Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
New Components (new + component)
Selected Abstracts18-Succinyloxyabieta-8,11,13-triene as a New Component from Green Shoots of the Siberian Fir.CHEMINFORM, Issue 31 2006V. A. Raldugin Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF. [source] New component of the limbic system: Marginal division of the neostriatum that links the limbic system to the basal nucleus of MeynertJOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 5 2003Si Yun Shu Abstract The limbic system refers to a group of connected neural regions that are associated with motivation, learning, and memory. The marginal division (MrD) is a zone located at the caudal border of the neostriatum in mammalian brains that has been shown to be involved in learning and memory. In a previous study, c-fos expression showed functional connections between the MrD, basal nucleus of Meynert (NBM) and limbic system (Shu et al., 1988a, 1999). In the present study, to explore the relationship between these regions, the expression of limbic system-associated membrane protein (LAMP) was investigated using molecular and immunohistochemical methods. Synaptic and functional connections between the MrD and the NBM were studied also using tract tracing, electron microscopic and behavioral methods. LAMP is thought to be a marker of the limbic system and expression of LAMP protein and mRNA was observed in both the MrD and the limbic system. From such results, it is concluded that the MrD is a new component of the limbic system. Fibers from the MrD were observed projecting and synapsing on cholinergic neurons of the NBM. As reduction of learning and memory was induced by lesioning the projection from the MrD to the NBM, it would seem that the MrD modulates the learning and memory function of the NBM. In conclusion, the results of these studies suggest that the MrD is a new component of the limbic system, and there are functional and structural connections between the MrD, NBM and limbic system. The MrD seems to act as a link between the limbic system and the NBM, and plays a role in learning and memory. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Renin-angiotensin system revisitedJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2008F. Fyhrquist Abstract. New components and functions of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) are still being unravelled. The classical RAS as it looked in the middle 1970s consisted of circulating renin, acting on angiotensinogen to produce angiotensin I, which in turn was converted into angiotensin II (Ang II) by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Ang II, still considered the main effector of RAS was believed to act only as a circulating hormone via angiotensin receptors, AT1 and AT2. Since then, an expanded view of RAS has gradually emerged. Local tissue RAS systems have been identified in most organs. Recently, evidence for an intracellular RAS has been reported. The new expanded view of RAS therefore covers both endocrine, paracrine and intracrine functions. Other peptides of RAS have been shown to have biological actions; angiotensin 2,8 heptapeptide (Ang III) has actions similar to those of Ang II. Further, the angiotensin 3,8 hexapeptide (Ang IV) exerts its actions via insulin-regulated amino peptidase receptors. Finally, angiotensin 1,7 (Ang 1,7) acts via mas receptors. The discovery of another ACE2 was an important complement to this picture. The recent discovery of renin receptors has made our view of RAS unexpectedly complex and multilayered. The importance of RAS in cardiovascular disease has been demonstrated by the clinical benefits of ACE inhibitors and AT1 receptor blockers. Great expectations are now generated by the introduction of renin inhibitors. Indeed, RAS regulates much more and diverse physiological functions than previously believed. [source] CAST2: identification and characterization of a protein structurally related to the presynaptic cytomatrix protein CASTGENES TO CELLS, Issue 1 2004Maki Deguchi-Tawarada The cytomatrix at the active zone (CAZ) is thought to define the site of Ca2+ -dependent exocytosis of neurotransmitters. We have recently identified a novel CAZ protein from rat brain which we have named CAST (CAZ-associated structural protein). CAST forms a large molecular complex with other CAZ proteins such as Bassoon, RIM1 and Munc13-1, at least through direct binding to RIM1. Here, we have identified a rat protein that is structurally related to CAST and named it CAST2. Subcellular fractionation analysis of rat brain shows that CAST2 is also tightly associated with the postsynaptic density fraction. Like CAST, CAST2 directly binds RIM1 and forms a hetero-oligomer with CAST. In primary cultured rat hippocampal neurones, CAST2 co-localizes with Bassoon at synapses. Furthermore, immunoelectron microscopy reveals that CAST2 localizes to the vicinity of the presynaptic membrane of synapses in mouse brain. Sequence analysis reveals that CAST2 is a rat orthologue of the human protein ELKS. ELKS has also recently been identified as Rab6IP2 and ERC1. Accordingly, the original CAST is tentatively re-named CAST1. These results indicate that CAST2 is a new component of the CAZ and, together with CAST1, may be involved in the formation of the CAZ structure. [source] Working memory and Down syndromeJOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 12 2007A. Baddeley Abstract A brief account is given of the evolution of the concept of working memory from a unitary store into a multicomponent system. Four components are distinguished, the phonological loop which is responsible for maintaining speech-based information, the visuospatial sketchpad performing a similar function for visual information, the central executive which acts as an attentional control system, and finally a new component, the episodic buffer. The buffer comprises a temporary multidimensional store which is assumed to form an interface between the various subsystems of working memory, long-term memory, and perception. The operation of the model is then illustrated through an account of a research programme concerned with the analysis of working memory in Down syndrome. [source] New component of the limbic system: Marginal division of the neostriatum that links the limbic system to the basal nucleus of MeynertJOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 5 2003Si Yun Shu Abstract The limbic system refers to a group of connected neural regions that are associated with motivation, learning, and memory. The marginal division (MrD) is a zone located at the caudal border of the neostriatum in mammalian brains that has been shown to be involved in learning and memory. In a previous study, c-fos expression showed functional connections between the MrD, basal nucleus of Meynert (NBM) and limbic system (Shu et al., 1988a, 1999). In the present study, to explore the relationship between these regions, the expression of limbic system-associated membrane protein (LAMP) was investigated using molecular and immunohistochemical methods. Synaptic and functional connections between the MrD and the NBM were studied also using tract tracing, electron microscopic and behavioral methods. LAMP is thought to be a marker of the limbic system and expression of LAMP protein and mRNA was observed in both the MrD and the limbic system. From such results, it is concluded that the MrD is a new component of the limbic system. Fibers from the MrD were observed projecting and synapsing on cholinergic neurons of the NBM. As reduction of learning and memory was induced by lesioning the projection from the MrD to the NBM, it would seem that the MrD modulates the learning and memory function of the NBM. In conclusion, the results of these studies suggest that the MrD is a new component of the limbic system, and there are functional and structural connections between the MrD, NBM and limbic system. The MrD seems to act as a link between the limbic system and the NBM, and plays a role in learning and memory. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] An additional soft X-ray component in the dim low/hard state of black hole binariesMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 3 2010C. Y. Chiang ABSTRACT We test the truncated disc models using multiwavelength (optical/ultraviolet/X-ray) data from the 2005 hard state outburst of the black hole Swift J1753.5,0127. This system is both fairly bright and has fairly low interstellar absorption, so gives one of the best data sets to study the weak, cool disc emission in this state. We fit these data using models of an X-ray illuminated disc to constrain the inner disc radius throughout the outburst. Close to the peak, the observed soft X-ray component is consistent with being produced by the inner disc, with its intrinsic emission enhanced in temperature and luminosity by reprocessing of hard X-ray illumination in an overlap region between the disc and corona. This disc emission provides the seed photons for Compton scattering to produce the hard X-ray spectrum, and these hard X-rays also illuminate the outer disc, producing the optical emission by reprocessing. However, the situation is very different as the outburst declines. The optical is probably cyclo-synchrotron radiation, self-generated by the flow, rather than tracing the outer disc. Similarly, limits from reprocessing make it unlikely that the soft X-rays are directly tracing the inner disc radius. Instead they appear to be from a new component. This is seen more clearly in a similarly dim low/hard state spectrum from XTE J1118+480, where the 10 times lower interstellar absorption allows a correspondingly better view of the ultraviolet/extreme ultraviolet (EUV) emission. The very small emitting area implied by the relatively high temperature soft X-ray component is completely inconsistent with the much larger, cooler, ultraviolet component which is well fit by a truncated disc. We speculate on the origin of this component, but its existence as a clearly separate spectral component from the truncated disc in XTE J1118+480 shows that it does not simply trace the inner disc radius, so cannot constrain the truncated disc models. [source] Vesicle amine transport protein-1 (VAT-1) is upregulated in glioblastomas and promotes migrationNEUROPATHOLOGY & APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009S. Mertsch Aim:,Diffuse invasion of single-glioma cells is the main obstacle to successful therapy of these tumours. After identifying vesicle amine transport protein-1 (VAT-1) as being upregulated in invasive human gliomas, we study its possible function in glioblastoma cell migration. Methods:,Based on data obtained from previous oligonucleotide arrays, we investigated expression of VAT-1 in glioblastoma tissue and cell lines on mRNA levels using reverse transcriptase PCR. Furthermore, we examined the amount and localization of VAT-1 protein using immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Using small interfering RNA technology we repressed VAT-1 expression in human glioma cell lines and analysed their migration using wound healing and transwell migration assays. Results:,Increased VAT-1 mRNA and protein levels were found in glioblastoma tissues and cell lines compared with normal human brain. Small interfering RNA-mediated VAT-1 knockdown led to significantly reduced migration of human glioma cells. Conclusions:,VAT-1 is overexpressed in glioblastomas and functionally involved in glioma cell migration, representing a new component involved in glioma invasion. [source] Planum parietale of chimpanzees and orangutans: A comparative resonance of human-like planum temporale asymmetryTHE ANATOMICAL RECORD : ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005Patrick J. Gannon Abstract We have previously demonstrated that leftward asymmetry of the planum temporale (PT), a brain language area, was not unique to humans since a similar condition is present in great apes. Here we report on a related area in great apes, the planum parietale (PP). PP in humans has a rightward asymmetry with no correlation to the L>R PT, which indicates functional independence. The roles of the PT in human language are well known while PP is implicated in dyslexia and communication disorders. Since posterior bifurcation of the sylvian fissure (SF) is unique to humans and great apes, we used it to determine characteristics of its posterior ascending ramus, an indicator of the PP, in chimpanzee and orangutan brains. Results showed a human-like pattern of R>L PP (P = 0.04) in chimpanzees with a nonsignificant negative correlation of L>R PT vs. R>L PP (CC = ,0.3; P = 0.39). In orangutans, SF anatomy is more variable, although PP was nonsignificantly R>L in three of four brains (P = 0.17). We have now demonstrated human-like hemispheric asymmetry of a second language-related brain area in great apes. Our findings persuasively support an argument for addition of a new component to the comparative neuroanatomic complex that defines brain language or polymodal communication areas. PP strengthens the evolutionary links that living great apes may offer to better understand the origins of these progressive parts of the brain. Evidence mounts for the stable expression of a neural foundation for language in species that we recently shared a common ancestor with. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Concept Shifting and the Radical Product Development ProcessTHE JOURNAL OF PRODUCT INNOVATION MANAGEMENT, Issue 6 2007Victor P. Seidel Radical product development projects, which are undertaken to create new categories of products, present significant challenges to development teams. In such settings existing formal processes may be limited or inappropriate, and objectives may be ambiguous and changing. The generation of a novel product concept early in the process can play an important role in guiding development teams, but the process by which teams later change concepts, as may be required within radical contexts, has merited further research. This study investigated how teams change novel product concepts after initial generation, employing an inductive case-study method drawing from 51 interviews with members of six radical development projects. The empirical results found that concepts were described in terms of concept components,elemental descriptive forms that included verbal stories, verbal metaphors, and physical prototypes. When changes were required to concepts due to new technical or market information, rather than reconsider the overall concept through iteration to earlier product definition stages, teams shifted individual concept components, with a new component replacing a component of similar descriptive form. Over half of concept components observed across cases came after the initial generation of concepts in later elaboration and shifting. Contrary to expectations, development teams maintained reference not only to the revised concept but also to the deferred original concept. The case of a novel electronic book development project is used to illustrate the process, along with evidence of concept shifting across cases. The detailed findings expand our understanding of how formal processes may be augmented in radical innovation settings and how concepts are actually used by development teams in changing circumstances. [source] Culture and in vitro hepatogenic differentiation of placenta-derived stem cells, using placental extract as an alternative to serumCELL PROLIFERATION, Issue 5 2010K. S. Shin Objectives:, Translational research using adult stem cells derived from various tissues has been highlighted in cell-based therapy. However, there are many limitations to using conventional culture systems of adult stem cells for clinically applicability, including limited combinations of cytokines and use of nutrients derived from animals. Here, we have investigated the effects of placental extract (PE) for culture of placenta-derived stem cells (PDSCs) as well as their potential for hepatogenic differentiation. Materials and methods:, Placental extract, extracted using water-soluble methods, was used as a supplement for culture of PDSCs. Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay, and cytokine assay was performed using Luminex assay kit. Gene expression, indocyanine green (ICG) up-take, PAS (Periodic Acid-Schiff) staining and urea production were also analysed. Results:, The placental extract contained several types of cytokine and chemokine essential for maintenance and differentiation of stem cells. Expression of stemness markers in PDSCs cultured with PE is no different from that of PDSCs cultured with foetal bovine serum (FBS). After hepatogenic differentiation, expression patterns for hepatocyte-specific markers in PDSCs cultured with PE were consistent and potential for hepatogenic differentiation of PDSCs cultured with PE was similar to that of PDSCs cultured with FBS, as shown by PAS staining and urea production assays. Conclusions:, Our findings revealed that placental extract could be used as a new component for culture of adult stem cells, as well as for development of human-based medium, in translational research for regenerative medicine. [source] Coupling integrated Earth System Model components with BFG2CONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 6 2009C. W. Armstrong Abstract GENIE is a suite of modular Earth System Model components coupled in a variety of configurations used to investigate climate phenomena. As part of the GENIEfy project, there is a desire to make the activity of coupling GENIE configurations more flexible in order to ease the integration of new components, permit experimentation with alternative model orderings and connectivity, and execute GENIE components in distributed environments. The current coupling framework is inflexible because models are run in a fixed order by a prescriptive main code. This paper shows how the BFG2 (Bespoke Framework Generator,version 2) coupling tool offers significantly more flexibility. Using BFG2, scientists describe GENIE configurations as metadata that can then be transformed automatically into the desired framework. It is demonstrated that BFG2 provides flexibility in composition and deployment, improvements that are brought without modification to the GENIE components, without loss of performance and in a such a manner that it is possible to produce exactly the same results as under the original framework. We also demonstrate how BFG2 may be used to improve the performance of future GENIE coupled models. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Identification of phospholipids as new components that assist in the in vitro trimerization of a bacterial pore proteinFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 3 2001Hans De Cock The in vitro trimerization of folded monomers of the bacterial pore protein PhoE, into its native-like, heat- and SDS-stable form requires incubations with isolated cell envelopes and Triton X-100. The possibility that membranes could be isolated that are enriched in assembly factors required for assembly of the pore protein was now investigated. Fractionation of total cell envelopes of Escherichia coli via various techniques indeed revealed the existence of membrane fractions with different capacities to support assembly in vitro. Fractions containing mainly inner membrane vesicles supported the formation of trimers that were associated with these membrane vesicles. However, only a proportion of these trimers were heat- and SDS-stable and these were formed with slow kinetics. In contrast, fractions containing mainly outer membrane vesicles supported formation of high amounts of heat-stable trimers with fast kinetics. We identified phospholipids as active assembly components in these membranes that support trimerization of folded monomers in a process with similar characteristics as observed with inner membrane vesicles. Furthermore, phospholipids strongly stimulate the kinetics of trimerization and increase the final yield of heat-stable trimers in the context of outer membranes. We propose that lipopolysaccharides stabilize the assembly competent state of folded monomers as a lipochaperone. Phospholipids are involved in converting the folded monomer into new assembly competent intermediate with a short half-life that will form heat-stable trimers most efficiently in the context of outer membrane vesicles. These results provide biochemical evidence for the involvement of different lipidic components at distinct stages of the porin assembly process. [source] Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline and volatile components from pandan leavesFLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2004Natta Laohakunjit Abstract The ,avour of pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.) leaves was extracted by supercritical ,uid with CO2 (SC-CO2) under different conditions of pressure, temperature and contact time to determine the yield of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (ACPY) and various other components; 14 volatile compounds on the gas chromatogram were identi,ed, and the predominant constituents were ACPY and 3-methyl-2(5H)-furanone. The interaction of different conditions signi,cantly in,uenced the yield of ACPY and various volatile compounds. There is a potential for high yield of ACPY by SC-CO2 at 200 bar, 500 °C and 20 min. The SDE,ether extract was found to have a very small amount of ACPY and an undesirable odour, as compared to the dark green ethanol extract, which contains a relatively larger quantity of ACPY and even more 3-methyl-2(5H)-furanone. Although at least 34 new components were uncovered from SC-CO2, SDE, and ethanol extraction, both ACPY and 3-methyl-2(5H)-furanone were the components tentatively obtained by all three methods. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Calcineurin phosphatase in signal transduction: lessons from fission yeastGENES TO CELLS, Issue 7 2002Reiko Sugiura Calcineurin (protein phosphatase 2B), the only serine/threonine phosphatase under the control of Ca2+/calmodulin, is an important mediator in signal transmission, connecting the Ca2+ -dependent signalling to a wide variety of cellular responses. Furthermore, calcineurin is specifically inhibited by the immunosuppressant drugs cyclosporin A and tacrolimus (FK506), and these drugs have been a powerful tool for identifying many of the roles of calcineurin. Calcineurin is enriched in the neural tissues, and also distributes broadly in other tissues. The structure of the protein is highly conserved from yeast to man. The combined use of powerful genetics and of specific calcineurin inhibitors in fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe (S. pombe) identified new components of the calcineurin pathway, and defined new roles of calcineurin in the regulation of the many cellular processes. Recent data has revealed functional interactions in which calcineurin phosphatase is involved, such as the cross-talk between the Pmk1 MAP kinase signalling, or the PI signalling. Calcineurin also participates in membrane traffic and cytokinesis of fission yeast through its functional connection with members of the small GTPase Rab/Ypt family, and Type II myosin, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of fission yeast genetic studies to elucidate conserved elements of signal transduction cascades. [source] Roles of partly unfolded conformations in macromolecular self-assemblyGENES TO CELLS, Issue 1 2001Keiichi Namba From genes to cells there are many steps of hierarchical increments in building up complex frameworks that provide intricate networks of macromolecular interactions, through which cellular activities such as gene expression, signal processing, energy transduction and material conversion are dynamically organized and regulated. The self-assembly of macromolecules into large complexes is one such important step, but this process is by no means a simple aggregation of macromolecules with predefined, rigid complementary structures. In many cases the component molecules undergo either domain rearrangements or folding of disordered portions, which occurs only following binding to their correct partners. The partial disorder is used in some cases to prevent spontaneous assembly at inappropriate times or locations. It is also often used for finely tuning the equilibrium and activation energy of reversible binding. In other cases, such as protein translocation across membranes, an unfolded terminus appears to be the prerequisite for the process as an initiation signal, as well as the physical necessity to be taken into narrow channels. Self-assembly processes of viruses and bacterial flagella are typical examples where the induced folding of disordered chains plays a key role in regulating the addition of new components to a growing assembly. Various aspects of mechanistic roles of natively unfolded conformations of proteins are overviewed and discussed in this short review. [source] Incorporating Sectoral Structure into Shift,Share AnalysisGROWTH AND CHANGE, Issue 4 2009MIGUEL A. MÁRQUEZ ABSTRACT The objective of this article is to present a new way to incorporate the sectoral dimension within the components of regional growth provided by the traditional shift,share analysis. The new methodology elaborates the way that the dynamics of a specific sector in a region are influenced by the performance of other sectors, the latter decomposed between national, structural, and differential effects. To illustrate this extension of the shift,share method, an application is provided using data for the Spanish region of Extremadura for the period 1990,2004. The results highlight how these new components can shed new insights into the analysis of sectoral and regional economic growth processes. [source] Personal mobility support in future service architecturesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 9 2001P. P. Demestichas Abstract Support for personal mobility will be among the key factors for success in the competitive communications market of the future. This paper proposes enhancements to the personal mobility support capabilities of service architectures. The TINA service architecture is used as a reference, even though our approach is applicable to other models as well. Our starting point is a business case that falls into the realm of personal mobility. The aim of the business case is to enable users that are found outside their home domain to access services by choosing the best visited retailer, i.e. the one offering adequate quality services in the most cost-efficient manner. In the sequel the following key issues are addressed. First, the introduction of the additional functionality that is required for supporting the business case, and the realisation through appropriate service components. Second, the integration of the new service components in the standard TINA service architecture. Third, the detailed description of a version of the logic of the new components. In this last respect, we formally state, mathematically formulate and solve problems related to the visited retailer selection. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Anterior Esthetic Rehabilitation on Teeth and Dental Implants Optimized with Procera® Technology: A Case ReportJOURNAL OF ESTHETIC AND RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY, Issue 3 2001PASCAL BONNARD DDS ABSTRACT With the latest developments of the Procera® system, all-ceramic crowns have become an attractive solution to provide functional and esthetic rehabilitation on teeth and dental implants. The Procera AllCeram crown and Procera Abutment embrace the concept of computer-assisted design and computer-assisted machining (CAD/CAM) and can be used together for optimal esthetic result. The purpose of this case report was to illustrate the advantages of these new components for complex anterior rehabilitation. Three natural teeth and a Procera Abutment were restored using four Procera AllCeram crowns. Treatment planning and esthetic benefits are discussed. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE For complex anterior rehabilitations, the Procera system fulfills both functional and esthetic objectives, providing a new way in the field of esthetic and restorative dentistry. Nevertheless, planning and preparation stages are decisive for successful treatment. [source] PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MODIFIED WHEAT GLUTEN BY ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS-ULTRAFILTRATIONJOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2008JIN-SHUI WANG ABSTRACT The present work was aimed to investigate the characteristics of the modified wheat gluten by enzymatic hydrolysis followed ultrafiltration membrane fractionation. An 8% aqueous dispersion of wheat gluten was hydrolyzed by papain, and then subjected to ultrafiltration membrane for fractionation. The molecular mass of the peptides released during enzymatic hydrolysis of gluten was in the range of 5,000,15,000 D according to gel permeation chromatography profiles. The resultant hydrolysate (retentate fraction) after membrane fractionation produced the desired products with a protein yield of about 89%. The modified glutens had higher surface hydrophobicity compared with the original gluten. Moreover, the modified gluten protein had superior solubility to the original gluten in pH 3,10. The enhanced foaming capacity in the pH ranges studied had been found in the modified gluten. The improved functional properties of the modified gluten were related to the well-balanced distribution of hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains. The modified gluten was rich in glutamic acid and proline. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Gluten is an economically important byproduct during processing of wheat starch. The expanded utilization of gluten in food and nonfood applications had been limited for lack of desirable functional properties. To extend the range of available functional properties it needs to be investigated further. The limited enzymatic hydrolysis and membrane ultrafiltration had been extensively studied and had been shown to be very effective for improving the functional properties of the proteins. In this present study, wheat gluten was modified by enzymatic hydrolysis , membrane ultrafiltration fractionation. This method was proved to be an efficient way to modify wheat gluten protein. The functional properties of the modified glutens were significantly improved compared to the original gluten. It is expected that the modified gluten with enhanced functional properties could be used in a wide range of foods as new components to enhance their nutritional value and functional properties in food processing. [source] Molecular mass determination of plasma-derived glycoproteins by ultraviolet matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry with internal calibrationJOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 11 2002Omar Belgacem Abstract Human plasma-derived antithrombin III (AT-III), factor IX (FIX) and vitronectin (VN) were characterized as native glycoproteins and in their de- N -glycosylated form by means of MALDI mass spectrometry. The average molecular masses of the three complex glycoproteins were determined applying internal calibration with high-mass, well-defined protein calibrants. Internal calibration generated for the 47 kDa yeast protein enolase a mass precision in the continuous and delayed extraction mode of ±0.12 and ±0.022%, respectively. The achievable mass accuracy for such a high-mass, unmodified protein was in the range of 0.02% in the continuous mode, which turned out to be better than in the delayed extraction mode. Purification of all (glyco) proteins (even the calibration proteins) by means of ZipTip® technology and direct elution with a solvent system containing the appropriate MALDI matrix turned out to be a prerequisite to measure the exact molecular masses with an internal calibration. The average molecular masses of the two different forms of AT-III, namely AT-III, and AT-III,, were shown to be 57.26 and 55.04 kDa, respectively. The 2.22 kDa mass difference is attributed to the known difference in carbohydrate content at one specific site (Asn-135). After exhaustive de- N -glycosylation (by means of PNGase F) of the ,- and ,-form and subsequent MALDI-MS analysis, average molecular masses of 48.96 and 48.97 kDa, respectively, were obtained. These values are in good agreement (,0.15%) with the calculated molecular mass (49.039 kDa) of the protein part based on SwissProt data. The molecular mass of the heavily post-translational modified glycoprotein FIX was found to be 53.75 kDa with a peak width at 10% peak height of 4.5 kDa, because of the presence of many different posttranslational modifications (N - and O -glycosylation at multiple sites, sulfation, phosphorylation, hydroxylation and numerous ,-carboxyglutamic acids). MALDI-MS molecular mass determination of the native, size-exclusion chromatography-purified, VN sample revealed that the glycoprotein was present as dimer with molecular mass of 117.74 kDa, which could be corroborated by non-reducing SDS-PAGE. After sample treatment with guanidine hydrochloride and mass spectrometric analysis, a single, new main component was detected. The molecular mass turned out to be 59.45 kDa, representing the monomeric form of VN, known as V75. The determined molecular mass value was shown to be on one hand lower than from SDS-PAGE and on the other higher than the calculated amino acid sequence molecular mass (52 277 Da), pointing to the well-known SDS-PAGE bias and to considerable post-translational modifications. Further treatment of the sample with a reducing agent and subsequent MALDI-MS revealed two new components with molecular masses of 49.85 and 9.41 kDa, corresponding to V65 and V10 subunits of VN. PNGase F digest of the V75 and V65 units and MS analysis, exhibiting a molecular mass reduction of 6.37 kDa in both cases, verified the presence of a considerable amount of N -glycans. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Melanophores: A model system for neuronal transport and exocytosis?JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 12 2007Sara Aspengren Abstract Black pigment cells, melanophores, from lower vertebrates are specialized in bidirectional and coordinated translocation of pigment granules, melanosomes, in the cytoplasm. Melanophores develop from the neuronal crest and are most abundant in the dermal and epidermal layers of the skin, where the intracellular distribution of the pigment significantly influences the color of the animal. The transport of pigment is dependent on an intact cytoskeleton and motor proteins associated with cytoskeletal components. The easily cultured melanophores have proved to be excellent models for organelle transport because the intracellular movements of pigment can be visualized via light microscopy, and the granules move in response to defined chemical signals. The ease of achieving a combination of morphological and functional transport studies is the advantage of the melanophore system, and studies on pigment cells have revealed new components of the transport machinery, including molecular motors, their adapters, and transfer of vesicles to other cells. Many cellular components are transported with a combination of the actin- and microtubule-based transport systems, and, since all eukaryotic organisms rely on functional intracellular transport and an intact cytoskeleton, studies on melanophores are important for many aspects of cell biology, including axonal transport. In this review, we present an overview of the research on the pigment transport system and the potential use of pigment cells as a model system. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] IgE reactivity to latex allergens among sensitized healthcare workers before and after immunotherapy with latexALLERGY, Issue 2 2006J. Sastre Background:, New IgE sensitizations to proteins in allergen extracts have been shown to occur during allergen-specific immunotherapy (IT). Methods:, Twenty-four healthcare workers (HCWs) , patients included in a latex IT study , were analysed, 16 in active treatment and eight in placebo. Sera were obtained at baseline and after 6 months of IT and analysed with immunoblotting and CAP System with eight single recombinant latex allergens (rHev b 1, 3, 5, 6.01, 8, 9, 10, 11, and a mix of rHev b1, 5, 6.01 and 8). Results:, After IT with latex, three patients in the active treatment group had new IgE sensitizations, one to Hev b 5, one to Hev b 11 and another to Hev b 6.01. No other significant variation in mean of specific IgE to latex or recombinant allergens were observed in patients who received placebo or active treatment. A significant (P = 0.012) negative correlation (,0.72) was observed between maximal tolerated dose and specific IgE to Hev b 6.01 at baseline. After IT, immunoblot analysis demonstrated a significant increase in IgE binding in a band of approximately 22 kDa (P = 0.032) that may correspond to Hev b 6.01. New or more intense bands appeared in seven patients of the active group, while in three subjects a reduction was observed. Conclusions:, Hev b 6.01 seems to be the most relevant latex allergen in HCWs. New or more intense IgE binding to latex allergenic components occurs during latex immunotherapy. However, the levels of specific IgE against these new components are low and do not seem to have clinical relevance. [source] Commercial applications of porous Si: optical filters and componentsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 6 2007V. Kochergin Abstract It is shown that porous Silicon in various geometries and morphologies can be used for novel optical elements by combining theoretical insights with suitable porous structures and some pre- and post-processing of the Silicon. The paper restricts itself to light propagation in the pore direction. Theoretical and experimental results will be presented for the following novel optical elements: environmentally stable optical components from mesoporous Silicon, long wave pass filters, macroporous Silicon UV Filters, and polarization components for the UV range. Either new components are presented, mostly with first experimental results, or the state-of-the art for previously discussed elements is considerably improved upon. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Establishment of an in vitro sciarid fly larvae assay to study plant resistanceANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2009M. Chabannes Abstract Mechanisms underlying natural plant resistance to herbivorous invertebrates are still poorly understood in comparison with bacterial or fungal interactions. One reason is the difficulty in reliably and reproducibly assessing the effects under controlled conditions. This article describes a newly developed in vitro biological assay system that enables the interactions between sciarid larvae and plants, whose roots they feed on, to be studied under highly controlled conditions. The bioassay eliminates the problems created by the often variable environmental factors by providing an aseptic arena where experimental plants can be germinated and grown on agar within a Petri dish. Sciarid fly eggs are then collected, sterilised and added to the Petri dish. The system allows the eggs to hatch and the larvae to feed on the plant roots. A range of developmental parameters can then be recorded over time which can then be correlated with the experimental plant type. This assay system also allows a simultaneous comparison or ,choice chamber' between two (or more) different genotypes. The assay should greatly help to facilitate the identification of new components involved in insect resistance mediated pathway via the characterisation of mutant plants. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||