Alterations of immune functions induced by 12C6+ion irradiation in mice

Purpose: To estimate the biological risks to the immune system of the type of space radiation, 12C6+, encountered by cosmonauts during long-term travel in space. Materials and methods: The Kun-Ming strain mice were whole-body irradiated by 12C6+ ion with 0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.075, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.75, 1 or 2 Gy, at a dose rate of 1 Gy/min. At 35 days after irradiation, the thymus and spleen weights were measured, the natural killer (NK) cells activity of spleen was determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), and the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels in serum and thymus were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Results: The results showed that the thymus weight, IFN-gamma levels in serum and the activity of splenic NK-cells had significantly increased at a dose of 0.05 Gy. With further dose increase, the weight of spleen continued to increase but the weight of thymus, IFN-gamma level and NK-cells activity declined. Conclusions: These results suggest that the dose of 0.05 Gy irradiation has a stimulatory effect on mouse immunity; this effect declined with increasing dose.

Cross-correlation of excitation functions for different fragments and different scattering angles in Al-27(F-19, x)y reactions

Excitation functions have been measured for different projectile-like fragments produced in Al-27(F-19,x)y reactions at incident energies from 110.25 to 118.75 MeV in 250 keV steps. Strong cross section fluctuations of the excitation functions are observed. The cross- correlation coefficients of the excitation functions for different atomic number Z and for different scattering angle theta(cm) have been deduced. These coefficients are much larger than the statistical theoretical calculated ones. This indicates that there are strong correlations between different exit channels in the dissipative heavy ion Collision of Al-27(F-19,x)y.

Balance functions from Au+Au, d+Au, and p+p collisions at root s(NN)=200 GeV

Balance functions have been measured for charged-particle pairs, identified charged-pion pairs, and identified charged-kaon pairs in Au + Au, d + Au, and p + p collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider using the STAR detector. These balance functions are presented in terms of relative pseudorapidity, Delta eta, relative rapidity, Delta y, relative azimuthal angle, Delta phi, and invariant relative momentum, q(inv). For charged-particle pairs, the width of the balance function in terms of Delta eta scales smoothly with the number of participating nucleons, while HIJING and UrQMD model calculations show no dependence on centrality or system size. For charged-particle and charged-pion pairs, the balance functions widths in terms of Delta eta and Delta y are narrower in central Au + Au collisions than in peripheral collisions. The width for central collisions is consistent with thermal blast-wave models where the balancing charges are highly correlated in coordinate space at breakup. This strong correlation might be explained by either delayed hadronization or limited diffusion during the reaction. Furthermore, the narrowing trend is consistent with the lower kinetic temperatures inherent to more central collisions. In contrast, the width of the balance function for charged-kaon pairs in terms of Delta y shows little centrality dependence, which may signal a different production mechanism for kaons. The widths of the balance functions for charged pions and kaons in terms of q(inv) narrow in central collisions compared to peripheral collisions, which may be driven by the change in the kinetic temperature.

Heat capacities and thermodynamic functions of p-chlorobenzoic acid

The heat capacities of p-chlorobenzoic acid were measured in the temperature range from 80 to 580 K by means of an automatic adiabatic calorimeter equipped with a small sample cell of internal volume of 7.4cm(3). The construction and procedures of the calorimetric system were described in detail. The performance of this calorimetric apparatus was evaluated by heat capacity measurements on alpha-Al2O3. The deviations of experimental heat capacities from the corresponding smoothed values lie within +/-0.28 per cent, while the inaccuracy is within +/-0.40 per cent, compared with the recommended reference data in the whole experimental temperature range. A fusion transition at T = 512.280 K was found from the C-p-T curve of p-chlorobenzoic acid. The enthalpy and entropy of the phase transition, as well as the thermodynamic functions {G((T)) - G((298.15))}, {H-(T) - H-(298.15)} and {S-(T) - S-298.15}, were derived from the heat capacity data. The mass fraction purity of p-chlorobenzoic acid sample used in the present calorimetric study was determined to be 0.99935 by fraction melting approach. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

A biodegradable triblock copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(L-lysine): Synthesis, self-assembly and RGD peptide modification

A novel biodegradable triblock copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(L-lysine) (PEG-PLA-PLL) was synthesized by acidolysis of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(F-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine) (PEG-PLA-PZLL) obtained by the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of epsilon-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine N-carboxyanhydride (ZLys NCA) with amino-terminated PEG-PLA-NH2 as a macro-initiator, and the pendant amino groups of the lysine residues were modified with a peptide known to modulate cellular functions, Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Tyr (GRGDSY, abbreviated as RGD) in the presence of 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI). The structures of PEG-PLA-PLL/RGD and its precursors were confirmed by H-1 NMR, FT-IR, amino acid analysis and XPS analysis. The cell adhesion and cell spread on the PEG-PLA-PLL/RGD film were enhanced compared to those on pure PLA film. Therefore, the novel RGD-grafted triblock copolymer is promising for cell or tissue engineering applications. Both copolymers PEG-PLA-PZLL and PEG-PLA-PLL showed an amphiphilic nature and could self-assemble into micelles of homogeneous spherical morphology. The micelles were determined by fluorescence technique, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and could be expected to find application in drug and gene delivery systems.

Extraction of rare earths(III) from nitrate medium with di-(2-ethylhexyl) 2-ethylhexyl phosphonate and synergistic extraction combined with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoy l-pyrazolone-5

The extraction of trivalent rare earths ( RE) from nitrate solutions with di-(2-ethylhexyl) 2-ethylhexyl phosphonate (DEHEHP, B) and synergistic extraction combined with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-pyrazolone-5 (HPMBP, HA) were investigated. The extraction distribution ratios demonstrate a distinct "tetra effect," and Y lies between Tb and Dy when DEHEHP is used as a single extractant for RE. According to the corresponding separation factors (SF12) for adjacent pairs of rare earths, it could be concluded that DEHEHP could be employed for the separation of La from the other rare earths, and Y from light rare earths. The present work has also found that mixtures of HPMBP and DEHEHP have an evident synergistic effect for RE(III). Taking Y( III) as an example, a possible synergistic extraction mechanism is proposed. The enhancement of extraction in the binary system can be explained due to the species Y(NO3) (.) A(2) (.) HA (.) B formed. The synergistic enhancement coefficients ( R), extraction constants, formation constants and thermodynamic functions of the reaction were calculated.

STUDY ON COMPLEXES OF RARE-EARTH WITH L-PHENYLALANINE BY POTENTIOMETRY WITH CALORIMETRY

The stability constants and thermodynamic functions for complexes of rare earth with L-phenylalanine have been determined by potentiometry and calorimetry at 25-degrees-C and ionic strength of 0.15mol.dm-3(NaCl). Stability of the complexes shows the "Tetrad effect". The entropy change makes a predominant contribution to the stability of these complexes. The ligand is coordinated to rare earth ions through its -CO2- and -NH2 group, and dehydration of ions plays an important role in coordination reaction.

A novel syndrome of severe neutrophil dysfunction: unresponsiveness confined to chemotaxin-induced functions.

We have identified a patient with a number of neutrophil dysfunctions. The patient was a female baby who lived for 8 months. During her life, she developed severe bacterial infections and showed omphalitis, impaired wound healing, and a pronounced leukocytosis. She was not a patient with leukocyte adhesion deficiency, because all leukocyte CD18 complex proteins were expressed at normal levels. Yet, neutrophil polarization and chemotaxis to platelet-activating factor, leukotriene B4, or formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) were completely absent. We found a strong defect in actin polymerization in response to chemotactic stimuli, but only a retarded or even normal reaction with other stimuli. This indicates that the cellular dysfunctions were not due to an intrinsic defect in actin metabolism. Instead, the regulation of actin polymerization with chemotactic stimuli seemed to be defective. We concentrated on FMLP-induced responses in the patient's neutrophils. Functions dependent on activation of complement receptor type 3, such as aggregation or adherence to endothelial cells, were normally induced. Binding to serum-coated coverslips was normal in cell number; however, spreading was not observed. Exocytosis from the specific granules was readily induced. In contrast, FMLP failed to induce a respiratory burst activity or degranulation of the azurophil granules. FMLP induced a normal increase in free intracellular Ca2+, but a decreased formation of diglycerides (especially the 1-O-alkyl,2-acyl compounds). Thus, we have described a patient whose neutrophils show a severe defect in functional activation via chemotaxin receptors, resulting in a selective absence of NADPH oxidase activity, exocytosis from the azurophil granules, and actin polymerization. Our findings show that actin polymerization for neutrophil spreading and locomotion is regulated differently from that for phagocytosis. Also, the release of azurophil and specific granule contents is clearly shown to be regulated in a different way.

Fasciola hepatica cathepsin L-like proteases: biology, function and potential in the development of first generation liver fluke vaccines.

Fasciola hepatica secretes cathepsin L proteases that facilitate the penetration of the parasite through the tissues of its host, and also participate in functions such as feeding and immune evasion. The major proteases, cathepsin L1 (FheCL1) and cathepsin L2 (FheCL2) are members of a lineage that gave rise to the human cathepsin Ls, Ks and Ss, but while they exhibit similarities in their substrate specificities to these enzymes they differ in having a wider pH range for activity and an enhanced stability at neutral pH. There are presently 13 Fasciola cathepsin L cDNAs deposited in the public databases representing a gene family of at least seven distinct members, although the temporal and spatial expression of each of these members in the developmental stage of F. hepatica remains unclear. Immunolocalisation and in situ hybridisation studies, using antibody and DNA probes, respectively, show that the vast majority of cathepsin L gene expression is carried out in the epithelial cells lining the parasite gut. Within these cells the enzyme is packaged into secretory vesicles that release their contents into the gut lumen for the purpose of degrading ingested host tissue and blood. Liver flukes also express a novel multi-domain cystatin that may be involved in the regulation of cathepsin L activity. Vaccine trials in both sheep and cattle with purified native FheCL1 and FheCL2 have shown that these enzymes can induce protection, ranging from 33 to 79%, to experimental challenge with metacercariae of F. hepatica, and very potent anti-embryonation/hatch rate effects that would block parasite transmission. In this article we review the vaccine trials carried out over the past 8 years, the role of antibody and T cell responses in mediating protection and discuss the prospects of the cathepsin Ls in the development of first generation recombinant liver fluke vaccines. Author Keywords: Helminths; Trematodes; Parasites; Cathepsins; Proteases; Vaccines; Immunology; Biochemistry

Inhibition of cathepsin L-like proteases by cathepsin V propeptide

The N-terminal propeptide domains of several cathepsin L-like cysteine proteases have been shown to possess potent inhibitory activity. Here we report the first kinetic characterisation of the inhibition properties of the cathepsin V propeptide (CatV PP). Using a facile recombinant approach we demonstrate expression, purification and evaluation of the CatV PP. This propeptide was found to behave as a tight-binding inhibitor against CatV (K (i) 10.2 nm). It also functions as an inhibitor against other members of the CatL-like subclass (CatL, 9.8 nm; CatS, 10.7 nm; and CatK, 149 nm) and had no discernible effects upon the more distantly related CatB.