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Whether Li–S batteries can be worked in a wider temperature range is particularly important. Here, we report micro/nanostructure CoFe2O4 rods combining both catalytic sites (Co) and adsorption sites (Fe). Under the synergistic enhancement of these two different sites, the conversion rate of polysulfides in Li–S batteries is greatly accelerated, and the “shuttle effect” is effectively suppressed. When used as the host material for Li–S batteries, the capacity, rate performance and cycling stability are promoted greatly. Most importantly, the cell achieves an excellent electrochemical performance at high temperatures. After 1000 cycles, the Li–S battery using CoFe2O4 nanorods as the cathode exhibits a high reversible capacity of about 700 mA h g−1 at a high temperature of 70 °C with a capacity attenuation of less than 0.02% per cycle. Meanwhile, the battery also shows excellent performance at −20 °C owing to the high catalytic activity.

Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder. The anti–interleukin 6 (IL-6) therapy siltuximab is not available everywhere, and is not effective for over one-half of patients. Alternative treatment approaches are urgently needed. In the first iMCD clinical trial directed against a target other than IL-6 signaling, we investigated a thalidomide-cyclophosphamide-prednisone (TCP) regimen in newly diagnosed iMCD patients. This single-center, single-arm, phase 2 study enrolled 25 newly diagnosed iMCD patients between June 2015 and June 2018. The TCP regimen (thalidomide 100 mg daily for 2 years; oral cyclophosphamide 300 mg/m2 weekly for 1 year; prednisone 1 mg/kg twice a week for 1 year) was administered for 2 years or until treatment failure. The primary end point was durable tumor and symptomatic response for at least 24 weeks. Twelve patients (48%) achieved the primary end point with no relapse, 3 patients (12%) demonstrated stable disease, and 10 patients (40%) were evaluated as treatment failure. Even when considering all patients, there were significant (P < .05) improvements in median symptom score, IL-6 level, hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, albumin, and immunoglobulin G. Among responders, the median levels of all evaluated parameters significantly improved, to the normal range, after treatment. The regimen was well tolerated. One patient died of pulmonary infection and 1 patient had a grade 3 adverse event (rash); 2 patients died following disease progression. Estimated 1-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 60% and 88%, respectively. The TCP regimen is an effective and safe treatment of newly diagnosed iMCD patients, particularly when siltuximab is unavailable. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03043105.

For Li-S batteries, the interlayer between the separator and sulfur cathode preventing lithium polysulfide (LiPS) travel across the membrane is a research hotspot. The good blocking ability for LiPSs indicates that these interlayers can promote the electrochemistry performance with high S loading. However, most of these interlayers are just used as a simple blocking wall. Such a blocking wall, for example, the lower Li+ ion conductivity, would often reduce the electrochemical performance, especially under large current density. Here, we report a multifunctional ion-sieve made by three two-dimensional (2D) sheets, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), boron nitride (BN), and graphene. A g-C3N4 sheet which possesses orderly channels with a size of 3 A in the crystalline structure can effectively prevent polysulfides from passing through but allow lithium ions to pass freely, whereas a BN sheet acts as an excellent catalyst for sulfur redox, and graphene acts as an extended collector, which can promote the conductivity of the sulfur electrode region. Benefiting from the synergistic effect among these 2D materials, the ion-sieve interlayer makes the Li-S battery show excellent performance at a large rate with both high sulfur loadings and high sulfur content. In addition, the host materials are not necessary in these cells. The ion-sieve liberated a discharge capacity of about 600 mA h g-1 after 500 cycles at 1 C, and the capacity attenuation was less than 0.01% per cycle with a 6 mg cm-2 areal S-loading (pure S as the active material). The reversible capacity could be maintained at more than 400 mA h g-1 at 2 C, which amounts to an area current density of 26.88 mA cm-2.

In this work, a series of Mg–Sn–W oxide powder catalysts with different tungsten oxide contents (0, 15 wt% and 30 wt%) were prepared and washcoated on cordierite honeycomb monoliths to produce monolithic catalysts, which were tested for the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of cyclohexanone. The obtained monolithic catalysts, which combined the advantages of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, showed high catalytic efficiency and overcame the problems of product separation that occurred in the homogeneous catalytic process. SEM and EDX tests showed that the catalytic coating, with a thickness of approximately 20 μm, was compact and homogeneous, and an enlarged BET surface area was indicated by N2 adsorption–desorption compared with the bare cordierite honeycomb. The chemical properties on the catalytic surface of the powder and monolithic catalysts were characterized by XPS, which indicated the tin and tungsten on the catalysts exhibited their full oxide states and presented mainly as stannate and tungstate, as confirmed by XRD and FTIR characterizations. Moreover, the catalytic activity test indicated that the tungsten content of the catalysts played an important role in catalytic efficiency and that monolithic catalysts were produced without obvious catalytic activity loss compared with the corresponding powders. (M)W30, which exhibited excellent mechanical stability and maintained high activity after recycling three times, was the optimal catalyst, showing a high selectivity that exceeded 86% and a conversion above 64%. Therefore, the structured Mg–Sn–W oxide catalysts have great potential for application in practical production.

Investigations of the Ag (I)-substituted Keggin K3[H3AgIPW11O39] as a bifunctional Lewis acidic and basic catalyst are reported that explore the stabilization of Li2Sn moieties so that reversible redox reactions in S-based electrodes would be possible. Spectroscopic investigations showed that the Li2Sn-moieties can be strongly adsorbed on the {AgIPW11O39} cluster, where the Ag(I) ion can act as a Lewis acid site to further enhance the adsorption of the S-moieties, and these interactions were investigated and rationalized using DFT. These results were used to construct an electrode for use in a Li-S battery with a very high S utilization of 94%, and a coulometric capacity of 1580 mAh g-1. This means, as a result of using the AgPOM, both a high active S content, as well as a high areal S mass loading, is achieved in the composite electrode giving a highly stable battery with cycling performance at high rates (1050 and 810 mAh g-1 at 1C and 2C over 100 to 300 cycles, respectively).

High utilization and loading of sulfur in cathodes holds the key in the realization of Li–S batteries. We here synthesized a Co4N mesoporous sphere, which was made up of nanosheets, via an easy and convenient method. This material presents high affinity, speedy trapping, and absorbing capacity for polysulfides and acts as a bifunctional catalysis for sulfur redox processes; therefore it is an ideal matrix for S active material. With such a mesoporous sphere used as a sulfur host in Li–S batteries, extraordinary electrochemistry performance has been achieved. With a sulfur content of 72.3 wt % in the composite, the Co4N@S delivered a high specific discharge capacity of 1659 mAh g–1 at 0.1 C, almost reaching its theoretic capacity. Also, the battery exhibited a large reversible capacity of about 1100 mAh g–1 at 0.5 C and 1000 mAh g–1 at 1 C after 100 cycles. At a high rate of 2 C and 5 C, after 300 cycles, the discharge capacity finally stabilized at 805 and 585 mAh g–1. Even at a 94.88% sulfur content, the...

In this study, five growth stages of Oriental lily ‘Justina’ leaves (10 d, 25 d, 50 d, 75 d and 100 d), and seven different parts of styles, anthers, petals, leaves, stems, bulbs and roots in 100 day growth were used as test materials to measure the content of carotenoid and chlorophyll in Lilium by organic solvent method. The semi-quantitative expression analysis of 12 key enzyme genes ( PSY , PDS , Z-ISO , ZDS , CRTISO , LCYB , LCYE , HYB , VDE , ZEP , CCS and NCED ) of Lilium carotenoid metabolic pathway was carried out according to the sequencing results of transcriptome library. The study cloned the open reading frame (ORF) sequence of Lilium LCYB gene and carried out related bioinformatics analysis. The results showed that carotenoid and chlorophyll content were significantly different in the five different stages of Lilium leaf growth and seven different parts of Lilium ripening stage. The expression levels of 12 key enzyme genes were variant in different growth stages and parts. The complete ORF of the LCYB gene was cloned with the whole length of 1,503 bp, encoding 500 amino acids, which had typical conserved region characteristics of Carotene Cycl super family. It showed the closest relationship with Musa acuminata among the known genome-wide plants. This study might provide a solid theoretical basis for further study of Lilium carotenoid metabolic pathways and further understanding of the molecular mechanism of Lilium color and leaf color synthesis.

SrO–La 2 O 3 –Al 2 O 3 –SiO 2 glasses with different SrO content are prepared and their stability in high temperature air and steam are investigated. All glasses are stable during 1000 h test at 800 °C in air. Nevertheless, the high–SrO glasses (≥40 mol%) are devitrified on the surfaces when they are treated at 850–900 °C in air or exposed to steam. 29 Si magic–angle–spinning nuclear magnetic resonance study reveals weaker connections between [SiO 4 ] tetrahedral units and increased micro–heterogeneity of glass networks with increasing SrO content, which should be responsible to the lower stability of the high–SrO glasses. It indicates that a careful control of SrO content is necessary to develop stable SrO–La 2 O 3 –Al 2 O 3 –SiO 2 glass sealants for solid oxide fuel cells and solid oxide electrolysis cells.

Lithium/sulfur (Li/S) batteries have become promising future power sources owing to the high energy density. Carbon materials are the most used sulfur hosts, but their ability to adsorb polysulfide intermediates has been unreliable, thus recently many researchers have turned their interest to metal oxide materials. Here, we manufactured a composite of carbon nanotubes modified with manganese oxide nanoparticles (CNTs/MnO) as a sulfur host material. In Li/S cells, the CNTs/MnO–S cathode showed a rather better cycling stability over 100 cycles than a CNTs–S cathode with the same carbon/sulfur weight ratio of about 1 : 8. In addition, the CNTs/MnO–S cathode presented an initial discharge capacity of 716 mA h g−1 at a high current density of 5.0C, in contrast to the result of only 415 mA h g−1 with the CNTs–S cathode. Physical and electrochemical characterization proved that the MnO modification does not vary the surface area of the CNTs but lowers their electrical conductivity. By carefully comparing the differences in the 1st discharge capacities of the two cathodes, the MnO modification could obviously improve the initial utilization of S especially at high current densities. The improved electrochemical characteristics of the CNTs/MnO–S electrode can be attributed to its properties of a stronger adsorption capability for polysulfides.

In order to restrain the decomposition and conductivity degradation of perovskite-type conductive material in the presence of chromia, manganese oxide modification of lanthanum strontium cobaltite has been studied. La 0.7 Sr 0.3 CoO 3− δ (LSC) and MnO 2 -modified LSC coatings are applied onto Ni–Cr alloy and exposed to long-term oxidation text to examine their chemical stability. In a LSC coating, chromium species migrating from the Ni–Cr alloy could induce the decomposition of LSC and produce SrCrO 4 and Co–Cr spinel oxides. In contrast, in the MnO 2 -modified LSC, Sr is stable and the low-conductivity phase SrCrO 4 phase is rarely seen even the coated alloy has gone through 1000 h of oxidation tests at 800 °C. It highlights that MnO 2 modification could greatly improve the stability of LSC under Cr-rich conditions. The study of solid state reactions reveals that the influence of MnO 2 is mainly due to the reaction between MnO 2 and LSC, instead of the direct reaction between MnO 2 and chromium oxides.

Ethnopharmacological relevance The leaf of Elaeagnus pungens thunb. (Family Elaeagnaceae) has been documented as an effective herb for the treatment of asthma and chronic bronchitis in traditional Chinese medicine. In the past years, only a few of preliminary studies reported the chemical constituents and pharmacology effects of the herb, but their action on the tracheal relaxation has not been investigated. Aim of the study To investigate the relaxing effect and mechanism of the extracts from Elaeagnus pungens leaves on guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle and bronchi smooth muscle cells. Materials and methods Four fractions of different polarities from Elaeagnus pungens leaves were tested to the tracheal strips on the resting tension or pre-contracted by histamine (20 μM) and acetylcholine (20 μM). Inhibitory effects of the 1-butanol fraction (400 mg/ml) on cumulative histamine and acetylcholine (0.2–20 μM) induced contraction were measured. In order to determine the mediators on the 1-butanol fraction effect, the relaxing effect of the 1-butanol fraction was evaluated in the absence and presence of β-adrenoceptor antagonists (1 μM propranolol), K + channels-blockers (4-aminopyridine (2 mM), tetraethylammonium chloride (5 mM) or glibenclamide (10 μM)), the cyclooxygenase inhibitor (indomethacin, 10 μM), nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (Nω-nitro- l -arginine methyl ester, 100 μM) or l -type Ca 2+ channel inhibitor (nifedipine, 1 μM). Moreover, [Ca 2+ ] i in bronchi smooth muscle cells was analyzed by measuring the fluorescence intensity with confocal system. Results 1-Butanol fraction induced the highest relaxant effect among four fractions of different polarities from Elaeagnus pungens leaves, and significantly relaxed the tracheal strip in the concentration-dependent manner on the resting tension and pre-contracted by histamine phosphate and acetylcholine. It also produced an unparallel rightward shift of the cumulative concentration-response curve of histamine or acetylcholine. Furthermore, the relaxant effect of 1-butanol fraction was not affected by propranolol, glibenclamide, tetraethylammonium chloride, 4-aminopyridine, indomethacin and Nω-nitro- l -arginine methyl ester. However, 1-butanol fraction-induced relaxation decreased after adding nifedipine. It also concentration-dependently inhibited CaCl 2 -induced contraction in the Ca 2+ -free, 60 mM K + -containing solution. Additionally, [Ca 2+ ] i in the BSMCs significantly reduced after administration of the 1-butanol fraction. Conclusions The 1-butanol fraction from Elaeagnus pungens leaves resulted in a relaxation in the non-precontracted and pre-contracted tracheal strips. The relaxant effect was not related to K + channels, NO, cGMP or β-adrenoceptors, but related to the inhibition of Ca 2+ influx through l -type Ca 2+ channels.

Pt-CeOx/C (1.5

A molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) saturable absorber (SA) was fabricated via the liquid-phase exfoliation method. The optical properties of MoS2 were systematically characterized and the modulation depth was measured to be 6.2%. A laser-diode-end-pumped, passively mode-locked Nd : YVO4 / PPLN green laser with a SA based on few-layered MoS2 was successfully demonstrated. The pulse width of the stable continuous-wave mode-locked laser operating at 532.1 nm was 3.5 ps, and the pulse repetition frequency was 87.2 MHz. The maximum average output power of 757 mW was obtained under an absorbed pump power of 8.62 W. The calculated single pulse energy and peak power were 8.7 nJ and 2.49 kW, respectively.

Dense doped ceria films are promising candidate electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) operated at intermediate temperature (∼ 500 °C). In this work, detailed microstructural features of Gd-doped ceria (GDC) electrolyte film supported by Ni-GDC cermet anode were studied. Formation of inhomogeneous microstructures in the GDC film was observed, which was enhanced in the region near the film/anode interface due to the Ni diffusion from the anode. Then, the mechanism by which Ni affects the microstructure was explained by computer simulation of formation and development of defect clusters. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The microstructure and conductivity property of Ca-doped CeO2 were studied in a wide range of dopant concentrations (from 5 to 50 at.%). Through detailed transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigations, we determined the secondary phase besides the doped ceria, clarified the solubility limit for the dopant and specified the reduction behavior of CeO2 induced by the Ca doping and the associated reduction product. The influences of the microstructures on the ionic conductivity of Ca-doped CeO2 are discussed, from which the optimal doping level of Ca is suggested.

Well dispersed Ce 1− x Tb x O 2− δ nano-powders were synthesized by using the carbonate coprecipitation method in an entire compositional range of 0⩽ x ⩽1, which allowed the preparation of highly dense pellets by sintering at 1673 K and the systematical study of the electrical conductivity in such a wide compositional range. It was found that the conductivity increased with increasing Tb concentration except that of x =0.80. Secondary phase were observed by using X-ray diffraction in the samples with x ⩾0.80, which might have negative impact on the conductivity of the samples.

A considerable interest has been shown in the application of doped ceria (CeO2) compounds for “intermediate” (300–500 °C) temperature operation of solid oxide fuel cells. The microdomains with ordered structure of oxygen vacancy were observed in the microstructure of the M-doped CeO2-sintered bodies (where M: Gd, Y, and Dy). We have previously shown that the conductivity of doped CeO2-sintered bodies was lower when the sintered body contained large microdomains within grains. As a consequence of this observation, we have examined the grain size dependence and dopant content on conductivity in specimens where we adjust the microdomain size and a degree of oxygen vacancy ordering in the microdomains by controlling the microstructure. The microdomain size control in Dy-doped CeO2 specimens was obtained by combining pulsed electric current sintering and conventional sintering. Using these techniques, we were able to improve the conductivity in Dy-doped CeO2 specimens to a point where it became comparable to that of the more conventional Gd-doped CeO2 specimens. It is concluded that by combining ultimate high-resolution analysis of these nanostructures with the adjusting processing route design, it is possible to further develop these materials in CeO2-doped fuel cell application.

Ce1-xTbxO2-delta nano-powders have been successfully synthesized by using the ammonium carbonate coprecipitation method in an entire compositional range of 0 = 0.7. TEM observation indicated that the secondary phase could have a superstructure formed by a structural modulation of the fluorite structure.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a significant air pollutant produced in incomplete oxidation of carbon in combustion. From the viewpoint of environmental protection, it is important that the concentration of CO gas is lowered in air. Catalysis is proving to be an effective route for removing this pollutant. Therefore, a design of nano-structured catalysts with high efficiency is required. In the present work, we focus on a development of nano-size CuOx-CeO2 catalysts for CO oxidation reaction. To prepare nano-structured Cu loaded CeO2 catalysts, a combined method of the conventional impregnation and ammonium carbonate co-precipitation was examined. Morphology, crystal phase and surface structure of prepared catalysts were characterized using High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Catalytic properties of CuOx-CeO2 for CO oxidation were investigated in gas flow reactor system under atmospheric pressure and compared with copper oxide loaded zinc oxide. We expected that nano-structured CuOx-CeO2 catalysts could be used for removing CO produced in a wet reforming reaction of fuel cell applications.

The use of combination drugs is considered to be a promising strategy to control complex diseases such as ischemic stroke. The detection of metabolites has been used as a versatile tool to reveal the potential mechanism of diverse diseases. In this study, the levels of 12 endogenous AAs were simultaneously determined quantitatively in the MCAO rat brain using RRLC-QQQ method. Seven AAs were chosen as the potential biomarkers, and using PLS-DA analysis, the effects of the new combination drug YQJD, which is composed of ginsenosides, berberine, and jasminoidin, on those 7 AAs were evaluated. Four AAs, glutamic acid, homocysteine, methionine, and tryptophan, which changed significantly in the YQJD-treated groups compared to the vehicle groups (P < 0.05), were identified and designated as the AAs to use to further explore the synergism of YQJD. The result of a PCA showed that the combination of these three drugs exhibits the strongest synergistic effect compared to other combination groups and that ginsenosides might play a pivotal role, especially when combined with jasminoidin. We successfully explored the synergetic mechanism of multi-component and provided a new method for evaluating the integrated effects of combination drugs in the treatment of complex diseases.

Cellular retinoic acid binding protein-I (CRABP-I) and cellular retinoic acid binding protein-II (CRABP-II) are highly homologous, 15 kDa proteins which bind all-trans-retinoic acid. In the adult, CRABP-II is expressed predominately in the epidermis, while CRAPB-I is expressed in a variety of tissues. To obtain structural information which could aid the design of more selective ligands, isotope-directed NMR methods were employed to observe the CRABP-bound conformation of 13C-labeled retinoic acid and to identify its contact points with neighboring amino acids. Analysis of HMQC, HMQC-TOCSY, and 13C-TOCSY-REVINEPT on CRABP-bound (2,3,6,7,8,9,10,11,19-13C)- and (1,4,5,8,9,16, 17,18,19-13C)-all trans-retinoic acid allowed the unambiguous assignment of all labeled protons and their attached 13C resonances. The volumes of 16 olefinic proton-methyl NOE cross-peaks measured from 30-ms 13C-(omega 2)-filtered 1H NOESY experiments were used to determine the conformations about the 6-, 8-, and 10-single bonds of the retinoic acid polyene chain. These spectra show qualitatively distinct NOE patterns for the two CRABPs. Measured cross-peak volumes for CRABP-II bound retinoic acid were well predicted by a single, static conformational having a 6-s torsion angle of -60 degrees skewed from a cis conformation. In contrast, for CRABP-I no single, static conformation was able to match the pattern of cross-peaks, suggesting motion about the 6-s bond. The measured cross-peaks were best described by 8-s and 10-s torsion angles of 180 degrees +/- 30 degrees, a trans configuration, for both proteins. The pattern of intermolecular NOESY cross-peaks between 13C-labeled protons in the ring portion of retinoic acid and protein protons were different between CRABP-I and CRABP-II. These differences coincide well with nearby amino acid substitutions in the recently reported X-ray structures of crystalline CRABP-I and CRABP-II and may assist rational design of selective ligands.

Comparative 19 F-NMR studies of fluororetin ol analogs with rat cellular retinol binding protein II (CRBP II) and rat cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP) were performed to probe differences in the binding interactions of these two homologous proteins. Line shape analyses of 19 F-NMR spectra of ( E , E , Z , E )-6-fluoro-9-(4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethylphenyl)-3,7-dimethyl-2,4,6,8-nonatetren-1-ol (ligand 1), ( E , E , Z , E )-6-fluoro-9-(2,2′dimethyl-6-ethylcyclohexenyl)-3,7-dimethyl-2,4,6,8-nonatetren-1-ol (ligand 2), ( E , Z , E , E )-5-fluoro-9-(2,2′-dimethyl-6-methylcyclohexenyl)-3,7-dimethyl-2,4,6,8-nonatetren- l -ol (ligand 3), when complexed with CRBP II at temperatures ranging from 0–45°C, revealed that the 19 F resonances corresponding to the bound ligand were in slow chemical exchange between two resonance frequencies. This was further supported by a 2D-NOESY exchange experiment. The k ex at 25°C was estimated from spectral simulation and fitting analyses to be 887 s ±1 , 1010 s ±1 and 771 s ±1 for CRBP II complexed 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In contrast, only a single absorption was observed for bound ligands complexed with rat CRBP over this temperature range, suggesting that the conformational dynamics of retinol binding are differeut for these two closely homologous proteins.

To understand the ceria promotion effect of Pt-CeO(2)/C catalysts on methanol oxidation, microstructural and metal-oxide interactions of Pt-CeO(2)/C catalysts with an atomic ratio of Pt/Ce between 0.14 and 1.4 were systematically examined using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). With an increasing Pt content in the catalysts, Pt particles gradually invaded into the ceria supports and decoration on Pt particles was observed. Simultaneously, the morphology of the supports was dramatically modified with nanocrystalline and amorphous ceria formed between and/or around the Pt particles. It reveals that the Pt-ceria interaction could take place in the catalysts and the influence of the interaction was enhanced with an increasing Pt/Ce ratio. The EELS study demonstrated that the strong Pt-ceria interaction was related to the redox reaction between Pt and ceria. Experimental results also suggested that the strong interaction between Pt and ceria could contribute to the promotion effect of ceria on the oxidation of methanol.

This longitudinal study addressed the sequential events and metabolic consequences of lipid partitioning following uninephrectomy. Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into sham operation (n = 15) or left uninephrectomy (UNX, n = 18). At 1 and 3 months post nephrectomy, three rats from each group were killed for histopathological examination of adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation. Renal protein expression of the lipogenic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR), and adiponectin receptor was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence microscopy. Blood lipids, glucose, insulin, and renal functions were longitudinally measured up to 10 months after operation. The UNX rats progressively developed lipodystrophy of subcutaneous and visceral adipose depots with failure of adipocyte differentiation and lipid storage, followed by blood lipid elevation and ectopic lipid deposition with cellular lipid peroxidation, and renal adipogenesis with chronic inflammatory infiltration. Despite having standard diet, normal food consumption and normal body weight, the uninephrectomized rats with defective lipid partitioning manifested a myriad of homeostatic disturbances including insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, adiponectin resistance, and upregulation of PPAR-γ and HMGCR. Abnormal lipid partitioning from adipose depots to circulation and non-adipose tissues and non-adipocytic cells contributes to homeostatic disturbances and lipogenic activation.

A comparative study of the interactions of rat cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP) and cellular retinol-binding protein II (CRBP II) with a number of synthetic phenyl-substituted analogs of all-trans-retinol was performed using fluorescence and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. These studies indicate that CRBP II is more sensitive to modifications of the ring moiety than CRBP. Removal of the two methyl substituents on the ring which are ortho to the polyene chain abolishes binding to CRBP II. Conformational analysis of the ligands indicates that these two methyl groups influence the planarity of the ligand. The identification of monospecific ligands may prove useful for studying the physiological roles of these two proteins.

A new convenient strategy for functionalization of the 2-position of cyclodextrins involving deprotonation of cyclodextrin by sodium hydride followed by a nucleophilic attack of the resultant cyclodextrin oxyanion on the desired electrophile gives a high yield of the cyclodextrin derivative.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is associated with coronary artery injury. Studies have shown that the endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) participates in the process of arterial repair. Data have been reported that the number of EPC increased significantly in the subacute phase of KD. However, until now, there are no data about the functions of EPC in KD patients. The present study was designed to further investigate the number and functions of EPC in KD. Ten KD patients in the acute phase and ten healthy volunteers were recruited and attributed to the KD group and control group, respectively. The circulating CD34/kinase insert domain-containing receptor double positive cells were evaluated in the two groups using flow cytometry. In vitro assays were used to measure the functions of EPC, including proliferation, adhesion, and migration activities. The plasma levels of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were also assessed in both groups. The number of EPC in the KD group was significantly higher than that of the control group (0.021 +/- 0.007% vs. 0.014 +/- 0.003%, P0.05). The migratory response of EPC was significantly decreased in the KD group, compared with that of the control group (5.50 +/- 1.78 vs. 3.40 +/- 1.35 cells/high power field, P0.01). Similarly, the proliferative and adhesive activities of EPC in the KD group were also decreased (0.47 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.66 +/- 0.07, P0.01; 6.5 +/- 2.12 vs. 11.2 +/- 2.04 cells/high power field, P0.01). The plasma NO, TNF-alpha, and hs-CRP levels in the KD group were higher than those of the control group (54.10 +/- 11.78 vs. 38.80 +/- 11.10 mumol/l, P0.01; 48.20 +/- 7.42 vs. 37.00 +/- 11.12 pg/ml, P0.05; 87.10 +/- 30.18 vs. 5.30 +/- 3.37 mg/l, P0.01). The number of circulating EPC positively correlated with the level of NO (r = 0.92, P0.001), and the functions of EPC negatively correlated with the levels of TNF-alpha and hs-CRP, respectively. In Kawasaki disease, the number of EPC was enhanced and the functions of EPC were attenuated. The two-way regulation of circulating EPC in KD patients may be associated with the disorders of cytokines or messengers in KD patients.

The catalysis of an aromatic electrophilic substitution reaction by cyclodextrins is reported. The catalysis can be explained on the bases of the electron rich character of the interior of the cyclodextrin cavity. Kinetic analyses of this reaction in the presence of cyclodextrins indicate binding and catalysis.

Studies of electron energy loss spectroscopy and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) were systematically performed on 15 and 25 at. % lanthanide (Ln)-doped ceria samples (Ln=Sm, Gd, Dy, and Yb), through which the local ordering of oxygen vacancies that develops with increase in doping level was confirmed in the sequence of (Gd,Sm)>Dy>Yb. Furthermore, a monotone correlation between the development of the ordering and the degradation of ionic conductivity with increasing the doping concentration from 15 to 25 at. % was observed. Based on the analysis of SAED patterns, a structural model for the ordering of oxygen vacancies has been constructed, in which the arrangement of oxygen vacancies is similar to that in C-type Ln2O3 oxides and the 110 pairs of the vacancies are preferred. Then, the factors that can influence the formation of the ordering are discussed.

A new convenient strategy for functionalization of the 2-position of cyclodextrins involving deprotonation of cyclodextrin by sodium hydride followed by a nucleophilic attack of the resultant cyclodextrin oxyanion on the desired electrophile gives a high yield of the cyclodextrin derivative.

Nonlinear optical transimittance in the Super-RENS (super-resolution near-field structure) [glass/SiN(2Onm)/ Sb(lSnm)/SiN(2Onm)] was investigated using a static transmittance measuring system with a focused laser illumination. Theresult shows an optical switching property with a strong nonlinear effect. Some SEM(Sanning Electron Microscope)images ofrecording spots in a PC(Phase Change) GeSbTe layer with and without the Super-RENS layers covering on itare presented. The images demonstrate the field enhancement effect due to the Super-RENS layers. The cause of theenhancement is considered as the local plasmon excitation.Keywords : super-resoluti on near-field structure (S uper-REN 5), near-fl eld optical recording, local plasmon

As a promising electrolyte material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells operated at a temperature of

25 at. % Rare-earth (RE)-doped ceria samples (RE=Sm, Dy, Y, and Yb) were examined using transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy, from which the oxygen vacancy ordering in nanosized domains was confirmed. The relationships of the dopant type, oxygen vacancy ordering, and ionic conductivity of doped ceria were established. It is found that the ordering of oxygen vacancies depends strongly on the dopant type, and the development of nanosized domains with a higher degree of ordering can lead to a more dramatic decrease of ionic conductivity in doped ceria. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.

The cellular retinol binding proteins, CRBP and CRBP II, are implicated in the cellular uptake of retinol and intracellular trafficking of retinol between sites of metabolic processing. 19F-NMR studies of retinol transfer between CRBP and CRBP II and phospholipid vesicles, using either fluorine-labeled ligand or protein, demonstrated that there was significantly more transfer of retinol from CRBP II to lipid vesicles than from CRBP. Differences in how readily protein-bound retinol is released to lipid bilayers may lead to differences in how these two proteins modulate intracellular retinol metabolism.