An assessment of heavy metal contamination in vegetables grown in wastewater-irrigated areas of Titagarh, West Bengal, India.

The effects of municipal wastewater irrigation on the accumulation of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Cu and Ni) in soil and vegetables were investigated by monitoring wastewater-irrigated agricultural field of Titagarh, 24-Parganas (North), West Bengal, India. The mean concentrations of Pb, Ni, Cu in the irrigation water and the mean Cd content in soil were much above the recommended level. The concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr and Ni in all the examined vegetables were beyond the safe limits.

Ectopic decorin expression up-regulates VEGF expression in mouse cerebral endothelial cells via activation of the transcription factors Sp1, HIF1alpha, and Stat3.

We demonstrate that a proteoglycan decorin (DCN) up-regulates the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression with activation of VEGF regulating transcription factors Sp1, hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF1alpha), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) via epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mitogen-activated protein kinase extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and protein kinase B (AKT) pathways in DCN transfected mouse cerebral endothelial (MCE) cells. Treatment with pharmacological inhibitors and small interfering RNAs reveal that induction and activation of Sp1, HIF1alpha, and Stat3 facilitate their nuclear localization and binding to their specific motifs of the VEGF promoter and induce VEGF expression via two independent pathways, DCN/EGFR/phosphoinositide-3 kinase/AKT and DCN/EGFR/ERK1/2, respectively, in DCN synthesizing MCE cells. The cell type specific glycosylation protects Sp1 and HIF1alpha from proteosome degradation and plays an important and novel role in the regulation of VEGF in DCN transfected MCE cells.

A one-pot, microwave-influenced synthesis of diverse small molecules by multicomponent reaction cascades.

Small molecule diversity can be achieved in a single synthetic operation from bifunctional substrates in the absence of additives and under the influence of microwaves with complete control of pathway selectivity. The preliminary Ugi four-component coupling products give rise to three structurally distinct scaffolds that are dependent on solvent effects and sterics. 2,5-Diketopiperazines (Type A), 2-azaspiro[4.

Heterologous prime/boost immunization of rhesus monkeys by using diverse poxvirus vectors.

As the diversity of potential immunogens increases within certain classes of vectors, the possibility has arisen of employing heterologous prime/boost immunizations using diverse members of the same family of vectors. The present study was initiated to explore the use of divergent pox vectors in a prime/boost regimen to elicit high-frequency cellular immune responses to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope and simian immunodeficiency virus gag in rhesus monkeys. We demonstrated that monkeys vaccinated with a recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (rMVA) prime/recombinant fowlpox virus (rFPV) boost regimen and monkeys vaccinated with a recombinant vaccinia virus prime/rFPV boost regimen developed comparable cellular immune responses that were greater in magnitude than those elicited by a homologous prime/boost with rMVA.

Characteristics of deterministic and stochastic sandpile models in a rotational sandpile model.

Rotational constraint representing a local external bias generally has a nontrivial effect on the critical behavior of lattice statistical models in equilibrium critical phenomena. In order to study the effect of rotational bias in an out-of-equilibrium situation like self-organized criticality, a two state "quasideterministic" rotational sandpile model is developed here imposing rotational constraint on the flow of sand grains. An extended set of critical exponents are estimated to characterize the avalanche properties at the nonequilibrium steady state of the model.

Ectopic doublecortin gene expression suppresses the malignant phenotype in glioblastoma cells.

Doublecortin (DCX) is one of the three genes found from Affymetrix gene chip analysis related to glioma patient survival. Two other genes (e.g.

Rapid memory CD8+ T-lymphocyte induction through priming with recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis.

The most promising vaccine strategies for the induction of cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte responses have been heterologous prime/boost regimens employing a plasmid DNA prime and a live recombinant-vector boost. The priming immunogen in these regimens must elicit antigen-specific memory CD8+ T lymphocytes that will expand following the boosting immunization. Because plasmid DNA immunogens are expensive and their immunogenicity has proven disappointing in human clinical trials, we have been exploring novel priming immunogens that might be used in heterologous immunization regimens.

Ectopic expression of doublecortin protects adult rat progenitor cells and human glioma cells from severe oxygen and glucose deprivation.

Doublecortin (DCX) is a microtubule-associated protein expressed in migrating neuroblasts. DCX expression is increased in subventricular zone (SVZ) cells migrating to the boundary of an ischemic lesion after induction of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in adult rats and mice. We tested the hypothesis that DCX, in addition to being a marker of migrating neuroblasts, serves to protect neuroblasts from conditions of stress, such as oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD).

Nanoparticles for bioimaging.

The emergence of synthesis strategies for the fabrication of nanosized contrast agents is anticipated to lead to advancements in understanding biological processes at the molecular level in addition to progress in the development of diagnostic tools and innovative therapies. Imaging agents such as fluorescent dye-doped silica nanoparticles, quantum dots and gold nanoparticles have overcome many of the limitations of conventional contrast agents (organic dyes) such as poor photostability, low quantum yield, insufficient in vitro and in vivo stability, etc. Such particulates are now being developed for absorbance and emission in the near infrared region, which is expected to allow for real time and deep tissue imaging via optical routes.

Preservation of functional virus-specific memory CD8+ T lymphocytes in vaccinated, simian human immunodeficiency virus-infected rhesus monkeys.

Functional impairment of virus-specific memory CD8(+) T lymphocytes has been associated with clinical disease progression following HIV, SIV, and simian human immunodeficiency virus infection. These lymphocytes have a reduced capacity to produce antiviral cytokines and mediators involved in the lysis of virally infected cells. In the present study, we used polychromatic flow cytometry to assess the frequency and functional capacity of central memory (CD28(+)CD95(+)) and effector memory (CD28(-)CD95(+)) subpopulations of Gag-specific CD8(+) T cells in SIV/simian human immunodeficiency virus-infected rhesus monkeys.

Preoperative endovascular brain mapping for intraoperative volumetric image guidance: preliminary concept and feasibility in animal models.

Object: The authors describe a novel concept for brain mapping in which an endovascular approach is used, and they demonstrate its feasibility in animal models. The purpose of endovascular brain mapping is to delineate clearly the nonfunctional brain parenchyma when a craniotomy is performed for resection. The nonfunctional brain will be stained with sharp visual margins, differentiating it from the functional, nonstained brain.

Endovascular surgery for proximal posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms: an analysis of Glasgow Outcome Score by Hunt-Hess grades.

Objective: Proximal posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms represent a subset of posterior circulation aneurysms that can be routinely treated with either clipping or coiling. The literature contains limited numbers of patients with proximal PICA aneurysms treated with endovascular surgery. We report our experience with endovascular surgery of proximal PICA aneurysms with emphasis on patients with poor Hunt-Hess grades.

Systemic immunization with an ALVAC-HIV-1/protein boost vaccine strategy protects rhesus macaques from CD4+ T-cell loss and reduces both systemic and mucosal simian-human immunodeficiency virus SHIVKU2 RNA levels.

Transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) occurs primarily via the mucosal route, suggesting that HIV-1 vaccines may need to elicit mucosal immune responses. Here, we investigated the immunogenicity and relative efficacy of systemic immunization with two human ALVAC-HIV-1 recombinant vaccines expressing Gag, Pol, and gp120 (vCP250) or Gag, Pol, and gp160 (vCP1420) in a prime-boost protocol with their homologous vaccine native Env proteins. The relative efficacy was measured against a high-dose mucosal exposure to the pathogenic neutralization-resistant variant SHIV(KU2) (simian-human immunodeficiency virus).

Diastereoselective, titanium-mediated cyclization of omega-vinyl tethered imides.

[reaction: see text] Diastereoselective reductive coupling reactions of omega-vinyl tethered cyclic imides are achieved by a preexisting stereocenter at an allylic position. Particularly noteworthy is the effective use of a 1:2 mixture of Ti(O-i-Pr)4 and n-BuLi to afford the N-acylhemiaminal products in good yields.

Fluorescent nanoparticle probes for cancer imaging.

Optical imaging technique has strong potential for sensitive cancer diagnosis, particularly at the early stage of cancer development. This is a sensitive, non-invasive, non-ionizing (clinically safe) and relatively inexpensive technique. Cancer imaging with optical technique however greatly relies upon the use of sensitive and stable optical probes.

Syntheses and applications of Mn-doped II-VI semiconductor nanocrystals.

Luminescent Mn-doped II-VI semiconductor nanocrystals have been intensively investigated over the last ten years. Several semiconductor host materials such as ZnS, CdS, and ZnSe have been used for Mn-doped nanocrystals with different synthetic routes and surface passivation. Beyond studies of their fundamental properties including photoluminescence and size, these luminescent nanocrystals have now been tested for practical applications such as electroluminescent displays and biological labeling agents (biomarkers).

Folate conjugated fluorescent silica nanoparticles for labeling neoplastic cells.

We describe a novel technique of using fluorescent silica nanoparticles (FSNPs) to detect over-expressed folate receptors, as typical for certain malignancies (metastatic adenocarcinoma, pituitary adenoma and others). Using Stöber's method with some modification, 135 nm size FSNPs were synthesized by a hydrolysis and co-condensation reaction of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), fluorescein labeled (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTS) and a water-dispersible silane reagent, (3-trihydroxysilyl)propyl methylphosphonate (THPMP) in the presence of ammonium hydroxide catalyst. Folic acid (folate) was covalently attached to the amine modified FSNPs by a carbodiimide coupling reaction.

Rapid and effective labeling of brain tissue using TAT-conjugated CdS:Mn/ZnS quantum dots.

TAT (a cell penetrating peptide)-conjugated CdSratioMn/ZnS quantum dots (Qdots), intra-arterially delivered to a rat brain, rapidly (within a few minutes) labeled the brain tissue without manipulating the blood-brain-barrier (BBB). Qdot loading was sufficiently high that it allowed a gross fluorescent visualization of the whole rat brain using a low power hand-held UV lamp. Histological data clearly showed that TAT-conjugated Qdots migrated beyond the endothelial cell line and reached the brain parenchyma.

Finite element analysis of covered microstents.

Currently available neuroendovascular devices are inadequate for effective treatment of many wide-necked or fusiform intracranial aneurysms and intracranial carotid-cavernous fistulae (CCF). Placing a covered microstent across the intracranial aneurysm neck and CCF rent could restore normal vessel morphology by preventing blood flow into the aneurysm lumen or CCF rent. To fabricate covered microstents, our research group has developed highly flexible ultra thin (approximately 150 microm) silicone coverings and elastomerically captured them onto commercially available metal stents without stitching.

Replication-defective adenovirus serotype 5 vectors elicit durable cellular and humoral immune responses in nonhuman primates.

The magnitude and durability of immune responses induced by replication-defective adenovirus serotype 5 (ADV5) vector-based vaccines were evaluated in the simian-human immunodeficiency virus/rhesus monkey model. A single inoculation of recombinant ADV5 vector constructs induced cellular and humoral immunity, but the rapid generation of neutralizing anti-Ad5 antibodies limited the immunity induced by repeated vector administration. The magnitude and durability of the immune responses elicited by these vaccines were greater when they were delivered as boosting immunogens in plasmid DNA-primed monkeys than when they were used as single-modality immunogens.

Dysfunction of simian immunodeficiency virus/simian human immunodeficiency virus-induced IL-2 expression by central memory CD4+ T lymphocytes.

Production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma by CD4+ T lymphocytes is important for the maintenance of a functional immune system in infected individuals. In the present study, we assessed the cytokine production profiles of functionally distinct subsets of CD4+ T lymphocytes in rhesus monkeys infected with pathogenic or attenuated SIV/simian human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) isolates, and these responses were compared with those in vaccinated monkeys that were protected from immunodeficiency following pathogenic SHIV challenge. We observed that preserved central memory CD4+ T lymphocyte production of SIV/SHIV-induced IL-2 was associated with disease protection following primate lentivirus infection.

Vaccine-elicited memory cytotoxic T lymphocytes contribute to Mamu-A*01-associated control of simian/human immunodeficiency virus 89.6P replication in rhesus monkeys.

The expression of particular major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I alleles can influence the rate of disease progression following lentiviral infections. This effect is a presumed consequence of potent cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses that are restricted by these MHC class I molecules. The present studies have examined the impact of the MHC class I allele Mamu-A*01 on simian/human immunodeficiency virus 89.

Synthesis of water-dispersible fluorescent, radio-opaque, and paramagnetic CdS:Mn/ZnS quantum dots: a multifunctional probe for bioimaging.

Ultra-small (3.1 nm) multifunctional CdS:Mn/ZnS core-shell semiconductor quantum dots (Qdots), which possess fluorescent, radio-opacity, and paramagnetic properties, have been shown here. To demonstrate in vivo bioimaging capability, a rat was administered endovascularly with Qdots conjugated with a TAT peptide.

Commissioning of the NPDGamma Detector Array: Counting Statistics in Current Mode Operation and Parity Violation in the Capture of Cold Neutrons on B 4 C and (27) Al.

The NPDGamma γ-ray detector has been built to measure, with high accuracy, the size of the small parity-violating asymmetry in the angular distribution of gamma rays from the capture of polarized cold neutrons by protons. The high cold neutron flux at the Los Alamos Neutron Scattering Center (LANSCE) spallation neutron source and control of systematic errors require the use of current mode detection with vacuum photodiodes and low-noise solid-state preamplifiers. We show that the detector array operates at counting statistics and that the asymmetries due to B4C and (27)Al are zero to with- in 2 × 10(-6) and 7 × 10(-7), respectively.

Measurement of Parity Violation in np Capture: the NPDGamma Experiment.

The NPDGamma experiment will measure the parity-violating directional gamma ray asymmetry A γ in the reaction [Formula: see text]. Ultimately, this will constitute the first measurement in the neutron-proton system that is sensitive enough to challenge modern theories of nuclear parity violation, providing a theoretically clean determination of the weak pion-nucleon coupling. A new beam-line at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) delivers pulsed cold neutrons to the apparatus, where they are polarized by transmission through a large volume polarized (3)He spin filter and captured in a liquid para-hydrogen target.