p21Cip/WAF1 activation is an important factor for the ERK pathway dependent anti-proliferation of colorectal cancer cells

p21Cip/WAF1, an important regulator of cell proliferation, is induced by both p53- and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathways. The induction of p21Cip/WAF1 occurs by prolonged activation of the ERKs caused by extracellular stimuli, such as zinc. However, not all the cells appeared to respond to ERK pathway dependent p21Cip/WAF1 induction. Here we investigated the cause of such difference using colorectal cancer cells. p21Cip/WAF1 induction and concomitant reduction of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation were observed by zinc treatment within HT-29 and DLD-1. However, HCT-116 cells with high endogenous p21Cip/WAF1 levels did not show any additional increment of p21Cip/WAF1 levels by zinc treatment and did maintain high BrdU incorporation level. The p21Cip/WAF1 induction by zinc depended upon prolonged activation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) was not observed in HCT-116 cells. The percentage of BrdU positive cells was 50% higher in p21Cip/WAF1 -/- HCT-116 cells compared to p21Cip/WAF1 +/+ HCT- 116 cells, and no cells induced p21Cip/WAF1 incorporated BrdU in its nucleus, yet confirming the importance of p21Cip/WAF1 induction in anti- proliferation. These results again support that p21Cip/WAF1 induction is a determinant in the regulation of colonic proliferation by the ERK pathway.     

High levels of soluble herpes virus entry mediator in sera of patients with allergic and autoimmune diseases

Herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) is a newly discovered member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily that has a role in herpes simplex virus entry, in T cell activation and in tumor immunity. We generated mAb against HVEM and detected soluble HVEM (SHVEM) in the sera of patients with various autoimmune diseases. HVEM was constitutively expressed on CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, CD19(+) B cells, CD14(+) monocytes, neutrophils and dendritic cells. In three-way MLR, mAb 122 and 139 were agonists and mAb 108 had blocking activity. An ELISA was developed to detect sHVEM in patient sera. sHVEM levels were elevated in sera of patients with allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis. The mAbs discussed here may be useful for studies of the role of HVEM in immune responses. Detection of soluble HVEM might have diagnostic and prognostic value in certain immunological disorders.     

Photopatternable silicon elastomers with enhanced mechanical properties for high-fidelity nanoresolution soft lithography

Soft lithography has been widely used in stamping and printing processes for microfabrication as a low cost alternative to photolithography. However, conventional poly(dimethyl)siloxane (PDMS) stamp materials have limitations, especially in the submicrometer range, due to their low physical toughness and requirements for thermocuring. A new version of functional stamp materials with adjustable physical toughness has been developed for advanced soft lithography. We thus demonstrate here its photopatternability and nanoresolution soft lithography, which have proven to be difficult using commercial stamp materials.     

Determination of Glimepiride in Human Plasma by LC-MS-MS and Comparison of Sample Preparation Methods for Glimepiride

A sensitive and selective method for quantitation of glimepiride in human plasma was established using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Three different methods for the sample preparation of glimepiride and an internal standard were investigated (liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction and protein precipitation). Glipizide was used as an internal standard. Compounds were separated on a C₁₈ column with 80% acetonitrile and 20% deionized water (adjusted to pH 3.5 with acetic acid), as mobile phase at a flow rate of 200 L min^–1. By use of multiple reaction monitoring mode in MS-MS with liquid-liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction, glimepiride and glipizide were detected without severe interference from the human plasma matrix. Glimepiride produced a protonated precursor ion ([M+H]⁺) at m/z 491 and a corresponding product ion at m/z 352, and the internal standard produced a protonated precursor ion ([M+H]⁺) at m/z 446 and a corresponding product ion at m/z 321. The limit of quantitation was 0.1 ng mL^–1, 0.5 ng mL^–1 and 1.0 ng mL^–1 when using liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction and protein precipitation, respectively. The validation, reproducibility, stability, and recovery of the different sample preparation methods were comparable and all the methods gave reliable results. The method has been successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study of glimepiride in human plasma.     

Amperometric Glucose Biosensor Based on Glucose Oxidase Encapsulated in Carbon Nanotube–Titania–Nafion Composite Film on Platinized Glassy Carbon Electrode

A highly sensitive and selective glucose biosensor has been developed based on immobilization of glucose oxidase within mesoporous carbon nanotube–titania–Nafion composite film coated on a platinized glassy carbon electrode. Synergistic electrocatalytic activity of carbon nanotubes and electrodeposited platinum nanoparticles on electrode surface resulted in an efficient reduction of hydrogen peroxide, allowing the sensitive and selective quantitation of glucose by the direct reduction of enzymatically‐liberated hydrogen peroxide at ?0.1 V versus Ag/AgCl (3 M NaCl) without a mediator. The present biosensor responded linearly to glucose in the wide concentration range from 5.0×10^?5 to 5.0×10^?3 M with a good sensitivity of 154 mA M^?1cm^?2. Due to the mesoporous nature of CNT–titania–Nafion composite film, the present biosensor exhibited very fast response time within 2 s. In addition, the present biosensor did not show any interference from large excess of ascorbic acid and uric acid.     

Effect of solvent upon competitive liquid-liquid extraction of alkali metal cations by isomeric dibenzo-16-crown-5-oxyacetic acids

The selectivity and efficiency of competitive liquid-liquid extraction of alkali metal cations into organic solvents containingsym-(octyl)dibenzo-16-crown-5-oxyacetic acid (2) andsym-bis[4(5)-tert-butylbenzo]-16-crown-5-oxyacetic acid (3) have been determined. Solvents examined include: dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, benzene, toluene,p-xylene, chlorobenzene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene. The Na⁺/K⁺ and Na⁺/Li⁺ extraction ratios are highest in chloroform. The extraction selectivity is found to correlate with the diluent parameter (DP) of the organic solvent.This paper is dedicated to the memory of the late Dr C. J. Pedersen.     

Der geschwindigkeitsbestimmende Schritt bei der Decarboxy-lierung von 2,4-Dihydroxybenzoesäure in mässig konzentrierter wässeriger Salzsäure

The decarboxylation kinetics of 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid have been studied in 0.1–8 N aqueous HCl at 50°. At low HCl concentrations, the observed first order rate constant, k, increases with increasing acidity of the solution. In solutions with 3.5–6 N HCl, k remains constant. The D₂O solvent isotope effect decreases from ^kH₂O/^kD₂O = 2.0 in 1N HCl to 1.3 in 5 N HCl, and it remains unchanged at 1.3 if the HCl concentration is increased further to 8 N. It is concluded that an increase of the acidity of the solution causes a change of the rate determining step from slow proton transfer to rate limiting C? C bond cleavage.