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RNA interference (RNAi) is a highly conserved gene regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic organisms; however, an understanding of mechanisms of cellular uptake of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in different organisms remains elusive. By using pharmacological inhibitors of different endocytic pathways in conjunction with RNAi of a marker gene ( lethal giant larvae , TcLgl ) in the red flour beetle ( Tribolium castaneum ), we demonstrated that two inhibitors (chlorpromazine and bafilomycin-A1) of clathrin-dependent endocytosis can nearly abolish or significantly diminish RNAi of TcLgl , whereas methyl-β-cyclodextrin and cytochalasin-D, known to inhibit other endocytic pathways, showed no effect on RNAi of TcLgl . By using Cy3-labeled TcLgl dsRNA, we observed significantly reduced cellular uptake of TcLgl dsRNA in midgut cells after larvae were injected with each of the two clathrin-dependent endocytosis inhibitors. By using an “RNAi of RNAi” strategy, we further demonstrated that suppression of each transcript of the four key genes encoding clathrin heavy chain ( TcChc ), clathrin coat assembly protein AP50 ( TcAP50 ), vacuolar (H + )-ATPase subunit H ( TcVhaSFD ) and a ras-related protein ( TcRab 7) in clathrin-dependent endocytosis by RNAi can significantly impair RNAi of TcLgl . These results support our conclusion that clathrin-dependent endocytosis is a major mechanism in cellular uptake of dsRNA in T. castaneum . Our study also provides new insights into improving RNAi efficiency by enhancing dsRNA endosomal release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the small size and ubiquitous presence, fine-mode aerosols play a vital role in climate change and human health, especially in highly populated regions. Hitherto, some studies have been carried out to retrieve fine-mode aerosol microphysical properties from multi-wavelength lidar measurements. However, there has been a dearth of lidar-based methods with quality retrieval and high time efficiency to adequately quantify the impacts of fine-mode aerosols on Earth's energy budget. The reasons for the gap involve the limitations in current approaches and the nature of the under-determined problem with insufficient information of three backscattering coefficients (β) and two extinction coefficients (α), typically known as the 3 β + 2 α configuration. Furthermore, the latest lidars, especially for spaceborne and airborne applications, are inherently difficult to perform routine diurnal 3 β + 2 α observations with high resolution and require high processing speed for massive data. To overcome these conundrums, we developed a novel unsupervised machine learning method—multivariate Full-permutAtion based Stochastic foresT method (dubbed the FAST method)—to improve the retrieval of fine-mode aerosol microphysical properties. To the best of knowledge, this work is the first time that machine learning algorithms are employed in attempts to retrieve the aerosol microphysical properties with stand-alone multi-wavelength lidar data. The major merits of the FAST method include 1) high accuracy of fine-mode aerosol products with the typical 3 β + 2 α configuration, 2) acceptable performances for fewer input optical channels, and 3) high processing speed for large volume data. Comprehensive simulations have been conducted to investigate the error characteristic of the FAST method under different conditions. We also applied the FAST method to the airborne lidar data acquired during the NASA DISCOVER-AQ field campaign. The retrievals of the FAST method provide high resolution time-height distributions of fine-mode aerosol microphysical properties at 20-s temporal resolution and 45-m vertical resolution. In situ measurements are compared with multi-wavelength lidar retrievals showing good agreements. We achieved 0.010, 0.014 and 0.016 in terms of mean absolute difference for retrieved 532-nm single-scattering albedo with 3 β + 2 α , 3 β + 1 α , and 2 β + 1 α configurations, respectively. The proposed method is expected to represent an important step toward improving microphysical retrievals from multi-wavelength lidar data, especially for airborne and spaceborne lidar missions. • A new method was developed to retrieve fine-mode aerosol micro-properties with lidar. • This method can be of high accuracy, verified by the in situ measurements. • This method can be performed with fewer lidar channels for multi-wavelength lidars. • This method can be fast enough to handle the massive amounts of data. • The features of this method are in favor of the spaceborne and airborne missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A highly efficient cobalt-catalyzed carbonylative approach to phenylacetic acid derivatives under one atmosphere pressure is reported. This methodology represents a useful extension of benzimidazole used as ligand in metal catalysis, and the catalytic mechanism has been proved by computer simulation. Notably, this new cobalt precatalyst, which promotes the carbonylation reaction dramatically and has already been used for scale-up experiment of phenylacetic acid derivatives. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Orlistat has been the most used anti-obesity drug and the mechanism of its action is to reduce lipid absorption by inhibiting gastrointestinal lipases. These enzymes, like carboxylesterases (CESs), structurally belong to the α/β hydrolase fold superfamily. Lipases and CESs are functionally related as well. Some CESs (e.g., human CES1) have been shown to hydrolyze lipids. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that orlistat inhibits CESs with higher potency toward CES1 than CES2, a carboxylesterase with little lipase activity. Liver microsomes and recombinant CESs were tested for the inhibition of the hydrolysis of standard substrates and the anticancer prodrugs pentyl carbamate of p-aminobenzyl carbamate of doxazolidine (PPD) and irinotecan. Contrary to the hypothesis, orlistat at 1nM inhibited CES2 activity by 75% but no inhibition on CES1, placing CES2 one of the most sensitive targets of orlistat. The inhibition varied among some CES2 polymorphic variants. Pretreatment with orlistat reduced the cell killing activity of PPD. Certain mouse but not rat CESs were also highly sensitive. CES2 is responsible for the hydrolysis of many common drugs and abundantly expressed in the gastrointestinal track and liver. Inhibition of this carboxylesterase probably presents a major source for altered therapeutic activity of these medicines if co-administered with orlistat. In addition, orlistat has been linked to various types of organ toxicities, and this study provides an alternative target potentially involved in these toxicological responses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Carboxylesterases (CES) constitute a class of hydrolytic enzymes that play critical roles in drug metabolism and lipid mobilization. Previous studies with a large number of human liver samples have suggested that the inducibility of carboxylesterases is inversely related with age. To directly test this possibility, neonatal (10 days of age) and adult mice were treated with the antiepileptic agent phenobarbital. The expression and hydrolytic activity were determined on six major carboxylesterases including ces1d, the ortholog of human CES1. Without exception, all carboxylesterases tested were induced to a greater extent in neonatal than adult mice. The induction was detected at mRNA, protein and catalytic levels. Ces1d was greatly induced and found to rapidly hydrolyze the antiplatelet agent clopidogrel and support the accumulation of neutral lipids. Phenobarbital represents a large number of therapeutic agents that induce drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters in a species-conserved manner. The higher inducibility of carboxylesterases in the developmental age likely represents a general phenomenon cross species including human. Consequently, individuals in the developmental age may experience greater drug–drug interactions. The greater induction of ces1d also provides a molecular explanation to the clinical observation that children on antiepileptic drugs increase plasma lipids. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cyclohexanol is an important chemical intermediate in nylon production. A new route, using a cosolvent for cyclohexanol production by direct hydration of cyclohexene in a reactive distillation column, was put forward. Liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) data for the ternary system water+1,4-dioxane+cyclohexanol were investigated experimentally at 1atm over the temperature range of (313.2–343.2)K. The Othmer–Tobias correlation was used to determine the reliability of the experimental tie-lines. The measured LLE data were compared with the values correlated by the nonrandom two-liquids (NRTL) and improved UNIQUAC models. It was found that both the NRTL and improved UNIQUAC models could provide good correlation results for this system. The NRTL and UNIQUAC equations were fitted to the experimental data with a root-mean-square deviation (RMSD%) of less than 0.19 and 0.41, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new insulin-enhancing oxovanadium complex 5-chloro-salicylaldhyde ethylenediamine oxovanadium (V) ([V2O2(μ-O)2L2]) has been synthesized. The complex was characterized by a variety of physical methods, including X-ray crystallography. The X-ray diffraction analysis show a dinuclear complex of two six-coordinate vanadium centers doubly bridged by the oxygen atoms of the Schiff base ligand with a V2O2 diamond core. The complex was administered intragastrically to STZ-diabetic rats for 2weeks. The biological activity results show that the complex at the dose of 10.0 and 20.0mgVkg−1, could significantly decrease the blood glucose level and ameliorate impaired glucose tolerance in STZ-diabetic rats. That results suggested that the complex exerts an antidiabetic effect in STZ-diabetic rats. Furthermore, the complex ([V2O2(μ-O)2L2]) had permeability above 10−5 cm/s. The experimental results suggested that the vanadium complex permeates via a passive diffusion mechanism. It was also suggested the complex with salen-type ligands has good lipophilic properties and better oral administration. The cytotoxicity of the complex ([V2O2(μ-O)2L2]) on Caco-2 cells was measured by a decrease of cell viability using the MTT assay suggesting that the chlorine atom at C4 of complex [V2O2(μ-O)2L2] increased cytotoxicity for vanadium complexes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trans-trihydroxystibene) is a natural phytoalexin present in grapes and red wine, which possesses a variety of biological activities including antioxidant activity. In order to find more active antioxidant with resveratrol as the lead compound we synthesized 4,4′-dihydroxy-trans-stilbene (4,4′-DHS). The antioxidant activities of resveratrol and 4,4′-DHS were evaluated by the reaction kinetics with galvinoxyl radical or Cu(II) ions, and the inhibition effects against free-radical-induced peroxidation of human erythrocyte ghosts. It was found that 4,4′-DHS exhibits remarkably higher antioxidant activity than resveratrol. The oxidative products of resveratrol and 4,4′-DHS in the presence of Cu(II) in acetonitrile were identified as the dihydrofuran dimers by spectroscopic method, and the antioxidant mechanism for 4,4′-DHS was proposed. In addition, 4,4′-DHS exhibits remarkably higher cytotoxicity against human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells than resveratrol. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Vanadium (III,IV,V)-dipicolinate complexes with different redox properties were selected to investigate the structure-property relationship of insulin-mimetic vanadium complexes for membrane permeability and gastrointestinal (GI) stress-related toxicity using the Caco-2 cell monolayer model. The cytotoxicity of the vanadium complexes was assayed with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazoyl-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays and the effect on monolayer integrity was measured by the trans-epithelial electric resistance (TEER). The three vanadium complexes exhibited intermediate membrane permeability (P app =1.4–3.6×10−6 cm/s) with low cellular accumulation level (<1%). The permeability of all compounds was independent of the concentration of vanadium complexes and excess picolinate ligands. Both V(III) and V(V)-dipicolinate complexes induced 3–4-fold greater reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) production than the V(IV)-dipicolinate complex; while the vanadium (III)-dipicolinate was 3-fold less damaging to tight junction of the Caco-2 cell monolayer. Despite the differences in apparent permeability, cellular accumulation, and capacity to induce reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) levels, the three vanadium complexes exhibited similar cytotoxicity (IC50 =1.7–1.9mM). An ion pair reagent, tetrabutylammonium, increased the membrane apparent permeability by 4-fold for vanadium (III and IV)-dipicolinate complexes and 16-fold for vanadium (V)-dipicolinate as measured by decrease in TEER values. In addition, the ion pair reagent prevented damage to monolayer integrity. The three vanadium (III,IV,V)-dipicolinate complexes may pass through caco-2 monolayer via a passive diffusion mechanism. Our results suggest that formation of ion pairs may influence compound permeation and significantly reduce the required dose, and hence the GI toxicity of vanadium-dipicolinate complexes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two series of 6′-halovinyl-adenosine stereoisomers including 5′-ethylenic and acetylenic substituted l-adenosine, 5′-ethylenic and acetylenic substituted isonucleosides were synthesized. In the l-nucleoside series, compounds 6b, 8b, 10b and 13b showed modest inhibition of SAH hydrolase (21, 44, 50 and 26% respectively) at 100μM. The l-isomers of 5′-ethylenic and acetylenic modified isonucleoside 23, 24 exhibited no activity for the inhibition of SAH hydrolase, however, the d-isomers 30 and 31 showed some activities in the same test (35 and 21%). It indicated clearly the strict stereochemical requirement for the substrate of SAH hydrolase. Compounds 6b, 8b, 8c, 11b exhibited modest to good inhibition effects on the growth of HeLa cells or Bel-7420 cells at 1μM (64, 44, 53 and 82% respectively). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Whipping response will happen when a ship is subjected to underwater explosion bubble load. In that condition, the hull would be broken, and even the survivability will be completely lost. A calculation method on the dynamic bending moment of bubble has been put forward in this paper to evaluate the impact of underwater explosion bubble load on the longitudinal strength of surface ships. Meanwhile the prediction equation of bubble dynamic bending moment has been concluded with the results of numerical simulation. With wave effect taken into consideration, the evaluation method of the total damage of a ship has been established. The precision of this evaluation method has been proved through the comparison with calculation results. In order to verify the validity of the calculation results, experimental data of real ship explosion is applied. Prediction equation and evaluation method proposed in this paper are to be used in ship structure design, especially in the preliminary prediction of the ultimate withstanding capability of underwater explosion damage for the integrated ship in preliminary design phase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effects of the heavy metal Cd in Malus xiaojinensis were investigated using hydroponic cultures. Chlorophyll and Fe concentrations in young leaves were markedly decreased by Cd treatment, although Fe concentration was significantly enhanced in the roots. A comparative examination of the Fe-deficiency responses due to Fe deficiency and Cd treatment was also performed. Both Fe deficiency and Cd treatment induced responses similar to those of Fe-deficiency in M. xiaojinensis, including acidification of the rhizosphere, enhanced Fe(III) chelate reductase activity, and upregulation of the Fe-deficiency-responsive genes MxIRT1 and MxFRO2-Like. However, the Fe-deficiency responses induced by Cd treatment were different in intensity and timing from those induced by Fe deficiency. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of the chloro-substitution of dinuclear vanadium (V) complexes on lowering diabetic hyperglycemia was evaluated. The in vivo tests for hypoglycemic activity show that complex 2 at the dose of 10.0 and 20.0 mg V kg−1, could significantly decrease the blood glucose level. Importantly, our results the chloro substituent increased the insulin-enhancing properties of the complex 2. The two vanadium compounds had permeability above 10−5 cm/s. It suggested that two complexes permeate via a passive diffusion mechanism. It was also suggested that two complexes has better good lipophilic properties. The cytotoxicity of two complexes on Caco-2 cells suggested the chlorine atom at C4 of complex 2 increased cytotoxicity for vanadium complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new insulin-enhancing agent: [N,N′-bis(4-hydroxysalicylidene)-o-phenylene-diamine] oxovanadium(IV) (BPOV) was synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. BPOV was administered intragastrically to STZ-diabetic rats for 4 weeks. The results showed that BPOV could significantly decrease the blood glucose level and ameliorated impaired glucose tolerance in STZ-diabetic rats. BPOV has been further tested on insulin, glycogen and serum lipid studies. The results suggested BPOV has glucose-lowering activity in diabetic rats, as well as improved the disorder of lipid metabolism in diabetes. BPOV had permeability above 10−5 cms−1. It was suggested good lipophilic properties. The cytotoxicity of BPOV on Caco-2 cells was measured by MTT assay which suggested BPOV have higher effect on impairment of cellular associated with lower level capacity of cellular accumulation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• In this work, we presented a general feature detection and classification method with single wavelength HSRL at 532 nm, as a detailed reference of the further data analysis for other HSRLs. • To reduce false detection, the threshold profile of the feature detection is chosen to be varied with the signal-to-noise ratio of lidar signal. • Validation experiment is performed with the HSRL system at Zhejiang University. The obtained aerosol optical depth meets well with that from the sun photometer (5.9% in terms of bias error). • Measurements performed over eastern China extend the database of aerosols near the Yangtze River Delta region. The comparison of optical properties between our results and established literatures demonstrates that our measurements and method are reasonably good and satisfactory. A ground-based high-spectral-resolution lidar (HSRL), operated at 532 nm wavelength, has been developed at Zhejiang University (ZJU) for aerosols and clouds studies. This lidar provides vertical profiles of aerosol scattering ratio together with lidar ratio and particle depolarization ratio at 532 nm. These single wavelength HSRL observations can be used to automatically identify the features attributed to dust/polluted dust, urban/smoke, maritime aerosols, as well as ice and liquid water cloud during day and night. Developed algorithm was applied to extended data set obtained during field campaigns performed at coastal city Zhoushan and metropolis Hangzhou over eastern China. To evaluate the practical performance of feature detection, the obtained aerosol optical depth (AOD) from ZJU HSRL has been compared with that from the sun photometers and they agree very well (5.9% in terms of bias error). Also, aerosol classification obtained with presented algorithm agrees well with previous established literatures. Furthermore, based on our method and extensive data sets from ZJU HSRL, measurements performed over eastern China extend the database of aerosols especially with respect to urban and marine and dust near the Yangtze River Delta region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the Mo element on the intergranular corrosion behavior was investigated on super-austenitic stainless steels. The σ-phase structure and compositional changes of stainless steels with different Mo contents during aging at 800–900°C were investigated by TEM, combined with electrochemical tests, and two different intergranular corrosion mechanisms were revealed. The low-Mo 904 L stainless steel induces severe intergranular electrochemical corrosion due to selective anodic dissolution at grain boundaries caused by decreased passivation ability and σ-phase composition changes. The σ-phase precipitation of 254SMo and AL-6XN with high-Mo leads to Cr and Mo depletion reduces passivation film continuity, and causes intergranular corrosion. • Aging coarsens the σ-phase at grain boundaries in super austenitic steels with higher Mo content. • Low Mo austenitic steels face intergranular corrosion from weakened boundary passivation. • High Mo steels suffer intergranular corrosion from Cr/Mo depletion and erratic passivation. • Precipitate morphology and composition significantly alter intergranular corrosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A microchannel with serial converging–diverging geometries is designed. • The channel shows superior mass transfer performance at high injection ratios. • We reveal the transport mechanism behind the superior mass transfer performance. • We screen flow patterns in the device and identify the optimum flow regime. A microchannel with serial converging–diverging geometries, inspired by porous structures of rock, was designed to enhance the cross-interfacial mass transfer of two-phase flow at a high phase injection ratio up to 200:1. It was experimentally demonstrated that the design enhanced mass transfer coefficient by approximately four times compared to classic microchannel design. The superior performance of the microchannel was attributed to the retention of dispersed fluid before the converging geometry due to the capillary pressure barrier that resulted in velocity contrast between the two fluids and reduced the effective mass-transfer distance in continuous phase. Additionally, the deformation and dispersal of droplets at the diverging geometry further increased the interfacial area. The flow patterns in this geometry were experimentally identified. The serial converging–diverging design can be used for high phase ratio extraction applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To investigate the pharmacokinetics of rhein in human, a liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass/mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI-MS/MS) method for the determination of rhein in human plasma is established in this study. Indomethacin is used as the internal standard (I.S.). The plasma samples are analyzed after protein precipitation with methanol, and the LC separation is performed on an Agilent Eclipse XDB-C18 column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile–0.2% formic acid water (70:30, v/v). The electrospray-ion source is performed in the negative mode. The multi-reaction monitoring mode is selected and the ion selected channels are set at m/z: 283.1→238.9 for rhein ([M−H]− →[M–CO2–H]−) and m/z: 356.2→312.0 for indomethacin ([M−H]− →[M–CO2–H]−), respectively. Calibration curve is linear over the range of 1.0–8000.0ng/ml. The chromatographic separation is achieved within 12min. The lower limits of quantification (LLOQ) is 1.0ng/ml. The intra- and inter-run precisions are less than 4.65% and 8.28%, respectively. The method is successfully applied to determine the plasma concentrations of rhein in Chinese volunteers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Meclofenoxate hydrochloride is a psychostimulant in the nootropic agent group available in capsule and tablet formulations approved for traumatic cataphora, alcoholic poisoning, anoxia neonatorum, and children''s enuresis in China. Although these 2 generic formulations are marketed in China, information regarding their pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence in humans has not been published. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetic properties and bioequivalence of the capsule (test) and tablet (reference) formulations of meclofenoxate hydrochloride 200 mg in healthy Chinese volunteers. Methods: This single-dose, randomized-sequence, open-label, 2-period crossover study was performed at the Nanjing First Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. Eligible subjects were healthy male volunteers who were randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to receive a single 200-mg dose of the test or reference formulation, followed by a 1-week washout period and administration of the alternate formulation. The study drugs were administered after a 12-hour overnight fast. As a prodrug, meclofenoxate is hydrolyzed into 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid and is not detected in plasma. The active metabolite of meclofenoxate, chlorophenoxyacetic acid, was assayed using a high-performance liquid chromatography method. For analysis of pharmacokinetic properties, including Cmax, AUC0–24, and AUC0-∞, blood samples were obtained at 0.33, 0.67, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, and 24 hours after administration. The formulations were considered bioequivalent if the log-transformed ratios of Cmax and AUC were within the predetermined equivalence range (80%–125%) as established by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Subjects were interviewed concerning the occurrence of adverse events including excitement, insomnia, lassitude, and headache. Tolerability was assessed at baseline (before administration) and at 1, 2, 6, and 12 hours after administration by monitoring vital signs and laboratory tests (hematology, blood biochemistry, hepatic function, and urinalysis). Results: Twenty-four Chinese male subjects (mean [range]age,23.5[22–30]years;weight,63.3[56–68]kg; height, 171 [165–184] cm) were enrolled; all completed the study. No period or sequence effect was observed. The 90% CIs for the log-transformed ratios of chlorophenoxyacetic acid Cmax, AUC0–24, and AUC0-∞ were 95.7 to 122.9, 97.6 to 111.9, and 97.8 to 111.7, respectively (all, P>0.05). Similar results were found for the data without log-transformation. No adverse events were reported or observed during this single-dose study. Conclusions: In this small study in healthy Chinese adult male volunteers, a single 200-mg dose of the capsule formulation was found to be bioequivalent to a single 200-mg dose of the tablet formulation based on the US FDA''s regulatory definition (rate and extent of absorption). Both formulations were well tolerated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We set an improved high-performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection HPLC-FLU assay with more sensitivity and precision for the quantification of tamoxifen and two metabolites: 4-hydroxytamoxifen and N-desmethyltamoxifen. The compounds and internal standard, mexiletine, were separated with an Agilent Extend C18 column set at 65°C and a mobile phase of methanol–1% triethylamine aqueous solution (pH 11; 82:18, v/v). The detection system utilized offline ultraviolet irradiation to convert the analytes to their respective photocyclisation products, followed by fluorescence detection (λ ex =260nm and λ em =375nm). The limits of quantification for tamoxifen, N-desmethyltamoxifen and 4-hydroxytamoxifen in plasma were improved to 0.5, 0.5 and 0.1ng/ml, respectively. And the retention times for tamoxifen, N-desmethyltamoxifen and 4-hydroxytamoxifen were minimized to 11, 10 and 3.9min, respectively. A single stage liquid–liquid extraction method for determination of these triphenylethylene drugs in plasma was developed, with high extraction efficiency and rapid sample treatment for target compounds. The method has been validated for use in a clinical bioavailability research of tamoxifen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The DMT1(Nramp2/DCT1) is a newly discovered proton-coupled metal-ion transport protein. The cellular localization and functional characterization of DMT1 suggest that it might play a role in physiological iron transport in the brain. In the study, we evaluated effects of dietary iron and age on iron content and DMT1 expression in four brain regions: cortex, hippocampus, striatum, substantia nigra. Total iron content in all regions was significantly lower in the low-iron diet rats and higher in the high-iron diet rats than that in the control animals, showing that dietary iron treatment for 6-weeks can alter brain iron levels. Contrary to our expectation, there was no significant alternation in DMT1(+IRE) and (-IRE) mRNA expression and protein content in all brain regions examined in spite of the existence of the altered iron levels in these regions after 6-weeks’ diet treatment although TfR mRNA expression and protein level were affected significantly, as was expected. The data demonstrates that expression of DMT1(+IRE) and (-IRE) was not regulated by iron in these regions of adult rats. The lack of response of DMT1 to iron status in the brain suggests that the IRE of brain DMT1 mRNA might be not really iron-responsive and that DMT1-mediated iron transport might be not the rate-limiting step in brain iron uptake in adult rats. Our findings also showed that development can significantly affect brain iron and DMT1(+IRE) and (-IRE) expression but the effect varies in different brain regions, indicating a regionally specific regulation in the brain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• In this work, we presented an iterative-based general determination method for retrieving the overlap function in HSRL. • No crucial requirement of atmospheric condition nor modified optical system in HSRL is needed in this method. • Validation experiment is performed with the HSRL system at zhejiang University. The obtained overlap function meets well with that from the dual-FOV method. • The IGD method can be used for recording the HSRL overlap function with real-time lidar signals because the running time is short enough to be neglected comparing to the acquisition time. Determination of overlap function is a key step in the calibration of a high-spectral-resolution lidar (HSRL). In this work, an iterative-based general determination (IGD) method for overlap function in HSRL is proposed. Error analysis with Monte-Carlo (MC) simulation is performed and illustrates the algorithm shows high accuracy and has high stability with an accurate lidar ratio assumption. A comparison experiment shows the overlap function from the proposed algorithm agrees well with that from a dual-field-of-view (dual-FOV) HSRL system. Since no modified optical system in HSRL is needed, this method shows great potential in real-time recording of overlap function in the HSRL system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]