In vitro TRANSFORMATION OF RAT ESOPHAGEAL EPITHELIAL CELLS BY FUSARIN C

Fusarin C (FC) is a mutagenic and carcinogenic mycotoxin which was isolated from Fu-sarium moniliforme culture extracts. The Fusarium moniliforme is one of most prevalent fungi found on corn in Linxian, a high risk area for esophageal cancer. This paper reports, for the first time, the malignant transformation of rat esophageal epithelial cells induced by FC. The transformed cells showed several characteristics of transformation. Colonies were formed after seeding these transformed cells either into selective medium free of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and serum, or on semi-solid agar; there was an increase in chromosome number; the expression of c-myc and v-erb-B oncogenes was enhanced in the cells; and squamous cell carcinomas arose after inoculating the cells into nude mice. The results demonstrated transforming effect of FC on rat esophageal epithelial cells, and indicate that the abnormal expression of some oncogenes could serve as a hew property of transformed cells.     

Some Comments on the Matter Wave-light Wave Hypothesis

From the de Broglie matter wave hypothesis and Planck’s energy quantization law, and assuming conservation of energy in the absorption of a photon and its consequent conversion to kinetic energy of motion by a material particle initially at rest, one can deduce a simple mathematical relationship between the wavelength λ (or frequency ν), of the photon absorbed by the particle at rest, and the resulting de Broglie matter wave length, λ_D, of the particle with kinetic energy of motion of mv²/2. The relationship so deduced, λ_D∝√λ, suggests that visible wavelengths of light, from about 4000 ?, in the violet, to beyond about 7000 ?, in the red, on absorption by an electron at rest, lead to material electron wavelengths, λ_D, of the order of the size of the electron transfer proteins seen in the photosynthetic reaction centers of photosynthesizing organisms, at about a size of 50–100 ?. In addition to understanding the mechanism of photosynthesis as a material wave mediated phenomenon, further areas of importance of the relations pointed out in this paper are in the design of experiments to gain a deeper understanding of the basic tenets of wave mechanics, and in the use of tunable lasers to probe various properties of material waves, and to precisely control their properties for applications including lithography.     

Photokilling Squamous Carcinoma Cells SCCVII with Ultrafine Particles of Selected Metal Oxides

The ability of ultrafine particles of TiO₂, WO₃ and iron-doped TiO₂ to kill cancer cells in the presence of UV irradiation was investigated. The best photokilling effect on carcinoma cells SCVII cultured in vitro showed iron-doped TiO₂ ultrafine particles synthesized by the sol-gel procedure with starting chemicals Ti(IV)-isopropoxide and anhydrous Fe(II)-acetate. It was found that a small particle size and high dispersity influenced citotoxicity and photocatalytic efficiency. The remarkable photokiling effect of highly iron-doped TiO₂ ultrafine particles (the molar ratio Fe/Ti = 0.136) in the presence of UV irradiation was observed. The influence of ultrafine metal oxide particles on the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation was measured using a ³H-thymidine incorporation test. The possible mechanism involved in the photokilling of carcinoma cells with ultrafine particles of selected metal oxides was discussed.     

Penetration of plasma surface modification. I. Cf4 and C2F4 glow discharge plasmas

Plasma treatment of a polymeric surface could involve at least three major mechanisms: (1) direct interaction of reactive species in the low-temperature plasma state with the surface (line of sight irradiation effect), and (2) chemical reactions of plasma-induced reactive species with the surface, and (3) reactions among reactive species and the surface (plasma polymerization). The first and the third effects are considered to be limited to the surfaces which directly contact with plasma (glow). The second effect is not limited to the surfaces that contact with plasma state but can penetrate beyond the plasma zone by diffusion. Using an assembly of fibers, of which only the top layer contacts with plasma (glow), the penetration of chemical changes caused by plasma exposure was investigated. Results indicate that the fluorination effect (incorporation of fluorine-containing moieties on the surface of polymeric substrate) penetrates through a considerable thickness of the assembly of fibers, depending on the porosity (gas permeability) of the system. Chemical reactions of plasma-induced (chemically) reactive but nonpolymerizing species with the substrate fibers seems to predominate. The direct interactions of energetic species, such as ions, electrons, and electronically excited species, with polymeric surfaces seems to play relatively minor roles in the plasma treatment investigated. The major role of plasma, in this case, seems to be creating such chemically reactive species. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Study of transition metal oxide doped LaGaO3 as electrode materials for LSGM-based solid oxide fuel cells

Transition metal oxide doped lanthanum gallates, La_0.9Sr_0.1Ga_0.8M_0.2O₃ (where M=Co, Mn, Cr, Fe, or V), are studied as mixed ionic-electronic conductors (MIECs) for electrode applications. The electrochemical properties of these materials in air and in H₂ are characterized using impedance spectroscopy, open cell voltage measurement, and gas permeation measurement. Three single cells based on La_0.9Sr_0.1Ga_0.8 Mg_0.2O₃ (LSGM) electrolyte (1.13 to 1.65 mm thick) but with different electrode materials are studied under identical conditions to characterize the effectiveness of the lanthanum gallate-based MIECs for electrode applications. At 800 °C, a single cell using La_0.9Sr_0.1- Ga_0.8Co_0.2O₃ as the cathode and La_0.9Sr_0.1Ga_0.8Mn_0.2O₃ as the anode shows a maximum power density of 88 mW/cm², which is better than that of a cell using Pt as both electrodes (20 mW/cm²) and that of a cell using La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO₃ (LSC) as the cathode and CeO₂-Ni as the anode (61 mW/cm²) under identical conditions. The performance of LSGM-based fuel cells with MIEC electrodes may be further improved by reducing the electrolyte thickness and by optimizing the microstructures of the electrodes through processing. Received: 9 January 1998 / Accepted: 1 May 1998     

The use of 1H NMR microscopy to study proton-exchange membrane fuel cells.

To understand proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) better, researchers have used several techniques to visualize their internal operation. This Concept outlines the advantages of using 1H NMR microscopy, that is, magnetic resonance imaging, to monitor the distribution of water in a working PEMFC. We describe what a PEMFC is, how it operates, and why monitoring water distribution in a fuel cell is important. We will focus on our experience in constructing PEMFCs, and demonstrate how 1H NMR microscopy is used to observe the water distribution throughout an operating hydrogen PEMFC. Research in this area is briefly reviewed, followed by some comments regarding challenges and anticipated future developments.     

Immobilized plant cells

Plant cells have been immobilized in alginate, where they have been shown to retain their biological activity. Such systems can be utilized for bioconversions.     

Short wavelength operation of the CH3F Raman FIR laser

Using the isotopic species¹³CH₃F in the methyl-fluoride Raman laser, we have observed kilowatt-level laser pulses which can be tuned over a series of intervals that are centered on pure-rotational transitions in thev ₃ ground state with initial-state J values between 35 and 43, inclusively. Taken together, these tuning intervals cover 35% of the spectrum between 142 and 174 m. Several straightforward improvements in the experimental setup, including the use of isotopically purer¹³CH₃F, should enhance the spectral coverage in this region.     

Real-time measurement of nitric oxide using a bio-imaging and an electrochemical technique

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator responsible for numerous physiological phenomena. Transient levels of NO in biological systems usually range from nanomolar to micromolar concentrations, with a rapid return to basal levels normally seen following these increases. Because NO can diffuse only over a local area in limited time due to such low levels of production and due to its short life-time prior to degradation, high spatial and temporal resolutions are required for direct and continuous NO measurement if the physiological role of NO is to be investigated in any system. For such purposes, analytical methods based on bio-imaging and electrochemical techniques for the measurement of NO are useful. In this paper, we describe the successful application of these methods to a number of biological systems. Specifically, complementary application of these methods demonstrate that it is possible to detect real-time NO production from nervous tissue with high spatial and temporal resolutions.