DNA microarray: a high throughput approach for methylation detection

We described a DNA microarray-based method combined with bisulphite treatment of DNA and regular PCR to examine hyper-methylation in promoter 1A of APC gene. A set of oligonucleotide probes were designed and immobilized on the aldehyde-coated glass slides for detecting the methylation pattern of 15 selected CpG sites in the region. The methylation status of 30 colorectal tumor samples have been examined by both of methylation-specific PCR (MS-PCR) and the present microarray method. The methylation pattern of the 15 CpG sites for the samples have been obtained with the microarray. A total of 19 samples out of 30 were methylated by microarray, in which five samples cannot be detected by MS-PCR due to the methylated CpG patterns not accordant to the MS-PCR primers. The detecting ratio for methylation of APC gene of colorectal tumor samples increased from 46.7% with MS-PCR to 63.3% with the microarray, which successfully demonstrated that DNA microarray-based method not only can obtained the methylation patterns for the related genes, but also decrease the false-negative results of methylation status by the conventional MS-PCR for the investigated genes.     

Supramolecular nanostructures based on bacterial reaction center proteins and quantum dots

Design of the nanostructures based on membrane proteins (the key functional elements of biomembranes) and colloid nanoparticles is a fascinating field at the interface of biochemistry and colloids, nanotechnology and biomedicine. The review discusses the main achievements in the field of ultrathin films prepared from bacterial reaction center proteins and light-harvesting complexes, as well as these complexes tagged with quantum dots. The principles of preparation of these thin films and their structure and properties at different interfaces are described; as well as their characteristics estimated using a combination of the modern interfacial techniques (absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, atomic force and Brewster angle microscopy, etc.) are discussed. Further approaches to develop the nanostructures based on the membrane proteins and quantum dots are suggested. These supramolecular nanostructures are promising prototypes of the materials for photovoltaic, optoelectronic and biosensing applications.     

Reliable screening of various foodstuffs with respect to their irradiation status: A comparative study of different analytical techniques

Cost-effective and time-efficient analytical techniques are required to screen large food lots in accordance to their irradiation status. Gamma-irradiated (0–10 kGy) cinnamon, red pepper, black pepper, and fresh paprika were investigated using photostimulated luminescence (PSL), direct epifluorescent filter technique/the aerobic plate count (DEFT/APC), and electronic-nose (e-nose) analyses. The screening results were also confirmed with thermoluminescence analysis. PSL analysis discriminated between irradiated (positive, >5000 PCs) and non-irradiated (negative, <700 PCs) cinnamon and red peppers. Black pepper had intermediate results (700–5000 PCs), while paprika had low sensitivity (negative results) upon irradiation. The DEFT/APC technique also showed clear screening results through the changes in microbial profiles, where the best results were found in paprika, followed by red pepper and cinnamon. E-nose analysis showed a dose-dependent discrimination in volatile profiles upon irradiation through principal component analysis. These methods can be used considering their potential applications for the screening analysis of irradiated foods.     

Advanced mobility in difficult terrain

The development and success of the Swedish Combat Vehicle CV90 has demonstrated the abilities of the author in the field of terramechanics related to tracked military vehicles. The honour of the Bekker–Reece–Radforth Award 2002 has been granted in recognition of these achievements made during the author's employment at Hägglunds Vehicle AB since 1975. Hägglunds Vehicle AB has been a producer of military vehicles since the late 1950s, although the first years concentrated on production only. From the early 1960s, Hägglunds developed a number of its own tracked vehicles, all of which were influenced by the mobility demands dictated by their intended use in severe terrain conditions, such as those found in Northern Scandinavia. This paper presents a brief history of the advancement of tracked vehicle technology at Hägglunds Vehicle AB. The concepts discussed include: ground pressure, the number of road-wheels, articulated steering, track tension, track attack angle, sinkage, belly effects, and the use of terramechanic simulation. The success of the CV90 demonstrates that the combination of practical experience, terrain knowledge, and terramechanic simulations can effect substantial improvements in vehicle mobility. Evaluation of the CV90 versus other modern combat vehicles of the same class has shown that the CV90 possesses considerably higher mobility and speed under severe terrain conditions. These two attributes provide CV90 with the ability to access terrain that similar vehicles cannot, thus giving the military user greater mobility options.     

一种新的死亡率模型及基于中国人口数据的比较分析

基于中国人口死亡率数据, 对APC模型进行扩展, 并将扩展的死亡率模型(EAPC模型)与APC模型和LC模型进行对比. 通过比较模型的拟合效果和预测效果, 并对其稳定性进行检验, 发现由APC模型扩展而来的EAPC模型更适合于拟合和预测中国的人口死亡率, 这为我国死亡率模型的使用提供了更多可行的方案.     

A novel approach for fMRI data analysis based on the combination of sparse approximation and affinity propagation clustering

Clustering analysis has been widely used to detect the functional connectivity from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. However, it has some limitations such as enormous computer memory requirement, and difficulty in estimating the number of clusters. In this study, in order to effectually resolve the deficiencies mentioned above, we have proposed a novel approach (SAAPC) for fMRI data analysis, which combines sparsity, an effective assumption for analyzing fMRI signal, with affinity propagation clustering (APC).     

Restoration of full-length APC protein in SW480 colon cancer cells induces exosome-mediated secretion of DKK-4

Mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene are common in both inherited and sporadic forms of colorectal cancer (CRC), and are associated with dysregulated Wnt signaling. Colon carcinoma SW480 cells restored with stable expression of wild-type APC (SW480APC cells) exhibit attenuated Wnt signaling, and reduced tumorigenicity, including increased cell adhesion. We performed a comparative proteomic analysis of exosomes isolated from SW480 and SW480APC cells to examine the effects of restored APC on exosome protein expression. A salient finding of our study was the unique expression of the Wnt antagonist Dickkopf-related protein 4 (DKK4) in SW480APC, but not parental SW480 cell-derived exosomes. Upregulation of DKK4 in SW480APC cells was confirmed by semiquantitative RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunogold electron microscopy. Analysis of the DKK4 gene promoter by methylation-specific PCR revealed reduced methylation in SW480APC cells, while RT-PCR demonstrated the downregulation of DNMT-3a, compared to the parental cell line. Our discovery of exosome-mediated secretion of DKK4 opens up the possibility that exosomal DKK4 may be a mechanism used by epithelial colon cells to regulate Wnt signaling which is lost during CRC progression.     

超高效聚合物色谱法测定酚化解聚木质素的相对分子质量

超高效聚合物色谱法(APC)是一种新开发的高分辨聚合物表征技术,能在10 min内完成聚合物的高效分辨分离,同时获得聚合物的平均相对分子质量及其分布参数。实验以水溶性热酚化解聚木质素为研究对象,探索了APC测试水性体系高分子相对分子质量及其分布参数的条件。在以弱碱性磷酸盐缓冲液为流动相,采用Waters水溶性ACQUITY APC AQ 450 Å、200 Å、45 Å 3根色谱柱串联,进样量为10 μL,流速为0.5 mL/min的条件下,获得了复杂水相体系木质素磺酸盐解聚产物的平均相对分子质量及其分布参数,且相对标准偏差(RSD)低于1%。结果表明,与传统的凝胶渗透色谱相比,APC方法具有分辨率高、重现性强的优点。本实验为高性能天然高分子的高效分离、结构分析提供了新的方法和途径,同时为木质素的解聚和液化产物调控机理的研究提供了可行的方法。     

A 21st century technique for food control: Electronic noses

This work examines the main features of modern electronic noses (e-noses) and their most important applications in food control in this new century. The three components of an electronic nose (sample handling system, detection system, and data processing system) are described. Special attention is devoted to the promising mass spectrometry based e-noses, due to their advantages over the more classical gas sensors. Applications described include process monitoring, shelf-life investigation, freshness evaluation, authenticity assessment, as well as other general aspects of the utilization of electronic noses in food control. Finally, some interesting remarks concerning the strengths and weaknesses of electronic noses in food control are also mentioned.     

超高效聚合物凝胶色谱法快速研究酸催化木质素解聚产物

该文以温和酸催化条件下的木质素磺酸盐解聚产物为研究对象，建立系统分离和分析测试木质素磺酸盐解聚后获得的低分子酚类产物的方法。选用4根油溶性的ACQUITY APC XT小孔径刚性填料色谱柱串联，在高分辨紫外检测器条件下，采用超高效凝胶渗透色谱（APC）对解聚产物实现了高效分离，获得了高灵敏度的木质素基酚类产物的相对分子质量及其分布色谱信息。探讨了反应温度、时间和催化剂浓度等对酸催化木质素磺酸盐解聚行为的影响，结果表明，对于木酚比（木质素：苯酚）为25%（质量分数）的木质素磺酸盐解聚体系，在催化剂和木质素物质的量比为2.334、130℃酸催化反应60 min时，获得了解聚效率高达80%以上的木质素基酚类产物，解聚获得的产物相对峰高分子质量（M_p）组成均分布在720、490和260 Da 3个低聚物区间，均具有很窄的分子质量分布指数（接近1）。由此可以初步推断，木质素磺酸盐在该研究采用的温和酸催化条件下，催化反应机理不受反应时间、温度以及催化剂浓度的影响，具有特定的解聚途径。