Blockade of constitutively activated ERK signaling enhances cytotoxicity of microtubule-destabilizing agents in tumor cells.

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway is constitutively activated in many human tumor cell types. Given the cytoprotective role of this pathway, we examined whether its specific blockade might sensitize human tumor cells to the induction of apoptosis by various anticancer drugs. Although blockade of ERK signaling alone did not induce substantial cell death, it resulted in marked and selective enhancement of the induction of apoptosis by microtubule-destabilizing agents in tumor cells in which the ERK pathway is constitutively activated. The synergistic activation of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase by the combination of an ERK pathway inhibitor and a microtubule-destabilizing agent appeared to be responsible, at least in part, for this effect. These results suggest that administration of the combination of an ERK pathway inhibitor and a microtubule-destabilizing agent is a potential chemotherapeutic strategy for the treatment of tumor cells with constitutive activation of the ERK pathway

Crystal structure of γ-ethyl-l-glutamate N-carboxy anhydride

In the title compound (alternative name N-carboxy-l-glutamic anhydride γ-ethyl ester), C8H11NO5, the oxazolidine ring is essentially planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.019 (2) Å. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...O hydrogen bonds between the imino group and the carbonyl O atom in the ethyl ester group, forming a tape structure along the c-axis direction. The oxazolidine rings of adjacent tapes are arranged into a layer parallel to the ac plane. This arrangement is favourable for the polymerization of the title compound in the solid state

Crystal structure of β-benzyl dl-aspartate N-carboxyanhydride

In the title racemic compound, C12H11NO5 [systematic name: benzyl 2-(2,5-dioxooxazolidin-4-yl)acetate], the oxazolidine ring is planar, with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.03 Å. The benzyl ring is almost normal to the oxazolidine ring, making a dihedral angle of 80.11 (12)°. In the crystal, inversion dimers are formed between the l- and d-enantiomers via pairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds. This arrangement is favourable for the polymerization of the compound in the solid state. The dimers are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming layers parallel to the ab plane

Crystal structure of O-benzyl-l-tyrosine N-carboxy anhydride

In the title compound, C17H15NO4 (alternative name; O-benzyl-l-tyrosine N-carboxy anhydride), the oxazolidine ring is planer, with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.039 Å. The benzyloxy and benzyl rings are almost coplanar, making a dihedral angle of 0.078 (10)°, and are inclined to the oxazolidine ring by 59.16 (11) and 58.42 (11)°, respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming ribbons propagating along [010]. The ribbons are linked by C—H...π interactions, forming a three-dimensional supramolecular structure. The oxazolidine rings of adjacent ribbons are arranged into a layer parallel to the ab plane. This arrangement is favourable for the polymerization of the compound in the solid state

Analysis of Heat-Stress Responsive Genes in Aneurolepidium chinense Leaves by Differential Display

Wild plants experience more severe abiotic stresses such as heat, cold, drought and salinity than crop plants do under natural environments and have developed more particular adaptation mechanisms. In order to understand those mechanisms for thermotolerance, we carried out a large scale screening of heat-stress inducible genes by differential display using 480 species of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers from the leaves of a semiarid plant (Aneurolepidium chinense (Trin.) kitag), which can grow vigorously under high temperature, drought and salinity conditions. A comparative analysis of gene expression between control and stress conditions led to the detection of 91 cDNA clones from heat-stressed plants. DNA sequence analysis and database searching revealed that 21 cDNA clones induced by heat stress have homology to known proteins. On the other hand, triple as many (75% of the total isolated clones) had homology to either putative or unknown proteins. Identified genes included those encoding proteins involved in signal transduction (PIP5kinase, receptor protein kinase, etc.), heat shock proteins, protein synthesis, and other enzymes related to abiotic stress. The stress induction in most of the candidates were confirmed at the transcriptional level, but some encoding signal transduction kinases could not be detected by Northern blot analysis. It showed that differential display is a powerful tool for cloning cDNAs induced by heat stress and these results thus obtained are useful for understanding the plant thermotolerance mechanism

Data from: Effectiveness of vole control by owls in apple orchards

1. Biological pest control is gaining greater acceptance as an important part of integrated pest management for sustainable agriculture. However, knowledge regarding biological control of rodent pests is limited, and its effectiveness in temperate areas has not been quantified. In traditional Japanese apple orchards, the Ural owl Strix uralensis breeds in tree hollows and preys on the Japanese field vole Microtus montebelli, a native pest species that can harm fruit production. In this study, we hypothesized that the Ural owl, a generalist predator, can act as a biological control agent by reducing vole densities in temperate orchards. 2. To quantify the pest control effects of breeding Ural owls, we first analysed the diet of individual owls nesting in apple tree hollows. Second, we installed nest boxes in orchards to attract breeding owl pairs and collected data on vole population changes around owl nests to compare with control areas. The population changes were analysed using a generalised linear mixed model to assess the effect of breeding owls within their breeding territory. The model took into account seasonal fluctuations in vole population size as well as surrounding land-use. We also examined vole populations around the owl nests in April, and the distance between nests and forested areas, to determine if these variables influenced nest site selection. 3. The primary prey of Ural owls breeding in orchards was voles, and the owls reduced vole populations within their estimated breeding territories by 63% (± SE: 53%–70%) compared with the predicted density without owls. Owls preferred to nest in orchards with higher vole population densities in April. Our findings also indicate that higher occupancy rates are possible by distributing nest boxes based on Ural owl breeding territory size (306 m radius circle in our study). 4. Synthesis and applications. As breeding Ural owls provided significant pest control effects within their breeding territories, the re-introduction of breeding Ural owl pairs within orchards will contribute to rodent pest control. Promoting the reproduction of native raptors in agricultural areas can be an option for developing integrated pest management while simultaneously maintaining regional biodiversity.04-Oct-201

Radiation exposure dose and influencing factors during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

INTRODUCTION:Various endoscopic procedures under fluoroscopic guidance are being rapidly adopted, and radiation exposure is considered to be increasing. However, there is little concern about this issue in gastroenterology practice. This study aims to evaluate the actual radiation exposure dose (RD) during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and the factors affecting the RD. METHODS:In this retrospective, single-center cohort study of 1157 consecutive patients who underwent ERCP between October 2012 and February 2017, we analyzed the influences of patient characteristics, procedure time (min), total fluoroscopy time (min), type of processing engine, experience of the endoscopist, and type of disease on the total RD (mGy). RESULTS:The median procedure times were 28 min for common bile duct stones (CBDS), 25 min for distal malignant biliary obstruction (MBO), and 30 min for proximal MBO. Similarly, the median fluoroscopy times were 10.3, 8.8, and 13.4 min, and the median RDs were 167, 123, and 242 mGy, respectively. Proximal MBO required significantly longer procedure time and fluoroscopy time and resulted in greater RD than distal MBO (P = 0.0006, <0.0001, <0.0001) and CBDS (P = 0.015, <0.0001, <0.0001). Multiple linear regression showed that distal MBO and a novel processing engine negatively correlate with RD (P = 0.04, <0.0001) and that proximal MBO positively correlates with RD (P = 0.0001). DISCUSSION:Procedure time and fluoroscopy time were significantly longer for proximal MBO than for CBDS and distal MBO. The type of disease and processing engine significantly influenced the RD during ERCP