Short-term differential adaptation to anaerobic stress via genomic mutations by Escherichia coli strains K-12 and B lacking alcohol dehydrogenase.

Microbial adaptations often occur via genomic mutations under adverse environmental conditions. This study used Escherichia coli ΔadhE cells as a model system to investigate adaptation to anaerobic conditions, which we then compared with the adaptive mechanisms of two closely related E. coli strains, K-12 and B.

Gender and telomere length: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: It is widely believed that females have longer telomeres than males, although results from studies have been contradictory.

Methods: We carried out a systematic review and meta-analyses to test the hypothesis that in humans, females have longer telomeres than males and that this association becomes stronger with increasing age. Searches were conducted in EMBASE and MEDLINE (by November 2009) and additional datasets were obtained from study investigators.

The glial-neuronal GRK2 pathway participates in the development of trigeminal neuropathic pain in rats.

Unlabelled: This study examined the role of the glial-neuronal G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) pathway in the development of trigeminal neuropathic pain. Male Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 220 to 240 g, were anesthetized with ketamine (0.2 g/kg) and xylazine (0.

A novel technique of percutaneous stone extraction in choledocholithiasis after cholecystostomy.

Background/aims: To evaluate the technical feasibility and clinical efficacy of percutaneous common bile duct stone extraction via cystic duct after percutaneous cholecystostomy.

Methodology: Twenty-five consecutive patients with choledocholithiasis underwent percutaneous stone extraction under conscious sedation. The stones were extracted through the 12-Fr sheath using Wittich nitinol stone basket under fluoroscopic guidance via cystic duct after percutaneous trnas-hepatic cholecystostomy.

Functions of monocyte chemotactic protein-3 in transgenic mice fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet.

Monocyte chemotactic protein-3 (MCP-3), a chemokine that is in a superfamily of structurally related small chemotactic cytokines involved in leukocyte trafficking, is regarded as a key factor in atherogenesis. In this study, we examined the changes in atherogenic parameters including hepatic lipid accumulation and oxidative balance in MCP- 3-overexpressing transgenic mice (MCP-3 mice) under atherogenic conditions. To induce an extreme atherogenic condition, mice were fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet for 12 weeks.

Too much of a good thing: random practice scheduling and self-control of feedback lead to unique but not additive learning benefits.

We examined the impact of self-controlled knowledge of results on the acquisition, retention, and transfer of anticipation timing skill as a function of random and blocked practice schedules. Forty-eight undergraduate students were divided into experimental groups that practiced under varying combinations of random or blocked as well as self-controlled or yoked practice conditions. Anticipation timing performance (5, 13, and 21 mph) was recorded during acquisition and during a short term no-feedback retention test.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Seoul frog Rana chosenica (Amphibia, Ranidae): comparison of R. chosenica and R. plancyi.

Here, we have sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of the Seoul frog Rana chosenica (Amphibia, Ranidae), which is known as a Korean endemic species. It is listed as a vulnerable species by IUCN Red List and also an endangered species in South Korea. The complete mitochondrial genome of R.

Zinc-deficient diet decreases fetal long bone growth through decreased bone matrix formation in mice.

This study evaluated the effects of zinc on skeletal development during fetal development in pregnant ICR mice fed a zinc-deficient (3 mg/kg) or zinc-adequate (30 mg/kg) diet. We also included a group pair-fed with the zinc-deficient group to control for decreased appetite due to zinc deficiency. Developing fetuses at embryonic day 18.

Polymer solar cells with ternary blend nanolayers.

We report polymer solar cells with a polymer blend nanolayer (film) that consists of two electron-donating polymers and one electron-accepting polymer. Regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and poly[2-methoxy-5-(3',7'-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MDMO-PPV) were employed as electron-donating polymers, whilst poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT) was used as an electron-accepting polymer. Two kinds of solvent and film thickness were applied to examine their effect on the device characteristics.

Silencing of the CKII alpha and CKII alpha' genes during cellular senescence is mediated by DNA methylation.

Previously we reported that down-regulation of CKII activity is tightly associated with cellular senescence and that the mRNA and protein levels of CKII alpha decrease during senescence. The present study demonstrates that the mRNA and protein levels of CKII alpha' also decrease during senescence. Knockdown of CKII alpha' in IMR-90 cells by RNA interference induced the senescent phenotype.

A new algorithm for detecting low-complexity regions in protein sequences.

Motivation: Pair-wise alignment of protein sequences and local similarity searches produce many false positives because of compositionally biased regions, also called low-complexity regions (LCRs), of amino acid residues. Masking and filtering such regions significantly improves the reliability of homology searches and, consequently, functional predictions. Most of the available algorithms are based on a statistical approach.

Resveratrol derivatives potently induce apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia cells.

Resveratrol has been shown to possess antioxidant and anticancer activities, but little is known on the effect of resveratrol derivatives. Recently we have isolated resveratrol and its dimers and trimers from peony (Paeonia lactiflora) seeds, and reported their strong antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. In the present study, we have evaluated cellular effects of resveratrol derivatives; viniferin, gnetin H, and suffruticosol B on the proliferation and apoptosis in HL-60 cells in vitro.