ADAPTIVE SMALL-ANIMAL SPECT/CT

We are exploring the concept of adaptive multimodality imaging, a form of non-linear optimization where the imaging configuration is automatically adjusted in response to the object. Preliminary studies suggest that substantial improvement in objective, task-based measures of image quality can result. We describe here our work to add motorized adjustment capabilities and a matching CT to our existing FastSPECT II system to form an adaptive small-animal SPECT/CT.

Selective albumin exchange: a novel and simple method to remove bilirubin

PURPOSE

Owing to its non-selectivity, plasma exchange has limited use in the treatment of patients with hepatic failure, although it is effective in removal of protein-bound toxins. This study reports a novel way to perform selective albumin exchange (SAE) by using a secondary plasma separator and aims to study its depurative capacity in the removal of bilirubin.

METHOD

In ex vivo experiments, the sieving coefficients (SCs) of plasma proteins for two secondary plasma separators, EC20W and EC30W (Asahi Medical, Tokyo, Japan), were measured. The EC20W membrane was chosen for use in clinical treatment because of its higher selectivity in separating albumin from plasma than the EC30W. The SCs of albumin, immunoglobumin G, A and M (IgG, IgA, IgM) for the EC20W were 0.3+/-0.021, 0.017+/-0.012, and 0, respectively. Five inpatients with plasma total bilirubin (TB) more than 200 micromol/L were enrolled in the present study and received a total of 10 SAE therapy sessions. Each session lasted 10 hours. SAE using the EC20W was conducted, making it similar to post-dilution continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH), with a filtrate rate of 2000 ml/h. Replacement fluid was composed by adding human albumin into conventional CVVH replacement fluid, with a final albumin concentration of 0.6%. During each treatment, the parameters of plasma and filtrate TB, direct bilirubin (DB), indirect bilirubin (IDB), and proteins were dynamically monitored. Hemostasis parameters were measured before and after sessions.

RESULTS

The reduction ratio of plasma TB, DB, and IDB after a single session was 29.1+/-3.0%, 31.3+/-4.5%, and 18.7+/-10.2%, respectively. The clearance of TB at initiation was 11.1+/-1.3 mL/min and declined to 4.4+/-0.5 ml/min at the end (p<0.01). This decline was accompanied by a reduction in albumin SC from 0.3+/-0.021 to 0.13+/-0.05. The molar ratio of bilirubin to albumin in filtrate was comparable to that in plasma. After a single treatment, plasma protein concentration including total protein, albumin, IgA and IgM remained unaffected, except for globulin and IgG, which were reduced by 11.5+/-7.8% and 11.1+/-2.3%, respectively. An improvement in hemostasis parameters, including plasma fibrinogen, prothrombase time and INR, was found after treatment. No obvious side effects were reported during any of the sessions.

CONCLUSION

Selective albumin exchange is a simple and effective method to remove bilirubin. However, further studies are required to verify its effects on clinical outcome.

A novel lipopeptide produced by a Pacific Ocean deep-sea bacterium, Rhodococcus sp. TW53

AIMS

Our goal was to find a novel, biosurfactant-producing bacterium from Pacific Ocean deep-sea sediments.

METHODS AND RESULTS

An oil-degrading biosurfactant-producing bacterium TW53 was obtained from deep-sea sediment, and was identified through 16S rDNA analysis as belonging to the genus Rhodococcus. It lowered the surface tension of its culture to 34.4 mN m(-1). Thin layer chromatography (TLC) showed that the crude biosurfactants of TW53 were composed of lipopeptides and free fatty acids (FA). The lipopeptides were purified with column chromatography and then hydrolysed with 6 mol l(-1) HCl. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that the hydrolyte in the hydrophobic fraction contained five kinds of FA with chain lengths of C(14)-C(19), and C(16)H(32)O(2) was a major component making up 59.18% of the total. However, 3-hydroxyl FA was not found, although it is usually found in lipopeptides. Silica gel TLC revealed that the hydrolyte in the hydrophilic fraction was composed of five kinds of amino acids; consistently, ESI-Q-TOF-MS analysis confirmed the composition results and provided their sequence tentatively as Ala-Ile-Asp-Met-Pro. Furthermore, the yield and CMC (critical micelle concentrations) of purified lipopeptides were examined. The purified product reduced the surface tension of water to 30.7 mN m(-1) with a CMC value of 23.7 mg l(-1). These results suggest that Rhodococcus sp. TW53 produces a novel lipopeptide that we have named rhodofactin.

CONCLUSION

The deep-sea isolate Rhodococcus sp. TW53 was the first reported lipopeptide-producing bacterium of this genus. The lipopeptides had novel chemical compositions.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Rhodococcus sp. TW53 has potential in the exploration of new biosurfactants and could be used in bioremediation of marine oil pollution.

Measurement of the forward-backward charge asymmetry in top-quark pair production

We present the first measurement of the integrated forward-backward charge asymmetry in top-quark-top-antiquark pair (tt) production in proton-antiproton (pp) collisions in the lepton+jets final state. Using a b-jet tagging algorithm and kinematic reconstruction assuming tt + X production and decay, a sample of 0.9 fb(-1) of data, collected by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider, is used to measure the asymmetry for different jet multiplicities. The result is also used to set upper limits on tt+X production via a Z' resonance.

Human Delta1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase: function and regulation

Mammalian Delta(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS) is a bifunctional ATP- and NAD(P)H-dependent mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes the coupled phosphorylation and reduction-conversion of L: -glutamate to P5C, a pivotal step in the biosynthesis of L: -proline, L: -ornithine and L: -arginine. Previously, we reported cloning and characterization of two P5CS transcript variants generated by exon sliding that encode two protein isoforms differing only by a two amino acid-insert at the N-terminus of the gamma-glutamyl kinase active site. The short form (P5CS.short) is highly expressed in the gut and is inhibited by ornithine. In contrast, the long form (P5CS.long) is expressed ubiquitously and is insensitive to ornithine. Interestingly, we found that all the established human cell lines we have studied expressed P5CS.long but not P5CS.short. In addition, expression of P5CS.long can be modulated by hormones: downregulation by hydrocortisone and dexamethasone and upregulation by estradiol, for example. Using a quantitative proteomic approach, we showed that P5CS.long is upregulated by p53 in p53-induced apoptosis in DLD-1 colorectal cancer cells. Functional genomic analysis confirmed that there are two p53-binding consensus sequences in the promoter region and in the intron 1 of the human P5CS gene. Interestingly, overexpression of P5CS by adenoviruses harboring P5CS.long or P5CS.short in various cell types has no effect on cell growth or survival. It would be of importance to further investigate the role of P5CS as a p53 downstream effector and how P5CS.short expression is regulated by hormones and factors of alternative splicing in cells isolated from model animals.

Search for ZZ and Zgamma* production in pp[over ] collisions at square root s=1.96 TeV and limits on anomalous ZZZ and ZZgamma* couplings

We present a study of micro micro micro micro, eeee, and micro micro ee events using 1 fb(-1) of data collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron pp[over ] Collider at square root s=1.96 TeV. Requiring the lepton pair masses to be greater than 30 GeV, we observe one event, consistent with the expected background of 0.13+/-0.03 events and with the predicted standard model ZZ and Zgamma* production of 1.71+/-0.15 events. We set an upper limit on the ZZ and Zgamma* cross section of 4.4 pb at the 95% C.L. We also derive limits on anomalous neutral trilinear ZZZ and ZZgamma* gauge couplings. The one-parameter 95% C.L. coupling limits with a form-factor scale Lambda=1.2 TeV are -0.28<f(40)(Z)<0.28, -0.31<f(50)(Z)<0.29, -0.26<f(40)(gamma)<0.26, and -0.30<f(50)(gamma)<0.28.

Changes of soybean quality during storage as related to soymilk and tofu making

Soybeans are stored and transported under various humidity and temperature conditions. Soymilk and tofu are two of the most important foods made from whole soybeans. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of storage conditions on soybean quality as related to soymilk and tofu-making properties. Soybeans of 3 different genotypes (Proto, IA2032, and Vinton 81) were stored in varying conditions: temperature ranging from 4 to 50 degrees C, relative humidity from 55% to 80%, initial moisture content from 6% to 14%, and storage time up to 15 mo depending upon storage conditions. The effects of different storage conditions on soybean color, solids and protein extractability, soymilk pH, tofu yield, tofu solids and protein contents, tofu color, and texture were investigated. While no significant changes occurred for the soybeans stored at 4 degrees C, the soybeans stored at high temperatures (30 to 50 degrees C) exhibited significant quality loss (P < 0.05). The degradation of soybean lightness (Hunter L), color difference (Delta E), and solid extractability exhibited a linear relationship with time. Soak weight decreased at high temperature and relative humidity, but increased at mild storage conditions. Several combinations of storage conditions at temperatures exceeding 30 degrees C produced a drastic loss in tofu yield. Storage also affected the tofu making process by reducing optimum mixing time to produce the highest tofu yield. Varietal difference in soybean storability was observed. The results provided useful information for the soybean processing industry to store soybeans using the optimal storage conditions and to estimate soybean quality after storage.

Mice with beta cell overexpression of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta have reduced beta cell mass and proliferation

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of several prevalent diseases, including diabetes. However, despite recent progress in our understanding of the role of GSK3 in the regulation of glucose metabolism in peripheral tissues, the involvement of GSK3 in islet beta cell growth and function in vivo is unknown. We therefore sought to determine whether over-activation of GSK3beta would lead to alterations in islet beta cell mass and/or function.

METHODS

Transgenic mice overexpressing a constitutively active form of human GSK3beta (S9A) under the control of the rat insulin promoter (RIP-GSK3betaCA) were created. Studies using mouse insulinoma cells (MIN6) were conducted to investigate the regulation of GSK3beta activity and its impact on pancreas/duodenum homeobox protein-1 (PDX-1) levels.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that phosphorylation of GSK3beta was decreased, indicating increased GSK3beta activity in two animal models of diabetes, Lepr(-/- ) mice and Ins2 (Akita/+) mice. In MIN6 cells, the activity of GSK3beta was regulated by glucose, in a fashion largely dependent on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. RIP-GSK3betaCA transgenic mice showed impaired glucose tolerance after 5 months of age. Histological studies revealed that transgenic mice had decreased beta cell mass and decreased beta cell proliferation, with a 50% decrease (p<0.05) in the level of PDX-1.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

We showed direct evidence that GSK3beta activity is associated with beta cell failure in diabetic mouse models and that its overactivation resulted in decreased pancreatic beta cell proliferation and mass. GSK3 modulates PDX-1 stability in both cultured insulinoma cells and islets in vivo. These results may ultimately facilitate the development of potential therapeutic interventions targeting type 2 diabetes and/or islet transplantation.

Search for flavor-changing-neutral-current d meson decays

We study the flavor-changing-neutral-current process c-->u micro(+) micro(-) using 1.3 fb(-1) of pp[over ] collisions at square root s = 1.96 TeV recorded by the D0 detector operating at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. We see clear indications of the charged-current mediated D(s)(+) and D(+)-->phipi(+) --> micro(+)micro(-)pi(+) final states with significance greater than 4 standard deviations above background for the D(+) state. We search for the continuum neutral-current decay of D(+)-->pi(+) micro(+) micro(-) in the dimuon invariant mass spectrum away from the phi resonance. We see no evidence of signal above background and set a limit of B(D(+) --> pi(+) micro(+) micro(-))<3.9 x 10(-6) at the 90% C.L. This limit places the most stringent constraint on new phenomena in the c--> u micro(+) micro(-) transition.

Measurement of the shape of the boson-transverse momentum distribution in pp --> Z/gamma* --> e+e- + X events produced at square root s = 1.96 TeV

We present a measurement of the shape of the Z/gamma* boson transverse momentum (q(T)) distribution in pp --> Z/gamma* --> e(+)e(-) + X events at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV using 0.98 fb(-1) of data collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. The data are found to be consistent with the resummation prediction at low q(T), but above the perturbative QCD calculation in the region of q(T)>30 GeV/c. Using events with q(T)<30 GeV/c, we extract the value of g(2), one of the nonperturbative parameters for the resummation calculation. Data at large boson rapidity y are compared with the prediction of resummation and with alternative models that employ a resummed form factor with modifications in the small Bjorken x region of the proton wave function.

Search for Randall-Sundrum gravitons with 1 fb(-1) of data from pp collisions at sqrt(s)=1.96 TeV

We search for decays of Kaluza-Klein excitations of the graviton in the Randall-Sundrum model of extra dimensions to e+ e(-) and gamma gamma in 1 fb(-1) of pp collisions at sqrt(s)=1.96 TeV collected by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. We set 95% confidence level upper limits on the production cross section times branching fraction, which translate into lower limits on the mass of the lightest excitation between 300 and 900 GeV for values of the coupling k/MPl between 0.01 and 0.1.

Endocrine regulations of reproductive seasonality, follicular development and incubation in Magang geese

This study investigated the regulatory mechanisms of seasonal breeding, developments of ovarian follicles and incubation in Magang geese, a short day breeding bird. Throughout the year, plasma PRL concentrations increased in non-breeding season in spring and summer (from April to early August), and remained low in the rest of the year, while LH concentrations peaked in August and September and remained low in non-breeding season (March to June). Lengthening photoperiod increased PRL and decreased LH secretions, which inhibited follicular development, terminated lay and induced moulting, while shortening photoperiod decreased PRL and increased LH secretion and reinitiated lay. Long photoperiod stimulated PRL secretion occurred with increased gene expressions of PRL in the pituitary gland and VIP in the hypothalamus, but inhibition of LH secretion was without decreases in gene expressions of LH beta subunit and GnRH. Under breeding conditions, terminating incubation decreased PRL but increased LH concentrations and resumed lay in 24 days following recruitment of about 10 large white follicles into hierarchical development. Plasma concentrations of progesterone and inhibin peaked at peak lay, whereas LH concentrations exhibited a bi-phasic pattern with troughs at peak lay and incubation when PRL concentrations were high. Ninety percent geese exhibited incubation behaviour after laying one clutch of approximately eight eggs in approximately 30 days. In conclusion the seasonal reproductive activities in Magang geese is directly inhibited by long photoperiod and directly stimulated by short photoperiod via PRL and LH secretions, whose interplays also cause occurrences of four to five lay and incubation cycles in the breeding season.

Potent in vivo anti-tumor activity of isolated CD62L(low) lymph node cells sensitized in vivo with tumor lysate-pulsed DC-based vaccines

BACKGROUND

DC are potent APC that can activate both CD4 and CD8 T cells in vitro and in vivo. Although the efficacy of DC-based cancer vaccines is currently being evaluated in clinical trials, the systemic immune suppression in cancer patients negatively impacts the clinical benefit of this therapeutic approach. Therefore, in this study we tested the feasibility and anti-tumor effect of adoptive immunotherapy using in vitro-activated CD62L(low) lymph node cells that were isolated from DC-vaccinated draining lymph nodes (VDLN).

METHODS

DC were prepared from BM cells and loaded with tumor lysate for inoculating into naive mice. Subsequently, the VDLN were removed and CD62L(low) cells in the VDLN population isolated, expanded in vitro by 5-day culture with IL-2 and immobilized anti-CD3 stimulation, then injected into mice with established pulmonary tumors. Eighteen days after treatment, mice were killed in order to enumerate pulmonary tumor nodes.

RESULTS

DC phagocytosed the tumor lysate efficiently and induced detectable T-cell responses and significant cell expansion in the draining lymph nodes. After induction of maturation by LPS treatment, DC expressed higher levels of CD40, CD86 and MHC class II molecules. When CD62L(low) VDLN cells that had been isolated and expanded in vitro were transferred into tumor-bearing mice, as few as 3 x 10(6) cells were able to cure metastatic pulmonary tumors in vivo.

DISCUSSION

DC-based VDLN T cells are an important source of anti-tumor effector for adoptive immunotherapy. This study provides a novel and an effective protocol using T-cell adoptive immunotherapy for application in cancer patients; therefore, clinical trials based on this protocol may be warranted.

Observation and properties of the orbitally excited B_(s2)(*) meson

We report the direct observation of the excited L=1 state B_(s2)(*) in fully reconstructed decays to B+K-. The mass of the B_(s2)(*) meson is measured to be 5839.6+/-1.1(stat)+/-0.7(syst) MeV/c(2), and its production rate relative to the B+ meson is measured to be [1.15+/-0.23(stat)+/-0.13(syst)]%.

Model-independent measurement of the W-boson helicity in top-quark decays at D0

We present the first model-independent measurement of the helicity of W bosons produced in top quark decays, based on a 1 fb(-1) sample of candidate tt events in the dilepton and lepton plus jets channels collected by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron pp Collider. We reconstruct the angle theta(*) between the momenta of the down-type fermion and the top quark in the W boson rest frame for each top quark decay. A fit of the resulting costheta(*) distribution finds that the fraction of longitudinal W bosons f(0)=0.425+/-0.166(stat)+/-0.102(syst) and the fraction of right-handed W bosons f(+)=0.119+/-0.090(stat)+/-0.053(syst), which is consistent at the 30% C.L. with the standard model.

MAPK/ERK signalling mediates VEGF-induced bone marrow stem cell differentiation into endothelial cell

Multi-potent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) differentiate into endothelial cells (ECs) in the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The mechanism(s) of VEGF-induced differentiation of MAPCs to ECs are not yet known. We, therefore, examined the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p42/44-MAPK/ERK1/2) signalling in endothelial differentiation from bone marrow stem cells. We observed that VEGF stimulation of MAPCs for 14 days results in a significant expression of endothelial-specific gene and/or proteins including von Willebrand factor (vWF), vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin), VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR2), and CD31. Up-regulation of EC-specific markers was accompanied by a cobblestone morphology, expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and Dil-Ac-LDL uptake, typical for EC morphology and function. VEGF induced a sustained activation of p42 MAPK/ERK, but not that of p44 MAPK/ERK during the course of MAPCs differentiation in a time-dependent manner up to 14 days. VEGF-induced activation of p42 MAPK/ERK also led to the nuclear translocation of MAPK/ERK1/2. Incubation of MAPCs with MAPK/ERK1/2 phosphorylation inhibitor PD98059 blocked the sustained VEGF-induced MAPK/ERK1/2 phosphorylation as well as its nuclear translocation in the differentiating MAPCs. Inhibition of MAPK/ERK1/2 phosphorylation by PD98059 also blocked the expression of EC-specific genes in these cells and their differentiation to ECs. These data suggest that VEGF induces MAPC differentiation into EC via a. MAPK/ERK1/2 signalling pathway-mediated mechanism in vitro.

Search for W' bosons decaying to an electron and a neutrino with the D0 detector

This Letter describes the search for a new heavy charged gauge boson W' decaying into an electron and a neutrino. The data were collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron pp[over] Collider at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of about 1 fb(-1). Lacking any significant excess in the data in comparison with known processes, an upper limit is set on sigma_(W') x B(W')-->e nu), and a W' boson with mass below 1.00 TeV can be excluded at the 95% C.L., assuming standard-model-like couplings to fermions. This result significantly improves upon previous limits and is the most stringent to date.

Comparison of anatomical shoulder prostheses and the proximal humeri of Chinese people

Reconstruction of normal anatomy is important to a successful proximal humeral arthroplasty, in which the surgeon needs to know multiple measured anatomical parameters during the surgery. Based on three-dimensional computed tomography scanning data, computer models of the proximal humeri of 180 Chinese people were built. They came from 77 males and 103 females; their ages ranged from 19 to 86 years. Anatomical parameters including the curvature diameter of the head, the head height, the inclination, and the retroversion were measured using the software in these three-dimensional proximal humerus models. The methodology was valid and the measured results showed marked variations in all those parameters. On average, the curvature diameter of the head was 44.6 mm, ranging from 36.4 to 55.5 mm. The head height was located at 16.7 +/- 1.9 mm (minimum, 12.4 mm; maximum, 22.0 mm). The inclination angle ranged from 122.35 degrees to 147.09 degrees (mean, 132.4 +/- 4.7 degrees). The proximal humeral retroversion was found to be extremely variable, ranging from -4.71 degrees to 52.46 degrees, and has a mean of 21.11 degrees. Then these measured results were compared with four commonly used anatomical prostheses. The wide range of variation in the normal values makes it difficult to restore anatomical characteristics individually. Thus, the use of an accurate three-dimensional model to guide surgery preoperatively can improve the outcome of some serious cases, such as gross degenerative change and large-bone-loss surgery.

Molecular cloning and characterisation of the Magang goose prolactin gene

In studying the roles of prolactin in regulation of seasonal reproduction, incubation, broodiness and laying performance in goose, the goose PRL gene was cloned in Magang goose. The goose PRL cDNA shared 98.4%, 92.2%, 92%, and 91.9% sequence homology to duck, turkey, chicken and quail PRLs, respectively. The goose PRL gene consisted of 5 exons and 4 introns, just as in other species. The 5' proximal regulatory region shared high homology with those in other avian species as well, and, apart from other non-specific transcription factor binding sites, contained 2 regulatory element binding sites, a Pit-1 (-130/-122) and a VIP response element (-64/-53). The deduced 199-residue mature goose PRL shared 98.5%, 94%, 93%, and 92% homology to duck, quail, chicken, and turkey PRLs, respectively. When compared with other vertebrates, all residues were found to be highly conserved at the key positions in the 4 conserved domains (PD1-PD4), including the 6 cysteine residues at positions 4, 11, 58, 175, 191, and 199. The only exception was a substitution of Arginine by Histidine at position 176 in the mature PRL peptide. These findings render goose PRL as having a similar hydropathy profile and similar secondary and tertiary structures with other PRLs. Goose PRL also possesses an N-linked glycosylation site (Asn-X-Ser), at position 6, and an alternative glycosylation site (Asn-Gly-Cys), at position 56. Five PRL isoforms were detected in goose, as well as in chicken pituitary glands, by immunoblotting analysis. Results of this study not only provided a starting point for further study of PRL function, synthesis, and secretion in goose species, but also for breeding new goose lines efficiently using the genomic information.