TGF-β1 induction of the adenine nucleotide translocator 1 in astrocytes occurs through Smads and Sp1 transcription factors

Background  

The adenine nucleotide translocator 1 (Ant1) is an inner mitochondrial membrane protein involved with energy mobilization during oxidative phosphorylation. We recently showed that rodent Ant1 is upregulated by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) in reactive astrocytes following CNS injury. In the present study, we describe the molecular mechanisms by which TGF-β1 regulates Ant1 gene expression in cultured primary rodent astrocytes.     

Bounding multi-stage stochastic programs from above

The purpose of this paper is to present general approaches for bounding some multi-stage stochastic programs from above. The results are based on restricting the solution set, such that the remaining multi-stage stochastic program is easy to solve. An example where the methods can be applied is presented.Supported in part by NATO Collaborative Research Grant No. 0785/87.     

Water-assisted self-assembly of harmonic single and triple helices in a polymeric coordination complex

A novel two-dimensional coordination polymer containing infinite, coherently pitched single and triple helical motifs is formed by the self-assembly of Cd2+, succinate, water and a bipyridyl ligand.     

Photodynamic therapy of human glioma spheroids using 5-aminolevulinic acid

The response of human glioma spheroids to 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) is investigated. A two-photon fluorescence microscopy technique is used to show that human glioma cells readily convert ALA to protoporphyrin IX throughout the entire spheroid volume. The central finding of this study is that the response of human glioma spheroids to ALA-mediated PDT depends not only on the total fluence, but also on the rate at which the fluence is delivered. At low fluences (< or = 50 J cm-2), lower fluence rates are more effective. At a fluence of 50 J cm-2, near-total spheroid kill is observed at fluence rates of as low as 10 mW cm-2. The fluence rate effect is not as pronounced at higher fluences (> 50 J cm-2), where a favorable response is observed throughout the range of fluence rates investigated. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.     

The maximal solution of a restricted subadditive inequality in numerical analysis

For a fixed non-negative integerp, letU _2p = {U _2p (n)},n ≥ 0, denote the sequence that is defined by the initial conditionsU _2p (0) =U _2p (1) =U _2p (2) = =U _2p (2p) = 1 and the restricted subadditive recursion $$U_{2p} (n + 2p + 1) = \mathop {\min }\limits_{0 \leqslant l \leqslant p} (U_{2p} (n + l) + U_{2p} (n + 2p - l)),n \geqslant 0$$ U _2p is of importance in the theory of sequential search for simple real zeros of real valued continuous 2p-th derivatives In this paper, several closed form expressions forU _2p (n), n > 2p, are determined, thereby providing insight into the structure ofU _2p Two of the properties thus illuminated are (a) the existence of exactlyp + 1 limit points (1 + 1/(p + 1 +i), 0 ≤i ≤p) of the associated sequence {U _2p (n + 1)/U _2p (n)},n ≥ 0, and (b) the relevance toU _2p of the classic number theoretic function ord     

Efficient low-temperature oxidation of carbon-cluster anions by SO2

Carbon-cluster anions, CN-, are very reactive toward SO2 (sticking probability of 0.012 +/- 0.005 for C27- at 25 degrees C), in contrast to their inertness toward other common atmospheric gases and pollutants. In flow reactor experiments at ambient temperature and near atmospheric pressure, primary adsorption of SO2 by the carbon cluster anions, N = 4-60, yields CNSO2- or CN-1S-. The inferred elimination of neutral CO2 is also detected as meta-stable decay in collision-induced dissociation. At higher temperatures, the reaction of SO2 with nascent carbon clusters yields CN-1SO- as well as undetected CO. The size-dependent initial reactivity reflects the previously established structural transitions (i.e., from chain to cyclic to cage structures). Such carbon clusters are formed in sooting flames and may act as nuclei for the formation of primary soot particles and serve as models for the local structural features of active soot particle sites for black-carbon soot. The facile generation of reactive carbon-sulfide and -sulfinate units may therefore have implications for understanding the health and environmental effects attributed to the coincidence of soot and SO2.     

Acrylamide analysis: assessment of results from six rounds of Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme (FAPAS) proficiency testing

Six proficiency tests have now been completed in an ongoing program of the UK Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme (FAPAS) for the analysis of acrylamide in a range of food matrixes. Homogeneous test material samples were requested by laboratories throughout the world, with 29 to 45 submitting results for each test. Results were analyzed by appropriate statistical procedures, and z-scores were awarded for reported values. In the absence of both legislation and collaborative trial data, the target standard deviation was derived from the Horwitz equation, although it is acknowledged that there is a need to establish a "fit for purpose" target standard deviation specifically for acrylamide analysis. Participants were encouraged to use the analytical method routinely used in their own laboratory and to provide details of their procedure. Close examination of the data submitted indicates that performance is generally acceptable in terms of accuracy. There is no significant difference between results submitted by gas chromatography and liquid chromatography (GC and LC) methods, and no method dependency on the use of internal standards or sample size. However, choice of extraction solvent may be important, with indications that plain water is an acceptable extraction method. There is evidence from the most recent test that direct (underivatized) GC methodology may present problems, but more data are required and this aspect will be monitored in the continuing proficiency testing program.