Intracellular interferon (IFN)-γ analysis of spleen cells from vaccinated mice

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Alphavirus replicon particles containing the gene for HER2/inhibit breast cancer growth and tumorigenesis"</p><p>Breast Cancer Research 2004;7(1):R145-R155.</p><p>Published online 29 Nov 2004</p><p>PMCID:PMC1064108.</p><p>Copyright © 2004 Wang et al., licensee BioMed Central Ltd.</p> Spleen cells from mice vaccinated three times with virus-like replicon particles (VRP)-or VRP-hemagglutinin (HA) were analyzed for the presence of intracellular IFN-γ after culture with a -specific peptide

TDDFT Studies on the Electronic Structures and Chiroptical Properties of Mono-Tin-Substituted Wells–Dawson Polyoxotungstates

The UV/CD spectra of tin-bearing acetonyl-substituted Wells–Dawson polyoxotungstates α₁- and α₂-[P₂W₁₇O₆₁{SnCH₂CH₂C­(O)}]^6– were systematically investigated using the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method. The electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra were produced over the range of 3.3–5.8 eV. The calculated ECD spectra of the α₁-R isomer were generally in agreement with the experimental spectra. The CAM-B3LYP hybrid functional was found to predict the excitation energies of tin-containing polyoxotungstates well. The fact that the UV/ECD spectra of α₁-isomers are different from those of α₂-isomers demonstrates the effect of the tin substitution site on the chiroptical properties of the studied isomers. The origins of the ECD bands are mainly ascribed to charge-transfer (CT) transitions from oxygen atoms to W atoms, from organic fragments to W atoms, or from the combination of two CT transitions. The results suggest that the organic fragment and polyoxometalate (POM) cage are chiroptical chromophores

Magnetic Detection of Mercuric Ion Using Giant Magnetoresistance-Based Biosensing System

We have demonstrated a novel sensing strategy employing a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) biosensor and DNA chemistry for the detection of mercuric ion (Hg²⁺). This assay takes advantages of high sensitivity and real-time signal readout of GMR biosensor and high selectivity of thymine–thymine (T–T) pair for Hg²⁺. The assay has a detection limit of 10 nM in both buffer and natural water, which is the maximum mercury level in drinking water regulated by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The magnitude of the dynamic range for Hg²⁺ detection is up to three orders (10 nM to 10 μM). Herein, GMR sensing technology is first introduced into a pollutant monitoring area. It can be foreseen that the GMR biosensor could become a robust contender in the areas of environmental monitoring and food safety testing

TDDFT Studies on the Determination of the Absolute Configurations and Chiroptical Properties of Strandberg-Type Polyoxometalates

The electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and UV–visible absorption (UV–vis) spectra of Strandberg-type polyoxometalates (POMs) (R, R)-[(R*PO₃)₂M₅O₁₅]^2‑ (R* = CH₃CH­(NH₃), (M = Mo, W)) have been explored using the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method. It demonstrates that the absolute configurations of chiral systems can be determined by chiroptical spectroscopic methods combined with DFT calculations. The calculated ECD spectra of the Strandberg-type molybdate were produced over the range of 3.3–6.5 eV, which are generally in agreement with the experimental spectra. In addition, the ECD spectra of (R, R)-[(R*PO₃)₂W₅O₁₅]^2‑ (R* = CH₃CH­(NH₃)) were produced over the range of 4.5–8.5 eV. The Becke’s half-and-half hybrid exchange-correlation functional (BHandHLYP) with the HF exchange fraction to 55% hybrid functional was found to well predict the excitation energies of studied systems. The origins of the ECD bands of two systems are mainly ascribed to charge-transfer (CT) transitions from oxygen atoms to metal atoms in polyanion. The results suggest that the polyanion are chiroptical chromophores. The polyanion plays a role as an optically active chromophore and contribute to the absorptions of ECD spectra. The difference of the UV–vis/ECD spectra between two systems shows that the transition metal atom significantly influences on the chiroptical properties of the studied Strandberg-type POMs

Portable GMR Handheld Platform for the Detection of Influenza A Virus

Influenza A virus (IAV) is a common respiratory pathogen infecting many hosts including humans, pigs (swine influenza virus or SIV), and birds (avian influenza virus or AIV). Monitoring swine and avian influenza viruses in the wild, farms, and live poultry markets is of great significance for human and veterinary public health. A portable, sensitive, and quantitative immunoassay device will be of high demand especially in the rural and resource-limited areas. We report herein our Z-Lab point-of-care (POC) device for sensitive and specific detection of swine influenza viruses with minimum sample handling and laboratory skill requirements. In the present study, a portable and quantitative immunoassay platform based on giant magnetoresistive (GMR) technology is used for the detection of IAV nucleoprotein (NP) and purified H3N2v. Z-Lab displays quantitative results in less than 10 min with sensitivities down to 15 ng/mL and 125 TCID₅₀/mL for IAV nucleoprotein and purified H3N2v, respectively. This platform allows lab-testing to be performed outdoors and opens up the applications of immunoassays in nonclinical settings

IFNγ ELISPOT analysis of spleen cells from mice vaccinated with SINCP (prime) and Adeno (boost)

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Prime–boost vaccination with plasmid and adenovirus gene vaccines control HER2/metastatic breast cancer in mice"</p><p>Breast Cancer Research 2005;7(5):R580-R588.</p><p>Published online 23 May 2005</p><p>PMCID:PMC1242122.</p><p>Copyright © 2005 Wang et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.</p> Naive mice were vaccinated with SINCP-(a plasmid containing Sindbis virus genes and the gene for rat HER2/) and then twice, at 2-week intervals, with Adeno-(an E1,E2a-deleted adenovirus also containing the gene for rat HER2/). Spleen cells were collected 2 weeks after the second Adeno vaccination and were cultured overnight with 5 μg/ml concanavalin A, without stimulation, or with A2L2 cells at three different effector:stimulator ratios. The number of IFNγ-secreting cells was determined using a commercial ELISPOT procedure and antibody pair. Horizontal bars indicate means. IFNγ, interferon γ

Time-Resolved Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect of Magnetic Thin Films for Ultrafast Thermal Characterization

Thermomagnetic and magneto-optical effects are two fundamental but unique phenomena existing in magnetic materials. In this work, we demonstrate ultrafast time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect (TR-MOKE) as an advanced thermal characterization technique by studying the original factors of the MOKE signal from four magnetic transducers, including TbFe, GdFeCo, Co/Pd, and CoFe/Pt. A figure of merit is proposed to evaluate the performance of the transducer layers, corresponding to the degree of the signal-to-noise ratio in TR-MOKE measurements. We observe improved figure of merit for rare-earth transition-metal-based TbFe and GdFeCo transducers and attribute this improvement to their relatively larger temperature-dependent magnetization and the Kerr rotation angle at the saturated magnetization state. Furthermore, an optimal thickness of TbFe is found to be ∼18.5 nm to give the best performance. Our findings will facilitate the nanoscale thermal characterization and the device design where the thermo-magneto-optical coupling plays an important role

The Prognostic Role of <i>BRAF</i> Mutation in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Receiving Anti-<i>EGFR</i> Monoclonal Antibodies: A Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Background</p><p>BRAF mutation has been investigated as a prognostic factor in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) undergoing anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies (moAbs), but current results are still inconclusive. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the relationship between BRAF mutation status and the prognosis of mCRC patients treated with moAbs.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Eligible studies were identified by systematically searching Pubmed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Knowledge, and OVID. Risk ratio (RR) for overall response rate (ORR), Hazard ratios (HRs) for Progression free survival (PFS) and Overall survival (OS) were extracted or calculated. Prespecified subgroup analyses were conducted in KRAS wild-type and in different study types. The source of between-trial variation was explored by sensitivity analyses. Quality assessment was conducted by the Hayden’s criteria.</p><p>Results</p><p>A total of twenty one trials including 5229 patients were identified for the meta-analysis. 343 patients displayed BRAF mutations of 4616 (7.4%) patients with known BRAF status. Patients with BRAF wild-type (WT) showed decreased risks of progression and death with an improved PFS(HR 0.38, 95% confidence intervals 0.29–0.51) and an improved OS (HR 0.35 [0.29–0.42]), compared to BRAF mutant. In KRAS WT population, there were even larger PFS benefit (HR 0.29[0.19,0.43]) and larger OS benefit (HR 0.26 [0.20,0.35]) in BRAF WT. A response benefit for BRAF WT was observed (RR 0.31[0.18,0.53]) in KRAS WT patients, but not observed in unselected patients (RR 0.76 [0.43–1.33]). The results were consistent in the subgroup analysis of different study types. Heterogeneity between trials decreased in the subgroup and explained by sensitivity analysis. No publication bias of ORR, PFS and OS were detected.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The results indicate that BRAF mutant is a predictive biomarker for poor prognosis in mCRC patients undergoing anti-EGFR MoAbs therapy, especially in KRAS WT patients. Additional large prospective trials are required to confirm the predictive role of BRAF status.</p></div

U–Pb zircon, geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic constraints on age and origin of the intrusions from Wunugetushan porphyry deposit, Northeast China: implication for Triassic–Jurassic Cu–Mo mineralization in Mongolia–Erguna metallogenic belt

<p>The Wunugetushan porphyry Cu–Mo deposit is located in northeastern China. The deposit lies within the Mongolia–Erguna metallogenic belt, which is associated with the evolution of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean. The multiple episodes of magmatism in the ore district, occurred from 206 to 173 Ma, can be divided into pre-mineralization stage (biotite granite), mineralization stage (monzogranitic porphyry and rhyolitic porphyry), and post-mineralization stage (andesitic porphyry). The biotite granite has (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)<i>_i</i> values of 0.704105–0.704706, <i>ε</i>_Nd(<i>t</i>) values of −0.67 to −0.07, and <i>ε</i>_Hf(<i>t</i>) values of −0.4 to 2.8, yielding Hf two-stage model ages (<i>T</i>_DM2) 1250–1067 Ma, and Nd model ages of 1.04–0.96 Ga, indicating that the pre-mineralization magmas were generated by the remelting of Neoproterozoic juvenile crustal material. The monzogranitic porphyry has (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)<i>_i</i> values of 0.704707–0.706134, <i>ε</i>_Nd(<i>t</i>) values of 0.29–1.33, and <i>ε</i>_Hf(<i>t</i>) values of 1.0–2.9, yielding <i>T</i>_DM2 model ages of 1173–1047 Ma. The rhyolitic porphyry has (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)<i>_i</i> ratio of 0.702129, <i>ε</i>_Nd(<i>t</i>) value of −0.21, and <i>ε</i>_Hf(<i>t</i>) values of −0.5 to 7.1, <i>T</i>_DM2 model ages from 1269 to 782 Ma. These results show that the magmas of mineralization stage were generated by the partial melting of juvenile crust mixed with mantle-derived components. The andesitic porphyry has (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)<i>_i</i> ratio of 0.705284, <i>ε</i>_Nd(<i>t</i>) value of 0.82, and <i>ε</i>_Hf(<i>t</i>) values from 4.1 to 7.4, indicating that the post-mineralization magma source contained more mantle-derived material. The Mesozoic Cu–Mo deposits which genetically related to Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean were temporally distributed in Middle to Late Triassic (240–230 Ma), Early Jurassic (200–180 Ma), and Later Jurassic (160–150 Ma) period. The Middle Triassic to Early Jurassic Cu–Mo mineralization was dominated by Mongol–Okhotsk oceanic plate southeast-directed subducted beneath the Erguna massif. The Later Jurassic Cu–Mo mineralization was controlled by the continent–continent collision between Siberia plate and Erguna massif.</p

Forest plots of ORR, PFS and OS in KRAS Wild-type patients.

<p>(A) RR for overall response rate (BRAF Mutant vs BRAF WT), fixed-effects model; (B) HR for progression free survival (BRAF WT vs BRAF Mutant), random-effects model; (C) HR for overall survival (BRAF WT vs BRAF Mutant), fixed-effects model.</p