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At least 829 records · Page 46

Data Report on Post-Irradiation Dimensional Change of AGC-1 Samples

This report documents the measured post irradiation dimensional change in the AGC-1 samples. The AGC-1 capsule is the first in six planned irradiation capsules comprising the Advanced Graphite Creep (AGC) test series. AGC-1 irradiation began September 5, 2009 in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) and was completed on January 8, 2011. The capsule was cooled for 3 months in the ATR Canal, and then shipped to MFC in April 2011 for disassembly and sample extraction. After extraction the samples were shipped to the INL Research Center (IRC) for initial post-irradiation examination (PIE) and storage in the irradiated graphite vault. The AGC-1 capsule design contained “matched pair” samples to ascertain the irradiation-induced dimensional changes and levels of creep experienced in different graphite types. The irradiation-induced dimensional changes and creep levels are determined by comparing the total dimensional change for stressed and unstressed samples of the same type of graphite exposed to the same dose levels and at similar temperatures. Under irradiation creep (i.e. permanent strain due to irradiation, stress, and temperature) the stressed samples should demonstrate more dimensional change than the unstressed samples. This additional dimensional change in the stressed samples is designated as “irradiation-induced creep” in graphite. The data are further presented using the parameters influencing dimensional change in graphite; levels of induced stress, temperature, graphite type, and dose. However, the AGC-1 post-irradiation examination is a significant endeavor and this data report serves to provide irradiation-induced dimensional change data for AGC capsule design refinement as well as a status on the progress of the PIE activities. The dimensional changes of both the samples and graphite body are very important to the design of the future AGC capsules (AGC-3 through AGC-6) and are provided as soon as the data are available in order to determine whether design changes to the next capsule are required. A complete evaluation of the irradiation-induced dimensional change data will be performed for a final AGC-1 PIE report that will include full analysis of pre- and post-irradiation data, with verified AGC-1 irradiation conditions of temperature and dose.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Low concentration of 4-hydroxy hexenal increases heme oxygenase-1 expression through activation of Nrf2 and antioxidative activity in vascular endothelial cells

Research highlights: {yields} Low doses of 4-HHE and 4-HNE induce HO-1 expression in vascular endothelial cells. {yields} 4-HHE and 4-HNE increase the intranuclear expression and DNA binding of Nrf2. {yields} 4-HHE and 4-HNE-induced HO-1 expression depends on the activation of Nrf2. {yields} Pretreatment with 4-HHE and 4-HNE prevents oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity. -- Abstract: Large-scale clinical studies have shown that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids reduce cardiovascular events without improving classical risk factors for atherosclerosis. Recent studies have proposed that direct actions of n-3 PUFAs themselves, or of their enzymatic metabolites, have antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects on vascular cells. Although a recent study showed that plasma 4-hydroxy hexenal (4-HHE), a peroxidation product of n-3 PUFA, increased after supplementation of docosahexaenoic acid, the antiatherogenic effects of 4-HHE in vascular cells remain unclear. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that 4-HHE induces the antioxidative enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) through activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a master regulatory transcriptional factor, and prevents oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity in vascular endothelial cells. This mechanism could partly explain the cardioprotective effects of n-3 PUFAs. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were stimulated with 1-10 {mu}M 4-HHE or 4-hydroxy nonenal (4-HNE), a peroxidation product of n-6 PUFAs. Both 4-HHE and 4-HNE dose-dependently increased HO-1 mRNA and protein expression, and intranuclear expression and DNA binding of Nrf2 at 5 {mu}M. Small interfering RNA for Nrf2 significantly reduced 4-HHE- or 4-HNE-induced HO-1 mRNA and protein expression. Furthermore, pretreatment with 4-HHE or 4-HNE prevented tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced cytotoxicity. In conclusion, 4-HHE, a peroxidation product of n-3 PUFAs, stimulated expression of the antioxidant enzyme HO-1 through the activation of Nrf2 in vascular endothelial cells. This resulted in prevention of oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity, and may represent a possible mechanism to partly explain the cardioprotective effects of n-3 PUFAs.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

TIM-1 signaling in B cells regulates antibody production

Highlights: {yields} TIM-1 is highly expressed on anti-IgM + anti-CD40-stimulated B cells. {yields} Anti-TIM-1 mAb enhanced proliferation and Ig production on activated B cell in vitro. {yields} TIM-1 signaling regulates Ab production by response to TI-2 and TD antigens in vivo. -- Abstract: Members of the T cell Ig and mucin (TIM) family have recently been implicated in the control of T cell-mediated immune responses. In this study, we found TIM-1 expression on anti-IgM- or anti-CD40-stimulated splenic B cells, which was further up-regulated by the combination of anti-IgM and anti-CD40 Abs. On the other hand, TIM-1 ligand was constitutively expressed on B cells and inducible on anti-CD3{sup +} anti-CD28-stimulated CD4{sup +} T cells. In vitro stimulation of activated B cells by anti-TIM-1 mAb enhanced proliferation and expression of a plasma cell marker syndecan-1 (CD138). We further examined the effect of TIM-1 signaling on antibody production in vitro and in vivo. Higher levels of IgG2b and IgG3 secretion were detected in the culture supernatants of the anti-TIM-1-stimulated B cells as compared with the control IgG-stimulated B cells. When immunized with T-independent antigen TNP-Ficoll, TNP-specific IgG1, IgG2b, and IgG3 Abs were slightly increased in the anti-TIM-1-treated mice. When immunized with T-dependent antigen OVA, serum levels of OVA-specific IgG2b, IgG3, and IgE Abs were significantly increased in the anti-TIM-1-treated mice as compared with the control IgG-treated mice. These results suggest that TIM-1 signaling in B cells augments antibody production by enhancing B cell proliferation and differentiation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Cyclic stretch induces upregulation of endothelin-1 with keratinocytes in vitro: Possible role in mechanical stress-induced hyperpigmentation

Highlights: {yields} Influence of cyclic stretch on melanogenetic paracrine cytokines was investigated. {yields} Keratinocyte-derived endothelin-1 was upregulated with cyclic stretch. {yields} Degree of upregulation increases dose-dependently. {yields} This upregulation possibly plays a role in the pathogenesis of pigmented disorders. -- Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible pathological relation between mechanical stress and hyperpigmentation. We did this by investigating the influence of cyclic stretch on the expression of keratinocyte- and fibroblast-derived melanogenetic paracrine cytokines in vitro. Using primary human keratinocytes and fibroblasts, alterations of mRNA expression of melanogenetic paracrine cytokines due to cyclic stretch were investigated using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The cytokines included basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), stem cell factor (SCF), granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-1{alpha}, and endothelin-1 (ET-1) for keratinocytes and bFGF, SCF, and hepatocyte growth factor for fibroblasts. The dose dependence of keratinocyte-derived ET-1 upregulation was further investigated using real-time PCR and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We also investigated the effects of cyclic stretch on the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes. Among the melanogenetic paracrine cytokines investigated, keratinocyte-derived ET-1 was consistently upregulated in all four cell lines. The degree of upregulation increased with the degree of the length and frequency of the stretch; in contrast, cell number and differentiation markers showed no obvious alterations with cyclic stretch. Keratinocyte-derived ET-1 upregulation possibly plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of pigmented disorders, such as friction melanosis, caused by mechanical stress.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Baculovirus p35 gene is oppositely regulated by P53 and AP-1 like factors in Spodoptera frugiperda

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Baculovirus p35 is regulated by both viral and host factors. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Baculovirus p35 is negatively regulated by SfP53-like factor. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Baculovirus p35 is positively regulated by SfAP-1-like factor. -- Abstract: Baculovirus p35 belongs to the early class of genes of AcMNPV and requires viral factors like Immediate Early protein-1 for its transcription. To investigate the role of host factors in regulating p35 gene expression, the putative transcription factor binding sites were examined in silico and the role of these factors in influencing the transcription of p35 gene was assessed. We focused our studies on AP-1 and P53-like factors, which are activated under oxidative stress conditions. The AP-1 motif is located at -1401 while P53 motif is at -1912 relative to p35 translation start site. The predicted AP-1 and P53 elements formed specific complexes with Spodoptera frugiperda nuclear extracts. Both AP-1 and P53 motif binding proteins were down regulated as a function of AcMNPV infection in Spodoptera cells. To address the question whether during an oxidative outburst, the p35 transcription is enhanced; we investigated the role of these oxidative stress induced host transcription factors in influencing p35 gene transcription. Reporter assays revealed that AP-1 element enhances the transcription of p35 by a factor of two. Interestingly, P53 element appears to repress the transcription of p35 gene.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Repression of miR-17-5p with elevated expression of E2F-1 and c-MYC in non-metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma and enhancement of cell growth upon reversing this expression pattern

Highlights: •The oncogenic miR-17-5p is downregulated in non-metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma patients. •E2F-1 and c-MYC transcripts are upregulated in non-metastatic HCC patients. •miR-17-5p forced overexpression inhibited E2F-1 and c-MYC expression in HuH-7 cells. •miR-17-5p mimicking increased HuH-7 cell growth, proliferation, migration and colony formation. •miR-17-5p is responsible for HCC progression among the c-MYC/E2F-1/miR-17-5p triad members. -- Abstract: E2F-1, c-MYC, and miR-17-5p is a triad of two regulatory loops: a negative and a positive loop, where c-MYC induces the expression of E2F-1 that induces the expression of miR-17-5p which in turn reverses the expression of E2F-1 to close the loop. In this study, we investigated this triad for the first time in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), where miR-17-5p showed a significant down-regulation in 23 non-metastatic HCC biopsies compared to 10 healthy tissues; however, E2F-1 and c-MYC transcripts were markedly elevated. Forced over-expression of miR-17-5p in HuH-7 cells resulted in enhanced cell proliferation, growth, migration and clonogenicity with concomitant inhibition of E2F-1 and c-MYC transcripts expressions, while antagomirs of miR-17-5p reversed these events. In conclusion, this study revealed a unique pattern of expression for miR-17-5p in non-metastatic HCC patients in contrast to metastatic HCC patients. In addition we show that miR-17-5p is the key player among the triad that tumor growth and spread.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Nucleotide-dependent displacement and dynamics of the α-1 helix in kinesin revealed by site-directed spin labeling EPR

Highlights: •Dipolar EPR detects the distance between the spin-labeled kinesin α-1 and α-2 helices. •The distance has at least two populations: 1.5 nm (in crystal form: 20%) and >2.5 nm. •The short distance conformer was populated 40% in the apo state with microtubules. •ATP analog or ADP binding caused the 1.5 nm distance to be less populated (∼20%). •The α-1 helix moves closer to the neck-linker (away from α-2) to facilitate docking. -- Abstract: In kinesin X-ray crystal structures, the N-terminal region of the α-1 helix is adjacent to the adenine ring of the bound nucleotide, while the C-terminal region of the helix is near the neck-linker (NL). Here, we monitor the displacement of the α-1 helix within a kinesin monomer bound to microtubules (MTs) in the presence or absence of nucleotides using site-directed spin labeling EPR. Kinesin was doubly spin-labeled at the α-1 and α-2 helices, and the resulting EPR spectrum showed dipolar broadening. The inter-helix distance distribution showed that 20% of the spins have a peak characteristic of 1.4–1.7 nm separation, which is similar to what is predicted from the X-ray crystal structure, albeit 80% were beyond the sensitivity limit (>2.5 nm) of the method. Upon MT binding, the fraction of kinesin exhibiting an inter-helix distance of 1.4–1.7 nm in the presence of AMPPNP (a non-hydrolysable ATP analog) and ADP was 20% and 25%, respectively. In the absence of nucleotide, this fraction increased to 40–50%. These nucleotide-induced changes in the fraction of kinesin undergoing displacement of the α-1 helix were found to be related to the fraction in which the NL undocked from the motor core. It is therefore suggested that a shift in the α-1 helix conformational equilibrium occurs upon nucleotide binding and release, and this shift controls NL docking onto the motor core.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

EEN regulates the proliferation and survival of multiple myeloma cells by potentiating IGF-1 secretion

Highlights: • Levels of EEN expression paralleled with the rate of cell proliferation. • EEN was involved in the proliferation and survival of multiple myeloma (MM) cells. • EEN regulated the activity of IGF-1-Akt/mTOR pathway. • EEN regulated proliferation and survival of MM cells by enhancing IGF-1 secretion. - Abstract: The molecular mechanisms of multiple myeloma are not well defined. EEN is an endocytosis-regulating molecule. Here we report that EEN regulates the proliferation and survival of multiple myeloma cells, by regulating IGF-1 secretion. In the present study, we observed that EEN expression paralleled with cell proliferation, EEN accelerated cell proliferation, facilitated cell cycle transition from G1 to S phase by regulating cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) pathway, and delayed cell apoptosis via Bcl2/Bax-mitochondrial pathway. Mechanistically, we found that EEN was indispensable for insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) secretion and the activation of protein kinase B-mammalian target of rapamycin (Akt-mTOR) pathway. Exogenous IGF-1 overcame the phenotype of EEN depletion, while IGF-1 neutralization overcame that of EEN over-expression. Collectively, these data suggest that EEN may play a pivotal role in excessive cell proliferation and insufficient cell apoptosis of bone marrow plasma cells in multiple myeloma. Therefore, EEN may represent a potential diagnostic marker or therapeutic target for multiple myeloma.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Non-coding RNAs and heme oxygenase-1 in vaccinia virus infection

Highlights: • Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction inhibited vaccinia virus infection of macrophages. • Reduced infectivity inversely correlated with increased expression of non-coding RNAs. • The regulation of HO-1 and ncRNAs suggests a novel host defense response against vaccinia virus infection. - Abstract: Small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) are <200 nucleotide non-coding uridylate-rich RNAs. Although the functions of many snRNAs remain undetermined, a population of snRNAs is produced during the early phase of infection of cells by vaccinia virus. In the present study, we demonstrate a direct correlation between expression of the cytoprotective enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), suppression of selective snRNA expression, and inhibition of vaccinia virus infection of macrophages. Hemin induced HO-1 expression, completely reversed virus-induced host snRNA expression, and suppressed vaccinia virus infection. This involvement of specific virus-induced snRNAs and associated gene clusters suggests a novel HO-1-dependent host-defense pathway in poxvirus infection.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

GATA-1 directly regulates Nanog in mouse embryonic stem cells

Nanog safeguards pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Insight into the regulation of Nanog is important for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that control pluripotency of mESCs. In a silico analysis, we identify four GATA-1 putative binding sites in Nanog proximal promoter. The Nanog promoter activity can be significantly repressed by ectopic expression of GATA-1 evidenced by a promoter reporter assay. Mutation studies reveal that one of the four putative binding sites counts for GATA-1 repressing Nanog promoter activity. Direct binding of GATA-1 on Nanog proximal promoter is confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Our data provide new insights into the expanded regulatory circuitry that coordinates Nanog expression. - Highlights: • The Nanog proximal promoter conceives functional element for GATA-1. • GATA-1 occupies the Nanog proximal promoter in vitro and in vivo. • GATA-1 transcriptionally suppresses Nanog.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

In vivo and in vitro characterization of site-specific recombination of a novel serine integrase from the temperate phage EFC-1

EFC-1 integrase is a site-specific recombinase that belongs to the large family of serine recombinase. In previously study, we isolated the temperate phage EFC-1, and characterized its genomic sequence. Within its genome, Orf28 was predicted encode a 464 amino acid of a putative integrase gene. In this study, EFC-1 integrase was characterized in vitro and in vivo. In vitro assay was performed using purified His-tag fusion integrase. Also, to identify which serine is involved in the catalytic domain, we used site-directed mutagenesis and analyzed by a recombination assay in vitro. In vivo assay involved PCR and confocal microscopy in HEK293 cells, and determined the minimal lengths of attP and attB sites. According to our results, the EFC-1 integrase-mediated recombination was site-specific and unidirectional system in vitro and in vivo. Serine 21 of EFC-1 integrase plays a major role in the catalytic domain, and minimal sizes of attB and attP was defined 48 and 54 bp. Our finding may help develop a useful tool for gene therapy and gene delivery system. - Highlights: • EFC-1 integrase-mediated recombination was site-specific and unidirectional system. • Serine 21 of EFC-1 integrase plays a major role in the catalytic domain. • The functional minimal sizes of attB and attP was defined 48 and 54 bp.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome attenuates foam cell formation of THP-1 macrophages by suppressing ox-LDL uptake and promoting cholesterol efflux

Highlights: • NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition attenuates foam cell formation of THP-1 macrophages. • NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition diminishes ox-LDL uptake in THP-1 macrophages. • NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition promotes cholesterol efflux from THP-1 macrophages. • NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition downregulates CD36 expression. • NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition upregulates ABCA1 and SR-BI expression. The NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain–containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. The activated NLRP3 inflammasome has been reported to promote macrophage foam cell formation, but not all studies have obtained the same result, and how NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in the formation of foam cells remains elusive. We used selective NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors and NLRP3-deficient THP-1 cells to assess the effect of NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition on macrophage foam cell formation, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) uptake, esterification, and cholesterol efflux, as well as the expression of associated proteins. Inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome attenuated foam cell formation, diminished ox-LDL uptake, and promoted cholesterol efflux from THP-1 macrophages. Moreover, it downregulated CD36, acyl coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase-1 and neutral cholesterol ester hydrolase expression; upregulated ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) expression; but had no effect on the expression of scavenger receptor class A and ATP-binding cassette transporter G1. Collectively, our findings show that inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome decreases foam cell formation of THP-1 macrophages via suppression of ox-LDL uptake and enhancement of cholesterol efflux, which may be due to downregulation of CD36 expression and upregulation of ABCA1 and SR-BI expression, respectively.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Mitochondrial dynamics and protective effects of a mitochondrial division inhibitor, Mdivi-1, in lipopolysaccharide-induced brain damage

Highlights: • Mdivi-1 ameliorated brain damage in a lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis model. • Drp1 was up-regulated, while p-Drp1 and OPA1 were down-regulated in hippocampus. • The protective effect of Mdivi-1 could be associated with its inhibition of Drp1 and its activation of p-Drp1 and OPA1. Sepsis is one of the most common reasons for mortality in Intensive Care Units. As a common but severe neurological complication, sepsis associated encephalopathy (SAE) has always been ignored and there is no generally accepted treatment. In this study, we demonstrated that Mdivi-1 ameliorated brain damage assessed by Nissl staining. Furthermore, Mdivi-1 reduced TUNEL-positive cells in hippocampus, and inhibited S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) release into plasma. Biochemical analysis also showed that Mdivi-1 protected hippocampus from oxidative stresses. Western blot analysis revealed that Mdivi-1, as a Drp1 inhibitor, inhibited LPS induced dynamin-related GTPase (Drp1) increase. Interestingly, it can also attenuate LPS induced optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) and phosphorylated Drp1 (p-Drp1) decrease. Thus Mdivi-1 protected rats from SAE, and this protective effect could be associated with its inhibition of Drp1 and its activation of p-Drp1 and OPA1. Mitochondrial dynamics may be a potential pharmacological therapeutic target for treating SAE.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Bacterial metabolite S-equol modulates glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion from enteroendocrine L cell line GLUTag cells via actin polymerization

Highlights: • Receptors for S-equol were expressed in GLUTag cells. • S-equol increased the intracellular Ca{sup 2+} levels via G{sub q} signaling. • S-equol prevented GLP-1 secretion. • S-equol caused cortical actin reorganization via G{sub q} and G{sub 12/13} pathways. S-equol is one of gut bacterial metabolites produced from soybean isoflavone daizein. While S-equol is known to promote glucose-induced insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells, whether S-equol affects glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion from enteroendoceine L cells remains unclear. Here we assessed the effect of S-equol on GLP-1 secretion from mouse enteroendocrine L cell line GLUTag cells. GLUTag cells expressed GPR30 and estrogen receptors, which are putative S-equol receptors. Application of S-equol induced an increase in intracellular Ca{sup 2+} levels via GPR30. However, S-equol did not enhance GLP-1 exocytosis, and long-term treatment of S-equol suppressed GLP-1 secretion. Moreover, immunocytochemistry revealed that S-equol increased the density of cortical actin filaments via G{sub 12/13} signaling under GPR30. These data suggest that S-equol prevents GLP-1 secretion as a result of competing regulation between Ca{sup 2+} mobilization and actin reorganization.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Role of structural Fe in nontronite NAu-1 and dissolved Fe(II) in redox transformations of arsenic and antimony

Oxidation state is a major factor affecting the mobility of arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) in soil and aquatic systems. Metal (hydr)oxides and clay minerals are effective sorbents, and may also promote redox reactions on their surfaces via direct or indirect facilitation of electron transfer. Iron substituted for Al in the octahedral sites of aluminosilicate clay minerals has the potential to be in variable oxidation states and is a key constituent of electron transfer reactions in clay minerals. This experimental work was conducted to determine whether structural Fe in clays can affect the oxidation state of As and Sb adsorbed at the clay surface. Another goal of our study was to compare the reactivity of clay structural Fe(II) with systems containing Fe(II) present in dissolved/adsorbed forms. The experimental systems included batch reactors with various concentrations of As(III), Sb(III), As(V), or Sb(V) equilibrated with oxidized (NAu-1) or partially reduced (NAu-1-Red) nontronite, hydrous aluminum oxide (HAO) and kaolinite (KGa-1b) suspensions under oxic and anoxic conditions. The reaction times ranged from 0.5 to 720 h, and pH was constrained at 5.5 (for As) and at 5.5 or 8.0 (for Sb). The oxidation state of As and Sb in the liquid phase was determined by liquid chromatography in line with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, and in the solid phase by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Our findings show that structural Fe(II) in NAu-1-Red was not able to reduce As(V)/Sb(V) under the conditions examined, but reduction was seen when aqueous Fe(II) was present in the systems with kaolinite (KGa-1b) and nontronite (NAu-1). The ability of the structural Fe in nontronite clay NAu-1 to promote oxidation of As(III)/Sb(III) was greatly affected by its oxidation state: if all structural Fe was in the oxidized Fe(III) form, no oxidation was observed; however, when the clay was partially reduced ({approx}20% of structural Fe was reduced to Fe(II)), NAu-1-Red promoted the most extensive oxidation under both oxic and anoxic conditions. Electron balance considerations suggest that structural Fe(III) in the NAu-1-Red was the sole oxidant in the anoxic setup, while dissolved O{sub 2} also contributes in oxic conditions. Long-term batch experiments revealed the complex dynamics of As aqueous speciation in anoxic and oxic systems when reduced arsenic was initially added: rapid disappearance of As(III) was observed due to oxidation to As(V) followed by a slow increase of aqueous As(III). This behavior is explained by two reactions: fast initial oxidation of As(III) by structural Fe(III) (anoxic) or Fe(III) and dissolved O2 (oxic) followed by the slow reduction of As(V) by dissolved Fe(II). The resulting re-mobilization of As due to As(V) reduction by aqueous Fe(II) occurs on time scales on the order of days. These reactions are likely significant in a natural soil or aquifer environment with seasonal cycling or slightly reducing conditions with an abundance of clay minerals and dissolved Fe(II).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Galectin-1 Is an Independent Prognostic Factor for Local Recurrence and Survival After Definitive Radiation Therapy for Patients With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix

Purpose: To investigate the role of galectin-1 in patients with cervical cancer after definitive radiation therapy. Methods and Materials: We reviewed 154 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage I-II squamous cell carcinoma. Patients underwent curative-intent radiation therapy. Paraffin-embedded tissues were analyzed using immunohistochemistry staining for galectin-1. The rates of cancer-specific survival (CSS), local recurrence (LR), and distant metastasis were compared among patient tissue samples with no, weak, and strong galectin-1 expression. The Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazard model with hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used for univariate and multivariate analyses, respectively. Results: The areas under the curve for the intracellular expression scores of galectin-1 for both LR and CSS were significantly higher than those for stromal expression. There were no significant differences in the demographic data, such as stage and serum tumor markers, between patients with and without intracellular expression of galectin-1 in cancer tissue samples. Using multivariate analyses, the hazard ratios of LR and CSS were 2.60 (95% CI 1.50-4.52) (P=.001) and 1.94 (95% CI 1.18-3.19) (P=.010), respectively. Conclusion: Galectin-1 is an independent prognostic factor associated with LR and CSS in stage I-II cervical cancer patients undergoing definitive radiation therapy. Further studies targeting galectin-1 may improve the local control of cervical cancer.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Rotational Analysis of Bands in the High-Resolution Infrared Spectra of cis,cis- and trans,trans-1,4-difluorobutadiene-2-d1

Pure samples of cis,cis- and trans,trans-1,4-difluorobutadiene-2-d1 have been synthesized, and high-resolution (0.0015 cm-1) infrared spectra have been recorded for these nonpolar molecules in the gas phase. For the cis,cis isomer, the rotational structure in two C-type bands at 775 and 666 cm-1 and one A-type band at 866 cm-1 has been analyzed to yield a combined set of 2020 ground state combination differences (GSCDs). Ground state rotational constants fit to these GSCDs are A0 = 0.4195790(4), B0 = 0.0536508(8), and C0 = 0.0475802(9) cm-1. For the trans,trans isomer, three Ctype bands at 856, 839, and 709 cm-1 have been investigated to give a combined set of 1624 GSCDs. Resulting ground state rotational constants for this isomer are A0 = 0.9390117(8), B0 = 0.0389225(4), and C0 = 0.0373778(3) cm-1. Small inertial defects confirm the planarity of both isomers in the ground state. Upper state rotational constants have been determined for most of the transitions. The ground state rotational constants for the two isotopologues will contribute to the data set needed for determining semiexperimental equilibrium structures for the nonpolar isomers of 1,4- difluorobutadiene.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Crystal structures of the high temperature forms of V{sub 8}O{sub 15} and V{sub 9}O{sub 17} and structural trends in the V{sub n}O{sub 2n-1} Magneli series

We report the structure of the metallic high-temperature (ht) form of V{sub 9}O{sub 17}, determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction: space group=P-1 a=5.4219(7) A, b=7.0142(9) A, c=14.5252(19) A, {alpha}=97.0310(10) Degree-Sign , {beta}=90.9900(10) Degree-Sign , {gamma}=108.9630(10) Degree-Sign , V=517.53(12) A{sup 3}, and Z=2. We also report refinement of the structure of metallic ht-V{sub 8}O{sub 15}, space group=P-1, a=5.4315(17) A, b=7.015(2) A, c=13.147(5) A, {alpha}=100.144(4) Degree-Sign , {beta}=95.776(4) Degree-Sign , {gamma}=108.965(3) Degree-Sign , V=459.6(3) A{sup 3}, and Z=2. The structure of metallic V{sub 9}O{sub 17} is interpreted and discussed in the context of the V{sub n}O{sub 2n-1} Magneli phases, yielding trends about how the underlying forces contribute to the metal to insulator transition (MIT). The manner in which structural features of the metallic phases change as a function of n supports previous arguments that there is a turnover in the forces leading to the MIT between n=6 and n=8. - Graphical abstract: Left: The crystal structures of V{sub 8}O{sub 15} and V{sub 9}O{sub 17} shown in context of the crystallographic shear family V{sub n}O{sub 2n-1}. Right: The lattice parameters of V{sub n}O{sub 2n-1} as a function of n. The anamolous trend in b exhibits similar behavior as the metal to insulator (MIT) transition temperature (red). Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Crystal structures of the metallic forms of V{sub 8}O{sub 15} and V{sub 9}O{sub 17}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer General trends across the V{sub n}O{sub 2n-1} allow designation of two chain types in all phases. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Triclinic b lattice parameter varies anomalously with n, in V{sub n}O{sub 2n-1}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Trend in b matches the metal to insulator transition temperature trend.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗