205), brain (U87MG) and pancreas (MIAPaCa2) where L-1, L-2 and L-3 were active in MIAPaCa2 (L-1 = L-2 > L-3) and COLO205 (L-2 = L-3 > L-1) and inactive in U87MG. From antiproliferative studies with compounds L-1 to L-8 it can be concluded that homologation of 2-chloro-3-(n-alkylamino)-1,4-napthoquinone with saturated methyl groups yielded tissue specific compounds such as L-2 (for MIAPaCa2) and L-3 (for COLO205) with optimal activity.

Effects of Lactobacillus salivarius-containing tablets on caries risk factors: a randomized open-label clinical trial.

PubMed

Nishihara, Tetsuyo; Suzuki, Nao; Yoneda, Masahiro; Hirofuji, Takao

2014-09-02

To evaluate the effects of the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus salivarius on caries risk factors. The study was performed in 64 healthy volunteers to evaluate the effects of L. salivarius-containing tablets on caries risk factors. The participants were divided randomly into four groups, and took tablets containing L. salivarius WB21, L. salivarius TI 2711, Ovalgen® DC (antibody against glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans), or xylitol. Levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, amount of salivary flow, salivary pH, and salivary buffering capacity were assessed before and after taking the tablets. Subsequently, a short-term administration trial using L. salivarius WB21-containing tablets was performed in eight healthy volunteers. The participants took L. salivarius WB21-containing tablets (2.0 × 10(9) colony forming units/day) for 2 weeks, and the numbers of mutans streptococci in saliva were counted. The levels of mutans streptococci seemed to decrease in the L. salivarius WB21, TI 2711, and Ovalgen® DC groups compared to the xylitol group, with no significant differences between the groups. Lactobacilli levels significantly increased in the L. salivarius WB21 and TI 2711 groups compared to the other groups. Concerning salivary flow and salivary pH, no significant differences were observed between the groups. The salivary buffering capacity significantly increased in the L. salivarius TI 2711 group (P = 0.003) and Ovalgen® DC group (P = 0.002) compared to the xylitol group. The short-term administration trial showed that the L. salivarius WB21-containing tablets significantly decreased the number of mutans streptococci (P = 0.039). L. salivarius-containing tablets were suggested to increase resistance to caries risk factors. UMIN000013160 (registration date: February 14, 2014).

Assessment of p21, p53 expression, and Ki-67 proliferative activities in the gastric mucosa of children with Helicobacter pylori gastritis.

PubMed

Saf, Coskun; Gulcan, Enver Mahir; Ozkan, Ferda; Cobanoglu Saf, Seyhan Perihan; Vitrinel, Ayca

2015-02-01

Helicobacter pylori that is generally acquired in childhood and infects the gastric mucosa is considered to be responsible for many pathobiological changes that are linked to the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. Although the majority of studies on the subject have been carried out in adults, there are a limited number of studies on children that reflect the early period of infection and may be of greater significance. We aimed to determine the role of H. pylori infection and/or gastritis in several histopathological changes, p53, p21, and cell proliferation-associated Ki-67 antigen expression in the gastric mucosa. We studied 60 patients with a mean age of 7.5 ± 4.5 years at referral. On the basis of endoscopic appearance and the evaluation of the gastric antral specimens, the patients were divided into three groups: patients without gastritis, patients with H. pylori-positive gastritis, and patients with H. pylori-negative gastritis. To determine the expression of p53, Ki-67, and p21 in gastric biopsy specimens, immunohistochemical stains were performed. The incidence of neutrophil activity, which was one of our histopathologic parameters, was significantly higher in the H. pylori-positive gastritis group than the other two groups. The presence of lymphoid aggregate was more frequent in H. pylori ± gastritis groups than the nongastritis group. p53 expression was found to be significantly higher in the H. pylori-positive gastritis group than the nongastritis group. Ki-67 and p21 expressions were significantly more frequent in the H. pylori-positive gastritis group than the other two groups. When we evaluated the density of H. pylori, as the density of bacteria increases, we found that the expressions of p53, p21, and Ki-67 increased significantly. Expression of the studied precancerous markers in significant amounts indicates the importance of childhood H. pylori infection in the constitution of gastric cancer in adulthood.

Polymorphism in R-tamsulosin (an alpha blocker): The unexpected manifestation of a sulfonamide⋯o-diethoxybenzene heterosynthon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nanubolu, Jagadeesh Babu; Sridhar, Balasubramanian; Ravikumar, Krishnan

2014-12-01

A two point Nsbnd H⋯O dimer or an infinite catemer are the most preferred motifs/synthons for sulfonamide structures. Such synthons are known to be so robust that they are only disrupted in the presence of highly activated O acceptors such as pyridine-N-oxide and sulfoxide. We demonstrate in this article that a multi-point synthon offered by much weaker ethoxy O and amine N acceptors can however strongly compete and disrupt the robust sulfonamide homosynthons. This has been illustrated with the synthon analysis in three polymorphic crystal structures of R-tamsulosin, an active drug used in the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and its hydrochloride salt. These crystalline solids are characterized by Single crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy. Forms I, II of the free base and hydrochloride salt crystallize in the monoclinic P21, C2, and P21 space groups respectively with two molecules in the asymmetric unit (Z‧ = 2), whereas, form III of freebase crystallize in the orthorhombic P212121 space group with Z‧ = 1. Remarkably, all four crystal structures contain a totally unexpected sulfonamide⋯o-diethoxybenzene heterosynthon. The multi-point motifs observed in polymorphs are relatively stronger than those in the hydrochloride salt because of the gauche conformation of the tamsulosin linker chain which renders an additional hydrogen bond interaction with amine N acceptor, and resemble the crown ether sulfonamide recognition pattern. Observation of this new heterosynthon offers potential scope in the design of pharmaceutical cocrystals for sulfonamide bearing drug molecules. The present study also presents a detailed hydrogen bond motif analysis in 310 primary sulfonamide structures culled from the latest version of Cambridge Structural Database (CSD). The role of various competing groups is discussed in the context of understanding the most recurring sulfonamide homo and heterosynthons.

B1-B2 phase transition mechanism and pathway of PbS under pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adeleke, Adebayo A.; Yao, Yansun

2018-03-01

Experimental studies at finite Pressure-Temperature (P-T) conditions and a theoretical study at 0 K of the phase transition in lead sulphide (PbS) have been inconclusive. Many studies that have been done to understand structural transformation in PbS can broadly be classified into two main ideological streams—one with Pnma and another with Cmcm orthorhombic intermediate phase. To foster better understanding of this phenomenon, we present the result of the first-principles study of phase transition in PbS at finite temperature. We employed the particle swarm-intelligence optimization algorithm for the 0 K structure search and first-principles metadynamics simulations to study the phase transition pathway of PbS from the ambient pressure, 0 K Fm-3m structure to the high-pressure Pm-3m phase under experimentally achievable P-T conditions. Significantly, our calculation shows that both streams are achievable under specific P-T conditions. We further uncover new tetragonal and monoclinic structures of PbS with space group P21/c and I41/amd, respectively. We propose the P21/c and I41/amd as a precursor phase to the Pnma and Cmcm phases, respectively. We investigated the stability of the new structures and found them to be dynamically stable at their stability pressure range. Electronic structure calculations reveal that both P21/c and I41/amd phases are semiconducting with direct and indirect bandgap energies of 0.69(5) eV and 0.97(3) eV, respectively. In general, both P21/c and I41/amd phases were found to be energetically competitive with their respective orthorhombic successors.

EVA 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-038129 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Chris Cassidy (foreground) and Tom Marshburn, seen here working during a period of darkness, completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station's far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

High-pressure crystal growth and electromagnetic properties of 5d double-perovskite Ca3OsO6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Hai Luke; Shi, Youguo; Guo, Yanfeng; Li, Jun; Sato, Akira; Sun, Ying; Wang, Xia; Yu, Shan; Sathish, Clastin I.; Yamaura, Kazunari

2013-05-01

Single crystals of the osmium-containing compound Ca3OsO6 have been successfully grown under high-pressure conditions, for the first time. The crystal structure of Ca3OsO6 were characterized as an ordered double-perovskite structure of space group P21/n with the Ca and Os atoms being fully ordered at the perovskite B-site. The electromagnetic analysis shows that the crystal exhibits a semiconductor-like behavior below 300 K and undergoes an antiferromagnetic transition at 50 K.

Synthesis, characterization, single crystal X-ray and DFT analysis of disubstituted phosphorodithioates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kour, Mandeep; Kumar, Sandeep; Feddag, Ahmed; Andotra, Savit; Chouaih, Abdelkader; Gupta, Vivek K.; Kant, Rajni; Pandey, Sushil K.

2018-04-01

Disubstituted phosphorodithioates of the type [{(2,5-CH3)2C6H3O}2PS2HNEt3] (1) and [{(3,5-CH3)2C6H3O)2(PS2)}2] (2) were synthesized and characterized by IR and NMR (1H,13C and 31P) spectroscopic studies and as single crystal X-ray analysis. The compound 1 crystallizes in monoclinic space group P21/c whereas compound 2 crystallizes in triclinic space group Pbar1. The X-ray analysis reveals that in compound 1 phosphorus atom is coordinated to the two S and two O atoms to form tetrahedral geometry. The structure is stabilized by cation-anion Nsbnd H⋯S hydrogen bonded interactions. In compound 2, the two phosphorus atoms have a distorted tetrahedral geometry coordinated to two (3,5-CH3)2C6H3O groups. The molecule possesses a crystallographic center of symmetry and consists of zig-zag array of Sdbnd Psbnd Ssbnd Ssbnd Pdbnd S linkages with two diphenyldithiophosphate moieties in the trans configuration. Molecular geometries, HOMO-LUMO analysis and molecular electrostatic potential of compounds 1 and 2 are investigated by theoretical calculations using B3LYP functional with the 6-311G basis combination set in the ground state and compared with the experimental values.

On the polymorphism of benzocaine; a low-temperature structural phase transition for form (II).

PubMed

Chan, Eric J; Rae, A David; Welberry, T Richard

2009-08-01

A low-temperature structural phase transition has been observed for form (II) of benzocaine (BZC). Lowering the temperature doubles the b-axis repeat and changes the space group from P2(1)2(1)2(1) to P112(1) with gamma now 99.37 degrees. The structure is twinned, the twin rule corresponding to a 2(1) screw rotation parallel to a. The phase transition is associated with a sequential displacement parallel to a of zigzag bi-layers of ribbons perpendicular to b*. No similar phase transition was observed for form (I) and this was attributed to the different packing symmetries of the two room-temperature polymorphic forms.

Purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of the adhesion domain of Epf from Streptococcus pyogenes

PubMed Central

Linke, Christian; Siemens, Nikolai; Middleditch, Martin J.; Kreikemeyer, Bernd; Baker, Edward N.

2012-01-01

The extracellular protein Epf from Streptococcus pyogenes is important for streptococcal adhesion to human epithelial cells. However, Epf has no sequence identity to any protein of known structure or function. Thus, several predicted domains of the 205 kDa protein Epf were cloned separately and expressed in Escherichia coli. The N-terminal domain of Epf was crystallized in space groups P21 and P212121 in the presence of the protease chymotrypsin. Mass spectrometry showed that the species crystallized corresponded to a fragment comprising residues 52–357 of Epf. Complete data sets were collected to 2.0 and 1.6 Å resolution, respectively, at the Australian Synchrotron. PMID:22750867

Growth, structural, spectroscopic and optical characterization of barium doped calcium tartrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verma, Seema; Raina, Bindu; Gupta, Vandana; Bamzai, K. K.

2018-05-01

Barium doped calcium tartrates synthesized by controlled diffusion using silica gel technique at ambient temperature was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction which establishes monoclinic crystal system with volume of the unit cell 923.97(10) Ǻ3 and the space group being P21. UV - Vis characterization gives various linear optical constants like absorption, transmittance, reflectance, band gap, extinction coefficient, urbach energy, complex dielectric constant, optical and electrical conductivity. These constants are considered to be essential in characterizing materials that are used in various applications like fabrication of optoelectronic devices. FTIR spectrum establishes the presence of various bands of functional groups expected from metal tartrate with water of crystallization.

Efficacy of elastic memory chains versus nickel-titanium coil springs in canine retraction: A two-center split-mouth randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Khanemasjedi, Mashallah; Moradinejad, Mehrnaz; Javidi, Pedram; Niknam, Ozra; Jahromi, Nima Haghighat; Rakhshan, Vahid

2017-12-01

The use of newly-introduced elastic memory chains (EMCs) in space closure is increasingly gaining popularity. However, no clinical studies have evaluated their efficacy. Therefore, this study was conducted. In this two-center split-mouth single-blind randomized controlled trial, 21 jaws were divided into 42 quadrants. The two treatments [canine retraction using EMCs versus nickel-titanium (NiTi) coil springs (as control)] were randomly assigned to two quadrants of each jaw. The premolar space was measured at the baseline, and in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd months of canine retraction, by a blinded orthodontist. Space closure rates were compared using a paired t-test. The rates of space closure using NiTi springs were 1.93±0.62, 1.71±0.75, and 1.36±0.51mm/month, during the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd months of treatment, respectively. The 3-month average rates of space closure were 1.67±0.39 and 1.89±0.36mm/month in the NiTi and elastic groups, respectively (faster in the elastic group, P=0.022). The application of elastic memory chains is as effective as NiTi springs. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Advanced Concept

NASA Image and Video Library

1997-01-02

The Advanced Space Transportation Group takes the future of space travel far into the 21st Century. Pictured is an artist's concept of a third generation Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV). Projected for the year 2025, this third generation RLV will introduce an era of space travel not unlike air travel today.

Trans-activation of the Tetrahymena group I intron ribozyme via a non-native RNA-RNA interaction.

PubMed Central

Ikawa, Y; Shiraishi, H; Inoue, T

1999-01-01

The peripheral P2.1 domain of the Tetrahymena group I intron ribozyme has been shown to be non-essential for splicing. We found, however, that separately prepared P2.1 RNA efficiently accelerates the 3' splice-site-specific hydrolysis reaction of a mutant ribozyme lacking both P2.1 and its upstream region in trans. We report here the unusual properties of this trans-activation. Compensatory mutational analysis revealed that non-native long-range base-pairings between the loop region of P2.1 RNA and L5c region of the mutant ribozyme are needed for the activation in spite of the fact that P2.1 forms base-pairings with P9.1 in the Tetrahymena ribozyme. The trans -activation depends on the non-native RNA-RNA interaction together with the higher order structure of P2.1 RNA. This activation is unique among the known trans-activations that utilize native tertiary interactions or RNA chaperons. PMID:10075996

Space-Time Crystal and Space-Time Group.

PubMed

Xu, Shenglong; Wu, Congjun

2018-03-02

Crystal structures and the Bloch theorem play a fundamental role in condensed matter physics. We extend the static crystal to the dynamic "space-time" crystal characterized by the general intertwined space-time periodicities in D+1 dimensions, which include both the static crystal and the Floquet crystal as special cases. A new group structure dubbed a "space-time" group is constructed to describe the discrete symmetries of a space-time crystal. Compared to space and magnetic groups, the space-time group is augmented by "time-screw" rotations and "time-glide" reflections involving fractional translations along the time direction. A complete classification of the 13 space-time groups in one-plus-one dimensions (1+1D) is performed. The Kramers-type degeneracy can arise from the glide time-reversal symmetry without the half-integer spinor structure, which constrains the winding number patterns of spectral dispersions. In 2+1D, nonsymmorphic space-time symmetries enforce spectral degeneracies, leading to protected Floquet semimetal states. We provide a general framework for further studying topological properties of the (D+1)-dimensional space-time crystal.

Meat quality and cooking attributes of thawed pork with different low field NMR T(21).

PubMed

Li, Chunbao; Liu, Dengyong; Zhou, Guanghong; Xu, Xinglian; Qi, Jun; Shi, Peilei; Xia, Tianlan

2012-10-01

A relationship of low field NMR T(2) components to meat quality and cooking attributes of pork was investigated. Longissimus muscle was removed from 23 pig carcasses at 24h postmortem for meat quality measurements and cooking test. Frozen samples were classified into three groups by LF-NMR T(21) of thawed samples: A (<40ms), B (40-44ms) and C (>44ms). There were significant differences (P<0.05) in pH, lightness (L* value) and pressing loss among the three groups. Cooking time to attain 70°C was slightly lower in group C than the other groups. Shear force value of cooked samples was not affected by T(21). The component T(21) correlated (P<0.05) with L* value, muscle pH and pressing loss, while L* value correlated (P<0.05) with thawing loss and muscle pH. Therefore, combined LF-NMR and color measurements could be a good way to differentiate water holding capacity of pork. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Purification, crystallization and preliminary x-ray crystallographic studies of RAIDD Death-Domain (DD).

PubMed

Jang, Tae-ho; Park, Hyun Ho

2009-06-03

Caspase-2 activation by formation of PIDDosome is critical for genotoxic stress induced apoptosis. PIDDosome is composed of three proteins, RAIDD, PIDD, and Caspase-2. RAIDD is an adaptor protein containing an N-terminal Caspase-Recruiting-Domain (CARD) and a C-terminal Death-Domain (DD). Its interactions with Caspase-2 and PIDD through CARD and DD respectively and formation of PIDDosome are important for the activation of Caspase-2. RAIDD DD cloned into pET26b vector was expressed in E. coli cells and purified by nickel affinity chromatography and gel filtration. Although it has been known that the most DDs are not soluble in physiological condition, RAIDD DD was soluble and interacts tightly with PIDD DD in physiological condition. The purified RAIDD DD alone has been crystallized. Crystals are trigonal and belong to space group P3(1)21 (or its enantiomorph P3(2)21) with unit-cell parameters a = 56.3, b = 56.3, c = 64.9 A and gamma = 120 degrees . The crystals were obtained at room temperature and diffracted to 2.0 A resolution.

US EVA 21.

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-037347 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Tom Marshburn (pictured at conclusion of the extravehicular activity in the Quest Airlock) and Chris Cassidy (out of frame) completed a space walk at 2:14 p.m. EDT May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station's far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of 2,3-diketo-5-methylthiopentyl-1-phosphate enolase from Bacillus subtilis

PubMed Central

Tamura, Haruka; Ashida, Hiroki; Koga, Shogo; Saito, Yohtaro; Yadani, Tomonori; Kai, Yasushi; Inoue, Tsuyoshi; Yokota, Akiho; Matsumura, Hiroyoshi

2009-01-01

2,3-Diketo-5-methylthiopentyl-1-phosphate enolase (DK-MTP-1P enolase) from Bacillus subtilis was crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. Crystals grew using PEG 3350 as the precipitant at 293 K. The crystals diffracted to 2.3 Å resolution at 100 K using synchrotron radiation and were found to belong to the monoclinic space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 79.3, b = 91.5, c = 107.0 Å, β = 90.8°. The asymmetric unit contained four molecules of DK-MTP-1P enolase, with a V M value of 2.2 Å3 Da−1 and a solvent content of 43%. PMID:19194007

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

Peng, Ying; Xu, Feng, E-mail: xuf@xtal.tsinghua.edu.cn; Bell, Stephen G.

Palustrisredoxin reductase (RPA3782, PuR), a flavin-dependent ferredoxin reductase, is an essential component of the Class I cytochrome P450 systems in Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA009. Crystals of PuR that diffract to 2.2 Å resolution have been obtained. Palustrisredoxin reductase from Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA009, a member of the oxygenase-coupled NADH-dependent ferredoxin reductase (ONFR) family, catalyzes electron transfer from NADH to ferredoxins. It is an essential component of the cytochrome P450 systems in R. palustris CGA009, a model organism with diverse metabolic pathways. Here, the crystallization of palustrisredoxin reductase is reported. The crystals belong to the trigonal space group P3{sub 2}21, with unit-cell parametersmore » a = 107.5, b = 107.5, c = 69.9 Å, and diffract to 2.2 Å resolution on a synchrotron source.« less

Two spin-canting textures in the antiferromagnetic phase AF1 of MnWO4 based on the new polar atomistic model in P2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, S.-H.; Liu, B.-Q.; Behal, D.; Pedersen, B.; Schneidewind, A.

2018-04-01

The low temperature antiferromagnetic (AF) phase of MnWO4 (the so-called AF1 phase) exhibits different spin-canting configurations at two Mn2+ sublattices of the (3  +  1)-dimensional magnetic structure. The suggested superspace group {{\\boldsymbol P}}2.1^\\prime(α, 1/2, γ)0s is a significant consequence of the polar space group {{\\boldsymbol P}} 2 true for the nuclear structure of MnWO4. Density functional theory calculations showed that its ground state prefers this two spin-canting system. The structural difference between two independent atomic sites for Mn (Mn a , Mn b ) is too small to allow microscopically detectable electric polarisation. However, this hidden intrinsic polar character allows AF1 two commensurately modulated spin-canting textures. This is considered as the prerequisite onset of the improper ferroelectricity enhanced by the helical spin order in the multiferroic phase AF2 of MnWO4.

Structural, crystallographic, Hirshfeld surface, thermal and antimicrobial evaluation of new sulfonyl hydrazones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhat, Mahima; Poojary, Boja; Kumar, S. Madan; Hussain, Mumtaz M.; Pai, Nikhila; Revanasiddappa, B. C.; Kullaiah, Byrappa

2018-05-01

This context explains the condensation of various arylsulfonohydrazides with two pyrazole aldehydes to get corresponding hydrazones (6a-f). The hydrazones synthesized were confirmed with the help of IR, NMR, Mass and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. From the X-ray analysis it was observed that, all the three compounds 6a, 6c and 6f crystallizes in monoclinic crystal system with P21/c, P21/n and P21/n space group respectively. The intermolecular hydrogen bond interactions of the type Nsbnd H⋯O, Csbnd H⋯O, Csbnd H….C, Osbnd H ⋯O, Osbnd H⋯N and Csbnd H⋯N plays a significant role in the stability of the molecules. The 3D Hirshfeld analyses and 2D fingerprint plots were helpful in decoding the behavior of the interactions and their quantitative contributions towards the packing structure of the crystals. In addition to this, TGA and DTA curves were helpful in explaining the thermal stability of the compounds. Additionally, the antibacterial effectiveness of the molecules synthesized (6a-f) was analyzed against Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains. Interestingly, the compounds with fluorinated pyrazoles (6a and 6c) emerged as good bacterial inhibitors, having scope to produce potent therapeutics in future.

A crystallographic study of human NONO (p54nrb): overcoming pathological problems with purification, data collection and noncrystallographic symmetry

PubMed Central

Knott, Gavin J.; Panjikar, Santosh; Thorn, Andrea; Fox, Archa H.; Conte, Maria R.; Lee, Mihwa; Bond, Charles S.

2016-01-01

Non-POU domain-containing octamer-binding protein (NONO, a.k.a. p54nrb) is a central player in nuclear gene regulation with rapidly emerging medical significance. NONO is a member of the highly conserved Drosophila behaviour/human splicing (DBHS) protein family, a dynamic family of obligatory dimeric nuclear regulatory mediators. However, work with the NONO homodimer has been limited by rapid irreversible sample aggregation. Here, it is reported that l-proline stabilizes purified NONO homodimers, enabling good-quality solution small-angle X-ray structure determination and crystallization. NONO crystallized in the apparent space group P21 with a unique axis (b) of 408.9 Å and with evidence of twinning, as indicated by the cumulative intensity distribution L statistic, suggesting the possibility of space group P1. Structure solution by molecular replacement shows a superhelical arrangement of six NONO homodimers (or 12 in P1) oriented parallel to the long axis, resulting in extensive noncrystallographic symmetry. Further analysis revealed that the crystal was not twinned, but the collected data suffered from highly overlapping reflections that obscured the L-test. Optimized data collection on a new crystal using higher energy X-rays, a smaller beam width and an increased sample-to-detector distance produced non-overlapping reflections to 2.6 Å resolution. The steps taken to analyse and overcome this series of practical difficulties and to produce a biologically informative structure are discussed. PMID:27303796

Crystal structures of the ionic conductors Bi{sub 46}M{sub 8}O{sub 89} (M=P, V) related to the fluorite-type structure

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

Darriet, J.; Launay, J.C.; Zuniga, F.J.

2005-06-15

The crystal structures of the two oxides Bi{sub 46}M{sub 8}O{sub 89} (M=P, V) have been solved from single crystals X-ray data at room temperature. Bi{sub 46}P{sub 8}O{sub 89} crystallizes in the monoclinic symmetry (space group C2/m) with the cell parameters a=19.6073(4)A, b=11.4181(4)A, c=21.1119(4)A and {beta}=112.14(3){sup o}. The symmetry of Bi{sub 46}V{sub 8}O{sub 89} is also monoclinic but the space group is P2{sub 1}/c with the unit-cell parameters: a=20.0100(4)A, b=11.6445(4)A, c=20.4136(4)A and {beta}=107.27(3){sup o}. Both structures derive from an oxygen deficient fluorite-type structure where the Bi and M cations (M=P, V) are ordered in the framework. The structures are characterised bymore » isolated MO{sub 4} tetrahedra (M=P, V) which contradicts the previous results. The difference between the two structures is only due to a different order of the M atoms (M=P, V) in the fluorite-type superstructure. It will be shown that some oxygen sites are partially occupied in both structures which can explain the ion conduction properties of these phases. A structural building principle will be proposed that can explain the large domain of solid solution related to the fluorite-type observed in both systems.« less

[Effects of nano-lead exposure on learning and memory as well as iron homeostasis in brain of offspring rats].

PubMed

Gao, Jing; Su, Hong; Yin, Jingwen; Cao, Fuyuan; Feng, Peipei; Liu, Nan; Xue, Ling; Zheng, Guoying; Li, Qingzhao; Zhang, Yanshu

2015-06-01

To investigate the effects of nano-lead exposure on learning and memory and iron homeostasis in the brain of the offspring rats on postnatal day 21 (PND21) and postnatal day 42 (PND42). Twenty adult pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group and nano-lead group. Rats in the nano-lead group were orally administrated 10 mg/kg nano-lead, while rats in the control group were administrated an equal volume of normal saline until PND21. On PND21, the offspring rats were weaned and given the same treatment as the pregnant rats until 42 days after birth. The learning and memory ability of offspring rats on PND21 and PND42 was evaluated by Morris water maze test. The hippocampus and cortex s amples of offspring rats on PND21 and PND42 were collected to determine iron and lead levels in the hippocampus and cortex by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The distributions of iron in the hippocampus and cortex were observed by Perl's iron staining. The expression levels of ferritin, ferroportin 1 (FPN1), hephaestin (HP), and ceruloplasmin (CP) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After nano-lead exposure, the iron content in the cortex of offspring rats on PND21 and PND42 in the nano-lead group was significantly higher than those in the control group (32.63 ± 6.03 µg/g vs 27.04 ± 5.82 µg/g, P<0.05; 46.20 ±10.60 µg/g vs 36.61 ± 10.2µg/g, P<0.05). The iron content in the hippocampus of offspring rats on PND42 in the nano-lead group was significantly higher than that in the control group (56.9 ± 4.37µg/g vs 37.71 ± 6.92µg/g, P<0.05). The Perl's staining showed massive iron deposition in the cortex and hippocampus in the nano-lead group. FPNl level in the cotfex of offspring rats on PND21 in the nano-lead group was significantly lower than that in the control group (3.64 ± 0.23 ng/g vs 4.99 ± 0.95 ng/g, P<0.05). FPN1 level in the hippocampus of offspring rats on PND42 in the nano-lead group was significantly lower than that in the control group (2.28 ± 0.51 ng/g vs 3.69 ± 0.69 ng/g, P<0.05). The escape latencies of offspring rats on PND21 and PND42 in the nano-lead group were longer than those in the control group (15.54 ± 2.89 s vs 9.01 ± 4.66 s; 6.16 ± 1.42 s vs 4.26 ± 1.51 s). The numbers of platform crossings of offspring rats on PND21 and PND42 in the nano- lead group were significantly lower than those in the control group (7.77 ± 2.16 times vs 11.2 ± 1.61 times, P<0.05; 8.12 ± 1.51 times vs 13.0 ± 2.21 times, P<0.05). n Nano-lead exposure can result in iron homeostasis disorders in the hippocampus and cortex of offspring rats and affect their learning and memory ability.

Post space debridement in oval-shaped canals: the use of a new ultrasonic tip with oval section.

PubMed

Coniglio, Ivanovic; Carvalho, Carlos Augusto; Magni, Elisa; Cantoro, Amerigo; Ferrari, Marco

2008-06-01

This study evaluates the effect on post space debridement in oval-shaped canals of an experimental ultrasonic tip with oval section (Satelec) compared with a circular ultrasonic tip (KaVo). Thirty teeth with an oval-shaped canal were endodontically treated and obturated and then randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 10) according to the procedure used for post space debridement: Satelec tip, Largo #2 drill + KaVo file, and Largo #2 drill + water. Debris and dentin tubules were evaluated by assigning scores to scanning electron microscope post spaces images; lower scores corresponded to fewer debris and higher number of open tubules. The Satelec group showed significantly lower debris and open tubules scores than KaVo group (p < .05) and control group (p < .05), which differed significantly between each other (p < .05). Also the debris and open tubules scores in different post space regions differed significantly among the experimental groups (p < .001). The oval ultrasonic tip resulted in a better post space debridement than a circular ultrasonic tip in oval-shaped canals.

Rodent Biocompatibility Test Using the NASA Foodbar and Epoxy EP21LV

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tillman, J.; Steele, M.; Dumars, P.; Vasques, M.; Girten, B.; Sun, S. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Epoxy has been used successfully to affix NASA foodbars to the inner walls of the Animal Enclosure Module for past space flight experiments utilizing rodents. The epoxy used on past missions was discontinued, making it necessary to identify a new epoxy for use on the STS-108 and STS-107 missions. This experiment was designed to test the basic biocompatibility of epoxy EP21LV with male rats (Sprague Dawley) and mice (Swiss Webster) when applied to NASA foodbars. For each species, the test was conducted with a control group fed untreated foodbars and an experimental group fed foodbars applied with EP21LV. For each species, there were no group differences in animal health and no statistical differences (P<0.05) in body weights throughout the study. In mice, there was a 16% increase in heart weight in the epoxy group; this result was not found in rats. For both species, there were no statistical differences found in other organ weights measured. In rats, blood glucose levels were 15% higher and both total protein and globulin were 10% lower in the epoxy group. Statistical differences in these parameters were not found in mice. For both species, no statistical differences were found in other blood parameters tested. Food consumption was not different in rats but water consumption was significantly decreased 10 to 15% in the epoxy group. The difference in water consumption is likely due to an increased water content of the epoxy-treated foodbars. Finally, both species avoided consumption of the epoxy material. Based on the global analysis of the results, the few parameters found to be statistically different do not appear to be a physiologically relevant effect of the epoxy material, We conclude that the EP21LV epoxy is biocompatible with rodents.

Novel phases and superconductivity of tin sulfide compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonzalez, Joseph M.; Nguyen-Cong, Kien; Steele, Brad A.; Oleynik, Ivan I.

2018-05-01

Tin sulfides, SnxSy, are an important class of materials that are actively investigated as novel photovoltaic and water splitting materials. A first-principles evolutionary crystal structure search is performed with the goal of constructing the complete phase diagram of SnxSy and discovering new phases as well as new compounds of varying stoichiometry at ambient conditions and pressures up to 100 GPa. The ambient phase of SnS2 with P 3 ¯ m 1 symmetry remains stable up to 28 GPa. Another ambient phase, SnS, experiences a series of phase transformations including α-SnS to β-SnS at 9 GPa, followed by β-SnS to γ-SnS at 40 GPa. γ-SnS is a new high-pressure metallic phase with P m 3 ¯ m space group symmetry stable up to 100 GPa, which becomes a superconductor with a maximum Tc = 9.74 K at 40 GPa. Another new metallic compound, Sn3S4 with I 4 ¯ 3 d space group symmetry, is predicted to be stable at pressures above 15 GPa, which also becomes a superconductor with relatively high Tc = 21.9 K at 30 GPa.

Preparation, crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the methionine synthase (MetE) from Streptococcus mutans

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

Fu, Tian-Min; Zhang, Xiao-Yan; Li, Lan-Fen

2006-10-01

Methionine synthase (MetE) from S. mutans was expressed, purified and crystallized. Diffraction data have been collected to 2.2 Å resolution. The Streptococcus mutans metE gene encodes methionine synthase (MetE), which catalyzes the direct transfer of a methyl group from methyltetrahydrofolate to homocysteine in the last step of methionine synthesis. metE was cloned into pET28a and the gene product was expressed at high levels in the Escherichia coli strain BL21 (DE3). MetE was purified to homogeneity using Ni{sup 2+}-chelating chromatography followed by size-exclusion chromatography. Crystals of the protein were obtained by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method and diffracted to 2.2 Å resolution.more » The crystal belongs to space group P2{sub 1}, with unit-cell parameters a = 52.85, b = 99.48, c = 77.88 Å, β = 94.55°.« less

Structural and Crystal Chemical Properties of Alkali Rare-earth Double Phosphates

DOE PAGES

Farmer, James Matthew; Boatner, Lynn A.; Chakoumakos, Bryan C.; ...

2016-01-01

When appropriately activated, alkali rare-earth double phosphates of the form: M 3RE(PO 4) 2 (where M denotes an alkali metal and RE represents either a rare-earth element or Y or Sc) are of interest for use as inorganic scintillators for radiation detection at relatively long optical emission wavelengths. These compounds exhibit layered crystal structures whose symmetry properties depend on the relative sizes of the rare-earth and alkali-metal cations. Single-crystal X-ray and powder neutron diffraction methods were used here to refine the structures of the series of rare-earth double phosphate compounds: K 3RE(PO 4) 2 with RE = Lu, Er, Ho,more » Dy, Gd, Nd, Ce, plus Y and Sc - as well as the compounds: A 3Lu(PO 4) 2, with A = Rb, and Cs. The double phosphate K 3Lu(PO 4) 2 was reported and structurally refined previously. This material had a hexagonal unit cell at room temperature with the Lu ion six-fold coordinated with oxygen atoms of the surrounding phosphate groups. Additionally two lower-temperature phases were observed for K 3Lu(PO 4) 2. The first phase transition to a monoclinic P21/m phase occurred at ~230 K, and the Lu ion retained its six-fold coordination. The second K 3Lu(PO 4) 2 phase transition occurred at ~130 K. The P21/m space group symmetry was retained, however, one of the phosphate groups rotated to increase the oxygen coordination number of Lu from six to seven. This structure then became isostructural with the room-temperature form of the compound K 3Yb(PO 4) 2 reported here that also exhibits an additional high-temperature phase which occurs at T = 120 °C with a transformation to hexagonal P-3 space group symmetry and a Yb-ion coordination number reduction from seven to six. This latter result was confirmed using EXAFS. The single-crystal growth methods structural systematics, and thermal expansion properties of the present series of alkali rare-earth double phosphates, as determined by X-ray and neutron diffraction methods, are treated here.« less

Structural and Crystal Chemical Properties of Alkali Rare-earth Double Phosphates

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

Farmer, James Matthew; Boatner, Lynn A.; Chakoumakos, Bryan C.

When appropriately activated, alkali rare-earth double phosphates of the form: M 3RE(PO 4) 2 (where M denotes an alkali metal and RE represents either a rare-earth element or Y or Sc) are of interest for use as inorganic scintillators for radiation detection at relatively long optical emission wavelengths. These compounds exhibit layered crystal structures whose symmetry properties depend on the relative sizes of the rare-earth and alkali-metal cations. Single-crystal X-ray and powder neutron diffraction methods were used here to refine the structures of the series of rare-earth double phosphate compounds: K 3RE(PO 4) 2 with RE = Lu, Er, Ho,more » Dy, Gd, Nd, Ce, plus Y and Sc - as well as the compounds: A 3Lu(PO 4) 2, with A = Rb, and Cs. The double phosphate K 3Lu(PO 4) 2 was reported and structurally refined previously. This material had a hexagonal unit cell at room temperature with the Lu ion six-fold coordinated with oxygen atoms of the surrounding phosphate groups. Additionally two lower-temperature phases were observed for K 3Lu(PO 4) 2. The first phase transition to a monoclinic P21/m phase occurred at ~230 K, and the Lu ion retained its six-fold coordination. The second K 3Lu(PO 4) 2 phase transition occurred at ~130 K. The P21/m space group symmetry was retained, however, one of the phosphate groups rotated to increase the oxygen coordination number of Lu from six to seven. This structure then became isostructural with the room-temperature form of the compound K 3Yb(PO 4) 2 reported here that also exhibits an additional high-temperature phase which occurs at T = 120 °C with a transformation to hexagonal P-3 space group symmetry and a Yb-ion coordination number reduction from seven to six. This latter result was confirmed using EXAFS. The single-crystal growth methods structural systematics, and thermal expansion properties of the present series of alkali rare-earth double phosphates, as determined by X-ray and neutron diffraction methods, are treated here.« less

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of mouse galectin-4 N-terminal carbohydrate recognition domain in complex with lactose

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

Krejčiříková, Veronika; Fábry, Milan; Marková, Vladimíra

2008-07-01

Mouse galectin-4 carbohydrate binding domain was overexpressed in E. coli and crystallized in the presence of lactose. The crystals belong to tetragonal space group P42{sub 1}2 and diffraction data were collected to 2.1 Å resolution. Galectin-4 is thought to play a role in the process of tumour conversion of cells of the alimentary tract and the breast tissue; however, its exact function remains unknown. With the aim of elucidating the structural basis of mouse galectin-4 (mGal-4) binding specificity, we have undertaken X-ray analysis of the N-terminal domain, CRD1, of mGal-4 in complex with lactose (the basic building block of knownmore » galectin-4 carbohydrate ligands). Crystals of CRD1 in complex with lactose were obtained using vapour-diffusion techniques. The crystals belong to tetragonal space group P42{sub 1}2 with unit-cell parameters a = 91.1, b = 91.16, c = 57.10 Å and preliminary X-ray diffraction data were collected to 3.2 Å resolution. An optimized crystallization procedure and cryocooling protocol allowed us to extend resolution to 2.1 Å. Structure refinement is currently under way; the initial electron-density maps clearly show non-protein electron density in the vicinity of the carbohydrate binding site, indicating the presence of one lactose molecule. The structure will help to improve understanding of the binding specificity and function of the potential colon cancer marker galectin-4.« less

Synthesis, purification and crystallographic studies of the C-terminal sterol carrier protein type 2 (SCP-2) domain of human hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-like protein 2.

PubMed

Cheng, Zhong; Li, Yao; Sui, Chun; Sun, Xiaobo; Xie, Yong

2015-07-01

Human hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-like protein 2 (HSDL2) is a member of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) subfamily of oxidoreductases and contains an N-terminal catalytic domain and a C-termianl sterol carrier protein type 2 (SCP-2) domain. In this study, the C-terminal SCP-2 domain of human HSDL2, including residues Lys318-Arg416, was produced in Escherichia coli, purified and crystallized. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.10 Å resolution. The crystal belonged to the trigonal space group P3(1)21 (or P3(2)21), with unit-cell parameters a = b = 70.4, c = 60.6 Å, α = β = 90, γ = 120°. Two protein molecules are present in the asymmetric unit, resulting in a Matthews coefficient of 2.16 Å(3) Da(-1) and an approximate solvent content of 43%.

Expression, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the CMM2 region of the Arabidopsis thaliana Morpheus' molecule 1 protein.

PubMed

Petty, Tom J; Nishimura, Taisuke; Emamzadah, Soheila; Gabus, Caroline; Paszkowski, Jerzy; Halazonetis, Thanos D; Thore, Stéphane

2010-08-01

Of the known epigenetic control regulators found in plants, the Morpheus' molecule 1 (MOM1) protein is atypical in that the deletion of MOM1 does not affect the level of epigenetic marks controlling the transcriptional status of the genome. A short 197-amino-acid fragment of the MOM1 protein sequence can complement MOM1 deletion when coupled to a nuclear localization signal, suggesting that this region contains a functional domain that compensates for the loss of the full-length protein. Numerous constructs centred on the highly conserved MOM1 motif 2 (CMM2) present in these 197 residues have been generated and expressed in Escherichia coli. Following purification and crystallization screening, diamond-shaped single crystals were obtained that diffracted to approximately 3.2 A resolution. They belonged to the trigonal space group P3(1)21 (or P3(2)21), with unit-cell parameters a=85.64, c=292.74 A. Structure determination is ongoing.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of a highly specific serpin from the beetle Tenebrio molitor

PubMed Central

Park, Sun Hee; Piao, Shunfu; Kwon, Hyun-Mi; Kim, Eun-Hye; Lee, Bok Luel; Ha, Nam-Chul

2010-01-01

The Toll signalling pathway, which is crucial for innate immunity, is transduced in insect haemolymph via a proteolytic cascade consisting of three serine proteases. The proteolytic cascade is downregulated by a specific serine protease inhibitor (serpin). Recently, the serpin SPN48 was found to show an unusual specific reactivity towards the terminal serine protease, Spätzle-processing enzyme, in the beetle Tenebrio molitor. In this study, the mature form of SPN48 was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified. The purified SPN48 protein was crystallized using 14% polyethylene glycol 8000 and 0.1 M 2-(N-morpho­lino)ethanesulfonic acid pH 6.0 as the precipitant. The crystals diffracted X-rays to 2.1 Å resolution and were suitable for structure determination. The crystals belonged to space group P21. The crystal structure will provide information regarding how SPN48 achieves its unusual specificity for its target protease. PMID:20124722

Hopkins works with the Vaccine-21 GAP

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-01-15

ISS038-E-031400 (14 Jan. 2014) --- NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins, Expedition 38 flight engineer, accesses the Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus-2 (CGBA-2) while working with the Vaccine-21 Group Activation Pack (GAP) experiment in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. This experiment also referred to as Antibiotic Effectiveness in Space-1 (AES-1) tests the hypothesis that antibiotics used to treat bacterial grown in space will exhibit reduced efficacy and will be associated with specific changes in bacterial gene expression that correlate with cell survival.

Mastracchio works with the Vaccine-21 GAP

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-01-16

ISS038-E-031407 (16 Jan. 2014) --- NASA astronaut Rick Mastracchio, Expedition 38 flight engineer, accesses the Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus-2 (CGBA-2) while working with the Vaccine-21 Group Activation Pack (GAP) experiment in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. This experiment also referred to as Antibiotic Effectiveness in Space-1 (AES-1) tests the hypothesis that antibiotics used to treat bacterial grown in space will exhibit reduced efficacy and will be associated with specific changes in bacterial gene expression that correlate with cell survival.

Investigation of exotic stable calcium carbides using theory and experiment

DOE PAGES

Li, Yan-Ling; Wang, Sheng-Nan; Oganov, Artem R.; ...

2015-05-11

It is well known that pressure causes profound changes in the properties of atoms and chemical bonding, leading to the formation of many unusual materials. Here we systematically explore all stable calcium carbides at pressures from ambient to 100 GPa using variable-composition evolutionary structure predictions. We find that Ca 5C 2, Ca 2C, Ca 3C 2, CaC, Ca 2C 3, and CaC 2 have stability fields on the phase diagram. Among these, Ca2C and Ca2C3 are successfully synthesized for the first time via high-pressure experiments with excellent structural correspondence to theoretical predictions. Of particular significance are the base-centered monoclinic phasemore » (space group C 2/m) of Ca 2C, a quasi-two-dimensional metal with layers of negatively charged calcium atoms, and the primitive monoclinic phase (space group P21/c) of CaC with zigzag C 4 groups. Interestingly, strong interstitial charge localization is found in the structure of R-3m-Ca 5C 2 with semimetallic behaviour.« less

Association between circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 and mortality in end-stage renal disease.

PubMed

Kohara, Marina; Masuda, Takahiro; Shiizaki, Kazuhiro; Akimoto, Tetsu; Watanabe, Yuko; Honma, Sumiko; Sekiguchi, Chuji; Miyazawa, Yasuharu; Kusano, Eiji; Kanda, Yoshinobu; Asano, Yasushi; Kuro-O, Makoto; Nagata, Daisuke

2017-01-01

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an endocrine factor that regulates glucose and lipid metabolism. Circulating FGF21 predicts cardiovascular events and mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus, including early-stage chronic kidney disease, but its impact on clinical outcomes in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients remains unclear. This study enrolled 90 ESRD patients receiving chronic hemodialysis who were categorized into low- and high-FGF21 groups by the median value. We investigated the association between circulating FGF21 levels and the cardiovascular event and mortality during a median follow-up period of 64 months. A Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the mortality rate was significantly higher in the high-FGF21 group than in the low-FGF21 group (28.3% vs. 9.1%, log-rank, P = 0.034), while the rate of cardiovascular events did not significantly differ between the two groups (30.4% vs. 22.7%, log-rank, P = 0.312). In multivariable Cox models adjusted a high FGF21 level was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio: 3.98; 95% confidence interval: 1.39-14.27, P = 0.009). Higher circulating FGF21 levels were associated with a high mortality rate, but not cardiovascular events in patient with ESRD, suggesting that circulating FGF21 levels serve as a predictive marker for mortality in these subjects.

Examining the Impact of Adherence to a Vegan Diet on Acid-Base Balance in Healthy Adults.

PubMed

Cosgrove, Kelly; Johnston, Carol S

2017-09-01

Acidogenic diets, commonly measured by the potential renal acid load (PRAL), have been linked with metabolic diseases including insulin resistance, hepatic dysfunction, and cardiometabolic risk. Vegan diets are linked to low dietary acid loads, but the degree of adherence to a vegan diet to demonstrate this benefit is unknown. This study compared the change in PRAL and urine pH of omnivores who followed a vegan diet for either 2, 3, or 7 days over one week. Healthy adults were recruited from a campus population and randomly assigned to one of the three groups: VEG7 (vegan diet followed for seven consecutive days); VEG3 (vegan diet followed for three evenly spaced days over one week); or VEG2 (vegan diet followed for two evenly spaced days over one week). Gender, age, and body mass index did not differ between groups (overall: 21.8 ± 2.4 y and 24.4 ± 5.6 kg/m 2 ). Following the one week intervention, outcome measures did not vary between the VEG2 and VEG3 groups, and these groups were collapsed for the final analyses. The 24-h urine pH was raised after seven consistent days of vegan diet adherence and was unchanged after 2-3 days of vegan diet adherence over the course of a week (+0.52 ± 0.69 and -0.02 ± 0.56 respectively, p = 0.048). However, dietary PRAL scores fell significantly in both dietary groups during the 7-day trial. Since low dietary PRAL scores have been related to improve metabolic parameters, adoption of a vegan diets for several days per week should be explored as a diet strategy to lower disease risk.

On A Neutral Functional Differential Equation in a Fading Memory Space.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-01

the condition (2.1) in (301, plus the additional P(0) - 1. We call n an influence function dominated by P, if n is continuous, strictly positive, and... influence function n dominated by P satisfies (2.6) ;(t) < n(t) 4 P(t) (t e n) . We warn the reader that our definition of an influence function is...often irrelevant in which space the values of our measures lie, and we abbreviate both (PC) and M(P;C n xn ) by N(P). For every influence function n

Milk phospholipid's protective effects against UV damage in skin equivalent models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dargitz, Carl; Russell, Ashley; Bingham, Michael; Achay, Zyra; Jimenez-Flores, Rafael; Laiho, Lily H.

2012-03-01

Exposure of skin tissue to UV radiation has been shown to cause DNA photodamage. If this damaged DNA is allowed to replicate, carcinogenesis may occur. DNA damage is prevented from being passed on to daughter cells by upregulation of the protein p21. p21 halts the cells cycle allowing the cell to undergo apoptosis, or repair its DNA before replication. Previous work suggested that milk phospholipids may possess protective properties against UV damage. In this study, we observed cell morphology, cell apoptosis, and p21 expression in tissue engineered epidermis through the use of Hematoxylin and Eosin staining, confocal microscopy, and western blot respectively. Tissues were divided into four treatment groups including: a control group with no UV and no milk phospholipid treatment, a group exposed to UV alone, a group incubated with milk phospholipids alone, and a group treated with milk phospholipids and UV. All groups were incubated for twenty-four hours after treatment. Tissues were then fixed, processed, and embedded in paraffin. Performing western blots resulted in visible p21 bands for the UV group only, implying that in every other group, p21 expression was lesser. Numbers of apoptotic cells were determined by observing the tissues treated with Hoechst dye under a confocal microscope, and counting the number of apoptotic and total cells to obtain a percentage of apoptotic cells. We found a decrease in apoptotic cells in tissues treated with milk phospholipids and UV compared to tissues exposed to UV alone. Collectively, these results suggest that milk phospholipids protect cell DNA from damage incurred from UV light.

Comparison between rapid and mixed maxillary expansion through an assessment of arch changes on dental casts.

PubMed

Grassia, Vincenzo; d'Apuzzo, Fabrizia; Jamilian, Abdolreza; Femiano, Felice; Favero, Lorenzo; Perillo, Letizia

2015-01-01

Aim of this retrospective observational study was to compare upper and lower dental changes in patients treated with Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME) and Mixed Maxillary Expansion (MME), assessed by dental cast analysis. Treatment groups consisted of 42 patients: the RME group (n = 21) consisted of 13 female and 8 male subjects with the mean age of 8.8 years ± 1.37 at T0 and 9.6 years ± 1.45 at T1; the MME group (n = 21) consisted of 12 female and 9 male patients with a mean age of 8.9 years ± 2.34 at T0 and 10.5 years ± 2.08 at T1. The upper and lower arch analysis was performed on four dental bilateral landmarks, on upper and lower casts; also upper and lower arch depths were measured. The groups were compared using independent sample t-test to estimate dental changes in upper and lower arches. Before expansion treatment (T0), the groups were similar for all examined variables (p>0.05). In both RME and MME group, significant increments in all the variables for maxillary and mandibular arch widths were observed after treatment. No significant differences in maxillary and mandibular arch depths were observed at the end of treatment in both groups. An evaluation of the changes after RME and MME (T1) showed statistically significant differences in mandibular arch depth (p<0.001) and maxillary intercanine widths (p<0.05). Differences in maxillary arch depth and arch width measurements were not significant. RME and MME can be considered two effective treatment options to improve transverse arch dimensions and gain space in the dental arches. A greater lower arch expansion was observed in the MME group, which might be attributed to the "lip bumper effects" observed in the MME protocol.

US EVA 21

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-037044 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Chris Cassidy takes a self portrait, as he and Tom Marshburn (seen partially in Cassidy's helmet visor) accomplished a space walk on May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station?s far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m. and completed it at 2:14 p.m. EDT.

EVA 21

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-11

ISS035-E-037002 (11 May 2013) --- Expedition 35 Flight Engineers Chris Cassidy takes a self portrait, as he and Tom Marshburn (seen partially in Cassidy's helmet visor) accomplished a space walk on May 11 to inspect and replace a pump controller box on the International Space Station?s far port truss (P6) leaking ammonia coolant. The two NASA astronauts began the 5-hour, 30-minute space walk at 8:44 a.m. and completed it at 2:14 p.m. EDT.

Hydrogel Spacer Prospective Multicenter Randomized Controlled Pivotal Trial: Dosimetric and Clinical Effects of Perirectal Spacer Application in Men Undergoing Prostate Image Guided Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

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

Mariados, Neil, E-mail: nmariados@ampofny.com; Sylvester, John; Shah, Dhiren

2015-08-01

Purpose: Perirectal spacing, whereby biomaterials are placed between the prostate and rectum, shows promise in reducing rectal dose during prostate cancer radiation therapy. A prospective multicenter randomized controlled pivotal trial was performed to assess outcomes following absorbable spacer (SpaceOAR system) implantation. Methods and Materials: Overall, 222 patients with clinical stage T1 or T2 prostate cancer underwent computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for treatment planning, followed with fiducial marker placement, and were randomized to receive spacer injection or no injection (control). Patients received postprocedure CT and MRI planning scans and underwent image guided intensity modulated radiation therapymore » (79.2 Gy in 1.8-Gy fractions). Spacer safety and impact on rectal irradiation, toxicity, and quality of life were assessed throughout 15 months. Results: Spacer application was rated as “easy” or “very easy” 98.7% of the time, with a 99% hydrogel placement success rate. Perirectal spaces were 12.6 ± 3.9 mm and 1.6 ± 2.0 mm in the spacer and control groups, respectively. There were no device-related adverse events, rectal perforations, serious bleeding, or infections within either group. Pre-to postspacer plans had a significant reduction in mean rectal V70 (12.4% to 3.3%, P<.0001). Overall acute rectal adverse event rates were similar between groups, with fewer spacer patients experiencing rectal pain (P=.02). A significant reduction in late (3-15 months) rectal toxicity severity in the spacer group was observed (P=.04), with a 2.0% and 7.0% late rectal toxicity incidence in the spacer and control groups, respectively. There was no late rectal toxicity greater than grade 1 in the spacer group. At 15 months 11.6% and 21.4% of spacer and control patients, respectively, experienced 10-point declines in bowel quality of life. MRI scans at 12 months verified spacer absorption. Conclusions: Spacer application was well tolerated. Increased perirectal space reduced rectal irradiation, reduced rectal toxicity severity, and decreased rates of patients experiencing declines in bowel quality of life. The spacer appears to be an effective tool, potentially enabling advanced prostate RT protocols.« less

Hydrogel Spacer Prospective Multicenter Randomized Controlled Pivotal Trial: Dosimetric and Clinical Effects of Perirectal Spacer Application in Men Undergoing Prostate Image Guided Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy.

PubMed

Mariados, Neil; Sylvester, John; Shah, Dhiren; Karsh, Lawrence; Hudes, Richard; Beyer, David; Kurtzman, Steven; Bogart, Jeffrey; Hsi, R Alex; Kos, Michael; Ellis, Rodney; Logsdon, Mark; Zimberg, Shawn; Forsythe, Kevin; Zhang, Hong; Soffen, Edward; Francke, Patrick; Mantz, Constantine; Rossi, Peter; DeWeese, Theodore; Hamstra, Daniel A; Bosch, Walter; Gay, Hiram; Michalski, Jeff

2015-08-01

Perirectal spacing, whereby biomaterials are placed between the prostate and rectum, shows promise in reducing rectal dose during prostate cancer radiation therapy. A prospective multicenter randomized controlled pivotal trial was performed to assess outcomes following absorbable spacer (SpaceOAR system) implantation. Overall, 222 patients with clinical stage T1 or T2 prostate cancer underwent computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for treatment planning, followed with fiducial marker placement, and were randomized to receive spacer injection or no injection (control). Patients received postprocedure CT and MRI planning scans and underwent image guided intensity modulated radiation therapy (79.2 Gy in 1.8-Gy fractions). Spacer safety and impact on rectal irradiation, toxicity, and quality of life were assessed throughout 15 months. Spacer application was rated as "easy" or "very easy" 98.7% of the time, with a 99% hydrogel placement success rate. Perirectal spaces were 12.6 ± 3.9 mm and 1.6 ± 2.0 mm in the spacer and control groups, respectively. There were no device-related adverse events, rectal perforations, serious bleeding, or infections within either group. Pre-to postspacer plans had a significant reduction in mean rectal V70 (12.4% to 3.3%, P<.0001). Overall acute rectal adverse event rates were similar between groups, with fewer spacer patients experiencing rectal pain (P=.02). A significant reduction in late (3-15 months) rectal toxicity severity in the spacer group was observed (P=.04), with a 2.0% and 7.0% late rectal toxicity incidence in the spacer and control groups, respectively. There was no late rectal toxicity greater than grade 1 in the spacer group. At 15 months 11.6% and 21.4% of spacer and control patients, respectively, experienced 10-point declines in bowel quality of life. MRI scans at 12 months verified spacer absorption. Spacer application was well tolerated. Increased perirectal space reduced rectal irradiation, reduced rectal toxicity severity, and decreased rates of patients experiencing declines in bowel quality of life. The spacer appears to be an effective tool, potentially enabling advanced prostate RT protocols. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Bone Marrow-Derived Mononuclear Cell Therapy in Papain-Induced Experimental Pulmonary Emphysema

PubMed Central

Machado, Mariana N.; Mazzoli-Rocha, Flavia; Casquilho, Natália V.; Maron-Gutierrez, Tatiana; Ortenzi, Victor H.; Morales, Marcelo M.; Fortunato, Rodrigo S.; Zin, Walter A.

2018-01-01

Murine papain-induced emphysema is a model that reproduces many of the features found in patients. Bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMMC) have already been used to repair the alveolar epithelium in respiratory diseases, but not in the papain model. Thus, we hypothesized that BMMC could prevent the pathophysiological processes in papain-induced experimental emphysema. Female BALB/c mice received intratracheal instillation of 50 μL of saline (S groups) or papain (P groups, 10 IU/50 μl of saline) on days 1 and 7 of the experimental protocol. On the 14th day, 2 × 106 BMMC of male BALB/c mice (SC21 and PC21) or saline (SS21 and PS21) were injected by the jugular vein. Analyses were done on days 14 (S14 and P14) and 21 (SS21, PS21, SC21, and PC21) of the protocol. qPCR evaluated the presence of the Y chromosome in the lungs of BMMC recipient animals. Functional residual capacity (FRC), alveolar diameter, cellularity, elastic fiber content, concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MIP-2, KC, IFN-γ, apoptosis, mRNA expression of the dual oxidase (DUOX1 and DUOX2), production of H2O2 and DUOX activity were evaluated in lung tissue. We did not detect the Y chromosome in recipients' lungs. FRC, alveolar diameter, polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and levels of KC, MIP-2, and IFN-γ increased in P14 and PS21 groups; the changes in the latter were reverted by BMMC. TNF-α, IL-1β e IL-6 were similar in all groups. The amount of elastic fibers was smaller in P14 and PS21 than in other groups, and BMMC did not increase it in PC21 mice. PS21 animals showed increased DUOX activity and mRNA expression for DUOX1 and 2. Cell therapy reverted the activity of DUOX and mRNA expression of DUOX1. BMMC reduced mRNA expression of DUOX2. Apoptosis index was elevated in PS21 mice, which was reduced by cell therapy in PC21. Static compliance, viscoelastic component of elastance and pressure to overcome viscoelasticity were increased in P14 and PS21 groups. These changes and the high resistive pressure found on day 21 were reverted by BMMC. In conclusion, BMMC showed potent anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, antioxidant, and restorative roles in papain-triggered pulmonary emphysema. PMID:29515461

Effect of Clostridium butyricum supplementation on the development of intestinal flora and the immune system of neonatal mice.

PubMed

Miao, Rui-Xue; Zhu, Xin-Xin; Wan, Chao-Min; Wang, Zhi-Ling; Wen, Yang; Li, Yi-Yuan

2018-01-01

The objective of the present study was to examine whether Clostridium butyricum supplementation has a role in the regulation of the intestinal flora and the development of the immune system of neonatal mice. A total of 30 pregnant BALB/c mice, including their offspring, were randomly divided into three groups: In the maternal intervention group (Ba), maternal mice were treated with Clostridium butyricum from birth until weaning at postnatal day 21 (PD21) followed by administration of saline to the offspring at PD21-28; in the offspring intervention group (Ab), breast-feeding maternal mice were supplemented with saline and offspring were directly supplemented with Clostridium butyricum from PD21-28; in the both maternal and offspring intervention group (Bb), both maternal mice and offspring were supplemented with Clostridium butyricum at PD 0-21 and at PD21-28. While mice in the control group were given the same volume of normal saline. Stool samples from the offspring were collected at PD14, -21 and -28 to observe the intestinal flora by colony counts of Enterococcus spp., Enterobacter spp., Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. Detection of intestinal secreted immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels and serum cytokine (interferon-γ, and interleukin-12, -4 and -10) levels in offspring was performed to evaluate the effect on their immune system. The results revealed that compared with the control group, offspring in the Ba group displayed significantly decreased stool colony counts of Enterococcus spp. (t=3.123, P<0.01) at PD14 and significantly decreased counts of Enterobacter spp. at PD14 and -21 (t=2.563, P<0.05 and t=2.292, P<0.05, respectively). Compared with the control group, the stool colony counts of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. were significantly increased in the Ba group at PD21 (t=3.085, P<0.01 and t=2.8508, P<0.05, respectively). The Ab group had significantly higher stool colony counts of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. at PD28, compared with the control group (Q=7.679, P<0.01 and Q=6.149, P<0.01, respectively). There were no significant differences identified in the sIgA levels of the intestinal fluid and serum cytokine levels between the control group and the intervention groups. In conclusion, Clostridium butyricum administered to breast-feeding maternal mice was able to regulate the intestinal flora balance in their offspring. However, due to insignificant effects on sIgA level and the associated cytokines, Clostridium butyricum had a limited influence on the balance of type 1 vs. type 2 T-helper cells. However, using Clostridium butyricum as an invention may be a safe method for improving the balance of intestinal flora and associated processes in offspring.

Identification of an intracellular protein that specifically interacts with photoaffinity-labeled oncogenic p21 protein.

PubMed

Lee, G; Ronai, Z A; Pincus, M R; Brandt-Rauf, P W; Murphy, R B; Delohery, T M; Nishimura, S; Yamaizumi, Z; Weinstein, I B

1989-11-01

An oncogenic 21-kDa (p21) protein (Harvey RAS protein with Val-12) has been covalently modified with a functional reagent that contains a photoactivatable aromatic azide group. This modified p21 protein has been introduced quantitatively into NIH 3T3 cells using an erythrocyte-mediated fusion technique. The introduced p21 protein was capable of inducing enhanced pinocytosis and DNA synthesis in the recipient cells. To identify the putative intracellular protein(s) that specifically interact with the modified p21 protein, the cells were pulsed with [35S]methionine at selected times after fusion and then UV-irradiated to activate the azide group. The resulting nitrene covalently binds to amino acid residues in adjacent proteins, thus linking the p21 protein to these proteins. The cells were then lysed, and the lysate was immunoprecipitated with the anti-p21 monoclonal antibody Y13-259. The immunoprecipitate was analyzed by SDS/PAGE to identify p21-protein complexes. By using this technique, we found that three protein complexes of 51, 64, and 82 kDa were labeled specifically and reproducibly. The most prominent band is the 64-kDa protein complex that shows a time-dependent rise and fall, peaking within a 5-hr period after introduction of the p21 protein into the cells. These studies provide evidence that in vitro the p21 protein becomes associated with a protein whose mass is about 43 kDa. We suggest that the formation of this complex may play a role in mediating early events involved with cell transformation induced by RAS oncogenes.

Saliva, Serum Levels of Interleukin-21, -33 and Prostaglandin E2 in Patients with Generalised Aggressive or Chronic Periodontitis.

PubMed

Gümüş, Pınar; Nizam, Nejat; Nalbantsoy, Ayşe; Özçaka, Özgün; Buduneli, Nurcan

This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate saliva, serum levels of interleukin-21 (IL-21), IL-33, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in patients with generalised chronic periodontitis or aggressive periodontitis. Before initiation of any periodontal treatment, saliva and serum samples were collected and clinical periodontal measurements were recorded from 94 participants (25 aggressive periodontitis patients, 25 chronic periodontitis patients, 44 periodontally healthy individuals). IL-21, IL-33 and PGE2 levels in serum and saliva samples were determined by ELISA. Data were tested statistically using Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U-, and Spearman-rho rank tests. Saliva IL-33 levels were statistically significantly higher in the chronic than the aggressive group (p < 0.05). Serum IL-33, saliva and serum IL-21 and PGE2 levels were similar in the two periodontitis groups. Saliva IL-33 levels correlated with age in the chronic periodontitis group (p < 0.05). Statistically significant positive correlations were found between serum, saliva PGE2 levels and plaque index (p < 0.05). IL-33 and IL-21 levels in serum samples positively correlated in the periodontitis groups (p < 0.05). IL-21 and PGE2 analysis did not exhibit discriminating data between generalised chronic and aggressive periodontitis, but the present findings support the role of these cytokines in periodontitis. Statistically significantly higher saliva IL-33 levels in the chronic periodontitis group warrant further research.

Two different schedules of irinotecan (CPT-11) in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma relapsing after a 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin combination. A randomized study.

PubMed

Tsavaris, N; Ziras, N; Kosmas, C; Giannakakis, T; Gouveris, P; Vadiaka, M; Dimitrakopoulos, A; Karadima, D; Rokana, S; Papalambros, E; Papastratis, G; Margaris, H; Tsipras, H; Polyzos, A

2003-12-01

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of irinotecan as second-line treatment in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (ACC) failing or relapsing after 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus leucovorin (LV) standard chemotherapy. Irinotecan was randomly administered in two different schedules (once every 3 weeks, and every 10 days) in patients failing prior 5-FU plus LV. Patients were randomized to two treatment groups: group A received irinotecan 350 mg/m2 every 21 days and group B received irinotecan 175 mg/m2 days 1 and 10 every 21 days. Group A comprised 60 patients: 34 male/26 female, median age 64 years (range 48-70 years), and median Karnofsky performance status (PS) 90. Their metastatic sites included liver (n=47), lymph nodes (n=27), lung (n=14), abdomen (n=14), pelvis (n=8), "other" (n=2), and local recurrence (n=12). Group B comprised 60 patients: 36 male/24 female, median age 62 years (46-70 years), and median PS 90. Their metastatic sites included liver (n=49), lymph nodes (n=29), lung (n=17), abdomen (n=16), pelvis (n=11), "other" (n=2), and local recurrence (n=13). Group A showed the following responses: complete response (CR) 2, partial response (PR) 12, stable disease (SD) 21, progressive disease (PD) 26, overall response rate (ORR) 23%, tumor growth control 58%. Group B showed the following responses: CR 1, PR 14, SD 22, PD 23; ORR 25%; tumor growth control 62%. Toxicities included acute cholinergic syndrome (group A 53%, group B 19%; P<0.0001), late-onset diarrhea grade 1/2 (group A 21%, group B 46%) and grade 3/4 (group A 41%, group B 66%; P<0.0001), nausea and vomiting grade 1/2 (group A 34%, group B 59%) and grade 3/4 (group A 30%, group B 12%; P<0.0001), neutropenia grade 3/4 (group A 27%, group B 28%; P<0.03), with febrile neutropenia seen in only four patients in group A, anemia grade more than 2 (group A 28%, group B 12%; P<0.05), asthenia grade more than 3 (group A 24%, group B 18%; P<0.001), and alopecia grade more than 3 (group A 40%, group B 34%; P<0.2). . The present study indicates that, in patients with ACC who have relapsed after 5-FU plus LV, the administration of irinotecan fractionated into two doses every 21 days yields a similar efficacy to, but a much lower incidence of toxicity than, the same total dose of irinotecan administered once every 21 days.

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

Gao, Xiong-Zhuo; National Laboratory of Protein Engineering and Plant Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871; Li, Lan-Fen

The SMU.961 protein from S. mutans was crystallized and preliminary characterization of the crystals, which diffracted to 2.9 Å resolution, shows them to belong to space group C2. The smu.961 gene encodes a putative protein of 183 residues in Streptococcus mutans, a major pathogen in human dental caries. The gene was cloned into expression vector pET28a and expressed in a substantial quantity in Escherichia coli strain BL21 (DE3) with a His tag at its N-terminus. The recombinant protein SMU.961 was purified to homogeneity in a two-step procedure consisting of Ni{sup 2+}-chelating and size-exclusion chromatography. Crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction weremore » obtained by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method and diffracted to 2.9 Å resolution at beamline I911-3, MAX-II-lab, Sweden. The crystal belonged to space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 98.62, b = 73.73, c = 184.73 Å, β = 98.82°.« less

Synthesis and characterization of polymorphs of photoluminescent Eu(III)-(2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, oxalic acid) MOFs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Fa-Nian; Ananias, Duarte; Yang, Ting-Hai; Rocha, João

2013-08-01

A novel metal organic framework (MOF) formulated as [Eu(H2O)2(fdc)(ox)0.5·(H2O)]n (1, fdc2-=2,5-furandicarboxylate, ox2-=oxalate), was hydrothermally synthesized via in situ ox2- generation from the partial decomposition of the fdc2- ligand. This material crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, unit cell parameters of 1: a=16.7570(10), b=10.5708(7), c=13.5348(14) Å, β=116.917(2)° (Z=8), and exhibits a three-dimensional (3D)-porous framework, with guest water molecules residing in the channel linking all other ligands (H2O, ox2-and fdc2-) via hydrogen bonding interactions. Compound 2 is a polymorph of 1 crystallizing in monoclinic P21/c space group. The photoluminescence properties of 1 and 2 were studied at room temperature. The spectra show the typical Eu3+ red emission and the differences observed reflects the slightly different structures of these polymorphs.

Cloning, expression, crystallization and preliminary X-ray data analysis of norcoclaurine synthase from Thalictrum flavum

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

Pasquo, Alessandra; Bonamore, Alessandra; Franceschini, Stefano

The cloning, expression, crystallization and preliminary X-ray data analysis of norcoclaurine synthase from T. flavum, a protein which catalyzes the first committed step in the biosynthesis of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, are reported. Norcoclaurine synthase (NCS) catalyzes the condensation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine (dopamine) and 4-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (4-HPAA) as the first committed step in the biosynthesis of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids in plants. The protein was cloned, expressed and purified. Crystals were obtained at 294 K by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method using ammonium sulfate and sodium chloride as precipitant agents and diffract to better than 3.0 Å resolution using a synchrotron-radiation source. The crystals belong to themore » trigonal space group P3{sub 1}21, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 86.31, c = 118.36 Å. A selenomethionine derivative was overexpressed, purified and crystallized in the same space group. A complete MAD data set was collected at 2.7 Å resolution. The model is under construction.« less

Preliminary X-ray analysis of twinned crystals of the Q88Y25_Lacpl esterase from Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1

PubMed Central

Álvarez, Yanaisis; Esteban-Torres, María; Acebrón, Iván; de las Rivas, Blanca; Muñoz, Rosario; Martínez-Ripoll, Martín; Mancheño, José M.

2011-01-01

Q88Y25_Lacpl is an esterase produced by the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 that shows amino-acid sequence similarity to carboxyl­esterases from the hormone-sensitive lipase family, in particular the AFEST esterase from the archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus and the hyperthermophilic esterase EstEI isolated from a metagenomic library. N-­terminally His6-tagged Q88Y25_Lacpl has been overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells, purified and crystallized at 291 K using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. Mass spectrometry was used to determine the purity and homogeneity of the enzyme. Crystals of His6-tagged Q88Y25_Lacpl were prepared in a solution containing 2.8 M sodium acetate trihydrate pH 7.0. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.24 Å resolution on beamline ID29 at the ESRF. The apparent crystal point group was 422; however, initial global analysis of the intensity statistics (data processed with high symmetry in space group I422) and subsequent tests on data processed with low symmetry (space group I4) showed that the crystals were almost perfectly merohedrally twinned. Most probably, the true space group is I4, with unit-cell parameters a = 169.05, b = 169.05, c = 183.62 Å. PMID:22102251

Purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of the adhesion domain of Epf from Streptococcus pyogenes.

PubMed

Linke, Christian; Siemens, Nikolai; Middleditch, Martin J; Kreikemeyer, Bernd; Baker, Edward N

2012-07-01

The extracellular protein Epf from Streptococcus pyogenes is important for streptococcal adhesion to human epithelial cells. However, Epf has no sequence identity to any protein of known structure or function. Thus, several predicted domains of the 205 kDa protein Epf were cloned separately and expressed in Escherichia coli. The N-terminal domain of Epf was crystallized in space groups P2(1) and P2(1)2(1)2(1) in the presence of the protease chymotrypsin. Mass spectrometry showed that the species crystallized corresponded to a fragment comprising residues 52-357 of Epf. Complete data sets were collected to 2.0 and 1.6 Å resolution, respectively, at the Australian Synchrotron.

Overexpression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray studies of Vibrio cholerae EpsG

PubMed Central

Jens, Jason; Raghunathan, Kannan; Vago, Frank; Arvidson, Dennis

2009-01-01

EpsG is the major pseudopilin protein of the Vibrio cholerae type II secretion system. An expression plasmid that encodes an N-terminally truncated form of EpsG with a C-terminal noncleavable His tag was constructed. Recombinant EpsG was expressed in Escherichia coli; the truncated protein was purified and crystallized by hanging-drop vapor diffusion against a reservoir containing 6 mM zinc sulfate, 60 mM MES pH 6.5, 15% PEG MME 550. The crystals diffracted X-rays to a resolution of 2.26 Å and belonged to space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 88.61, b = 70.02, c = 131.54 Å. PMID:19478449

Three-dimensional organic Dirac-line materials due to nonsymmorphic symmetry: A data mining approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geilhufe, R. Matthias; Bouhon, Adrien; Borysov, Stanislav S.; Balatsky, Alexander V.

2017-01-01

A data mining study of electronic Kohn-Sham band structures was performed to identify Dirac materials within the Organic Materials Database. Out of that, the three-dimensional organic crystal 5,6-bis(trifluoromethyl)-2-methoxy-1 H -1,3-diazepine was found to host different Dirac-line nodes within the band structure. From a group theoretical analysis, it is possible to distinguish between Dirac-line nodes occurring due to twofold degenerate energy levels protected by the monoclinic crystalline symmetry and twofold degenerate accidental crossings protected by the topology of the electronic band structure. The obtained results can be generalized to all materials having the space group P 21/c (No. 14, C2h 5) by introducing three distinct topological classes.

Synthetic ANaB(Na x Li1 - x Mg1)CMg5Si8O22(OH)2 (with x = 0.6, 0.2 and 0) P21/ m amphiboles at high pressure: a synchrotron infrared study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iezzi, Gianluca; Liu, Zhenxian; Della Ventura, Giancarlo

2009-06-01

The high-pressure behavior of three synthetic amphiboles crystallized with space group P21/ m at room conditions in the system Li2O-Na2O-MgO-SiO2-H2O has been studied by in situ synchrotron infrared absorption spectroscopy. The amphiboles have compositions ANa B(Na x Li1 - x Mg1) CMg5 Si8 O22(OH)2 with x = 0.6, 0.2 and 0.0, respectively. The high- P experiments up to 32 GPa were carried out on the U2A beamline at Brookhaven National Laboratory (NY, USA) using a diamond anvil cell under non-hydrostatic or quasi-hydrostatic conditions. The two most intense absorption bands in the OH-stretching infrared spectra can be assigned to two non-equivalent O-H dipoles in the P21/ m structure, bonded to the same local environment M1M3Mg3-OH-ANa, and pointing toward two differently kinked tetrahedral rings. In all samples these bands progressively merge to give a unique symmetrical absorption with increasing pressure, suggesting a change in symmetry from P21/ m to C2/ m. The pressure at which the transition occurs appears to be linearly correlated to the aggregate B-site dimension. The infrared spectra collected for amphibole B(Na0.2Li0.8Mg1) in the frequency range 50 to 1,400 cm-1 also show a series of changes with increasing pressure. The data reported here support the inference of Iezzi et al. (Am Miner 91:479-482, 2006a) regarding a new high-pressure amphibole polymorph.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction of the DEAD-box protein Mss116p complexed with an RNA oligonucleotide and AMP-PNP

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

Del Campo, Mark; Lambowitz, Alan M.; Texas)

2009-09-02

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae DEAD-box protein Mss116p is a general RNA chaperone which functions in mitochondrial group I and group II intron splicing, translation and RNA-end processing. For crystallization trials, full-length Mss116p and a C-terminally truncated protein (Mss116p/{Delta}598-664) were overproduced in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. Mss116p exhibited low solubility in standard solutions ({le}1 mg ml{sup -1}), but its solubility could be increased by adding 50 mM L-arginine plus 50 mM L-glutamate and 50% glycerol to achieve concentrations of {approx}10 mg ml{sup -1}. Initial crystals were obtained by the microbatch method in the presence of a U{sub 10} RNA oligonucleotidemore » and the ATP analog AMP-PNP and were then improved by using seeding and sitting-drop vapor diffusion. A cryocooled crystal of Mss116p/{Delta}598-664 in complex with AMP-PNP and U{sub 10} belonged to space group P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2, with unit-cell parameters a = 88.54, b = 126.52, c = 55.52 {angstrom}, and diffracted X-rays to beyond 1.9 {angstrom} resolution using synchrotron radiation from sector 21 at the Advanced Photon Source.« less

X-ray study of the hetero ring flexibility in 5,6-tri-, 5,6-tetra- and 5,6-penta-methylene-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1,3-oxazin-4-ones. The structures of 2-spiropentamethylene- cis-5,6-tetramethylene-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1,3-oxazin-4-one (I), 2-spiropentamethylene- cis-5,6-pentamethylene-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1,3-oxazin-4-one ( c-II) and 2-spiropentamethylene- trans-5,6-pentamethylene-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1,3-oxazin-4-one ( t-II)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ribár, B.; Kapor, Á.; Kálmán, A.; Argay, Gy.; Fülöp, F.; Bernáth, G.

1989-01-01

The structures of the title compounds were established by X-ray crystallography by means of direct methods. Crystals of compound I (C 12H 19NO 2) are monoclinic, space group P2 1/ n, with a = 11.365(3), b = 10.343(4), c = 10.343(2) Å, β = 110.25(3)°, Z = 4 and Dc = 1.218 g cm -3. Crystals of compound c- II (C 13H 21NO 2) are monoclinic, space group C2/ c, with a = 20.830(8), b = 6.594(4), c = 17.944(8) Å, β = 95.83(2)°, Z = 8 and Dc = 1.209 g cm -3. Crystals of t- II (C 13H 21NO 2) are also monoclinic, space group P2 1/ n, with a = 14.268(4), b = 6.112(3), c = 14.041(7) Å, β = 93.63(3)°, Z = 4 and Dc = 1.210 g cm -3. The structures were refined to R = 0.059 for 1697 reflections of I, R = 0.052 for 1718 reflections of c- II, and R = 0.057 for 2178 reflections of t- II. The conformations of the 1,3-oxazin-4-one moieties in the title compounds were compared with those found earlier in related compounds. As shown by an analysis of the puckering parameters (D. Cremer and J.A. Pople, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 97 (1975) 1354), they cluster in a random distribution around the 1H 6 half-chair form. Marked deviation from this canonical form towards the 1E envelope was observed only under the influence of the cyclopentane ring.

Novel organic NLO material bis(N-phenylbiguanidium(1+)) oxalate - A combined X-ray diffraction, DSC and vibrational spectroscopic study of its unique polymorphism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matulková, Irena; Císařová, Ivana; Vaněk, Přemysl; Němec, Petr; Němec, Ivan

2017-01-01

Three polymorphic modifications of bis(N-phenylbiguanidium(1+)) oxalate are reported, and their characterization is discussed in this paper. The non-centrosymmetric bis(N-phenylbiguanidium(1+)) oxalate (I), which was obtained from an aqueous solution at 313 K, belongs to the monoclinic space group Cc (a = 6.2560(2) Å, b = 18.6920(3) Å, c = 18.2980(5) Å, β = 96.249(1)°, V = 2127.0(1) Å3, Z = 4, R = 0.0314 for 4738 observed reflections). The centrosymmetric bis(N-phenylbiguanidium(1+)) oxalate (II) was obtained from an aqueous solution at 298 K and belongs to the monoclinic space group P21/n (a = 6.1335(3) Å, b = 11.7862(6) Å, c = 14.5962(8) Å, β = 95.728(2)°, V = 1049.90(9) Å3, Z = 4, R = 0.0420 for 2396 observed reflections). The cooling of the centrosymmetric phase (II) leads to the formation of bis(N-phenylbiguanidium(1+)) oxalate (III) (a = 6.1083(2) Å, b = 11.3178(5) Å, c = 14.9947(5) Å, β = 93.151(2)°, V = 1035.05(8) Å3, Z = 4, R = 0.0345 for 2367 observed reflections and a temperature of 110 K), which also belongs to the monoclinic space group P21/n. The crystal structures of the three characterized phases are generally based on layers of isolated N-phenylbiguanidium(1 +) cations separated by oxalate anions and interconnected with them by several types of N-H...O hydrogen bonds. The observed phases generally differ not only in their crystal packing but also in the lengths and characteristics of their hydrogen bonds. The thermal behaviour of the prepared compounds was studied using the DSC method in the temperature range from 90 K up to a temperature near the melting point of each crystal. The bis(N-phenylbiguanidium(1+)) oxalate (II) crystals exhibit weak reversible thermal effects on the DSC curve at 147 K (heating run). Further investigation of this effect, which was assigned to the isostructural phase transformation, was performed using FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis in a wide temperature range.

Cloning, expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic investigations of a unique editing domain from archaebacteria.

PubMed

Dwivedi, Shweta; Kruparani, Shobha P; Sankaranarayanan, Rajan

2004-09-01

Threonyl-tRNA synthetase (ThrRS) faces a crucial double-discrimination problem during the translation of genetic code. Most ThrRSs from the archaeal kingdom possess a unique editing domain that differs from those of eubacteria and eukaryotes. In order to understand the structural basis of the editing mechanism in archaea, the editing module of ThrRS from Pyrococcus abyssi comprising of the first 183 amino-acid residues was cloned, expressed, purified and crystallized. The crystals belong to the trigonal space group P3(1(2))21, with one molecule in the asymmetric unit.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray studies of a non-haemorrhagic fibrin(ogen)olytic metalloproteinase from the venom of Agkistrodon acutus

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

Hou, Jing; Li, Ming; Chen, Jiashu

Crystals of a non-haemorrhagic fibrin(ogen)olytic metalloproteinase from the venom of A. acutus have been obtained and characterized by X-ray diffraction. A non-haemorrhagic fibrin(ogen)olytic metalloproteinase from the venom of Agkistrodon acutus has been crystallized by the hanging-drop method. The crystals belong to space group P3{sub 1}21, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 80.57, c = 66.77 Å and one molecule in the asymmetric unit. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 1.86 Å resolution.

Better Ceramics Through Chemistry IV. Materials Research Society Sumposium Proceedings. Volume 180

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-03-31

GELS 117 L.F. Nazar, D.G. Napier, D. Lapham, and E. Epperson SMALL ANGLE X - RAY SCATTERING STUDIES Or POLYMERIC ZIRCONIUM SPECIES IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION...recently obtained the first X - ray crystallographic data on bismuth alkoxides, Bi(OR) 3 (R = C(CH3) 3 and C6 H4 (CH 3 )2 -2,6) [8]. These data showed that...d8, ppm): 12.5 (O2CMe), 9.6 (OCMe3). The complex was identified by X - ray crystallography. 1 crystallizes in space group P21/n with a = 13.149(2) A, b

[Establishment of heat acclimatization model in rabbits and its pathophysiological characteristics].

PubMed

Wang, Tao; Wang, Jing; Wang, Shang; Li, Pei-Yao; Zhang, Wen-Cheng; Zhao, Xiao-Ling; Wang, Hai

2013-09-01

To establish an effective and stable rabbit heat acclimatization model for the experiment of heat acclimatization mechanisms. Sixteen healthy male rabbits were divided into heat acclimatization group and control group randomly (n = 8). Heat acclimatization (HA) group was kept in simulation chamber with dry bulb temperature of (36 +/- 1) degrees C, wet bulb temperature of (29 +/- 0.5) degrees C, black-bulb temperature of (40 +/- 1.0) degrees C, 100 min/day for 21 days. Control group was kept in the room with temperature of 20 degrees C and relative humidity < 60% during 20 days, then removed into simulation chamber on day 21 to estimate and monitor the rectal temperature together with the heat acclimatization group. Venous blood of control and heat acclimatization group before and after heat exposure on the 1st day, 11th day and 21st day were collected to detect levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) by ELISA analysis. (1) Rectal temperature: There was no significant change in control group during 21 days. In heat acclimatization group, it increased (2.07 +/- 0.43) degrees C after the 1st exposure, and increased (1.78 +/- 0.37) degrees C after the 11th exposure, the range of increasing decreased (0.29 +/- 0.09) degrees C. After the 21st exposure, it increased (1.52 +/- 0.29) degrees C, which was (0.55 +/- 0.14) degrees C lower than that of the 1st (P < 0.05),and (0.53 +/- 0.14) degrees C lower to that of the control group under 1st heat stress (P < 0.05); (2) The level of TNF-alpha after the 1st exposure increased significantly (P < 0.05), but didn't raise along with the exposure times. And fell back to the original level after the 11th and 21st exposure. Compared with control group, the level of IL-6 increased after the 1st, 11th and 21st exposure (P < 0.05), and maintained highly after the 11th and 21st exposure. Compared with the control group, the level of HSP70 increased dramatically with the heat exposure times. Significant increasing of (HSP70) could be detected after the 11th and 21st exposure (P < 0.05), but there was no difference to that of the 1st exposure. Prolonged or repeated exposure to heat stressful environmental conditions can reduce the physiological strain, improve heat tolerance, elicits heat acclimatization.

Cloning, expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray characterization of the full-length single-stranded DNA-binding protein from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus.

PubMed

Clarke, David J; Northey, Christopher G; Mack, Lynsey A; McNae, Iain W; Alexeev, Dmitriy; Sawyer, Lindsay; Campopiano, Dominic J

2004-11-01

Single-stranded DNA-binding (SSB) proteins stabilize single-stranded DNA, which is exposed by separation of the duplex during DNA replication, recombination and repair. The SSB protein from the hyperthermophile Aquifex aeolicus has been overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified and characterized and crystals of the full-length protein (147 amino acids; M(r) 17 131.20) have been grown by vapour diffusion from ammonium sulfate pH 7.5 in both the absence and presence of ssDNA [dT(pT)(68)]. All crystals diffract to around 2.9 A resolution and those without bound DNA (native) belong to space group P2(1), with two tetramers in the asymmetric unit and unit-cell parameters a = 80.97, b = 73.40, c = 109.76 A, beta = 95.11 degrees . Crystals containing DNA have unit-cell parameters a = 108.65, b = 108.51, c = 113.24 A and could belong to three closely related space groups (I222, I2(1)2(1)2(1) or I4(1)) with one tetramer in the asymmetric unit. Electrospray mass spectrometry of the crystals confirmed that the protein was intact. Molecular replacement with a truncated E. coli SSB structure has revealed the position of the molecules in the unit cell and refinement of both native and DNA-bound forms is under way.

Commander Kevin Chilton is greeted as he moves past the APAS interface

NASA Image and Video Library

1996-03-23

S76-E-5146 (24 March 1996) --- Continuing an in-space tradition, astronaut Kevin P. Chilton (right), STS-76 mission commander, shakes hands with cosmonaut Yury Onufrienko, Mir-21 commander, in the tunnel connecting the Space Shuttle Atlantis and Russia's Mir Space Station. A short time earlier two crews successfully pulled off the third hard-docking of their respective spacecraft. In the background is cosmonaut Yury V. Usachev, Mir-21 flight engineer. The image was recorded with a 35mm Electronic Still Camera (ESC) and downlinked at a later time to ground controllers in Houston, Texas.

Synthesis, Structures, and Vibrational Spectroscopy of the Two-Dimensional Iodates Ln(IO) 3 and Ln(IO 3) 3(H 2O) ( Ln-Yb,Lu)

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

Assefa, Zerihun; Ling, Jie; Haire, Richard

2006-01-01

The reaction of Lu3+ or Yb3+ and H5IO6 in aqueous media at 180 C leads to the formation of Yb(IO3)3(H2O) or Lu(IO3)3(H2O), respectively, while the reaction of Yb metal with H5IO6 under similar reaction conditions gives rise to the anhydrous iodate, Yb(IO3)3. Under supercritical conditions Lu3+ reacts with HIO3 and KIO4 to yield the isostructural Lu(IO3)3. The structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic data are (MoKa, {lambda}=0.71073 {angstrom}): Yb(IO3)3, monoclinic, space group P21/n, a=8.6664(9) {angstrom}, b=5.9904(6) {angstrom}, c=14.8826(15) {angstrom}, {beta}=96.931(2){sup o}, V=766.99(13), Z=4, R(F)=4.23% for 114 parameters with 1880 reflections with I>2s(I); Lu(IO3)3, monoclinic, space group P21/n,more » a=8.6410(9), b=5.9961(6), c=14.8782(16) {angstrom}, {beta}=97.028(2){sup o}, V=765.08(14), Z=4, R(F)=2.65% for 119 parameters with 1756 reflections with I>2s(I); Yb(IO3)3(H2O), monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=27.2476(15), b=5.6296(3), c=12.0157(7) {angstrom}, {beta}=98.636(1){sup o}, V=1822.2(2), Z=8, R(F)=1.51% for 128 parameters with 2250 reflections with I>2s(I); Lu(IO3)3(H2O), monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=27.258(4), b=5.6251(7), c=12.0006(16) {angstrom}, {beta}=98.704(2){sup o}, V=1818.8(4), Z=8, R(F)=1.98% for 128 parameters with 2242 reflections with I>2s(I). The f elements in all of the compounds are found in seven-coordinate environments and bridged with monodentate, bidentate, or tridentate iodate anions. Both Lu(IO3)3(H2O) and Yb(IO3)3(H2O) display distinctively different vibrational profiles from their respective anhydrous analogs. Hence, the Raman profile can be used as a complementary diagnostic tool to discern the different structural motifs of the compounds.« less

ANTIPLAQUE AND ANTIGINGIVITIS EFFECT OF LIPPIA SIDOIDES. A DOUBLE-BLIND CLINICAL STUDY IN HUMANS

PubMed Central

Rodrigues, Ítalo Sarto Carvalho; Tavares, Vinícius Nascimento; Pereira, Sérgio Luís da Silva; da Costa, Flávio Nogueira

2009-01-01

Objectives: The antiplaque and antigingivitis effect of Lippia Sidoides (LS) was evaluated in this in vivo investigation. Material and Methods: Twenty-three subjects participated in a cross-over, double-blind clinical study, using 21-day partial-mouth experimental model of gingivitis. A toothshield was constructed for each volunteer, avoiding the brushing of the 4 experimental posterior teeth in the lower left quadrant. The subjects were randomly assigned initially to use either the placebo gel (control group) or the test gel, containing 10% LS (test group). Results: The clinical results showed statistically significant differences for plaque index (PLI) (p<0.01) between days 0 and 21 in both groups, however only the control group showed statistically significant difference (p<0.01) for the bleeding (IB) and gingival (GI) index within the experimental period of 21 days. On day 21, the test group presented significantly better results than the control group with regard to the GI (p<0.05). Conclusions: The test gel containing 10% LS was effective in the control of gingivitis. PMID:19936516

Selenium-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae improves growth, antioxidant status and selenoprotein gene expression in Arbor Acres broilers.

PubMed

Chen, F; Zhu, L; Qiu, H; Qin, S

2017-04-01

One hundred and fifty 7-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly assigned into five groups: group 1 served as a control that was fed a basal diet without selenium (Se) supplementation; groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.15, 0.5 and 1.5 mg Se as Se-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SSC) per kg of diet; and group 5 was fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.15 mg per kg of Se as sodium selenite (SS). Growth performance, glutathione peroxidase (GP X ) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in plasma and liver, and cellular glutathione peroxidase (GP X -1) and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (GP X -4) mRNA levels in liver were determined. Compared with group 1, groups 2-4 exhibited higher body weights (p < 0.05), lower feed/gain ratios, and higher GP X activities in plasma (p < 0.05) and GP X and SOD activities and GP X -1 and GP X -4 mRNA levels in liver (p < 0.05). Compared with group 5, group 2 exhibited higher GP X activity in plasma on day 21 (p < 0.05). Compared with group 2 and 5, group 3 exhibited lower MDA content in plasma on day 7 (p < 0.05), higher GP X activity in plasma, SOD activity and GP X -1 mRNA levels in liver on day 14 and 21 (p < 0.05), and higher GP X -4 mRNA levels on day 14 (p < 0.05). Compared with group 4, group 3 exhibited lower MDA contents in plasma on day 14 (p < 0.05) and in liver on day 21 (p < 0.05), higher T-AOC in plasma and higher GP X -1 mRNA levels on day 14 and 21 (p < 0.05), and higher SOD activity in plasma and higher SOD and GP X activities in liver on day 21 (p < 0.05). Thus, SSC improves growth and antioxidant status of broilers; the short-term bioavailability of SS was faster than that of SSC, but the long-term bioavailability of SSC was greater than SS. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition © 2016 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Identification of an intracellular protein that specifically interacts with photoaffinity-labeled oncogenic p21 protein.

PubMed Central

Lee, G; Ronai, Z A; Pincus, M R; Brandt-Rauf, P W; Murphy, R B; Delohery, T M; Nishimura, S; Yamaizumi, Z; Weinstein, I B

1989-01-01

An oncogenic 21-kDa (p21) protein (Harvey RAS protein with Val-12) has been covalently modified with a functional reagent that contains a photoactivatable aromatic azide group. This modified p21 protein has been introduced quantitatively into NIH 3T3 cells using an erythrocyte-mediated fusion technique. The introduced p21 protein was capable of inducing enhanced pinocytosis and DNA synthesis in the recipient cells. To identify the putative intracellular protein(s) that specifically interact with the modified p21 protein, the cells were pulsed with [35S]methionine at selected times after fusion and then UV-irradiated to activate the azide group. The resulting nitrene covalently binds to amino acid residues in adjacent proteins, thus linking the p21 protein to these proteins. The cells were then lysed, and the lysate was immunoprecipitated with the anti-p21 monoclonal antibody Y13-259. The immunoprecipitate was analyzed by SDS/PAGE to identify p21-protein complexes. By using this technique, we found that three protein complexes of 51, 64, and 82 kDa were labeled specifically and reproducibly. The most prominent band is the 64-kDa protein complex that shows a time-dependent rise and fall, peaking within a 5-hr period after introduction of the p21 protein into the cells. These studies provide evidence that in vitro the p21 protein becomes associated with a protein whose mass is about 43 kDa. We suggest that the formation of this complex may play a role in mediating early events involved with cell transformation induced by RAS oncogenes. Images PMID:2682656

Adjunctive triamcinolone acetonide for Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation: a randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Yazdani, Shahin; Doozandeh, Azadeh; Pakravan, Mohammad; Ownagh, Vahid; Yaseri, Mehdi

2017-06-26

To evaluate the effect of intraoperative sub-Tenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) as an adjunct to Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation. In this triple-blind randomized clinical trial, 104 eyes with refractory glaucoma were randomly assigned to conventional AGV (non-TA group) or AGV with adjunctive triamcinolone (TA group). In the TA group, 10 mg TA was injected in the sub-Tenon space around the AGV plate intraoperatively. Patients were followed for 1 year. The main outcome measure was intraocular pressure (IOP). Other outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), occurrence of hypertensive phase (HP), peak IOP, number of antiglaucoma medications, and complications. A total of 90 patients were included in the final analysis. Mean IOP was lower in the TA group at most follow-up visits; however, the difference was statistically significant only at the first month (p = 0.004). Linear mixed model showed that mean IOP was 1.5 mm Hg lower in the TA group throughout the study period (p = 0.006). Peak postoperative IOP was significantly lower in the TA group (19.3 ± 4.8 mm Hg versus 29 ± 9.2 mm Hg, p = 0.032). Rates of success (defined as 6 < IOP <21 mm Hg) were similar in both groups at 12 months. There was no difference in the occurrence of the HP between the 2 groups (p = 0.123). Loss of BCVA >2 lines was more common in the non-TA group (p = 0.032). Adjunctive intraoperative TA injection during AGV implantation can blunt peak IOP levels and reduce mean IOP up to 1 year. Visual outcomes also seem to be superior to standard surgery.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of gene product 44 from bacteriophage Mu

PubMed Central

Kondou, Youhei; Kitazawa, Daisuke; Takeda, Shigeki; Yamashita, Eiki; Mizuguchi, Mineyuki; Kawano, Keiichi; Tsukihara, Tomitake

2005-01-01

Bacteriophage Mu baseplate protein gene product 44 (gp44) is an essential protein required for the assembly of viable phages. To investigate the roles of gp44 in baseplate assembly and infection, gp44 was crystallized at pH 6.0 in the presence of 20% 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol. The crystals belong to space group R3, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 127.47, c = 63.97 Å. The crystals diffract X-­rays to at least 2.1 Å resolution and are stable in the X-ray beam and are therefore appropriate for structure determination. Native data have been collected to 2.1 Å resolution using a DIP6040 image-plate system at beamline BL44XU at the SPring-8 facility in Japan. PMID:16508104

Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of hygromycin B phosphotransferase from Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Iino, Daisuke; Takakura, Yasuaki; Kuroiwa, Mika; Kawakami, Ryouta; Sasaki, Yasuyuki; Hoshino, Takayuki; Ohsawa, Kanju; Nakamura, Akira; Yajima, Shunsuke

2007-08-01

Aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as hygromycin, kanamycin, neomycin, spectinomycin and streptomycin, inhibit protein synthesis by acting on bacterial and eukaryotic ribosomes. Hygromycin B phosphotransferase (Hph; EC 2.7.1.119) converts hygromycin B to 7''-O-phosphohygromycin using a phosphate moiety from ATP, resulting in the loss of its cell-killing activity. The Hph protein has been crystallized for the first time using a thermostable mutant and the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystal provided diffraction data to a resolution of 2.1 A and belongs to space group P3(2)21, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 71.0, c = 125.0 A. Crystals of complexes of Hph with hygromycin B and AMP-PNP or ADP have also been obtained in the same crystal form as that of the apoprotein.

CYFRA 21.1 in bronchoalveolar lavage of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients.

PubMed

Vercauteren, Inge M; Verleden, Stijn E; McDonough, John E; Vandermeulen, Elly; Ruttens, David; Lammertyn, Elise J; Bellon, Hannelore; De Dycker, Els; Dooms, Christophe; Yserbyt, Jonas; Verleden, Geert M; Vanaudenaerde, Bart M; Wuyts, Wim A

2015-01-01

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is one of the most aggressive forms of interstitial lung diseases, however, clinically relevant biomarkers of diagnosis or prognosis are lacking. In this study, we investigated the levels of a fragment of Cytokeratin 19 (CYFRA 21.1) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of IPF patients at time of diagnosis. We further evaluated associations between CYFRA 21.1, pulmonary function evolution, mortality, and BAL cell count. Using the Lumipulse® G1200, CYFRA 21.1 was measured in BAL samples of 81 IPF patients and 9 controls. Based upon the median detected level (1.2 ng/mL) of CYFRA 21.1 in IPF patients, they were subdivided into an IPF CYFRA 21.1 low group (≤ 1.2 ng/mL) and IPF CYFRA 21.1 high group (> 1.2 ng/mL). The CYFRA 21.1 levels were significantly higher in BAL of IPF patients compared to controls (P = .0015).Worse survival was observed, but no changes in pulmonary function, for IPF patients with high CYFRA 21.1 levels versus patients with low CYFRA 21.1 levels [P = .030, HR: 0.41, (0.18-0.92)[. The CYFRA 21.1 level correlated with both neutrophils (%: R = 0.60, P < .0001; #: R = 0.47, P < .0001) and eosinophils (%: R = 0.38, P = .0005; #: R = 0.30, P < .0072). CYFRA 21.1 is increased in BAL of IPF patients. IPF patients with a high CYFRA 21.1 concentration have a worse survival. CYFRA 21.1 levels correlate with eosinophils and neutrophils. Further studies are warranted in using CYFRA 21.1 as a biomarker for IPF prognosis.

Synthesis, Rietveld refinements, Infrared and Raman spectroscopy studies of the sodium diphosphate NaCryFe1-yP2O7 (0 ≤ y ≤ 1)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bih, H.; Saadoune, I.; Bih, L.; Mansori, M.; ToufiK, H.; Fuess, H.; Ehrenberg, H.

2016-01-01

In the present study we report on the synthesis and crystal structure studies of NaCryFe1-yP2O7 sodium diphosphate solid solution (0 ≤ y ≤ 1). The X-ray diffraction shows that these compounds are isostructural with NaFeP2O7 and NaCrP2O7 (space group P21/c (C2h5) Z = 4). The Rietveld refinements based on the XRD patterns show the existence of a continuous solid solution over the whole composition range (0 ≤ y ≤ 1). A continuous evolution of the monoclinic unit cell parameters was obtained. The transition metal ions (Cr3+ and/or Fe3+) connect the diphosphate anions forming a three-dimensional network with cages filled by Na+ cations. IR and Raman spectra have been interpreted using factor group analysis. A small shift of the band frequencies is observed when Fe is substituted by Cr. The POP bridge angles are determined from Lazarev's relation and agree well with those deduced from the crystal structure refinement.

Low expression of p27 indicates a poor prognosis in patients with high-grade astrocytomas.

PubMed

Kirla, Ruut M; Haapasalo, Hannu K; Kalimo, Hannu; Salminen, Eeva K

2003-02-01

Two families of tumor suppressor genes, Cip/Kip (p21, p27, and 57) and INK4 (p15, p16, p18, and p19), regulate cell proliferation and neoplastic transformation. p27 exerts its suppressor effect through cyclin E-dependent kinase (CDK2) by inhibiting the phosphorylation of pRb by CDK2, which, in turn, arrests cells in the G1-phase. p21 has a similar effect in addition to participating in the p53 dependent CDK4-mediated and CDK6-mediated pathway. The authors studied the prognostic significance of p21 and p27 in patients with high-grade astrocytomas who were treated with radiotherapy. The expression of p27 and p21 was analyzed immunohistochemically in 52 glioblastomas and 25 anaplastic astrocytomas. All patients underwent surgery for the first time and were treated with adjuvant external radiotherapy. The p27 labeling index (LI) was < 30% in 36% of tumors, 30-50% in 25% of tumors, and > 50% in 39% of tumors. A significant difference in cumulative survival was observed between these groups (P = 0.0072; log-rank test). The p21 LI was < 30% in 48% of tumors, 30-50% in 39% of tumors, and > 50% in 13% of tumors; these groups did not differ significantly in survival. In multivariate Cox analysis, p27 LI was an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.0008). The grade of malignancy and proliferation activity also were independent prognostic factors. Although p27 and p21 are parallel cell-cycle regulators, only p27 has independent prognostic value in patients with malignant astrocytomas. It appears that decreased levels of p21/p27 are associated with a poor prognosis and short survival. Copyright 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11079

Improving Mixed Variable Optimization of Computational and Model Parameters Using Multiple Surrogate Functions

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-01

multiplicative corrections as well as space mapping transformations for models defined over a lower dimensional space. A corrected surrogate model for the...correction functions used in [72]. If the low fidelity model g(x̃) is defined over a lower dimensional space then a space mapping transformation is...required. As defined in [21, 72], space mapping is a method of mapping between models of different dimensionality or fidelity. Let P denote the space

Structure of neutron-rich nuclei around the N = 50 shell-gap closure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faul, T.; Duchêne, G.; Thomas, J.-C.; Nowacki, F.; Huyse, M.; Van Duppen, P.

2010-04-01

The structure of neutron-rich nuclei in the vicinity of 78Ni have been investigated via the β-decay of 71,73,75Cu isotopes (ISOLDE, CERN). Experimental results have been compared with shell-model calculations performed with the ANTOINE code using a large (2p3/21f5/22p1/21g9/2) valence space and a 56/28Ni28 core.

Syntheses, characterization, superoxide dismutase, antimicrobial, crystal structure and molecular studies of copper (II) and nickel (II) complexes with 2-((E)-(2, 4-dibromophenylimino) methyl)-4-bromophenol as Schiff base ligand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bharti, Sulakshna; Choudhary, Mukesh; Mohan, Bharti; Rawat, S. P.; Sharma, S. R.; Ahmad, Khursheed

2017-12-01

Three new copper (II) and nickel (II) complexes viz. [Cu(L)2](1a), [Cu(L)2](1b) and [Ni(L)2].DMF(2), where HL = 2-((E)-(2, 4-dibromophenylimino) methyl)-4-bromophenol, have been synthesized and characterized by using various physico-chemical and spectroscopic techniques. The crystal structures of Schiff base (HL) and their metal complexes (1a), (1b) and (2) were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. IR and UV-Vis spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements agree with the observed crystal structures. The crystallographic and spectroscopic studies confirmed four coordinate environments around the metal (II) ions. The synthesized Schiff base ligand (HL) crystallizes in the orthorhombic system of the space group Pbca. Complex (1a) of HL was crystallized in the monoclinic system of the space group P21/c, a = 10.1712(9) Å, b = 10.9299(10) Å,c = 12.7684(11) Å,α = 90̊,β = 104.649(2)̊, γ = 90̊ and Z = 2 whereas complex (1b) and (2) crystallized in the triclinic system of the space group P-1, a = 11.499(5)Å, b = 11.598(5)Å, c = 12.211(5)Å, α = 98.860(5), β = 115.653(5),γ = 100.906(5) and Z = 2 for (1b), a = 9.080(6) Å, b = 9.545(8)Å, c = 9.545(8)Å, α = 101.43(4)º,β = 99.63(3)̊, γ = 117.71(2)º and Z = 1 for (2). The synthesized ligand (HL) was behaved as monobasic bidentate Schiff base ligand having N and O donor sites. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectra indicate a dx2-y2ground state (g|| > g⊥> 2.0023) for (1a) and (1b). Copper (II) complexes display X-band EPR spectra in 100% DMSO and 77 K, giving indicating dx2-y2ground state. Superoxide dismutase-like activities of HL and its complexes were investigated by nitrobluetetrazolium chloride-DMSO assay and IC50 values were evaluated. These complexes were also tested for their in vitro antimicrobial activities against two bacteria (E. coli and Salmonella typhi) and two fungi (Pencillium, Aspergillus sp.) comparing with the Schiff base. The antimicrobial results showed that the complexes were more biologically active compounds to the Schiff base (HL).

Effects of in ovo feeding of l-arginine on breast muscle growth and protein deposition in post-hatch broilers.

PubMed

Yu, L L; Gao, T; Zhao, M M; Lv, P A; Zhang, L; Li, J L; Jiang, Y; Gao, F; Zhou, G H

2018-02-26

In ovo feeding (IOF) of l-arginine (Arg) can affect growth performance of broilers, but the response of IOF of Arg on breast muscle growth is unclear, and the mechanism involved in protein deposition remains unknown. Hense, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of IOF of Arg on breast muscle growth and protein-deposited signalling in post-hatch broilers. A total of 720 fertile eggs were collected from 34-week-old Arbor Acres breeder hens and distributed to three treatments: (1) non-injected control group; (2) 7.5 g/l (w/v) NaCl diluent-injected control group; (3) 0.6 mg Arg/egg solution-injected group. At 17.5 days of incubation, fertile eggs were injected 0.6 ml solutions into the amnion of the injected groups. Upon hatching, 80 male chicks were randomly assigned to eight replicates of 10 birds each and fed ad libitum for 21 days. The results indicated that IOF of Arg increased relative breast muscle weight compared with those of control groups at hatch, 3-, 7- and 21-day post-hatch (P<0.05). In the Arg-injected group, the plasma total protein and albumen concentrations were higher at 7- and 21-day post-hatch than those of control groups (P<0.05). The alanine aminotransferase activity in Arg group was higher at hatch than that of control groups (P<0.05). The levels of triiodothyronine at four time points and thyroxine hormones at hatch, 7- and 21-day post-hatch in Arg group were higher than those of control groups (P<0.05). In addition, IOF of Arg increased the amino acid concentrations of breast muscle at hatch, 7- and 21-day post-hatch (P<0.05). In ovo feeding of Arg also enhanced mammalian target of rapamycin, ribosomal protein S6 kinase-1 and eIF4E-bindingprotein-1 messenger RNA expression levels at hatch compared with those of control groups (P<0.05). It was concluded that IOF of Arg treatment improved breast muscle growth, which might be associated with the enhancement of protein deposition.

NCI calculations for understanding a physical phase transition in (C6H14N2)[Mn(H2O)6](SeO4)2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naïli, Houcine; François, Michel; Norquist, Alexander J.; Rekik, Walid

2017-12-01

An organically templated manganese selenate, (C6H14N2)[Mn(H2O)6](SeO4)2, has been synthesized by slow evaporation and crystallographically characterized. The title compound crystallizes at room temperature in the monoclinic centrosymmetric space group P21/n, with the following unit cell parameters: a = 7.2373(4) Å; b = 12.5600(7) Å; c = 10.1945(7) Å; β = 91.155(4)°, V = 926.50(10) Å3and Z = 2. Its crystal structure is built of manganese(II) cations coordinated by six water molecules in octahedral geometry, disordered dabcodiium cations and selenate anions, resulting in an extensive hydrogen-bonding network. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement indicated that the precursor undergoes a reversible phase transition at about 216 and 218 K during the cooling and heating processes respectively. Below this temperature the title compound is noncentrosymmetric with space group P21 and lattice parameters a = 7.2033(8) Å; b = 12.4981(13) Å; c = 10.0888(11) Å; β = 91.281(2)°, V = 908.04(17) Å3 and Z = 2. The disorder-order transformation of the C atoms of (C6H14N2)2+ cation may drive the structural phase transition. The low temperature phase obtained by breaking symmetry presents a fully ordered structure. The noncovalent interaction (NCI) method was used not only to locate, quantify, and visualize intermolecular interactions in the high and low temperature phases but also to confirm the phase transition detected by DSC measurement. The thermal decomposition of this new compound proceeds through four stages giving rise to the manganese oxide as final product at 850 °C.

High-resolution array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) identifies copy number alterations in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma that predict response to immuno-chemotherapy

PubMed Central

Kreisel, F.; Kulkarni, S.; Kerns, R. T.; Hassan, A.; Deshmukh, H.; Nagarajan, R.; Frater, J. L.; Cashen, A.

2013-01-01

Despite recent attempts at sub-categorization, including gene expression profiling into prognostically different groups of “germinal center B-cell type” and “activated B-cell type”, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains a biologically heterogenous tumor with no clear prognostic biomarkers to guide therapy. Whole genome, high resolution array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) was performed on 4 cases of chemoresistant DLBCL and 4 cases of chemo-responsive DLBCL to identify genetic differences which may correlate with response to R-CHOP therapy. Array CGH analysis identified 7 DNA copy number alteration (CNA) regions exclusive to the chemoresistant group, consisting of amplifications at 1p36.13, 1q42.3, 3p21.31, 7q11.23, and 16p13.3, and loss at 9p21.3, and 14p21.31. Copy number loss of the tumor suppressor genes CDKN2A (p16, p14) and CDKN2B (p15) at 9p21.3 was validated by fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry as independent techniques. In the chemo-sensitive group, 12 CNAs were detected consisting of segment gains on 1p36.11, 1p36.22, 2q11.2, 8q24.3, 12p13.33, and 22q13.2 and segment loss on 6p21.32. RUNX3, a tumor suppressor gene located on 1p36.11 and MTHFR, which encodes for the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, located on 1p36.22 are the only known genes in this group associated with lymphoma. Whole genome aCGH analysis has detected copy number alterations exclusive to either chemoresistant or chemo-responsive DLBCL that may represent consistent clonal changes predictive for prognosis and outcome of chemotherapy. PMID:21504712

Expression, purification and preliminary crystallographic analysis of oligopeptidase B from Trypanosoma brucei

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

Rea, Dean; Hazell, Carole; Andrews, Norma W.

2006-08-01

Recombinant oligopeptidase B from T. brucei has been prepared and crystallized. Data were collected to 2.7 Å. Heavy-atom soaks and preparation of selenomethionine-substituted protein are in progress for structure determination by MAD or MIR. African sleeping sickness, also called trypanosomiasis, is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Peptidases from Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent, include the serine peptidase oligopeptidase B, a documented virulence factor and therapeutic target. Determination of the three-dimensional structure of oligopeptidase B is desirable to facilitate the development of novel inhibitors. Oligopeptidase B was overexpressed in Escherichia coli as an N-terminally hexahistidine-tagged fusionmore » protein, purified using metal-affinity chromatography and crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion technique in 7%(w/v) polyethylene glycol 6000, 1 M LiCl, 0.1 M bis-tris propane pH 7.5. Diffraction data to 2.7 Å resolution were collected using synchrotron radiation. The crystals belong to space group P3{sub 1}21 or P3{sub 2}21, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 124.5, c = 249.9 Å. A complete data set to 2.7 Å was collected using synchrotron radiation.« less

MCC Guest Viewing Program of Pope Benedict XVI's call to the ISS/STS-134 crew.

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-05-21

JSC2011-E-046602 (21 May 2011) --- A group of guests in the viewing room of the Mission Control Center at NASA?s Johnson Space Center are pictured during a special call from Pope Benedict XVI (visible on the monitors) to the STS-134 and Expedition 27 crews on the International Space Station. The event was conducted from The Vatican at 6:11 a.m. (CDT) on May 21, 2011, and aired live on NASA television. Photo credit: NASA

Effects of Heat-oxidized Soy Protein Isolate on Growth Performance and Digestive Function of Broiler Chickens at Early Age

PubMed Central

Chen, X.; Chen, Y. P.; Wu, D. W.; Wen, C.; Zhou, Y. M.

2015-01-01

This study was conducted to investigate effects of heat-oxidized soy protein isolate (HSPI) on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, apparent nutrient digestibility and digestive function of broiler chickens. A total of 320 1-day-old Arbor Acres chicks were randomly divided into 4 groups with 8 replicates of 10 birds, receiving diets containing soy protein isolate (SPI, control group) or the same amount of SPI heated in an oven at 100°C for 1, 4, or 8 h, for 21 days, respectively. The results indicated that compared with the control group, body weight gain and feed intake of birds fed diet containing SPI heated for 8 h were significantly lower (p<0.05). Serum urea nitrogen concentration was higher in the broilers fed diet containing SPI heated for 4 or 8 h at d 21 (p<0.05). In contrast, serum glucose content was decreased by HSPI substitution at d 21 (p<0.05). The relative pancreas weight in HSPI groups was higher than that in the control group at d 21 (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the opposite effect was observed for relative weight of anterior intestine and ileum in broilers fed a diet containing SPI heated for 8 h (p<0.05). Birds fed diets containing SPI heated for 4 or 8 h had a decreased lipase activity in anterior intestinal content at d 14 and 21 (p<0.05), respectively. In addition, the same effect was also noted in broilers given diets containing SPI heated for 1 h at d 21 (p<0.05). Similarly, amylase, protease and trypsin activity in anterior intestinal content were lower in broilers fed diets containing SPI heated for 8 h at d 21 (p<0.05). The apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM) from d 8 to 10 and DM, crude protein (CP), and ether extract from d 15 to 17 were lower in broilers fed diets containing SPI heated for 8 h (p<0.05). Besides, birds given diets containing SPI heated for 4 h also exhibited lower CP apparent digestibility from d 15 to 17 (p<0.05). It was concluded that HSPI inclusion can exert a negative influence on the growth performance of broilers, which was likely to result from the simultaneously compromised digestive function. PMID:25656201

Effects of Heat-oxidized Soy Protein Isolate on Growth Performance and Digestive Function of Broiler Chickens at Early Age.

PubMed

Chen, X; Chen, Y P; Wu, D W; Wen, C; Zhou, Y M

2015-04-01

This study was conducted to investigate effects of heat-oxidized soy protein isolate (HSPI) on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, apparent nutrient digestibility and digestive function of broiler chickens. A total of 320 1-day-old Arbor Acres chicks were randomly divided into 4 groups with 8 replicates of 10 birds, receiving diets containing soy protein isolate (SPI, control group) or the same amount of SPI heated in an oven at 100°C for 1, 4, or 8 h, for 21 days, respectively. The results indicated that compared with the control group, body weight gain and feed intake of birds fed diet containing SPI heated for 8 h were significantly lower (p<0.05). Serum urea nitrogen concentration was higher in the broilers fed diet containing SPI heated for 4 or 8 h at d 21 (p<0.05). In contrast, serum glucose content was decreased by HSPI substitution at d 21 (p<0.05). The relative pancreas weight in HSPI groups was higher than that in the control group at d 21 (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the opposite effect was observed for relative weight of anterior intestine and ileum in broilers fed a diet containing SPI heated for 8 h (p<0.05). Birds fed diets containing SPI heated for 4 or 8 h had a decreased lipase activity in anterior intestinal content at d 14 and 21 (p<0.05), respectively. In addition, the same effect was also noted in broilers given diets containing SPI heated for 1 h at d 21 (p<0.05). Similarly, amylase, protease and trypsin activity in anterior intestinal content were lower in broilers fed diets containing SPI heated for 8 h at d 21 (p<0.05). The apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM) from d 8 to 10 and DM, crude protein (CP), and ether extract from d 15 to 17 were lower in broilers fed diets containing SPI heated for 8 h (p<0.05). Besides, birds given diets containing SPI heated for 4 h also exhibited lower CP apparent digestibility from d 15 to 17 (p<0.05). It was concluded that HSPI inclusion can exert a negative influence on the growth performance of broilers, which was likely to result from the simultaneously compromised digestive function.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of Escherichia coli glutaredoxin 2 in complex with glutathione and of a cysteine-less variant without glutathione

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

Sheng, Ju; Ye, Jun; Rosen, Barry P., E-mail: brosen@med.wayne.edu

2007-04-01

Glutaredoxin 2 from E. coli was cocrystallized with glutathione and data were collected to 1.60 Å. A mutant with the active-site residues Cys9 and Cys12 changed to serine was crystallized in the absence of glutathione and data were collected to 2.4 Å. Glutaredoxin 2 (Grx2) from Escherichia coli is larger in size than classical glutaredoxins. It is extremely efficient in the catalysis of reduced glutathione-dependent disulfide reduction. A complex of Grx2 with reduced glutathione (GSH) has been crystallized. Data were collected to 1.60 Å. The crystals belong to space group P3{sub 2}21, with one Grx2–GSH complex in the asymmetric unit.more » The unit-cell parameters are a = b = 50.10, c = 152.47 Å. A Grx2 mutant, C9S/C12S, which cannot form a disulfide bond with GSH was also crystallized. The crystals diffracted to 2.40 Å and belong to space group P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2{sub 1}, with one molecule in the asymmetric unit. The unit-cell parameters are a = 28.16, b = 78.65, c = 89.16 Å.« less

Preparation of crystals for characterizing the Grb7 SH2 domain before and after complex formation with a bicyclic peptide antagonist.

PubMed

Ambaye, Nigus D; Gunzburg, Menachem J; Traore, Daouda A K; Del Borgo, Mark P; Perlmutter, Patrick; Wilce, Matthew C J; Wilce, Jacqueline A

2014-02-01

Human growth factor receptor-bound protein 7 (Grb7) is an adapter protein involved in cell growth, migration and proliferation. It is now recognized that Grb7 is an emerging therapeutic target in specific cancer subtypes. Recently, the discovery of a bicyclic peptide inhibitor that targets the Grb7 SH2 domain, named G7-B1, was reported. In an attempt to probe the foundation of its interaction with Grb7, the crystallization and preliminary data collection of both the apo and G7-B1-bound forms of the Grb7 SH2 domain are reported here. Diffraction-quality crystals were obtained using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. After several rounds of microseeding, crystals of the apo Grb7 SH2 domain were obtained that diffracted to 1.8 Å resolution, while those of the G7-B1-Grb7 SH2 domain complex diffracted to 2.2 Å resolution. The apo Grb7 SH2 domain crystallized in the trigonal space group P63, whereas the G7-B1-Grb7 SH2 domain complex crystallized in the monoclinic space group P21. The experimental aspects of crystallization, crystal optimization and data collection and the preliminary data are reported.

Structural, thermodynamic, and kinetic aspects of the trimorphism of hydrocortisone.

PubMed

Suitchmezian, Viktor; Jess, Inke; Näther, Christian

2008-10-01

Hydrocortisone was investigated for polymorphism and pseudopolymorphism and three different polymorphic modifications (I-III) and one 2-propanol solvate were found. Forms I and III crystallize in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), whereas form II and the 2-propanol solvate crystallize monoclinic in space group P2(1). In all the modifications the molecules are connected by intermolecular O--H...O hydrogen bonding. In the 2-propanol solvate, channels are formed in which the solvent molecules are embedded. Solvent-mediated conversion experiments reveal that the commercially available form I represents the thermodynamically most stable modification at room temperature, whereas forms II and III are metastable. On heating, form III transforms into form II in an endothermic reaction, which shows that an enantiotropic relationship exists between these forms. Form I exhibits the highest melting point and the highest heat of fusion and thus represents the thermodynamically most stable form over the whole temperature range. DSC measurements indicate that form I behaves monotropic to forms II and III. Desolvation of the 2-propanol solvate at higher temperatures results in a transformation into form II, whereas the removal of 2-propanol at room temperature and in vacuum reduced pressure leads to the formation of form III. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association

Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of phycocyanin and phycoerythrin from Porphyra yezoensis Ueda

PubMed Central

Cai, Chuner; Wu, Lian; Li, Chunxia; He, Peimin; Li, Jie; Zhou, Jiahai

2011-01-01

Porphyra yezoensis is one of the most important and widely cultured seaweeds in China. Phycobiliproteins exhibit excellent spectroscopic properties and play versatile roles in the biomedical, food, cosmetics and chemical synthetic dye industries. Here, the purification and crystallization of phycoerythrin and phycocyanin, two phycobiliproteins extracted from P. yezoensis, are described. Using a novel protocol including co-precipitation with ammonium sulfate and hydroxyapatite column chromatography, both phycobiliproteins were produced on a large scale with improved quality and yield compared with those previously reported. Native PAGE analysis indicated that phycoerythrin and phycocyanin exist as (αβ)3 heterohexamers in solution. The crystals of phycoerythrin diffracted to 2.07 Å resolution and belonged to space group R3. The unit-cell parameters referred to hexagonal axes are a = b = 187.7, c = 59.7 Å, with nine (αβ)2 heterotetramers per unit cell. The crystals of phycocyanin diffracted to 2.70 Å resolution in space group P21. Matthews coefficient analysis shows that 10–19 (αβ) heterodimers of phycocyanin in the asymmetric unit would be reasonable. A self-rotation function calculation clarified this ambiguity and indicated that 12 (αβ) heterodimers of phycocyanin are assembled in the asymmetric unit. PMID:21543866

Gold(III) bis-thiosemicarbazonato complexes: synthesis, characterization, radiochemistry and X-ray crystal structure analysis.

PubMed

Bottenus, Brienne N; Kan, Para; Jenkins, Tyler; Ballard, Beau; Rold, Tammy L; Barnes, Charles; Cutler, Cathy; Hoffman, Timothy J; Green, Mark A; Jurisson, Silvia S

2010-01-01

A variety of (bis)thiosemicarbazone-based ligand systems have been investigated as chelating agents for Au(III) complexes with potential radiotherapeutic applications. Ligand systems containing an ethyl, propyl or butyl backbone between the two imine N donors have been synthesized to evaluate chelate ring size effects on the resultant Au(III) complex stability at the macroscopic and radiotracer levels. The Au(III) complexes were synthesized and characterized by NMR, electrospray ionization mass spectra, elemental analysis and X-ray crystallography. The (198)Au complexes were evaluated in vitro at the tracer level for stability in phosphate-buffered saline at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C. One of these complexes [(198)Au(3,4-HxTSE)] showed high in vitro stability and was further evaluated in vivo in normal mice. [Au(ATSM)]AuCl(4).2CH(3)OH, (ATSM=diacetyl-bis(N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazone)) H(14)C(8)N(6)O(2)S(2)Cl(4)Au(2).2CH(3)OH, crystallized from methanol in the monoclinic space group P21/n with a=14.7293(13) A, b=7.7432(7) A, c=20.4363(18) A, beta=100.140(2) degrees, V=2294.4 (4) A(3), Z=4; [Au(3,4-HxTSE)]Cl.CH(3)CH(2)OH/AuCl(2), (3,4-HxTSE=3,4-hexanedione-bis(N(4)-ethylthiosemicarbazone)) H(26)C(13.6)N(6)O(0.8)S(2)Cl(1.2)Au(1.2), crystallized from ethanol in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a=10.1990(10) A, b=13.8833(14) A, c=15.1752(15) A, beta=99.353(2) degrees , V=2120.2 (4) A(3), Z=4. These studies revealed poor stability of the [(198)Au][Au(3,4-HxTSE)](+) complex; however, crystal structure data suggest potential alterations to the ligand backbone may increase stability. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Space weather and human deaths distribution: 25 years' observation (Lithuania, 1989-2013).

PubMed

Stoupel, Eliyahu G; Petrauskiene, Jadvyga; Kalediene, Ramune; Sauliune, Skirmante; Abramson, Evgeny; Shochat, Tzippy

2015-09-01

Human health is affected by space weather component [solar (SA), geomagnetic (GMA), cosmic ray (CRA) - neutrons, space proton flux] activity levels. The aim of this study was to check possible links between timing of human (both genders) monthly deaths distribution and space weather activity. Human deaths distribution in the Republic of Lithuania from 1989 to 2013 (25 years, i.e., 300 consecutive months) was studied, which included 1,050,503 deaths (549,764 male, 500,739 female). Pearson correlation coefficients (r) and their probabilities (p) were obtained for years: months 1-12, sunspot number, smoothed sunspot number, solar flux (2800 MGH, 10.7 cm), adjusted solar flux for SA; A, C indices of GMA; neutron activity at the earth's surface (imp/min) for CRA. The cosmophysical data were obtained from space science institutions in the USA, Russia and Finland. The mentioned physical parameters were compared with the total number of deaths, deaths from ischemic heart disease (n=376,074), stroke (n=132,020), non-cardiovascular causes (n=542,409), accidents (n=98,805), traffic accidents (n=21,261), oncology (n=193,017), diabetes mellitus (n=6631) and suicide (n=33,072). Space factors were interrelated as follows for the considered period: CRA was inversely related to SA and GMA, CRA/SA (r=-0.86, p>0.0001), CRA/GMA (r=-0.70, p<0.0001); SA and GMA were correlated (r=0.50, p<0.0001). The total deaths distribution was inversely related to SA (r=-0.31, p<0.0001) and correlated with CRA (neutron) activity (r=0.234, p<0.0001). Ischemic heart disease (IHD) deaths (most at home) show a drop yearly (r=-0.2551), more for men. It was correlated with GMA for the total IHD population and men. Stroke deaths were inversely related to SA (r=-0.38, p<0.0001) and correlated with CRA (r=0.41, p<0.0001) and year (r=0.49, p<0.0001), showing a steady rise. The IHD/stroke deaths ratio was negatively correlated with the years of observation (r=-0.754, p=0.0001). Non-cardiovascular deaths were inversely related to SA (r=-039, p<0.0001) and correlated with CRA (r=0.263, p<0.0001). Oncology deaths that now are dominating in many places were inversely related to SA (r=-0.475, p<0.0001) and correlated with CRA (r=0.426, p<0.0001). Suicide showed a drop with years (r=-0.29, p<0.0001), possibly related to excessive immigration of young population (18-34 years) in the last decade and correlated with two of three GMA indices. Traffic accidents were correlated with SA and GMA (r=0.392-0.461, p<0.0001) and inversely related to CRA (r=-0.436). Most groups of deaths are related to space weather component activity. Extreme levels of activities of both groups (SA, GMA, and opposite CRA - neutron) are related to some health risks. In the considered period, there were relatively few GMA storms and low GMA was dominating, accompanied by higher CRA (neutron) activity. The ways of action of the components of space weather on the human body need additional studies. There is a special need for the prevention of rising cerebral vascular accidents and oncology malignancies as the causes of death.

Unripe Musa sapientum peel in the healing of surgical wounds in rats.

PubMed

Atzingen, Dênia Amélia Novato Castelli Von; Gragnani, Alfredo; Veiga, Daniela Francescato; Abla, Luis Eduardo Felipe; Cardoso, Lorraine Lorene Felix; Ricardo, Thiago; Mendonça, Adriana Rodrigues dos Anjos; Ferreira, Lydia Masako

2013-01-01

To assess the effects of unripe Musa sapientum peel on the healing of surgical wounds in rats. One hundred and twenty Wistar rats were divided into two treatment groups of 60 animals each: the control group (gel without the active ingredient) and experimental group (4% Musa sapientum peel gel). A 4 x 4 cm surgical wound was created on the back of each animal. The wound was cleaned daily with 0.9% saline, treated with 4% gel or natrosol gel (control), and covered with gauze. Animals from both groups were sacrificed after seven, 14 and 21 days of treatment; the tissue from the wound site was removed together with a margin of normal skin for histological analysis. No significant differences in wound contraction rates (p=0.982) were found between time points (seven, 14 and 21 days of treatment) in both groups. However, a significantly higher wound contraction rate was observed in the control group on day 21 compared with the experimental group (p=0.029). There were no significant differences in histomorphological features between groups. The experimental group showed an increased number of polymorphonuclear cells on day 7, with a significant reduction on day 21 (p=0.026). The use of 4% unripe Musa sapientum peel gel on surgical wounds in rats resulted in an increased number of polymorphonuclear cells on day 7, reduced wound contraction, reduced vascular proliferation and increased concentration of collagen fibers on day 21.

Corrosion behavior of self-ligating and conventional metal brackets.

PubMed

Maia, Lúcio Henrique Esmeraldo Gurgel; Lopes Filho, Hibernon; Ruellas, Antônio Carlos de Oliveira; Araújo, Mônica Tirre de Souza; Vaitsman, Delmo Santiago

2014-01-01

To test the null hypothesis that the aging process in self-ligating brackets is not higher than in conventional brackets. Twenty-five conventional (GN-3M/Unitek; GE-GAC; VE-Aditek) and 25 self-ligating (SCs-3M/Unitek; INs-GAC; ECs-Aditek) metal brackets from three manufacturers (n = 150) were submitted to aging process in 0.9% NaCl solution at a constant temperature of 37 ± 1°C for 21 days. The content of nickel, chromium and iron ions in the solution collected at intervals of 7, 14 and 21 days was quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. After the aging process, the brackets were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) under 22X and 1,000X magnifications. Comparison of metal release in self-ligating and conventional brackets from the same manufacturer proved that the SCs group released more nickel (p < 0.05) than the GN group after 7 and 14 days, but less chromium (p < 0.05) after 14 days and less iron (p < 0.05) at the three experimental time intervals. The INs group released less iron (p < 0.05) than the GE group after 7 days and less nickel, chromium and iron (p < 0.05) after 14 and 21 days. The ECs group released more nickel, chromium and iron (p < 0.05) than the VE group after 14 days, but released less nickel and chromium (p < 0.05) after 7 days and less chromium and iron (p < 0.05) after 21 days. The SEM analysis revealed alterations on surface topography of conventional and self-ligating brackets. The aging process in self-ligating brackets was not greater than in conventional brackets from the same manufacturer. The null hypothesis was accepted.

Corrosion behavior of self-ligating and conventional metal brackets

PubMed Central

Maia, Lúcio Henrique Esmeraldo Gurgel; Lopes Filho, Hibernon; Ruellas, Antônio Carlos de Oliveira; Araújo, Mônica Tirre de Souza; Vaitsman, Delmo Santiago

2014-01-01

Objective To test the null hypothesis that the aging process in self-ligating brackets is not higher than in conventional brackets. Methods Twenty-five conventional (GN-3M/Unitek; GE-GAC; VE-Aditek) and 25 self-ligating (SCs-3M/Unitek; INs-GAC; ECs-Aditek) metal brackets from three manufacturers (n = 150) were submitted to aging process in 0.9% NaCl solution at a constant temperature of 37 ± 1ºC for 21 days. The content of nickel, chromium and iron ions in the solution collected at intervals of 7, 14 and 21 days was quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. After the aging process, the brackets were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) under 22X and 1,000X magnifications. Results Comparison of metal release in self-ligating and conventional brackets from the same manufacturer proved that the SCs group released more nickel (p < 0.05) than the GN group after 7 and 14 days, but less chromium (p < 0.05) after 14 days and less iron (p < 0.05) at the three experimental time intervals. The INs group released less iron (p < 0.05) than the GE group after 7 days and less nickel, chromium and iron (p < 0.05) after 14 and 21 days. The ECs group released more nickel, chromium and iron (p < 0.05) than the VE group after 14 days, but released less nickel and chromium (p < 0.05) after 7 days and less chromium and iron (p < 0.05) after 21 days. The SEM analysis revealed alterations on surface topography of conventional and self-ligating brackets. Conclusions The aging process in self-ligating brackets was not greater than in conventional brackets from the same manufacturer. The null hypothesis was accepted. PMID:24945521

SU(p,q) coherent states and a Gaussian de Finetti theorem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leverrier, Anthony

2018-04-01

We prove a generalization of the quantum de Finetti theorem when the local space is an infinite-dimensional Fock space. In particular, instead of considering the action of the permutation group on n copies of that space, we consider the action of the unitary group U(n) on the creation operators of the n modes and define a natural generalization of the symmetric subspace as the space of states invariant under unitaries in U(n). Our first result is a complete characterization of this subspace, which turns out to be spanned by a family of generalized coherent states related to the special unitary group SU(p, q) of signature (p, q). More precisely, this construction yields a unitary representation of the noncompact simple real Lie group SU(p, q). We therefore find a dual unitary representation of the pair of groups U(n) and SU(p, q) on an n(p + q)-mode Fock space. The (Gaussian) SU(p, q) coherent states resolve the identity on the symmetric subspace, which implies a Gaussian de Finetti theorem stating that tracing over a few modes of a unitary-invariant state yields a state close to a mixture of Gaussian states. As an application of this de Finetti theorem, we show that the n × n upper-left submatrix of an n × n Haar-invariant unitary matrix is close in total variation distance to a matrix of independent normal variables if n3 = O(m).

Physical activity is related to quality of life in older adults.

PubMed

Acree, Luke S; Longfors, Jessica; Fjeldstad, Anette S; Fjeldstad, Cecilie; Schank, Bob; Nickel, Kevin J; Montgomery, Polly S; Gardner, Andrew W

2006-06-30

Physical activity is associated with health-related quality of life (HRQL) in clinical populations, but less is known whether this relationship exists in older men and women who are healthy. Thus, this study determined if physical activity was related to HRQL in apparently healthy, older subjects. Measures were obtained from 112 male and female volunteers (70 +/- 8 years, mean +/- SD) recruited from media advertisements and flyers around the Norman, Oklahoma area. Data was collected using a medical history questionnaire, HRQL from the Medical Outcomes Survey short form-36 questionnaire, and physical activity level from the Johnson Space Center physical activity scale. Subjects were separated into either a higher physically active group (n = 62) or a lower physically active group (n = 50) according to the physical activity scale. The HRQL scores in all eight domains were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the group reporting higher physical activity. Additionally, the more active group had fewer females (44% vs. 72%, p = 0.033), and lower prevalence of hypertension (39% vs. 60%, p = 0.041) than the low active group. After adjusting for gender and hypertension, the more active group had higher values in the following five HRQL domains: physical function (82 +/- 20 vs. 68 +/- 21, p = 0.029), role-physical (83 +/- 34 vs. 61 +/- 36, p = 0.022), bodily pain (83 +/- 22 vs. 66 +/- 23, p = 0.001), vitality (74 +/- 15 vs. 59 +/- 16, p = 0.001), and social functioning (92 +/- 18 vs. 83 +/- 19, p = 0.040). General health, role-emotional, and mental health were not significantly different (p > 0.05) between the two groups. Healthy older adults who regularly participated in physical activity of at least moderate intensity for more than one hour per week had higher HRQL measures in both physical and mental domains than those who were less physically active. Therefore, incorporating more physical activity into the lifestyles of sedentary or slightly active older individuals may improve their HRQL.

Differences between dentitions with palatally and labially located maxillary canines observed in incisor width, dental morphology and space conditions.

PubMed

Artmann, L; Larsen, H J; Sørensen, H B; Christensen, I J; Kjaer, I

2010-06-01

To analyze the interrelationship between incisor width, deviations in the dentition and available space in the dental arch in palatally and labially located maxillary ectopic canine cases. Size: On dental casts from 69 patients (mean age 13 years 6 months) the mesiodistal widths of each premolar, canine and incisor were measured and compared with normal standards. Dental deviations: Based on panoramic radiographs from the same patients the dentitions were grouped accordingly: Group I: normal morphology; Group IIa: deviations in the dentition within the maxillary incisors only; Group IIb: deviations in the dentition in general. Descriptive statistics for the tooth sizes and dental deviations were presented by the mean and 95% confidence limits for the mean and the p-value for the T-statistic. Space: Space was expresses by subtracting the total tooth sizes of incisors, canines and premolars from the length of the arch segments. Size of lateral maxillary incisor: The widths of the lateral incisors were significantly different in groups I, IIa and IIb (p=0.016) and in cases with labially located ectopic canines on average 0.65 (95% CI:0.25-1.05, p=0.0019) broader than lateral incisors in cases with palatally located ectopic canines. Space: Least available space was observed in cases with labially located canines. The linear model did show a difference between palatally and labially located ectopic canines (p=0.03). Space related to deviations in the dentition: When space in the dental arch was related to dental deviations (groups I, IIa and IIb), the cases in group IIb with palatally located canines had significantly more space compared with I and IIa. Two subgroups of palatally located ectopic maxillary canine cases based on registration of space, incisor width and deviations in the morphology of the dentition were identified.

Space Nuclear Facility test capability at the Baikal-1 and IGR sites Semipalatinsk-21, Kazakhstan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hill, T. J.; Stanley, M. L.; Martinell, J. S.

1993-01-01

The International Space Technology Assessment Program was established 1/19/92 to take advantage of the availability of Russian space technology and hardware. DOE had two delegations visit CIS and assess its space nuclear power and propulsion technologies. The visit coincided with the Conference on Nuclear Power Engineering in Space Nuclear Rocket Engines at Semipalatinsk-21 (Kurchatov, Kazakhstan) on Sept. 22-25, 1992. Reactor facilities assessed in Semipalatinski-21 included the IVG-1 reactor (a nuclear furnace, which has been modified and now called IVG-1M), the RA reactor, and the Impulse Graphite Reactor (IGR), the CIS version of TREAT. Although the reactor facilities are being maintained satisfactorily, the support infrastructure appears to be degrading. The group assessment is based on two half-day tours of the Baikals-1 test facility and a brief (2 hr) tour of IGR; because of limited time and the large size of the tour group, it was impossible to obtain answers to all prepared questions. Potential benefit is that CIS fuels and facilities may permit USA to conduct a lower priced space nuclear propulsion program while achieving higher performance capability faster, and immediate access to test facilities that cannot be available in this country for 5 years. Information needs to be obtained about available data acquisition capability, accuracy, frequency response, and number of channels. Potential areas of interest with broad application in the U.S. nuclear industry are listed.

Synthesis, spectral, thermal, X-ray single crystal of new RuCl₂(dppb)diamine complexes and their application in hydrogenation of Cinnamic aldehyde.

PubMed

Warad, Ismail; Al-Hussain, Hanan; Al-Far, Rawhi; Mahfouz, Refaat; Hammouti, Belkheir; Hadda, Taibi Ben

2012-09-01

The preparation of new three trans-[RuCl(2)(dppb)(N-N)] with mixed diamine (N-N) and 1,4-bis-(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb) ligands, starting from RuCl(2)(PPh(3))(3) as precursor is presented. The complexes are characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, IR, (1)H, (13)C and (31)P{(1)H}NMR, FAB-MS, TG/DTA and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Complex (2L(1)) crystallizes in the monoclinic unit cells with the space group P2(1). The catalysts are evaluated for their Cinnamic aldehyde hydrogenation. The catalysts show excellent activity and selectivity for the unsaturated carbonyl compound under mild conditions. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, structural, thermal and Hirshfeld surface analysis of novel [1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4] thiadiazine carrying 1,4-benzothiazine-3-one moiety

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shruthi, C.; Ravindrachary, V.; Guruswamy, B.; Lokanath, N. K.; Kumara, Karthik; Goveas, Janet

2018-05-01

Needle shaped single crystal of the title compound was grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique using ethanol as solvent. The grown single crystal was characterized using FT-IR, Single crystal XRD and Thermal analysis. The FT-IR spectrum confirms the molecular structure and identifies the different functional groups present in the compound. Single crystal XRD study reveals that the crystallized compound belongs to the monoclinic crystal system with P21/c space group and the corresponding cell parameters were identified. The thermal stability of the material was determined using both TGA and DTA analysis. The intermolecular interaction of each individual atom in the crystal lattice was estimated using Hirshfeld surface and finger print analysis.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG) visits the Columbia Debris Hangar . Chairing the task group are Richard O. Covey (third from right), former Space Shuttle commander, and Thomas P. Stafford (fourth from right), Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-08-05

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG) visits the Columbia Debris Hangar . Chairing the task group are Richard O. Covey (third from right), former Space Shuttle commander, and Thomas P. Stafford (fourth from right), Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

Growth and physiological responses to surgical and gastric radio transmitter implantation techniques in subyearling chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Martinelli, Theresa L.; Hansel, H.C.; Shively, R.S.

1998-01-01

We examined the effects of surgical and gastric transmitter implantation techniques on the growth, general physiology and behavior of 230 subyearling chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, Walbaum) (100 mm-154 mm fork length). The transmitter weighed 1.3 g in air (0.9 g in water) and comprised, on average, 6% of the body weight of the fish (in air). Individuals were randomly assigned to an experimental group (control, surgical or gastric) and a sampling period (day 5 or day 21). Relative growth rate was expressed as% body weight gained/day. General condition was assessed by necropsy. Physiological response variables included hematocrit, leucocrit and plasma protein concentration. The mean relative growth rates of control, surgical and gastric fish were not significantly different at day 5. By day 21, the gastric group had a significantly lower relative growth rate (1.3%) as compared to the surgical group (1.8%) and the control group (1.9%) (P = 0.0001). Mean hematocrit values were significantly lower in the surgical (41.8%) and gastric (42.2%) groups as compared to controls (47.3%) at day 5 (P = 0.01), but all were within normal range for salmonids. No significant differences in hematocrit values were detected at day 21. Leucocrit values for all groups were ??? 1% in 99% of the fish. Both tagged groups had significantly lower mean plasma protein levels as compared to controls at day 5 (P = 0.001) and day 21 (P = 0.0001). At day 21 the gastric group (64.4 g 100 m1-1) had significantly lower mean plasma protein levels than the surgical group (68.8 g 100 ml-1) (P = 0.0001). Necropsies showed decreasing condition of gastrically tagged fish over time, and increasing condition of surgical fish. Paired releases of surgically and gastrically implanted yearling chinook salmon in the lower Columbia River in spring, 1996 revealed few significant differences in migration behavior through two reservoirs. We conclude that gastrically implanted fish show decreased growth and condition over a 21 d period. We recommend a surgical implantation method for long-term studies of juvenile salmonids, however, gastric implantation may be suitable for short-term studies.

Correlation between cell cycle proteins and hMSH2 in actinic cheilitis and lip cancer.

PubMed

Lopes, Maria Luiza Diniz de Sousa; de Oliveira, Denise Hélen Imaculada Pereira; Sarmento, Dmitry José de Santana; Queiroz, Lélia Maria Guedes; Miguel, Márcia Cristina da Costa; da Silveira, Éricka Janine Dantas

2016-04-01

This study aims to evaluate and verify the relationship between the immunoexpression of hMSH2, p53 and p21 in actinic cheilitis (AC) and lower lip squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cases. Forty AC and 40 SCC cases were submitted to immunoperoxidase method and quantitatively analyzed. Expression was compared by Mann-Whitney test, Student t test or one-way ANOVA. To correlate the variables, Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated. The expression of p53 and p21 showed no significant differences between histopathological grades of AC or lower lip SCC (p > 0.05). Immunoexpression of p53 was higher in SCC than in AC (p < 0.001), while p21 expression was more observed in AC when compared to SCC group (p = 0.006). The AC group revealed an inverse correlation between p53 and hMSH2 expression (r = -0.30, p = 0.006). Alterations in p53 and p21 expression suggest that these proteins are involved in lower lip carcinogenesis. Moreover, p53 and hMSH2 seem to be interrelated in early events of this process.

[Studies on glial isomerization of lamina cribrosa in rat].

PubMed

Dai, Chao; Li, Da-qing; Li, Ying; Raisman, Geoffrey; Yin, Zheng-qin

2013-08-01

To explore the mechanism of optic nerve damage in glaucoma by study on structure of glial lamina cribrosa(LC) in rats. Experimental study. Albino Swiss(AS) rats were divided into 3 groups. Bilateral eyes of 10 normal rats were employed to be group I (right eye ) and group II (left eye) . Group III was from the left eyes of 13 rats underwent artificially intraocular hypertension in the right eyes. All rats were perfused and fixed with electronic microscopy fixative (2% paraformaldehyde +2% glutaraldehyde). Trimmed optic nerves were embedded with resin. Serial 1.5 µm thick 'semithin' sections were cut, either (2 eyes from group III) longitudinally, through the optic nerve head (ONH) from the retinal end to the commencement of the optic nerve, or (31 eyes) transversely (cross-sections). Ultrathin sections were cut in the middle of glial LC. The morphological observation of glial LC was obtained by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Bonferroni correction was used to counteract the multiple comparison of each group. Fortified astrocytes formed the main supportive structure of glial LC in all rats, including group I, group II and group III. Astrocytes were ranked as a fan-like radial array, firmly attached ventrally to the sheath of the LC by thick basal processes, but dividing dorsally into progressively more slender processes with only delicate attachments to the sheath. These fortified astrocytes form ventral stout basal end feet, radial array, axon free-'preterminal' layer before terminating in a complex layer of fine interdigitating delicate branches at the dorsal. LC astrocytes were highly and uniformly electron dense throughout all the cell processes. An equally striking feature of the astrocytic processes was their massive cytoskeletal 'strengthening' of longitudinal massed filaments and tubules. Especially, massive filaments accumulated as cytoskeletal cores to form 'scaffold' of fortified astrocytes. There was vulnerable area in the dorsal of glial LC. This vulnerable area was isomerisation in bilateral eyes and different rats. There was different space in the vulnerable area. These space could be divided into 3 grades, (-), (+) and (++) . The number of (-), (+) and (++)were 1, 6, 3 eyes in group I, 1, 5, 4 eyes in group II, 1, 7, 3 eyes in group III. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical evaluations. There was no statistical differences of the ratio of (-), (+) and (++) in group I, group II and group III(χ(2) = 3.35, P = 0.187>0.05;group I vs group II, Z = -1.048, P = 0.294;group I vs group III Z = -1.691, P = 0.091;group II vs group III,Z = -1.343, P = 0.179). The ratio of space (-)was significantly less than space (+) and space (++) in group I, group II and group III(χ(2) = 23.88, P < 0.05; (-) vs (+) , Z = -2.821, P = 0.005; (-) vs (++) , Z = -2.726, P = 0.006). The ratio of space (+)was much more than space (++) in group I, group II and group III(Z = -4.410, P < 0.05). Glial isomerisation in LC may play a key role in glaucomatous optic nerve damage.

Experimental and theoretical studies of the products of addition-elimination reactions between benzil dihydrazone and three isomeric chlorobenzaldehydes.

PubMed

Liu, Yun-Na; Cheng, Shuang-Shuang; Wang, Chao; Xing, Dian-Xiang; Liu, Yun; Tan, Xue-Jie

2015-07-01

A series of mono- and di-Schiff bases formed between benzil dihydrazone {BDH; systematic name: (1Z)-[(2E)-2-hydrazinylidene-1,2-diphenylethylidene]hydrazine} and three isomeric chlorobenzaldehydes were designed and synthesized to be used as model compounds to help to explain the reaction mechanisms for the formation of Schiff bases. These compounds are 1-(2-chlorobenzylidene)-2-{2-[2-(2-chlorobenzylidene)hydrazin-1-ylidene]-1,2-diphenylethylidene}hydrazine (BDHOCB), and the 3-chloro (BDHMCB) and 4-chloro (BDHPCB) analogues, all having the formula C28H20Cl2N4. Surprisingly, only di-Schiff bases were obtained; our attempts to push the reaction in favour of the mono-Schiff bases all failed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to explain the trend in the experimental results. In the case of the systems studied, the type of Schiff base produced exhibits a clear dependence on the HOMO-LUMO energy gaps (ΔE(HOMO-LUMO)), i.e. the product is mainly governed by its stability. The compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry, elemental analysis, melting point, (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. The structural features of the three new Schiff bases are similar. For instance, they have the same chemical formula, all the molecules have a symmetrical double helix structure, with each Ph-C=N-N=C-Ph arm exhibiting an anti conformation, and their supramolecular interactions include intermolecular π-π and weak C-H...π stacking interactions. The crystal systems are different, however, viz. triclinic (space group P1¯) for BDHPCB, monoclinic (space group P2(1)/n) for BDHOCB and orthorhombic (space group Pnna) for BDHMCB.

[Effect of moxa-burning heat stimulating Liangmen (ST 21) and Zusanli (ST 36) on proliferation and apoptosis signaling proteins in rats with stress-induced gastric ulcer].

PubMed

Peng, Li; Wang, Yadong; Chang, Xiaorong; Wu, Huangan; Liu, Mi; Wang, Hong; Chen, Jiaolong; Wang Chao; Quan, Renfu; Yang, Zongbao

2016-06-01

To observe the effect of moxa-burning heat stimulating acupoints of Liangmen (ST 21) and Zusanli (ST 36) on the proliferation and apoptosis signaling proteins in rats with stress-induced gastric ulcer. Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups: negative control (NC), ulcer control (UC), acupoints of stomach meridian (ASM), and acupoints control (AC). The acute gastric ulcer model was established by bound and water immersion. Rats in NC and UC groups didn't receive any moxa-burning heat stimulating treatment, while rats in ASM and AC groups were treated with buringmoxa heat stimulating the acupoints of Liangmen (ST 21) and Zusanli (ST 36) and their controlled points, respectively. Rats in all groups were sacrificed after 12 consecutive days treatment. The ulcer index was evaluated by using Guth's method. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), apoptotic protease activating facter-1 (Apaf-1), Caspase-3, p21 activated kinase 1 (PAK1), extracellular regulated protein kinases 2 (ERK2), phosphorylated ERK2 (pERK2), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (Akt) in gastric mucosa was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared with UC group, the ulcer index of ASM and AC groups decreased, and the injured gastric mucosa was improved, the expression of TNF-α, Apaf-1 and Caspase-3 in gastric mucosa was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), while the expression of PAK1, ERK2, pERK2, PI3K and Akt in gastric mucosa was significantly increased (P < 0.05). And ASM showed better effect than AC group (P < 0.05). Moxa-burning Heat stimulating of Liangmen (ST 21) and Zusanli (ST 36) could promote the recovery of gastric mucosal lesion probably by inhibiting cell apoptosis and promoting cell proliferation in stress-induced gastric ulcer.

Culture of chicken embryo in interspecific surrogate egg white.

PubMed

Liu, C; Zu, J; Baskar, V; Wernery, U; Chang, I K

2012-11-01

The effect of interspecific egg white on the development of chicken embryos was investigated in a surrogate eggshell culture system. Egg yolks were separated from fertile White Leghorn chicken eggs and cultured in different egg whites from turkey (group TK), guineafowl (group GF), and duck (group DK), and chicken (group CK) was used as control. The viability of chicken embryos in groups CK, TK, GF, and DK after 3 d culture in system II was 98.3, 90.2, 96.1, and 91.1%. The whole contents (egg yolk and surrogate egg white) were further transferred into an eggshell from a 1.5 times heavier chicken egg with air space (system III), and incubated for further 16 d, before moving them to a hatcher. No significant difference between the 4 groups was found in their viabilities, which ranged between 72.9 and 81.3%, until 14 d postincubation (P > 0.05). After 21 d, the viability decreased to 60.4, 57.4, 50.0, and 27.7% in groups CK, TK, GF, and DK. The viability in group DK was significantly lower than in the other groups (P < 0.05). Weight loss in system III was approximately 12% in all the 4 groups without significant difference (P > 0.05). Hatchability of the chicken embryo was 60.4, 55.3, 47.9, and 19.1% in groups CK, TK, GF, and DK, respectively, and that in group DK was significantly lower than in the other groups (P < 0.05). There was no difference between the other groups (P > 0.05). These results show that chicken embryos can develop to hatch in duck, guineafowl, and turkey egg whites. However, the hatchability decreases according to the phylogenetic distance. The present study will provide a tool for manipulation of avian embryos and eventual conservation of endangered wild birds.

[Prevalence of congenital abnormalities identified in fetuses with 13, 18 and 21 chromosomal trisomy].

PubMed

Emer, Caroline Soares Cristofari; Duque, Julio Alejandro Peña; Müller, Ana Lúcia Letti; Gus, Rejane; Sanseverino, Maria Teresa Vieira; da Silva, André Anjos; Magalhães, José Antonio de Azevedo

2015-07-01

To describe the prevalence of malformations found in fetuses with trisomy of chromosomes 13, 18 and 21 by identifying the most frequent within each condition. A retrospective cross-sectional study with the analysis of trisomy cases of chromosomes 13, 18 and 21 diagnosed through fetal karyotype obtained by amniocentesis/cordocentesis, between October 1994 and May 2014, at a Teaching Hospital in Brazil Southern Region. Malformations identified through morphological ultrasonography were described and, subsequently, confirmed in newborn examinations and/or fetal autopsy. The results were analyzed using Fisher's test and analysis of variance (ANOVA), with a 5% level of significance (p=0.05). Sixty-nine cases of trisomy were diagnosed among 840 exams; nine were excluded due to outcome outside Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre or incomplete records, remaining 60 cases (nine cases of chromosome 13 trisomy, 26 of chromosome 18, and 25 of chromosome 21). In all three groups, heart disease occurred in most cases; the ventricular septal defect was more prevalent and occurred in 66.7% of the trisomy 13 group. Gastrointestinal abnormalities were more prevalent in the trisomy 18 group, especially omphalocele (38.5%; p<0.01). Genitourinary anomalies were more significantly frequent in the trisomy 13 group (pyelectasis, 55.6% - p<0.01; ambiguous genitalia, 33.3% - p=0.01). Central nervous system defects were identified in all cases of trisomy 13. Facial cracks were significantly more prevalent among fetuses with trisomy 13 (66.7%; p<0.01). Hand and feet malformations significantly differed among the trisomy groups. Hand defects occurred in 50% of trisomy 18 cases, and in 44.4% of all trisomy 13 cases (p<0.01); congenital clubfoot was more common in the trisomy 18 group, being detected in 46.2% of fetuses (p<0.01). The abnormalities were found in 50.9, 27.3 and 21.7% of trisomy 18, 13 and 21 cases respectively. Many fetal malformations identified at ultrasound are suggestive of trisomy and represent an important tool for etiologic diagnosis and prenatal and pre-conception genetic counseling.

Crystal structure, vibrational and DFT simulation studies of melaminium dihydrogen phosphite monohydrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arjunan, V.; Kalaivani, M.; Marchewka, M. K.; Mohan, S.

2013-08-01

The crystal structure investigations of melamine with phosphorous acid, namely melaminium dihydrogenphosphite monohydrate (C3N6H7·H2PO3·H2O) have been investigated by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction method. The title compound crystallizes in monoclinic crystal system, and the space group is P21/c with a = 10.069 Å, b = 21.592 Å, c = 12.409 Å and Z = 12. The vibrational assignments and analysis of melaminium dihydrogen phosphite monohydrate have also been performed by FTIR, FT-Raman and far-infrared spectral studies. The quantum chemical simulations were performed with DFT (B3LYP) method using 6-31G**, cc-pVTZ, and 6-311++G** basis sets to determine the energy, structural, thermodynamic parameters and vibrational frequencies of melaminium dihydrogen phosphite monohydrate. The hydrogen atom from phosphorous acid was transferred to the melamine molecule giving the singly protonated melaminium cation. The ability of ions to form spontaneous three-dimensional structure through weak Osbnd H···O and Nsbnd H···O hydrogen bonds shows notable vibrational effects.

Synthesis, crystal structure, biological activity and theoretical calculations of novel isoxazole derivatives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, R. Y.; Sun, X. H.; Liu, Y. F.; Long, W.; Chen, B.; Shen, S. Q.; Ma, H. X.

2016-01-01

Series of isoxazole derivatives were synthesized by substituted chalcones and 2-chloro-6-fluorobenzene formaldehyde oxime with 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The target compounds were determined by melting point, IR, 1H NMR, elemental analyses and HRMS. The crystal structure of compound 3a was detected by X-ray diffraction and it crystallizes in the triclinic space group p2(1)/c with z = 4. The molecular geometry of compound 3a was optimized using density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP) method with the 6-31G+(d,p) basis set in the ground state. From the optimized geometry of the molecule, FT-IR, FT-Raman, HOMO-LUMO and natural bond orbital (NBO) were calculated at B3LYP/6-31G+(d,p) level. Finally, the antifungal activity of the synthetic compounds were evaluated against Pythium solani, Gibberella nicotiancola, Fusarium oxysporium f.sp. niveum and Gibberella saubinetii.

Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the glucosamine-6-phosphate N-acetyltransferase from human liver

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

Wang, Juan; Zhou, Yan-Feng; Li, Lan-Fen

2006-11-01

Glucosamine-6-phosphate N-acetyltransferase from human liver was expressed, purified and crystallized. Diffraction data have been collected to 2.6 Å resolution. Glucosamine-6-phosphate N-acetyltransferase from human liver, which catalyzes the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA) to the primary amine of d-glucosamine 6-phosphate to form N-acetyl-d-glucosamine 6-phosphate, was expressed in a soluble form from Escherichia coli strain BL21 (DE3). The protein was purified to homogeneity using Ni{sup 2+}-chelating chromatography followed by size-exclusion chromatography. Crystals of the protein were obtained by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method and diffracted to 2.6 Å resolution. The crystals belonged to space group P4{sub 1}2{sub 1}2more » or P4{sub 3}2{sub 1}2, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 50.08, c = 142.88 Å.« less

Cloning, expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of bacterioferritin A from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

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

Gupta, Vibha; Gupta, Rakesh K.; Ram Lal Anand College, University of Delhi, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi 110021

2008-05-01

The cloning, purification and crystallization of a bacterioferritin from M. tuberculosis together with preliminary X-ray characterization of its crystals are reported. Bacterioferritins (Bfrs) comprise a subfamily of the ferritin superfamily of proteins that play an important role in bacterial iron storage and homeostasis. Bacterioferritins differ from ferritins in that they have additional noncovalently bound haem groups. To assess the physiological role of this subfamily of ferritins, a greater understanding of the structural details of bacterioferritins from various sources is required. The gene encoding bacterioferritin A (BfrA) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein productmore » was purified by affinity chromatography on a Strep-Tactin column and crystallized with sodium chloride as a precipitant at pH 8.0 using the vapour-diffusion technique. The crystals diffracted to 2.1 Å resolution and belonged to space group P4{sub 2}, with unit-cell parameters a = 123.0, b = 123.0, c = 174.6 Å.« less

Substitution effect on a hydroxylated chalcone: Conformational, topological and theoretical studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Custodio, Jean M. F.; Vaz, Wesley F.; de Andrade, Fabiano M.; Camargo, Ademir J.; Oliveira, Guilherme R.; Napolitano, Hamilton B.

2017-05-01

The effect of substituents on two hydroxylated chalcones was studied in this work. The first chalcone, with a dimethylamine group (HY-DAC) and the second, with three methoxy groups (HY-TRI) were synthesized and crystallized from ethanol on centrosymmetric space group P21/c. The geometric parameters and supramolecular arrangement for both structures obtained from single crystal X-ray diffraction data were analyzed. The intermolecular interactions were investigated by Hirshfeld surfaces with their respective 2D plot for quantification of each type of contact. Additionally, the observed interactions were characterized by QTAIM analysis, and DFT calculations were applied for theoretical vibrational spectra, localization and quantification of frontier orbitals and potential electrostatic map. The flatness of both structures was affected by the substituents, which led to different monoclinic crystalline packing. The calculated harmonic vibrational frequencies and homo-lumo gap confirmed the stability of the structures, while intermolecular interactions were confirmed by potential electrostatic map and QTAIM analysis.

Optimizing working space in laparoscopy: CT measurement of the effect of pre-stretching of the abdominal wall in a porcine model.

PubMed

Vlot, John; Wijnen, René; Stolker, Robert Jan; Bax, Klaas N

2014-03-01

Determinants of working space in minimal access surgery have not been well studied. Using computed tomography (CT) to measure volumes and linear dimensions, we are studying the effect of a number of determinants of CO2 working space in a porcine laparoscopy model. Here we report the effects of pre-stretching of the abdominal wall. Earlier we had noted an increase in CO2 pneumoperitoneum volume at repeat insufflation with an intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) of 5 mmHg after previous stepwise insufflation up to an IAP of 15 mmHg. We reviewed the data of this serendipity group; data of 16 pigs were available. In a new group of eight pigs, we also explored this effect at repeat IAPs of 10 and 15 mmHg. Volumes and linear dimensions of the CO2 pneumoperitoneum were measured on reconstructed CT images and compared between the initial and repeat insufflation runs. Previous stepwise insufflation of the abdomen with CO2 up to 15 mmHg significantly (p < 0.01) increased subsequent working-space volume at a repeat IAP of 5 mmHg by 21 %, 7 % at a repeat IAP of 10 mmHg and 3 % at a repeat IAP of 15 mmHg. The external anteroposterior diameter significantly (p < 0.01) increased by 0.5 cm (14 %) at repeat 5 mmHg. Other linear dimensions showed a much smaller change. There was no statistically significant correlation between the duration of the insufflation run and the volume increase after pre-stretching at all IAP levels. Pre-stretching of the abdominal wall allows for the same surgical-field exposure at lower IAPs, reducing the negative effects of prolonged high-pressure CO2 pneumoperitoneum on the cardiorespiratory system and microcirculation. Pre-stretching has important scientific consequences in studies addressing ways of increasing working space in that its effect may confound the possible effects of other interventions aimed at increasing working space.

Crystallization of Chicken Egg White Lysozyme from Assorted Sulfate Salts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Forsythe, Elizabeth L.; Snell, Edward H.; Malone, Christine C.; Pusey, Marc L.

1998-01-01

Chicken egg white lysozyme has been found to crystallize from ammonium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, magnesium, and manganese sulfates at acidic and basic pH, with protein concentrations from 60 to 190 mg/ml. Four different crystal morphologies have been obtained, depending upon the temperature, protein concentration, and precipitating salt employed, Crystals grown at 15 C were generally tetragonal, with space group P43212. Crystallization at 20 C typically resulted in the formation of orthorhombic crystals, space group P21212 1. The tetragonal much less than orthorhombic morphology transition appeared to be a function of both the temperature and protein concentration, occurring between 15 and 20 C and between 100 and 125 mg/ml protein concentration. Crystallization from 0.8 -1.2M magnesium sulfate at pH 7.6 - 8.0 gave a hexagonal (trigonal) crystal form, space group P3121, which diffracted to 2.8 A. Ammonium sulfate was also found to result in a monoclinic form, space group C2. Small twinned monoclinic crystals of approx. 0.2 mm on edge were grown by dialysis followed by seeded sitting drop crystallization.

Effects of Group Counseling Transmitted Through Videoconferencing on Changes in Eating Behaviors.

PubMed

Nevanperä, Nina; Keränen, Anna-Maria; Ukkola, Olavi; Laitinen, Jaana

2015-01-01

To compare the effects of constructivism-based dietary group counseling transmitted through videoconferencing (VC) and face-to-face (FF) counseling on changes in eating behaviors. Altogether, 74 participants with high risk of type 2 diabetes were divided into FF and VC groups based on their place of residence in northern Finland. Constructivism-based dietary group counseling, a nonrandomized intervention, was performed (evaluations at 0, 6, and 21 months). The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-18 was used to evaluate cognitive restraint eating (CR), emotional eating (EE), and uncontrolled eating (UE). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and ANCOVA (significance level of 0.05). Cognitive restraint eating increased and UE decreased between baseline and 6 months in both groups, but between baseline and 21 months only in the FF group (P = .005 and P = .021, respectively). Emotional eating decreased only in the VC group (P = .016). There were no differences between groups at 6 or 21 months. Constructivism-based counseling delivered through videoconferencing was effective at improving eating behaviors. Copyright © 2015 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Colorimetric detection of hydrogen peroxide by dioxido-vanadium(V) complex containing hydrazone ligand: synthesis and crystal structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurbah, Sunshine D.; Syiemlieh, Ibanphylla; Lal, Ram A.

2018-03-01

Dioxido-vanadium(V) complex has been synthesized in good yield, the complex was characterized by IR, UV-visible and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Single crystal X-ray crystallography techniques were used to assign the structure of the complex. Complex crystallized with monoclinic P21/c space group with cell parameters a (Å) = 39.516(5), b (Å) = 6.2571(11), c (Å) = 17.424(2), α (°) = 90, β (°) = 102.668(12) and γ (°) = 90. The hydrazone ligand is coordinate to metal ion in tridentate fashion through -ONO- donor atoms forming a distorted square pyramidal geometry around the metal ion.

Enhanced expression of the Escherichia coli serA gene in a plasmid vector. Purification, crystallization, and preliminary X-ray data of D-3 phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase.

PubMed

Schuller, D J; Fetter, C H; Banaszak, L J; Grant, G A

1989-02-15

The serA gene of Escherichia coli strain K-12, which codes for the cooperative allosteric enzyme D-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase, was inserted into an inducible expression vector which produced phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase as 8% of the soluble protein of E. coli. The purified protein was used to grow several different single crystal forms. One of these, with space group P2(1), appears to contain all four subunits of the tetrameric enzyme in the asymmetric unit and diffracts to sufficient resolution to allow determination of the structure of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase.

Synthesis and structural investigation of new Co1-xNixTeO4 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8 and 1) compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patel, Akhilesh K.; Singh, Harishchandra; Suresh, K. G.

2018-05-01

The new polycrystalline compounds Co1-xNixTeO4 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8 and 1) were prepared by sol-gel method and their structural properties have been studied. Structural investigation through Rietveld method shows monoclinic structure with space group P21/c for all compounds. All compounds polyhedral structure found to be in octahedral form with cations (M) at the center and six oxygen atoms at corner of octahedral structure. The lattice parameters variation with Ni substitution are found to be decreasing with Ni substitution.

Dimerization in honeycomb Na2RuO3 under pressure: a DFT study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gazizova, D. D.; Ushakov, A. V.; Streltsov, S. V.

2018-04-01

The structural properties of Na2RuO3 under pressure are studied using density functional theory within the nonmagnetic generalized gradient approximation (GGA). We found that one may expect a structural transition at ˜3 GPa. This structure at the high-pressure phase is exactly the same as the low-temperature structure of Li2RuO3 (at ambient pressure) and is characterized by the P21/m space group. Ru ions form dimers in this phase and one may expect strong modification of the electronic and magnetic properties in Na2RuO3 at pressure higher than 3 GPa.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation as a Risk Factor for Recurrence in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

PubMed

Hayasaka, Kazuki; Shiono, Satoshi; Matsumura, Yuki; Yanagawa, Naoki; Suzuki, Hiroyuki; Abe, Jiro; Sagawa, Motoyasu; Sakurada, Akira; Katahira, Masato; Takahashi, Satomi; Endoh, Makoto; Okada, Yoshinori

2018-06-01

The presence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations is an established prognostic factor for patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. Here, we examined whether EGFR mutation status is a prognostic factor for patients who had undergone surgery. Clinicopathologic data from 1,463 patients who underwent complete surgical resection for lung adenocarcinoma between 2005 and 2012 were collected. Differences in postoperative recurrence-free survival and overall survival according to EGFR mutation status were evaluated. Of 835 eligible patients, the numbers of patients with wild-type EGFR (WT), exon 19 deletion (Ex19), and exon 21 L858R (Ex21) were 426, 175, and 234, respectively. Patients with Ex19 had a significantly higher incidence of extrathoracic recurrence than patients with Ex21 (p = 0.004). The 5-year recurrence-free survival rates for patients with WT, Ex19, and Ex21 were 63.0%, 67.5%, and 78.2%, respectively. The Ex21 group had a significantly longer recurrence-free survival than the WT group (p < 0.001) and the Ex19 group (p = 0.016). The 5-year overall survival for patients with WT, Ex19, and Ex21 were 76.9%, 86.5%, and 87.5%, respectively. Patients with Ex19 and Ex21 had a significantly longer overall survival than patients with WT (Ex19, p = 0.009; Ex21, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis for recurrence-free survival showed that Ex19 was significantly associated with a worse prognosis than Ex21 (p = 0.019). Patients with Ex19 had significantly shorter recurrence-free survival and had extrathoracic recurrence more frequently than patients with Ex21 among patients with resected lung adenocarcinoma, implying that Ex19 could be a worse prognostic factor. Copyright © 2018 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of 21-Gauge and 22-Gauge Aspiration Needle in Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration

PubMed Central

Akulian, Jason; Lechtzin, Noah; Yasin, Faiza; Kamdar, Biren; Ernst, Armin; Ost, David E.; Ray, Cynthia; Greenhill, Sarah R.; Jimenez, Carlos A.; Filner, Joshua; Feller-Kopman, David

2013-01-01

Background: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive procedure originally performed using a 22-gauge (22G) needle. A recently introduced 21-gauge (21G) needle may improve the diagnostic yield and sample adequacy of EBUS-TBNA, but prior smaller studies have shown conflicting results. To our knowledge, this is the largest study undertaken to date to determine whether the 21G needle adds diagnostic benefit. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the results of 1,299 patients from the American College of Chest Physicians Quality Improvement Registry, Education, and Evaluation (AQuIRE) Diagnostic Registry who underwent EBUS-TBNA between February 2009 and September 2010 at six centers throughout the United States. Data collection included patient demographics, sample adequacy, and diagnostic yield. Analysis consisted of univariate and multivariate hierarchical logistic regression comparing diagnostic yield and sample adequacy of EBUS-TBNA specimens by needle gauge. Results: A total of 1,235 patients met inclusion criteria. Sample adequacy was obtained in 94.9% of the 22G needle group and in 94.6% of the 21G needle group (P = .81). A diagnosis was made in 51.4% of the 22G and 51.3% of the 21G groups (P = .98). Multivariate hierarchical logistic regression showed no statistical difference in sample adequacy or diagnostic yield between the two groups. The presence of rapid onsite cytologic evaluation was associated with significantly fewer needle passes per procedure when using the 21G needle (P < .001). Conclusions: There is no difference in specimen adequacy or diagnostic yield between the 21G and 22G needle groups. EBUS-TBNA in conjunction with rapid onsite cytologic evaluation and a 21G needle is associated with fewer needle passes compared with a 22G needle. PMID:23632441

Muscle Volume Increases Following 16 Weeks of Resistive Exercise Training with the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) and Free Weights

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nash, R. E.; Loehr, J. A.; Lee, S. M. C.; English, K. L.; Evans, H.; Smith, S. A.; Hagan, R. D.

2009-01-01

Space flight-induced muscle atrophy, particularly in the postural and locomotorymuscles, may impair task performance during long-duration space missions and planetary exploration. High intensity free weight (FW) resistive exercise training has been shown to prevent atrophy during bed rest, a space flight analog. NASA developed the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) to simulate the characteristics of FW exercise (i.e. constant mass, inertial force) and to be used as a countermeasure during International Space Station (ISS) missions. PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of ARED and FW training to induce hypertrophy in specific muscle groups in ambulatory subjects prior to deploying ARED on the ISS. METHODS: Twenty untrained subjects were assigned to either the ARED (8 males, 3 females) or FW (6 males, 3 females) group and participated in a periodizedtraining protocol consisting of squat (SQ), heel raise (HR), and deadlift(DL) exercises 3 d wk-1 for 16 wks. SQ, HR, and DL muscle strength (1RM) was measured before, after 8 wks, and after 16 wks of training to prescribe exercise and measure strength changes. Muscle volume of the vastigroup (V), hamstring group (H), hip adductor group (ADD), medial gastrocnemius(MG), lateral gastrocnemius(LG), and deep posterior muscles including soleus(DP) was measured using MRI pre-and post-training. Consecutive cross-sectional images (8 mm slices with a 2 mm gap) were analyzed and summed. Anatomical references insured that the same muscle sections were analyzed pre-and post-training. Two-way repeated measures ANOVAs (p<0.05) were used to test for differences in muscle strength and volume between training devices. RESULTS: SQ, HR, and DL 1RM increased in both FW (SQ: 49+/-6%, HR: 12+/-2%, DL: 23+/-4%) and ARED (SQ: 31+/-4%, HR: 18+/-2%, DL: 23+/-3%) groups. Both groups increased muscle volume in the V (FW: 13+/-2%, ARED: 10+/-2%), H (FW: 3+/-1%, ARED: 3+/-1 %), ADD (FW: 15=/-2%, ARED: 10+/-1%), LG (FW: 7+/-2%, ARED: 4+/-1%), MG (FW: 7+/-2%, ARED: 5+/-2%), and DP (FW: 2+/-1%; ARED: 2+/-1%) after training. There were no between group differences in muscle strength or volume. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in muscle volume and strength following ARED training is not different than FW training. With the training effects similar to FW and a 600 lb load capacity, ARED likely will protect against muscle atrophy in microgravity.

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

Kasliwal, M. M.; Kulkarni, S. R.; Ofek, E. O.

We present photometric and spectroscopic follow-up of a sample of extragalactic novae discovered by the Palomar 60 inch telescope during a search for 'Fast Transients In Nearest Galaxies' (P60-FasTING). Designed as a fast cadence (1 day) and deep (g < 21 mag) survey, P60-FasTING was particularly sensitive to short-lived and faint optical transients. The P60-FasTING nova sample includes 10 novae in M 31, 6 in M 81, 3 in M 82, 1 in NGC 2403, and 1 in NGC 891. This significantly expands the known sample of extragalactic novae beyond the Local Group, including the first discoveries in a starburstmore » environment. Surprisingly, our photometry shows that this sample is quite inconsistent with the canonical maximum-magnitude-rate-of-decline (MMRD) relation for classical novae. Furthermore, the spectra of the P60-FasTING sample are indistinguishable from classical novae. We suggest that we have uncovered a sub-class of faint and fast classical novae in a new phase space in luminosity-timescale of optical transients. Thus, novae span two orders of magnitude in both luminosity and time. Perhaps the MMRD, which is characterized only by the white dwarf mass, was an oversimplification. Nova physics appears to be characterized by a relatively rich four-dimensional parameter space in white dwarf mass, temperature, composition, and accretion rate.« less

Synthesis and structural study of 4-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-ethoxy-5,6,7,8,9,10-hexahydrocycloocta[B]pyridine-3-carbonitrile

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fathima, K. Saiadali; Vasumathi, M.; Anitha, K.

2016-05-01

The novel organic material C20H21ClN2O was synthesized by One-Pot synthesis method and the single crystals were grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique. The crystal structure was elucidated by subjecting the grown crystals to the single crystal x-ray diffraction analysis and was refined by full matrix least-squares method to R=0.039 for 2746 reflections. Crystal system of the grown crystal was found to be monoclinic with the space group P21/a and a=9.196(4) Å, b=13.449(4) Å, c=14.818(4) Å, β= 101.542(3)°, V=1795.6(11) Å3 and Z=4. In this crystal structure, cyclooctanone prefers to reside in a chair-boat conformation. The structure is stabilized by attractive molecular force such as CH/π interaction called hydrophobic interaction.

Crystal structure, quantum mechanical investigation, IR and NMR spectroscopy of two new organic salts: (C8H12NO)·[NO3] (I) and (C8H14N4)·[ClO4]2 (II)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bayar, I.; Khedhiri, L.; Soudani, S.; Lefebvre, F.; Pereira da Silva, P. S.; Ben Nasr, C.

2018-06-01

Two new organic-inorganic hybrid materials, 4-methoxybenzylammonium nitrate, (C8H12NO)·[NO3] (I), and 2-(1-piperazinyl)pyrimidinium bis(perchlorate), (C8H14N4)·[ClO4]2(II), have been synthesized by an acid/base reaction at room temperature, their structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound (I) crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and Pnma space group with a = 15.7908 (7), b = 6.8032 (3), c = 8.7091 (4) Å, V = 935.60 (7) Å3 with Z = 4. Full-matrix least-squares refinement converged at R = 0.038 and wR(F2) = 0.115. Compound (II) belongs to the monoclinic system, space group P21/c with the following parameters: a = 10.798(2), b = 7.330(1), c = 21.186(2) Å, β = 120.641 (4)°, V = 1442.7 (3) Å3and Z = 4. The structure was refined to R = 0.044, wR(F2) = 0.132. In the structures of (I) and (II), the anionic and cationic entities are interconnected by hydrogen bonding contacts forming three-dimensional networks. Intermolecular interactions were investigated by Hirshfeld surfaces and the contacts of the four different chloride atoms in (II) were compared. The Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) maps and the HOMO and LUMO energy gaps of both compounds were computed. The vibrational absorption bands were identified by infrared spectroscopy. These compounds were also investigated by solid-state 13C, 35Cl and 15N NMR spectroscopy. DFT calculations allowed the attribution of the IR and NMR bands.

The neurological safety of epidural parecoxib in rats.

PubMed

Kim, Yang Hyun; Lee, Pyung Bok; Park, Jeongmi; Lim, Young Jin; Kim, Yong Chul; Lee, Sang Chul; Ahn, Wonsik

2011-12-01

Epidural injection of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors has been suggested as a useful therapeutic modality in pain management in animal studies and clinical settings. Direct epidural administration of parecoxib, a highly selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, may have advantages over its parenteral administration regarding required dose, side effects, and efficacy. However, no animal studies have been performed to investigate the possible neurotoxicity of epidurally injected parecoxib. Therefore, the present study was performed to assess the neurotoxicity of epidurally injected parecoxib in rats. Rats (n=45) were randomly divided into three groups: normal saline group (group N, n=15), ethanol group (group E, n=15), and parecoxib group (group P, n=15). 0.3 mL of epidural parecoxib (6 mg) and the same volume of epidural ethanol or normal saline were injected into the epidural space. Neurologic assessment was performed 3, 7 and 21 days after the injection by pinch toe testing. Histologic changes were evaluated for vacuolation of the dorsal funiculus, chromatolytic changes of the motor neurons, neuritis, and meningeal inflammation. All rats in groups N and P showed normal response to pinch-toe testing and had a normal gait at each observation point. Histological examination showed no evidence suggestive of neuronal body or axonal lesions, gliosis, or myelin sheet damage in group N or P at any time. However, all rats in group E showed sensory-motor dysfunction, behavioral change, or histopathological abnormalities. No neurotoxicity on the spinal cord or abnormalities in sensorimotor function or behavior was noted in rats that received epidural parecoxib. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Biomechanical and Histologic Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Rat Rotator Cuff Repairs

PubMed Central

Beck, Jennifer; Evans, Douglas; Tonino, Pietro M.; Yong, Sherri; Callaci, John J.

2013-01-01

Background Rotator cuff tears are common injuries that are often treated with surgical repair. Because of the high concentration of growth factors within platelets, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has the potential to enhance healing in rotator cuff repairs. Hypothesis Platelet-rich plasma would alter the biomechanical and histologic properties of rotator cuff repair during an acute injury response. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Platelet-rich plasma was produced from inbred donor rats. A tendon-from-bone supraspinatus tear was created surgically and an immediate transosseous repair performed. The control group underwent repair only. The PRP group underwent a repair with PRP augmentation. Rats in each group were sacrificed at 7, 14, and 21 days. The surgically repaired tendons underwent biomechanical testing, including failure load, stiffness, failure strain, and stress relaxation characteristics. Histological analysis evaluated the cellular characteristics of the repair tissue. Results At 7- and 21-day periods, augmentation with PRP showed statistically significant effects on the biomechanical properties of the repaired rat supraspinatus tear, but failure load was not increased at the 7-, 14-, or 21-day periods (P = .688, .209, and .477, respectively). The control group had significantly higher stiffness at 21 days (P = .006). The control group had higher failure strain at 7 days (P = .02), whereas the PRP group had higher failure strain at 21 days (P = .008). Histologically, the PRP group showed increased fibroblastic response and vascular proliferation at each time point. At 21 days, the collagen fibers in the PRP group were oriented in a more linear fashion toward the tendon footprint. Conclusion In this controlled, rat model study, PRP altered the tissue properties of the supraspinatus tendon without affecting the construct’s failure load. Clinical Relevance The decreased tendon tissue stiffness acutely and failure to enhance tendon-to-bone healing of repairs should be considered before augmenting rotator cuff repairs with PRP. Further studies will be necessary to determine the role of PRP in clinical practice. PMID:22822177

Administration of recombinant interleukin-11 improves the hemodynamic functions and decreases third space fluid loss in a porcine model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation.

PubMed

Honma, Kaneatsu; Koles, Nancy L; Alam, Hasan B; Rhee, Peter; Rollwagen, Florence M; Olsen, Cara; Keith, James C; Pollack, Matthew

2005-06-01

We have previously demonstrated that the administration of recombinant human interleukin-11 (rhIL-11) during resuscitation improves the blood pressure in a rodent model of hemorrhagic shock. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the effects of rhIL-11 could be reproduced in a large animal model and to elucidate the impact of rhIL-11 administration on the intravascular volume status and the degree of third space fluid loss after resuscitation. A 40% blood volume hemorrhage was induced in swine (n = 45, weight of 25-35 kg) followed by a 1-h shock period and resuscitation with 0.9% sodium chloride (three times the shed blood volume). The animals were randomized to receive sham hemorrhage (group I, sham); sham hemorrhage and 50 microg/kg rhIL-11 (group II, sham + IL-11); no drug (group III, saline); or 50 microg/kg rhIL-11 (group IV, IL-11). Blood and urine samples were obtained and analyzed at baseline, at the end of hemorrhaging, and thereafter once every hour. The pleural and peritoneal effusions were precisely quantified by using clinically accepted criteria. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) was higher postresuscitation (PR) in groups I, II, and IV (71.4 +/- 7.5 mmHg, 71.0 +/- 8.9 mmHg, and 72.9 +/- 12.3 mmHg, respectively) than in group III (59.9 +/- 10.9 mmHg), and the cardiac output of PR was higher in group IV (3.46 +/- 0.56 L/min) than in group III (2.99 +/- 0.62 L/min; P < 0.01). The difference in MAP between groups I and II became statistically significant at 40 min after rhIL-11 injection and such a difference persisted for 90 min. After resuscitation, the urine output was higher, and the urine specific gravity and third space fluid loss were lower in group IV (1434 +/- 325 mL and 1.0035, 82 +/- 21 mL) than in group III (958 +/- 390 mL and 1.0053, 125 +/- 32 mL; P < 0.05). In a porcine model of hemorrhagic shock, the administration of rhIL-11 at the start of resuscitation significantly improved the cardiac output and blood pressure. This strategy also significantly reduced the extent of third space fluid losses while also having a favorable impact on the intravascular volume status as evidenced by the improved urine output.

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

Liu Kun; Zhao Hongmei; Wang Caixia

Bromoiodomethane photodissociation in the low-lying excited states has been characterized using unrestricted Hartree-Fock, configuration-interaction-singles, and complete active space self-consistent field calculations with the SDB-aug-cc-pVTZ, aug-cc-pVTZ, and 3-21g** basis sets. According to the results of the vertical excited energies and oscillator strengths of these low-lying excited states, bond selectivity is predicted. Subsequently, the minimum energy paths of the first excited singlet state and the third excited state for the dissociation reactions were calculated using the complete active space self-consistent field method with 3-21g** basis set. Good agreement is found between the calculations and experimental data. The relationships of excitations, the electronicmore » structures at Franck-Condon points, and bond selectivity are discussed.« less

NASDA activities in space solar power system research, development and applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Matsuda, Sumio; Yamamoto, Yasunari; Uesugi, Masato

1993-01-01

NASDA activities in solar cell research, development, and applications are described. First, current technologies for space solar cells such as Si, GaAs, and InP are reviewed. Second, future space solar cell technologies intended to be used on satellites of 21st century are discussed. Next, the flight data of solar cell monitor on ETS-V is shown. Finally, establishing the universal space solar cell calibration system is proposed.

Hidden Surface Removal through Object Space Decomposition.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-01-01

12 2.1 Methods of Subdividing the Object Space ..................................................... 14 2.2 Accessing...AC.AIIA TO5ASK FORCE MNT OF TECH WRIONT-PATTERSON AFB 0O4 P/O 1a/I 64100(6 SURFACE REMOVAL THROWN4 OBJECT SPACE 0(COMPOSIT109d.(U UiCLASIFIEC AFZITNl...Surface Removal Through Object Space THESlS/ J AJ;I Decomposition 6. PERFORMING ORG. REPORT NUMBER 7. AUTHOR() a. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER(s) Robert

Vice President Mike Pence Visits Kennedy Space Center - Tour of

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-21

Vice President Mike Pence, pointing, tours the SpaceX hangar at Launch Complex 39A, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on Feb. 21, 2018. The group is getting a close-up look at a previously flown Falcon 9 rocket. During his visit, Pence chaired a meeting of the National Space Council in the high bay of the center's Space Station Processing Facility. The council's role is to advise the president regarding national space policy and strategy, and review the nation's long-range goals for space activities.

Vice President Mike Pence Visits Kennedy Space Center - Tour of

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-21

Vice President Mike Pence tours the SpaceX hangar at Launch Complex 39A, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on Feb. 21, 2018. The group is getting a close-up look at a previously flown Falcon 9 rocket. During his visit, Pence chaired a meeting of the National Space Council in the high bay of the center's Space Station Processing Facility. The council's role is to advise the president regarding national space policy and strategy, and review the nation's long-range goals for space activities.

Persubstituted p-benzoquinone monoxime alkyl ethers and their molecular structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Slaschinin, D. G.; Alemasov, Y. A.; Ilushkin, D. I.; Sokolenko, W. A.; Tovbis, M. S.; Kirik, S. D.

2012-05-01

Theoretical and experimental approaches were applied for the investigation of the reactivity of persubstituted 4-nitrosophenols in the reaction with alkyl iodides, in particular the potassium salt of 2,6-di(alkoxycarbonyl)-3,5-dimethyl-4-nitrosophenol. Hartre-Fock calculations showed that the anion negative charge was located mostly on the oxygen of hydroxyl group, while estimation of the total energy of the alkylated products pointed out the benefit of alkylation on the oxygen atom of the nitroso group yielding p-benzoquinone monoxime alkyl ethers. Methylation and ethylation of persubstituted nitrosophenols were carried out. The products obtained were investigated using X-ray diffraction, 1Н NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The crystal structure of the methyl ether of 2,6-di(alkoxycarbonyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone-1-oxime (С15H19NO6) (I) was determined by the X-ray powder diffraction technique. The unit cell parameters were: a = 7.3322(6) Å, b = 10.5039(12) Å, c = 21.1520(20) Å, β = 93.742(6)°, V = 1625.58(2) Å3Z = 4, Sp.Gr. P21/c. The structure modeling was made in direct space by the Monte-Carlo approach using rigid and soft restrictions. The structure refinement was completed by the Rietveld method. It was established that the alkylation occurred on the oxygen atom of the nitroso group. The molecules (I) in the crystal structure were packed in columns along the axis a with pairwise convergence in a column up to the distance of 3.63 Å due to a 180° turn of every second molecule around the column axis. In the molecular structure the methyloxime group was oriented in the benzene plane and had π-conjugation with the ring. The ethoxycarbonyl groups were turned nearly perpendicular to the ring. Other compounds obtained had the structure of the alkyl ethers of 1.4-benzoquinone-1-oxime, which was proved by 1Н NMR spectroscopy and mass-spectrometry.

X-ray structural studies and physicochemical characterization of (E)-6-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-ethyl-4-mesitylimino-3-methyl- 3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinone polymorphs.

PubMed

Miyamae, A; Kitamura, S; Tada, T; Koda, S; Yasuda, T

1991-10-01

The polymorphism of (E)-6-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-ethyl-4-mesitylimino-3-methyl-3,4-di hydro- 2(1 H)-pyrimidinone (FK664; 1) was characterized by using X-ray powder diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and IR spectroscopy. Structures of two polymorphs (Forms A and B) were determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Form A crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, with a = 13.504(2), b = 6.733(1), c = 24.910(8) A, beta = 96.55(4) degrees, z = 4, and dcal = 1.203 g/cm3, while Form B crystallized in the same space group, with a = 8.067(2), b = 15.128(4), c = 18.657(4) A, beta = 102.34(3) degrees, z = 4, and dcal = 1.216 g/cm3. The conformational features of 1 were very similar between the two polymorphs. Compound 1, in both crystal forms, took an energetically reasonable conformation in three rigid planes, such as 2-pyrimidone, trimethylphenyl, and dimethoxyphenyl rings, but the molecules were packed in different ways between the two polymorphs. In the Form B crystal, a short contact was possible, to form pi-pi interactions between two dimethoxyphenyl groups related with the inversion center in the crystal lattice; this interaction seems to contribute to stabilizing the crystal structure of Form B. Both Forms A and B showed only one endothermic peak due to fusion at 115 and 140 degrees C, respectively, on the DSC thermograms; therefore, it is suggested that there are no transition points between the two polymorphs. The heats of fusion obtained from the DSC thermograms were 33.2(2) kJ/mol for Form A and 36.8(1) kJ/mol for Form B.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Targeting of microRNA-21-5p protects against seizure damage in a kainic acid-induced status epilepticus model via PTEN-mTOR.

PubMed

Tang, Chongyang; Gu, Yunhe; Wang, Haiyang; Wu, Hongmei; Wang, Yu; Meng, Yao; Han, Zhibin; Gu, Yifei; Ma, Wei; Jiang, Zhenfeng; Song, Yuanyuan; Na, Meng; Lu, Dunyue; Lin, Zhiguo

2018-05-04

Studies have shown that microRNAs play a role in the development of epilepsy by regulating downstream target messenger (m)RNA. The present study aims to determine the changes associated with microRNA-21-5p (miR-21-5p) during epileptogenesis in a kainic acid rat model, and to assess whether the PTEN-mTOR pathway is a target of miR-21-5p. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to examine the quantitative expressions of miR-21-5p and PTEN, and Western blotting was used to test the activity of mTOR in the acute, latent, and chronic stages of epileptogenesis. The antagomir of miR-21-5p was injected into the intracerebroventricular space using a microsyringe. Neuronal death and epilepsy discharge were assessed by Nissl staining and electroencephalography (EEG), respectively. The Morris water maze (MWM) was used to assess the cognitive impairment in rats after status epilepticus (SE). Both miR-21-5p and mTOR were upregulated and PTEN was downregulated in rats during acute, latent, and chronic stages of epileptogenesis when compared with those of the control. After using antagomir miR-21-5p in vivo, miR-21-5p and mTOR decreased and the expression of PTEN increased compared with that in the SE model. The silencing of miR-21-5p diminished the number of abnormal spikes on EEG and decreased the number of neuron deletions on Nissl staining. The cognitive and memory impairment caused by epilepsy could also be improved after miR-21-5p knockdown in vivo. The results of the present study demonstrate that PTEN-mTOR is the target of miR-21-5p in a kainic acid model of epilepsy. The knockout of miR-21-5p decreases the neuronal damage in stages of epileptogenesis. The miR-21-5p/PTEN/mTOR axis may be a potential target for preventing and treating seizures and epileptic damage. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Expedition 55 Preflight

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-03-21

A firefighter is seen in front of the Soyuz rocket as teams await the arrival of Expedition 55 crew members Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos, Ricky Arnold of NASA, and Drew Feustel of NASA, Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Arnold, Artemyev, and Feustel launched aboard the Soyuz MS-08 spacecraft at 1:44 p.m. Eastern time (11:44 p.m. Baikonur time) on March 21 to begin their journey to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Columbia Debris Hangar, members of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG) look at tiles recovered. Chairing the task group are Richard O. Covey, former Space Shuttle commander, and Thomas P. Stafford (center), Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-08-05

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Columbia Debris Hangar, members of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG) look at tiles recovered. Chairing the task group are Richard O. Covey, former Space Shuttle commander, and Thomas P. Stafford (center), Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Columbia Debris Hangar, members of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG) inspect some of the debris. Chairing the task group are Richard O. Covey, former Space Shuttle commander, and Thomas P. Stafford (fourth from left), Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-08-05

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Columbia Debris Hangar, members of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG) inspect some of the debris. Chairing the task group are Richard O. Covey, former Space Shuttle commander, and Thomas P. Stafford (fourth from left), Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

CCR7(lo)PD-1(hi) CXCR5(+) CD4(+) T cells are positively correlated with levels of IL-21 in active and transitional cystic echinococcosis patients.

PubMed

Zhang, Fengbo; Pang, Nannan; Zhu, Yuejie; Zhou, Dexian; Zhao, Hui; Hu, Jinwei; Ma, Xiumin; Li, Jun; Wen, Hao; Samten, Buka; Fan, Haining; Ding, Jianbing

2015-10-26

In our study, we investigated whether circulating T follicular helper (Tfh) and the related cytokines are involved in human cystic echinococcosis (CE). A total of 64 patients with CE and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Percentages of CCR7(lo)PD-1(hi) cells within CXCR5(+) CD4(+) T cells (circulating Tfh cells) were detected by flow cytometry. Levels of IL-21 and IL-4 in peripheral blood were detected by cytometric bead array. The mRNA expression of IL-21, IL-4, Bcl-6, and Blimp-1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were measured by real-time PCR. Levels of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 in the patients' sera were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Percentages of circulating Tfh cells were significantly increased in the CE1, CE2, and CE3 groups (p < 0.05). The concentrations of IL-21 and IL-4 in the serum were significantly increased in CE1, CE2, and CE3 groups (p < 0.05). IL-21 was positively correlated with circulating Tfh cells in CE3 group (r = 0.779, p < 0.05). The mRNA levels of IL-21, IL-4, and Bcl-6 were increased in CE1, CE2, and CE3 groups. Levels of IgG1 and IgG4 in patients' sera were increased in CE1, CE2, and CE3 groups. Levels of IgG2 and IgG3 were increased in CE4-5 group. Additionally, after stimulation with hydatid fluid in vitro, the levels of circulating Tfh cells, IL-21 and IL-4 in PBMCs isolated from CE patients were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The levels of circulating Tfh and related cytokines were significantly increased in CE patients, suggesting that they are involved in human CE.

Desipramine restricts estral cycle oscillations in swimming.

PubMed

Contreras, C M; Martínez-Mota, L; Saavedra, M

1998-10-01

1. Desipramine (DMI) is a tricyclic antidepressant which reduces the immobility in rats forced to swim; however, it is unknown whether estral cycle phases impinge on DMI actions on immobility in daily swimming tests during several weeks. 2. In female wistar rats, vaginal smears taken before testing defined four estral phases. Afterwards, the authors assessed the latency for the first period of immobility in five-min forced swim tests practiced on 21-day DMI (DMI group), 21-day washout saline given after a 21-day DMI treatment (washout-saline group), or non-treated rats (control group). 3. We observed a longer latency for the first period of immobility in proestrus-estrus from the control and washout-saline groups. The 21-day treatment with DMI (2.1 mg/kg i.p., once a day) significantly (p < 0.001) increased the latency by about 160% from control regardless of the estral cycle phase. 4. It is concluded that proestrus-estrus relates to increased struggling behavior. DMI enhances struggling behavior independently of hormonal state.

Self-assembling HA/PEI/dsRNA-p21 ternary complexes for CD44 mediated small active RNA delivery to colorectal cancer.

PubMed

Feng, Chen-Lin; Han, Yan-Xing; Guo, Hui-Hui; Ma, Xiao-Lei; Wang, Zhi-Qiang; Wang, Lu-Lu; Zheng, Wen-Sheng; Jiang, Jian-Dong

2017-11-01

Our previous work proved that sequence specific double strand RNA (dsRNA-p21) effectively activated p21 gene expression of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and consequently suppressed CRC growth. However, efficient delivery system is a significant challenge to achieve sufficient therapy. In this study, a self-assembled HA/PEI/dsRNA-p21 ternary complex (TC-dsRNA-p21) was developed for the tumor-target delivery of dsRNA-p21 into CRC cells. Hyaluronic acid (HA) was introduced to shield the PEI/dsRNA-p21 binary complexes (BC-dsRNA-p21) for reducing the cytotoxicity of PEI and for increasing the tumor-targeted intracellular uptake by cancer cells through HA-CD44 mediated endocytosis. Comparing to the BC-dsRNA-p21, the TC-dsRNA-p21 showed increase in size, decrease in zeta potential, low cytotoxicity as well as high stability in physiological conditions due to the anionic shielding. Confocal microscopy analysis and flow cytometry confirmed that TC-dsRNA-p21 had high transfection efficiency in the CD44-abundant Lovo cells, as compared with binary complex. In vitro physiological experiment showed that, comparing to the control group, the TC-dsRNA-p21 effectively activated the expression of p21 mRNA and P21 protein, causing blockage of cell cycle at G 0 /G 1 phase and suppression of cancer cell proliferation as well as colony formation. Furthermore, in vivo distribution experiment demonstrated that the TC-dsRNA-p21 could effectively accumulate at rectal wall for up to 10 h, following in situ application. These findings indicated that TC-dsRNA-p21 might hold great potential for delivering dsRNA-p21 to treat CRC.

Evaluation of bax, bcl-2, p21 and p53 genes expression variations on cerebellum of BALB/c mice before and after birth under mobile phone radiation exposure.

PubMed

Ghatei, Najmeh; Nabavi, Ariane Sadr; Toosi, Mohammad Hossein Bahreyni; Azimian, Hosein; Homayoun, Mansour; Targhi, Reza Ghasemnezhad; Haghir, Hossein

2017-09-01

The increasing rate of over using cell phones has been considerable in youths and pregnant women. We examined the effect of mobile phones radiation on genes expression variation on cerebellum of BALB/c mice before and after of the birth. In this study, a mobile phone jammer, which is an instrument to prevent receiving signals between cellular phones and base transceiver stations (two frequencies 900 and 1800 MHz) for exposure was used and twelve pregnant mice (BALB/c) divided into two groups (n=6), first group irradiated in pregnancy period (19th day), the second group did not irradiate in pregnancy period. After childbirth, offspring were classified into four groups (n=4): Group1: control, Group 2: B1 (Irradiated after birth), Group 3: B2 (Irradiated in pregnancy period and after birth), Group 4: B3 (Irradiated in pregnancy period). When maturity was completed (8-10 weeks old), mice were dissected and cerebellum was isolated. The expression level of bax , bcl-2, p21 and p53 genes examined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Real-Time RT- PCR). The data showed that mobile phone radio waves were ineffective on the expression level of bcl-2 and p53 genes) P >0.05(. Also gene expression level of bax decreased and gene expression level of p21 increased comparing to the control group ( P <0.05). From the obtained data it could be concluded that the mobile phone radiations did not induce apoptosis in cells of the cerebellum and the injured cells can be repaired by cell cycle arrest.

Combination of endovascular graft exclusion and drug therapy in AAA with hypertension or hyperglycemia.

PubMed

Wang, Dile; Qu, Bihui; He, Tao

2017-08-01

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of combination of endovascular graft exclusion and drugs for hypertension/hyperglycemia for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). We analyzed 156 patients with AAA. Eighty-four patients were hypertensive and 72 were hyperglycemic. After endovascular graft exclusion, hypertensive patients were divided into four groups and treated with cyclopenthiazide, reserpine, propranolol, and placebo respectively. Hyperglycemic patients were divided into three groups and treated with metformin, insulin, and placebo respectively. Body temperature and peripheral blood leukocytes were measured at day 1, 2, 7, and 14 after endovascular graft exclusion. Size of AAAs, blood pressure, and blood sugar were measured again after 1 year. In hypertensive patients, the size of AAAs reduced after endovascular graft exclusion, while the combined treatments with cyclopenthiazide, reserpine, or propranolol helped to reduce blood pressure (blood pressure decrease <10 mmHg (18/21), <10 mmHg (12/21), <10 mmHg (8/21), and <10 mmHg (10/21) in the control group, cyclopenthiazide group, reserpine group, and propranolol group, respectively. AAA size decreased in the control group (P<0.001) and in the other three groups (P<0.0001). Similar results were obtained in hyperglycemic patients. The size of AAAs reduced after endovascular graft exclusion. Combined treatment with Metformin and Insulin reduced blood sugar (control, blood sugar >7.8 mmol/L (22/24), AAA size (P<0.001); metformin, blood sugar >7.8 mmol/L (14/24), AAA size (P<0.0001); insulin, blood sugar >7.8 mmol/L (11/24), AAA size (P<0.0001). Combination of endovascular graft exclusion with medicine is more effective than the former treatment alone for AAA therapy.

Human 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-ligand complexes: crystals of different space groups with various cations and combined seeding and co-crystallization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, D.-W.; Han, Q.; Qiu, W.; Campbell, R. L.; Xie, B.-X.; Azzi, A.; Lin, S.-X.

1999-01-01

Human estrogenic 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD1) is responsible for the synthesis of active estrogens that stimulate the proliferation of breast cancer cells. The enzyme has been crystallized using a Mg 2+/PEG (3500)/β-octyl glucoside system [Zhu et al., J. Mol. Biol. 234 (1993) 242]. The space group of these crystals is C2. Here we report that cations can affect 17β-HSD1 crystallization significantly. In the presence of Mn 2+ instead of Mg 2+, crystals have been obtained in the same space group with similar unit cell dimensions. In the presence of Li + and Na + instead of Mg 2+, the space group has been changed to P2 12 12 1. A whole data set for a crystal of 17ß-HSD1 complex with progesterone grown in the presence of Li + has been collected to 1.95 Å resolution with a synchrotron source. The cell dimensions are a=41.91 Å, b=108.21 Å, c=117.00 Å. The structure has been preliminarily determined by molecular replacement, yielding important information on crystal packing in the presence of different cations. In order to further understand the structure-function relationship of 17β-HSD1, enzyme complexes with several ligands have been crystallized. As the steroids have very low aqueous solubility, we used a combined method of seeding and co-crystallization to obtain crystals of 17β-HSD1 complexed with various ligands. This method provides ideal conditions for growing complex crystals, with ligands such as 20α-hydroxysteroid progesterone, testosterone and 17β-methyl-estradiol-NADP +. Several complex structures have been determined with reliable electronic density of the bound ligands.

Corrigendum to: "Crystal growth and magnetic characterization of a tetragonal polymorph of NiNb2O6" [J. Solid State Chem. 236 (2016) 19-23

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Munsie, T. J. S.; Millington, A.; Dube, P. A.; Dabkowska, H. A.; Britten, J.; Luke, G. M.; Greedan, J. E.

2016-07-01

We have become aware of an error in this published manuscript. In it we stated that the space group of NiNb2O6, P42/n, is not a subgroup of the tri-rutile space group, P42/mnm. This is not correct. While the two space groups are not directly related, i.e. by a single step, they are connected via the intermediate symmetry P42/m, as shown below and which can be determined from a careful perusal of the International Tables for Crystallography (Vol. A) and of course the Bilbao Server. P42/m (#86) is a maximal non-isomorphic subgroup of P42/mnm (#186) and a minimal non-isomorphic supergroup of P42/n (#84). We thank Prof. J.M. Perez-Mato for guiding our understanding of these relationships.

Enhancing engraftment of islets using perioperative sodium 4-phenylbutyrate.

PubMed

Hsu, Brend Ray-Sea; Chen, Szu-Tah; Fu, Shin-Huei

2006-12-20

Primary nonfunction (PNF) adversely impacts islet transplantation. In addition to determining whether sodium 4-phenylbutyrate (4-SPB), an anti-inflammatory agent, reduces PNF, this study investigates how 4-SPB affects PNF. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice, that received 75 syngeneic islets underneath left subrenal space, were fed twice daily of either 4-SPB at 500 mg/kg body weight or isotonic saline (NaCl) from 2 days before through 7 days after transplantation. The graft was removed at days 3, 10 and 84 following transplantation. At 68 h following transplantation, serum levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) were 2.2+/-0.4 and 0.4+/-0.2 pmol/L (n=6, p<0.005) for NaCl and 4-SPB groups, respectively. Graft genetic expression of IL-1beta was significantly suppressed in 4-SPB group (p<0.01). At day 10, the blood glucose levels were 22.7+/-1.0 and 17.1+/-1.7 mmol/L (n=12, p<0.05) and graft insulin contents (IC) were 35.0+/-8.3 and 107.6+/-29.7 pmol (n=12, p<0.05) for NaCl and 4-SPB groups, respectively. Moreover, the 4-SPB group had a shorter temporary hyperglycemia (15+/-2, n=21 vs. 25+/-2 days, n=19, p=0.001) and a higher cumulative cure rate of diabetes (p<0.001) than the NaCl group. In-vitro studies indicated that 4-SPB did not impact the islets function. These experimental results demonstrated that perioperative administration of 4-SPB decreased serum level and graft genetic expression of IL-1beta and attenuated PNF, which enhanced islet engraftment in a syngeneic transplantation mouse model.

MCC Guest Viewing Program of Pope Benedict XVI's call to the ISS/STS-134 crew.

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-05-21

JSC2011-E-046605 (21 May 2011) --- His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, speaks to a group of guests in the viewing room of the Mission Control Center at NASA?s Johnson Space Center following a special call from Pope Benedict XVI to the STS-134 and Expedition 27 crews on the International Space Station. The event was conducted from The Vatican at 6:11 a.m. (CDT) on May 21, 2011, and aired live on NASA television. Photo credit: NASA

X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy of N,N-dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide solvatomorphs of betulonic acid.

PubMed

Boryczka, Stanisław; Jastrzebska, Maria; Bębenek, Ewa; Kusz, Joachim; Zubko, Maciej; Kadela, Monika; Michalik, Ewa

2012-12-01

X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy measurements for the N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvatomorphs of betulonic acid (BA) were investigated. BA [3-oxolup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid, C(30)H(46)O(3)] exhibits a wide spectrum of biological activities and is considered to be a promising natural agent for the treatment of various cancer diseases. BA as a noncrystalline substance was obtained by oxidation of betulin. Crystal structures and the spectral data allowed analysis of hydrogen bonding (H-bonding), molecular conformation, and crystal packing differences in the solvatomorphs. Crystals of BA solvates were grown from the DMF-acetone (1:10, v/v) and DMSO-water (9:1, v/v) solutions. BA-DMF (1:1) solvate crystallizes in the monoclinic P2(1) space group, Z = 2. The unit cell parameters are as follows: cell lengths a = 13.2458(5) Å, b = 6.6501(2) Å, c = 17.9766(7) Å, and β = 110.513(4)°. BA-DMSO (1:1) solvate crystallizes in the orthorhombic P2(1)2(1)2(1) (Z = 4) space group with the following unit cell parameters: a = 6.6484(4) Å, b = 13.3279(8) Å, and c = 32.6821(19) Å. Conformational analysis of the six-membered rings, cyclopentane ring, and isopropenyl group showed differences in comparison with other betulin derivatives examined earlier. For both solvates, the intermolecular packing arrangement was governed mainly by H-bonds. The shortest H-bonds with D···A distances of 2.604 and 2.657 Å, and almost linear DH···A connection occurred between OH of carboxylic group of BA and oxygen atoms from O=C and O=S groups of DMF and DMSO, respectively. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Early enteral nutrition after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

PubMed

Chen, Wei; Zhang, Zheng; Xiong, Maoming; Meng, Xiangling; Dai, Fen; Fang, Jun; Wan, Hong; Wang, Miaofeng

2014-01-01

To assess the difference between early enteral nutrition (EEN group) and total parenteral nutrition (TPN group) after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The nutrition index, liver function, patient generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) score, the post-operation complications, the hospital stay and hospitalization expense of the postoperative patient after total gastrectomy, admitted to our Department of Surgery from May 2011 to May 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 72 patients including 37 cases in the EEN group and 35 cases in the TPN group were recruited. Hypoalbuminemia gradually improved in the EEN group about 3-5 days, but it did not increase until average 21 days in the TPN group. The body weight decreased in the EEN group during the first 2 weeks and recovered gradually in 21 days; body weight in the TPN group was significantly lower than the EEN group at 21 days (p<0.05). There were significant differences in both the groups (p<0.05) in nutrition indicators. The incidence of complications in the EEN group and TPN group were 8.1% and 25.7% respectively, with no significant differences (p>0.05). The days of hospital stays in the EEN and in the TPN group were up to 12.2 ± 2.5 d vs 14.9 ± 2.9 d (p<0.05) and the hospitalization expenses were 36472 ± 4833 CNY vs 40140 ± 3927 CNY (p<0.05), respectively. Compared with TPN, EEN was safe and well tolerated and can shorten the hospital stay as well as reduce costs incurred with total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

[Effects of simulated weightlessness on pressure-volume relationships of femoral vein of New Zealand Rabbits].

PubMed

Yue, Yong; Yao, Yong-jie; Xie, Xiao-ping; Wang, Bing; Zhu, Qing-sheng; Wu, Xing-yu

2002-12-01

Objective. To observe the changes of pressure-volume relationships of rabbit femoral veins and their structural changes caused by simulated weightlessness. Method. Head-Down Tilt (HDT) -20 degrees rabbit model was used to simulate weightlessness. Twenty four healthy male New Zealand Rabbits were randomly divided into 21 d HDT group,10 d HDT group and control group, (8 in each group). Pressure-volume (P-V) relationship of rabbits femoral veins was measured and the microstructure of the veins was observed. Result. The femoral vein P-V relationship curves of HDT groups showed a larger volume change ratio than that of control group. This change was that 21 d HDT group was even more obvious than that of HDT-10 d group. B1 and B2 in quadratic equations of 21 d HDT group were significantly higher than the values of both 10 d HDT group and control group during expansion (inflow) and collapse (outflow) (P<0.01). The result of histological examination showed that the contents and structure of femoral vein wall of HDT-rabbits changed significantly. Endothelial cells of femoral vein became short and columnar or cubic, some of which fell off. Smooth muscle layer became thinner. Conclusion. Femoral venous compliance increased after weightlessness-simulation and the femoral venous compliance in 21 d-HDT rabbits increased more obviously than that in 10 d-HDT rabbits. The structure of femoral vein wall had changed obviously.

[The effect of berberine on ameliorating chronic inflammatory pain and depression].

PubMed

Xu, F; Yang, J; Meng, B; Zheng, J W; Liao, Q; Chen, J P; Chen, X W

2018-04-10

Objective: To explore the effect of berberine on chronic inflammatory pain and the comorbid depression and the associated mechanisms. Methods: Forty healthy male ICR mice (2 months, 25-30 g) were used in the present study. The chronic inflammatory pain was induced by intraplantar injection of complete freund's adjuvant (CFA) to the hind paws. All animals were divided into 4 groups ( n =10 for each group) according to random number table: the saline group (group A), the chronic pain group (group B), the saline+ berberine group (group C) and the chronic pain+ berberine group (group D). The baseline data of pain and depressive performance were measured on the day before any drug treatment.On d1, mice of B and D groups received intraplantar injections of 50 μl CFA emulsion (1∶1 diluted with saline); mice of A and C groups received intraplantar injections of the same volume of saline. During d15-d21, mice of C and D groups received intraperitoneal injections of berberine (50 mg/kg, daily for 7 days); mice of A and B groups received the equal volume of saline. The Hargreaves tests and the Von Frey tests were conducted before the injection of CFA and on d7, d14, d17 and d21 to measure the thermal and mechanical pain thresholds. The forced swimming tests and novelty-suppressed feeding tests were performed before the injection of CFA and on d21 to measure the depressive performance. After the behavioral tests, the levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) at the lumbar (L4-L5) spinal cord were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The mRNA level of chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2) in the lumbar spinal cord was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR). Results: Compared with group A, the thermal withdrawal latency of group B mice on d7, d14, d17, d21 was declined[(3.40±0.67)s vs (10.55±1.58)s, (7.49±1.04)s vs (11.47±1.92)s, (6.46±0.56)s vs (11.60±1.86)s, (6.04±0.54)s vs (10.33±1.59)s, all P <0.01], and the mechanical threshold was also decreased[(0.15±0.03)g vs (0.78±0.24)g, (0.23±0.12)g vs (0.60±0.16)g, (0.30±0.12)g vs (0.72±0.25)g, (0.40±0.00)g vs (0.72±0.19)g, all P <0.01], on d21 the immobility time was increased[(161.60±35.79)s vs (88.92±53.24)s , P <0.05]and the time of feeding latency was decreased[(227.40±57.5)s vs (77.25±26.45)s, P <0.01], suggesting that CFA could induce hyperalgesia and depression. After berberine treatment (daily for 7 days), compared with group B, the thermal withdrawal latency of group D mice was increased[(9.99±2.68)s vs (6.04±0.54)s, P <0.01], the mechanical threshold was elevated[(0.80±0.21)g vs (0.40±0.00)g, P <0.01], the immobility time was decreased[(92.97±44.31)s vs (161.60±35.79)s, P <0.05], and the feeding latency was declined[(105.00±50.00)s vs (227.40±57.5)s, P <0.01]. Compared with group A, the concentrations of spinal IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in group B were increased[(29.90±4.87)pg/ml vs (21.00±5.46)pg/ml, (131.10±26.12)pg/ml vs (60.68±23.47)pg/ml, (21.54±4.93)pg/ml vs (11.39±3.66) pg/ml , all P <0.01], the mRNA level of CCL2 was upregulated[(2.21±0.60) vs (1.00±0.37), P <0.01]. After berberine treatment (daily for 7 days), compared with group B, the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in group D were decreased[(19.44±4.83)pg/ml vs (29.90±4.87) pg/ml , (57.82±32.28)pg/ml vs (131.10±26.12)pg/ml , (9.29±2.46)pg/ml vs (21.54±4.93) pg/ml, all P <0.01], the mRNA level of CCL2 was downregulated[(1.33±0.40)vs (2.21±0.60), P <0.05]. Conclusion: Berberine can reverse chronic inflammatory pain induced by CFA and alleviated the comorbid depression. Its anti-nociceptive and anti-depressive effects may associate with downregulation of the spinal levels of the inflammatory cytokines and mRNA transcription of CCL2.

Interleukin-7 in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B May Have Effect on T Follicular Helper Cells and Specific Cellular Immunity.

PubMed

Zhong, Hua; Xibing, Gu; Yaping, Dai; Zheng, Wang; Decai, Fu; Xiaoye, Guo; Hangyuan, Wu; Dong, Wang; Zhonghua, Lu

2016-09-01

In patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), the relation of interkeukin-7 (IL-7) to either the T follicular helper cells (Tfh cells) or to a specific cellular immune response is not clear. The present study aims to explore the possible relationship of IL-7 to Tfh cells and to hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific cellular immune response in patients with CHB. Ninety-one adult patients with CHB were divided into groups A, B, and C, according to the patients' IL-7 levels (low, medium, and high). Tfh cells and HBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) were detected with flow cytometry; IL-7 and IL-21 were determined with a double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; and HBV DNA was determined by using a real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that the levels of IL-7, Tfh cells, IL-21, and HBV-specific CTLs of patients in group C were significantly higher than those of patients in group B, (P < 0.01 for each comparison) and that the levels of these four parameters of patients in group B were significantly higher than those of the patients in group A (P < 0.01 for each comparison). Meanwhile, the level of HBV DNA of the patients in group C was significantly lower than that of the patients in group B (P < 0.01), and that of the patients in group B was significantly lower than that of the patients in group A (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that IL-7, Tfh cells, IL-21, and HBV-specific CTL might have effects on HBV DNA and that only the HBV-specific CTL had an independent effect on HBV DNA (P < 0.01). IL-7, Tfh cells, and IL-21 showed independent effects on HBV-specific CTL (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01). This study suggests that the IL-7 level of CHB patients may be related to Tfh cells. In CHB patients, IL-7 possibly increases the level of Tfh cells and HBV-specific cellular immune responses and thereby reduces the HBV DNA level.

Novel thiourea derivative and its complexes: Synthesis, characterization, DFT computations, thermal and electrochemical behavior, antioxidant and antitumor activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yeşilkaynak, Tuncay; Muslu, Harun; Özpınar, Celal; Emen, Fatih Mehmet; Demirdöğen, Ruken Esra; Külcü, Nevzat

2017-08-01

A novel thiourea derivative, N-((2-chloropyridin-3-yl)carbamothioyl) thiophene-2-carboxamide,C11H8ClN3OS2 (HL) and its Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes (ML2 type) were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR,1H NMR and HR-MS methods. The crystal structure of HL was also investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The HL crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system with P 21 21 21 space group, Z = 4, a = 3.8875(3) Å, b = 14.6442(13) Å, c = 21.8950(19) Å. The [ML2] complex structures were optimized by using B97D/TZVP level. Molecular orbitals of HL ligand were calculated at the same level. Thermal and electrochemical behaviors of the complexes were investigated. Anticancer and antioxidant activities of the complexes were also investigated. Antioxidant activities were determined by using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2‧-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays. Anticancer activities were studied via MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay in MCF-7 (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7) breast cancer cells.

Expedition 55 Preflight

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-03-21

Expedition 55 Soyuz Commander Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos takes a picture with a cell phone after having his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for launch aboard the Soyuz MS-08 spacecraft, Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Artemyev and flight engineers Ricky Arnold and Drew Feustel of NASA launched aboard the Soyuz MS-08 spacecraft at 1:44 p.m. Eastern time (11:44 p.m. Baikonur time) on March 21 to begin their journey to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Management of Pleural Space After Lung Resection by Cryoneuroablation of Phrenic Nerve: A Randomized Study.

PubMed

Pan, Xiao-Jie; Ou, De-Bin; Lin, Xing; Ye, Ming-Fang

2017-06-01

Residual air space problems after pulmonary lobectomy are an important concern in thoracic surgical practice, and various procedures have been applied to manage them. This study describes a novel technique using controllable paralysis of the diaphragm by localized freezing of the phrenic nerve, and assesses the effectiveness of this procedure to reduce air space after pulmonary lobectomy. In this prospective randomized study, 207 patients who underwent lobectomy or bilobectomy and systematic mediastinal node dissection in our department between January 2009 and November 2013 were randomly allocated to a cryoneuroablation group or a conventional group. Patients in the cryoneuroablation group (n = 104) received phrenic nerve cryoneuroablation after lung procedures, and patients in the conventional group (n = 103) did not receive cryoneuroablation after the procedure. Data regarding preoperative clinical and surgical characteristics in both groups were collected. Both groups were compared with regard to postoperative parameters such as total amount of pleural drainage, duration of chest tube placement, length of hospital stay, requirement for repeat chest drain insertion, prolonged air leak, and residual space. Perioperative lung function was also compared in both groups. Recovery of diaphragmatic movement in the cryoneuroablation group was checked by fluoroscopy on the 15th, 30th, and 60th day after surgery. There was no statistically significant difference in patient characteristics between the 2 groups; nor was there a difference in terms of hospital stay, new drain requirement, and incidence of empyema. In comparison with the conventional group, the cryoneuroablation group had less total drainage (1024 ± 562 vs 1520 ± 631 mL, P < .05), fewer cases of residual space (9 vs 2, P < .05), fewer cases of prolonged air leak (9 vs 1, P < .01), and shorter duration of drainage (3.2 ± 0.2 vs 4.3 + 0.3 days, P < .01). Diaphragmatic paralyses caused by cryoneuroablation reversed within 30 to 60 days. Cryoneuroablation of the phrenic nerve offers a reasonable option for prevention of residual air space following major pulmonary resection.

Liberated Spaces: Purposeful School Design Says Goodbye to Cells and Bells

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lewington, Jennifer

2012-01-01

School districts in Canada are part of a growing international movement that puts strong emphasis on school design to serve the diverse needs and learning styles of students for the 21st century economy. Diverse, purposeful spaces for individual and group activities, "schools within schools," support for cross-disciplinary collaboration…

Effect of individualized diabetes education for type 2 diabetes mellitus: a single-center randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Fan, Min-Hua; Huang, Bing-Tong; Tang, Ying-Chun; Han, Xiu-Hua; Dong, Wei-Wei; Wang, Le-Xin

2016-12-01

To evaluate the effect of individualized education for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 280 patients (158 males, mean age 63 ± 10 years) with T2DM were randomly divided into study and control group. Eysenck Personality questionnaire was used to assess the personality of the patients in the study group, which was provided us one-on-one counseling and individualized management plan. Group education was provided to the control group. At the end of the study, the body mass index (21.5±2.5 vs 23.6±1.6 kg/m 2 , P =0.002), waist circumference (83.7±6.4 vs 85.7±7.7 cm, P =0.03), fasting blood glucose (6.0±0.8 vs 6.9±2.1 mmol/L, P =0.004), HbA1c (6.2±0.6% vs 6.9±3.1%, P =0.03), systolic blood pressure (130.1±8.8 vs 135.1±8.4 mmHg, P =0.003),triglyceride (1.21±0.66 vs 1.46±0.58 mmol/L) and low-density lipoprotein (2.36±0.44 vs 2.84±0.64 mmol/L, P =0.03) in the study group was lower than in the control group. Individualized diabetes education is more effective than group education in facilitating the control of type 2 diabetes.

Syntheses, structures and properties of four Cd(II) coordination polymers induced by the pH regulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Yun; Ding, Fang; Liu, Dong; Yang, Pei-Pei; Zhu, Li-Li

2018-03-01

Four new coordination polymers [Cd2(CHDC)2(APYZ)(H2O)2](H2O) (1), [Cd(HCHDC)2(APYZ) (H2O)] (2), [Cd2(CHDC)2(PYZ)(H2O)2](H2O) (3), and [Cd(HCHDC)2(PYZ)(H2O)] (4) (H2CHDC = 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, APYZ = 2-aminopyrazine, PYZ = pyrazine) have been synthesized under the hydrothermal conditions by changing the pH regulator and the N-containing ligands. The pH regulator impacted on the degree of deprotonation of the 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid ligand and resulted in the formation of the two pairs of different networks. Polymers 1 and 3 crystallize in monoclinic, space group P21/c, exhibit two dimensional 63 net, which further formed three-dimensional supramolecular structure by the Csbnd H⋯O hydrogen bond interactions. While polymers 2 and 4 possess one dimensional chain structures and further link into two dimensional layered supramolecular structures by intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. From all three conformers of H2CHDC, e,a-cis is consistently present in the Cd coordination polymers. Furthermore, photoluminescence properties of four polymers are also investigated, the luminescent intensity of polymer 1 (or 2) with amino group in pyrazine is dramatically stronger than that of the similar structure of polymer 3 (or 4) without amino group in pyrazine, the results shown that the presence of the amino group from 2-aminopyrazine play a key role in increasing the luminescence properties.

Crystal Structure and Magnetic Behavior of Two New Dinuclear Carbonato-Bridged Copper(II) Compounds. Superexchange Pathway for the Different Coordination Modes of the Carbonato Bridge in Polynuclear Copper(II) Compounds.

PubMed

Escuer, Albert; Mautner, Franz A.; Peñalba, Evaristo; Vicente, Ramon

1998-08-24

Four new &mgr;-CO(3)(2-) copper(II) complexes with different coordination modes for the carbonato bridge have been obtained by fixation of atmospheric CO(2): {(&mgr;(3)-CO(3))[Cu(3)(ClO(4))(3)(Et(3)dien)(3)]}(ClO(4)) (1), Et(3)dien = N,N',N"-triethylbis(2-aminoethane)amine; {(&mgr;-CO(3))[Cu(2)(H(2)O)(Et(4)dien)(2)]}(ClO(4))(2).H(2)O (2), Et(4)dien = N,N,N",N"-tetraethyl-bis(2-aminoethane)amine; {(&mgr;-CO(3))[Cu(2)(H(2)O)(2)(EtMe(4)dien)(2)]} (ClO(4))(2).2H(2)O (3), EtMe(4)dien = N'-ethyl-N,N,N",N"-tetramethylbis(2-aminoethane)amine; and {(&mgr;-CO(3))[Cu(2)(H(2)O)(Me(5)dien)(2)]}(ClO(4))(2).H(2)O (4), Me(5)dien = N,N,N',N",N"-pentamethylbis(2-aminoethane)amine. The crystal structures have been solved for 2, monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, formula [C(25)H(62)Cl(2)Cu(2)N(6)O(13)] with a = 12.763(6) Å, b = 25.125(8) Å, c = 13.261(4) Å, beta = 111.85(3) degrees, Z = 4, and for 3, triclinic system, space group P&onemacr;, formula [C(21)H(58)Cl(2)Cu(2)N(6)O(15)] with a = 8.412(3) Å, b = 14.667(4) Å, c = 16.555(5) Å, alpha = 99.66(2) degrees, beta = 102.14(2) degrees, gamma = 104.72(2) degrees, Z = 2. Susceptibility measurements show ferromagnetic behavior (J = +6.7(6) cm(-)(1)) for the trinuclear compound 1 whereas 2-4 are antiferromagnetically coupled with J = -17.8(8), -125.5(9), and -21.2(3) cm(-)(1) respectively. Certain synthetic aspects that may be related to the nuclearity of the copper(II) &mgr;-CO(3)(2-) compounds and the superexchange pathway for the different coordination modes of the carbonato bridge are discussed.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Columbia Debris Hangar, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach answers questions from the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG). Chairing the task group are Richard O. Covey (fifth from left), former Space Shuttle commander, and Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-08-05

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Columbia Debris Hangar, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach answers questions from the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG). Chairing the task group are Richard O. Covey (fifth from left), former Space Shuttle commander, and Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Columbia Debris Hangar, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach (left) talks to members of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG) about reconstruction efforts. Chairing the task group are Richard O. Covey (second from right), former Space Shuttle commander, and Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-08-05

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Columbia Debris Hangar, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach (left) talks to members of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG) about reconstruction efforts. Chairing the task group are Richard O. Covey (second from right), former Space Shuttle commander, and Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

[Influence of feeding rumen-protected choline to transition dairy cows. Part 2: Health and reproduction].

PubMed

Furken, C; Hoedemaker, M

2014-01-01

To determine the effects of rumen-protected choline (RPC) on health and reproduction in dairy cows. A total of 298 primi- and multiparous German Holstein cows of a high-production dairy herd (average daily milk yield: 32 l) were assigned randomly to a control or treatment group and were hand fed with 0 or 60 g/d of RPC as ReaShure®, respectively, from 21 days before expected calving to 21 days post partum (p. p.) as a top dressing. Health data was analyzed for the incidence of fever within the first 10 days in milk (DIM) as well as the incidence of diseases and the culling rate within the first 200 DIM. Reproduction data were evaluated in terms of the calving data, uterine involution on days 10, 21 and 42 p. p., uterine cytology at day 42 p. p., progesterone concentrations during weeks 3 and 5 p. p. and certain fertility measures. In the statistical analysis, it was differentiated between the control and treatment groups and between primi- and multiparous animals, and their interactions were analyzed. The treatment group had less cows with subclinical endometritis, higher sickness rates after day 100 p. p., lower numbers of stillbirths and more cyclic cows in week 5 p. p. compared to the control group (p  <  0.05). Primipara in contrast to multipara had fever more frequently, higher rates of subclinical ketosis p. p., metritis and lameness, higher numbers of sick cows in the first 30 DIM, higher rates of stillbirths and dystocia, showed impaired involution of the uterus on day 10 p. p., fewer animals were cyclic during week 5 p. p. and less animals were culled (p < 0.05). Statistically significant interactions indicated that more heifers of the treatment group were lame, more heifers of the control group developed fever and subclinical endometritis, cows of the treatment group suffered more metritis and were sick more often in the first 30 DIM, and cows of the control group had more dystocia (p < 0.05). Overall, supplementing RPC had only minor effects on the health status and reproduction. Further research in other dairy herds should focus on this topic.

Overlapping Binding Sites of Structurally Different Antiarrhythmics Flecainide and Propafenone in the Subunit Interface of Potassium Channel Kv2.1*

PubMed Central

Madeja, Michael; Steffen, Wibke; Mesic, Ivana; Garic, Bojan; Zhorov, Boris S.

2010-01-01

Kv2.1 channels, which are expressed in brain, heart, pancreas, and other organs and tissues, are important targets for drug design. Flecainide and propafenone are known to block Kv2.1 channels more potently than other Kv channels. Here, we sought to explore structural determinants of this selectivity. We demonstrated that flecainide reduced the K+ currents through Kv2.1 channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes in a voltage- and time-dependent manner. By systematically exchanging various segments of Kv2.1 with those from Kv1.2, we determined flecainide-sensing residues in the P-helix and inner helix S6. These residues are not exposed to the inner pore, a conventional binding region of open channel blockers. The flecainide-sensing residues also contribute to propafenone binding, suggesting overlapping receptors for the drugs. Indeed, propafenone and flecainide compete for binding in Kv2.1. We further used Monte Carlo-energy minimizations to map the receptors of the drugs. Flecainide docking in the Kv1.2-based homology model of Kv2.1 predicts the ligand ammonium group in the central cavity and the benzamide moiety in a niche between S6 and the P-helix. Propafenone also binds in the niche. Its carbonyl group accepts an H-bond from the P-helix, the amino group donates an H-bond to the P-loop turn, whereas the propyl group protrudes in the pore and blocks the access to the selectivity filter. Thus, besides the binding region in the central cavity, certain K+ channel ligands can expand in the subunit interface whose residues are less conserved between K+ channels and hence may be targets for design of highly desirable subtype-specific K+ channel drugs. PMID:20709754

Host-guest chemistry of dendrimer-drug complexes. 6. Fully acetylated dendrimers as biocompatible drug vehicles using dexamethasone 21-phosphate as a model drug.

PubMed

Yang, Kun; Weng, Liang; Cheng, Yiyun; Zhang, Hongfeng; Zhang, Jiahai; Wu, Qinglin; Xu, Tongwen

2011-03-17

Fully acetylated poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer was proposed as a biocompatible drug vehicle using dexamethasone 21-phosphate (Dp21) as a model drug. NMR techniques including (1)H NMR and 2D NOE NMR were used to characterize the host-guest chemistry of acetylated dendrimer/Dp21 and cationic dendrimer/Dp21 complexes. The pH-dependent micellization, complexation, and inclusion behaviors of Dp21 were observed in the presence of acetylated and cationic PAMAM dendrimers. Acetylated dendrimer only encapsulates Dp21 at acidic conditions, while cationic dendrimer can host Dp21 at both acidic and neutral conditions. The orientation of Dp21 molecules in the dendrimer cavities depends on the quaternization degree of tertiary amine groups of dendrimer and the protonation ratio of phosphate group of Dp21. A distinctive pH-dependent release behavior of Dp21 from the acetylated and nonacetylated dendritic matrix was observed: Dp21 exhibits a much slower release rate from acetylated dendrimer at lower pH conditions and a much faster release rate from nonacetylated dendrimer with decreasing pH values. Cytotoxicity studies further confirmed the biocompatibility of acetylated dendrimers, which are much safer in the delivery of therapeutics for the treatment of various diseases than nonacetylated dendrimers. The dendrimer-drug binding and release mechanisms provide a new insight for the design and optimization of biocompatible dendrimer-based drug delivery systems. © 2011 American Chemical Society

KSC-08pd3849

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-11-30

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –- Dark gray clouds hover over the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, part of a strong weather system that included crosswinds and anvil clouds blowing across the state. The weather concerns prevented space shuttle Endeavour and its crew from returning to Kennedy, the primary end-of-mission landing site. Instead, Endeavour landed safely at 4:25 p.m. at Edwards Air Force Base in California after traveling more than 6.6 million miles in space. The main landing gear touched down at Edwards at 4:25:06 p.m. EST. The nose landing gear touched down at 4:25:21 p.m. and wheel stop was at 4:26:03 p.m. The STS-126 mission was the 27th flight to the International Space Station, carrying equipment and supplies in the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo. The mission featured four spacewalks and work to prepare the space station to house six crew members for long-duration missions. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray study of a (2R,3R)-2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase from Bacillus coagulans 2-6

PubMed Central

Miao, Xiangzhi; Huang, Xianhui; Zhang, Guofang; Zhao, Xiufang; Zhu, Xianming; Dong, Hui

2013-01-01

(2R,3R)-2,3-Butanediol dehydrogenase (R,R-BDH) from Bacillus coagulans 2-6 is a zinc-dependent medium-chain alcohol dehydrogenase. Recombinant R,R-BDH with a His6 tag at the C-terminus was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells and purified by Ni2+-chelating affinity and size-exclusion chromatography. Crystals were grown by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method at 289 K. The crystallization condition consisted of 8%(v/v) Tacsimate pH 4.6, 18%(w/v) polyethylene glycol 3350. The crystal diffracted to 2.8 Å resolution in the orthorhombic space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 88.35, b = 128.73, c = 131.03 Å. PMID:24100567

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray study of a (2R,3R)-2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase from Bacillus coagulans 2-6.

PubMed

Miao, Xiangzhi; Huang, Xianhui; Zhang, Guofang; Zhao, Xiufang; Zhu, Xianming; Dong, Hui

2013-10-01

(2R,3R)-2,3-Butanediol dehydrogenase (R,R-BDH) from Bacillus coagulans 2-6 is a zinc-dependent medium-chain alcohol dehydrogenase. Recombinant R,R-BDH with a His6 tag at the C-terminus was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells and purified by Ni2+-chelating affinity and size-exclusion chromatography. Crystals were grown by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method at 289 K. The crystallization condition consisted of 8%(v/v) Tacsimate pH 4.6, 18%(w/v) polyethylene glycol 3350. The crystal diffracted to 2.8 Å resolution in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁, with unit-cell parameters a=88.35, b=128.73, c=131.03 Å.

Minerologic and Petrologic Studies of Meteorites and Lunar Samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wood, John

2000-06-01

In the past year this group continued essentially full time research on extraterrestrial materials, and the question of the origin of the solar system. The continuing scientific staff consists of the P.I. and Visiting Scientist Michael Petaev. Vitae for Wood and Petaev appear in Sec. 6. We benefit from the part time services of a Project Administrator (Judith Terry) and a Secretary (Muazzez Lohmiller). In January 1999 the P.I. assumed the Chairmanship of COMPLEX, the Committee on Planetary and Lunar Exploration of the Space Studies Board, National Research Council. Wood and Petaev were authors or coauthors of 21 publications, new manuscripts, and abstracts in the last year. These are listed above, and referenced by number [n] in the discussion below. Other references to the literature made in this Section are listed in Sec. 3.

Minerologic and Petrologic Studies of Meteorites and Lunar Samples

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wood, John

2000-01-01

In the past year this group continued essentially full time research on extraterrestrial materials, and the question of the origin of the solar system. The continuing scientific staff consists of the P.I. and Visiting Scientist Michael Petaev. Vitae for Wood and Petaev appear in Sec. 6. We benefit from the part time services of a Project Administrator (Judith Terry) and a Secretary (Muazzez Lohmiller). In January 1999 the P.I. assumed the Chairmanship of COMPLEX, the Committee on Planetary and Lunar Exploration of the Space Studies Board, National Research Council. Wood and Petaev were authors or coauthors of 21 publications, new manuscripts, and abstracts in the last year. These are listed above, and referenced by number [n] in the discussion below. Other references to the literature made in this Section are listed in Sec. 3.

Tetraphenylphosphonium allyldithiocarbimates derived from Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts: Synthesis, characterization, crystal structure and antifungal activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tavares, Eder C.; Rubinger, Mayura M. M.; Filho, Eclair V.; Oliveira, Marcelo R. L.; Piló-Veloso, Dorila; Ellena, Javier; Guilardi, Silvana; Souza, Rafael A. C.; Zambolim, Laércio

2016-02-01

Botrytis blight is a very destructive disease caused by Botrytis spp., infecting flowers, trees, vegetables and fruits. Twelve new compounds were prepared by the reaction of potassium N-aryl-sulfonyldithiocarbimates with Morita-Baylis-Hillman derivatives bearing phenyl and furyl groups. These are the first examples of allyldithiocarbimate anions and were isolated as tetraphenylphosphonium salts. The new compounds were characterized by HRMS, NMR and Infrared spectroscopy. Further, the structures of three allyldithiocarbimates were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the space group P21/c of the monoclinic system, and the allyldithiocarbimate anions present Z configuration. All the compounds were active against Botrytis cinerea. The best results were achieved with the tetraphenylphosphonium (Z)-3-(furan-2-yl)-2-(methoxycarbonyl)allyl-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)dithiocarbimate (IC50 38 μM).

Overcoming a hemihedral twinning problem in tetrahydrofolate-dependent O -demethylase crystals by the microseeding method

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

Harada, Ayaka; Sato, Yukari; Kamimura, Naofumi

2016-11-30

A tetrahydrofolate-dependentO-demethylase, LigM, from Sphingobiumsp. SYK-6 was crystallized by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. However, the obtained P3 121 orP3 221 crystals, which diffracted to 2.5–3.3 Å resolution, were hemihedrally twinned. To overcome the twinning problem, microseeding using P3 121/P3 2 21 crystals as microseeds was performed with optimization of the reservoir conditions. As a result, another crystal form was obtained. The newly obtained crystal diffracted to 2.5–3.0 Å resolution and belonged to space group P2 12 12, with unit-cell parametersa= 102.0,b= 117.3,c = 128.1 Å. The P2 12 12 crystals diffracted to better than 2.0 Å resolution after optimizing themore » cryoconditions. Phasing using the single anomalous diffraction method was successful at 3.0 Å resolution with a Pt-derivative crystal. This experience suggested that microseeding is an effective method to overcome the twinning problem, even when twinned crystals are utilized as microseeds.« less

A theoretical study of bond selective photochemistry in CH2BrI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Kun; Zhao, Hongmei; Wang, Caixia; Zhang, Aihua; Ma, Siyu; Li, Zonghe

2005-01-01

Bromoiodomethane photodissociation in the low-lying excited states has been characterized using unrestricted Hartree-Fock, configuration-interaction-singles, and complete active space self-consistent field calculations with the SDB-aug-cc-pVTZ, aug-cc-pVTZ, and 3-21g** basis sets. According to the results of the vertical excited energies and oscillator strengths of these low-lying excited states, bond selectivity is predicted. Subsequently, the minimum energy paths of the first excited singlet state and the third excited state for the dissociation reactions were calculated using the complete active space self-consistent field method with 3-21g** basis set. Good agreement is found between the calculations and experimental data. The relationships of excitations, the electronic structures at Franck-Condon points, and bond selectivity are discussed.

Acute Ankle Sprain in a Mouse Model: Changes in Knee-Joint Space

PubMed Central

Wikstrom, Erik A.; Guderian, Sophie; Turner, Michael J.

2017-01-01

Context:  Ankle sprains remain the most common orthopaedic injury. Conducting long-term studies in humans is difficult and costly, so the long-term consequences of an ankle sprain are not entirely known. Objective:  To measure knee-joint space after a single surgically induced ankle sprain in mice. Design:  Randomized controlled trial. Setting:  University research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants:  Thirty male mice (CBA/2J) were randomly placed into 1 of 3 surgical groups: the transected calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) group, the transected anterior talofibular ligament/CFL group, or a sham treatment group. The right ankle was operated on in all mice. Main Outcome Measure(s):  Three days after surgery, all of the mice were individually housed in cages containing a solid-surface running wheel, and daily running-wheel measurements were recorded. Before surgery and every 6 weeks after surgery, a diagnostic ultrasound was used to measure medial and lateral knee-joint space in both hind limbs. Results:  Right medial (P = .003), right lateral (P = .002), left medial (P = .03), and left lateral (P = .002) knee-joint spaces decreased across the life span. The mice in the anterior talofibular ligament/CFL group had decreased right medial (P = .004) joint space compared with the sham and CFL groups starting at 24 weeks of age and continuing throughout the life span. No differences occurred in contralateral knee-joint degeneration among any of the groups. Conclusions:  Based on current data, mice that sustained a surgically induced severe ankle sprain developed greater joint degeneration in the ipsilateral knee. Knee degeneration could result from accommodation to the laxity of the ankle or biomechanical alterations secondary to ankle instability. A single surgically induced ankle sprain could significantly affect knee-joint function. PMID:28437129

Acute Ankle Sprain in a Mouse Model: Changes in Knee-Joint Space.

PubMed

Hubbard-Turner, Tricia; Wikstrom, Erik A; Guderian, Sophie; Turner, Michael J

2017-06-02

  Ankle sprains remain the most common orthopaedic injury. Conducting long-term studies in humans is difficult and costly, so the long-term consequences of an ankle sprain are not entirely known.   To measure knee-joint space after a single surgically induced ankle sprain in mice.   Randomized controlled trial.   University research laboratory.   Thirty male mice (CBA/2J) were randomly placed into 1 of 3 surgical groups: the transected calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) group, the transected anterior talofibular ligament/CFL group, or a sham treatment group. The right ankle was operated on in all mice.   Three days after surgery, all of the mice were individually housed in cages containing a solid-surface running wheel, and daily running-wheel measurements were recorded. Before surgery and every 6 weeks after surgery, a diagnostic ultrasound was used to measure medial and lateral knee-joint space in both hind limbs.   Right medial (P = .003), right lateral (P = .002), left medial (P = .03), and left lateral (P = .002) knee-joint spaces decreased across the life span. The mice in the anterior talofibular ligament/CFL group had decreased right medial (P = .004) joint space compared with the sham and CFL groups starting at 24 weeks of age and continuing throughout the life span. No differences occurred in contralateral knee-joint degeneration among any of the groups.   Based on current data, mice that sustained a surgically induced severe ankle sprain developed greater joint degeneration in the ipsilateral knee. Knee degeneration could result from accommodation to the laxity of the ankle or biomechanical alterations secondary to ankle instability. A single surgically induced ankle sprain could significantly affect knee-joint function.

Employees' communication attitudes and dislike for working in a group.

PubMed

Madlock, Paul E; Kennedy-Lightsey, Carrie D; Myers, Scott A

2007-12-01

This study examined 128 working adults' attitudes of tolerance for disagreement, tolerance for ambiguity, and argumentativeness in relation to their dislike for working in a group. They completed the Revised Tolerance for Disagreement Scale, the Multiple Stimulus Types Ambiguity Tolerance Scale, the Argumentativeness Scale, and the Grouphate Scale. Dislike for working in a group correlated negatively with Tolerance for Disagreement (r = -.28, p < .01, r2 = .08), Tolerance for Ambiguity (r = -.21, p < .05, r2 = .04), and Argumentativeness (r = -.21, p < .05, r2 = .04). Although these correlations are in the expected directions, magnitudes are very weak; unaccounted for variance should be examined.

Recombinant adenovirus-p21 attenuates proliferative responses associated with excessive scarring.

PubMed

Gu, Danling; Atencio, Isabella; Kang, David W; Looper, L David; Ahmed, C M I; Levy, Alina; Maneval, Dan; Zepeda, Monica L

2005-01-01

Excessive cutaneous scarring is an important clinical disorder resulting in adverse tissue growth and function as well as undesirable cosmetic appearance. p21WAF-1/Cip-1 is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that blocks cell cycle progression and inhibits cell proliferation. We used a recombinant adenovirus containing the human p21WAF-1/Cip-1 cDNA (rAd-p21) to evaluate proliferative responses in skin models. In vitro dose-response studies using primary human dermal fibroblasts resulted in a dose-dependent expression of p21WAF-1/Cip-1 protein and a 3- to 80-fold reduction in cell proliferation as measured by 5-bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Further, rAd-p21 reduced type I procollagen production when compared to control virus. A rat polyvinyl alcohol sponge model was used to determine rAd-p21 effects on granulation tissue formation in vivo. Sponges pretreated with a granulation tissue stimulator, rAd-PDGF-B and subsequently rAd-p21 on a second injection, showed a p21WAF-1/Cip-1 specific dose-dependent decrease in percent granulation fill as the rAd-p21 dose increased (p < 0.001). Immunohistochemistry identified human p21WAF-1/Cip-1 expression in sponges treated with rAd-p21 5 days postinjection. Additionally, 5-bromodeoxyuridine and Ki67 staining in sponges treated with rAd-p21 showed a significant decrease in proliferation when compared to rAd-platelet-derived growth factor-B alone or vehicle control groups (p < 0.01). These data support the utility of p21WAF-1/Cip-1 in targeting hyperproliferative disorders of the skin.

Effects of Stable and Unstable Resistance Training in an Altered-G Environment on Muscle Power.

PubMed

Zemková, E; Oddsson, L

2016-04-01

The study evaluated the effect of 4 weeks of combined resistance-balance training and resistance training alone in a 90° tilted environment on muscle power. Two groups of healthy young subjects performed leg extensions while in a supine position, either on a firm surface along a linear track or on an unstable surface requiring mediolateral balancing movements. Power and force during squats were measured at isokinetic velocities of 10 and 35 deg/s. Results showed significantly greater gains in peak force (44.1%; F(1,21)=8.876, p=0.026), mean force (58.6%; F(1,21)=16.136, p=0.013), peak power (58.7%; F(1,21)=18.754, p=0.009), and mean power (59.2%; F(1,21)=23.114, p=0.007) at the velocity of 35 deg/s after stable than unstable resistance training. However, there were no significant between-groups differences in pre-post training gains in peak force (10.4%; F(1,21)=1.965, p=0.74), mean force (10.3%; F(1,21)=1.889, p=0.80), peak power (12.9%; F(1,21)=2.980, p=0.49), and mean power (19.1%; F(1,21)=3.454, p=0.36) during squats at the velocity of 10 deg/s. Resistance exercises under stable conditions performed in a 90° tilted environment are more effective in the improvement of high velocity muscle power than their use in combination with balance exercises. Such training may be applicable in pre- and in-flight exercise regimens for astronauts and in functional rehabilitation of bed-ridden patients. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Motor development and sleep, play, and feeding positions in very-low-birthweight infants with and without white matter disease.

PubMed

Fetters, Linda; Huang, Hsiang-Han

2007-11-01

We investigated the association of infants' sleep and awake positioning with motor milestone acquisition as measured by the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). Participants were 30 very-low-birthweight (VLBW) infants with preterm white matter disease (PTWMD; 21 males, nine females; mean birthweight [BW] 1,129 g [SD 338]; mean gestational age [GA] 28 wks [SD 2.44]); 21 VLBW infants without preterm WMD (PT; 13 males, eight females; mean BW 1,107 g [SD 370]; mean GA 28.05 wks [SD 2.21]); and 17 term infants (Term; seven males, 10 females; mean BW 3,565 g [SD 382]; mean GA 40 wks [SD 1.31]). Testing occurred at 1, 5, and 9 months of age (corrected for prematurity). Preferred positions during sleeping, playing, and feeding were obtained through parent interview. These positions and group were the independent variables. Prone sleeping was significantly and positively associated with motor development at all ages (1 mo: p=0.005; 5 mo: p=0.011; 9 mo: p=0.040). At 5 months, prone sleeping and playing were significantly and positively associated with AIMS scores (prone sleeping, p=0.016; prone playing, p=0.047). However, group was negatively associated with preterm white matter disease, with the PTWMD group having significantly lower AIMS scores than the Term group (p=0.029). At 9 months, sitting playing and group membership were significantly associated with AIMS scores (sitting playing, p=0.005; group, p=0.012). Prone positioning should be encouraged for awake time, particularly for infants with preterm white matter disease.

Effects of pre-encapsulated and pro-encapsulated Enterococcus faecalis on growth performance, blood characteristics, and cecal microflora in broiler chickens.

PubMed

Zhang, L; Li, J; Yun, T T; Qi, W T; Liang, X X; Wang, Y W; Li, A K

2015-11-01

The effects of microencapsulation of Enterococcus faecalis on the growth performance, antioxidant activity, immune function, and cecal microbiota in broilers were investigated. Broilers (1-day-old) were assigned randomly as follows: 5 treatments, 5 replicate pens per treatment, and 20 broilers per pen. Treatments included (1) a basal diet (CON), (2) CON + Aureomycin (1 g/kg of diet) (ANT), (3) CON + free non-encapsulated probiotics (1 × 10(9) cfu/kg of diet) (FREE), (4) CON + pro-encapsulated probiotics (1 × 10(9) cfu/kg of diet) (PRO), and (5) CON + pre-encapsulated probiotics (1 × 10(9) cfu/kg of diet) (PRE). Feedings included starter (1 to 21 d) and grower (21 to 42 d) phases. In the starter phase, the ANT and the PRE groups had greater (P < 0.05) ADG than the CON groups, and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) for these 2 groups was decreased (P < 0.05). In the finisher phase, the PRE and PRO groups had greater (P < 0.05) ADG than the CON group and their FCR was decreased significantly (P < 0.05). During the entire feeding period, only the PRE group showed greater (P < 0.05) ADG and lower (P < 0.05) FCR. On day 21, only birds in the PRE group had greater (P < 0.05) total antioxidant capacity and number of Lactobacillus than the CON group. On day 42, The PRE group showed greater (P < 0.05) superoxide dismutase than the CON group. Serum IgA and IgM concentrations were increased (P < 0.05) in the PRE group. Serum IL-6 in the PRE group was greater (P < 0.05) than in the other groups with the exception of ANT. At the phylum level, Firmicutes was enriched (P < 0.05) and Proteobacteria was depleted (P < 0.05) only in the PRE group. At the genus level, only the PRE diets increased (P < 0.05) the number of both Lactobacillus and Enterococcus. The results indicate that pre-encapsulation assists the efficient functioning of probiotics in broilers. © 2015 Poultry Science Association Inc.

Grape juice concentrate modulates p16 expression in high fat diet-induced liver steatosis in Wistar rats.

PubMed

Ferreira, Andressa Orlandeli; Gollücke, Andréa Pittelli Boiago; Noguti, Juliana; da Silva, Victor Hugo Pereira; Yamamura, Elsa Tiemi Hojo; Ribeiro, Daniel Araki

2012-04-01

The goal of this study was to investigate whether subchronic treatment with grape juice concentrate is able to protect the liver from high fat diet injury in rats. The effects of grape juice concentrate treatment on histopathological changes, and immunohistochemistry for p53, p16 and p21 were evaluated. Male Wistar rats (n = 18) were distributed into three groups: group 1: negative control; group 2: cholesterol at 1% (w/w) in their diet, treated during 5 weeks; and group 3: cholesterol at 1% in their chow during 5 weeks, and grape juice concentrate at 222 mg per day in their drinking-water in the last week only. The results pointed out that treatment with grape juice concentrate did not show remarkable differences regarding liver tissue in the cholesterol-exposed group when compared to group 2. However, grape juice concentrate was able to modulate p16 immunoexpression when compared to high fat diet group. p53 and p21 did not show any significant statistical differences among groups. Taken together, our results suggest that subchronic grape juice concentrate administration was able to modulate cell cycle control by downregulation of p16 immunoexpression in high fat diet-induced liver steatosis in rats.

Six new complexes constructed from silver(I) and 2-(dinitromethylene)-1,3-diazacyclopentane (DNDZ): Synthesis, crystal structure and properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Zhicun; Zhang, Hang; Xu, Kangzhen; Song, Jirong; Zhao, Fengqi

2018-04-01

Six different energetic silver complexes of 2-(dinitromethylene)-1,3-diazacyclopentane (DNDZ), Ag(DNDZ) (1), [Ag2(H2O)(DNDZ)]n (2), Ag(NH3)DNDZ (3), Ag(CH3NH2)(DNDZ) (4), Ag(C2H5NH2)(DNDZ) (5) and Ag(C3H7NH2)(DNDZ) (6), were first synthesized and structurally characterized. Complexes 2, 3, 5 and 6 were characterized by the single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes 2, 5 and 6 crystallize in the monoclinic crystal system with space group P21/n containing four molecules per unit cell, but the crystal of complex 3 is triclinic with space group P-1 containing two molecules in each unit cell. Complexes 2 and 3 possess Ag⋯Ag interaction and corresponding central symmetric structure, but complexes 5 and 6 do not. Thermal behaviors of complexes 1-6 were determined and analyzed. The order of thermal stability for the six complexes is 4 > 3 >1 > 2 >5 > 6. Impact sensitivities for complexes 1-6 are >12 J, > 4 J, > 13 J, > 16 J, > 8 J and >7 J respectively, which corresponds well to the results of thermal stability for the six complexes except for complex 2. Moreover, natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis was used to investigate the bonding and hybridization of complex 3.

Effects of So-cheong-ryong-tang and Yeon-gyo-pae-dok-san on the common cold: randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial.

PubMed

Byun, Jun-Seop; Yang, Su-Young; Jeong, In-Cheol; Hong, Kwon-Eui; Kang, Weechang; Yeo, Yoon; Park, Yang-Chun

2011-01-27

So-cheong-ryong-tang (SCRT) and Yeon-gyo-pae-dok-san (YPS) extracts are widely used in treatment of the common cold. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of SCRT and YPS on the common cold. Four hundred eighty participants with symptoms of the common cold within 48 h were recruited for this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SCRT extract and YPS extract were put in gelatin capsules and orally administered 3 times a day. The pattern of participants was determined according to the Questionnaire for Common Cold Pattern Identification (QCCPI), and the severity of illness was assessed by Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-21 Korean version (WURSS-21-K) every 7 days. The test and control groups were not significantly different in gender, age, smoking history, and baseline score of WURSS-21-K at the time of enrollment. SCRT treatment significantly decreased the total WURSS-21-K score on the 6th and 7th day (p<0.05) of the enrollment compared with the placebo group. YPS treatment decreased the total WURSS-21-K score on the 5th and 6th day (p<0.05 vs. the placebo group) of the enrollment. In the patients with Wind-cold pattern cold, SCRT significantly decreased the total WURSS-21-K score from 4th to 8th day (p<0.05), and YPS significantly decreased the total WURSS-21-K score from 4th to 6th day (p<0.05). For the Wind-heat pattern cold, neither SCRT nor YPS group showed significant difference from the placebo group. SCRT and YPS did not significantly decrease the time to complete resolution of the cold symptoms. SCRT and YPS have beneficial, albeit limited, effects on common cold patients, especially those with the Wind-cold pattern cold. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

26 CFR 1.1502-21T - Net operating losses (temporary).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... section) pursuant to section 172(b)(1)(H) with regard to the P Group's 2008 CNOL, and the P Group elected... 172(b)(1)(H) as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Worker, Homeownership...)(H) with regard to the P Group's 2008 CNOL. P did not make an election pursuant to paragraph (b)(3...

26 CFR 1.1502-21T - Net operating losses (temporary).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... section) pursuant to section 172(b)(1)(H) with regard to the P Group's 2008 CNOL, and the P Group elected... 172(b)(1)(H) as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Worker, Homeownership...)(H) with regard to the P Group's 2008 CNOL. P did not make an election pursuant to paragraph (b)(3...

26 CFR 1.1502-21T - Net operating losses (temporary).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... section) pursuant to section 172(b)(1)(H) with regard to the P Group's 2008 CNOL, and the P Group elected... 172(b)(1)(H) as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Worker, Homeownership...)(H) with regard to the P Group's 2008 CNOL. P did not make an election pursuant to paragraph (b)(3...

26 CFR 1.1502-21T - Net operating losses (temporary).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... section) pursuant to section 172(b)(1)(H) with regard to the P Group's 2008 CNOL, and the P Group elected... 172(b)(1)(H) as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Worker, Homeownership...)(H) with regard to the P Group's 2008 CNOL. P did not make an election pursuant to paragraph (b)(3...

Effect of a mental health training programme on Nigerian school pupils' perceptions of mental illness.

PubMed

Oduguwa, Adeola Oluwafunmilayo; Adedokun, Babatunde; Omigbodun, Olayinka Olusola

2017-01-01

Stigmatizing attitudes and discriminatory behaviour towards persons with mental illness are known to start in childhood. In Nigeria, it is not unusual to see children taunting persons with mental illness. This behaviour continues into adulthood as evidenced by the day-to-day occurrences in the community of negative attitudes and social distance from persons with mental illness. School-based interventions for pupils have been found to increase knowledge about mental illness. Children are recognised as potential agents of change bringing in new ways of thinking. This study determined the effect of a 3-day mental health training for school pupils in Southwest Nigeria, on the perceptions of and social distance towards persons with mental illness. A total of 205 school pupils drawn from two administrative wards were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. The mean age of the pupils was 14.91 years (±1.3). The pupils in the intervention group received a 5-h mental health training session spaced out over 3-days. Apart from didactic lectures, case history presentations and discussions and role-play were part the training. Outcome measures were rated using a knowledge, attitude and social distance questionnaire at baseline, immediately following the training for both group and 3-week post intervention for the intervention group. A Student Evaluation Form was administered to evaluate the pupils' assessment of the training programme. Frequencies, Chi square statistics, paired t test were used to analyse the data received. At immediate post-intervention, the intervention group had a significantly higher mean knowledge score compared to controls, 21.1 vs. 22.0; p = 0.097 to 26.1 vs 22.0; p < 0.01. Respondents in the intervention group had a higher mean attitude score of 5.8 compared to 5.6 in the control group although this was not statistically significant (p < 0.627). Comparisons within the intervention group from baseline to immediate post-intervention showed a significant increase in mean knowledge and attitude scores of respondents, 21.0-26.2: p < 0.001 and 4.8-5.8; p = 0.004 respectively. This change was sustained at 3 weeks post intervention. The majority (98.8%) noted that the training was useful to them. Multiple contacts and mixed-method training sessions produced a positive and sustained change in knowledge of and attitude towards persons with mental illness in school pupils in Nigeria.

Bachmann's Bundle Pacing not Only Improves Interatrial Conduction but Also Reduces the Need for Ventricular Pacing.

PubMed

Sławuta, Agnieszka; Kliś, Magdalena; Skoczyński, Przemysław; Bańkowski, Tomasz; Moszczyńska-Stulin, Joanna; Gajek, Jacek

2016-01-01

Patients treated for sick sinus syndrome may have interatrial conduction disorder leading to atrial fibrillation. This study was aimed to assess the influence of the atrial pacing site on interatrial and atrioventricular conduction as well as the percentage of ventricular pacing in patients with sick sinus syndrome implanted with atrioventricular pacemaker. The study population: 96 patients (58 females, 38 males) aged 74.1 ± 11.8 years were divided in two groups: Group 1 (n = 44) with right atrial appendage pacing and group 2 (n = 52) with Bachmann's area pacing. We assessed the differences in atrioventricular conduction in sinus rhythm and atrial 60 and 90 bpm pacing, P-wave duration and percentage of ventricular pacing. No differences in baseline P-wave duration in sinus rhythm between the groups (102.4 ± 17 ms vs. 104.1 ± 26 ms, p = ns.) were noted. Atrial pacing 60 bpm resulted in longer P-wave in group 1 vs. group 2 (138.3 ± 21 vs. 106.1 ± 15 ms, p < 0.01). The differences between atrioventricular conduction time during sinus rhythm and atrial pacing at 60 and 90 bpm were significantly longer in patients with right atrial appendage vs. Bachmann's pacing (44.1 ± 17 vs. 9.2 ± 7 ms p < 0.01 and 69.2 ± 31 vs. 21.4 ± 12 ms p < 0.05, respectively). The percentage of ventricular pacing was higher in group 1 (21 vs. 4%, p < 0.01). Bachmann's bundle pacing decreases interatrial and atrioventricular conduction delay. Moreover, the frequency-dependent atrioventricular conduction lengthening is much less pronounced during Bachmann's bundle pacing. Right atrial appendage pacing in sick sinus syndrome patients promotes a higher percentage of ventricular pacing.

High-efficiency GaAs concentrator space cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Werthen, J. G.; Virshup, G. F.; Macmillan, H. F.; Ford, C. W.; Hamaker, H. C.

1987-01-01

High efficiency Al sub x Ga sub 1-x As/GaAs heteroface solar concentrator cells have been developed for space applications. The cells, which were grown using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), have been fabricated in both the p-n and n-p configurations. Magnesium and zinc are used as the p-type dopants, and Se is used as the n-type dopant. The space cells, which are designed for use in a Cassegrainian concentrator operating at 100 suns, AMO, have a circular illuminated area 4 mm in diameter on a 5 mm by 5 mm cell. These cells have exhibited flash-tested efficiencies as high as 23.6 percent at 28 C and 21.6 percent at 80 C.

Synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data of LASSBio-1515: A new N-acylhydrazone derivative compound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Costa, F. N.; Braz, D.; Ferreira, F. F.; da Silva, T. F.; Barreiro, E. J.; Lima, L. M.; Colaço, M. V.; Kuplich, L.; Barroso, R. C.

2014-02-01

In this work, synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data allowed for a successful indexing of LASSBio-1515 compound, candidate to analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. X-ray powder diffraction data collected in transmission and high-throughput geometries were used to analyze this compound. The X-ray wavelength of the synchrotron radiation used in this study was determined to be λ=1.55054 Å. LASSBio-1515 was found to be monoclinic with space group P21/c and unit cell parameters a=11.26255(16) Å, b=12.59785(16) Å, c=8.8540(1) Å, β=90.5972(7)° and V=1256.17(3) Å3.

Copper-based 2D-coordination polymer as catalyst for allylation of aldehydes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

da Silva, Gilson B.; Menezes, Paulo H.; Malvestiti, Ivani; Falcão, Eduardo H. L.; Alves, Severino, Jr.; Chojnacki, Jarosław; da Silva, Fausthon F.

2018-03-01

A copper-tartrate, [Cu2(Tart)2(H2O)2]·4H2O, was synthesized at room temperature in aqueous media using copper chloride and D-tartaric acid. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system P21 space group and was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, X-ray powder diffraction and the results are in good agreement with the single crystal structure. Catalytic properties for allylation of aldehydes were investigated at different solvents, and the best conditions obtained were using a mixture of CH2Cl2:H2O. The copper-tartrate obtained showed good performance as catalyst for different substrates and yields were between 62% and 95%.

Efficacy of oral ribavirin in hematologic disease patients with paramyxovirus infection: analytic strategy using propensity scores.

PubMed

Park, So-Youn; Baek, Seunghee; Lee, Sang-Oh; Choi, Sang-Ho; Kim, Yang Soo; Woo, Jun Hee; Sung, Heungsup; Kim, Mi-Na; Kim, Dae-Young; Lee, Jung-Hee; Lee, Je-Hwan; Lee, Kyoo-Hyung; Kim, Sung-Han

2013-02-01

Few antiviral agents are available for treating paramyxovirus infections, such as those involving respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), and human metapneumovirus (hMPV). We evaluated the effect of oral ribavirin on clinical outcomes of paramyxovirus infections in patients with hematological diseases. All adult patients with paramyxovirus were retrospectively reviewed over a 2-year period. Patients who received oral ribavirin were compared to those who received supportive care without ribavirin therapy. A propensity-matched case-control study and a logistic regression model with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were performed to reduce the effect of selection bias in assignment for oral ribavirin therapy. A total of 145 patients, including 64 (44%) with PIV, 60 (41%) with RSV, and 21 (15%) with hMPV, were analyzed. Of these 145 patients, 114 (78%) received oral ribavirin and the remaining 31 (21%) constituted the nonribavirin group. Thirty-day mortality and underlying respiratory death rates were 31% (35/114) and 12% (14/114), respectively, for the oral ribavirin group versus 19% (6/31) and 16% (5/31), respectively, for the nonribavirin group (P = 0.21 and P = 0.56). In the case-control study, the 30-day mortality rate in the ribavirin group was 24% (5/21) versus 19% (4/21) in the nonribavirin group (P = 0.71). In addition, the logistic regression model with IPTW revealed no significant difference in 30-day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio of 1.3; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] of 0.3 to 5.8) between the two groups. Steroid use (adjusted odds ratio, 5.67; P = 0.01) and upper respiratory tract infection (adjusted odds ratio, 0.07; P = 0.001) was independently associated with mortality. Our data suggest that oral ribavirin therapy may not improve clinical outcomes in hematologic disease patients infected with paramyxovirus.

Comparison of 21-gauge and 22-gauge aspiration needle in endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration: results of the American College of Chest Physicians Quality Improvement Registry, Education, and Evaluation Registry.

PubMed

Yarmus, Lonny B; Akulian, Jason; Lechtzin, Noah; Yasin, Faiza; Kamdar, Biren; Ernst, Armin; Ost, David E; Ray, Cynthia; Greenhill, Sarah R; Jimenez, Carlos A; Filner, Joshua; Feller-Kopman, David

2013-04-01

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive procedure originally performed using a 22-gauge (22G) needle. A recently introduced 21-gauge (21G) needle may improve the diagnostic yield and sample adequacy of EBUS-TBNA, but prior smaller studies have shown conflicting results. To our knowledge, this is the largest study undertaken to date to determine whether the 21G needle adds diagnostic benefit. We retrospectively evaluated the results of 1,299 patients from the American College of Chest Physicians Quality Improvement Registry, Education, and Evaluation (AQuIRE) Diagnostic Registry who underwent EBUS-TBNA between February 2009 and September 2010 at six centers throughout the United States. Data collection included patient demographics, sample adequacy, and diagnostic yield. Analysis consisted of univariate and multivariate hierarchical logistic regression comparing diagnostic yield and sample adequacy of EBUS-TBNA specimens by needle gauge. A total of 1,235 patients met inclusion criteria. Sample adequacy was obtained in 94.9% of the 22G needle group and in 94.6% of the 21G needle group (P = .81). A diagnosis was made in 51.4% of the 22G and 51.3% of the 21G groups (P = .98). Multivariate hierarchical logistic regression showed no statistical difference in sample adequacy or diagnostic yield between the two groups. The presence of rapid onsite cytologic evaluation was associated with significantly fewer needle passes per procedure when using the 21G needle (P < .001). There is no difference in specimen adequacy or diagnostic yield between the 21G and 22G needle groups. EBUS-TBNA in conjunction with rapid onsite cytologic evaluation and a 21G needle is associated with fewer needle passes compared with a 22G needle.

Astronaut Moments: Scott Tingle: Inspiration

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-14

NASA Astronaut Scott Tingle shares his inspiration for his career as an astronaut. On Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, Tingle will launch to the International Space Station aboard a Soyuz vehicle at 2:21 a.m. ET (1:21 p.m. Baikonur time) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. This will be his first spaceflight. More on Tingle: https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/scott-d-tingle More on the space station: www.nasa.gov/station Archive.org: https://archive.org/details/jsc2017m0009_ScottTingle_AstronautMoment_Inspriation_MXF Youtube: https://youtu.be/8xUOqk2f3vg

Synthesis, crystal structure, and vibrational study of K2Cu(HPO4)2·6H2O: A new metal hydrogenphosphate compound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ettoumi, Houda; Bulou, Alain; Suñol, Joan Josep; Mhiri, Tahar

2015-11-01

The study reports on the synthesis, single-crystal X-ray structure, and infrared and polarized Raman spectra of a new metal phosphate. The chemical formula of the compound K2Cu(HPO4)2·6H2O resembled that of Tutton salts. The compound crystallized in the monoclinic system, space group P21/c, with a = 6.166(9), b = 12.118(19), c = 9.077(14) Å, β = 104.33(2), and Z = 2. The compound consisted of transition metal cations octahedrally coordinated by six water molecules, [Cu(H2O)6]2+, HPO4 pseudo-tetrahedra, and KO8 polyhedra. The KO8 polyhedra shared two edges with two HPO4 groups, two corners with the two other HPO4 groups, and two corners with Cu(H2O)6. The connection between [Cu(H2O)6]2+ octahedral and (HPO4)2- pseudo-tetrahedra was reinforced by hydrogen bonds formed between the water molecules and other oxygen atoms linked to the P atom. These structural results were corroborated by infrared and polarized Raman spectroscopy.

[Effect of sodium phenylbutyrate on the apoptosis of human tongue squamous cancer cell line and expression of p21 and survivin genes].

PubMed

Chen, Wei-qiang; Feng, Feng-lan; Gu, Hong-biao; Pan, De-shun

2010-07-01

To examine the effects of sodium phenylbutyrate on the apoptosis of human tongue squamous cancer cell line and expression of p21 and survivin genes. The inhibition effects of sodium phenylbutyrate on Tca8113 and human tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TCSSA) cell lines were detected by methyl thiazoly terazolium (MTT) and the apoptosis of the cancer cells after being induced by sodium phenylbutyrate examined by flow cytometry (FCM). The expression of p21 and survivin genes were observed with Western blotting and RT-PCR. Compared with control group, the level of p21 mRNA and protein of Tca8113 cellline increased to 0.09 ± 0.08 and increased 0.72 ± 0.10, that of TCSSA cellline increased 1.34 ± 0.12 and 1.56 ± 0.09 (P < 0.05). Compared with control group, the level of surrive mRNA and protein of Tca8113 cellline decreased to 1.10 ± 0.05 and 1.14 ± 1.10, that of TCSSA cellline decreased to 0.12 ± 0.08 and 0.94 ± 0.09 (P < 0.05). Sodium phenylbutyrate inhibited the cell proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis and arrested the cells in G₁/G₀ phase. The amount of p21 mRNA and protein were increased, and the expression of survivin gene was decreased. Sodium phenylbutyrate exhibited remarkable inhibitory effects on human tongue squamous cancer cell proliferation and induced cancer cell apoptosis. The mechanism may be due to up-regulation of p21 gene and down-regulation of survivin gene. The mRNA level of p21 gene and survivin gene showed a strong correlation.

Physical and genetic interactions of yeast Cwc21p, an ortholog of human SRm300/SRRM2, suggest a role at the catalytic center of the spliceosome

PubMed Central

Grainger, Richard J.; Barrass, J. David; Jacquier, Alain; Rain, Jean-Christophe; Beggs, Jean D.

2009-01-01

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Cwc21p is a protein of unknown function that is associated with the NineTeen Complex (NTC), a group of proteins involved in activating the spliceosome to promote the pre-mRNA splicing reaction. Here, we show that Cwc21p binds directly to two key splicing factors—namely, Prp8p and Snu114p—and becomes the first NTC-related protein known to dock directly to U5 snRNP proteins. Using a combination of proteomic techniques we show that the N-terminus of Prp8p contains an intramolecular fold that is a Snu114p and Cwc21p interacting domain (SCwid). Cwc21p also binds directly to the C-terminus of Snu114p. Complementary chemical cross-linking experiments reveal reciprocal protein footprints between the interacting Prp8 and Cwc21 proteins, identifying the conserved cwf21 domain in Cwc21p as a Prp8p binding site. Genetic and functional interactions between Cwc21p and Isy1p indicate that they have related functions at or prior to the first catalytic step of splicing, and suggest that Cwc21p functions at the catalytic center of the spliceosome, possibly in response to environmental or metabolic changes. We demonstrate that SRm300, the only SR-related protein known to be at the core of human catalytic spliceosomes, is a functional ortholog of Cwc21p, also interacting directly with Prp8p and Snu114p. Thus, the function of Cwc21p is likely conserved from yeast to humans. PMID:19854871

KSC01padig275

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-08-22

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The orbiter Discovery appears surrounded by vegetation as it lands at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility runway 15 after a 4.3-million-mile mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 2:22:58 p.m. EDT, wheel stop at 2:24:06 p.m. EDT. The 11-day, 21-hour, 12-minute mission accomplished the goals set for the 11th flight to the International Space Station: swapout of the resident Station crew, delivery of equipment supplies and scientific experiments, and installation of the Early Ammonia Servicer and heater cables for the S0 truss on the Station. Discovery completed its 30th flight into space, the 106th mission of the Space Shuttle program. The landing was the first out of five in 2001to occur in daylight at KSC

[Effect of leptin on long-term spatial memory of rats with white matter damage in developing brain].

PubMed

Feng, Er-Cui; Jiang, Li

2017-12-01

To investigate the neuroprotective effect of leptin by observing its effect on spatial memory of rats with white matter damage in developing brain. A total of 80 neonatal rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham-operation (n=27), model (n=27) and leptin intervention (n=27). The rats in the model and leptin intervention groups were used to prepare a model of white matter damage in developing brain, and the rats in the leptin intervention group were given leptin (100 μg/kg) diluted with normal saline immediately after modelling for 4 consecutive days. The survival rate of the rats was observed and the change in body weight was monitored. When the rats reached the age of 21 days, the Morris water maze test was used to evaluate spatial memory. There was no significant difference in the survival rate of rats between the three groups (P>0.05). Within 10 days after birth, the leptin intervention group had similar body weight as the sham-operation group and significantly lower body weight than the model group (P<0.05); more than 10 days after birth, the leptin intervention group had rapid growth with higher body weight than the model and sham-operation groups (P>0.05). The results of place navigation showed that from the second day of experiment, there was a significant difference in the latency period between the three groups (P<0.05); from the fourth day of experiment, the leptin intervention group had a similar latency period as the sham-operation and a significantly shorter latency period than the model group (P<0.05). The results of space search experiment showed that compared with the sham-operation group, the model group had a significant reduction in the number of platform crossings and a significantly longer latency period (P<0.05); compared with the model group, the leptin intervention group had a significantly increased number of platform crossings and a significantly shortened latency period (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between the leptin intervention and sham-operation groups. Leptin can alleviate spatial memory impairment of rats with white matter damage in developing brain. It thus exerts a neuroprotective effect, and is worthy of further research.

Theater Security Cooperation in Oceania for the 21st Century

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-05-04

nations of the Pacific struggle to meet the demands of their societies, they combat rampant overfishing and transnational crime. These countries are...Systems model” will be able to guide the implementation of future UAV technologies through the support of an established community . 13 While the P...space to operate UAVs because the air space is not governed by FAA regulations. This space offers the UAV community an superb opportunity to hone their

Protein supplementation may enhance the spontaneous recovery of neurological alterations in patients with ischaemic stroke.

PubMed

Aquilani, Roberto; Scocchi, Marco; Iadarola, Paolo; Franciscone, Piero; Verri, Manuela; Boschi, Federica; Pasini, Evasio; Viglio, Simona

2008-12-01

To determine whether protein supplementation could enhance neurological recovery in subacute patients with ischaemic stroke. Alimentation-independent patients with ischaemic stroke were randomly allocated to either 21 days of protein supplementation (protein-supplemented group; n=20) or to a spontaneous diet only (control group; n=21) in order to investigate the recovery of neurological changes (measured using the National Institute of Health (NIH) Stroke Scale). Tertiary care rehabilitation in Italy. Forty-two patients (27 male and 15 female; 66.4 +/- 11 years) 16 +/-2 days after the acute event. Supplementation with a hyperproteic nutritional formula (10% protein). NIH Stroke Scale and protein intake. At admission to rehabilitation, both groups of patients were homogeneous for demographic, clinical and functional characteristics. After 21 days from the start of the protocol, the NIH Stroke Scale was found to be enhanced in the group with supplemental proteins (-4.4 +/- 1.5 score versus -3 +/- 1.4 of control group; P<0.01). When expressed as difference (triangle up) between baseline and 21 days, the NIH Stroke Scale correlated negatively with change in protein intake (g/day) (r=-0.50, P= 0.001) and positively with change in carbohydrate/protein ratio (r = +0.40, P=0.01) Protein supplementation may enhance neurological recovery in subacute patients with ischaemic stroke.

Phase Transition in all-trans-β-Carotene Crystal: Temperature-Dependent Raman Spectra.

PubMed

da Silva, Kleber J R; Paschoal, Waldomiro; Belo, Ezequiel A; Moreira, Sanclayton G C

2015-09-24

In this study, we studied the stability of an all-trans-β-carotene single crystal using Raman spectroscopy with line excitation at 632.8 nm, in the temperature range 20–300 K. The Raman spectra exhibit clear modifications in the spectral range of the lattice and internal vibrational modes. The temperature dependence of the most intense vibrational modes ν1 (1511 cm(–1)) and ν2 (1156 cm(–1)) that are related to the C═C and C—C stretching vibrations of the polyene chain, respectively, shows an upward shift on the Raman modes. This behavior is similar to that stated in the theoretical work of Wei-Long Liu et al. We conclude that the all-trans-β-carotene crystal undergoes a temperature-induced phase transition at approximately 219 K. This transition is interpreted as a rotation experienced by β-ring groups at each end of the all-trans-β-carotene molecule around the dihedral angle. At low temperatures, the new molecular configuration affects the sliding plane of the space group C2h(5)(P2(1)/n), and the phase transition leads to an unchanged monoclinic structure; however, the original space group is possibly lowered to the space group C2. In the temperature range 200–220 K, the spectral ratio (S) of the integrated intensities of the spectral modes around the symmetric and asymmetric stretching wavenumbers of the methyl group (CH3) changes as a function of temperature in agreement with the phase transition. Furthermore, according to phase transition undergone by the all-trans-β-carotene, the thermal results obtained by differential scanning calorimetry show an exothermic process that occurs near the transition temperature assigned by the Raman spectra.

[Effect of electroacupuncture intervention on learning-memory ability and injured hippocampal neurons in depression rats].

PubMed

Bao, Wu-Ye; Jiao, Shuang; Lu, Jun; Tu, Ya; Song, Ying-Zhou; Wu, Qian; A, Ying-Ge

2014-04-01

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of "Baihui" (GV 20)-"Yintang" (EX-HN 3) on changes of learning-memory ability and hippocampal neuron structure in chronic stress-stimulation induced depression rats. Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, EA and medication (Fluoxetine) groups, with 12 rats in each group. The depression model was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress stimulation (swimming in 4 degrees C water, fasting, water deprivation, reversed day and night, etc). Treatment was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Yintang" (EX-HN 3) for 20 min, once every day for 21 days. For rats of the medication group, Fluoxetine (3.3 mg/kg) was given by gavage (p.o.), once daily for 21 days. The learning-memory ability was detected by Morris water maze tests. The pathological and ultrastructural changes of the hippocampal tissue and neurons were assessed by H.E. staining, light microscope and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Compared to the normal group, the rats' body weight on day 14 and day 21 after modeling was significantly decreased in the model group (P < 0.01), the escape latency and total swimming distance in the 4 quadrants on day 10 and 21 were significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.01). In comparison with the model group, the body weight on day 14 and 21 were significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the escape latency and total swimming distance levels were significantly decreased in the EA group (P < 0.01), suggesting an improvement of learning-memory ability. Observations of light microscope and transmission electron microscope showed that modeling induced pathological changes such as reduction in hippocampal cell layers, vague and broken cellular membrane, and ultrastructural changes of hippocampal neurons including swelling and reduction of mitochondria and mitochondrial crests were relived after EA and Fluoxetine treatment. EA intervention can improve the learning-memory ability and relieving impairment of hippocampal neurons in depression rats, which may be one of its mechanisms underlying bettering depression.

[Efficacy of fibrin tissue adhesive in the attachment of autogenous conjuntival graft on primary pterygium surgery].

PubMed

Rubin, Michel Risnic; Dantas, Paulo Elias C; Nishiwaki-Dantas, M Cristina; Felberg, Sergio

2011-01-01

To compare the efficacy of conjunctival autograft surgery with the attachment to the scleral bed using fibrin tissue adhesive or mononylon 10-0 suture after resection of primary pterygium. A comparative, prospective and randomized clinical trial was performed in 47 eyes of 47 patients with primary medial located pterygium. Group 1 (adhesive) was composed by 21 patients that underwent conjunctival autograft closure with fibrin tissue adhesive (Quixil™) and Group 2 (suture) was composed by 26 patients that underwent pterygium surgery with mononylon 10-0 (Ethicon(®)) suture (suture group) after pterygium excision. All surgeries were performed by the same surgeon. Patients were assessed on the preoperative period and on the 1(st), 14(th) and 21(st) postoperative days. They were followed-up with a questionnaire of ocular discomfort and by the surgical time spent, ocular hyperemia, complications and recurrence signals, being the recurrence also evaluated at the 6th postoperative month. Data were submitted to statistical analysis. A value of p<0.005 was considered statistically significant. The average surgical time was 19.05 ± 6.12 minutes in group 1 (glue) and 48.15 ± 7.13 minutes in the group 2 (suture) (p<0.001). The ocular discomfort scale analysis showed a lower score in the 1(st) (p<0.005), 7(th) (p<0.001) and 21(th) (p<0.001) postoperative days in group 1. Ocular hyperemia was less intense in all periods of this study in group 1 (p<0.001). Complications were one in each group and both were managed with clinical treatment until the 21(th) postoperative day. There was one recurrence in group 1 and two in group 2 until the 6(th) postoperative month. In the surgical management of primary pterygium, fibrin tissue adhesive attached the conjunctival autograft, decreased the surgical time and diminished the conjunctival hyperemia and ocular discomfort with similar recurrences on the postoperative period, compared to fixation with mononylon 10.0 suture, proving to be an excellent option for conjunctival autograft attachment in primary pterygium surgery.

Crystal growth, structure and characterization of p-Toluidinium picrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muthu, K.; Meenakshisundaram, Subbiah

2012-08-01

p-Toluidinium picrate (PTP), is a proton transfer complex of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol as an electron acceptor with p-toluidine as electron donor, crystallizing in the monoclinic system with four molecules in the unit cell (space group P21/c). The vibrational patterns of the organic crystal PTP in comparison with that of the parent compound clearly evidences the complex formation. Loss of hydroxyl proton at O1 leading to specific electron delocalization around C1 is observed. Crystallographic data are reported as a=12.9304(6) Å, b=15.7176(7) Å, c=7.5403(4) Å, β=101.837(5)°. The crystalline cohesion is achieved by N-H…O and C-H…O hydrogen bonds and the ions are linked into three dimensional network. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding between nitrogen of p-toluidine and phenolate ion of picric acid results in charge transfer. A sharp endotherm in the DSC curve, no decomposition up to the melting point and poor absorbance in the visible region indicate the suitability of the material for potential applications.

Spectroscopic, single crystal X-ray, Hirshfeld, in vitro and in silico biological evaluation of a new series of potent thiazole nucleus integrated with pyrazoline scaffolds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salian, Vinutha V.; Narayana, Badiadka; Sarojini, Balladka K.; Kumar, Madan S.; Nagananda, Govinahalli S.; Byrappa, Kullaiah; Kudva, Avinash K.

2017-03-01

In the present study, the spectroscopic characterization of a new series of substituted thiazole linked pyrazoline scaffolds 4a-l was performed. The formation of 4a-l from the intermediate 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-[4-(propan-2-yl)phenyl]-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carbothioamide 2 and substituted 2-bromo-1-phenylethanone 3a-l was evidenced through the changes in FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, LCMS data. The X-ray diffraction studies revealed that compound 2 and 4g crystallized in monoclinic crystal system with P21/n space group. Compound 4j crystallized in triclinic system, P1¯ space group with Z = 4. The percentage of intermolecular contacts and distribution of electrostatic potential of molecular crystal structures was resolved by Hirshfeld surface analysis with 2D finger plots and electrostatic potential map. The newly synthesized derivatives were screened for their in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The single crystal studies revealed that, for compounds 2, 4g and 4j the isopropyl phenyl ring is positioned at near right angle with the other rings. Due to the lack of planarity of bulkier group substituted to phenyl ring (ring B), all the synthesized molecules showed weak to moderate radical scavenging capacity owing to the destabilization of the radical formed during oxidation. Also, on performing molecular docking studies to explore the interactions of ligand with the target pyrimidine nucleoside hydrolase YbeK with bound ribose complex (PNH, PDB ID-3GHW), disclosed that active compounds emerged for in vitro studies also bound to PNH more efficiently. The compounds with polar group substitution interacted through hydrogen bonding while other molecules with non-covalent interactions.

Discovery of a New Photometric Sub-class of Faint and Fast Classical Novae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasliwal, M. M.; Cenko, S. B.; Kulkarni, S. R.; Ofek, E. O.; Quimby, R.; Rau, A.

2011-07-01

We present photometric and spectroscopic follow-up of a sample of extragalactic novae discovered by the Palomar 60 inch telescope during a search for "Fast Transients In Nearest Galaxies" (P60-FasTING). Designed as a fast cadence (1 day) and deep (g < 21 mag) survey, P60-FasTING was particularly sensitive to short-lived and faint optical transients. The P60-FasTING nova sample includes 10 novae in M 31, 6 in M 81, 3 in M 82, 1 in NGC 2403, and 1 in NGC 891. This significantly expands the known sample of extragalactic novae beyond the Local Group, including the first discoveries in a starburst environment. Surprisingly, our photometry shows that this sample is quite inconsistent with the canonical maximum-magnitude-rate-of-decline (MMRD) relation for classical novae. Furthermore, the spectra of the P60-FasTING sample are indistinguishable from classical novae. We suggest that we have uncovered a sub-class of faint and fast classical novae in a new phase space in luminosity-timescale of optical transients. Thus, novae span two orders of magnitude in both luminosity and time. Perhaps the MMRD, which is characterized only by the white dwarf mass, was an oversimplification. Nova physics appears to be characterized by a relatively rich four-dimensional parameter space in white dwarf mass, temperature, composition, and accretion rate.

Effect of acetate and nitrate anions on the molecular structure of 3-(hydroxyimino)-2-butanone-2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)hydrazone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamat, Vinayak; Naik, Krishna; Revankar, Vidyanand K.

2017-04-01

A novel Schiff base ligand 3-(hydroxyimino)-2-butanone-2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)hydrazone has been synthesized by the condensation reaction of 2-Hydrazinobenzimidazole with diacetyl monoxime in presence of acetic acid catalyst. The ligand has crystallized as its acetate salt, due to the charge-assisted hydrogen bonding between protonated benzimidazole ring and acetate anion. Efforts to synthesize the zinc(II) complex of the title compound, has resulted in the formation of a nitrate salt of the ligand, instead of coordination complex of zinc(II). Acetate salt has crystallized in monoclinic P 21/n, while the nitrate salt has crystallized in a triclinic crystal system with P -1 space group. Hirshfeld surface analysis is presented for both of the crystal structures. Structures of synthesized molecules are even computationally optimized using DFT. A comparative structural approach between the synthesized molecules and DFT optimized structure of bare ligand without any counterions is analyzed in terms of bond parameters. Hydrogen bonding is explained keeping the anions as the central dogma. Mass fragmentation pattern of the organic molecule and comparative account of IR, 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts are also presented. Compounds are screened for their antibacterial and antifungal potencies against few pathogenic microorganisms. The organic motif is found be an excellent antifungal agent.

Whirlpool Galaxy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1999-01-01

Scientists are seeing unprecedented detail of the spiral arms and dust clouds in the nearby Whirlpool galaxy, thanks to a new Hubble Space Telescope image, available at http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/pictures/wfpc/wfpc.html. The image uses data collected January 15 and 24, 1995, and July 21, 1999, by Hubble's Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2, designed and built by JPL. Using the image, a research group led by Dr. Nick Scoville of the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, clearly defined the structure of the galaxy's cold dust clouds and hot hydrogen, and they linked star clusters within the galaxy to their parent dust clouds.

The Whirlpool galaxy is one of the most photogenic galaxies. This celestial beauty is easily seen and photographed with smaller telescopes and studied extensively from large ground- and space-based observatories. The new composite image shows visible starlight and light from the emission of glowing hydrogen, which is associated with the most luminous young stars in the spiral arms.

The galaxy is having a close encounter with a nearby companion galaxy, NGC 5195, just off the upper edge of the image. The companion's gravitational pull is triggering star formation in the main galaxy, lit up by numerous clusters of young and energetic stars in brilliant detail. Luminous clusters are highlighted in red by their associated emission from glowing hydrogen gas.

This image was composed by the Hubble Heritage Team from Hubble archive data and was superimposed onto data taken by Dr. Travis Rector of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory at the .9-meter (35-inch) telescope at the National Science Foundation's Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, Ariz. Scoville's team includes M. Polletta of the University of Geneva, Switzerland; S. Ewald and S. Stolovy of Caltech; and R. Thompson and M. Rieke of the University of Arizona, Tucson.

The Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Md., manages space operations for the Hubble Space Telescope for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington, D.C. The institute is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., for NASA under contract with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and the European Space Agency. JPL is a division of Caltech.

Additional information about the Hubble Space Telescope is available at http://www.stsci.edu . More information about the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 is available at http://wfpc2.jpl.nasa.gov

Crystal structures of the free and inhibited forms of plasmepsin I (PMI) from Plasmodium falciparum

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

Bhaumik, Prasenjit; Horimoto, Yasumi; Xiao, Huogen

2011-09-06

Plasmepsin I (PMI) is one of the four vacuolar pepsin-like proteases responsible for hemoglobin degradation by the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum, and the only one with no crystal structure reported to date. Due to substantial functional redundancy of these enzymes, lack of inhibition of even a single plasmepsin can defeat efforts in creating effective antiparasitic agents. We have now solved crystal structures of the recombinant PMI as apoenzyme and in complex with the potent peptidic inhibitor, KNI-10006, at the resolution of 2.4 and 3.1 {angstrom}, respectively. The apoenzyme crystallized in the orthorhombic space group P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2{sub 1} with twomore » molecules in the asymmetric unit and the structure has been refined to the final R-factor of 20.7%. The KNI-10006 bound enzyme crystallized in the tetragonal space group P4{sub 3} with four molecules in the asymmetric unit and the structure has been refined to the final R-factor of 21.1%. In the PMI-KNI-10006 complex, the inhibitors were bound identically to all four enzyme molecules, with the opposite directionality of the main chain of KNI-10006 relative to the direction of the enzyme substrates. Such a mode of binding of inhibitors containing an allophenylnorstatine-dimethylthioproline insert in the P1-P1' positions, previously reported in a complex with PMIV, demonstrates the importance of satisfying the requirements for the proper positioning of the functional groups in the mechanism-based inhibitors towards the catalytic machinery of aspartic proteases, as opposed to binding driven solely by the specificity of the individual enzymes. A comparison of the structure of the PMI-KNI-10006 complex with the structures of other vacuolar plasmepsins identified the important differences between them and may help in the design of specific inhibitors targeting the individual enzymes.« less

Disturbance of parathyroid hormone-related protein signaling in the nitrofen-induced hypoplastic lung.

PubMed

Doi, Takashi; Lukosiūte, Ausra; Ruttenstock, Elke; Dingemann, Jens; Puri, Prem

2010-01-01

Despite remarkable progress in resuscitation and intensive care, the morbidity and mortality rates in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) remain high due to severe pulmonary hypoplasia. The pathogenesis of pulmonary hypoplasia associated with CDH is still not clearly understood. Pulmonary parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is expressed in the type II epithelial cells and stimulates surfactant production by a paracrine feedback loop regulated by PTHrP receptor (PTHrP-R), which is expressed in the mesenchyme, during terminal airway differentiation. It has been reported that PTHrP knockout and PTHrP-R null mice both exhibit pulmonary hypoplasia, disrupting alveolar maturation before birth. We designed this study to test the hypothesis that gene expression of PTHrP and PTHrP-R is downregulated in the late stages of lung morphogenesis in the nitrofen-induced hypoplastic lung. Pregnant rats were exposed to either olive oil or nitrofen on day 9 of gestation (D9). Fetal lungs were harvested on D15, 18, and 21 and divided into three groups: control, nitrofen without CDH [CDH(-)], and nitrofen with CDH [CDH(+)] (n = 8 at each time point for each group, respectively). Total mRNA was extracted from fetal lungs and mRNA expression of PTHrP and PTHrP-R was analyzed by real-time RT-PCR and the significant differences between the groups were accepted at P < 0.05 by statistical analysis. Immunohistochemical studies were also performed to evaluate PTHrP and PTHrP-R protein expression at each time point. Pulmonary mRNA expression of PTHrP-R was significantly decreased in both nitrofen groups [CDH(-) and CDH(+)] compared to controls at D18 and 21. The mRNA level of PTHrP was significantly decreased at D21 in both nitrofen groups compared to controls. Immunoreactivity of PTHrP and PTHrP-R at D18 and 21 was diminished in the distal epithelium and in the mesenchyme, respectively, in the nitrofen-induced hypoplastic lung compared to control lungs. There were no significant differences in both gene/protein expression of PTHrP and PTHrP-R on D15. Downregulation of PTHrP and PTHrP-R gene expression during late lung morphogenesis may cause pulmonary hypoplasia in the nitrofen CDH model, disrupting alveolar maturation and surfactant production by interfering with mesenchymal-epithelial interactions.

MicroRNA-21 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma: Diagnostic and prognostic features.

PubMed

Erkul, Evren; Yilmaz, Ismail; Gungor, Atila; Kurt, Onuralp; Babayigit, Mustafa A

2017-02-01

We aimed to determine the microRNA-21 expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and assess the association between the disease and clinical characteristics of patients. Retrospective case-control study. A retrospective study was conducted from January 2005 to May 2011, in a tertiary hospital following tumor resection in 72 patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. We used formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples of laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (study group) and adjacent nontumor tissues (control group) for microRNA-21 expressions, and we successfully extracted microRNAs detectable by real-time polymerase chain reaction. All patients were evaluated separately, and the study and control groups were compared. The study group was assessed in terms of localization, smoking, alcohol consumption, lymph node staging, tumor stage, overall survival, disease-free survival, perineural, and vascular invasion. All patients were male, and the average age of patients was 64.2 ± 10.3 years. MicroRNA-21 was upregulated in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas compared to adjacent nontumor tissues (P = .005). However, the microRNA-21 did not differ significantly according to any clinicopathological features (P > .05). MicroRNA-21 has been found to be expressed at lower levels in early stage (stages 1 and 2) compared with advanced stage (stages 3 and 4), but this was not statistically significant (P = .455). We conclude that the microRNA-21 level may play an important role in diagnosis and serve as a potential biomarker; such measurement thus has clinical applications. However, any possible prognostic associations with microRNA-21 levels should be re-evaluated in future studies on laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma samples amenable to retrospective analysis. NA Laryngoscope, 2016 127:E62-E66, 2017. © 2016 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Purification and crystallization of Kokobera virus helicase

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

De Colibus, Luigi; Speroni, Silvia; Coutard, Bruno

2007-03-01

Kokobera virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus belonging, like West Nile virus, to the Japanese encephalitis virus serocomplex. Crystals of the Kokobera virus helicase domain were obtained by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method and exhibit a diffraction limit of 2.3 Å. Kokobera virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus belonging, like West Nile virus, to the Japanese encephalitis virus serocomplex. The flavivirus genus is characterized by a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome. The unique open reading frame of the viral RNA is transcribed and translated as a single polyprotein which is post-translationally cleaved to yield three structural and seven nonstructural proteins, one of which ismore » the NS3 gene that encodes a C-terminal helicase domain consisting of 431 amino acids. Helicase inhibitors are potential antiviral drugs as the helicase is essential to viral replication. Crystals of the Kokobera virus helicase domain were obtained by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystals belong to space group P3{sub 1}21 (or P3{sub 2}21), with unit-cell parameters a = 88.6, c = 138.6 Å, and exhibit a diffraction limit of 2.3 Å.« less

Crystal chemistry and temperature behavior of the natural hydrous borate colemanite, a mineral commodity of boron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lotti, Paolo; Gatta, G. Diego; Demitri, Nicola; Guastella, Giorgio; Rizzato, Silvia; Ortenzi, Marco Aldo; Magrini, Fabrizio; Comboni, Davide; Guastoni, Alessandro; Fernandez-Diaz, Maria Teresa

2018-05-01

Colemanite, CaB3O4(OH)3ṡH2O, is the most common hydrous Ca-borate, as well as a major mineral commodity of boron. In this study, we report a thorough chemical analysis and the low-temperature behavior of a natural sample of colemanite by means of a multi-methodological approach. From the chemical point of view, the investigated sample resulted to be relatively pure, its composition being very close to the ideal one, with only a minor substitution of Sr2+ for Ca2+. At about 270.5 K, a displacive phase transition from the centrosymmetric P21/ a to the acentric P21 space group occurs. On the basis of in situ single-crystal synchrotron X-ray (down to 104 K) and neutron diffraction (at 20 K) data, the hydrogen-bonding configuration of both the polymorphs and the structural modifications at the atomic scale at varying temperatures are described. The asymmetric distribution of ionic charges along the [010] axis, allowed by the loss of the inversion center, is likely responsible for the reported ferroelectric behavior of colemanite below the phase transition temperature.

Antifungal efficacy of natamycin in experimental fusarium solani keratitis

PubMed Central

Dong, Xian-Hui; Gao, Wei-Juan; He, Xiao-Ping

2012-01-01

AIM To evaluate the efficacy of topical administration Natamycin, which is produced by China, in an experimental rabbit model of Fusarium solani keratitis, to provide experimental basis for the application of clinical safety. METHODS Fusarium solani was induced in the right eye of 30 New Zealand rabbits. Forty-eight hours after inoculation, the animals were divided into 3 different treatment groups, 10 rabbit eyes of each group: Group 1 (Natamycin) treated with topical Natamycin, group 2 (Natacyn) treated with topical Natacyn, group 3 (control) treated with topical saline solution. The eyes of each group was examined clinically with slit lamp using ulcer scoring system on day 4, 10, 15, and 21 for status of healing, corneal vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula. The findings were recorded on day 10 and day 21. RESULTS Ulcer score on day 10, day 15, day 21: The score of Natamycin group are 1.45±0.16, 1.08±0.11, 0.70±0.40. The score of Natacyn group are 1.35±0.12, 1.10±0.12, 0.65±0.35. the score of control group are 1.30±0.08, 3.63±0.28, 3.80±0.16. Natamycin group and Natacyn group were different from control group (P<0.01). There is no difference between Natamycin group and Natacyn group. Status of healing on day 10 and day 21: The cure rate of the Natamycin group is 90% on day 10, and 100% on day 21. The cure rate of the Natacyn group is 80% on day 10, and 100% on day 21.Natamycin group and Natacyn group were different from control group (P<0.01). There is no difference between Natamycin group and Natacyn group. Corneal vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula on day 10 and day 21: in Natamycin group, the number of the eyes which have Corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula are 2,0,0,2. In Natacyn group, the number of the eyes which have Corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula are 1,0,0,2. In control group, the number of the eyes which have Corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula are 9,9,8,9.Natamycin group and Natacyn group were different from control group (P<0.01). There is no difference between Natamycin group and Natacyn group. CONCLUSION Natamycin was found to be effective in fungal keratitis, similar to Natacyn, and it can stop the corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula to happen. Natamyin manufactured in China is effective against fungal keratitis, with esay availability and low toxicity in its use. PMID:22762038

Antifungal efficacy of natamycin in experimental fusarium solani keratitis.

PubMed

Dong, Xian-Hui; Gao, Wei-Juan; He, Xiao-Ping

2012-01-01

To evaluate the efficacy of topical administration Natamycin, which is produced by China, in an experimental rabbit model of Fusarium solani keratitis, to provide experimental basis for the application of clinical safety. Fusarium solani was induced in the right eye of 30 New Zealand rabbits. Forty-eight hours after inoculation, the animals were divided into 3 different treatment groups, 10 rabbit eyes of each group: Group 1 (Natamycin) treated with topical Natamycin, group 2 (Natacyn) treated with topical Natacyn, group 3 (control) treated with topical saline solution. The eyes of each group was examined clinically with slit lamp using ulcer scoring system on day 4, 10, 15, and 21 for status of healing, corneal vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula. The findings were recorded on day 10 and day 21. Ulcer score on day 10, day 15, day 21: The score of Natamycin group are 1.45±0.16, 1.08±0.11, 0.70±0.40. The score of Natacyn group are 1.35±0.12, 1.10±0.12, 0.65±0.35. the score of control group are 1.30±0.08, 3.63±0.28, 3.80±0.16. Natamycin group and Natacyn group were different from control group (P<0.01). There is no difference between Natamycin group and Natacyn group. Status of healing on day 10 and day 21: The cure rate of the Natamycin group is 90% on day 10, and 100% on day 21. The cure rate of the Natacyn group is 80% on day 10, and 100% on day 21.Natamycin group and Natacyn group were different from control group (P<0.01). There is no difference between Natamycin group and Natacyn group. Corneal vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula on day 10 and day 21: in Natamycin group, the number of the eyes which have Corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula are 2,0,0,2. In Natacyn group, the number of the eyes which have Corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula are 1,0,0,2. In control group, the number of the eyes which have Corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula are 9,9,8,9.Natamycin group and Natacyn group were different from control group (P<0.01). There is no difference between Natamycin group and Natacyn group. Natamycin was found to be effective in fungal keratitis, similar to Natacyn, and it can stop the corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula to happen. Natamyin manufactured in China is effective against fungal keratitis, with esay availability and low toxicity in its use.

Berry phases for Landau Hamiltonians on deformed tori

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lévay, Péter

1995-06-01

Parametrized families of Landau Hamiltonians are introduced, where the parameter space is the Teichmüller space (topologically the complex upper half plane) corresponding to deformations of tori. The underlying SO(2,1) symmetry of the families enables an explicit calculation of the Berry phases picked up by the eigenstates when the torus is slowly deformed. It is also shown that apart from these phases that are local in origin, there are global non-Abelian ones too, related to the hidden discrete symmetry group Γϑ (the theta group, which is a subgroup of the modular group) of the families. The induced Riemannian structure on the parameter space is the usual Poincare metric on the upper half plane of constant negative curvature. Due to the discrete symmetry Γϑ the geodesic motion restricted to the fundamental domain of this group is chaotic.

Normalization of auditory evoked potential and visual evoked potential in patients with idiot savant.

PubMed

Chen, X; Zhang, M; Wang, J; Lou, F; Liang, J

1999-03-01

To investigate the variations of auditory evoked potentials (AEP) and visual evoked potentials (VEP) of patients with idiot savant (IS) syndrome. Both AEP and VEP were recorded from 7 patients with IS syndrome, 21 mentally retarded (MR) children without the syndrome and 21 normally age-matched controls, using a Dantec concerto SEEG-16 BEAM instrument. Both AEP and VEP of MR group showed significantly longer latencies (P1 and P2 latencies of AEP, P < 0.01; N1 and N2 latencies of VEP, P < 0.01/0.05), lower P2 amplitudes (P < 0.01) and higher P3 amplitudes (P < 0.01), as compared with normal controls. But none of above-mentioned changes was found with IS group. Almost all MR patients (90.1%) presented P4 component in both AEP and VEP, which was also in sharp contrast with its incidence in other 2 groups (IS: 14.3%; normal controls: 9.5%). Patients with idiot savant syndrome presented normalized AEP and VEP.

Structural, microstructural and vibrational analyses of the monoclinic tungstate BiLuWO{sub 6}

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

Ait Ahsaine, H.; Taoufyq, A.; Institut Matériaux Microélectronique et Nanosciences de Provence, IM2NP, UMR CNRS 7334, Université de Toulon, BP 20132, 83957 La Garde Cedex

2014-10-15

The bismuth lutetium tungstate phase BiLuWO{sub 6} has been prepared using a solid state route with stoichiometric mixtures of oxide precursors. The obtained polycrystalline phase has been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. In the first step, the crystal structure has been refined using Rietveld method: the crystal cell was resolved using monoclinic system (parameters a, b, c, β) with space group A2/m. SEM images showed the presence of large crystallites with a constant local nominal composition (BiLuW). TEM analyses showed that the actual local structure could be better representedmore » by a superlattice (a, 2b, c, β) associated with space groups P2 or P2/m. The Raman spectroscopy showed the presence of vibrational bands similar to those observed in the compounds BiREWO{sub 6} with RE=Y, Gd, Nd. However, these vibrational bands were characterized by large full width at half maximum, probably resulting from the long range Bi/Lu disorder and local WO{sub 6} octahedron distortions in the structure. - Graphical abstract: The average structure of BiLuWO{sub 6} determined from X-ray diffraction data can be represented by A2/m space group. Experimental Electron Diffraction patterns along the [0vw] zone axes of the monoclinic structure and associated simulated patterns show the existence of a monoclinic superstructure with space group P2 or P2/m. - Highlights: • A new monoclinic BiLuWO{sub 6} phase has been elaborated from solid-state reaction. • The space group of the monoclinic disordered average structure should be A2/m. • Transmission electron microscopy leads to a superlattice with P2/m space group. • Raman spectroscopy suggests existence of local disorder.« less

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG) inspects debris in the Columbia Debris Hangar. At right is the model of the left wing that has been used during recovery operations. Chairing the task group are Richard O. Covey, former Space Shuttle commander, and Thomas P. Stafford (third from right, foreground), Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-08-05

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG) inspects debris in the Columbia Debris Hangar. At right is the model of the left wing that has been used during recovery operations. Chairing the task group are Richard O. Covey, former Space Shuttle commander, and Thomas P. Stafford (third from right, foreground), Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

The Effect of Electrical Stimulation Combined with Foam Dressing on Ulcer Healing in Rats with Spinal Cord Injury.

PubMed

Yu, Ki-Pi; Yoo, Seol Bong; Yang, Seok Jeong; Yoon, Yong-Soon

2015-11-01

To evaluate the effect of electrical stimulation (ES) combined with foam dressing on wound healing in rats with spinal cord injury. Complete spinal cord injury was induced in 49 male Sprague-Dawley rats at the T11-L1 level, after which a pressure ulcer was induced on the left thigh. The newly invented surface electrode, which was fitted with foam inside, was applied to the ulcers. Rats were divided into 2 groups as follows: the ES group, which received foam dressings and ES (2 Hz and 200-microsecond duration, 15 mA) for 4 times a day, 30 minutes each, for 3 weeks; and the control group, which received the foam dressings without ES. The ulcer area was measured by taking a photograph daily from day 0 to day 21. Histopathologic and immune-histochemical evaluations were performed on day 1 and days 7, 14, and 21. The area of the ulcers of the ES group was smaller than that of the control group after day 14 (P < .05). In the ES group, the vascularity was significantly greater on day 14 and more decreased on day 21 compared with day 7 than that in the control group (P < .05). In the ES group, the area of positive reaction to anti-α-SMA antibody was increased compared with the control group on days 7 and 14 and decreased on day 21 (P > .05). Electrical stimulation combined with foam dressing by means of newly invented surface electrodes facilitates and accelerates the wound-healing process.

Deficits in Attention and Visual Processing but not Global Cognition Predict Simulated Driving Errors in Drivers Diagnosed With Mild Alzheimer's Disease.

PubMed

Yamin, Stephanie; Stinchcombe, Arne; Gagnon, Sylvain

2016-06-01

This study sought to predict driving performance of drivers with Alzheimer's disease (AD) using measures of attention, visual processing, and global cognition. Simulated driving performance of individuals with mild AD (n = 20) was contrasted with performance of a group of healthy controls (n = 21). Performance on measures of global cognitive function and specific tests of attention and visual processing were examined in relation to simulated driving performance. Strong associations were observed between measures of attention, notably the Test of Everyday Attention (sustained attention; r = -.651, P = .002) and the Useful Field of View (r = .563, P = .010), and driving performance among drivers with mild AD. The Visual Object and Space Perception Test-object was significantly correlated with the occurrence of crashes (r = .652, P = .002). Tests of global cognition did not correlate with simulated driving outcomes. The results suggest that professionals exercise caution when extrapolating driving performance based on global cognitive indicators. © The Author(s) 2015.

Cocrystals of Kemp’s triacid. Part III: Structure of hydrogen-bonded complex of Kemp’s triacid with 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine studied by X-ray and FT-IR methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huczyński, Adam; Ratajczak-Sitarz, Małgorzata; Katrusiak, Andrzej; Brzezinski, Bogumil

2008-12-01

The 2:2 hydrogen-bonded complex between Kemp's triacid (KTA) and 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine (TMG) has been synthesised and studied by X-ray diffraction and by FT-IR spectroscopy. Cocrystals of KTA-TMG belong to the monoclinic system and crystallize in the space group is P21 with a = 10.5017(3) Å, b = 7.9504(3) Å, c = 11.8910(4) Å, β = 104.004(4)° and Z = 2. The ring of the KTA monoanion molecule exhibits a chair conformation with all three carboxylic groups in the axial positions and all three methyl groups in the equatorial positions. In the crystal of the complex, cooperative systems involving inter- and intra-molecular hydrogen bonds are formed. In the solid state two protonated TMG molecules and two deprotonated KTA molecules form a dimer in which three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded networks are found.

Expression, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic data analysis of PigF, an O-­methyltransferase from the prodigiosin-synthetic pathway in Serratia

PubMed Central

Liu, Shaowei; Ran, Tingting; Shen, Xiang; Xu, Langlai; Wang, Weiwu; Xu, Dongqing

2012-01-01

Prodigiosin, which is a member of the prodiginines, is a red linear tripyrrole compound. A gene cluster for the biosynthesis of prodigiosin has been identified in Serratia and most genes in the cluster have been functionally assigned. A bifurcated biosynthetic pathway for prodigiosin has previously been determined. The last step in the biosynthetic pathway of 4-methoxy-2,2′-bipyrrole-5-­carbaldehyde (MBC) is catalyzed by PigF, which transfers a methyl group to 4-­hydroxy-2,2′-bipyrrole-5-carbaldehyde (HBC) to form the terminal product MBC, but its catalytic mechanism is not known. To elucidate its mechanism, recombinant PigF was purified and crystallized. The crystals belonged to space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 69.4, b = 52.4, c = 279.2 Å, β = 96.8°. The native crystals may contain six molecules in the asymmetric unit, with a V M of 2.17 Å3 Da−1 and a solvent content of 43.43%. A full data set was collected at 2.6 Å resolution using synchrotron radiation on beamline BL17U of Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF), People’s Republic of China. Molecular replacement was unsuccessful. To solve the structure of PigF by experimental phasing, selenomethionine-derivativized protein crystals were prepared from a condition with 0.01 M spermidine as an additive. One crystal diffracted to 1.9 Å resolution and a full data set was collected on beamline BL17U at SSRF. The crystal belonged to space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 69.0, b = 52.9, c = 93.4 Å, β = 97.3°. Heavy-atom substructure determination and phasing by SAD clearly showed that the crystal contains two molecules in the asymmetric unit, with a V M of 2.19 Å3 Da−1 and a solvent content of 43.82%. PMID:22869117

Countering the Chinese Threat to Low Earth Orbit Satellites: Building a Defensive Space Strategy

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

into, range of its direct~: . ascent capability. Co-orbital weapons can also be launched fromahostspacecraft,l~etheB~- r on Shenzhou-7. The United States...channel= awst &id=news/awO122 07p2.xml (accessed December 21,2008). DeBlois, Bruce M., ed. Beyond the Paths ofHeaven: The Emergence ofSpace Power Thought

Synthesis, characterisation and catalytic activity of 4, 5-imidazoledicarboxylate ligated Co(II) and Cd(II) metal-organic coordination complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gangu, Kranthi Kumar; Maddila, Suresh; Mukkamala, Saratchandra Babu; Jonnalagadda, Sreekantha B.

2017-09-01

Two mono nuclear coordination complexes, namely, [Co(4,5-Imdc)2 (H2O)2] (1) and [Cd(4,5-Imdc)2(H2O)3]·H2O (2) were constructed using Co(II) and Cd(II) metal salts with 4,5-Imidazoledicarboxylic acid (4,5-Imdc) as organic ligand. Both 1, 2 were structurally characterized by single crystal XRD and the results reveal that 1 belongs to P21/n space group with unit cell parameters [a = 5.0514(3) Å, b = 22.5786(9) Å, c = 6.5377(3) Å, β = 111.5°] whereas, 2 belongs to P21/c space group with unit cell parameters [a = 6.9116(1) Å, b = 17.4579(2) Å, c = 13.8941(2) Å, β = 97.7°]. While Co(II) in 1 exhibited a six coordination geometry with 4,5-Imdc and water molecules, Cd(II) ion in 2 showed a seven coordination with the same ligand and solvent. In both 1 and 2, the hydrogen bond interactions with mononuclear unit generated 3D-supramolecular structures. Both complexes exhibit solid state fluorescent emission at room temperature. The efficacy of both the complexes as heterogeneous catalysts was examined in the green synthesis of six pyrano[2,3,c]pyrazole derivatives with ethanol as solvent via one-pot reaction between four components, a mixture of aromatic aldehyde, malononitrile, hydrazine hydrate and dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate. Both 1 and 2 have produced pyrano [2,3,c]pyrazoles in impressive yields (92-98%) at room temperature in short interval of times (<20 min), with no need for any chromatographic separations. With good stability, ease of preparation and recovery plus reusability up to six cycles, both 1 and 2 prove to be excellent environmental friendly catalysts for the value-added organic transformations using green principles.

Monoclinic structures of niobium trisulfide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bloodgood, Matthew A.; Wei, Pingrong; Aytan, Ece; Bozhilov, Krassimir N.; Balandin, Alexander A.; Salguero, Tina T.

2018-02-01

Two new polymorphs of niobium trisulfide are established by single crystal x-ray diffraction. NbS3-iv crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with lattice parameters a = 6.7515(5) Å, b = 4.9736(4) Å, c = 18.1315(13) Å, and β = 90.116(2)°. Its structure is based on chains of [NbS6] trigonal prisms containing Nb-Nb pairs with a bond length of 3.0448(8) Å; this pairing causes the chains to corrugate slightly along their axis, a feature also present in triclinic NbS3-i that leads to semiconductor properties. The stacking arrangement of chains is different in these polymorphs, however, with NbS3-i having an ABCDE repeating sequence of chain bilayers and NbS3-iv having an AB repeating sequence. HRTEM studies show the presence of topotactically-oriented intergrown zones and numerous dislocations, which result in mosaic structuring. A second new polymorph, NbS3-v, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/m with lattice parameters a = 4.950(5) Å, b = 3.358(4) Å, c = 9.079(10) Å, β = 97.35(2)°. In contrast to NbS3-iv, NbS3-v maintains fixed a Nb-Nb bond distance of 3.358(4) Å along the chains, and it has an ABCDE repeating sequence of chain bilayers similar to NbS3-i. High resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HR-STEM) imaging of an exfoliated NbS3-v nanoribbon shows the continuous [NbS6] chains oriented along the b-axis. These results provide the first firmly established structural data for monoclinic NbS3. In addition, SEM images show the formation of NbS3 rings and cylinders, and a combination of powder x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy provides a way to distinguish between NbS3 polymorphs.

Effects of monochromatic light on proliferation response of splencyte in broilers.

PubMed

Xie, D; Wang, Z; Cao, J; Dong, Y; Chen, Y

2008-10-01

To investigate the effects of various monochromatic lights on splenocyte proliferation responses, a total of 260 Arbor Acre male broilers on P1 (post-hatching day 1) were exposed to blue light (BL), green light (GL), red light (RL) and white light treatments by light emitting diode system for 7 weeks, respectively. All light sources were equalized on the intensity of 15 lx and light period of 23 h daily. Morphological change of spleen and response of splenocyte proliferation were assessed by using histochemistry staining and colorimetric test in cultures of purified splenic cells. The results were as follows: (1) At P21, GL increased significantly the spleen weight by 163.6% and spleen index by 118.8% compared with RL (P < 0.05). Until P49, BL enhanced significantly the spleen weights by 42.2% compared with RL (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found in the spleen index among four light-treated groups (P > 0.05). (2) Compared with RL, GL increased significantly the diameter of splenic nodule and area of periarterial lymphatic sheath at P21 by 87.2 and 58.1%, respectively (P < 0.05); BL increased significantly the diameter of splenic nodule and area of periarterial lymphatic sheath at P49 by 64.4 and 50.5%, respectively (P < 0.05). (3) At P21, GL enhanced spleen lymphocytes proliferation in response to concanavalin A compared with RL by 50.0% (P < 0.05). Until P49, the mitogenic response in BL was significantly higher (29.4%) than that of RL (P < 0.05). (4) The interleukin-2 (IL-2) bioactivity was significantly increased to 34.3% in GL than in RL at P21 (P < 0.05). Until P49, the IL-2 bioactivity in BL was significantly higher (62.2%) than that of RL (P < 0.05). (5) There was no significant difference in the nitric oxide (NO) concentration of splenocyte among RL, GL and BL groups at P21 (P > 0.05), but the concentration in RL group at P49 was significantly increased, 59.0 and 63.7% compared to that of GL and BL groups, respectively (P < 0.05). These results suggested that the monochromatic light affected splenocyte proliferation mainly because of alterations in IL-2 bioactivity and NO production in splenocyte of broiler. In early stage of broiler growth, the action of GL was obvious, while the response of BL was stronger in later stage.

Structural, vibrational and thermal studies of a new nonlinear optical material: L-asparagine-L-tartaric acid.

PubMed

Moovendaran, K; Srinivasan, Bikshandarkoil R; Kalyana Sundar, J; Martin Britto Dhas, S A; Natarajan, S

2012-06-15

Crystals of a new nonlinear optical (NLO) material, viz., L-asparagine-L-tartaric acid (LALT) (1) were grown by slow evaporation of an aqueous solution containing equimolar concentrations of L-asparagine and L-tartaric acid. The structure of the title compound which crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric monoclinic space group P2(1) consists of a molecule of L-asparagine and a molecule of free l-tartaric acid both of which are interlinked by three varieties of H-bonding interactions namely O-H···O, N-H···O and C-H···O. The UV-Vis-NIR spectrum of 1 reveals its transparent nature while the vibrational spectra confirm the presence of the functional groups in 1. The thermal stability and second harmonic generation (SHG) conversion efficiency of 1 were investigated. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cloning, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of MCAT from Staphylococcus aureus.

PubMed

Hong, Seung Kon; Kim, Kook Han; Kim, Eunice EunKyeong

2010-01-01

Malonyl-CoA:acyl-carrier protein transacylase (MCAT), encoded by the fabd gene, is a key enzyme in type II fatty-acid biosynthesis. It is responsible for transferring the malonyl group from malonyl-CoA to the holo acyl-carrier protein (ACP). Since the type II system differs from the type I system that mammals use, it has received enormous attention as a possible antibiotic target. In particular, only a single isoform of MCAT has been reported and a continuous coupled enzyme assay has been developed. MCAT from Staphylococcus aureus was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and the protein was purified and crystallized. Diffraction data were collected to 1.2 A resolution. The crystals belonged to space group P2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 41.608, b = 86.717, c = 43.163 A, alpha = gamma = 90, beta = 106.330 degrees . The asymmetric unit contains one SaMCAT molecule.

Cloning, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of MCAT from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

PubMed

Liu, Yinghui; Zhang, Yanming; Cao, Xupeng; Xue, Song

2013-11-01

Malonyl-coenzymeA:acyl-carrier protein transacylase (MCAT), which catalyzes the transfer of the malonyl group from malonyl-CoA to acyl-carrier protein (ACP), is an essential enzyme in type II fatty-acid synthesis. The enzyme MCAT from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (spMCAT), the first MCAT counterpart from a cyanobacterium, was cloned, purified and crystallized in order to determine its three-dimensional crystal structure. A higher-quality crystal with better diffraction was obtained by crystallization optimization. The crystal diffracted to 1.8 Å resolution and belonged to the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2, with unit-cell parameters a = 43.22, b = 149.21, c = 40.59 Å. Matthews coefficient calculations indicated that the crystal contained one spMCAT molecule in the asymmetric unit with a Matthews coefficient of 2.18 Å(3) Da(-1) and a solvent content of 43.65%.

TGA, Hirshfeld, Raman spectroscopy and computational studies of diethylammonium hexachloroplumbate [(C2H5)2NH2]2PbCl6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ouasri, A.; El-Adel, L.; Zouihri, H.; Rhandour, A.; Jalbout, A. F.

2018-04-01

Diethylammonium hexachloroplumbate [(C2H5)2NH2]2PbCl6 was found to be monoclinic with P21/n (Z = 2) as space group at room temperature. The TGA analysis shows that this compound is slightly hygroscopic and presents moisture in itself. The Raman spectrum (50-4000 cm-1) of this compound recorded at room temperature was discussed on the basis of the factor group analysis using the structural data obtained recently [5]. The experimental frequencies are compared to those obtained by Density Functional Theory (DFT) by using the B3LYP functional and the 6-31G(d) (SDD) basis set. The thermodynamic properties and geometries of this compound have been determinated and characterized. The significant intermolecular interactions in the crystal structure are identified and analyzed using the Hirshfeld surface and fingerprint plots computational methods.

Effects of Lactobacillus salivarius-containing tablets on caries risk factors: a randomized open-label clinical trial

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background To evaluate the effects of the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus salivarius on caries risk factors. Methods The study was performed in 64 healthy volunteers to evaluate the effects of L. salivarius-containing tablets on caries risk factors. The participants were divided randomly into four groups, and took tablets containing L. salivarius WB21, L. salivarius TI 2711, Ovalgen® DC (antibody against glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans), or xylitol. Levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, amount of salivary flow, salivary pH, and salivary buffering capacity were assessed before and after taking the tablets. Subsequently, a short-term administration trial using L. salivarius WB21-containing tablets was performed in eight healthy volunteers. The participants took L. salivarius WB21-containing tablets (2.0 × 109 colony forming units/day) for 2 weeks, and the numbers of mutans streptococci in saliva were counted. Results The levels of mutans streptococci seemed to decrease in the L. salivarius WB21, TI 2711, and Ovalgen® DC groups compared to the xylitol group, with no significant differences between the groups. Lactobacilli levels significantly increased in the L. salivarius WB21 and TI 2711 groups compared to the other groups. Concerning salivary flow and salivary pH, no significant differences were observed between the groups. The salivary buffering capacity significantly increased in the L. salivarius TI 2711 group (P = 0.003) and Ovalgen® DC group (P = 0.002) compared to the xylitol group. The short-term administration trial showed that the L. salivarius WB21-containing tablets significantly decreased the number of mutans streptococci (P = 0.039). Conclusion L. salivarius-containing tablets were suggested to increase resistance to caries risk factors. Trial registration UMIN000013160 (registration date: February 14, 2014). PMID:25178882

KSC-06pp2766

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-12-09

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The blue cones of light, known as shock or mach diamonds, beneath Space Shuttle Discovery's main engines confirm its rapid rise into the night sky after liftoff on mission STS-116. Mach diamonds are a formation of shock waves in the exhaust plume of an aerospace propulsion system. Liftoff occurred on time at 8:47 p.m. EST. This was the second launch attempt for mission STS-116. The first launch attempt on Dec. 7 was postponed due a low cloud ceiling over Kennedy Space Center. This is Discovery's 33rd mission and the first night launch since 2003. The 20th shuttle mission to the International Space Station, STS-116 carries another truss segment, P5. It will serve as a spacer, mated to the P4 truss that was attached in September. After installing the P5, the crew will reconfigure and redistribute the power generated by two pairs of U.S. solar arrays. Landing is expected Dec. 21 at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray & Don Kight

KSC-06pp2770

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-12-09

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Mach diamonds, below left, appear beneath Space Shuttle Discovery's main engines as the vehicle roars into the night sky after liftoff on mission STS-116. Mach diamonds are a formation of shock waves in the exhaust plume of an aerospace propulsion system. Liftoff occurred on time at 8:47 p.m. EST. This was the second launch attempt for mission STS-116. The first launch attempt on Dec. 7 was postponed due a low cloud ceiling over Kennedy Space Center. This is Discovery's 33rd mission and the first night launch since 2002. The 20th shuttle mission to the International Space Station, STS-116 carries another truss segment, P5. It will serve as a spacer, mated to the P4 truss that was attached in September. After installing the P5, the crew will reconfigure and redistribute the power generated by two pairs of U.S. solar arrays. Landing is expected Dec. 21 at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Jerry Cannon & Mike Kerley

KSC-06pp2767

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-12-09

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Mach diamonds appear beneath Space Shuttle Discovery's main engines as the vehicle roars into the night sky after liftoff on mission STS-116. Mach diamonds are a formation of shock waves in the exhaust plume of an aerospace propulsion system. Liftoff occurred on time at 8:47 p.m. EST. This was the second launch attempt for mission STS-116. The first launch attempt on Dec. 7 was postponed due a low cloud ceiling over Kennedy Space Center. This is Discovery's 33rd mission and the first night launch since 2002. The 20th shuttle mission to the International Space Station, STS-116 carries another truss segment, P5. It will serve as a spacer, mated to the P4 truss that was attached in September. After installing the P5, the crew will reconfigure and redistribute the power generated by two pairs of U.S. solar arrays. Landing is expected Dec. 21 at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray & Don Kight

Crystallization of chicken egg white lysozyme from assorted sulfate salts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forsythe, Elizabeth L.; Snell, Edward H.; Malone, Christine C.; Pusey, Marc L.

1999-01-01

Chicken egg white lysozyme has been found to crystallize from ammonium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, magnesium, and manganese sulfates at acidic and basic pH, with protein concentrations from 60 to 190 mg/ml. Crystals have also been grown at 4°C in the absence of any other added salts using isoionic lysozyme which was titrated to pH 4.6 with dilute sulfuric acid. Four different crystal forms have been obtained, depending upon the temperature, protein concentration, and precipitating salt employed. Crystals grown at 15°C were generally tetragonal, with space group P4 32 12. Crystallization at 20°C typically resulted in the formation of orthorhombic crystals, space group P2 12 12 1. The tetragonal ↔ orthorhombic transition appeared to be a function of both the temperature and protein concentration, occurring between 15 and 20°C and between 100 and 125 mg/ml protein concentration. Crystallization from 1.2 M magnesium sulfate at pH 7.8 gave a trigonal crystal, space group P3 12 1, a= b=87.4, c=73.7, γ=120°, which diffracted to 2.8 Å. Crystallization from ammonium sulfate at pH 4.6, generally at lower temperatures, was also found to result in a monoclinic form, space group C2, a=65.6, b=95.0, c=41.2, β=119.2°. A crystal of ˜0.2×0.2×0.5 mm grown from bulk solution diffracted to ˜3.5 Å.

78 FR 6127 - Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-29

..., Computational Biology and Technology Study Section. Date: February 20-21, 2013. Time: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m... Hematology Integrated Review Group Vascular Cell and Molecular Biology Study Section. Date: February 21-22... Rehabilitation Study Section. Date: February 22, 2013. Time: 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Agenda: To review and...

Investigation of tumor suppressor genes apart from VHL on 3p by deletion mapping in sporadic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (cRCC).

PubMed

Singh, Rashmi Bhat; Amare Kadam, Pratibha S

2013-10-01

To investigate the most recurrent deletion loci on 3p12-p26 by deletion mapping studies by PCR-LOH and BAC array-FISH in sporadic conventional renal cell carcinoma (cRCC) and further, to evaluate the their clinicopathologic significance in cRCC. Comparative allelotyping studies in cRCC and major epithelial carcinomas (MEC) such as lung, breast, and bladder tumors were also carried out to investigate the specificity of the targeted loci in cRCC. A total of 40 c-RCC patients were enrolled in this study, categorized in to 2 groups: group I comprises of patients of stages I and II and group II includes patients at stages III and IV. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) studies were performed by PCR using 15 microsatellite markers of region 3p12-p26 on paired normal-tumor tissues. The recurrent LOH loci found in 27 cRCC tumors were further validated by BAC array-FISH using 23 serially mapped BAC clones. Simultaneously, the allelic deletion status of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene was studied by FISH in cRCC and major epithelial carcinoma (MEC) tumors. The numerical aberrations of chromosome 3 were also studied using the centromere enumeration probe (CEP) probe for chromosome 3 to validate the observed allelic losses by BAC array-FISH in cRCC as well as MECs. Our study revealed 3 affected regions of LOH on 3p in cRCC: 3p12.2-p14.1, 3p14.2-p21.1, and 3p24.2-p26.1 in both group I (stages I and II) and group II (stage III and IV). Comparative allelotyping studies revealed that except for LOH loci D3S2406 (20%), D3S1766 (14%), and D3S1560 (20%), remaining affected loci revealed retention of heterozygosity (ROH) in breast carcinomas. Lung and bladder tumors revealed ROH at all affected LOH loci. FISH with FHIT gene probe revealed deletions in cRCC (88%), breast (30%), and lung tumors (10%). FHIT gene deletions frequency was almost equal in both groups I and II (>70%), whereas a locus 3p13 (D3S2454) revealed the highest LOH in group II (83%) patients in comparison to group I (16%). BAC array-FISH studies in cRCC identified 15 recurrent deletion loci at crucial regions, 3p12.2, 3p14.2, 3p21.3, and 3p24.2-p26 with long continuous deletion of 3p14.1-p26.1 exclusively in patients of stages III and IV. Validation of LOH loci in breast carcinomas by BAC array-FISH with BAC clones mapped at these loci revealed comparatively lower deletion frequency for RP11-59E22 (3p12.2) (30%), RP11-759B7(3p21.1) (12%), and RP11-57D6 (3p25.2, proximal to VHL) (15%) than cRCC. Molecular cytogenetic studies by BAC array-FISH was found to be more sensitive over LOH. Deletion patterns on 3p explored that deletion of FHIT and flanking loci may occur as an initiating event followed by deletions at 3p12.2, 3p21.31-3p21.32, and 3p24.2-3p26.1 in the initial stage of development of disease, while continuous large deletions of 3p21.3-3p26.1 and 3p14.1-3p26.1 occur as progressive deletion due to genetic instability. Lack of VHL along with flanking loci in 50% cRCC patients that included both groups I and II supported the hypothesis of both VHL dependent and VHL independent pathways in cRCC tumorigenesis. Comparative allelotyping studies in cRCC and MECs indicated association of specific targeted loci including VHL in cRCC. Further expansion of these studies with characterization of the genes at targeted loci and correlation with clinical outcome will explore the prognostic significance and also provide an insight into the mechanisms of tumor suppressive pathways in genitourinary cancers such as CRCC. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

KSC-06pp2776

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-12-09

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- While in the White Room to complete suiting up before climbing into Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-116 Mission Specialist Nicholas Patrick sends a message home. In the background is Mission Specialist Christer Fuglesang, who represents the European Space Agency. The White Room is at the end of the orbiter access arm that extends from the fixed service structure and provides entry into the orbiter. The first launch attempt of STS-116 on Dec. 7 was postponed due a low cloud ceiling over Kennedy Space Center. This second launch attempt is scheduled for 8:47 p.m. This is Discovery's 33rd mission and the first night launch since 2002. The 20th shuttle mission to the International Space Station, STS-116 carries another truss segment, P5. It will serve as a spacer, mated to the P4 truss that was attached in September. After installing the P5, the crew will reconfigure and redistribute the power generated by two pairs of U.S. solar arrays. Landing is expected Dec. 21 at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray & Don Kight

STS-115 MS MacLean holds Yeast GAP in the FWD MDDK of the Space Shuttle Atlantis during Joint Operations

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-09-19

S115-E-07273 (9-21 Sept. 2006) --- Astronaut Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper, STS-115 mission specialist, works with the Yeast-Group Activation Packs (Yeast-GAP) on the middeck of Space Shuttle Atlantis. Yeast-GAP experiment studies the effects of genetic changes of yeast cells exposed to the space environment. The results will help scientists to understand how cells respond to radiation and microgravity.

STS-115 MS MacLean holds Yeast GAP in the FWD MDDK of the Space Shuttle Atlantis during Joint Operations

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-09-19

S115-E-07274 (9-21 Sept. 2006) --- Astronaut Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper, STS-115 mission specialist, works with the Yeast-Group Activation Packs (Yeast-GAP) on the middeck of Space Shuttle Atlantis. Yeast-GAP experiment studies the effects of genetic changes of yeast cells exposed to the space environment. The results will help scientists to understand how cells respond to radiation and microgravity.

Tetracycline treatment of type III prostatitis nanobacteria infection of 100 cases report

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Junyi; Li, Chongxian; Wu, Baisuo; Hao, Shaojun; Ming, Aimin; Zhang, Xinji; Li, Wenjun; Zhang, Zhengchen

2018-04-01

To investigate the efficacy of tetracycline treatment of nanobacterial infection in 100 cases of type III prostatitis. randomly divided into treatment group and control group with double blind method, the treatment group was given Tetracycline Tablets 250mg, oral, 2 times a day; the control group were treated with Levofloxacin Tablets 0.lg, oral, 2 times a day; observation of curative effect of two groups of patients after 1 months of treatment. after the treatment group patients NIH-CPSI score and pain, urinary symptoms and quality of life scores were significantly lower than that of control group (P<0.01); after treatment, observation group lecithin corpuscle scale score was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). The treatment group and the control group patients after prostate fluid and cultured positive cases of nanobacterial numbers were 21 (21%) and 100 cases (100%), the positive rate of nanobacteria in observation group was significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). There is a good effect Tetracycline Tablets treatment of nanobacterial infection of type III prostatitis.

Quantum chemical modeling of perovskite: An investigation of piezoelectricity in ferrite of yttrium.

PubMed

de Lira, Fábio Augusto M; Farias, Márcio de Souza; de Figueiredo, Antonio Florêncio; Gil, Fábio dos Santos; dos Santos, Marcos Antonio B; Malheiros, Bruno Veiga; Ferreira, João Elias V; Pinheiro, José Ciríaco; Treu-Filho, Oswaldo; Kondo, Rogério Toshiaki

2011-07-01

In a previous article, we used Hartree-Fock (HF) theory to study the piezoelectricity in BaTiO₃. In this paper, we applied the Douglas-Kroll-Hess second order scalar relativistic method to investigate the possible piezoelectric properties in the perovskite YFeO₃ structure, which has not yet been studied experimentally. The 30s20p13d and 31s21p17d Gaussian basis sets for the Fe (⁵D) and Y (²D) atoms, respectively, were built with the Generator Coordinate HF method. After contraction to [13s7p5d] and [13s8p7d], in combination with the 20s14p/6s4p basis set for the O (³P) atom from literature, they had their quality evaluated using calculations of the total and the orbital energies for the ²FeO⁺¹ and ¹YO⁺¹ fragments. The dipole moment, the total energy, and the total atomic charges in YFeO₃ in C(s) space group were calculated. The results and the analysis lead us to believe that the perovskite YFeO₃ does not present piezoelectric properties.

Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 1-carb­oxy-2-(3,4-di­hydroxy­phen­yl)ethan-1-aminium chloride 2-ammonio-3-(3,4-di­hydroxy­phen­yl)propano­ate: a new polymorph of l-dopa HCl and isotypic with its bromide counterpart

PubMed Central

Kathiravan, Perumal; Balakrishnan, Thangavelu; Venkatesan, Perumal; Ramamurthi, Kandasamy; Percino, María Judith; Thamotharan, Subbiah

2016-01-01

The title mol­ecular salt, C9H12NO4 +·Cl−·C9H11NO4, is isotypic with that of the bromide counterpart [Kathiravan et al. (2016 ▸). Acta Cryst. E72, 1544–1548]. The title salt is a second monoclinic polymorph of the l-dopa HCl structure reported earlier in the monoclinic space group P21 [Jandacek & Earle (1971 ▸). Acta Cryst. B27, 841–845; Mostad & Rømming (1974 ▸). Acta Chemica Scand. B28, 1161–1168]. In the title compound, monoclinic space group I2, one of the dopa mol­ecules has a positive charge with a protonated α-amino group and the α-carb­oxy­lic acid group uncharged, while the second dopa mol­ecule has a neutral charge, the α-amino group is protonated and the α-carb­oxy­lic acid is deprotonated. In the previously reported form, a single dopa mol­ecule is observed in which the α-amino group is protonated and the α-carb­oxy­lic acid group is uncharged. The invariant and variations of various types of inter­molecular inter­actions present in these two forms of dopa HCl structures are discussed with the aid of two-dimensional fingerprint plots. PMID:27840723

Synthesis, crystal structure and photo physical properties of isomeric fluorinated s-shaped polyaromatic dibenzo[c,l]chrysene derivatives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moriguchi, Tetsuji; Tabuchi, Daichi; Yakeya, Daisuke; Tsuge, Akihiko; Jalli, Venkataprasad; Yoza, Kenji

2018-01-01

Two s-shaped fluorinated isomeric polyaromatic dibenzo[c,l]chrysene derivatives have been synthesized by a two step process using the Wittig, Heck and iodine promoted cyclization reactions. These cyclized compounds were characterized by 1H NMR and EI-MS. Further, absolute configurations of isomeric 4a and 4b were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound 4a crystallized under monoclinic system with space group P21/c and compound 4b crystallized under monoclinic system with space group Cc. They have good solubility in common organic solvents such as dichloromethane, chloroform and THF. Photophysical properties of 4a and 4b were evaluated by using UV-Visible and Fluorescence spectrophotometer. Compounds 4a and 4b showed strong absorption maximum wavelength at 317 nm. The emission spectra of 4a and 4b displayed sharp peaks in the visible region from 417 to 441 nm. The shape of the UV-Visible and Fluorescence spectra of 4a and 4b looks almost identical. But compound 4a exhibited better fluorescence intensity than compound 4b. This difference may be due to the difference in the configuration of compounds 4a and 4b.

Modulatory effects of some natural products on hepatotoxicity induced by combination of sodium valproate and paracetamol in rats.

PubMed

Zaky, Hanan S; Gad, Amany M; Nemr, Ekram; Hassan, Wedad; Abd El-Raouf, Ola M; Ali, Aza A

2018-05-25

Possible hepatoprotective effect of Curcuma longa and/or Nigella sativa against hepatotoxicity induced by coadministration of sodium valproate (SV) and paracetamol was studied. Rats were divided into 10 groups, control groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 received vehicles, C. longa (200 mg/kg, p.o.), N. sativa (250 mg/kg, p.o.), or both herbs for 21 days, respectively. Toxicity groups 5, 6, and 7 received SV (300 mg/kg, i.p.), paracetamol (1000 mg/kg, p.o.) for the last 4 days or both for 21 days, respectively. Protection groups 8, 9, and 10 received C. longa, N. sativa, or both, respectively, 1 h before the administration of both the drugs for 21 days. SV and/or paracetamol significantly increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, relative liver/body weight ratio, malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and caspase-3 (Casp-3) while significantly decreased albumin, total protein, glutathione (GSH) reduced, GSH peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Preadministration of C. longa and/or N. sativa caused protective effect against the hepatotoxicity induced by both drugs. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Differences among children, adolescents and adults with severe leptospirosis: A comparative analysis

PubMed Central

Daher, E. F.; Vieira, A. P. F.; Jacinto, C. N.; Lima, R. S. A.; Girão, M. M. V.; Fernandes, A. T. B. M.; Neto, R. J. P.; Silva, G. B.

2014-01-01

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of global importance caused by Leptospira interrogans. The aim of this study was to compare the data between children, adolescents and adults with leptospirosis. This is a retrospective study including a total of 373 consecutive patients with leptospirosis, admitted to tertiary hospitals in Northeast of Brazil, from May 1985 to August 2010. The patients were divided into two groups (age ≤21 years and >21 years). The adults were 304 (81.5%) of the population, with a mean ge of 41 ± 13 (range 22-84) years. The pediatric group was 16 ± 3 (range 9-21) years. Signs and symptoms where similar between the groups, excepting arrhythmia, which was more frequent in adults and vomiting, more common in children (16% vs. 0%, P = 0.04 and 65% vs. 79%, P = 0.02), respectively. Adult group presented with higher serum urea (137 vs. 97 mg/dl, P = 0.002) and creatinine (4.3 vs. 3.0 mg/dl, P = 0.007). Acute kidney injury (AKI) was observed in 80%, mainly in adults (83% vs. 70% P < 0.005). Adults required renal replacement therapy more frequently than children (38% vs. 11%, P < 0.0001). Mortality was higher in adults (14.8% vs. 2.8%, P = 0.005) and in adults with AKI (93% vs. 7%, P < 0.05). There are important differences between the adults and children with leptospirosis. AKI was more frequent in adults and it was associated with increased mortality. PMID:25120294

Normal p21Ras/MAP kinase pathway expression and function in PBMC from patients with polycystic ovary disease.

PubMed

Buchs, A; Chagag, P; Weiss, M; Kish, E; Levinson, R; Aharoni, D; Rapoport, M J

2004-04-01

Polycystic ovary disease (PCOD) is associated with insulin resistance and increased prevalence of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The p21Ras/MAP kinase is a major intracellular signaling pathway mediating insulin signaling in insulin responsive tissues. The expression, regulation and function of the p21Ras/MAP kinase pathway in PCOD patients were examined. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from ten patients with PCOD and ten controls. The expression of p21Ras and its regulatory proteins; hSOS1 and p120GAP were studied. The basal and phytohemaglutinin (PHA) or insulin stimulated phosphorylation of MAP kinase was determined. Expression of p21Ras, and its regulatory proteins hSOS1 and p120GAP were similar in PCOD patients and controls. Basal, PHA and insulin stimulated phosphorylation of MAP kinase, were also comparable in the two groups as well as their PBMC proliferative response. These data indicate that the expression and overall function of the p21Ras/MAP kinase pathway remain intact in non-diabetic patients with PCOD.

Retzius space reconstruction following transperitoneal laparoscopic robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: does it have any added value?

PubMed

Abu-Ghanem, Yasmin; Dotan, Zohar; Ramon, Jacob; Zilberman, Dorit E

2017-11-27

Retzius space sparing (RSS) during laparoscopic robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RALP) has been offered as an approach that reduces perioperative complications and enables faster gaining of full urinary continence due to bladder anatomy preservation. Retro and transperitoneal techniques have been proposed, whereby RSS has been implemented. We sought to explore whether Retzius space reconstruction (RSR) following transperitoneal RALP will be an advantageous step as well. A prospective registry database of 102 consecutive transperitoneal RALP cases performed by a single surgeon was reviewed. The Retzius space had been opened by dissecting the bladder away from the anterior abdominal wall to the level of both internal rings. In the last 51 cases (RSR group), the peritoneal layer had been sutured back, thus repositioning the bladder back to the anterior abdominal wall and reconstructing the Retzius space. Perioperative factors were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Demographic and perioperative data did not differ between the two groups. RSR group demonstrated shorter length of stay (LOS) compared with the control group (p = 0.01), as well as faster urinary continence recovery (i.e., 0 pads) (p = 0.01). Moreover, lower numbers of Clavien-Dindo class 3 complications and 12 mm port-site hernias (p = 0.03) were seen in the RSR group compared with the control group. RSR following transperitoneal RALP is a simple and efficient step that potentially reduces early and late post-operative complications, shortens LOS and accelerates full urinary continence.

Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of hygromycin B phosphotransferase from Escherichia coli

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

Iino, Daisuke; Takakura, Yasuaki; Kuroiwa, Mika

2007-08-01

The crystallization and preliminary X-ray studies of the aminoglycoside antibiotic-modifying enzyme hygromycin B phosphotransferase from E. coli are reported. Aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as hygromycin, kanamycin, neomycin, spectinomycin and streptomycin, inhibit protein synthesis by acting on bacterial and eukaryotic ribosomes. Hygromycin B phosphotransferase (Hph; EC 2.7.1.119) converts hygromycin B to 7′′-O-phosphohygromycin using a phosphate moiety from ATP, resulting in the loss of its cell-killing activity. The Hph protein has been crystallized for the first time using a thermostable mutant and the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystal provided diffraction data to a resolution of 2.1 Å and belongs to space group P3{submore » 2}21, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 71.0, c = 125.0 Å. Crystals of complexes of Hph with hygromycin B and AMP-PNP or ADP have also been obtained in the same crystal form as that of the apoprotein.« less

Group I p21-activated kinases: emerging roles in immune function and viral pathogenesis.

PubMed

Pacheco, Almudena; Chernoff, Jonathan

2010-01-01

Group I p21-activated kinases are a highly conserved three-member family of serine/threonine kinases that act as key effectors for the small GTPases Cdc42 and Rac. In man, these enzymes have been implicated in a wide range of biological processes and are beginning to draw the attention of the pharmaceutical industry as potential therapeutic targets in cancer and in inflammatory processes. In this review, we summarize basic properties of group I Paks and discuss recently uncovered roles for these kinases in immune function and in viral infection.

Some general aspects of torsional sensitivity and the GG-effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, C.-H.; Schäfer, L.; Ramek, M.; Miller, D. M.; Teppen, B. J.

1999-08-01

The geometries of 28 compounds of type X-C1-C2-C3-Y, with X,Y=CH 3, F, Cl, OH, NH 2, COH, and COOH, were fully optimized by ab initio HF/4-21G calculations at 30° grid points in their respective φ(X-C1-C2-C3), ψ(C1-C2-C3-Y)-torsional spaces. The results make it possible to construct parameter surfaces and their gradients in φ, ψ-space. The magnitude of the gradient, |∇ P|=[( ∂P/ ∂φ) 2+( ∂P/ ∂ψ) 2] 1/2, of a structural parameter P (a bond length, bond angle, or non-bonded distance) in φ, ψ-torsional space is a measure of torsional sensitivity (TS); i.e. a measure of the extent to which bond lengths, bond angles, and non-bonded distances change at a point in φ, ψ-space with backbone torsional angles. It is found that TS is not constant throughout the conformational space of a molecule, but varies in a characteristic way. It seems that, regardless of the nature of X or Y, extended forms are typically in regions of low TS; puckered conformations, of high TS. Conformations with two sequential gauche torsional angles (GG sequences) are characterized by high TS of 1,5-non-bonded distances concomitant with relatively low TS of other internal coordinates. This property of GG sequences is the source of a stabilizing and cooperative energy increment that is not afforded by other torsional sequences, such as trans- trans or trans- gauche. A structural data base, consisting of thousands of HF/4-21G structures of X-C-C-Y and X-C-C-C-Y systems has been assembled and is available on a CD.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Martin Wilson, with United Space Alliance, describes an orbiter’s Thermal Protection System for members of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG). Handling some of the blanket insulation are Dr. Kathryn Clark and Joe Engle. Third from left is Richard Covey, former Space Shuttle commander, who is co-chair of the SCTG, along with Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-08-06

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Martin Wilson, with United Space Alliance, describes an orbiter’s Thermal Protection System for members of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG). Handling some of the blanket insulation are Dr. Kathryn Clark and Joe Engle. Third from left is Richard Covey, former Space Shuttle commander, who is co-chair of the SCTG, along with Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

Zero shot Event Detection using Multi modal Fusion of Weakly Supervised Concepts (Open Access)

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-25

I. Laptev. On space-time interest points. IJCV, 64(2-3):107– 123, 2005. [21] L.-J. Li, H. Su, E . Xing, and L. Fei-Fei. Object bank: A high-level image...invariant keypoints. IJCV, 60:91–110, 2004. [23] P. Natarajan, S. Wu, S. N. P. Vitaladevuni, X. Zhuang, S. Tsakalidis , U. Park, R. Prasad, and P

Evaluation of furazolidone, sulfadimidine and amprolium to treat coccidiosis in Beetal goats under field conditions.

PubMed

Avais, Muhammad; Rashid, Ghazanfar; Ijaz, Muhammad; Khan, Muhammad Arif; Nasir, Amar; Jahanzaib, Muhammad Shoaib; Khan, Jawaria Ali; Hameed, Sajid; Reichel, Michael Philipp

2016-03-01

Coccidiosis is a protozoal and occasionally fatal diarrheic disease of goats imposing heavy economic losses to farming community. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacies of Furazolidone, Sulfadimidine and Amprolium against coccidiosis in Beetal goats. Twenty-four (24) Beetal goats naturally infected with coccidiosis were randomly divided into four groups of 6 (A-D). Goats in groups A, B and C were treated orally with Furazolidone (10 mg/Kg), Sulfadimidine (100 mg/Kg) and Amprolium (55 mg/Kg), respectively for 7 days. Goats in-group D served as positive control. Oocysts per gram (OPG) of feces counts of individual goats in each group were performed on Days; 0 (pre-treatment) 7, 14 and 21 (post-treatment). OPG counts amongst goats in all groups at day 0 were not significant (P>0.05). On days 7, 14 and 21, OPG values decreased significantly (P<0.05) in groups A, B and C compared to group D. The efficacy of Furazolidone, Sulfadimidine and Amprolium was 98.6, 98.0 and 99.6 percent, respectively on Day 21 (end of trial). Statistically, the efficacies of three drugs were not significantly different (P>0.05). In conclusion, Furazolidone, Sulfadimidine and Amprolium are well-tolerated and any one of these may be recommended to effectively treat coccidiosis in Beetal goats.

Effect of zinc imprinting and replacing inorganic zinc with organic zinc on early performance of broiler chicks

PubMed Central

Timmons, J.; Ao, T.; Paul, M.; Macalintal, L.; Pescatore, A.; Cantor, A.; Ford, M.; Dawson, K. A.

2017-01-01

Abstract The goal of this study was to determine the effects of feeding a zinc (Zn) deficient diet to broiler chicks for 96 h post-hatch followed by feeding diets with different Zn sources and supplemental levels (5 to 21 d) on the growth performance, tissue, and excreta Zn content. At the start of the study, four hundred 20-day-old male broiler chicks were divided into two groups. One group was fed a corn soybean meal based diet containing 25 mg of Zn/kg (imprinting diet, ID). The second group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 40 mg of Zn/kg from Zn oxide (ZnO) (non-imprinting diet, NID). Both groups were fed these diets for 96 h. At d 5, chicks from each group were randomly assigned to the dietary treatments consisting of the basal diet alone or the basal diet supplemented with 8 or 40 mg/kg Zn as ZnO or Zn proteinate. Main effects of post-hatch Zn ID were observed on feed intake and G:F. ID decreased (P < 0.05) feed intake and improved (P < 0.05) the gain to feed ratio (G:F) of 14 and 21 d old chicks compared to G:F of chicks fed NID. Additionally, G:F for 14 and 21 d was improved (P < 0.05) by interaction of Zn source × level. Furthermore, at d 21 chicks fed the ID had a lower (P < 0.05) Zn content in the tibia ash and excreta, and a higher (P < 0.05) Zn content in the pancreas tissue compared to chicks fed NID. These results suggest that Zn imprinting can affect body Zn stores and early performance. PMID:27664197

Crystallized N-terminal domain of influenza virus matrix protein M1 and method of determining and using same

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Luo, Ming (Inventor); Sha, Bingdong (Inventor)

2000-01-01

The matrix protein, M1, of influenza virus strain A/PR/8/34 has been purified from virions and crystallized. The crystals consist of a stable fragment (18 Kd) of the M1 protein. X-ray diffraction studies indicated that the crystals have a space group of P3.sub.t 21 or P3.sub.2 21. Vm calculations showed that there are two monomers in an asymmetric unit. A crystallized N-terminal domain of M1, wherein the N-terminal domain of M1 is crystallized such that the three dimensional structure of the crystallized N-terminal domain of M1 can be determined to a resolution of about 2.1 .ANG. or better, and wherein the three dimensional structure of the uncrystallized N-terminal domain of M1 cannot be determined to a resolution of about 2.1 .ANG. or better. A method of purifying M1 and a method of crystallizing M1. A method of using the three-dimensional crystal structure of M1 to screen for antiviral, influenza virus treating or preventing compounds. A method of using the three-dimensional crystal structure of M1 to screen for improved binding to or inhibition of influenza virus M1. The use of the three-dimensional crystal structure of the M1 protein of influenza virus in the manufacture of an inhibitor of influenza virus M1. The use of the three-dimensional crystal structure of the M1 protein of influenza virus in the screening of candidates for inhibition of influenza virus M1.

Embryo density may affect embryo quality during in vitro culture in a microwell group culture dish.

PubMed

Lehner, Adam; Kaszas, Zita; Murber, Akos; Rigo, Janos; Urbancsek, Janos; Fancsovits, Peter

2017-08-01

Culturing embryos in groups is a common practice in mammalian embryology. Since the introduction of different microwell dishes, it is possible to identify oocytes or embryos individually. As embryo density (embryo-to-volume ratio) may affect the development and viability of the embryos, the purpose of this study was to assess the effect of different embryo densities on embryo quality. Data of 1337 embryos from 228 in vitro fertilization treatment cycles were retrospectively analyzed. Embryos were cultured in a 25 μl microdrop in a microwell group culture dish containing 9 microwells. Three density groups were defined: Group 1 with 2-4 (6.3-12.5 μl/embryo), Group 2 with 5-6 (4.2-5.0 μl/embryo), and Group 3 with 7-9 (2.8-3.6 μl/embryo) embryos. Proportion of good quality embryos was higher in Group 2 on both days (D2: 18.9 vs. 31.5 vs. 24.7%; p < 0.001; D3: 19.7 vs. 27.1 vs. 21.2%; p = 0.029; Group 1. vs. Group 2. vs. Group 3). Cell number on Day 3 differed between Groups 1 and 2 (6.8 ± 2.2; 7.3 ± 2.1; p = 0.004) and Groups 2 and 3 (7.3 ± 2.1 vs. 7.0 ± 2.0; p = 0.014). Culturing 5-6 embryos together in a culture volume of 25 μl may benefit embryo quality. As low egg number, position, and distance of the embryos may influence embryo quality, results should be interpreted with caution.

Effect of gamma-hydroxybutyrate on keratinocytes proliferation: A preliminary prospective controlled study in severe burn patients.

PubMed

Rousseau, Anne-Françoise; Bargues, Laurent; Bever, Hervé Le; Vest, Philippe; Cavalier, Etienne; Ledoux, Didier; Piérard, Gérald E; Damas, Pierre

2014-04-01

Hypermetabolism and hyposomatotropism related to severe burns lead to impaired wound healing. Growth hormone (GH) boosts wound healing notably following stimulation of the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1), a mitogen factor for keratinocytes. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) stimulates endogenous GH secretion. To assess effects of GHB sedation on keratinocytes proliferation (based on immunohistochemical techniques). Monocentric, prospective, controlled trial. Patients (aging 18-65 years, burn surface area >30%, expected to be sedated for at least one month) were alternately allocated, at the 5(th) day following injury, in three groups according to the intravenous GHB dose administered for 21 days: Evening bolus of 50 mg/kg (Group B), continuous infusion at the rate of 10 mg/kg/h (Group C), or absence of GHB (Group P). They all received local standard cares. Immunohistochemistry (Ki67/MIB-1, Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 and Mac 387 antibodies) was performed at D21 on adjacent unburned skin sample for assessing any keratinocyte activation. Serum IGF1 levels were measured at initiation and completion of the protocol. Categorical variables were compared with Chi-square test. Comparisons of medians were made using Kruskal-Wallis test. Post hoc analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney test with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. A P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. A total of 14 patients completed the study (Group B: n = 5, Group C: n = 5, Group P: n = 4). Continuous administration of GHB was associated with a significant higher Ki67 immunolabeling at D21 (P = 0.049) and with a significant higher increase in the IGF1 concentrations at D21 (P = 0.024). No adverse effects were disclosed. Our preliminary data support a positive effect of GHB on keratinocyte proliferation and are encouraging enough to warrant large prospective studies.

Effect of gamma-hydroxybutyrate on keratinocytes proliferation: A preliminary prospective controlled study in severe burn patients

PubMed Central

Rousseau, Anne-Françoise; Bargues, Laurent; Bever, Hervé Le; Vest, Philippe; Cavalier, Etienne; Ledoux, Didier; Piérard, Gérald E.; Damas, Pierre

2014-01-01

Background: Hypermetabolism and hyposomatotropism related to severe burns lead to impaired wound healing. Growth hormone (GH) boosts wound healing notably following stimulation of the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1), a mitogen factor for keratinocytes. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) stimulates endogenous GH secretion. Aim: To assess effects of GHB sedation on keratinocytes proliferation (based on immunohistochemical techniques). Design: Monocentric, prospective, controlled trial. Materials and Methods: Patients (aging 18-65 years, burn surface area >30%, expected to be sedated for at least one month) were alternately allocated, at the 5th day following injury, in three groups according to the intravenous GHB dose administered for 21 days: Evening bolus of 50 mg/kg (Group B), continuous infusion at the rate of 10 mg/kg/h (Group C), or absence of GHB (Group P). They all received local standard cares. Immunohistochemistry (Ki67/MIB-1, Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 and Mac 387 antibodies) was performed at D21 on adjacent unburned skin sample for assessing any keratinocyte activation. Serum IGF1 levels were measured at initiation and completion of the protocol. Statistical Analysis: Categorical variables were compared with Chi-square test. Comparisons of medians were made using Kruskal-Wallis test. Post hoc analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney test with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. A P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: A total of 14 patients completed the study (Group B: n = 5, Group C: n = 5, Group P: n = 4). Continuous administration of GHB was associated with a significant higher Ki67 immunolabeling at D21 (P = 0.049) and with a significant higher increase in the IGF1 concentrations at D21 (P = 0.024). No adverse effects were disclosed. Conclusions: Our preliminary data support a positive effect of GHB on keratinocyte proliferation and are encouraging enough to warrant large prospective studies. PMID:25024938

Six months training alone or combined with diet alters HOMA-AD, HOMA-IR and plasma and adipose tissue adiponectin in obese women.

PubMed

Lakhdar, Nadia; Denguezli, Myriam; Zaouali, Monia; Zbidi, Abdelkrim; Tabka, Zouhair; Bouassida, Anissa

2014-01-01

We investigate the effect of 6 months aerobic training alone or in combination with diet on adiponectin in circulation and in adipose abdominal tissue (AT) in obese women. Twenty obese subjects were randomized into a 24 weeks intervention: 1) training (TR) and 2) training and diet (TRD). Blood samples were collected at baseline, after 12 wk and 24 wk. AT biopsies were obtained only at baseline and after 24 wk. In the TRD group the fat loss was after 12 wk -13.74% (p<0.01) and after 24 wk -21.82% (p<0.01) with no changes in the TR group. After 12 and 24 wk, VO2max was increased by 21.81-39.54% (p<0.05) in the TRD group and 18.09-40.95% in the TR group (p<0.05). After 12 wk, plasma adiponectin was raised only in the TRD group (55.8%, p<0.05). After 24 weeks, circulating adiponectin was elevated by 110.4% (p<0.01) in the TRD group and by 27% (p<0.05) in the TR group. In AT biopsies, subjects in the TRD and TR groups exhibited a significant increase in adiponectin (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). The two indices HOMA-IR and HOMA-AD for assessing insulin resistance were strongly affected by protocols. HOMA-IR decreased (p<0.05) only after 24 wk in the TRD group. HOMA-AD increased in both groups after 12 (p<0.05) and 24 wk (p<0.01). Six months chronic aerobic exercise alone or combined with diet result in a significant increase in circulating and adipose tissue adiponectin levels in obese women independent of changes in body composition and/or in HOMA-IR.

Linear canonical transformations of coherent and squeezed states in the Wigner phase space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Han, D.; Kim, Y. S.; Noz, Marilyn E.

1988-01-01

It is shown that classical linear canonical transformations are possible in the Wigner phase space. Coherent and squeezed states are shown to be linear canonical transforms of the ground-state harmonic oscillator. It is therefore possible to evaluate the Wigner functions for coherent and squeezed states from that for the harmonic oscillator. Since the group of linear canonical transformations has a subgroup whose algebraic property is the same as that of the (2+1)-dimensional Lorentz group, it may be possible to test certain properties of the Lorentz group using optical devices. A possible experiment to measure the Wigner rotation angle is discussed.

Expression of FLT4 in hypoxia-induced neovascular models in vitro and in vivo.

PubMed

Liu, Jiao-Lian; Xia, Xiao-Bo; Xu, Hui-Zhuo

2011-01-01

To investigate the expression of FLT4 in retina with oxygen induced retinopathy (OIR) and in brain endothelial cell lines (bEnd3) under hypoxia conditions in mice. Fifty-two one-week-old C57BL/6J mice were divided into control group and hypoxia group. The mice of hypoxia group were exposed to 75% oxygen for 5 days and then returned to the room air to induce retinal neovascularization. Mice in control group were raised in the environment of room air at the same time. The expressions of FLT4 mRNA and protein were checked with RT-PCR and Western Blot analysis at postnatal day 14, 17 and 21 ( P14, P17 and P21) respectively. 125mmol/L CoCl(2) were added to the culture medium of bEnd3 cell, proteins were extracted in 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours and FLT4 levels were examined by Western Blot analysis. The mRNA and protein level of FLT4 expressed in P14 and P17 OIR mice retina statistically up-regulated as compared with those in control group, but there was no statistical difference between OIR group and control group at P21. FLT4 levels increased significantly in 12, 24 and 48 hours hypoxia intervened bEnd3 cells, its levels in 72 hours increased mildly but showed no significance. FLT4 levels increase in OIR mice retinas and bEnd3 cells in hypoxia. It may play an important role in endothelial cells proliferation in hypoxia and retinal neovascularization in OIR mice.

Expression of FLT4 in hypoxia-induced neovascular models in vitro and in vivo

PubMed Central

Liu, Jiao-Lian; Xia, Xiao-Bo; Xu, Hui-Zhuo

2011-01-01

AIM To investigate the expression of FLT4 in retina with oxygen induced retinopathy (OIR) and in brain endothelial cell lines (bEnd3) under hypoxia conditions in mice. METHODS Fifty-two one-week-old C57BL/6J mice were divided into control group and hypoxia group. The mice of hypoxia group were exposed to 75% oxygen for 5 days and then returned to the room air to induce retinal neovascularization. Mice in control group were raised in the environment of room air at the same time. The expressions of FLT4 mRNA and protein were checked with RT-PCR and Western Blot analysis at postnatal day 14, 17 and 21 ( P14, P17 and P21) respectively. 125mmol/L CoCl2 were added to the culture medium of bEnd3 cell, proteins were extracted in 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours and FLT4 levels were examined by Western Blot analysis. RESULTS The mRNA and protein level of FLT4 expressed in P14 and P17 OIR mice retina statistically up-regulated as compared with those in control group, but there was no statistical difference between OIR group and control group at P21. FLT4 levels increased significantly in 12, 24 and 48 hours hypoxia intervened bEnd3 cells, its levels in 72 hours increased mildly but showed no significance. CONCLUSION FLT4 levels increase in OIR mice retinas and bEnd3 cells in hypoxia. It may play an important role in endothelial cells proliferation in hypoxia and retinal neovascularization in OIR mice. PMID:22553602

Metal-organic frameworks assembled from lanthanide and 2,5-pyridinedicaboxylate with cubane-like [Ln4(OH)4] building units

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdelbaky, Mohammed S. M.; Amghouz, Zakariae; Fernández-Zapico, Eva; García-Granda, Santiago; García, José R.

2015-09-01

Lanthanide-organic frameworks based on 2,5-pyridinedicaboxylate (25p) ligand, formulated as [Yb4(OH)4(25p)4(H2O)3]·H2O (25pYb), [Y4(OH)4(25p)4(H2O)3]·H2O (25pY-1) and [Y6(OH)8(25p)5(H2O)2] (25pY-2), have been obtained as single phases under hydrothermal conditions. 25pYb and 25pY-1 are isostructural, and crystallize in the triclinic space group, P-1, with a=8.6075(5) Å, b=14.8478(7) Å, c=15.9164(9) Å, α=86.277(4)°, β=80.196(5)°, γ=81.785(4)°, and a=8.7166(6) Å, b=14.966(1) Å, c=15.966(1) Å, α=86.260(6)°, β=80.036(6)°, γ=81.599(6)°, respectively. 25pY-2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group, P21/c, with a=24.9117(17) Å, b=13.7340(8) Å, c=14.3385(10) Å, β=100.551(7)°. 25pYb and 25pY-2 have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The 25pYb structure is based on tetranuclear cubane-like [Yb4(OH)4]8+ clusters, which are interconnected to eight neighbouring clusters through teen surrounding 25p ligands leading to neutral 3D framework, while the structure of 25pY-2 is based on two independent cuban-like [Y4(OH)4]8+ clusters, which are joined together through Y1 cation leading to the formation of hexanuclear [Y6(OH)8]10+ clusters, which in turn are joined via Y2 cation resulting in infinite inorganic chain extending along c-axis, and each chain is interconnected to six adjacent chains through 25p ligands leading finally to 3D framework. The luminescence properties of Eu3+ and Tb3+ doped 25pY-1 and 25pY-2 compounds have also been investigated. All materials has been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, thermal analyses (TG-SDTA-MS), FTIR spectroscopy, C-H-N elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX), and powder X-ray thermodiffraction.

Protective ventilation in experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome after ventilator-induced lung injury: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Uttman, L; Bitzén, U; De Robertis, E; Enoksson, J; Johansson, L; Jonson, B

2012-10-01

Low tidal volume (V(T)), PEEP, and low plateau pressure (P(PLAT)) are lung protective during acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study tested the hypothesis that the aspiration of dead space (ASPIDS) together with computer simulation can help maintain gas exchange at these settings, thus promoting protection of the lungs. ARDS was induced in pigs using surfactant perturbation plus an injurious ventilation strategy. One group then underwent 24 h protective ventilation, while control groups were ventilated using a conventional ventilation strategy at either high or low pressure. Pressure-volume curves (P(el)/V), blood gases, and haemodynamics were studied at 0, 4, 8, 16, and 24 h after the induction of ARDS and lung histology was evaluated. The P(el)/V curves showed improvements in the protective strategy group and deterioration in both control groups. In the protective group, when respiratory rate (RR) was ≈ 60 bpm, better oxygenation and reduced shunt were found. Histological damage was significantly more severe in the high-pressure group. There were no differences in venous oxygen saturation and pulmonary vascular resistance between the groups. The protective ventilation strategy of adequate pH or PaCO2 with minimal V(T), and high/safe P(PLAT) resulting in high PEEP was based on the avoidance of known lung-damaging phenomena. The approach is based upon the optimization of V(T), RR, PEEP, I/E, and dead space. This study does not lend itself to conclusions about the independent role of each of these features. However, dead space reduction is fundamental for achieving minimal V(T) at high RR. Classical physiology is applicable at high RR. Computer simulation optimizes ventilation and limiting of dead space using ASPIDS. Inspiratory P(el)/V curves recorded from PEEP or, even better, expiratory P(el)/V curves allow monitoring in ARDS.

Use of bacteriocin-producing, probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium AL41 to control intestinal microbiota in farm ostriches.

PubMed

Lauková, A; Kandričáková, A; Ščerbová, J

2015-06-01

Probiotic enterococci can produce bacteriocins. Enterococcus faecium AL41 is an Enterocin M-producing, probiotic strain which has previously shown beneficial effect in broiler chickens. In this study, it was used to control intestinal microbiota in farm ostriches in a 42-day experiment with an experimental group (EG, 40 ostriches) and a control group (CG, 46). In addition to feed mixture, the ostriches in EG received Ent. faecium AL41 (10(9) CFU ml(-1); by rifampicin-marked variant) 400 μl per animal per day in their drinking water for 21 days. Sampling was carried out at the start of the experiment (at day 0/1), at day 21 (after 21 days of AL41 application) and at day 42 (21 days after AL41 cessation). Faeces (mixture, n = 6) were treated using the standard microbiological dilution method and cultivated on selective media (ISO). The highest count of AL41 was found at day 42. Its identity was confirmed with PCR and Maldi-Tof. The ostriches were free of Salmonella and Campylobacter cells. At day 21, antimicrobial effect was demonstrated by significant reduction in coagulase-positive and negative staphylococci in EG compared to CG (P < 0·001) and coliforms, Enterobacteria and Pseudomonas-like bacteria (P < 0·001). We conclude that AL41 can be used to control intestinal microbiota in farm ostriches. Significance and impact of the study: Ostriches are excellent for high intensity farming in a wide range of climates, requiring only limited space and giving high yields per hectare. They are reared mainly for their meat. Although adult birds possess quite good immunity, young birds can be threatened by spoilage bacteria, especially when they are transferred from the nests to the farm area. Based on our previous results related to the beneficial effect of bacteriocin-producing, probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium AL41 in poultry or rabbits, we decided to test its ability to control intestinal microbiota in farming ostriches which has never been tested previously. © 2015 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

One-dimensional super Calabi-Yau manifolds and their mirrors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noja, S.; Cacciatori, S. L.; Piazza, F. Dalla; Marrani, A.; Re, R.

2017-04-01

We apply a definition of generalised super Calabi-Yau variety (SCY) to supermanifolds of complex dimension one. One of our results is that there are two SCY's having reduced manifold equal to P^1, namely the projective super space P^{.1|2} and the weighted projective super space W{P}_{(2)}^{.1|1} . Then we compute the corresponding sheaf cohomology of superforms, showing that the cohomology with picture number one is infinite dimensional, while the de Rham cohomology, which is what matters from a physical point of view, remains finite dimensional. Moreover, we provide the complete real and holomorphic de Rham cohomology for generic projective super spaces {P}^{.n|m} . We also determine the automorphism groups: these always match the dimension of the projective super group with the only exception of {P}^{.1|2} , whose automorphism group turns out to be larger than the projective super group. By considering the cohomology of the super tangent sheaf, we compute the deformations of {P}^{.1|m} , discovering that the presence of a fermionic structure allows for deformations even if the reduced manifold is rigid. Finally, we show that {P}^{.1|2} is self-mirror, whereas W{P}_{(2)}^{.1|1} has a zero dimensional mirror. Also, the mirror map for {P}^{.1|2} naturally endows it with a structure of N = 2 super Riemann surface.

Chromosomal alterations in the clonal evolution to the metastatic stage ofquamous cell carcinomas of the lung

PubMed Central

Petersen, S; Aninat-Meyer, M; Schlüns, K; Gellert, K; Dietel, M; Petersen, I

1999-01-01

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was applied to squamous cellcarcinomas (SCC) of the lung to define chromosomal imbalances that are associated with the metastatic phenotype. In total, 64 lung SCC from 50 patients were investigated, 25 each with or without evidence of metastasis formation. The chromosomal imbalances summarized by a CGH histogram of the 50 cases revealed deletions most frequently on chromosomes 1p21–p31, 2q34–q36, 3p, 4p, 4q, 5q, 6q14–q24, 8p, 9p, 10q, 11p12–p14, 13q13–qter, 18q12–qter and 21q21. DNA over-representations were most pronounced for chromosomes 1q11–q25, 1q32–q41, 3q, 5p, 8q22–qter, 11q13, 12p, 17q21–q22, 17q24–q25, 19, 20q and 22q. In ten cases, paired samples of primaries and at least one metastasis were analysed. The comparison revealed a considerable chromosomal instability and genetic heterogeneity; however, the CGH pattern indicated a clonal relationship in each case. The difference in histograms from the metastatic and non-metastatic tumour groups was most useful in pinpointing chromosomal imbalances associated with the metastatic phenotype, indicating that the deletions at 3p12–p14, 3p21, 4p15–p16, 6q24–qter, 8p22–p23, 10q21–qter and 21q22, as well as the over-representations at 1q21–q25, 8q, 9q34, 14q12 and 15q12–q15, occurred significantly more often in the metastatic tumour group. The comparison of the paired samples confirmed these findings in individual cases and suggested distinct genetic changes, in particular the extension of small interstitial deletions, during tumour progression. Importantly, metastasis-associated lesions were frequently detectable in the primary tumour providing a method of identifying patients at risk for tumour dissemination. Individual profiles and histograms are accessible at our web site http://amba.charite.de/cgh. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign PMID:10638968

Theoretical and experimental evaluation of a new organic proton transfer crystal aminoguanidinium p-nitrobenzoate monohydrate for optical limiting applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shanmugavadivu, T.; Senthilkumar, K.; Dhandapani, M.; Muthuraja, P.; Balachandar, S.; Sethu Raman, M.

2017-12-01

Aminoguanidinium p-nitrobenzoate monohydrate (AGPNB), an organic third order nonlinear crystal, was successfully grown by the slow evaporation technique. Single crystal XRD analysis reveals that the grown crystal belongs to monoclinic system with P21/n space group. FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic studies were carried out to confirm the proton transfer. Optical and thermal suitability were assessed by UV-NIR and TG-DTA studies. Hirshfeld surface analysis predicts that the O⋯H/H⋯O interactions dominated over the crystal structure. Third order nonlinearity was studied by Z-scan analysis and it is found that AGPNB can be used as a reverse satuarble absorption (RSA) based optical limiter at 632.8 nm. Computational studies, such as geometry optimization, Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, Mulliken population analysis and Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) were performed at B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. The calculated first order hyperpolarizability of AGPNB is found to be 35 times that of urea.

Effect of artificial saliva with different pH levels on the cytotoxicity of soft denture lining materials.

PubMed

Akay, Canan; Tanış, Merve Ç; Sevim, Handan

2017-10-13

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of 9 different soft denture liners on the viability of L-929 mouse fibroblast cells at different incubation periods by storing them in artificial saliva (AS) with different pH levels. 96 disk samples from each lining material were prepared and divided into 4 groups: GI: No treatment; GII: Stored in artificial saliva with pH 3 for 21 days; Group III: Stored in artificial saliva with pH 7 for 21 days; and Group IV: Stored in artificial saliva with pH 14 for 21 days. The cytotoxicity of the extracts to cultured mouse fibroblasts (L-929) was measured by MTT (tetrazolium salt 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-dipHnyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variation (ANOVA). It was found that for the pH 3 values of New Truliner, Trusoft, Mollosil Plus, Dentusil, TDV, and HydroCast®; for the pH 7 values of Ufi Gel P and Elite plus; and for the pH 14 values of HydroCast®, there was a noncytotoxic effect during both the 24-hour and 48-hour incubation periods. In the control group 48-hour incubation period, HydroCast®, TDV, Mollosil, 24-hour incubation period Elite plus, for pH 3 values; Elite Plus 24-hour incubation period, for pH 7 values Trusoft 48-hour incubation period there was a moderately cytotoxic effect. This in vitro study revealed that storage in artificial saliva with different pH levels can affect the cytotoxicity of soft lining materials.

KSC-01pp1486

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-08-22

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - With its drag chute trailing behind, orbiter Discovery and its crew land on KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility runway 15. Main gear touchdown was at 2:22:58 p.m. EDT; wheel stop, at 2:24:06 p.m. EDT. The 11-day, 21-hour, 12-minute STS-105 mission accomplished the goals set for the 11th flight to the International Space Station: swapout of the resident Station crew; delivery of equipment, supplies and scientific experiments; and installation of the Early Ammonia Servicer and heater cables for the S0 truss on the Station. Discovery traveled 4.3 million miles on its 30th flight into space, the 106th mission of the Space Shuttle program. Out of five missions in 2001, the landing was the first to occur in daylight at KSC

Discovery lands at KSC after completing mission STS-105

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. Orbiter Discovery and its crew land on KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility runway 15. Main gear touchdown was at 2:22:58 p.m. EDT; wheel stop, at 2:24:06 p.m. EDT. The 11-day, 21-hour, 12-minute STS-105 mission accomplished the goals set for the 11th flight to the International Space Station: swapout of the resident Station crew; delivery of equipment, supplies and scientific experiments; and installation of the Early Ammonia Servicer and heater cables for the S0 truss on the Station. Discovery traveled 4.3 million miles on its 30th flight into space, the 106th mission of the Space Shuttle program. The landing was the first of five in 2001 to occur in daylight at KSC.

Repair of surgical wounds in rats using a 10% unripe Musa sapientum peel gel.

PubMed

Von Atzingen, Dênia Amélia Novato Castelli; Mendonça, Adriana Rodrigues dos Anjos; Mesquita Filho, Marcos; Alvarenga, Vinícius Alves; Assis, Vinícius Almeida; Penazzo, Afonso Esteves; Muzetti, Julio Henrique; Rezende, Thaisa Sousa

2015-09-01

To investigate the efficacy of a 10% gel of unripe banana (Musa sapientum) peel in treating surgical wounds in rats. A longitudinal, prospective, randomized triple-blind study was conducted with 60 Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) weighing approximately 400g. The animals were randomly divided into: control group (treated with gel containing no active ingredient) and study group (treated with 10% gel of unripe banana peel). The gel was applied every three days to a 4x4-cm surgical wound created on the back of each animal (day 0) in both groups. Tissue samples were collected for histological analysis on days 14, 21 and 28. On day 14, more extensive vascular proliferation (p=0.023), presence of mononuclear cells (p=0.000), fibroblast proliferation (p=0.012), re-epithelialization (p=0.000), and decreased presence of polymorphonuclear cells (p=0.010) were observed in the study group than in controls. No significant between-group difference in the presence of polymorphonuclear cells was found on day 21. Fibroblast proliferation was significantly greater (p=0.006) in the study group than in the control group on day 28. The 10% gel of unripe banana peel showed anti-inflammatory activity and stimulated wound healing in rat skin when compared with a gel containing no active ingredient.

Size of the lower third molar space in relation to age in Serbian population.

PubMed

Zelić, Ksenija; Nedeljković, Nenad

2013-10-01

It is considered that the shortage of space is the major cause of the third molar impaction. The aim of this study was to establish the frequency of insufficient lower third molar eruption space in Serbian population, to question the differences in this frequency in the subjects of different age, to determine the influence of the lower third molar space (retromolar space) size on third molar eruption, and to investigate a possible correlation between the size of gonial angle and the space/third molar width ratio. Digital orthopantomograms were taken from 93 patients divided into two groups: early adult (16-18 years of age) and adult (18-26) patients. Retromolar space, mesiodistal third molar crown width, gonial angle and eruption levels were measured. The space/third molar width in early adult subjects was smaller (p < 0.0001) and insufficient space was significantly more frequent (p = 0.0003) than in adult patients. Considerably more third molars erupted in case of enough space in both age groups (p < 0.0001). There was no difference between the means of gonial angle size in relations to the available space. The retromolar space/third molar width ratio is more favorable in adult subjects. Gonial angle is not in correlation with the retromolar space/third molar width ratio.

GREENPLEX -- A SUSTAINABLE URBAN FORM FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

EPA Science Inventory

Outputs include images of architecture, space usage, social design, elevators, skybridges, ETFE envelope, structures, construction process, HVAC system, and water system.  Outputs include performance metrics for the University Community Greenplex and traditional univer...

Gender role behavior, sexuality, and psychosocial adaptation in women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to CYP21A2 deficiency.

PubMed

Frisén, Louise; Nordenström, Anna; Falhammar, Henrik; Filipsson, Helena; Holmdahl, Gundela; Janson, Per Olof; Thorén, Marja; Hagenfeldt, Kerstin; Möller, Anders; Nordenskjöld, Agneta

2009-09-01

Gender-atypical behavior has been described in young girls as well as in women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to a CYP21A2 deficiency. The aim of the study was to assess health-related, psychosexual, and psychosocial parameters and correlate the results to CYP21A2 genotype. Sixty-two Swedish women with CAH and age-matched controls completed a 120-item questionnaire and a validated quality of life instrument [psychological general well-being (PGWB) formula] to identify psychosexual and psychosocial parameters. The patients were divided into four CYP21A2 genotype groups. The women with CAH held more male-dominant occupations (30%) compared to controls (13%) (P = 0.04), especially those in the null genotype group (55%) (P = 0.006). They also reported a greater interest in rough sports (74%) compared to controls (50%) (P = 0.007). Eight women with CAH (14%) reported a prime interest in motor vehicles, compared to none of the controls (P = 0.002). Non-heterosexual orientation was reported by 19% of women with CAH (P = 0.005), 50% in the null genotype group (P = 0.0001), 30% in I2 splice (NS), and 5% in I172N (NS). PGWB total score did not differ between patients and controls. We identified increased gender-atypical behavior in women with CAH that could be correlated to the CYP21A2 genotype. This speaks in favor of dose-dependent effects of prenatal androgens on the development of higher brain functions. The impact of the disease on upbringing and interpersonal relationships did not correlate with disease severity, indicating that other factors, such as coping strategies, are important for psychosocial adaptation. This illustrates the need for psychological support to parents and patients.

Genomic alterations identified by array comparative genomic hybridization as prognostic markers in tamoxifen-treated estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

PubMed Central

Han, Wonshik; Han, Mi-Ryung; Kang, Jason Jongho; Bae, Ji-Yeon; Lee, Ji Hyun; Bae, Young Ju; Lee, Jeong Eon; Shin, Hyuk-Jae; Hwang, Ki-Tae; Hwang, Sung-Eun; Kim, Sung-Won; Noh, Dong-Young

2006-01-01

Background A considerable proportion of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer recurs despite tamoxifen treatment, which is a serious problem commonly encountered in clinical practice. We tried to find novel prognostic markers in this subtype of breast cancer. Methods We performed array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) with 1,440 human bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones to assess copy number changes in 28 fresh-frozen ER-positive breast cancer tissues. All of the patients included had received at least 1 year of tamoxifen treatment. Nine patients had distant recurrence within 5 years (Recurrence group) of diagnosis and 19 patients were alive without disease at least 5 years after diagnosis (Non-recurrence group). Results Potential prognostic variables were comparable between the two groups. In an unsupervised clustering analysis, samples from each group were well separated. The most common regions of gain in all samples were 1q32.1, 17q23.3, 8q24.11, 17q12-q21.1, and 8p11.21, and the most common regions of loss were 6q14.1-q16.3, 11q21-q24.3, and 13q13.2-q14.3, as called by CGH-Explorer software. The average frequency of copy number changes was similar between the two groups. The most significant chromosomal alterations found more often in the Recurrence group using two different statistical methods were loss of 11p15.5-p15.4, 1p36.33, 11q13.1, and 11p11.2 (adjusted p values <0.001). In subgroup analysis according to lymph node status, loss of 11p15 and 1p36 were found more often in Recurrence group with borderline significance within the lymph node positive patients (adjusted p = 0.052). Conclusion Our array CGH analysis with BAC clones could detect various genomic alterations in ER-positive breast cancers, and Recurrence group samples showed a significantly different pattern of DNA copy number changes than did Non-recurrence group samples. PMID:16608533

Recent advances in the development of p21-activated kinase inhibitors.

PubMed

Coleman, Natalia; Kissil, Joseph

2012-04-01

The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are downstream effectors of the small G-proteins of the Rac and cdc42 family and have been implicated as essential for cell proliferation and survival. Recent studies have also demonstrated the promise of PAKs as therapeutic targets in various types of cancers. The PAKs are divided into two major groups (group I and II) based on sequence similarities. Although the different roles the PAK groups might play are not well understood, recent efforts have focused on the identification of kinase inhibitors that can discriminate between the two groups. In this review these efforts and newly identified inhibitors will be described and future directions discussed.

Fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth restored with Zirconia filler containing composite core material and fiber posts.

PubMed

Jeaidi, Zaid Al

2016-01-01

To assess the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth with a novel Zirconia (Zr) nano-particle filler containing bulk fill resin composite. Forty-five freshly extracted maxillary central incisors were endodontically treated using conventional step back preparation and warm lateral condensation filling. Post space preparation was performed using drills compatible for fiber posts (Rely X Fiber Post) on all teeth (n=45), and posts were cemented using self etch resin cement (Rely X Unicem). Samples were equally divided into three groups (n=15) based on the type of core materials, ZirconCore (ZC) MulticCore Flow (MC) and Luxacore Dual (LC). All specimens were mounted in acrylic resin and loads were applied (Universal testing machine) at 130° to the long axis of teeth, at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min until failure. The loads and the site at which the failures occurred were recorded. Data obtained was tabulated and analyzed using a statistical program. The means and standard deviations were compared using ANOVA and Multiple comparisons test. The lowest and highest failure loads were shown by groups LC (18.741±3.02) and MC (25.16±3.30) respectively. Group LC (18.741±3.02) showed significantly lower failure loads compared to groups ZC (23.02±4.21) and MC (25.16±3.30) (p<0.01). However groups ZC (23.02±4.21) and MC (25.16±3.30) showed comparable failure loads (p=0.23). Fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth restored with Zr filler containing bulk fill composite cores was comparable to teeth restored with conventional Zr free bulk fill composites. Zr filled bulk fill composites are recommended for restoration of endodontically treated teeth as they show comparable fracture resistance to conventional composite materials with less catastrophic failures.

Renal stone risk in a simulated microgravity environment: impact of treadmill exercise with lower body negative pressure.

PubMed

Monga, Manoj; Macias, Brandon; Groppo, Eli; Kostelec, Monica; Hargens, Alan

2006-07-01

Prolonged exposure to microgravity during spaceflight causes metabolic changes that increase the risk of renal stone formation. Studies during the Gemini, Apollo, Skylab and Shuttle missions demonstrated alterations in renal function, fluid homeostasis and bone resorption that result in increased urinary supersaturation of calcium oxalate, brushite, sodium urate and uric acid. Developing countermeasures to increased urinary supersaturation is an important priority as the duration of space missions increases. A total of 11 sets of identical twins remained on 6-degree head down, tilt bed rest for 30 days to simulate prolonged microgravity. One twin per pair was randomly selected to exercise while supine in a lower body negative pressure chamber 6 days weekly for 40 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of resting lower body negative pressure at 50 mm Hg. The other twin served as a nonexercise control. Pressure in the exercise lower body negative pressure chamber (52 to 63 mm Hg) was adjusted to produce footward forces equivalent to those for upright running on Earth at 1.0 to 1.2 x body weight. Pre-bed rest urinary stone risk profiles were done elsewhere after 5 days of a standardized diet, consisting of 170 mEq sodium, 1,000 mg calcium, 0.8 gm/kg animal protein and 2,500 kcal, and then throughout the bed rest and recovery phases of the protocol. A significant increase in urinary calcium after just 1 week of bed rest was noted in the nonexercise control group (p = 0.001). However, no such increase was noted in the exercise group. Brushite supersaturation increased significantly from bed rest in each group, although the increase was significantly higher in the nonexercise control group than in the exercise group (p = 0.006). Calcium oxalate supersaturation increased during bed rest in the exercise group (p = 0.004). It trended toward a higher level in the nonexercise control group, although this did not achieve significance (p = 0.055) Mean urine volume +/- SD was significantly higher in the nonexercise control group than in the exercise group at bed rest week 2 and at week 3 (2.01 +/- 0.21 vs 1.63 0.18 l and 2.03 +/- 0.22 vs 1.81 +/- 0.20, respectively). Urinary pH was significantly higher in the nonexercise control group than in the exercise group at week 1 and week 3 (6.62 +/- 0.7 vs 6.49 +/- 0.5 and 6.58 +/- 0.6 vs 6.49 +/- 0.8, respectively, p = 0.01). Bed rest significantly alters the urinary environment to favor calculous formation. Lower body negative pressure chamber treadmill exercise offers some protection against increases in stone risk during simulated microgravity, particularly with regard to the risks of hypercalciuria and brushite stone formation. The use of lower body negative pressure to augment aerobic exercise in space may decrease the risk of stone formation in astronauts. Adjunct measures, including aggressive hydration and alkalinization therapy, should be considered.

A hydrous Ca-bearing magnesium carbonate from playa lake sediments, Salines Lake, Spain

USGS Publications Warehouse

Queralt, I.; Julia, R.; Plana, F.; Bischoff, J.L.

1997-01-01

Sediments of playa Lake Salines, SE, Spain, contain a carbonate mineral characterized by X-ray diffraction peaks very similar to, but systematically shifted from those of pure magnesite. Analyses (SEM, IR and Raman spectroscopy, DTA, TGA, and ICP) indicate the mineral is a hydrous Ca-bearing magnesium carbonate with the chemical formula (Mg0.92,Ca0.08)CO3??3H2O. Thermal characteristics of the mineral are similar to those of other known hydrated magnesium carbonates. X-ray and electron diffraction data suggests a monoclinic system (P21/n space group) with unit-cell parameters of a = 6.063(6), b = 10.668(5), and c = 6.014(4) A?? and ?? = 107.28??.

Crystal structure and superconducting properties of KSr2Nb3O10

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawaguchi, T.; Horigane, K.; Itoh, Y.; Kobayashi, K.; Horie, R.; Kambe, T.; Akimitsu, J.

2018-05-01

We performed X-ray diffraction (XRD) and DC magnetic susceptibility measurements to elucidate the crystal structure and superconducting properties of KSr2Nb3O10. From the diffraction pattern indexing, it was found that KSr2Nb3O10 crystallizes with monoclinic symmetry, space group P21/m(11). We succeeded in preparing high temperature (HT) and low temperature (LT) phases of KSr2Nb3O10 powder samples synthesized by a conventional solid state reaction and an ion-exchange reaction, respectively. Superconductivity was observed at 4 K by Li intercalation and it was found that the superconducting volume fraction of the LT phase ( 1.4%) is clearly larger than that of the HT phase (0.07%).

Rare Earth coordination polymers with zeolite topology constructed from 4-connected building units.

PubMed

Guo, Xiaodan; Zhu, Guangshan; Li, Zhongyue; Chen, Yan; Li, Xiaotian; Qiu, Shilun

2006-05-15

A series of rare earth coordination polymers, M(BTC)(DMF)(DMSO) (M = Tb (1), Ho (2), Er (3), Yb (4), Y (5)), with zeolite ABW topology have been synthesized under mild conditions. They exhibit the same three-dimensional (3D) architecture and crystallize in monoclinic symmetry space group P2(1)/n. Their structures are built up from inorganic and organic 4-connected building units, whose vertex symbols are 4.4.6.6.6.8. The building units link to each other to generate approximate 5 x 8 angstroms2 channels along the [100] direction. The luminescent and magnetic properties of these compounds are investigated, and the results reveal that they could be anticipated to be potential antiferromagnetic and fluorescent materials.

Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray studies of Vibrio cholerae pseudopilin EpsH

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

Raghunathan, Kannan; Vago, Frank S.; Ball, Terry

2010-01-12

EpsH is a minor pseudopilin protein of the Vibrio cholerae type II secretion system. A truncated form of EpsH with a C-terminal noncleavable His tag was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and crystallized by sitting-drop vapor diffusion. A complete data set was collected to 1.71 {angstrom} resolution. The crystals belonged to space group P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2{sub 1}, with unit-cell parameters a = 53.39, b = 71.11, c = 84.64 {angstrom}. There were two protein molecules in the asymmetric unit, which gave a Matthews coefficient V{sub M} of 2.1 {angstrom}{sup 3} Da{sup -1}, corresponding to 41.5% solvent content.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of a cold-adapted catalase from Vibrio salmonicida

PubMed Central

Riise, Ellen Kristin; Lorentzen, Marit Sjo; Helland, Ronny; Willassen, Nils Peder

2006-01-01

Catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) catalyses the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide to water and molecular oxygen. Recombinant Vibrio salmonicida catalase (VSC) possesses typical cold-adapted features, with higher catalytic efficiency, lower thermal stability and a lower temperature optimum than its mesophilic counterpart from Proteus mirabilis. Crystals of VSC were produced by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method using ammonium sulfate as precipitant. The crystals belong to the monoclinic space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 98.15, b = 217.76, c = 99.28 Å, β = 110.48°. Data were collected to 1.96 Å and a molecular-replacement solution was found with eight molecules in the asymmetric unit. PMID:16511268

Life sciences and space research X. Proceedings of the open meeting of working group 5 of the fourteenth plenary meeting of COSPAR, Seattle, Washington, June 21--July 2, 1971

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

Vishniac, W.

1972-01-01

From 14th COSPAR meeting on life sciences and space research X; Seattle, Washington, USA (17 Jun 1971). Separate asbstracts were prepared for 7 of the 27 papers appearing in these proceedings. The other papers discuss topics in the following general areas: planetary quarantine; effects of weightlessness, effects of space on living matter; and preparations for the exploration of Mars. (ERB)

Birth order and suicide in adulthood: evidence from Swedish population data.

PubMed

Rostila, Mikael; Saarela, Jan; Kawachi, Ichiro

2014-06-15

Each year, almost 1 million people die from suicide, which is among the leading causes of death in young people. We studied how birth order was associated with suicide and other main causes of death. A follow-up study based on the Swedish population register was conducted for sibling groups born from 1932 to 1980 who were observed during the period 1981-2002. Focus was on the within-family variation in suicide risk, meaning that we studied sibling groups that consisted of 2 or more children in which at least 1 died from suicide. These family-fixed effects analyses revealed that each increase in birth order was related to an 18% higher suicide risk (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14, 1.23, P = 0.000). The association was slightly lower among sibling groups born in 1932-1955 (hazard ratio = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.21, P = 0.000) than among those born in 1967-1980 (hazard ratio = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.57, P = 0.080). Further analyses suggested that the association between birth order and suicide was only modestly influenced by sex, birth spacing, size of the sibling group, own socioeconomic position, own marital status, and socioeconomic rank within the sibling group. Causes of death other than suicide and other external causes were not associated with birth order. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Effect of aflatoxin B₁ on IgA⁺ cell number and immunoglobulin mRNA expression in the intestine of broilers.

PubMed

Jiang, Min; Fang, Jing; Peng, Xi; Cui, Hengmin; Yu, Zhengqiang

2015-01-01

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most toxic group of mycotoxins produced by two species of the Aspergillus, common contaminants of food and animal feed. The purpose of our study was to determine the effect of AFB1 on the number of IgA(+) cell and immunoglobulin mRNA expression in the intestine of broilers. One hundred and fifty six one-day-old healthy Cobb broilers were randomly divided into the control group (the dosage of 0 mg/kg AFB1) and AFB1 group (the dosage of 0.6 mg/kg AFB1) with three replicates per group and 26 birds per replicate for 21 days, respectively. After necropsy at 7, 14 and 21 days of age, duodenum, jejunum and ileum samples were taken for analyzing IgA(+) cell by immunohistochemistry and IgA, pIgR, IgM and IgG mRNA expression by qRT-PCR. IgA(+) cells were mainly distributed in the lamina propria of small intestinal mucosa in both groups at 14 and 21 days of age. A significant decrease in the number of IgA(+) cells in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum was revealed in the AFB1 group compared with that of the control group. The expression levels of IgA, pIgR, IgM and IgG mRNA in the intestinal mucosa were lower in the AFB1 group than those in the control group at 14 and 21 days of age. Our data demonstrated that the dosage of 0.6 mg/kg AFB1 in broiler diet reduced the number of IgA(+) cell and the expression of IgA, pIgR, IgM and IgG mRNA in the small intestine.

Effects of chromium picolinate on fat deposition, activity and genetic expression of lipid metabolism-related enzymes in 21 day old Ross broilers

PubMed Central

Chen, Guangxin; Gao, Zhenhua; Chu, Wenhui; Cao, Zan; Li, Chunyi

2018-01-01

Objective This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of chromium picolinate (CrP) on fat deposition, genetic expression and enzymatic activity of lipid metabolism-related enzymes. Methods Two hundred forty one-day-old Ross broilers were randomly divided into 5 groups with 4 replicates per group and 12 Ross broiler chicks per replicate. The normal control group was fed a basal diet, and the other groups fed the same basal diet supplemented with 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mg/kg CrP respectively. The experiment lasted for 21 days. Results Added CrP in the basal diet decreased the abdominal fat, had no effects on subcutaneous fat thickness and inter-muscular fat width; 0.2 mg/kg CrP significantly decreased the fatty acid synthase (FAS) enzymatic (p<0.05); acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) enzymatic activity decreased in all CrP groups (p<0.05); hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) enzymatic activity also decreased, but the change was not significant (p>0.05); 0.4 mg/kg CrP group significantly decreased the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) enzymatic activity. FAS mRNA expression increased in all experimental groups, and the LPL mRNA expression significantly increased in all experimental groups (p<0.05), but not 0.2 mg/kg CrP group. Conclusion The results indicated that adding CrP in basal diet decreased the abdominal fat percentage, had no effects on subcutaneous fat thickness and inter-muscular fat width, decreased the enzymatic activity of FAS, ACC, LPL and HSL and increased the genetic expression levels of FAS and LPL. PMID:28830127

Effects of chromium picolinate on fat deposition, activity and genetic expression of lipid metabolism-related enzymes in 21 day old Ross broilers.

PubMed

Chen, Guangxin; Gao, Zhenhua; Chu, Wenhui; Cao, Zan; Li, Chunyi; Zhao, Haiping

2018-04-01

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of chromium picolinate (CrP) on fat deposition, genetic expression and enzymatic activity of lipid metabolism-related enzymes. Two hundred forty one-day-old Ross broilers were randomly divided into 5 groups with 4 replicates per group and 12 Ross broiler chicks per replicate. The normal control group was fed a basal diet, and the other groups fed the same basal diet supplemented with 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mg/kg CrP respectively. The experiment lasted for 21 days. Added CrP in the basal diet decreased the abdominal fat, had no effects on subcutaneous fat thickness and inter-muscular fat width; 0.2 mg/kg CrP significantly decreased the fatty acid synthase (FAS) enzymatic (p<0.05); acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) enzymatic activity decreased in all CrP groups (p<0.05); hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) enzymatic activity also decreased, but the change was not significant (p>0.05); 0.4 mg/kg CrP group significantly decreased the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) enzymatic activity. FAS mRNA expression increased in all experimental groups, and the LPL mRNA expression significantly increased in all experimental groups (p<0.05), but not 0.2 mg/kg CrP group. The results indicated that adding CrP in basal diet decreased the abdominal fat percentage, had no effects on subcutaneous fat thickness and inter-muscular fat width, decreased the enzymatic activity of FAS, ACC, LPL and HSL and increased the genetic expression levels of FAS and LPL.

78 FR 59361 - Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-26

... Review Group; Molecular Genetics A Study Section. Date: October 21-22, 2013. Time: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m...-435- 0681, [email protected] . Name of Committee: Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neuroscience Integrated Review Group; Cellular and Molecular Biology of Glia Study Section. Date: October 21, 2013. Time...

Mobile Christian - shuttle flight

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-04-21

Louis Stork, 13, and Erin Whittle, 14, look on as Brianna Johnson, 14, conducts a 'test' of a space shuttle main engine in the Test Control Center exhibit in StenniSphere, the visitor center at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss. The young people were part of a group from Mobile Christian School in Mobile, Ala., that visited StenniSphere on April 21.

STS-125 Flight Control Team in WFCR - Ascent/Entry with Flight Director Norman Knight

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-05-21

JSC2009-E-121353 (21 May 2009) --- The members of the STS-125 Ascent and Entry flight control team pose for a group portrait in the space shuttle flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Flight director Norm Knight (left) and astronaut Gregory H. Johnson, spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), hold the STS-125 mission logo.

Mobile Christian - shuttle flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2009-01-01

Louis Stork, 13, and Erin Whittle, 14, look on as Brianna Johnson, 14, conducts a 'test' of a space shuttle main engine in the Test Control Center exhibit in StenniSphere, the visitor center at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss. The young people were part of a group from Mobile Christian School in Mobile, Ala., that visited StenniSphere on April 21.

Effects of inhalational anaesthesia with low tidal volume ventilation on end-tidal sevoflurane and carbon dioxide concentrations: prospective randomized study.

PubMed

de la Matta-Martín, M; López-Herrera, D; Luis-Navarro, J C; López-Romero, J L

2014-02-01

We investigated how ventilation with low tidal volumes affects the pharmacokinetics of sevoflurane uptake during the first minutes of inhaled anaesthesia. Forty-eight patients scheduled for lung resection were randomly assigned to three groups. Patients in group 1, 2 and 3 received 3% sevoflurane for 3 min via face mask and controlled ventilation with a tidal volume of 2.2, 8 and 12 ml kg(-1), respectively (Phase 1). After tracheal intubation (Phase 2), 3% sevoflurane was supplied for 2 min using a tidal volume of 8 ml kg(-1) (Phase 3). End-tidal sevoflurane concentrations were significantly higher in group 1 at the end of phase 1 and lower at the end of phase 2 than in the other groups as follows: median of 2.5%, 2.2% and 2.3% in phase 1 for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively (P<0.001); and 1.7%, 2.1% and 2.0% in phase 2, respectively (P<0.001). End-tidal carbon dioxide values in group 1 were significantly lower at the end of phase 1 and higher at the end of phase 2 than in the other groups as follows: median of 16.5, 31 and 29.5 mm Hg in phase 1 for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively (P<0.001); and 46.2, 36 and 33.5 mm Hg in phase 2, respectively (P<0.001). When sevoflurane is administered with tidal volume approximating the airway dead space volume, end-tidal sevoflurane and end-tidal carbon dioxide may not correctly reflect the concentration of these gases in the alveoli, leading to misinterpretation of expired gas data. Copyright © 2013 Sociedad Española de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor. Published by Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

Spontaneous hyaline cartilage regeneration can be induced in an osteochondral defect created in the femoral condyle using a novel double-network hydrogel.

PubMed

Yokota, Masashi; Yasuda, Kazunori; Kitamura, Nobuto; Arakaki, Kazunobu; Onodera, Shin; Kurokawa, Takayuki; Gong, Jian-Ping

2011-02-22

Functional repair of articular osteochondral defects remains a major challenge not only in the field of knee surgery but also in tissue regeneration medicine. The purpose is to clarify whether the spontaneous hyaline cartilage regeneration can be induced in a large osteochondral defect created in the femoral condyle by means of implanting a novel double-network (DN) gel at the bottom of the defect. Twenty-five mature rabbits were used in this study. In the bilateral knees of each animal, we created an osteochondral defect having a diameter of 2.4-mm in the medial condyle. Then, in 21 rabbits, we implanted a DN gel plug into a right knee defect so that a vacant space of 1.5-mm depth (in Group I), 2.5-mm depth (in Group II), or 3.5-mm depth (in Group III) was left. In the left knee, we did not apply any treatment to the defect to obtain the control data. All the rabbits were sacrificed at 4 weeks, and the gross and histological evaluations were performed. The remaining 4 rabbits underwent the same treatment as used in Group II, and real-time PCR analysis was performed at 4 weeks. The defect in Group II was filled with a sufficient volume of the hyaline cartilage tissue rich in proteoglycan and type-2 collagen. The Wayne's gross appearance and histology scores showed that Group II was significantly greater than Group I, III, and Control (p < 0.012). The relative expression level of type-2 collagen, aggrecan, and SOX9 mRNAs was significantly greater in Group II than in the control group (p < 0.023). This study demonstrated that spontaneous hyaline cartilage regeneration can be induced in vivo in an osteochondral defect created in the femoral condyle by means of implanting the DN gel plug at the bottom of the defect so that an approximately 2-mm deep vacant space was intentionally left in the defect. This fact has prompted us to propose an innovative strategy without cell culture to repair osteochondral lesions in the femoral condyle.

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Yinsiwei compound on spatial learning and memory ability and the ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons in a rat model of sporadic Alzheimer disease.

PubMed

Diwu, Yong-chang; Tian, Jin-zhou; Shi, Jing

2011-02-01

To study the effects of Chinese herbal medicine Yinsiwei compound (YSW) on spatial learning and memory ability in rats with sporadic Alzheimer disease (SAD) and the ultrastructural basis of the hippocampal neurons. A rat model of SAD was established by intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin. The rats were divided into six groups: sham-operation group, model group, donepezil control group, and YSW low, medium and high dose groups. Drug interventions were started on the 21st day after modeling and each treatment group was given the corresponding drugs by gavage for two months. Meanwhile, the model group and the sham-operation group were given the same volume of distilled water by gavage once a day for two months. The Morris water maze was adopted to test spatial learning and memory ability of the rats. The place navigation test and the spatial probe test were conducted. The escape latency, total swimming distance and swimming time in the target quadrant of the rats were recorded. Also, the hippocampus tissues of rats were taken out and the ultrastructure of hippocampus neurons were observed by an electron microscope. In the place navigation test, compared with the model group, the mean escape latency and the total swimming distance of the donepezil group and the YSW low, medium and high dose groups were significantly shortened (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In the space probe test, the swimming time of each treatment group in the target quadrant was significantly longer than that of the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). For most of the test period, the donepezil group had no significant change compared with the YSW low, medium and high dose groups, respectively. The ultrastructure of the hippocampus neurons under the electron microscope also confirmed the efficacy of the drug treatment. Chinese herbal medicine YSW compound can improve spatial learning and memory impairment of rats with SAD. The ultrastructural basis may be that it can protect the microtubule structures of hippocampal neurons and prevent nerve axons from being damaged.

New polynuclear manganese clusters from the use of the hydrophobic carboxylate ligand 2,2-dimethylbutyrate.

PubMed

Chakov, Nicole E; Zakharov, Lev N; Rheingold, Arnold L; Abboud, Khalil A; Christou, George

2005-06-27

The syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties are reported of [Mn12O12(O2CPe(t))16(MeOH)4] (4), [Mn6O2(O2CH2)(O2CPe(t))11(HO2CPe(t))2(O2CMe)] (5), [Mn9O6(OH)(CO3)(O2CPe(t))12(H2O)2] (6), and [Mn4O2(O2CPe(t))6(bpy)2] (7, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine), where Pe(t) = tert-pentyl (Pe(t)CO2H = 2,2-dimethylbutyric acid). These complexes were all prepared from reactions of [Mn12O12(O2CPe(t))16(H2O)4] (3) in CH2Cl2. Complex 4 x 2MeCN crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 and contains a central [Mn(IV)4O4] cubane core that is surrounded by a nonplanar ring of eight alternating Mn(III) and eight mu3-O(2-) ions. This is only the third Mn12 complex in which the four bound water molecules have been replaced by other ligands, in this case MeOH. Complex 5 x (1/2)CH2Cl2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c and contains two [Mn3(mu3-O)]7+ units linked at two of their apexes by two Pe(t)CO2(-) ligands and one mu4-CH2O2(2-) bridge. The complex is a new structural type in Mn chemistry, and also contains only the third example of a gem-diolate unit bridging four metal ions. Complex 6 x H2O x Pe(t)CO2H crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmc2(1) and possesses a [Mn(III)9(mu3-O)6(mu-OH)(mu3-CO3)]12+ core. The molecule contains a mu3-CO3(2-) ion, the first example in a discrete Mn complex. Complex 7 x 2H2O crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c and contains a known [Mn(III)2Mn(II)2(mu3-O)2]6+ core that can be considered as two edge-sharing, triangular [Mn3O] units. Additionally, the synthesis and magnetic properties of a new enneanuclear cluster of formula [Mn9O7(O2CCH2Bu(t))13(THF)2] (8, THF = tetrahydrofuran) are reported. The molecule was obtained by the reaction of [Mn12O12(O2CCH2Bu(t))16(H2O)4] (2) with THF. Complexes 2 and 4 display quasireversible redox couples when examined by cyclic voltammetry in CH2Cl2; oxidations are observed at -0.07 V (2) and -0.21 V (4) vs ferrocene. The magnetic properties of complexes 4-8 have been studied by direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) magnetic susceptibility techniques. The ground-state spin of 4 was established by magnetization measurements in the 1.80-4.00 K and 0.5-7 T ranges. Fitting of the reduced magnetization data by full matrix diagonalization, incorporating a full powder average and including only axial anisotropy, gave S = 10, g = 2.0(1), and D = -0.39(10) cm(-1). The complex exhibits two frequency-dependent out-of-phase AC susceptibility signals (chi(M)'') indicative of slow magnetization relaxation. An Arrhenius plot obtained from chi(M)'' vs T data gave an effective energy barrier to relaxation (U(eff)) of 62 and 35 K for the slower and faster relaxing species, respectively. These studies suggest that complex 4 is a single-molecule magnet (SMM). DC susceptibility studies on complexes 5-8 display overall antiferromagnetic behavior and indicate ground-state spin values of S < or = 2. AC susceptibility studies at < 10 K confirm these small values and indicate the population of low-lying excited states even at these low temperatures. This supports the small ground-state spin values to be due to spin frustration effects.

Crystallization of Chicken Egg White Lysozyme from Assorted Sulfate Salts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Forsythe, Elizabeth L.; Snell, Edward H.; Malone, Christine C.; Pusey, Marc L.

1999-01-01

Chicken egg white lysozyme has been found to crystallize from ammonium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, magnesium, and manganese sulfates at acidic and basic pH, with protein concentrations from 60 to 190 mg/ml. Crystals have also been grown at 4 C in the absence of any other added salts using isoionic lysozyme which was titrated to pH 4.6 with dilute sulfuric acid. Four different crystal forms have been obtained, depending upon the temperature, protein concentration, and precipitating salt employed. Crystals grown at 15 C were generally tetragonal, with space group P4(sub 3)2(sub 1)2. Crystallization at 20 C typically resulted in the formation of orthorhombic crystals, space group P2(sub 1)2(sub 1)2(sub 1). The tetragonal reversible reaction orthorhombic transition appeared to be a function of both the temperature and protein concentration, occurring between 15 and 20 C and between 100 and 125 mg/ml protein concentration. Crystallization from 1.2 M magnesium sulfate at pH 7.8 gave a trigonal crystal, space group P3(sub 1)2(sub 1), a = b = 87.4, c = 73.7, gamma = 120 deg, which diffracted to 2.8 A. Crystallization from ammonium sulfate at pH 4.6, generally at lower temperatures, was also found to result in a monoclinic form. space group C2, a = 65.6, b = 95.0, c = 41.2, beta = 119.2 deg. A crystal of approximately 0.2 x 0.2 x 0.5 mm grown from bulk solution diffracted to approximately 3.5 A.

Group II p21-activated kinases as therapeutic targets in gastrointestinal cancer.

PubMed

Shao, Yang-Guang; Ning, Ke; Li, Feng

2016-01-21

P21-activated kinases (PAKs) are central players in various oncogenic signaling pathways. The six PAK family members are classified into group I (PAK1-3) and group II (PAK4-6). Focus is currently shifting from group I PAKs to group II PAKs. Group II PAKs play important roles in many fundamental cellular processes, some of which have particular significance in the development and progression of cancer. Because of their important functions, group II PAKs have become popular potential drug target candidates. However, few group II PAKs inhibitors have been reported, and most do not exhibit satisfactory kinase selectivity and "drug-like" properties. Isoform- and kinase-selective PAK inhibitors remain to be developed. This review describes the biological activities of group II PAKs, the importance of group II PAKs in the development and progression of gastrointestinal cancer, and small-molecule inhibitors of group II PAKs for the treatment of cancer.

Space-time analysis of Down syndrome: results consistent with transient pre-disposing contagious agent.

PubMed

McNally, Richard J Q; Rankin, Judith; Shirley, Mark D F; Rushton, Stephen P; Pless-Mulloli, Tanja

2008-10-01

Whilst maternal age is an established risk factor for Patau syndrome (trisomy 13), Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18) and Down syndrome (trisomy 21), the aetiology and contribution of genetic and environmental factors remains unclear. We analysed for space-time clustering using high quality fully population-based data from a geographically defined region. The study included all cases of Patau, Edwards and Down syndrome, delivered during 1985-2003 and resident in the former Northern Region of England, including terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly. We applied the K-function test for space-time clustering with fixed thresholds of close in space and time using residential addresses at time of delivery. The Knox test was used to indicate the range over which the clustering effect occurred. Tests were repeated using nearest neighbour (NN) thresholds to adjust for variable population density. The study analysed 116 cases of Patau syndrome, 240 cases of Edwards syndrome and 1084 cases of Down syndrome. There was evidence of space-time clustering for Down syndrome (fixed threshold of close in space: P = 0.01, NN threshold: P = 0.02), but little or no clustering for Patau (P = 0.57, P = 0.19) or Edwards (P = 0.37, P = 0.06) syndromes. Clustering of Down syndrome was associated with cases from more densely populated areas and evidence of clustering persisted when cases were restricted to maternal age <40 years. The highly novel space-time clustering for Down syndrome suggests an aetiological role for transient environmental factors, such as infections.

Comparison of distal chevron osteotomy with and without lateral soft tissue release for the treatment of hallux valgus.

PubMed

Lee, Ho-Jin; Chung, Jin-Wha; Chu, In-Tak; Kim, Yoon-Chung

2010-04-01

A lateral soft tissue release is often performed with distal chevron osteotomy for the correction of hallux valgus deformities. However, many complications of lateral soft tissue release have been reported. To define the necessity of lateral soft tissue release, the authors compared the clinical and radiographic results of distal chevron osteotomy with and without it. 86 consecutive patients (152 feet) were enrolled in this prospective study. In Group A, 45 patients (74 feet) underwent a chevron osteotomy with lateral soft tissue release. In Group B, 41 patients (78 feet) underwent a chevron osteotomy without it. Mean followup was 1.7 years and 2.1 years, respectively. The hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and AOFAS score were measured preoperatively, and 1-year followup postoperatively and complications were evaluated. The change in HVA, IMA and AOFAS score were insignificant (p > 0.05) between Group A and Group B, however, the range of motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint was significantly less in Group A (p < 0.05). Complications of digital neuritis and cosmetically dissatisfied scarring of the dorsal web space were seen only in Group A. No cases had avascular necrosis of the metatarsal head, malunion or nonunion. Lateral soft tissue release may not be needed for mild or moderate hallux valgus deformities which may prevent decreased range of motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, neuritis of dorsal or plantar lateral digital nerve and cosmetic dissatisfaction of a dorsal scar.

Increased Renal Solute Excretion in Rats Following Space Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wade, Charles E.; Moore, A. L.; Morey-Holton, E.

1995-01-01

Following space flight a diuresis, due to an increase in free water clearance, has been suggested in humans. To assess the effects of space flight on renal function, rats were flown in space for 14 days. Rats were divided into three groups; vivarium controls (V;n=6; housed 2/shoe box cage), flight controls (FC;n=6; group housed in a flight cage), and flight animals (F;n=6). Upon landing all animals were placed into individual metabolic cages. Urine was collected daily for 7 days and every other day for 14 days. Urine output was increased (p less than 0.05; ANOVA) following flight for 3 days. On postflight day 1, flow rates were, V=6.8 plus or minus 0.9, FC=8.711.8 and F=16.6 plus or minus 2.7 microliter/min. Excretion rates of Na+ and K+ were increased, resulting in an increased osmotic excretion rate (V=7.9 plus or minus 0.9, FC=6.1 plus or minus 0.7 and F=13.5 plus or minus 0.7 uOsm/min). Creatinine excretion rate was increased over the first two postflight days. In the absence of changes in plasma creatinine, Na+, or K+ (samples obtained immediately post flight from similar rats compared to Day 14), GFR was increased following space flight. The increased excretion of solute was thus the result of increased delivery and decreased reabsorption. Osmotic clearance was increased (V=28, FC=27 and F=51 microliter/min), while free water clearance was decreased post flight (V=-21,FC=-18 and F=-34 microliter/min). In rats, the postflight diuresis is the result of an increase in solute (osmotic) excretion with an accompanying reduction in free water clearance.

[Comparison of TPS, CEA, CYFRA21-1 and STNFR in diagnosis of lung cancer].

PubMed

Liao, Qiulin; Li, Lianhua; Chen, Mingsheng

2005-08-20

In recent years, new progress has been made in research of tumor markers. And namely tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS), cytokeratin 19-fragments (CYFRA21-1) and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (STNFR) are new tumor markers that have been used in clinical application. The aim of this study is to determine and compare the diagnostic value of 4 kinds of tumor markers, TPS, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CYFRA21-1 and STNFR in patients with lung cancer. The serum levels of TPS, CEA, CYFRA21-1 and STNFR were determined in 72 patients with lung cancer, 54 patients with pulmonary benign diseases and 32 healthy adults by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of the four tumor markers in lung cancer group were significantly higher than those in benign disease group (P < 0.005) and healthy control group (P < 0.001). Among the four markers, STNFR had the highest sensitivity (81.9%), CYFRA21-1 had the highest specificity (91.5%) and TPS had the highest accuracy (83.5%). TPS, CYFRA21-1 and STNFR can be used as very useful and sensitive tumor markers in the diagnosis of lung cancer, in which CYFRA21-1 may be the most useful tumor marker for clinical application.

Effects of adjuvants for human use in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-prone (New Zealand black/New Zealand white) F1 mice.

PubMed

Favoino, E; Favia, E I; Digiglio, L; Racanelli, V; Shoenfeld, Y; Perosa, F

2014-01-01

The safety of four different adjuvants was assessed in lupus-prone New Zealand black/New Zealand white (BW)F1 mice. Four groups of mice were injected intraperitoneally with incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA), complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), squalene (SQU) or aluminium hydroxide (ALU). An additional group received plain phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (UNT group). Mice were primed at week 9 and boosted every other week up to week 15. Proteinuria became detectable at weeks 17 (IFA group), 24 (CFA group), 28 (SQU and ALU groups) and 32 (UNT group). Different mean values were obtained among the groups from weeks 17 to 21 [week 17: one-way analysis of variance (anova) P = 0·016; weeks 18 and 19: P = 0·048; weeks 20 and 21: P = 0·013] being higher in the IFA group than the others [Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) post-test P < 0·05]. No differences in anti-DNA antibody levels were observed among groups. Anti-RNP/Sm antibody developed at week 19 in only one CFA-treated mouse. Mean mouse weight at week 18 was lower in the ALU group than the IFA (Tukey's HSD post-test P = 0·04), CFA (P = 0·01) and SQU (P < 0·0001) groups, while the mean weight in the SQU group was higher than in the IFA (P = 0·009), CFA (P = 0·013) and UNT (P = 0·005) groups. The ALU group weight decreased by almost half between weeks 29 and 31, indicating some toxic effect of ALU in the late post-immunization period. Thus, SQU was the least toxic adjuvant as it did not (i) accelerate proteinuria onset compared to IFA; (ii) induce toxicity compared to ALU or (iii) elicit anti-RNP/Sm autoantibody, as occurred in the CFA group. © 2013 British Society for Immunology.

Life-space mobility of middle-aged and older adults at various stages of usage of power mobility devices.

PubMed

Auger, Claudine; Demers, Louise; Gélinas, Isabelle; Miller, William C; Jutai, Jeffrey W; Noreau, Luc

2010-05-01

To examine whether the impact of power mobility devices (PMDs) varies as a function of stage of usage and to explore key factors associated with greater life-space mobility for middle-aged and older adults. Multicohort study with respondents grouped as a function of stage of PMD usage (reference group with mobility impairments, n=42; initial users, 1-6mo, n=35; long-term users, 12-18mo, n=39). Cohorts were compared with respect to life-space mobility in a continuum of environments ranging from home to outside town, using analysis of variance and chi-square tests. Baseline personal, assistive device, intervention, and environmental factors associated with life-space mobility were explored with age-adjusted linear regression models. Four Canadian rehabilitation centers. Random sample of middle-aged and older adults (N=116; 50-89y) living in the community or residential care. Procurement of a powered wheelchair or scooter. Life-Space Assessment composite score. Cohort comparisons showed higher frequency of outings for PMD users in the neighborhood (P<.001) and around home (P<.05) and significantly greater Life-Space Assessment composite scores for initial and long-term users than for the reference group (P<.05). Factors such as sex, the nature of activities, and device type explained variances in Life-Space Assessment composite score ranging from 15.9% to 18.0% (P<.006). Life-space mobility increases after PMD use and remains stable across the stages of initial and long-term use. To appreciate the impact of PMDs, clinicians should consider the environment and a combination of personal and device factors that are associated with the range of life-space mobility in the first 18 months after procurement.

The sustained effect (12 months) of a single-dose vectored thermal pulsation procedure for meibomian gland dysfunction and evaporative dry eye.

PubMed

Blackie, Caroline A; Coleman, Christy A; Holland, Edward J

2016-01-01

To evaluate the sustained effect (up to 1 year) of a single, 12-minute vectored thermal pulsation (VTP) treatment in improving meibomian gland function and dry eye symptoms in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction and evaporative dry eye. The prospective, multicenter, open-label clinical trial included 200 subjects (400 eyes) who were randomized to a single VTP treatment (treatment group) or twice-daily, 3-month, conventional warm compress and eyelid hygiene therapy (control group). Control group subjects received crossover VTP treatment at 3 months (crossover group). Effectiveness measures of meibomian gland secretion (MGS) and dry eye symptoms were evaluated at baseline and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Subjects with inadequate symptom relief could receive additional meibomian gland dysfunction therapy after 3 (treatment group) and 6 months (crossover group). At 3 months, the treatment group had greater mean improvement in MGS (P<0.0001) and dry eye symptoms (P=0.0068), compared to controls. At 12 months, 86% of the treatment group had received only one VTP treatment, and sustained a mean improvement in MGS from 6.4±3.7 (baseline) to 17.3±9.1 (P<0.0001) and dry eye symptoms from 44.1±20.4 to 21.6±21.3 (P<0.0001); 89% of the crossover group had received only one VTP treatment with sustained mean improvement in MGS from 6.3±3.6 to 18.4±11.1 (P<0.0001) and dry eye symptoms from 49.1±21.0 to 24.0±23.2 (P<0.0001). Greater mean improvement in MGS was associated with less severe baseline MGS (P=0.0017) and shorter duration of time between diagnosis and treatment (P=0.0378). A single VTP treatment can deliver a sustained mean improvement in meibomian gland function and mean reduction in dry eye symptoms, over 12 months. A single VTP treatment provides significantly greater mean improvement in meibomian gland function and dry eye symptoms as compared to a conventional, twice-daily, 3-month regimen. Early VTP intervention for meibomian gland dysfunction is associated with improved treatment outcomes.

Effect of ligand substitution on the SMM properties of three isostructural families of double-cubane Mn4Ln2 coordination clusters.

PubMed

Akhtar, Muhammad Nadeem; Lan, Yanhua; AlDamen, Murad A; Zheng, Yan-Zhen; Anson, Christopher E; Powell, Annie K

2018-03-06

Three isostructural lanthanide series with a core of MnMnLn 2 are reported. These three families have the formulae of [MnMnLn 2 (μ 4 -O) 2 (H 2 edte) 2 (piv) 6 (NO 3 ) 2 ] {no crystallization solvent, Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Eu (1-4, 6); solv = 3MeCN, Ln = Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Y (5, 7-13)}, where H 2 edte = N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine and piv = pivalate; [MnMnLn 2 (μ 4 -O) 2 (H 2 edte) 2 (benz) 6 (NO 3 ) 2 ], where benz = benzoate, or [MnMnLn 2 (μ 4 -O) 2 (edteH 2 ) 2 (benz) 6 (NO 3 ) 2 ]·2MeCN {Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy (14-16); and [MnMnLn 2 (μ 4 -O) 2 (edteH 2 ) 2 (piv) 8 ].solv {solv = 4MeCN, Ln = La (17); solv = 2MeCN·tol·H 2 O, Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Tb (18-20, 22); solv = 2MeCN·H 2 O, Ln = Gd (21). These compounds crystallize in two different systems, namely, monoclinic in the space groups P2 1 /n for 1-4, 6, and 14-16 and C2/c for 5, 7-13, 18-20, and 22 and triclinic in the space group P1[combining macron] for 17 and 21. The crystal structures of these compounds display a face-fused dicubane structure connected by different types of bridged oxygen atoms. Solid-state dc magnetic susceptibility characterization was carried out for 1-22, and fitting showed that Mn III Mn III is antiferromagnetically (AF) coupled and Mn II Mn III , Mn II Ln and Mn III Ln are weakly ferromagnetically coupled. In addition, ac measurements were carried out and showed that only 7, 15, and 22 for Tb, 8 and 16 for Dy, and 20 for Sm exhibited slow magnetization relaxation. In the case of 15, it was possible to determine the energy barrier of the slow-relaxation behavior by fitting peak temperatures to the Arrhenius law, which gave a value of U eff = 21.2 K and a pre-exponential factor of τ 0 = 4.0 × 10 -9 s.

Crystal structure, vibrational, spectral investigation, quantum chemical DFT calculations and thermal behavior of Diethyl [hydroxy (phenyl) methyl] phosphonate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ouksel, Louiza; Chafaa, Salah; Bourzami, Riadh; Hamdouni, Noudjoud; Sebais, Miloud; Chafai, Nadjib

2017-09-01

Single Diethyl [hydroxy (phenyl) methyl] phosphonate (DHPMP) crystal with chemical formula C11H17O4P, was synthesized via the base-catalyzed Pudovik reaction and Lewis acid as catalyst. The results of SXRD analyzes indicate that this compound crystallizes into a mono-clinic system with space group P21/n symmetry and Z = 4. The crystal structure parameters are a = 9.293 Å, b = 8.103 Å, c = 17.542 Å, β = 95.329° and V = 1315.2 Å3, the structure displays one inter-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonding. The UV-Visible absorption spectrum shows that the crystal exhibits a good optical transmission in the visible domain, and strong absorption in middle ultraviolet one. The vibrational frequencies of various functional groups present in DHPMP crystal have been deduced from FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra and then compared with theoretical values performed with DFT (B3LYP) method using 6-31G (p, d) basis sets. Chemical and thermodynamic parameters such as: ionization potential (I), electron affinity (A), hardness (σ), softness (η), electronegativity (χ) and electrophilicity index (ω), are also calculated using the same theoretical method. The thermal decomposition behavior of DHPMP, studied by using thermogravimetric analysis (TDG), shows a thermal stability until to 125 °C.

The h-p Version of the Finite Element Method.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-07-01

commerical code (released in 1985) using the p and h-p versions. The h-p version combines the h and p-versions. The p-version was first theoretically studied ...satisfied 121 L1]- We will study the approximation (in the space H1 ) of functions u B2 ,d 2) by the h-p version and will show that exponential rate...where its various properties were studied . Let us mention the following lemma proven in [51 which will be needed r later. 2 2 0- Lemma 2.1. H5 (0 ) C

Crystal structures, in-silico study and anti-microbial potential of synthetic monocarbonyl curcuminoids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ud Din, Zia; Serrano, N. F. G.; Ademi, Kastriot; Sousa, C. P.; Deflon, Victor Marcelo; Maia, Pedro Ivo da Silva; Rodrigues-Filho, Edson

2017-09-01

In this work the screening of 20 unsymmetrical chalcone and curcuminoids analogues in regard of their antimicrobial properties was conducted. Electron donating groups in the aromatic rings in the chalcone and curcuminoid derivatives produced higher antimicrobial effect. Compounds 1, 9 and 15 exhibited good activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. These compounds were further evaluated against nine micro-organisms of pathological interest. Pharmmaper was used for target fishing of compounds against important bacterial targets. Molecular Docking helped to verify the results of these compounds against the selected bacterial target D-alanyl-D-alanine carboxypeptidase (PDB ID: 1PW1). The crystal structure of ligand and docked conformers in the active site of 1PW1 were analyzed. As a result structure-activity relationships are proposed. Structures of compounds 14 and 16 were obtained through single crystals X-ray diffraction studies. Compound 14 crystallizes in monoclinic space group P21/c with unit cell dimensions a = 13.1293(3) Å, b = 17.5364(4) Å, c = 15.1433(3) Å, β = 95.6440(10), V = 3469.70(13) Å3 and Z = 8. Compound 16 crystallizes in triclinic space group Pī with unit cell dimensions a = 6.8226(4) Å, b = 7.2256(4) Å, c = 18.1235(12) Å, β = 87.322(4), V = 850.57(9) Å3 and Z = 2.

Dynamic and static strength of an implant-supported overdenture model reinforced with metal and nonmetal strengtheners.

PubMed

Rached, Rodrigo Nunes; de Souza, Evelise Machado; Dyer, Scott R; Ferracane, Jack Liborio

2011-11-01

Fractures of overdentures occur in the denture base through the abutments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of reinforcements and the space available for their placement on the dynamic and static loading capacity of a simulated implant-supported overdenture model. Rhomboidal (6 × 6 × 25 mm) test specimens (n=8), made with an acrylic resin and containing 2 metal O-ring capsules, were reinforced with braided stainless steel bar (BS), stainless steel mesh (SM), unidirectional E-glass fiber (GF), E-glass mesh (GM), woven polyethylene braids (PE), or polyaramid fibers (PA). Two distinct spaces for reinforcement placement were investigated: a 2.5 mm and a 1 mm space. Control groups consisted of nonreinforced specimens. Specimens were thermocycled (5°C and 55°C, 5,000 cycles) and then subjected to a 100,000 cyclic load regime. Unbroken specimens were then loaded until failure. The number of failures under fatigue (f) and static load (s) were compared with the Chi-Square test, while static load means were compared with the Kruskal-Wallis test (α=.05). The number of failures (f:s) of GF (0:16), PE (0:16), and PA (0:16) differed significantly from the control group (8:8) and SM (4:12) (P=.037 and P=.025, respectively). For the 2.5 mm space group, these same reinforcements also exhibited higher static load means than the control (P=.016, P=.003, and P=.003, respectively); under static load, no significant differences were detected between the reinforced groups and the control for the 1.0 mm space group (P=1.0). E-glass fibers, woven polyethylene braids, and polyaramid fibers withstood the fatigue regime and increased the flexural strength of the implant-supported overdenture model. The spaces available for reinforcement did not affect the dynamic strength or the static loading capacity of the implant-supported overdenture model. Copyright © 2011 The Editorial Council of the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and oxygen content dependent properties of hexagonal DyMnO[subscript 3+delta

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

Remsen, S.; Dabrowski, B.; Chmaissem, O.

2011-10-28

Oxygen deficient polycrystalline samples of hexagonal P6{sub 3}cm (space group No.185) DyMnO{sub 3+{delta}} ({delta} < 0) were synthesized in Ar by intentional decomposition of its perovskite phase obtained in air. The relative stability of these phases is in accord with our previous studies of the temperature and oxygen vacancy dependent tolerance factor. Thermogravimetric measurements have shown that hexagonal samples of DyMnO{sub 3+{delta}} (0 {le} {delta} {le} 0.4) exhibit unusually large excess oxygen content, which readily incorporates on heating near 300 C in various partial-pressures of oxygen atmospheres. Neutron and synchrotron diffraction data show the presence of two new structural phasesmore » at {delta} {approx} 0.25 (Hex{sub 2}) and {delta} {approx} 0.40 (Hex{sub 3}). Rietveld refinements of the Hex{sub 2} phase strongly suggest it is well modeled by the R3 space group (No.146). These phases were observed to transform back to P6{sub 3}cm above {approx} 350 C when material becomes stoichiometric in oxygen content ({delta} = 0). Chemical expansion of the crystal lattice corresponding to these large changes of oxygen was found to be 3.48 x 10{sup -2} mol{sup -1}. Thermal expansion of stoichiometric phases were determined to be 11.6 x 10{sup -6} and 2.1 x 10{sup -6} K{sup -1} for the P6{sub 3}cm and Hex{sub 2} phases, respectively. Our measurements also indicate that the oxygen non-stoichiometry of hexagonal RMnO{sub 3+{delta}} materials may have important influence on their multiferroic properties.« less

A torso model comparison of temperature preservation devices for use in the prehospital environment.

PubMed

Zasa, Michele; Flowers, Neil; Zideman, David; Hodgetts, Timothy J; Harris, Tim

2016-06-01

Hypothermia is an independent predictor of increased morbidity and mortality in patients with trauma. Several strategies and products have been developed to minimise patients' heat loss in the prehospital arena, but there is little evidence to inform the clinician concerning their effectiveness. We used a human torso model consisting of two 5.5-litre fluid bags to simultaneously compare four passive (space blanket, bubble wrap, Blizzard blanket, ambulance blanket) and one active (Ready-Heat II blanket) temperature preservation products. A torso model without any temperature preservation device provided a control. For each test, the torso models were warmed to 37°C and left outdoors. Core temperatures were recorded every 10 min for 1 h in total; tests were repeated 10 times. A significant difference in temperature was detected among groups at 30 and 60 min (F (1.29, 10.30)=103.58, p<0.001 and F (1.64, 14.78)=163.28, p<0.001, respectively). Mean temperature reductions (95% CI) after 1 h of environmental exposure were the following: 11.6 (10.3 to 12.9) °C in control group, 4.5 (3.9 to 5.1) °C in space blanket group, 3.6 (3 to 4.3) °C in bubble-wrap group, 2.1 (1.7 to 2.5) °C in Blizzard blanket group, 6.1 (5.8 to 6.5) °C in ambulance blanket group and 1.1 (0.7 to 1.6) °C in Ready-Heat II blanket group. In this study, using a torso model based on two 5 L dialysate bags we found the Ready-Heat II heating blanket and Blizzard blanket were associated with lower rates of heat loss after 60 min environmental exposure than the other devices tested. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Crystallization of dienelactone hydrolase in two space groups: structural changes caused by crystal packing

PubMed Central

Porter, Joanne L.; Carr, Paul D.; Collyer, Charles A.; Ollis, David L.

2014-01-01

Dienelactone hydrolase (DLH) is a monomeric protein with a simple α/β-hydrolase fold structure. It readily crystallizes in space group P212121 from either a phosphate or ammonium sulfate precipitation buffer. Here, the structure of DLH at 1.85 Å resolution crystallized in space group C2 with two molecules in the asymmetric unit is reported. When crystallized in space group P212121 DLH has either phosphates or sulfates bound to the protein in crucial locations, one of which is located in the active site, preventing substrate/inhibitor binding. Another is located on the surface of the enzyme coordinated by side chains from two different molecules. Crystallization in space group C2 from a sodium citrate buffer results in new crystallographic protein–protein interfaces. The protein backbone is highly similar, but new crystal contacts cause changes in side-chain orientations and in loop positioning. In regions not involved in crystal contacts, there is little change in backbone or side-chain configuration. The flexibility of surface loops and the adaptability of side chains are important factors enabling DLH to adapt and form different crystal lattices. PMID:25005082

[Immunotoxicologic assessment of genetically modified drought-resistant wheat T349 with GmDREB1].

PubMed

Liang, Chun-lai; Li, Yong-ning; Zhang, Xiao-peng; Song, Yan; Wang, Wei; Fang, Jin; Cui, Wen-ming; Jia, Xu-dong

2012-06-01

To assess the immunotoxicologic effects of genetically modified drought resistant wheat T349 with GmDREB1 gene. A total of 250 female BALB/c mice (6-8 week-old, weight 18-22 g) were divided into five large groups (50 mice for each large group) by body weight randomly. In each large group, the mice were divided into five groups (10 mice for each group) by body weight randomly, which were set as negative control group, common wheat group, parental wheat group, genetically modified wheat group and cyclophosphamide positive control group, respectively. Mice in negative control and positive control group were fed with feedstuff AIN-93G, mice in common wheat group, non-genetically modified parental wheat group and genetically modified wheat group were fed with feedstuffs added corresponding wheat (proportion up to 76%) for 30 days, then body weight, organ coefficient of spleen and thymus, peripheral blood lymphocytes phenotyping, serum cytokine, serum immunoglobulin, antibody plaque-forming cell (PFC), serum 50% hemolytic value (HC50), mitogen-induced splenocyte proliferation, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction and phagocytic activities of phagocytes were detected respectively. After 30 days raise, among negative control group, common wheat group, non-genetically modified parental wheat group, genetically modified wheat group and cyclophosphamide positive control group, mice body weight were (21.0±0.3), (20.4±0.7), (21.1±1.0), (21.1±1.0), (19.4±1.0) g, respectively (F=7.47, P<0.01); organ coefficient of spleen were (0.407±0.047)%, (0.390±0.028)%, (0.402±0.042)%, (0.421±0.041)%, (0.304±0.048)%, respectively (F=12.41, P<0.01); organ coefficient of thymus were (0.234±0.032)%, (0.246±0.028)%, (0.249±0.040)%, (0.234±0.034)%, (0.185±0.039)%, respectively (F=5.58, P<0.01); the percentage of T cell in peripheral blood were (70.43±4.44)%, (68.33±5.37)%, (73.04±2.68)%, (74.42±2.86)%, (90.42±1.66)%, respectively (F=57.51, P<0.01); the percentage of B cell were (13.89±3.19)%, (15.34±4.84)%, (13.06±4.22)%, (12.93±2.36)%, (3.01±0.96)%, respectively (F=12.79, P<0.01); the percentage of Th cell were (55.87±3.80)%, (55.24±4.60)%, (57.92±3.70)%, (59.57±2.54)%, (77.37±2.31)%, respectively (F=68.58, P<0.01);the Th/Ts ratio were 4.16±0.29, 4.73±0.96, 4.19±0.78, 4.52±0.40, 6.34±0.73, respectively (F=17.57, P<0.01);the serum IgG were (1046.38±210.67), (1065.49±297.22), (1517.73±299.52), (1576.67±241.92), (1155.88±167.05) µg/ml, respectively (F=10.53, P<0.01); the serum IgM were (333.83±18.97), (327.73±27.72), (367.47±27.18), (363.42±46.14), (278.71±24.42) µg/ml, respectively (F=12.11, P<0.01); the serum IgA were (51.69±10.10), (42.40 ± 8.35), (32.11±4.22), (37.12±4.90), (41.45±8.89) µg/ml, respectively (F=8.25, P<0.01); the PFC were (29.2±14.6), (28.0±20.0), (34.8±30.9), (33.2±25.1), (4.8±5.3) per 10(6) splenocyte, respectively (F=3.33, P<0.05); the HC50 were 82.3±6.5, 79.7±4.6, 75.8±4.1, 74.9±3.6, 70.8±2.1, respectively (F=9.99, P<0.01);the LPS-induced splenocyte proliferation were 0.21±0.10, 0.21±0.14, 0.26±0.12, 0.25±0.14, 0.07±0.06, respectively (F=4.18, P<0.05). The genetically modified drought-resistant wheat T349 was substantially equivalent to parental wheat in the effects on immune organs and immunologic functions of mice, and it didn't show immunotoxicity.

Laboratory test variables useful for distinguishing upper from lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

PubMed

Tomizawa, Minoru; Shinozaki, Fuminobu; Hasegawa, Rumiko; Shirai, Yoshinori; Motoyoshi, Yasufumi; Sugiyama, Takao; Yamamoto, Shigenori; Ishige, Naoki

2015-05-28

To distinguish upper from lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Patient records between April 2011 and March 2014 were analyzed retrospectively (3296 upper endoscopy, and 1520 colonoscopy). Seventy-six patients had upper GI bleeding (Upper group) and 65 had lower GI bleeding (Lower group). Variables were compared between the groups using one-way analysis of variance. Logistic regression was performed to identify variables significantly associated with the diagnosis of upper vs lower GI bleeding. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the threshold value that could distinguish upper from lower GI bleeding. Hemoglobin (P = 0.023), total protein (P = 0.0002), and lactate dehydrogenase (P = 0.009) were significantly lower in the Upper group than in the Lower group. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was higher in the Upper group than in the Lower group (P = 0.0065). Logistic regression analysis revealed that BUN was most strongly associated with the diagnosis of upper vs lower GI bleeding. ROC analysis revealed a threshold BUN value of 21.0 mg/dL, with a specificity of 93.0%. The threshold BUN value for distinguishing upper from lower GI bleeding was 21.0 mg/dL.

Laboratory test variables useful for distinguishing upper from lower gastrointestinal bleeding

PubMed Central

Tomizawa, Minoru; Shinozaki, Fuminobu; Hasegawa, Rumiko; Shirai, Yoshinori; Motoyoshi, Yasufumi; Sugiyama, Takao; Yamamoto, Shigenori; Ishige, Naoki

2015-01-01

AIM: To distinguish upper from lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. METHODS: Patient records between April 2011 and March 2014 were analyzed retrospectively (3296 upper endoscopy, and 1520 colonoscopy). Seventy-six patients had upper GI bleeding (Upper group) and 65 had lower GI bleeding (Lower group). Variables were compared between the groups using one-way analysis of variance. Logistic regression was performed to identify variables significantly associated with the diagnosis of upper vs lower GI bleeding. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the threshold value that could distinguish upper from lower GI bleeding. RESULTS: Hemoglobin (P = 0.023), total protein (P = 0.0002), and lactate dehydrogenase (P = 0.009) were significantly lower in the Upper group than in the Lower group. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was higher in the Upper group than in the Lower group (P = 0.0065). Logistic regression analysis revealed that BUN was most strongly associated with the diagnosis of upper vs lower GI bleeding. ROC analysis revealed a threshold BUN value of 21.0 mg/dL, with a specificity of 93.0%. CONCLUSION: The threshold BUN value for distinguishing upper from lower GI bleeding was 21.0 mg/dL. PMID:26034359

Conventional Landmark-Guided Midline Versus Preprocedure Ultrasound-Guided Paramedian Techniques in Spinal Anesthesia.

PubMed

Kallidaikurichi Srinivasan, Karthikeyan; Iohom, Gabriella; Loughnane, Frank; Lee, Peter J

2015-10-01

Multiple passes and attempts while administering spinal anesthesia are associated with a greater incidence of postdural puncture headache, paraesthesia, and spinal hematoma. We hypothesized that the routine use of a preprocedural ultrasound-guided paramedian technique for spinal anesthesia would reduce the number of passes required to achieve entry into the subarachnoid space when compared with the conventional landmark-guided midline approach. One hundred consenting patients scheduled for elective total joint replacements (hip and knee) were randomized into group C (conventional) and group P (preprocedural ultrasound-guided paramedian technique) with 50 in each group. The patients were blinded to the study group. All spinal anesthetics were administered by a consultant anesthesiologist. In group C, spinal anesthetic was done via the midline approach using clinically palpated landmarks. In group P, a preprocedural ultrasound scan was used to mark the paramedian insertion site, and spinal anesthetic was performed via the paramedian approach. The average number of passes (defined as the number of forward advancements of the spinal needle in a given interspinous space, i.e., withdrawal and redirection of spinal needle without exiting the skin) in group P was approximately 0.34 times that in group C, a difference that was statistically significant (P = 0.01). Similarly, the average number of attempts (defined as the number of times the spinal needle was withdrawn from the skin and reinserted) in group P was approximately 0.25 times that of group C (P = 0.0021). In group P, on an average, it took 81.5 (99% confidence interval, 68.4-97 seconds) seconds longer to identify the landmarks than in group C (P = 0.0002). All other parameters, including grading of palpated landmarks, time taken for spinal anesthetic injection, periprocedural pain scores, periprocedural patient discomfort visual analog scale score, conversion to general anesthetic, paresthesia, and radicular pain during needle insertion, were similar between the 2 groups. Routine use of paramedian spinal anesthesia in the orthopedic patient population undergoing joint replacement surgery, guided by preprocedure ultrasound examination, significantly decreases the number of passes and attempts needed to enter the subarachnoid space.

[Effect of simulated microgravity on peripheral oxygen saturation in rats].

PubMed

Chen, Guangfei; Zhang, Yahui; Yuan, Ming; He, Shilin; Ying, Jun; Li, Chen

2018-02-01

To study the effect of microgravity on peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) in rats, tail-suspended rats were applied to simulate microgravity environment. SpO 2 and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO 2 ) were measured by pulse oximeter and arterial blood gas analyzer (ABGA) respectively on the 14th day, 21st day and 28th day in tail-suspended group and control group. Paired t -test shows that SpO 2 was significantly lower than SaO 2 in tail-suspended group on the 14th day ( P < 0.05), the 21st day ( P < 0.05) and the 28th day ( P < 0.01). The ANOVA results shows that modeling time had significant effect on SpO 2 value but no effect on SaO 2 value in tail-suspended group. These results indicate that pulse oximeter may be not suitable for oxygen saturation test in microgravity environment.

Frequency and management of breakthrough bleeding with continuous use of the transvaginal contraceptive ring: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Sulak, Patricia J; Smith, Virginia; Coffee, Andrea; Witt, Iris; Kuehl, Alicia L; Kuehl, Thomas J

2008-09-01

To assess bleeding patterns with continuous use of the transvaginal contraceptive ring. We did a prospective analysis of daily menstrual flow during a 21/7 cycle followed by 6 months of continuous use and institution of a randomized protocol to manage breakthrough bleeding/spotting. Seventy-four women completed the baseline 21/7 phase and were randomized equally into two groups during the continuous phase. Group 1 was instructed to replace the ring monthly on the same calendar day with no ring-free days. Group 2 was instructed to use the same process, but if breakthrough bleeding/spotting occurred for 5 days or more, they were to remove the ring for 4 days, store it, and then reinsert that ring. Sixty-five women completed the continuous phase with reduced average flow scores in the continuous phase compared with the 21/7 phase (P<.02). Most patients had no to minimal bleeding during continuous use, with group 2 experiencing a statistically greater percentage of days without breakthrough bleeding or spotting (95%) compared with group 1 (89%) (P=.016). Instituting a 4-day hormone-free interval was more (P<.001) effective in resolving breakthrough bleeding/spotting than continuing ring use. A reduction in bleeding occurred during continuous use with replacement of the transvaginal ring compared with baseline 21/7 use. Continuous vaginal ring use resulted in an acceptable bleeding profile in most patients, reduction in flow, reduction in pelvic pain, and a high continuation rate.

Development of the Circadian Timing System in Rat Pups Exposed to Microgravity during Gestation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fuller, Charles A.

2000-01-01

Ten pregnant Sprague Dawley rat dams were exposed to spaceflight aboard the Space Shuttle (STS-70) for gestational days 11-20 (G 11-20; FILT group). Control dams were maintained in either a flight-like (FIDS group) or vivarium cage environment (VIV group) on earth. All dams had ad lib access to food and water and were exposed to a light-dark cycle consisting of 12 hours of light (- 30 lux) followed by 12 hours of darkness. The dams were closely monitored from G 22 until parturition. All pups were cross-fostered at birth; each foster dam had a litter of 10 pups. Pups remained with their foster dam until post-natal day 21 (PN 21). Pup body mass was measured twice weekly. At PN14 FILT pups had a smaller body mass than did the VIV pups (p < 0.01). Circadian rhythms of body temperature and activity of pups from two FILT dams (n = 8), two FIDS dams (n = 9) and two VIV dams (n = 7) were studied starting from age PN 21. All pups had circadian rhythms of temperature and activity at this age. There were no significant differences in rhythms between groups that could be attributed to microgravity exposure. We also examined the development of neural structures involved in circadian rhythmicity: the retina, the intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) and the circadian pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). There were small differences between the flight and control groups at very early stages of development (G 20 and PN3) which indicated that the development of both the SCN and the IGL. These results indicate that exposure to the microgravity environment of spaceflight during this embryonic development period does not affect the development of the circadian rhythms of body temperature and activity, but may affect the early development of the neural structures involved in circadian timing.

26 CFR 1.1502-21 - Net operating losses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... the P group. During Year 4, S forms S1 and T forms T1, each by contributing assets with built-in gains which are, in the aggregate, material. S1 and T1 become members of the P group. During Year 7, M... until it ceases to be affiliated with P. For Year 7, the SRLY subgroup is composed of P, S, T, S1, and...

Experimental studies on the effect of (Lambda-Cyhalothrin) insecticide on lungs and the ameliorating effect of plant extracts (Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) and garlic (Allium sativum L.) on asthma development in albino rats.

PubMed

Mohi El-Din, Mouchira M; Mostafa, Amna M; Abd-Elkader, Aml

2014-04-16

Lambda-cyhalothrin (LTC) is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide for agricultural and public health applications. This study was to determine the pathological alterations of LTC in lungs, which has not previously been studied, and the ameliorating effects of plant extracts (ginseng and garlic) on the development of asthma in albino rats. Four groups (gps) of albino rats, (n = 20, average body weight = 200 gm with an age of 4 months), were formed. Gp 1 was kept as control. Gp 2 was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with LTC at a dose of 1/6 LD50 that is 9.34 mg/kg body weight (w.t.) daily for 21 days (d). Gp 3 & 4 were injected (i.p.) with ginseng at the dose of 200 mg/kg b.wt and garlic (Allium sativum L.) at the dose of 100 mg/kg b.wt., respectively, one hour before being given LTC at a dose of 1/6 LD50 (9.34 mg/kg b.wt.) daily. Each groups were divided into two sacrificed, at 15 and 21 d p.i. Blood and lung samples were collected for hematological and histopathological examinations. Hematological findings showed that the animals in gps 2 and 3, which were treated for 21 days, showed a significant difference in RBC counts (P > .001), Hb (P > .007), PCV% (P > .004), (P > .008) in comparison with the control group. Signs of cough and nasal discharge were seen in gp 2, which became mild in gp 4. Grossly, the lungs showed congestion and consolidation in gp 2. Histopathologically, macroabscesses and interstitial alveolitis were seen in gp 2, which led to obstruction in the lumen of the bronchioles at 21 d p.i. Meanwhile, thickening in the interalveolar septa with mononuclear cells was seen in gps. 3 and 4 at 21d p.i. The study shows 3 gps of rats injected with LHC alone or combined with garlic and ginseng extract, each group were divided into two sacrificed (15 and 21 d p.i.). Lambda cyhalothrin causes bronchial obstruction in the lungs of the rats (15 and 21 d p.i), which decreased into mild to moderate interstitial inflammation in the rats given garlic and ginseng, respectively.

Experimental studies on the effect of (Lambda-Cyhalothrin) insecticide on lungs and the ameliorating effect of plant extracts (Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) and garlic (Allium sativum L.) on asthma development in albino rats

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Lambda-cyhalothrin (LTC) is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide for agricultural and public health applications. This study was to determine the pathological alterations of LTC in lungs, which has not previously been studied, and the ameliorating effects of plant extracts (ginseng and garlic) on the development of asthma in albino rats. Methods Four groups (gps) of albino rats, (n = 20, average body weight = 200 gm with an age of 4 months), were formed. Gp 1 was kept as control. Gp 2 was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with LTC at a dose of 1/6 LD50 that is 9.34 mg/kg body weight (w.t.) daily for 21 days (d). Gp 3 & 4 were injected (i.p.) with ginseng at the dose of 200 mg/kg b.wt and garlic (Allium sativum L.) at the dose of 100 mg/kg b.wt., respectively, one hour before being given LTC at a dose of 1/6 LD50 (9.34 mg/kg b.wt.) daily. Each groups were divided into two sacrificed, at 15 and 21 d p.i. Blood and lung samples were collected for hematological and histopathological examinations. Results Hematological findings showed that the animals in gps 2 and 3, which were treated for 21 days, showed a significant difference in RBC counts (P > .001), Hb (P > .007), PCV% (P > .004), (P > .008) in comparison with the control group. Signs of cough and nasal discharge were seen in gp 2, which became mild in gp 4. Grossly, the lungs showed congestion and consolidation in gp 2. Histopathologically, macroabscesses and interstitial alveolitis were seen in gp 2, which led to obstruction in the lumen of the bronchioles at 21 d p.i. Meanwhile, thickening in the interalveolar septa with mononuclear cells was seen in gps. 3 and 4 at 21d p.i. Conclusions The study shows 3 gps of rats injected with LHC alone or combined with garlic and ginseng extract, each group were divided into two sacrificed (15 and 21 d p.i.). Lambda cyhalothrin causes bronchial obstruction in the lungs of the rats (15 and 21 d p.i), which decreased into mild to moderate interstitial inflammation in the rats given garlic and ginseng, respectively. PMID:24739272

KSC01padig272

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-08-22

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Completing mission STS-105, orbiter Discovery and its crew drop through scattered clouds to land on KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility runway 15. Discovery trails its drag chute that helps slow the orbiter. Main gear touchdown was at 2:22:58 p.m. EDT, wheel stop at 2:24:06 p.m. EDT. The 11-day, 21-hour, 12-minute mission accomplished the goals set for the 11th flight to the International Space Station: swapout of the resident Station crew, delivery of equipment supplies and scientific experiments, and installation of the Early Ammonia Servicer and heater cables for the S0 truss on the Station. Discovery traveled 4.3 million miles on its 30th flight into space, the 106th mission of the Space Shuttle program. The landing was the first out of five in 2001to occur in daylight at KSC

Discovery lands at KSC after completing mission STS-105

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. Orbiter Discovery and its crew land on KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility runway 15, creating a cloud of smoke as its wheels touch the concrete. Main gear touchdown was at 2:22:58 p.m. EDT; wheel stop, at 2:24:06 p.m. EDT. The 11-day, 21-hour, 12-minute STS-105 mission accomplished the goals set for the 11th flight to the International Space Station: swapout of the resident Station crew; delivery of equipment, supplies and scientific experiments; and installation of the Early Ammonia Servicer and heater cables for the S0 truss on the Station. Discovery traveled 4.3 million miles on its 30th flight into space, the 106th mission of the Space Shuttle program. The landing was the first of five in 2001 to occur in daylight at KSC.

Discovery lands at KSC after completing mission STS-105

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. With its drag chute trailing behind, orbiter Discovery and its crew land on KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility runway 15. Main gear touchdown was at 2:22:58 p.m. EDT; wheel stop, at 2:24:06 p.m. EDT. The 11-day, 21-hour, 12-minute STS-105 mission accomplished the goals set for the 11th flight to the International Space Station: swapout of the resident Station crew; delivery of equipment, supplies and scientific experiments; and installation of the Early Ammonia Servicer and heater cables for the S0 truss on the Station. Discovery traveled 4.3 million miles on its 30th flight into space, the 106th mission of the Space Shuttle program. The landing was the first of five in 2001 to occur in daylight at KSC.

Discovery lands at KSC after completing mission STS-105

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. A great blue heron flies along with orbiter Discovery as it lands on KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility runway 15. Main gear touchdown was at 2:22:58 p.m. EDT; wheel stop, at 2:24:06 p.m. EDT. The 11-day, 21-hour, 12-minute STS-105 mission accomplished the goals set for the 11th flight to the International Space Station: swapout of the resident Station crew; delivery of equipment, supplies and scientific experiments; and installation of the Early Ammonia Servicer and heater cables for the S0 truss on the Station. Discovery traveled 4.3 million miles on its 30th flight into space, the 106th mission of the Space Shuttle program. The landing was the first of five in 2001 to occur in daylight at KSC.

Discovery lands at KSC after completing mission STS-105

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. With its drag chute just beginning to open, orbiter Discovery and its crew land on KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility runway 15. Main gear touchdown was at 2:22:58 p.m. EDT; wheel stop, at 2:24:06 p.m. EDT. The 11-day, 21-hour, 12-minute STS-105 mission accomplished the goals set for the 11th flight to the International Space Station: swapout of the resident Station crew; delivery of equipment, supplies and scientific experiments; and installation of the Early Ammonia Servicer and heater cables for the S0 truss on the Station. Discovery traveled 4.3 million miles on its 30th flight into space, the 106th mission of the Space Shuttle program. The landing was the first of five in 2001 to occur in daylight at KSC.

Differential effects of phosphate binders on pre-dialysis serum bicarbonate in end-stage kidney disease patients on maintenance haemodialysis

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Phosphate binders’ constituents have alkalotic or acidotic properties and may contribute to acid base balance in haemodialysis patients. This study aimed to investigate the differential effects of phosphate binders on pre-dialysis serum bicarbonate in End Stage Kidney Disease patients on maintenance haemodialysis. Methods Stable out-patients having satellite haemodialysis for at least 3 months were retrospectively studied for 18 months, excluding those with other medical causes for metabolic acidosis. Blood results were censored for inpatient episodes, at the time of death, renal transplant or dialysis modality change. Multivariable multilevel mixed-effects linear regression was used and five groups of phosphate binders were compared: Group A(Calcium (Ca) and/or Aluminium (Al) binders); B(Sevelamer hydrochloride (SH) alone); C(lanthanum carbonate (LC) alone); D(SH and Ca/Al), E(LC and Ca/Al). Results Of 320 patients, 292 were eligible for analysis with a mean follow-up of 15.54 (standard deviation, SD 3.98) months. Similar mean pre-dialysis serum levels of bicarbonate were observed at all 6 month-interval analyses. At 18th months, observed mean serum bicarbonate levels in mmol/L were Group B: 21.58 (SD 2.82, P<0.001), C: 23.29 (SD 2.80, P=0.02), D: 21.56 (SD 3.00, P<0.001), and E: 21.29 (SD 3.62, P=0.92) compared with Group A: 22.98 (SD 2.77). Mean serum bicarbonate was related to total SH dose in mmol/L: 22.34 (SD 2.56) for SH <2.5 g/day, 21.61 (SD 2.62) for SH 2.5-4.8 g/day, 21.04 (SD 3.31) for SH >4.8 g/day compared with 22.85 (SD 2.91) for non-users; P-trend<0.001. Conclusions Phosphate binders’ constituents may contribute to/protect against a predisposition to pre-dialysis metabolic acidosis. This may be dose dependant in patients taking Sevelamer Hydrochloride. PMID:24079654

Ocean-Wave Coupled Modeling in COAMPS-TC: A Study of Hurricane Ivan (2004)

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-08-15

America, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529, United States a r t i c l e i n f oArticle history : Received 12 December 2012 Received in revised form 16 May 2013...Information for Society. Venice , Italy, 21– 25 September 2009. ESA Publication. Sullivan, P.P., McWilliams, J.C., Melville, W.K., 2007. Surface gravity

Association between shelter crowding and incidence of sleep disturbance among disaster evacuees: a retrospective medical chart review study.

PubMed

Kawano, Takahisa; Nishiyama, Kei; Morita, Hiroshi; Yamamura, Osamu; Hiraide, Atsuchi; Hasegawa, Kohei

2016-01-13

We determined whether crowding at emergency shelters is associated with a higher incidence of sleep disturbance among disaster evacuees and identified the minimum required personal space at shelters. Retrospective review of medical charts. 30 shelter-based medical clinics in Ishinomaki, Japan, during the 46 days following the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011. Shelter residents who visited eligible clinics. Based on the result of a locally weighted scatter-plot smoothing technique assessing the relationship between the mean space per evacuee and cumulative incidence of sleep disturbance at the shelter, eligible shelters were classified into crowded and non-crowded shelters. The cumulative incidence per 1000 evacuees was compared between groups, using a Mann-Whitney U test. To assess the association between shelter crowding and the daily incidence of sleep disturbance per 1000 evacuees, quasi-least squares method adjusting for potential confounders was used. The 30 shelters were categorised as crowded (mean space per evacuee <5.0 m(2), 9 shelters) or non-crowded (≥ 5.0 m(2), 21 shelters). The study included 9031 patients. Among the eligible patients, 1079 patients (11.9%) were diagnosed with sleep disturbance. Mean space per evacuee during the study period was 3.3 m(2) (SD, 0.8 m(2)) at crowded shelters and 8.6 m(2) (SD, 4.3 m(2)) at non-crowded shelters. The median cumulative incidence of sleep disturbance did not differ between the crowded shelters (2.3/1000 person-days (IQR, 1.6-5.4)) and non-crowded shelters (1.9/1000 person-days (IQR, 1.0-2.8); p=0.20). In contrast, after adjusting for potential confounders, crowded shelters had an increased daily incidence of sleep disturbance (2.6 per 1000 person-days; 95% CI 0.2 to 5.0/1000 person-days, p=0.03) compared to that at non-crowded shelters. Crowding at shelters may exacerbate sleep disruptions in disaster evacuees; therefore, appropriate evacuation space requirements should be considered. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Response, analysis, and design of pile groups subjected to static & dynamic lateral loads.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2003-06-01

Static and dynamic lateral load tests were performed on four full-scale pile groups driven at four different spacings. P-multipliers to account for group : interaction effects were back-calculated for each test. P-multipliers were found to be a funct...

[EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH OF DIFFERENTIATION OF HUMAN AMNIOTIC MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS INTO LIGAMENT CELLS IN VITRO].

PubMed

Jin, Ying; Li, Yuwan; Zhang, Chenghao; Wu, Shuhong; Cheng, Daixiong; Liu, Yi

2016-02-01

To discuss whether human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) possesses the characteristic of mesenchymal stem cells, and could differentiate into ligament cells in vitro after induction. The hAMSCs were separated through enzyme digestion, and the phenotypic characteristics of hAMSCs were tested through flow cytometry. The cells at passage 3 were cultured with L-DMEM/F12 medium containing transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) + basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) (group A), containing hyaluronic acid (HA) (group B), containing TGF-beta1+bFGF+HA (group C), and simple L-DMEM/F12 medium (group D) as control group. The morphology changes of cells in each group were observed by inverted phase contrast microscope at 21 days after induction; the cellular activities and proliferation were examined by sulforhodamine (SRB) colorimetric method; and specific mRNA and protein expressions of ligament including collagen type I, collagen type III, and tenascin C (TNC) were measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical staining. The flow cytometry result indicated that hAMSCs expressed mesenchymal stem cell phenotype. After 21 days of induction, the cells in groups A, B, and C grew like spindle-shaped fibroblasts under inverted phase contrast microscope, and cells showed single shape, obvious directivity, and compact arrangement in group C. The SRB result indicated that the cells in each group reached the peak of growth curve at 6 days; the cellular activities of groups A, B, and C were significantly higher than that of group D at 6 days after induction. Also, the immunohistochemical staining results showed that no expressions of TNC were detected in 4 groups at 7 days; expressions of collagen type I in groups A, B, and C were significantly higher than that in group D at 7, 14, and 21 days (P<0.001); the expressions of collagen type III in groups A, B, and C were significantly higher than that in group D at 14 and 21 days (P<0.001). There was an increasing tendency with time in collagen type I of group B, in collagen type III and TNC of groups A and C, showing significant difference among different time points (P<0.001). The real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR results revealed that the mRNA expressions of collagen type I and TNC in group C were significantly higher than those in groups A and B (P<0.05), and the mRNA expression of collagen type III in group B were significantly higher than that in groups A and C at 21 days (P<0.05). The mRNA expressions of collagen type I and TNC in groups A and C and mRNA expression of collagen type III in group C had an increasing tendency with time, showing significant difference among different time points (P<0.001). The hAMSCs possesses the characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells and excellent proliferation capacity. After in vitro induction, the expressions of ligament specific genes can be up-regulated and the synthesis of ligament specific proteins can be also strengthened. As a result, it can be used as one of ligament tissue engineering seed cell sources.