Analysis of a 36·2 kb DNA sequence including the right telomere of chromosome VI from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The nucleotide sequence of a 36·2-kb distal region containing the right telomere of chromosome VI was determined. Both strands of DNA cloned into cosmid clone 9965 and plasmid clone pEL174P2 were sequenced with an average redundancy of 7·9 per base pair, by both dye primer and dye terminator cycle sequencing methods. The G + C content of the sequence was found to be 37·9%. Eighteen open reading frames (ORFs) longer than 100 amino acids were detected. Four of these ORFs (9965orfR017, 9965orfF016, 9965orfR009 and 9965orfF003) were found to encode previously identified genes (YMR31, PRE4, NIN1 and HXK1, respectively). Six ORFs (9965orfR013, 9965orfF018, 9965orfF006, 9965orfR014, 9965orfF013 and 9965orfR020) were found to be homologous to hypothetical 121·4-kDa protein in the BCK 5′ region, Bacillus subtilis DnaJ protein, hypothetical Trp-Asp repeats containing protein in DBP3-MRPL27, putative mitochondrial carrier YBR291C protein, Salmonella typhimurium nicotinate-nucleotide pyrophosphorylase, and Escherichia coli cystathionine β-lyase, respectively. The putative proteins encoded by 9965orfF018, 9965orfR014 and 9965orfR020 were found to be, respectively, a new member of the family of DnaJ-like proteins, the mitochondrial carrier protein and cystathionine lyase. The nucleotide sequence reported here has been deposited in the DDBJ/GenBank/EMBL data library under Accession Number D44597.     

Labeling Points with Weights

Annotating maps, graphs, and diagrams with pieces of text is an important step in information visualization that is usually referred to as label placement. We define nine label-placement models for labeling points with axis-parallel rectangles given a weight for each point. There are two groups: fixed-position models and slider models. We aim to maximize the weight sum of those points that receive a label. We first compare our models by giving bounds for the ratios between the weights of maximum-weight labelings in different models. Then we present algorithms for labeling n points with unit-height rectangles. We show how an O(n\log n)-time factor-2 approximation algorithm and a PTAS for fixed-position models can be extended to handle the weighted case. Our main contribution is the first algorithm for weighted sliding labels. Its approximation factor is (2+\varepsilon), it runs in O(n ²/\varepsilon) time and uses O(n/\varepsilon) space. We show that other than for fixed-position models even the projection to one dimension remains NP-hard. For slider models we also investigate some special cases, namely (a) the number of different point weights is bounded, (b) all labels are unit squares, and (c) the ratio between maximum and minimum label height is bounded.     

A case report of selective IgA deficiency in rheumatoid arthritis and anti-IgA antibody induced anaphylactic transfusion]

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), usually confined to the nasopharynx, trachea, and larynx, occasionally can progress to extensive bronchopulmonary disease. Most cases of bronchopulmonary and laryngeal papillomatosis are cytologically benign and do not undergo malignant transformation; however, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) can arise in RRP in the absence of known risk factors such as radiation and smoking. In this study, the authors investigated molecular genetic alterations occurring in a case of metastasizing SCC that arose in long-standing bronchopulmonary papillomatosis. Genomic DNA from tracheal papillomata, tracheobronchial papillomata, SCC of the lung, and a lymph node metastasis was extracted. The physical state of the human papillomavirus type 11 (HPV-11) DNA was investigated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Molecular genetic alterations of the host genome were studied by direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction-amplified gene fragments and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Episomal and integrated forms of HPV-11 sequences were detected in histologically benign tumors, but only the integrated form of the viral DNA could be found in malignant tissue samples. Molecular genetic studies revealed that an allelic loss of the interferon-beta gene (IFNbeta-1) and an endogenous type of mutation of the p53 antioncogene were found only in the malignant lesions. Mutations were not observed in the ras, neu, or multiple tumor suppressor (MTS1/p16) genes in any specimens. The authors' data indicated that the p53 genetic mutation was associated with integration of HPV-11 in histologically malignant lesions. This association may promote a progressive genetic instability that can lead to the development and clonal expansion of malignant lesions in RRP.     

Midazolam improves postoperative epidural analgesia with continuous infusion of local anaesthetics

BACKGROUND: A number of triple drug regimens using proton pump inhibitors and two antibiotics have been evaluated in the West and reported to achieve Helicobacter pylori eradication rates of over 90%. In developing countries however, these combinations have neither been well evaluated, nor the optimum treatment for H. pylori infection well defined. AIM: To compare the combination of a proton pump inhibitor with a nitroimidazole and another antibiotic in eradicating H. pylori infection and healing duodenal ulcer. METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients with active duodenal ulcer who were positive for H. pylori (by rapid urease test and 14C-urea breath test) were randomized into three treatments groups: (1) LAS (n=21): lansoprazole 30 mg o.m., amoxycillin 500 mg q.d.s. and secnidazole 2 g on alternate days for 2 weeks; (2) LCS (n=18): lansoprazole 30 mg o.m., clarithromycin 500 mg b.d. and secnidazole 2 g on alternate days for 1 week; (3) LPS (n=21): lansoprazole 30 mg o.m., pefloxacin 400 mg o.m. and secnidazole 2 g on alternate days for 2 weeks. Urease and breath tests were performed at 0, 6 and 12 weeks to check for H. pylori eradication. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat eradication rates were as follows: LAS 86%, LCS 83%, LPS 71%; the overall ulcer healing rate was 90% at 6 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: High H. pylori eradication rates were achieved using the amoxycillin- and clarithromycin-based therapies. Fewer side-effects, better compliance and low cost favoured the amoxycillin-based therapy.     

Impulse creeping discharge characteristics in insulating oils with EHD function reinforced by added HFC gas components

The basic properties of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumping and dielectric strength were examined for two insulating oils, rapeseed ester oil and silicone oil, which were denatured by a bonding of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)134a gas components decomposed using a barrier discharge reactor. In this work, the mechanism of a pure conduction pumping contributed to the evaluation of the electrical pumping in sample oils. Dielectric strength of oils was evaluated from the impulse creeping discharge characteristics and the 60 Hz breakdown voltage test. Experimental results revealed that the creation of radicals such as C-F and C-H in denatured oils led to a slight deterioration of the insulation ability compared to standard oils, but the pumping ability was reinforced significantly. Such additional EHD function may be utilized as a new cooling method in oil-filled power apparatuses in view of the dielectric strength.     

A heteroepitaxial perovskite metal-base transistor

'More than Moore' captures a concept for overcoming limitations in silicon electronics by incorporating new functionalities in the constituent materials. Perovskite oxides are candidates because of their vast array of physical properties in a common structure. They also enable new electronic devices based on strongly-correlated electrons. The field effect transistor and its derivatives have been the principal oxide devices investigated thus far, but another option is available in a different geometry: if the current is perpendicular to the interface, the strong internal electric fields generated at back-to-back heterojunctions can be used for oxide electronics, analogous to bipolar transistors. Here we demonstrate a perovskite heteroepitaxial metal-base transistor operating at room temperature, enabled by interface dipole engineering. Analysis of many devices quantifies the evolution from hot-electron to permeable-base behaviour. This device provides a platform for incorporating the exotic ground states of perovskite oxides, as well as novel electronic phases at their interfaces.     

Layered ultrathin proton conductive film based on polymer nanosheet assembly

As described in this paper, a layered ultrathin proton conductive film was prepared using a poly(N-dodecylacrylamide-co-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) (p(DDA/AMPS)) polymer nanosheet. The surface pressure-area isotherm revealed that p(DDA/AMPS) formed a stable monolayer at the air-water interface. The polymer monolayer was transferred onto a solid substrate using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. X-ray diffraction measurements of a 30-layer film of p(DDA/AMPS) showed clear Kiessig fringes and one Bragg peak, which indicate that the multilayer film took a uniform layered structure. The monolayer thickness was determined as 1.85 nm from the Bragg peak. The proton conductivity of p(DDA/AMPS) polymer nanosheet through the layer plane direction was studied with changing temperature and relative humidity. The proton conductivity of the multilayer film was on the order of 1 × 10?? S/cm at 100% RH with 20 °C and increased to 1 × 10?2 S/cm at 70 °C. The proton conductivity of the multilayer film showed a more than 10 times higher value than that of the spin-coated film because of the formation of a uniform and consecutive hydrophilic nanochannel through the hydrophilic region in the multilayer film.     

Cloning and expression of the gene encoding thermostable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) depolymerase

The gene encoding extracellular poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) depolymerase from a thermophilic poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)-degrading bacterium, strain HS, was cloned and intracellularly expressed in Escherichia coli. The gene was found to consist of 1485-bp nucleotide sequence coding for a 22-amino-acid signal peptide and a 473-amino-acid mature protein. Phylogenetic analysis and domain structure showed that the enzyme was clustered with type II PHB depolymerases. The gene was expressed in E. coli under the control of the tac promoter. A 46-kDa protein was detected in the cell extract by SDS-PAGE. The N-terminal sequence of the protein agreed with that of the original enzyme. The crude enzyme was able to degrade PHB particles at 70 degrees C.     

Sequencing of a 23 kb fragment from Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome VI

Plasmid clone gapB and lambda phage clone 4682, which contain fragments of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome VI, were analysed. A 23 kb sequence was determined and ten open reading frames (ORFs) were revealed. Among them, five ORFs were identical to five yeast genes (SEC4, MSH4, SPB4, DEG1 and NIC96), two were identical to transposable elements (TYA and TYB), one (gapBorfF003) was highly homologous to a yeast expressed sequence tag, and another (4682orfF002) was predicted to be a nuclear protein. Sequence data have been submitted to DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank data library under Accession Number D44604 (clone gapB) and D44600 (clone 4682), respectively.