A rapid and simple method for the isolation of mutant variants regulating tissue-specific expression of the tni gene through drug selection

TnINEO fusion gene was constructed by fusing 3.4-kbp of quailTnI genomic DNA sequences spanning the promoter to exon 5 and aneo gene in frame. A myoblast cell line was established after transfection of pTnINEO. Since this cell line was passaged several times, a high frequency of neomycin (G418) sensitivity conversion was detected. Two drug-resistant variants were analyzed through genomic Southern blot and S1 nuclease protection assay. One variant has a mutation(s) in the regulatory element that activated the dormantTnI promoter-enhancer in myoblast, and the other has shown the genomic rearrangement. This result presented the possibility of isolating factor(s) that activate the muscle-specificTnI promoter simply by screening drug-resistant cells having appropriate mutations.     

Existence theorems for π/n vortex scattering

The analysis of 90° vortex-vortex scattering is extended to /n scattering in all head-on collisions ofn vortices in the Abelian Higgs model. A Cauchy problem with initial data that describe the scattering ofn vortices is formulated. It is shown that this Cauchy problem has a unique global finite-energy solution. The symmetry of the solution and the form of the local analytic solution then show that /n scattering is realized.     

On a bosonic-parafermionic realization ofU_q (\widehat{sl(2)})

We realize the current algebra at an arbitrary level in terms of one deformed free bosonic field and a pair of deformed parafermionic fields. It is shown that the operator product expansions of these parafermionic fields involve an infinite number of simple poles and simple zeros, which then condensate to form a branch cut in the classical limitq1. Our realization coincides with those of Frenkel-Jing and Bernard when the levelk takes the values 1 and 2, respectively.     

Four-dimensional BF theory as a topological quantum field theory

Starting from a Lie group G whose Lie algebra is equipped with an invariant nondegenerate symmetric bilinear form, we show that four-dimensional BF theory with cosmological term gives rise to a TQFT satisfying a generalization of Atiyah's axioms to manifolds equipped with principal G-bundle. The case G=GL(4,) is especially interesting because every 4-manifold is then naturally equipped with a principal G-bundle, namely its frame bundle. In this case, the partition function of a compact oriented 4-manifold is the exponential of its signature, and the resulting TQFT is isomorphic to that constructed by Crane and Yetter using a state sum model, or by Broda using a surgery presentation of four-manifolds.     

A noncommutative geometric approach to left-right symmetric weak interactions

By combining the generalized exterior algebra of forms over a noncommutative algebra with the gauging of discrete directions and the associated Higgs fields, we consider the construction of the bosonic sector of left-right symmetric models of the form SU(2) _L SU(2) _R U(1). We see that within this formalism maximal use can be made of the gauge connection associated with the noncommutative graded algebra.     

Theq-harmonic oscillator and the Al-Salam and Carlitz polynomials

One more model of aq-harmonic oscillator based on theq-orthogonal polynomials of Al-Salam and Carlitz is discussed. The explicit form ofq-creation andq-annihilation operators,q-coherent states and an analog of the Fourier transformation are established. A connection of the kernel of this transform with a family of self-dual biorthogonal rational functions is observed.     

Synthesis of tumor-associated glycopeptide antigens for the development of tumor-selective vaccines

In contrast to normal cells, the glycoprotein profile on epithelial tumor cells is distinctly altered. Due to an incomplete formation of the glycan side-chains resulting from a premature sialylation, additional peptide epitopes become accessible to the immune system in mucin-type glycoproteins on tumor cells. These tumor-associated structure alterations constitute the basis for a selective immunological attack on cancer cells. For the construction of immunostimulating antigens, glycopeptide partial structures from the mucins MUC1 and MUC4 carrying the tumor-associated sialyl-T(N), alpha2,6-sialyl-T and alpha2,3-sialyl-T antigens have been synthesized. Employing different linkers such as the allylic HYCRON or the fluoride-sensitive PTMSEL anchor, the antigenic glycopeptide structures were constructed on the solid phase utilizing pre-assembled glycosyl amino acid building blocks prepared in solution by convergent chemical or chemoenzymatic strategies. The proliferation of cytotoxic T cells has been induced applying a construct composed of a sialyl-T(N) MUC1-glycopeptide conjugated with a tetanus toxin T cell peptide epitope.     

Use of D–T-produced fast neutrons for in vivo body composition analysis: a reference method for nutritional assessment in the elderly

Body composition has become the main outcome of many nutritional intervention studies including osteoporosis, malnutrition, obesity, AIDS, and aging. Traditional indirect body composition methods developed with healthy young adults do not apply to the elderly or diseased. Fast neutron activation (for N and P) and neutron inelastic scattering (for C and O) are used to assess in vivo elements characteristic of specific body compartments. Non-bone phosphorus for muscle is measured by the ³¹P(n,)²⁸Al reaction, and nitrogen for protein via the ¹⁴N(n,2n)¹³N fast neutron reaction. Inelastic neutron scattering is used to measure total body carbon and oxygen. Body fat is derived from carbon after correcting for contributions from protein, bone, and glycogen. Carbon-to-oxygen ratio (C/O) is used to measure the distribution of fat and lean tissue in the body and to monitor small changes of lean mass. A sealed, D–T neutron generator is used for the production of fast neutrons. Carbon and oxygen mass and their ratio are measured in vivo at a radiation exposure of less than 0.06 mSv. Gamma-ray spectra are collected using large BGO detectors and analyzed for the 4.43 MeV state of carbon and 6.13 MeV state of oxygen, simultaneously with the irradiation. P and N analysis by delayed fast neutron activation is performed by transferring the patient to a shielded room equipped with an array of NaI(Tl) detectors. A combination of measurements makes possible the assessment of the quality of fat-free mass. The neutron generator system is used to evaluate the efficacy of new treatments, to study mechanisms of lean tissue depletion with aging, and to investigate methods for preserving function and quality of life in the elderly. It is also used as a reference method for the validation of portable instruments of nutritional assessment.     

Electrochemical and ESR study of 5-nitrofuryl-containing thiosemicarbazones antiprotozoal drugs

Cyclic voltammetry and electron spin resonance (ESR) techniques were used in the investigation of several potential antiprotozoal thiosemicarbazones nitrofurane derivatives. A self-protonation process involving the protonation of the nitro group due to the presence of an acidic proton in the thiosemicarbazone moiety was observed in the first step of a CEE(rev) reduction mechanism of these derivatives. ESR spectra of the free radicals obtained by electrolytic reduction were characterized and analyzed. AM1 methodology was used to obtain the optimized geometries and UB3LYP calculations were performed to obtain the theoretical hyperfine coupling constants. The theoretical study exhibited an unusual assignment of the spin densities showing a free radical centered in the thiosemicarbazone moiety rather than the nitro which are in agreement with the experimental hyperfine pattern.     

Improved Extraction Method and Chromatographic Separation of Ginsenosides from Ginseng Roots,Leaves and Ginseng Drug Preparations

A new extraction method for ginsenosides from ginseng roots, ginseng leaves and ginseng drug preparations by Sep-Pak C₁₈ cartridges has been studied. Ginsenoside extraction by Sep-Pak cartridges is a rapid, efficient, reproducible method. In addition, the extracts were analyzed by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The major components of ginseng saponins were effectively separated using an ODS-120T column.