InterCarb: A Community Effort to Improve Interlaboratory Standardization of the Carbonate Clumped Isotope Thermometer Using Carbonate Standards.

Increased use and improved methodology of carbonate clumped isotope thermometry has greatly enhanced our ability to interrogate a suite of Earth-system processes. However, interlaboratory discrepancies in quantifying carbonate clumped isotope (Δ47) measurements persist, and their specific sources remain unclear. To address interlaboratory differences, we first provide consensus values from the clumped isotope community for four carbonate standards relative to heated and equilibrated gases with 1,819 individual analyses from 10 laboratories. Then we analyzed the four carbonate standards along with three additional standards, spanning a broad range of δ47 and Δ47 values, for a total of 5,329 analyses on 25 individual mass spectrometers from 22 different laboratories. Treating three of the materials as known standards and the other four as unknowns, we find that the use of carbonate reference materials is a robust method for standardization that yields interlaboratory discrepancies entirely consistent with intralaboratory analytical uncertainties. Carbonate reference materials, along with measurement and data processing practices described herein, provide the carbonate clumped isotope community with a robust approach to achieve interlaboratory agreement as we continue to use and improve this powerful geochemical tool. We propose that carbonate clumped isotope data normalized to the carbonate reference materials described in this publication should be reported as Δ47 (I-CDES) values for Intercarb-Carbon Dioxide Equilibrium Scale.

Diabetic therapeutic effects of ethyl acetate fraction from the roots of Musa paradisiaca and seeds of Eugenia jambolana in streptozotocin-induced male diabetic rats.

The folklore medicine of primitive people has been greatly appreciated for centuries. Many researchers study the curative efficiency and mode of action of various medicinal plants. Serum glucose level, lipid profile, glucose tolerance, hepatic and muscle glycogen contents as well as the activities of hepatic hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase recovered significantly after oral administration of ethyl acetate fractions of Eugenia jambolana (E. jambolana) or Musa paradisiaca (M. paradisiaca) in separate (E. jambolana L.: 200 mg/kg of body weight and M. paradisiaca: 100 mg/kg of body weight) or combined form for 90 days (twice a day through gavage) to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The loss in body weight of diabetic animals was reversed and serum levels of insulin as well as C-peptide, which were found to be reduced in diabetic rats, increased significantly after oral administration of the fractions. A histological study of the rats' pancreas revealed that after 90 days of oral treatment with the plant fractions in separate or combined form, the size and volume of pancreatic islets in diabetic treated rats increased significantly compared with the diabetic control group. Treatment of diabetic rats with the combined dose (300 mg/kg of body weight) of plant fractions (200 mg E. jambolana and 100 mg M. paradisiaca) was found to be more effective than treatment with the individual fraction. The doses of E. jambolana and M. paradisiaca selected for this study are the optimum antihyperglycemic doses of the plant fractions, which were determined after conducting a dose-dependent study at various dose levels (50-500 mg/kg) in our pilot experiments. The plant fractions were found to be free from metabolic toxicity. Through HPTLC finger printing, three different compounds were noted in the ethyl acetate fraction of E. jambolana L. and eight different compounds in the ethyl acetate fraction of M. paradisiaca L.

Retrospective study on necrotizing enteritis in piglets in Switzerland.

The re-emergence of necrotizing enteritis (NE) in Swiss pig breeding farms raised concern that, besides C. perfringens type C strains, additional C. perfringens toxinotypes might cause this disease. Therefore we retrospectively investigated the association of NE with C. perfringens type C or different C. perfringens toxinotypes. We evaluated pathological lesions, routine diagnostic bacteriology results, and multiplex real-time PCR analyses from DNA extracts of archived intestinal samples of 199 piglets from our diagnostic case load. 96.5% of NE cases and 100% of herds affected by NE were positive for C. perfringens type C genotypes. Animals without necrotizing enteritis revealed a significantly lower detection rate of type C genotypes. Non affected piglets showed a high prevalence for beta-2-toxin positive C. perfringens type A strains. Collectively, our data indicate that outbreaks of NE in piglets in Switzerland cannot be attributed to newly emerging pathogenic toxinotypes, but are due to a spread of pathogenic C. perfringens type C strains.

MUC13 interaction with receptor tyrosine kinase HER2 drives pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression.

Although MUC13, a transmembrane mucin, is aberrantly expressed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and generally correlates with increased expression of HER2, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Herein, we found that MUC13 co-localizes and interacts with HER2 in PDAC cells (reciprocal co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, proximity ligation, co-capping assays) and tissues (immunohistofluorescence). The results from this study demonstrate that MUC13 functionally interacts and activates HER2 at p1248 in PDAC cells, leading to stimulation of HER2 signaling cascade, including ERK1/2, FAK, AKT and PAK1 as well as regulation of the growth, cytoskeleton remodeling and motility, invasion of PDAC cells-all collectively contributing to PDAC progression. Interestingly, all of these phenotypic effects of MUC13-HER2 co-localization could be effectively compromised by depleting MUC13 and mediated by the first and second EGF-like domains of MUC13. Further, MUC13-HER2 co-localization also holds true in PDAC tissues with a strong functional correlation with events contributing to increased degree of disorder and cancer aggressiveness. In brief, findings presented here provide compelling evidence of a functional ramification of MUC13-HER2: this interaction could be potentially exploited for targeted therapeutics in a subset of patients harboring an aggressive form of PDAC.

Release of PCBs from Silvretta glacier (Switzerland) investigated in lake sediments and meltwater.

This study is part of our investigations about the release of persistent organic pollutants from melting Alpine glaciers and the relevance of the glaciers as secondary sources of legacy pollutants. Here, we studied the melt-related release of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in proglacial lakes and glacier streams of the catchment of the Silvretta glacier, located in the Swiss Alps. To explore a spatial and temporal distribution of chemicals in glacier melt, we combined two approaches: (1) analysing a sediment record as an archive of past remobilization and (2) passive water sampling to capture the current release of PCBs during melt period. In addition, we determined PCBs in a non-glacier-fed stream as a reference for the background pollutant level in the area. The PCBs in the sediment core from the Silvretta lake generally complied with trends of PCB emissions into the environment. Elevated concentrations during the most recent ten years, comparable in level with times of the highest atmospheric input, were attributed to accelerated melting of the glacier. This interpretation is supported by the detected PCB fractionation pattern towards heavier, less volatile congeners, and by increased activity concentrations of the radioactive tracer (137)Cs in this part of the sediment core. In contrast, PCB concentrations were not elevated in the stream water, since no significant difference between pollutant concentrations in the glacier-fed and the non-glacier-fed streams was detected. In stream water, no current decrease of the PCBs with distance from the glacier was observed. Thus, according to our data, an influence of PCBs release due to accelerated glacier melt was only detected in the proglacial lake, but not in the other compartments of the Silvretta catchment.

Effects of elevated ozone on leaf delta13C and leaf conductance of plant species grown in semi-natural grassland with or without irrigation.

Stable carbon isotope ratios (delta(13)C) and leaf conductance (g(s)) were measured (2002, 2003) in Holcus lanatus L., Plantago lanceolata L. Ranunculus friesianus (Jord.), and Trifolium pratense L. at two levels of ozone (O(3)) with or without irrigation. In non-irrigated control plots, R. friesianus showed the least negative delta(13)C, and the smallest response to the treatments. Irrigation caused more negative delta(13)C, especially in H. lanatus. Irrespective of irrigation, O(3) increased delta(13)C in relationship to a decrease in g(s) in P. lanceolata and T. pratense. The strongest effect of O(3) on delta(13)C occurred in the absence of irrigation, suggesting that under field conditions lack of moisture in the top soil does not always lead to protection from O(3) uptake. It is concluded that in species such as T. pratense plants can maintain stomatal O(3) uptake during dry periods when roots can reach deeper soil layers where water is not limiting.

Study of genetics, epidemiology, and vitamin usage in familial spina bifida in the United States in the 1990s.

We analyzed family structure, genetic patterns, epidemiology, and vitamin usage in a series of families with multiple cases of spina bifida (familial SB). Among 6,491 individuals ascertained in 72 families with familial SB, we identified 180 patients--85 males and 95 females. The number of collateral cases on the maternal side (49 of 3,588), analyzed by category of kinship, were significantly higher than those on the paternal side (16 of 2,903) (p = 0.0002). Genomic imprinting or a partial mitochondrial contribution are possible mechanisms for this maternal effect. The proportion of US-born SB families reporting some Irish ancestry (49%, 34 of 70) or some German ancestry (50%, 35 of 70) were significantly higher than those for the US population at large. In contrast, the proportion of families reporting some African-American ancestry (1%, 1 of 70) was significantly lower. The elevated proportions of families with Irish and German ancestry, the high frequency of SB in Northern Ireland and in certain regions of Germany, the reduced proportion of families with African-American ancestry, and the lower prevalence of SB in African-Americans all suggest a genetic contribution to the etiology of the disorder. In our study, the proportion of mothers who used supplemental vitamins during the periconceptional period (29%, 47 of 163) was not significantly different from that in the US population at large.

Undetected cardiogenic shock in patients with congestive heart failure presenting to the emergency department.

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of lactic acid levels and continuous central venous oxygen saturation (central venous oximetry) to stratify and treat patients with acutely decompensated end-stage chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) presenting to the emergency department. This prospective, convenience, non-outcome study was performed at an urban tertiary care hospital. Patients with end-stage CHF with an ejection fraction <30% presenting in decompensated CHF were eligible for the study. Patients were assessed using the Killip classification and New York Heart Association criteria. After lactic acid levels were obtained, patients were managed according to a standardized protocol guided by central venous oximetry. The patients were divided into high lactic acid (n = 22), low lactic acid (n = 5), and control groups (stable patients presenting to a cardiology clinic, n = 17) for comparison. There was no statistical difference in vital signs, or Killip and New York Heart Association criteria among the 3 groups. Central venous oxygen saturation was significantly lower in the high lactic acid group (32 +/- 12%) than in the normal lactic acid (51 +/- 13%) and control groups (60 +/- 6%) (p < 0.001). After treatment there was a significant decrease in lactic acid (-3.65 +/- 3.65 mM/L) and an increase in central venous oxygen saturation (32 +/- 13%) in the high lactic acid group compared with the normal lactic acid group (p < 0.001). A significant subset of patients with decompensated end-stage CHF present to the emergency department in occult shock and are clinically indistinguishable from patients with mildly decompensated CHF and stable CHF. Once identified, these patients require aggressive alternative management and disposition. Further study is necessary to identify whether this intervention impacts morbidity, mortality, and health care resource consumption.

The relationship between the stable carbon isotope composition of needle bulk material, starch, and tree rings in Picea abies.

We investigated the relationship between the δ13C signal in current-year and 1-year-old needle bulk material, starch extracts, and early- or late-wood in mature spruce trees (Picea abies) to identify the modifying influence of climatic conditions on the different δ13C signals. Seasonal patterns of δ13C were determined in total bulk needle material from 1998 to 2000, and in acid soluble starch extracts in 1999 and 2000, and δ13C values of early- and late-wood were measured for the years 1991-2000. δ13C of bulk needle material was most enriched in spring with a trend towards depletion in the course of the season. Current-year needles showed a more distinct seasonal pattern in δ13C compared to 1-year-old needles. Seasonal trends in bulk material and starch were similar, but the highly enriched signal in spring could not be fully explained by the influence of the δ13C values of starch (weighted with the corresponding starch amounts). δ13C of starch in 1-year-old needles, and to a lesser extent of current-year needles, correlated with δ13C of early-wood, indicating a transfer of the isotopic signal. In addition, early-wood δ13C corresponded weakly to winter precipitation. In the summer, δ13C of total bulk needle material and starch showed no relation to the late-wood δ13C signature. Late-wood δ13C, however, related to global radiation, relative humidity and temperature, with more enriched values corresponding to warmer and drier conditions. We conclude that the signature of early-wood is determined more by biochemical fractionation, e.g. during starch formation, than by climatic conditions, which exert only a minor influence and are reflected in the isotopic signal of late-wood.

Ultrastructure of cellular components of human trophoblasts during early pregnancy.

Two cell types, the cyto- and syncytio-trophoblasts, were identified in human chorionic villi of 6-10 weeks' gestation. The intracellular organization of these cells was examined. Ultrathin sections of small pieces of chorionic villi revealed the presence of a multinucleate syncytiotrophoblastic layer, whose surface was covered with microvilli. The cytotrophoblasts, however, had a single large nucleus with a prominent nucleolus. An interesting feature of the basement membrane of these cells was the presence of aggregates of dark granules in samples of the earlier gestational age (6-8 weeks) and granular bodies having a dense outer ring and a translucent inner ring with a lucid central area in samples of 8-10 weeks' gestation. Both types of granules are mineralized and are assumed to perform a buffering role for maintaining the neutrality of the layer.

Comparison of the TriCarb and Hidex 300 SL technique using measurements of (241)Pu and (90)Sr on various samples.

Soil and radioactive slurries were analyzed for the presence of beta emitting (241)Pu and (90)Sr. The comparison study between two different LSC apparatus, TriCarb 2200/2550 and Hidex 300 SL, shows good agreement for the quench corrected (241)Pu activity concentrations. The (90)Sr activity concentrations of most soil samples were in agreement, and were confirmed by the recommended IAEA-375 value. The Hidex 300 SL is an excellent apparatus to measure pure ß-emitters of routine samples.

Determination of (210)Pb and (226)Ra/(228)Ra in continental water using HIDEX 300SL LS-spectrometer with TDCR efficiency tracing and optimized α/ß-discrimination.

An analytical method for determination of (210)Pb, (226)Ra and (228)Ra is presented based on adsorption on 3M Empore RadDiscs, and measurement applying liquid scintillation spectrometry (LSC) after elution. The LSC measurement was performed with optimized α/ß-discrimination and isotope standardization using the triple to double coincidence ratio (TDCR). The consistency of measurement results between radioactive parent-daughter pairs (210)Pb/(210)Bi, (226)Ra/(222)Rn and (228)Ra/(228)Ac was checked in long-term counting experiments and the influence ofinterference of in-growing daughters from (226)Ra into the ß-spectrum of (228)Ra+(228)Ac was studied as well. Recommendations for optimized LSC (228)Ra measurement besides presence of (226)Ra are given.

Determination of 241Pu in nuclear waste slurries: a comparative study using LSC and ICP-MS.

(241)Pu was determined in slurry samples from a nuclear reactor decommissioning project at the Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland). To validate the results, the (241)Pu activities of five samples were determined by LSC (TriCarb and Quantulus) and ICP-MS, with each instrument at a different laboratory. In lack of certified reference materials for (241)Pu, the methods were further validated using the (241)Pu information values of two reference sediments (IAEA-300 and IAEA-384). Excellent agreement with the results was found between LSC and ICP-MS in the nuclear waste slurries and the reference sediments.

Separation of 90Sr from radioactive waste matrices--microwave versus fusion decomposition.

Radioactive waste (slurry) from a detention pond deriving from two research reactors and several inactive and active drain outlets at the Paul Scherrer Institute are the basis for the current (90)Sr investigation. For decomposition, a microwave method was applied, where 1g of dry-ashed slurry was partially dissolved (HNO(3) (65%)/H(2)O(2) (30%); v:v=8:2). In this slurry we obtained an (90)Sr activity of 5.3+/-0.2 Bq/g in solution. In a second run, we applied a borate-fusion (Li metaborate/Li tetraborate (80:20 w/w%) dissolving 1g of dry-ashed "Si-free" slurry at 1100 degrees C in a muffle furnace. We achieved an (90)Sr activity of (7.8+/-0.3)Bq/g, yet observing BaSO(4) precipitation during the chromatographical separation of Sr. An alkali fusion using Na(2)CO(3) was done using the Bunsen burner and the muffle furnace for 20 min at 1000 degrees C, in combination. During formation of the hot glass, the surplus of Na(2)CO(3), produced Na(2)SO(4) and BaCO(3) in solid form. The hot glass was dissolved in deionised water, removing thus the SO(4)(2-) ions. Dissolving the residue directly in HNO(3), solves Ba as Ba(NO(3))(2) and thus we achieved over 80% of the (133)Ba activity in the solution, as measured by gamma-spectrometry. (85)Sr tracer of 88.0%+/-3.3% was recovered, yielding on average in (7.4+/-0.3)Bq/g of (90)Sr activity. The increase of 2.1-2.5 Bq/g of (90)Sr activity achieved with the alkali fusion, and the Li metaborate/Li tetraborate 80:20 w/w% fusion, respectively, clearly shows that some Sr must have been present as SrSO(4) in the slurry.

Clostridium perfringens beta-toxin targets endothelial cells in necrotizing enteritis in piglets.

Beta-toxin (CPB) is known to be the major virulence factor of Clostridium perfringens type C strains, which cause necrotizing enteritis in pigs, sheep, goats, calves, and humans. The exact mode of action, in particular the cellular targets of CPB in the intestine of naturally affected species, is however still not resolved. To investigate localization of CPB in naturally occurring necrotizing enteritis, we evaluated 52 piglets with spontaneously acquired C. perfringens type C enteritis and 14 control animals by immunohistochemistry. Our results consistently revealed binding of CPB to vascular endothelial cells in peracute to acute lesions of necrotizing enteritis. Subacute cases, in contrast, demonstrated reduced or no CPB staining at the endothelium, mainly due to widespread vascular necrosis. From these results we conclude, that the pathogenesis of C. perfringens type C induced necrotizing enteritis involves binding of CPB to endothelial cells in the small intestine during the early phase of the disease. Thus, by targeting endothelial cells, CPB might specifically induce vascular necrosis, hemorrhage and subsequent hypoxic tissue necrosis.

Separation techniques for low-level determination of actinides in soil samples.

The separation methods for soil samples applied at PSI are based on extraction chromatography and ion exchange. After sample leaching, the actinides are pre-concentrated via precipitation using oxalic acid. Besides the classical separation methods applying the extraction chromatographic resins U/TEVA (for U, Th), TRU (Pu, Am), new methods were recently implemented to increase the radiochemical recovery of particularly trivalent Am and Cm. These methods do not require initial reduction of Pu(IV) to Pu(III) but stabilize Pu on the tetravalent oxidation state using a mixture of NaNO(2)/H(2)O(2) in strong acidic medium. The Pu-fraction is then fixed along with Th onto Dowex AG 1-X2 anion exchanger resin. Th is eluted via complexation with 10M HCl, Pu via reduction with HI. The fractions of Am+Cm and U are loaded onto DGA resin. This resin shows extraordinary high distribution coefficients (k'-values) exceeding 10(4) (for Am) in strong nitric acid medium. The separation between U and Am is obtained quantitatively by decreasing the HNO(3) concentration from 3 to 0.25 M (stripping of the U-fraction) while Am can be easily eluted thereafter using 0.25 M HCl as complexation compound.

Determination of stable carbon isotopes of organic acids and carbonaceous aerosols in the atmosphere.

A wet oxidation method for the compound-specific determination of stable carbon isotopes (delta(13)C) of organic acids in the gas and aerosol phase, as well as of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), is presented. Sampling of the organic acids was done using a wet effluent diffusion denuder/aerosol collector (WEDD/AC) coupled to an ion chromatography (IC) system. The method allows for compound-specific stable carbon isotope analysis by collecting different fractions of organic acids at the end of the IC system using a fraction collector. delta(13)C analyses of organic acids were conducted by oxidizing the organic acids with sodium persulfate at a temperature of 100 degrees C and determining the delta(13)C value of the resulting carbon dioxide (CO(2)) with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer. In addition, analysis of delta(13)C of the WSOC was performed for particulate carbon collected on aerosol filters. The WSOC was extracted from the filters using ultrapure water (MQ water), and the dissolved organic carbon was oxidized to CO(2) using the oxidation method. The wet oxidation method has an accuracy of 0.5 per thousand with a precision of +/-0.4 per thousand and provides a quantitative result for organic carbon with a detection limit of 150 ng of carbon.

Furanoid sugar amino acids as dipeptide mimics in design of analogs of vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor binding inhibitor.

In this study we describe the development of peptidomimetic analogs of the potent vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor binding inhibitor, Leu(1) -Met(2) -Tyr(3) -Pro(4) -Thr(5) -Tyr(6) -Leu(7) -Lys(8) -OH 1, by incorporating furanoid sugar amino acids (SAAs) 2-4 into the molecule. The furanoid SAAs 2-4 were used as dipeptide isosteres to replace Tyr(3) -Pro(4) or Pro(4) -Thr(5) in sequence 1. The resulting analogs 5-9 were tested for their anti-cancer activities in vitro, following the standard MTT assay on a panel of human cancer cell lines. One of the potent analogs, 6a was tested in vivo for tumor regression on primary colon tumor xenografted nude mice. Our experimental results suggest that many of these analogs show either retention or enhancement of biological activity.

New, sensitive and specific ELISA for the detection of neuropeptides in culture supernatants.

Accurate and sensitive sandwich ELISA has been developed for the detection and identification of each of the three neuropeptides, namely, Vasoactive intestinal peptide, Somatostatin and Substance P. The neuropeptides conjugated with BSA and emulsified with Freund's adjuvant were used for immunisation of rabbits. Titres of polyclonal antibodies were checked by indirect immunofluorescence. The animals were bled when titres were high, sera separated, complement inactivated and IgG class of antibodies were purified using a protein G column. Purified IgG antibodies were used for coating the wells and for conjugation with HRPO and used for the detection of the synthetic neuropeptides in a standard solution or in the culture supernatant. The ELISA thus developed for the assay of each of the three neuropeptides had a sensitivity (0.01 ng - 12.8 ng/ml) equal to or better than that reported for these peptides by radioimmunoassay. The assay was highly specific and did not react with a panel of other neuropeptides tested. High level of sensitivity without compromising the specificity was achieved by using activated polyvinyl plates and using purified IgG from high titre rabbit anti-peptide sera. The non specific reaction was minimised by using 10,000 MW cut off amicon filtered supernatants.