Molecular and genomic characterization of pathogenic traits of group A Streptococcus pyogenes

Group A streptococcus (GAS) or Streptococcus pyogenes causes various diseases ranging from self-limiting sore throat to deadly invasive diseases. The genome size of GAS is 1.85–1.9 Mb, and genomic rearrangement has been demonstrated. GAS possesses various surface-associated substances such as hyaluronic capsule, M proteins, and fibronectin/laminin/immunoglobulin-binding proteins. These are related to the virulence and play multifaceted and mutually reflected roles in the pathogenesis of GAS infections. Invasion of GAS into epithelial cells and deeper tissues provokes immune and non-immune defense or inflammatory responses including the recruitment of neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells in hosts. GAS frequently evades host defense mechanisms by using its virulence factors. Extracellular products of GAS may perturb cellular and subcellular functions and degrade tissues enzymatically, which leads to the aggravation of local and/or systemic disorders in the host. In this review, we summarize some important cellular and extracellular substances that may affect pathogenic processes during GAS infections, and the host responses to these.     

Physiological characteristics of tropical rain forest tree species: a basis for the development of silvicultural technology

The physiological characteristics of the dominant tree species in the tropical rain forest mainly belonging to dipterocarps as well as the environmental conditions especially for the light in the forest were studied to establish the silvicultural system for the forest regeneration in the tropical South Asia. The flowering patterns of the dipterocarp trees are usually irregular and unpredictable, which make difficult to collect sufficient seeds for raising the seedlings. The field survey revealed the diverged features of the so-called gregarious or simultaneous flowering of various species of this group. Appropriate conditions and methods for the storage of the seeds were established according to the detailed analyses of the morphological and physiological characteristics of the seeds such as the low temperature tolerance and the moisture contents. The intensity and spectra of the light in the forest primarily determine the growth and the morphological development of the seedlings under the canopy. Based on the measurements of the diffused light at the sites in the tropical forest in the varying sunlight, the parameters such as "the steady state of the diffuse light" and "the turning point" were defined, which were useful to evaluate the light conditions in the forest. To improve the survival of the transplanted seedlings, a planting method of "the bare-root seedlings", the seedlings easy to be handled by removal of all leaves, soil and pots, was developed. Its marked efficiency was proved with various dipterocarps and other tropical trees by the field trial in the practical scale. Tolerance of the various species to the extreme environmental conditions such as fires, acid soils and drought were examined by the experiments and the field survey, which revealed marked adaptability of Shorea roxburghii as a potential species for regeneration of the tropical forests.     

Platelet aggregation in the formation of tumor metastasis

Metastasis is the major cause of death from cancer, yet the optimal strategy against it remains uncertain. The pathogenesis of hematogenous metastasis is dynamic and consists of the following steps: 1) detachment of tumor cells from the primary site, 2) invasion into the host's blood vessels, 3) migration in the host's blood stream, 4) transport along the circulation, 5) arrest in or adhesion to the capillary in a distant organ, 6) extravasation, and 7) proliferation within the foreign tissues. A key to successful hematogenous metastasis is tumor survival in the bloodstream because most circulating tumor cells are rapidly destroyed by the shear forces or are attacked by the immune system. Less than 0.01% of these cells result in metastasis. Tumor cell-induced platelet aggregation has been reported to facilitate hematogenous metastasis by increasing the arrest of tumor cell emboli in the microcirculation. Platelet aggregation is also believed to protect tumor cells from immunological assault in the circulation. We have identified Aggrus as a platelet-aggregating factor expressed on a number of human cancers. Because hematogenous metastasis is reduced when neutralizing antibodies or eliminating carbohydrates attenuates Aggrus function, Aggrus's main contribution to hematogenous metastasis of Aggrus-expressing cells, then, is by promoting platelet aggregation. Aggrus could serve as an ideal target for drug development to block metastasis.     

Molecular evolution of mitochondrial introns in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha

We here describe in detail the characterization and molecular evolution of group II introns in the mitochondrial genome of the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. We find that 18 introns of the 25 group II introns can be assigned by their similarities to six clusters, indicating an intra-genomic propagation of one ancestral intron each into the respective clusters in the liverwort mitochondrial genome. Interestingly, the intra-genomic propagation of some of these introns occurred only after the evolutionary separation of the bryophytes from the other clades of plants. Finally we report that the maturase-like sequences in the liverwort group II introns have further evolved by horizontal and independent transposition and substitution by analogous sequences from other fungal introns.     

Discovery of radioactive silver (110mAg) in spiders and other fauna in the terrestrial environment after the meltdown of Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant

Six months after the explosion of TEPCO’s Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, radioactive silver (^110mAg), was detected in concentrations of 3754 Bq/kg in Nephila clavata (the orb-web spider; Joro-gumo in Japanese) collected at Nimaibashi, Iitate village in Fukushima Prefecture, whereas ^110mAg in the soil was 43.1 Bq/kg. A survey of 35 faunal species in the terrestrial environment during the 3.5 years after the accident showed that most of Anthropoda had two orders higher ^110mAg in their tissues than soils, although silver is not an essential element for their life. However, tracing of the activity of ^110mAg detected in spider Atypus karschi collected regularly at a fixed location showed that it declined much faster than the physical half-life. These results suggest that ^110mAg was at once biologically concentrated by faunal species, especially Arthropoda, through food chain. The factors affecting the subsequent rapid decline of ^110mAg concentration in faunal species are discussed.     

Immunochemistry of pathogenic yeast, Candida species, focusing on mannan

This review describes recent findings based on structural and immunochemical analyses of the cell wall mannan of Candida albicans, and other medically important Candida species. Mannan has been shown to consist of α-1,2-, α-1,3-, α-1,6-, and β-1,2-linked mannopyranose units with few phosphate groups. Each Candida species has a unique mannan structure biosynthesized by sequential collaboration between species-specific mannosyltransferases. In particular, the β-1,2-linked mannose units have been shown to comprise a characteristic oligomannosyl side chain that is strongly antigenic. For these pathogenic Candida species, cell-surface mannan was also found to participate in the adhesion to the epithelial cells, recognition by innate immune receptors and development of pathogenicity. Therefore, clarification of the precise chemical structure of Candida mannan is indispensable for understanding the mechanism of pathogenicity, and for development of new antifungal drugs and immunotherapeutic procedures.     

Static dissolution rate of tungsten film versus chemical adjustments of a reused slurry for chemical mechanical polishing

Tungsten is widely used as deposited layer for the multi-level interconnection structures of wafers. The chemical composition of abrasive slurry plays an important role in chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process. Removal of tungsten is driven by complex oxidation mechanisms between slurry components. The slurry for tungsten CMP generally contains oxidizer, iron catalyst, complexing agents and stabilizers in a pH adjusted solution of abrasive particles. Interaction between iron complex and H₂O₂ in the slurry is the main factor governing the chemical mode of material removal, oxidation potencies and kinetics.In this study, we investigate the effects of chemical additives in silica (SiO₂)-based slurry on the removal rate of the tungsten film. Experiments were carried out in static batch as a preliminary study to understand and optimize chemical mechanisms in CMP-Tungsten process. Experiment designs were conducted to understand the influence of the chemical additives on the main performances of W-CMP. Used slurry, concentrated and retreated with chemical adjustments, is compared to the original slurry as a reference.     

Theoretical calculation of of B-like ions： photoionization cross sections N^2＋, O^3＋ and F^4＋

There can be found some notable discrepancies with regard to the resonance structures when R-matrix calculations from the Opacity Project and other sources are compared with recent absolute experimental measurements of Bizau et al [Astron.Astrophts.439 387(2005)] for B-like ions N2+,O3+ and F4+.We performed close-coupling calculations based on the R-matrix formalism for the photoionizations of ions mentioned above both for the ground states and first excited states in the near threshold regions.The present results are compared with experimental ones given by Bizau et al and earlier theoretical ones.Excellent agreement is obtained between our theoretical results and the experimental photoionization cross sections.The present calculations show a significant improvement over the previous theoretical results.     

Application of ToF-SIMS to the study on heartwood formation in Cryptomeria japonica trees

Influence of gold- and carbon-coating on ToF-SIMS analysis of Cryptomeria japonica (Sugi) wood has been investigated to apply the samples after observing water distribution by cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) or analyzing distribution of metal elements by SEM with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM/EDX) to ToF-SIMS analysis to study the mechanism of heartwood formation of woody plants. The intensities of peaks at the m/z 285 ion in positive mode and the m/z 283 ion in negative mode from gold- and carbon-coated samples were compared with from those of non-coated samples. Those peaks were apparently attributable to ferruginol, a typical heartwood compounds in Sugi tree. From both gold- and non-coated samples, positive m/z 285 ions were generated. On the other hand, in negative mode, the intensity of m/z 283 ion was decreased after coating with gold. From carbon-coated samples, intensities of both positive m/z 285 ion and negative m/z 283 ion were decreased. These results suggest that the samples coated with gold for cryo-SEM could be applied to ToF-SIMS analysis directly to investigate the relation between water distribution and distribution of heartwood substances in heartwood-forming Sugi trees. However, non-coated samples should be used for SEM/EDX before analyzing by ToF-SIMS.     

Synthesis and characterization of axially periodic Zn2SnO4 dendritic nanostructures

Zn2SnO4 （ZTO） nanowires with a unique dendritic nanostructure were synthesized via a simple one-step thermal evaporation and condensation process. The morphology and microstructure of the ZTO nanodendrite have been investigated by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, x-ray diffraction （XRD） and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy （HRTEM）. SEM observation revealed the formation of branched nanostructures and showed that each branch exhibited a unique periodic structure formed by a row of overlaid rhombohedra of ZTO nanocrystals along the axis of the nanobranch. HRTEM studies displayed that the branches grew homoepitaxially as single-crystalline nanowires from the ZTO nanowire backbone. A possible growth model of the branched ZTO nanowires is discussed. To successfully prepare branched structures would provide an opportunity for both fundamental research and practical applications, such as three-dimensional nanoelectronics, and opto-electronic nanodevices.     

Highly sensitive room-temperature gas sensors based on hydrothermal synthesis of Cr2O3 hollow nanospheres

This paper reports that Cr₂O₃ hollow nanospheres（HNs） were synthesized via a hydrothermal approach and characterized by scanning electron microscopy,x-ray powder diffraction,transmission electron microscopy（TEM）,selective area electron diffraction and high resolution TEM,respectively.In addition,the room-temperature（RT） gas sensing properties of Cr2O3 HNs and conventional powders（CPs） were investigated by means of the surface photovoltage technique.The experimental data demonstrate that the RT gas sensor of the as-fabricated HNs reaches below 5 ppm whereas that of the CPs is about 40 ppm,which results from there being much more adsorbed and desorbed oxygen in HNs than in CPs at RT.The as-prepared Cr₂O₃ HNs could have potential applications as RT nanosensors.     

分子动力学模拟不同组分下CaO-Al2O3-SiO2系玻璃微观结构的转变

采用分子动力学模拟的方法研究了CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂系玻璃的微观结构，发现Ca/Al=1/2时CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂系玻璃(网硅酸盐体系)并不像传统理论认为的那样是一个完整的三维网络，而是存在一定量的非桥氧，从而从理论上进一步证实了Stebins等人的实验结果.同时也发现不同的Ca/Al比对Si和Al键接方式产生重要影响，在Ca/Al>1/2时，Al比Si容易成为网络的中间体，其首先插入网络体中间；在Ca/Al<1/2时，Si比Al容易成为网络中间体.虽然在能量上Al—O—Si占有扰势，但当Ca/Al从大于1/2变化到小于1/2时，仍有部分Al—O—Si转变成Al—O—Al和Si—O—Si，丰富了Al自回避规则的内容. 关键词： 2O₃-SiO₂')" href="#">CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ 玻璃 微观结构 分子动力学     

Synthesis, structure and antiferromagnetic behaviour of brannerite MnV2O6

Brannerite MnV 2 O 6 with plate-like shape is successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method.Its crystal structure and morphology are investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD),scanning electron microscopy (SEM),transmission electron microscope (TEM),high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and select area electronic diffraction (SAED).The results show that the brannerite MnV 2 O 6 with monoclinic structure has a uniform plate-like shape with a diameter of about 5-8 μm and a thickness of about 500 nm.SAED patterns further confirm the structure of the brannerite MnV 2 O 6 and the single crystalline character of the plate crystal.Magnetic properties are measured by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) in a temperature range of 2-300 K under a magnetic field of 1 T.The magnetic measurement results indicate that the material undergoes an antiferromagnetic transition with a N’eel temperature of 17 K.Above 50 K,the inverse susceptibility is fitted well to the Curie-Weiss law with a calculated moment of 5.98 μ B.Finally,the origin of antiferromagnetic behaviour in the brannerite MnV 2 O 6 is explained by means of Anderson model.     

强冲击压缩下LiF，Al2O3和LiTaO3单晶的透光性

在二级轻气炮上，用高速电子相机扫描照相技术和改进的Mallory实验装置，对z切LiF，Al₂O₃(蓝宝石)和LiTaO₃单晶材料的冲击透光性进行了对比测量，并用黑密度计提取出动态图像定量化的光强对比度变化曲线.结果表明，LiF单晶在102 GPa压强下能够保持长时间的初始透光性不变，与公认的LiF具有优良的高压下透明性的认识一致.LiTaO₃单晶在实验压力(139GPa)下变成基本不透明.而Al_{关键词： 2}O₃')" href="#">Al₂O₃ LiF 3')" href="#">LiTaO₃ 光学透明性     

NaREO2 (RE= Lu，Y) 的制备及其结构的研究

用高温固相法制备了NaLuO2和NaYO2晶体粉体.制备纯相的NaLuO2粉体晶体困难,而制备纯相NaYO2粉体晶体相对容易.为了测定NaLuO2产物中含少量Lu2O3不纯相的量,用X射线衍射绝标法确定了样品中这两者的重量比和谱峰比的关系,得到了绝标法常数kLu2O3关键词： 2')" href="#">NaLuO2 2')" href="#">NaYO2 2O3')" href="#">Lu2O3 XRD定量分析 稀土发光     

Synthesis and characterization of Sr3Al2O6：Eu2＋, Dy3＋ phosphors prepared by sol-gel-combustion processing

A type of red luminescent Sr3Al2O6:Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphor powder is synthesised by sol-gel-combustion processing, with metal nitrates used as the source of metal ions and citric acid as a chelating agent of metal ions. By tracing the formation process of the sol-gel, it is found that it is necessary to reduce the amount of NO3- by dropping ethanol into the solution for forming a stable and homogeneous sol-gel. Thermogravimetric and Differential Scanning Calorimeter Analysis, x-ray diffractionmeter, scanning electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy are used to investigate the luminescent properties of the as-synthesised Sr3Al2O6:Eu2+, Dy3+. The results reveal that the Sr3Al2O6 crystallises completely when the combustion ash is sintered at 1250 C. The excitation and the emission spectra indicate that the excitation broadband lies mainly in a visible range and the phosphors emit a strong light at 618 nm under the excitation of 472 nm. The afterglow of (Sr0.94Eu0.03Dy0.03)3Al2O6 phosphors sintered at 1250 ℃ lasts for over 1000 s when the excited source is cut off.     

Si基Bi4Ti3O12铁电薄膜的制备与特性研究

采用sol-gel工艺, 在分层快速退火的工艺条件下成功地制备了高质量Si基Bi_{4Ti3O12铁电薄膜. 研究了Si基Bi4Ti3O12薄膜的生长行为、铁电性能、C-V特性和疲劳特性. 研究表明: Si基Bi4Ti3O12薄膜具有随退火温度升高沿c轴择优生长的趋势; 退火温度通过影响薄膜的晶粒尺寸、生长取向和薄膜中载流子的浓度来改变Si基Bi关键词： sol-gel法 铁电薄膜 4Ti3O12')" href="#">Bi4Ti3O12 C-V特性}     

High-throughput characterization of BixY3−xFe5O12 combinatorial thin films by magneto-optical imaging technique

Bi_xY_3−xFe₅O₁₂ thin films have been grown on GGG (Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂) (1 1 1) substrates by the combinatorial composition-spread techniques under substrate temperature (T_sub) ranging from 410 to 700 °C and O₂ pressure of 200 mTorr. In order to study the effect of substrates on the deposition of Bi_xY_3−xFe₅O₁₂ thin films, garnet substrates annealed at 1300 °C for 3 h were also used. Magneto-optical properties were characterized by our home-designed magneto-optical imaging system. From the maps of Faraday rotation angle θ_F, it was evident that the Faraday effect appears only when T_sub = 430-630 °C. θ_F reaches to the maximum value (∼6°/μm, λ = 632 nm) at 500 °C, and is proportional to the Bi contents. XRD and EPMA analyses showed that Bi ions are easier to substitute for Y sites and better crystallinity is obtained for annealed substrates than for commercial ones.     

Synthesis and characterization of Ca2Sn1-xCexO4 with blue luminescence originating from Ce^4＋ charge transfer transition

Ce^4＋-doped Ca2SnO4 with a one-dimensional structure, which emits bright blue light, is prepared by using a solid-state reaction method. The x-ray diffraction results show that the Ce^4＋ ions doped in Ca2SnO4 occupy the Sn^4＋ sites. The excitation and emission spectra of Ca2Sn1-xCexO4 appear to have broad bands with peaks at - 268nm and -442nm, respectively. A long excited-state lifetime （-83μs） for the emission from Ca2Sn1-xCexO4 suggests that the luminescence originates from a ligand-to-metal Ce^4＋ charge transfer （CT）. The luminescent properties of Ca2Snl_xCexO4 have been compared with those of Sr2CeO4, which is the only material reported so far to show Ce^4＋ CT luminescence. More interestingly, it is observed that the emission intensity of Ca2Sn1-xCexO4 with a small doping concentration （x - 0.03） is comparable to that of Sr2CeO4 in which the concentration of active centre is 100%.