Draft genome sequence of strain Sph5, isolated from tap water filtration membrane.

Sphingomonadaceae are common membrane colonizers and biofilm formers. As part of our studies on long-term genetic changes in drinking water biofilm species, we report the draft genome sequence of strain Sph5, isolated from a tap water filtration membrane. The isolate was determined as through whole genome sequencing and assembly.

Application of integrated Korean forest growth dynamics model to meet NDC target by considering forest management scenarios and budget.

Background: Forests are atmospheric carbon sinks, whose natural growth can contribute to climate change mitigation. However, they are also affected by climate change and various other phenomena, for example, the low growth of coniferous forests currently reported globally, including in the Republic of Korea. In response to the implementation of the Paris Agreement, the Korean government has proposed 2030 greenhouse gas roadmap to achieve a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), and the forest sector set a sequestration target of 26 million tons by 2030.

"Nobody Knows How You're Supposed to Interpret it:" End-user Perspectives on Prescription Drug Monitoring Program in Massachusetts.

Objectives: America's overdose crisis spurred rapid expansion in the number and scope of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs). As their public health impact remains contested, little is known about PDMP user experiences and perspectives. We explore perspectives of PDMP end-users in Massachusetts.

Inhibition of euchromatin histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2 sensitizes breast cancer cells to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand through reactive oxygen species-mediated activating transcription factor 4-C/EBP homologous protein-death receptor 5 pathway activation.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been characterized as an anti-cancer therapeutic agent with prominent cancer cell selectivity over normal cells. However, breast cancer cells are generally resistant to TRAIL, thus limiting its therapeutic potential. In this study, we found that BIX-01294, a selective inhibitor of euchromatin histone methyltransferase 2/G9a, is a strong TRAIL sensitizer in breast cancer cells.

Integrin α6β4-Src-AKT signaling induces cellular senescence by counteracting apoptosis in irradiated tumor cells and tissues.

Cellular senescence refers to an irreversible growth arrest that is triggered by various intrinsic and extrinsic stresses. Many recent studies have demonstrated that cellular senescence plays a crucial role in the regression of tumors exposed to ionizing radiation (IR), but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here we show that the activation of integrin β4 is essential for IR-induced cellular senescence.

The small molecule '1-(4-biphenylylcarbonyl)-4-(5-bromo-2-methoxybenzyl) piperazine oxalate' and its derivatives regulate global protein synthesis by inactivating eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2-alpha.

By environmental stresses, cells can initiate a signaling pathway in which eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2-alpha (eIF2-α) is involved to regulate the response. Phosphorylation of eIF2-α results in the reduction of overall protein neogenesis, which allows cells to conserve resources and to reprogram energy usage for effective stress control. To investigate the role of eIF2-α in cell stress responses, we conducted a viability-based compound screen under endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress condition, and identified 1-(4-biphenylylcarbonyl)-4-(5-bromo-2-methoxybenzyl) piperazine oxalate (AMC-01) and its derivatives as eIF2-α-inactivating chemical.

Medication adherence communications in community pharmacies: A naturalistic investigation.

Objective: To describe the extent of pharmacy detection and monitoring of medication non-adherence, and solutions offered to improve adherence.

Methods: Participants were 60 residents of the Boston area who had a generic chronic medication with 30 day supplies from their usual pharmacy. Participants received a duplicate prescription which they filled at a different pharmacy.

Effect of extremely low frequency magnetic fields on cell proliferation and gene expression.

Owing to concerns regarding possible effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) on human health, many studies have been conducted to elucidate whether ELF-MF can induce modifications in biological processes. Despite this, controversies regarding effects of ELF-MF are still rife. In this study, we investigated biological effects of ELF-MF on MCF10A, MCF7, Jurkat, and NIH3T3 cell lines.

Argon Cluster Sputtering Source for ToF-SIMS Depth Profiling of Insulating Materials: High Sputter Rate and Accurate Interfacial Information.

The use of an argon cluster ion sputtering source has been demonstrated to perform superiorly relative to traditional oxygen and cesium ion sputtering sources for ToF-SIMS depth profiling of insulating materials. The superior performance has been attributed to effective alleviation of surface charging. A simulated nuclear waste glass (SON68) and layered hole-perovskite oxide thin films were selected as model systems because of their fundamental and practical significance.

Effect of Otoconial Proteins Fetuin A, Osteopontin, and Otoconin 90 on the Nucleation and Growth of Calcite.

We investigated the roles of three proteins associated with the formation of otoconia including fetuin A, osteopontin (OPN), and otoconin 90 (OC90). In situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies of the effects of these proteins on the growth of atomic steps on calcite surfaces were performed to obtain insight into their effects on the growth kinetics. We also used scanning electron microscopy to examine the effects of these proteins on crystal morphology.

Ribosomal protein L19 overexpression activates the unfolded protein response and sensitizes MCF7 breast cancer cells to endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced cell death.

Although first identified for their roles in protein synthesis, certain ribosomal proteins exert pleiotropic physiological functions in the cell. Ribosomal protein L19 is overexpressed in breast cancer cells by amplification and copy number variation. In this study, we examined the novel pro-apoptotic role of ribosomal protein L19 in the breast cancer cell line MCF7.

In vitro calcite crystal morphology is modulated by otoconial proteins otolin-1 and otoconin-90.

Otoconia are formed embryonically and are instrumental in detecting linear acceleration and gravity. Degeneration and fragmentation of otoconia in elderly patients leads to imbalance resulting in higher frequency of falls that are positively correlated with the incidence of bone fractures and death. In this work we investigate the roles otoconial proteins Otolin-1 and Otoconin 90 (OC90) perform in the formation of otoconia.

Effects of combined radiofrequency radiation exposure on levels of reactive oxygen species in neuronal cells.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the combined RF radiation (837 MHz CDMA plus 1950 MHz WCDMA) signal on levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neuronal cells. Exposure of the combined RF signal was conducted at specific absorption rate values of 2 W/kg of CDMA plus 2 W/kg of WCDMA for 2 h. Co-exposure to combined RF radiation with either H2O2 or menadione was also performed.

Role of Sp5 as an essential early regulator of neural crest specification in xenopus.

Background: The neural crest (NC) is a multipotent embryonic cell population, which is induced by an integration of secreted signals including BMP, Wnt, and FGF and, subsequently, NC cell fates are specified by a regulatory network of specific transcription factors. This study was undertaken to identify a role of Sp5 transcription factor in vertebrates.

Results: Xenopus Sp5 is expressed in the prospective neural crest regions from gastrulation through the tadpole stages in early development.

Role of the Rap2/TNIK kinase pathway in regulation of LRP6 stability for Wnt signaling.

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays critical roles in early embryonic development, stem cell biology and human diseases including cancers. Although Rap2, a member of Ras GTPase family, is essential for the Wnt/β-catenin pathway during the body axis specification in Xenopus embryo, the mechanism underlying its regulation of Wnt signaling remains poorly understood. Here, we show that Rap2 is implicated in control of the stability of Wnt receptor, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6).

Essential role of AWP1 in neural crest specification in Xenopus.

The neural crest (NC) comprises a transient and multipotent embryonic cell population, which gives rise to a wide variety of cell types, including craniofacial cartilage, melanocytes, and neurons and glia of the peripheral nervous system. The NC is induced by the integrated action of Wnt, FGF, and BMP signaling, and its cell fates are subsequently specified by a genetic cascade of specific transcription factors. Here we describe a critical role of AWP1 in NC induction during Xenopus early development.

Cross talk between engulfment receptors stabilin-2 and integrin αvβ5 orchestrates engulfment of phosphatidylserine-exposed erythrocytes.

Efficient cell corpse clearance is critical for health in organisms. Apoptotic cells displaying phosphatidylserine (PS) are recognized by engulfment receptors and ingested through two conserved pathways. In one pathway, engulfment receptor brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 (BAI-1) or integrin functions upstream of ELMO/DOCK180 and activate the small GTPase Rac1.

Effects of 837 and 1950 MHz radiofrequency radiation exposure alone or combined on oxidative stress in MCF10A cells.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the exposure to either single or multiple radio-frequency (RF) radiation frequencies could induce oxidative stress in cell cultures. Exposures of human MCF10A mammary epithelial cells to either a single frequency (837 MHz alone or 1950 MHz alone) or multiple frequencies (837 and 1950 MHz) were conducted at specific absorption rate (SAR) values of 4 W/kg for 2 h. During the exposure period, the temperature in the exposure chamber was maintained isothermally.

Analysis of the cellular stress response in MCF10A cells exposed to combined radio frequency radiation.

Exposure to environmental stressors can be measured by monitoring the cellular stress response in target cells. Here, we used the cellular stress response to investigate whether single or combined radio frequency (RF) radiation could induce stress response in human cells. Cellular stress responses in MCF10A human breast epithelial cells were characterized after exposure to 4 h of RF radiation [code division multiple access (CDMA) or CDMA plus wideband CDMA (WCDMA)] or 2 h RF radiation on 3 consecutive days.

Extremely low frequency magnetic fields do not elicit oxidative stress in MCF10A cells.

The aim of this study was to determine whether extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) could affect intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and antioxidant enzyme activity. After MCF10A human breast epithelial cells were exposed to 1 mT of 60 Hz ELF-MF for 4 hours, intracellular ROS level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and reduced to oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio were measured. The cells exposed to ELF-MF did not evidence statistically significant changes in the above-mentioned biological parameters as compared to either the incubator controls or sham-exposed cells.

Let's get moving: the need for more effective state-level physical education policies.

This study reviews obesity trends and physical education policies of 13 states with the highest and lowest youth obesity rates. A review of state policies for physical education was compared and analyzed. Although a majority of the states had physical education policies, they were typically not mandated and varied in time and grade-level requirements.

The conserved histidine in epidermal growth factor-like domains of stabilin-2 modulates pH-dependent recognition of phosphatidylserine in apoptotic cells.

Clearance of apoptotic cells is involved in the resolution of inflammation, and this mechanism is controlled by the regulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production during the ingestion of apoptotic cells. Inflamed areas show extracellular acidity, and low pH stimulates cellular functions of immune cells. However, little is known about the influence of extracellular acidic pH on the function of phagocytic cells.

Effects of different forms of nitrogen fertilizers on arsenic uptake by rice plants.

A pot microcosm experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different forms of N fertilizers on As uptake by rice. Compared to a nontreated control, addition of nitrate reduced Fe(II) concentration in soil solution, while treatment with ammonium enhanced Fe(III) reduction, probably coupled to NH(4)(+) oxidation in the nonrhizosphere. Most-probable-number (MPN) enumerations revealed high densities of nitrate-dependent Fe(II)-oxidizing microorganisms.