The association of initiation factor 4F with poly(A)-binding protein is enhanced in serum-stimulated Xenopus kidney cells

Serum stimulation of cultured Xenopus kidney cells results in enhanced phosphorylation of the translational initiation factor (eIF) 4E and promotes a 2.8-fold increase in the binding of the adapter protein eIF4G to eIF4E, to form the functional initiation factor complex eIF4F. Here we demonstrate the serum-stimulated co-isolation of the poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) with the eIF4F complex. This apparent interaction of PABP with eIF4F suggests that a mechanism shown to be important in the control of translation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae also operates in vertebrate cells. We also present evidence that the signaling pathways modulating eIF4E phosphorylation and function in Xenopus kidney cells differ from those in several mammalian cell types studied previously. Experiments with the immunosuppressant rapamycin suggest that the mTOR signaling pathway is involved in serum-promoted eIF4E phosphorylation and association with eIF4G. Moreover, we could find little evidence for regulation of eIF4E function via interaction with the specific binding proteins 4E-BP1 or 4E-BP2 in these cells. Although rapamycin abrogated serum-enhanced rates of protein synthesis and the interaction of eIF4G with eIF4E, it did not prevent the increase in association of eIF4G with PABP. This suggests that serum stimulates the interaction between eIF4G and PABP by a distinct mechanism that is independent of both the mTOR pathway and the enhanced association of eIF4G with eIF4E.     

Pyriform augmentation as an ancillary procedure in facial rejuvenation surgery

A patient is presented in whom augmentation of the pyriform aperture of the maxilla was performed with porous hydroxyapatite in concert with a face and brow lift. Basic research has recently shown that remodeling of the facial skeleton continues throughout life and that this remodeling process leads to changes in the position of several key areas. The pyriform aperture was identified as one region that remodels in a posterior direction, leading to retrusion of the alar base in the older individual. This skeletal retrusion occurs in a very site-specific fashion, and its effects are reflected on the overlying soft tissues of the face. With aging, remodeling of the pyriform aperture posteriorly causes the alar base to appear recessed and decreases the nasolabial angle, changes that are noted on the profile of the older individual. Augmentation of the pyriform aperture can be achieved through a buccal sulcus incision and, when used in conjunction with standard facial rejuvenation procedures, can improve the overall result in facial cosmetic surgery.     

The Metabolic Efficacy of a Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA) Derivative in Treating Diet- and Genetic-Induced Obesity

Obesity is a global medical problem; its common form is known as diet-induced obesity (DIO); however, there are several rare genetic disorders, such as Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS), that are also associated with obesity (genetic-induced obesity, GIO). The currently available therapeutics for treating DIO and GIO are very limited, and they result in only a partial improvement. Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), a constituent of Cannabis sativa, gradually decarboxylates to cannabidiol (CBD). Whereas the anti-obesity properties of CBD have been reasonably identified, our knowledge of the pharmacology of CBDA is more limited due to its instability. To stabilize CBDA, a new derivative, CBDA-O-methyl ester (HU-580, EPM301), was synthesized. The therapeutic potential of EPM301 in appetite reduction, weight loss, and metabolic improvements in DIO and GIO was tested in vivo. EPM301 (40 mg/kg/d, i.p.) successfully resulted in weight loss, increased ambulation, as well as improved glycemic and lipid profiles in DIO mice. Additionally, EPM301 ameliorated DIO-induced hepatic dysfunction and steatosis. Importantly, EPM301 (20 and 40 mg/kg/d, i.p.) effectively reduced body weight and hyperphagia in a high-fat diet-fed Magel2^null mouse model for PWS. In addition, when given to standard-diet-fed Magel2^null mice as a preventive treatment, EPM301 completely inhibited weight gain and adiposity. Lastly, EPM301 increased the oxidation of different nutrients in each strain. All together, EPM301 ameliorated obesity and its metabolic abnormalities in both DIO and GIO. These results support the idea to further promote this synthetic CBDA derivative toward clinical evaluation in humans.     

1,2,3-Triazabutadiene. VIII [1]. Untersuchungen zum Mechanismus der sensibilisierten Fotoisomerisierung von 1-Aryl-3-[3-methyl-benzthiazolinyliden-(2)]-triazenen

1,2,3-Triazabutadienes. VIII. Investigations of the Mechanism of the Sensitized Photoisomerization of 1-Aryl-3-[3-methyl-benzthiazolinyliden-(2)]-triazenes. It is possible to sensitize the photochemical cis-trans-isomerization of triazabutadienes by sensitizers with tripletenergies ranging from 40 to 80 kcal/mol. It was proved by flash photolysis that triazabutadienes quench the triplet states of sensitizers. The dependence of the photostationary state on the triplet energy of the sensitizer as well as the dependence of the quantum yields of the sensitized photoisomerization on the concentration of triazabutadiene were investigated, and the desactivation ratios of the sensitized photoisomerization were determinated. The found correspondence of desactivation ratios of the direct and sensitized photoisomerization make a triplet mechanism in both cases probable.     

Quantum efficiency analysis of thin-layer silicon solar cells withback surface fields and optical confinement

Thin-layer silicon solar cells utilize surface textures to increase light absorption and back surface fields to prevent recombination at the silicon-substrate interface. We present an analytical model for the internal quantum efficiency that accounts for light trapping and also considers carrier generation and recombination in back surface fields or substrates. We introduce a graphical representation of experimental data, the so-called Parameter-Confidence-Plot, which allows one to draw maximum information on diffusion lengths and surface recombination velocities from quantum efficiency measurements. The analysis is exemplified for state of the art thin-layer silicon solar cells with and without back surface fields     

台风下香港K11大楼风振响应实测及分析

对香港K11大楼开展台风下风振响应实测研究,给出2008年台风北冕(Kammuri)作用下该楼的风振响应实测数据.基于三阶和四阶统计量对其风振加速度的时程数据进行统计分析,评价该大楼的风振舒适度.利用谱分析识别结构的自振频率,与该楼的有限元计算及自振频率经验公式结果进行对比.并通过基于零穿越率的峰值因子法和基于经典极值理论的改进Gumbel法对加速度响应的峰值因子进行计算,结果表明,两种方法所得结果基本一致,而GB50009-2001取值偏低.     

Association of non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-defining cancers with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Kaposi's sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were among the earliest recognized manifestations of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic. Excluding these two tumors, the overall risk of all other cancers in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals is similar to that of the general population. However, varying levels of evidence link several additional neoplasms to HIV infection. The evidence is strongest for an association with Hodgkin's disease, with lower relative and absolute risks than for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Anogenital intraepithelial neoplasia also appears to be HIV associated, but increases of invasive disease are still uncertain for both cervical and anal cancers. Various studies have suggested associations with testicular seminoma, multiple myeloma, oral cancer, and melanoma, but the data are inconsistent. Leiomyosarcoma and benign leiomyomas have increased in incidence in HIV-infected children but are unusual in HIV-infected adults. Conjunctival carcinoma is seen in HIV-infected individuals in sub-Saharan Africa but it is uncommon in Western countries. Most other cancers do not seem to have increased incidences in HIV infection. The etiologic mechanisms of HIV-related cancer likely differ among these diverse cancers and do not globally increase cancer risk.     

Chemotaxis of Pseudomonas spp. to the polyaromatic hydrocarbon naphthalene

Two naphthalene-degrading bacteria, Pseudomonas putida G7 and Pseudomonas sp. strain NCIB 9816-4, were chemotactically attracted to naphthalene in drop assays and modified capillary assays. Growth on naphthalene or salicylate induced the chemotactic response. P. putida G7 was also chemotactic to biphenyl; other polyaromatic hydrocarbons that were tested did not appear to be chemoattractants for either Pseudomonas strain. Strains that were cured of the naphthalene degradation plasmid were not attracted to naphthalene.     

The future of UK nuclear power in the European context

While thermal reactors are likely to meet the demand for generation of electricity from nuclear power during the next 20–30 years, the fast reactor option should be established, to be available when needed. That is the purpose of the European Collaboration Agreement. The paper discusses the present technical status, safety and acceptability of the fast reactor system, and its proposed development under this agreement through full scale demonstration to the commercial deployment phase.     

SAW based phononic crystal sensor,technological challenges and solutions

Phononic crystals (PnC) with a specifically designed liquid-filled defect have been recently introduced as a novel sensor platform (Lucklum et al. in Sens Actuators B Chem 171–172:271–277, 2012). Sensors based on this principle feature a band gap covering the typical input span of the measurand as well as a narrow transmission peak within the band gap where the frequency of maximum transmission is governed by the measurand. This approach has been applied for determination of volumetric properties of liquids (Lucklum et al. in Sens Actuators B Chem 171–172:271–277, 2012; Oseev et al. in Sens Actuators B Chem 189:208–212, 2013; Lucklum and Li in Meas Sci Technol 20(12):124014, 2009) and has demonstrated attractive sensitivity. One way to improve sensitivity requires higher probing frequencies in the range of 100 MHz and above. In this range surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices are an established basis for sensors. We have performed first tests towards a PnC microsensors (Lucklum et al. in Towards a SAW based phononic crystal sensor platform. In: 2013 Joint European frequency and time forum and international frequency control symposium (EFTF/IFC), pp 69–72, 2013). The respective feature size of the PnC SAW sensor has dimensions in the range of 10 µm and below. Whereas those dimensions are state of the art for common MEMS materials, etching of holes and cavities in piezoelectric materials that have an aspect ratio diameter/depth is still challenging. In this contribution we describe an improved technological process able to realize considerably deep and uniform holes in a SAW substrate.