PCR screening and sequence analysis of iol clusters in Lactobacillus casei strains isolated from koumiss

The iol cluster (consisting of genes involved in myo-inositol utilization) was investigated in Lactobacillus casei strains isolated from koumiss. Ten strains were tested for the presence of iol cluster by PCR screening; three strains encoded this cluster. Full-sequencing procedure was conducted; the iol cluster was identical to that of L. casei BL23 (GenBank access. no. FM177140) except for an upstream transposase. The iol cluster is not a common feature for L. casei strains isolated from koumiss.

Abstract S6-10: Identification of a Novel Tumor Suppressor Network Reveals a Role for Proto-Oncogenic Receptor Tyrosine Kinases in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a collection of diseases with distinct clinical behaviors and underlying genetic causes. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a common subtype of breast cancer that confers a particularly poor prognosis and is refractory to current targeted therapies. Unfortunately, the molecular determinants driving this aggressive malignancy are poorly understood. Using an unbiased genetic screen, we have identified a novel tumor suppressor network that governs proliferation and transformation of TNBCs in vitro and in vivo. We define SECT21 as a core component in this network and a commonly inactivated tumor suppressor in TNBC. SECT21 is a potent suppressor of human mammary epithelial cell proliferation and transformation. SECT21 function is frequently compromised in human TNBCs by inactivating mutations, deletion, or loss of protein expression. Mechanistically, SECT21 is a tyrosine phosphatase that suppresses cellular transformation by interacting with and inhibiting several oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases including HER2, EGFR, and PDGFR. Notably, the tumorigenic and metastatic potential of SECT21-deficient TNBCs is severely impaired by restoring SECT21 function or by inhibiting kinase targets of SECT21, suggesting that TNBCs are dependent on the proto-oncogenic tyrosine kinases constrained by SECT21. Collectively, these data identify SECT21 as a commonly inactivated tumor suppressor and provide a rationale for combinatorially targeting tyrosine kinases in TNBC and other cancers based on their profile of tyrosine phosphatase activity.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr S6-10.

Development and application of an indirect immunohistochemical method for the detection of duck plague virus vaccine antigens in paraffin sections and localization in the vaccinated duckling tissues

The objective of the present study was to develop and apply a streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase labeling system of indirect immunohistochemistry (SP-IHC) to detect antigenic distribution and localization regularity of duck plague virus (DPV) vaccine antigens in paraformaldehyde-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of experimentally vaccinated ducklings. Male New Zealand rabbits were immunized with purified DPV antigens, which were engaged by a combination of differential centrifugation and sucrose-density gradient ultracentrifugation. The rabbit anti-DPV polyclonal antibodies were purified and used as the primary antibodies. Forty-eight 28-d-old DPV-free Pekin ducklings were subcutaneously inoculated with attenuated DPV vaccine in the immunization group and sterile PBS in the control group. The tissues were collected at sequential time points between 4 h and 18 wk postvaccination (PV) and were prepared for SP-IHC observation. The presence of DPV-specific antigens was first observed in the liver and spleen at 12 h PV; in the bursa of Fabricius, thymus, Harderian gland, esophagus, and intestinal tract at 1 d PV; and in the heart, lung, kidney, pancreas, and brain at 3 d PV. The positive staining reaction could be detected in the vaccinated duckling tissues until 18 wk PV, and no positive staining cells could be observed in the controls. The highest levels of positive staining reaction were found in the liver, spleen, bursa of Fabricius, thymus, and intestinal tract, whereas a few DPV vaccine antigens were distributed in the heart, pancreas, and esophagus. The target cells had a ubiquitous distribution, especially in the mucosal epithelial cells, lamina propria cells, macrophages, hepatocytes, and lymphocytes, which served as the principal sites for antigen localization. These findings demonstrated that SP-IHC was a reliable method for detecting antigenic distribution and localization regularity of DPV vaccine antigens in routine paraffin sections. The present study may be useful for describing proliferation and distribution regularity of DPV vaccine in the vaccinated duckling tissues and enhance further studies and clinical application of attenuated DPV vaccine.

Ultralow-power complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor inverters constructed on Schottky barrier modified nanowire metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistors

We show that the threshold voltages of both n- and p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistors (MOSFETs) can be lowered to close to zero by adding extra Schottky contacts on top of nanowires (NWs). Novel complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) inverters are constructed on these Schottky barrier modified n- and p-channel NW MOSFETs. Based on the high performances of the modified n- and p-channel MOSFETs, especially the low threshold voltages, the as-fabricated CMOS inverters have low operating voltage, high voltage gain, and ultra-low static power dissipation.

Substantial crystalline topology in amorphous silicon

Using electron correlograph analysis we show that coherent nanodiffraction patterns from sputtered amorphous silicon indicate that there is more local crystallinity in unannealed amorphous silicon than was previously suspected. By comparing with simulations for various models we show that within a typical unannealed amorphous silicon film a substantial volume fraction (>50%) is topologically crystalline with correlation lengths up to 2 nm. Electron correlograph analysis is a variant of the fluctuation electron microscopy technique and its sensitivity to local crystalline ordering is derived from its sensitivity to four-body correlations.

CD4 T cells mediate mucosal and systemic immune responses to experimental hookworm infection

Hookworm infection is associated with anaemia and malnutrition in many resource-limited countries. Ancylostoma hookworms have previously been shown to modulate host cellular immune responses through multiple mechanisms, including reduced mitogen-mediated lymphocyte proliferation, impaired antigen presentation/processing, and relative reductions in CD4(+) T cells in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes. Syrian hamsters were depleted of CD4(+) for up to 9 days following intraperitoneal injection (200 microg) of a murine anti-mouse CD4 monoclonal IgG (clone GK1.5). CD4(+) T-cell-depleted hamsters infected with the hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum exhibited a threefold higher mean intestinal worm burden and more severe anaemia than animals that received isotype control IgG. In addition, depletion of CD4(+) T cells was associated with impaired cellular and humoral (serum and mucosal) immune responses to hookworm antigens. These data demonstrate an effector role for CD4(+) T cells in hookworm immunity and disease pathogenesis. Ultimately, these studies may yield important insights into the relationship between intestinal nematode infections and diseases that are associated with CD4(+) T-cell depletion, including HIV.

The clinical study of repairing cauda equina fibres with fibrin glue after lumbar fracture and dislocation

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES

To study the outcome of repair of cauda equina fibres with fibrin glue after lumbar fracture and/or dislocation.

METHODS

Seven acute cases and one chronic case of L2 or L3 fracture and/or dislocation complicated with complete cauda equina injury were selected. Sural nerve or ventral roots of injured cauda equina were chosen to repair the motor cauda equina fibres with fibrin glue after open reduction and internal fixation of the unstable vertebrae. The functional recovery after surgery was observed.

RESULTS

Recovery of the strength of thigh muscles (iliopsoas, quadriceps femoris, gluteus maximus, adductors) was observed in all seven acutely injured patients (t=3.74, P<0.05), but not in the chronic one. Neither recovery of leg muscles nor sensation of the lower extremities was observed in any case.

CONCLUSIONS

The cauda equina ventral roots injured after lumbar fracture and/or dislocation can be repaired with fibrin glue and motor recovery is expected.

Cloning of alpha-amylase gene from Schwanniomyces occidentalis and expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The cloning of alpha-amylase gene of S. occidentalis and the construction of starch digestible strain of yeast, S. cerevisiae AS. 2. 1364 with ethanol-tolerance and without auxotrophic markers used in fermentation industry were studied. The yeast/E. coli shuttle plasmid YCEp1 partial library of S. occidentalis DNA was constructed and alpha-amylase gene was screened in S.cerevisiae by amylolytic activity. Several transformants with amylolysis were obtained and one of the fusion plasmids had an about 5.0 kb inserted DNA fragment, containing the upstream and downstream sequences of alpha-amylase gene fromS. occidentalis. It was further confirmed by PCR and sequence determination that this 5.0 kb DNA fragment contains the whole coding sequence of alpha-amylase. The amylolytic test showed that when this transformant was incubated on plate of YPDS medium containing 1% glucose and 1% starch at 30 degrees Celsius for 48 h starch degradation zones could be visualized by staining with iodine vapour. alpha-amylase activity of the culture filtratate is 740-780 mU/mL and PAGE shows that the yeast harboring fusion plasmids efficiently secreted alpha-amylase into the medium, and the amount of the recombinant alpha-amylase is more than 12% of the total proteins in the culture filtrate. These results showed that alpha-amylase gene can be highly expressed and efficiently secreted inS. cerevisiae AS. 2.1364, and the promotor and the terminator of alpha-amylase gene fromS. occidentalis work well inS. cerevisiae AS. 2.1364.

Fiber Bragg gratings with enhanced thermal stability by residual stress relaxation

Fiber Bragg gratings with greatly enhanced thermal stability have been fabricated by the use of femtosecond laser pulse irradiation on optical fibers with relaxed residual stress, through using high temperature annealing treatment. The grating reflectivity and resonant wavelength can be maintained for periods up to 20 hours using isothermal measurements and temperatures up to 1200 degrees C. No hysteresis was observed in the wavelength response when the gratings were annealed and the temperature cycled repeatedly between room temperature and 1200 degrees C.