Possible attenuation of the G2 DNA damage cell cycle checkpoint in HeLa cells by extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields

BACKGROUND: The issue remains unresolved as to whether low frequency magnetic fields can affect cell behaviour, with the possibility that they may be in part responsible for the increased incidence of leukaemia in parts of the population exposed to them. METHODS: Combined treatment of HeLa cells with gamma-irradiation (1, 3 and 5 Grays) and extra low frequency magnetic fields of ~50 Hz was carried out under rigorously controlled conditions. RESULTS: Synchronised cells progressing from S-phase arrived at mitosis on average marginally ahead of irradiation controls not exposed to ELF. In no instance out of a total of twenty separate experiments did this "double-insult" further delay entry of cells into mitosis, as had been anticipated. CONCLUSION: This apparently "non-genotoxic" agent (ELF) appears to be capable of affecting cells that would normally arrest for longer in G2, suggesting a weakening of the stringency of the late cycle (G2) checkpoint

Generation and reactions of aryl and alkyl thionitroso compounds

Transient thionitrosoarenes (102) with para substituents have been generated from N-(arylaminothio)-phthalimide derivatives (101) and intercepted with chloroprene and piperylene to give regioisomeric Diels- Alder adducts. Reaction of thionitrosoarenes (102) with 1-methylcyclohexene, a-pinene and β-pinene gave sulphenamides. Sulphenamides (110) and(123) have been reacted with 2,6-difluorobenzoylisocyanate. Heteroaryl thionitroso compounds have been prepared. Thionitrosoarenes with an ortho substituent have been generated via two different routes and trapped with 2,3-dimethyl-l,3-butadiene to give mixtures of Diels-Alder and ene adducts; the ene adduct was the major isomer for each system. Thionitrosoarene (159b) was generated from 3- aminobenzisothiazole (157b) using lead tetraacetate and was intercepted with 2,3-dimethyl-l,3-butadiene to give Diels-Alder (160) and ene (161) adducts. Thionitrosoalkanes have been generated using two different routes and trapped with 2,3-dimethyl-l,3-butadiene to give Diels-Alder and ene adducts

Studies in predictor display technique Final report

Predictor display technique for manual altitude control, and automatic pitch axis performanc

Collaborative research and the co-production of knowledge for practice: an illustrative case study.

This is the final version of the article. Available from BioMed Central via the DOI in this record.BACKGROUND: In 2008, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) began funding a major 5-year pilot research programme of translational research in England, establishing nine 'Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care' (CLAHRCs). A number of evaluations were carried out to examine whether or not the various collaborations worked as intended and why. In this paper, we examine what the theory of co-production adds to understanding of processes of knowledge creation and translation we observed in one of the CLAHRCs. METHODS: A case study of a successful knowledge translation project was identified from our wider realist evaluation of the mechanisms of closer collaboration at play in the CLAHRC. In the project, a computer simulation model of an emergency pathway for acute ischaemic stroke was built to explore if and how the time between the onset and treatment of the condition could be minimised by redesigning the pathway. The aim of the case study was to improve our understanding of the nature and workings of the mechanisms of closer collaboration that were associated with the more successful projects by examining the relevance of the theory of co-production. Qualitative methods of analysis were used to explore the fit between the mechanisms of closer collaboration we observed in the realist evaluation and the principles of co-production we identified from the literature. RESULTS: We found a close fit between the nine mechanisms of closer collaboration at work in the project and the principles of co-production (active agents; equality of partners; reciprocity and mutuality; transformative; and facilitated). The successful style of collaborative working exemplified by the project was consistent with a strong form of co-production. CONCLUSIONS: In our view, the theory of co-production provides useful insights into what it is about the qualities of collaborative working that inspire the requisite mechanisms for generating knowledge that is translated into practice. The theory provides a potentially useful basis for future knowledge translation programmes and projects in applied health research in a range of contexts.We would like to thank the participants for taking part in this research and giving their time so generously and the reviewers for their helpful comments on an earlier version of the paper. This research was supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care South-West Peninsula. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health

Subunit composition of respiratory chain complex 1 and its responses to oxygen in mitochondria from human donor livers

OBJECTIVE: Donor liver function in transplantation is defined by mitochondrial function and the ability of mitochondria to recover from the sequence of warm and/or cold ischemia. Mitochondrial resilience maybe related to assembly and- subunit composition of Complex 1. The aim of this study was to determine if Complex 1 subunit composition was different in donor livers of varying quality and whether oxygen exposure had any effect. RESULTS: Five human livers not suitable for transplant were split. One half placed in cold static storage and the other half exposed to 40% oxygen for 2 h. Protein was extracted for western blot. Membranes were probed with antibodies against β-actin and the following subunits of Complex 1: MTND1, NDUFA10, NDUFB6 and NDUFV2. No difference in steady state Complex 1 subunit composition was demonstrated between donor livers of varying quality, in terms of steatosis or mode of donation. Neither did exposure to oxygen influence Complex 1 subunit composition. This small observational study on subunit levels suggest that Complex 1 is fully assembled as no degradation of subunits associated with the different parts of the enzyme was seen

Miscanthus Establishment and Survival

Rising costs of petroleum fuels and increased awareness of the adverse effects of greenhouse gases have spurred interest in renewable fuels and other ‘green’ products. Recent legislation has set goals of approximately 20 billion gallons of renewable fuel produced from non-corn starch sources by the year 2022. These driving forces have increased interest in dedicated bioenergy crops. Among perennial grasses, which have received an exceptional amount of attention as dedicated energy crops, one stands out: Miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus)