Methods for extending working distance using modified photonic crystal for near-field lithography.

Near-field lithography has evident advantages in fabricating super-resolution nano-patterns. However, the working distance (WD) is limited due to the exponential decay characteristic of the evanescent waves. Here, we proposed a novel photolithography method based on a modified photonic crystal (PC), where a defect layer is embedded into the all-dielectric multilayer structure. It is shown that this design can amend the photonic band gap and enhance the desired high-kwaves dramatically, then the WD in air conditions could be extended greatly, which would drastically relax the engineering challenges for introducing the near-field lithography into real-world manufacturing applications. Typically, deep subwavelength patterns with a half-pitch of 32 nm (i.e.,λ/6) could be formed in photoresist layer at an air WD of 100 nm. Moreover, it is revealed that diversified two-dimensional patterns could be produced with a single exposure using linear polarized light. The analyses indicate that this improved dielectric PC is applicable for near-field lithography to produce super-resolution periodic patterns with large WD, strong field intensity, and great uniformity.

Numerical simulation research of catenary tip-insulator-metal structure for nano-lithography.

Catenary optics has attracted much interest due to its unique properties in wave-front manipulation, field enhancement, and dispersion engineering. In this paper, the applications of catenary optics in the near-field lithography are studied. The catenary shaped nanostructures and tip-insulator-metal (TIM) structures are simultaneously utilized to increase the contrast ratio of the focal plane and to give rise to a sharp focusing focal spot with high intensity. Moreover, the full width at half-maximum of the focal spot maintains well below the diffraction limit. The proposed catenary TIM structure may improve the quality of near-field lithography and find applications in super-resolution near-field direct writing nano-lithography.

Trace determination of mutagenic alkyl toluenesulfonate impurities via derivatization headspace-GC/MS in an active pharmaceutical ingredient of a candidate drug.

This study aims to optimize sodium iodide (NaI) derivatization headspace-GC/MS described in European Pharmacopoeia by using vitamin C as an alternative antioxidant for the determination of mutagenic alkyl toluenesulfonate impurities in an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) of a candidate drug with an artemisinin derivative. Alkyl toluenesulfonates are transformed into their corresponding alkyl iodides (methyl iodide, ethyl iodide, propyl iodide, and isopropyl iodide) by utilizing the derivatization reagent NaI. Results show that the MS response of methyl iodide is a critical indicator of method robustness because of the deteriorating effects of methyl iodide on stability when sodium thiosulfate is used as an antioxidant originally described in the pharmacopoeia. With vitamin C as a newly developed antioxidant, the robustness of this method is improved significantly. The optimized method is further validated and applied successfully for the quality control and safety of the API of an artemisinin derivative.

Crystal structures and physicochemical properties of amisulpride polymorphs.

The purpose of this work was to investigate the crystal structures and physicochemical properties of amisulpride polymorphs. Except of the previously reported polymorph (named as Form I), a new polymorphic form (named as Form II) was discovered through comprehensive solid-state screening experiments. Both polymorphic forms were characterized by single crystal X-ray structure analysis (SXRD), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) and thermal analysis (TGA and DSC) as well. It has been found that the Forms I and II are of conformational polymorph with the main conformational difference around ethylsulfonyl group. Form II possesses lower hygroscopicity and better solubility compared with that of Form I, indicating Form II could be an alternate solid form for formulation development.

Comparison of non-schistosomal rectosigmoid cancer and schistosomal rectosigmoid cancer.

AIM: To compare the clinicopathological features of patients with non-schistosomal rectosigmoid cancer and schistosomal rectosigmoid cancer. METHODS: All the patients with rectosigmoid carcinoma who underwent laparoscopic radical surgical resection in the Shanghai Minimally Invasive Surgical Center at Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao-Tong University between October 2009 and October 2013 were included in this study. Twenty-six cases of colonic schistosomiasis diagnosed through colonoscopy and pathological examinations were collected. Symptoms, endoscopic findings and clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between patients with and without schistosomiasis in gender, age, CEA, CA19-9, preoperative biopsy findings or postoperative pathology. Patients with rectosigmoid schistosomiasis had a significantly higher CA-125 level and a larger proportion of these patients were at an early tumor stage (P = 0.003). Various morphological characteristics of schistosomiasis combined with rectosigmoid cancer could be found by colonoscopic examination: 46% were fungating mass polyps, 23% were congestive and ulcerative polyps, 23% were cauliflower-like masses, 8% were annular masses. Only 27% of the patients were diagnosed with rectal carcinoma preoperatively after the biopsy. Computed tomography (CT) scans showed thickened intestinal walls combined with linear and tram-track calcifications in 26 patients. CONCLUSION: Rectosigmoid carcinoma combined with schistosomiasis is associated with higher CA-125 values and early tumor stages. CA-125 and CT scans have a reasonable sensitivity for the accurate diagnosis.

[History and current status of acupuncture-moxibustion in Russia and former Soviet Union].

A brief history and new developments of acupuncture moxibustion in the former Soviet Union is provided in this paper, as well as in Russia. Science of acupuncture-moxibustion was introduced into Russia after the 10th Century. After the foundation of People's Republic of China, acupuncture-moxibustion therapy has drawn widespread attention in the former Soviet Union and Russia since the 1950s. Notably, acupuncture moxibustion therapy was legalized and popularized in mid 1950s in the Soviet Union, which was gradually accepted as a part of the country's medical system. In the latest 20 years, Federal health departments have paid attention to acupuncture-moxibustion therapy and issued laws and regulations on acupuncture reflexotherapy. The number of books and journals about acupuncture-moxibustion has been increasing; clinical application of acupuncture-moxibustion has been spreading and is welcomed by people. Academic exchanges between China and Russia are more frequent, which promoted the development of science of acupuncture-moxibustion in Russia.

[Eukaryotic expression and biological activity of recombinant human IL-17B protein].

AIM: To construct pCEP4/hIL-17B recombinant expression vector and express it stably in eukaryotic cells and investigate the biological activity in vitro. METHODS: The CDS region of human IL-17B gene was cloned by RT-PCR. After identification by sequencing, the hIL-17B gene was inserted into expression vector of pCEP4 to construct the recombinant vector pCEP4/hIL-17B, then transfected into 293T cells. The transgenic 293T cell line stably expressing rhIL-17B protein was selected in the presence of Hygromycin B. After FCS-free cultivation and sub-cloning, The IL-17B/mFc gene and protein expression was confirmed by RT-PCR, ELISA and Western blot analysis. To investigate the ability of combination with IL-17B receptor on human leukemic monocytic cell line, THP-1, by Flow cytometrical analysis (FACS) and of stimulation to secret cytokines in vitro. RESULTS: The recombinant pCEP4/hIL-17B and its transgenic 293T cells stably expressing rhIL-17B protein were obtained successfully. FACS analysis showed its high affinity with its receptor and it can stimulated THP-1 cell line to excrete IL-1ß and TNF-α in vitro and consistently caused a dose-dependent influx of neutrophil into the peritoneal cavity by intraperitoneal injection in vivo. CONCLUSION: The obtainment of transgenic 293T cell line stably expressing rhIL-17B protein paved the way for further study on biological functions of hIL-17B.

A putative flowering-time-related Dof transcription factor gene, JcDof3, is controlled by the circadian clock in Jatropha curcas.

Plant-specific DNA-binding transcription factors with one finger (Dof) perform important roles in several biological processes. A yeast one-hybrid cDNA library of Jatropha curcas was used to identify Dof-type transcription factors. JcDof3, isolated from the library as a full-length cDNA, encoded a protein of 518 amino acids and contained a highly conserved Dof domain. Yeast one-hybrid systems and subcellular localization assays confirmed that JcDof3 was a typical transcription factor. In contrast to arrhythmic expression at basal level in etiolated cotyledons under continuous dark conditions, the circadian oscillations of JcDof3 transcripts were observed under long day, short day or continuous light regimes. A phylogenetic analysis showed that JcDof3 was clustered into the same clade with CYCLING DOF FACTOR (CDF), which interacts with F-box protein to regulate photoperiodic flowering. Moreover, a yeast two-hybrid assay showed that JcDof3 also interacted with F-box proteins. Our results suggest that JcDof3 is a circadian clock regulated gene, and might be involved in the flowering time regulation of J. curcas.

[Effects of acupuncture on the pulmonary function and heart rate variability in different state of bronchial asthma].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the underlying mechanism of acupuncture technique for ventilating the lung, invigorating the spleen and tonifying the kidney in the treatment of bronchial asthma (or asthma for short). METHODS: According to the severity of the disease during the persistent stage and paracmasis, 71 outpatients and inpatients were randomized into treatment group (n = 40) and control group (n = 31). Patients of treatment group were treated with acupuncture of Quchi (LI 11), Lieque (LU 7), Yuji (LU 10), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taixi (KI 3), etc., once daily and those of control group treated with anti-asthma drugs as Cromolyn sodium, Albuterol, fenoterol, etc. Before and after 12 days of the treatment, heart rate variability (HRV) and pulmonary function were detected respectively. RESULTS: In paracmasis and mild type asthma patients, self-comparison indicated that after the treatment, total power (TP), very low frequency (VLF), triangular index (TI) and the percentage of the adjacent R-R intervals (PNN50) of HRV, and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (% PRED), forced expiratory flow (FEF) 0.2-1.2 (L/s), FEF(75%-85%) (L/s), peak expiratory flow (PEF) (% PRED), FEF(25%) (% PRED) in treatment group increased significantly (P < 0.05, 0.01), while no significant changes of various components of both HRV and pulmonary function were found in control group (P > 0.05). Comparison between two groups showed that after the treatment, the values of TP, VLF, TI and PNN50 of HRV, and FVC (% PRED), FEV1 (% PRED), FEV1/FVC (% PRED), FEF(0.2-1.2), FEF(25%-75%), PEF (% PRED) and FEF(25%) (% PRED) in treatment group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05). In moderate and severe type asthma patients, self-comparison showed that after the treatment, TP, LF, LFnorm, VLF, LF/HF, VLF/HF, (LF + VLF)/HF, TI and PNN50 of HRV, and FVC (% PRED), FEV1 (% PRED), FEV1/FVC (% PRED), FEF(0.2-1.2), FEF(25%-75%) (% PRED), FEF(75%-85%), PEF (% PRED), FEF25% (% PRED) , FEF(50%) (%PRED and FEF(75%) (% PRED) of the pulmonary function all increased remarkably (P < 0.05, 0.01, 0.001); while in comparison with control group, LF, LFnorm, VLF, (LF + VLF)/HF and TI of HRV, and all the parameters of the pulmonary function except FEV1/FVC were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05, 0.01, 0.001). No significant changes of various components of both HRV and pulmonary function were found in control group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is significantly superior to medication in improving the pulmonary function of asthma patients with different state of disease, which is related to its function in regulating activities of the autonomic nervous system.

[Effects of acupuncture on clinical symptoms and pulmonary function in the patient of bronchial asthma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture on bronchial asthma. Methods One hundred and four cases of asthma at persistent period and remission stage were divided into a treatment group and a control group with stratified random method of illness degrees. The treatment group were treated with antiasthma agents plus acupuncture at Quchi (LI 11), Lieque (LU 7), Yuji (LU 10), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taixi (KI 3), once each day, 10 sessions constituting one course, and the control group with anti-asthma agents at the same dose. Changes of clinical symptoms and pulmonary function after treatment were investigated. Results Clinical symptoms significantly improved, the score for asthma symptoms decreased and the wheeze in the lung reduced, severity and grading of the disease significantly improved in the treatment group with significant differences as compared with those in the control group (all P< 0.05). And the first second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), peak of forced expiratory flow rate (PEF), FEF(25%-75%) (% PRED), FEF(75%-85%) (% PRED), FEF50% (%PRED), FEF75% (% PRED) more significantly improved in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 or P < 0.001). Six months later, the incidence rate of asthma acute attack in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05), and the dose of anti-asthma agents in the 50% of patients in the treatment group was reduced by 1/3-1/4. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can improve clinical symptoms and pulmonary function and reduce the dose of anti-asthma agents, and has a certain long-term therapeutic effect.

[Effects of acupuncture for dispersing fei, invigorating pi and reinforcing shen on heart rate variability and pulmonary function in bronchial asthma patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the acting mechanism of acupuncture treatment for dispersing Fei, invigorating Pi and reinforcing Shen (DFIPRS) on bronchial asthma. METHODS: Seventy-one chronic asthma patients in persistent or remission period were randomly assigned to two groups with stratified method, the treated group (40 cases) and the control group (31 cases). Anti-asthmatic medicine were given to both groups and acupuncture therapy to the treated group additionally on the acupoints for DFIPRS including Quchi (Lt11), Lieque (LU7), Yuji (Lu10), Neiguan (P6), Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (Sp6) and Taixi (K13) using uniform reinforcing-reducing manipulation. The changes of heart rate variability (HRV) frequency-domain index and the pulmonary function were observed before and after treatment, and the immediate effect before and after the first needling of acupuncture was also observed in 17 patients. RESULTS: After acupuncture treatment, the indices of pulmonary function improved significantly and the function of vegetative nervous system, showed by HRV, were also elevated in the treated group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and significantly superior to that in the control group after treatment (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 ). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture therapy could significantly improve pulmonary function of asthma patients, its mechanism may be related to the regulation of vegetative nerve function.