650 research outputs found
Enzymatic Cross-Linking of Dynamic Thiol-Norbornene Click Hydrogels
Enzyme-mediated in situ forming hydrogels are attractive for many biomedical applications because gelation afforded by enzymatic reactions can be readily controlled not only by tuning macromer compositions, but also by adjusting enzyme kinetics. For example, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) has been used extensively for in situ cross-linking of macromers containing hydroxyl-phenol groups. The use of HRP to initiate thiol-allylether polymerization has also been reported, yet no prior study has demonstrated enzymatic initiation of thiol-norbornene gelation. In this study, we discovered that HRP can generate the thiyl radicals needed for initiating thiol-norbornene hydrogelation, which has only been demonstrated previously using photopolymerization. Enzymatic thiol-norbornene gelation not only overcomes light attenuation issue commonly observed in photopolymerized hydrogels, but also preserves modularity of the cross-linking. In particular, we prepared modular hydrogels from two sets of norbornene-modified macromers, 8-arm poly(ethylene glycol)-norbornene (PEG8NB) and gelatin-norbornene (GelNB). Bis-cysteine-containing peptides or PEG-tetra-thiol (PEG4SH) was used as a cross-linker for forming enzymatically and orthogonally polymerized hydrogel. For HRP-initiated PEG-peptide hydrogel cross-linking, gelation efficiency was significantly improved via adding tyrosine residues on the peptide cross-linkers. Interestingly, these additional tyrosine residues did not form permanent dityrosine cross-links following HRP-induced gelation. As a result, they remained available for tyrosinase-mediated secondary cross-linking, which dynamically increased hydrogel stiffness. In addition to material characterizations, we also found that both PEG- and gelatin-based hydrogels exhibited excellent cytocompatibility for dynamic 3D cell culture. The enzymatic thiol-norbornene gelation scheme presented here offers a new cross-linking mechanism for preparing modularly and dynamically cross-linked hydrogels
High energy storage responses in all-oxide epitaxial relaxor ferroelectric thin films with the coexistence of relaxor and antiferroelectric-like behaviors
Relaxor ferroelectric Pb0.9La0.1(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (PLZT) thin films have been epitaxially grown via pulsed laser deposition on SrRuO3/SrTiO3 single crystal with different orientations. The high recoverable energy-storage density and energy-storage efficiency in the epitaxial PLZT thin films are mainly caused by the coexistence of relaxor and antiferroelectric-like behaviors. The recoverable energy-storage density of 12.03, 12.51 and 12.74 J/cm3 and energy-storage efficiency of 86.50, 88.14 and 88.44%, respectively, for the PLZT(001), PLZT(011) and PLZT(111) thin films measured at 1000 kV/cm. The high energy density and high efficiency indicate that the relaxor epitaxial PLZT(111) thin film is a promising candidate for high pulsed power capacitors
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Cathelicidin preserves intestinal barrier function in polymicrobial sepsis.
ObjectivesThe intestinal epithelium compartmentalizes the sterile bloodstream and the commensal bacteria in the gut. Accumulating evidence suggests that this barrier is impaired in sepsis, aggravating systemic inflammation. Previous studies reported that cathelicidin is differentially expressed in various tissues in sepsis. However, its role in sepsis-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction has not been investigated.DesignTo examine the role of cathelicidin in polymicrobial sepsis, cathelicidin wild-(Cnlp+/+) and knockout (Cnlp-/-) mice underwent cecal-ligation and puncture (CLP) followed by the assessment of septic mortality and morbidity as well as histological, biochemical, immunological, and transcriptomic analyses in the ileal tissues. We also evaluated the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacies of vitamin D3 (an inducer of endogenous cathelicidin) in the CLP-induced murine polymicrobial sepsis model.ResultsThe ileal expression of cathelicidin was increased by three-fold after CLP, peaking at 4 h. Knockout of Cnlp significantly increased 7-day mortality and was associated with a higher murine sepsis score. Alcian-blue staining revealed a reduced number of mucin-positive goblet cells, accompanied by reduced mucin expression. Increased number of apoptotic cells and cleavage of caspase-3 were observed. Cnlp deletion increased intestinal permeability to 4kD fluorescein-labeled dextran and reduced the expression of tight junction proteins claudin-1 and occludin. Notably, circulating bacterial DNA load increased more than two-fold. Transcriptome analysis revealed upregulation of cytokine/inflammatory pathway. Depletion of Cnlp induced more M1 macrophages and neutrophils compared with the wild-type mice after CLP. Mice pre-treated with cholecalciferol (an inactive form of vitamin D3) or treated with 1alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (an active form of VD3) had decreased 7-day mortality and significantly less severe symptoms. Intriguingly, the administration of cholecalciferol after CLP led to worsened 7-day mortality and the associated symptoms.ConclusionsEndogenous cathelicidin promotes intestinal barrier integrity accompanied by modulating the infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages in polymicrobial sepsis. Our data suggested that 1alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 but not cholecalciferol is a potential therapeutic agent for treating sepsis
Near-Infrared Survey and Photometric Redshifts in the Extended GOODS-North field
We present deep and -band images in the extended Great Observatories
Origins Deep Survey-North (GOODS-N) field covering an area of 0.22
. The observations were taken using WIRCam on the 3.6-m Canada
France Hawaii Telescope (CFHT). Together with the reprocessed -band
image, the limiting AB magnitudes (in 2" diameter apertures) are
24.7, 24.2, and 24.4 AB mag in the , , and bands,
respectively. We also release a multi-band photometry and photometric redshift
catalog containing 93598 sources. For non-X-ray sources, we obtained a
photometric redshift accuracy with an outlier
fraction . For X-ray sources, which are mainly active galactic
nuclei (AGNs), we cross-matched our catalog with the updated 2M-CDFN X-ray
catalog from Xue et al. (2016) and found that 658 out of 683 X-ray sources have
counterparts. UV data are included in the photometric redshift
computation for the X-ray sources to give with
. Our approach yields more accurate photometric redshift estimates
compared to previous works in this field. In particular, by adopting AGN-galaxy
hybrid templates, our approach delivers photometric redshifts for the X-ray
counterparts with fewer outliers compared to the 3D-HST catalog, which fit
these sources with galaxy-only templates
Photoabsorption Spectra of Solid O2 in Ultraviolet and Far-vacuum Ultraviolet Region at 9-30 K
We report ultraviolet and far-vacuum ultraviolet (FUV) absorption spectra of solid molecular oxygen recorded over the wavelength region 110–365 nm for temperatures between 9 and 30 K; in which, the light source was dispersed from a synchrotron. The UV/FUV spectra of solids O2 deposited at various temperatures appeared distinctly different profiles due to variation of compositions of α-O2, β-O2 and the imperfect crystal structure at the specific temperature; in addition, the icy sample exhibited its own scattering curve deposited at specific temperature. Resolved from the thermal ramping technique, the absorption spectra of solids α-O2 and β-O2 were established in the wavelength region 110–250 nm at 9 K and 30 K, respectively, for the first time
The clinical features of osteogenesis imperfecta in Vietnam
Purpose
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) has not been studied in a Vietnamese population before. The aim of this study was to systematically collect epidemiological information, investigate clinical features and create a clinical database of OI patients in Vietnam for future research and treatment strategy development.
Method
Participants underwent clinical and physical examinations; also medical records were reviewed. Genealogical information was collected and family members’ phenotypical manifestations recorded. Cases were classified according to the Sillence classification.
Results
In total, 146 OI patients from 120 families were studied: 46 with OI Type I, 46 with Type III and 54 with Type IV. Almost patients had skeletal deformations. One hundred and forty-two had a history of fractures, 117 blue sclera, 89 dentinogenesis imperfecta and 26 hearing loss. The total number of fractures was 1,932. Thirty-four patients had intra-uterine fractures and nine had perinatal fractures. Surgery was performed 163 times in 58 patients; 100 osteosyntheses and 63 osteotomies. Bisphosphonate treatment was used in 37 patients. The number of affected individuals and predominance of severe forms of OI indicate that the disease is under diagnosed in Vietnam, especially in cases without a family history or with mild form of OI. Deformities appeared in all patients with different severity and localisation, affecting mostly the lower limbs. OI medical and surgical treatment rates are low and in most cases surgery was performed due to fractures.
Conclusions
Compared to previous studies, our results indicate a lower OI prevalence and greater severity of symptoms in the Vietnamese population when compared with other areas. Further investigation, improved diagnosis and treatment are needed to increase the patients’ quality of life
A Close Binary Star Resolved from Occultation by 87 Sylvia
The star BD+29 1748 was resolved to be a close binary from its occultation by
the asteroid 87 Sylvia on 2006 December 18 UT. Four telescopes were used to
observe this event at two sites separated by some 80 km apart. Two flux drops
were observed at one site, whereas only one flux drop was detected at the
other. From the long-term variation of Sylvia, we inferred the probable shape
of the shadow during the occultation, and this in turn constrains the binary
parameters: the two components of BD+29 1748 have a projected separation of
0.097" to 0.110" on the sky with a position angle 104 deg to 107 deg. The
asteroid was clearly resolved with a size scale ranging from 130 to 290 km, as
projected onto the occultation direction. No occultation was detected for
either of the two known moonlets of 87 Sylvia.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables; submitted to the PAS
Pegylated derivatives of recombinant human arginase (rhArg1) for sustained in vivo activity in cancer therapy: preparation, characterization and analysis of their pharmacodynamics in vivo and in vitro and action upon hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HCC)
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Protein used in medicine, e.g. interferon, are immunogenic and quickly broken down by the body. Pegylation is a recognized way of preserving their integrity and reducing immune reactions, and works well with enzymes used to degrade amino acids, a recent focus of attention in controlling cancer growth. Of the two arginine-degrading enzymes being explored clinically, arginine deiminase is a decidedly foreign mycoplasm-derived enzyme, whereas human arginase 1 is a native liver enzyme. Both have been pegylated, the former with adjuncts of 20 kD, the latter with 5 kD PEG. Pegylation is done by several different methods, not all of which are satisfactory or desirable.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The preparation of novel polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivatives for modifying proteins is described, but directed specifically at pegylation of recombinant human arginase 1 (rhArg1). rhArg1 expressed in <it>Escherichia coli </it>was purified and coupled in various ways with 5 different PEG molecules to compare their protective properties and the residual enzyme activity, using hepatocellular cell lines both in vitro and in vivo.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Methoxypolyethylene glycol-succinimidyl propionate (mPEG-SPA 5,000) coupled with very high affinity under mild conditions. The resulting pegylated enzyme (rhArg1-peg<sub>5,000 mw</sub>) had up to 6 PEG chains of 5K length which not only protected it from degradation and any residual immunogenicity, but most importantly let it retain >90% of its native catalytic activity. It remained efficacious in depleting arginine in rats after a single ip injection of 1,500 U of the conjugate as the native enzyme, plasma arginine falling to >0.05 μM from ~170 μM within 20 min and lasting 6 days. The conjugate had almost the same efficacy as unpegylated rhArg1 on 2 cultured human liver cancer (HCC) cell lines. It was considerably more effective than 4 other pegylated conjugates prepared.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Valuable data on the optimization of the pegylation procedure and choice of ligand that best stabilizes the enzyme arginase 1 are presented, a protocol that should equally fit many other enzymes and proteins. It is a long lasting arginine-depleting enzyme in vivo which will greatly improve its use in anti-cancer therapy.</p
Prime Focus Spectrograph - Subaru's future -
The Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS) of the Subaru Measurement of Images and
Redshifts (SuMIRe) project has been endorsed by Japanese community as one of
the main future instruments of the Subaru 8.2-meter telescope at Mauna Kea,
Hawaii. This optical/near-infrared multi-fiber spectrograph targets cosmology
with galaxy surveys, Galactic archaeology, and studies of galaxy/AGN evolution.
Taking advantage of Subaru's wide field of view, which is further extended with
the recently completed Wide Field Corrector, PFS will enable us to carry out
multi-fiber spectroscopy of 2400 targets within 1.3 degree diameter. A
microlens is attached at each fiber entrance for F-ratio transformation into a
larger one so that difficulties of spectrograph design are eased. Fibers are
accurately placed onto target positions by positioners, each of which consists
of two stages of piezo-electric rotary motors, through iterations by using
back-illuminated fiber position measurements with a wide-field metrology
camera. Fibers then carry light to a set of four identical fast-Schmidt
spectrographs with three color arms each: the wavelength ranges from 0.38
{\mu}m to 1.3 {\mu}m will be simultaneously observed with an average resolving
power of 3000. Before and during the era of extremely large telescopes, PFS
will provide the unique capability of obtaining spectra of 2400
cosmological/astrophysical targets simultaneously with an 8-10 meter class
telescope. The PFS collaboration, led by IPMU, consists of USP/LNA in Brazil,
Caltech/JPL, Princeton, & JHU in USA, LAM in France, ASIAA in Taiwan, and
NAOJ/Subaru.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, submitted to "Ground-based and Airborne
Instrumentation for Astronomy IV, Ian S. McLean, Suzanne K. Ramsay, Hideki
Takami, Editors, Proc. SPIE 8446 (2012)
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