Hypothalamic gene expression in w-3 PUFA-deficient male rats before, and following, development of hypertension

Dietary deficiency of ω-3 fatty acids (ω-3 DEF) produces hypertension in later life. This study examined the effect of ω-3 DEF on blood pressure and hypothalamic gene expression in young rats, before the development of hypertension, and in older rats following the onset of hypertension. Animals were fed experimental diets that were deficient in ω-3 fatty acids, sufficient in short-chain ω-3 fatty acids or sufficient in short- and long-chain ω-3 fatty acids, from the prenatal period until 10 or 36 weeks-of-age. There was no difference in blood pressure between groups at 10 weeks-of-age; however, at 36 weeks-of-age ω-3 DEF animals were hypertensive in relation to sufficient groups. At 10 weeks, expression of angiotensin-II1A receptors and dopamine D3 receptors were significantly increased in the hypothalamic tissue of ω-3 DEF animals. In contrast, at 36 weeks, α2a and β1 adrenergic receptor expression was significantly reduced in the ω-3 DEF group. Brain docosahexaenoic acid was significantly lower in ω-3 DEF group compared with sufficient groups. This study demonstrates that dietary ω-3 DEF causes changes both in the expression of key genes involved in central blood pressure regulation and in blood pressure. The data may indicate that hypertension resulting from ω-3 DEF is mediated by the central adrenergic system.

Coupled RNA polymerase II transcription and 3′ end formation with yeast whole-cell extracts

 RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) transcription and pre-mRNA 3' end formation are linked through physical and functional interactions. We describe here a highly efficient yeast in vitro system that reproduces both transcription and 3' end formation in a single reaction. The system is based on simple whole-cell extracts that were supplemented with a hybrid Gal4-VP16 transcriptional activator and supercoiled plasmid DNA templates encoding G-less cassette reporters. We found that the coupling of transcription and processing in vitro enhanced pre-mRNA 3' end formation and reproduced requirements for poly(A) signals and polyadenylation factors. Unexpectedly, however, we show that in vitro transcripts lacked m⁷G-caps. Reconstitution experiments with CF IA factor assembled entirely from heterologous components suggested that the CTD interaction domain of the Pcf11 subunit was required for proper RNAP II termination but not 3' end formation. Moreover, we observed reduced termination activity associated with extracts prepared from cells carrying a mutation in the 5'-3' exonuclease Rat1 or following chemical inhibition of exonuclease activity. Thus, in vitro transcription coupled to pre-mRNA processing recapitulates hallmarks of poly(A)-dependent RNAP II termination. The in vitro transcription/processing system presented here should provide a useful tool to further define the role of factors involved in coupling.

Effect of epinephrine on glucose disposal during exercise in humans: role of muscle glycogen

This study examined the effect of epinephrine on glucose disposal during moderate exercise when glycogenolytic flux was limited by low preexercise skeletal muscle glycogen availability. Six male subjects cycled for 40 min at 59 ± 1% peak pulmonary O₂ uptake on two occasions, either without (CON) or with (EPI) epinephrine infusion starting after 20 min of exercise. On the day before each experimental trial, subjects completed fatiguing exercise and then maintained a low carbohydrate diet to lower muscle glycogen. Muscle samples were obtained after 20 and 40 min of exercise, and glucose kinetics were measured using [6,6-²H]glucose. Exercise increased plasma epinephrine above resting concentrations in both trials, and plasma epinephrine was higher (P < 0.05) during the final 20 min in EPI compared with CON. Muscle glycogen levels were low after 20 min of exercise (CON, 117 ± 25; EPI, 122 ± 20 mmol/kg dry matter), and net muscle glycogen breakdown and muscle glucose 6-phosphate levels during the subsequent 20 min of exercise were unaffected by epinephrine infusion. Plasma glucose increased with epinephrine infusion (i.e., 20-40 min), and this was due to a decrease in glucose disposal (R_d) (40 min: CON, 33.8 ± 3; EPI, 20.9 ± 4.9 µmol · kg^-1 · min^-1, P < 0.05), because the exercise-induced rise in glucose rate of appearance was similar in the trials. These results show that glucose R_d during exercise is reduced by elevated plasma epinephrine, even when muscle glycogen availability and utilization are low. This suggests that the effect of epinephrine does not appear to be mediated by increased glucose 6-phosphate, secondary to enhanced muscle glycogenolysis, but may be linked to a direct effect of epinephrine on sarcolemmal glucose transport.

Bioinformatic and expression analyses of genes mediating zinc homeostasis in Nostoc punctiforme

Zinc homeostasis was investigated in Nostoc punctiforme. Cell tolerance to Zn²⁺ over 14 days showed that ZnCl₂ levels above 22 µM significantly reduced cell viability. After 3 days in 22 µM ZnCl₂, ca. 12% of the Zn²⁺ was in an EDTA-resistant component, suggesting an intracellular localization. Zinquin fluorescence was detected within cells exposed to concentrations up to 37 µM relative to 0 µM treatment. Radiolabeled ⁶⁵Zn showed Zn²⁺ uptake increased over a 3-day period, while efflux occurred more rapidly within a 3-h time period. Four putative genes involved in Zn2+ uptake and efflux in N. punctiforme were identified: (i) the predicted Co/Zn/Cd cation transporter, putative CDF; (ii) the predicted divalent heavy-metal cation transporter, putative Zip; (iii) the ATPase component and Fe/Zn uptake regulation protein, putative Fur; and (iv) an ABC-type Mn/Zn transport system, putative zinc ZnuC, ZnuABC system component. Quantitative real-time PCR indicated the responsiveness of all four genes to 22 µM ZnCl₂ within 3 h, followed by a reduction to below basal levels after 24 h by putative ZIP, ZnuC, and Fur and a reduction to below basal level after 72 h by putative CDF efflux gene. These results demonstrate differential regulation of zinc transporters over time, indicating a role for them in zinc homeostasis in N. punctiforme.

Organotin-oxo clusters

This thesis reports on the development and expansion of reliable synthetic di-and multi-tin precursors for the assembly of oligomeric organotin-oxo compounds in which the shape, dimension and tin nuclearity can be controlled. The reaction of polymeric diorganotin oxides, (R2SnO)m (R = Me, Et, n-Bu, n-Oct, c-Hex, i-Pr, Ph), with saturated aqueous NH4X solutions (X = F, Cl, Br, I, OAc) in refluxing 1,4-dioxane afforded in high yields dimeric tetraorganodistannoxanes, [R2(X)SnOSn(X)R2]2, and in a few cases diorganotin dihalides or diacetates, R2SnX2. This method appears to be particularly good for the synthesis of halogenated tetraorganodistannoxanes but a less suitable method for the preparation of dicarboxylato tetraorganodistannoxanes. Identification of [R2(OH)SnOSn(X)R2]2 (R = n-Bu; X = Cl, Br) and [R2(OH)SnOSn(X)R2][R2(X)SnOSn(X)R2] suggest a serial substitution mechanism starting from [R2(OH)SnOSn(OH)R2]2. A series of α, ω -bis(triphenylstannyl)alkanes, [Ph3Sn]2(CH2)n (n = 3-8, 10, 12) and some of their derivatives were synthesised and characterised. These α, ω-bis(triphenylstannyl)alkanes, [Ph3Sn]2(CH2)n were converted to the corresponding halides [R(Cl)2Sn]2(CH2)n (R = CH2SiMe3) and subsequently to the polymeric oxides {[R(0)Sn]2(CH2)n}m. Reaction of {[R(O)Sn]2(CH2)n}m with [R(Cl)2Sn]2(CH2)n. (n = 3, n' = 4 and n = 4, n' = 3) in toluene at 100°C results in a mixture of symmetric and asymmetric double ladders, where different spacer chain lengths (n and n') provide the source of asymmetry. The coexistence at high temperature of separate 119Sn NMR signals belonging to symmetric and asymmetric double ladders suggests an equilibrium that is slow on the 119Sn NMR time scale and the position of which is temperature dependent. However, 119Sn NMR spectroscopic experiments of {[R(0)Sn]2(CH2)3}m with [R(Cl)2Sn]2(CH2)n for longer spacers (n - 5, 6, 8, 10, 12) reveal that molecular self-assembly of symmetric spacer-bridged di-tin precursors of equal chain length is preferred over asymmetric species. An ether-bridged di-tin tetrachloride [R(Cl)2Sn(CH2)3]2O (R = CH2SiMe3) and its corresponding polymeric oxide {[R(O)Sn(CH2)3]2O}m were synthesised and characterised. Reaction of [R(Cl)2Sn(CH2)3]2O with {[R(O)Sn(CH2)3]2O}m results in a unique functionalised double ladder {{[RSn(Cl)](CH2)3O(CH2)3[RSn(Cl)]}O}4 whose structure in the solid state was determined by X-ray analysis. Identification of tetrameric functionalised double ladder as well as dimeric and monomeric species suggest the existence of an equilibrium in solution. The feasibility of the functionalised double ladder to form host-guest complexes with a variety of metal cations is investigated using electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS). Evidence for such complexes is found only for sodium cations. The reaction between {[R(O)Sn]2(CH2)n}m (n = 3, 4, 8, 10) and triflic acid is described. The initial formed products [RSn(CH2)nSnR](OTf)4 are easily hydrolysed. For n = 3, self-assembly leads to a discrete double ladder type structure, {{[RSn(OH)](CH2)3[RSn(H2O)]}O}44OTf, which is the first example of a cationic double ladder. For n ≥ 3, hydrolysis gives polymeric products, as demonstrated by the crystal structure of {[(H2O)(OH)RSn]2(CH2)4-2OTf2H2O}m. Two spacer-bridged terra-tin octachlorides [R(Cl)2Sn(CH2)3Sn(Cl)2]2(CH2)n (R = CH2SiMes; n = 1, 8) and their corresponding polymeric oxides {[R(O)Sn(CH2)3Sn(O)]2(CH2)n}m were successfully synthesised and characterised. Attempts were made to synthesise quadruple ladders from these precursors. Reactions of [R(Cl)2Sn(CH2)3Sn(Cl)2]2CH2 with {[R(O)Sn(CH2)3Sn(O)]2CH2}m or (Y-Bu2SnO)3 result in, mostly insoluble, amorphous solids. Reactions of [R(Cl)2Sn(CH2)3Sn(Cl)2]2(CH2)8 with {[R(O)Sn(CH2)3Sn(O)]2(CH2)8}m or (t-Bu2SnO)s result in new tin-containing species which are presumably oligomeric. The synthesis of a series of alkyl-bridged di-tin hexacarboxylates [(RCO2)3Sn]2(CH2)n (n = 3, 4; R = Ph, c-C6H11, CH3, C1CH2) is also reported. The hydrolysis of these compounds is facile and complex. There appears to be no correlation between spacer chain length and hydrolysis product. However, the conjugate acid strength of the carboxylate does appear to be important. In general only insoluble amorphous polymeric organotin-oxo compounds were obtained.

Docosapentaenoic acid : its metabolism and effect on lipogenic gene expression

This thesis found that the omega-3 fatty acid, docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) down-regulates the expression levels of key lipogenic genes and proteins in vitro. In vivo studies with labelled DPA showed that, like docosahexaenoic acid, DPA is more conserved from oxidation compared with eicosapentaenoic acid.

Transformative green marketing : impediments and opportunities

Green marketing is not achieving its potential for improving the quality of life of consumers, while improving the natural ecosystem. The failure is the result of the inability of consumers, firms and governments to adopt systems thinking, in which macro-marketing perspectives are integrated into their respective micro-decisions, that is, the anthropocentric view of the natural world is disregarded. The paper discusses why the three groups above have had difficulties in embracing environmental issues, thus impeding real transformative green marketing from occurring. To address the difficulties three proposed actions need to be undertaken: (1) Marketers need to look for new ways of calculating and communicating value that integrates environmental value, thereby moving away from financial measures which have no real environmental meaning. (2) Change the discourse regarding the environment, highlighting the importance of action and inaction, which needs to be based on increased education about the human–environment interface. (3) Marketing needs to refocus its emphasis on want satisfaction, shifting away from the acquisition of goods, thereby enhancing how marketers create value. Making these changes will allow marketers to operationalize transformative green marketing so the human condition and the natural system that humans operate within are both improved and bring about transformative green marketing.

HIV infection of dendritic cells subverts the IFN induction pathway via IRF-1 and inhibits type 1 IFN production

Many viruses have developed mechanisms to evade the IFN response. Here, HIV-1 was shown to induce a distinct subset of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) in monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs), without detectable type I or II IFN. These ISGs all contained an IFN regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) binding site in their promoters, and their expression was shown to be driven by IRF-1, indicating this subset was induced directly by viral infection by IRF-1. IRF-1 and -7 protein expression was enriched in HIV p24 antigen-positive DCs. A HIV deletion mutant with the IRF-1 binding site deleted from the long terminal repeat showed reduced growth kinetics. Early and persistent induction of IRF-1 was coupled with sequential transient up-regulation of its 2 inhibitors, IRF-8, followed by IRF-2, suggesting a mechanism for IFN inhibition. HIV-1 mutants with Vpr deleted induced IFN, showing that Vpr is inhibitory. However, HIV IFN inhibition was mediated by failure of IRF-3 activation rather than by its degradation, as in T cells. In contrast, herpes simplex virus type 2 markedly induced IFNβ and a broader range of ISGs to higher levels, supporting the hypothesis that HIV-1 specifically manipulates the induction of IFN and ISGs to enhance its noncytopathic replication in DCs.

Security risks/vulnerability in a RFID system and possible defenses

Remote technologies are changing our way of life. The radio frequency identification (RFJD) system is a new technology which uses the open air to transmit information. This information transmission needs to be protected to provide user safety and privacy. Business will look for a 5ystem that hasfraud resilience to prevent the misuse of information to take dishonest advantage. The business and the user need to be assured that the transmitted information has no content which is capable of undertaking malicious activities. Public awareness of RFID security will help users and organizations to understand the need for security protection. Publishing a security guideline from the regulating body and monitoring implementation of that guideline in RFID 5ystems will ensure that businesses and users are protected. This chapter explains the importance of security in a RFID system and will outline the protective measures. It also points out the research direction of RFID 5ystems.

An ant colony system based on the physarum network

The Physarum Network model exhibits the feature of important pipelines being reserved with the evolution of network during the process of solving a maze problem. Drawing on this feature, an Ant Colony System (ACS), denoted as PNACS, is proposed based on the Physarum Network (PN). When updating pheromone matrix, we should update both pheromone trails released by ants and the pheromones flowing in a network. This hybrid algorithm can overcome the low convergence rate and local optimal solution of ACS when solving the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP). Some experiments in synthetic and benchmark networks show that the efficiency of PNACS is higher than that of ACS. More important, PNACS has strong robustness that is very useful for solving a higher dimension TSP.