Novel cytotoxic seco-abietane rearranged diterpenoids from Salvia prionitis.

Six novel 4,5-seco-rearranged abietane diterpenoids, including one tetracyclic diterpenoid, prionoid A (1), two tricyclic diterpenoids, prionoids B (2) and C (3), and three dicyclic diterpenoids, prionoids D (4), E (5), and F (6), were isolated from the roots of Salvia prionitis Hance (Labiatae). Their structures were elucidated using spectroscopic analysis. The structure of 1 was further confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction determination.

Passive Q-switching characteristics of Yb3+:Gd3Ga5O12 crystal.

The passively Q-switched laser characteristics of a quasi-three level Yb3+:Gd3Ga5O12 (Yb3+:GGG) crystal with Cr4+:YAG saturable absorbers are studied experimentally and theoretically. The pulse parameters under different experimental conditions are measured. Some characteristics different from those of a four-level system are found.

Pulse-off electro-optic Q-switch made of La3Ga5SiO14.

By theoretical calculations we search the hold-on and hold-off state of the pulse-off electro-optic (EO) Q-switch made of La3Ga5SiO14 (langasite, LGS) which exhibits both electro-optic (EO) effect and optical activity (OA), from which the proper applied voltage and orientation of LGS are determined. For the first time to our knowledge, a pulse-off EO Q-switch made of LGS is successfully designed and used in the Nd:YAG laser cavity. Q-switched pulses with energy 360 mJ and pulse width 8.

Novel phenolic glycoside dimer and trimer from the whole herb of Pyrola rotundifolia.

From the water-soluble constituents of the whole herb of Pyrola rotundifolia (Pyrolaceae), one novel phenolic glycoside dimer, pyrolaside A (1), and one novel phenolic glycoside trimer, pyrolaside B (2), together with two known phenolic glycosides homoarbutin (3) and isohomoarbutin (4), were isolated. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and confirmed with chemical degradation. In vitro tests for antimicrobial activity showed pyrolaside B (2) to possess significant activity against two Gram-positive organisms, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus.

Microchip capillary gel electrophoresis using programmed field strength gradients for the ultra-fast analysis of genetically modified organisms in soybeans.

We have developed a novel method for the ultra-fast analysis of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in soybeans by microchip capillary gel electrophoresis (MCGE) using programmed field strength gradients (PFSG) in a conventional glass double-T microchip. Under the programmed electric field strength and 0.3% poly(ethylene oxide) sieving matrix, the GMO in soybeans was analyzed within only 11 s of the microchip.

A direct comparison of immunological characteristics of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-primed bone marrow grafts and G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood grafts.

Our preliminary results suggest the existence of quantitative and qualitative differences in immune cells and type1 and type2 cytokines between granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) primed bone marrow (G-BM) and G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood grafts (G-PB). Our findings suggest that lower T-cell hyporesponsiveness and easier polarization of T cells from Th1 to Th2 are found in G-BM.

S-band optical amplification by an internally generated pump in thulium ytterbium codoped fiber.

We propose a novel scheme in which Yb3+ codoping and a laser cavity are introduced in Tm3+ doped fiber to achieve efficient S-band optical amplification with a 980 nm pump source. This scheme makes it possible for conventional 980 nm pump sources for Er3+ doped fiber amplifiers to be used for S-band Tm3+ doped fiber amplifiers (TDFAs). By introducing a laser cavity into an amplifier, an internally generated pump from Yb3+ at a desirable wavelength for pumping Tm3+ could be produced.

[Authentication of Zanthexylum bungeanum Maxin population and adulterants by analysis of rDNA ITS sequences].

Aim: To study the difference of rDNA ITS sequences between Zanthexylum bungeanum populations and their adulterants in main habitants of China so as to provide molecular markers for identifying Zanthexylum bungeanum populations against adulterants.

Methods: rDNA ITS regions (including ITS-1, 5.8S and ITS-2) of 7 populations of Zanthexylum bungeanum which are separate located in Gansu, Shanxi, Sichuan, Hebei provinces, and 3 adulterants were sequenced by PCR products sequencing method or clone sequencing method.

Perinuclear translocation of hsp 27 in shear stress exposed human endothelial cells.

Expression of hsp 27 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells exposed to a shear stress was investigated. Using immunostaining, it was concluded that shear stress results in perinuclear translocation of hsp 27. Polymerization of actin microfilaments plays an important role in this process.

[Studies on tissue culture of Dendrobium lituiflorum].

Objective: To select optimal media and conditions for the tissue culture of Dendrobium lituiforum.

Method: The basic media, light illumination condition, phytohormone, and natural aqueous extracts. were tested and compared.

In vivo induction of T-cell hyporesponsiveness and alteration of immunological cells of bone marrow grafts using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

Background And Objectives: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-primed bone marrow (G-BM) transplantation is associated with a low incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and has been used successfully in patients with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched/mismatched donors. This study evaluated the function of T cells and the quantities of immunological cells of G-BM.

Design And Methods: Bone marrow was obtained from fifteen donors by aspiration.

Electrotransfection of mammalian cells using microchannel-type electroporation chip.

Transfection of DNA molecules into mammalian cells with electric pulsations, which is so-called electroporation, is a powerful and widely used method that can be directly applied to gene therapy. However, very little is known about the basic mechanisms of DNA transfer and cell response to the electric pulse. We developed a microelectroporation chip with poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) to investigate the mechanism of electroporation as a first step of DNA transfer and to introduce the benefits of miniaturization into the genetic manipulation.

IL-12 priming during in vitro antigenic stimulation changes properties of CD8 T cells and increases generation of effector and memory cells.

Antigenic and costimulatory signals trigger a developmental program by which naive CD8 T cells differentiate into effector and memory cells. However, initial cytokine signals that regulate the generation of effector and memory CD8 T cells are not well understood. In this study, we show that IL-12 priming during in vitro antigenic stimulation results in the significant increase of both primary and memory CD8 T cell population in mice after adoptive transfer of activated cells.

Improved effector activity and memory CD8 T cell development by IL-2 expression during experimental respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory infection in young children and the elderly. Studies of mice suggest that RSV suppresses the effector activity of CD8 T cells and the development of pulmonary CD8 T cell memory, in which the impaired effector activity could be recovered by in vitro IL-2 treatment. To investigate the effect of in vivo IL-2 expression on RSV immunity, mice were infected with RSV followed by administration of replication-defective adenovirus expressing IL-2.

Downregulation of p38 kinase pathway by cAMP response element-binding protein protects HL-60 cells from iron chelator-induced apoptosis.

The signaling mechanisms that control apoptotic events evoked by iron chelators are largely unknown. We found that cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is cleaved during iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO)-induced apoptosis, and that the cleavage is largely prevented by the cell-permeable analog of cAMP, dibutyryl-cAMP (dbcAMP), a known CREB activator. In addition, dbcAMP profoundly reduced DFO-induced apoptosis along with significant suppression of caspase-3 and -8 activation and inhibition of loss of mitochondrial potential.

Effects of peak anomalies with the hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties of reservoirs during serial injection on a capillary electrophoresis microchip.

Several anomalies, e.g., in peak shape, migration time, and baseline drift, all due to pressure-driven backflow, were previously reported to occur during serial injection on capillary electrophoresis (CE) chips.

Efficient induction of T helper 1 CD4+ T-cell responses to hepatitis C virus core and E2 by a DNA prime-adenovirus boost.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important causative agent of liver disease, but currently there is no available prophylactic vaccine against HCV infection. Here, we investigated the HCV E2- and core-specific T-cell responses induced by DNA (D) and/or recombinant adenovirus (A) vaccines. In single (D versus A) or double immunizations (D-D versus A-A), the recombinant adenovirus vaccines induced higher levels of IFN-gamma secreting T-cell response and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) response than the DNA vaccines.

Cooperative transformation of murine fibroblast NIH3T3 cells by hepatitis C virus core protein and hepatitis B virus X protein.

Co-infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is associated with increased frequency in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we demonstrated that HBV X protein (HBx) and HCV core cooperate to transform mouse fibroblast NIH3T3 cells. They additively stimulated cell growth, especially in the absence of serum growth factors.

Cytotoxic terpenoid and immunosuppressive phenolic glycosides from the root bark of Dictamnus dasycarpus.

Five new compounds, two degraded terpene glycosides, dasycarpusides A and B (1, 2), and three phenolic glycosides, 2-methoxy-4-hydroxymethylphenol 1-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-(1"-->6')- beta-glucopyranoside ( 3), 2-methoxy-4-acetylphenol 1-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-(1"-->6')-beta-glucopyranoside (4), and 2-methoxy-4-(8-hydroxyethyl)-phenol 1-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-(1"-->6')-beta-glucopyranoside (5), were isolated from the water-soluble constituents of the root bark of Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz.(Rutaceae). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence.

Engineering N-glycosylation mutations in IL-12 enhances sustained cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses for DNA immunization.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12), consisting of p40 and p35 subunits, produces both p70 heterodimer and free p40. p70 is essential for the induction of T-helper 1 (Th1) and cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) immunity, whereas p40 inhibits p70-mediated function. Here, we found that mutations introduced into N-glycosylation sites (N220 of murine p40 and N222 of human p40) reduced secretion of p40 but not p70.

Respiratory syncytial virus infection suppresses lung CD8+ T-cell effector activity and peripheral CD8+ T-cell memory in the respiratory tract.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of morbidity from respiratory infection in infants, young children and the elderly. No effective vaccine against RSV is currently available and studies of the natural history of RSV infection suggest repeated infections with antigenically related virus strains are common throughout an individual's lifetime. We have studied the CD8+ T-cell response during experimental murine RSV infection and found that RSV inhibits the expression of effector activity by activated RSV-specific CD8+ T cells infiltrating the lung parenchyma and the development of pulmonary CD8+ T-cell memory by interfering with TCR-mediated signaling.