Stiffness and thickness of boron-nitride nanotubes

We establish an analytic approach to determine the tensile and bending stiffness of a hexagonal boron-nitride (h-BN) monolayer and single- and multi-wall boron-nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) directly from the interatomic potential. Such an approach enables one to bypass atomistic simulations and to give the tensile and bending stiffness in terms of the parameters in the potential. For single- and multi-wall BNNTs, the stiffness also depends on the (inner most or outer most) wall radius and the number of the walls. The thickness of h-BN monolayer is also discussed.

Constitutively active Rheb induces oncogenic transformation

Rheb (Ras-homolog enriched in brain) is a component of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway, functioning as a positive regulator of TOR. Constitutively active mutants of Rheb induce oncogenic transformation in cell culture. The transformed cells are larger and contain more protein than their normal counterparts. They show constitutive phosphorylation of the ribosomal protein S6 kinase and the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1, two downstream targets of TOR. The TOR-specific inhibitor rapamycin strongly interferes with transformation induced by constitutively active Rheb, suggesting that TOR activity is essential for the oncogenic effects of mutant Rheb. Rheb-induced transformation is also dependent on a C-terminal farnesylation signal that mediates localization to a cellular membrane. An engineered N-terminal myristylation signal can substitute for the farnesylation. Immunofluorescence localizes wild-type and mutant Rheb to vesicular structures in the cytoplasm, overlapping with the endoplasmic reticulum.

The JNK/AP1/ATF2 pathway is involved in H2O2-induced acetylcholinesterase expression during apoptosis

We show that H2O2 increases acetylcholinesterase (AChE) expression via transcriptional activation through c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), since the JNK inhibitor SP600125, but not the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway inhibitor PD98059 or p38 kinase inhibitor SB203580, attenuated H2O2-induced AChE expression and its promoter activity. Overexpression of hemagglutinin (HA)-JNK increases H2O2-induced AChE expression and its promoter activity, whereas the dominant negative mutant form of JNK suppressed H2O2-induced AChE expression and promoter activity. Mutation analysis indicates that the major response elements for JNK in the AChE promoter are the AP1-like element (TGAGTCT) site, located within the -1565/-1569 region of the AChE promoter, and the ATF2 element (CCACGTCA), within the -2185/-2177 region. The AP1-like element binds to the transcription factors, c-jun and ATF2, while the ATF2 element binds mainly ATF2. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that H2O2 induces AChE expression via the JNK/AP1/ ATF2 signaling pathway.

Genetic and functional characterization of the rice bacterial blight disease resistance gene xa5

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae is the causal agent of rice bacterial blight, a destructive rice disease worldwide. The gene xa5 provides race-specific resistance to X. oryzae pv. oryzae, and encodes the small subunit of transcription factor IIA. How xa5 functions in bacterial blight resistance is not well understood, and its recessive gene action is disputed. Here we show that xa5 is inherited in a completely recessive manner and the susceptible allele Xa5 is fully dominant. In accordance with this, bacterial growth in heterozygous and homozygous susceptible lines is not significantly different. Further, one allele of Xa5 is sufficient to promote disease in previously resistant plants; additional copies are not predictive of increased lesion length. Surprisingly, a resistant nearly isogenic line (NIL) of an indica variety sustains high levels of bacterial populations compared to the susceptible NIL, yet the resistant plants restrict symptom expression. In contrast, in japonica NILs, bacterial population dynamics differ in resistant and susceptible genotypes. However, both resistant indica and japonica plants delay bacterial movement down the leaf. These results support a model in which xa5-mediated recessive resistance is the result of restricted bacterial movement, but not restricted multiplication.

Wild-type adenoviruses from groups A-F evoke unique innate immune responses, of which HAd3 and SAd23 are partially complement dependent

Alternative human and non-human Ad serotype vectors are currently studied for gene therapy and/or vaccine applications to capitalize upon their likely ability to avoid pre-existing immunity to HAd5. However, relatively little attention has been given to the nature and scope of innate immune responses generated by alternative Ad serotypes. In this study, we characterized several innate immune responses after intravenous administration of wild-type Ad serotypes HAd31, HAd3, HAd5, HAd37, SAd23 and HAd41, representing groups A-F, respectively. Notably, biodistribution studies revealed significant differences between the serotypes, with high levels of HAd3 genomes found in the liver and lung, and HAd37 genomes found in the spleen after systemic administration. Relative to similar treatments with other Ad serotypes, HAd3 and SAd23 induced altered innate immune responses, illustrated by induction of higher levels of cellular gene transcription in several tissues, and higher plasma levels of cytokines and chemokines. We also investigated whether complement interactions have a role in HAd3- and SAd23-induced responses. We confirmed complement dependent gene transcription, plasma cytokine/chemokine responses, and liver toxicities incurred after administration of HAd3 and SAd23. This study highlights the potential benefits and/or limitations to the proposed use of alternative Ad serotypes for gene therapy or vaccine applications.

Gene transfer of antisense B7.1 attenuates acute rejection against splenic allografts in rats

Blockade of CD80-CD28 costimulatory pathway induces unresponsiveness of T cells to alloantigens and protects allografts against immune rejection in numerous animal models. The aim of this study was to investigate whether blocking expression of B7.1 (CD80) on donor splenocytes by an antisense technique protected splenic allografts against immune rejection. Splenic grafts from Wistar-Furth rats were intra-arterially transfused with an antisense B7.1 expression vector, before they were transplanted into Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were sacrificed at scheduled times, and the splenic allografts histologically examined. Antisense gene transfer resulted in marked down-regulation of B7.1 in donor spleens, hyporesponsiveness of recipient T cells, and attenuated acute immune rejection against splenic allografts. No obvious damage to skin, liver, or gut due to graft-versus-host disease was detected in the recipients. In conclusion, blocking expression of B7.1 in donor spleens by antisense gene therapy represented a potential alloantigen-specific immunosuppressive strategy to inhibit acute rejection against splenic allografts.

Evidence of local evolution of tomato-infecting begomovirus species in West Africa: characterization of tomato leaf curl Mali virus and tomato yellow leaf crumple virus from Mali

Tomato yellow leaf curl (TYLC) and tomato leaf curl (ToLC) diseases are serious constraints to tomato production in Mali and other countries in West Africa. In 2003 and 2004, samples of tomato showing virus-like symptoms were collected during a survey of tomato virus diseases in Mali. Three predominant symptom phenotypes were observed: (1) TYLC/ToLC (stunted upright growth and upcurled leaves with interveinal yellowing and vein purpling), (2) yellow leaf crumple and (3) broccoli or bonsai (severe stunting and distorted growth). Squash blot (SB) hybridization with a general begomovirus probe and/or SB/PCR analyses revealed begomovirus infection in plants with each of these symptom phenotypes and no evidence of phytoplasma infection. Sequence analysis of PCR-amplified begomovirus fragments revealed two putative new begomovirus species associated with the TYLC/ToLC and yellow leaf crumple symptom phenotypes, respectively. Full-length clones of these begomoviruses were obtained using PCR and overlapping primers. When introduced into N. benthamiana and tomato plants, these clones induced upward leaf curling and crumpling (the TYLC/ToLC-associated begomovirus) or downward leaf curl/yellow mottle (yellow leaf crumple-associated begomovirus) symptoms. Thus, these begomoviruses were named tomato leaf curl Mali virus (ToLCMLV) and tomato yellow leaf crumple virus (ToYLCrV). The genome organization of both viruses was similar to those of other monopartite begomoviruses. ToLCMLV and ToYLCrV were most closely related to each other and to tobacco leaf curl Zimbabwe virus (TbLCZV-[ZW]) and tomato curly stunt virus from South Africa (ToCSV-ZA). Thus, these likely represent tomato-infecting begomoviruses that evolved from indigenous begomoviruses on the African continent. Mixed infections of ToLCMLV and ToYLCrV in N. benthamiana and tomato plants resulted in more severe symptoms than in plants infected with either virus alone, suggesting a synergistic interaction. Agroinoculation experiments indicated that both viruses induced symptomatic infections in tomato and tobacco, whereas neither virus induced disease symptoms in pepper, common bean, small sugar pumpkin, African eggplant, or Arabidopsis. Virus-specific PCR primers were developed for detection of ToLCMLV and ToYLCrV and will be used to further investigate the distribution and host range of these viruses.

Telomere shortening and ageing

Telomeres form the ends of human chromosomes. Telomeres shorten with each round of cell division and this mechanism limits proliferation of human cells to a finite number of cell divisions by inducing replicative senescence, differentiation, or apoptosis. Telomere shortening can act as a tumor suppressor. However, as a downside, there is growing evidence indicating that telomere shortening also limits stem cell function, regeneration, and organ maintenance during ageing. Moreover, telomere shortening during ageing and disease is associated with increasing cancer risk. In this review we summarize our current knowledge on the role of telomere shortening in human ageing, chronic diseases, and cancer.

Growth hormone can induce expression of four major milk protein genes in transfected MAC-T cells

Growth hormone (GH) can increase milk production in cattle, and this effect was thought to be mediated by an indirect mechanism because traditional ligand binding assays failed to detect GH binding sites in the mammary gland. However, recent findings that GH receptor (GHR) mRNA and protein are expressed in the epithelial cells of the bovine mammary gland suggest that GH may directly act on these cells to affect milk production. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine whether GH could affect milk protein gene expression, nutrient uptake, and cell proliferation in bovine mammary epithelial cells using the bovine mammary epithelial cell-derived MAC-T cells as a model. Native MAC-T cells had low expression of GHR. Thus, we transfected them with expression plasmids for GHR and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5), 2 key components of GHR signaling, to maximize their GH response. Growth hormone increased the expression of alphaS1-casein, alphaS2-casein, beta-casein, and alpha-lactalbumin mRNA 16- to 117-fold in the transfected MAC-T cells, whereas it had no effect on the expression of kappa-casein, beta-lactoglobulin, or insulin-like growth factor I mRNA. Cotransfection analyses showed that GH also strongly induced reporter gene expression from alphaS1-casein, alphaS2-casein, beta-casein, and alpha-lactalbumin gene promoters. Growth hormone had no effect on the uptake of 2-deoxyglucose, an unmetabolizable glucose analog, amino acids, or oleic acid; neither did it affect cell proliferation or death. These observations together with the fact that GH receptor mRNA and protein are expressed in the epithelial cells of the bovine mammary gland raise the possibility that GH might act directly on the mammary epithelial cells in cows to stimulate transcription of major milk protein genes, as part of the mechanism by which GH stimulates milk production.

Microtia: ear reconstruction using tissue expander and autogenous costal cartilage

Ear reconstruction is one of the most challenging surgeries faced by the reconstructive surgeon. Currently, the use of autogenous costal cartilage is still best practice for microtia reconstruction. However, the relative deficiency of thin skin for coverage of the cartilage framework remains a limiting factor. Since 1994, we have used tissue expander in the mastoid area and innovated a technique to fabricate cartilage framework. All these innovations may solve the deficiency of the skin and improve cartilaginous framework definition. In conclusion, tissue expander offers a non-hairbearing, thin, well-vascularised skin to envelope an erect, contour-accentuated framework. Most patients with microtia are satisfied with their ear reconstruction.

Case-control study of radon and lung cancer in New Jersey

Radon is known to cause lung cancer in humans; however, there remain uncertainties about the effects associated with residential exposures. This case-control study of residential radon and lung cancer was conducted in five counties in New Jersey and involved 561 cases and 740 controls. A year long alpha-track detector measurement of radon was completed for approximately 93% of all residences lived in at the time of interview (a total of 2,063). While the odds ratios (ORs) for whole data were suggestive of an increased risk for exposures >75 Bq m(-3), these associations were not statistically significant. The adjusted excess OR (EOR) per 100 Bq m(-3) was -0.13 (95% CI: -0.30 to 0.44) for males, 0.29 (95% CI: -0.12 to 1.70) for females and 0.05 (95% CI: -0.14 to 0.56) for all subjects combined. An analysis of radon effects by histological type of lung cancer showed that the OR was strongest for small/oat cell carcinomas in both males and females. There was no statistical heterogeneity of radon effects by demographic factors (age at disease occurrence, education level and type of respondent). Analysis by categories of smoking status, frequency or duration did not modify the risk estimates of radon on lung cancer. The findings of this study are consistent with an earlier population-based study of radon and lung cancer among New Jersey women, and with the North American pooling of case control radon seven studies, including the previous New Jersey study. Several uncertainties regarding radon measurements and assumptions of exposure history may have resulted in underestimation of a true exposure-response relationship.

Diffusion tensor imaging in children with periventricular leukomalacia: variability of injuries to white matter tracts

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Conventional MR imaging shows evidence of brain injury and/or maldevelopment in 70%-90% of children with cerebral palsy (CP), though its capability to identify specific white matter tract injury is limited. The great variability of white matter lesions in CP already demonstrated by postmortem studies is thought to be one of the reasons why response to treatment is so variable. Our hypothesis is that diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a suitable technique to provide in vivo characterization of specific white matter tract lesions in children with CP associated with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 24 children with CP associated with PVL and 35 healthy controls were evaluated with DTI. Criteria for identification of 26 white matter tracts on the basis of 2D DTI color-coded maps were established, and a qualitative scoring system, based on visual inspection of the tracts in comparison with age-matched controls, was used to grade the severity of abnormalities. An ordinal grading system (0=normal, 1=abnormal, 2=severely abnormal or absent) was used to score each white matter tract.

RESULTS

There was marked variability in white matter injury pattern in patients with PVL, with the most frequent injury to the retrolenticular part of the internal capsule, posterior thalamic radiation, superior corona radiata, and commissural fibers.

CONCLUSION

DTI is a suitable technique for in vivo assessment of specific white matter lesions in patients with PVL and, thus, a potentially valuable diagnostic tool. The tract-specific evaluation revealed a family of tracts that are highly susceptible in PVL, important information that can potentially be used to tailor treatment options in the future.

Molecular Identification of a New Phytoplasma Strain Associated with the First Observation of Jujube Witches'-Broom Disease in Northeastern China

Jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Mill.) is a deciduous tree that is native to northern Africa and Syria. Because of its tolerance to a broad range of climatic conditions, jujube has attained a wide natural distribution from southeastern Europe to eastern Asia (3). Jujube has a long history of cultivation, especially in Asia, for its valuable medicinal properties, strong wood, and nutritious fruits. Jujube trees are susceptible to phytoplasma infections and develop jujube witches'-broom (JWB) disease. To date, JWB diseases have been reported in Korea, Japan, and central China (1,4). In this communication, we describe a new phytoplasma strain associated with the first observation of JWB disease in northeastern China. In the summer of 2006, six jujube trees exhibiting pronounced witches'-broom symptoms were observed in suburban Dalian, Liaoning Province. The trees developed dense clusters of highly proliferating branches with shortened internodes. Leaves on the affected branches were chlorotic and significantly reduced in size. A DNA segment characteristic of phytoplasma rRNA partial operons was amplified from DNA samples extracted from leaves of all diseased trees in polymerase chain reactions (PCR) using phytoplasma-universal primer pair P1/P7 (2). No PCR product was obtained from DNA samples extracted from two symptomless jujube trees in the same region. The PCR-amplified DNA segment, spanning a near full-length 16S rRNA gene, a 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer, a tRNA-Ile gene, and a partial 23S rRNA gene was cloned and sequenced to achieve 4× coverage per base position in sequencing both strands (GenBank Accession No. EF661852). Results from analysis of the sequence data indicated that the six jujube trees were infected by a phytoplasma of elm yellows group (16SrV), to which other reported JWB phytoplasma strains belong. However, the JWB phytoplasma strain identified in the current study, hereby designated as JWB-DL, displayed sequence variations within the partial rRNA operon compared with those of other JWB strains (GenBank Accession Nos. AY072722, AF305240, and AY197661), indicating that JWB-DL is a distinct strain. To further characterize the JWB-DL phytoplasma, a genomic segment covering full-length ribosomal protein genes rplV and rpsC was PCR-amplified using primer pair rp(V)F2A/rpR1 (2), cloned, and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. EF661581). The nucleotide sequence of the JWB-DL phytoplasma rplV-rpsC locus is identical to that of hemp fiber witches'-broom phytoplasma (GenBank Accession No. EF029093) rather than to those of JWB phytoplasma strains described previously. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a JWB disease in northeastern China, and JWB-DL represents a new, distinct 'Candidatus Phytoplasma ziziphi'-related strain. References: (1) H.-Y. Jung et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 53:1037, 2003. (2) I.-M. Lee et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 54:337, 2004. (3) W. H. Outlaw et al. Econ. Bot. 56:198, 2002. (4) J. B. Tian et al. Hortic. Sci 35:1274, 2000.

Searching for genes underlying susceptibility to osteoporotic fracture: current progress and future prospect

INTRODUCTION

Osteoporotic fracture (OF) is a public health problem. It is a common practice in the genetics of osteoporosis that bone mineral density (BMD) was studied as a major surrogate phenotype in gene search for risk of OF (ROF) because of their high phenotypic correlation. However, some studies indicate that the genetic correlation between BMD and ROF is very low. This implies that most genes found important for BMD may not be relevant to ROF. Ideally, employing OF per se as a direct study phenotype can directly find the relevant genes underlying ROF.

EVIDENCE

Here, we summarized some evidence supporting ROF under moderate genetic control, and the current progress of molecular genetic studies employing OF as the direct study phenotype, then give our consideration on the future prospects in the genetics of ROF.

Avian influenza A (H5N1) infection in a patient in China, 2006

BACKGROUND

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus has caused increasing human infection in Eurasia since 2004. So far, H5N1 human infection has been associated with over 50% mortality that is partly because of delay of diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS

Here, we report that an H5N1 influenza virus infected a 31-year-old patient in Shenzhen in June 2006. To identify the possible source of the infection, the human isolate and other H5N1 influenza viruses obtained from poultry and wild birds in southern China during the same period of time were characterized.

RESULTS

Genetic and antigenic analyses revealed that the human H5N1 influenza virus, Shenzhen/406H/06, is of purely avian origin and is most closely related to viruses detected in poultry and wild birds in Hong Kong in early 2006.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the present study suggest that the continued endemicity of H5N1 influenza virus in the poultry in southern China increases the chance for introduction of the virus to humans. This highlights the importance of continued surveillance of poultry and wild birds for determining the source for human H5N1 infection.

Laparoscopic excision of extraprostatic ejaculatory duct cyst

Our experiences with laparoscopic excisions of symptomatic extraprostatic ejaculatory duct cysts (EDCs) are reported. Three laparoscopic excisions of extraprostatic EDCs performed by one urologist in 2003 and 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. Investigations included history, physical examination, image analysis, semen analysis, operation time, estimated blood loss, time of post-operative hospital stay, recovery time for regular activities, sexual function and complications. The laparoscopic excisions of EDCs were successful. The mean operation time was 105 min, and the mean estimated blood loss was 65 ml. The average post-operative hospital stay was 3.0 days. All patients exhibited normal erection and normal ejaculation. Improvement in semen quality was observed in two patients. All patients remained free of symptoms, and recurrence of EDCs was not detected on transrectal ultrasonography over a mean 32-month follow-up period. It is concluded that laparoscopic excision of an EDC is feasible and effective. Due to minimal invasiveness, short post-operative hospitalisation and rapid recovery, laparoscopic surgery is an attractive approach to managing symptomatic EDCs, especially for sizeable cysts or those including calculus.