Study of Z Boson Production in PbPb Collisions at √S(NN)=2.76 TeV

A search for Z bosons in the μ(+)μ(-) decay channel has been performed in PbPb collisions at √S(NN)=2.76  TeV with the CMS detector at the LHC, in a 7.2 μb(-1) data sample. The number of opposite-sign muon pairs observed in the 60-120 GeV/c(2) invariant mass range is 39, corresponding to a yield per unit of rapidity (y) and per minimum bias event of [33.8±5.5(stat)±4.4(syst)]×10(-8), in the |y|<2.0 range. Rapidity, transverse momentum, and centrality dependencies are also measured. The results agree with next-to-leading order QCD calculations, scaled by the number of incoherent nucleon-nucleon collisions.

Measurement of dijet angular distributions and search for quark compositeness in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

Dijet angular distributions are measured over a wide range of dijet invariant masses in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV, at the CERN LHC. The event sample, recorded with the CMS detector, corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 36 pb⁻¹. The data are found to be in good agreement with the predictions of perturbative QCD, and yield no evidence of quark compositeness. With a modified frequentist approach, a lower limit on the contact interaction scale for left-handed quarks of Λ⁺ = 5.6 TeV (Λ⁻ = 6.7 TeV) for destructive (constructive) interference is obtained at the 95% confidence level.

Search for pair production of second-generation scalar leptoquarks in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

A search for pair production of second-generation scalar leptoquarks in the final state with two muons and two jets is performed using proton-proton collision data at √s = 7 TeV collected by the CMS detector at the LHC. The data sample used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 34 pb⁻¹. The number of observed events is in good agreement with the predictions from the standard model processes. An upper limit is set on the second-generation leptoquark cross section times β² as a function of the leptoquark mass, and leptoquarks with masses below 394 GeV are excluded at a 95% confidence level for β = 1, where β is the leptoquark branching fraction into a muon and a quark. These limits are the most stringent to date.

Search for pair production of first-generation scalar leptoquarks in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

A search for pair production of first-generation scalar leptoquarks is performed in the final state containing two electrons and two jets using proton-proton collision data at √s = 7 TeV. The data sample used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 33 pb⁻¹ collected with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. The number of observed events is in good agreement with the predictions for the standard model background processes, and an upper limit is set on the leptoquark pair production cross section times β² as a function of the leptoquark mass, where β is the branching fraction of the leptoquark decay to an electron and a quark. A 95% confidence level lower limit is set on the mass of a first-generation scalar leptoquark at 384 GeV for β = 1, which is the most stringent direct limit to date.

Dijet azimuthal decorrelations in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

Measurements of dijet azimuthal decorrelations in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV using the CMS detector at the CERN LHC are presented. The analysis is based on an inclusive dijet event sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.9 pb⁻¹. The results are compared to predictions from perturbative QCD calculations and various Monte Carlo event generators. The dijet azimuthal distributions are found to be sensitive to initial-state gluon radiation.

Measurement of the B(+) production cross section in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7 TeV

Measurements of the total and differential cross sections dσ/dp(T)(B) and dσ/dy(B) for B(+) mesons produced in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7  TeV are presented. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 5.8  pb(-1) collected by the CMS experiment operating at the LHC. The exclusive decay B(+)→J/ψK(+), with J/ψ→μ(+)μ(-), is used to detect B(+) mesons and to measure the production cross section as a function of p(T)(B) and y(B). The total cross section for p(T)(B)>5  GeV and |y(B)|<2.4 is measured to be 28.1±2.4±2.0±3.1  μb, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the last is from the luminosity measurement.

Measurement of the isolated prompt photon production cross section in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

The differential cross section for the inclusive production of isolated prompt photons has been measured as a function of the photon transverse energy E(T)(γ) in pp collisions at √s=7  TeV using data recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 2.9  pb(-1). Photons are required to have a pseudorapidity |η(γ)|<1.45 and E(T)(γ)>21  GeV, covering the kinematic region 0.006<x(T)<0.086. The measured cross section is found to be in agreement with next-to-leading-order perturbative QCD calculations.

Resistin level is positively correlated with thrombotic complications in Southern Chinese metabolic syndrome patients

BACKGROUND

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been found to be closely related with thrombotic diseases. The mechanism, however, is far from elucidated.

AIM

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between endogenous resistin and thrombosis mediating factors, as well as its potential effects on the gene expression of cardiovascular disease biomarkers.

METHODS

Ninety patients satisfied the MetS criteria, and 55 healthy subjects were recruited as part of a single-center clinical study. Plasma levels of resistin, tissue factor (TF), tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assays. The effect of resistin on the expression of cardiovascular disease biomarkers in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was assayed by gene microarray.

RESULTS

1) The average levels of resistin in MetS patients with or without acute myocardial or cerebral infarction were significantly higher than those of the controls. 2) The TF and TFPI increase was higher in MetS with infarction patients than in MetS patients. 3) In MetS with infarction patients, resistin was positively correlated with TF and PAI-1 (r=0.313, p=0.008; r=0.401, p=0.002, respectively). 4) In HUVEC, the microarray showed that apolipoprotein C-I, ACE, tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1A (TNFRSF1A) and member 5 (CD40) genes expression were dramatically increased by resistin.

CONCLUSION

In patients with MetS, resistin is strongly associated with hypercoagulative and hypofibrinolitic activities. Moreover, resistin may induce thrombotic complications via mediating the lipoprotein metabolism and stimulating inflammation.

Search for stopped Gluinos in pp collisions at square root s=7 TeV

The results of the first search for long-lived gluinos produced in 7 TeV pp collisions at the CERN Large Hadron Collider are presented. The search looks for evidence of long-lived particles that stop in the CMS detector and decay in the quiescent periods between beam crossings. In a dataset with a peak instantaneous luminosity of 1×10(32) cm-2 s-1, an integrated luminosity of 10 pb-1, and a search interval corresponding to 62 hours of LHC operation, no significant excess above background was observed. Limits at the 95% confidence level on gluino pair production over 13 orders of magnitude of gluino lifetime are set. For a mass difference mg - mχ1(0) >100 GeV/c2, and assuming BR(g→gχ1(0))=100%, mg < 370 GeV/c2 are excluded for lifetimes from 10 μs to 1000 s.

Effects of common dissolved anions on the reduction of para-chloronitrobenzene by zero-valent iron in groundwater

Batch tests were conducted to evaluate the influences of several common dissolved anions in groundwater on the reduction of para-chloronitrobenzene (p-CNB) by zero-valent iron (ZVI). The results showed that p-CNB reduction was enhanced by both Cl(-) and SO(4)(2-). HCO(3)(-) could either improve or inhibit p-CNB reduction, depending on whether the mixing speed was intense enough to rapidly eliminate Fe-carbonate complex deposited on ZVI surface. Above a concentration of 100 mg L(-1), NO(3)(-) increased the p-CNB reduction rate. The reduction rate by ClO(4)(-) decreased because the ClO(4)(-) competed with p-CNB for electrons. The p-CNB reduction was inhibited by PO(4)(3-), SiO(3)(2-) and humic acid, in the order humic acid < PO(4)(3-) < SiO(3)(2-), since these ions could form inner-sphere complexes on iron surface. The reaction even ceased when the ion concentrations were greater than 4, 0.5, and 30 mg L(-1), respectively. The results indicated that common dissolved anions in groundwater should be taken into account when ZVI is applied for contaminated groundwater remediation.

Search for quark compositeness with the dijet centrality ratio in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

A search for quark compositeness in the form of quark contact interactions, based on hadronic jet pairs (dijets) produced in proton-proton collisions at √s=7 TeV, is described. The data sample of the study corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 2.9 pb(-1) collected with the CMS detector at the LHC. The dijet centrality ratio, which quantifies the angular distribution of the dijets, is measured as a function of the invariant mass of the dijet system and is found to agree with the predictions of the standard model. A statistical analysis of the data provides a lower limit on the energy scale of quark contact interactions. The sensitivity of the analysis is such that the expected limit is 2.9 TeV; because the observed value of the centrality ratio at high invariant mass is below the expectation, the observed limit is 4.0 TeV at the 95% confidence level.

Search for dijet resonances in 7 TeV pp collisions at CMS

A search for narrow resonances in the dijet mass spectrum is performed using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.9 pb⁻¹ collected by the CMS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. Upper limits at the 95% confidence level are presented on the product of the resonance cross section, branching fraction into dijets, and acceptance, separately for decays into quark-quark, quark-gluon, or gluon-gluon pairs. The data exclude new particles predicted in the following models at the 95% confidence level: string resonances, with mass less than 2.50 TeV, excited quarks, with mass less than 1.58 TeV, and axigluons, colorons, and E6 diquarks, in specific mass intervals. This extends previously published limits on these models.

α-Galactosylceramide protects mice from lethal Coxsackievirus B3 infection and subsequent myocarditis

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the myocardium which often follows virus infections. Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), as a marker of the enterovirus group, is one of the most important infectious agents of virus-induced myocarditis. Using a CVB3-induced myocarditis model, we show that injection α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), a ligand for invariant natural killer (NK) T (iNK T) cells, can protect the mice from viral myocarditis. After the systemic administration of α-GalCer in CVB3 infected mice, viral transcription and titres in mouse heart, sera and spleen were reduced, and the damage to the heart was ameliorated. This is accompanied by a better disease course with an improved weight loss profile. Compared with untreated mice, α-GalCer-treated mice showed high levels of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-4, and reduced proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in their cardiac tissue. Anti-viral immune response was up-regulated by α-GalCer. Three days after CVB3 infection, α-GalCer-administered mice had larger spleens. Besides NK T cells, more macrophages and CD8(+) T cells were found in these spleens. Upon stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate plus ionomycin, splenocytes from α-GalCer-treated mice produced significantly more cytokines [including IFN-γ, tumour necrosis factor-α, IL-4 and IL-10] than those from untreated mice. These data suggest that administration of α-GalCer during acute CVB3 infection is able to protect the mice from lethal myocarditis by local changes in inflammatory cytokine patterns and enhancement of anti-viral immune response at the early stage. α-GalCer is a potential candidate for viral myocarditis treatment. Our work supports the use of anti-viral treatment early to reduce the incidence of virus-mediated heart damage.

First measurement of Bose-Einstein correlations in proton-proton collisions at √s=0.9 and 2.36 TeV at the LHC

Bose-Einstein correlations have been measured using samples of proton-proton collisions at 0.9 and 2.36 TeV center-of-mass energies, recorded by the CMS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The signal is observed in the form of an enhancement of pairs of same-sign charged particles with small relative four-momentum. The size of the correlated particle emission region is seen to increase significantly with the particle multiplicity of the event.

Transverse-momentum and pseudorapidity distributions of charged hadrons in pp collisions at square root of s = 7 TeV

Charged-hadron transverse-momentum and pseudorapidity distributions in proton-proton collisions at square root of s = 7  TeV are measured with the inner tracking system of the CMS detector at the LHC. The charged-hadron yield is obtained by counting the number of reconstructed hits, hit pairs, and fully reconstructed charged-particle tracks. The combination of the three methods gives a charged-particle multiplicity per unit of pseudorapidity dN(ch)/dη|(|η|<0.5) = 5.78 ± 0.01(stat) ± 0.23(syst) for non-single-diffractive events, higher than predicted by commonly used models. The relative increase in charged-particle multiplicity from square root of s = 0.9 to 7 TeV is [66.1 ± 1.0(stat) ± 4.2(syst)]%. The mean transverse momentum is measured to be 0.545 ± 0.005(stat) ± 0.015(syst)  GeV/c. The results are compared with similar measurements at lower energies.

IN VITROEFFECTS OF EPRISTERIDE ON SPERM IN RATS, DOGS AND MAN

The study was conducted to evaluate in vitro effects of epristeride on sperm in rats, beagle dogs and man. Semen samples were divided into 4 groups and treated with vehicle and epristeride. Motility and motile rate of sperm were videotaped and analyzed with CASA system after 1 h and 2 h incubation periods. Percentage of motile sperm (MOT) of rat sperm decreased after the treatment with epristeride (final concentrations were 0.6, 6 and 60 micromol/L) for 1 h, and MOT of rat sperm treated with middle dose and high dose levels of epristeride also decreased after 2 h, while MOT of dog sperm that treated with three dose levels of epristeride decreased after 2 h. Amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and MOT of human sperm decreased after 2 h with 4.8 micromol/L epristeride treatment. Curvilinear velocity (VCL) and straight-line velocity (VSL) of rat sperm and human sperm changed after 2 h, but there were no significant differences. Therefore, epristeride had a toxic effect on sperm, and the effect varied in different species.

Novel hypoglycemic effects of Ganoderma lucidum water-extract in obese/diabetic (+db/+db) mice

In this study, we evaluated the pharmacological effects of Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) (water-extract) (0.003, 0.03 and 0.3g/kg, 4-week oral gavage) consumption using the lean (+db/+m) and the obese/diabetic (+db/+db) mice. Different physiological parameters (plasma glucose and insulin levels, lipoproteins-cholesterol levels, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG CoA reductase) and isolated aorta relaxation of both species were measured and compared. G. lucidum (0.03 and 0.3g/kg) lowered the serum glucose level in +db/+db mice after the first week of treatment whereas a reduction was observed in +db/+m mice only fed with 0.3g/kg of G. lucidum at the fourth week. A higher hepatic PEPCK gene expression was found in +db/+db mice. G. lucidum (0.03 and 0.3g/kg) markedly reduced the PEPCK expression in +db/+db mice whereas the expression of PEPCK was attenuated in +db/+m mice (0.3g/kg G. lucidum). HMG CoA reductase protein expression (in both hepatic and extra-hepatic organs) and the serum insulin level were not altered by G. lucidum. These data demonstrate that G. lucidum consumption can provide beneficial effects in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by lowering the serum glucose levels through the suppression of the hepatic PEPCK gene expression.

Heavy metal monitoring using bivalved shellfish from Zhejiang coastal waters, East China Sea

The interest of culturing bivalved shellfish (including mussels, clams, oysters etc.), has increased in recent years, but the consumption has been hampered both by high levels of heavy metals and toxic algae. The levels of heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu and As) were determined in soft tissues of different shellfish from Zhejiang coastal waters, East China Sea. The average concentrations of the heavy metals analyzed exhibited the following decreasing order: Zn > Cu > As > Cd > Pb > Hg. Comparison of heavy metals concentrations among species indicated that Bivalves clearly have significant potential as useful bioindicators; however, the results indicated that no one species is universally suitable, as is true of any organism used in these studies. The distribution of the metals was also investigated along the Zhejiang coast, which the results showed the mean concentration of Hg and Cd detected did not vary greatly and presented a similar spatial pattern at different sampling stations, the concentrations of Zn and Pb were highly variable at different sampling sites. The amounts of heavy metals in soft tissue of shellfish were also compared with those from the related species from other seas in China and world marine waters. The results suggested that the coastal area might be considered relatively unpolluted with heavy metals and the concentrations of metals in shellfish also below the seafood safety limits for human consumption.

Vitamin E metabolism

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of vitamin E metabolism. The topics covered include: major classes of vitamin E metabolites; their production pathways and route of excretion; possible biological activities of vitamin E metabolites; and use of vitamin E metabolites as markers of oxidant generation. Recent investigations into vitamin E metabolism have also highlighted important new areas of research, such as the potential for high dose vitamin E supplementation to interfere with drug metabolism, as well as alternative methods to alter vitamin E bioavailability in vivo. These issues will also be discussed in the review.

Interactions of the fucose-specific Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectin, PA-IIL, with mammalian glycoconjugates bearing polyvalent Lewisa and ABH blood group glycotopes

Pseudomonas aeruginosa Fuc > Man specific lectin, PA-IIL, is an important microbial agglutinin that might be involved in P. aeruginosa infections in humans. In order to delineate the structures of these lectin receptors, its detailed carbohydrate recognition profile was studied both by microtiter plate biotin/avidin-mediated enzyme-lectin-glycan binding assay (ELLSA) and by inhibition of the lectin-glycan interaction. Among 40 glycans tested for binding, PA-IIL reacted well with all human blood group ABH and Le(a)/Le(b) active glycoproteins (gps), but weakly or not at all with their precursor gps and N-linked gps. Among the sugar ligands tested by the inhibition assay, the Le(a) pentasaccharide lacto-N-fucopentaose II (LNFP II, Galbeta1-3[Fucalpha1-4]GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4Glc) was the most potent one, being 10 and 38 times more active than the Le(x) pentasaccharide (LNFP III, Galbeta1-4 [Fucalpha1-3]GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4Glc) and sialyl Le(x) (Neu5Acalpha2-3Galbeta1-4[Fucalpha1-3] GlcNAc), respectively. It was 120 times more active than Man, while Gal and GalNAc were inactive. The decreasing order of PA-IIL affinity for the oligosaccharides tested was: Le(a) pentaose > or = sialyl Le(a) tetraose > methyl alphaFuc > Fuc and Fucalpha1-2Gal (H disaccharide)>2'-fucosyllactose (H trisaccharide), Le(x) pentaose, Le(b) hexaose (LNDFH I) and gluco-analogue of Le(y) tetraose (LDFT)>H type I determinant (LNFP I)>Le(x) trisaccharide (Galbeta1-4[Fucalpha1-3]GlcNAc) > sialyl Le(x) trisaccharide >> Man >>> Gal, GalNAc, and Glc (inactive). The results presented here, in accordance with the crystal 3D structural data, imply that the combining site of PA-IIL is a small cavity-type best fitting Fucalpha1- with a specific shallow groove subsite for the remainder part of the Le(a) saccharides, and that polyvalent glycotopes enhance the reactivity. The Fuc > Man Ralstonia solanacearum lectin RSL, which resembles PA-IIL in sugar specificity, differs from it in it's better fit to the B and A followed by H oligosaccharides vs. Fuc, whereas, the second R. solanacearum lectin RS-IIL (the structural homologue of PA-IIL) binds Man > Fuc. These results provide a valuable information on PA-IIL interactions with mammalian glycoforms and the possible spectrum of attachment sites for the homing of this aggressive bacterium onto the target molecules. Such information might be useful for the antiadhesive therapy of P. aeruginosa infections.

Modified step-theory for investigating mode coupling mechanism in photonic crystal waveguide taper

In this paper, the mathematical model of the modified step-theory is derived based on the platform of two-dimensional photonic crystal structure that is infinitely long in third dimension. The mode coupling mechanism of photonic crystal tapers is theoretically studied using the modified step-theory. The model is verified by comparing the transmission spectrum obtained for the input/output defect coupler where it shows a good match of less than 5% discrepancy. The modified step-theory is applied to different taper structures to investigate the power loss during the transmission. The power loss at the relative position of the taper provides an explanation as to which taper designs give the highest coupling efficiency.

Laccase production by Monotospora sp., an endophytic fungus in Cynodon dactylon

The effects of the carbon and nitrogen sources, initial pH and incubation temperature on laccase production by the endophytic fungus Monotospora sp. were evaluated. The optimal temperature and initial pH for laccase production by Monotospora sp. in submerged culture were found to be 30 degrees C and 8.5, respectively. Maltose (2 g l(-1)) and ammonium tartrate (10 g l(-1)) were the most suitable carbon and nitrogen source for laccase production. Under optimal culture medium, the maximum laccase activity was determined to be 13.55 U ml(-1), which was approximately four times higher than that in basal medium. This is the first report on laccase production by an endophytic fungus.

Grain yield responses to moisture regimes in a rice population: association among traits and genetic markers

Drought is a major constraint to rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in rainfed and poorly irrigated environments. Identifying genomic regions influencing the response of yield and its components to water deficits will aid our understanding of the genetic mechanism of drought tolerance (DT) of rice and the development of DT varieties. Grain yield (GY) and its components of a recombinant inbred population developed from a lowland rice and an upland rice were investigated under different water levels in 2003 and 2004 in a rainout DT screening facility. Correlation and path analysis indicated that spikelet fertility (SF) was particularly important for grain yield with direct effect (P=0.60) under drought stress, while spikelet number per panicle (SN) contributed the most to grain yield (P=0.41) under well-watered condition. A total of 32 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for grain yield and its components were identified. The phenotypic variation explained by individual QTLs varied from 1.29% to 14.76%. Several main effect QTLs affecting SF, 1,000-grain weight (TGW), panicle number (PN), and SN were mapped to the same regions on chromosome 4 and 8. These QTLs were detected consistently across 2 years and under both water levels in this study. Several digenic interactions among yield components were also detected. The identification of genomic regions associated with GY and its components under stress will be useful to improve drought tolerance of rice by marker-aided approaches.

Structural genomics efforts at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Peking University

Structural genomics efforts at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Peking University are reported in this article. The major targets for the structural genomics project are targeted proteins expressed in human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, proteins related to blood diseases and other human proteins. Up to now 328 target genes have been constructed in expression vectors. Among them, more than 50% genes have been expressed in Escherichia coli, approximately 25% of the resulting proteins are soluble, and 35 proteins have been purified. Crystallization, data collection and structure determination are continuing. Experiences accumulated during this initial stage are useful for designing and applying high-throughput approaches in structural genomics.

All- trans- retinoic acid-induced erythema nodosum in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia

Erythema nodosum associated with all- trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is very rare. We describe four patients with classic APL who developed erythema nodosum during ATRA therapy. Fever and subsequent multiple painful erythematous nodules over extremities developed on D11, D16, D17, and D19, respectively, after ATRA therapy. The skin biopsy taken from each patient was consistent with erythema nodosum. All patients received short course of steroids. Fever subsided rapidly and the skin lesions regressed completely. All patients achieved complete remission without withdrawal of ATRA. ATRA seemed to be the most possible etiology of erythema nodosum in our patients. Short-term use of steroid is very effective in ATRA-induced erythema nodosum.

Biohydrogen production by mesophilic fermentation of food wastewater

Batch experiments were conducted to convert molasses wastewater (10-160 g COD/L) into hydrogen at 35 degrees C at various pH (4-8). The maximum hydrogen productivity (HP) and hydrogen production rate (HPR) reached 47.1 mmol-H2/g COD(re) and 97.5 mmol-H2/L-day, respectively, at a substrate concentration of 40 g COD/L and pH 6.0. The methane-free biogas contained up to 50% (v/v) of hydrogen. Fermentation at wastewater concentrations higher than 60 g COD/L required a long acclimation period (more than 20 h). Though the fractions were substrate concentration and pH-dependent, acetate and butyrate were the two main liquid fermentation products. A comparison of the HP and HPR data indicates that defining a hydrogen yield indicator to evaluate hydrogen generation efficiency should be taken into consideration in practical fermentation operations.

[Evaluation of prevalent status of kala-azar in endemic area of Hubei Province]

OBJECTIVE

To identify the diagnosis of 14 cases with "kala-azar" previously reported in Hubei Province since 1989 and to evaluate the present status of the disease.

METHODS

Bone marrow smear, immunological test (LDTand IFAT), mouse inoculation, fungi culture, vector (Phlebotomus) and reservoir host (dog) survey.

RESULTS

Among the 14 cases, 12 cases were progressive disseminated histoplasmois, one was an imported case and another one was a remnant skin type "kala-azar" case. An immunological survey was conducted during 1997-1999 in 25 townships located in 23 counties of 9 prefectures and cities. A total of 13,890 persons had been examined by LDT, the positive rate was 0.07%, no positive case was found among the persons under 40 years of age. During the survey, 1,756 persons had been examined by IFAT, the results were negative. No Phlebotomus chinensis had been found in the surveyed area. A total of 302 dogs were examined, no sick dog had been found.

CONCLUSION

Kala-azar has been eradicated in Hubei Province.

[Effects of Lagenidium giganteum on the activities of three enzymes of Culex quinquefasciatus larvae]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the possible mechanism underlying the killing of Culex quinquefasciatus larvae by Lagenidium giganteum from the biochemical point of view.

METHODS

The activities of alkaline phosphatase(AKP), acid phosphatase(ACP) and esterase(EST) were observed by using calcium-cobalt method, lead nitrate method and naphthol method. Results were photomicrographed and analysed quantitatively by image analysis using computer.

RESULTS

The activities of AKP and ACP were decreased while the activities of EST were increased among the infected groups with different infection intensities.

CONCLUSIONS

The changes of these enzyme activities might be one of the important mechanisms of action of Lagenidium giganteum against Culex quinquefasciafus larvae.

Surface-roughness wakefield measurements at brookhaven accelerator test facility

An experiment has been carried out at the Brookhaven Accelerator Test Facility to investigate the effect of a surface-roughness wakefield in narrow beam tubes with artificially created bumps. The measurements show that the synchronous modes decay significantly due to the randomization of the roughness pattern. It is pointed out that this decay mechanism has not been investigated in the previous experiment at DESY and the investigators' conclusion does not apply for surface-roughness wakefields in real surfaces.

Tests for Gaussianity of the MAXIMA-1 cosmic microwave background map

Gaussianity of the cosmological perturbations is one of the key predictions of standard inflation, but it is violated by other models of structure formation such as cosmic defects. We present the first test of the Gaussianity of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) on subdegree angular scales, where deviations from Gaussianity are most likely to occur. We apply the methods of moments, cumulants, the Kolmogorov test, the chi(2) test, and Minkowski functionals in eigen, real, Wiener-filtered, and signal-whitened spaces, to the MAXIMA-1 CMB anisotropy data. We find that the data, which probe angular scales between 10 arcmin and 5 deg, are consistent with Gaussianity. These results show consistency with the standard inflation and place constraints on the existence of cosmic defects.

Synaptic connections between trigemino-parabrachial projection neurons and gamma-aminobutyric acid- and glycine-immunoreactive terminals in the rat

The synaptic connections between gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)- and glycine-immunoreactive terminals and neurons projecting to the lateral parabrachial region were examined by a combination of retrograde tracing and immunohistochemical staining in the rat medullary dorsal horn. After injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the right lateral parabrachial region, HRP retrogradely labeled neurons were observed bilaterally in laminae I, II and III of the medullary dorsal horn with an ipsilateral predominance. GABA- and glycine-like immunoreactive terminals were found in laminae I, II and III. Some of these GABA- and glycine-like immunoreactive terminals were observed chiefly to make symmetric synapses with HRP-labeled neuronal cell bodies and dendritic processes. The present results indicate that neurons in the medullary dorsal horn projecting to the lateral parabrachial region might be modulated by GABAergic and glycinergic inhibitory intrinsic neurons, which might be significantly involved in the regulation of the noxious information transmission.

Influence of CETP gene variation on plasma lipid levels and coronary heart disease: a survey in Taiwan

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) transfers cholesteryl ester from high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and chylomicron in exchange for triglycerides. Two CETP genetic variation and four polymorphisms are investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction enzyme digestion in a population of Taiwan. The results show that a very rare variation frequency is found for CETP intron 14 splice site G-->A change. The population shows a predominant 405Ile allele (61%), 442Asp (97.7%), intron 1Taq1B(+) G allele (52%), intron 8 Msp1(-) A allele (89%) and intron 9 EcoN1(-) T allele (59.2%) in the control group. Patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) have more CETP EcoN1(+/+) GG genotype (25.3%) than the controls (13.6%) (P=0.049). The intron 1 Taq1B(-) A allele is associated with a high HDL cholesterol and apoA1 level, the EcoN1(+) G allele with a low apoA1 level and the 442Gly with both high total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. Paradoxically, the 442Gly is also present with a higher frequency (5.2%) in HDL cholesterol > or =65 mg/dl group than that in the general population (2.3%) (P=0.04).

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment decreases post-ischemic neurotrophin-3 mRNA down-regulation in the rat hippocampus

The therapeutic effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on ischemic injury was investigated using in situ hybridization to detect the mRNA expression of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), which is thought to play a crucial role in protecting against neuronal death induced by brain ischemia. The rats under investigation were subjected to 10 min transient forebrain ischemia, and subsequently exposed to HBO (100% oxygen, 2.5 atm absolute) for 2 h. Levels of NT-3 mRNA in the CA1, CA2 and CA3 regions, and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus were measured after various reperfusion periods. Neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region was also measured by Nissl staining, seven days post ischemia. The results demonstrated that HBO treatment significantly reduced the ischemia-induced down-regulation of the NT-3 mRNA level at 4 h post ischemia, and significantly increased cell survival 7 days after reperfusion. The findings suggest that an HBO treatment maintaining the NT-3 mRNA level in the hippocampus can be beneficial to the ischemic brain within a certain time frame.

Antitumor Agents. 211. Fluorinated 2-phenyl-4-quinolone derivatives as antimitotic antitumor agents

Fluorinated 2-phenyl-4-quinolone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated in National Cancer Institute's 60 human tumor cell line in vitro screen. From the results, the ketone moiety plays an essential role in activity. Among the compounds tested, 2'-fluoro-6-pyrrol-2-phenyl-4-quinolone (13) exhibited the most potent cytotoxic activities (log GI(50) < -8.00) against renal and melanoma tumor cell lines. Compound 13 was also a potent inhibitor of tubulin polymerization (IC(50) = 0.46 microM) and of radiolabeled colchicine binding to tubulin, with activities comparable to those of the potent antimitotic natural products colchicine, podophyllotoxin, and combretastatin A-4.

Carbohydrate specificity of a galectin from chicken liver (CG-16)

Owing to the expression of more than one type of galectin in animal tissues, the delineation of the functions of individual members of this lectin family requires the precise definition of their carbohydrate specificities. Thus, the binding properties of chicken liver galectin (CG-16) to glycoproteins (gps) and Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14 polysaccharide were studied by the biotin/avidin-mediated microtitre-plate lectin-binding assay and by the inhibition of lectin-glycan interactions with sugar ligands. Among 33 glycans tested for lectin binding, CG-16 reacted best with human blood group ABO (H) precursor gps and their equivalent gps, which contain a high density of D-galactopyranose(beta1-4)2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose [Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc] and Gal(beta1-3)GlcNAc residues at the non-reducing end, but this lectin reacted weakly or not at all with A-,H-type and sialylated gps. Among the oligosaccharides tested by the inhibition assay, the tri-antennary Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc (Tri-II) was the best. It was 2.1x10(3) nM and 3.0 times more potent than Gal and Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc (II)/Gal(beta1-3)GlcNAc(beta1-3)Gal(beta1-4)Glc (lacto-N-tetraose) respectively. CG-16 has a preference for the beta-anomer of Gal at the non-reducing end of oligosaccharides with a Gal(beta1-4) linkage >Gal(beta1-3)> or =Gal(beta1-6). From the results, it can be concluded that the combining site of this agglutinin should be a cavity type, and that a hydrophobic interaction in the vicinity of the binding site for sugar accommodation increases the affinity. The binding site of CG-16 is as large as a tetrasaccharide of the beta-anomer of Gal, and is most complementary to lacto-N-tetraose and Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc related sequences.

Carbohydrate specificity of a toxic lectin, abrin A, from the seeds of Abrus precatorius (jequirity bean)

To elucidate of the mechanism of intoxication, the affinity of a toxic lectin, abrin A, from the seeds of Abrus precatorius for mammalian carbohydrate ligands, was studied by enzyme linked lectinosorbent assay and by inhibition of abrin A-glycan interaction. From the results, it is concluded that: (1) abrin A reacted well with Gal beta1-->4GlcNAc (II), Gal alpha1-->4Gal (E), and Gal beta1-->3GalNAc (T) containing glycoproteins. But it reacted weakly with sialylated gps and human blood group A,B,H active glycoproteins (gps); (2) the combining site of abrin A lectin should be of a shallow groove type as this lectin is able to recognize from monosaccharides with specific configuration at C-3, C-4, and deoxy C-6 of the (D)Fuc pyranose ring to penta-saccharides and probably internal Gal alpha,beta-->; and (3) its binding affinity toward mammalian structural features can be ranked in decreasing order as follows: cluster forms of II, T, B/E (Gal alpha1-->3/4Gal) > monomeric T > monomeric II > monomeric B/E, Gal > GalNAc > monomeric I >> Man and Glc (inactive). These active glycotopes can be used to explain the possible structural requirements for abrin A toxin attachment.

Carbohydrate specificity of a lectin isolated from the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii

In order to investigate the functional roles of a phytopathogenic fungal lectin (SRL) isolated from the bodies of Sclerotium rolfsii, the binding properties of SRL were studied by enzyme linked lectinosorbent assay and by inhibition of SRL-glycan interaction. Among glycoproteins (gp) tested for binding, SRL reacted strongly with GalNAc alpha1-->4Ser/Thr (Tn) and/or Gal beta1-->3GalNAc alpha1-->(T(alpha)) containing gps: human T(alpha) and Tn glycophorin, asialo salivary gps, and asialofetuin, but its reactivity toward sialylated glycoproteins was reduced significantly. Of the sugar ligands tested for inhibition of SRL-asialofetuin binding, Thomsen-Friedenreich residue (T(alpha)) was the best, being 22.4 and 2.24 x 10(3) more active than GalNAc and Gal beta1--> residues, respectively. Other ligands tested were inactive. When the glycans used as inhibitors, T(alpha), and/or Tn containing gps, especially asialo PSM, asialo BSM, asialo OSM, active antifreeze gp, asialo glycophorin and Tn-glycophorin were very active, and 1.0 x 10(4) times more potent than GalNAc. From these results, it is clear that the combining site of SRL should be of a cavity type and recognizes only Tn and T(alpha) residues of glycans; it is suggested that T(alpha) and Tn glycotopes, which are present only in abnormal carbohydrate sequences of higher orders of mammal, are the most likely sites for phytopathogenic fungal attachment as an initial step of infection. The affinity of SRL for ligands can be ranked in decreasing order as follows: multivalent T(alpha) and Tn >> monomeric T(alpha) and Tn > GalNAc >>> II (Gal beta1-->4GlcNAc), L (Gal beta1-->4Glc), and Gal.

Antioxidant activity of extracts from Acacia confusa bark and heartwood

The antioxidant activity of extracts from bark and heartwood of Acacia confusa was evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including free radical and superoxide radical scavenging assays and lipid peroxidation assay as well as hydroxyl radical-induced DNA strand scission assay. In addition, an ex vivo antioxidant assay using a flow cytometric technique was also employed in this study. The results indicate that both bark and heartwood extracts clearly have strong antioxidant effects. Similar inhibitory activities for each test sample were found for both 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical generation and lipid peroxidation. As for the superoxide radical scavenging activity, the heartwood extract was more effective than the bark extract. Furthermore, the heartwood extract protected PhiX174 supercoiled DNA against strand scission induced by ultraviolet photolysis of H2O2, and it reduced the amounts of intracellular hydrogen peroxide, a reactive oxygen species, when it was co-incubated with human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells under oxidative stress.

Further characterization of apolipoprotein B genetic variations in Taiwanese

Apolipoprotein B (apoB, protein; APOB, gene) is the main protein component of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and plays an important role in blood lipid metabolism. Previously, we have reported four APOB coding regions, 5' signal peptide, and 3' repeat sequence polymorphisms in our population. In this report, we further characterize other APOB genetic variations. The results illustrate that the mutation frequencies for Arg3500Gln (1/846 alleles), Arg4019Trp (2/786 alleles), -265 C/T promoter region (0/264 alleles), and intron 2 A/G (0/450 alleles) are very low. Our population showed a frequency of 68.9% for the B4311 Ser allele. The B4311 Asn allele was associated with a higher apoB level than the Ser group (p < 0.05) in normal controls. In the normal controls, a higher B4311 Asn/Asn genotype frequency was found in the group with total cholesterol (TC) > 200 mg/dL and apoB concentration > 85 mg/dL than in the group with a TC < 200 mg/dL and apoB < 85 mg/dL (p = 0.03 for TC comparison).

Cosmology from MAXIMA-1, BOOMERANG, and COBE DMR cosmic microwave background observations

Recent results from BOOMERANG-98 and MAXIMA-1, taken together with COBE DMR, provide consistent and high signal-to-noise measurements of the cosmic microwave background power spectrum at spherical harmonic multipole bands over 2<l less similar to 800. Analysis of the combined data yields 68% (95%) confidence limits on the total density, Omega(tot) approximately 1.11+/-0.07 (+0.13)(-0.12), the baryon density, Omega(b)h(2) approximately 0.032(+0.005)(-0.004) (+0.009)(-0.008), and the scalar spectral tilt, n(s) approximately 1.01(+0.09)(-0.07) (+0.17)(-0.14). These data are consistent with inflationary initial conditions for structure formation. Taken together with other cosmological observations, they imply the existence of both nonbaryonic dark matter and dark energy in the Universe.

Identification of a novel steroid derivative, NSC12983, as a paclitaxel-like tubulin assembly promoter by 3-D virtual screening

By flexibly docking 9593 compounds of the NCI-3D database against the refined structure of beta-tubulin using DOCK 4.0, a long-forgotten synthetic steroid derivative, NSC12983, has been identified as a microtubule-stabilizing agent. The 32 top scorers includes NSC12983 and the three added references: paclitaxel, docetaxel and IDN5109. That is, 12.5% of the 0.33% top scorers are active. In addition, NSC12983 is active on Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro and in vivo, which might be due to its ability to promote the assembly of essential cell division protein.

Solution structure of a type I dockerin domain, a novel prokaryotic, extracellular calcium-binding domain

The type I dockerin domain is responsible for incorporating its associated glycosyl hydrolase into the bacterial cellulosome, a multienzyme cellulolytic complex, via its interaction with a receptor domain (cohesin domain) of the cellulosomal scaffolding subunit. The highly conserved dockerin domain is characterized by two Ca(2+)-binding sites with sequence similarity to the EF-hand motif. Here, we present the three-dimensional solution structure of the 69 residue dockerin domain of Clostridium thermocellum cellobiohydrolase CelS. Torsion angle dynamics calculations utilizing a total of 728 NOE-derived distance constraints and 79 torsion angle restraints yielded an ensemble of 20 structures with an average backbone r.m.s.d. for residues 5 to 29 and 32 to 66 of 0.54 A from the mean structure. The structure consists of two Ca(2+)-binding loop-helix motifs connected by a linker; the E helices entering each loop of the classical EF-hand motif are absent from the dockerin domain. Each dockerin Ca(2+)-binding subdomain is stabilized by a cluster of buried hydrophobic side-chains. Structural comparisons reveal that, in its non-complexed state, the dockerin fold displays a dramatic departure from that of Ca(2+)-bound EF-hand domains. A putative cohesin-binding surface, comprised of conserved hydrophobic and basic residues, is proposed, providing new insight into cellulosome assembly.

Membrane instability in late-stage erythropoiesis

During maturation of the red blood cell (RBC) from the nucleated normoblast stage to the mature biconcave discocyte, both the structure and mechanical properties of the cell undergo radical changes. The development of the mechanical stability of the membrane reflects underlying changes in the organization of membrane-associated cytoskeletal proteins, and so provides an assessment of the time course of the development of membrane structural organization. Membrane stability in maturing erythrocytes was assessed by measuring forces required to form thin, tubular, lipid strands (tethers) from the surfaces of mononuclear cells obtained from fresh human marrow samples, marrow reticulocytes, circulating reticulocytes, and mature erythrocytes. Cells were biotinylated and manipulated with a micropipette to form an adhesive contact with a glass microcantilever, which gave a measure of the tethering force. The cell was withdrawn at controlled velocity and aspiration pressure to form a tether from the cell surface. The mean force required to form tethers from marrow reticulocytes and normoblasts was 27 +/- 9 pN, compared to 54 +/- 14 pN for mature cells. The energy of dissociation of the bilayer from the underlying skeleton increases 4-fold between the marrow reticulocyte stage and the mature cell, demonstrating that the mechanical stability of the membrane is not completely established until the very last stages of RBC maturation.

In situ identification of polyphosphate- and polyhydroxyalkanoate-accumulating traits for microbial populations in a biological phosphorus removal process

Polyphosphate- and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-accumulating traits of predominant microorganisms in an efficient enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process were investigated systematically using a suite of non-culture-dependent methods. Results of 16S rDNA clone library and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with rRNA-targeted, group-specific oligonucleotide probes indicated that the microbial community consisted mostly of the alpha- (9.5% of total cells), beta- (41.3%) and gamma- (6.8%) subclasses of the class Proteobacteria, Flexibacter-Cytophaga (4.5%) and the Gram-positive high G+C (HGC) group (17.9%). With individual phylogenetic groups or subgroups, members of Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis in the beta-2 subclass, a novel HGC group closely related to Tetrasphaera spp., and a novel gamma-proteobacterial group were the predominant populations. Furthermore, electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis was used to validate the staining specificity of 4,6-diamino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) for intracellular polyphosphate and revealed the composition of polyphosphate granules accumulated in predominant bacteria as mostly P, Ca and Na. As a result, DAPI and PHA staining procedures could be combined with FISH to identify directly the polyphosphate- and PHA-accumulating traits of different phylogenetic groups. Members of Accumulibacter phosphatis and the novel gamma-proteobacterial group were observed to accumulate both polyphosphate and PHA. In addition, one novel rod-shaped group, closely related to coccus-shaped Tetrasphaera, and one filamentous group resembling Candidatus Nostocoidia limicola in the HGC group were found to accumulate polyphosphate but not PHA. No cellular inclusions were detected in most members of the alpha-Proteobacteria and the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium group. The diversified functional traits observed suggested that different substrate metabolisms were used by predominant phylogenetic groups in EBPR processes.

Clonality analysis using X-chromosome inactivation patterns by HUMARA-PCR assay in female controls and patients with idiopathic thrombocytosis in Taiwan

OBJECTIVE

Analysis of X-chromosome inactivation patterns (XCIPs) is a useful tool in the diagnosis of clonal disorders. The human androgen receptor (HUMARA) locus is especially useful for clonality study. The present study was conducted 1) to determine the heterozygosity rate for HUMARA locus in Taiwanese women, 2) to determine the frequency of excessive skewing in different cell types, and 3) to determine the utility of XCIPs in the differential diagnosis of thrombocytosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

XCIPs by HUMARA-PCR assay were performed on purified granulocytes and T cells from 73 female patients presenting with idiopathic persistent thrombocytosis (IT), 10 patients with reactive thrombocytosis (RT), and 46 bone marrow samples from female controls. XCIPs of buccal mucosa cells were also compared with those of T cells in 57 patients with IT. The percentage of clonal granulocytes was calculated after correcting for the degree of Lyonization in T cells.

RESULTS

The heterozygosity rate for the HUMARA gene was 89.1% in Taiwanese females. The median age of informative IT patients and controls was 59 (18-92) and 58 (19-89), respectively. Excessive skewing (allele ratio <0.33) was more frequent in granulocytes than in T cells in both controls (12/43 vs 9/43, p = 0.080) and IT patients (56/64 vs 25/64, p < 0.001). XCIPs were the same for both buccal mucosa and T cells in 43 patients but were different in 14 patients. Of the 43 informative controls, 31 had a polyclonal pattern; an ambiguous pattern was found in nine; and the remaining three, aged 71, 73, and 80, respectively, had a clonal pattern. A clonal pattern was found in 42 IT patients, a polyclonal pattern in 12, and an ambiguous pattern in 10 of the 64 IT patients. The frequency of clonal, polyclonal, and ambiguous patterns in the 40 IT patients with age < or = 65 was 55.0%, 30.0%, and 15.0%, respectively. None of the IT patients aged >65 had a polyclonal disease. IT patients aged >65 had a significantly higher frequency of clonal pattern (p = 0.030) and a significantly lower frequency of polyclonal pattern (p = 0.002) than those with age <65. Of the eight heterozygous patients with RT, one aged 80 exhibited a clonal pattern, and the remaining seven had a polyclonal pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study on Taiwanese females showed a heterozygosity rate of 89.1% for the HUMARA gene. Our results confirmed that IT is a heterogeneous disorder in terms of clonality. Twenty-three percent of IT patients exhibited a greater than 20% difference in allele expression for buccal mucosa and T cells. Presence of a clonal XCIP in young patients with IT can serve as a positive marker for the diagnosis of clonal thrombocytosis, and elderly patients with polyclonal XCIPs are unlikely to have essential thrombocythemia.

A cDNA from human bone marrow encoding a protein exhibiting homology to the ATP1gamma1/PLM/MAT8 family of transmembrane proteins

A cDNA clone, IWU-1, was cloned from human bone marrow. Its putative open reading frame encoded a protein of 115 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 12.9 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence exhibited high homology (>68%) to members of the ATP1gamma1/PLM/MAT8 family of single transmembrane proteins, primarily in the region containing the putative transmembrane domain. The sequence at the amino-terminal side exhibited high homology (>61%) to the cytoplasmic region of the angiotensin II type 1 receptors.

Quantitative assessment of phagocytic activity of hemocytes in the prawn, Penaeus merguiensis, by flow cytometric analysis

BACKGROUND

The blood cells of crustaceans are involved in phagocytosis of invading microorganisms, contributing to their defense mechanisms. In this study, phagocytic activity of hemocytes of the prawn, Penaeus merguiensis, was quantitated by means of flow cytometric analysis.

METHOD

This study was done in vitro. Hemolymph, which was extracted from prawns, was mixed with an equal volume of anticoagulant. Heat-killed Escherichia coli prestained with propidium iodide (PI) was then added. Hemocytes were fixed at various time intervals for flow cytometric analysis. This study was supplemented with electron micrographs using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which showed three populations of hemocytes.

RESULTS

It was observed that those hemocytes that were more active engulfed and digested bacteria readily, thus having higher red fluorescence intensity. The phagocytic activity was expressed as fluorescence unit or engulfed E. coli number per hemocyte.

CONCLUSIONS

With this approach, the phagocytic and cellular activity of individual hemocyte populations could be studied quantitatively.

A model for the interaction of paclitaxel with the Bcl-2 loop domain: a chemical approach to induce conformation-dependent phosphorylation

A homology model for human Bcl-2 was built. Paclitaxel and baccatin III were individually docked into the Bcl-2 loop domain. The conformational space of the loop region on ligand binding was explored by molecular dynamics. The ligand-Bcl-2 interaction energy was calculated by minimization in the binding site. It was found that both paclitaxel's core skeleton and its C-13 side chain contribute significantly to its interaction with Bcl-2. A portion of the Bcl-2 loop domain was found to be locked by the bound paclitaxel and baccatin III in a similar conformation.