Kinetics and isotype profile of antibody responses in rhesus macaques induced following vaccination with HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 L1-virus-like particles formulated with or without Merck aluminum adjuvant

BACKGROUND: Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the most common sexually transmitted viruses. Infection of the cervical epithelium by HPVs can lead to the development of cervical cancer. Recent advances in vaccine research have shown that immunization with papillomavirus-like particles (VLPs) containing the major structural viral protein, L1 from HPV 16 can provide protection from the establishment of a chronic HPV 16 infection and related cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in baseline HPV 16 naive women. METHODS: To better understand the quantitative and qualitative effects of aluminum adjuvant on the immunogenic properties of an HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18L1 VLP vaccine, we used an HPV-specific, antibody isotyping assay and a competitive immunoassay that measures antibodies to neutralizing epitopes to profile sera from rhesus macaques immunized with the HPV L1 VLP vaccine formulated with or without aluminum adjuvant. RESULTS: Immunization with VLPs formulated with the aluminum adjuvant elicited a significantly stronger immune response with higher peak antibody titers both at four weeks post vaccination (12.7 to 41.9-fold higher) as well as in the persistent phase at week 52 (4.3 to 26.7-fold higher) than that of VLPs alone. Furthermore, the aluminum adjuvant formulated HPV VLP vaccine elicited a predominantly T helper type 2 response, with high levels of IgG1 and IgG4 and low levels of IgG2. The vaccine also elicited high levels of serum IgA, which may be important in providing mucosal immunity to impart protection in the anogenital tract. CONCLUSION: These results show that the HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 L1-VLP vaccine formulated with Merck aluminum adjuvant elicits a robust and durable immune response and holds promise as a vaccine for preventing cervical cancer.     

类Ne等电子系列离子(Z=11,…,18)2p~53s—2p~6辐射跃迁的多组态相对论理论计算

利用多组态DiracFock(MCDF)理论方法,系统研究了延迟、相关和相对论效应对类Ne等电子系列离子(Z=11,…,18)的较低的激发组态2p53s和基组态2p6的能级结构及其能级之间辐射跃迁特性的影响.给出了2p53s1,3P01—2p61S0电偶极(E1)共振和复合跃迁、2p53s3P02—2p61S0磁四极(M2)跃迁和2p53s3P00—2p53s3P01磁偶极(M1)跃迁的跃迁能以及激发态1P01,3P00,3P01,3P02的辐射寿命,所得结果与最新实验观测和其他理论计算进行了比较 关键词： MCDF方法 延迟和相关效应 跃迁概率     

Rotational analysis of the 0–9, 0–10 and 0–11 bands of theA 2II u -X 2II g band system of (16O18O)+

High-resolution spectra of the 0–9, 0–10 and 0–11 bands of theA ²II _u —X ²II _g system of (¹⁶O¹⁸O)⁺ ion have been studied for their rotational structure. This study enables a direct determination of the Λ-doubling parameters of theA ²II _u andX ²II _g states. The model of ‘pure precession’ explains, though not entirely, the Λ-doubling of theX ²II _a state as arising out of its interaction with theB ² Σ _g ⁻ state. The Λ-doubling in theA ²II _u state was found insignificant.     

Mass asymmetry dependence of fusion time-scales in11B+237Np and12C,16O,19F+232Th reactions in a dynamical trajectory model

Dynamical trajectory calculations were carried out for the reactions of¹¹B+²³⁷Np and¹²C,¹⁶O and¹⁹F+²³²Th, having mass asymmetries on either side of the Businaro-Gallone critical mass asymmetry α_BG, in order to examine the mass asymmetry dependence of fusion reactions in these systems. The compound nucleus formation times were calculated as a function of the partial wave of the reaction for all the systems. This study brings out that for systems with α<α_BG, the formation times are significantly larger than for α>α_BG, which is caused by the dynamical effects involved in the large scale shape changes taking place in the fusion process as well as due to the interplay between the thermal and the collective motion during the collision process. The calculated time scales are comparable to the experimental values derived from the pre-fission neutron multiplicity measurements.     

Anisotropy of the electrical conductivity in W-type hexagonal ferrites BaFe18O27 and BaCo2Fe16O27 from first principles

The electronic ground structure and the anisotropy of the electrical conductivity in W-type hexagonal ferrite BaFe₁₈O₂₇ and BaCo₂Fe₁₆O₂₇ have been investigated using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) plus Hubbard U (GGA+U) calculation. In BaFe₁₈O₂₇, because of the presence of mixed valence states at Fe 6g sites, a half metallic peak appears in energy gap and it results in an “electrical conductive layer”. Using a model in which Fe at 6g sites is assumed to be partially replaced by Co, the electronic ground structure of BaCo₂Fe₁₆O₂₇ and the origin of the electrical conductive anisotropy have been studied. Replacement of Fe at 6g site of BaFe₁₈O₂₇ by Co causes the mixed valence states of Fe cations at 6g sites to vanish and the carrier density to lower. Also, it is shown that effective mass of carrier along c axis is much heavier than that perpendicular to c axis in both of materials from electronic energy band calculation. This is the reason why the electrical resistivities of both materials along c axis are much higher than that perpendicular to axis.     

Influence of temperature and ethanol content on aggregation of rhodamine 6G molecules in aqueous ethanol solutions

The effect of temperature on absorption spectra of Rhodamine 6G at concentrations of 10⁻⁶ and 10⁻³ M in water:ethanol solutions of various ethanol content was studied. The dimeric molecular fraction of Rhodamine 6G (10⁻³ M) was found as a function of temperature and ethanol content in the aqueous solution. It was shown that the absorption spectrum of Rhodamine 6G dimers (10⁻³ M) is dependent on temperature and ethanol content in the aqueous solution. Based on the relationship between J-and H-bands in the absorption spectrum of Rhodamine 6G dimers, both the angle between planes of associated Rhodamine 6G dye molecules and the free enthalpy of association were calculated. The structure of Rhodamine 6G dimers depends essentially on the ethanol content and aqueous ethanol solution temperature while experiencing the most temperature changes at an ethanol concentration of 25%. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 75, No. 5, pp. 640–645, September–October, 2008.     

Effects of acid anions,major metallic elements,and chlorides on Li detection by DFWM in graphite furnace

In trace Li analysis with degenerate four-wave mixing （DFWM） method, acid anions and major metallic elements are dominant interferences in Li-eontaining samples. To better use DFWM technique to analyze trace Li in actual samples, we study their effects on Li DFWM signal intensity. It is found that K, Cs, and Ni can enhance the Li DFWM signal, SO4^2, PO^34-, Cl-, and Ca can cause significant suppression, and NO3-, Mg, Ba, Sr, and Na almost have no effects. Finally, we use HaBOa to eliminate the depressive effects of chlorides on Li DFWM signal. The result is also of reference in other trace elements analysis with DFWM.     

利用幂律尾指数的中国降水突变检测与归因

利用中国气象局国家气候中心740站点1960—2000年日降水观测资料,研究日降水幂律尾指数随时间的演变特征,结果表明中国华北、东北和西北地区0—7mm日降水幂律尾指数在1979—1980年之间发生突变,由此推测中国北方地区的大尺度气候背景在上世纪70年代末80年代初曾出现较大变化.该突变与厄尔尼诺和南方涛动(ENSO)综合指数联系紧密,可能是造成北方干旱化的重要原因之一.进一步分析表明,0—29mm日降水过程平稳性较好,30mm以上日降水过程平稳性相对较差,使得长期的暴雨预测面临严峻的挑战. 关键词： 幂律尾指数 突变 北方干旱化 暴雨     

Measurement of total M shell photoionization cross sections for Au,Pb, Th and U in the energy region 6–12 keV

The total M shell relative photoionization cross-sections for Au, Pb, Th and U have been measured in the energy region 6–12 keV. External conversion K X-rays of suitable elements has been employed as incident photons to photo ionize the total M shell of elements under investigation. The method provides relative cross-sections therefore does not make use of theoretically calculated average M shell fluorescence yields which involve uncertainties of the order of 20%. No evidence of deviation from calculated values of cross-sections have been observed within experimental errors for all incident photon energies.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance study of the relaxation mechanisms of the Be, Al, and Si nuclei in Cr-doped Be3Al2Si6O18 crystals

The variations with temperature of the relaxation mechanisms of the ⁹Be, ²⁷Al, and ²⁹Si nuclei in emerald (Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈:Cr³⁺) single crystals were investigated by using a pulse NMR spectrometer. The values of the spin-lattice relaxation rates for the three nuclei are different, and these differences are attributed to the differences between their Larmor frequencies and their local nuclear environments. The relaxation rates of the ⁹Be and ²⁷Al nuclei undergo no abrupt changes within the temperature range 180-400 K, which indicates that there are no phase transitions within this temperature range. The spin-lattice relaxation rates of ⁹Be and ²⁷Al were found to be proportional to temperature. Therefore, the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation processes of these two nuclei proceed via single-phonon processes.     

Magnetic, magnetoelastic and structural properties of Co82 P18, Fe80B13 Si4C3 and Fe73.5 Cu1Nb3 Si15.5B7 amorphous ribbons after consecutive heat cycles in vacuum

Summary  Amorphous ferromagnetic ribbons, with basic differences in production technique, in thermal stability and devetrification modality, were investigated to compare some of their magnetic, magnetoelastic and structural properties after repeated annealing cycles in vacuum. In particular, differences in structural relaxation, measured by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, were related to effects on magnetic permeability, magnetoelastic wave amplitude and crystallization occurrence.     

The effects of Ce6-mediated sono-photodynamic therapy on cell migration,apoptosis and autophagy in mouse mammary 4T1 cell line

Purpose

Sono-Photodynamic therapy (SPDT) is an alternative therapy which claims to enhance the anti-cancer effects by combining sonodynamic therapy (SDT) with photodynamic therapy (PDT). In the present study, we investigated the effects of chlorin e6 (Ce6) mediated SPDT on migration, apoptosis and autophagy in mouse mammary 4T1 cancer cells, and its underlying mechanisms.

Materials

Cell migration was determined by wound healing assay. Apoptosis was analyzed using annexin V-PE/7-ADD staining as well as Hoechst 33342 staining. Changes of mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) was evaluated by flow cytometry. Formation of acidic vesicular organelles (AVOs) during autophagy was observed with fluorescence microscope by MDC staining. Immunofluorescence assays were performed to detect the co-localization of LC3 and Lamp2. Western blotting was employed to analyze the activity of the apoptosis related proteins Caspase-3, PARP, Bax and Bcl-2, as well as the autophagy associated processing of LC3-I to LC3-II and Beclin-1 expression.

Results

Ce6 mediated SPDT further enhanced cell migration inhibition, significantly triggered cell apoptosis, nuclear condensation and MMP drop. Cleaved Caspase-3 and PARP increased dramatically after Ce6-SPDT, accompanied by decreased Bcl-2 expression, while the expression of Bax remained stable. Additionally, AVOs formation, co-localization of LC3 and Lamp2 occurred following Ce6-SPDT and simultaneously accompanied by LC3-II processing and increased Beclin-1 expression.

Conclusions

Ce6-SPDT could enhance cell migration inhibition, and induce mitochondria-dependent apoptosis as well as autophagy in 4T1 cells.     

A study of the proton resonant property in 22Mg by elastic scattering of 21Na + p and its astrophysical implication in the 18Ne(α, p)21Na reaction rate

Proton resonances in ²²Mg have been investigated by the resonant elastic scattering of ²¹ Na + p . The ²¹Na beam with a mean energy of 4.00 MeV/nucleon was separated by the CNS radioactive-ion-beam separator (CRIB) and bombarded a thick ( CH_{2 n} target. The energy spectra of recoiled protons were measured at scattering angles of θ_c.m. ≈ 172^° , 146^° , respectively. Several excited states observed before have been confirmed including two states (at 6.616, 6.796 MeV) observed at TRIUMF. A new state at 7.06 MeV has been observed, and another new one at 7.28 MeV is tentatively identified due to its low statistics. The proton resonant parameters were deduced from an R -matrix analysis of the differential cross-section data with a SAMMY-M6-BETA code. The astrophysical implication for the ¹⁸ Ne(α, p)²¹ Na reaction has been briefly discussed.     

Effects of sea surface temperature, cloud radiative and microphysical processes, and diurnal variations on rainfall in equilibrium cloud-resolving model simulations

The effects of sea surface temperature(SST),cloud radiative and microphysical processes,and diurnal variations on rainfall statistics are documented with grid data from the two-dimensional equilibrium cloud-resolving model simulations.For a rain rate of higher than 3 mm.h 1,water vapor convergence prevails.The rainfall amount decreases with the decrease of SST from 29℃ to 27℃,the inclusion of diurnal variation of SST,or the exclusion of microphysical effects of ice clouds and radiative effects of water clouds,which are primarily associated with the decreases in water vapor convergence.However,the amount of rainfall increases with the increase of SST from 29℃ to 31℃,the exclusion of diurnal variation of solar zenith angle,and the exclusion of the radiative effects of ice clouds,which are primarily related to increases in water vapor convergence.For a rain rate of less than 3 mm.h 1,water vapor divergence prevails.Unlike rainfall statistics for rain rates of higher than 3 mm.h 1,the decrease of SST from 29℃ to 27℃ and the exclusion of radiative effects of water clouds in the presence of radiative effects of ice clouds increase the rainfall amount,which corresponds to the suppression in water vapor divergence.The exclusion of microphysical effects of ice clouds decreases the amount of rainfall,which corresponds to the enhancement in water vapor divergence.The amount of rainfall is less sensitive to the increase of SST from 29℃ to 31℃ and to the radiative effects of water clouds in the absence of the radiative effects of ice clouds.     

Effect of glutaphen on generation of active oxygen species, photosynthetic electron transport, and the functional activity of photosystem 2 in Chlorella cells

Treatment of chlorella green algae (Chlorella sp.) for 2 h in the dark with the photodynamic herbicide glutaphen (GTP), consisting of 0.3 mM 1,10-phenanthroline and 0.6 mM glutamic acid, followed by illumination leads to efficient generation of active oxygen species (AOS). After 15 min of illumination, AOS accumulation reaches 200% compared with the level in cells of the control culture, then it decreases down to 130% and 115% after 1 day and 3 days of illumination. During the first few days after treatment, we observe inhibition of synthesis of a specific precursor of chlorophyll (Chl): 5-aminolevulinic acid molecules, and then we observe stimulation of the synthesis. The effect of GTP on the photosynthetic activity of chlorella does not depend on the AOS level but rather remains uniform, in contrast to its effect on the Chl biosynthesis system. GTP does not change the efficiency of light harvesting and charge separation at the reaction centers of photosystem (PS) 2, but significantly lowers the functional efficiency of the electron transport chain: the photochemical quenching constants for Chl a fluorescence and the effective quantum yield of photochemical reactions in photosystem 2 decrease. The major mechanism of action for GTP is probably displacement of the secondary quinone acceptor Q_B from its binding site on the D1 protein by the 1,10-phenanthroline, consequent inhibition of electron efflux from Q _A ⁻ and increase in the fraction of Q_B-nonreducing centers of PS 2. The active oxygen species generated in the cells have a photodegradative effect on the Chl biosynthesis system, in particular on its initial steps, and do not involve already formed pigment-protein complexes of PS 2. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 73, No. 6, pp. 801–806, November–December, 2006.     

Additivity and non-additivity of dissociation energies in intermolecular interactions. Theoretical studies on (H2)n,n = 2-8, (CO2)n,n = 2-6 and (HF)n,n = 2-8

CCSD(T) and MP2 results using the aug-cc-pV5Z basis set are reported for chain, cyclic and other structures of the clusters (H₂)_n, n?=?2-8, (CO₂)_n, n?=?2-6 and (HF)_n, n?=?2-8. In chain-like structures of (H₂)_n and (CO₂)_n, with the bonding type of the dimer maintained, the dissociation energy D_e of the dimer doubles for the trimer, triples for the tetramer, and so on. Due to these systems being dominated by short-range forces, interactions are essentially restricted to neighbouring monomers. For other types of (H₂)_n and (CO₂)_n structures, the multipliers relative to the dimerisation energy can be much higher. Dissociation energies for the hexamers in S₆ symmetry of both H₂ (379?cm^?1) and CO₂ (4925?cm^?1) are over ten times the respective dimerisation energies. For the chain-like trimer of HF, however, D_e is in excess of double the dimer value. Mainly due to longer-range dipolar forces, the interactions reach beyond the neighbouring monomers. The interaction energy between HF monomers in chains follows an approximate R^?2 (R being the F–F distance) relationship, The calculated dissociation energies of the HF octamer are 15,985?cm^?1 (factor of 10.4) for the chain, and 21,003?cm^?1 (factor of 13.7) for the C_6h cyclic structure.     

Some studies on the relative stabilities of the NaCl,CsCl and cubic ZnS structures in ionic crystals

The problem of the relative stability of ionic structures is still unsolved current semi-empirical theories wrongly predict the caesium halides to have the NaCl structure. We point out here that these theories also predict some of the other alkali halides to occur in cubic ZnS structure. To understand these discrepancies, we study the effect of various interactions (such as second neighbour repulsion, van der Waals interaction and differences in ionic compressibilities) on the relative stability of simple structures. The results throw into question the radius ratio approach. It is suggested that one could allow for the presence of three-body interactions by relaxing the requirement that the repulsion interaction should be strictly proportional to the number of neighbours. Such an approach might explain the relative stability of simple ionic structures.     

Size effects on cation heats of formation. IV. Methyl and ethyl substitutions in methyl,methylene, acetylene and ethene

An empirical relation between the heat of formation of molecular ions and cation size is used to study the effects of methyl and ethyl substitution of hydrogen atoms on the cations of the C_nH_m hydrocarbons methyl, methylene, acetylene and ethene. The results provide tests of the graphical method, revealing regularities and irregularities in the empirical size relation used, as well as its value as a predictive tool for determining cation and neutral heats of formation. Of the 36 C_nH_m cations studied, only 5 have heats of formation listed in the renowned ATcT tables. Some C_nH_m cation heats of formation are questioned or eliminated, mainly in cases where multiple choices are available in the literature. Proposals are made for investigating or re-investigating the ionisation energies and the heats of formation of several of the molecules studied where no data previously exist or where our analysis suggests that more reliable values are needed. The relative effects of methyl and ethyl substitution on the thermodynamic stability of the series of alkyl-substituted C_nH_m cations are discussed.