Thermally highly stable amorphous zinc phosphate intermediates during the formation of zinc phosphate hydrate.

The mechanisms by which amorphous intermediates transform into crystalline materials are still poorly understood. Here we attempt to illuminate the formation of an amorphous precursor by investigating the crystallization process of zinc phosphate hydrate. This work shows that amorphous zinc phosphate (AZP) nanoparticles precipitate from aqueous solutions prior to the crystalline hopeite phase at low concentrations and in the absence of additives at room temperature.

Local ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated proteolysis and long-term synaptic plasticity.

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) of protein degradation has many roles in synaptic plasticity that underlies memory. Work on both invertebrate and vertebrate model systems has shown that the UPP regulates numerous substrates critical for synaptic plasticity. Initial research took a global view of ubiquitin-protein degradation in neurons.

Endorectal ultrasonography, strain elastography and MRI differentiation of rectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas.

Aim: Strain elastography is a method for recording tissue hardness. Strain in different areas may be compared using strain ratio (SR). The aims of this study were to validate a previously proposed SR cut-off value of 1.

Collision-induced dissociation of monolayer protected clusters Au144 and Au130 in an electrospray time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

Gas-phase reactions of larger gold clusters are poorly known because generation of the intact parent species for mass spectrometric analysis remains quite challenging. Herein we report in-source collision-induced dissociation (CID) results for the monolayer protected clusters (MPCs) Au144(SR)60 and Au130(SR)50, where R- = PhCH2CH2-, in a Bruker micrOTOF time-of-flight mass spectrometer. A sample mixture of the two clusters was introduced into the mass spectrometer by positive mode electrospray ionization.

Combined endorectal ultrasonography and strain elastography for the staging of early rectal cancer.

Aim: Strain elastography is a novel approach to rectal tumour evaluation. The primary aim of this study was to correlate elastography to pT stages of rectal tumours and to assess the ability of the method to differentiate rectal adenomas (pT0) from early rectal cancer (pT1-2). Secondary aims were to compare elastography with endorectal ultrasonography (ERUS) and to propose a combined strain elastography and ERUS staging algorithm.

Biomarker-based treatment selection in early-stage rectal cancer to promote organ preservation.

Background: Total mesorectal excision (TME) remains commonplace for T1-2 rectal cancer owing to fear of undertreating a small proportion of patients with node-positive disease. Molecular stratification may predict cancer progression. It could be used to select patients for organ-preserving surgery if specific biomarkers were validated.

Effect of cobalt substitution on Li(3-2x)Co(x)N local structure: a XAS investigation.

The influence of cobalt substitution on the local structural changes around Co atoms in the layered lithium nitridocobaltates Li(3-2x)Co(x)N for 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.44 is investigated using Co K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS and XANES).

The empty self and the perils of attachment.

This article describes clinical work with patients who come to treatment looking for help with chronic experiences of emptiness as well as concomitant fears of relational impingement. We relate these difficulties to distortions in the integration of basic developmental functions, and we suggest a point of view including tangible yet unobtrusive interventions that we have found helpful. We discuss countertransference issues raised by these patients as well as possible etiology.

Evaluation of different approaches for modeling Escherichia coli O157:H7 survival on field lettuce.

The ability to predict the behavior of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on contaminated field lettuce is essential for the development of accurate quantitative microbial risk assessments. The survival pattern of the species was assessed from several data sets derived from field-based experiments, which were analyzed by regression analysis fitting one monophasic model (log-linear) and two biphasic (Weibull and Cerf's model) models. Probabilistic models were also simulated with @RISK™, integrating the fitted monophasic and biphasic models in order to analyze their impact on the estimate of the extent of die-off subsequent to a contamination event in the field.

A mixture of Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus lactis, and Paenibacillus polymyxa reduces Escherichia coli O157:H7 in finishing feedlot cattle.

A direct-fed microbial (DFM) containing Paenibacillus polymyxa, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus lactis was fed to cattle (n = 120) to determine impacts on shedding and survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in feces. Cattle were individually penned and fed diets containing 0 (control), 4 × 10(7) CFU (DFM-4), 8 × 10(7) CFU (DFM-8), or 1.2 × 10(8) CFU (DFM-12) lactobacilli per kg of dietary dry matter over 84-day fall-winter growing and 140-day spring-summer finishing periods.

Heterologous stable expression of terpenoid biosynthetic genes using the moss Physcomitrella patens.

Heterologous and stable expression of genes encoding terpenoid biosynthetic enzymes in planta is an important tool for functional characterization and is an attractive alternative to expression in microbial hosts for biotechnological production. Despite improvements to the procedure, such as streamlining of large scale Agrobacterium infiltration and upregulation of the upstream pathways, transient in planta heterologous expression quickly reaches limitations when used for production of terpenoids. Stable integration of transgenes into the nuclear genome of the moss Physcomitrella patens has already been widely recognized as a viable alternative for industrial-scale production of biopharmaceuticals.

High-throughput testing of terpenoid biosynthesis candidate genes using transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana.

To respond to the rapidly growing number of genes putatively involved in terpenoid metabolism, a robust high-throughput platform for functional testing is needed. An in planta expression system offers several advantages such as the capacity to produce correctly folded and active enzymes localized to the native compartments, unlike microbial or prokaryotic expression systems. Two inherent drawbacks of plant-based expression systems, time-consuming generation of transgenic plant lines and challenging gene-stacking, can be circumvented by transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana.

Dietary omega-3 deficiency reduces BDNF content and activation NMDA receptor and Fyn in dorsal hippocampus: implications on persistence of long-term memory in rats.

Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids are important for adequate brain function and cognition. The aim of the present study was to evaluate how n-3 fatty acids influence the persistence of long-term memory (LTM) in an aversive memory task and to explore the putative mechanism involved. Female rats received isocaloric diets that included n-3 (n-3 group) or not (D group).

Proteasome modulates positive and negative translational regulators in long-term synaptic plasticity.

Proteolysis by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway appears to have a complex role in synaptic plasticity, but its various functions remain to be elucidated. Using late phase long-term potentiation (L-LTP) in the hippocampus of the mouse as a model for long-term synaptic plasticity, we previously showed that inhibition of the proteasome enhances induction but blocks maintenance of L-LTP. In this study, we investigated the possible mechanisms by which proteasome inhibition has opposite effects on L-LTP induction and maintenance.

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery.

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS) is a well established method of accurate resection of specimens from the rectum under binocular vision. This review examines its role in the treatment of benign conditions of the rectum and the evidence to support its use and compliment existing endoscopic treatments. The evolution of TEMS in early rectal cancer and the concepts and outcomes of how it has been utilised to treat patients so far are presented.

Manoyl oxide (13R), the biosynthetic precursor of forskolin, is synthesized in specialized root cork cells in Coleus forskohlii.

Forskolin, a complex labdane diterpenoid found in the root of Coleus forskohlii (Lamiaceae), has received attention for its broad range of pharmacological activities, yet the biosynthesis has not been elucidated. We detected forskolin in the root cork of C. forskohlii in a specialized cell type containing characteristic structures with histochemical properties consistent with oil bodies.

A comparative insight of potassium vanadates as positive electrode materials for Li batteries: influence of the long-range and local structure.

Potassium vanadates with ratio K/V = 1:3, 1:4, and 1:8, prepared by a fast and facile synthesis route, were investigated as positive electrode materials in lithium batteries. KV3O8 and K0.5V2O5 have layered structures, while K0.

Antibiotic resistance and diversity of Salmonella enterica serovars associated with broiler chickens.

The objective of this study was to analyze the antibiotic resistance phenotype and genotype of Salmonella isolated from broiler production facilities. A total of 193 Salmonella isolates recovered from commercial farms in British Columbia, Canada, were evaluated. Susceptibility to antibiotics was determined with the Sensititre system.

Bioprospecting marine plankton.

The ocean dominates the surface of our planet and plays a major role in regulating the biosphere. For example, the microscopic photosynthetic organisms living within provide 50% of the oxygen we breathe, and much of our food and mineral resources are extracted from the ocean. In a time of ecological crisis and major changes in our society, it is essential to turn our attention towards the sea to find additional solutions for a sustainable future.

An electrophysiological study of print processing in kindergarten: the contribution of the visual n1 as a predictor of reading outcome.

Sensitivity to print is characterized by a left occipito-temporal negativity to words in the event-related potential N1. This sensitivity is modulated by reading skills and may thus represent a neural marker of reading competence. Here we studied the development of the N1 in regular and poor readers from preschool age to school age to test whether the amplitude of the N1 predicts children's reading outcomes.

Regulatory T cells suppress the late phase of the immune response in lymph nodes through P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) maintain tolerance toward self-antigens and suppress autoimmune diseases, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we show that mice deficient for P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) develop a more severe form of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis than wild type animals do, suggesting that PSGL-1 has a role in the negative regulation of autoimmunity. We found that Tregs lacking PSGL-1 were unable to suppress experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and failed to inhibit T cell proliferation in vivo in the lymph nodes.

Impact of tissue processing, archiving and enrichment techniques on DNA methylation yield in rectal carcinoma.

Background: Formalin fixation, duration of tissue storage and tissue enrichment techniques can affect DNA methylation yield but these effects have not been quantitatively measured. The aim is to investigate the relative impact of these conditions on DNA methylation in rectal cancer.

Methods: 10 rectal cancers with matched undissected fresh frozen tissues, laser capture microdissected (LCM) formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues, manual macrodissected FFPE tissues, adjacent normal mucosa and stromal tissues were analysed for APC and LINE-1 methylation using bisulphite pyrosequencing.

Structure & bonding of the gold-subhalide cluster I-Au144Cl60[z].

The structure and bonding of the gold-subhalide compounds Au144Cl60([z]) are related to those of the ubiquitous thiolated gold clusters, or Faradaurates, by iso-electronic substitution of thiolate by chloride. Exact I-symmetry holds for the [z] = [2+,4+] charge-states, in accordance with new electrospray mass spectrometry measurements and the predicted electron shell filling. The high symmetry facilitates analysis of the global structure as well as the bonding network, with some striking results.