ZIP8 exacerbates collagen-induced arthritis by increasing pathogenic T cell responses

Zinc is a trace element that is essential for immune responses. Therefore, changes in cellular zinc levels in specific immune cells may influence inflammatory autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the regulation of zinc mobilization in immune cells and its role in the pathogenesis of RA are not fully understood. Thus, we investigated the roles of zinc transporters in RA pathogenesis. We demonstrated that ZIP8 was specifically upregulated in CD4⁺ T cells that infiltrated the inflamed joint and that ZIP8 deficiency in CD4⁺ T cells abrogated collagen-induced arthritis. ZIP8 deficiency dramatically affected zinc influx in effector T cells and profoundly reduced T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated signaling, including NF-κB and MAPK signaling, which are pathways that are involved in T helper (Th) 17 cell differentiation. Taken together, our findings suggest that ZIP8 depletion in CD4⁺ T cells attenuates TCR signaling due to insufficient cellular zinc, thereby reducing the function of effector CD4⁺ T cells, including Th17 cells. Our results also suggest that targeting ZIP8 may be a useful strategy to inhibit RA development and pathogenesis.Subject terms: Autoimmunity, Immunological disorders     

Speciation analysis of aluminium(III) in natural waters and biological fluids by complexing with various catechols followed by differential pulse voltammetry detection

The biological effects of aluminium have received much attention in recent years. Speciation of Al is of basic relevance as it concerns its reactivity and bioavailability. A differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) procedure is proposed for speciation analysis of Al(III) in natural waters and biological fluids using six catechols (L-dopa, dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, caffeic acid and o-benzenediol) as electroactive ligands. The decrease of the DPV anodic peak current for each catechol ligand is linear with the increase of Al concentration. This speciation analysis idea is based on the measurement of the complexation capacity, namely, different affinities of Al(III) for catechols and organic ligands under two pH conditions. The labile monomeric Al fraction (mainly inorganic aluminium) is determined at pH 4.6, while the total monomeric Al fraction is determined at pH 8.5. The principle for Al(III) speciation analysis by an electrochemical method is discussed. This sensitive and simple fractionation method is successfully applied to the speciation analysis of Al in natural waters and the results agree well with those of Driscoll's method. The speciation analysis of Al in biological fluids is also explored and the results are compared with those obtained by ultrafiltration and dialysis. Compared with other speciation protocols the electrochemical method possesses some remarkable advantages: rapidity, high sensitivity, cheap instrumentation and a simple operation procedure.     

Diels-alder reactions of 2- and 3-vinyl-1-(phenylsulfonyl)pyrroles

Regioselectively produced 2- and 3-acetyl-1-(phenylsulfonyl)pyrroles can be reduced to the corresponding alcohols and subsequently dehydrated to afford N-protected vinylpyrroles. These remarkably stable vinylpyrroles can then serve as heterodienes in [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions with electron deficient dienophiles to afford tetrahydroindole derivatives.     

Anodic stripping voltammetric determination of bismuth(III) using a Tosflex-coated mercury film electrode

A Tosflex-mercury film electrode (TMFE) was prepared by spin-coating a solution of the perfluorinated anion exchange polymer Tosflex onto a glassy carbon electrode surface followed by electrodeposition of mercury film on this electrode. This electrode was used for the determination of trace bismuth(III) which was preconcentrated onto the TMFE as anionic bismuth(III) complexes with chloride in a chloride medium. The preconcentration was carried out at a potential of-0.2 V, and the preconcentration of the bismuth(III) was enhanced significantly by the anion-exchange feature of Tosflex. The accumulated bismuth(III) was then determined by anodic square-wave stripping voltammetry (SWSV). Various parameters influencing the determination of bismuth(III) were examined in detail. With 2 min accumulation, the analytical signal versus concentration dependence was linear up to 50 ppb, and the detection limit was 0.58 ppb. This modified electrode showed good resistance to the interferences from surface-active compounds and common ions.     

Applications of benzotriazole methodology in heterocycle ring synthesis and substituent introduction and modification

Applications of benzotriazole methodology for the preparation of heterocyclic compounds are reviewed. The characteristic advantages of benzotriazole as a synthetic auxiliary are first briefly considered. This is followed by a summary of its use in ring synthesis in which the construction of small; five-membered; six-membered; and larger heterocyclic rings using benzotriazole methodology are each examined separately. Finally, consideration of the use of benzotriazole in the ring annulation - particularly benzannulation - of heterocycles. Subsequent sections deal with the introduction of substituents into aromatic heterocycles; the ring substitution of saturated heterocycles; and benzotriazole assisted modification of heterocyclic substituents. The present review supplements a recent comprehensive review of benzotriazole chemistry [1] which covers the literature through 1996.     

Molecular constants for the ã 3A2 state of formaldehyde

The 0⁺–0 and 1⁺–0 bands of the ā ³A₂X? ¹A₁ transition of formaldehyde have been reinvestigated using higher resolving power than was available in the earlier work of Raynes. The rotational analyses have been considerably extended, and improved molecular constants for the ā ³A₂ state have been obtained with the aid of a new triplet—singlet computer programme.^sSR branches of the K′ = 7K″ = 5 and K′ = 5K″ = 3 subbands have been observed in the 0⁺–0 band using 7m atm of absorbing gas. These results provide the first example of the observation of ΔK = ±2 transitions in triplet—singlet bands of a polyatomic molecule. The “perpendicular” transition moment is found to be about 10% of the “parallel” transition moment.     

Sorption and desorption of radiostrontium on calcareous soil and its solid components

The effect of different solid components of calcareous soil on the retention of Sr was investigated by using batch technique and selective extraction method. The sorption and desorption isotherms of Sr on the untreated calcareous soil and the three treated soils were determined at 20°C, pH 7.8±0.2 and in the presence of 0.001 M CaCl₂. It was found that all isotherms are linear and that the sorption of Sr on the calcareous soil can be described by a reversible sorption process and the sorption mechanism is mainly ion exchange.     

锑化镓的光助微刻蚀及其表面氧化物的研究

用电化学和光电化学方法研究锑化镓表面的腐蚀以及锑化镓表面氧化膜的生成和溶解，锑化镓电极在一定电势下生成的氧化膜，用俄歇能谱证明，其主要成分为难溶的氧化锑，此氧化膜的存在抑制了锑化镓的进一步腐蚀，同时亦使锑化镓的半导体光电化学性能大为减弱，通过激光微刻蚀及电子显微镜的观察，在刻蚀剂中添加酒石酸，柠檬酸和氢氟酸等试剂，可使刻蚀形得改善，实验研究了锑化镓的平带电势的测定。     

Structure and properties of a novel 3D straight-channel polyoxovanadate and an unexpected trimeric barbiturate obtained by hydrothermal reactions

The hydrothermal reaction of NaVO(3).H(2)O, barbituric acid, NH(2)NH(2).2HCl, H(3)PO(4), and H(2)O gave a novel heteropolyoxovanadate Na(6)[(P(V)O(4))V(V)(6)V(IV)(12)O(39)](2).H(3)PO(4).31H(2)O (1) and an unexpected phase Na(2)[C(12)H(6)N(6)O(9)].7H(2)O (2). The basic building blocks in 1 are the six-capped sphere-shaped heteropoly anion [(P(V)O(4))V(V)(6)V(IV)(12)O(39)](3-) with framework similar to that of the reported polyoxovanadates possessing [V(18)O(42)] clusters encapsulating VO(4) or other ions. These heterpoly anionic units are linked via V[bond]O[bond]V bridges into an interesting 3D straight-channel structure. The structure of 2 consists of novel organic anions ([C(12)H(6)N(6)O(9)](2-), 5,5-bis(2',4',6'-trioxopyrimidyl)barbital, representing the first oxidized barbituric acid trimer) linked via sodium ions into 1D hollow tubes with diameter of 4.49 x 6.86 A and further connected into a three-dimensional framework via hydrogen bonds.     

Capillary electrophoresis with amperometric detection of curcumin in Chinese herbal medicine pretreated by solid-phase extraction

In the present study, curcumin from Chinese herbal medicine turmeric was determined by capillary electrophoresis with amperometric detection (CE-AD) pretreated by a self-designed, simple, inexpensive solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge based on the material of tributyl phosphate resin. An average concentration factor of 9 with the recovery of > 80% was achieved when applied to the analysis of curcumin in extracts of tumeric. Under the optimized CE-AD conditions: a running buffer composed of 15 mM phosphate buffer at a pH 9.7, separation voltage at 16 kV, injection for 6 s at 9 kV and detection at 1.20 V, CE-AD with SPE exhibited low detection limit as 3 x 10(-8) mol/l (S/N = 3), high efficiency of 1.0 x 10(5) N, linear range of 7 x 10(-4) -3 x 10(-6) mol/l (r = 0.9986) for curcumin extracted from light petroleum. The method developed resulted in enhancement of the detection sensitivity and reduction of interference from sample matrix in complicated samples and exhibited the potential application for routine analysis, especially in food, because a relatively complete process of sample treatment and analysis was described.