Time dependence of cellular chemical changes induced in prostate PC-3 cancer cells by two structurally related cardenolides monitored by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy

Human PC-3 prostate cancer cells were incubated in the presence of two cardenolides, i.e., ouabain and 19-hydroxy-2'-oxovoruscharin. Their effects were monitored by infrared spectroscopy of the cells after different exposure times to the cardenolides. Analysis of changes in absorbance intensities indicated that, for both compounds, the absorbance at one wavenumber with a minor contribution of a second wavenumber is sufficient to build a linear model accurate enough to assign more than 97% of the spectra to their correct time slot. Student t-tests and twodimensional correlation analysis (2D-COS) indicated that both drugs have very similar effects on PC-3 cells. However, asynchronous 2D maps revealed significant differences and allowed the sequence of the spectral changes to be determined: 1395 → 1695 cm(-1) for ouabain, and 1400 → 1655 → 1100 → 1250 → 1020 cm(-1) for 19-hydroxy-2'-oxovoruscharin. 2D correlation map subtraction allowed the identification of very specific differences in the impact of both compounds on PC-3 cells, in particular the ability of 19-hydroxy-2'-oxovoruscharin to affect nucleic acid of PC-3 cells.     

DNA G-Quadruplexes Contribute to CTCF Recruitment

G-quadruplex (G4) sites in the human genome frequently colocalize with CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF)-bound sites in CpG islands (CGIs). We aimed to clarify the role of G4s in CTCF positioning. Molecular modeling data suggested direct interactions, so we performed in vitro binding assays with quadruplex-forming sequences from CGIs in the human genome. G4s bound CTCF with Kd values similar to that of the control duplex, while respective i-motifs exhibited no affinity for CTCF. Using ChIP-qPCR assays, we showed that G4-stabilizing ligands enhance CTCF occupancy at a G4-prone site in STAT3 gene. In view of the reportedly increased CTCF affinity for hypomethylated DNA, we next questioned whether G4s also facilitate CTCF recruitment to CGIs via protecting CpG sites from methylation. Bioinformatics analysis of previously published data argued against such a possibility. Finally, we questioned whether G4s facilitate CTCF recruitment by affecting chromatin structure. We showed that three architectural chromatin proteins of the high mobility group colocalize with G4s in the genome and recognize parallel-stranded or mixed-topology G4s in vitro. One of such proteins, HMGN3, contributes to the association between G4s and CTCF according to our bioinformatics analysis. These findings support both direct and indirect roles of G4s in CTCF recruitment.     

Influence of heat shock on glycerol production in alcohol fermentation

The influence of single and double heat shocks induced during the exponential growth phase of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation of cultivar Sauvignon Blanc grape must was examined. Rapid temperature changes from 18 degrees C to 34 degrees C have been applied. The effect of the duration of exposure to a high temperature has been analyzed. By the applications of a single heat shock and a double heat shock, up to 8.2 g l(-1) and 11.0 g l(-1) glycerol have been produced, respectively. To prevent the evaporation of fine wine bouquet compounds during the temperature changes, reflux coolers on the top of bioreactors have been employed. By using this method, glycerol production was increased by up to 65%.     

Short communication: Effect of commercial or depurinized milk diet on plasma advanced oxidation protein products,cardiovascular markers,and bone marrow CD34 stem cell potential in rat experimental hyperuricemia

Cardiovascular repair and myocardial contractility may be improved by migration of bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) and their delivery to the site of injury, a process known as BMSC homing. The aim of our study was to examine the dietary effect of a newly patented depurinized milk (DP) that is almost free of uric acid and purine and pyrimidine compounds compared with a standard commercial 1.5% fat UHT milk diet or allopurinol therapy in rat experimental hyperuricemia. Bone marrow stem cell potential (BMCD34⁺, CD34-postive bone marrow cells), plasma oxidative stress parameters [advanced oxidation protein products, AOPP) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)], myocardial damage markers [creatine phosphokinase (CPK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)], plasma cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were investigated. The DP milk diet significantly increased the number of BMCD34⁺ stem cells compared with commercial UHT milk. Allopurinol given alone also increased the number of BMCD34⁺. Hyperuricemia caused a significant increase in all plasma enzyme markers for myocardial damage (CPK, LDH, and AST). A cardioprotective effect was achieved with allopurinol but almost equally with DP milk and more than with commercial milk. Regarding plasma AOPP, TBARS, and cholesterol levels, the most effective treatment was DP milk. In conclusion, the protective role of a milk diet on cardiovascular function may be enhanced through the new depurinized milk diet, which may improve cardiovascular system function via increased bone marrow stem cell regenerative potential, decreased plasma oxidative stress parameters, and decreased levels of myocardial damage markers and cholesterol. New dairy technology strategies focused on eliminating harmful milk compounds should be completely nontoxic. Novel milk products should be tested for their ability to improve tissue repair and function.     

Verfahren der Aufwandssch?tzung für komplexe Softwareprojekte von heute

Um eine zuverl?ssige Sch?tzung des Aufwands und der Dauer eines komplexen Softwareprojektes zu erhalten und um einen sinnvollen Projektplan für dessen Durchführung erstellen zu k?nnen, ist es notwendig, m?glichst viele Charakteristiken des Projektes in Betracht zu ziehen. Nach der Besprechung der managementrelevanten und der technischen Charakteristiken eines Softwareprojektes werden wir an Hand der jeweiligen Vorgehensweise zeigen, inwieweit die vorherrschenden Sch?tzverfahren FPA, COSMIC-FFP und COCOMO II sowie ObjectMetrix und Use-case-Points diese systematisch bei der Ermittlung einer Projektsch?tzung berücksichtigen und damit für die Aufwandssch?tzung von komplexen Softwareprojektes geeignet sind.     

Development of databases and generation of stability diagrams pertaining to the modelling of processes during hot corrosion of heat exchanger components

The purpose of the project “Optimisation of In‐Service Performance of Boiler Steels by Modelling High Temperature Corrosion” (G5RD‐CT‐2001‐00593, acronym OptiCorr) was to establish a set of focused procedures, both in terms of applications of thermochemical standard software and in terms of dedicated new developments, which enable a user to investigate the behaviour of boiler components based on the application of rigorous thermodynamics. Thermodynamic databases which cover the materials involved had to be compiled and assessed in order to be able to apply the appropriate software. Particular new results coming from the databases work will be highlighted. The results of phase equilibrium calculations are shown in appropriate diagrams and compared with published experimental data. The thermochemical standard software FactSage permits the investigation of stoichiometric reactions, complex equilibria and phase diagrams. These calculational capabilities have been applied for the purposes of investigation of (1) the composition of complex combustion gases, (2) metal‐gas interactions and (3) metal‐gas‐molten salt interactions, since these have been established to be the key points for the understanding of the corrosion of heat exchanger components. Selected results from these calculations will be demonstrated and discussed. Application specific software has been developed using the approach of local chemical equilibrium calculated by the programmer's library ChemApp and the add‐in ChemSheet for Microsoft EXCEL™. Two key processes have been treated: The internal corrosion of the metallic material by diffusion of gases and metals and local phase formation as well as the corrosion of heat exchanger material under a molten salt layer which is in contact with an outer gas phase. The general principles of the code development will be outlined while the details of the programs are given in separate presentations in this volume.     

Powerplay — Power,violence and gender in video games

Unlike the bulk of electronic media the computer game or video game is a distinctly gendered medium. All investigations confirm that we are dealing with a medium which almost exclusively appeals to and is used by, boys and young men. Therefore, the video games and computer games are very suited for investigating the form of entertainment, the pleasure, that appeals to men, i.e. the specific ‘masculine pleasure’. The paper deals with questions such as: What do computer games mean? What does violence in computer games signify? Why do computer games, especially the violent ones, mean something special to a certain group of men? These questions are discussed from the perspective of semiotics, media and control studies. Finally, the paper discusses the connections between women and the male dominated video games, and attempts to explain why, nevertheless, some girls and women do play these games.     

Issues in the Analysis of Proof-Search Strategies in Sequential Presentations of Logics

Many proof search strategies can be expressed as restrictions on the order of application of the rules of the sequent calculus. Properties of these strategies are then shown by permutation arguments, such as showing that a given strategy is complete by transforming an arbitrary proof into one which obeys the strategy. Such analyses involve some very tedious manipulations of proofs, and are potentially overwhelming for humans. In this paper we investigate the development of systematic techniques for the analysis of sequent calculi. We show how a particular specification of inference rules leads to a detailed analysis of permutation properties for these rules, and we also investigate how to detect redundancies in proofs resulting from these rules.     

Effects of inserts on the injection molding process

Injection molds often contain blocks of dissimilar material for improved cooling; they may also contain blocks of movable metal as a means of ejecting large parts from the mold. In this case, the blocks of metal are made of the same material, but the resistance at the interface between them has a marked influence on the cooling in the local area near the interface. In many other cases, inserts may be required because of wear in a particular mold section, or because efficient mold design is needed to produce similar parts. Hence, any mathematical model for analysis of heat transfer in injection molds must be general enough to apply to interfaces with and without gaps (i.e., with and without resistance to the flow of heat at the interface) for similar, as well as dissimilar, materials. A new and accurate model for prediction of heat transfer in heterogeneous (zoned) molds is presented in this paper. Through the solution of real problems with this model, the effects of differing material properties and interfacial thermal resistance are studied and the results are reported. It is observed that inserts have both local and global effects on the injection molding process; the overall ejection time for a part may be shortened, and the surface appearance of a part may be improved by correct placement of inserts.