Nonlinear Optical Properties in an Epitaxial YbFeO Film Probed by Second Harmonic and Terahertz Generation.

An epitaxial film of YbFeO, a candidate for oxide electronic ferroelectrics, was fabricated on yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrate by magnetron sputtering technique. For the film, second harmonic generation (SHG), and a terahertz radiation signal were observed at room temperature, confirming a polar structure of the film. The azimuth angle dependence of SHG shows four leaves-like profiles and is almost identical to that in a bulk single crystal.

Acoustic-responsive carbon dioxide-loaded liposomes for efficient drug release.

The role of liposomes as drug carriers has been investigated. Ultrasound-based drug release methods have been developed for on-demand drug delivery. However, the acoustic responses of current liposome carriers result in low drug release efficiency.

A 20 MHz single-element ultrasonic probe using 0.91Pb(Zn(1/3 )Nb(2/3))O(3)-0.09PbTiO(3) single crystal.

A 20 MHz single-element ultrasonic probe using 0.91Pb(Zn(1/3 )Nb(2/3))O(3)-0.09PbTiO(3) (PZN-PT 91/9) single crystal has been fabricated.

A 3.7 MHz phased array probe using 0.91Pb(Zn(1/3)Nb(2/3))O(3)-0.09PbTiO(3 ).

A novel 128-channel phased array probe for echocardiography with a center frequency of 3.7 MHz using 0.91Pb(Zn(1/3)Nb(2/3))O(3)-0.

Forty-channel phased array ultrasonic probe using 0.91Pb(Zn(1/3 )Nb(2/3))O(3)-0.09PbTiO(3) single crystal.

A 0.91Pb(Zn(1/3)Nb(2/3))O(3)-0.09PbTiO (3) (PZN-PT) single crystal with high electromechanical coupling factor (k(33))>90% has been used to fabricate a 40-channel phased array ultrasonic probe with greater sensitivity and broader bandwidth than conventional probes.

Plasma HDL subfraction levels increase in rats fed proso-millet protein concentrate.

Background: Millet has been consumed as human food in the countries of Asia and Africa. We reported previously the effects of dietary protein concentrates from proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) on plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol.

Structure and polymorphism analysis of transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFBR1) in pigs.

Many quantitative trait loci (QTL) for growth and reproductive traits have been detected on the porcine chromosome region 1qter (SSC1qter), making it one of the most important genomic regions for pig breeding. SSC1q corresponds to human chromosome 9, on which lies transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFBR1). We cloned the porcine TGFBR1 cDNA and gene (as a candidate for QTL) and analyzed the gene structure and polymorphism.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a thermostable carboxylesterase from an archaeon, Sulfolobus shibatae DSM5389: non-linear kinetic behavior of a hormone-sensitive lipase family enzyme.

A gene coding for an esterase (SshEstI, 915 bp in length) of the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus shibatae DSM5389 was cloned, sequenced, and overexpressed in Escherichia coli JM109 cells as a soluble, catalytically active protein. The deduced amino acid sequence of SshEstI was consistent with a protein containing 305 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 33 kDa. Sequence comparison studies indicated that SshEstI could be a member of the hormone-sensitive lipase family, in that it had the highest sequence similarity to esterases from Sulfolobus solfataricus (90% identity) and Archaeoglobus fulgidus (42%) and a lipase from Pseudomonas sp.

Two quantitative trait loci on Sus scrofa chromosomes 1 and 7 affecting the number of vertebrae.

The objective of the research was to identify QTL affecting the number of vertebrae in swine, one of the major determining factors of growth and body composition. Previously, we reported a QTL for the number of vertebrae located on SSC1qter (terminal band of the q arm of SSC 1) in an F2 family produced by crossing a Göttingen miniature male with two Meishan females. Eight other swine families were subsequently produced by crosses between different breeds of European, Asian, and miniature pigs.

Assignment of the gene for porcine insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 to chromosome 18 and detection of polymorphisms in intron 2 by PCR-RFLP.

We have obtained a partial cDNA and three BAC clones for the porcine insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 gene (IGFBP-1). Results of fluorescence in situ and radiation hybrid (RH) mapping assigned this gene to porcine chromosome (SSC) 18q24-qter. We found two types of polymerase chain reaction-restriction-fragment-length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) in intron 2 by using FokI and AluI.

Cloning of the transgenic pigs expressing human decay accelerating factor and N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III.

The present paper describes production of cloned pigs from fibroblast cells of transgenic pigs expressing human decay accelerating factor (DAF, CD55) and N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III) that remodels sugar-chain biosynthesis. Two nuclear transfer protocols were used: a two-step activation (TA) method and a delayed activation (DA) method. Enucleated in vitro-matured oocytes and donor cells were electrically fused in a calcium-containing medium by TA method or in a calcium-free medium by DA method, followed by electrical activation 1-1.

Comparative analysis and development of microsatellite markers on swine (Sus scrofa) chromosome 1qter.

Several quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been detected on SSC1qter (Sus scrofa chromosome 1qter), including QTL for the number of vertebrae, as reported in our previous study. To provide the tools for analysis of QTLs on SSC1qter, we constructed a comparative map of swine and human. In addition, we identified 26 swine STSs and mapped 16 of them on SSC1qter using the INRA - University of Minnesota porcine radiation hybrid (IMpRH) panel.

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis in a Meishan x Göttingen cross population.

In order to locate the genetic regions in the swine genome that are responsible for economically important traits, a resource population has been constructed by mating two female Meishan pigs with a male Göttingen miniature pig. In subsequent generations, 265 F2 offspring were produced from two F1 males and 19 F1 females. The F2 offspring were scored for eight traits including growth rate, teat number, vertebra number and backfat thickness, and genotyped for 318 genetic markers spanning the swine genome.

Construction and evaluation of a porcine bacterial artificial chromosome library.

A porcine bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library consisting of 103,488 clones has been constructed. The average insert size in the BAC vector was calculated to be 133 kb based on the examination of 189 randomly selected clones, indicating that the library contained 4.4 genome equivalents.

A linkage map of 243 DNA markers in an intercross of Göttingen miniature and Meishan pigs.

A resource family of pigs has been constructed by using a boar of Göttingen miniature pig and two sows of Meishan pig as parents. In the construction of the family, two F1 males and 18 F1 females were intercrossed to generate 143 F2 offspring. The members of the family were genotyped using 243 genetic markers including 26 markers developed in our laboratory in order to generate a linkage map of markers for use in detecting quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in the family.

Proso millet protein elevates plasma level of high-density lipoprotein: a new food function of proso millet.

We examined the effects of dietary proso-millet protein on plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in different rats from animals reported in our previous studies. The results showed also, in this animal, that the ingestion of the millet protein elevates plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol like our earlier works. Taking into account the anti-atherogenic function of HDL, therefore, the millet protein would be useful as a new food ingredient which has the function that regulates cholesterol metabolism.