Expression patterns of antioxidant proteins in brains of patients with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease

Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and Western blot analysis, we were able to identify and quantify six antioxidant proteins, peroxiredoxin (Prx) I, Prx II, Prx III, 1-Cys Prx, putative peroxisomal antioxidant enzyme (PLP), and mitochondrial Mn superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) in two individual brain regions, cerebellum and frontal cortex of patients with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jacob (sCJD). Among six antioxidant proteins, 1-Cys Prx showed significant increase (P > 0.05) in sCJD frontal cortex whereas Prx I was decreased (P > 0.01). In cerebellum, levels of all antioxidant proteins studied were comparable to those of controls. Our findings provide evidence for the link between aberrant expression of antioxidant proteins, 1-Cys Prx and Prx I and CJD neuropathogenesis and we discuss the neuropathological meaning of these dysregulated antioxidant proteins in sCJD brain.     

Upregulation of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) and gelatinases in human atherosclerosis infected with Chlamydia pneumoniae: the potential role of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in the progression of atherosclerosis

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection implicated as an important etiologic factor of atherosclerosis, especially in coronary artery disease (CAD), was found in vitro to be associated with the induction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). An extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN)/ membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) system which induces and activates MMPs, is suggested to be functional and were upregulated in the failing myocardium. However, the upstream regulation of MMPs by C. pneumoniae within atheroma itself remains unclear. We evaluated the seroepidemiologic study of C. pneumoniae infection in CAD patients (n= 391) and controls (n=97) and performed histopathological and in vitro analysis in atherosclerotic vascular tissues obtained from patients with seropositive to C. pneumoniae (n=20), by using immunochemistry for C. pneumoniae, EMMPRIN/MT1-MMP, MMP-2, and MMP-9. The seropositive rates of both anti-C. pneumoniae IgG and IgA were 56.7% in CAD group and 43.3% in control group (P=0.033). Seropositive rate was increased in subgroups of CAD patients without conventional coronary risk factors compared to those with conventional risk factors. Immunoreactivities of EMMPRIN, MT1-MMP, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were increased in the atheromatous plaque itself, predominantly in immunoreactive macrophages/mononuclear cells to C. pneumoniae. Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that EMMPRIN and MMP-2 were detected more prominently in atherosclerotic tissues infected with C. pneumoniae compared to control tissues. Zymographic analysis revealed that activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were more increased in atherosclerotic tissues infected with C. pneumoniae compared to control tissues. The present study demonstrated upstream regulation of MMPs can be induced by C. pneumoniae within atheromatous plaque itself. These findings help to understand the potential role of C. pneumoniae in the progression of atherosclerosis.     

Catalytic and highly regiospecific carbon-carbon bond formation at alpha-position of Michael acceptor by palladium complex

Activated olefins react with allyl acetates and Bu3SnH in the presence of a catalytic amount of a palladium catalyst to afford the corresponding products which construct a new C-C bond selectively at the alpha-position of Michael acceptors.     

Contrasting friction and diffusion in molecularly thin confined films

We study, using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, translational diffusion in molecularly thin liquids confined within a surface forces apparatus. The diffusion coefficient decreases exponentially from the edges towards the center of the Hertzian contact and further suggests the presence of a small number of distinct diffusion processes. This holds alike a crystallizable fluid (OMCTS) and a glass-former (1,2-propane diol), both of which displayed static friction. We conclude that friction, the average of an ensemble of molecules, masked massively heterogeneous molecular mobility.     

A shock-tube measurement of the SiO(E1Σ+ − X1Σ+) transition moment

The sum of the squares of the electronic transition moments, Σ|R_e|², for the E¹Σ⁺ ?X¹Σ⁺ band system of SiO has been determined from absorption measurements conducted in the reflected-shock region of a shock tube. The test gas was produced by shock-heating a mixture of SiCl₄, N₂O and Ar, and the spectra were recorded photographically in the 150–230 nm wavelength range. The values of the Σ|R_e|² were determined by comparing the measured absorption spectra with those produced by a line-be-line synthetic spectrum calculation. The value of the Σ|R_e|² so deduced at an r-centroid value of 3.0 Bohr was 0.86±0.10 atomic units.     

Release of N(2) from the carbon nanotubes via high-temperature annealing

Nitrogen (N)-doped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were heated to 1000 degrees C under an ultrahigh vacuum. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) reveal three different N structures; graphitelike, pyridine-like, and molecular N(2). The vibrationally resolved XANES peaks of N(2) were first observed, suggesting the existence of molecular N(2) as intercalated and trapped forms. The annealing process can decrease the average N content from 6.3 at. % to 3.3 at. %, mainly by releasing molecular N(2). Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) confirms that the annealing releases molecular N(2) from the CNTs.     

Complete condensation in a zero range process on scale-free networks

We study a zero range process on scale-free networks in order to investigate how network structure influences particle dynamics. The zero range process is defined with the rate p(n) = n(delta) at which particles hop out of nodes with n particles. We show analytically that a complete condensation occurs when delta < or = delta(c) triple bond 1/(gamma-1) where gamma is the degree distribution exponent of the underlying networks. In the complete condensation, those nodes whose degree is higher than a threshold are occupied by macroscopic numbers of particles, while the other nodes are occupied by negligible numbers of particles. We also show numerically that the relaxation time follows a power-law scaling tau approximately L(z) with the network size L and a dynamic exponent z in the condensed phase.     

Enhanced luminescence in ZnGa<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4-x</Subscript>S<Subscript>x</Subscript>:Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> thin-film phosphors grown on MgO(100) substrate

Mn-doped ZnGa₂O_4-xS_x thin-film phosphors have been grown using a pulsed laser deposition technique at varying growth conditions. Structural characterization was carried out on a series of ZnGa₂O_4-xS_x:Mn²⁺ films grown on MgO(100) substrates using Zn-rich ceramic targets. Oxygen pressure was fixed at 100 mTorr and substrate temperatures were varied from 500 to 700 °C. The results of X-ray-diffraction patterns showed that the lattice constants of the ZnGa₂O_3.95S_0.05:Mn²⁺ thin films decrease with the substitution of sulfur for the oxygen in ZnGa₂O₄. Measurements of photoluminescence (PL) properties of ZnGa₂O_4-xS_x:Mn²⁺ thin films have indicated that MgO(100) is one of the most promising substrates for the growth of high-quality ZnGa₂O_4-xS_x:Mn²⁺ thin films. In particular, the incorporation of sulfur into the ZnGa₂O₄ lattice could induce a remarkable increase of PL. The highest green-emission intensity was observed with ZnGa₂O_3.95S_0.05:Mn²⁺ films, whose brightness was increased by a factor of 3.5 in comparison with that of ZnGa₂O₄:Mn²⁺ films. This phosphor may be promising for application to flat-panel displays. PACS 78.20.-e; 78.55.-m; 78.66.-w     

Polymerized ion pair amphiphile vesicles with pH-sensitive transformation and controlled release property

Ion pair amphiphiles (IPA) composed of one proton-deionizable single or double alkyl chain ammonium surfactant and one anionic carboxylate surfactant with polymerizable dithiolane ring are prepared to develop polymerized microcapsules that can recognize pH change and transform itself under basic condition, thus releasing encapsulated materials at the desired point. Combination of pH-sensitivity and polymeric solid structure, if fully developed, endows the IPA vesicle with smart function that is highly valuable in drug delivery application. Reasons for such high pH-sensitive vesicle transformation are sought from combined physical properties such as turbidity, zeta potential, surface tension, and release rate of marker through the vesicle membrane.