The production mechanisms of OH radicals in a pulsed direct current plasma jet

The production mechanism of OH radicals in a pulsed DC plasma jet is studied by a two-dimensional (2-D) plasma jet model and a one-dimensional (1-D) discharge model. For the plasma jet in the open air, electron-impact dissociation of H2O, electron neutralization of H2O+, as well as dissociation of H2O by O(1D) are found to be the main reactions to generate the OH species. The contribution of the dissociation of H2O by electron is more than the others. The additions of N2, O2, air, and H2O into the working gas increase the OH density outside the tube slightly, which is attributed to more electrons produced by Penning ionization. On the other hand, the additions of O2 and H2O into the working gas increase the OH density inside the tube substantially, which is attributed to the increased O (1D) and H2O concentration, respectively. The gas flow will transport high density OH out of the tube during pulse off period. It is also shown that the plasma chemistry and reactivity can be effectively controlled by the pulse numbers. These results are supported by the laser induced fluorescence measurements and are relevant to several applications of atmospheric-pressure plasmas in health care, medicine, and materials processing.

Cloning and gastrointestinal expression of rat hephaestin: Relationship to other iron transport proteins

The membrane-bound ceruloplasmin homolog hephaestin plays a critical role in intestinal iron absorption. The aims of this study were to clone the rat hephaestin gene and to examine its expression in the gastrointestinal tract in relation to other genes encoding iron transport proteins. The rat hephaestin gene was isolated from intestinal mRNA and was found to encode a protein 96% identical to mouse hephaestin. Analysis by ribonuclease protection assay and Western blotting showed that hephaestin was expressed at high levels throughout the small intestine and colon. Immunofluorescence localized the hephaestin protein to the mature villus enterocytes with little or no expression in the crypts. Variations in iron status had a small but nonsignificant effect on hephaestin expression in the duodenum. The high sequence conservation between rat and mouse hephaestin is consistent with this protein playing a central role in intestinal iron absorption, although its precise function remains to be determined.

Studies on interaction of Paenibacillus polymyxa with iron ore minerals in relation to beneficiation

Interaction between Paenibacillus polymyxa with minerals such as hematite, corundum, quartz and kaolinite brought about significant surface chemical changes on all the minerals. Quartz and kaolinite were rendered more hydrophobic, while hematite and corundum, became more hydrophilic after biotreatment. The predominance of bacterial polysaccharides on interacted hematite and corundum and of proteins on quartz and kaolinite was responsible for the above surface-chemical changes. Bio-pretreatment of the above iron ore mineral mixtures resulted in the selective separation of silica and alumina from iron oxide, through bioflotation and bioflocculation. The utility of bioprocessing in the beneficiation of iron ores is demonstrated.

Excellent rectifying characteristics in Au/n-CdTe diodes upon exposure to rf nitrogen plasma

Nitrogen plasma exposure (NPE) effects on indium doped bulk n-CdTe are reported here. Excellent rectifying characteristics of Au/n-CdTe Schottky diodes, with an increase in the barrier height, and large reverse breakdown voltages are observed after the plasma exposure. Surface damage is found to be absent in the plasma exposed samples. The breakdown mechanism of the heavily doped Schottky diodes is found to shift from the Zener to avalanche after the nitrogen plasma exposure, pointing to a change in the doping close to the surface which was also verified by C-V measurements. The thermal stability of the plasma exposure process is seen up to a temperature of 350 degrees C, thereby enabling the high temperature processing of the samples for device fabrication. The characteristics of the NPE diodes are stable over a year implying excellent diode quality. A plausible model based on Fermi level pinning by acceptor-like states created by plasma exposure is proposed to explain the observations.

Determination of refractive and volatile elements in sediment using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Wet-milling protocol was employed to produce pressed powder tablets with excellent cohesion and homogeneity suitable for laser ablation (LA) analysis of volatile and refractive elements in sediment. The influence of sample preparation on analytical performance was also investigated, including sample homogeneity, accuracy and limit of detection. Milling in volatile solvent for 40 min ensured sample is well mixed and could reasonably recover both volatile (Hg) and refractive (Zr) elements. With the exception of Cr (−52%) and Nb (+26%) major, minor and trace elements in STSD-1 and MESS-3 could be analysed within ±20% of the certified values. Comparison of the method with total digestion method using HF was tested by analysing 10 different sediment samples. The laser method recovers significantly higher amounts of analytes such as Ag, Cd, Sn and Sn than the total digestion method making it a more robust method for elements across the periodic table. LA-ICP-MS also eliminates the interferences from chemical reagents as well as the health and safety risks associated with digestion processes. Therefore, it can be considered as an enhanced method for the analysis of heterogeneous matrices such as river sediments.

Hybrid framework iron(II) phosphate-oxalates

Two inorganic-organic hybrid framework iron phosphate-oxalates, I, [N2C4H12](0.5)[Fe-2(HPO4)(C2O4)(1.5)] and II, [Fe-2(OH2)PO4(C2O4)(0.5)] have been synthesized by hydrothermal means and the structures determined by X-ray crystallography. Crystal Data: compound I, monoclinic, spacegroup = P2(1)/c (No. 14), a=7.569(2) Angstrom, b=7.821(2) Angstrom, c=18.033(4) Angstrom, beta=98.8(1)degrees, V=1055.0(4) Angstrom(3), Z=4, M=382.8, D-calc=2.41 g cm(-3) MoK alpha, R-F=0.02; compound II, monoclinic, spacegroup=P2(1)/c (No. 14), a=10.240(1) b=6.375(3) Angstrom, 9.955(1) Angstrom, beta=117.3(1)degrees, V=577.4(1) Angstrom(3), Z=4, M=268.7, D-calc=3.09 g cm(-3) MoK alpha, R-F=0.03. These materials contain a high proportion of three-coordinated oxygens and [Fe2O9] dimeric units, besides other interesting structural features. The connectivity of Fe2O9 is entirely different in the two materials resulting in the formation of a continuous chain of Fe-O-Fe in II. The phosphate-oxalate containing the amine, I, forms well-defined channels. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show Fen to be in the high-spin state (t(2g)(4)e(g)(2)) in II, and in the intermediate-spin state (t(2g)(5)e(g)(1)) in I.

An Iron Complex of Dipyridophenazine as a Potent Photocytotoxic Agent in Visible Light

Ternary iron(III) complexes (FeL(B)] (1-3) of a trianionic tetradentate phenolate-based ligand (L) and henanthroline base (B), namely, 1,10-phenanthroline (phen, 1), dipyridoquinoxaline (dpq, 2), and dipyridophenazine (dppz, 3), have been prepared and structurally characterized and their DNA binding, cleavage, and photocytotoxic properties studied. The complexes with a FeN3O3 core show the Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple near -0.6 V in DMF, a magnetic moment value of similar to 5.9 mu(B), and a binding propensity to both calf thymus DNA and bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein. They exhibit red-light-induced DNA cleavage activity following a metal-assisted photoredox pathway forming HO center dot radicals but do not show any photocleavage of BSA in UV-A light. Complex 3 displays photocytotoxicity in the human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) and human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) with respective IC50 values of 3.59 mu M and 6.07 mu M in visible light and 251 nM and 751 nM in UV-A light of 365 nm. No significant cytotoxicity is observed in the dark. The photoexposed HeLa cells, treated prior with complex 3, have shown marked changes in nuclear morphology as demonstrated by Hoechst 33258 nuclear stain. Generation of reactive oxygen species has been evidenced from the fluorescence enhancement of dichlorofluorescein upon treatment with 3 followed by photoexposure. Nuclear chromatin cleavage has been observed in acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual staining of treated HeLa cells and from alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis. Caspase 3/7 activity in HeLa cells has been found to be upregulated by only 4 fold after photoirradiation, signifying the fact that cell death through a caspase 3/7 dependent pathway may not be solely operative.

Iron oxide particles for atheroma imaging

The selection of patients for vascular interventions has been solely based on luminal stenosis and symptomatology. However, histological data from both the coronary and carotid vasculature suggest that other plaque features such as inflammation may be more important in predicting future thromboembolic events. Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) contrast agents have been used for noninvasive MRI assessment of atherosclerotic plaque inflammation in humans. It has reached the stage of development to have been recently used in an interventional drug study to not only assess inflammatory progression but also select patients at high risk. This article reviews the basic science behind the use of USPIO contrast agents in atheroma MR imaging, experimental work in animals, and how this has led to the emergence of this promising targeted imaging platform for assessment of high risk carotid atherosclerosis in humans.

The ATHEROMA (Atorvastatin Therapy: Effects on Reduction of Macrophage Activity) Study. Evaluation using ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in carotid disease

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low-dose (10 mg) and high-dose (80 mg) atorvastatin on carotid plaque inflammation as determined by ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO)-enhanced carotid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The hypothesis was that treatment with 80 mg atorvastatin would demonstrate quantifiable changes in USPIO-enhanced MRI-defined inflammation within the first 3 months of therapy. Background: Preliminary studies indicate that USPIO-enhanced MRI can identify macrophage infiltration in human carotid atheroma in vivo and hence may be a surrogate marker of plaque inflammation. Methods: Forty-seven patients with carotid stenosis >40% on duplex ultrasonography and who demonstrated intraplaque accumulation of USPIO on MRI at baseline were randomly assigned in a balanced, double-blind manner to either 10 or 80 mg atorvastatin daily for 12 weeks. Baseline statin therapy was equivalent to 10 mg of atorvastatin or less. The primary end point was change from baseline in signal intensity (ΔSI) on USPIO-enhanced MRI in carotid plaque at 6 and 12 weeks. Results: Twenty patients completed 12 weeks of treatment in each group. A significant reduction from baseline in USPIO-defined inflammation was observed in the 80-mg group at both 6 weeks (ΔSI 0.13; p = 0.0003) and at 12 weeks (ΔSI 0.20; p < 0.0001). No difference was observed with the low-dose regimen. The 80-mg atorvastatin dose significantly reduced total cholesterol by 15% (p = 0.0003) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 29% (p = 0.0001) at 12 weeks. Conclusions: Aggressive lipid-lowering therapy over a 3-month period is associated with significant reduction in USPIO-defined inflammation. USPIO-enhanced MRI methodology may be a useful imaging biomarker for the screening and assessment of therapeutic response to "anti-inflammatory" interventions in patients with atherosclerotic lesions. (Effects of Atorvastatin on Macrophage Activity and Plaque Inflammation Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging [ATHEROMA]; NCT00368589).

Synthesis, crystal structures and protease activity of amino acid Schiff base iron(III) complexes

Iron(III) complexes, (NHEt3)[Fe(III)(sal-met)(2)] and (NHEt3)[Fe(III)(sal-phe)(2)], of amino acid Schiffbase ligands, viz., N-salicylidene-L-methionine and N-salicylidene L-phenylalanine, have been prepared and their binding to bovine serum albumin (BSA) and photo-induced BSA cleavage activity have been investigated. The complexes are structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The crystal Structures of the discrete mononuclear rnonoanionic complexes show FeN2O4 octahedral coordination geometry in which the tridentate dianionic amino acid Schiff base ligand binds through phenolate and carboxylate oxygen and imine nitrogen atoms. The imine nitrogen atoms are trans to each other. The Fe-O and Fe-N bond distances range between 1.9 and 2.1 angstrom. The sal-met complex has two pendant thiomethyl groups. The high-spin iron(III) complexes (mu(eff) similar to 5.9 mu(B)) exhibit quasi-reversible Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox process near -0.6 V vs. SCE in water. These complexes display a visible electronic hand near 480 nm in tris-HCl buffer assignable to the phenolate-to-iron(III) charge transfer transition. The water soluble complexes bind to BSA giving binding constant values of similar to 10(5) M-1. The Complexes show non-specific oxidative cleavage of BSA protein on photo-irradiation with UV-A light of 365 nm.

Comparison of the inflammatory burden of truly asymptomatic carotid atheroma with atherosclerotic plaques in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting: An ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide enhanced magnetic resonance study

Introduction: Inflammation is a recognized risk factor for the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. The aim of this study was to explore whether there is a difference in the degree of Magnetic Resonance (MR) defined inflammation using Ultra Small Super-Paramagnetic Iron Oxide (USPIO) particles, within carotid atheroma in completely asymptomatic individuals and the asymptomatic carotid stenosis in a cohort of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: 10 patients awaiting CABG with asymptomatic carotid disease and 10 completely asymptomatic individuals with no documented coronary artery disease underwent multi-sequence MR imaging before and 36 hours post USPIO infusion. Images were manually segmented into quadrants and signal change in each quadrant, normalised to adjacent muscle signal, was calculated following USPIO administration. Results: The mean percentage of quadrants showing signal loss was 94% in the CABG group, compared to 24% in the completely asymptomatic individuals (p < 0.001). The carotid plaques from the CABG patients showed a significant mean signal intensity decrease of 16.4% after USPIO infusion (95% CI 10.6% to 22.2%; p < 0.001). The truly asymptomatic plaques showed a mean signal intensity increase (i.e. enhancement) after USPIO infusion of 8.4% (95% CI 2.6% to 14.2%; p = 0.007). The mean signal difference between the two groups was 24.9% (95% CI 16.7% to 33.0%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that inflammatory atheroma is a systemic disease. The carotid territory is more likely to take up USPIO if another vascular territory is symptomatic.

In vivo positive contrast IRON sequence and quantitative T2* measurement confirms inflammatory burden in a patient with asymptomatic carotid atheroma after USPIO-enhanced MR Imaging

The authors report an in vivo human examination of carotid atheroma by using the inversion-recovery ON resonance (IRON) sequence, which is able to produce positive contrast after the infusion of an ultrasmall super paramagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) contrast medium. This technique provides a method of potentially identifying inflammatory burden within carotid atheroma. This may be particularly useful in patients who currently do not meet criteria for intervention (ie, moderate symptomatic stenosis or <70% asymptomatic stenosis) to further risk-stratify this important patient cohort. A 63-year-old man was imaged at 1.5 T before and 36 hours after USPIO infusion by using the IRON sequence. Regions of interest showing profound signal loss at T2*-weighted imaging corresponded well with regions of positive contrast at IRON imaging after the administration of USPIO. These regions also showed a profound decrease in T2* measurements after USPIO infusion, whereas surrounding tissue did not. It has been shown that such strong signal loss on T2*-weighted images after USPIO infusion is indicative of USPIO uptake.

NMR-Studies of Octahedral Dicyano-(2,2' Bipyridine) and Tetracyano-(2,2'-Bipyridine) Iron(ii) Complexes

Coordination compounds of the polypyridines, 2,2 ' -bipyridine (bipy) and 1,10-penanthroline (phen) have offered renewed interest on account of their manifold applications and from the point of view of understanding their structure-reactivity relationships.1 Iron(II) reacts with them to form tris-complexes possessing spin-paired ground states. Cyanide ion greatly enhances the rate of displacement of bipy or phen to form the Schilt class of compounds. Fe(bipy)2(CN)2 and Fe(phen)2(CN)2. They display varying colours in solution depending upon the nature of the solvent and react reversibly with acids to form diprotonated species.2 Magnetic circular dichroism studies have been reported to describe their lowest electronic excitation.

Assessment of inflammatory burden contralateral to the symptomatic carotid stenosis using high-resolution ultrasmall, superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced MRI

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE It is well known that the vulnerable atheromatous plaque has a thin, fibrous cap and large lipid core with associated inflammation. This inflammation can be detected on MRI with use of a contrast medium, Sinerem, an ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO). Although the incidence of macrophage activity in asymptomatic disease appears low, we aimed to explore the incidence of MRI-defined inflammation in asymptomatic plaques in patients with known contralateral symptomatic disease. METHODS Twenty symptomatic patients underwent multisequence MRI before and 36 hours after USPIO infusion. Images were manually segmented into quadrants, and the signal change in each quadrant was calculated after USPIO administration. A mixed mathematical model was developed to compare the mean signal change across all quadrants in the 2 groups. Patients had a mean symptomatic stenosis of 77% compared with 46% on their asymptomatic side, as measured by conventional angiography. RESULTS There were 11 (55%) men, and the median age was 72 years (range, 53 to 84 years). All patients had risk factors consistent with severe atherosclerotic disease. All symptomatic carotid stenoses had inflammation, as evaluated by USPIO-enhanced imaging. On the contralateral sides, inflammatory activity was found in 19 (95%) patients. Contralaterally, there were 163 quadrants (57%) with a signal loss after USPIO when compared with 217 quadrants (71%) on the symptomatic side (P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS - This study adds weight to the argument that atherosclerosis is a truly systemic disease. It suggests that investigation of the contralateral side in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis can demonstrate inflammation in 95% of plaques, despite a mean stenosis of only 46%. Thus, inflammatory activity may be a significant risk factor in asymptomatic disease in patients who have known contralateral symptomatic disease. Patients with symptomatic carotid disease should have their contralateral carotid artery followed up.

Using lead sulphate instead of lead oxide in flux growth of yttrium iron garnet(YIG) crystals

Crystal growth of YIG from fluxes containing lead sulphate in place of lead oxide in the usual lead oxide-lead fluoride-boron oxide flux system has been tried. Lead sulphate decomposes during crystal growth giving lead oxide and sulphur trioxide. Due to the influence of sulphur trioxide in the system the yield of crystals almost doubles. There is no change either in the morphology of the crystals or their lattice parameter. It is possible that solubility of YIG is different in the new flux and the changed solubility causes the increase in yield of crystals.