In vivo optical analysis of quantitative changes in collagen and elastin during arterial remodeling

Altered collagen and elastin content correlates closely with remodeling of the arterial wall after injury. Optical analytical approaches have been shown to detect qualitative changes in plaque composition, but the capacity for detection of quantitative changes in arterial collagen and elastin content in vivo is not known. We have assessed fluorescence spectroscopy for detection of quantitative changes in arterial composition in situ, in rabbit models of angioplasty and stent implant. Fluorescence emission intensity (FEI) recorded at sites remote from the primary implant site was correlated with immunohistochemical (IH) analysis and extracted elastin and collagen. FEI was significantly decreased (P<0.05) after treatment with anti-inflammatory agents, and plaque area decreased on comparison with saline-treated rabbits after stent implant or angioplasty (Por=0.961) analysis were detected by multiple regression (MR) analysis. Good correlations also were found for FEI with elastin and collagen measured by high-performance liquid chromatography; MR analysis provided highly predictive values for collagen and elastin (R2>or=0.994). Fluorescence spectroscopic analysis detects quantitative compositional changes in arterial connective tissue in vivo, demonstrating changes at sites remote from primary angioplasty and stent implant sites.     

Possible candidates for discrete gamma rays linking superdeformed and yrast states in an odd nucleus:193Pb

The francium isotopes^200–202Fr were produced in the reaction³⁵Cl+¹⁷⁰Yb using bombarding energies of 4.9–5.3 MeV/nucleon. Fusion products were separated in-flight from the primary beam using a gas-filled recoil separator. An alpha line with the alpha particle energy and half-life of (7468±9) keV and (19 ₋₆ ⁺¹³ ) ms, respectively, was assigned to²⁰⁰Fr. Previously reported decay properties of^201,202Fr were confirmed. Communicated by V. Metag     

Ruthenium Cluster Chemistry with Ph2PC6H4-4-C≡CH

The new phosphines Ph₂PC₆H₄-4-CCR [R=SiMe₃ (1), H (2)] have been used to prepare Ru₃(CO)₉(Ph₂PC₆H₄-4-CCSiMe₃)₃ (4) and Ru(CCC₆H₄-4-PPh₂)(PPh₃)₂(-C₅H₅) (3), respectively, the latter with a pendent phosphine. Reaction of 4 with carbonate or fluoride affords Ru₃(CO)₉(Ph₂PC₆H₄-4-CCH)₃ (5) with pendent terminal alkynyl groups, the identity of which was confirmed by a structural study. Reaction of 5 with [Ru(NCMe)(PPh₃)₂(-C₅H₅)]PF₆ or reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with 3 gives Ru₃(CO)₉{(Ph₂PC₆H₄-4-CC)Ru(PPh₃)₂(-C₅H₅)}₃ (6). Complexes 3–6 have been studied by cyclic voltammetry. Proceeding from Ru₃(CO)₁₂ to 4 or 5 shifts the cluster-centred reduction to more negative potential and affords facile cluster-centred oxidation. Proceeding from 4/5 and 3 to 6 results in similarly-located cluster-centred reduction and peripheral ruthenium-centred oxidation, but results in a lack of observable cluster-centred oxidation. Crystal data for 5·C₆H₁₄: space group P¯1, a=12.760(1) Å, b=17.077(1) Å, c=17.924(2) Å, =108.656(5)°, =96.344(5)°, =93.523(5)°, V=3658.4(6) ų, Z=2, R=0.078, R_w=0.105 for 5008 reflections [I>2.00(I)].     

Quantitative analysis of the low molecular weight serum proteome using 18O stable isotope labeling in a lung tumor xenograft mouse model

With advancements in the analytical technologies and methodologies in proteomics, there is great interest in biomarker discovery in biofluids such as serum and plasma. Current hypotheses suggest that the low molecular weight (LMW) serum proteome possesses an archive of clipped and cleaved protein fragments that may provide insight into disease development. Though these biofluids represent attractive samples from which new and more accurate disease biomarkers may be found, the intrinsic person-to-person variability in these samples complicates their discovery. Mice are one of the most extensively used animal models for studying human disease because they represent a highly controllable experimental model system. In this study, the LMW serum proteome was compared between xenografted tumor-bearing mice and control mice by differential labeling utilizing trypsin-mediated incorporation of the stable isotope of oxygen, 18O. The digestates were combined, fractionated by strong cation exchange chromatography, and analyzed by nanoflow reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled online with tandem mass spectrometry, resulting in the identification of 6003 proteins identified by at least a single, fully tryptic peptide. Almost 1650 proteins were identified and quantitated by two or more fully tryptic peptides. The methodology adopted in this work provides the means for future quantitative measurements in comparative animal models of disease and in human disease cohorts.     

Two-step upflow anaerobic sludge bed system for sewage treatment under subtropical conditions with posttreatment in waste stabilization ponds

A pilot-scale sewage treatment system consisting of two upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactors followed by five waste stabilization ponds (WSPs) in series was studied under subtropical conditions. The first UASB reactor started up in only 1 mo (stable operation, high chemical oxygen demand [COD] removal efficiency, low volatile fatty acids concentration in the effluent, alkalinity ratio above 0.7, biogas production above 0.1 Nm3/kg of CODremoved). Removal efficiencies up to 90% were obtained in the anaerobic steps at a hydraulic retention time of 6 + 4 h (80% removal in the first step). Fecal coliform removal in the whole system was 99.9999% (99.94% in anaerobic steps and 99.98% in WSPs). COD balances over UASB reactors are provided. A minimum set of data necessary to build COD balances is proposed. Intermittent sludge washout was detected in the reactors with the COD balances. Sludge washout from single-step UASB reactors should be monitored and minimized in order to ensure constant compliance with discharge standards, especially when no posttreatment is provided. The system combined high COD and fecal coliform removal efficiency with an extremely low effluent concentration, complying with discharge standards, and making it an attractive option for sewage treatment in subtropical regions.     

Study of ab initio molecular data for inelastic and reactive collisions involving the H3+ quasimolecule

The lowest two ab initio potential energy surfaces (PES), and the corresponding nonadiabatic couplings between them, have been obtained for the H3+ system; the molecular data are compared to those calculated with the diatomic in molecules (DIM) method. The form of the couplings is discussed in terms of the topology of the molecular structure of the triatomic. The method of Baer is employed to generate "diabatic" states and the residual nonadiabatic couplings are calculated. The ab initio results for these are markedly different from the corresponding DIM data, and show the need to consider the third PES.