Biomedical subjects

J Liu

Publications and source records attributed to J Liu.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

Can renal oncocytomas be distinguished from renal cell carcinoma on fine-needle aspiration specimens? A study of conventional smears in conjunction with ancillary studies.

BACKGROUND: The reliability of using fine-needle aspiration (FNA) to distinguish renal oncocytoma (RO), a benign tumor, from renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which has eosinophilic granular cytoplasm, has been questionable. However, it is clinically significant, because radical nephrectomy may be avoided in patients with RO. The authors retrospectively studied the cytologic features and ancillary study findings of RO compared with findings in RCCs with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm to evaluate the reliability of FNA-based diagnosis of RO. METHODS: The authors reviewed 19 tumors, including 11 ROs, three chromophobe RCCs (CRCCs), three granular variant RCCs (GRCCs), and two eosinophilic variant papillary RCCs (EPRCCs). Smears and cell blocks were prepared using either computed tomography-guided or ultrasound-guided FNA material. Surgical specimens were available for all tumors. Cytokeratin, vimentin, and Hale colloidal iron (HCI) stains were performed on all 19 tumors. Electron microscopy (EM) was available for six tumors. RESULTS: Although most tumors demonstrated their classic cytologic features, the specific diagnosis using conventional smears or even core biopsies was difficult in some tumors, especially ROs, due to the overlapping cytomorphology among these tumors. Cytologic material was obtained from 10 of 11 RO specimens. Of 10 ROs, 8 original FNA-based diagnoses were oncocytic neoplasm. Immunoperoxidase studies revealed that all tumors of each type were positive for cytokeratin, whereas only GRCCs and EPRCCs were positive for vimentin. The two vimentin negative neoplasms, RO and CRCC, could be distinguished by HCI stain, which showed diffuse or focal cytoplasmic positivity in CRCCs and apical/perinuclear staining (73%) or negative staining (27%) in ROs. Ultrastructurally, cytoplasm densely packed with mitochondria was characteristic for oncocytoma. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that ROs can be distinguished reliably from RCCs on the basis of cytologic morphology combined with ancillary studies, including immunostaining with cytokeratin and vimentin antibodies and HCI stain. EM provides additional information to confirm the diagnoses.

Adenoma, Oxyphilic↗

PubMed2001

In vivo interaction between chlorpyrifos and parathion in adult rats: sequence of administration can markedly influence toxic outcome.

Organophosphorus insecticides (OPs) generally act through a common mechanism of toxicity initiated by inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). We studied the in vivo interactive toxicity of two common OPs, chlorpyrifos (CPF) and parathion (PS), in adult male rats. Dose-response studies estimated the acute oral LD1 values for the two OPs (CPF = 80 mg/kg po; PS = 4 mg/kg po) and these dosages or relative proportions were used to evaluate interactive toxicity. Three treatment strategies were evaluated: CPF followed by PS 4 h later (CPF-1st), PS followed by CPF 4 h later (PS-1st), and simultaneous (concurrent) exposures. Using LD1 dosages, rats in the CPF-1st and concurrent groups exhibited more cholinergic toxicity (i.e., salivation, lacrimation, urination, and diarrhea signs and involuntary movements) and higher lethality (7/8 and 6/8, respectively, beginning 1 h after PS) than those in the PS-1st group (2/8 lethality, beginning 3 days after CPF). Sequential exposures to lower dosages (CPF vs PS: 60 vs 3 mg/kg; 40 vs 2 mg/kg) led to more extensive neurotoxicity in the CPF-1st group compared to the other groups. Following lower dosages (40 vs 2 mg/kg), brain ChE inhibition was more extensive in the CPF-1st group at all time points (64-85%) and the concurrent group at 4 and 24 h after exposure (46-83%) compared to rats receiving PS first (7-48%). No differences were noted however, in plasma (71-93% inhibition) or liver (72-81%) cholinesterase activities nor were there group-related differences in plasma (50-60% inhibition) or liver (>85% inhibition) carboxylesterase activities. Incubation of liver samples with oxons in the presence or absence of calcium (i.e., 2 mM CaCl(2) or EGTA) prior to addition of ChE (striatal sample) substantially blocked ChE inhibition by CPO (IC50: without liver = 4 nM; liver + calcium = 279 nM; liver + EGTA = 48 nM) but had lesser effects on PO-mediated inhibition (IC50: without liver = 17 nM; liver + EGTA = 56 nM; liver + calcium = 57 nM). Liver homogenate from animals preexposed to PS substantially decreased ChE inhibition by CPO when calcium was included (IC50: +EGTA = 8 nM; +calcium = 225 nM), but liver homogenate from animals preexposed to CPF was ineffective at blocking PO-induced inhibition (IC50: +EGTA = 16 nM; +calcium = 16 nM). We conclude that prior inhibition of carboxylesterase activity impacts toxicity of subsequent exposure to PS more than CPF because of more active detoxification of CPO by A-esterase. Together, these findings indicate that interactive toxicity from combined exposures to two OP insecticides can be markedly influenced by the sequence of administration.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Binding characteristics of radiofluorinated 6-dialkylamino-2-naphthylethylidene derivatives as positron emission tomography imaging probes for beta-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease.

Senile plaques (SPs) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are hallmark pathologies accompanying the neurodegeneration involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD), for which beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptide is a major constituent of SPs. Our laboratories previously developed the hydrophobic, fluorescent molecular-imaging probe 2-(1-(6-[(2-[(18)F]fluoroethyl)(methyl)amino]-2-naphthyl)ethylidene)malononitrile ([(18)F]FDDNP), which crosses the blood-brain barrier and determines the localization and load of SPs and NFTs in vivo in AD patients. In this report, we used fluorimetric and radioactive binding assays to determine the binding affinities of FDDNP and its analog, 1-(6-[(2-[(18)F]fluoroethyl)(methyl)amino]naphthalen-2-yl)ethanone ([(18)F]FENE), to synthetic fibrils of Abeta(1-40). FDDNP and FENE both appeared to bind to two kinetically distinguishable binding sites on Abeta(1-40) fibrils. Fluorescence titrations yielded apparent K(d) values of 0.12 and 0.16 nm for high-affinity binding sites for FDDNP and FENE, respectively, and apparent K(d) values of 1.86 and 71.2 nm for the low-affinity binding sites. The traditional radioactive binding assays also produced apparent K(d) values in the low nanomolar range. The presence of two kinetically distinguishable binding sites for FDDNP and FENE suggests multiple binding sites for SPs and identifies the parameters that allow for the structural optimization of this family of probes for in vivo use. The high-affinity binding of the probes to multiple binding sites on fibrils are consistent with results obtained with digital autoradiography, immunohistochemistry, and confocal fluorescence microscopy using human brain specimens of AD patients.

Alzheimer Disease↗

PubMed2001

The critical role of the PE21 element in oncostatin M-mediated transcriptional repression of the p53 tumor suppressor gene in breast cancer cells.

Cytokine oncostatin M (OM) exerts growth-inhibitory and differentiative effects on breast cancer cells. Previously we showed that the transcription from the p53 gene in breast cancer cells was down regulated by OM. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the OM effect on p53 transcription, in this study, we dissected the p53 promoter region and analysed the p53 promoter activity in breast tumor cells. We showed that treatment of MCF-7 cells with OM induced a dose- and time-dependent suppression of p53 promoter activity. The p53 promoter activity was decreased to 35% of control at 24 h and further decreased to 20% at 48 h by OM at concentrations of 5 ng/ml and higher. Deletion of the 5'-flanking region of the p53 promoter from -426 to -97 did not affect the OM effect. However, further deletion to -40 completely abolished the repressive effect of OM. The p53 promoter region -96 to -41 contains NF-kappaB and c-myc binding sites, and a newly identified UV-inducible element PE21. Mutations to disrupt NF-kappaB binding or c-myc binding to the p53 promoter decreased the basal promoter activity without affecting the OM-mediated suppression, whereas mutation at the PE21 motif totally abolished the OM effect. We further demonstrated that insertion of PE21 element upstream of the thymidine kinase minimal promoter generated an OM response analogous to that of the p53 promoter. Finally, we detected the specific binding of a nuclear protein with a molecular mass of 87 kDa to the PE21 motif. Taken together, we demonstrate that OM inhibits the transcription of the p53 gene through the PE21 element. Thus, the PE21 element is functionally involved in p53 transcription regulated by UV-induction and OM suppression.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed2001

Fabrication of layer-by-layer deposited multilayer films containing DNA and its interaction with methyl green.

Multilayer films were fabricated by layer-by-layer electrostatic deposition techniques between poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) on glassy carbon and quartz substrates. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy demonstrated the uniform assembly of PDDA/DNA multilayer films, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the elemental composition of the films. Moreover, the interaction of DNA in PDDA/DNA films with methyl green was investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy and circular dichroism (CD).

Animals↗

PubMed2001

[Effects of touch on growth and mentality development in normal infants].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of conducting Touch to infants upon their growth and mental development, sleeping and disease conditions, as well as the difference of effects of conducting Touch among infants of different month age. METHODS: 310 normal full-term infants aged 0-6 months were divided randomly into Touch group (n = 208) and control group (n = 102). Parents of Touch group were asked to conduct Touch to their infants 2-3 times/day, lasting 15-20 minutes every time, for at least 3 months. Intelligence tests were performed to infants of both groups at the beginning of the experiment and 6 months later (CDCC measurement table was employed). Data such as height, weight, circumferences of head and chest, sleeping, feeding and disease conditions etc. were recorded each month in a successive period of 6 months. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 10.0. RESULTS: (1) The average score of mental development (MDI) was 7.4 higher, with a statistically significant difference, among the infants who began to receive touch within 3 months after birth than those infants with the same age in control group. The average score of psychomotor development index (PDI) was 5.8 higher, with a statistically significant difference, among the infants who began to receive touch within 3 months after birth than those infants with the same age in control group. Infants who began to receive touch within 3 months after birth slept remarkably better than those in control group did. No significant difference was found in scores of MDI and PDI and sleeping condition between infants who began to receive touch 3 months after birth and the infants with the same age in the control group. (2) Weight gain and growth in chest circumference in infants receiving touch within one month after birth were significantly better compared with the infants of the same age in the control group. There was no significant difference in values of height and head circumference between the two groups. There was no significant difference in values of height and head circumference between the two groups. (3) No significant difference in the incidence rates of acute respiratory infection and diarrhea disease was found between the touch group and control group. CONCLUSION: (1) Growth and mental development of infants can be improved by touch. Tthe earlier to conduct touch the better the effects. (2) Touch helps improve sleeping condition in infants.

Body Height↗

PubMed2001

Selective T-cell subset ablation demonstrates a role for T1 and T2 cells in ongoing acute graft-versus-host disease: a model system for the reversal of disease.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Strategies to control GVHD while maintaining graft versus leukemia (GVL) include herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene transduction of donor T cells followed by treatment with ganciclovir (GCV). Alternatively, GVHD and GVL may be mediated by distinct processes. In this regard, whether cytokine polarization occurs and to what degrees various subsets of cytokine-producing T cells mediate GVHD or GVL has been an active area of research using cytokine or cytokine antibody infusion or genetically deficient mice. This study takes a different approach that allows simultaneous investigation into both the mechanisms underlying GVHD reactions and the efficacy of HSV-tk suicide gene-based T-cell deletion. A source of donor T cells, splenocytes from mice transgenic for HSV-tk controlled by elements of either the interleukin-2 (IL-2) or IL-4 promoters (IL-2-tk and IL-4-tk, respectively) was used, thus allowing investigation into the roles of T1 and T2 cells in ongoing GVHD reactions. To assess treatment rather than prevention of GVHD, GCV was started at peak disease. Remarkably, treatment at this late time point rescued mice from the clinical effects of GVHD caused by T cells expressing either transgene. Thus, both T1 and T2 cells play an important role in clinical GVHD in a minor histocompatibility antigen-mismatched setting. In addition, because clinical disease was reversible even at its maximum, these observations provide controlled evidence that this strategy of treating ongoing GVHD could be effective clinically.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Herpes simplex virus gene products required for viral inhibition of expression of G1-phase functions.

HSV infection blocks G1 events in the cell cycle and arrests host cell growth in the G1 phase. To further define the mechanism of the effect and determine the viral gene product(s) responsible, we examined various mutant viruses for their effects on cell cycle regulatory proteins (pRb, cyclin D1, and cdk4) and on cell cycle progression into S phase. Unlike the wild-type virus, the ICP27 mutant virus was defective for blocking the phosphorylation of pRb proteins, and the normal pRb pattern was restored in cells infected with a rescued virus. The virion host shutoff (vhs) function, DNA replication, and late gene functions were not required for the virus-induced effects on pRb protein. BrdU incorporation in synchronized HSV-infected cells showed that ICP27 was required for blocking the cell cycle in the G1 phase. Furthermore, ICP27, ICP4, ICP0, and vhs were required for blocking the induction of the G1 cell cycle regulators cyclin D1 and cdk4 in HSV-infected cells. Both ICP27 and the vhs function contributed to the reduction of cyclin D1 mRNA levels in HSV-infected cells: These results provide evidence that HSV-1 ICP27 protein is essential for viral inhibition of G1-phase functions and that certain other HSV proteins are required for some of the viral effects on the cell cycle. Finally, these results show that HSV-1 ICP27 and vhs act jointly to reduce host mRNA levels in infected cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Synthesis and photophysical properties of new fluorinated benzo[c]xanthene dyes as intracellular pH indicators.

Two new fluorinated benzo[c]xanthene dyes were synthesized by reaction of fluorinated 1,6-dihydroxynaphthalenes with 2,4- (and 2,5)-dicarboxy-3'-dimethylamino-2'-hydroxybenzophenone. The two critical fluorinated 1,6-dihydroxynaphthalene intermediates were prepared via a regioselective route. The fluorinated benzo[c]xanthene dyes exhibit desired lower pK(a) values (6.4 and 7.2, respectively) than their parent compound (pK(a)=7.5) while the pH-dependent dual-emission characteristics are well retained. Their cell-permeable esters have been prepared for intracellular applications.

Benzopyrans↗

PubMed2001

Ceramide modulates nicotinic receptor-dependent Ca(2+) signaling in rat chromaffin cells.

Ceramide, which is an integral component of the sphingomyelin signaling pathway, can attenuate voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel (VGCC) activity in a number of cell types. The aim of the present study was to determine whether ceramide can also modulate VGCC activity, and as a consequence nicotinic receptor-dependent Ca(2+) signaling and catecholamine secretion, in rat adrenal chromaffin cells. Short-term C(6)-ceramide (CER) treatment dose-dependently inhibited nicotine (NIC)-induced peak intracellular Ca(2+) transients. Sphingomyelinase elicited similar responses, whereas the inactive ceramide analog C(2)-dihydroceramide had no effect on NIC-induced Ca(2+) transients. CER suppressed KCl- and NIC-induced Ca(2+) transients to a similar extent, suggesting that the voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel was a primary site of inhibition. In direct support of this concept, whole-cell patch-clamp analysis demonstrated that CER and sphingomyelinase significantly reduced peak Ca(2+) currents. Pretreatment with staurosporine significantly attenuated CER-dependent inhibition of both NIC-induced Ca(2+) transients and peak Ca(2+) current, suggesting that the effects of CER are mediated at least in part by protein kinase C. Consistent with suppressed Ca(2+) signaling, CER also significantly inhibited NIC-induced catecholamine secretion measured at the single-cell level by carbon fiber amperometry. This effect of CER was also significantly attenuated by pretreatment with staurosporine These data demonstrate that the sphingomyelin signaling pathway can modulate nicotinic receptor-dependent Ca(2+) signaling and catecholamine secretion in rat chromaffin cells.

Adrenal Medulla↗

PubMed2001

Phase transfer of hydrophilic, cyclodextrin-modified gold nanoparticles to chloroform solutions.

The preparation and characterization of gold nanoparticles (approximately 3 nm in diameter) capped with thiolated alpha- and beta-cyclodextrins (alpha and beta-CD) is described. The CD-capped nanoparticles are hydrophilic and bind ferrocene derivatives as evidenced by electrochemical and (1)H NMR spectroscopic measurements. The binding interactions of the CD-capped nanoparticles with a series of five alkyldimethyl(ferrocenylmethyl)ammonium ions (the alkyl group is propyl for compound 1, heptyl for 2, dodecyl for 3, hexadecyl for 4, and docosyl for 5) can be utilized for the phase transfer of the hydrophilic, CD-capped nanoparticles into a nonpolar chloroform phase. Only 3, 4, and 5 act as effective phase transfer agents, since 1 and 2 do not have enough amphiphilic character. The structure of the aggregates formed upon transfer of the CD-capped nanoparticles to the chloroform solution is postulated to resemble that of reverse micelles, as the nanoparticles template the peripheral arrangement of the cationic ferrocene amphiphiles, counterions and water molecules around their surfaces.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

[The effect of estrogen receptor gene Px haplotype on bone mineral density in Chinese postmenopausal women].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship among the PvuII and XbaI polymorphism of estrogen receptor (ER) gene and bone mineral density (BMD, z-score) and bone biochemical markers in Chinese postmenopausal women. METHODS: The BMD of lumbar vertebrae (L2-4) and femoral neck (FN) of 186 postmenopausal women (aged 65.0 +/- 0.6 yr) were measured by DEXA. The polymorphism of ER gene (PvuII and XbaI) was detected by PCR-RFLP method. Serum AKP, BGP and urinary Pyd were measured by ELISA. Results The polymorphism of ER receptor can be divided into two sets: PP (14.5%), Pp (50.0%), and pp (35.5%); and 3 PvulI RFLPs and XX (7.0% ), Xx (27.4%), and xx (65.6%) 3 XbaI RFLPs. The bone markers were not significantly different among the 3 groups in each of the two sets of polymorphism. The FN BMD of women of pp genotype was higher than that of Pp genotype (P = 0.02). The BMD of 12-4 was higher in women of XX genotype than those in women of Xx and xx genotypes (P = 0.0003 and 0.0002 respectively). Women without Px haplotype (PPXX, PpXX, ppxx, n=79) had higher L2-4 BMD (P = 0.02) and FN BMD (P = 0.03) and lower serum AKP (P = 0.04) than those with Px genotype (PPxx and PPXx, Ppxx, PpXx, n=107). CONCLUSION: pp and XX genotype of ER gene may play a certain role in maintaining FN and L2-4 BMD. The genotypes without Px haplotype might exert some favorable effect on BMD, while those with Px haplotype may be harmful to bone

Aged↗

PubMed2001

B7H costimulates clonal expansion of, and cognate destruction of tumor cells by, CD8(+) T lymphocytes in vivo.

B7H/B7RP (hereby called B7H) is a new member of the B7 family of costimulatory molecules and interacts with inducible costimulatory molecule (ICOS). Its function for CD8 T cells has not been reported. We report here that expression of B7H on the tumor cells reduced tumorigenicity and induced immunity to subsequent challenge with parental tumor cells. The immune protection correlates with an enhanced cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against P1A, the major tumor antigen expressed in the J558 tumor. To understand the mechanism of immune protection, we adoptively transferred transgenic T cells specific for tumor antigen P1A into mice that bore P1A-expressing tumors. We found that while the transgenic T cells divided faster in mice bearing the B7H(+) tumors, optimal B7H-induced clonal expansion of P1CTL required costimulation by B7-1 and B7-2 on the endogenous host antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Interestingly, when B7H(+) and B7H(-) tumors were coinjected, P1CTL selectively eliminated the B7H(+) tumor cells. Moreover, B7H expressed on the tumor cells made them highly susceptible to destruction by CTL in vivo, even if the CTL was administrated into mice with large tumor burdens. Tumors that recurred in the P1CTL-treated mice lost transfected B7H and/or H-2L(d), the class I molecule that presents the P1A peptide. Taken together, our results reveal that B7H costimulates clonal expansion of, and cognate destruction by CD8(+) T lymphocytes in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

A novel dicyclodextrinyl ditelluride compound with antioxidant activity.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) primarily arise from products of normal metabolic activities and are thought to be the etiology of many diseases. A novel dicyclodextrinyl ditelluride (2-TeCD) compound was designed to be a functional mimic of the glutathione peroxidase that normally removes ROS. 2-TeCD exhibited highly catalytic efficiency and good water solubility. Antioxidant activity was studied by using ferrous sulfate/ascorbate-induced mitochondria damage model system. 2-TeCD protected the mitochondria against oxidative damage in a dose-dependent manner and exhibited also great antioxidant ability in comparison with 2-phenyl-1,2-benziososelenazol-3(2H)-one. The mimic may result in better clinical therapies for the treatment of ROS-mediated diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Induction and axonal localization of epithelial/epidermal fatty acid-binding protein in retinal ganglion cells are associated with axon development and regeneration.

Epithelial/epidermal fatty acid-binding protein (E-FABP) is induced in peripheral neurons during nerve regeneration and is found at high levels in central neurons during neuronal migration and development. Furthermore, E-FABP expression is required for normal neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells treated with nerve growth factor (NGF). The present study examined whether E-FABP plays a role in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) differentiation and axon growth. Rat retinal tissues from embryonic (E) and postnatal (P) development through adulthood were examined using immunocytochemical labeling with E-FABP and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) antibodies. E-FABP colocalized with GAP-43 at E14 through P10. At E14, E-FABP immunoreactivity was confined to the somas of GAP-43-positive cells in the ganglion cell layer, but it was localized to their axons by E15. The axons in the optic nerve were GAP-43-positive and E-FABP-negative on E15, but the two proteins were colocalized by E18. Retinal cultures at E15 confirmed that E-FABP and GAP-43 colocalize in RGCs. Postnatally, labeling was present between P1 and P10 but decreased at older ages and was minimally present or absent in adult animals. Western immunoblotting revealed that at E18, P1, and P10 E-FABP levels were at least fourfold greater than those in the adult. By P15, protein levels were only twofold greater, with adult levels reached by P31. Furthermore, E-FABP could be reinduced during axon regeneration. Dissociated P15 retinal cells cultured in the presence of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor exhibited sixfold more GAP-43 and E-FABP double-positive RGCs (cell body and axons) than controls. Moreover, all GAP-43-immunoreactive RGCs were also positive for E-FABP. Taken together, these results indicate the following: 1) E-FABP is expressed in RGCs as they reached the ganglion cell layer and 2) E-FABP plays a functional role in the elaboration of RGC axons in both development and regeneration.

Aging↗

PubMed2001

Oxygen-containing functional groups on single-wall carbon nanotubes: NEXAFS and vibrational spectroscopic studies.

Single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) produced by plasma laser vaporization (PLV) and containing oxidized surface functional groups have been studied for the first time with NEXAFS. Comparisons are made to SWNTs made by catalytic synthesis over Fe particles in high-pressure CO, called HiPco material. The results indicate that the acid purification and cutting of single-walled nanotubes with either HNO3/H2SO4 or H2O2/H2SO4 mixtures produces the oxidized groups (O/C = 5.5-6.7%), which exhibit both pi*(CO) and sigma*(CO) C K-edge NEXAFS resonances. This indicates that both carbonyl (C=O) and ether C-O-C functionalities are present. Upon heating in a vacuum to 500-600 K, the pi*(CO) resonances are observed to decrease in intensity; on heating to 1073 K, the sigma*(CO) resonances disappear as the C-O-C functional groups are decomposed. Raman spectral measurements indicate that the basic tubular structure of the SWNTs is not perturbed by heating to 1073 K, based on the invariance of the ring breathing modes upon heating. The NEXAFS studies agree well with infrared studies which show that carboxylic acid groups are thermally destroyed first, followed by the more difficult destruction of ether and quinone groups. Single-walled nanotubes produced by the HiPco process, and not treated with oxidizing acids, exhibit an O/C ratio of 1.9% and do not exhibit either pi*(CO) or sigma*(CO) resonances at the detection limit of NEXAFS. It is shown that heating (to 1073 K) of the PLV-SWNTs containing the functional groups produces C K-edge NEXAFS spectra very similar to those seen for the HiPco material. The NEXAFS spectra are calibrated against spectra measured for a number of fused-ring aromatic hydrocarbon molecules containing various types of oxidized functional groups present on the oxidized SWNTs.

Anthracenes↗

PubMed2001

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of native and selenomethionyl recombinant tabtoxin-resistance protein complexed with acetyl-coenzyme A.

Tabtoxin-resistance protein (TTR), an acetyltransferase from Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci, was overexpressed in Eschericha coli M15 and the TTR fusion protein complexed with acetyl-coenzyme A (AcCoA) was purified and crystallized. Diffraction data were collected to 3.0 A resolution in-house and the crystal was found to belong to space group P2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 47.6, b = 66.6, c = 53.5 A, beta = 104.3 degrees. Furthermore, a selenomethionine (SeMet) TTR fusion protein derivative was overexpressed in the same expression system and its complex with AcCoA was purified in a reductive environment. The SeMet TTR derivative crystallized in two forms: the first was identical to that observed for native crystals and the second belonged to space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 101.7, b = 45.6, c = 84.2 A, beta = 105.8 degrees. Data from the P2(1) crystal form were collected in-house to 2.3 A resolution. Subsequently, three different wavelength data sets of the C2 crystal form to 1.55 A resolution were collected at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory.

Acetyl Coenzyme A↗

PubMed2001

[Prevalence of childhood cerebral palsy in six provinces in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of childhood cerebral palsy (CP) in China. METHODS: A cross sectional survey was carried out among 1047327 children aged 1 approximately 6 years old in six provinces of China during May 1997 approximately December 1998. RESULTS: The crude prevalence of CP for children aged 1 approximately 6 years old was 1.92 per thousand; in addition, prevalences of CP were also reported for factors such as sex, age, ethic group, birth weight, gestational age, and area. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of CP in China is at the low range among the world, which may be due to low prevalence and low survival rate of premature newborn in China. The prevalence of cp is associated with areas, sex, age, ethnic group, birth weight, and gestational age.

Birth Weight↗