Ultraviolet (193, 216 and 254 nm) photoinactivation of Escherichia coli strains with different repair deficiencies

Four mouse B16 melanoma subclones representing distinct stages in the benign-to-malignant progression of that tumor (G3.15, G3.5, G3.12, and G3.26), and three phenotype conversion variants with enhanced malignancy (G3.15*, G3.5*, and G3.12*), were comparatively examined for exogenous mitogen and growth factor requirements and for responsiveness to exogenous and endogenous growth modulators in monolayer culture. Growth behavior in serum-free medium with or without mitogen or growth factor supplements, and in supplemented quiescent serum-containing medium, confirmed previous indications that the G3.5 and G3.15* phenotypes were identical, as were the G3.26 and G3.12* phenotypes. However, G3.12 differed from the closest conversion equivalent, G3.5*, and probably represents an aberrant phenotype within this sequence. There was a direct relationship between degree of malignancy (G3.15-->G3.5-->G3.5*-->G3.26), growth capacity in serum-free medium, and responsiveness to transferrin. Only G3.5*, G3.26, and G3.12* cells were growth-autonomous in serum-free medium and also highly responsive to mitogens. The polypeptide growth factors epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor-alpha, and insulinlike growth factor-1 and -2 were generally stimulatory in quiescent medium, but the degree of growth promotion was unrelated to malignancy level. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 was inhibitory to the more benign populations (G3.15, G3.5, and G3.15*) but stimulated proliferation of other cells. All populations produced autocrine fibronectin, and G3.12, G3.5*, G3.26, and G3.12* cells also produced autocrine transferrin. Only G3.12 cells failed to utilize both of those factors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Book reviews

MAKING THE INVISIBLE VISIBLE: a Multicultural Planning History. Leonie Sandercock (Ed). University of California Press, Los Angeles, 1998. ISBN 0-520-20734-3. 270pp.

CITIES ON THE SHORE: The urban littoral frontier. Brian J. Hudson. Pinter, London, 1996. ISBN 1-85567-381-9. 180pp, $108.00, hardcover.

CONTESTED URBAN HERITAGE: Voices from the periphery. Brian J. Shaw and Roy Jones (Eds). Ashgate Publishing, UK, 1997. ISBN 1 85972 554 6. 205pp, Hard cover.

ENVIRONMENTAL DECISION-MAKING: The Roles of Scientists, Engineers and the Public. Ronnie Harding (Ed). The Federation Press, Sydney, 1998. ISBN 186287 279 l (pbk). 366pp, incl. case studies, references, glossary & index.. $39.95rrp.

RETURNING TO NOTHING: The meaning of lost places. Peter Read. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1996. ISBN 0 521 57154 5. 240pp, bibliography, index, RRP A$29.95 (pbk).     

Lovastatin decreases de novo cholesterol synthesis and LDL Apo B-100 production rates in combined-hyperlipidemic males

The effect of lovastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity, on the kinetics of de novo cholesterol synthesis and apolipoprotein (apo) B in very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was investigated in five male patients with combined hyperlipidemia. Subjects were counseled to follow a Step 2 diet and were treated with lovastatin and placebo in randomly assigned order for 6-week periods. At the end of each experimental period, subjects were given deuterium oxide orally and de novo cholesterol synthesis was assessed from deuterium incorporation into cholesterol and expressed as fractional synthesis rate (C-FSR) and production rate (C-PR). Simultaneously, the kinetics of VLDL, IDL, and LDL apo B-100 were studied in the fed state using a primed-constant infusion of deuterated leucine to measure fractional catabolic rates (FCR) and production rates (PR). Drug treatment resulted in significant decreases in total cholesterol (-29%), VLDL cholesterol (-40%), LDL cholesterol (-27%), and apo B (-16%) levels and increases in HDL cholesterol (+13%) and apolipoprotein (apo) A-I (+11%) levels. Associated with these plasma lipoprotein responses was a significant reduction in both de novo C-FSR (-40%; P = .04) and C-PR (-42%; P = .03). Treatment with lovastain in these patients had no significant effect on the FCR of apoB-100 in VLDL, IDL, or LDL, but resulted in a significant decrease in the PR of apoB-100 in IDL and LDL. Comparing the kinetic data of these patients with those of 10 normolipidemic control subjects indicates that lovastatin treatment normalized apoB-100 IDL and LDL PR. The results of these studies suggest that the declines in plasma lipid levels observed after treatment of combined hyperlipidemic patients with lovastatin are attributable to reductions in the C-FSR and C-PR of de novo cholesterol synthesis and the PR of apoB-100 containing lipoproteins. The decline in de novo cholesterol synthesis, rather than an increase in direct uptake of VLDL and IDL, may have contributed to the decline in the PR observed.     

MLEK crystal growth of (100) indium phosphide

We have used a combined magnetic liquid encapsulated Kyropoulos/Czochralski (MLEK/ MLEC) technique to produce twin-free indium phosphide (InP) crystals. This technique has advantages over the standard LEC method used for commercial production of InP. By stabilizing convective flows with a magnetic field and controlling the angle between solid and liquid, one can grow large diameter twin-free (100) InP crystals; they are shaped with a flat top as is typical for Kyropoulos growth, and then pulled from the magnetically stabilized melt as in Czochralski growth. This shaping method has the benefit of maximizing the number of single crystal wafers which can be sliced from the boule. MLEK InP growth is distinguished from other methods such as LEC and MLEC with respect to solid-liquid interface shape, dislocation density, and impurity distribution. This process has demonstrated that twin-free InP (100) crystals can be consistently grown.     

Physical properties of ceramides: effect of fatty acid hydroxylation

The structural and thermotropic properties of alpha-hydroxy fatty acid (HFA) and non-hydroxy fatty acid (NFA) ceramides (CER) have been studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction techniques. The DSC of anhydrous HFA-CER shows a single, sharp reversible transition at 95.6 degrees C (delta H = 15.3 kcal/mol). At intermediate hydrations HFA-CER exhibited more complex behavior but at maximum hydration only a single reversible transition is observed at 80.0 degrees C (delta H = 8.5 kcal/mol). X-ray diffraction of hydrated (74% water) HFA-CER at 20 degrees C shows a lamellar structure with a bilayer periodicity d = 60.7 Angstrum; a single wide angle reflection at 4.2 Angstrum is characteristic of hexagonal chain packing. Above the main transition temperature at 91 degrees C, a hexagonal (HII) phase is observed. In contrast, DSC of anhydrous NFA-CER demonstrates two thermal transitions at 81.3 degrees C (delta H = 6.8 kcal/mol) and 85.9 degrees C (delta H = 3.5 kcal/mol). With increasing hydration, both transitions shift towards lower temperatures; at maximum hydration, on heating, the endothermic transitions occur at 72.7 degrees C (delta H = 9.8 kcal/mol) and 81.1 degrees C (delta H = 4.0 kcal/mol). On cooling, there is hysteresis of both transitions. X-ray diffraction of NFA-CER (80% water) at 20 degrees C shows a well-ordered lamellar structure with a bilayer periodicity d = 58.6 Angstrum and three wide-angle reflections at 4.6 Angstrum, 4.2 Angstrum, and 3.8 Angstrum. At 77 degrees C (between the two transitions), again a lamellar structure exists with reduced bilayer periodicity d = 53.1 Angstrum and four wide-angle reflections at 4.6 Angstrum, 4.2 Angstrum, and 3.8 Angstrum are observed. Above the second transition, only a single low angle reflection at 30.0 Angstrum is observed; a diffuse reflection at 4.6 Angstrum is indicative of a melted chain phase. Thus, HFA-CER exhibits a simple phase behavior involving the reversible conversion of a gel phase to a hexagonal phase (L beta-->HII). However, NFA-CER shows a more complex polymorphic phase behavior involving two gel phases.     

Micro-Raman temperature measurements for electric field assessment in active AlGaN-GaN HFETs

Temperature profiles in the source/drain (S/D) opening of a single finger AlGaN-GaN heterostructure field-effect transistor were studied at increasing S/D voltages by micro-Raman spectroscopy with <1 /spl mu/m spatial resolution. These profiles imply high field regions near the gate edge of length /spl sim/0.4 /spl mu/m for S/D voltages between 45 and 75 V. Electric field strengths of /spl sim/1.2 and /spl sim/1.9 MV/cm are estimated for 45 and 75 V S/D voltage. The experimental results are in excellent agreement with 2-D Monte Carlo simulations.