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A novel flavonol-based fluorescent probe, Fla-DNT, has been synthesized for the rapid and specific detection of H2S. Fla-DNT exhibits excellent selectivity and anti-interference properties, a short response time (4 min), large Stokes shift (138 nm), and low detection limit (1.357 µM). Upon exposure to H2S, Fla-DNT displays a remarkable increase in fluorescence intensity at 542 nm. Meanwhile, the recognizing site of H2S was predicted through Electrostatic potential and ADCH charges calculations, while the sensing mechanism of H2S was determined via HRMS analysis and DFT calculation. More importantly, the probe owes multiple applications, such as a recovery rate ranging from 92.00 to 102.10% for detecting H2S in water samples, and it can be fabricated into fluorescent strips to track H2S production during food spoilage by tracking color changes, thereby enabling real-time monitoring of food freshness. The bioimaging experiments demonstrate the capability of Fla-DNT to detect both endogenous and exogenous H2S in living cells. These results provide a reliable method and idea for H2S detection in complex environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a novel fluorescence probe Fla-DNP based on flavonol has been designed and synthesized for rapid, specific detection of H2S. With the addition of H2S, Fla-DNP triggered thiolysis and released Fla displaying the "turn-on" fluorescence response at 566 nm, which is consistent with the reaction site predicted by calculating Electrostatic potential and ADCH charges. As an easily available H2S probe, Fla-DNP has the advantages of high selectivity, anti-interference, low detection limit (0.834 μM), short response time (6 min), and large Stokes shift (124 nm). The sensing mechanism of H2S was determined by HRMS analysis and DFT calculation. Moreover, Fla-DNP processes a wide range of multiple applications, including the detection of H2S in environmental water samples with good recovery rates ranging from 89.6% to 102.0%, as well as tracking the production of H2S during food spoilage. Meanwhile, the probe exhibits superior biocompatibility and can not only be available used for H2S detection in living cells but be further designed as an H2S-activated CO photoreleaser, based on which it can be developed as a targeted anti-cancer drug. A novel fluorescence probe Fla-DNP was synthesized utilizing 4-dimethylaminobenzoxanthone fluorescent dye (Fla) as the fluorophore, 2, 4-dinitrobenzenether group (DNP) as the recognition group, which can rapidly respond to H2S with high selectivity, anti-interference, low detection limit (0.834 μM), short response time (6 min), and large Stokes shift (124 nm) characteristics. The practical applications of Fla-DNP were further explored in water, foodstuffs samples and living cells. It is reflected that Fla-DNP can not only track H2S in complex environment water, but also can detect H2S produced during foodstuffs spoilage to monitor food freshness. More importantly, Fla-DNP can be available used for H2S detection in living cells and utilize the properties of the photoinduced release of CO from flavonols to be designed as a bifunctional platform for H2S detection and CO release. It is demonstrated that H2S-activated CO photoreleaser Fla-DNP has promise for development as an anti-cancer drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer (BCa) is known as a complex and prevalent disease requiring the development of novel anticancer therapeutic approaches. Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) have emerged as a favorable strategy for BCa treatment due to their unique ability to target two different antigens simultaneously. By targeting tumorassociated antigens (TAAs) on cancer cells, engaging immune effector cells, or blocking critical signaling pathways, BsAbs offer enhanced tumor specificity and immune system involvement, improving anti-cancer activity. Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the potential of BsAbs in BCa. For example, BsAbs targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) have shown the ability to redirect immune cells to HER2-positive BCa cells, resulting in effective tumor cell killing. Moreover, targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway by BsAbs has demonstrated promising outcomes in overcoming immunosuppression and enhancing immune-mediated tumor clearance. Combining BsAbs with existing therapeutic approaches, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapies, or immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has also revealed synergistic effects in preclinical models and early clinical trials, emphasizing the usefulness and potential of BsAbs in BCa treatment. This review summarizes the latest evidence about BsAbs in treating BCa and the challenges and opportunities of their use in BCa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer is mostly a disease of aging, and older patients with cancer are generally frailer. This study aimed to describe the characteristics and in‐hospital outcomes and explore factors associated with duration, cost, and mortality during first hospitalization, in older patients with cancer admitted to a top‐ranked hospital in China. Methods: Data on patients with solid cancer ≥65 years consecutively hospitalized in 2016–2020 were retrieved from the electronic medical records of Ruijin Hospital in Shanghai, China. Baseline characteristics, duration, cost, and mortality during hospitalization were described. Factors associated with duration, cost, and mortality during first hospitalization were explored using multivariable‐adjusted logistic regression. Results: 20,650 eligible patients with male proportion of 59% and median age of 70 years were analyzed. 45% of the patients underwent resection in our hospital. Upon first admission, 49% of patients had hypertension, 19% diabetes, 22% weight loss, and 28% risks of malnutrition. The median duration and cost of first hospitalization were 9 days and 32,000 RMB, respectively. 118 (0.6%) and 228 (1.1%) deaths occurred during first and any hospitalization, respectively. For first hospitalization, longer duration and higher cost were positively associated with older ages, male gender, emergency admission, certain tumor locations and histology, histories of diabetes, cirrhosis, and anticoagulant intake, higher body mass index, weight loss, reduced food intake, risk of falling, and worse self‐care ability; in‐hospital mortality was positively associated with age ≥85 years, emergency admission, certain cancer types, histories of hypertension and psychotropic intake, reduced food intake, and worse self‐care ability. Conclusions: This study identified certain baseline patient and tumor characteristics, medical and medication histories, changes of weight and food intake, diet, and self‐care ability which were independently associated with in‐hospital outcomes among older patients with cancer admitted to our hospital and which should be paid special attention to. While the factors might not be easily modifiable, our study can help identify patients at higher risks of inferior in‐hospital outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the structural features of human P2X7R protein, meanwhile homology, protein- protein interaction, and cell epitope were predicted to provide theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of related diseases. Methods: Human P2X7R protein was analyzed and predicted by ProtParam, TMHMM, ProtScale and SignalP 5.0 Server et al. Results: Human P2X7R protein is composed of 595 amino acids, the molecular formula is C 3077 H 4749 N 835 O 871 S 40, with the theoretical isoelectric point PI of 8.62, the instability coefficient is 46.07, the total average hydrophilicity is -0.317, and the protein is an hydrophilic protein instead of secreted protein, no any signal peptide, but transmembrane region is contained, which belong to transmembrane protein. There are 157 α helices and 288 random coils in the secondary structure of human P2X7R protein, accounting for 26.39% and 48.40% of all amino acids, The coverage rate of the three-level structure prediction results is 100%, and the sequence consistency is 80.34%, and the ramachandran plot show that the predicted structure is relatively stability. The interaction of proteins show that there are a variety of proteins interacting with human P2X7R, and P2X7R was closely related to inflammation; this protein had many B and T cell epitopes, which could provide ideas for vaccine development. Conclusion: The results indicate that the analysis of human P2X7R protein that is based on bioinformatics method has certain reliability. P2X7R is involved in the development of inflammatory diseases, and the antigenic epitope of B, Th and CTL cells screened out by prediction will provide the treatment scheme for diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV) is a rare disease, which is difficult to be differentiated from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To cause the attention, we present twelve cases of CAEBV in immunocompetent patients with gastrointestinal tract involvement.Methods: Twelve patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of CAEBV were enrolled in this retrospective study. The control group was consisted of twenty-four IBD patients with EBV-DNA value increased in peripheral blood. The clinicopathologic and endoscopic characteristics were reviewed and analyzed.Results: The major clinical presentations of CAEBV patients were intermittent fever (100%), hepatomegaly/splenomegaly (58%), lymphadenopathy (50%), diarrhea (50%) and hematochezia (50%). Compared with IBD patients, the incidence of intermittent fever and increased level of ferritin were significantly higher among CAEBV patients. The median values for EBV detected in peripheral blood were significantly higher in CAEBV group (1.42*10^6 copies/μg) than in IBD group (3.2*10^3 copies/μg, p<0.05). The main endoscopic findings of CAEBV included multifocal or isolated, irregular, multiform ulcers and diffuse inflammation, lacking of typical cobblestone appearance. Ten patients died within 5 years of disease onset. The average survival time is 21 months.Conclusions: Symptoms such as intermittent fever, increased level of ferritin and atypical endoscopic findings could be a sign for CAEBV. Early detections of EBV-DNA in serum and EBV-encoded small nuclear RNA (EBER) by in situ hybridization in intestinal tissue are essential for differential diagnosis between CAEBV and IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Zn(II)-based complexes as photoinduced carbon-monoxide-releasing molecules (photoCORMs), viz. (L)Zn(R)]ClO4 with L = tris(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)amine (TPA), N,N-((5-estermethyl-2-pyridyl)methyl)-bis(2-pyridylmethyl) amine (5-COOCH3TPA), N,N-(bis(5-estermethyl-2-pyridyl)methyl)-(2-pyridylmethyl) amine [(5-COOCH3)2TPA], or N,N-((6-estermethyl-2-pyridyl)methyl)-bis(2-pyridylmethyl) amine (6-COOCH3TPA) and R = 4-dimethylaminoflavonol [4-N(Me)2FLH], 4-diethylaminoflavonol [4-N(Et)2FLH], or 4-methoxyflavonol (4-MeOFLH), have been prepared and characterized. When dissolved in CH3CN or 1:1 H2O:dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) in presence of O2, visible light (λmax ranging from 417 to 462 nm) induced dioxygenase-type reactions to release CO quantitatively from these complexes. Moreover, the intracellular uptake and CO releasing reactivity were confirmed by the change of their fluorescent properties observed under fluorescence microscopy. The cytotoxicity of the complexes demonstrates that they exhibit good biocompatibility in the concentration range from 1 to 50 μM. The solid complexes are stable in air for more than 60 days, and their aqueous solutions are also stable for 96 h under anaerobic or dark condition. The remarkable stability and biocompatibility of the complexes are indispensable properties for use in pharmaceutical chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of phosphorylatable nucleus localization signal linked nucleic kinase substrate short peptide (NNSp)-conjugated chitosan (NNSp-CS) mediated miR-140 and IGF-1 in both rabbit chondrocytes and cartilage defects model. NNSp-CS was combined with pBudCE4.1-IGF-1, pBudCE4.1-miR-140, and negative control pBudCE4.1 to form pDNA/NNSp-CS complexes. Then these complexes were transfected into chondrocytes or injected intra-articularly into the knee joints. High levels of IGF-1 and miR-140 expression were detected both in vitro and in vivo. Compared with pBudCE4.1 group, in vitro, the transgenic groups significantly promoted chondrocyte proliferation, increased glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis, and ACAN, COL2A1, and TIMP-1 levels, and reduced the levels of nitric oxide (NO), MMP-13, and ADAMTS-5. In vivo, the exogenous genes enhanced COL2A1, ACAN, and TIMP-1 expression in cartilage and reduced cartilage Mankin score and the contents of NO, IL-1β, TNF-α, and GAG contents in synovial fluid of rabbits, MMP-13, ADAMTS-5, COL1A2, and COL10A1 levels in cartilage. Double gene combination showed better results than single gene. This study indicate that NNSp-CS is a better gene delivery vehicle in gene therapy for cartilage defects and that miR-140 combination IGF-1 transfection has better biologic effects on cartilage defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To summarize the characteristics of fatty infiltration and edema of muscle MRI in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. Methods A total of 70 DMD patients underwent Clinical Functional Scale and muscle MRI of the pelvic (gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, iliopsoas, piriformis, obturator internus, obturator externus, tensor fasciae latae, pectineus, erector spinae, psoas major muscle, iliacus), thigh (adductor magnus, gracilis, adductor longus, sartorius, rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus) and leg (gastrocnemius, soleus, peroneus longus, tibialis posterior, tibialis anterior, flexor hallucis longus, extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus). T1WI fatty infiltration grade and fat suppression T2WI edema grade were performed to analyze the imaging features of fatty infiltration and edema. Results In 31 muscles, 30 muscles (96.77% ) presented fatty infiltration and 23 (74.19% ) presented edema. The occurrence rate of fatty infiltration was higher than that of edema. A total of 21 muscles including gluteus maximus, were found T1WI fatty infiltration grades greater than 2, and 10 muscles including tibialis posterior, were less than 1. Five muscles including soleus were found fat suppression T2WI edema grade 3. Spearman rank correlation analysis showed positive correlations between T1WI fatty infiltration grade and Clinical Functional Scale in 7 pelvic muscles [gluteus maximus (rs = 0.518, P = 0.016), gluteus medius (rs = 0.528, P = 0.014), gluteus minimus (rs = 0.528, P = 0.014), iliopsoas (rs = 0.695, P = 0.000), piriformis (rs = 0.451, P = 0.040), pectineus (rs = 0.567, P = 0.009), erector spinae (rs = 0.499, P = 0.025)], 7 thigh muscles [adductor magnus (rs = 0.607, P = 0.005), adductor longus (rs = 0.547, P = 0.013), rectus femoris (rs = 0.614, P = 0.004), vastus intermedius (rs = 0.566, P = 0.009), vastus medialis (rs = 0.522, P = 0.018), vastus lateralis (rs = 0.503, P = 0.024), biceps femoris (rs = 0.508, P = 0.022)] and 3 leg muscles [gastrocnemius (rs = 0.715, P = 0.001), peroneus longus (rs = 0.571, P = 0.017), tibialis posterior (rs = 0.514, P = 0.035)]. There was no correlation between T1WI fatty infiltration grade and Clinical Functional Scale in other muscles (P > 0.05, for all). There was no correlation between fat suppression T2WI edema grade and Clinical Functional Scale in all muscles (P > 0.05, for all). Conclusions Fatty infiltration grade can be well used to assess the severity of DMD. The role of muscle edema on assessing clinical severity should be analyzed according to individual muscle characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multifactorial disease including both genetic and environmental factors. We compared the diversity of intestinal microbesamong a cohort of IBD patients to study the microbial ecological effects on IBD. Fecal samples from patients were sequenced with next generation sequence technology at 16S rDNA region. With statistical tools, microbial community was investigated at different level. The gut microbial diversity of Crohn's disease (CD) patients and colonic polyp (CP) patients significantly different from each other. However, the character of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients has of both CD and CP features. The microbial community from IBD patients can be very different (CD patient) or somewhat similar (UC patients) to non-IBD patients. Microbial diversity can be an important etiological factor for IBD clinical phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: MicroRNA-133b (miR-133b) has been shown to play a critical role in spinal cord regeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate the cellular role of miR-133b in neural cells. Methods: PC12 cells and primary cortical neurons (PCNs) were transfected with lenti-miR-133b, lenti-miR-133b inhibitor, plasmid-shRNA-RhoA, plasmid-RhoA and their negative controls. After 48 hours of transfection, the levels of proteins and mRNA or miRNA were evaluated by Western blotting and qRT-PCR, respectively. Moreover, the neurite outgrowth was analyzed by Image J. For pharmacological experiments, inhibitors of MEK1/2 kinase (PD98059), phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) (LY294002) and ROCK (Y27632) were added into the culture medium. Results: Overexpression of miR-133b in PC12 cells enhanced neurite outgrowth. Conversely, inhibition of miR-133b reduced neurite length. We further identified RhoA as a target and mediator of mir-133b for neurite extension by Western blot and knockdown experiment. Moreover, overexpression of RhoA could attenuate the neurite growth effects of miR-133b. Also, we observed that miR-133b activated MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by targeting RhoA. Finally, in PCNs, miR-133b also increased axon growth and attenuated axon growth restrictions from chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPG). Conclusions: In summary, our study suggested that miR-133b regulated neurite outgrowth via ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by RhoA suppression. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously identified a novel Trβ isoform ( TrβΔ) in the rat, in which a novel exon N (108 bps) was found between exon 3 and exon 4 of TrβΔ, which represents the only difference between TrβΔ and Trβ1. In this study, we searched for an elongated Trβ2-like subtype with one additional exon N. We successfully isolated the entire mRNA/cDNA of a novel elongated Trβ2 isoform via PCR in the rat pituitary gland. The mRNA/cDNA was only 108 bps (exon N) longer than that Trβ2, and the extension of the sequence was between exon 3 and 4 of Trβ. The whole sequence of this novel Trβ isoform has been published in NCBI GenBank (HM043807.1); it is named TRbeta2Delta ( Trβ2Δ). In adult rat pituitary tissue, quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that the mRNA levels of Trβ2Δ and Trβ2 were roughly equal ( P > 0.05). We cloned, expressed, and purified the His-Trβ2Δ protein [recombinant TRβ2Δ (rTRβ2Δ)]. SDS-PAGE and western blotting revealed that the molecular weight of rTRβ2Δ was 58.2 kDa. Using a radioligand binding assay and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay, rTRβ2Δ-bound T3 with high affinity and recognized thyroid hormone response element (TRE) binding sites. Finally, in vitro transfection experiments further confirmed that rTRβ2Δ binding T3 significantly promotes the transcription of target genes via the TRE. Here, we have provided evidence suggesting that rTRβ2Δ is a novel functional TR isoform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of tetracarboxylphthalocyanines (MPc(COOH), M = H, Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II)) were anchored onto MCM-41 by the following procedures: functionalization of MCM-41 with (EtO)SiCHCHCHNH reacting with surface Si-OH, and anchoring MPc(COOH) onto MCM-41 with a substitution reaction between chloroformyl and amino groups. The samples were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, N adsorption-desorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Catalytic activity of oxidation was tested using solutions of ethanethiol in petroleum ether and thiophene in octane; CoPc-CONH-MCM-41 displayed the highest conversion ratio of 90.15 % and 93.79 %, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To study the effect of recombinant Lactobacillus casei ( L.casei) expressing interleukin ( IL)-10 combined with 5-aminosalicylic acid (5- ASA) in dextran sulfate sodium ( DSS)-induced colitis mice. Methods Recombinant L. casei CECT 5276, which can secrete IL-10, was constructed. The length of colon tissue, disease activity index ( DAI) and histological score ( HS) of the mice were determined to evaluate the modeling and the effectiveness of L. casei. Real-time polymerase chain reaction ( PCR), Western blot and ELISA were used to determine the levels of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells ( NF-κ B), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ( PPAR)-γ, interferon ( IFN)-γ, transforming growth factor ( TGF)-β and IL-10. Results Recombinant L. casei expressing IL-10 combined with 5- ASA was more effective than L. casei with 5- ASA. Among the three different concentrations of the recombinant L. casei, the highest concentration group (2 × 109 colony-forming units/m L) had the best effectiveness. Conclusions Recombinant L. casei combined with 5- ASA is effective in the treatment of DSS-induced colitis. The possible mechanism might be the blocking of the excessive activation of NF-κ B pathway, thus suppressing the release of inflammation-related factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The probiotic properties of two selected lactobacilli strains were assessed. L. salivarius and L. plantarum displayed higher hydrophobicity (48% and 54%, resp.) and coaggregation ability with four pathogens (from 7.9% to 57.5%). L. salivarius and L. plantarum had good inhibitory effects on S. aureus (38.2% and 49.5%, resp.) attachment to Caco-2 cells. Live lactobacilli strains and their conditioned media effectively inhibited IL-8 production (<14.6pg/mL) in TNF-α-induced Caco-2 cells. Antibiotic-treated and the sonicated lactobacilli also maintained inhibitory effects (IL-8 production from 5.0 to 36.3 pg/mL); however, the heat-treated lactobacilli lost their inhibitory effects (IL-8 production from 130.2 to 161.0pg/mL). These results suggest that both the structural components and the soluble cellular content of lactobacilli have anti-inflammatory effects. We also found that pretreatment of Caco-2 cells with lactobacilli inhibited S. typhimurium-induced IL-8 production (<27.3 pg/mL). However, lactobacilli did not inhibit IL-8 production in Caco-2 cells pretreated with S. typhimurium. These results suggest that the tested lactobacilli strains are appropriate for preventing inflammatory diseases caused by enteric pathogens but not for therapy. In short, L. salivarius and L. plantarum are potential candidates for the development of microbial ecological agents and functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When studying the altered expression of genes associated with cartilage regeneration by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR), reference genes with highly stable expression during different stages of chondrocyte developmental are necessary to normalize gene expression accurately. Until now, no reports evaluating expression changes of commonly used reference genes in rabbit articular cartilage have been published. In this study, defects were made in rabbit articular cartilage, with or without insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) treatment, to create different chondrocyte living environments. The stability and intensity of the expressions of the candidate reference genes glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), 18S Ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA), cyclophilin (CYP), hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT1), and β-2-microglobulin (B2M) were evaluated. The data were analyzed by geNorm and NormFinder. B2M and 18S rRNA were identified to be suitable reference genes for rabbit cartilage tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A-site substituted cerium metavanadates, Ce1−xCaxVO3,were synthesised by solid-state reactions from single-phase powders of the corresponding orthovanadates. All metavanadate samples were found to exhibit either an orthorhombic and/or monoclinic phase of space group Pnma(62) with a= 5.5067 (4), b= 7.7904 (5) and c= 5.4814(7) Å for Ce0.8Ca0.2VO3. X-Ray diffraction patterns and thermal analyses have shown that the reduction of Ca-doped CeVO3from the equivalent orthovanadate is redox phase reversible without formation of parasitic phases at x= 0.2, 0.3. Conductivity measurements were performed in air and in dry 5% H2–Ar with conductivity of Ce1−xCaxVO3ranging from 1.5 to 13 S cm−1at 700 °C in a reducing atmosphere. Sample Ce0.7Ca0.3VO3exhibits the highest conductivity in a reducing atmosphere in all the measured samples which could be a potential anode or as a part of composite anode for SOFCs. The conductivity of Ce0.7Ca0.3VO3is higher than that for Ce0.85Sr0.15VO3which could be related to the higher doping level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A-site substituted cerium metavanadates, Ce1−xSrxVO3, were synthesised by solid-state reactions from single-phase powders of the corresponding orthovanadates. All samples were found to exhibit an orthorhombic perovskite structure of space group Pnma(62) with a= 5.5181 (3), b= 7.7853 (2) and c= 5.5155 (4) Å for Ce0.85Sr0.15VO3. Conductivity measurements were performed in air and in dry 5% H2–Ar with conductivity values at 700 °C ranging from 0.1 to 2.5 S cm−1with peaking at 6 S cm−1in reduced atmosphere. X-Ray diffraction patterns and thermal analyses have shown that the reduction of Sr-doped CeVO3from the equivalent orthovanadate is redox phase reversible without formation of parasitic phases while the undoped CeVO4is not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new nickel(II) and cobalt(II) complexes of Schiff base ligands: [Ni(L)Cl2]·2H2O ( I), [Ni(L)(H2O)2] (NO3)2 ( II), [Ni(L)(H2O)2] (ClO4)2 ( III), and [Co(L) (H2O)2] (NO3)2 ( IV) (L = 1,3-[bis(pyridine-2-imino)]propane) have been synthesized. The four complexes have been fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, absorption spectra, emission spectra, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The binding of the four complexes to calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) has been investigated by absorption spectra and emission spectra. The results of the two methods indicate that the action mode of complex I with DNA is intercalative mainly, and the action mode of complexes II, III, IV with DNA cannot be concluded, it should be sustained by other experimental measurements. Four new nickel(II) and cobalt(II) complexes of Schiff base ligands: [Ni(L)Cl2]·2H2O ( I), [Ni(L)(H2O)2] (NO3)2 ( II), [Ni(L)(H2O)2] (ClO4)2 ( III), and [Co(L) (H2O)2] (NO3)2 ( IV) (L = 1,3-[bis(pyridine-2-imino)]propane) were synthesized and their crystal structures were determined. The binding of the four complexes to calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) has been investigated.[Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of new zwitterionic N-carboxymethyl- N, N-dimethyl- N-allylammonium (CDMA)/acrylic acid (AA) copolymer hydrogels with different contents of anionic and cationic groups were prepared by aqueous polymerization to investigate their swelling behaviors. Various factors, including the solution pH, the various salt solution, temperature, were studied. The dynamics parameters were also calculated. The swelling capacity, as well as salt-tolerant ability increases with increasing N content in the dilute solution of salts. The hydrogel with 2.43% N and 49.54% COOH reaches 773 g/g swelling capacity. CDMA/AA copolymer gel can improve the pullulating rate of wheat remarkably, which makes them good candidates for considering as potential soil-improvement agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using Java, Java-enabled Web and object-oriented programming technologies, a framework is designed to organize multicomputer system on Intranet quickly to complete Monte Carlo simulation parallelizing. The high-performance computing environment is embedded in Web server so it can be accessed more easily. Adaptive parallelism and eager scheduling algorithm are used to realize load balancing, parallel processing and system fault-tolerance. Independent sequence pseudo-random number generator schemes to keep the parallel simulation availability. Three kinds of stock option pricing models as instances, ideal speedup and pricing results obtained on test bed. Now, as a Web service, a high-performance financial derivative security-pricing platform is set up for training and studying. The framework can also be used to develop other SPMD (single procedure multiple data) application. Robustness is still a major problem for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The probiotic properties of two selected lactobacilli strains were assessed. L. salivarius and L. plantarum displayed higher hydrophobicity (48% and 54%, resp.) and coaggregation ability with four pathogens (from 7.9% to 57.5%). L. salivarius and L. plantarum had good inhibitory effects on S. aureus (38.2% and 49.5%, resp.) attachment to Caco-2 cells. Live lactobacilli strains and their conditioned media effectively inhibited IL-8 production (<14.6 pg/mL) in TNF-¿-induced Caco-2 cells. Antibiotic-treated and the sonicated lactobacilli also maintained inhibitory effects (IL-8 production from 5.0 to 36.3 pg/mL); however, the heat-treated lactobacilli lost their inhibitory effects (IL-8 production from 130.2 to 161.0 pg/mL). These results suggest that both the structural components and the soluble cellular content of lactobacilli have anti-inflammatory effects. We also found that pretreatment of Caco-2 cells with lactobacilli inhibited S. typhimurium-induced IL-8 production (<27.3 pg/mL). However, lactobacilli did not inhibit IL-8 production in Caco-2 cells pretreated with S. typhimurium. These results suggest that the tested lactobacilli strains are appropriate for preventing inflammatory diseases caused by enteric pathogens but not for therapy. In short, L. salivarius and L. plantarum are potential candidates for the development of microbial ecological agents and functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]