Direct Electroplating of Lithium Cobalt Oxide Film on Platinum Substrate in 100°–200°C Aqueous Solution

Well crystallized, shape-formed, and electrochemically active lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) films are electroplated directly on an electron-conducting substrate in an aqueous solution using a soft solution processing that is economical, consumes less energy consuming, and is environmentally friendly. Although LiCoO₂ films are easily and economically prepared without any post-synthesis heat treatment, the estimated film properties show a possibility of using the deposited films as a cathode film for lithium rechargeable microbatteries. In addition, the soft solution processing reveals that an exact understanding of chemical reactions and the proper combination of the chemical reactions can create an advanced synthetic procedure.     

A patient with psoriatic arthritis due to generalized pustular psoriasis (von Zumbusch type)

Pustular psoriasis is a rare skin disease that is observed in about 1% of all patients with psoriasis. We encounted a patient with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) due to pustular psoriasis. The patient was a 31-year old male. He visited our hospital due to generalized eruption and pain in multiple joints. Treatment was initiated under a diagnosis of psoriasis vulgaris and associated PsA. However, eruption extended to the entire body and became pustular, and fever developed. Since PsA symptoms were simultaneously aggravated, and body movements become difficult, he was admitted. A diagnosis of generalized pustular psoriasis (von Zumbusch) and associated symmetrical polyarthritis was made. Local therapy was performed. As systemic treatment, oral administration of an corticosteroid and weekly low-dose pulse methotrexate therapy were performed. The skin symptoms and PsA symptoms rapidly improved. At present, about one year after the initiation of treatment, the eruption almost completely disappeared, and joint pain does not present any problem in daily life.     

The effects of a temperature below 15 degrees C on the myocardial calcium and ultrastructure in donor heart preservation in a canine model

The effects of 6-h hypothermic cardioplegic arrest on myocardial biochemical, morphologic, and functional recovery were investigated in two groups of dogs. Group 1 (n = 6) was subjected to hypothermia of 15 degrees C and group 2 (n = 6) was subjected hypothermia of 5 degrees C. Although the myocardial calcium (Ca) concentration was significantly higher at the end of reperfusion in group 2 compared to group 1, the MB-fraction of creatine kinase, mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase, recovery of left ventricular systolic function, and mitochondrial morphologic integrity were better in group 2 than in group 1. These findings suggest that hypothermia of 5 degrees C in 6-h cardioplegia is not necessarily coupled with interference in myocardial contractility, despite the Ca overload that occurs during reperfusion.     

Inhibition in a microgravity environment of the recovery of Escherichia coli cells damaged by heavy ion beams during the NASDA ISS phase I program of NASA Shuttle/Mir mission no. 6

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether there are different disease patterns of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in women and men. METHODS: We studied 55 male case patients and 110 female control patients who developed RA between 1970 and 1985 and who resided and received medical care in Olmsted County, Minnesota, for at least 10 years after the diagnosis of RA. Case and control patients were matched for the date of first diagnosis. The pattern and extent of joint involvement, the frequency of joint surgeries, and the presence and type of extraarticular manifestations were determined by retrospective chart review. RESULTS: Incidence rates in women were variable and age dependent, whereas the risk in men older than 36 years was constant over their lifetime. Erosive disease was more frequent in men than in women (72% versus 55%, respectively; P < 0.05) and tended to occur earlier (47% versus 31% for erosive disease within the first 4 years of RA). Although male sex was correlated with a higher risk of bony erosions and an accelerated course of RA, structural consequences of joint destruction were more pronounced in women. Joint surgery was performed more frequently in women (50%) than in men (27%) (P = 0.01). In particular, the frequencies of arthroplasties and arthrodeses of hand and foot joints were different (34 procedures in women versus 1 procedure in men; P < 0.001). Sex influenced the risk as well as the pattern of organ involvement in RA. Nodules and rheumatoid lung disease were typical manifestations in men (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively), whereas women typically developed sicca syndrome (P = 0.05). Despite differences in disease aggressiveness and disease pattern, there was little difference in the medical therapy in the men compared with the women. CONCLUSION: RA is a heterogeneous disease with variations in phenotype. Sex-associated factors influence disease severity as well as disease pattern. Because sex-related effects influence treatment goals, treatment responses, and side effects, they should be considered in clinical study design and analysis as well as in the treatment decisions for individual patients with RA.     

Recent advances in phosphorylation of food proteins: A review

Phosphorylation is a useful method for improving the functional properties of food proteins. In this article, various methods of phosphorylation are reviewed. Dry-heating phosphorylation, a method developed recently, is also introduced. Some characteristics of phosphate groups are involved, and the effects of phosphorylation on the structural changes, the functional properties, and the physiological functions in vitro of food proteins, are discussed. The types of phosphate linkages and the phosphopeptides from phosphorylated proteins are identified. The molten (partially unfolded) conformations of food proteins formed by phosphorylation are discussed. The phosphorylation of food proteins improved a number of functional properties, including heat stability, emulsifying properties, foaming properties, gelling properties, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, and calcium phosphate-solubilizing ability. In vitro physiological function studies of protein (α-lactoalbumin) indicated that the digestibility (ovalbumin) was improved and the inflammatory response (α-lactoalbumin) was suppressed by phosphorylation. Experiments with animals are necessary to evaluate the toxicity and physiological functions of phosphorylated proteins.     

如何设计安全、有效的信号继电器

高档的通信设备曾一度只能在办公环境中才能使用,然而现在这种情况已经改变,家庭中已经普遍具备了互连能力,许多家用电子设备现在通过Ipv6和其他技术已经具备了上网能力。随着宽带通信应用的增加,调制解调器、各种DSL接入复用器以及其他类似设备的安装已经遍及办公室和家庭,消费者可以方便获得价廉的通信设备。对于设备制造商来说,这些装置必须满足安全标准,如IEC60950(InternationalElectrotechnicalCommission第三版),它要求在与数据通信线连接的设备上实现电话网络高压电路的隔离。一般情况下,人们采用传统的电磁通信继电器来开关内…     

Three-dimensional model of Tetrahymena group I intron

The modelling of the folding structure of Tetrahymena group I intron have been carried out, using the molecular mechanics programs; Insight II and Discover. This model has long-range interactions between the P2.1 loop region and the 3' exon, and between the P9.1a and P5c loop regions.     

Antihypertensive effect of chronic KT3-671, a structurally new nonpeptide angiotensin AT1-receptor antagonist, in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

KT3-671 (2-propyl-8-oxo-1-[(2'-(1H-tetrazole-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl)methyl]-4,5,6, 7-tetrahydrocycloheptimidazole), a structurally new nonpeptide angiotensin AT1-receptor antagonist, was administered orally and repeatedly to 15-week-old stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats for 7 weeks; and its effects on blood pressure, heart rate, renal function, plasma renin concentration (PRC), plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and hypertension-related tissue damage in the brain, heart, kidney and mesenteric artery were investigated. KT3-671 at a dose of 3 or 10 mg/kg, p.o. per day prevented development of hypertension and produced a significant and consistent reduction of blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner. Enalapril at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day produced cardiovascular effects similar to those of KT3-671 at 10 mg/kg. Despite marked reduction in blood pressure, neither KT3-671 nor enalapril affected the heart rate. KT3-671 at 10 mg/kg produced a transient and significant reduction of urinary sodium excretion in the second week, but did not affect renal function at any other time during the experimental period. Both KT3-671 at 10 mg/kg and enalapril at 10 mg/kg produced a significant increase in PRC and showed a tendency to decrease PAC. Repeated administration of KT3-671 reduced the severity of the pathological changes in the kidney. These results suggest that KT3-671 is a potentially useful antihypertensive drug.     

Novel photonic switch arrays consisting of vertically integrated multiple-quantum-well reflection modulators and phototransistors: excitation absorptive reflection switch

The authors report a novel photonic switch array, the exciton absorptive reflection switch (EARS), which operates as an optical three-terminal switch with a high contrast ratio and optical gain. The device consists of vertically integrated GaAs/AlGaAs multiple-quantum-well modulators and GaAs heterojunction phototransistors, which are optically isolated and electrically connected in series with distributed Bragg reflectors. 8*8 arrays of EARS with a contrast ratio of more than 20 dB and a high optical gain were demonstrated.<>     

Structures of the O-antigens of Proteus bacilli belonging to OX group (serogroups O1-O3) used in Weil-Felix test

Structures of the O-specific polysaccharide chains of lipopolysaccharides from Proteus group OX strains (serogroups O1-O3) used as antigens in Weil-Felix test for diagnosis of rickettsiosis, were established. From them, the acid-labile polysaccharide of Proteus vulgaris OX19 (O1) is built up of the following branched pentasaccharide repeating units connected via a phosphate group: [structure in text] where QuiNAc stands for 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxyglucose (N-acetylquinovosamine). The basis of serospecificity of the Proteus group OX antigens and their cross-reactivity with human anti-rickettsial antibodies is discussed.