801 research outputs found
Thermoelectric properties of the layered Pd oxide R_2PdO_4 (R = La, Nd, Sm and Gd)
We prepared polycrystalline samples of RPdO (R = La, Nd, Sm and Gd)
using a NaCl-flux technique. The measured resistivity is of the order of
10 cm at room temperature, which is two orders of magnitude
smaller than the values reported so far. We further studied the substitution
effects of Ce for Nd in NdCePdO, where the substituted Ce
decreases the resistivity and the magnitude of the thermopower. The activation
energy gap of 70-80 meV and the effective mass of 15 evaluated from the
measured data are suitable for thermoelectric materials, but the mobility of
10 cm/Vs is much lower than a typical value of 1-10 cm/Vs for
other thermoelectric oxides.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, to appear in J. Phys. Soc. Jp
Physical interaction between bacterial heat shock protein (Hsp) 90 and Hsp70 chaperones mediates their cooperative action to refold denatured proteins.
In eukaryotes, heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is an essential ATP-dependent molecular chaperone that associates with numerous client proteins. HtpG, a prokaryotic homolog of Hsp90, is essential for thermotolerance in cyanobacteria, and in vitro it suppresses the aggregation of denatured proteins efficiently. Understanding how the non-native client proteins bound to HtpG refold is of central importance to comprehend the essential role of HtpG under stress. Here, we demonstrate by yeast two-hybrid method, immunoprecipitation assays, and surface plasmon resonance techniques that HtpG physically interacts with DnaJ2 and DnaK2. DnaJ2, which belongs to the type II J-protein family, bound DnaK2 or HtpG with submicromolar affinity, and HtpG bound DnaK2 with micromolar affinity. Not only DnaJ2 but also HtpG enhanced the ATP hydrolysis by DnaK2. Although assisted by the DnaK2 chaperone system, HtpG enhanced native refolding of urea-denatured lactate dehydrogenase and heat-denatured glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. HtpG did not substitute for DnaJ2 or GrpE in the DnaK2-assisted refolding of the denatured substrates. The heat-denatured malate dehydrogenase that did not refold by the assistance of the DnaK2 chaperone system alone was trapped by HtpG first and then transferred to DnaK2 where it refolded. Dissociation of substrates from HtpG was either ATP-dependent or -independent depending on the substrate, indicating the presence of two mechanisms of cooperative action between the HtpG and the DnaK2 chaperone system
Effect of base–acid properties of the mixtures of water with methanol on the solution enthalpy of selected cyclic ethers in this mixture at 298.15 K
The enthalpies of solution of cyclic ethers: 1,4-
dioxane, 12-crown-4 and 18-crown-6 in the mixture of
water and methanol have been measured within the whole
mole fraction range at T = 298.15 K. Based on the obtained
data, the effect of base–acid properties of water–
methanol mixtures on the solution enthalpy of cyclic ethers
in these mixtures has been analyzed. The solution enthalpy
of cyclic ethers depends on acid properties of water–
methanol mixtures in the range of high and medium water
contents in the mixture. Based on the analysis performed, it
can be assumed that in the mixtures of high methanol
contents, cyclic ethe
High susceptibility to lipopolysaccharide-induced lethal shock in encephalomyocarditis virus-infected mice
Secondary bacterial infection in humans is one of the pathological conditions requiring clinical attention. In this study, we examined the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) infected mice. All mice inoculated with EMCV at 5 days before LPS challenge died within 24 h. LPS-induced TNF-α mRNA expression was significantly increased in the brain and heart at 5 days after EMCV infection. CD11b+/TLR4+ cell population in the heart was remarkably elevated at 5 days after EMCV infection, and sorted CD11b+ cells at 5 days after EMCV infection produced a large amount of TNF-α on LPS stimulation in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, we found that the infiltration of CD11b+ cells into infected organs is involved in the subsequent LPS-induced lethal shock in viral encephalomyocarditis. This new experimental model can help define the mechanism by which secondary bacterial infection causes a lethal shock in viral encephalomyocarditis
Molecules participating in insect immunity of Sarcophaga peregrina
Pricking the body wall of Sarcophaga
peregrina (flesh fly) larvae with a needle activated the immune system of this insect and induced various immune molecules, including antibacterial proteins, in the hemolymph. In this review, I summarize and discuss the functions of these immune molecules, with particular emphasis on the dual roles of some of these molecules in defense and development
Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy in Lambda Hypernuclei
The present status of hypernuclear gamma-ray spectroscopy with Hyperball is
summarized. We observed two gamma transitions of 16-Lambda-O(1- -> 1-,0-) and
obtained the strength of the Lambda-N tensor force. In 10B(K-,pi- gamma) data,
we did not observe the spin-flip M1 transition of 10-Lambda-B(2- -> 1-), but
gamma rays from hyperfragments such as 7-Lambda-Li(7/2+ -> 5/2+) and
9-Lambda-Be(3/2+ ->1/2+) were observed. In 11B(pi+,K+ gamma) data, we observed
six gamma transitions of 11_Lambda-B. We also attempted an inclusive gamma-ray
measurement with stopped K- beam.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, 8th International Conference on Hypernuclear and
Strange Particle Physics (HYP2003), Newport News, Virginia, 14-18 Oct 2003,
to appear in Nuclear Physics
Oxidative stress and S-100B protein in children with bacterial meningitis
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bacterial meningitis is often associated with cerebral compromise which may be responsible for neurological sequelae in nearly half of the survivors. Little is known about the mechanisms of CNS involvement in bacterial meningitis. Several studies have provided substantial evidence for the key role of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species in the complex pathophysiology of bacterial meningitis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In the present study, serum and CSF levels of NO, lipid peroxide (LPO) (mediators for oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation); total thiol, superoxide dismutase (SOD) (antioxidant mediators) and S-100B protein (mediator of astrocytes activation and injury), were investigated in children with bacterial meningitis (n = 40). Albumin ratio (CSF/serum) is a marker of blood-CSF barriers integrity, while mediator index (mediator ratio/albumin ratio) is indicative of intrathecal synthesis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to normal children (n = 20), patients had lower serum albumin but higher NO, LPO, total thiol, SOD and S-100B. The ratios and indices of NO and LPO indicate blood-CSF barriers dysfunction, while the ratio of S-100B indicates intrathecal synthesis. Changes were marked among patients with positive culture and those with neurological complications. Positive correlation was found between NO index with CSF WBCs (r = 0.319, p < 0.05); CSF-LPO with CSF-protein (r = 0.423, p < 0.01); total thiol with LPO indices (r = 0.725, p < 0.0001); S-100B and Pediatric Glasow Coma Scores (0.608, p < 0.0001); CSF-LPO with CSF-S-100B (r = 0.482, p < 0.002); serum-total thiol with serum S-100B (r = 0.423, p < 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study suggests that loss of integrity of brain-CSF barriers, oxidative stress and S-100B may contribute to the severity and neurological complications of bacterial meningitis.</p
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