抗原变异可使得多种致病微生物易于逃避宿主免疫应答。表达在感染红细胞表面的恶性疟原虫红细胞表面蛋白1（PfPMP1）与感染红细胞、内皮细胞、树突状细胞以及胎盘的单个或多个受体作用，在黏附及免疫逃避中起关键的作用。每个单倍体基因组var基因家族编码约60种成员，通过启动转录不同的var基因变异体为抗原变异提供了分子基础。

疟原虫var基因转换速率变化导致抗原变异[英]／Paul H, Robert P, Christodoulou Z, et al//Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

The semiconductor ZnO has gained substantial interest in the research community in part because of its large exciton binding energy (60meV) which could lead to lasing action based on exciton recombination even above room temperature. Even though research focusing on ZnO goes back many decades, the renewed interest is fueled by availability of high-quality substrates and reports of p-type conduction and ferromagnetic behavior when doped with transitions metals, both of which remain controversial. It is this renewed interest in ZnO which forms the basis of this review. As mentioned already, ZnO is not new to the semiconductor field, with studies of its lattice parameter dating back to 1935 by Bunn [Proc. Phys. Soc. London 47, 836 (1935)], studies of its vibrational properties with Raman scattering in 1966 by Damen et al. [Phys. Rev. 142, 570 (1966)], detailed optical studies in 1954 by Mollwo [Z. Angew. Phys. 6, 257 (1954)], and its growth by chemical-vapor transport in 1970 by Galli and Coker [Appl. Phys. ...

/pdf/a-comprehensive-review-of-zno-materials-and-devices-21a3zjadem.pdf

A comprehensive review of zno materials and devices

The heme oxygenases, which consist of constitutive and inducible isozymes (HO-1, HO-2), catalyze the rate-limiting step in the metabolic conversion of heme to the bile pigments (i.e., biliverdin and bilirubin) and thus constitute a major intracellular source of iron and carbon monoxide (CO). In recent years, endogenously produced CO has been shown to possess intriguing signaling properties affecting numerous critical cellular functions including but not limited to inflammation, cellular proliferation, and apoptotic cell death. The era of gaseous molecules in biomedical research and human diseases initiated with the discovery that the endothelial cell-derived relaxing factor was identical to the gaseous molecule nitric oxide (NO). The discovery that endogenously produced gaseous molecules such as NO and now CO can impart potent physiological and biological effector functions truly represented a paradigm shift and unraveled new avenues of intense investigations. This review covers the molecular and biochemical characterization of HOs, with a discussion on the mechanisms of signal transduction and gene regulation that mediate the induction of HO-1 by environmental stress. Furthermore, the current understanding of the functional significance of HO shall be discussed from the perspective of each of the metabolic by-products, with a special emphasis on CO. Finally, this presentation aspires to lay a foundation for potential future clinical applications of these systems.

/pdf/heme-oxygenase-1-carbon-monoxide-from-basic-science-to-2rhjm6458g.pdf

Heme oxygenase-1/carbon monoxide: from basic science to therapeutic applications.

Curcumin is the active ingredient in the traditional herbal remedy and dietary spice turmeric (Curcuma longa). Curcumin has a surprisingly wide range of beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity. The pleiotropic activities of curcumin derive from its complex chemistry as well as its ability to influence multiple signaling pathways, including survival pathways such as those regulated by NF-κB, Akt, and growth factors; cytoprotective pathways dependent on Nrf2; and metastatic and angiogenic pathways. Curcumin is a free radical scavenger and hydrogen donor, and exhibits both pro- and antioxidant activity. It also binds metals, particularly iron and copper, and can function as an iron chelator. Curcumin is remarkably non-toxic and exhibits limited bioavailability. Curcumin exhibits great promise as a therapeutic agent, and is currently in human clinical trials for a variety of conditions, including multiple myeloma, pancreatic cancer, myelodysplastic syndromes, colon cancer, psoriasis and Alzheimer’s disease.

/pdf/curcumin-from-ancient-medicine-to-current-clinical-trials-1qz017dco7.pdf

Curcumin: From ancient medicine to current clinical trials

Turmeric, derived from the plant Curcuma longa, is a gold-colored spice commonly used in the Indian subcontinent, not only for health care but also for the preservation of food and as a yellow dye for textiles. Curcumin, which gives the yellow color to turmeric, was first isolated almost two centuries ago, and its structure as diferuloylmethane was determined in 1910. Since the time of Ayurveda (1900 Bc) numerous therapeutic activities have been assigned to turmeric for a wide variety of diseases and conditions, including those of the skin, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal systems, aches, pains, wounds, sprains, and liver disorders. Extensive research within the last half century has proven that most of these activities, once associated with turmeric, are due to curcumin. Curcumin has been shown to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities and thus has a potential against various malignant diseases, diabetes, allergies, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and other chronic illnesses. These effects are mediated through the regulation of various transcription factors, growth factors, inflammatory cytokines, protein kinases, and other enzymes. Curcumin exhibits activities similar to recently discovered tumor necrosis factor blockers (e.g., HUMIRA, REMICADE, and ENBREL), a vascular endothelial cell growth factor blocker (e.g., AVASTIN), human epidermal growth factor receptor blockers (e.g., ERBITUX, ERLOTINIB, and GEFTINIB), and a HER2 blocker (e.g., HERCEPTIN). Considering the recent scientific bandwagon that multitargeted therapy is better than monotargeted therapy for most diseases, curcumin can be considered an ideal "Spice for Life".

Curcumin: The Indian solid gold

Immunodeficiency virus uptake, turnover, and 2-phase transfer in human dendritic cells

Curcumin, a cancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent, is a biologically active iron chelator

Recent theoretical studies have concluded that the low formation enthalpies of intrinsic donor defects should preclude achievement of p-type conductivity in undoped ZnO grown in thermal equilibrium with a molecular oxygen reservoir. This letter demonstrates that reactive sputtering can produce intrinsic p-type ZnO, controlled by adjusting the oxygen partial pressure in the sputtering plasma. We report the properties of p–n homojunctions fabricated in this way, and characterize transport in the films by Hall measurements. Our finding of p-type conductivity in undoped ZnO grown with dissociated oxygen is qualitatively consistent with the effect of higher chemical potential of atomic oxygen reactant on defect formation enthalpies. This parallels to some degree the recent attention to nitrogen acceptor incorporation by means of dissociating nitrogen source gases.

Control of p- and n-type conductivity in sputter deposition of undoped ZnO

Iron chelation in the biological activity of curcumin.

Detoxication enzymes protect cells from a wide variety of xenobiotics and endogenous toxins. Current data suggest that the balance between the Phase I carcinogen-activating enzymes and the Phase II detoxifying enzymes is critical to determining an individual's risk for cancer. Human deficiencies in Phase II enzyme activity, specifically glutathione-S-transferase (GST), have been identified and associated with increased risk for colon cancer. The increased frequency of the GST M1 null genotype among individuals with primarily smoking-related cancers has been documented. Induction of Phase II enzymes by naturally occurring or synthetic agents represents a promising strategy for cancer prevention. Both the required characteristics of potential chemopreventive agents and the role of the antioxidant response element in the monofunctional induction of Phase II enzymes have been discussed. The synthetic dithiolthione oltipraz induces a battery of Phase II enzymes and inhibits chemically induced tumors in a variety of target organs. Its ability to induce Phase II enzymes in human colon tissue and blood lymphocytes has been reported. Other promising inducers with chemopreventive activity include the isothiocyanates and polyphenols. These data collectively support the future development of Phase II enzyme inducers as clinical chemopreventive agents.

John Wilkinson

Papers

Immunodeficiency virus uptake, turnover, and 2-phase transfer in human dendritic cells

Curcumin, a cancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent, is a biologically active iron chelator

Control of p- and n-type conductivity in sputter deposition of undoped ZnO

Iron chelation in the biological activity of curcumin.

Detoxication enzymes and chemoprevention.