Impact of tumor-specific targeting on the biodistribution and efficacy of siRNA nanoparticles measured by multimodality in vivo imaging

Targeted delivery represents a promising approach for the development of safer and more effective therapeutics for oncology applications. Although macromolecules accumulate nonspecifically in tumors through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, previous studies using nanoparticles to deliver chemotherapeutics or siRNA demonstrated that attachment of cell-specific targeting ligands to the surface of nanoparticles leads to enhanced potency relative to nontargeted formulations. Here, we use positron emission tomography (PET) and bioluminescent imaging to quantify the in vivo biodistribution and function of nanoparticles formed with cyclodextrin-containing polycations and siRNA. Conjugation of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid to the 5' end of the siRNA molecules allows labeling with 64Cu for PET imaging. Bioluminescent imaging of mice bearing luciferase-expressing Neuro2A s.c. tumors before and after PET imaging enables correlation of functional efficacy with biodistribution data. Although both nontargeted and transferrin-targeted siRNA nanoparticles exhibit similar biodistribution and tumor localization by PET, transferrin-targeted siRNA nanoparticles reduce tumor luciferase activity by {approx}50% relative to nontargeted siRNA nanoparticles 1 d after injection. Compartmental modeling is used to show that the primary advantage of targeted nanoparticles is associated with processes involved in cellular uptake in tumor cells rather than overall tumor localization. Optimization of internalization may therefore be key for the development of effective nanoparticle-based targeted therapeutics

Quantum lattice fluctuations in a model electron-phonon system

An analytical approach, based on the unitary transformation method, has been developed to study the effect of quantum lattice fluctuations on the ground state of a model electron-phonon system. To study nonadiabatic case, the Green's function method is used to implement the perturbation treatment. The phase diagram and the density of states of fermions are obtained. We show that when electron-phonon coupling constant $\alpha^{2}/K$ decreases or phonon frequency $\omega_{\pi}$ increases the lattice dimerization and the gap in the fermion spectrum decrease gradually. At some critical value the system becomes gapless and the lattice dimerization disappears. The inverse-square-root singularity of the density of states at the gap edge in the adiabatic case disappears because of the nonadiabatic effect, which is consistent with the measurement of optical conductivity in quasi-one-dimensional systems.Comment: 9 pages, 4 ps figures include

Acculturation of Japanese and American Intermarried Couples: Case Study of Their Marital Experiences and Parenting

This qualitative case study sought to gain in-depth understanding of Japanese and American family unions and the intermarried couples’ acculturation processes. It explored how intermarried couples view cultural differences, and how they negotiate and compromise in conflicts caused by such differences. Qualitative interviews were conducted with four couples comprising Japanese wives and their European-American husbands residing in the Midwestern United States. Interview questions included couples’ communication style, marital expectations, and parenting, from their perspective. The study found factors such as communication style, gender role expectations, marital expectations, and parenting style, contributed to conflicts in co-parenting and communication. Further investigation including sociopolitical aspects and cultural adaptation are recommended for future research.

Forty-Four Pass Fibre Optic Loop for Improving the Sensitivity of Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensors

A forty-four pass fibre optic surface plasmon resonance sensor that enhances detection sensitivity according to the number of passes is demonstrated for the first time. The technique employs a fibre optic recirculation loop that passes the detection spot forty- four times, thus enhancing sensitivity by a factor of forty-four. Presently, the total number of passes is limited by the onset of lasing action of the recirculation loop. This technique offers a significant sensitivity improvement for various types of plasmon resonance sensors that may be used in chemical and biomolecule detections.Comment: Submitted for publication; patent disclosure submitte

Peripheral halo-functionalization in [Cu(N^N)(P^P)]+ emitters: influence on the performances of light-emitting electrochemical cells

A series of heteroleptic [Cu(N^N)(P^P)][PF6] complexes is described in which P^P = bis(2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)ether (POP) or 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene (xantphos) and N^N = 4,4′-diphenyl-6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine substituted in the 4-position of the phenyl groups with atom X (N^N = 1 has X = F, 2 has X = Cl, 3 has X = Br, 4 has X = I; the benchmark N^N ligand with X = H is 5). These complexes have been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analyses and cyclic voltammetry; representative single crystal structures are also reported. The solution absorption spectra are characterized by high energy bands (arising from ligand-centred transitions) which are red-shifted on going from X = H to X = I, and a broad metal-to-ligand charge transfer band with λmax in the range 387–395 nm. The ten complexes are yellow emitters in solution and yellow or yellow-orange emitters in the solid-state. For a given N^N ligand, the solution photoluminescence (PL) spectra show no significant change on going from [Cu(N^N)(POP)]+ to [Cu(N^N)(xantphos)]+; introducing the iodo-functionality into the N^N domain leads to a red-shift in λmaxem compared to the complexes with the benchmark N^N ligand 5. In the solid state, [Cu(1)(POP)][PF6] and [Cu(1)(xantphos)][PF6] (fluoro-substituent) exhibit the highest PL quantum yields (74 and 25%, respectively) with values of τ1/2 = 11.1 and 5.8 μs, respectively. Light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) with [Cu(N^N)(P^P)][PF6] complexes in the emissive layer have been tested. Using a block-wave pulsed current driving mode, the best performing device employed [Cu(1)(xantphos)]+ and this showed a maximum luminance (Lummax) of 129 cd m−2 and a device lifetime (t1/2) of 54 h; however, the turn-on time (time to reach Lummax) was 4.1 h. Trends in performance data reveal that the introduction of fluoro-groups is beneficial, but that the incorporation of heavier halo-substituents leads to poor devices, probably due to a detrimental effect on charge transport; LECs with the iodo-functionalized N^N ligand 4 failed to show any electroluminescence after 50 h

Pengaruh Experiental Marketing Dan Emotional Marketing Terhadap Keputusan Pembelian (Survei Konsumen Sepatu Nike Di Indonesia Dan Di Malaysia)

This research aims to understandOand determineOthe influence of variable experiential_marketing and emotional marketing on purchasePdecision partially, and to understand and{{determine the differences from the influence of experiential2marketing and9emotional marketing on purchase decision between consumer in Indonesia and in Malaysia. Type of thisjresearch))is 0explanatory research_with quantitativeplapproach. This researchddhave ajkvariables, there aref is Experient Marketing,Emotional Marketing, and Purchase Decision. Population inothis research is consumer Nike shoes in Indonesia and in Malaysia. The sample used in this research was 113 peoples, then sampling technique uses quota sampleand data collection methods questionnaire method. Data analysis on this research used by regression analysis and independentdfsample t-test. The resultsdjof independent sample t-test is, Experiential Marketing has significant influence to Purchase Decision, and also Emotional Marketing has significant influence to Purchase Decision. The result from independent sample t-test shows there is no significant differences of experiential marketing and emotional marketing influence on purchase decision betwee n Indonesian consumer and Malaysian consumer. Based on the result, Nike should increase their design of the shoes in order to get attention from consumer and increasing positive experience, also Nike should do an emotional approaching for their consumer by maintain their brand. Keyword: Experiential Marketing,_Emotional Marketing, Purchase Decision,Indonesia, Malaysia ABSTRAK Tujuan pada penelitian kali ini,untuk mengetahui dandfhmenjelaskanffpengaruhfjexperiential marketingdanfjemotional marketing terhadap variabel keputusan pembelian secaraparsial,jfdan juga untuk mengetahui & dan menjelaskan perbedaan pengaruh experient marketing dan juga emotional marketing terhadap & keputusan pembelian antara konsumen di Indonesia dan di Malaysia. Penelitian kali ini berupa penelitian penjelasan menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif. Penelitian kali ini mempunyai variabel, yakni Experiential Marketing, Emotional Marketing, dan Keputusan Pembelian. Populas penelitian ini adalah konsumen sepatu Nike Indonesiadan di Malaysia. Sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini sebanyak 113 orang responden yang diambil, dan teknik pengambilannya berupa sampel kuota dan metode pengumpulan data menggunakan angket. Analisis data yang digunakan & adalah analisis regresi linier dan indepent sample t-test. Hasil analisis kali ini didapatkan bahwa terdapat sebuah pengaruh signifikan antara variabel Experiential Marketing terhadap Keputusan Pembelian, dan juga pada variabel Emotional Marketing terhadap Keputusan Pembelian. Hasil analisis uji beda independent t-test menujukkan tidak terdapat perbedaan pengaruh yang signifikan pada experiential marketing dan juga emotional_marketing terhadap keputusan pembelian antara konsumen di Indonesia dan di Malaysia. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian ini sebaiknya Nike diharapkan mampu meningkatkan model sepatunya untuk menarik konsumen dan menambah pengalaman positif kosumen, dan mendekatkan kepada sisi emosional konsumen melalui pendekatan merek_Nike.Inc Kata kunci: Experiential Marketing,Emotional Marketing, Purchase Decision, Indonesia, MalaysiaKeyword: Experiential Marketing,_Emotional Marketing, Purchase Decision,Indonesia, Malaysia ABSTRAK Tujuan pada penelitian kali ini,untuk mengetahui dandfhmenjelaskanffpengaruhfjexperiential marketingdfdanfjemotional marketing terhadap variabelfjkeputusanfjpembelianfjdsecara_parsial,jfdan juga untuk mengetahui&&danhkmenjelaskan perbedaanfjhpengaruh*experientialjkmarketing dan jugaoemotional marketingdhterhadap&keputusan pembelianooantara konsumen di Indonesia dan di Malaysia. Penelitian kali ini berupa penelitian penjelasan_menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif. Penelitian_kali ini mempunyai variabel, yakni Experiential Marketing, Emotional Marketing, dan Keputusan Pembelian. Populasidjdpenelitiandjinidhdadalah konsumendjsepatu_Nikeujudi Indonesiadjdan didjjMalaysia. Sampel yangiiodigunakandjdalam penelitian&&inidjjsebanyak 113djdorang_responden yang diambil, dan_teknik pengambilannya berupa_sampel kuota dan metode pengumpulandjsdata menggunakan_angket.Analisiszdata yang digunakan&6adalah analisis regresi89linier dan indepent sample t-test. Hasil analisis kali ini didapatkan bahwa terdapat sebuah pengaruh signifikan antara variabel99ExperientialozMarketing00terhadap Keputusan Pembelian, dan juga pada variabel Emotional Marketing terhadap Keputusan Pembelian. Hasil analisis uji beda independent t-test menujukkan tidak terdapat perbedaan pengaruh yang signifikan pada experiential marketing dan juga emotional_marketing terhadap keputusan pembelian antara konsumen di Indonesia dan di Malaysia. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian ini sebaiknya Nike diharapkan mampu meningkatkan model sepatunya untuk menarik konsumen dan menambah pengalaman positif kosumen, dan mendekatkan kepada sisi emosional konsumen melalui pendekatan merek_Nike.In

Subgroup Identification in Personalized Treatment of Alcohol Dependence

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/112241/1/acer12759.pd

Photoinduced infrared absorption of quasi-one-dimensional halogen-bridged binuclear transition-metal complexes

We investigate the optical conductivity of photogenerated solitons in quasi-one-dimensional halogen-bridged binuclear transition-metal MMX complexes with particular emphasis on a comparison among the three distinct groups: A_4_[Pt_2_(P_2_O_5_H_2_)_4_X]nH_2_O (X=Cl,Br,I; A=Na,K,NH_4_,...), Pt_2_(RCS_2_)_4_I (R=C_n_H_2n+1_) and Ni_2_(CH_3_CS_2_)_4_I, which exhibit a mixed-valent ground state with the X sublattice dimerized, that with the M_2_ sublattice dimerized and a Mott-Hubbard magnetic ground state, respectively. Soliton-induced absorption spectra for A_4_[Pt_2_(P_2_O_5_H_2_)_4_X]nH_2_O should split into two bands, while that for Pt_2_(RCS_2_)_4_I and Ni_2_(CH_3_CS_2_)_4_I should consist of a single band. The excitonic effect is significant in Ni_2_(CH_3_CS_2_)_4_I.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure