Fluorescence in situ hybridization mapping of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene to 7q31.3

We have used the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique to refine the localization of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene on human chromosome 7. The result shows that the gene is most likely located within band q31.3.published_or_final_versio

Networked Control Systems: The Communication Basics and Control Methodologies

As an emerging research field, networked control systems have shown the increasing importance and attracted more and more attention in the recent years. The integration of control and communication in networked control systems has made the design and analysis of such systems a great theoretical challenge for conventional control theory. Such an integration also makes the implementation of networked control systems a necessary intermediate step towards the final convergence of control, communication, and computation. We here introduce the basics of networked control systems and then describe the state-of-the-art research in this field. We hope such a brief tutorial can be useful to inspire further development of networked control systems in both theory and potential applications

Localization of the human gene encoding the 13.3-kDa subunit of mitochondrial complex III (UQCRB) to 8q22 by in situ hybridization

We have localized the human gene encoding the 13.3-kDa subunit of mitochondrial complex III (UQCRB) to chromosome 8 using both radioactive in situ hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization. The additional peak obtained with the former method is attributed to the higher sensitivity of this technique, which results in hybridization of the probe to the less conserved pseudogene. We therefore conclude that the functional gene is most likely located at 8q22.published_or_final_versio

Refined localization of the asparagine synthetase gene (ASNS) to chromosome 7, region q21.3, and characterization of the somatic cell hybrid line 4AF/106/K015

We have mapped the asparagine synthetase gene (ASNS) to 7q21.3 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. While this study refined the localization of the gene, it also revealed a rearrangement in a somatic cell hybrid line which was used in previous ASNS mapping. Using additional probes from other regions of human chromosome 7, we showed that this cell line (4AF/106/KO15) contained a rearranged chromosome 7 in which a segment of the long arm was apparently duplicated and inserted into the short arm. Caution should be used therefore when interpreting data obtained from this cell line for gene mapping studies.published_or_final_versio

Development of a Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Agent with Activity Against Herpesvirus Replication and Gene Expression

Purpose: To evaluate the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of peptide H9 (H9) in vitro in order to gain insight into its underlying molecular mechanisms.Method: Antiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) was determined using thiazolyl blue (MTT) assay. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was employed to assay H9 antiviral activity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The inhibitory effect of H9 on the replication of these viral genes including early genes was assayed by real time-Ppolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot.Results: H9 possessed significant inhibitory effect on the four different herpesviruses with 50 % inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.21 ng/mL (HSV-1). AD169 infection was strongly inhibited with an EC50 value of 0.46 ng/ml. The anti-herpesviral activity of H9 was dose-dependent. The peptide acted primarily during the early stage of infection by detection of the early genes.Conclusion: The results demonstrate that H9 can inhibit the infection of HSV-1, EBV and HCMV. Furthermore, H9 has a broad-spectrum anti-herpesviral effect in vitro based on targeted killing of infected cells expressing genes.Keywords: Antagonist, Trapping receptor/ligand, Broad-spectrum, Anti-herpesvirus, H9 peptide, Gene expressio

Hemizygous deletion of the syntaxin 1A gene in individuals with Williams syndrome: Letters to the editor

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Probing deep level centers in GaN epilayers with variable-frequency capacitance-voltage characteristics of AuGaN Schottky contacts

Under identical preparation conditions, AuGaN Schottky contacts were prepared on two kinds of GaN epilayers with significantly different background electron concentrations and mobility as well as yellow emission intensities. Current-voltage (I-V) and variable-frequency capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics show that the Schottky contacts on the GaN epilayer with a higher background carrier concentration and strong yellow emission exhibit anomalous reverse-bias I-V and C-V characteristics. This is attributed to the presence of deep level centers. Theoretical simulation of the low-frequency C-V curves leads to a determination of the density and energy level position of the deep centers. © 2006 American Institute of Physics.published_or_final_versio

Cloning, expression, and chromosomal localization to 11p12-13 of a human LIM/HOMEOBOX gene, hLim-1

We have identified a putative transcription factor, designated hLim-1, from human fetal brain using degenerate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cDNA library screening. The deduced open reading frame, derived from sequencing a 3.0-kb hLim-1 cDNA, encodes a protein of 384 amino acids with two cysteine-rich LIM domains and one homeobox (HOX) DNA-binding domain. The nucleotide sequence of hLim-1 cDNA is 87% identical to mouse Lim-1 and the predicted amino acid sequence is greater than 97% conserved. Expression patterns of hLim-1 were evaluated by Northern analysis and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR coupled with Southern blotting. HLim-1 expression was observed in human brain, thymus, and tonsillar tissue. Expression of hLim-1 was also observed in 58% of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cell lines and in four of five primary samples from patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in myeloid blast transformation. The gene encoding hLim-1 was mapped using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to human chromosome 11p12-13. The expression pattern and structural characteristics of the hLim-1 gene suggest that it encodes a transcriptional regulatory protein involved in the control of differentiation and development of neural and lymphoid cells. Its expression in CML in blast crisis suggests that it may be involved with progression in this disease; a prospective study is required to confirm this.published_or_final_versio

A novel mutation in the SH3BP2 gene causes cherubism: case report

BACKGROUND: Cherubism is a rare hereditary multi-cystic disease of the jaws, characterized by its typical appearance in early childhood, and stabilization and remission after puberty. It is genetically transmitted in an autosomal dominant fashion and the gene coding for SH3-binding protein 2 (SH3BP2) may be involved. CASE PRESENTATION: We investigated a family consisting of 21 members with 3 female affected individuals with cherubism from Northern China. Of these 21 family members, 17 were recruited for the genetic analysis. We conducted the direct sequence analysis of the SH3BP2 gene among these 17 family members. A disease-causing mutation was identified in exon 9 of the gene. It was an A1517G base change, which leads to a D419G amino acid substitution. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, the A1517G mutation has not been reported previously in cherubism. This finding is novel

Facile solution-phase synthesis of γ-Mn3O4 hierarchical structures

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A lot of effort has been focused on the integration of nanorods/nanowire as building blocks into three-dimensional (3D) complex superstructures. But, the development of simple and effective methods for creating novel assemblies of self-supported patterns of hierarchical architectures to designed materials using a suitable chemical method is important to technology and remains an attractive, but elusive goal.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The hierarchical structure of Mn₃O₄with radiated spherulitic nanorods was prepared via a simple solution-based coordinated route in the presence of macrocycle polyamine, hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-4,11-diene (CT) with the assistance of thiourea as an additive.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This approach opens a new and facile route for the morphogenesis of Mn₃O₄material and it might be extended as a novel synthetic method for the synthesis of other inorganic semiconducting nanomaterials such as metal chalcogenide semiconductors with novel morphology and complex form, since it has been shown that thiourea can be used as an effective additive and the number of such water-soluble macrocyclic polyamines also makes it possible to provide various kinds of ligands for different metals in homogeneous water system.</p