Search for axions with the CDMS experiment

We report on the first axion search results from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS) experiment at the Soudan Underground Laboratory. An energy threshold of 2 keV for electron-recoil events allows a search for possible solar axion conversion into photons or local galactic axion conversion into electrons in the germanium crystal detectors. The solar axion search sets an upper limit on the Primakov coupling g(agammagamma) of 2.4x10(-9) GeV-1 at the 95% confidence level for an axion mass less than 0.1 keV/c2. This limit benefits from the first precise measurement of the absolute crystal plane orientations in this type of experiment. The galactic axion search analysis sets a world-leading experimental upper limit on the axioelectric coupling g(aee) of 1.4x10(-12) at the 90% confidence level for an axion mass of 2.5 keV/c2.

Search for weakly interacting massive particles with the first five-tower data from the cryogenic dark matter search at the soudan underground laboratory

We report results from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search at the Soudan Underground Laboratory (CDMS II) featuring the full complement of 30 detectors. A blind analysis of data taken between October 2006 and July 2007 sets an upper limit on the weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) nucleon spin-independent cross section of 6.6x10;{-44} cm;{2} (4.6x10;{-44} cm;{2} when combined with previous CDMS II data) at the 90% confidence level for a WIMP mass of 60 GeV/c;{2}. This achieves the best sensitivity for dark matter WIMPs with masses above 44 GeV/c;{2}, and significantly restricts the parameter space for some favored supersymmetric models.

Effects of preshipping management on measures of stress and performance of beef steers during feedlot receiving

Over 2 yr, a total of 96 steers (approximately 7 mo of age) were allocated to 1 of 4 weaning management strategies: 1) control: weaned on the day of shipping; 2) creep-fed: allowed free-choice access to concentrate before weaning and shipping; 3) preweaned: weaned and provided supplemental concentrate on pasture before shipping; and 4) early-weaned: weaned at 70 to 90 d of age and kept on pasture. On the day of shipping, steers were loaded together onto a commercial livestock trailer and transported 1,600 km over 24 h before being received into the feedlot. At the feedlot, steers were penned by treatment (4 pens/treatment) and provided access to free-choice hay and concentrate in separate feeding spaces. Samples of blood were collected on d 0, 1, 4, 8, 15, 22, and 29 relative to shipping. Steer performance was assessed over the receiving period, including DMI of hay and concentrate, ADG, and G:F. Predetermined contrasts included control vs. early-weaned, creep-fed vs. preweaned, and control vs. creep-fed and preweaned. Overall ADG was greater (P < 0.01) for early-weaned vs. control steers (1.39 vs. 0.88 kg). In wk 1, early-weaned steers consumed more concentrate and less hay compared with control steers (P < 0.03), and preweaned steers consumed more concentrate (P < 0.01) but a similar amount of hay (P = 0.75) compared with creep-fed steers. Average DMI was greater for preweaned compared with creep-fed steers (2.84 vs. 2.50% of BW; P = 0.01) and tended to be greater for early-weaned compared with control steers (2.76 vs. 2.50% of BW; P = 0.06). Feed efficiency of early-weaned steers was greater than that of control steers (G:F = 0.17 vs. 0.12; P < 0.01) but similar for preweaned compared with creep-fed steers (P = 0.72). Plasma ceruloplasmin concentrations were less (P < 0.05) in control vs. early-weaned steers on d 0, but increased sharply after shipping and were greater in control vs. early-weaned steers on d 15 and 22 (P < 0.05). Creep-fed steers also experienced greater (P < 0.05) plasma ceruloplasmin concentrations than preweaned steers on d 29. These data suggest that early-weaned steers have improved performance in the feedlot compared with steers weaned directly before transport and feedlot entry. Differences in preshipping management appear to significantly affect measures of the acute phase protein response in steers.

CCDC134, a novel secretory protein, inhibits activation of ERK and JNK, but not p38 MAPK

In this study, we report a novel gene, CCDC134 (coiled-coil domain containing 134), that encodes a secretory protein that can inhibit the MAPK pathway as a novel human MAPK-regulating protein. The CCDC134 mRNA contains 1280 nucleotides, encoding a protein of 229 amino acids. CCDC134 is a classical secretory protein. Expression profile analysis by Northern blot, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot reveals that CCDC134 is widely expressed in normal adult tissues, tumor tissues and cell lines. Functional investigation reveals that overexpression of CCDC134 and its purified protein significantly inhibit transcriptional activity of Elk1 and phosphorylation of Erk and JNK/SAPK but not p38 MAPK. Conversely, specific siRNA against CCDC134 activates Elk1 transcriptional activity and promotes Erk and JNK/SAPK phosphorylation. These results clearly indicate that CCDC134 is a novel member of the secretory family and down-regulates the Raf-1/MEK/ERK and JNK/ SAPK pathways.

The digestive fate of Escherichia coli glutamate dehydrogenase deoxyribonucleic acid from transgenic corn in diets fed to weanling pigs

Corn containing genetically engineered plasmid DNA encoding an Escherichia coli glutamate dehydrogenase (gdhA) was fed to 19-d-old weanling swine to trace the digestive fate of the transgenic DNA. Eight pens of 8 pigs were fed a commercial (nongdhA) starter for 2 wk. One pig was randomly selected from each pen for 0-h control samples. The remaining 56 pigs were transitioned onto a corn-soybean meal diet and fed a diet containing 58% gdhA corn for approximately 1 wk; immediately thereafter, liver, 10th rib muscle, white blood cells, and plasma from the hepatic portal vein and ingesta from the stomach, distal ileum, and large intestine were collected. The DNA was extracted and the concentration determined via spectrophotometry. Polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis were performed with primers designed to amplify 490 bp that included the plasmid's ligation site between the maize ubiquitin and the gdhA genes. The gdhA corn-derived DNA and diet served as positive assay controls, and conventional corn DNA and distilled water acted as negative assay controls. Detection limits were 0.99 fg of target DNA confounded with 500 ng of conventional corn DNA per each 20 &L reaction. Transgenic DNA was detected in 71.43% of the stomach and 1.79% of the ileal ingesta samples from treatment animals but was not detected in the large intestine, white blood cells, plasma, liver, or muscle samples. Transgenic DNA was not detected in any sample from 0-h control animals. Stomach and ileal ingesta samples were further analyzed using real-time PCR. With an estimated limit of detection of 1.049 ag/microL, 89.29% of the stomach ingesta samples were positive (average 1.56 fg target DNA). The proportion of transgenic DNA to total DNA differed between diet and stomach ingesta samples (P < 0.001). Despite the greater sensitivity of real-time PCR, target DNA was detected in only 1.79% of ileal ingesta. These data suggest that the gdhA transgene began degradation in the stomach and was nondetectable in the large intestine.

Genetic effects on acute phase protein response to the stresses of weaning and transportation in beef calves

The objective herein was to estimate heterosis and breed effects in purebred and crossbred Romosinuano, Brahman, and Angus calves on acute phase protein response to weaning and transportation. Calves (n = 1,032) were weaned in September of 2002, 2003, and 2004 at approximately 7 mo of age. Approximately 28 d after weaning, steer calves (n = 482) were transported 1,800 km (20 h) to Oklahoma. Concentrations of 3 acute phase proteins (ceruloplasmin, fibrinogen, and haptoglobin) were measured in blood samples. Calves (steers and heifers) were sampled at weaning, and 24 and 72 h postweaning. For separate analyses, steers sent to Oklahoma were sampled before shipment, upon arrival, and 24 and 72 h after arrival. Combinations of the following fixed effects were investigated: sire breed, dam breed, sampling time, birth location, calf sex (weaning only), year, cow age, and interactions. Effects of special interest were sire breed x dam breed as an indication of breed group of calf, and the interaction of sire and dam breeds with sampling time. Weaning age and BW were investigated as linear and quadratic covariates. Sire of calf within sire breed was a random term. The correlation structure of repeated measures was determined by comparison of information criterion values for different structures within each analysis. In general, plasma acute phase protein concentrations in weaned calves increased with sampling time. Concentrations in the transported steers increased through sampling at 24 h after arrival, and were lower at 72 h. Significant estimates of heterosis were detected for Brahman-Angus haptoglobin concentrations at weaning (0.38 +/- 0.14 mg/dL x 100; 44%), and for Romosinuano-Angus fibrinogen concentrations at weaning (11.4 +/- 5.5 mg/dL; 10%) and in transported steers (22.5 +/- 8.4 mg/dL; 20%). The direct effect of Romosinuano was to increase (P <0.004) ceruloplasmin concentrations of weaned calves (4.1 +/- 0.9 mg/dL) and of transported steers (3.9 +/- 1.3 mg/dL). The direct effect of Angus was to lower ceruloplasmin concentrations in weaned calves (-3.9 +/- 1.2; P = 0.001). Significant maternal effects were detected at weaning for ceruloplasmin concentrations in Romosinuano (-1.4 +/- 0.5 mg/ dL) and Angus (1.6 +/- 0.7 mg/dL) and fibrinogen concentrations in Brahman calves (-17.7 +/- 8.8 mg/dL). These data imply that acute phase protein concentrations in response to weaning and transportation are impacted by cattle breed.

Immunohistochemical expression and colocalization of somatostatin, carboxypeptidase-E and prohormone convertases 1 and 2 in rat brain

The processing of many peptides for their maturation in target tissue depends upon the presence of sorting receptor. Several previous studies have predicted that carboxypeptidase-E (CPE), prohormone convertase 1 (PC1) and prohormone convertase 2 (PC2) may function as sorting elements for somatostatin (SST) for its maturation and processing to appropriate targets. However, nothing is currently known about whether brain, neuronal culture or even endocrine cells express SST, CPE, PC1 and PC2 and exhibit colocalization. Accordingly, in the present study using peroxidase immunohistochemistry, double-labeled indirect immunofluorescence immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis, we mapped the distributional pattern of SST, CPE, PC1 and PC2 in different rat brain regions. Additionally, we also determined the colocalization of SST with CPE, PC1 and PC2 as well as colocalization of CPE with PC1 and PC2. The localization of SST, CPE, PC1 and PC2 reveals a distinct and region specific distribution pattern in the rat brain. Using an indirect double-label immunofluorescence method we observed selective neuron specific colocalization in a region specific manner in cortex, striatum and hippocampus. These studies provide the first evidence for colocalization between SST, CPE, PC1 and PC2 as well as CPE with PC1 and PC2. SST in cerebral cortex colocalized in pyramidal and non-pyramidal neurons with CPE, PC1 and PC2. Most importantly, in striatum and hippocampus colocalization was mostly observed selectively and preferentially in interneurons. CPE is also colocalized with PC1 and PC2 in a region specific manner. The data presented here provide a new insight into the distribution and colocalization of SST, CPE, PC1 and PC2 in rat brain. Taken together, our data anticipate the possibility that CPE, PC1 and PC2 might be potential target for the maturation of SST.

Environmental hazard analysis and effective remediation of highway seepage

Risk assessment and minimisation of environmental hazards are critical issues to consider in the geotechnical engineering projects. A case of highway pavement seepage induced by groundwater, at a locality along the section of Hua-Qing Highway of Guangdong Province, China, is presented for environmental hazard analysis and effective remediation. The environmental hazard analyses were based on in situ hydrogeologic investigation, rock-soil testing and integrated environmental understanding. The analyses indicate that the highway seepage was caused by elevation of groundwater hydraulic pressure in low permeable strata near the highway pavement, which was controlled by landform, hydrology, weather and road structure. The risk source of groundwater 'flooding' was the groundwater and surface water in the ring-like valley around Fenshui Village. A blind-ditch system for effective remediation of the pavement seepage hazard was proposed and successfully implemented by declining groundwater table near the highway based on the comprehensive assessment of various conditions. This geotechnical accident shows that the role of groundwater is an essential factor to consider in the geotechnical and environmental engineering studies and multidisciplinary effort for risk assessment of environmental hazards is important under current global climate change condition.

Epigenetics, disease, and therapeutic interventions

Heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve coding sequence modifications are referred to as "epigenetic". Epigenetic mechanisms principally include DNA methylation and a variety of histone modifications, of which the best characterized is acetylation. DNA hypermethylation and histone hypoacetylation are hallmarks of gene silencing, while DNA hypomethylation and acetylated histones promote active transcription. Aberrant DNA methylation and histone acetylation have been linked to a number of age related disorders including cancer, autoimmune disorders and others. Since epigenetic alterations are reversible, modifying epigenetic marks contributing to disease development may provide an approach to designing new therapies. Herein we review the role of epigenetic changes in disease development, and recent advances in the therapeutic modification of epigenetic marks.

Livin promotes Smac/DIABLO degradation by ubiquitin-proteasome pathway

Livin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family, encodes a protein containing a single baculoviral IAP repeat (BIR) domain and a COOH-terminal RING finger domain. It has been reported that Livin directly interacts with caspase-3 and -7 in vitro and caspase-9 in vivo via its BIR domain and is negatively regulated by Smac/DIABLO. Nonetheless, the detailed mechanism underlying its antiapoptotic function has not yet been fully characterized. In this report, we provide, for the first time, the evidence that Livin can act as an E3 ubiquitin ligase for targeting the degradation of Smac/DIABLO. Both BIR domain and RING finger domain of Livin are required for this degradation in vitro and in vivo. We also demonstrate that Livin is an unstable protein with a half-life of less than 4 h in living cells. The RING domain of Livin promotes its auto-ubiquitination, whereas the BIR domain is likely to display degradation-inhibitory activity. Mutation in the Livin BIR domain greatly enhances its instability and nullifies its binding to Smac/DIABLO, resulting in a reduced antiapoptosis inhibition. Our findings provide a novel function of Livin: it exhibits E3 ubiquitin ligase activity to degrade the pivotal apoptotic regulator Smac/DIABLO through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.

Chronic treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor preserves agonist-evoked vascular responses in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Vascular dysfunction is a hallmark of diabetes mellitus and endothelial dysfunction is considered to be a key early component of vascular dysfunction. Attenuated agonist-evoked responses are considered to be a barometer of endothelial/vascular dysfunction. We sought to determine whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) could prevent dysfunction from developing in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat model of type 1 diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One week after induction of diabetes, STZ rats began a 4-week treatment protocol of twice-weekly i.v. injections of 2 microg VEGF or inactivated VEGF. Corresponding non-diabetic rats served as controls. Agonist-evoked vascular responses were recorded 1 day after the last treatment in anaesthetised rats.

RESULTS

Acetylcholine (0.1-12.5 microg/kg) evoked increases in superior mesenteric arterial conductance and decreases in mean blood pressure, while methoxamine (12.5-100 microg/kg) and endothelin-1 (100-1,200 pmol/kg) evoked decreases in superior mesenteric arterial conductance and increases in mean blood pressure. These responses to all three agonists were attenuated in STZ rats, and chronic treatment with VEGF improved these responses dramatically. Both the reduction in plasma nitrate and nitrite and the elevation in aortic superoxide associated with STZ diabetes were normalised with VEGF treatment. VEGF also prevented the apparent paradoxical increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression seen in untreated STZ rats.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Chronic treatment with VEGF early in diabetes is able to prevent the attenuated agonist-evoked vascular responses in STZ rats and normalise the oxidative environment associated with the disease.

Novel tiO2 nanocatalysts for wastewater purification: tapping energy from the sun

Water treatment using TiO2 semiconductor as a durable heterogeneous photocatalyst has been the focus of environmentalists in recent years. Currently, we developed an inexpensive and highly efficient approach for synthesizing nitrogen-doped TiO2 with lower band-gap energy that can respond to visible light. Doping on the molecular scale led to an enhanced nitrogen concentration of up to 21.8%. Reflectance measurements showed the synthesized N-doped TiO2 nanoparticles are catalytically active with the absorbance that extends into the visible region up to 600 nm. The water purification potential of this new class of compound was evaluated by studying the photodegradation of Acid Orange 7 (AO7) and E. coli. Experiments were conducted to compare the photocatalytic activities of N-doped TiO2 nanocatalysts and commercially available Degussa P25 power under identical solar light exposure. N-doped TiO2 demonstrated superior photocatalytic activities in both chemical compound degradation and bactericidal reactions. The result of this study shows the potential of applying new generations of catalyst for wastewater purification and disinfection.

Activation of antitumor cytotoxic T lymphocytes by fusion of patient-derived dendritic cells with autologous osteosarcoma

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Fusion of human dendritic cells (DCs) with tumor cells is an effective approach for delivering tumor antigens to DCs, and DC/tumor fusion cells are potent stimulators of autologous T cells. However, the integration and morphology of DC/osteosarcoma fusion cells has not been examined. This study was designed to investigate the antitumor effects of tumor vaccine produced by electrofusion between human osteosarcoma cells and DCs.

METHODS

In the present study, we eletrofused patient-derived DCs to autologous osteosarcoma cells. The fusion cells possessed the properties of both patient cells. After electrofusion, the cytoplasm of the two cells was integrated, whereas their nuclei remained separate entities. The intracellular structure was observed on fusion cells under the transmission electron microscope.

RESULTS

Coculture of patient-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with DC/tumor fusion cells resulted in activation of T cells as assessed by standard cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) assays.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study provides valid evidence on integration of human DCs and tumor cells and links their properties to T cell activation. The fusion cells may thus represent a promising strategy for DC-based immunotherapy of patients with osteosarcoma.

Effects of Dry Matter Intake, Addition of Buffer, and Source of Fat on Duodenal Flow and Concentration of Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Trans-11 C18:1 in Milk

The primary objective of the study was to investigate the effects of DM intake, addition of buffer, and fish vs. soybean oil on duodenal flows and milk concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and trans-11 C18:1. Four ruminally and duodenally cannulated multiparous cows averaging 106 +/- 17 d in milk at the start of the trial were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design with treatments as follows: 1) control=diet contained 2% fish oil and fed ad libitum, 2) buffer addition (BUFF)=control diet with 0.8% of NaHCO3 added, 3) low DM intake (LDMI)=DMI restricted to 80% of the control but concentration of fish oil was increased to 2.5% to provide for similar fatty acids (FA) intake, and 4) soybean oil (SBO)=same as control except 2% soybean oil was substituted for fish oil. The diets consisted of 36.2% forage and 63.8% concentrate. Each period consisted of 18 d, with the last 7 d devoted to data collection and the first 4 d used to determine the appropriate amount of feed to be offered to the cow on LDMI. Duodenal flows of CLA and trans-C18:1 were lower for SBO than for diets with fish oil. Feeding buffer did not affect ruminal pH or duodenal flows of trans-11 C18:1 and CLA. Restriction of DMI decreased duodenal flow of trans-11 C18:1 but did not decrease duodenal flow of CLA compared with control. In milk, CLA concentration was lower for SBO (24.5, 17.9, 18.5, and 10.1 mg/g of FA for control, BUFF, LDMI, and SBO, respectively). Cows fed fish oil had higher duodenal flow and milk concentration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids than the cows fed SBO. Compared with SBO, fish oil is more effective in increasing duodenal flows of CLA and trans-11 C18:1, and thus, concentration of CLA in milk.

Effects of Substrate, Passage Rate, and pH in Continuous Culture on Flows of Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Trans C18:1

A dual-flow continuous culture system consisting of 4 fermenters was used in a 4 x4 Latin square design. The objective of the research was to evaluate the effects of solid dilution rate (SDR), pH, and concentration of linoleic acid (LA) in the feed mixture on the production of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and trans-C18:1. The 4 treatments were 1) control = pH 6.5, 1% LA, 4%/h SDR; 2) high solid dilution rate (HSDR) = pH 6.5, 1% LA, 8%/h SDR; 3) high linoleic acid (HLA) = pH 6.5, 3% LA, 4%/h SDR; and 4) low pH (LPH) = pH 5.8, 1% LA, 4%/h SDR. Inoculum was collected 6 h after feeding from a cow fed 40% alfalfa hay and 60% grain. Liquid dilution rate was held at 0.12/h. All treatments except HLA contained 2% tallow. The LA was dissolved in buffer and continuously infused into the fermenters. The CLA flows were 16.5, 20.4, 23.2, and 25.2 mg/d for control, HSDR, HLA, and LPH, respectively. Compared with control, LPH increased flows of CLA, cis-C18:1, and C18:2, and decreased flow of C18:0. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibilities were not affected by pH. The HSDR tended to increase CLA flow compared to control, possibly because a shorter solid retention time led to incomplete biohydrogenation (BH). The NDF and ADF digestibilities and bacterial numbers were reduced by HSDR. With more LA available as a substrate for CLA, HLA resulted in a higher flow of CLA than control. The HLA resulted in the highest acid detergent fiber and fatty acid digestibilities, bacterial numbers, and BH. Increasing solids passage rate, reducing pH, and increasing dietary LA appears to increase in vitro CLA production.