Radiation sensitivity of an Escherichia coli mutant lacking NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase

Ionizing radiation induces the production of reactive oxygen species, which play an important causative role in radiation damage. NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) in Escherichia coli produces NADPH, an essential reducing equivalent for the antioxidant system. The protective role of ICDH against ionizing radiation in E. coli was investigated in wild-type and ICDH-deficient strains. Upon exposure to ionizing radiation, the viability was lower and the lipid peroxidation was higher in mutant cells compared to wild-type cells. Activities of key antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were decreased by irradiation in both cells. Results suggest that ICDH plays an important role as an antioxidant enzyme in cellular defense against ionizing radiation.     

Simulation of the newtonian flow through an abruptly contracted tube using a mixed finite element method

The solutions of the Navier-Stokes equation for a Newtonian flow through a 4/1 contraction tube were obtained numerically using the Galerkin finite element method with the nine-node Lagrangian element which was believed to be one of the most accurate tools for mixed-type interpolating formulations. It was proved from this study that the vortex occurrence in the entrance corner region were confirmed but its size was gradually decreased with the increase of Reynolds numbers, and that the velocity profiles and pressure distributions along the applied mesh layers were in agreement with the experimental and the previously reported numerical results.     

Crack-tip constraints of through-wall cracked pipes and its similarity to curved wide plates

In the present study, the effects of pipe geometries, material properties and loading conditions on crack-tip constraints of pipes with circumferential Through-wall crack (TWC) were investigated via systematic 3-dimensional (3-D) Finite element (FE) analyses. The crack-tip constraints were quantified by Q-stress, and to characterize the elastic-plastic strain hardening material behavior, Ramberg-Osgood (R-O) material was employed. Based on the FE results, it was observed that crack-tip constraints of pipes with TWC were dependent on crack length and thickness of pipe, however, the effects of each variables decreased as either thickness of pipe becomes thinner or crack length becomes longer. Moreover, the effects loading modes on Q-stresses for thin-walled pipes with TWC are negligible. Finally, the present Q-stresses of pipes were compared with those of Curved wide plate (CWP) in tension to address the similarity of crack-tip constraints between pipe and CWP, which could be used to produce the CWP to measure the fracture toughness of pipes accurately.     

Analysis of adhesive interface in root canals irradiated by Er,Cr:YSGG laser after luting a fiber post

This study evaluated the effect of Er,Cr:YSGG laser on the root canal dentin after luting a fiber post. Twenty‐four bovine teeth roots were prepared using NiTi instruments and filled with Sealer 26 and gutta‐percha. Post spaces were prepared and roots were distributed according to dentin treatment (n = 8): 2.5%NaOCl (group control), Er,Cr:YSGG laser (1.5 W, 20 Hz, 20 s) (group test 1) or 2.5%NaOCl + Er,Cr:YSGG laser (group test 2). Fiber posts were luted using adhesive cement (Rely X U200, 3M) and roots were prepared to confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The morphology of interface, thickness of cement, and the gaps and tags were analyzed. Non‐parametrical data for thickness of cement were submitted to Friedman and Kruskall–Wallis tests (α = 0.05) and parametrical data for gaps to ANOVA (α = 0.05). CLSM of the cement thickness and gaps revealed no significant difference in surface treatment (NaOCl, Er,Cr:YSGG laser and NaOCl + Er,Cr:YSGG laser) (p > .05) and canal thirds (cervical, middle, and apical) (p > 0.05). SEM showed tags and a residual layer of cement adhered to dentin, mainly in laser‐irradiated specimens. The pretreatment of root canal with Er,Cr:YSGG laser previously to luting the fiber post with a self‐adhesive cement did not influence the cement thickness and gaps but affected the dentin interaction.     

Lipid Metabolism in Rats is Modified by Nitric Oxide Availability Through a Ca<Superscript>++</Superscript>-Dependent Mechanism

We studied lipid metabolism and the antioxidant defense system in plasma and liver of rats fed diets supplemented with l ^ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), isosorbide dinitrate (DIS), l-arginine (Arg), or the associations of these drugs. Liver hydroperoxide and thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substance (TBARS) levels were decreased by Arg and increased by l-NAME or DIS treatments. Oxidized glutathione and conjugated dienes were increased by DIS. Nitrate + nitrite levels and serum calcium ([Ca⁺⁺]) were incremented by Arg or DIS and reduced by l-NAME. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities decreased under Arg treatment, while l-NAME or DIS caused stimulation. Liver high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was increased by DIS or NAME (alone or associated with Arg). Free fatty acids and neutral and polar lipids were increased by Arg, l-NAME, and DIS. However, predominating phospholipid synthesis increased the neutral/polar ratio. Decreased levels of nitric oxide (NO) (low [Ca⁺⁺]) was directly associated with increased fatty acid synthetase, decreased phospholipase A₂, carnitine-palmitoyl transferase, and fatty acid desaturase activities. Raised NO (high [Ca⁺⁺]) inversely correlated with increased phospholipase-A₂ and acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) synthetase and decreased fatty acid synthetase and β-oxidation rate. Arg or DIS produced changes that were partially reverted by association with l-NAME. Based on these observations, prolonged therapeutical approaches using drugs that modify NO availability should be carefully considered. Julio Nella author in memoriam.     

Optimization of a roller levelling process for Al7001T9 pipes with finite element analysis and Taguchi method

This paper is concerned with the optimization of process parameters for a roller leveller that is an indispensable piece of equipment to eliminate the undesirable curvature of a thin-walled aluminum pipe. Optimization of process parameters has been carried out for a multi-staggered-type 14-roller leveller. A finite element model of a multi-staggered 14-roller leveller was constructed for numerical analysis. The analysis is carried out with the fractional model and the Taguchi method for evaluation of the effect of process parameters such as the intermesh and the slanted angle of rollers. The response variable is set to the plastic strain along the pipe length. The optimum combination of process parameters is determined from the numerical result and confirmed by experiments. The comparison of the numerical result with the experimental one shows good coincidence for its validity and reliability.     

Biodegradation of sulfamethazine by Trametes versicolor: Removal from sewage sludge and identification of intermediate products by UPLC-QqTOF-MS

Degradation of the sulfonamide sulfamethazine (SMZ) by the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor was assessed. Elimination was achieved to nearly undetectable levels after 20 h in liquid medium when SMZ was added at 9 mg L^− 1. Experiments with purified laccase and laccase-mediators resulted in almost complete removal. On the other hand, inhibition of SMZ degradation was observed when piperonilbutoxide, a cytochrome P450-inhibitor, was added to the fungal cultures. UPLC-QqTOF-MS analysis allowed the identification and confirmation of 4 different SMZ degradation intermediates produced by fungal cultures or purified laccase: desulfo-SMZ, N⁴-formyl-SMZ, N⁴-hydroxy-SMZ and desamino-SMZ; nonetheless SMZ mineralization was not demonstrated with the isotopically labeled sulfamethazine-phenyl-¹³C₆ after 7 days. Inoculation of T. versicolor to sterilized sewage sludge in solid-phase systems showed complete elimination of SMZ and also of other sulfonamides (sulfapyridine, sulfathiazole) at real environmental concentrations, making this fungus an interesting candidate for further remediation research.     

Pipe crack identification based on the energy method and committee of neural networks

A crack identification method using an equivalent bending stiffness for cracked beam and committee of neural networks is presented. The equivalent bending stiffness is constructed based on an energy method for a straight thin-walled pipe, which has a through-the-thickness crack, subjected to bending. Several numerical analysis for a steel cantilever pipe using the equivalent bending stiffness are carried out to extract the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the cracked beam. The extracted modal properties are used in constructing a training patterns of a neural network. The input to the neural network consists of the modal properties and the output is composed of the crack location and size. Multiple neural networks are constructed and each individual network is trained independently with the different initial synaptic weights. Then, the estimated crack locations and sizes from different neural networks are averaged. Crack detection is carried out for 16 damage cases using the proposed method, and the identified crack locations and sizes agree reasonably well with the exact values.     

Immortalization of neuroendocrine pinealocytes from transgenic mice by targeted tumorigenesis using the tryptophan hydroxylase promoter

Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) is the first enzyme in both serotonin and melatonin biosynthesis in neuroendocrine cells of the pineal gland. The lack of immortalized neuroendocrine pineal cell lines has been a major obstacle to the study of the tissue-specific and circadian regulation of TPH gene expression in the pineal gland. Previously, we demonstrated that a 6.1 kb 5' upstream region of the mouse TPH gene directs the restricted expression of a lacZ reporter gene to the pineal gland and the raphe nuclei of transgenic mice. Therefore, to develop TPH-expressing pineal cell lines we first established transgenic mice carrying a construct consisting of 6.1 kb of 5' flanking region fused to the SV40 T-antigen. These animals developed highly invasive pineal tumors and died at 12-15 weeks of age. The pineal tumors obtained from the transgenic mice were utilized to establish the immortalized pinealocyte-derived cell lines. These cells express two marker enzymes, TPH and serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT). In pineal gland TPH and NAT expressions have been known to be regulated during circadian cycle. The two established cell lines therefore promise to be a valuable in vitro model system for the study of the rhythmic nature of the pineal function at molecular level in mammal.     

Molecular and biologic characterization of a newly established Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line (Z-33) with an autocrine response to GM-CSF

We have recently established a new Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1)-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell line, designated Z-33. This line has L2 morphology, ultrastructural characteristics of lymphoblasts and typical B lineage surface markers identical to those observed in the Ph1-positive ALL patient from whom the line was derived. In addition, a rearranged immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene (JH) band was found in Z-33 cells by Southern blot analysis, confirming B cell clonality. Cytogenetic analysis of the cell line revealed t(9;22)(q34;q11.2). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified cDNA from Z-33 cells demonstrated an e1-az BCR-ABL junction, and the p190BCR-ABL protein was detected in them by the immune complex kinase assay. Z-33 cells produce interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, Neither IL-1 beta, G-CSF, TNF-alpha, nor their corresponding antibodies affected the cell line's growth. In contrast, anti-GM-CSF neutralizing antibodies suppressed Z-33 colony formation, and GM-CSF stimulated it in a dose-dependent fashion. In addition, receptor studies with biotinylated GM-CSF demonstrated specific binding to Z-33 cells, indicating that the cells express GM-CSF receptors. Taken together, our data suggest that the Ph1-positive Z-33 ALL cells produce GM-CSF, express GM-CSF receptors, and show an autocrine proliferative response to this cytokine.