Temperature- and energy-dependent phase shifts of resonant multiple-beam X-ray diffraction in germanium crystals.

This paper reports temperature- and energy-dependent phase shifts of resonant multiple-beam X-ray diffraction in germanium crystals, involving forbidden (002) and weak (222) reflections. Phase determination based on multiple-beam diffraction is employed to estimate phase shifts from (002)-based {(002)(375)(373̅)} four-beam cases and (222)-based { (222)(5̅33̅)} three-beam cases in the vicinity of the Ge K edge for temperatures from 20 K up to 300 K. The forbidden/weak reflections enhance the sensitivity of measuring phases at resonance.

A potent sphingomyelinase inhibitor from Cordyceps mycelia contributes its cytoprotective effect against oxidative stress in macrophages.

A novel water-soluble polysaccharide fraction, CME-1, with a molecular mass of 27.6 kDa and containing mannose and galactose in a respective ratio of 4:6, was prepared from Cordyceps sinensis mycelia and identified by NMR and GC-MS. In the current study, we examined whether CME-1 has anti-inflammatory effects in RAW264.

Peptidoglycan induces cyclooxygenase-2 expression in macrophages by activating the neutral sphingomyelinase-ceramide pathway.

The sphingomyelin signal transduction pathway is known to play a role in mediating the action of various cytokines. Herein, we examined the role of neutral sphingomyelinase (nSMase)/ceramide in peptidoglycan (PGN)-induced NF-kappaB activation and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in macrophages. PGN-induced COX-2 expression was attenuated by an nSMase inhibitor (3-O-methyl-sphingomyeline, 3-OMS) and ceramidase, but not by an acidic SMase inhibitor (imipramine).

Linoleic acid promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and maintains mitochondrial structure for prevention of streptozotocin damage in RIN-m5F cells.

Linoleic acid (LA) improves insulin resistance and prevents diabetes. To investigate whether linoleic acid could protect against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced cell death, rat RIN-m5F cells were exposed to STZ. SL and SO groups consisted of cells treated with STZ and then LA or oleic acid (OA) respectively.