Caged multiwalled carbon nanotubes as the adsorbents for affinity-based elimination of ionic dyes

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used as the active elements for the first time for affinity-based elimination of ionic dyes. MWCNTs were encapsulated in cross-linked alginate (ALG) microvesicles using Ba2+ as the bridging ion. The Ba2+-alginate matrix constitutes a cage which holds the physically trapped MWCNTs. The cage carries negative charges on its surface. The cage restricts the access of anions of large molecular weight, such as humic acids, because of electrostatic repulsion. The cage also restricts the access of colloids of large size, because of size exclusion. Ionic dyes partition into the cage and then are captured by MWCNTs probably on the basis of van der Waals interactions occurring between the hexagonally arrayed carbon atoms in the graphite sheet of MWCNTs and the aromatic backbones of the dyes. As a result of these interactions the target species, namely, the ionic dyes, are eliminated efficiently by the MWCNTs of Ba2+-ALG/MWCNT composite adsorbents. The adsorptive capacities for elimination of acridine orange, ethidium bromide, eosin bluish, and orange G (the model species used for this study) were found as high as 0.44, 0.43, 0.33, and 0.31 micromol, respectively, for 1.0 mg of the caged MWCNTs. Adsorptive experiments with carbon nanofibers and activated carbons as the adsorbents were also performed. The MWCNT-based adsorbents provided the best capability for the affinity-based elimination of these targeted species. Biocompatibility experiments performed in vitro and in vivo provided promising results, suggesting potential applications of the caged MWCNTs in in situ environmental remediation.     

一种用于测试坡莫合金薄膜机械性能的拉伸模型

坡莫合金(Ni80Fe20)薄膜是微机电系统常用的磁性材料之一.介绍了一种用于测试其机械性能的单轴拉伸试验模型.此模型的特点是微小试件两端固定、且与加载机构集成在基片上,从而可减少操作工作量、提高对准精度.整个机构以微细加工方法制成:坡莫合金拉伸试件以光刻和电镀技术成型,其余的加载机构以湿法蚀刻制成.实验表明:使用此机构可以简单且高精度地对薄膜试件进行拉伸试验,获得多项力学性能参数,从而为MEMS器件设计和分析提供可靠的理论基础.     

Salivary and Lacrimal Gland Alterations of the Epidermal Fatty Acid-Binding Protein (E-FABP) in Non-Obese Diabetic Mice

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in E-FABP in the salivary and lacrimal glands of the Sjögren syndrome (SS) model non-obese diabetic mice (NOD). Cotton thread and ocular vital staining tests were performed on 10-week NOD male mice (n = 24) and age- and sex-matched wild-type (WT) mice (n = 25). Tear and saliva samples were collected at sacrifice for E-FABP ELISA assays. Salivary and lacrimal gland specimens underwent immunohistochemistry stainings for E-FABP. Real-time RT-PCR was also performed for the quantification of mRNA expression levels in the salivary and lacrimal glands. Corneal vital staining scores in the NOD mice were significantly higher compared with those for the wild-type mice (p = 0.0001). The mean tear E-FABP level showed a significantly lower concentration in the NOD mice (p = 0.001). The mean saliva E-FABP level also showed a significantly lower concentration in the NOD mice (p = 0.04). Immunohistochemistry revealed intense E-FABP staining in the LG acinar epithelium and less intense staining in the acinar epitheliae of the SGs in the NOD mice compared to the WT mice. Real-time RT-PCR for the mRNA expression of E-FABP showed a significantly decreased expression in the SG and a significant increase in the LG of the NOD mice compared to the WT mice. In conclusion, the E-FABP showed marked alterations in the tear film, saliva, lacrimal, and salivary glands of the NOD mouse, which may help explain the ocular surface changes in relation to the dry eye disease in this SS model mouse and keratoconjunctivitis sicca in SS patients.     

一种MEMS薄膜材料的力学性能测试方法

介绍了一种用于MEMS薄膜材料力学特性测试的单轴拉伸试验方法。其特点是微小试件两端固定,且与加载机构集成在基片上,从而可减少操作工作量,提高对准精度。整个机构以微细加工方法制成,硅类试件以干法蚀刻成型,金属类试件以电镀方法成型,其余加载机构以湿法刻蚀制成。试验表明:使用此机构可以简单且高精度地对薄膜试件进行拉伸试验,获得多项力学性能参数,从而为MEMS器件设计和分析提供可靠的理论基础。     

Effect of spring water on the radon concentration in the air at Masutomi spa in Yamanashi Prefecture,Japan

The concentrations of ²²²Rn existing in air have been studied by using a convenient and highly sensitive Pico-rad detector system at Masutomi spa in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. The measurements in air were carried out indoors and outdoors during the winter of 2000 and the summers of 1999 and 2005. The concentrations of ²²²Rn in spring water in this region were measured by the liquid scintillation method. The concentrations of natural radionuclides contained in soils surrounding spa areas were also examined by means of the γ-ray energy spectrometry technique using a Ge diode detector to investigate the correlation between the radionuclides contents and ²²²Rn concentrations in air at each point of interest. The atmospheric ²²²Rn concentrations in these areas were high, ranging from 5 Bq/m³ to 2676 Bq/m³. The radon concentration at each hotel was high in the order of the bath room, the dressing room, the lobby, and the outdoor area near the hotel, with averages and standard deviations of the concentration of 441 ± 79 Bq/m³, 351 ± 283 Bq/m³, 121 ± 5 Bq/m³, and 23 ± 1 Bq/m³, respectively. The source of ²²²Rn in the air in the bath room is more likely to be the spring water than the soil. The spring water plays carries the radon to the atmosphere. Our measurements indicated that the ²²²Rn concentration in the air was affected by the ²²²Rn concentration in spring water rather than that in soil.     

Salmonella serotypes isolated from nonhuman sources in São Paulo,Brazil, from 1996 through 2000

A total of 4,581 Salmonella strains isolated from nonhuman sources, including foodstuffs associated with foodborne Salmonella outbreaks, from January 1996 through December 2000 were serotyped at the Enteropathogens Laboratory, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, S?o Paulo, Brazil. Among the 123 different serotypes identified, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype Enteritidis (Salmonella Enteritidis) was the most prevalent (32.7%), ranking first for almost every kind of source. The next most common serotypes were Salmonella Senftenberg (10.3%), Salmonella Hadar (6.8%), Salmonella Agona (5.1%), and Salmonella Typhimurium (2.4%). Rough strains belonging to the subspecies S. enterica subsp. enterica (4.8%), S. enterica subsp. arizonae (<1%), S. enterica subsp. diarizonae (<1%), and S. enterica subsp. houtenae (<1%) were also detected. Foodstuffs (including poultry meat for consumption) contained 38.1% of the studied Salmonella strains, poultry flocks (from several farms under salmonellosis control by the owners) contained 21.7%, the environment contained 10.6%, sewage contained 9.4%, water contained 6.6%, animal feed contained 4.4%, chill water from poultry-processing operations contained 2.2%, and other sources contained 7.0%. Foodstuffs extensively contaminated with Salmonella strains were poultry meat (40%), cow meat (11%), desserts (8%), mayonnaise (6%), sausage (5%), and unpasteurized shell eggs (4%), and there were several other food sources (26%). Homemade mayonnaise was the most common vehicle for Salmonella foodborne outbreaks, and Salmonella Enteritidis was the serotype most isolated (95%) from that source. According to these data and previously published data concerning Salmonella strains isolated in S?o Paulo State, almost the same serotypes have predominated among nonhuman sources for the last decade.     

Changes in Radical-scavenging Activity and Components of Mulberry Fruit During Maturation

ABSTRACT Extracts of mulberry fruits (Morus sp.) were prepared from 8 cultivars harvested at 4 stages of maturity, and their radicalscavenging activity, anthocyanin content, and total phenolic content were measured. The radical‐scavenging activity was evaluated by a spectrophotometric assay using the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) in a 96‐well microplate. Mulberry fruit extracts exhibited the DPPH‐scavenging activities, ranging from 2.5 to 20.3 μmol‐Trolox equiv/g‐FW. Their activities were variable during maturation, and the highest activity was observed in the fully mature mulberry fruit in all cultivars. Anthocyanin was scarcely present in the immature mulberry fruits; however, its content increased as the fruit matured in all cultivars. On the other hand, all immature mulberry fruits contained non‐anthocyanin phenolic compound. An on‐line high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the detection of DPPH‐scavenging compounds revealed the difference in predominant radical scavengers between the immature and fully mature stages in the Miran 5 cultivar. Four major radical scavengers in the Miran 5 cultivar were assigned to 2 caffeoylquinic acids (chlorogenic acid and its isomer) and 2 anthocyanins (cyanidin 3‐glucoside and cyanidin 3‐rutinoside) in the immature and fully mature stages, respectively, by LC‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis. The change in the content of 4 compounds in mulberry fruits during maturation demonstrated that the most likely contributors to the DPPH‐scavenging activity were caffeoylquinic acids in the immature mulberry and anthocyanins in the mature and fully mature mulberry.     

One Week of CDAHFD Induces Steatohepatitis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction with Oxidative Stress in Liver

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been rapidly increasing worldwide. A choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) has been used to create a mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). There are some reports on the effects on mice of being fed a CDAHFD for long periods of 1 to 3 months. However, the effect of this diet over a short period is unknown. Therefore, we examined the effect of 1-week CDAHFD feeding on the mouse liver. Feeding a CDAHFD diet for only 1-week induced lipid droplet deposition in the liver with increasing activity of liver-derived enzymes in the plasma. On the other hand, it did not induce fibrosis or cirrhosis. Additionally, it was demonstrated that CDAHFD significantly impaired mitochondrial respiration with severe oxidative stress to the liver, which is associated with a decreasing mitochondrial DNA copy number and complex proteins. In the gene expression analysis of the liver, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were significantly increased by CDAHFD. These results demonstrated that 1 week of feeding CDAHFD to mice induces steatohepatitis with mitochondrial dysfunction and severe oxidative stress, without fibrosis, which can partially mimic the early stage of NASH in humans.