Memapsin 2 (beta-secretase, BACE1) is the protease that initiates cleavage of beta-amyloid precursor protein leading to the production of amyloid-beta (Abeta) and the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Reducing Abeta by targeting memapsin 2 is a major strategy in developing new AD therapy. Here, in a proof-of-concept study, we show that immunization of transgenic AD mice (Tg2576) with memapsin 2 resulted in Abeta reduction and cognitive improvement. To study the basis of this therapy, we demonstrated that anti-memapsin 2 (anti-M2) antibodies were rapidly internalized and reduced Abeta production in cultured cells. These antibodies also effectively crossed the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain. Two- and 10-month Tg2576 mice were immunized and monitored over 10 and 6 months, respectively. We observed a significant decrease of plasma and brain Abeta40 and Abeta42 (approximately 35%) in the immunized mice as compared to controls. Immunized mice also showed better cognitive performance than controls in both cohorts. Brain histological analyses found no evidence of T cell/microglia/astrocyte activation in the immunized mice, suggesting the absence of inflammatory responses. These results suggest that memapsin 2 immunization in Tg2576 was effective in reducing Abeta production and improving cognitive function and that the current approach warrants further investigation as a therapy for AD.
The Bi2Ti4O11 nanorods were obtained by a one-step alcohol-thermal method. The sample was synthesized at 100°C and calcined at 600°C, using Bi(NO3)3•5H2O, TiCl4 and absolute ethanol as reactants. It then characterized by XRD, SEM and UV-vis DRS. The results showed that the sample was nanorod with diameter about 30nm and length about 200nm. The photocatalytic experiment represented that the photocatalyst could effectively degrade more than 99% Rhodamine B( RhB) within 85 min under irradiating of visible light.
Pure rutile TiO2 nanorod-assembled microspheres were synthesized on a large scale without templates or surfactants by hydrolysis of TiCl3 in ethanol and HCl mixed solution at 180°C.The spheres exhibit unique three-dimensional hierarchical architectures with significantly improved photocatalytic activities in visible light.
The BiOCl microspheres photocatalyst was obtained by a one-step alcohol-heating method. The reactants were Bi(NO3)3•5H2O、TiCl3 and absolute ethanol, and the sample was synthesized at 100°C and calcined at 600°C. It then characterized by XRD, SEM, UV-vis DRS. The results showed that the sample was microspheres, having excellent photocatalytic activity that the sample could degradate more than 94% of RhB in 65 minites which is better than P25 under UV irradiation.
The numerical simulation of high-energy femtosecond laser ablation on metal target is studied in this paper. Based on the two-temperature model (TTM), a new model considering the effects of the electron density of states (DOS) on electronic heat capacity, electron-phonon coupling coefficient and electronic thermal conductivity is established. As an example of gold target, the relationship between the melting threshold and the thickness of gold films is numerically calculated. Our result is more consistent with the experimental datum in contrast to the results without considering the DOS effects. This shows that the revised TTM of high-energy femtosecond laser ablation (i.e. DOS-TTM) is more reasonable compared with general used TTM.
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