Gene Transfer Systems and Molecular Cloning in Group N Streptococci: A Review

Plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid of group N streptococci codes for a wide variety of important metabolic properties associated with dairy fermentations. The increasing knowledge of the genetics of these bacteria has created exciting possibilities for genetically constructing improved starter strains. A review of current literature is presented on the genetics of group N streptococci, especially the development and implications of gene transfer and molecular cloning systems for further genetic studies and for strain improvement. Functional properties of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid and gene transfer systems, which include transduction, conjugation, transformation, and protoplast fusion, are reviewed and followed by a discussion of recent advances in gene cloning.     

Recovery retardation in equal channel angular pressed Al–Zr alloy during friction stir welding

The effect of Zr on reduction of hardness and microstructure in an FS weld of equal channel angular-pressed Al alloy was investigated. Zr addition to Al suppressed dynamic recovery in the thermomechanically affected zone and enabled retention of the high hardness of the ECA-pressed material throughout the weld.     

Examination of the role of oxygen in the photografting of methacrylic acid on a polyethylene film with a mixed solvent consisting of water and organic solvents

The photografting of methacrylic acid (MAA) on a linear low‐density polyethylene film (thickness = 30 μm) under air and nitrogen atmospheres was investigated at 60°C in mixed solvents consisting of water and an organic solvent, with xanthone as a photoinitiator. The organic solvents used were acetone, methanol, tetrahydrofuran, and dioxane. A maximum percentage of grafting occurred at a certain concentration of the organic solvent in the mixed solvent. This was observed for the systems under both air and nitrogen. The grafting reaction under air exhibited an induction period, but the rate of grafting after the period was greater than that under nitrogen. The formation of poly(ethylene peroxide)s by photoirradiation seemed to be a factor for the accelerated photografting under air. On the basis of attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy of the grafted film, the MAA‐grafted chains of the sample prepared under air tended to penetrate more deeply inside the film than those of the sample prepared under nitrogen. The resulting grafted films exhibited a pH‐responsive character: the grafted films shrank in an acidic medium but swelled in alkaline medium. This was evaluated from measurements of dimensional changes in the grafted films. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 992–998, 2003     

Interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme mediates cisplatin-induced apoptosis in malignant glioma cells

Increasing the susceptibility of tumor cells to apoptotic cell death following chemotherapy is of importance to the outcome of cancer treatment. Although the tumor suppressor gene p53 is required for efficient induction of apoptosis by chemotherapeutic agents, it is not the only apoptosis mediator gene. The molecular mechanisms mediating apoptosis following chemotherapy via p53-dependent or p53-independent pathways remain unclear. We show here that cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (cisplatin) induces the expression of interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme (ICE), a mammalian homologue of the Caenorhabditis elegans cell death gene ced-3, in murine and human malignant glioma cells during apoptosis regardless of their p53 status. Furthermore, overexpression of the murine ICE gene induces apoptosis in these tumor cells. The apoptosis induced by cisplatin treatment or murine ICE overexpression can be suppressed by the tetrapeptide ICE inhibitor Ac-YVAD-CMK or the apoptosis inhibitors bcl-2 or bcl-2-related bcl-XL gene. These findings suggest that ICE may mediate apoptosis induced by chemotherapy, and its induction could represent a novel approach for the effective treatment of malignant glioma.     

Neutronic and thermodynamic feasibility of UF6-NpF6 fueled transmutation reactor

Transmutation of neptunium, which is contained in radioactive wastes discharged from nuclear reactors, was investigated as a substitutional method for geologic disposal. We proposed a transmutation reactor fueled with a mixture of gaseous ²³³UF₆ and ²³⁷NpF₆. Neutronic and thermodynamic analysis of the reactor revealed the feasibility of the concept. The reactor has two principal advantages: (1) use of the fuel gas enables on-line reprocessing, (2) ²³⁷Np can be transmuted by a high neutron flux. Our calculation indicated that the transmutation rate of ²³⁷Np was 335 g/year/MW_th, which is much larger than the annual yield of ²³²Np in PWR (6.19 g/year/MW_th).     

Metastatic choriocarcinoma of the kidney discovered by refractory hematuria

A 53-year-old male suffered splenic infarction etiologically related to atrial fibrillation and non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The main clinical manifestations were a one-month history of epigastric and left upper quadrant pain, with tenderness to palpation in the later zone. Laboratory tests revealed a slight leucocytosis (14.700) with left shift and a marked increase in LDH concentration (945 IU). Abdominal CAT and arteriography established the diagnosis, Echography proved normal. Patient evolution was satisfactory with conservative medical treatment. We conclude that splenic infarction should be considered in all cases of acute or chronic pain in the left hypochondrium. The diagnosis is established by CAT, arteriography and hepatosplenic gammagraphy. Medical management is initially advocated, surgery being reserved for those cases involving complications or in which diagnosis is not clear. Emphasis is placed on the main etiological, clinical, diagnostic and management characteristics of splenic infarction.     

The influence of exercise intensity on sweating efficiency of the whole body in a mild thermal condition

The photodegradation of seven carbamate pesticides (bendiocarb, isoprocarb, promecarb, ethiofencarb, furathiocarb, fenoxycarb and pirimicarb), in aqueous solution, has been examined by GC-MS. The most general result was formation of the corresponding phenols. Irradiation of isoprocarb and promecarb also resulted in photo-Fries rearrangement to ortho- and para-hydroxybenzamides. In the case of ethiofencarb photocleavage of the carbon-sulfur bond gave 2-methylphenyl methylcarbamate as main product. Likewise, N-S bond cleavage occurred upon irradiation of furathiocarb, to allow the formation of the carbamate insecticide carbofuran, butyl methylcarbamate and carbofuranphenol. Under similar conditions, fenoxycarb gave p-phenylphenol and 2-hydroxydibenzofuran, through primary homolysis of the aryloxy-methylene bond. Finally, pirimicarb gave rise to 2-formylamino-5,6-dimethylpyrimidin-4-yl dimethylcarbamate.