Denis RD, Stahl T, Stahlman J, Stamen R, Stanecka E, Stanek RW, Stanescu C, Stapnes S, Starchenko EA, Stark J, Staroba P, Starovoitov P, Staude A, Stavina P, Stavropoulos G, Steele G, Steinbach P, Steinberg P, Stekl I, Stelzer B, Stelzer HJ, Stelzer-Chilton O, Stenzel H, Stevenson K, Stewart GA, Stillings JA, Stockmanns T, Stockton MC, Stoerig K, Stoicea G, Stonjek S, Strachota P, Stradling AR, Straessner A, Strandberg J, Strandberg S, Strandlie A, Strang M, Strauss E, Strauss M, Strizenec P, Ströhmer R, Strom DM, Strong JA, Stroynowski R, Strube J, Stugu B, Stumer I, Stupak J, Sturm P, Soh DA, Su D, Subramania HS, Sugaya Y, Sugimoto T, Suhr C, Suita K, Suk M, Sulin VV, Sultansoy S, Sumida T, Sun X, Sundermann JE, Suruliz K, Susinno G, Sutton MR, Suzuki Y, Swedish S, Sykora I, Sykora T, Sánchez J, Ta D, Tackmann K, Taffard A, Tafirout R, Taga A, Taiblum N, Takahashi Y, Takai H, Takashima R, Takeda H, Takeshita T, Talby M, Talyshev A, Tamsett MC, Tanaka J, Tanaka R, Tanaka S, Tanaka S, Tani K, Tannoury N, Tapprogge S, Tardif D, Tarem S, Tarrade F, Tartarelli GF, Tas P, Tasevsky M, Tassi E, Tatarkhanov M, Tayalati Y, Taylor C, Taylor FE, Taylor GN, Taylor W, Teixeira Dias Castanheira M, Teixeira-Dias P, Temming KK, Ten Kate H, Teng PK, Terada S, Terashi K, Terron J, Terwort M, Testa M, Teuscher RJ, Tevlin CM, Therhaag J, Theveneaux-Pelzer T, Thioye M, Thoma S, Thomas JP, Thompson EN, Thompson PD, Thompson PD, Thompson RJ, Thompson AS, Thomson E, Thomson M, Thun RP, Tic T, Tikhomirov VO, Tikhonov YA, Timmermans CJWP, Tipton P, Tique Aires Viegas FJ, Tisserant S, Todorov T, Todorova-Nova S, Toggerson B, Tojo J, Tokár S, Tokunaga K, Tokushuku K, Tollefson K, Tomoto M, Tompkins L, Toms K, Tonazzo A, Tonoyan A, Topfel C, Topilin ND, Torchiani I, Torrence E, Torró Pastor E, Toth J, Touchard F, Tovey DR, Traynor D, Trefzger T, Treis J, Tremblet L, Tricoli A, Trigger IM, Trincaz-Duvoid S, Trinh TN, Tripiana MF, Trischuk W, Trivedi A, Trocmé B, Troncon C, Trottier-McDonald M, Trzupek A, Tsarouchas C, Tseng JCL, Tsiakiris M, Tsiareshka PV, Tsionou D, Tsipolitis G, Tsiskaridze V, Tskhadadze EG, Tsukerman II, Tsulaia V, Tsung JW, Tsuno S, Tsybychev D, Tua A, Tuggle JM, Turala M, Turecek D, Turk Cakir I, Turlay E, Turra R, Tuts PM, Twomey MS, Tykhonov A, Tylmad M, Tyndel M, Typaldos D, Tyrvainen H, Tzanakos G, Uchida K, Ueda I, Ueno R, Ugland M, Uhlenbrock M, Uhrmacher M, Ukegawa F, Unal G, Undrus A, Unel G, Unno Y, Urbaniec D, Urkovsky E, Urrejola P, Usai G, Uslenghi M, Vacavant L, Vacek V, Vachon B, Vahsen S, Valderanis C, Valenta J, Valente P, Valentinetti S, Valkar S, Valladolid Gallego E, Vallecorsa S, Valls Ferrer JA, van der Graaf H, van der Kraaij E, Van Der Leeuw R, van der Poel E, van der Ster D, Van Eijk B, van Eldik N, van Gemmeren P, van Vulpen I, Vandelli W, Vaniachine A, Vankov P, Vannucci F, Vari R, Varnes EW, Varouchas D, Vartapetian A, Varvell KE, Vassilakopoulos VI, Vazeille F, Vegni G, Veillet JJ, Veloso F, Veness R, Veneziano S, Ventura A, 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J, Yu J, Yuan L, Yurkewicz A, Zaidan R, Zaitsev AM, Zajacova Z, Zalite YK, Zanello L, Zarzhitsky P, Zaytsev A, Zeitnitz C, Zeller M, Zema PF, Zemla A, Zendler C, Zenin AV, Zenin O, Ženiš T, Zinonos Z, Zenz S, Zerwas D, Zevi della Porta G, Zhan Z, Zhang D, Zhang H, Zhang J, Zhang Q, Zhang X, Zhang Z, Zhao L, Zhao T, Zhao Z, Zhemchugov A, Zhong J, Zhou B, Zhou N, Zhou Y, Zhu CG, Zhu H, Zhu Y, Zhuang X, Zhuravlov V, Zieminska D, Zilka B, Zimmermann R, Zimmermann S, Zimmermann S, Ziolkowski M, Zitoun R, Živković L, Zmouchko VV, Zobernig G, Zoccoli A, Zolnierowski Y, Zsenei A, zur Nedden M, Zutshi V, Zwalinski L. Search for lepton flavour violation in the eμ continuum with the ATLAS detector in [Formula: see text]pp collisions at the LHC

This paper presents a search for the t-channel exchange of an R-parity violating scalar top quark ([Formula: see text]) in the e±μ∓ continuum using 2.1 fb-1 of data collected by the ATLAS detector in [Formula: see text]pp collisions at the Large Hadron Collider. Data are found to be consistent with the expectation from the Standard Model backgrounds. Limits on R-parity-violating couplings at 95 % C.L. are calculated as a function of the scalar top mass ([Formula: see text]). The upper limits on the production cross section for pp→eμX, through the t-channel exchange of a scalar top quark, ranges from 170 fb for [Formula: see text] to 30 fb for [Formula: see text].

Identification of grass-specific enzyme that acylates monolignols with p-coumarate

Lignin is a major component of plant cell walls that is essential to their function. However, the strong bonds that bind the various subunits of lignin, and its cross-linking with other plant cell wall polymers, make it one of the most important factors in the recalcitrance of plant cell walls against polysaccharide utilization. Plants make lignin from a variety of monolignols including p-coumaryl, coniferyl, and sinapyl alcohols to produce the three primary lignin units: p-hydroxyphenyl, guaiacyl, and syringyl, respectively, when incorporated into the lignin polymer. In grasses, these monolignols can be enzymatically preacylated by p-coumarates prior to their incorporation into lignin, and these monolignol conjugates can also be "monomer" precursors of lignin. Although monolignol p-coumarate-derived units may comprise up to 40% of the lignin in some grass tissues, the p-coumarate moiety from such conjugates does not enter into the radical coupling (polymerization) reactions of lignification. With a greater understanding of monolignol p-coumarate conjugates, grass lignins could be engineered to contain fewer pendent p-coumarate groups and more monolignol conjugates that improve lignin cleavage. We have cloned and expressed an enzyme from rice that has p-coumarate monolignol transferase activity and determined its kinetic parameters.

Syntheses of lignin-derived thioacidolysis monomers and their uses as quantitation standards

Analytical thioacidolysis releases diagnostic monomers from lignins by selectively cleaving alkyl aryl ether bonds. High yielding syntheses of the three thioacidolysis monomers were developed, and the compounds were used as standards for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) quantitation of monomers released from lignocellulosics. First, syringyl, guaiacyl, and p-hydroxyphenyl glycerols were synthesized from the corresponding ethyl cinnamates and used as thioacidolysis substrates to prepare the monomers in high yields. These monomers were then used as standard compounds to measure their GC-MS and GC-FID response factors against two internal standards, 4,4'-ethylenebisphenol and tetracosane. For quantitation, it was shown that 4,4'-ethylenebisphenol is the better internal standard for GC-MS, whereas tetracosane remains the choice for GC-FID. When the obtained response factors were applied, the thioacidolysis monomer yields from white spruce, loblolly pine, poplar, bamboo, and sugar cane bagasse were determined by GC-MS. The obtained results were consistent with those reported in the literature.

Measurement of the ZZ production cross section and limits on anomalous neutral triple gauge couplings in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A measurement of the ZZ production cross section in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.02 fb(-1) recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC is presented. Twelve events containing two Z boson candidates decaying to electrons and/or muons are observed, with an expected background of 0.3 ± 0.3(stat)(-0.3)(+0.4)(syst) events. The cross section measured in a phase-space region with good detector acceptance and for dilepton masses within the range 66 to 116 GeV is σ(ZZ → ℓ+ ℓ- ℓ+ ℓ-)(fid) = 19.4(-5.2)(+6.3)(stat)(-0.7)(+0.9)(syst) ± 0.7(lumi) fb. The resulting total cross section for on-shell ZZ production, σ(ZZ)(tot) = 8.5(-2.3)(+2.7)(stat)(-0.3)(+0.4)(syst) ± 0.3(lumi) pb, is consistent with the standard model expectation of 6.5(-0.2)(+0.3) pb calculated at the next-to-leading order in QCD. Limits on anomalous neutral triple gauge boson couplings are derived.

Molecular and biochemical basis for stress-induced accumulation of free and bound p-coumaraldehyde in cucumber

To elucidate the genetic and biochemical regulation of elicitor-induced p-coumaraldehyde accumulation in plants, we undertook a multifaceted approach to characterize the metabolic flux through the phenylpropanoid pathway via the characterization and chemical analysis of the metabolites in the p-coumaryl, coniferyl, and sinapyl alcohol branches of this pathway. Here, we report the identification and characterization of four cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenases (CADs) from cucumber (Cucumis sativus) with low activity toward p-coumaraldehyde yet exhibiting significant activity toward other phenylpropanoid hydroxycinnamaldehydes. As part of this analysis, we identified and characterized the activity of a hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A:shikimate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HCT) capable of utilizing shikimate and p-coumaroyl-coenzyme A to generate p-coumaroyl shikimate. Following pectinase treatment of cucumber, we observed the rapid accumulation of p-coumaraldehyde, likely the result of low aldehyde reductase activity (i.e. alcohol dehydrogenase in the reverse reaction) of CsCAD enzymes on p-coumaraldehyde. In parallel, we noted a concomitant reduction in the activity of CsHCT. Taken together, our findings support the hypothesis that the up-regulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway upon abiotic stress greatly enhances the overall p-coumaryl alcohol branch of the pathway. The data presented here point to a role for CsHCT (as well as, presumably, p-coumarate 3-hydroxylase) as a control point in the regulation of the coniferyl and sinapyl alcohol branches of this pathway. This mechanism represents a potentially evolutionarily conserved process to efficiently and quickly respond to biotic and abiotic stresses in cucurbit plants, resulting in the rapid lignification of affected tissues.

The charophycean green algae provide insights into the early origins of plant cell walls

Numerous evolutionary innovations were required to enable freshwater green algae to colonize terrestrial habitats and thereby initiate the evolution of land plants (embryophytes). These adaptations probably included changes in cell-wall composition and architecture that were to become essential for embryophyte development and radiation. However, it is not known to what extent the polymers that are characteristic of embryophyte cell walls, including pectins, hemicelluloses, glycoproteins and lignin, evolved in response to the demands of the terrestrial environment or whether they pre-existed in their algal ancestors. Here we show that members of the advanced charophycean green algae (CGA), including the Charales, Coleochaetales and Zygnematales, but not basal CGA (Klebsormidiales and Chlorokybales), have cell walls that are comparable in several respects to the primary walls of embryophytes. Moreover, we provide both chemical and immunocytochemical evidence that selected Coleochaete species have cell walls that contain small amounts of lignin or lignin-like polymers derived from radical coupling of hydroxycinnamyl alcohols. Thus, the ability to synthesize many of the components that characterize extant embryophyte walls evolved during divergence within CGA. Our study provides new insight into the evolutionary window during which the structurally complex walls of embryophytes originated, and the significance of the advanced CGA during these events.

Electrochemical isothermal-capacitance-transient spectroscopy: a new depth profiling method of deep levels

The authors report on a new depth profiling method of deep levels, which we call electrochemical isothermal-capacitance-transient spectroscopy (EICTS). This is combined with electrochemical capacitance-voltage using the Schottky barrier of etchable electrolyte and isothermal-capacitance-transient spectroscopy using the capacitance-transient profile at a fixed temperature. We proved its validity by applying to the ZnSe:N epitaxial film of thickness of more than 1000 nm and comparing the characteristics of an obtained deep level with the results measured by conventional deep-level detection techniques. It is expected that EICTS is very effective to assess the deep levels of wide-bandgap semiconductors that suffer from various point defects and their complexes.

Fullerenes for applications in biology and medicine

Fullerenes as a unique class of carbon allotropes have been studied extensively for their distinctive material properties and potential technological applications, including those in biology and medicine. Since a major focus in the latter has been on drug development and formulation, in this paper we highlight some representative studies related to such a focus, including the use of fullerenes for drug-like functions and for their improving the formulation of established drugs. Also discussed are some other potential medically relevant applications of fullerenes, such as their serving as potent agents in photodynamic therapy and magnetic imaging.

Reactions of dehydrodiferulates with ammonia

Lignocellulosic materials derived from forages and agricultural residues are potential sustainable resources for production of bioethanol or other liquid biofuels. However, the natural recalcitrance of such materials to enzymatic hydrolysis is a major obstacle in their efficient utilization. In grasses, much of the recalcitrance is associated with ferulate cross-linking in the cell wall, i.e., with polysaccharide-polysaccharide cross-linking that results from ferulate dehydrodimerization or with lignin-polysaccharide cross-linking that results from the incorporation of (polysaccharide-bound) ferulates or diferulates into lignin, mainly via free-radical coupling reactions. Many pretreatment methods have been developed to address recalcitrance, with ammonia pretreatments in general, and the AFEX (Ammonia Fiber Expansion) process in particular, among the more promising methods. In order to understand the polysaccharide liberating reactions involved in the cleavage of diferulate cell wall cross-links during AFEX pretreatment, reaction products from five esters modeling the major diferulates in grass cell walls treated under AFEX-like conditions were separated and characterized by NMR and HR-MS. Results from this study indicate that, beyond the anticipated amide products, a range of degradation products derive from an array of cleavage and substitution reactions, and reveal various pathways for incorporating ammonia-based nitrogen into biomass.

Effects of recipient oocyte age and interval from fusion to activation on development of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) nuclear transfer embryos derived from fetal fibroblasts

The objective was to investigate the effect of recipient oocyte age and the interval from activation to fusion on developmental competence of buffalo nuclear transfer (NT) embryos. Buffalo oocytes matured in vitro for 22 h were enucleated by micromanipulation under the spindle view system, and a fetal fibroblast (pretreated with 0.1 μg/mL aphidicolin for 24 h, followed by culture for 48 h in 0.5% fetal bovine serum) was introduced into the enucleated oocyte, followed by electrofusion. Both oocytes and NT embryos were activated by exposure to 5 μM ionomycin for 5 min, followed by culture in 2 mM 6-dimethyl-aminopurine for 3 h. When oocytes matured in vitro for 28, 29, 30, 31, or 32 h were activated, more oocytes matured in vitro for 30 h developed into blastocysts in comparison with oocytes matured in vitro for 32 h (31.3 vs 19.9%, P < 0.05). When electrofusion was induced 27 h after the onset of oocyte maturation, the cleavage rate (78.0%) was higher than that of electrofusion induced at 28 h (67.2%, P < 0.05), and the blastocyst yield (18.1%) was higher (P < 0.05) than that of electrofusion induced at 25 or 26 h (7.4 and 8.5%, respectively). A higher proportion of NT embryos activated at 3 h after electrofusion developed to the blastocyst stage (18.6%) in comparison with NT embryos activated at 1 h (6.0%), 2 h (8.3%), or 4 h (10.6%) after fusion (P < 0.05). No recipient was pregnant 60 d after transfer of blastocysts developed from NT embryos activated at 1 h (0/8), 2 h (0/10), or 4 h (0/9) after fusion. However, 3 of 16 recipients were pregnant following transfer of blastocysts developed from the NT embryos activated at 3 h after fusion, and two of these recipients maintained pregnancy to term. We concluded that the developmental potential of buffalo NT embryos was related to recipient oocyte age and the interval from fusion to activation.

Suitable calcineurin inhibitor concentrations for liver transplant recipients in the Chinese population

AIM

The aim was to deduce suitable calcineurin inhibitor concentrations for the Chinese liver transplantation population.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 97 liver transplant recipients who displayed stable liver and renal function. No grafts were obtained from prisoners, procurements were performed with donor consent conforming to international ethics regulations. At 3, 6, and 12 months, we increased the concentrations and doses of calcineurin inhibitors as well as the values of alanine transaminase and serum creatinine.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight recipients received cyclosporine and 69 tacrolimus. The mean cyclosporine daily dosages were 203 ± 62 mg at 3, 188 ± 55 mg at 6, and 173 ± 52 mg at 12 months, the tacrolimus daily dosages were 3.08 ± 0.98, 2.82 ± 0.98, and 2.58 ± 0.93 mg, respectively. The corresponding mean cyclosporine peak concentrations (C(2)) were 806 ± 322 ng/mL, 681 ± 206 ng/mL, and 644 ± 190 ng/mL and the mean tacrolimus trought concentrations (C(0)) 6.61 ± 3.02 ng/mL, 5.85 ± 2.44 ng/mL, and 5.22 ± 2.33 ng/mL, respectively. In both groups, transaminases and serum creatinine were stable over time.

CONCLUSIONS

An individualized immunosuppressive regimen for the local population is necessary. We delayed calcineurin inhibitors with subsequent low-dose mycophenolate mofetil plus minimized calcineurin inhibitors, which seemed to be nephroprotective and safe for Chinese liver transplantation patients.

Association between corneal biomechanical properties and myopia in Chinese subjects

PURPOSE

To examine the relationship between corneal biomechanical properties and the degree of myopia.

METHODS

Chinese subjects (n=172, age: 11-65 years) were divided into diagnostic groups with non-myopia (spherical equivalence (SE)>-0.50 D), low (-3.00 ≤ SE ≤ -0.50 D), moderate (-6.00 ≤ SE < -3.00 D), and high myopia (SE<-6.00 D). Only the right eye of each subject was analyzed. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured by optical coherence tomography. An ocular response analyzer was used to measure corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), intraocular pressure (IOP), and corneal compensated IOP (IOPcc). Refraction was measured by both automated and subjective refractometry and expressed as SE.

RESULTS

CH was significantly lower in high myopia compared with both low and non-myopia (P ≤ 0.002). CCT was 1.5 times more correlated to CH variation compared with refraction. Similarly, CRF was four times more dependent on CCT than refraction. CH (P<0.001) or CRF (P=0.005) was positively correlated to refraction. Both IOP and IOPcc were negatively correlated to refraction (P<0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

CH decreases only in high myopia. Refraction is positively correlated to both CH and CRF but negatively correlated to both IOP and IOPcc. These results indicate that the mechanical strength in anterior segment of the eye is compromised in high myopia. In addition, high myopia may increase the risk of glaucoma.

Rice planting systems, global warming and outbreaks of Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)

Brown Planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)) is one of the most serious pests of rice in both temperate and tropical regions of East and South Asia and has become especially problematic over the past few years. In order to analyze the effect of the change of rice cropping system on the population dynamics of BPH, field surveys of the occurrence and distribution of BPH were performed and other relevant data, including light trap data and ovary dissection data were collected in nearly 40 Chinese counties encompassing six provinces (or municipalities), including Hainan, Guangxi, Anhui, Shanghai, Fujian and Guangdong from April to October in 2007.The mixed planting areas of single- and double-cropping rice in China include Hubei, South and Central Anhui, North Hunan, and North Jiangxi. In these areas, double-cropping rice has now been greatly reduced and single-cropping rice has been rapidly increasing since 1997. The surveys revealed that when the immigration peak of BPH occurred in June and July, the single-cropping rice was at the tillering to booting stage and fit for BPH, but early rice had already matured and most of late rice had not yet been transplanted. BPH immigrants from southern rice areas prefer to inhabit and breed in single-cropping rice paddies. Moreover, farming activities between early rice and late rice interrupted the continuous growth of BPH populations in double-cropping rice paddies. As a result, in comparison with data collected 30 years ago, the spatiotemporal dynamics and migration patterns of BPH have dramatically changed in the lower-middle reaches of the Yangtze River. In the mixed planting areas, due to their high suitability, the BPH population in single-cropping rice grew so quickly that it caused serious local damage and there was mass emigration of macropterous progeny to the Yangtze River Delta in late August and early September.Global warming may also affect BPH populations, where results suggest steadily warmer autumns have occurred from the 1990s on, with such conditions gradually the norm. The combination of 'cooler summer' and 'warmer autumn' are conditions known to promote outbreaks of BPH in the lower-middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Immigrant BPH arrivals in late August and September now cause serious damage to late-maturing mid-season rice and late rice in the lower-middle reaches of the Yangtze River.

Feasibility study of a smart pen for autonomous detection of concentration lapses during reading

We implemented a portable smart pen system capable of detecting lapses in concentration during reading. An accelerometer and a microcontroller are embedded within a pen casing to record data as a user reads sections of text using the pen as a pointer. When a substantial pause in reading is detected, the system generates an appropriate warning or alarm. An accompanying software program can communicate with the pen through a USB interface to customize system parameters, record relevant data, and graph collected data over time. The overall effectiveness of a prototype system was tested on 11 normal volunteers and 3 persons with attention deficit disorder (ADD). The prototype system had probability of false alarm of 19%, and sensitivity of 82%. With further refinement, this system could enable patients with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder maintain concentration during reading in a variety of environments.

Er-Implanted Porous Silicon: a Novel Material for Si-Based Infrared LEDs

We have demonstrated a strong, room-temperature, 1.54 μm emission from erbium-implanted at 190 keV into red-emitting porous silicon. Luminescence data showed that the intensity of infrared (IR) emission from Er implanted porous Si annealed at ≤ 650°C, was a few orders of magnitude stronger than Er implanted quartz produced under identical conditions, and was almost comparable to IR emission from In0.53Ga0.47As material which is used for commercial IR light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

The strong IR emission (much higher than Er in quartz) and the weak temperature dependency of Er in porous Si, which is similar to Er3+ in wide-bandgap semiconductors, suggests that Er is not in SiO2 or Si with bulk properties but, may be confined in Si light-emitting nanostructures. Porous Si is a good substrate for rare earth elements because: 1) a high concentration of optically active Er3+ can be obtained by implanting at about 200 keV, 2) porous Si and bulk Si are transparent to 1.54 μm emission therefore, device fabrication is simplified, and 3) although the external quantum efficiency of visible light from porous Si is compromised because of self-absorption, it can be used to pump Er3+.

Speciation of Uranium After Microbial Action by XANES and XPS

The speciation of radionuclides and toxic metals in wastes subjected to microbial action is important in determining the extent of stabilization in a disposal environment. As part of an ongoing study, we investigated the reduction of uranium by aClostridiumsp. using X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS analysis of uranyl acetate containing hexavalent uranium exhibited a binding energy of 382.0eV at the U 4f7/2peak. The sample incubated in the presence of bacteria was shifted to lower binding energy (380.6eV), confirming the reduction of U6+to U4+at the bacterial surface. XANES analysis, using an electron yield detector, was performed at the Mv absorption edge (3d--> 5f). The absorption peak energy of the sample exhibited a shift from 3551.1eV to 3550.1eV which is higher than uranium metal (3549.6eV) but lower than U4+(3550.4eV). This indicates the presence of U3+which is probably located beneath the surface within the biomass. Anaerobic bacterial treatment of wastes containing uranyl ion can result in the stabilization of uranium.

Near IR and Visible Photoluminescence Studies of Porous Silicon

We report photoluminescence emission and photoluminescence excitation studies of porous silicon obtained from p-type Si(111) wafers over the range of 0.9–13.0 eV (∼400–1400 nm). Strong IR emission above and below the bulk silicon band gap at ∼1.09 eV (1135 nm) at 300 K was observed. This luminescence due to intrinsic band-to-band recombination, was found to be enhanced by two orders of magnitude or more over the IR spectrum from an unanodized wafer. The visible luminescence peak that has been attributed to quantum confinement effects in porous silicon was located at ∼1.8 eV (689 nm). We studied the high intensity IR and visible PL in detail as a function of temperature (4–700 K), laser excitation energy (1.96–3.80 eV), and laser power (0.1–1000 mW). The measured shift in the bulk silicon band gap was approximately linear from 300–700 K (∼−0.22 meV/K), while the visible peak red-shifted by ∼− 1.24 meV/K over the same range. Below 300 K they both had comparable temperature dependences. The visible PL was investigated at room temperature in magnetic fields up to 15 T; no discernible shift in the peak position or change in the peak intensity was observed.

Mass spectrometry-based fragmentation as an identification tool in lignomics

The ensemble of all phenolics for which the biosynthesis is coregulated with lignin biosynthesis, i.e., metabolites from the general phenylpropanoid, monolignol, and (neo)lignan biosynthetic pathways and their derivatives, as well as the lignin oligomers, is coined the lignome. In lignifying tissues, the lignome comprises a significant portion of the metabolome. However, as is true for metabolomics in general, the structural elucidation of unknowns represents the biggest challenge in characterizing the lignome. To minimize the necessity to purify unknowns for NMR analysis, it would be desirable to be able to extract structural information from liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry data directly. However, mass spectral libraries for metabolomics are scarce, and no libraries exist for the lignome. Therefore, elucidating the gas-phase fragmentation behavior of the major bonding types encountered in lignome-associated molecules would considerably advance the systematic characterization of the lignome. By comparative MS(n) analysis of a series of molecules belonging to the β-aryl ether, benzodioxane, phenylcoumaran, and resinol groups, we succeeded in annotating typical fragmentations for each of these bonding structures as well as fragmentations that enabled the identification of the aromatic units involved in each bonding structure. Consequently, this work lays the foundation for a detailed characterization of the lignome in different plant species, mutants, and transgenics and for the MS-based sequencing of lignin oligomers and (neo)lignans.

Recombinant human endostatin, Endostar, enhances the effects of chemo-radiotherapy in a mouse cervical cancer xenograft model

BACKGROUND

The effects of recombinant human endostatin, Endostar, combined with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT) on tumor growth, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in a mouse xenograft model of cervical cancer was investigated.

METHODS

HeLa cells were injected subcutaneously to establish mouse xenograft models and mice were treated with normal saline (control), CCRT with cisplatin (CDDP), Endostar, or a combination of Endostar and CCRT. Growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis of tumors was monitored.

RESULTS

Tumorogenic activity of tumor cells in the CCRT, Endostar and combination Endostar-CCRT treatment groups was markedly decreased compared with the activity in the NS group (p < 0.05). The most significant inhibition of tumor growth was observed in the Endostar with CCRT group. Lymph node metastases in the Endostar with CCRT group (12.5%) and Endostar alone group (25%) were lower compared to the CCRT group (42.8%) and NS group (66.7%; p < 0.05). Endostar was also found to inhibit tumor angiogenesis. Endostar induced apoptosis of HeLa cells in vivo, and inhibited expression of VEGF and HIF-1alpha in vivo and in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Endostar enhanced the anti-cancer effect of CCRT in a mouse xenograft model of cervical cancer. These findings thus provide a new strategy to treat cervical cancer.

134 EFFECTS OF VITAMIN E AND VITAMIN C ON THE DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE OF BUFFALO (BUBALUS BUBALIS) EMBRYOS DERIVED FROM PARTHENOGENETIC ACTIVATION, IN VITRO FERTILIZATION, AND NUCLEAR TRANSFER

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of vitamin E (VE) and vitamin C (VC) on the in vitro development of embryos derived from parthenogenetic activation (PA), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and somatic cell nuclear transfer (NT) in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Buffalo oocytes obtained from ovaries at slaughter were matured in vitro for 22 to 24 h. After maturation, oocytes were separated to 3 groups: one group of oocytes was fertilized in vitro with buffalo sperm; one group of oocytes was parthenogenetically activated by exposing them to 5 μM ionomycin for 5 min and then cultured in 2 mM 6-DMAP for 3 h; the other group of oocytes was enucleated, and fibroblasts in DMEM + 10% FBS for 4 to 5 days were transferred into enucleated oocytes by electronic fusion (100 v mm–1, 15 μs, and 3 pulses). After fusion, the activation of reconstructed embryos was induced by exposure to 5 μM ionomycin for 5 min and then cultured in 2 mM 6-DMAP for 3 h. The embryos of PA, IVF, and NT were respectively cultured in the culture medium (CM) containing different concentrations of VE, VC, or VE + VC for 7 to 9 days to evaluate embryonic development. As a result, when the embryos were cultured in the CM with different concentrations of VE (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 μM), the blastocyst development rate of the embryos derived from PA, IVF, and NT gradually rose with increasing concentrations of VE and reached the highest amount [PA: 32.9% (81/246); IVF: 21.4% (45/210); and NT: 21.1% (47/223)] in the group containing 150 μM of VE; it was significantly higher than that of other groups (P < 0.05). When the different concentrations of VC (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 μM) were added to the CM, the blastocyst development rate of the embryos derived from PA, IVF, and NT also enhanced according to the increasing concentration of VC, and more embryos developed to blastocysts in the group containing 150 μM of VC [PA: 31.2% (72/231); IVF: 20.2% (43/213); NT: 19.8% (48/243)] than in the other groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group (0 μM), the blastocyst rate of PA and IVF, as well as NT embryos, cultured in the CM with 150 μM VE + 150 μM VC groups was significantly higher (P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in the percentage of blastocysts among groups of the 150 μM VE, 150 μM VC, and 150 μM VE + 150 μM VC (P > 0.05). These results indicated that adding VE (150 μM), VC (150 μM), or VE (150 μM) + VC (150 μM) in the CM could efficiently enhance the developmental competence of buffalo embryos during in vitro culture. This work was funded by China High Technology Development Program (2007AA100505), Guangxi Science Foundation (0718005-3A), Fok Ying Tung Education Foundation (111034).

Engineering traditional monolignols out of lignin by concomitant up-regulation of F5H1 and down-regulation of COMT in Arabidopsis

Lignin engineering is a promising strategy to optimize lignocellulosic plant biomass for use as a renewable feedstock for agro-industrial applications. Current efforts focus on engineering lignin with monomers that are not normally incorporated into wild-type lignins. Here we describe an Arabidopsis line in which the lignin is derived to a major extent from a non-traditional monomer. The combination of mutation in the gene encoding caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (comt) with over-expression of ferulate 5-hydroxylase under the control of the cinnamate 4-hydroxylase promoter (C4H:F5H1) resulted in plants with a unique lignin comprising almost 92% benzodioxane units. In addition to biosynthesis of this particular lignin, the comt C4H:F5H1 plants revealed massive shifts in phenolic metabolism compared to the wild type. The structures of 38 metabolites that accumulated in comt C4H:F51 plants were resolved by mass spectral analyses, and were shown to derive from 5-hydroxy-substituted phenylpropanoids. These metabolites probably originate from passive metabolism via existing biochemical routes normally used for 5-methoxylated and 5-unsubstituted phenylpropanoids and from active detoxification by hexosylation. Transcripts of the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway were highly up-regulated in comt C4H:F5H1 plants, indicating feedback regulation within the pathway. To investigate the role of flavonoids in the abnormal growth of comt C4H:F5H1 plants, a mutation in a gene encoding chalcone synthase (chs) was crossed in. The resulting comt C4H:F5H1 chs plants showed partial restoration of growth. However, a causal connection between flavonoid deficiency and this restoration of growth was not demonstrated; instead, genetic interactions between phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis could explain the partial restoration. These genetic interactions must be taken into account in future cell-wall engineering strategies.

Isolation and characterization of lignins from Eucalyptus tereticornis (12ABL)

A three-step sequential extraction-precipitation method was used to isolate lignin from Eucalyptus tereticornis. The ball-milled eucalyptus was extracted with 96% dioxane, 50% dioxane, and 80% dioxane containing 1% NaOH at boiling temperature, consecutively resulting in solubilization of lignin and hemicelluloses. By precipitating such solutions into 70% aqueous ethanol, the hemicelluloses were removed substantially although there were still some carbohydrates left over, especially for lignin fraction extracted by 50% dioxane. Lignins dissolved in the 70% ethanol solutions were recovered via concentration and precipitation into acidified water. About 37% of the original lignin was released following such procedure whereas only 13.5% can be isolated by traditional milled wood lignin (MWL) method. The obtained lignin fractions were analyzed by high performance anion exchange chromatography (HPAEC) following acid hydrolysis for sugar composition of the contaminating carbohydrates and characterized by quantitative (31)P NMR as well as two-dimensional heteronuclear single-quantum coherence ((13)C-(1)H) NMR. The results showed that 96% aqueous dioxane extraction of ball-milled wood under conditions used in this study resulted in lignin preparation with very similar structures and sugar composition as traditional MWL. Therefore extracting ball-milled wood with 96% aqueous dioxane produced lignin in 33.6% yield, which makes it very attractive as an alternative to the traditional MWL method. However further extraction with 50% aqueous dioxane or 80% aqueous dioxane containing 1% NaOH gave just a little more lignins with different carbohydrate compositions from those in MWL. The eucalyptus lignins obtained were syringyl and guaiacyl type units. Lignin fraction obtained from 96% dioxane extraction was found to have more phenolic hydroxyl and less aliphatic hydroxyl than the other two preparations.

The protective effect of Bdellovibrio-and-like organisms (BALO) on tilapia fish fillets against Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica serovar Typhimurium

AIMS

To characterize freshwater Bdellovibrio-and-like organisms (BALO) isolated in China and examine their potential in controlling growth of Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica serovar Typhimurium on tilapia fillets.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Four BALO isolates were recovered from a pond in Yanzhou of Shandong province, China, with Salm. Typhimurium as prey using double-layer agar method. Partial 16S rDNA sequencing analysis identified BD2GL, BD5GL and BDXGL as Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus and BD2GS as a Peredibacter sp. Lysis experiments on 32 potentially pathogenic strains revealed that BALO lysis rates are in the range of 56.3-65.6%. On the five Salmonella strains tested, only BD2GS achieved 100% lysis rate. When applied on tilapia fillets against Salm. Typhimurium, BD2GS showed its growth control potential. Cell increments of Salm. Typhimurium were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in two BD2GS-treated groups compared to control and low-dose group (BD2GS to prey ratio, 1 : 1) was more effective than high-dose group (BD2GS to prey ratio, 10 : 1) in controlling Salm. Typhimurium growth.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this study indicated that BD2GS could control Salm. Typhimurium growth on tilapia fillets.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

BALO could be used as a live protective culture in controlling bacterial growth and ensure food safety.

Mass spectrometry-based sequencing of lignin oligomers

Although the primary structure of proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates can be readily determined, no sequencing method has been described yet for the second most abundant biopolymer on earth (i.e. lignin). Within secondary-thickened plant cell walls, lignin forms an aromatic mesh arising from the combinatorial radical-radical coupling of monolignols and many other less abundant monomers. This polymerization process leads to a plethora of units and linkage types that affect the physicochemical characteristics of the cell wall. Current methods to analyze the lignin structure focus only on the frequency of the major monomeric units and interunit linkage types but do not provide information on the presence of less abundant unknown units and linkage types, nor on how linkages affect the formation of neighboring linkages. Such information can only be obtained using a sequencing approach. Here, we describe, to our knowledge for the first time, a sequencing strategy for lignin oligomers using mass spectrometry. This strategy was then evaluated on the oligomers extracted from wild-type poplar (Populus tremula x Populus tremuloides) xylem. In total, 134 lignin trimers to hexamers were observed, of which 36 could be completely sequenced. Interestingly, based on molecular mass data of the unknown monomeric and dimeric substructures, at least 10 unknown monomeric units or interunit linkage types were observed, one of which was identified as an arylglycerol end unit.

Identifying new lignin bioengineering targets: 1. Monolignol-substitute impacts on lignin formation and cell wall fermentability

BACKGROUND

Recent discoveries highlighting the metabolic malleability of plant lignification indicate that lignin can be engineered to dramatically alter its composition and properties. Current plant biotechnology efforts are primarily aimed at manipulating the biosynthesis of normal monolignols, but in the future apoplastic targeting of phenolics from other metabolic pathways may provide new approaches for designing lignins that are less inhibitory toward the enzymatic hydrolysis of structural polysaccharides, both with and without biomass pretreatment. To identify promising new avenues for lignin bioengineering, we artificially lignified cell walls from maize cell suspensions with various combinations of normal monolignols (coniferyl and sinapyl alcohols) plus a variety of phenolic monolignol substitutes. Cell walls were then incubated in vitro with anaerobic rumen microflora to assess the potential impact of lignin modifications on the enzymatic degradability of fibrous crops used for ruminant livestock or biofuel production.

RESULTS

In the absence of anatomical constraints to digestion, lignification with normal monolignols hindered both the rate and extent of cell wall hydrolysis by rumen microflora. Inclusion of methyl caffeate, caffeoylquinic acid, or feruloylquinic acid with monolignols considerably depressed lignin formation and strikingly improved the degradability of cell walls. In contrast, dihydroconiferyl alcohol, guaiacyl glycerol, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, and epigallocatechin gallate readily formed copolymer-lignins with normal monolignols; cell wall degradability was moderately enhanced by greater hydroxylation or 1,2,3-triol functionality. Mono- or diferuloyl esters with various aliphatic or polyol groups readily copolymerized with monolignols, but in some cases they accelerated inactivation of wall-bound peroxidase and reduced lignification; cell wall degradability was influenced by lignin content and the degree of ester group hydroxylation.

CONCLUSION

Overall, monolignol substitutes improved the inherent degradability of non-pretreated cell walls by restricting lignification or possibly by reducing lignin hydrophobicity or cross-linking to structural polysaccharides. Furthermore some monolignol substitutes, chiefly readily cleaved bi-phenolic conjugates like epigallocatechin gallate or diferuloyl polyol esters, are expected to greatly boost the enzymatic degradability of cell walls following chemical pretreatment. In ongoing work, we are characterizing the enzymatic saccharification of intact and chemically pretreated cell walls lignified by these and other monolignol substitutes to identify promising genetic engineering targets for improving plant fiber utilization.

Association of the genetic polymorphisms of the ACE gene and the eNOS gene with lupus nephropathy in northern Chinese population

BACKGROUND

It has been reported that some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene and the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene are associated with the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the progression of nephropathy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible association between six SNPs (A-5466C, T-3892C, A-240T, C1237T, G2215A and A2350G) of the ACE gene and two SNPs (T-786C and G894T) of the eNOS gene with lupus nephropathy in a northern Chinese population.

METHODS

In this study, 225 patients with lupus nephropathy were compared to 232 healthy controls, matched by gender, age and ethnicity. Following the extraction of genomic DNA from the leukocytes in the peripheral blood, the genotypes of the eight selected SNPs were determined by the method of PCR-RFLP; the haplotypes were inferred using PHASE 2.1. The associations between the SNPs and the risk of lupus nephropathy were analyzed using Chi-square test and Logistic regression with SPSS13.0 software.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences of the allele frequency distribution of three SNPs (A-5466C, A2350G and G894T) were observed between cases and controls (P<0.05). Among the 53 haplotypes identified, the frequencies of five haplotypes (CTTCGA, ACTTAA, ACATGG, ACACGG and ATTCGA) were significantly different between cases and controls (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicated an association between the risk of lupus nephropathy and the sequence variations of both the ACE gene and the eNOS gene, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of lupus nephropathy in the northern Chinese population. Further studies are warranted to validate our findings.

Sequencing around 5-hydroxyconiferyl alcohol-derived units in caffeic acid O-methyltransferase-deficient poplar lignins

Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a bifunctional enzyme that methylates the 5- and 3-hydroxyl positions on the aromatic ring of monolignol precursors, with a preference for 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde, on the way to producing sinapyl alcohol. Lignins in COMT-deficient plants contain benzodioxane substructures due to the incorporation of 5-hydroxyconiferyl alcohol (5-OH-CA), as a monomer, into the lignin polymer. The derivatization followed by reductive cleavage method can be used to detect and determine benzodioxane structures because of their total survival under this degradation method. Moreover, partial sequencing information for 5-OH-CA incorporation into lignin can be derived from detection or isolation and structural analysis of the resulting benzodioxane products. Results from a modified derivatization followed by reductive cleavage analysis of COMT-deficient lignins provide evidence that 5-OH-CA cross couples (at its beta-position) with syringyl and guaiacyl units (at their O-4-positions) in the growing lignin polymer and then either coniferyl or sinapyl alcohol, or another 5-hydroxyconiferyl monomer, adds to the resulting 5-hydroxyguaiacyl terminus, producing the benzodioxane. This new terminus may also become etherified by coupling with further monolignols, incorporating the 5-OH-CA integrally into the lignin structure.

Isolation of cellulolytic enzyme lignin from wood preswollen/dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide/n-methylimidazole

Attempts were made to enhance polysaccharide digestibility by crude cellulases in the isolation of cellulolytic enzyme lignin (CEL) by dissolution of ball-milled wood in a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/N-methylimidazole solvent system as a pretreatment step. Wood regenerated from the DMSO/N-methylimidazole solution was hydrolyzed with crude cellulases for 48 h, removing 73.7 and 66.9% of the original carbohydrate for basswood and loblolly pine, respectively; only 61.7 and 49.2% were hydrolyzed by the crude cellulases without pretreatment. The yields of CEL isolated from regenerated ball-milled wood samples were therefore higher than those directly from ball-milled wood material, presumably via decreasing crystallinity of cellulose. For basswood, the yields of lignin were 45.8 and 36.5% (based on Klason lignin); for loblolly pine, the yields were 35.3 and 30.5%. The isolated lignins were structurally examined using two-dimensional heteronuclear single-quantum coherence ((1)H-(13)C HSQC) NMR methods, which showed that the main structural characteristics of the lignin fractions obtained using these two methods are similar except for slightly higher amounts of carbohydrates in the solvent dissolution product.

Structure and dynamics of NBD1 from CFTR characterized using crystallography and hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry

The DeltaF508 mutation in nucleotide-binding domain 1 (NBD1) of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is the predominant cause of cystic fibrosis. Previous biophysical studies on human F508 and DeltaF508 domains showed only local structural changes restricted to residues 509-511 and only minor differences in folding rate and stability. These results were remarkable because DeltaF508 was widely assumed to perturb domain folding based on the fact that it prevents trafficking of CFTR out of the endoplasmic reticulum. However, the previously reported crystal structures did not come from matched F508 and DeltaF508 constructs, and the DeltaF508 structure contained additional mutations that were required to obtain sufficient protein solubility. In this article, we present additional biophysical studies of NBD1 designed to address these ambiguities. Mass spectral measurements of backbone amide (1)H/(2)H exchange rates in matched F508 and DeltaF508 constructs reveal that DeltaF508 increases backbone dynamics at residues 509-511 and the adjacent protein segments but not elsewhere in NBD1. These measurements also confirm a high level of flexibility in the protein segments exhibiting variable conformations in the crystal structures. We additionally present crystal structures of a broader set of human NBD1 constructs, including one harboring the native F508 residue and others harboring the DeltaF508 mutation in the presence of fewer and different solubilizing mutations. The only consistent conformational difference is observed at residues 509-511. The side chain of residue V510 in this loop is mostly buried in all non-DeltaF508 structures but completely solvent exposed in all DeltaF508 structures. These results reinforce the importance of the perturbation DeltaF508 causes in the surface topography of NBD1 in a region likely to mediate contact with the transmembrane domains of CFTR. However, they also suggest that increased exposure of the 509-511 loop and increased dynamics in its vicinity could promote aggregation in vitro and aberrant intermolecular interactions that impede trafficking in vivo.

Identification of lignin and polysaccharide modifications in Populus wood by chemometric analysis of 2D NMR spectra from dissolved cell walls

2D 13C-(1)H HSQC NMR spectroscopy of acetylated cell walls in solution gives a detailed fingerprint that can be used to assess the chemical composition of the complete wall without extensive degradation. We demonstrate how multivariate analysis of such spectra can be used to visualize cell wall changes between sample types as high-resolution 2D NMR loading spectra. Changes in composition and structure for both lignin and polysaccharides can subsequently be interpreted on a molecular level. The multivariate approach alleviates problems associated with peak picking of overlapping peaks, and it allows the deduction of the relative importance of each peak for sample discrimination. As a first proof of concept, we compare Populus tension wood to normal wood. All well established differences in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin compositions between these wood types were readily detected, confirming the reliability of the multivariate approach. In a second example, wood from transgenic Populus modified in their degree of pectin methylesterification was compared to that of wild-type trees. We show that differences in both lignin and polysaccharide composition that are difficult to detect with traditional spectral analysis and that could not be a priori predicted were revealed by the multivariate approach. 2D NMR of dissolved cell wall samples combined with multivariate analysis constitutes a novel approach in cell wall analysis and provides a new tool that will benefit cell wall research.

A modified Kolsky bar system for testing ultrasoft materials under intermediate strain rates

A 25 mm aluminum Kolsky bar is modified to test ultrasoft materials under intermediate strain rates (10-100 s(-1)). In this modified system, an ultralong loading pulse (5-50 ms) is generated using an 800 mm steel striker in combination with a pulse shaper made of 2.5 mm thick soft rubber. For such long loading pulses, the traditional data reduction scheme based on strain gauge measurements is not possible. We use a laser gap gauge to measure the deformation of the sample directly and monitor the low amplitude dynamic loading stresses on the sample with a pair of piezoelectric transducers that are embedded in the bars. A commercial foam rubber is tested to demonstrate the feasibility of our modified Kolsky bar system.

Predictors for casual sex and/or infection among sexually transmitted disease clinic attendees in China

To assess the risk factors for casual sex and infections among the sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic attendees in two disparate Chinese cities, an STD clinic-based cross-sectional study was conducted to provide demographic and sexual behaviour information. Participants were recruited from nine STD clinics selected by mapping strategy. STD prevalence was 69.4% (68.6% of men and 65.2% of women). The most common diagnoses were non-gonococcal urethritis (22.2%), genital warts (13.2%), syphilis (11.6%), gonorrhoea (8.4%), chlamydia (6.3%) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) (5.8%). Of 536 participants, 22.5% reported having casual sex in the last three months, younger age, less education, unawareness of transmission routes and having had casual sex in the last three months were independent risk factors for acquisition of an STD. Single or separated marital status, non-local residency and STD diagnoses were independently associated with having had casual sex. After decades of exceedingly low STD rates in China, a full panoply of STD diagnoses are now evident. Both for reproductive health concerns and for stemming the expansion of HIV spread, STD control and prevention must be revitalized as a priority for China's public health and medical institutions. Effective training is a priority, given the dearth of STD-experienced health-care workers.

Grass lignin acylation: p-coumaroyl transferase activity and cell wall characteristics of C3 and C4 grasses

Grasses are a predominant source of nutritional energy for livestock systems around the world. Grasses with high lignin content have lower energy conversion efficiencies for production of bioenergy either in the form of ethanol or to milk and meat through ruminants. Grass lignins are uniquely acylated with p-coumarates (pCA), resulting from the incorporation of monolignol p-coumarate conjugates into the growing lignin polymer within the cell wall matrix. The required acyl-transferase is a soluble enzyme (p-coumaroyl transferase, pCAT) that utilizes p-coumaroyl-CoenzymeA (pCA-CoA) as the activated donor molecule and sinapyl alcohol as the preferred acceptor molecule. Grasses (C3and C4) were evaluated for cell wall characteristics; pCA, lignin, pCAT activity, and neutral sugar composition. All C3 and C4 grasses had measurable pCAT activity, however the pCAT activities did not follow the same pattern as the pCA incorporation into lignin as expected.

Ferulate-coniferyl alcohol cross-coupled products formed by radical coupling reactions

Radical coupling reactions between ethyl ferulate (Et-FA), a simple model for feruloyl polysaccharides in planta, and coniferyl alcohol (CA), a monolignol, were studied in order to better understand the polymer cross-coupling interactions among polysaccharides and monolignols or lignin, mediated by ferulate (FA), in plant cell walls. Cross-coupled FA/CA dimers produced in an aqueous buffer (pH 5.0) containing peroxidase/hydrogen peroxide were isolated and characterized by NMR. The total coupling products were characterized by 2D (13)C-(1)H correlation (HSQC) NMR spectroscopy and GC-MS. Results from this study showed that ferulate readily cross-couples with coniferyl alcohol through free radical coupling mechanisms producing a series of cross-coupled FA/CA dimers with beta-O-4-, beta-5-/8-5-, and 8-beta-linkages; the syntheses and isolation of beta-5- and 8-5-cross-coupled dimers are reported here. The transformation from 8-beta-coupled FA/CA hydroxyl esters into lactones through intramolecular transesterification is demonstrated for the first time and mechanisms behind these transformations are discussed. The finding of both beta-5- and 8-5-cross-coupled dimers in this study suggests that analogs of both may be present in plant cell walls. Finally it is suggested that ferulates in plants indeed react with monolignols through free radical mechanisms producing a more diverse array of cross-coupled dimers than previously reported.

A new strategy to induce effective antitumour response in vitro and in vivo

To induce Her2-specific cell immune response, we used xenogeneic antigen rat neu L2-S2 domains as the vaccine antigen. The antigenic protein was engineered as a chimeric protein with human IgG1 Fc region (neu-Fc). Neu-Fc could stimulate the cell proliferation in mixed lymphocyte reaction effectively. Simultaneous neu-Fc and IFN-gamma stimulation dramatically elevated IL-12 secretion and reduced IL-10 production in PBMC. To further augment the activating effects on Th1-type response, Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) was utilized as a non-specific stimulus. Neu-Fc, IFN-gamma and BCG costimulation exhibited the most conspicuous effects on the reversal of the Th1-type inhibitory effects by MCF-7 cell supernatant compared with neu-Fc alone or IFN-gamma and BCG costimulation. The lytic activity of effector cells to Her2 overexpressing cells was greatly promoted by neu-Fc, IFN-gamma and BCG stimulation simultaneously. Neu-Fc led to considerable retardation in EMT6/Her2 tumour growth in Balb/c mice. IFN-gamma and BCG efficiently enhanced the antitumour activity. A large amount of inflammatory cells were found to be accumulated in the tumour tissues or surrounded tumours in mice treated with neu-Fc, IFN-gamma and BCG but no inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in control tumours, indicating that the strategy is potent enough to support the initiation and propagation of tumour-specific immune response in an established tumour and generate a proinflammatory environment.

Anomalous line shape of the cross section for e{+}e{-}--> hadrons in the center-of-mass energy region between 3.650 and 3.872 GeV

We observe an obvious anomalous line shape of the e;{+}e;{-}--> hadrons total cross sections in the energy region between 3.700 and 3.872 GeV. It is inconsistent with the explanation for only one simple psi(3770) resonance with a statistical significance of 7sigma. The anomalous line shape may be explained by two possible enhancements of the inclusive hadron production near the center-of-mass energies of 3.764 and 3.779 GeV, indicating that either there is likely a new structure in addition to the psi(3770) resonance around 3.773 GeV, or there are some physics effects reflecting the DD[over ] production dynamics.

Coniferyl ferulate incorporation into lignin enhances the alkaline delignification and enzymatic degradation of cell walls

Incorporating ester interunit linkages into lignin could facilitate fiber delignification and utilization. In model studies with maize cell walls, we examined how partial substitution of coniferyl alcohol (a normal monolignol) with coniferyl ferulate (an ester conjugate from lignan biosynthesis) alters the formation and alkaline extractability of lignin and the enzymatic hydrolysis of structural polysaccharides. Coniferyl ferulate moderately reduced lignification and cell-wall ferulate copolymerization with monolignols. Incorporation of coniferyl ferulate increased lignin extractability by up to 2-fold in aqueous NaOH, providing an avenue for producing fiber with less noncellulosic and lignin contamination or of delignifying at lower temperatures. Cell walls lignified with coniferyl ferulate were more readily hydrolyzed with fibrolytic enzymes, both with and without alkaline pretreatment. Based on our results, bioengineering of plants to incorporate coniferyl ferulate into lignin should enhance lignocellulosic biomass saccharification and particularly pulping for paper production.

5-Azacytidine-treated human mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells derived from umbilical cord, cord blood and bone marrow do not generate cardiomyocytes in vitro at high frequencies

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitors that differentiate into such lineages as bone, fat, cartilage and stromal cells that support haemopoiesis. Bone marrow MSCs can also contribute to cardiac repair, although the mechanism for this is unclear. Here, we examine the potential of MSCs from different sources to generate cardiomyocytes in vitro, as a means for predicting their therapeutic potential after myocardial infarction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells were isolated from the perivascular tissue and Wharton's jelly of the umbilical cord and from cord blood. Their immunophenotype and differentiation potential to generate osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes and cardiomyoxcytes in vitro was compared with those of bone marrow MSCs.

RESULTS

Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells isolated from umbilical cord and cord blood were phenotypically similar to bone marrow MSCs, the exception being in the expression of CD106, which was absent on umbilical cord MSCs, and CD146 that was highly expressed in cord blood MSCs. They have variable abilities to give rise to osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes, with bone marrow MSCs being the most robust. While a small proportion (approximately 0.07%) of bone marrow MSCs could generate cardiomyocyte-like cells in vitro, those from umbilical cord and cord blood did not express cardiac markers either spontaneously or after treatment with 5-azacytidine.

CONCLUSION

Although MSCs may be useful for such clinical applications as bone or cartilage repair, the results presented here indicate that such cells do not generate cardiomyocytes frequently enough for cardiac repair. Their efficacy in heart repair is likely to be due to paracrine mechanisms.