Towards molecular electronics with large-area molecular junctions

Electronic transport through single molecules has been studied extensively by academic and industrial research groups. Discrete tunnel junctions, or molecular diodes, have been reported using scanning probes, break junctions, metallic crossbars and nanopores. For technological applications, molecular tunnel junctions must be reliable, stable and reproducible. The conductance per molecule, however, typically varies by many orders of magnitude. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) may offer a promising route to the fabrication of reliable devices, and charge transport through SAMs of alkanethiols within nanopores is well understood, with non-resonant tunnelling dominating the transport mechanism. Unfortunately, electrical shorts in SAMs are often formed upon vapour deposition of the top electrode, which limits the diameter of the nanopore diodes to about 45 nm. Here we demonstrate a method to manufacture molecular junctions with diameters up to 100 microm with high yields (> 95 per cent). The junctions show excellent stability and reproducibility, and the conductance per unit area is similar to that obtained for benchmark nanopore diodes. Our technique involves processing the molecular junctions in the holes of a lithographically patterned photoresist, and then inserting a conducting polymer interlayer between the SAM and the metal top electrode. This simple approach is potentially low-cost and could pave the way for practical molecular electronics.     

Low-density lipoprotein and its effect on human blood platelets

Events leading to hyperactivity of human blood platelets are accompanied by an enhanced risk of atherosclerosis and arterial thrombosis. Lipoprotein disorders affect platelet functions, and hypersensitive platelets are observed in various stages of hyperlipidemia. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), a circulating complex of lipids and proteins that is increased in hypercholesterolemia, enhances platelet function and increases sensitivity of platelets to several naturally occurring agonists. LDL sensitizes platelets via binding of apoB-100 to a receptor on the platelet membrane and via transfer of lipids to the platelet membrane. The receptor that mediates binding of LDL to the platelet and initiates subsequent intracellular signaling cascades has not yet been identified. Modification of native LDL generates a platelet-activating particle, and this interaction might contribute to the development of the atherosclerotic plaque. Lysophosphatidic acid is formed upon mild oxidation of LDL and is responsible for subsequent platelet activation induced by the modified LDL particle. Thus, LDL changes the functions of platelets via a broad spectrum of interactions.     

Activation of sodium-proton exchange is a prerequisite for Ca2+ mobilization in human platelets

Stimulated platelets take up sodium ions and release hydrogen ions due to activation of Na+/H+ exchange resulting in cytoplasmic alkalinization. Suppression of Na+/H+ exchange either by removal of extracellular Na+ or by application of amiloride inhibits shape change, secretion of granule contents and aggregation. The data we present here indicate that inhibition of this transport by ethylisopropyl-amiloride or by lowering extracellular sodium reduces or even completely suppresses the rise in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration that is essential for platelet aggregation in response to thrombin. We also demonstrate that cytoplasmic alkalinization produced by exposure to the ionophore monensin sensitizes the human platelet response to stimulation by thrombin resulting in enhanced Ca2+ mobilization and aggregability. We conclude that an increase in intracellular pH evoked by activation of Na+/H+ counter transport is an important signal in stimulus-response coupling and forms an essential step in the cascade of events required to increase cytoplasmic free Ca2+ in platelets.     

抗氧化剂抑制内皮细胞表面的白细胞粘附不依赖其抗氧化活性

氧张力是炎症反应、再灌注损伤和动脉粥样硬化形成的致病因素。这些病变的共同点是内皮细胞表面的白细胞粘附增加。我们用几种抗氧化剂：ＤＣＩ,Ｃｈｒｙｓｉｎ,ＰＤＴＣ和Ｐｒｏｂｕｃｏｌ在流动条件下（切变力在０６～２４ｄｙｎ／ｃｍ２）实验其对内皮细胞表面白细胞粘附的影响,用化学发光法分析这几种抗氧化剂的抗氧化活性。结果显示：ＰＤＴＣ和Ｐｒｏｂｕｃｏｌ对外周血有核细胞氧自由基的产生没有抑制作用,Ｃｈｒｙｓｉｎ可轻度抑制,ＤＣＩ可明显抑制活性氧的产生。相反,ＰＤＴＣ（最大半抑制量８×１０－４ｍｏｌ和Ｃｈｒｙｓｉｎ最大半抑制量５×１０－５ｍｏｌ）可抑制细胞对经ＴＮＦα刺激的人脐带静脉内皮细胞（ＨＵＶＥＣ）的粘附。ＤＣＩ和Ｐｒｏｂｕｃｏｌ对各种切变力范围的细胞粘附无作用。抗氧化剂对内皮细胞表面的白细胞粘附的抑制作用不能单用其抗氧性特性来解释。可能的作用机理是这类物质直接作用转录因子ＮＦ－ｋＢ的结果     

Human blood platelets showing no response to collagen fail to express surface glycoprotein Ia

The interaction of blood platelets with collagen is generally considered to be of primary importance in the arrest of bleeding and to have a role in the pathogenesis of thrombosis and atherosclerosis. Following damage to the vascular endothelium, circulating platelets come into contact with exposed collagen fibrils in the subendothelium and spread along it; this is followed by the secretion of several biologically active substances and by aggregation of platelets. The glycoproteins of the platelet plasma membrane have an important role in the mechanisms underlying these processes. So far, two specific defects of platelet function in patients with a bleeding disorder are known to be associated with a glycoprotein defect and the study of these patients has contributed significantly to present concepts of platelet function. The glycoprotein (GP) IIB-III complex, absent or deleted in the aggregation-defective Glanzmann's thrombasthenia, has been identified as the platelet fibrinogen receptor. GPIb, which is absent in the adhesion-defective Bernard-Soulier syndrome, has been identified as the von Willebrand factor receptor on platelets. We now report a defect of the platelet plasma membrane glycoprotein composition in a patient whose platelets are totally unresponsive to collagen.