Nanometric Micelles with Photo‐Triggered Cytotoxicity

The development of a photo‐responsive micellar system capable of triggering cell death is reported. Precursors of the micelles are synthesized by connecting a lipophilic chain to a hydrophilic polyethylene glycol via a photo‐labile nitrobenzyl group. The resulting amphiphilic units are self‐assembled in water forming 12 nm micelles that are readily internalized into cells. Upon photo‐irradiation, micelles undergo cleavage and yield a cytotoxic nitrosobenzaldehyde derivative, which significantly inhibits the proliferation of MDA‐MB‐231 cells under standard in vitro conditions.     

Raman spectroscopic evidence for the formation of silicomolybdic entities on a Mo/HY zeolite catalyst

Mo/Ze catalysts prepared by incipient wetness impregnation of a Faujasite zeolite with ammonium heptamolybdate solutions have been characterized after calcination at 500 °C and transfer in wet atmosphere. Raman spectroscopy clearly evidences the formation of [SiMo₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ heteropolyanions. This formation, through extraction of Si atoms, is not observed before the calcination, the Anderson [AlMo₆O₂₄H₆]³⁻ entity being the main species formed during the impregnation–maturation.     

Cervical tissue and plasma concentrations of alpha-carotene and beta-carotene in women are correlated

Results from epidemiologic studies suggest that a carotenoid-rich diet may reduce risk for cervical cancer, possibly by inhibiting the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, a preneoplastic lesion of the cervical tissue. Laboratory studies suggest that the mechanism may be linked to the metabolism of carotenoids to retinoic acid or retinoic acid-like compounds, which has been hypothesized to occur in the cervical tissue. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the presence of provitamin A carotenoids in biopsied samples of this peripheral tissue in human subjects and to examine the relationship between baseline concentrations of these carotenoids in plasma and normal cervical tissue in subjects who were being evaluated for possible participation in a diet intervention trial. Subjects were 13 women aged 19-41 y. With the use of HPLC methodology, plasma concentrations of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin were determined with UV/visible light detection for plasma and electrochemical detection for cervical tissue. Relationships between plasma and cervical tissue were evaluated with Pearson correlation analysis. Adjusted for plasma cholesterol concentration, plasma alpha-carotene and beta-carotene were correlated with cervical tissue concentrations (r = 0.91, P < 0.001; r = 0.90, P < 0.001; respectively). Adjusted for plasma cholesterol concentration, plasma beta-cryptoxanthin tended to be correlated with cervical tissue concentrations (r = 0.62, P = 0.058). These findings suggest that plasma concentrations of alpha-carotene and beta-carotene are good predictors of cervical tissue concentrations of these compounds in human subjects and describe a first step toward demonstrating a biological link between provitamin A carotenoids and cervical cancer in vivo.     

Analysis of the role of MHC class II presentation in the stimulation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes by antigens targeted into the exogenous antigen-MHC class I presentation pathway

By conjugation of proteins to beads, Ags can be selectively targeted into the MHC class I pathway of phagocytes in vivo and can stimulate CTL responses. Because phagocytes also present particulate Ag on MHC class II molecules, we examined whether these Ags stimulated concomitant CD4 T cell immunity. Although the priming of CD4 T cells with soluble OVA required adjuvants, particulate Ag was stimulatory when injected in saline. We next examined whether CD4 T cell responses played a role in the generation of CTL to particulate Ag. At low concentrations of Ag, OVA primed CTLs in wild-type mice but not in MHC class II-deficient animals, indicating that MHC class II presentation of Ag was essential for CTL generation. These data both support a model where CD4 T cells collaborate with CTLs as part of a three-cell interaction and identify a phagocyte as the third cell in this reaction. Interestingly, injection of higher concentrations of the same Ag primed equivalent CTL responses in both wild-type and MHC class II-deficient mice. These results indicate that a key variable in determining whether CTL generation is helper cell dependent or independent is the dose of immunogen. This may explain in part why CTL responses to abundant Ags, such as viruses, tend to be helper independent, while responses to less abundant Ags, such as minor histocompatibility Ags, require T helper cells. In addition, these results also point to the potential of using particulate Ags to prime or boost responses in settings with CD4 immunodeficiency.     

Stereokinetic effect and its relation to the kinetic depth effect.

The stereokinetic effect (SKE) has been defined and studied by nested circular patterns rotating on a turntable. Circles must appear not to rotate as they revolve, which in turn results in their appearing to translate relative to one another. A powerful illusion of object depth results even though the individual circles do not undergo an appropriate foreshortening consistent with their apparent changes in slant. It is suggested and tested that the SKE is based on the changing positions between the nested contours despite the absence of any change within each contour, whereas the kinetic depth effect (KDE) entails both kinds of change. It follows that a turntable method of presentation is not necessary, and between-contour transformations can be stimulated by computer animation. Displays consisting of simple translations were shown to evoke robust depth impressions as were patterns consisting of contours of varying shapes. Comparisons of the depth, compellingness, and rigidity of matched SKE and KDE displays are reported. The SKE is taken to be paradigmatic for how the visual system perceives depth when observing small object rotations that occur in everyday situations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Electrophoretic Display of surface modified TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> driven by Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Electrode

Summary Electrophoretic display system was fabricated to investigate the effectiveness of transparent polymer electrode using Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). The electrophoretic TiO₂ nanoparticles were coated to modify the surface. As a transparent polymer electrode, 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) was in-situ polymerized into PEDOT. When the reducing agent (N-dimethylacetamide, DMAc) was added, surface resistivity of PEDOT was dominantly reduced. With the DMAc addition of 40 wt % to the monomer content, surface resistivity was as low as 100 Ω/□, and transmittance was almost 80% in visible ray region.     

Influence of Cobalt Content on the Hydrotreatment Catalytic Activity of CoMo6/γ-Al2O3 Heteropolyoxomolybdate-Based Catalyst

The influence of Co content in the catalytic activity in hydrotreatment reactions (hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of thiophene and hydrogenation (HYD) of cyclohexene) using CoMo₆/γ-Al₂O₃-type catalysts, where the precursor is Co(III) heteropolymolybdate of (NH₄)₃[CoMo₆O₂₄H₆?7H₂O formula and Anderson-type planar structure, (hereafter CoMo₆) was investigated. The preparation of catalysts was carried out by the coimpregnation of γ-alumina with CoMo₆ and (NH₄)₆[TeMo₆O₂₄]?]7H₂O (TeMo₆) in order to obtain catalysts with variable amounts of Co(III) keeping about the same Mo amount. The Anderson phase of Te(VI), (TeMo₆) was chosen because of its good solubility and because no promoting effect of the Te was observed in hydrotreatment. Five catalysts were prepared by coimpregnation of γ-Al₂O₃ by using aqueous solutions of both phases in different proportions. Catalysts with a ratio [Co]/([Co] + [Mo]) between 0 and ～0.14 and a Mo loading (wt% Mo) between 8 and 10 were obtained. The Raman and diffuse reflectance (DR) spectroscopies were used for the characterization of bulk and supported CoMo₆ phase. By analyzing the respective adsorption isotherms and parameters and according to the catalytic tests, it could be established that HDS as well as HYD activities of the catalysts increase as a function of the added Co.     

Ni based catalysts promoted with cerium used in the steam reforming of toluene for hydrogen production

Ni_xMg_6?xAl_1.8Ce_0.2 (with 0 ≤ x ≤ 6) mixed oxides catalysts were prepared by hydrotalcite route. All the oxides were calcined at 800 °C and characterized by different physico-chemical methods. The catalysts are then reduced before their use in the steam reforming of toluene. The XRD and TG/DTA confirmed the formation of the hydrotalcite structure for the non-calcined samples. The N₂ adsorption/desorption results revealed that all catalysts correspond to mesoporous materials. The study by temperature programmed reduction (H₂-TPR) showed that the reducibility of the catalysts is influenced by the nickel content. The CO₂-TPD results showed that the catalyst with high magnesium content present the highest basicity. The Ni₂Mg₄Al_1.8Ce_0.2 shows the best toluene conversion among all the catalysts and it was then compared to a non-promoted catalyst. The spent catalysts were characterized by TPO, TG/DTA and XRD and they didn't reveal any coke formation.     

Neonatal polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism

The importance of n−6 and n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in neonatal development, particularly with respect to the developing brain and retina, is well known. This review combines recent information from basic science and clinical studies to highlight recent advances in knowledge on PUFA metabolism and areas where research is still needed on infant n−6 and n−3 fatty acid requirements. Animal, cell culture, and infant studies are consistent in demonstrating that synthesis of 22∶6n−3 involves C24 PUFA and that the amounts of 18∶2n−6 and 18∶3n−3 influence PUFA metabolism. Studies to show that addition of n−6 fatty acids beyond Δ6-desaturase alters n−6 fatty acid metabolism with no marked increase in tissue 20∶4n−6 illustrate the limitations of analyses of tissue fatty acid compositions as an approach to study the effects of diet on fatty acid metabolism. New information to show highly selective pathways for n−6 and n−3 fatty acid uptake in brain, and efficient path-ways for conservation of 22∶6n−3 in retina emphasizes the differences in PUFA metabolism among different tissues and the unique features which allow the brain and retina to accumulate and maintain high concentrations of n−3 fatty acids. Further elucidation of the Δ6-desaturases involved in 24∶5n−6 and 22∶6n−3 synthesis; the regulation of fatty acid movement between the endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisomes; partitioning to acylation, desaturation and oxidation; and the effects of dietary and hormonal factors on these pathways is needed for greater understanding of neonatal PUFA metabolism.