Protection from avian influenza H5N1 virus infection with antibody-impregnated filters

There is worldwide concern over the possibility of a new influenza pandemic originating from the highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses. We herein demonstrate that functional air filters impregnated with ostrich antibodies against the hemagglutinin of the H5N1 virus protect chickens from death by H5N1 transmission. These results suggest that the use of ostrich antibody-impregnated filters might be a powerful way to prevent the transmission of H5N1

Oxygen reduction at negatively charged iron porphyrins heat-treated and bridged by alkaline-earth metal ions

金沢大学理工研究域物質化学系An ordered network of tetrasodium tetra(4-sulphonatophenyl)porphyrin iron(III) chloride (FeTPPS4Na4), which exhibited a higher catalytic activity for oxygen reduction than Co and Ir(CO)TPPS 4Na4, was fabricated by complexation with alkaline-earth metal ions. Heat treatment of these complexes enhanced their catalytic activity with the highest performance observed with Ba2+-FeTPPS4. The onset potential for oxygen reduction (Eonset) was 720mVvs. Ag|AgCl, which is almost the same as that for Pt-impregnated carbon black. The number of electrons, n, transferred during oxygen reduction at a Ba2+- FeTPPS4-coated electrode, as determined by rotating ring-disc experiments, was 3.9 and suggests that oxygen was reduced to water. A neutral solution of FeTPPS4Na4 was acidified by the addition of barium ion, and the elemental ratio Fe:S:Ba in the resulting Ba 2+-FeTPPS4 complex was approximately 1:4:2.5. This suggests the formation of a highly ordered network with Fe sites bridged with barium ions in addition to the normal salt bridges between sulphonates. Catalytic oxidation reactions with nitric oxide and nitrite ion as the intermediate at the heat-treated Ba2+-FeTPPS4 indicate the formation of Fe(IV) and Fe(IV) π-cation radicals or Fe(V). The agreement between the potential of Fe(IV) π-cation radical formation and E onset suggests that the redox cycle of the Fe(III)/Fe(IV) π-cation radical provides a sufficient driving force for the observed 4-electron reduction of oxygen at the heat-treated Ba2+-FeTPPS4 electrode. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Neural Mechanism of Altered Limb Perceptions Caused by Temporal Sensorimotor Incongruence

Previous studies have demonstrated that patients with strokes or pathological pain suffer distorted limb ownership and an inability to perceive their affected limbs as a part of their bodies. These disturbances are apparent in experiments showing time delays between motor commands and visual feedback. The experimental paradigm manipulating temporal delay is considered possible to clarify, in detail, the degree of altered limb perception, peculiarity and movement disorders that are caused by temporal sensorimotor incongruence. However, the neural mechanisms of these body perceptions, peculiarity and motor control remain unknown. In this experiment, we used exact low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (eLORETA) with independent component analysis (ICA) to clarify the neural mechanisms of altered limb perceptions caused by temporal sensorimotor incongruence. Seventeen healthy participants were recruited, and temporal sensorimotor incongruence was systematically evoked using a visual feedback delay system. Participants periodically extended their right wrists while viewing video images of their hands that were delayed by 0, 150, 250, 350 and 600 ms. To investigate neural mechanisms, altered limb perceptions were then rated using the 7-point Likert scale and brain activities were concomitantly examined with electroencephalographic (EEG) analyses using eLORETA-ICA. These experiments revealed that peculiarities are caused prior to perceptions of limb loss and heaviness. Moreover, we show that supplementary motor and parietal association areas are involved in changes of peculiarity, limb loss, heaviness and movement accuracy due to temporal sensorimotor incongruence. We suggest that abnormalities in these areas contribute to neural mechanisms that modify altered limb perceptions and movement accuracy

One-pot synthesis of imines from alcohols and amines with TiO2 loading Pt nanoparticles under UV irradiation

TiO2 loading Pt nanoparticles (Pt@TiO2) promote one-pot synthesis of imines from alcohols and amines under UV irradiation at room temperature. This is achieved via a Pt-assisted photocatalytic oxidation of alcohols and a catalytic condensation of the formed aldehydes with amines on the TiO2 surface