The Arabidopsis gene SIGMA FACTOR-BINDING PROTEIN 1 plays a role in the salicylate- and jasmonate-mediated defence responses

The chloroplast-localized SIB1 protein was previously identified by its interaction with SIGMA FACTOR 1 (SIG1), a component of the RNA polymerase machinery responsible for transcription of plastid genes. The physiological function of SIB1 is little known. We found that expression of SIB1 is induced by infection with Pseudomonas syringae, suggesting its possible involvement in the defence response. The sib1 loss-of-function mutation compromises induction of some defence-related genes triggered by pathogen infection and the treatments with salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA), two key signalling molecules in the defence response. Conversely, constitutive over-expression of SIB1 causes the plants to hyper-activate defence-related genes following pathogen infection or the SA and JA treatments, leading to enhanced resistance to infection by P. syringae. SIB1 is a member of the large plant-specific VQ motif-containing protein family, and might act as a link to connect defence signalling with chloroplast function.

Kinetic studies on the degradation of crystal violet by the Fenton oxidation process

The degradation of dye crystal violet (CV) by Fenton oxidation process was investigated. The UV-Vis spectrogram has shown that CV can be degraded effectively by Fenton oxidation process. Different system variables namely initial H(2)O(2) concentration, initial Fe(2 + ) concentration and reaction temperature, which have effect on the degradation of CV by Fenton oxidation process, have been studied systematically. The degradation kinetics of CV was also elucidated based on the experimental data. The degradation of CV obeys the first-order reaction kinetics. The kinetic model can be described as k=1.5 exp(-(7.5)/(RT))[H(2)O(2)](0)(0.8718)[Fe(2+)](0)(0.5062). According to the IR spectrogram, it is concluded that the benzene ring of crystal violet has been destroyed by Fenton oxidation. The result will be useful in treating dyeing wastewater containing CV by Fenton oxidation process.

Ecosystem services assessment of two watersheds of Lancang River in Yunnan, China with a decision tree approach

In the Langcang (Upper-Mekong) watershed, degraded watershed ecosystems in upland areas threaten cultivation practices, water resources, and dam development downstream. Assessment of ecosystem services and the factors that threaten them is an important first step to support watershed management. This, however, requires detailed information that is often missing in mountainous regions. To overcome this, in this paper, we adopt a decision tree approach to assess protection, biodiversity, and production services in two mountainous watersheds (Fengqing and Xiaojie) of the Lancang River Basin. Decision tree rules were built on the basis of field surveys, available references, ecosystem maps derived from remote sensing, expert knowledge, basic topographic information, and community interviews. Decision tree results showed that forest cover and agro-forestry practices contribute greatly to improved ecosystem functioning in the Fengqing Catchment compared to the Xiaojie Catchment. The results were consistent with field observations. The decision tree method proved to be a suitable and flexible tool for the rapid assessment of watershed ecosystem services, for highlighting those areas that need more in-depth research, and for guiding watershed and ecosystem management.

Cloning, sequence analysis, and expression of cDNA coding for the major house dust mite allergen, Der f 1, in Escherichia coli

Our objective was to clone, express and characterize adult Dermatophagoides farinae group 1 (Der f 1) allergens to further produce recombinant allergens for future clinical applications in order to eliminate side reactions from crude extracts of mites. Based on GenBank data, we designed primers and amplified the cDNA fragment coding for Der f 1 by nested-PCR. After purification and recovery, the cDNA fragment was cloned into the pMD19-T vector. The fragment was then sequenced, subcloned into the plasmid pET28a(+), expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 and identified by Western blotting. The cDNA coding for Der f 1 was cloned, sequenced and expressed successfully. Sequence analysis showed the presence of an open reading frame containing 966 bp that encodes a protein of 321 amino acids. Interestingly, homology analysis showed that the Der p 1 shared more than 87% identity in amino acid sequence with Eur m 1 but only 80% with Der f 1. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses suggested that D. pteronyssinus was evolutionarily closer to Euroglyphus maynei than to D. farinae, even though D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae belong to the same Dermatophagoides genus. A total of three cysteine peptidase active sites were found in the predicted amino acid sequence, including 127-138 (QGGCGSCWAFSG), 267-277 (NYHAVNIVGYG) and 284-303 (YWIVRNSWDTTWGDSGYGYF). Moreover, secondary structure analysis revealed that Der f 1 contained an a helix (33.96%), an extended strand (17.13%), a ss turn (5.61%), and a random coil (43.30%). A simple three-dimensional model of this protein was constructed using a Swiss-model server. The cDNA coding for Der f 1 was cloned, sequenced and expressed successfully. Alignment and phylogenetic analysis suggests that D. pteronyssinus is evolutionarily more similar to E. maynei than to D. farinae.

Natural Occurrence of Chilli veinal mottle virus on Capsicum chinense in China

An outbreak of a viral disease on chili pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacp. cv. Yellow Lantern) occurred in Hainan Province, China during 2003 and 2004. The disease was prevalent in five chili-producing counties surveyed. Leaves of infected plants initially displayed symptoms of dark green banding along veins and later became distorted with striking mosaic. Infected plants had reduced flower numbers and fruit set, resulting in a significant yield loss. The causative virus was characterized and identified as Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV) (3). An isolate of the virus was obtained via three single lesion passages through Chenopodium amaranticolor and was shown to reproduce the same symptoms on inoculated C. chinense cv. Yellow Lantern. Negative staining of crude extracts of the infected tissue and subsequent electron microscopy revealed flexuous rods of 12 to 13 × 750 nm, typical of a potyvirus. Pinwheel-like inclusion bodies were abundant in thin sections of infected leaves. Purified virus preparations contained one major protein of 32.8 kDa and one minor protein of 28 kDa when fractionated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Both of these protein bands were excised and subsequently analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Multiple peptide fragments from both proteins were identified as arising from ChiVMV capsid protein (CP) (1,2). Therefore, the 32.8-kDa protein is the full-length ChiVMV CP and the 28-kDa protein is presumably a degradation product of the CP. The combined biological and molecular data provided strong evidence that the viral disease on C. chinense was caused by ChiVMV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of ChiVMV infection on C. chinense in China and the first report of C. amaranticolor as an experimental host for ChiVMV. References: (1) P. Chiemsombat et al. Arch. Virol. 143:1855, 1998. (2). J. Joseph and H. S. Savithri. Arch. Virol. 144:1679, 1999. (3) P. Siriwong et al. Plant Pathol. 44:718, 1995.

BACH1 is a DNA repair protein supporting BRCA1 damage response

The link between defects in BRCA1 and breast cancer development may be best understood by deciphering the role of associated proteins. BRCA1 associated C-terminal helicase (BACH1) interacts directly with the BRCA1 C-terminal BRCT repeats, which are important for BRCA1 DNA repair and are mutated in the majority of BRCA1 familial cancers. Thus, BACH1 is a likely candidate for mediating BRCA1 DNA repair and tumor suppression functions. Although previous evidence using overexpression of a dominant negative BACH1 has suggested that BACH1 is involved in BRCA1-DNA repair function, our results using BACH1 deficient cells provide direct evidence for involvement of BACH1 in DNA repair as well as for localizing BRCA1. Following DNA damage BACH1 is modified by phosphorylation, displays a BRCA1-like nuclear foci pattern and colocalizes with gamma-H2AX. Given that the BACH1/BRCA1 complex is unaltered by DNA damage and the intensity of BRCA1 foci is diminished in BACH1 deficient cells, BACH1 may serve to not only facilitate DNA repair, but also maintain BRCA1 in DNA damage foci.

Nitrate removal from drinking water through the use of encapsulated microorganisms in alginate beads

Biological treatment for removal of nitrate from drinking water is of great significance, as traditional physical and chemical methods could not effectively remove soluble nitrate. In this report immobilized microorganisms with co-immobilized calcium tartrate were used for reducing nitrate concentration (110 mg l(-1) NO3-N) in a model solution. The carbon source also functions as a stabilizing agent for the immobilization matrix. Experiments of denitrification showed a high nitrate removal rate while nitrite residual was at a concentration higher than expected. The nitrate concentration was reduced to nearly zero (0.2-1.4 mg l(-1)) after 3 days of operation. The calcium tartrate (4%, w/w) co-immobilized alginate beads had better nitrate removal performance than tartrate in solution. The nitrite-N residual concentration was approximately 1.1-2.9 mg l(-1) at the end of the experiments, showing the desirability of further denitrification. The stability of alginate beads was also tested both to evaluate their behaviors and investigate the efficacy of bead recycling. It was found that the beads could be used for 8-13 days consecutively without any structural deterioration and leaking of microbes.

[A study of bone development and metabolism in childhood]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the regularity of bone development and metabolism in childhood.

METHODS

A survey was made to collect and analyze the data on bone biochemistry, the density of lumbar vertebrae and the X-ray examination of calcaneus in 224 healthy children aged 3-15 years in the urban area of Chengdu.

RESULTS

Comparative analysis of serum and urine calcium and phosphate concentrations showed no significant difference between the age groups. The serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) were found to increase with age and reach their peak values in children aged 7-12 years, and their values were significantly higher than that of adults (P < 0.05). The density of lumbar vertebrae and the trabecular bone of calcanesus also developed with age.

CONCLUSION

The measurements of the bone biochemistry, bone density and the trabecular bone of calcaneus which reflect the bone development and metabolism have their special regularity in childhood. The criteria in use for adulthood is not fit for the evaluation in childhood. The data obtained can be used in clinical diagnosis and treatment of the bone metabolic diseases of children.

Localization of the mouse kidney disease (kd) gene to a YAC/BAC contig on Chromosome 10

Mice that are homozygous for the kidney disease (kd) gene on Chromosome (Chr) 10 spontaneously develop a progressive and fatal interstitial nephritis. The disease phenotype is similar to that of the human disease, juvenile nephronophthisis. Using a backcross and intercross breeding strategy and analysis of over 900 resultant progeny, this genetic locus has now been mapped to a minimal co-segregating region of approximately two megabases between D10Mit 193 and D10Mit 38. The location assigned to kd by this study is over 3 cM from the current Mouse Genome Database location. The entire interval has been cloned in yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones. Recombinant analysis has permitted assignment of 13 Mit microsatellite markers to positions near or within the region. Two new markers have been identified by using single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of sequenced BAC ends. Several BAC end sequences align with human BAC clones from Chr 6q2 that contain NR2E1. Snx3, and Ros1. Three murine genes, CD24a, fyn, and ColX reported to map in or near the kd region as defined by this study have been evaluated. Though not definitely excluded, they appear to be unlikely candidates.

The vomeronasal organ is involved in discrimination of individual odors by males but not by females in golden hamsters

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) has a wide variety of functions in terrestrial vertebrates, some of which involve responses to classical pheromones whereas others do not. We examined the role of the VNO in discrimination of individual differences in odors of male and female golden hamsters using a habituation paradigm. Removal of the VNO resulted in elimination of the ability of male hamsters to discriminate between some individually distinctive odors (e.g., flank gland secretion), but not others (e.g., urine). In females, such lesions had no effect. The type of test trial also influenced the results; in test trials employing a single, novel odor, removal of the VNO in males did have an effect but in test trials in which both the novel and the familiar odor were presented, VNO removal had no effect. It is concluded that (a) there is a sex difference in the role of the VNO in the discrimination of individual odors, (b) the role of the VNO in discrimination of individual odors varies from odor to odor, and (c) deficits due to VNO removal are more readily observed in more difficult tasks.

Starch-branching enzymes preferentially associated with A-type starch granules in wheat endosperm

Two starch granule-bound proteins (SGP), SGP-140 and SGP-145, were preferentially associated with A-type starch granules (>10 microm) in developing and mature wheat (Triticum aestivum) kernels. Immunoblotting and N-terminal sequencing suggested that the two proteins were different variants of SBEIc, a 152-kD isoform of wheat starch-branching enzyme. Both SGP-140 and SGP-145 were localized to the endosperm starch granules but were not found in the endosperm soluble fraction or pericarp starch granules younger than 15 d post anthesis (DPA). Small-size starch granules (<10 microm) initiated before 15 DPA incorporated SGP-140 and SGP-145 throughout endosperm development and grew into full-size A-type starch granules (>10 microm). In contrast, small-size starch granules harvested after 15 DPA contained only low amounts of SGP-140 and SGP-145 and developed mainly into B-type starch granules (<10 microm). Polypeptides of similar mass and immunologically related to SGP-140 and/or SGP-145 were also preferentially incorporated into A-type starch granules of barley (Hordeum vulgare), rye (Secale cereale), and triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) endosperm, which like wheat endosperm have a bimodal starch granule size distribution.

[Immobilization osteoporosis and fracture in children]

This study was intended to enhance the diagnostic vigilance of immobilization osteoporosis with fracture and explore its prevention and treatment. Thirteen children with the hip disease underwent one to nine months of plaster cast after operation. A retrospective analysis was made on these 13 patients with fracture and immobilization osteoporosis. The result showed that disuse fracture occurred in fifteen places of their femora. All of these cases were cured by non-operative and drug treatment. These data suggest that for the cases of immobilization osteoporosis it is important to prevent fracture by means of early diagnosis, proper drugs, early function exercise, appropriately shorter period of fixation and the avoidance of trauma.

External quality assessment survey for hematological laboratories in China

To evaluate the feasibility of improving external quality assessment (EQA), we set up an experimental EQA survey that included 465 participants in China. During the period of this survey, we checked the quality of the EQA samples, divided the participants into different groups, each laboratory's result was assessed by calculation standard deviation index (SDI). The reference values were determined to evaluate the accuracy for peer groups. The data showed that the stability of the EQA samples was acceptable. Except for WBC count of the Abbott group, the mean, median and reference values for each parameter were very close. We found that the main reason affecting the performance of the participants was not using the reagents. calibrator and QC material recommended by manufacturer. From this survey, we obtain a good reference for future improvement.

Anatomical study of the synovial plicae of the hip joint

Observations and measurements of the synovial plicae of the hip joints were made on 63 embalmed cadavers. The cadavers were divided equally among three age groups (fetuses, children, and adults). Our observations showed that the plicae appeared in two forms (flat and villous) and were mainly confined to the external surface of the lower medial part of the acetabular labrum (labral plicae), the base of the ligament of the head of the femur (ligamental plicae), and along the reflecting line of the synovial membrane on the base of the femoral neck (neck plicae). The ligamental plicae were well padded with a fibroelastic pad of fat filling the acetabular fossa, and the neck plicae were far away from the articular surfaces of the joint; as a result, neither was likely to be injured or entrapped during joint movements. The labral plicae were larger than the ligamental or neck plicae and had an incidence of 73.8% in the fetal group. The fetal plicae were found only after the fetal age of 5 months. In nine cases of the child and adult groups, the labral plicae extended between the articular surface of the femoral head and the lower part of the acetabulum during medial rotation of the thigh. When the thigh was rotated laterally, the plicae in six of the same cases could be returned to their original positions. In the remaining three cases, there was continual impingement.

[Coordination and local structure of Si and Al in silicate glasses and melts: X-ray absorption spectroscopic study]

The coordination and local structure of Si and Al in silicate glasses and melts have been studied using Si and Al K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy for the first time. It has been verified that in SiO2-P2O5 and Na2O-SiO2-P2O5 join phosphate silicate glasses, Si atoms remains tetrahedrally coordinated with oxygen when the content of P2O5 is below 32 mol%, but partial Si atoms become octahedrally coordinated with oxygen when the content of P2O5 increases above 32 mol%, and the proportion of the octahedrally coordinated Si atoms increases with the increasing content of P2O5. It has also been demonstrated that Al remains four-fold coordinated with oxygen in ambient NaAlSi2O6-NaAlSi3O8 glasses, but in the same composition glasses quenched at 4.4 GPa and 1,575 degrees C, partial Al atoms becomes five- and six-fold coordinated with oxygen, and at the same pressure and temperature, the proportions of five- and six-fold coordinated Al atoms increases with the increasing content of NaAlSi2O6 in the glasses. Thus, the pressure-induced coordination change of Al in aluminosilicate glasses and melts has been observed for the first time by Al K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Induction of Th1 response by dendritic cells pulsed with autologous melanoma apoptotic bodies

BACKGROUND

We hypothesize that dendritic cells (DCs) can process antigens from autologous melanoma apoptotic bodies (MABs) and induce effector T cells in melanoma patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from three stage IV melanoma patients and adherent cells were cultured in complete medium (CM) containing GM-CSF (800 U/ml) and IL-4 (1000 U/ml) for 7 days. Autologous MABs from melanoma cells following actinomycin D treatment (0.5 microgram/ml) for 24 hours, were added to 72 hour DC culture. Autologous effector T cells were cultured in CM containing 60 IU/ml of IL-2 and were stimulated by MAB-pulsed DCs three times at a weekly interval. Effector T cells were harvested at the end of third cycle of DC stimulation.

RESULTS

Using ELISPOT, IFN-gamma production by effector T cells stimulated by MAB-pulsed DCs was significantly higher than that by T cells without DC stimulation. Microscopy demonstrated phagocytosis of MABs by DCs.

CONCLUSIONS

MAB-pulsed DCs are capable of stimulating Th1-directed autologous effector T cells. Pulsing DCs with autologous MABs may be a novel approach in future DC-based immunotherapeutic trials.