Rosuvastatin Enhances the Catabolism of LDL apoB‐100 in Subjects with Combined Hyperlipidemia in a Dose Dependent Manner

Dose‐associated effects of rosuvastatin on the metabolism of apolipoprotein (apo) B‐100 in triacylglycerol rich lipoprotein (TRL, d < 1.019 g/ml) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) and of apoA‐I in high density lipoprotein (HDL) were assessed in subjects with combined hyperlipidemia. Our primary hypothesis was that maximal dose rosuvastatin would decrease the apoB‐100 production rate (PR), as well as increase apoB‐100 fractional catabolic rate (FCR). Eight subjects received placebo, rosuvastatin 5 mg/day, and rosuvastatin 40 mg/day for 8 weeks each in sequential order. The kinetics of apoB‐100 in TRL and LDL and apoA‐I in HDL were determined at the end of each phase using stable isotope methodology, gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, and multicompartmental modeling. Rosuvastatin at 5 and 40 mg/day decreased LDL cholesterol by 44 and 54 % (both P < 0.0001), triacylglycerol by 14 % (ns) and 35 % (P < 0.01), apoB by 30 and 36 % (both P < 0.0001), respectively, and had no significant effects on HDL cholesterol or apoA‐I levels. Significant decreases in plasma markers of cholesterol synthesis and increases in cholesterol absorption markers were observed. Rosuvastatin 5 and 40 mg/day increased TRL apoB‐100 FCR by 36 and 46 % (both ns) and LDL apoB‐100 by 63 and 102 % (both P < 0.05), respectively. HDL apoA‐I PR increased with low dose rosuvastatin (12 %, P < 0.05) but not with maximal dose rosuvastatin. Neither rosuvastatin dose altered apoB‐100 PR or HDL apoA‐I FCR. Our data indicate that maximal dose rosuvastatin treatment in subjects with combined hyperlipidemia resulted in significant increases in the catabolism of LDL apoB‐100, with no significant effects on apoB‐100 production or HDL apoA‐I kinetics.     

IgG and IgA with Potential Microbial-Binding Activity Are Expressed by Normal Human Skin Epidermal Cells

The innate immune system of the skin is thought to depend largely on a multi-layered mechanical barrier supplemented by epidermis-derived antimicrobial peptides. To date, there are no reports of antimicrobial antibody secretion by the epidermis. In this study, we report the expression of functional immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA), previously thought to be only produced by B cells, in normal human epidermal cells and the human keratinocyte line HaCaT. While B cells express a fully diverse Ig, epidermal cell-expressed IgG or IgA showed one or two conservative V_HDJ_H rearrangements in each individual. These unique VDJ rearrangements in epidermal cells were found neither in the B cell-derived Ig VDJ databases published by others nor in our positive controls. IgG and IgA from epidermal cells of the same individual had different VDJ rearrangement patterns. IgG was found primarily in prickle cells, and IgA was mainly detected in basal cells. Both epidermal cell-derived IgG and IgA showed potential antibody activity by binding pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, the most common pathogenic skin bacteria, but the microbial-binding profile was different. Our data indicates that normal human epidermal cells spontaneously express IgG and IgA, and we speculate that these Igs participate in skin innate immunity.     

The Polymerization of Metal-Containing Vinylic Monomers of Iron and Tungsten with Metal–Carbon σ Bonds

A series of metal-containing vinylic monomers of the type and was homopolymerized using 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the free-radical initiator. These monomers were also copolymerized with styrene in the presence of AIBN. These compounds represent a class of organometallic polymers in which the metal is bonded to the polymer backbone via a metal–carbon bond. The new compounds were characterized by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy as well as scanning electron microscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and thermoanalytical studies (DSC and TGA). The properties of the new organometallic polymers are discussed.     

Absorption and reflection of infrared radiation by polymers in fire‐like environments

In large‐scale fires, the input of energy to burning materials occurs predominantly by radiative transfer. The in‐depth (rather than just surface) absorption of radiant energy by a polymer influences its ignition time and burning rate. The present investigation examines two methods for obtaining the absorption coefficient of polymers for infrared radiation from high‐temperature sources: a broadband method and a spectral method. Data on the total average broadband transmittance for 11 thermoplastics are presented (as are reflectance data), and the absorption coefficient is found to vary with thickness. Implications for modeling of mass loss experiments are discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of a robust, diimide-based, porous organic polymer (POP) as a high-capacity sorbent for representative chemical threats

A previously described porous organic polymer (NU-POP-1) was evaluated against four representative chemical threats: ammonia, cyanogen chloride, sulfur dioxide, and octane. Ammonia, cyanogen chloride, and sulfur dioxide are examples of toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) spanning the range from highly basic to strong-acid forming substances, while octane is used to assess physical adsorption capacity. Experiments were carried out using a microbreakthrough test apparatus, which measures the adsorption capacity at saturation and gives an indication of the strength of adsorption. The NU-POP-1 material exhibited substantial removal capabilities against the majority of the toxic chemicals, with capacities as high as or better than an activated, impregnated carbon. The ability to remove the highly volatile toxic chemicals ammonia and cyanogen chloride was intriguing, as these chemicals typically require reactive moieities for removal. The present work presents a benchmark for toxic chemical removal, and future work will focus on incorporating functional groups targeting the toxic chemicals of interest.     

Directed inorganic modification of bi-component polymer fibers by selective vapor reaction and atomic layer deposition

Nanocomposite organic/inorganic materials with spatially-controlled composition can be formed using vapor-phase atomic layer deposition (ALD) on bi-component polymer fibers. The ALD process promotes selective precursor infusion into the inner core of a core/shell polymer fiber, yielding nanoparticles encapsulated within the core. Likewise, choosing alternate precursors or reaction conditions yield particles or films on the outer polymer shell. In-situ infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy show that infusion yields selective dispersion of aluminum oxide in different polymer regions, forming fine nanoparticle dispersions or films. Selective inclusion of metal oxide materials during atomic layer deposition on polymers can create unique organic/inorganic composite structures for many advanced uses.     

Formation of Ga droplets on patterned GaAs (100) by molecular beam epitaxy

In this paper, the formation of Ga droplets on photo-lithographically patterned GaAs (100) and the control of the size and density of Ga droplets by droplet epitaxy using molecular beam epitaxy are demonstrated. In extension of our previous result from the journal Physical Status Solidi A, volume 209 in 2012, the sharp contrast of the size and density of Ga droplets is clearly observed by high-resolution scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. Also, additional monolayer (ML) coverage is added to strength the result. The density of droplets is an order of magnitude higher on the trench area (etched area), while the size of droplets is much larger on the strip top area (un-etched area). A systematic variation of ML coverage results in an establishment of the control of size and density of Ga droplets. The cross-sectional line profile analysis and root mean square roughness analysis show that the trench area (etched area) is approximately six times rougher. The atomic surface roughness is suggested to be the main cause of the sharp contrast of the size and density of Ga droplets and is discussed in terms of surface diffusion.     

Selective adsorption of multivalent ions into TiC-derived nanoporous carbon

A TiC-derived carbon (TiC-CDC) was prepared, and the adsorption of large hexacyanocobaltate and tetrabutylammonium ions of approximately same size was examined on this carbon. While selectively absorbing these large ions, it rejects smaller chloride and ammonium ions in mixed electrolyte solutions. The result demonstrates the important role of electrostatic repulsive forces, space-efficient charge packing and hydrophobic ion interactions with the pore walls of TiC-CDC, similar to what is known for a variety of biological membranes.     

Influence of an Electric Field on the Burning Behavior of Solid Fuels and Propellants

An experimental study on the effects of an applied external electric field on the combustion behavior of solid fuels and solid propellants has been conducted. In an opposed flow burning configuration, application of an electric field was shown to extinguish a paraffin fuel and gaseous oxygen flame over a broad range of operating conditions. When subjected to the electric field, burning paraffin fuel strands were found to extinguish at various axial locations relative to the exit of the oxidizer gas jet. Extinguishment location was found to be a function of field strength as well as electrode surface area, while changes in polarity did not significantly alter the results. In addition, the combustion behaviors of two composite solid rocket propellants were studied while subjected to an external electric field. Both propellants were based on HTPB/AP combinations, with one propellant containing aluminum and the other being non‐aluminized. Application of an electric field to the composite solid rocket propellant strands demonstrated decreases in propellant burning rate under all operating conditions for both propellants including changes in polarity. The flame structure of the aluminized propellant was examined closely as the luminosity, flame length, and flame width varied significantly with field strength and burning location of the strand relative to the electrodes.     

Reduced texaphyrin: A ratiometric optical sensor for heavy metals in aqueous solution

We report here a water-soluble metal cation sensor system based on the as-prepared or reduced form of an expanded porphyrin, texaphyrin. Upon metal complexation, a change in the redox state of the ligand occurs that is accompanied by a color change from red to green. Although long employed for synthesis in organic media, we have now found that this complexation-driven redox behavior may be used to achieve the naked eye detectable colorimetric sensing of several number of less-common metal ions in aqueous media. Exposure to In(III), Hg(II), Cd(II), Mn(II), Bi(III), Co(II), and Pb(II) cations leads to a colorimetric response within 10 min. This process is selective for Hg(II) under conditions of competitive analysis. Furthermore, among the subset of response-producing cations, In(III) proved unique in giving rise to a ratiometric change in the ligand-based fluorescence features, including an overall increase in intensity. The cation selectivity observed in aqueous media stands in contrast to what is seen in organic solvents, where a wide range of texaphyrin metal complexes may be prepared. The formation of metal cation complexes under the present aqueous conditions was confirmed by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography, ultra-violet-visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies, and high-resolution mass spectrometry.