Preference of the recombination sites involved in the formation of extrachromosomal copies of the human alphoid Sau3A repeat family

The human alphoid Sau3A repetitive family DNA is one of the DNA species that are actively amplified to form extrachromosomal circular DNA in several cell lines. The circularization takes place between two of the five approximately 170 bp subunits with an average of 73.1% homology as well as between identical subunits. To investigate the nature of the recombination reaction, we cloned and analyzed the subunits containing recombination junctions. Analysis of a total of 68 junctions revealed that recombination had occurred preferentially at four positions 10-25 (A), 40-50 (B), 85-90 (C) and 135-160 (D) in the 170bp subunit structure. Two regions (B and C) were overlapped with the regions with higher homology between subunits, while other two regions (A and D) cannot be explained solely by the regional homology between the subunits. These regions were located at both junctions of the nucleosomal and the linker region, and overlapped with the binding motifs for alpha protein and CENP-B. Approximately 90% of the recombination occurred between the subunits located next but one (+/- 2 shift), although the frequency of recombination between the adjoining subunits (+/- 1 shift) was approximately 10%.     

Dielectric properties of poly(phenylene sulfide) as a function of temperature and frequency

Dielectric properties of poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS), a kind of super engineering plastic, were investigated over a wide temperature range by measuring its frequency spectra of complex permittivity and thermally stimulated polarization and depolarization currents (TSPC and TSDC). Experimental results indicate that its permittivity and dielectric loss factor remain stable and maintain low values up to around 140 °C, despite the fact that its glass transition appears at a much lower temperature of 88 °C. As for TSPC and TSDC, a very small peak associated with the glass transition appears at about 110 °C. Furthermore, a much clearer TSPC peak due to orientation of dipole moments associated with the ether linkage induced by the cross‐linking reaction appears at about 150–170 °C. The corresponding TSDC peak due to randomization of these dipoles is very small compared to the TSPC peak, since PPS was cross‐linked during the high‐temperature process in the TSPC measurement, which made rotation of the dipoles difficult. At temperatures higher than 150 °C, both the real and imaginary parts of the complex permittivity show significant increases with increase in temperature and decrease in frequency. This is attributable to the transport of the charge carriers. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Spatial heterogeneity and diversity of vegetation at the landscape level in Inner Mongolia, China, with special reference to water resources

Inner Mongolia, China, was divided into five different areas (landscapes) based on the annual overland flow of water (AOF): <2, 2–5, 5–10, 10–50, and >50 mm. Two maps of plant communities with a 1-cm² grid and the AOF were overlaid (scale: 1 cm = 15 km). Each plant community that occurred in each 1 cm × 1 cm cell (S-cell) was recorded, and the number of occurrences of each community type was counted for groups of four neighboring S-cells (L-cell). These data were statistically analyzed using the power law for each of the five landscapes. The per L-cell community richness and diversity for dry (AOF < 2 mm) and subhumid (AOF > 50 mm) landscapes were low compared to those of the three mesic landscapes (2–50 mm AOF). Community spatial heterogeneity was low in mesic landscapes. The dry and subhumid landscapes consisted of a small number of community types and exhibited monotonous spatial change, while the mesic landscapes consisted of rich plant communities that were spatially intermingled because natural conditions, such as climatic and edaphic conditions, in the landscapes are complex and divided into small areas, and, furthermore, historical anthropogenic activities such as livestock grazing, especially in landscapes with AOFs of 2–50 mm, have divided the landscape into small fragments.     

Influence of nanometric holes on the sensitivity of a waveguide-mode sensor: label-free nanosensor for the analysis of RNA aptamer-ligand interactions

Evanescent-field-coupled (EFC) waveguide-mode sensors can be used to detect nucleic acids or proteins from the changes in the local index of refraction upon adsorption of the target molecule on a waveguide surface. We recently described an EFC waveguide-mode sensor in which nanometric holes on a waveguide film resulted in an improved sensitivity in the analysis of the interactions of biomolecules. In the present study, we have shown that sensitivity depends upon the diameter of the holes, where increase in diameter of holes increases spectral shift resulting in an improved sensitivity. Using this improved EFC waveguide-mode sensor, we could detect interactions between RNA and a small ligand, cyanocobalamin (vitamin B 12), and between RNA and a protein (human coagulation factor IXa). These two interactions were monitored on surfaces modified with biotin-streptavidin-biotin and N-(2-trifluoroethanesulfonatoethyl)- N-(methyl)triethoxysilylpropyl-3-amine, respectively.     

The function of polyglyceryl erucate/isostearate/ricinoleate

Today, it is said that the formula design of cosmetics from ingredients of plant origin is an indispensable way and trend. From this consideration, cosmetic materials made from animal and synthetic petroleum ingredients are becoming less usable. Instead, cosmetic materials are designed from ingredients of plant origin and many and various botanical ingredients are being developed. Lanolin, which is one of the animal-based ingredients, is said to have ideal functions as a cosmetic oil, and it has been used in many fields such as make-up cosmetics as well as hair and skin care products for a long time. However, unfortunately, lanolin is an animal-based ingredient; therefore, the development of a botanical ingredient to replace lanolin was desired. Polyglyceryl-8 decaerucate/isostearate/ricinoleate, which we have developed, is an ester oil originating from plants and has an equivalent or higher function than lanolin. We have confirmed that our developed ester oil has various excellent characteristics such as a water-holding capability 2.5 times higher than that of lanolin, high air permeability, moisture keeping in dermal layers, protection of hair from changes in external environmental humidity, and excellent gloss and excellent dispersability of pigments. Thus, this newly developed ester oil is expected to be a promising new botanical cosmetic ingredient which can be applied in various fields.     

Transport of carnitine and acetylcarnitine by carnitine/organic cation transporter (OCTN) 2 and OCTN3 into epididymal spermatozoa

Carnitine and acetylcarnitine are important for the acquisition of motility and maturation of spermatozoa in the epididymis. In this study, we examined the involvement of carnitine/organic cation transporter (OCTN) in carnitine and acetylcarnitine transport in epididymal spermatozoa of mice. Uptake of both compounds by epididymal spermatozoa was time-dependent and partially Na(+)-dependent. Kinetic analyses revealed the presence of a high-affinity transport system in the spermatozoa, with K(m) values of 23.6 and 6.57 muM for carnitine and acetylcarnitine respectively in the presence of Na(+). Expression of OCTN2 and OCTN3 in epididymal spermatozoa was confirmed by immunofluorescence analysis. The involvement of these two transporters in carnitine and acetylcarnitine transport was supported by a selective inhibition study. We conclude that both Na(+)-dependent and -independent carnitine transporters, OCTN2 and OCTN3, mediate the supply of carnitine and acetylcarnitine to epididymal spermatozoa in mice.     

Improvement of functional properties of whey protein isolate through glycation and phosphorylation by dry heating

Whey protein isolate (WPI) was glycated with maltopentaose (MP) through the Maillard reaction, and the MP-conjugated WPI (MP-WPI) was then phosphorylated by dry heating in the presence of pyrophosphate. Glycation occurred efficiently, and the sugar content of WPI increased approximately 19.9% through the Maillard reaction. The phosphorylation of MP-WPI was enhanced with an increase in the dry-heating time from 1 to 5 d, and the phosphorus content of WPI increased approximately 1.05% by dry heating at pH 4.0 and 85°C for 5 d in the presence of pyrophosphate. The electrophoretic mobility of WPI increased with an increase in the phosphorylation level. The stability of WPI against heat-induced insolubility at pH 7.0 was improved by conjugation with MP alone, and further improved by phosphorylation. Although the emulsifying activity of WPI was barely affected by glycation and phosphorylation, the emulsifying stability of phosphorylated MP-WPI (5 d), was 2.2 times higher than that of MP-WPI. Gelling properties such as hardness, resiliency, and water-holding capacity of heat-induced WPI gel were markedly improved, and the gel was rendered transparent by phosphorylation. The calcium phosphate-solubilizing ability of WPI was enhanced by phosphorylation. These results suggested that phosphorylation by dry heating in the presence of pyrophosphate after conjugation with MP is a useful method for improving the functional properties of WPI.     

Morphological differences and classifications of small spines of puffer fishes

The differences among the small spines of 6 species of puffers have been clarified by means of microscopic observation. Small spines of puffers arise from the basement, which is composed of spines protruding from the surface skin, with roots extending horizontally in all directions in the layer under the surface skin. Using the characteristic shapes of the basement, we have classified the puffer group of "Sansaifugu" (Takifugu flavidus) and "Mefugu" (T. obscurus) as Type I and the group of "Shirosabafugu" (Lagocephalus wheeleri), "Kurosabafugu" (L. gloveri), "Dokusabafugu" (L. lunaris) and "Motosabafugu" (L. spadiceus) as Type II. The number of fore and back roots, including the branches at the ends, further varies in each group. The length and width of each root were measured. As a result, similar species within the group comprising "Sansaifugu" (T. flavidus) and "Mefugu" (T. obscurus) and 4 species of the "Sabafugu" (Lagocephalus) group including "Dokusabafugu" (L. lunaris) have been clearly distinguished. We conclude that examination of the shape of the basement of small spines can be an effective identification index.