Subdominant H60 antigen-specific CD8 T-cell response precedes dominant H4 antigen-specific response during the initial phase of allogenic skin graft rejection

In allogeneic transplantation, including the B6 anti-BALB.B settings, H60 and H4 are two representative dominant minor histocompatibility antigens that induce strong CD8 T-cell responses. With different distribution patterns, H60 expression is restricted to hematopoietic cells, whereas H4 is ubiquitously expressed. H60-specific CD8 T-cell response has been known to be dominant in most cases of B6 anti-BALB.B allo-responses, except in the case of skin transplantation. To understand the mechanism underlying the subdominance of H60 during allogeneic skin transplantation, we investigated the dynamics of the H60-specific CD8 T cells in B6 mice transplanted with allogeneic BALB.B tail skin. Unexpectedly, longitudinal bioluminescence imaging and flow cytometric analyses revealed that H60-specific CD8 T cells were not always subdominant to H4-specific cells but instead showed a brief dominance before the H4 response became predominant. H60-specific CD8 T cells could expand in the draining lymph node and migrate to the BALB.B allografts, indicating their active participation in the anti-BALB.B allo-response. Enhancing the frequencies of H60-reactive CD8 T cells prior to skin transplantation reversed the immune hierarchy between H60 and H4. Additionally, H60 became predominant when antigen presentation was limited to the direct pathway. However, when antigen presentation was restricted to the indirect pathway, the expansion of H60-specific CD8 T cells was limited, whereas H4-specific CD8 T cells expanded significantly, suggesting that the temporary immunodominance and eventual subdominance of H60 could be due to their reliance on the direct antigen presentation pathway. These results enhance our understanding of the immunodominance phenomenon following allogeneic tissue transplantation.     

Caesium carbonate supported on hydroxyapatite‐encapsulated Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanocrystallites as a novel magnetically basic catalyst for the one‐pot synthesis of pyrazolo[1,2‐b]phthalazine‐5,10‐diones

A novel nanomagnetic basic catalyst of caesium carbonate supported on hydroxyapatite‐coated Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄@HAP‐Cs₂CO₃) was prepared. This new catalyst was fully characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometry techniques, and then the catalytic activity of this catalyst was investigated in the synthesis of 1H‐pyrazolo[1,2‐b]phthalazine‐5,10‐dione derivatives. Also, Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄@HAP‐Cs₂CO₃ could be reused at least five times without significant loss of activity and could be recovered easily by applying an external magnet. Thus, the developed nanomagnetic catalyst is potentially useful for the green and economic production of organic compounds. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A possibility of parallel and anti-parallel diffraction measurements on neutron diffractometer employing bent perfect crystal monochromator at the monochromatic focusing condition

In a conventional diffractometer having single monochromator, only one position, parallel position, is used for the diffraction experiment (i.e. detection) because the resolution property of the other one, anti-parallel position, is very poor. However, a bent perfect crystal (BPC) monochromator at monochromatic focusing condition can provide a quite flat and equal resolution property at both parallel and anti-parallel positions and thus one can have a chance to use both sides for the diffraction experiment. From the data of the FWHM and the Δd/d measured on three diffraction geometries (symmetric, asymmetric compression and asymmetric expansion), we can conclude that the simultaneous diffraction measurement in both parallel and anti-parallel positions can be achieved.     

Generation of 0.2-TW 5.5-fs optical pulses at 1 kHz using a differentially pumped hollow-fiber chirped-mirror compressor

Optical pulses with 1.1-mJ energy and 5.5-fs duration have been generated at 1-kHz repetition rate from a chirped pulse amplification Ti:Sapphire laser incorporating a differentially pumped hollow-fiber chirped-mirror compressor. The effects of self-focusing and multi-photon ionization during the beam propagation were minimized by differentially pumping the hollow fiber filled with neon. The spectral broadening at the hollow-fiber compressor was optimized by adjusting gas pressure, laser intensity, and laser chirp, covering from 540 nm to 950 nm. PACS 42.65.Jx; 42.65.Re     

A Multisensor Deconvolution Problem

Meisters and Peterson gave an equivalent condition under which the multisensor deconvolution problem has a solution when there are two convolvers, each the characteristic function of an interval. In this article we find additional conditions under which the deconvolution problem for multiple characteristic functions is solvable. We extend the result to the space of Gevrey distributions and prove that every linear operator S, fromthe space of Gevrey functions with compact support onto itself, which commutes with translations can be represented as convolution with a unique Gevrey distribution T of compact support. Finally, we find explicit formula for deconvolvers when the convolvers satisfy weaker conditions than the equivalence conditions using nonperiodic sampling method.     

A composite methodology for multistage degradation of polymers

Five different analytical schemes for examining isothermal and nonisothermal degradation of polymers were reviewed and found inadequate for describing multistage decomposition. The different schemes were experimentally tested using thermogravimetric analysis data for an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, which exhibited a well-behaved two-step decomposition process in a nitrogen environment. Based on these experimental and analytical findings, a generalized methodology was developed capable of describing the exhibited complex decomposition behavior of polymers by combining two or more kinetic mechanisms in a series or parallel arrangement. This composite of combinational methodology thus extends established analytical schemes for describing complex decomposition of polymers in a rational manner, incorporating both experimental and theoretical considerations.     

Reactivity of 3d transition metal cations in diethylene glycol solutions. Synthesis of transition metal ferrites with the structure of discrete nanoparticles complexed with long-chain carboxylate anions

Study of the reactivity of 3d transition metal cations in diethylene glycol solutions revealed several key features that made it possible to develop a new method for synthesis of the nanocrystalline transition metal ferrites. The 3-7 nm particles of [MFe2O4]n[O2CR]m, where M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Zn, ligated on their surface with long-chain carboxylate anions, have been obtained in an isolated yield of 75-90%. The key features are the following. Complexation of the first-row transition metal cations with diethylene glycol at a presence of alkaline hydroxide is sufficient to enable control over the rate of their hydrolysis. The reaction of hydrolysis leads to the formation of metal oxide nanocrystals in colloidal solution. The nanoparticles growth is terminated by an added long-chain carboxylic acid, which binds to their surface and acts as a capping ligand. The isolated nanocrystalline powders are stable against agglomeration and highly soluble in nonpolar organic solvents.     

Angular hydroxymethyl directed intramolecular Diels-Alder approach for the stereo- and regioselective synthesis of pimaraditerpenes

The stereo- and regioselective synthetic route to pimaraditerpenes, employing an angular hydroxymethyl directed intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of the decaline intermediate, has been developed. This synthetic approach allows prompt access to both natural pimaraditerpenes and the unnatural regioisomers, which would be potentially new anti-inflammatory pimaraditerpenes.