Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of ultra-high purity CrO₂ prepared under high O₂-gas pressure

Wang, X.L.,Si, P.Z.,Ge, H.L.,Shinde, K.P.,Chung, K.C.,Choi, C.J. Elsevier 2017 SOLID STATE SCIENCES Vol.67 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Ultra-high purity CrO<SUB>2</SUB> was prepared by decomposing CrO<SUB>3</SUB> in O<SUB>2</SUB> with gas pressures up to 40 MPa, which were maintained throughout the decomposition process of CrO<SUB>3</SUB> to prevent the formation of any other phases of chromium oxides. Our method is different from the traditional methods that start from or under ambient pressures. The high oxygen pressure makes the meta-stable CrO<SUB>2</SUB> stable from the initial stage of preparation. As a result, the purity of the as-prepared CrO<SUB>2</SUB> is improved, and this has been further proved by the highest magnetization of the samples. The as-prepared CrO<SUB>2</SUB> particles show very large grains with flat surfaces, octagonal cross-section, and straight edges, owing to the high mobility of Cr ions in CrO<SUB>2</SUB> at temperatures above its melting point. The lattice parameters of CrO<SUB>2</SUB> are <I>a</I> = 4.4176 Å and <I>c</I> = 2.9144 Å. The maximum value of the magnetic entropy change of the high purity CrO<SUB>2</SUB> particles is ∼2.83 J/kg·K for an applied field of 1.5 T. The preparation of pure CrO<SUB>2</SUB> is important for studying its intrinsic properties and for applications in spintronic devices.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Ultra-high purity CrO<SUB>2</SUB> was prepared. </LI> <LI> High O<SUB>2</SUB>-gas pressure was employed. </LI> <LI> The CrO<SUB>2</SUB> rods show straight edges and high magnetization. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Disruption of a regulatory loop between DUSP1 and p53 contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma development and progression

Hao, P.P.,Li, H.,Lee, M.J.,Wang, Y.P.,Kim, J.H.,Yu, G.R.,Lee, S.Y.,Leem, S.H.,Jang, K.Y.,Kim, D.G. Elsevier Science Publishers 2015 Journal of hepatology Vol.62 No.6

Background & Aims: Altered expression of dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) is common in tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and is predictive of tumor progression and poor prognosis. However, the tumor suppressive role of DUSP1 has yet to be clearly elucidated. Methods: The molecular mechanisms of tumor suppression that were investigated were induction of apoptosis, cell cycle inhibition, and regulation of p53. Additionally, the antitumor effect of DUSP1 was assessed using a mouse model. Associated signaling pathways in HCC cells and tissues were examined. Results: Downregulation of DUSP1 expression was significantly correlated with poor differentiation (p<0.001) and advanced HCC stage (p=0.023). DUSP1 expression resulted in HCC suppression and longer survival (p=0.0002) in a xenoplant mice model. DUSP1 inhibited p38 MAPK phosphorylation and subsequently suppressed HSP27 activation, resulting in enhanced p53 phosphorylation at sites S15, S20, and S46 in HCC cells. Enhanced p53 activation induced the expression of target genes p21 and p27, which are linked to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Thus, DUSP1 was potentially linked to p53 activation via the p38 MAPK/HSP27 pathway. Wild-type but not mutant p53 transcriptionally upregulated DUSP1 via its DNA-binding domain. DUSP1 and p53 might collaborate to suppress tumors in hepatocarcinogenesis via a positive regulatory loop. Conclusions: Our results revealed that disruption of a positive regulatory loop between DUSP1 and p53 promoted HCC development and progression, providing a rationale for a therapeutic agent that restores DUSP1 in HCC.

One-Dimensional Electrical Contact to a Two-Dimensional Material

Wang, L.,Meric, I.,Huang, P. Y.,Gao, Q.,Gao, Y.,Tran, H.,Taniguchi, T.,Watanabe, K.,Campos, L. M.,Muller, D. A.,Guo, J.,Kim, P.,Hone, J.,Shepard, K. L.,Dean, C. R. American Association for the Advancement of Scienc 2013 Science Vol.342 No.6158

<P><B>Better Contact Along the Edge</B></P><P>Electrical contact to graphene is normally done with metal contacts on its flat face, where there are few strong bonding sites for the metal. <B>Wang <I>et al.</I></B> (p. 614) encapsulated graphene with hexagonal boron nitride sheets and made metal contacts along its edge, where bonding orbitals are exposed. The resulting heterostructures had high electronic performance, with room-temperature carrier mobilities near the theoretical phonon-scattering limit.</P>

Report of the CCQM-K97: measurement of arsenobetaine standard solution and arsenobetaine content in fish tissue (tunafish)

Ma, L D,Wang, J,WEI, C,Kuroiwa, T,Narukawa, T,Ito, N,HIOKI, A,CHIBA, K,Yim, Y H,Lee, K S,Lim, Y R,Turk, G C,Davis, C W,Mester, Z,Yang, L,McCooeye, M,Maxwell, P,Cankur, O,Tokman, N,Coskun, F G BUREAU INTERNATIONAL DES POIDS ET MESURES 2017 METROLOGIA -BERLIN- Vol.54 No.-

<P></P> <P>The CCQM-K97 key comparison was organized by the inorganic analysis working group (IAWG) of CCQM as a follow-up to completed pilot study CCQM-P96 and P96.1 to test the abilities of the national metrology institutes to accurately quantitate the mass fraction of arsenobetaine (AsB) in standard solution and in fish tissue. A pilot study CCQM-P133 was parallelized with this key comparison. National Institute of Metrology (NIM), China and National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) acted as the coordinating laboratories.</P> <P>Six NMIs participated in CCQM-K97 and two institutes participated in CCQM-P133, and all of them submitted the results. Some NMIs submitted more than one results by different methods. The results were in excellent agreement with each other, and obviously better than those of previous P96 and P96.1. Therefore the calibrant which each NMI used was comparable. It shows that the capabilities of some of the participants have been improved after the previous pilot studies.</P> <H2>Main text</H2> <P> To reach the main text of this paper, click on <A HREF='http://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/final_reports/QM/K97/CCQM-K97.pdf'>Final Report</A>. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database <A HREF='http://kcdb.bipm.org/'>kcdb.bipm.org/</A>.</P> <P>The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).</P>

<i>ITGB6</i> loss-of-function mutations cause autosomal recessive amelogenesis imperfecta

Wang, Shih-Kai,Choi, Murim,Richardson, Amelia S.,Reid, Bryan M.,Lin, Brent P.,Wang, Susan J.,Kim, Jung-Wook,Simmer, James P.,Hu, Jan C.-C. Oxford University Press 2014 Human Molecular Genetics Vol.23 No.8

<P>Integrins are cell-surface adhesion receptors that bind to extracellular matrices (ECM) and mediate cell–ECM interactions. Some integrins are known to play critical roles in dental enamel formation. We recruited two Hispanic families with generalized hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta (AI). Analysis of whole-exome sequences identified three <I>integrin beta 6</I> (<I>ITGB6</I>) mutations responsible for their enamel malformations. The female proband of Family 1 was a compound heterozygote with an <I>ITGB6</I> transition mutation in Exon 4 (g.4545G > A c.427G > A p.Ala143Thr) and an <I>ITGB6</I> transversion mutation in Exon 6 (g.27415T > A c.825T > A p.His275Gln). The male proband of Family 2 was homozygous for an <I>ITGB6</I> transition mutation in Exon 11 (g.73664C > T c.1846C > T p.Arg616*) and hemizygous for a transition mutation in Exon 6 of <I>Nance–Horan Syndrome</I> (<I>NHS</I> Xp22.13; g.355444T > C c.1697T > C p.Met566Thr). These are the first disease-causing <I>ITGB6</I> mutations to be reported. Immunohistochemistry of mouse mandibular incisors localized ITGB6 to the distal membrane of differentiating ameloblasts and pre-ameloblasts, and then ITGB6 appeared to be internalized by secretory stage ameloblasts. ITGB6 expression was strongest in the maturation stage and its localization was associated with ameloblast modulation. Our findings demonstrate that early and late amelogenesis depend upon cell–matrix interactions. Our approach (from knockout mouse phenotype to human disease) demonstrates the power of mouse reverse genetics in mutational analysis of human genetic disorders and attests to the need for a careful dental phenotyping in large-scale knockout mouse projects.</P>

Effects of Graded Levels of Isomaltooligosaccharides on the Performance, Immune Function and Intestinal Status of Weaned Pigs

Wang, X.X.,Song, P.X.,Wu, H.,Xue, J.X.,Zhong, X.,Zhang, L.Y. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.2

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of graded levels of isomaltooligosaccharides (IMO) on the performance, immune function and intestinal microflora and intestinal mucosal morphology of weaned pigs. In a 28-day experiment, one hundred eighty, twenty eight-day-old, crossbred (Duroc${\times}$Large White${\times}$Landrace), weaned pigs, with an initial body weight of $8.19{\pm}1.45kg$, were fed either an unsupplemented corn-soybean meal based diet or similar diets supplemented with 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, or 0.8% IMO added at the expense of corn. Each treatment was replicated six times with six pigs (three barrows and three gilts) per pen. From day 0 to 14, weight gain was linearly increased (p<0.05), while gain:feed (p<0.05) was linearly improved and diarrhea rate (p = 0.05) linearly declined as the IMO level increased. On d 14, the level of the immunoglobulins IgA, IgM, and IgG in the serum of pigs were linearly increased (p<0.05) with increasing IMO supplementation. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) was linearly (p<0.05) and quadratically (p<0.05) decreased as IMO intake increased. From day 15 to 28, there was a trend for weight gain to be linearly increased, and IL-2 was linearly (p<0.05) increased as IMO supplementation increased on d 28. Over the entire experiment, weight gain was linearly increased (p<0.05), while gain:feed (p<0.05) was linearly improved and diarrhea rate (p<0.05) was linearly decreased as the IMO level increased. Supplementation with IMO had no effect on the intestinal microflora of pigs in the ileum and cecum of pigs, as well as the villus height and crypt depth in the ileum and jejunum (p>0.05). These results indicate that dietary inclusion of IMO increases weight gain, gain:feed and enhanced the immune status of pigs, and could be a valuable feed additive for use in weaned pigs, particularly during the period immediately after weaning.

Variable number of tandem repeats of 9 Plasmodium vivax genes among Southeast Asian isolates

Wang, B.,Nyunt, M.H.,Yun, S.G.,Lu, F.,Cheng, Y.,Han, J.H.,Ha, K.S.,Park, W.S.,Hong, S.H.,Lim, C.S.,Cao, J.,Sattabongkot, J.,Kyaw, M.P.,Cui, L.,Han, E.T. Verlag fur Recht und Gesellschaft 2017 Acta tropica Vol.170 No.-

<P>The variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs) provides valuable information about both the functional and evolutionary aspects of genetic diversity. Comparative analysis of 3 Plasmodium falciparum genomes has shown that more than 9% of its open reading frames (ORFs) harbor VNTRs. Although microsatellites and VNTR genes of P. vivax were reported, the VNTR polymorphism of genes has not been examined widely. In this study, 230 P. vivax genes were analyzed for VNTRs by SERV, and 33 kinds of TR deletions or insertions from 29P. vivax genes (12.6%) were found. Of these, 9 VNTR fragments from 8 P. vivax genes were used for PCR amplification and sequence analysis to examine the genetic diversity among 134 isolates from four Southeast Asian countries (China, Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Myanmar) with different malaria endemicity. We confirmed the existence of extensive polymorphism of VNTR fragments in field isolates. This detection provides several suitable markers for analysis of the molecular epidemiology of P. vivax field isolates. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Studies on Filariasis in Kinmen (Quemoy) Islands, Republic of China

Fan,P.C.,Wang,Y.C.,Liu,J.C.,Lo,H.S.,Hsu,Y.P.,Yen,C.H.,Lin,C.C.,Hsu,S.T. INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL MEDICINE YONSEI UNIVERSITY 1974 YONSEI REPORTS ON TROPICAL MEDICINE Vol.5 No.1

1972年 7月 1日부터 1973年 6月 30日까지 1年間 中華民國 臺?省 金門鳥에서 絲狀 症에 關한 調査硏究를 實施한 바 다음과 같은 結果를 얻었다. 1. 金門鳥 55村落에 居住하는 20,018 住民을 對象으로 調査한 바 血中 microfilariae (mf.) 兩性率은 8.8%였고 血液 20立方mm當 mf농도는 16.2였으며 絲狀 感染으로 因 臨床例 는 19.2%였다. 金門鳥 駐屯 軍人 2,428名에서 mf.양성율은 0.1%, mf. 감염농도는 20立方mm當 26.3이었으며 臨床例는 없었다. mf.感染濃度 및 臨床例에 있어 확실히 女性보다는 男性에서 高率을 보였으나 mf.陽性率은 兩性間에 差異가 없었다. mf.陽性率과 臨床例는 年齡의 增加와 一致하였으나 mf. 감렴농도는 年齡의 증가와 無關하였다. 2. 金文鳥 駐屯 軍人에 있어 주둔 其間과 絲狀 感染과는 關係가 없었으며 駐屯基地와 村落과의 距離와도 無關하였다. 軍人들은 모기에 물리지 않도록 잘 保護되어 있었고 주둔지역은 完全히 住民들과 격리되어 있었다. 3. 51村落으로부터의 血液檢査를 받은 1,470名의 絲狀 感染陽性者 中에서 臨床病勢르 보인 例는 19.2%였으며 女性보다는 男性에서 約 5倍가 많았다. 男性에 있어서의 大部分의 臨床例는 生殖器에 症狀을 보였는데 其中 10%는 象皮症을 가진 例는 2名뿐이었다. 4. 43村落의 家屋內에서 잡힌 모기는 4屬 14種(Culex 10種, Aedes 2種, Anopheles 1種, Armigeres 1種)이었으며 이들中 Cules P. fatigans와 Armigeres subalbatus가 大部分이었으나 其他 12種은 매우 적었다. Culcx mimesticus, C. (L) vorax, C. fuscocephala 및 Acdes nocturnus등 의 4新種은 처음으로 發見되었다. Culex p.fatigans는 現存「반크롭트」 絲狀 만을 옮기는 媒介昆 으로 알려져 있다. 治療前 8個 村落으로부터 잡은 438마리의 Culex p. fatigans에서 幼 을 內包하고 있는 모기는 1마리 平均 5.9마리의 絲狀 幼 을 갖고 있는 셈이었으며 全體 感染率은 11.9%, 感染期 幼 을 가진 모기는 10.5%이었다. 上記 8個 村落 住民을 治癒한 後의 樣狀은 治療前과 아주 달라서 모기 1마리當 平均 2.1마리의 幼 을 갖고 있었고 全體感染率은 2.2%, 感染期幼 內包率은 0.09%였다. 平均 pH가 7.4(6.4∼8.0)인 8個處의 모기 産卵場所에서 잡힌 모기 幼 은 모두 11種이었다. 有機燐劑의 一種인 Sumithion을 1平方m當 0.2gm의 농도로 모기 産卵場所 水面에 撒布하였던바 모든 모기 幼 에 對한 殺 果가 좋았다. 5. 總 1.590名의 絲狀 感染者에게 成人當 總量 5gm의 diethylcarbamazine을 10∼12日 間 服用시켜 보았다. 治療率은 80.6%, mf. 減少率은 96.9%였고 反應率는 67.2%였다. 여러 가지 副作用은 있었으나 一般的으로 輕微하였으며 患者가 참을 수 있었으므로 最高用量으로 投藥했을 경우에도 大部分 거절 하지 않았다. 8個 部落에서 捕獲된 Culex P. fatigans의 絲狀 幼 全體感染率, 感染期幼 內包率 및 感染濃度는 患者治療前에 各各 11.9%, 10.5%, 5.9였는데 治療後에는 2.2%, 0.09%, 2.1로 떨어져서 diethylcarbamazine은 microfilariae에 對한 殺충효果가 높을 뿐 아니라 絲狀충 만延을 組止시키는데 좋은 藥劑라고 思料된다 The present investigation is a serial study on “Filariasis in Kinmen (Quemoy) Islands”, which was performed from July 1, 1972 to June 30, 1973. The results are summarized as follows; 1. Parasitological investigation: Of 20,018 Kinmen Chinese in 55 villages examined, the microfilariae (mf.) rate of 8.8%, mf. density of 16.2 per 20cmm blood and clinical rate 19.2% were found: the corresponding figures for a total of 2,428 military personnel were 0.1%, 29.3 and 0.0% respectively. The mf. density and clinical rate were obviously higher in the males than in the females, but no difference was found for the microfilarial rate. The mf. rate and clinical rate were correspondingly increased with age, but there was no difference in mf. density. 2. Transmission of filariasis: It seems no any relation to the length of stationing of the Chinese troops on Kinmen Islands, and also no relation to the distance between the villages and camps; because the servicemen are well protected from the mosquito bites and bites and the camps are completely isolated, to and off limit to the villagers, though they have common places of entertainment. 3. Clinical investigation: Of 1,470 filarial carriers in 51 villages examined physically, the clinical rate of 19.2% was detected. It was about 5 times higher in males than in females. In the males, most of the cases the trouble in their reproductive organs, and 10% had elephantiasis; but in the females, the lymph nodes enlargement and chyluria were more common, only 2 cases had elephantiasis. The clinical rates increased corresponding with age. 4. Entomological investigation: Fourteen(14) species of 4 genera (10 Culex, 2 Aedes, 1 Anopheles and 1 Armigeres) of household mosquitoes were collected from indoor resting sites of 43 villages on kinmen Islands, in which, Cules P. fatigans and Armigeres subalbatus were the most common species, but the remaining 12 species are faily rare. Four (4) new species: Culex mimeticus, C. (L) vorax, C, fucocephala and Aedes noturnvs were found for the first time. Culex p.fatigans is still the only vector. in transmission of bancroftian filariasis. The infection rate of 11.9%, infective rate of 10.5% and 5.9 filarial larvae per infected mosquito were detected in 438 Culex p. fatigans from 8 villages before treatment. The corresponding figures were much lower in the above same villages after treatment (2.2%, 0.09% and 2.1). Eleven (11) species of moswquito larvae were collected from 8 kinds of breeding sites; where, the pH value of 7.4(ranged 6.4∼8.0) was measured. “Sumithion”is one of the organophosphorous compounds, which was first used on the water surface with the dosage of 0.2gm per square meter.A high insecticidal effect against different species of mosquito larvae was observed. 5. Chemotherapy of filariasis: Of 1.590 filarial carriers scheme, with a total does of 5 gm of diethylcarbamazine per adult case for a period of 10∼12 days schedule was performed. The cure rate of 80.6%, mf. reduction tate of 96.9% and reaction rate of 67.2% were found. Although many kinds of side effects were encountered, they were usually mild or transient and could be tolerated by the patients, thus there was almost no refused to the administration of the drug even if the drug was increased to the maximum dosage. The natural infection rate, infective rate and filarial larval density of Culex P. fatigans in 8 villages were found much higher before control measure (11.9%, 10.5% and 5.9%) than after control (2.2%, 0.09% and 2.1). It showed that diethylcarbamazine is a powerful microfilaricidal drug in eliminating the filarial infection and reducing this transmission.

Effects of Fermented Garlic Powder on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Blood Profiles and Fatty Acids Composition of Egg Yolk in Laying Hens

Ao, X.,Yoo, J.S.,Lee, J.H.,Jang, H.D.,Wang, J.P.,Zhou, T.X.,Kim, I.H. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.6

The effects of fermented garlic powder on production performance, egg quality, blood profiles and fatty acid composition of egg yolk in laying hens were studied in a 35-d experiment. Two-hundred and forty (ISA brown) layers aged 41 weeks were randomly allocated into the following four treatments: i) CON (basal diet); ii) G1 (CON+fermented garlic powder 1.0%); iii) G2 (CON+fermented garlic powder 2.0%) and iv) G3 (CON+fermented garlic powder 3.0%). There were no differences (p>0.05) among treatments in egg production, egg weight, eggshell breaking strength and eggshell thickness throughout the whole experimental period. However, yolk height was increased significantly (p<0.05) by the addition of fermented garlic powder during the 5th week while yolk color was greater (p<0.05) in G2 and G3 than in CON and G1 in the 5th week. Compared with CON, Haugh unit was increased (p<0.05) in response to fermented garlic powder treatments during the 5th week. No significant effects on total protein, albumin and IgG were observed in response to any of the treatments over the experimental period (p>0.05). There was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in plasma cholesterol concentration when the dietary level of fermented garlic powder was increased from 0.0 to 3.0%. The levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA) were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in response to G2 and G3 while monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were higher (p<0.05) in G2 and G3 treatment groups than in CON and G1. Compared with other treatments, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and PUFA:SFA ratio were higher (p<0.05) in G3. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that addition of fermented garlic powder reduced plasma cholesterol concentration and did not cause adverse effects on production performance. Moreover, addition of 3.0% garlic powder decreased SFA but increased PUFA and PUFA:SFA ratio in egg yolk.

Morphological and Molecular Phylogenetic Position of Prorocentrum micans sensu stricto and Description of Prorocentrum koreanum sp. nov. from Southern Coastal Waters in Korea and Japan

Han, M.S.,Wang, P.,Kim, J.H.,Cho, S.Y.,Park, B.S.,Kim, J.H.,Katano, T.,Kim, B.H. G. Fischer 2016 PROTIST -JENA- Vol.167 No.1

Prorocentrum micans is an extremely variable dinoflagellate species, with many different local forms reported worldwide. Because of this morphological diversity, it is important to establish whether these various forms belong to P. micans sensu stricto. For this study, P. micans-like specimens were isolated from several localities in the southern coastal waters of Korea and Japan. The morphological characteristics and the molecular signatures of P. micans were re-examined. Moreover, a new Prorocentrum species, Prorocentrum koreanum sp. nov. was established through detailed light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy observations. Examination of the periflagellar platelets revealed that P. koreanum sp. nov. differs from P. micans. Furthermore, P. koreanum and P. micans exhibited different distribution patterns of trichocyst pores. Through molecular phylogeny analysis of small subunit (SSU) rRNA, internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and large subunit (LSU) rRNA sequence, we found P. koreanum to be more closely related to P. mexicanum and P. rhathymum than to P. micans. Additionally, ITS2 compensatory base changes also provide strong evidence to support P. koreanum and P. micans being separate species.