A Novel Soluble Tin(IV) Porphyrin Modified Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanohybrid With Light Harvesting Properties

A dihydroxotin(IV) porphyrin functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) nanohybrid is obtained. Solubility of the nanohybrid in organic solvents is determined by UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy. Electron absorption and fluorescence spectra investigations demonstrate that efficient electron transfer occurs within the nanohybrid at the photoexcited state and the charge-separated state of the nanohybrid is observed by transient absorption spectrum. The results illustrate that this soluble electron donor–acceptor nanohybrid might be a good candidate as a light harvesting material in molecular photoelectronic devices

Abnormal magnetoresistance behavior in Nb thin film with rectangular antidot lattice

Abnormal magnetoresistance behavior is found in superconducting Nb films perforated with rectangular arrays of antidots (holes). Generally magnetoresistance were always found to increase with increasing magnetic field. Here we observed a reversal of this behavior for particular in low temperature or current density. This phenomenon is due to a strong 'caging effect' which interstitial vortices are strongly trapped among pinned multivortices.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

A Chinese Herbal Formula to Improve General Psychological Status in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial on Sichuan Earthquake Survivors

Introduction. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is accompanied by poor general psychological status (GPS). In the present study, we investigated the effects of a Chinese herbal formula on GPS in earthquake survivors with PTSD. Methods. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial compared a Chinese herbal formula, Xiao-Tan-Jie-Yu-Fang (XTJYF), to placebo in 2008 Sichuan earthquake survivors with PTSD. Patients were randomized into XTJYF (n = 123) and placebo (n = 122) groups. Baseline-to-end-point score changes in the three global indices of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and rates of response in the SCL global severity index (GSI) were the primary endpoints. A subanalysis of the nine SCL factors and the sleep quality score were secondary endpoints. Results and Discussion. Compared to placebo, the XTJYF group was significantly improved in all three SCL global indices (P = 0.001~0.028). More patients in the XTJYF group reported “much improved” than the placebo group (P = 0.001). The XTJYF group performed significantly better than control in five out of nine SCL factors (somatization, obsessive-compulsive behavior, depression, anxiety, and hostility (P = 0.001~0.036)), and in sleep quality score (P < 0.001). XTJYF produced no serious adverse events. These findings suggest that XTJYF may be an effective and safe treatment option for improving GPS in patients with PTSD

Cloning and expression profiling of the VLDLR gene associated with egg performance in duck (Anas platyrhynchos)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The very low density lipoprotein receptor gene (<it>VLDLR</it>), a member of the low density lipoprotein receptor (<it>LDLR</it>) gene family, plays a crucial role in the synthesis of yolk protein precursors in oviparous species. Differential splicing of this gene has been reported in human, rabbit and rat. In chicken, studies showed that the VLDLR protein on the oocyte surface mediates the uptake of yolk protein precursors into growing oocytes. However, information on the <it>VLDLR </it>gene in duck is still scarce.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Full-length duck <it>VLDLR </it>cDNA was obtained by comparative cloning and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Tissue expression patterns were analysed by semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Association between the different genotypes and egg performance traits was investigated with the general linear model (GLM) procedure of the SAS^®software package.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In duck, two <it>VLDLR </it>transcripts were identified, one transcript (variant-a) containing an O-linked sugar domain and the other (variant-b) not containing this sugar domain. These transcripts share ~70 to 90% identity with their counterparts in other species. A phylogenetic tree based on amino acid sequences showed that duck VLDLR proteins were closely related with those of chicken and zebra finch. The two duck <it>VLDLR </it>transcripts are differentially expressed i.e. <it>VLDLR-a </it>is mainly expressed in muscle tissue and <it>VLDLR-b </it>in reproductive organs. We have localized the duck <it>VLDLR </it>gene on chromosome Z. An association analysis using two completely linked SNP sites (T/C at position 2025 bp of the ORF and G/A in intron 13) and records from two generations demonstrated that the duck <it>VLDLR </it>gene was significantly associated with egg production (P < 0.01), age of first egg (P < 0.01) and body weight of first egg (P < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Duck and chicken <it>VLDLR </it>genes probably perform similar function in the development of growing oocytes and deposition of yolk lipoprotein. Therefore, <it>VLDLR </it>could be a candidate gene for duck egg performance and be used as a genetic marker to improve egg performance in ducks.</p

Abnormal magnetoresistance behavior in Nb thin film with rectangular antidot lattice

Abnormal magnetoresistance behavior is found in superconducting Nb films perforated with rectangular arrays of antidots (holes). Generally magnetoresistance were always found to increase with increasing magnetic field. Here we observed a reversal of this behavior for particular in low temperature or current density. This phenomenon is due to a strong 'caging effect' which interstitial vortices are strongly trapped among pinned multivortices.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Co/Pt Multilayers on Self-Organized Hexagonal Patterned Nanodots

Anodic alumina with surface of hexagonal patterned nanodots was prepared by a two-step anodizing procedure. Scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscopy results clearly showed the formation of self-organized hexagonal patterned nanostructure. Diameters of the nanodots were controlled by choosing different anodization voltage and types of electrolyte acids. Co/Pt multilayers deposited on the nanodots with different diameters of 20, 70, and 100 nm lead to the formation of magnetic nanostructures with perpendicular anisotropy. Magnetometry and the first-order reversal curve method were used to study the magnetic properties of Co/Pt nanostructures. An out-of-plane magnetic easy axis was observed for the continuous films and the nanodots with diameters of 100 and 70 nm. The magnetic multilayers deposited on 20 nm nanodots appeared to have taken on a hard axis type behavior. The curvature of nanodot arrays induces strong modifications on the magnetic properties of the nanostructures

Establishment of an Experimental Breast Cancer ZHENG Model and Curative Effect Evaluation of Zuo-Jin Wan

Herbal formulas based on the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome (ZHENG) have been used as alternative treatments for breast cancer. However, there is a lack of the experimental animal ZHENG model for the evaluation of the herbal formulas. In this study, we have established 4T1 mouse breast cancer with Liver Fire Invading Stomach Syndrome model (4T1 LFISS mice) and investigated the effects of the herbal formula, Zuo-Jin Wan (ZJW). Our results showed that 4T1 LFISS mice have the features of LFISS including irritability, loss of appetite, yellow urine, chow, and a tail hot. Compared to untreated 4T1 LFISS mice, ZJW significantly reduced tumor weight and volume (P<0.05), although it was weaker than Cisplatin. However, ZJW significantly increased the body weight and food intake of 4T1 LFISS mice and decreased serum ALT, AST, Cr, and BUN levels and ZHENG score (P<0.05), while Cisplatin reduced the food intake, and body weight and increased serum ALT, AST, Cr, and BUN levels in 4T1 LFISS mice. Our study has provided a mouse breast cancer ZHENG model and showed that ZJW suppresses tumor growth and improves LFISS and kidney and liver functions in the 4T1 LFISS mice

Isolation, identification, and complete genome sequence of a bovine adenovirus type 3 from cattle in China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bovine adenovirus type 3 (BAV-3) belongs to the <it>Mastadenovirus </it>genus of the family <it>Adenoviridae </it>and is involved in respiratory and enteric infections of calves. The isolation of BAV-3 has not been reported prior to this study in China. In 2009, there were many cases in cattle showing similar clinical signs to BAV-3 infection and a virus strain, showing cytopathic effect in Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells, was isolated from a bovine nasal swab collected from feedlot cattle in Heilongjiang Province, China. The isolate was confirmed as a bovine adenovirus type 3 by PCR and immunofluorescence assay, and named as HLJ0955. So far only the complete genome sequence of prototype of BAV-3 WBR-1 strain has been reported. In order to further characterize the Chinese isolate HLJ0955, the complete genome sequence of HLJ0955 was determined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The size of the genome of the Chinese isolate HLJ0955 is 34,132 nucleotides in length with a G+C content of 53.6%. The coding sequences for gene regions of HLJ0955 isolate were similar to the prototype of BAV-3 WBR-1 strain, with 80.0-98.6% nucleotide and 87.5-98.8% amino acid identities. The genome of HLJ0955 strain contains 16 regions and four deletions in inverted terminal repeats, E1B region and E4 region, respectively. The complete genome and DNA binding protein gene based phylogenetic analysis with other adenoviruses were performed and the results showed that HLJ0955 isolate belonged to BAV-3 and clustered within the <it>Mastadenovirus </it>genus of the family <it>Adenoviridae</it>.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This is the first study to report the isolation and molecular characterization of BAV-3 from cattle in China. The phylogenetic analysis performed in this study supported the use of the DNA binding protein gene of adenovirus as an appropriate subgenomic target for the classification of different genuses of the family <it>Adenoviridae </it>on the molecular basis. Meanwhile, a large-scale pathogen and serological epidemiological investigations for BVA-3 infection might be carried out in cattle in China. This report will be a good beginning for further studies on BAV-3 in China.</p

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<p>Cell scratch test and Transwell were used to measure the migration abilities of HSVSMCs. NC = Negative control group, only control siRNA transfected; GAS5(-) = lncRNA-GAS5 knockdown group transfected with silence siRNA. <b>A:</b>Cell scratch test was used to measure the migration abilities of HSVSMCs. The results showed that the HSVSMCs have the best migration abilities in the first 24 hours. Values are mean±SE, N = 4. <b>B:</b> The migration abilities of HSVSMCs measured by Transwell. After transfected by lncRNA-GAS5 siRNA for 48 hours, the HSVSMCs were passage into the Transwell Inserts. Then 4 hours, 7 hours, 10 hours later, the migration HSVSMCs were photographed and counted, respectively. Knockdown of lncRNA-GAS5 expression promotes migration of HSVSMCs. Optical microscope images under 200x magnification. <b>C:</b> The migration abilities of HSVSMCs were reflected indirectly by the new migration cells counting with Transwell. Silencing of lncRNA-GAS5 expression increses migration ability of HSVSMCs. Values are mean±SE, N = 10; *, P<0.05.</p