The gel PAN/alpha-Al2O3 nanocomposite electrolytes had lower glass-transition temperatures (as determined by dynamic mechanical analysis) and higher conductivity than a similar electrolyte prepared in the absence of alpha-Al2O3. The conductivity of the PAN/alpha-Al2O3 nanocomposite films was inversely proportional to the size of the alpha-Al2O3 particles and directly proportional to (I) the amount of alpha-Al2O3 (up to 7 wt %), (II) the F value [LiClO4/CH2CH(CN) ratio], and (III) the amount of plasticizer (propylene carbonate/ethylene carbonate Selleckchem Caspase inhibitor = 1 : 1). Cyclic voltammetry revealed
that adding alpha-Al2O3 significantly increased the electrochemical stability of the composite electrolyte system. A rechargeable lithium battery
prepared using this gel nanocomposite electrolyte system exhibited good cyclability and a stable capacity. The coulombic efficiency for the recharge/discharge process was approximately 75%, even after 100 cycles. (c) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 120: 2041-2047, 2011″
“Background: Multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) encoded by ATP-binding cassette, sub-family B (Mdr/Tap), member BX-795 supplier 1 (ABCB1) mediates cross-resistance to antineoplastic drugs, and its expression is related to tumor aggressiveness. Methods: MDR1 expression was investigated in 100 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) by immunohistochemical staining. The epigenetic mechanisms underlying ABCB1 transcriptional regulation were investigated in cell lines. Results: MDR1 was normally localized in the bile canalicular surface of the hepatocytes. Among 100 HCCs, 45 showed canalicular/luminal (CL) staining similar to the normal pattern, another 45 displayed membranous/cytoplasmic (MC) overexpression, and the remaining 10 revealed loss of expression. MC pattern or null staining of HCCs correlated with a higher histological grade and had a poorer prognosis than HCCs with a CL pattern (p<0.05).
They also tended to have JNK-IN-8 concentration a poor prognosis by multivariate survival analysis. The ABCB1 promoter was hypomethylated regardless of MDR1 expression or ABCB1 mRNA levels in 10 HCC cell lines. Histone deacetylase inhibitor treatment induced ABCB1 upregulation in 4 cell lines with low or moderate ABCB1 levels. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that either an increase or a loss of MDR1 expression may contribute to the poor outcome of HCCs; histone deacetylation may be one of the epigenetic mechanisms directing the ABCB1 expression in HCCs.”
“To review pelvic actinomycosis confirmed by surgery and summarize clinical aspects.
The authors retrospectively reviewed 16 cases that underwent surgical procedures for pelvic actinomycosis between January 1998 and January 2006.
Twelve of the cases (75%) had used intrauterine contraceptive devices for a period of between 8 months and 12 years (mean duration: 5.2 years).