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Formation of the blastocoel in early Xenopus embryos was studied with a novel biotin-permeability assay and newly generated tight junction markers. The blastocoel forms at the first cleavage division since functional tight junctions which excluded biotin and established a segregated intraembryonic compartment were found at the 2-cell and all subsequent developmental stages. Unexpectedly, tight junctions before the 64-cell stage were not at their normal apical positions, but were found deep in the embryos, up to 200 [[micro]meter] from the apical surface. In these positions, the tight junctions left large areas of ion permeable lateral membranes exposed to the extraembryonic environment, explaining why electrophysiological experiments record a decrease in embryonic input resistances concomitant with early cleavage stages. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the recessed tight junctions did not influence the distribution of C-cadherin and [Na.sup.+], [K.sup.+]ATPase. Both markers were present apical to recessed tight junctions, indicating that the maintenance of polarization of these basolateral markers does not require tight junctions. With further development, tight junctions assumed an increasingly apical location until, by the 2000-cell stage, they occupied their conventional positions between the blastomeres at the apical/lateral membrane boundaries.

In the bivoltine strain of the silkworm, Bombyx mori , embryonic diapause is induced transgenerationally as a maternal effect. Progeny diapause ability is determined by the environmental condition such as temperature and lightness that mothers experience during their own embryonic development. Diapause preparation is a crucial phase of this process; diapause-destined individuals undergo a series of preparatory events before the entry into developmental arrest. However, the molecular regulatory mechanisms of diapause preparation have largely remained unknown. In the present study, we sequenced the transcriptome of bivoltine silkworm Qiufeng's ovaries resulted in laying of diapause destined or non-diapause eggs, using high-throughput RNA-Seq technology. Differential expression analyses identified 183 genes with higher expression, and 106 with lower expression under diapause-inducing conditions. GO and KEGG analysis revealed that the enrichment of several functional terms related to peroxisome, glycerolipid metabolism, steroid biosynthesis, longevity regulating pathway - multiple species, three signaling transductions, insect hormone biosynthesis, and cytoskeleton components. We conducted a detailed comparison of transcript profile data of ovaries from diapause-inducing and non-diapause conditions, the results imply up-regulation of peroxisomal metabolism, triacylglycerides accumulation, cryoprotectant production, and ecdysteroid biosynthesis in diapause-inducing group. Differential expression of genes related to actin cytoskeleton implies the occurrence of shifts in cellular structure and composition between diapause-inducing and non-diapause-inducing groups. The Hippo and FOXO signaling pathways may play an important role in preparing for entering diapause. This study provides an insight into the molecular events of insect diapause, in particular for the preparatory phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental awareness is currently significant caring in all industrial sectors, particularly in the animal industries. Animals are directly affected by environmental conditions and climate changes. Working dog is costly production in time and money to be successful. Health and temperament are key factors to be successful in training dog program. Working training dog school, NPUST is located in mountainous areas. The weather has frequently extreme change in temperature and humidity. The changes cause the heat in in-house and humidity in the air that may cause the dog illness. Therefore, working training dog school has to provide an appropriate kennel environment for all dogs throughout the training program. In order to secure the dogs, the automatic environmental sensing should be deployed. Web sensors and radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies were integrated, and have been implemented that are the weather sensing system and in-out control system, combining with health care management. Web based monitoring systems have provided based on user-friendly interface along with real-time information. In addition, it is very attractive use when the system operating via more convenient for computer and mobile communication devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Integrity of the intestinal epithelium is required for nutrition absorption and defense against pathogens. Claudins are cell adhesion molecules that localize at tight junctions (TJs); many are expressed in the intestinal tract, but little is known about their functions. Claudin-7 is unique in that it has a stronger basolateral membrane distribution than other claudins, which localize primarily to apical TJs in the intestinal epithelium. We investigated the basolateral functions of claudin-7 and assessed the effects of disruption of Cldn7 in intestines of mice. Methods: We generated Cldn7 −/− mice and examined their intestines by histology, molecular and cellular biology, and biochemistry approaches. We performed gene silencing experiments in epithelial cell lines using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Results: The Cldn7 −/− mice had severe intestinal defects that included mucosal ulcerations, epithelial cell sloughing, and inflammation. Intestines of Cldn7 −/− mice produced significantly higher levels of cytokines, the nuclear factor κB p65 subunit, and cyclooxygenase 2; they also up-regulated expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-3 and -7. siRNA in epithelial cell lines showed that the increased expression of MMP-3 resulted directly from claudin-7 depletion, whereas that of MMP-7 resulted from inflammation. Electron microscopy analysis showed that intestines of Cldn7 −/− mice had intercellular gaps below TJs and cell matrix loosening. Deletion of Cldn7 reduced expression and altered localization of the integrin α2 subunit in addition to disrupting formation of complexes of claudin-7, integrin α2, and claudin-1 that normally form in epithelial basolateral compartments of intestines. Conclusions: In mice, claudin-7 has non-TJ functions, including maintenance of epithelial cell–matrix interactions and intestinal homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nanomaterials can enhance the delivery and treatment efficiency of anticancer drugs, but the mechanisms of the tumor-reducing activity of ferrous-ferric oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) with daunorubicin (DNR) have not been established. Here we investigate the synergistic effects of Fe3O4 NPs with DNR on the induction of apoptosis using K562 leukemia cells. Fe3O4 NPs increased the ability of DNR to induce apoptosis in both adriamycin-sensitive and adriamycin-resistant K562 cells through the caspase 8-poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase pathway. Fe3O4 NPs combined with DNR also effectively inhibited the tumor growth induced by the inoculation of K562 cells into nude mice. The increased cell apoptotic rate was closely correlated with the enhanced inhibition of tumor growth. Biodistribution studies in xenograft tumors indicated that Fe3O4 NPs could be potentially excreted from the body via the gastrointestinal system. In conclusion, our study suggests that Fe3O4 NPs combined with anticancer drugs could serve as a better alternative for targeted therapeutic approaches to cancer treatments.▪ From the Clinical Editor: In this paper, the synergistic effects on tumor growth of ferrous-ferric oxide nanoparticles with daunorubicin are investigated. The combined treatment was demonstrated to be superior in a leukemia cell line murine model in vivo. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: δ-Catenin, or neural plakophilin-related armadillo protein, is a unique armadillo domain-containing protein in that it is neural-specific and primarily expressed in the brain. However, our recent analysis of the human genome revealed a consistent association of δ-catenin messenger RNA sequences with malignant cells, although the significance of these findings was unclear. In this study, we report that a number of δ-catenin epitopes were expressed in human prostate cancer cells. Western blot and tissue microarray revealed a close association between increased δ-catenin expression and human primary prostatic adenocarcinomas. The analyses of 90 human prostate cancer and 90 benign prostate tissue samples demonstrated that an estimated 85% of prostatic adenocarcinomas showed enhanced δ-catenin immunoreactivity. δ-Catenin expression increased with prognostically significant increased Gleason scores. By analyzing the same tumor cell clusters using consecutive sections, we showed that an increased δ-catenin immunoreactivity was accompanied by the down-regulation and redistribution of E-cadherin and p120ctn, major cell junction proteins whose inactivation is frequently associated with cancer progression. Furthermore, overexpression of δ-catenin in tumorigenic CWR-R1 cells that are derived from human prostate cancer xenograft resulted in reduced immunoreactivity for E-cadherin and p120ctn at the cell-cell junction. This is the first study comparing overexpression of δ-catenin with the E-cadherin/catenin system in cancer and shows that δ-catenin may be intimately involved in regulating E-cadherin/p120ctn cell-cell adhesion in prostate cancer progression. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Al-powder-supported Pd, Rh, and Rh-Pd catalysts were synthesized through a spontaneous redox reaction in aqueous solutions. These catalysts hydrodebrominated 4- and 4,4′-bromodiphenyl ethers in supercritical carbon dioxide at 200 atm CO 2 containing 10 atm H 2 and 80 °C in 1 h. Diphenyl ether was the major product of Pd/Al. Rh/Al and Rh-Pd/Al further hydrogenated two benzene rings of diphenyl ether to form dicyclohexyl ether. The hydrogenolysis of C O bonds on diphenyl ether over Rh/Al and Rh-Pd/Al was observed to generate cyclohexanol and cyclohexane (<1%). With respect to hydrodebromination efficiency and catalyst stability, Rh-Pd/Al among three catalysts is suggested to be used for ex situ degradation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in supercritical carbon dioxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A series of cyclometalated platinum complexes with diverse coordination patterns and geometries were screened for their anticancer activity. It was discovered that the N^C^N-coordinated platinum complex based on 1,3-di(pyridyl)benzene displayed much higher cytotoxicity against human lung cancer cells NCI-H522, HCC827, and NCI-H1299, and human prostate cancer cell RV1 than cisplatin. In a sharp contrast, the C^N^N-coordinated platinum complex based on 6-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine was ineffective on these cancer cells. This remarkable difference in cytotoxicity displayed by N^C^N- and C^N^N-coordinated platinum complexes was related to the trans effect of the carbon donor in the cyclometalated platinum complexes, which played a crucial role in facilitating the dissociation of the chloride ligand to create an active binding site. The DNA binding was studied for the N^C^N-coordinated platinum complex using electrophoresis and emission titration. The cellular uptake observed by fluorescent microscope showed that the complex is largely concentrated in the cytoplasm. The possible pathways for the cell apoptosis were studied by western blot analysis and the activation of PARP via caspase 7 was observed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: The expression of the melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE) genes consists of variables in all tumor types, such as lung cancer, which are relevant to be silent in all normal tissues except germ cells. They are considered as tumor-specific antigens, and are ideal targets for cancer immunotherapy. A complete MAGE genes differential expression profile analysis of lung cancer can provide this study not only various target genes for immunotherapy, but also valuable markers for further diagnosis and prognosis. This research has constructed a membrane array, which was consisted 32 MAGE genes, to detect whether the differential expression profile occurred in 52 pairs of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) samples. Nearly 32 MAGE genes have been differential expressed in NSCLC except MAGE-B1 and -E2. MAGE-B, -C, -D, and subgroup -B6, -D4 have showed prominences in lung adenocarcinoma. High-frequent expression of MAGE-D, and subgroup -A2, -D2 has also been discovered in non-metastasis group (p <0.05). However, there is no significant difference of MAGE genes differential expression shown among different primary tumor (T), nodal involvement (N) and overall stages. Several MAGE subgroup genes, such as MAGE-A5, -A7, -A8, -A9, -A11, -B3, -B4, -B10, -D2, -D3, -F1, -G1, -H1, and -L2, have been first discovered to show differential expression in NSCLC. Although the small size of the sample may limit the diagnostic and prognostic value of MAGE genes, the function of the membrane array can provide this study a high-throughput method to detect the whole MAGE genes differential expression profile. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A novel zinc(II) metal-organic framework (MOF) {[(CH 3 ) 2 NH 2 ] 2 [Zn 5 (TDA) 4 (TZ) 4 ] . 4DMF} n ( 1 ) (H 2 TDA = thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylic acid and HTZ = 1 H -1,2,4-Triazole) based on Zn 5 (COO) 2 (TZ) 4 pentametallic clusters and thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylic acid was synthesized and structurally characterized via the mixed-ligand strategy. This MOF exhibits a uninodal 6-connected anionic framework with pcu topology and shows solvent stability. Post-functionalization via cation exchange of 1 with Eu 3+ and Tb 3+ afforded two lanthanide (III) functionalized MOFs: Eu 3+ @1 and Tb 3+ @1 . 1 as well as Eu 3+ @1 and Tb 3+ @1 were utilized as a highly selective and sensitive turn-off luminescent sensors for detecting aniline, benzaldehyde in DMF and Cr 2 O 7 2− , CrO 4 2− in water with low detection limits. More importantly, it is rather rare in MOF-based luminescent probes that 1 and its lanthanide (III) post-functionalized materials ( Eu 3+ @1 and Tb 3+ @1 ) can detect aniline, benzaldehyde, Cr 2 O 7 2− and CrO 4 2− . Furthermore, the sensitivity of 1 as luminescent probes for detecting aniline and benzaldehyde could be improved via post-functionalization with Eu 3+ ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vermi-biofilter (VF) System could be an efficient sludge treatment unit in regard of rates and extents of total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) removal, particularly the first 10 days earthworm-treated. This study characterized the organic matter in sludge before and after VF system treatment, with or without earthworm stage. The 60 days earthworm-treated VF system reached a TCOD removal of 10,450 mg/L, bulk DOC removal of 89.5 mg/L, and earthworm density increase from 32 g/L to 43 g/L in sludge EBOM in 60 days of VF system operation. The aromatic proteins, soluble microbial byproduct-like fluorescent compounds and carboxylic components, aliphatic components (C-H related), hydrocarbon and carbohydrate materials were identified to be principally increased by 10 days earthworm-treated and then degradation in the nest days under VF system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Isoforskolin was isolated from Coleus forskohlii native to Yunnan in China. We hypothesize that isoforskolin pretreatment attenuates acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin). Three acute lung injury models were used: situ perfused rat lung, rat and mouse models of endotoxic shock. Additionally, lipopolysaccharide stimulated proinflammatory cytokine production was evaluated in human mononuclear leukocyte. In situ perfused rat lungs, pre-perfusion with isoforskolin (100, and 200μM) and dexamethasone (65μM, positive control) inhibited lipopolysaccharide (10 mg/L) induced increases in lung neutrophil adhesion rate, myeloperoxidase activity, lung weight Wet/Dry ratio, permeability-surface area product value, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels. In rats, pretreatments with isoforskolin (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) and dexamethasone (5mg/kg, i.p.) markedly reduced lipopolysaccharide (6mg/kg i.v.) induced increases of karyocyte, neutrophil counts and protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and plasma myeloperoxidase activity. Lung histopathology showed that morphologic changes induced by lipopolysaccharide were less pronounced in the isoforskolin and dexamethasone pretreated rats. In mice, 5 mg/kg isoforskolin and dexamethasone caused 100% and 80% survival, respectively, after administration of lipopolysaccharide (62.5mg/kg, i.v., 40% survival if untreated). In human mononuclear leukocyte, isoforskolin (50, 100, and 200μM) and dexamethasone (10μM) pre-incubation lowered lipopolysaccharide (2μg/mL) induced secretion of the cytokine TNF-α, and interleukins (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8. In conclusion, pretreatment with isoforskolin attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in several models, and it is involved in down-regulation of inflammatory responses and proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]