Study of the peak effect phenomenon in single crystals of 2H-NbSe2

The weakly pinned single crystals of the hexagonal 2H-NbSe₂ compound have emerged as prototypes for determining and characterizing the phase boundaries of the possible order-disorder transformations in the vortex matter. We present here a status report based on the ac and dc magnetization measurements of the peak effect phenomenon in three crystals of 2H-NbSe₂, in which the critical current densities vary over two orders of magnitude. We sketch the generic vortex phase diagram of a weakly pinned superconductor, which also utilizes theoretical proposals. We also establish the connection between the metastability effects and pinning.     

UVA-INDUCED AUTOCRINE STIMULATION OF FIBROBLAST-DERIVED COLLAGENASE/MMP-1 BY INTERRELATED LOOPS OFINTERLEUKIN–1 andINTERLEUKIN–6

Abstract— Previous work has shown that fibroblast-derived collagenase/matrix-metalloproteinase-1(MMP–1), responsible for the breakdown of dermal interstitial collagen, was dose-dependently induced in vitro and in vivo by UVA irradiation and this induction was at least partly mediated byinterleukin–6(IL–6). We here provide evidence that UVA-inducedIL–1α andIL–1β play a central role in the induction of the synthesis both ofIL–6 and collagenase/MMP–1. In contrast to the late increase ofIL–1α andIL–1β mRNA levels at 6 h postirradiation, bioactivity ofIL–1 is already detectable at 1 h postirradiation. This early peak ofIL–1 bioactivity appears to be responsible for the induction ofIL–6 synthesis and together withIL–6 lead to an increase of the steady-state mRNA level of collagenase/MMP–1 as deduced from studies usingIL–1α andIL–1β antisense oligonucleotides or neutralizing antibodies againstIL–1α andIL–1β Besides the early posttranslationally controlled release of intracellularIL–1, a latter pretranslationally controlled synthesis and release ofIL–1 perpetuates the UV response. From these data we suggest a UV-induced cytokine network consisting ofIL–1α,IL–1β andIL–6, which via interrelated autocrine loops induce collagenase/MMP–1 and thus may contribute to the loss of interstitial collagen in cutaneous photoaging.     

Study of short-lived silver isotopes with a laser ion source

The continuum part of the⁶Li (a,a)⁶Li (1.47–2.47 MeV) scattering data at E_a=50 MeV are extracted in two discretized bins. Coupled-channel calculations are carried out coupling the 1⁺ ground state of⁶Li with both the resonant, 3⁺ ₁ state, and two non-resonant continuum states. The discretized continuum of the⁶Li (p,p)⁶Li (1.75–3.25 MeV) scattering data at E_p=65 MeV are also analysed on the same footing. In both the cases the effect of coupling is found to be minimal.     

POTENTIATION OF MEROCYANINE 540-MEDIATED PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY BY SALICYLATE and RELATED DRUGS

Abstract— Simultaneous exposure to merocyanine 540 (MC540) and light of a suitable wavelength kills leukemia, lymphoma and neuroblastoma cells but is relatively well tolerated by normal pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells. This differential phototoxic effect has been exploited in preclinical models and a phase I clinical trial for the extracorporeal purging of autologous bone marrow grafts. Salicylate is known to potentiate the MC540-mediated photokilling of tumor cells. Assuming that salicylate induces a change in the plasma membrane of tumor cells (but not normal hematopoietic stem cells) that enhances the binding of dye molecules it has been suggested that salicylate may provide a simple and effective means of improving the therapeutic index of MC540-mediated photodynamic therapy. We report here on a direct test of this hypothesis in a murine model of bone marrow transplantation as well as in clonal cultures of normal murine hematopoietic progenitor cells. In both systems, salicylate enhanced the MC540-sensitized photoinactivation of leukemia cells and normal bone marrow cells to a similar extent and thus failed to improve the therapeutic index of MC540 significantly. On the basis of a series of dye-binding studies, we offer an alternative explanation for the potentiating effect of salicylate. Rather than invoking a salicylate-induced change in the plasma membrane of tumor cells, we propose that salicylate displaces dye molecules from serum albumin, thereby enhancing the concentration of free (active) dye available for binding to tumor as well as normal hematopoietic stem cells.     

Cell-type specific protoporphyrin IX metabolism in human bladder cancer in vitro

5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-supported fluorescence endoscopy of the urinary bladder results in a detection rate of bladder cancer superior to that of white light endoscopy. The different accumulation of the metabolite protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) in tumor cells after ALA instillation is poorly understood; however, it is crucial to optimize diagnosis and potential phototherapy. For systematic analysis of cell-type specific PPIX accumulation and metabolism two human bladder carcinoma cell lines (RT4 and J82), a normal urothelial cell line (UROtsa), and a fibroblast cell line (N1) were chosen, and grown in two different growth states to model important tissue components of the urinary bladder, i.e. tumor, normal epithelium and stroma. To quantitate PPIX content, fluorescence intensities measured by flow cytometry were matched with cellular PPIX extraction values, and related to relative ferrochelatase activity, cellular iron content, number of transferrin receptors per cell and porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) activity. For in vitro experiments, the initial correlation of relative flow cytometric and spectrometric measurements of PPIX provides a calibration curve for consequent flow cytometric PPIX quantification. Lower fluorescence of normal cells could be explained by significant differences of ferrochelatase activity and iron content in comparison to tumor cells. However, the content of iron was not related to transferrin receptor content. PBGD activity seemed to play a minor role for the differential accumulation of PPIX in urothelial cells. In conclusion, the in vitro culture of urothelial cells and fibroblasts indicates that the most important metabolic step for PPIX accumulation in the urinary bladder is the transition from PPIX to heme. Further investigation of PPIX metabolism does support the validation of photodynamic diagnosis, and might also lead the way to a highly specific tumor related molecule.     

Size does matter! Label-free detection of small molecule–protein interaction

This review is focused on methods for detecting small molecules and, in particular, the characterisation of their interaction with natural proteins (e.g. receptors, ion channels). Because there are intrinsic advantages to using label-free methods over labelled methods (e.g. fluorescence, radioactivity), this review only covers label-free techniques. We briefly discuss available techniques and their advantages and disadvantages, especially as related to investigating the interaction between small molecules and proteins. The reviewed techniques include well-known and widely used standard analytical methods (e.g. HPLC-MS, NMR, calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction), newer and more specialised analytical methods (e.g. biosensors), biological systems (e.g. cell lines and animal models), and in-silico approaches.     

Novel nonperipheral octa-3-hydroxypropylthio substituted metallo-phthalocyanines: synthesis,characterization, and investigation of their electrochemical,photochemical and computational properties

The current study describes the synthesis, electrochemical, computational, and photochemical properties of octa (3-hydroxypropylthio) substituted cobalt (II) ( 4 ), copper (II) ( 5 ), nickel (II) ( 6 ) and zinc(II) ( 7 ) phthalocyanine derivatives. These novel compounds were characterized by elemental analysis,¹H,¹³C NMR, FT-IR, UV-Vis, and MS. The redox behaviors of these metallo-phthalocyanines were investigated by the cyclic voltammetric method. The optimized molecular structure and gauge-including atomic orbital (GIAO)¹H and¹³C NMR chemical shift values of these phthalocyanines in the ground state had been calculated by using B3LYP/6–31G(d,p) basis set. The outcomes of the optimized molecular structure were given and compared with the experimental NMR values. The photochemical properties including photodegradation and singlet oxygen generation of zinc(II) phthalocyanine were studied in DMSO solution for the determination of its photosensitizer behaviors.