ß-Delayed One and Two Neutron Emission Probabilities Southeast of

The ß-delayed one- and two-neutron emission probabilities (P_{1n} and P_{2n}) of 20 neutron-rich nuclei with N≥82 have been measured at the RIBF facility of the RIKEN Nishina Center. P_{1n} of ^{130,131}Ag, ^{133,134}Cd, ^{135,136}In, and ^{138,139}Sn were determined for the first time, and stringent upper limits were placed on P_{2n} for nearly all cases. ß-delayed two-neutron emission (ß2n) was unambiguously identified in ^{133}Cd and ^{135,136}In, and their P_{2n} were measured. Weak ß2n was also detected from ^{137,138}Sn. Our results highlight the effect of the N=82 and Z=50 shell closures on ß-delayed neutron emission probability and provide stringent benchmarks for newly developed macroscopic-microscopic and self-consistent global models with the inclusion of a statistical treatment of neutron and γ emission. The impact of our measurements on r-process nucleosynthesis was studied in a neutron star merger scenario. Our P_{1n} and P_{2n} have a direct impact on the odd-even staggering of the final abundance, improving the agreement between calculated and observed Solar System abundances. The odd isotope fraction of Ba in r-process-enhanced (r-II) stars is also better reproduced using our new data.

Cross-modality and in-vivo validation of 4D flow MRI evaluation of uterine artery blood flow in human pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: Clinical assessment of uterine artery (UtA) hemodynamics is currently limited to Doppler ultrasound (US) velocimetry. We have demonstrated previously the feasibility of applying four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate UtA hemodynamics during pregnancy, allowing flow quantification of the entire course of the vessel. In this study, we sought to further validate the physiological relevance of 4D flow MRI measurement of UtA blood flow by exploring its association with pregnancy outcome relative to US-based metrics. METHODS: Recruited into this prospective, cross-sectional study were 87 women with a singleton pregnancy who underwent 4D flow MRI between May 2016 and April 2019 to measure the UtA pulsatility index (MRI-PI) and blood flow rate (MRI-flow, in mL/min). UtA-PI was also measured using US (US-PI). The primary outcome was a composite (COMP) of pre-eclampsia (PE) and/or small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonate, and secondary outcomes were PE and SGA neonate individually. We assessed the ability of MRI-flow, MRI-PI and US-PI to distinguish between outcomes, and evaluated whether MRI-flow changed as gestation progressed. RESULTS: Following 4D flow postprocessing and exclusions from the analysis, 74 women had 4D flow MRI data analyzed for both UtAs. Of these, 18 developed a COMP outcome: three developed PE only, 11 had a SGA neonate only and four had both. A comparison of the COMP group vs the no-COMP group found no differences in maternal age, body mass index, nulliparity, gravidity or race. For 66 of the 74 subjects, US data were also available. In these subjects, both median MRI-PI (0.95 vs 0.70; P < 0.01) and median US-PI (0.95 vs 0.73; P < 0.01) were significantly increased in subjects in the COMP group compared with those in the no-COMP group. The UtA blood-flow rate, as measured by MRI, did not increase significantly from the second to the third trimester (median flow (interquartile range (IQR)), 543 (419-698) vs 575 (440-746) mL/min; P = 0.77), but it was significantly lower overall in the COMP compared with the no-COMP group (median flow (IQR), 486 (366-598) vs 624 (457-749) mL/min; P = 0.04). The areas under the receiver-operating-characteristics curves for MRI-flow, MRI-PI and US-PI in predicting COMP were not significantly different (0.694, 0.737 and 0.731, respectively; P = 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: 4D flow MRI can yield physiological measures of UtA blood-flow rate and PI that are associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. This may open up new avenues in the future to expand the potential of this technique as a robust tool with which to evaluate UtA hemodynamics in pregnancy. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of important medicinal plant species in genus Paeonia based on rDNA-ITS, matK, and rbcL DNA barcode sequences.

This study was performed to identify and analyze the phylogenetic relationship among four herbaceous species of the genus Paeonia, P. lactiflora, P. japonica, P. veitchii, and P. suffruticosa, using DNA barcodes. These four species, which are commonly used in traditional medicine as Paeoniae Radix and Moutan Radicis Cortex, are pharmaceutically defined in different ways in the national pharmacopoeias in Korea, Japan, and China. To authenticate the different species used in these medicines, we evaluated rDNA-internal transcribed spacers (ITS), matK and rbcL regions, which provide information capable of effectively distinguishing each species from one another. Seventeen samples were collected from different geographic regions in Korea and China, and DNA barcode regions were amplified using universal primers. Comparative analyses of these DNA barcode sequences revealed species-specific nucleotide sequences capable of discriminating the four Paeonia species. Among the entire sequences of three barcodes, marker nucleotides were identified at three positions in P. lactiflora, eleven in P. japonica, five in P. veitchii, and 25 in P. suffruticosa. Phylogenetic analyses also revealed four distinct clusters showing homogeneous clades with high resolution at the species level. The results demonstrate that the analysis of these three DNA barcode sequences is a reliable method for identifying the four Paeonia species and can be used to authenticate Paeoniae Radix and Moutan Radicis Cortex at the species level. Furthermore, based on the assessment of amplicon sizes, inter/intra-specific distances, marker nucleotides, and phylogenetic analysis, rDNA-ITS was the most suitable DNA barcode for identification of these species.

Molecular identification of the traditional herbal medicines, Arisaematis Rhizoma and Pinelliae Tuber, and common adulterants via universal DNA barcode sequences.

Methods to identify Pinelliae Tuber and Arisaematis Rhizoma are required because of frequent reciprocal substitution between these two herbal medicines and the existence of several closely related plant materials. As a result of the morphological similarity of dried tubers, correct discrimination of authentic herbal medicines is difficult by conventional methods. Therefore, we analyzed DNA barcode sequences to identify each herbal medicine and the common adulterants at a species level. To verify the identity of these herbal medicines, we collected five authentic species (Pinellia ternata for Pinelliae Tuber, and Arisaema amurense, A. amurense var. serratum, A. erubescens, and A. heterophyllum for Arisaematis Rhizoma) and six common adulterant plant species. Maturase K (matK) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit (rbcL) genes were then amplified using universal primers. In comparative analyses of two DNA barcode sequences, we obtained 45 species-specific nucleotides sufficient to identify each species (except A. erubescens with matK) and 28 marker nucleotides for each species (except P. pedatisecta with rbcL). Sequence differences at corresponding positions of the two combined DNA barcodes provided genetic marker nucleotides that could be used to identify specimens of the correct species among the analyzed medicinal plants. Furthermore, we generated a phylogenetic tree showing nine distinct groups depending on the species. These results can be used to authenticate Pinelliae Tuber and Arisaematis Rhizoma from their adulterants and to identify each species. Thus, comparative analyses of plant DNA barcode sequences identified useful genetic markers for the authentication of Pinelliae Tuber and Arisaematis Rhizoma from several adulterant herbal materials.

Anti-obesity effects of gochujang products prepared using rice koji and soybean meju in rats.

The Korean traditional hot sauce gochujang has been reported to have biological activities. Different kinds of gochujang products were prepared based on combinations of a fungal rice koji with two kinds of bacterial soybean mejus. Diets that included gochujang products were fed to rats and anti-obesity effects were investigated. Gochujang products reduced body weight gains, epididymal fat weights, and triglyceride levels in the serum and the liver. Effects were exerted by the diet that included the non-fermented gochujang mixture, increased using a fungal rice koji, and further enhanced using a bacterial soybean meju. Dietary effects were apparently induced via inhibition of the lipogenic enzymes fatty acid synthase, malic enzyme, and lipoprotein lipase by gochujang products in epididymal adipose tissues, and inhibition of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the liver. High levels of capsaicin and genistein in gochujang products are considered to contribute to anti-obesity effects.

Genetic relatedness and virulence factors of bovine Staphylococcus aureus isolated from teat skin and milk.

The objective of this study was to assess the role of teat skin colonization in Staphylococcus aureus intramammary infections (IMI) by evaluating genetic relatedness of Staph. aureus isolates from milk and teat skin of dairy cows using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and characterizing the isolates based on the carriage of virulence genes. Cows in 4 known Staph. aureus-positive herds were sampled and Staph. aureus was detected in 43 quarters of 20 cows, with 10 quarters positive in both milk and skin (20 isolates), 18 positive only in milk, and 15 only on teat skin. Quarters with teat skin colonized with Staph. aureus were 4.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with Staph. aureus IMI than quarters not colonized on teat skin. Three main clusters were identified by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis using a cutoff of 80% similarity. All 3 clusters included both milk and skin isolates. The majority of isolates (72%) belonged to one predominant cluster (B), with 60% of isolates in the cluster originating from milk and 40% from teat skin. Genotypic variability was observed within 10 pairs (formed by isolates originating from milk and teat skin of the same quarter), where isolates in 5 out of the 10 pairs belonged to the same cluster. Forty-two virulence factors were screened using PCR. Some virulence factors were carried more frequently by teat skin isolates than by milk isolates or isolates from quarters with high somatic cell counts. Isolates in the predominant cluster B carried virulence factors clfA and clfB significantly more often than isolates in the minor clusters, which may have assisted them in becoming predominant in the herds. The present findings suggest that teat skin colonization with Staph. aureus can be an important factor involved in Staph. aureus IMI.

Comparison of propofol and fentanyl administered at the end of anaesthesia for prevention of emergence agitation after sevoflurane anaesthesia in children.

BACKGROUND: Propofol and fentanyl can be administered at the end of sevoflurane anaesthesia to decrease the incidence and severity of emergence agitation (EA), although it has not been determined which agent has superior efficacy. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of propofol and fentanyl on EA. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind study, 222 children, 18-72 months of age, undergoing sevoflurane anaesthesia were randomly assigned to one of the three groups receiving either propofol 1 mg kg(-1) (Group P), fentanyl 1 µg kg(-1) (Group F), or saline (Group S) at the end of anaesthesia. The incidence and severity of EA were evaluated with the paediatric anaesthesia emergence delirium (PAED) scale. Time to recovery and incidence of nausea/vomiting were assessed. RESULTS: The mean PAED score was 4.3 in Group P and 4.9 in Group F (P=0.682), which were lower than 9.0 in Group S (P<0.001). Nausea and vomiting were significantly more frequent in Group F than Groups P and S (adjusted P=0.003 and adjusted P<0.001). Group F had also longer stay in the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) than Group S (P<0.001), while Group P did not. However, the differences in PACU stays between the P and F groups were considered clinically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Small doses of propofol or fentanyl at the end of sevoflurane anaesthesia comparably reduced EA. Propofol was better than fentanyl due to a lower incidence of nausea and vomiting.

Fundamental electrochemiluminescence characteristics of fluorine-doped tin oxides synthesized by sol-gel combustion.

Fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) materials synthesized by sol-gel combustion method were investigated for electrochemical luminescence (ECL) application. Effects of sol-gel combustion conditions on the structures and morphology of the porous FTO (p-FTO) materials were studied. ECL efficiency of p-FTO-based cell was about 251 cd/m2 at 4 V bias, which is higher than the sell using only FTO electrodes (102.8 cd/m2). The highest intensity of the emitting light was obtained at the wavelength of about 610 nm. The porous FTO layer was effective for increasing ECL intensities.

Dual function of protein kinase C (PKC) in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) expression: activation of CREB and FOXO3a by PKC-alpha phosphorylation and by PKC-mediated inactivation of Akt, respectively.

12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) has been shown to induce transcriptional activation of human manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) mRNA in human lung carcinoma cells, A549, mediated by a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent activation of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB)-1/ATF-1-like factors. In this study, we showed that MnSOD protein expression was elevated in response to TPA or TNF-α, but not to hydrogen peroxide treatment. TPA-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was blocked by pretreatment of the PKC inhibitor BIM and NADPH oxidase inhibitor DPI. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) experiments indicated that knocking down the NADPH oxidase components e.g. Rac1, p22(phox), p67(phox), and NOXO1 in A549 cells impaired TPA-induced MnSOD expression. To identify the PKC isozyme involved, we used a sod2 gene response reporter plasmid, pSODLUC-3340-I2E-C, capable of sensing the effect of TNF-α and TPA, to monitor the effects of PKC isozyme-specific inhibitors and siRNA-induced knockdown of specific PKC isozyme. Our data indicate that TPA-induced MnSOD expression was independent of p53 and most likely mediated by PKC-α-, and -ε-dependent signaling pathways. Furthermore, siRNA-induced knock-down of CREB and Forkhead box class O (FOXO) 3a led to a reduction in TPA-induced MnSOD gene expression. Together, our results revealed that TPA up-regulates, in part, two PKC-dependent transcriptional pathways to induce MnSOD expression. One pathway involves PKC-α catalyzed phosphorylation of CREB and the other involves a PKC-mediated the PP2A catalyzed dephosphorylation of Akt at Ser(473) which in turn leads to FOXO3a Ser(253) dephosphorylation and its activation.

Knudsen-to-hydrodynamic crossover in liquid 3He in a high-porosity aerogel.

We present a combined experimental and theoretical study of the drag force acting on a high porosity aerogel immersed in liquid (3)He and its effect on sound propagation. The drag force is characterized by the Knudsen number, which is defined as the ratio of the quasiparticle mean free path to the radius of an aerogel strand. Evidence of the Knudsen-hydrodynamic crossover is clearly demonstrated by a drastic change in the temperature dependence of ultrasound attenuation in 98% porosity aerogel. Our theoretical analysis shows that the frictional sound damping caused by the drag force is governed by distinct laws in the two regimes, providing excellent agreement with the experimental observation.

Relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and pulmonary function.

BACKGROUND: It has been observed that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance. Pulmonary function is also known to be related with cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. AIMS: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between NAFLD and pulmonary function. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study to examine the association of NAFLD based on abdominal sonographic findings and pulmonary function in 2119 Korean men between the ages of 30 and 75. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) were compared according to the presence of NAFLD. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationship of NAFLD with FVC and FEV(1) as pulmonary function tests. RESULTS: The subjects with NAFLD had lower FVC and FEV(1) than their non-steatotic counterparts, and FVC and FEV(1) gradually decreased according to the grade of hepatic steatosis. After adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking status, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the FVC and FEV(1) were found to be inversely associated with the presence of NAFLD. CONCLUSION: NAFLD was independently associated with reduced pulmonary function, and the severity of NAFLD was inversely correlated with pulmonary function.

Limited maximal flow rate of target-controlled remifentanil infusion and induced cough.

This study evaluated the effect of limiting maximal infusion-pump flow rate on suppression of remifentanil-induced cough during target-controlled infusion. Two hundred and ten patients were randomly assigned to receive remifentanil at an effect-site concentration of 4.0 ng.ml(-1) with maximal flow rate limited to 100 (group R(100)), 200 (group R(200)), or 1200 ml.h(-1) (group R(1200)). The number of episodes of cough were recorded and graded as mild (1-2), moderate (3-4), or severe (5 or more). The incidence of cough was 2.9% in group R(100), 5.7% in group R(200) and 25.7% in group R(1200). Patients in group R(100) and R(200) had a significantly lower incidence of cough than those in group R(1200) (p < 0.05). Zero, two and five patients coughed a moderate amount in groups R(100), R(200) and group R(1200), respectively (p < 0.05). Limiting maximal infusion rate during remifentanil TCI suppressed remifentanil-induced cough.

The Dietary Effects of Fermented Chlorella vulgaris (CBT(®)) on Production Performance, Liver Lipids and Intestinal Microflora in Laying Hens.

Fermented Chlorella vulgaris CBT(®) was evaluated for its effects on egg production, egg quality, liver lipids and intestinal microflora in laying hens. One hundred and eight Hy-line Brown layers (n = 108), 80 wk of age, were fed a basal diet supplemented with CBT(®) at the level of 0, 1,000 or 2,000 mg/kg, respectively for 42 d. Egg production was measured daily and egg quality was measured every two weeks. Five eggs from each replicate were collected randomly to determine egg quality. Egg production increased linearly with increasing levels of CBT(®) supplementation (p<0.05), although there was no significant effect of treatment on feed intake. Egg yolk color (p<0.001) and Haugh unit (p<0.01) improved linearly with increasing dietary CBT(®). Hepatic triacylglycerol level was linearly decreased with increasing dietary CBT(®) (p<0.05). The supplemental CBT(®) resulted in linear (p<0.001) and quadratic (p<0.01) response in population of cecal lactic acid bacteria. In conclusion, fermented Chlorella vulgaris supplemented to laying hen diets improved egg production, egg yolk color, Haugh unit and positively affected the contents of hepatic triacylglycerol and the profiles of cecal microflora.

Feasibility and Safety of a Combined Metabolic Strategy in Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Prospective Case Series.

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) may be susceptible to metabolic strategies such as fasting and ketogenic diets, which lower blood glucose and elevate ketones. Combining these two strategies may be an ideal approach for sustaining a potentially therapeutic glucose ketone index (GKI). In this prospective case series, we observed whether a combined metabolic strategy was feasible, safe, and capable of sustaining a GKI <6 in patients with GBM. Methods: We provided recommendations and guidelines to 10 GBM patients at various stages of tumour progression and treatment that enabled them to complete a 5-7-day fast every 1-2 months combined with a modified ketogenic diet during the intervening weeks. Patients monitored their blood glucose and ketone levels and body weight. Adverse effects were assessed. Results: Patients completed a mean of 161 ± 74 days of the combined metabolic strategy, with 34 ± 18 (21%) days of prolonged fasting (mean fast duration: 6.0 ± 1.4 days) and 127 ± 59 (79%) days on the ketogenic diet. The mean GKI for all 10 patients was 3.22 (1.28 during the fasts, 5.10 during the ketogenic diet). Body weight decreased by 8.4 ± 6.9 kg (11.2% decrease in baseline weight). The most common adverse effects attributed to the fasts and ketogenic diet were fatigue, irritability, and feeling lightheaded. The metabolic strategy did not interfere with standard oncological treatments. Conclusion: This is the first study to observe the feasibility and safety of repeated, prolonged fasting combined with a modified ketogenic diet in patients with GBM. Using minimal support, patients maintained the combined metabolic strategy for 5-6 months while sustaining a potentially therapeutic mean GKI of 3.22. Weight loss was considerable. Adverse effects attributed to the metabolic strategy were mild, and it did not interfere with standard oncological treatments. Study Registration: This study is registered on the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, number ACTRN12620001310954. The study was registered on 4 December 2020.

Effect of CCS on the accumulation of FALS SOD1 mutant-containing aggregates and on mitochondrial translocation of SOD1 mutants: implication of a free radical hypothesis.

Missense mutations of SOD1 are linked to familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) through a yet-to-be identified toxic-gain-of-function. One of the proposed mechanisms involves enhanced aggregate formation. However, a recent study showed that dual transgenic mice overexpressing both G93A and CCS copper chaperone (G93A/CCS) exhibit no SOD1-positive aggregates yet show accelerated FALS symptoms with enhanced mitochondrial pathology compared to G93A mice. Using a dicistronic mRNA to simultaneously generate hSOD1 mutants, G93A, A4V and G85R, and hCCS in AAV293 cells, we revealed: (i) CCS is degraded primarily via a macroautophagy pathway. It forms a stable heterodimer with inactive G85R, and via its novel copper chaperone-independent molecular chaperone activity facilitates G85R degradation via a macroautophagy-mediated pathway. For active G93A and A4V, CCS catalyzes their maturation to form active and soluble homodimers. (ii) CCS reduces, under non-oxidative conditions, yet facilitates in the presence of H(2)O(2), mitochondrial translocation of inactive SOD1 mutants. These results, together with previous reports showing FALS SOD1 mutants enhanced free radical-generating activity, provide a mechanistic explanation for the observations with G93A/CCS dual transgenic mice and suggest that free radical generation by FALS SOD1, enhanced by CCS, may, in part, be responsible for the FALS SOD1 mutant-linked aggregation, mitochondrial translocation, and degradation.

Dose-dependent attenuation by fentanyl on cough during emergence from general anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Although fentanyl suppresses tracheal tube-induced cough during anesthetic recovery, it has not been proven if its antitussive effect is dose dependent and complication free. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between fentanyl doses and cough suppression during emergence from sevoflurane anesthesia. METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing thyroidectomy were randomly allocated to one of four groups (F0, F1, F1.5, and F2) according to the fentanyl dose (0 mcg/kg, 1 mcg/kg, 1.5 mcg/kg, or 2 mcg/kg). Fentanyl was administered immediately after sevoflurane discontinuation. Coughing was assessed throughout the periextubation period. The relationship between fentanyl dose and incidence of cough was analyzed using Cochran-Armitage trend test. Incidence of more than 30% elevation of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), awakening time, extubation time, and respiratory rate after extubation were recorded and compared using Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Fentanyl suppressed emergence cough in a dose-related manner (P = 0.002), and the ED(50) and ED(90) were 1.1 mcg/kg and 2.1 mcg/kg, respectively. The higher dose of fentanyl further reduced the number of patient with MAP and HR elevation (P = 0.003 and 0.005, respectively). Awakening time (8.4 ± 1.9 min) in F2 was comparable with that in F1 and F1.5. Respiratory rate (9 ± 2 bpm) and extubation time (11.9 ± 1.8 min) in F2 were only different from those in F0 (13 ± 3 bpm and 10.4 ± 1.1 min, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Fentanyl suppressed cough in a dose-related manner during recovery from general sevoflurane anesthesia, and 2 mcg/kg may be considered as a proper dose.

Comparison of saline wastewater treatment performance of SBR with repeated starvation under aerobic and non-aerobic conditions.

This study investigated the effects of repeated starvation and feeding on the performance of a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) used for treating saline wastewater. The effects of aerobic and non-aerobic conditions on the sludge during starvation were evaluated to recover the performance of the SBR in terms of floc size and pollutant removal after resuming wastewater feeding. The floc size, fractal dimension, sludge volume index (SVI), specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR), and pollutant removal efficiency were monitored. Experiment results revealed that the floc size and fractal dimensions decreased during starvation under both aerobic and non-aerobic conditions and increased after re-feeding wastewater. However, the difference in floc physical characteristics and performance depended on the starvation condition and was pronounced as starvation and re-feeding were repeated. The floc size and fractal dimensions decreased from 152.7 to 72.2 and 1.98 to 1.79 at the end of the fourth starvation period, resulting in deterioration of the sludge settleability and effluent quality. On the other hand, the floc size and fractal dimensions decreased from 158.7 to 135.7 and 1.95 to 1.81 at the end of the fourth starvation period but remained relatively constant after sludge adaptation. Some correlations were observed between the parameters monitored in this study. The results showed that maintaining the sludge under non-aerobic conditions was an effective strategy for reducing the effects of repeated starvation.

Kirkwood-Buff-Derived Force Field for Peptides and Proteins: Philosophy and Development of KBFF20.

A new classical nonpolarizable force field, KBFF20, for the simulation of peptides and proteins is presented. The force field relies heavily on the use of Kirkwood-Buff theory to provide a comparison of simulated and experimental Kirkwood-Buff integrals for solutes containing the functional groups common in proteins, thus ensuring intermolecular interactions that provide a good balance between the peptide-peptide, peptide-solvent, and solvent-solvent distributions observed in solution mixtures. In this way, it differs significantly from other biomolecular force fields. Further development and testing of the intermolecular potentials are presented here. Subsequently, rotational potentials for the ϕ/ψ and χ dihedral degrees of freedom are obtained by analysis of the Protein Data Bank, followed by small modifications to provide a reasonable balance between simulated and observed α and ß percentages for small peptides. This, the first of two articles, describes in detail the philosophy and development behind KBFF20.

TEMPO EC for the enumeration of Escherichia coli in foods: collaborative study.

The automated method for enumeration of Escherichia coli, TEMPO EC, in foods uses a dehydrated culture medium and enumeration card containing 48 wells across three different dilutions for the automatic determination of the most probable number (MPN). The alternative method was compared in a multilaboratory collaborative study to AOAC Official Method 966.24. Six food types were artificially contaminated with E. coli: raw ground beef, bagged lettuce, cooked chicken, pasteurized crabmeat, frozen green beans, and pasteurized whole milk. All foods were analyzed for E. coli counts by 11 collaborating laboratories throughout the United States. Test portions from the six food types each contaminated at four different contamination levels were evaluated. The study demonstrated that the TEMPO EC method is a reliable, automated assay for the enumeration of E. coli in foods.

Evaluation of novel histone deacetylase inhibitors as therapeutic agents for colorectal adenocarcinomas compared to established regimens with the histoculture drug response assay.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study was to evaluate the efficacy of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors in colorectal cancer together with other established regimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chemosensitivities of 114 colorectal cancer patients to established regimens (fluorouracil (5-FU with leucovorin (FL), capecitabine, FL with irinotecan (FLIRI), and FL with oxaliplatin (FLOX)) as well as five hydroxamic acid derivatives (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, PXD101, and three novel candidates of CG-1, CG-2, and CG-3) were comparatively evaluated using the histoculture drug response assay. RESULTS: The chemosensitivity with established regimens was between 34.2% and 52.6%, when the cutoff value of the inhibition ratio was set at 30%, and between 54.5% and 84.1% with HDAC inhibitors. All HDAC inhibitors displayed synergistic effects in combination with established regimens of FLOX and FLIRI (P < or = 0.0001-0.002). Advanced T- and N-category tumors and patients with synchronous adenoma displayed higher chemosensitivity to CG-3, CG-2, and CG-1, respectively, on a multivariate analysis (P = 0.023, 0.044, and 0.045, respectively). Tumors with mismatch repair defects were closely correlated with chemosensitivities to combined regimens of PDX101 with FLOX and FLIRI (P = 0.044 and 0.048, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings firstly demonstrated the chemo-responsiveness of colorectal cancers to HDAC inhibitors with therapeutic efficacy comparable to the established regimens. Additionally, tumor growth and heredity were significantly associated with specific regimens, supporting their possible role as chemosensitive predictors.