Jabuticaba‐Inspired Hybrid Carbon Filler/Polymer Electrode for Use in Highly Stretchable Aqueous Li‐Ion Batteries

Stretchable electronics are considered as next‐generation devices; however, to realize stretchable electronics, it is first necessary to develop a deformable energy device. Of the various components in energy devices, the fabrication of stretchable current collectors is crucial because they must be mechanically robust and have high electrical conductivity under deformation. In this study, the authors present a conductive polymer composite composed of Jabuticaba‐like hybrid carbon fillers containing carbon nanotubes and carbon black in a simple solution process. The hybrid carbon/polymer (HCP) composite is found to effectively retain its electrical conductivity, even when under high strain of ≈200%. To understand the behavior of conductive fillers in the polymer matrix when under mechanical strain, the authors investigate the microstructure of the composite using an in situ small‐angle X‐ray scattering analysis. The authors observe that the HCP produces efficient electrical pathways for filler interconnections upon stretching. The authors develop a stretchable aqueous rechargeable lithium‐ion battery (ARLB) that utilizes this HCP composite as a stretchable current collector. The ARLB exhibits excellent rate capability (≈90 mA h g^?1 at a rate of 20 C) and outstanding capacity retention of 93% after 500 cycles. Moreover, the stretchable ARLB is able to efficiently deliver power even when under 100% strain.     

The Development of A-ring Modified Analogues of Oestrone-3-O-sulphamate as Potent Steroid Sulphatase Inhibitors with Reduced Oestrogenicity

Steroid sulphatases regulate the formation of oestrogenic steroids which can support the growth of endocrine-dependent breast tumours. The development of potent steroid sulphatase inhibitors could therefore have considerable therapeutic potential. Several such inhibitors have now been developed of which the most potent to date is oestrone-3-O-sulphamate (EMATE). Unexpectedly, this inhibitor proved to be a potent oestrogen. In an attempt to reduce the oestrogenicity, whilst retaining the potent sulphatase inhibitory properties associated with this type of molecule, a number of A-ring modified derivatives were designed and synthesized. A-ring modified compounds included the 2-methoxy, 2/4-nitro, 2/4-n-propyl and 2/4-allyl EMATE analogues. The ability of these derivatives to inhibit oestrone sulphatase activity was examined using placental microsomes. The allyl-substituted EMATE derivatives were more potent inhibitors than the propyl analogues but were all considerably less potent than EMATE. In contrast, the 2-methoxy and 2/4-nitro analogues were potent sulphatase inhibitors with 4-nitro EMATE being 5 times more active than EMATE. The 4-nitro, 2-methoxy, 4-n-propyl and 4-allyl derivatives were also tested in vivo for their oestrogenicity and ability to inhibit sulphatase activity. While both 4-nitro and 2-methoxy EMATE were potent inhibitors in vivo, 2-methoxy EMATE had no stimulatory effect on uterine growth in ovariectomized rats. The identification of a potent steroid sulphatase inhibitor lacking any oestrogenicity, such as 2-methoxy EMATE, should be of considerable value in evaluating the potential of steroid sulphatase inhibition for breast cancer therapy.     

Chromosomal localization of the human alpha 1-antitrypsin gene (PI) to 14q31-32.

In situ hybridization of a recombinant cDNA probe containing the human alpha 1-antitrypsin gene to metaphase chromosomes demonstrated significant hybridization to chromosomal segment 14q31-32. A high percentage of cells analyzed (31%) displayed labeling on chromosome 14. Of all labeled sites on chromosome 14, 60% were found on segment 14q31-32. These results refine the previous assignment of the human alpha 1-antitrypsin gene to segment 14q24.1-32.1.     

In vitro evaluation of native entomopathogenic fungi and neem (Azadiractha indica) extracts on Spodoptera frugiperda

The control of Spodoptera frugiperda is based on synthetic insecticides, so some alternatives are the use of entomopathogenic fungi (EF) and neem extract. The objective of the study was to evaluate in vitro effectiveness of native EF and neem extracts on S. frugiperda larvae. Six EF were identified by DNA sequencing of ITS regions from three EF (Fusarium solani, Metarrhizium robertsii, Nigrospora spherica and Penicillium citrinum). They were evaluated in concentrations of 1 × 10⁸ spores/ mL. In addition, a second bioassay was carried out evaluating only F. solani, M. robertsii and N. sphaerica and the addition of vegetable oil. On the other hand, extraction of secondary metabolites from neem seed (Azadirachta indica) was carried out by performing, mass (g) and solvent volume (mL ethanol and water) combinations, which were subjected to microwaves and ultrasound. Subsequently, these extracts were evaluated in concentrations of 3%, 4% and 5%. A survival analysis was performed for each of the bioassays. With respect to the results of the first bioassay, F. solani obtained a probability of survival of 0.476 on the seventh day, while in the second bioassay, M. robertsii obtained 0.488 survival probability. This suggests that the expected percentage of larvae that stay alive on the sixth day is 48.8%. However, in the evaluation of the neem extract the combination 1:12/70% to 4% caused 84% mortality of larvae. The use of native HE and neem extracts has potential for the control of S. frugiperda.     

Genomic characterization ofCampylobacter jejuni by field inversion gel electrophoresis

The genome ofCampylobacter jejuni was characterized by field inversion gel electrophoresis (FIGE) after digestion with three rare-cutting restriction endonucleases. The restriction enzymesSac II (5-CCGCGG),Sal I (5-GTCGAC), andSma I (5-CCCGGG) were found to produce 13, 5, and 8 fragments respectively from theC. jejuni genome. The fragment sizes ranged from 1.6 kb to 1300 kb, which gaveC. jejuni a genome size of approximately 1900 kb. Furthermore, thegly A and rRNA genes ofC. jejuni were localized to specific fragments by use of Southern analysis, and thegly A gene was shown to be closely linked to one of the three rRNA genes.     

frizzled Gene expression and development of tissue polarity in the Drosophila wing

Almost every cell in the Drosophila pupal wing forms a single, distally pointing cuticular hair. The function of the frizzled (fz) gene is essential for the elaboration of the normal wing hair pattern. In the absence of fz function hairs develop, but they display an abnormal polarity. We have examined the developmental expression of the fi gene at the RNA level via in situ hybridization and at the protein level via Western blotting. We have found that fz is expressed in all regions of the epidermis before, during, and after the fz cold sensitive period. We have also found that fz function is not required for normal fi expression. We have further found that mutations in several other tissue polarity genes do not noticeably alter the expression or the modification state of the Fz protein. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Purification and biochemical characterization of a 17 kDa fibrinolytic enzyme from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schizophyllum commune</Emphasis>

A fibrinolytic enzyme of the mushroom, Schizophyllum commune was purified with chromatographic methods, including a DEAE-Sephadex A-50 ion-exchange column and gel filtrations with Sephadex G-75 and Sephadex G-50 columns. The analysis of fibrin-zymography and SDS-PAGE showed that the enzyme was a monomeric subunit that was estimated to be approximately 17 kDa in size. The fibrinolytic activity of the enzyme in plasminogen-rich and plasminogen-free fibrin plates was 1.25 and 0.44 U/ml, respectively. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified enzyme was identified as HYNIXNSWSSFID, which was highly distinguished from known fibrinolytic enzymes. The relative activity of the purified enzyme with an addition of 5 mM EDTA, Phosphoramidon, and Bestatin was about 76, 64, and 52%, respectively, indicating that it is a metalloprotease. The optimum temperature for the purified enzyme was approximately 45°C, and over 87% of the enzymatic activity was maintained as a stable state in a pH range from 4.0 to 6.0. Therefore, our results suggest that the potential thrombolytic agent from S. commune is a unique type of fibrinolytic enzyme.     

Enhancement of epidermal growth factor receptor expression on glioma cells by recombinant tumor necrosis factor α

Summary Recombinant tumor necrosis factor (rTNF; optimal dose 1000 U/ml) significantly increased the density of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) in three of four glioma cell lines in culture as determined by binding analysis of anti-EGF-R monoclonal antibody (mAb) 425. Since enhancement of EGF-R expression by rTNF- was inhibited when cells were treated with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, the effects of rTNF may be protein-synthesis-dependent. The dose of rTNF that was optimal for up-regulation of EGF-R on glioma cells did not inhibit the growth of these cells.¹²⁵I-labeled mAb 425 lysed glioma cells in culture following its internalization into the cells. After glioma cells had been treated with rTNF, the growth-inhibitory effects of the mAb were significantly enhanced, probably a reflection of the increase in EGF-R density on the tumor cell surfaces. The rTNF effects were specific to the EGF-R and did not affect unrelated glioma-associated antigens. In our previous clinical trials,¹²⁵I-labeled mAb 425 showed immunotherapeutic effects in glioma patients. The present study provides the basis for considerations of combined immunotherapy of glioma patients with¹²⁵I-labeled mAb 425 and rTNF.     

A new sulfated beta-galactan from clams with anti-HIV activity

A new polysaccharide composed of galactan sulfate with a beta-(1-->3)-glycosidic linkage has been isolated from the marine clam species Meretrix petechialis. The polysaccharide was homogeneous in its composition containing D-galactose. The glycosidic linkage was examined by 2D DQF-COSY and 2D NOESY spectroscopy. The coupling constant of anomeric proton was 7.8 Hz, suggesting a beta-galacto configuration. The downfield shift of H-2 of galactose residue demonstrated the presence of 2-O-sulfonate group. TQF-COSY confirmed that the C-6 position was substituted with a sulfonate group. The anti-HIV activity of the polysaccharides has been evaluated by the inhibition of syncytia formation. The fusion index and percentage fusion inhibition of sulfated galactan were 0.34 and 56% at 200 micrograms/mL.     

Dynamic Alterations to α-Actinin Accompanying Sarcomere Disassembly and Reassembly during Cardiomyocyte Mitosis

Although mammals are thought to lose their capacity to regenerate heart muscle shortly after birth, embryonic and neonatal cardiomyocytes in mammals are hyperplastic. During proliferation these cells need to selectively disassemble their myofibrils for successful cytokinesis. The mechanism of sarcomere disassembly is, however, not understood. To study this, we performed a series of immunofluorescence studies of multiple sarcomeric proteins in proliferating neonatal rat ventricular myocytes and correlated these observations with biochemical changes at different cell cycle stages. During myocyte mitosis, α-actinin and titin were disassembled as early as prometaphase. α-actinin (representing the sarcomeric Z-disk) disassembly precedes that of titin (M-line), suggesting that titin disassembly occurs secondary to the collapse of the Z-disk. Sarcomere disassembly was concurrent with the dissolution of the nuclear envelope. Inhibitors of several intracellular proteases could not block the disassembly of α-actinin or titin. There was a dramatic increase in both cytosolic (soluble) and sarcomeric α-actinin during mitosis, and cytosolic α-actinin exhibited decreased phosphorylation compared to sarcomeric α-actinin. Inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) induced the quick reassembly of the sarcomere. Sarcomere dis- and re-assembly in cardiomyocyte mitosis is CDK1-dependent and features dynamic differential post-translational modifications of sarcomeric and cytosolic α-actinin.