3,432 research outputs found
Specific heat and thermal conductivity of ferromagnetic magnons in Yttrium Iron Garnet
The specific heat and thermal conductivity of the insulating ferrimagnet
YFeO (Yttrium Iron Garnet, YIG) single crystal were measured
down to 50 mK. The ferromagnetic magnon specific heat shows a
characteristic dependence down to 0.77 K. Below 0.77 K, a downward
deviation is observed, which is attributed to the magnetic dipole-dipole
interaction with typical magnitude of 10 eV. The ferromagnetic magnon
thermal conductivity does not show the characteristic
dependence below 0.8 K. To fit the data, both magnetic defect
scattering effect and dipole-dipole interaction are taken into account. These
results complete our understanding of the thermodynamic and thermal transport
properties of the low-lying ferromagnetic magnons.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure
Natural plant polyphenols for alleviating oxidative damage in man: Current status and future perspectives
The balance between oxidation and reduction is important for maintaining a healthy biological system. Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between excessive formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and limited endogenous defense systems, and this imbalance can adversely alter lipids, proteins and DNA, causing a number of human diseases. Thus, exogenous antioxidants that can neutralize the effect of free radicals are needed to diminish the cumulative effects of oxidative damage over human life span. Current research reveals that phenolic compounds in plants possess high antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging capacity and can prevent the body from oxidative damage over human life span. This review focuses on the present understanding of free radicals and antioxidants and their importance in human health and disease. Information about the chemical features of free radicals as well as their deleterious effects on cell structures is reviewed. The chemical structure and anti-oxidative mechanisms of essential polyphenols and their potential health benefits are presented. In addition, the limitation of natural antioxidants and a perspective on likely future trends in this field are also discussed.Keywords: Free radicals, Oxidative stress, Natural antioxidants, Polyphenols, Health benefits, Reactive oxygen species, Reactive nitrogen specie
Alpha Lipoic Acid Modulated High Glucose-Induced Rat Mesangial Cell Dysfunction via mTOR/p70S6K/4E-BP1 Pathway
The aim of this study was to investigate whether alpha lipoic acid (LA) regulates high glucose-induced mesangial cell proliferation and extracellular matrix production via mTOR/p70S6K/4E-BP1 signaling. The effect of LA on high glucose-induced cell proliferation, fibronectin (FN), and collagen type I (collagen-I) expression and its mechanisms were examined in cultured rat mesangial cells by methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay, flow cytometry, ELISA assay, and western blot, respectively. LA at a relatively low concentration (0.25 mmol/L) acted as a growth factor in rat mesangial cells, promoted entry of cell cycle into S phase, extracellular matrix formation, and phosphorylated AKT, mTOR, p70S6K, and 4E-BP1. These effects disappeared when AKT expression was downregulated with PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002. Conversely, LA at a higher concentration (1.0 mmol/L) inhibited high glucose-induced rat mesangial cell proliferation, entry of cell cycle into S phase, and extracellular matrix exertion, as well as phosphorylation of mTOR, p70S6K, and 4E-BP1 but enhanced the activity of AMPK. However, these effects disappeared when AMPK activity was inhibited with CaMKK inhibitor STO-609. These results suggest that LA dose-dependently regulates mesangial cell proliferation and matrix protein secretion by mTOR/p70S6K/4E-BP1 signaling pathway under high glucose conditions
Quantum criticality and nodal superconductivity in the FeAs-based superconductor KFe2As2
The in-plane resistivity and thermal conductivity of
FeAs-based superconductor KFeAs single crystal were measured down to 50
mK. We observe non-Fermi-liquid behavior at =
5 T, and the development of a Fermi liquid state with when
further increasing field. This suggests a field-induced quantum critical point,
occurring at the superconducting upper critical field . In zero field
there is a large residual linear term , and the field dependence of
mimics that in d-wave cuprate superconductors. This indicates that
the superconducting gaps in KFeAs have nodes, likely d-wave symmetry.
Such a nodal superconductivity is attributed to the antiferromagnetic spin
fluctuations near the quantum critical point.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures - replaces arXiv:0909.485
Recommended from our members
Interleukin-22 Inhibits Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive and fatal fibrotic disease of the lungs with unclear etiology. Recent insight has suggested that early injury/inflammation of alveolar epithelial cells could lead to dysregulation of tissue repair driven by multiple cytokines. Although dysregulation of interleukin- (IL-) 22 is involved in various pulmonary pathophysiological processes, the role of IL-22 in fibrotic lung diseases is still unclear and needs to be further addressed. Here we investigated the effect of IL-22 on alveolar epithelial cells in the bleomycin- (BLM-) induced pulmonary fibrosis. BLM-treated mice showed significantly decreased level of IL-22 in the lung. IL-22 produced γδT cells were also decreased significantly both in the tissues of lungs and spleens. Administration of recombinant human IL-22 to alveolar epithelial cell line A549 cells ameliorated epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and partially reversed the impaired cell viability induced by BLM. Furthermore, blockage of IL-22 deteriorated pulmonary fibrosis, with elevated EMT marker (α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)) and overactivated Smad2. Our results indicate that IL-22 may play a protective role in the development of BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis and may suggest IL-22 as a novel immunotherapy tool in treating pulmonary fibrosis
- …