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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 901 records · Page 50
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2023

Effects of Strain Rate and Surface Finish on Tensile Properties in High Pressure Hydrogen — A Case Study for LP-DED NASA HR-1

NASA has advanced NASA HR-1 as a solution for liquid rocket engine components that operate in hydrogen rich environments using various AM techniques. The NASA HR-1 for AM applications was specifically formulated for high ductility in high pressure gaseous hydrogen environment in addition to high strength and low cycle fatigue (LCF) resistance. NASA HR-1 meets materials requirements for liquid rocket engine components, including good hydrogen resistance, high conductivity, good LCF performance, and high elongation and strength for components in medium heat flux environments. NASA has completed fabrication of several subscale and full-scale channel wall nozzles in LP-DED NASA HR-1 and completed hot-fire testing. This includes refinement of the process to produce thin-walls and various channel geometries to meet the requirements for channel wall nozzle applications. The main objective of this investigation is to better understand the effects of tensile test strain rate and specimen surface finish on the amount of tensile ductility degradation in high pressure gaseous hydrogen environments. Performing smooth tensile tests in high pressure hydrogen and nitrogen environments can serve as a rapid and economical screening method to determine the relative susceptibility of materials to HEE. This paper presents the tensile test results for LP-DED NASA HR-1 in hydrogen and details the material evaluation on the effects of strain rate and surface finish condition on surface cracking behavior and fracture characteristics. The resistance to HEE for LP-DED NASA HR-1 and the wrought alloy is compared under the same testing conditions. Loss of tensile ductility is quantified in terms of changes in elongation at failure in hydrogen to compare HEE susceptibility. The most suitable strain rate and specimen surface finish condition for future HEE screening testing at MSFC are recommended.

Additive manufacturing↗
DOE OSTI2022

Removal of Bond Sodium from Full-Length Unirradiated Fermi-1 Blanket Elements and Assembly via Melt-Drain-Evaporate Process

Equipment was designed, fabricated, tested, and operated in an inert atmosphere radiological glovebox at Idaho National Laboratory to demonstrate the removal of bond sodium from full-length unirradiated Fermi-1 radial blanket elements and an entire radial blanket assembly using a Melt-Drain-Evaporate process. A series of three runs was performed with individual and multiple radial Fermi-1 blanket elements, and a fourth run was conducted with an entire Fermi-1 radial blanket assembly. After each run, the depleted uranium alloy slugs in every element slid out of its cladding, mechanically exhibiting the effectual absence of bond sodium. Quantitative and further qualitative analyses of the treated Fermi-1 material revealed the substantive, if not complete, absence of sodium metal in blanket element components. Indeed, entire columns of depleted uranium alloy slugs and associated cladding from select treated elements were separately contacted with water to react with residual sodium metal on the element surfaces, forming hydrogen gas. Samples of the resultant gas were analyzed to quantify the hydrogen concentration, which correlated to a residual sodium metal content for the treated element. Accordingly, no detectable sodium metal (<7 µg) was found on the surfaces of multiple depleted uranium alloy slugs after removal from its cladding. Detectable sodium metal, ranging from 14 to 30 µg, was found on the surfaces of one separated column of slugs and two separated full-length cladding segments. Each element originally contained ~25 g of bond sodium, resulting in quantitative sodium metal removal efficiencies of =99.9998%. The remaining separated uranium alloy slugs and cladding segments from the four runs were piece-wise immersed in alcohol while videorecording possible gas bubble formation as an additional qualitative analysis for residual sodium metal on treated surfaces, which identified the predominant absence of sodium reactivity on the balance of treated Fermi-1 blanket material. The results of this demonstration substantiate a path forward for treatment and disposal of 34 metric tons heavy metal of irradiated sodium-bonded Fermi-1 blanket material currently stored at Idaho National Laboratory.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Successes and Lessons Learned in the Design, Construction and Use of a Tool for Sampling the WR-1 Reactor Core - 1900z

Whiteshell Laboratories, located in Manitoba, Canada, provided research facilities for the Canadian nuclear industry since the early 1960's. The facility was centered on an organically cooled, heavy water moderated nuclear reactor in the world, Whiteshell Reactor 1 (WR-1). WR-1 was safely shut down in 1985, de-fueled and drained, and has been in a safe Storage with Surveillance (Deferred Decommissioning) state until present day. In support of an Environmental Assessment for proposed In Situ Decommissioning of WR-1, detailed characterization information regarding the reactor core components (calandria, calandria tubes, pressure tubes) was necessary to verify inventory estimates and neutron activation models produced circa 1992. The Fuel Channels of WR-1 (pressure tubes) were expected to be the most activated components of the reactor core, and to account for about 60% of the reactor core inventory. The interior surface of the fuel channel is also the most readily accessible surface within the reactor core. As such the decision was made to collect a sample of one of each of 3 Fuel Channel material types (Stainless Steel, Zr-2.5Nb, Ozhenite) for comparison to modelled estimates of neutron activation of various core materials. The expected dose rates from the samples were between 5 and 100 mSv (500-10,000 mrem) on contact based on a 200 mg sample. Sampling the Fuel Channels required verification the Fuel Channel was drained of organic coolant, removal of residual organic coolant from the Fuel Channel wall, removal of material from the interior surface of the Fuel Channel at the centerline of flux (∼25' below the operator position), and extraction of that material from the core. Several options for existing tooling and technologies, including hydraulic scrapers, and horizontal drill technologies, were looked at for their applicability to WR-1. While suitable approaches to higher radiation field sample collection, they were overly complex, costly and time consuming for the configuration at WR-1. In an effort to reduce costs, and to simplify the sampling process, a specialized and simple tool was developed to mechanically scrape a small sample of the interior wall of the Fuel Channels, collect the sample into a vial, and remove the sample from the core for analysis. The tool was designed, constructed, tested and implemented in the field entirely by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Staff. The tool required no powered components, or electronic guidance or measurements; and was designed and constructed for a fraction of the cost of other commercially available technologies for sample collection within reactor cores. The samples were successfully collected without any injuries, contamination events or equipment failures. The tool remains operational in the event additional sampling is required. This paper provides additional details of the design, construction, testing and use of the tool and the successes and lessons learned during the various stages of design and implementation. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2012

Heterologous expression of C. elegans fat-1 decreases the n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio and inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Expression of C. elegans fat-1 reduces the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in 3T3-L1 cells. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer fat-1 inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer fat-1 reduces lipid deposition in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The lower n-6/n-3 ratio induces apoptosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. -- Abstract: In general, a diet enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) inhibits the development of obesity and decreases adipose tissue. The specific impacts of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs on adipogenesis, however, have not been definitively determined. Traditional in vivo and in vitro supplementation studies have yielded inconsistent or even contradictory results, which likely reflect insufficiently controlled experimental systems. Caenorhabditiselegans fat-1 gene encodes an n-3 fatty acid desaturase, and its heterologous expression represents an effective method both for altering the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio and for evaluating the biological effects of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs. We sought to determine whether a reduced n-6/n-3 ratio could influence adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Lentivirus-mediated introduction of the fat-1 gene into 3T3-L1 preadipocytes significantly reduced the n-6/n-3 ratio and inhibited preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation. In mature adipocytes, fat-1 expression reduced lipid deposition, as measured by Oil Red O staining, and induced apoptosis. Our results indicate that a reduced n-6/n-3 ratio inhibits adipogenesis through several mechanisms and that n-3 PUFAs more effectively inhibit adipogenesis (but not lipogenesis) than do n-6 PUFAs.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Overexpression of ERβ is sufficient to inhibit hypoxia-inducible factor-1 transactivation

Highlights: • We examined the effect of ERβ specific ligand on HIF-1 inhibition. • DPN down-regulates the ARNT protein levels in PC3 cells. • DPN did not show additional effect in ERβ transfected MCF-7 cells. • Our study shows that unliganded ERβ is sufficient to inhibit HIF-1 in systems of overexpression. - Abstract: Estrogen receptor (ER) β is predicted to play an important role in the prevention of breast cancer development and progression. We have previously shown that ERβ suppresses hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1-mediated transcription through aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) degradation via ubiquitination processes. In this study, we attempted to examine the effect of ERβ specific ligand on HIF-1 inhibition in ERβ positive PC3 cells and ERβ transfected MCF-7 cells. ERβ specific agonist diarylpropionitrile (DPN) stimulated estrogen response element (ERE)-luciferase activity in a similar fashion to estradiol in PC3 cells. We observed that DPN down-regulates the ARNT protein levels leading to an attenuation of hypoxia-induced hypoxia response element (HRE)-driven luciferase reporter gene activation in PC3 cells. Treatment of DPN reduced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and co-treatment with ERβ specific antagonist PHTPP abrogated the effect in PC3 cells. We then examined the effect of DPN in ERβ transfected MCF-7 cells. HIF-1 transcriptional activity repression by ERβ was not further reduced by DPN, as examined by HRE-driven luciferase assays. Expression of ERβ significantly decreased VEGF secretion and ARNT expression under hypoxic conditions. However, DPN did not additionally affect this suppression in MCF-7 cells transfected with ERβ. This result shows that unliganded ERβ is sufficient to inhibit HIF-1 in systems of overexpression.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Fenoterol inhibits LPS-induced AMPK activation and inflammatory cytokine production through β-arrestin-2 in THP-1 cell line

The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway is involved in regulating inflammation in several cell lines. We reported that fenoterol, a β{sub 2}-adrenergic receptor (β{sub 2}-AR) agonist, had anti-inflammatory effects in THP-1 cells, a monocytic cell line. Whether the fenoterol anti-inflammatory effect involves the AMPK pathway is unknown. In this study, we explored the mechanism of β{sub 2}-AR stimulation with fenoterol in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory cytokine secretion in THP-1 cells. We studied whether fenoterol and β-arrestin-2 or AMPKα1 subunit knockdown could affect LPS-induced AMPK activation, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation and inflammatory cytokine secretion. LPS-induced AMPK activation and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) release were reduced with fenoterol pretreatment of THP-1 cells. SiRNA knockdown of β-arrestin-2 abolished the fenoterol inhibition of LPS-induced AMPK activation and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) release, thus β-arrestin-2 mediated the anti-inflammatory effects of fenoterol on LPS-treated THP-1 cells. In addition, siRNA knockdown of AMPKα1 significantly attenuated the LPS-induced NF-κB activation and IL-1β release, so AMPKα1 was a key signaling molecule involved in LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine production. These results suggested the β{sub 2}-AR agonist fenoterol inhibited LPS-induced AMPK activation and IL-1β release via β-arrestin-2 in THP-1 cells. The exploration of these mechanisms may help optimize therapeutic agents targeting these pathways in inflammatory diseases. - Highlights: • β{sub 2}-AR agonist fenoterol exerts its protective effect on LPS-treated THP-1 cells. • Fenoterol inhibits LPS-induced AMPK activation and IL-1β production. • β-arrestin2 mediates fenoterol-inhibited AMPK activation and IL-1β release. • AMPKα1 is involved in LPS-induced NF-κB activation and IL-1β production.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Structural basis for multi-specific peptide recognition by the anti-IDH1/2 monoclonal antibody, MsMab-1

A point mutation in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and IDH2 is directly linked to the pathogenesis of certain types of tumors. To detect this mutation, several antibodies that can distinguish between mutant and wild-type enzymes have been established. One of which, MsMab-1, has a unique multi-specific character against several types of mutated IDH1/2. This promiscuous character is in remarkable contrast to the highly specific antigen recognition typically observed with a monoclonal antibody. We solved the crystal structure of MsMab-1 Fab fragment in complex with either IDH1 or IDH2-derived peptides. Based on the structure, it became clear that the peptide-binding pocket of the antibody is highly complementary to the core determinant shared between the IDH1 and IDH2, while leaving just enough space for the side chain of the pathogenic but not the wild-type amino acids located in the mutation position. Clarification of the molecular basis for the peculiar binding characteristics of MsMab-1 in atomic detail will help facilitating its diagnostic application, and may be used to develop better diagnostic reagents through structure-guided protein engineering. - Highlights: • Mutations of IDH1 and IDH2 correlates with the pathogeny of a part of brain tumor. • A monoclonal antibody MsMab-1 recognizes several mutated sequences of IDH1 and IDH2. • MsMab-1 has high potential in diagnostic applications for brain tumors. • Crystal structures reveal the molecular basis of the multi-specificity of MsMab-1.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

CD40 agonist converting CTL exhaustion via the activation of the mTORC1 pathway enhances PD-1 antagonist action in rescuing exhausted CTLs in chronic infection

Expansion of PD-1-expressing CD8{sup +} cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and associated CTL exhaustion are chief issues for ineffective virus-elimination in chronic infectious diseases. PD-1 blockade using antagonistic anti-PD-L1 antibodies results in a moderate conversion of CTL exhaustion. We previously demonstrated that CD40L signaling of ovalbumin (OVA)-specific vaccine, OVA-Texo, converts CTL exhaustion via the activation of the mTORC1 pathway in OVA-expressing adenovirus (AdVova)-infected B6 mice showing CTL inflation and exhaustion. Here, we developed AdVova-infected B6 and transgenic CD11c-DTR (termed AdVova-B6 and AdVova-CD11c-DTR) mice with chronic infection, and assessed a potential effect of CD40 agonist on the conversion of CTL exhaustion and on a potential enhancement of PD-1 antagonist action in rescuing exhausted CTLs in our chronic infection models. We demonstrate that a single dose of anti-CD40 alone can effectively convert CTL exhaustion by activating the mTORC1 pathway, leading to CTL proliferation, up-regulation of an effector-cytokine IFN-γ and the cytolytic effect in AdVova-B6 mice. Using anti-CD4 antibody and diphtheria toxin (DT) to deplete CD4{sup +} T-cells and dendritic cells (DCs), we discovered that the CD40 agonist-induced conversion in AdVova-B6 and AdVova-CD11c-DTR mice is dependent upon host CD4{sup +} T-cell and DC involvements. Moreover, CD40 agonist significantly enhances PD-1 antagonist effectiveness in rescuing exhausted CTLs in chronic infection. Taken together, our data demonstrate the importance of CD40 signaling in the conversion of CTL exhaustion and its ability to enhance PD-1 antagonist action in rescuing exhausted CTLs in chronic infection. Therefore, our findings may positively impact the design of new therapeutic strategies for chronic infectious diseases. - Highlights: • Anti-CD40 agonistic Ab can convert CTL exhaustion in chronically infected mice. • The conversion relies on the activation of the mTORC1 pathway in exhausted CTLs. • The conversion depends on the involvement of host DCs and CD4{sup +} T cells. • Anti-CD40 Ab enhances the effect of PD-1 blockade in rescuing CTL exhaustion.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Effect of calcium carbonate particle shape on phagocytosis and pro-inflammatory response in differentiated THP-1 macrophages

Phagocytosis is a physiological process used by immune cells such as macrophages to actively ingest and destroy foreign pathogens and particles. It is the cellular process that leads to the failure of drug delivery carriers because the drug carriers are cleared by immune cells before reaching their target. Therefore, clarifying the mechanism of particle phagocytosis would have a significant implication for both fundamental understanding and biomedical engineering. As far as we know, the effect of particle shape on biological response has not been fully investigated. In the present study, we investigated the particle shape-dependent cellular uptake and biological response of differentiated THP-1 macrophages by using calcium carbonate (CaCO{sub 3})-based particles as a model. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that the high uptake of needle-shaped CaCO{sub 3} particles by THP-1 macrophages because of their high phagocytic activity. In addition, the THP-1 macrophages exposed to needle-shaped CaCO{sub 3} accumulated a large amount of calcium in the intracellular matrix. The enhanced release of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) by the THP-1 macrophages suggested that the needle-shaped CaCO{sub 3} particles trigger a pro-inflammatory response. In contrast, no pro-inflammatory response was induced in undifferentiated THP-1 monocytes exposed to either needle- or cuboidal-shaped CaCO{sub 3} particles, probably because of their low phagocytic activity. We also found that phosphate-coated particles efficiently repressed cellular uptake and the resulting pro-inflammatory response in both THP-1 macrophages and primary peritoneal macrophages. Our results indicate that the pro-inflammatory response of macrophages upon exposure to CaCO{sub 3} particles is shape- and surface property-dependent, and is mediated by the intracellular accumulation of calcium ions released from phagocytosed CaCO{sub 3} particles. - Highlights: • Needle-shaped CaCO{sub 3} particles are phagocytized by macrophages. • Needle-shaped CaCO{sub 3} particles induce intracellular accumulation of calcium ions. • Needle-shaped CaCO{sub 3} particles induce pro-inflammatory responses. • Surface-coating with phosphate decreases adverse effects on macrophages.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Activation of TLR3 and its adaptor TICAM-1 increases miR-21 levels in extracellular vesicles released from human cells

Highlights: • Activation of TLR3 increases miR-21 levels in extracellular vesicles. • TLR3 requires TICAM-1 adaptor to increase miR-21 levels in extracellular vesicles. • YBX-1 is involved in TLR3-mediated increase of miR-21 levels. Pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) recognizes viral RNAs and trigger the innate immune responses. Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), a PRR, recognizes viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in endolysosomes, whereas cytoplasmic dsRNA is sensed by another PRR, MDA5. TLR3 and MDA5 utilize TICAM-1 and MAVS, respectively, to trigger the signal for inducing innate immune responses. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) include the exosomes and microvesicles; an accumulating body of evidence has shown that EVs delivers functional RNA, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), to other cells and thus mediate intercellular communications. Therefore, EVs carrying miRNAs affect innate immune responses in macrophages and dendritic cells. However, the mechanism underlying the regulation of miRNA levels in EVs remains unclear. To elucidate the mechanism, we sought to reveal the pathway that control miRNA expression levels in EVs. Here, we found that TLR3 stimulation increased miR-21 levels in EVs released from various types of human cells. Ectopic expression of the TLR3 adaptor, TICAM-1, increased miR-21 levels in EVs but not intracellular miR-21 levels, suggesting that TICAM-1 augmented sorting of miR-21 to EVs. In contrast, the MDA5 adaptor, MAVS, did not increase miR-21 levels in EVs. The siRNA for TICAM-1 reduced EV miR-21 levels after stimulation of TLR3. Collectively, our data indicate a novel role of the TLR3-TICAM-1 pathway in controlling miR-21 levels in EVs.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Developmental endothelial locus-1 prevents development of peritoneal adhesions in mice

Postoperative peritoneal adhesions, fibrous bands formed in the peritoneal cavity following surgery, represent a common, challenging and costly problem faced by surgeons and patients, for which effective therapeutic options are lacking. Since aberrant inflammation is one of the key mechanisms underlying peritoneal adhesion formation, here we set out to study the role of developmental endothelial locus-1 (Del-1), which has been recently identified as an endogenous inhibitor of inflammation, in the formation of postoperative peritoneal adhesions using a mouse model of peritoneal adhesions induced by ischemic buttons. Del-1-deficient mice had a higher incidence of adhesions, and their adhesions had higher quality and tenacity scores. Del-1 deficiency also led to enhanced inflammation mediators and collagen production. Finally, Del-1 supplementation decreased the incidence and severity of postoperative peritoneal adhesions. Taken together, these results indicate a protective role for Del-1 in postoperative peritoneal adhesion formation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Fibronectin Type III Domain Containing 4 attenuates hyperlipidemia-induced insulin resistance via suppression of inflammation and ER stress through HO-1 expression in adipocytes

Although Fibronectin Type III Domain Containing 4 (FNDC4) has been reported to be involved in the modulation of inflammation in macrophages, its effects on inflammation and insulin resistance in adipose tissue are unknown. In the current study, we investigated the effects of FNDC4 on hyperlipidemia-mediated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance in adipocytes via the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)-mediated pathway. Hyperlipidemia-induced nuclear factor κB (NFκB), inhibitory κBα (IκBα) phosphorylation, and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and MCP-1 were markedly mitigated by FNDC4. Furthermore, FNDC4 treatment attenuated impaired insulin signaling in palmitate-treated differentiated 3T3-L1 cells and in subcutaneous adipose tissue of HFD-fed mice. FNDC4 administration ameliorated glucose intolerance and reduced HFD-induced body weight gain in mice. However, FNDC4 treatment did not affect calorie intake. Additionally, treatment with FNDC4 attenuated hyperlipidemia-induced phosphorylation or expression of ER stress markers such as IRE-1, eIF2α, and CHOP in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and in subcutaneous adipose tissue of mice. FNDC4 treatment stimulated AMPK phosphorylation and HO-1 expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and in subcutaneous adipose tissue of mice. siRNA-mediated suppression of AMPK and HO-1 abrogated the suppressive effects of FNDC4 on palmitate-induced ER stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance. In conclusion, our results show that FNDC4 ameliorates insulin resistance via AMPK/HO-1-mediated suppression of inflammation and ER stress, indicating that FNDC4 may be a novel therapeutic agent for treating insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Necrostatin-1 ameliorates adjuvant arthritis rat articular chondrocyte injury via inhibiting ASIC1a-mediated necroptosis

Necroptosis, a necrotic cell death pathway regulated by receptor interacting protein (RIP) 1 and 3, plays a key role in pathophysiological processes, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, whether necroptosis is involved in RA articular cartilage damage processes remain unclear. The aim of present study was to investigate the dynamic changes in arthritic chondrocyte necroptosis and the effect of RIP1 inhibitor necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) and acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) inhibitor amiloride on arthritic cartilage injury and acid-induced chondrocyte necroptosis. Our results demonstrated that the expression of RIP1, RIP3 and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein phosphorylation (p-MLKL) were increased in adjuvant arthritis (AA) rat articular cartilage in vivo and acid-induced chondrocytes in vitro. High co-expression of ASIC1a and RIP1 showed in AA rat articular cartilage. Moreover, Nec-1 and amiloride could reduce articular cartilage damage and necroinflammation in AA rats. In addition, acid-induced increase in necroptosis markers RIP1/RIP3 were inhibited by Nec-1, ASIC1a-specific blocker psalmotoxin-1 (PcTx-1) or ASIC1a-short hairpin RNA respectively, which revealed that necroptosis is triggered in acid-induced chondrocytes and mediated by ASIC1a. These findings indicated that blocking ASIC1a-mediated chondrocyte necroptosis may provide potential therapeutic strategies for RA treatment.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Sterol regulatory element binding protein-1: Molecular cloning, tissue distribution and gene expression level in response to nutritional regulation in mud crab, Scylla paramamosain

Highlights: • The complete SREBP-1 cDNA sequence was cloned from the hepatopancreas of mud crab based on the RACE technology. • Tissue distribution analysis revealed that SREBP-1 transcripts were widely distributed in various organs, with higher mRNA levels in the eyestalk and cranial ganglia. • The expression level of SREBP-1 mRNA were up-regulated in proportion to the replacement of dietary fish oil with soybean oil. In the present study, SREBP-1 cDNA was cloned from the hepatopancreas of mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) and characterized by performing rapid-amplification of cDNA ends. The 3361bp long full-length cDNA encodes a polypeptide with 1039 amino acids. Tissue distribution analysis revealed that SREBP-1 transcripts were widely distributed in various organs, with higher mRNA levels in the eyestalk and cranial ganglia. Further, expression level of SREBP-1 mRNA were up-regulated in proportion to the replacement of dietary fish oil (FO) with soybean oil (SO). These results may contribute to better understanding of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) biosynthetic pathway and regulation mechanism in mud crab.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Environmental exposure to arsenic and chromium in children is associated with kidney injury molecule-1

Environmental hazards from natural or anthropological sources are widespread, especially in the north-central region of Mexico. Children represent a susceptible population due to their unique routes of exposure and special vulnerabilities. In this study we evaluated the association of exposure to environmental kidney toxicants with kidney injury biomarkers in children living in San Luis Potosi (SLP), Mexico. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 83 children (5–12 years of age) residents of Villa de Reyes, SLP. Exposure to arsenic, cadmium, chromium, fluoride and lead was assessed in urine, blood and drinking water samples. Almost all tap and well water samples had levels of arsenic (81.5%) and fluoride (100%) above the permissible levels recommended by the World Health Organization. Mean urine arsenic (45.6 ppb) and chromium (61.7 ppb) were higher than the biological exposure index, a reference value in occupational settings. Using multivariate adjusted models, we found a dose-dependent association between kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) across chromium exposure tertiles [(T1: reference, T2: 467 pg/mL; T3: 615 pg/mL) (p-trend=0.001)]. Chromium upper tertile was also associated with higher urinary miR-200c (500 copies/μl) and miR-423 (189 copies/μL). Arsenic upper tertile was also associated with higher urinary KIM-1 (372 pg/mL). Other kidney injury/functional biomarkers such as serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate, albuminuria, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and miR-21 did not show any association with arsenic, chromium or any of the other toxicants evaluated. We conclude that KIM-1 might serve as a sensitive biomarker to screen children for kidney damage induced by environmental toxic agents. - Highlights: • Children living in Mexico had exceedingly high arsenic and chromium exposure. • Arsenic and chromium exposure was significantly associated with urinary KIM-1. • KIM-1 might serve as a sensitive biomarker to evaluate kidney injury in children.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2012

Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy in Prostate Cancer Patients: Rise in Interleukin 6 (IL-6) but not IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, Tumor Necrosis Factor-{alpha}, MIP-1-{alpha}, and LIF Levels

Purpose: To investigate the effect of radiotherapy (RT) on serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-{alpha}), macrophage inflammatory protein-1-alpha (MIP-1-{alpha}) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in patients with prostate cancer. Methods and Materials: Forty eight patients with prostate cancer received three-dimensional conformal blocking radiation therapy with a linear accelerator. IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, TNF-{alpha}, MIP-1-{alpha}, and LIF levels were measured by the related immunoassay kit 1 day before the beginning of RT and during RT at days 15 and 30. Results: The mean IL-2 values were elevated before and during the RT in contrast with those of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, TNF-{alpha}, MIP-1-{alpha}, and LIF, which were within the normal range under the same conditions. Regarding markers IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, TNF-{alpha}, MIP-1-{alpha}, and LIF, comparisons among the three groups (before treatment and 15 and 30 days during RT) did not show significant differences. Although values were within the normal range, there was a significant rise in IL-6 levels at day 15 of RT (p = 0.0049) and a decline at day 30 to levels that were similar to those observed before RT. Conclusions: IL-6 appeared to peak after 15 days of RT before returning to pre-RT levels. In contrast, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, TNF-{alpha}, MIP-1-{alpha}, and LIF levels were not sensitive to irradiation. The increased levels of IL-6 following RT without the concurrent elevation of other cytokines involved in the acute phase reaction did not suggest a classical inflammatory response to radiation exposure. Further studies should be designed to elucidate the role of IL-6 levels in patients with prostate cancer treated with RT.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Ro-vibrational Spectroscopy of 2,5-Norbornadiene between 400 and 850 cm-1

Rotationally-resolved infrared absorption spectra of the two lowest-energy fundamental bands for each of the three infrared active symmetry species of 2,5-norbornadiene (C2v point group symmetry; asymmetry parameter ? = -0.2203), ?11 (a1), ?12(a1), ?28(b1), ?29(b1), ?38(b2), and ?39(b2), have been measured, assigned and fit to a semi-rigid rotor Hamiltonian to produce a set of spectroscopic constants for each band. The fit band centers are ?11 (a1), c-type transitions, 728.852357(3) cm-1; ?12 (a1), c-type transitions, 417.31604(1) cm-1; ?28 (b1), a-type transitions, 656.719741(3) cm-1; ?29 (b1), a-type transitions, 500.31425(1) cm-1; ?38 (b2), b-type transitions, 800.82243(2) cm-1; and ?39 (b2), b-type transitions, 539.23110(6) cm-1. Using ground state combination differences from the ?11 and ?28 bands and previously published microwave data, an improved set of ground state spectroscopic constants were fit for the parent isotopologue of the molecule. This research was conducted at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), which is operated by Battelle Memorial Institute for the Department of Energy (DOE) under Contract No. DE-AC05-76RL01830.

Sams, R L.↗
DOE OSTI2012

A new route for the synthesis of titanium silicalite-1

Graphical abstract: Well-prepared TS-1 was synthesized by an innovative procedure using inexpensive reagents such as fumed silica and TPABr as structure-directing agent. This is the first time when highly crystalline TS-1 is obtained in basic medium, using sodium hydroxide as HO{sup -} ion source required for the crystallization process. Hydrolysis of titanium source has been prevented by titanium complexation with acetylacetone before structuring gel. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer TS-1 was obtained using cheap reagents as fumed silica and tetrapropylammonium bromide. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer First time NaOH was used as source of OH{sup -} ions required for crystallization process. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The hydrolysis Ti alkoxides was controlled by Ti complexation with 2,4-pentanedione. -- Abstract: A new and efficient route using inexpensive reagents such as fumed silica and tetrapropylammonium bromide is proposed for the synthesis of titanium silicalite-1. High crystalline titanium silicalite-1 was obtained in alkaline medium, using sodium hydroxide as HO{sup -} ion source required for the crystallization process. Hydrolysis of titanium source with formation of insoluble oxide species was prevented by titanium complexation with before structuring gel. The final solids were fully characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance, Raman and atomic absorption spectroscopies, as well as nitrogen sorption analysis. It was found that a molar ratio Ti:Si of about 0.04 in the initial reaction mixture is the upper limit to which well formed titanium silicalite-1 with channels free of crystalline or amorphous material can be obtained. Above this value, solids with MFI type structure containing both Ti isomorphously substituted in the network and extralattice anatase nanoparticles inside of channels is formed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗