Crystalline Quality,Composition Homogeneity,Tellurium Precipitates/Inclusions Concentration,Optical Transmission,and Energy Band Gap of Bridgman Grown Single-Crystalline Cd1−xZnxTe (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1)

Cd_1−xZn_xTe (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1) ingots were obtained by Bridgman’s method using two different speeds in order to find the optimal conditions for single-crystalline growth. Crystalline quality was studied by chemical etching, the elemental composition by wavelength dispersive spectroscopy (WDS), tellurium (Te) precipitates/inclusions concentration by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical transmission by Fourier transformed infrared spectrometry (FTIR), and band gap energy (Egap) by photoluminescence (PL). It was observed that the ingots grown at a lower speed were those of the best crystalline quality, having at most three grains of different crystallographic orientation. The average dislocations density in all of them were similar and correspond to materials of good quality. EPMA results indicated that the homogeneity in the composition was excellent in the ingots central part. The concentration of Te precipitates/inclusions in all ingots was below the instrument (DSC) detection limit, 0.25% wt/wt. In the case of wafers from Cd_0.96Zn_0.04Te and Cd_0.90Zn_0.10Te ingots, the optical transmission was better than that of commercial materials and varied between 60% and 70%, while for pure CdTe, the transmission range was between 50% and 55%, the latter being decreased by the presence of Te precipitates/inclusions. The band gap energy Eg of different wafers was experimentally obtained by PL measurements at 76 K. We observed that Eg increased with the Zn concentration of the wafers, following a linear regression comparable to those proposed in the literature, and consistent with the results obtained with other techniques.     

Distinct patterns of neuronal inputs and outputs of the juxtaparaventricular and suprafornical regions of the lateral hypothalamic area in the male rat

We have analyzed at high resolution the neuroanatomical connections of the juxtaparaventricular region of the lateral hypothalamic area (LHAjp); as a control and in comparison to this, we also performed a preliminary analysis of a nearby LHA region that is dorsal to the fornix, namely the LHA suprafornical region (LHAs). The connections of these LHA regions were revealed with a coinjection tract-tracing technique involving a retrograde (cholera toxin B subunit) and anterograde (Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin) tracer. The LHAjp and LHAs together connect with almost every major division of the cerebrum and cerebrospinal trunk, but their connection profiles are markedly different and distinct. In simple terms, the connections of the LHAjp indicate a possible primary role in the modulation of defensive behavior; for the LHAs, a role in the modulation of ingestive behavior is suggested. However, the relation of the LHAjp and LHAs to potential modulation of these behaviors, as indicated by their neuroanatomical connections, appears to be highly integrative as it includes each of the major functional divisions of the nervous system that together determine behavior, i.e., cognitive, state, sensory, and motor. Furthermore, although a primary role is indicated for each region with respect to a particular mode of behavior, intermode modulation of behavior is also indicated. In summary, the extrinsic connections of the LHAjp and LHAs (so far as we have described them) suggest that these regions have a profoundly integrative role in which they may participate in the orchestrated modulation of elaborate behavioral repertoires.     

Effects of Schisandra chinensis Baillon (Schizandraceae) on lipopolysaccharide induced lung inflammation in mice

Aim of the study

This study was aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective and anti-aging activity of extracts in Caenorhabditis elegans from the roots and leaves of Damnacanthus officinarum Huang to provide the pharmacological basis in traditional medicine.

Materials and methods

Investigations on the neuroprotective and lifespan activity were carried out, which were observed by utilizing the following models: observing the worms’ chemosensory behavior test based on the aversion index in the assay plate, neuroprotective activity of nematode by evaluating the ASH neuron survival and lifespan test in C. elegans.

Results

It has been shown that the ethanol, n-butanol and aqueous extracts in the roots possessed significantly neuroprotective effect both in chemosensory behavior test and ASH neuron survival model. The same extracts in the leaves showed similar activities in two models, but have less potency revealing by the data. Four candidate extracts, possessing excellent neuroprotective activity, extend lifespan in C. elegans. The n-butanol extracts in the root part showed best efficacy among them.

Conclusion

The results show the n-butanol and aqueous extracts are the major pharmacological plant extracts. Moreover, the neuroprotective and lifespan-extension activity effects of root extracts are superior to leave extracts, supporting the traditional application of above-ground parts of DOH in treating various diseases associated with brain disorders and anti-aging.     

Improved OMV vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis using genetically engineered strains and a detergent-free purification process

The use of detergent-extracted outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) is an established approach for development of a multivalent PorA vaccine against N. meningitidis serogroup B. Selective removal of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) decreases toxicity, but promotes aggregation and narrows the immune response. Detergent-free OMV vaccines retain all LPS, which preserves the native vesicle structure, but result in high toxicity and lower yield. The present study assessed the effects of gene mutations that attenuated LPS toxicity (lpxL1) or improved OMV yield (rmpM) in combination with the available OMV purification processes. The results substantiate that OMVs from a strain with both mutations, produced with a detergent-free process provide better vaccine characteristics than the traditional detergent-based approach. With comparable toxicity and yield, no aggregation and cross-protection against other PorA subtypes, these OMV vaccines are potentially safe and effective for parenteral use in humans.     

The possible combinatory effects of acute consumption of caffeine,creatine, and amino acids on the improvement of anaerobic running performance in humans

Preexercise nutritional investigations have recently become a popular avenue of examining the interaction of multiple ingredients on exercise and training methods. The critical velocity (CV) test is used to quantify the relationship between total running distance and time to exhaustion (TTE), yielding aerobic (CV) and anaerobic parameters (anaerobic running capacity [ARC]). The purpose of this study was to examine the hypothesis that a preexercise supplement containing caffeine, creatine, and amino acids (Game Time; Corr-Jen Laboratories Inc, Aurora, CO) would positively impact CV and ARC in college-aged men and women. In a single-blind crossover design, 10 participants consumed the preexercise supplement (ACT) or placebo (PL) before each testing session. Each participant completed runs to exhaustion on a treadmill at 110%, 90% (day 1), and 105% and 100% (day 2) of the peak velocity (PV) determined from a graded exercise test. The ACT elicited a 10.8% higher ARC (P = .02) compared with the PL, whereas no difference was found in CV (0.6%, P = .38). The TTE was greater for the ACT than the PL at 110% (ACT = 125.7 ± 9.6 seconds, PL = 117.3 ± 12.6 seconds), 105% (ACT = 156.9 ± 11.0 seconds, PL = 143.8 ± 12.9 seconds), and 100% PV (ACT = 185.7 ± 10.7 seconds, PL = 169.7 ± 12.8 seconds) (P = .01-.04); but there was no difference for the TTE at 90% PV (ACT = 353.5 ± 52.7 seconds, PL = 332.7 ± 54.0 seconds) (P = .08). These findings suggest that the acute ingestion of this preexercise supplement may be an effective strategy for improving anaerobic performance, but appears to have no effect on aerobic power.     

Engineered peptides for the development of actively tumor targeted liposomal carriers of doxorubicin

Chemotherapy is still the treatment of choice for many types of cancer; but its effectiveness is hampered by dose limiting toxicity. Properly designed delivery systems can overcome this shortcoming by reducing the non-specific distribution and toxicity of chemotherapeutics in healthy organs and at the same time increasing drug concentrations at tumor tissue. In this study, we developed stealth liposomal formulations of doxorubicin (DOX) having a novel stable engineered peptide ligand, namely p18-4, that binds specifically to breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-435 on its surface. The coupling of p18-4 to liposomes was carried out through conventional, post insertion and post conjugation techniques and prepared liposomes were characterized for their size and level of peptide modification. The p18-4 decorated liposomal DOX formulations were then evaluated for their cellular uptake as well as cytotoxicity against the human breast cancer MDA-MB-435 cells. In this context, the effect of coupling technique on the uptake and cytotoxicity of p18-4 liposomal DOX in MDA-MB-435 cells was evaluated. The conventional and post conjugation methods of peptide incorporation were found to be more reliable for the preparation of p18-4 decorated liposomes for active DOX targeting to MDA-MB-435 cells. p18-4 decoration of liposomes by these methods did not have a notable effect on the size of prepared liposomes and DOX release, but increased the uptake and cytotoxicity of encapsulated DOX in MDA-MB-435 cells. The results show a potential for p18-4 decorated liposomes prepared by conventional and post conjugation method for tumor targeted delivery of DOX in breast tumor models.     

TVF-ET治疗周期中卵泡提前黄素化的相关因素分析

目的：初步探讨控制性超促排卵（COH）过程中如何避免卵泡提前黄素qE（premature luteinization,PL）,提高IVF—ET妊娠率。方法：回顾性分析行GnRH-a黄体中期长方案的IvF．ET治疗患者的临床资料,共2355个周期,根据hCG注射El孕酮（P）／雌二醇（Ez）水平的比值是否〉1分为PL组：即卵泡提前黄素化组,P／Ez≥1,共63个周期;非PL组：即卵泡未提前黄素化组,P／E2〈1,共2292个周期。比较患者的一般资料及COH的参数资料,分析可能与PL相关的因素。结果：PL在GnRH．a长方案IVF-ET患者中的发生率为2．68％。女方年龄、男方年龄、女方体质量指数（BMI）、基础Ez（1）E2）、bLH、bFSH、不孕年限、治疗周期数、Gn启用剂量、hMG使用总量、hMG使用总天数、hCG注射日LH值组间差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。PL组的Gn使用总量及Gn使用天数比非PL组的高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。PL组的hCG注射日直径〉15mln卵泡数及MII卵数比非PL组的少,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：PL在行GnRH-a长方案的IVF．ET治疗患者中的发生率为2．68％。Gn的使用天数,On总量过多,卵巢低反应可能是发生PL的相关因素,为避免发生PL可适当减少Gn的使用天数及Gn使用总量。     

液状酚及补骨脂酊治疗白癜风的疗效比较

对１４２例门诊白我患者，采用２０％补骨脂酊和９５％液状酚外用治疗，分组进行了临床对比。结果：补骨脂酊治疗组，治愈２０例，显效１３例，有效２２例，无效１４例。总有效率７９．７１％。液状酚对照组，治愈２例，显效３例，有效８例，无效２２例，总有效率３７．１４％。两组治愈率和总有效率经统计学处理，分别为Ｘ＾２＝５．２８２，Ｐ〉０．０２５，Ｘ＾２＝４．３１８，Ｐ〈０．０５。     

Where and what is the paralaminar nucleus? A review on a unique and frequently overlooked area of the primate amygdala

The primate amygdala is composed of multiple subnuclei that play distinct roles in amygdala function. While some nuclei have been areas of focused investigation, others remain virtually unknown. One of the more obscure regions of the amygdala is the paralaminar nucleus (PL). The PL in humans and non-human primates is relatively expanded compared to lower species. Long considered to be part of the basal nucleus, the PL has several interesting features that make it unique. These features include a dense concentration of small cells, high concentrations of receptors for corticotropin releasing hormone and benzodiazepines, and dense innervation of serotonergic fibers. More recently, high concentrations of immature-appearing cells have been noted in the primate PL, suggesting special mechanisms of neural plasticity. Following a brief overview of amygdala structure and function, this review will provide an introduction to the history, embryology, anatomical connectivity, immunohistochemical and cytoarchitectural properties of the PL. Our conclusion is that the PL is a unique subregion of the amygdala that may yield important clues about the normal growth and function of the amygdala, particularly in higher species.