Condensation of supersaturated n-butanol vapor on charged/neutral nanoparticles of D-mannose and L-rhamnose.

The effects of size, charge, and solubility on the condensation of supersaturated n-butanol vapor on monodisperse nanoparticles of D-mannose and L-rhamnose are investigated in a flow cloud chamber. The dependence of the critical supersaturation S(cr) on particle size in the range from 30 to 90 nm is determined experimentally. The results show that the experimental S(cr) decreases with increasing particle size and solubility, qualitatively in agreement with the prediction by the Volmer theory of nucleation on soluble particles and by the Kohler theory, but quantitatively smaller than both theoretical predictions.

Preferential induction of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 in CCSP-positive cells.

Both benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) are potent ligands of aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR). Although animal studies indicate that both compounds induce pathological changes in the peripheral lung, the specific cell type involved remains unclear. Clara cells, expressing Clara cell specific protein (CCSP) and abundant in cytochrome P450, are nonciliated bronchiolar epithelial cells in the peripheral lung.

Increased expression of cytochrome P4501B1 in peripheral leukocytes from lung cancer patients.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-regulated cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) and P4501B1 (CYP1B1) have been shown to metabolically activate some carcinogens. In the present study, we utilized the real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay to compare AhR, CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 mRNA levels in peripheral leukocytes from 42 lung cancer patients and 59 non-cancer subjects. We found that CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 levels, but not AhR, were significantly higher in patients than in non-cancer subjects.

Overexpression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in human lung carcinomas.

Exposure to polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) has been associated with increased risk of lung cancer. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is known to play an essential role in PAH-induced toxicity. The objectives of this study were to identify and evaluate AhR expression in normal human lung tissues and in lung carcinomas.

Increased (CTG/CAG)(n) lengths in myotonic dystrophy type 1 and Machado-Joseph disease genes in idiopathic azoospermia patients.

Background: An increase in CAG trinucleotide repeat length in the androgen receptor (AR) gene has been linked to idiopathic azoospermia.

Methods: In order to test whether other (CAG/CTG)(n) loci are also affected, the (CAG/CTG)(n) frequency distribution at myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) and spinocerebellar ataxia type 8 (SCA8) loci, in addition to the AR gene, was investigated in 48 azoospermia patients and 47 controls.

Results: The median CAG repeat length in the AR gene was significantly longer in azoospermia patients than in controls (23 versus 21, P < 0.