Neuroprotection of melatonin against intracerebral hemorrhage-induced injury

Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating form of stroke which is characterised by breakdown of blood vessels within the brain parenchyma. ICH has a mortality rate much higher than that of ischaemic stroke and it could lead to poor neurological outcomes including motor deficits and cognitive impairment. At present, the therapeutic options for ICH remain limited. As many studies have shown that the activation of oxidative pathways and inflammatory pathways are the important causes of brain damage after ICH, the present study aimed to investigate whether melatonin—a potent antioxidant and free-radical scavenger with strong anti-inflammatory …published_or_final_versio

Laser spectroscopy of NiBr: Ground and low-lying electronic states

Rotationally resolved near-infrared spectroscopic study of electronic transition of low-lying states of NiBr was reported using the technique of laser vaporization/reaction with supersonic cooling and laser induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy. The reaction of laser ablated nickel atoms and ethyl bromide produced NiBr molecules. Least squares fit of rotationally resolved transition lines yielded accurate molecular constants.published_or_final_versio

Laser spectroscopy of NiBr: New electronic states and hyperfine structure

Laser induced fluorescence spectrum of NiBr in the visible region between 604 and 666 nm has been recorded and analyzed. Fourteen bands belonging to three electronic transition systems, namely, [15.1] Δ 52 2 -X Π 32 2, [15.1] Π 32 2 -X Π 32 2, and [14.0] Δ 52 2 -X Π 32 2 have been observed. Spectra of isotopic molecules were also observed and analyzed. Detailed analysis of the recorded spectra indicated that the two electronic states [15.1] Π 32 2 and [15.1] Δ 52 2 lie about 1 cm-1 apart from each other and J -dependent perturbation due to spin-uncoupling interaction has been observed. Least squares fitting procedures involving deperturbation matrix elements were used to fit the observed line positions, which yielded accurate molecular constants for the [15.1] Π 32 2 and [15.1] Δ 52 2 states. In addition, the (1,0) band of the [15.1] Δ 52 2 -X Π 32 2 transition shows partially resolved hyperfine structure that was caused by the interaction of unpaired electron with the magnetic moment of the Br nucleus (nuclear spin of I=32) in the excited state. The rapid decrease in hyperfine width as J increases suggests that the hyperfine coupling in the excited state conforms to Hund's case (aΒ) coupling scheme. © 2006 American Institute of Physics.published_or_final_versio

Generalised cost-effectiveness analysis for breast cancer prevention and care in Hong Kong Chinese

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Laser spectroscopy of LaS: Hyperfine structure in the B2Σ+-X2Σ+ (0,0) band

The B 2Σ +-X 2Σ + (0,0) band of LaS was studied using the technique of laser vaporization/reaction supersonic free jet expansion and laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy. The magnetic hyperfine structure caused by the 57 139La nucleus (I=7/2) was well resolved. Least-squares fit of the hyperfine transition line positions yielded a comprehensive set of rotational, spin, and hyperfine parameters for both the B 2Σ + and X 2Σ + states. The magnetic hyperfine parameters obtained were interpreted, which yielded information about the occupation of molecular orbitals giving rise to the states studied in this molecule.published_or_final_versio

Laser spectroscopy of NiI: Ground and low-lying electronic states

Rotationally resolved near-infrared and visible spectroscopic studies of the ground and low-lying electronic states of NiI were performed using the technique of laser vaporization/reaction with free jet expansion and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy. Two electronic transitions as well as isotopic molecules were analyzed. The electronic configurations that give rise to the X 2∏ 3/2 ground state for NiF, NiCl, and NiBr were determined.published_or_final_versio

Optimizing resource allocation for breast cancer prevention and care among Hong Kong Chinese women: a generalized cost-effectiveness analysis

Conference Theme: Translating Health Research into Policy and Practice for Health of the PopulationPoster Presentations: Delivery of Health Services: no. P42-Ab0048BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recommendations about funding of interventions through the full spectrum of the disease have often been made in isolation or been derived in separate single intervention analyses. We primarily evaluated and optimized budgetary allocations by comparing cost-effectiveness data for the selected preventive and management strategies throughout the disease course for breast cancer in HK Chinese women …published_or_final_versio

Laser spectroscopy of iridium monoboride

High resolution laser induced fluorescence spectrum of IrB in the spectral region between 545 and 610 nm has been recorded and analyzed. Reacting laser-ablated iridium atoms with 1% B2 H6 seeded in argon produced the IrB molecule. This is the first experimental observation of the IrB molecule. Four vibronic transition bands, (v,0) with v=0-3 of an electronic transition system, have been observed. Spectra of all four isotopic molecules, Ir191 B10, Ir193 B10, Ir191 B11, and Ir193 B11, were recorded. Isotopic relationships confirmed the carrier of the spectra and the vibrational quantum number assignment. Preliminary analysis of rotational lines showed that these vibronic bands are with ′ =2 and ″ =3. The electronic transition identified is assigned as the [16.5] Π23 -X Δ33 system. Partially resolved hyperfine structure which conforms to the Hund's case aΒ coupling scheme has been observed and analyzed. The bond length r0 of the lower X Δ33 state of IrB was determined to be 1.7675 Å. © 2008 American Institute of Physics.published_or_final_versio

Mass spectrometry protein expression profiles in colorectal cancer tissue associated with clinico-pathological features of disease

Background: Studies of several tumour types have shown that expression profiling of cellular protein extracted from surgical tissue specimens by direct mass spectrometry analysis can accurately discriminate tumour from normal tissue and in some cases can sub-classify disease. We have evaluated the potential value of this approach to classify various clinico-pathological features in colorectal cancer by employing matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time of-flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Methods: Protein extracts from 31 tumour and 33 normal mucosa specimens were purified, subjected to MALDI-Tof MS and then analysed using the `GenePattern' suite of computational tools (Broad Institute, MIT, USA). Comparative Gene Marker Selection with either a t-test or a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) test statistic was used to identify and rank differentially expressed marker peaks. The k-nearest neighbours algorithm was used to build classification models either using separate training and test datasets or else by using an iterative, `leave-one-out' cross-validation method. Results: 73 protein peaks in the mass range 1800-16000Da were differentially expressed in tumour verses adjacent normal mucosa tissue (P <= 0.01, false discovery rate <= 0.05). Unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis classified most tumour and normal mucosa into distinct cluster groups. Supervised prediction correctly classified the tumour/normal mucosa status of specimens in an independent test spectra dataset with 100\% sensitivity and specificity (95\% confidence interval: 67.9-99.2\%). Supervised prediction using `leave-one-out' cross validation algorithms for tumour spectra correctly classified 10/13 poorly differentiated and 16/18 well/moderately differentiated tumours (P = < 0.001; receiver-operator characteristics - ROC - error, 0.171); disease recurrence was correctly predicted in 5/6 cases and disease-free survival (median follow-up time, 25 months) was correctly predicted in 22/23 cases (P = < 0.001; ROC error, 0.105). A similar analysis of normal mucosa spectra correctly predicted 11/14 patients with, and 15/19 patients without lymph node involvement (P = 0.001; ROC error, 0.212). Conclusions: Protein expression profiling of surgically resected CRC tissue extracts by MALDI-TOF MS has potential value in studies aimed at improved molecular classification of this disease. Further studies, with longer follow-up times and larger patient cohorts, that would permit independent validation of supervised classification models, would be required to confirm the predictive value of tumour spectra for disease recurrence/patient survival

Four plant defensins from an indigenous South African Brassicaceae species display divergent activities against two test pathogens despite high sequence similarity in the encoding genes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Plant defensins are an important component of the innate defence system of plants where they form protective antimicrobial barriers between tissue types of plant organs as well as around seeds. These peptides also have other activities that are important for agricultural applications as well as the medical sector. Amongst the numerous plant peptides isolated from a variety of plant species, a significant number of promising defensins have been isolated from Brassicaceae species. Here we report on the isolation and characterization of four defensins from <it>Heliophila coronopifolia</it>, a native South African Brassicaceae species.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Four defensin genes (<it>Hc-AFP1</it>-<it>4) </it>were isolated with a homology based PCR strategy. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences showed that the peptides were 72% similar and grouped closest to defensins isolated from other Brassicaceae species. The Hc-AFP1 and 3 peptides shared high homology (94%) and formed a unique grouping in the Brassicaceae defensins, whereas Hc-AFP2 and 4 formed a second homology grouping with defensins from <it>Arabidopsis </it>and <it>Raphanus</it>. Homology modelling showed that the few amino acids that differed between the four peptides had an effect on the surface properties of the defensins, specifically in the alpha-helix and the loop connecting the second and third beta-strands. These areas are implicated in determining differential activities of defensins. Comparing the activities after recombinant production of the peptides, Hc-AFP2 and 4 had IC₅₀values of 5-20 μg ml^-1against two test pathogens, whereas Hc-AFP1 and 3 were less active. The activity against <it>Botrytis cinerea </it>was associated with membrane permeabilization, hyper-branching, biomass reduction and even lytic activity. In contrast, only Hc-AFP2 and 4 caused membrane permeabilization and severe hyper-branching against the wilting pathogen <it>Fusarium solani</it>, while Hc-AFP1 and 3 had a mild morphogenetic effect on the fungus, without any indication of membrane activity. The peptides have a tissue-specific expression pattern since differential gene expression was observed in the native host. <it>Hc-AFP1 </it>and <it>3 </it>expressed in mature leaves, stems and flowers, whereas <it>Hc-AFP2 </it>and <it>4 </it>exclusively expressed in seedpods and seeds.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Two novel Brassicaceae defensin sequences were isolated amongst a group of four defensin encoding genes from the indigenous South African plant <it>H. coronopifolia</it>. All four peptides were active against two test pathogens, but displayed differential activities and modes of action. The expression patterns of the peptide encoding genes suggest a role in protecting either vegetative or reproductive structures in the native host against pathogen attack, or roles in unknown developmental and physiological processes in these tissues, as was shown with other defensins.</p