Long-persistence blue phosphors

This invention relates to phosphors including long-persistence blue phosphors. Phosphors of the invention are represented by the general formula: MO . mAl.sub.2 O.sub.3 :Eu.sup.2+,R.sup.3+ wherein m is a number ranging from about 1.6 to about 2.2, M is Sr or a combination of Sr with Ca and Ba or both, R.sup.3+ is a trivalent metal ion or trivalent Bi or a mixture of these trivalent ions, Eu.sup.2+ is present at a level up to about 5 mol % of M, and R.sup.3+ is present at a level up to about 5 mol % of M. Phosphors of this invention include powders, ceramics, single crystals and single crystal fibers. A method of manufacturing improved phosphors and a method of manufacturing single crystal phosphors are also provided

A novel mycobacterial Hsp70-containing fusion protein targeting mesothelin augments antitumor immunity and prolongs survival in murine models of ovarian cancer and mesothelioma

Background: Although dendritic cell (DC) vaccines are considered to be promising treatments for advanced cancer, their production and administration is costly and labor-intensive. We developed a novel immunotherapeutic agent that links a single-chain antibody variable fragment (scFv) targeting mesothelin (MSLN), which is overexpressed on ovarian cancer and mesothelioma cells, to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), which is a potent immune activator that stimulates monocytes and DCs, enhances DC aggregation and maturation and improves cross-priming of T cells mediated by DCs. Methods: Binding of this fusion protein with MSLN on the surface of tumor cells was measured by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. The therapeutic efficacy of this fusion protein was evaluated in syngeneic and orthotopic mouse models of papillary ovarian cancer and malignant mesothelioma. Mice received 4 intraperitoneal (i.p.) treatments with experimental or control proteins post i.p. injection of tumor cells. Ascites-free and overall survival time was measured. For the investigation of anti-tumor T-cell responses, a time-matched study was performed. Splenocytes were stimulated with peptides, and IFNγ- or Granzyme B- generating CD3+CD8+ T cells were detected by flow cytometry. To examine the role of CD8+ T cells in the antitumor effect, we performed in vivo CD8+ cell depletion. We further determined if the fusion protein increases DC maturation and improves antigen presentation as well as cross-presentation by DCs. Results: We demonstrated in vitro that the scFvMTBHsp70 fusion protein bound to the tumor cells used in this study through the interaction of scFv with MSLN on the surface of these cells, and induced maturation of bone marrow-derived DCs. Use of this bifunctional fusion protein in both mouse models significantly enhanced survival and slowed tumor growth while augmenting tumor-specific CD8+ T-cell dependent immune responses. We also demonstrated in vitro and in vivo that the fusion protein enhanced antigen presentation and cross-presentation by targeting tumor antigens towards DCs. Conclusions: This new cancer immunotherapy has the potential to be cost-effective and broadly applicable to tumors that overexpress mesothelin

Antidiabetic effects of protein hydrolysates from Trachinotus ovatus and identification and screening of peptides with α-amylase and DPP-IV inhibitory activities

In the present study, the antidiabetic properties of Trachinotus ovatus protein hydrolysates (TOH) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were investigated, and peptides with α-amylase (AAM) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory activities were identified and screened. The results showed that TOH alleviated body weight loss, polyphagia, blood glucose elevation and insulin secretion decline in diabetic mice. After 4 weeks of TOH administration, random blood glucose (RBG) decreased significantly. The TOH groups showed a dose-dependent reduction in fasting blood glucose (FBG), especially in the high-dose TOH group, which reduced FBG by 58% versus the effect of metformin. Moreover, TOH exerted a remarkable protective effect on hepatorenal function, as evidenced by increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and decreased serum urea levels. Histopathological studies confirmed that TOH can significantly protect the kidney and pancreas from histological changes, which was of great benefit for ensuring the normal secretion of insulin and preventing the occurrence of complications such as diabetic nephropathy. Two fractions with higher inhibitory activity against AAM and DPP-IV, F4 and F6, were obtained from the ultrafiltration of TOH-2 (≤3 kDa). A total of 19 potentially active peptides from F4 and 3 potentially active peptides from F6 were screened by LC‒MS/MS combined with bioinformatic analysis. These peptides are small molecular peptides composed of 2–6 amino acids, rich in characteristic amino acids such as proline, arginine, phenylalanine and asparagine, and contain high proportions of peptides (68% for F4, 67% for F6) with hydrophobicity ≥50%. They offer potent antidiabetic potential and could potentially bind to the active sites in the internal cavities of the target enzymes AAM and DPP-IV. In summary, this study revealed for the first time the antidiabetic effects of protein hydrolysates of Trachinotus ovatus and their derived peptides, which are promising natural ingredients with the potential to be used for the treatment or prevention of diabetes