Distinct poor prognostic subgroups of acute myeloid leukaemia, FLT3-ITD and P-glycoprotein-positive, have contrasting levels of FOXO1

Regulation of ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein/Pgp) in AML was investigated. In a historical cohort with Pgp and transcriptional regulator expression profiling data available (n=141), FOXO1 correlated with Pgp protein expression. This was confirmed in an independent cohort (n=204). Down-regulation (siRNA) or hyperactivation (nicotinamide) of FOXO1 led to corresponding changes in Pgp. Low FOXO1 expression correlated with FLT3-ITDs (p

Optimization of parameters of chemical spray pyrolysis technique to get n and p-type layers of SnS

SnS thin films were prepared using automated chemical spray pyrolysis (CSP) technique. Single-phase, p-type, stoichiometric, SnS films with direct band gap of 1.33 eV and having very high absorption coefficient (N105/cm) were deposited at substrate temperature of 375 °C. The role of substrate temperature in determining the optoelectronic and structural properties of SnS films was established and concentration ratios of anionic and cationic precursor solutions were optimized. n-type SnS samples were also prepared using CSP technique at the same substrate temperature of 375 °C, which facilitates sequential deposition of SnS homojunction. A comprehensive analysis of both types of films was done using x-ray diffraction, energy dispersive x-ray analysis, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, optical absorption and electrical measurements. Deposition temperatures required for growth of other binary sulfide phases of tin such as SnS2, Sn2S3 were also determined

Effects of tillage intensity on soil C, N, and P pools with different stability

Es ist bekannt, dass die Umsatzdynamik der organischen Substanz von der Bodenbearbeitungsintensität abhängt. Bis jetzt sind nur wenige Daten zum Einfluss der Bearbeitungsintensität und des Zwischenfruchtanbaus auf C-, N-, und P-Dynamik im Ober- (0-5 cm Tiefe) und Unterboden (5-25 cm Tiefe) von Lössböden verfügbar. Hauptziele dieser Arbeit waren die (i) Quantifizierung des Einflusses von verschiedenen langzeitig durchgeführten Bearbeitungssystemen auf labile, intermediäre, und passive C- und N-Pools; (ii) Quantifizierung des Einflusses dieser Systeme auf P-Fraktionen mit unterschiedlicher Verfügbarkeit für die Pflanzenaufnahme; (iii) Quantifizierung des Einflusses des Zwischenfruchtanbaus in Verbindung mit einer unterschiedlichen Einarbeitungstiefe der der Zwischenfrüchte auf mineralisierbares C und N. Die Ergebnisse des 1. und 2. Teilexperiments basieren auf Untersuchungen von 4 Langzeitfeldexperimenten (LFE) in Ost- und Süddeutschland, die zwischen 1990 und 1997 durch das Institut für Zuckerrübenforschung angelegt wurden. Jedes LFE umfasst 3 Bearbeitungssysteme: konventionelle Bearbeitung (CT), reduzierte Bearbeitung (RT) und Direktsaat (NT). Die Ergebnisse des 3. Teilexperiments basieren auf einem Inkubationsexperiment. Entsprechend den Hauptfragestellungen wurden folgende Untersuchungsergebnisse beschrieben: (i) Im Oberboden von NT wurden höhere labile C-Vorräte gefunden (C: 1.76 t ha-1, N: 166 kg ha-1), verglichen mit CT (C: 0.44 t ha-1, N: 52 kg ha-1). Im Gegensatz dazu waren die labile- C-Vorräte höher im Unterboden von CT mit 2.68 t ha-1 verglichen zu NT mit 2 t ha-1 und RT mit 1.87 t ha-1. Die intermediären C-Vorräte betrugen 73-85% der gesamten organischen C-Vorräte, intermediäre N-Vorräte betrugen 70-95% des Gesamt-N im Ober- und Unterboden und waren vielfach größer als die labilen und passiven C- und N-Vorräte. Nur im Oberboden konnte ein Effekt der Bearbeitungsintensität auf die intermediären N-Pools mit höheren Vorräten unter NT als CT festgestellt werden. Die passiven C- und N-Pools waren eng mit den mineralischen Bodeneigenschaften verbunden und unabhängig vom Bearbeitungssystem. Insgesamt hat sich gezeigt, dass 14 bis 22 Jahre durchgängige Direktsaatverfahren nur im Oberboden zu höheren labilen C- und N-Vorräten führen, verglichen zu konventionellen Systemen. Dies lässt eine tiefenabhängige Stärke der Dynamik der organischen Bodensubstanz vermuten. (ii) Die Konzentration des Gesamt-P (Pt) im Oberboden war höher in NT (792 mg kg-1) und ~15% höher als die Pt-Konzentration in CT (691 mg kg 1). Die Abnahme der Pt-Konzentration mit zunehmender Bodentiefe war höher in NT als in CT. Dies gilt auch für die einzelnen P-Fraktionen, ausgenommen der stabilsten P-Fraktion (residual-P). Generell hatte das Bearbeitungssystem nur einen kleinen Einfluss auf die P-Konzentration mit höheren Pt-Konzentrationen in Böden unter NT als CT. Dies resultiert vermutlich aus der flacheren Einarbeitung der Pflanzenreste als in CT. (iii) Im Zwischenfruchtexperiment war der Biomassezuwachs von Senf am höchsten und nimmt in der Reihenfolge ab (oberirdischer Ertrag in t / ha): Senf (7.0 t ha-1) > Phacelia (5.7 t ha-1) > Ölrettich (4.4 t ha-1). Damit war potentiell mineralisierbares C und N am höchsten in Böden mit Senfbewuchs. Kumulative CO2- und N2O-Emissionen während der Inkubation unterschieden sich nicht signifikant zwischen den Zwischenfruchtvarianten und waren unabhängig von der Verteilung der Pflanzenreste im Boden. Die kumulativen ausgewaschenen mineralisierten N (Nmin)-Vorräte waren in den brachliegenden Böden am höchsten. Die Nmin-Vorräte waren 51-72% niedriger in den Varianten mit Zwischenfrucht und Einarbeitung verglichen zur Brache. In den Varianten ohne Einarbeitung waren die Nmin-Vorräte 36-55% niedriger verglichen zur Brache. Dies weißt auf einen deutlichen Beitrag von Zwischenfrüchten zur Reduzierung von Nitrat-Auswaschung zwischen Winter und Frühjahr hin. Insgesamt führte reduzierte Bearbeitung zu einer Sequestrierung von C und N im Boden und der Zwischenfruchtanbau führte zu reduzierten N-Verlusten. Die P-Verfügbarkeit war höher unter Direktsaat verglichen zur konventionellen Bearbeitung. Diese Ergebnisse resultieren aus den höheren Konzentrationen der OS in den reduzierten, als in den konventionellen Systemen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen deutlich das Potential von reduzierter Bearbeitung zur Sequestrierung von intermediärem C und N zur Reduzierung von klimarelevanten Treibhausgasen. Gleichzeitig steigen die Konzentrationen an pflanzenverfügaren P-Gehalten. Zwischenfrüchte führen auch zu einem Anstieg der C- und N-Vorräte im Boden, offensichtlich unabhängig von der Zwischenfruchtart.

Incongruence between test statistics and P values in medical papers

Given an observed test statistic and its degrees of freedom, one may compute the observed P value with most statistical packages. It is unknown to what extent test statistics and P values are congruent in published medical papers. Methods: We checked the congruence of statistical results reported in all the papers of volumes 409–412 of Nature (2001) and a random sample of 63 results from volumes 322–323 of BMJ (2001). We also tested whether the frequencies of the last digit of a sample of 610 test statistics deviated from a uniform distribution (i.e., equally probable digits).Results: 11.6% (21 of 181) and 11.1% (7 of 63) of the statistical results published in Nature and BMJ respectively during 2001 were incongruent, probably mostly due to rounding, transcription, or type-setting errors. At least one such error appeared in 38% and 25% of the papers of Nature and BMJ, respectively. In 12% of the cases, the significance level might change one or more orders of magnitude. The frequencies of the last digit of statistics deviated from the uniform distribution and suggested digit preference in rounding and reporting.Conclusions: this incongruence of test statistics and P values is another example that statistical practice is generally poor, even in the most renowned scientific journals, and that quality of papers should be more controlled and valued

Rat brain serotonin neurones that express neuronal nitric oxide synthase have increased sensitivity to the substituted amphetamine serotonin toxins 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and p-chloroamphetamine

Substituted amphetamines such as p-chloroamphetamine and the abused drug methylenedioxymethamphetamine cause selective destruction of serotonin axons in rats, by unknown mechanisms. Since some serotonin neurones also express neuronal nitric oxide synthase, which has been implicated in neurotoxicity, the present study was undertaken to determine whether nitric oxide synthase expressing serotonin neurones are selectively vulnerable to methylenedioxymethamphetamine or p-chloroamphetamine. Using double-labeling immunocytochemistry and double in situ hybridization for nitric oxide synthase and the serotonin transporter, it was confirmed that about two thirds of serotonergic cell bodies in the dorsal raphe nucleus expressed nitric oxide synthase, however few if any serotonin transporter immunoreactive axons in striatum expressed nitric oxide synthase at detectable levels. Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (30 mg/kg) or p-chloroamphetamine (2 x 10 mg/kg) was administered to Sprague-Dawley rats, and 7 days after drug administration there were modest decreases in the levels of serotonin transporter protein in frontal cortex, and striatum using Western blotting, even though axonal loss could be clearly seen by immunostaining. p-Chloroamphetamine or methylenedioxymethamphetamine administration did not alter the level of nitric oxide synthase in striatum or frontal cortex, determined by Western blotting. Analysis of serotonin neuronal cell bodies 7 days after p-chloroamphetamine treatment, revealed a net down-regulation of serotonin transporter mRNA levels, and a profound change in expression of nitric oxide synthase, with 33% of serotonin transporter mRNA positive cells containing nitric oxide synthase mRNA, compared with 65% in control animals. Altogether these results support the hypothesis that serotonin neurones which express nitric oxide synthase are most vulnerable to substituted amphetamine toxicity, supporting the concept that the selective vulnerability of serotonin neurones has a molecular basis.

The surface geometries of the medium and high coverage carbon monoxide structures c(2 × 4)–(2CO) and p(root7- x root7)R19°–(4CO) structure

The surface geometries of the p (root7- x root7)R19degrees-(4CO) and c(2 x 4)-(2CO) layers on Ni {111} and the clean Ni {111} surface were determined by low energy electron diffraction structure analysis. For the clean surface small but significant contractions of d(12) and d(23) (both 2.02 Angstrom) were found with respect to the bulk interlayer distance (2.03 Angstrom). In the c(2 x 4)-(2CO) structure these distances are expanded, with values of d(12) = 2.08 Angstrom and d(23) = 2.06 Angstrom and buckling of 0.08 and 0.02 Angstrom, respectively, in the first and second layer. CO resides near hcp and fcc hollow sites with relatively large lateral shifts away from the ideal positions leading to unequal C-Ni bond lengths between 1.76 and 1.99 Angstrom. For the p(root7- x root7-)R19'-(4CO) layer two best fit geometries were found, which agree in most of their atomic positions, except for one out of four CO molecules, which is either near atop or between bridge and atop. The remaining three molecules reside near hcp and fcc sites, again with large lateral deviations from their ideal positions. The average C Ni bond length for these molecules is, however, the same as for CO on hollow sites at low coverage. The average CNi bond length at hollow sites, the interlayer distances, and buckling in the first Ni layer are similar to the c(2 x 4)(2CO) geometry, only the buckling in the second layer (0.08 Angstrom) is significantly larger. Lateral and vertical shifts of the Ni atoms in the first layer lead to unsymmetric environments for the CO molecules, which can be regarded as an imprint of the chiral p(root7- x root7-)R19degrees lattice geometry onto the substrate.

Caffeic acid, tyrosol and p-coumaric acid are potent inhibitors of 5-S-cysteinyl-dopamine induced neurotoxicity

Parkinson's disease is characterized by a progressive and selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Recent investigations have shown that conjugates such as the 5-S-cysteinyl-dopamine, possess strong neurotoxicity and may contribute to the underlying progression of the disease pathology. Although the neuroprotective actions of flavonoids are well reported, that of hydroxycinnamates and other phenolic acids is less established. We show that the hydroxycinnamates caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid, the hydroxyphenethyl alcohol, tyrosol, and a Champagne wine extract rich in these components protect neurons against injury induced by 5-S-cysteinyl-dopamine in vitro. The protection induced by these polyphenols was equal to or greater than that observed for the flavonoids, (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin and quercetin. For example, p-coumaric acid evoked significantly more protection at 1muM (64.0+/-3.1%) than both (-)-epicatechin (46.0+/-4.1%, p<0.05) and (+)-catechin (13.1+/-3.0%, p<0.001) at the same concentration. These data indicate that hydroxycinnamates, phenolic acids and phenolic alcohol are also capable of inducing neuroprotective effects to a similar extent to that seen with flavonoids.

Contribution of N Species and P Fractions to Stream Water Quality in Agricultural Catchments

The contribution from agricultural catchments to stream nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations was assessed by evaluation of the chemical composition of these nutrients in agricultural runoff for both surface and subsurface flow pathways. A range of land uses (grazed and ungrazed grassland, cereals, roots) in intensive agricultural systems was studied at scales from hillslope plots (0.5m2) to large catchment (>300km2). By fractionating the total nutrient load it was possible to establish that most of the phosphorus was transported in the unreactive (particulate and organic) fraction via surface runoff. This was true regardless of the scale of measurement. The form of the nitrogen load varied with land use and grazing intensity. High loads of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (with >90% transported as NH4-N) were recorded in surface runoff from heavily grazed land. In subsurface flow from small (2km2) subcatchments and in larger (>300 km2) catchments, organic nitrogen was found to be an important secondary constituent of the total nitrogen load, comprising 40% of the total annual load.

Influence of earthworm Eisenia fetida on removal efficiency of N and P in vertical flow constructed wetland.

This study investigates biomass, density, photosynthetic activity, and accumulation of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in three wetland plants (Canna indica, Typha augustifolia, and Phragmites austrail) in response to the introduction of the earthworm Eisenia fetida into a constructed wetland. The removal efficiency of N and P in constructed wetlands were also investigated. Results showed that the photosynthetic rate (P n), transpiration rate (T r), and stomatal conductance (S cond) of C. indica and P. austrail were (p < 0.05) significantly higher when earthworms were present. The addition of E. fetida increased the N uptake value by above-ground of C. indica, T. augustifolia, and P. australis by 185, 216, and 108 %, respectively; and its P uptake value increased by 300, 355, and 211 %, respectively. Earthworms could enhance photosynthetic activity, density, and biomass of wetland plants in constructed wetland, resulting in the higher N and P uptake. The addition of E. fetida into constructed wetland increased the removal efficiency of TN and TP by 10 and 7 %, respectively. The addition of earthworms into vertical flow constructed wetland increased the removal efficiency of TN and TP, which was related to higher photosynthetic activity and N and P uptake. The addition of earthworms into vertical flow constructed wetland and plant harvests could be the significantly sustainable N and P removal strategy