Analysis of the distribution and structure of integrated banana streak virus DNA in a range of Musa cultivars

The cDNA encoding the glycoprotein α (GPα) subunit of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) was partially cloned using RACE-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The amplified cDNA was found to be 583 bases long, and to consist of a portion of the signal peptide, the full sequence encoding the mature peptide (94 amino acids) and the 3′ untranslated region. Northern blot analysis revealed a single band of approximately 600 bp. Alignment of the deduced amino acids of the mature protein showed that the tilapia GPα subunit shares more than 80% identity with that of other perciform fish (i.e. striped bass, sea bream and yellowfin porgy) and less than 70% with that of more taxonomically remote fish and other vertebrates. Exposure of dispersed tilapia pituitary cells to salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone (sGnRH) elevated GPα mRNA levels via both PKC and cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) pathways. The transcript levels were also regulated by pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), both acting through PKC and PKA pathways. Moreover, a combined treatment of PACAP or NPY with GnRH seems to have an additive effect on the GPα subunit gene transcription. These results suggest that in tilapia the expression of GPα subunit is regulated by GnRH mainly via PKC and PKA pathways. Furthermore, PACAP and NPY can elevate the GnRH-stimulated GPα subunit transcription and can directly affect the subunit mRNA levels, via the same transduction pathways

ОПЫТ И ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗРАБОТКИ И ВНЕДРЕНИЯ АСУТП ПГУ НА ЭЛЕКТРОСТАНЦИЯХ РОССИИ И БЕЛОРУССИИ

Summed up the experience of the development and implementation I&C of CCPP by the company «Interavtomatika» AG on various types of CCPP. For example, the I&C of 65 Mw CCPP Borisov (Belarus) CHP considered actual problems of modern I&C of CCPP, among which the first is the integration software of the various local PLC groups processing equipment and PLC unit in a unified system of unit management.Обобщен опыт разработки и внедрения АСУТП ПГУ, полученный ЗАО «Интеравтоматика» на ПГУ различного типа. На примере АСУТП ПГУ-65 МВт Борисовской ТЭЦ (РБ) рассмотрены актуальные проблемы создания современных АСУТП ПГУ, среди которых на первое место выходит интеграция выполненных на различных программно-технических средствах блочной АСУТП и локальных АСУ/САУ групп технологического оборудования в единую систему управления объектом

An informatics model for tissue banks – Lessons learned from the Cooperative Prostate Cancer Tissue Resource

BACKGROUND: Advances in molecular biology and growing requirements from biomarker validation studies have generated a need for tissue banks to provide quality-controlled tissue samples with standardized clinical annotation. The NCI Cooperative Prostate Cancer Tissue Resource (CPCTR) is a distributed tissue bank that comprises four academic centers and provides thousands of clinically annotated prostate cancer specimens to researchers. Here we describe the CPCTR information management system architecture, common data element (CDE) development, query interfaces, data curation, and quality control. METHODS: Data managers review the medical records to collect and continuously update information for the 145 clinical, pathological and inventorial CDEs that the Resource maintains for each case. An Access-based data entry tool provides de-identification and a standard communication mechanism between each group and a central CPCTR database. Standardized automated quality control audits have been implemented. Centrally, an Oracle database has web interfaces allowing multiple user-types, including the general public, to mine de-identified information from all of the sites with three levels of specificity and granularity as well as to request tissues through a formal letter of intent. RESULTS: Since July 2003, CPCTR has offered over 6,000 cases (38,000 blocks) of highly characterized prostate cancer biospecimens, including several tissue microarrays (TMA). The Resource developed a website with interfaces for the general public as well as researchers and internal members. These user groups have utilized the web-tools for public query of summary data on the cases that were available, to prepare requests, and to receive tissues. As of December 2005, the Resource received over 130 tissue requests, of which 45 have been reviewed, approved and filled. Additionally, the Resource implemented the TMA Data Exchange Specification in its TMA program and created a computer program for calculating PSA recurrence. CONCLUSION: Building a biorepository infrastructure that meets today's research needs involves time and input of many individuals from diverse disciplines. The CPCTR can provide large volumes of carefully annotated prostate tissue for research initiatives such as Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) and for biomarker validation studies and its experience can help development of collaborative, large scale, virtual tissue banks in other organ systems

Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 (MCP-1) and Growth Factors Called into Question as Markers of Prolonged Psychosocial Stress

BACKGROUND:Psychosocial stress is becoming a major contributor to increased mental ill-health and sick leave in many countries. Valid markers of chronic stress would be valuable for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. A recent study suggested monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as markers of chronic stress. We aimed to confirm these potential biomarkers of prolonged psychosocial stress in female patients. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:Circulating levels of MCP-1, EGF and VEGF, along with several other cytokines, were measured in plasma from 42 female patients suffering from exhaustion due to prolonged psychosocial stress and 42 control subjects, using a protein biochip immunoassay. There were no significant differences between patients and controls in any of the cytokines or growth factors analyzed. Furthermore, when using a different protein bioassay and reanalyzing MCP-1 and VEGF in the same samples, markedly different levels were obtained. To further explore if inflammation is present in patients with exhaustion, the classical inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured in another group of patients (n=89) and controls (n=88) showing a small but significant increase of CRP levels in the patients. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:MCP-1, EGF and VEGF may not be suitable markers of prolonged psychosocial stress as previously suggested. Furthermore, significant differences were obtained when using two different protein assays measuring the same samples, indicating that comparing studies where different analytic techniques have been used might be difficult. Increased levels of CRP indicate that low-grade inflammation might be present in patients with exhaustion due to prolonged stress exposure but this inflammation does not seem to be reflected by increase in circulating MCP-1 or other cytokines measured

Indefinite and Bidirectional Near Infrared Nanocrystal Photoswitching

Materials whose luminescence can be switched by optical stimulation drive technologies ranging from superresolution imaging1-4, nanophotonics5, and optical data storage6-8, to targeted pharmacology, optogenetics, and chemical reactivity9. These photoswitchable probes, including organic fluorophores and proteins, are prone to photodegradation, and often require phototoxic doses of ultraviolet (UV) or visible light. Colloidal inorganic nanoparticles have significant stability advantages over existing photoswitchable materials, but the ability to switch emission bidirectionally, particularly with NIR light, has not been reported with nanoparticles. Here, we present 2-way, near-infrared (NIR) photoswitching of avalanching nanoparticles (ANPs), showing full optical control of upconverted emission using phototriggers in the NIR-I and NIR-II spectral regions useful for subsurface imaging. Employing single-step photodarkening10-13 and photobrightening12,14-18, we demonstrate indefinite photoswitching of individual nanoparticles (>1000 cycles over 7 h) in ambient or aqueous conditions without measurable photodegradation. Critical steps of the photoswitching mechanism are elucidated by modeling and by measuring the photon avalanche properties of single ANPs in both bright and dark states. Unlimited, reversible photoswitching of ANPs enables indefinitely rewritable 2D and 3D multi-level optical patterning of ANPs, as well as optical nanoscopy with sub-{\AA} localization superresolution that allows us to distinguish individual ANPs within tightly packed clusters.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figure

СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИЕ СИСТЕМ РЕГУЛИРОВАНИЯ ПАРОВЫХ ТУРБИН АЭС И АВТОМАТИЗАЦИЯ ОБОРУДОВАНИЯ МАШИННЫХ ЗАЛОВ АЭС РОССИИ

Typical structure of closed-loop control for steam turbine К-1000-60/3000, designed and implemented by «Interavtomatika» at the unit 4 Kalinin NPP are shown. A wide range of tests confirmed execution of all the functions of control, protection and antifault control. Based on this structure were developed projects of electronic part control system for units K-1200-60/3000 Novovoronezh nuclear power station and the BN800 Beloyarsk nuclear power plant. For turbine 1200 MW of the Belarusian nuclear power plant is expected to use the same proven solutions, but on the basis of new VNIIA developments.Приведена типовая структура системы регулирования паровой турбины К-1000-60/3000, разработанная и внедренная ЗАО «Интеравтоматика» на энергоблоке № 4 Калининской АЭС. Широкий спектр испытаний подтвердил выполнение всех функций управления, защит и противоаварийной автоматики. На основе этой структуры разработаны проекты ЭЧСР энергоблоков К-1200-60/3000 Нововоронежской АЭС и БН800 Белоярской АЭС. Применительно к турбине 1200 МВт Белорусской АЭС предполагается использовать эти же проверенные решения, но на базе новой, разработанной ВНИИА аппаратуре ТПТС НТ