Practical approach to the use of daylight photodynamic therapy with topical methyl aminolevulinate for actinic keratosis: a European consensus

INTRODUCTION Daylight-mediated photodynamic therapy has been shown to be an effective therapy for actinic keratoses (AKs) and a simple and tolerable treatment procedure in three randomized Scandinavian studies and two recent Phase III randomized controlled studies in Australia and Europe. OBJECTIVES To establish consensus recommendations for the use of daylight photodynamic therapy (DL-PDT) using topical methyl aminolaevulinate (MAL) in European patients with AKs. METHODS The DL-PDT consensus recommendations were developed on behalf of the European Society for Photodynamic Therapy in Dermatology and comprised of 10 dermatologists from different European countries with experience in how to treat AK patients with PDT. Consensus was developed based on literature review and experience of the experts in the treatment of AK using DL-PDT. RESULTS The recommendations arising from this panel of experts provide general guidance on the use of DL-PDT as a dermatological procedure with specific guidance regarding patient selection, therapeutic indications, when to treat, pre-treatment skin preparation, MAL application and daylight exposure for patients with AK in different countries of Europe. CONCLUSIONS This consensus recommendation provides a framework for physicians to perform DL-PDT with MAL cream while ensuring efficiency and safety in the treatment of patients with AK in different European countries.

N-acetylcysteine blocks apoptosis induced by N-alpha-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone in transformed T-cells

The serine protease inhibitor N-alpha-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) can interfere with cell-cycle progression and has also been shown either to protect cells from apoptosis or to induce apoptosis. We tested the effect of TPCK on two transformed T-cell lines. Both Jurkat T-cells and Theileria parva-transformed T-cells were shown to be highly sensitive to TPCK-induced growth arrest and apoptosis. Surprisingly, we found that the thiol antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), as well as L- or D-cysteine blocked TPCK-induced growth arrest and apoptosis. TPCK inhibited constitutive NF-kappaB activation in T. parva-transformed T-cells, with phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta being inhibited with different kinetics. TPCK-mediated inhibition of IkappaB phosphorylation, NF-kappaB DNA binding and transcriptional activity were also prevented by NAC or cysteine. Our observations indicate that apoptosis and NF-kappaB inhibition induced by TPCK result from modifications of sulphydryl groups on proteins involved in regulating cell survival and the NF-kappaB activation pathway(s).

Microwave Spectroscopy and Structures of Several Substituted Acetylenes and Fluorocarbons

The structures of two substituted acetylene compounds have been characterized from their microwave rotational spectra. In the first study, two structures of 6-methyl-3-heptyne have been determined. This compound can be thought of as an ethyl group separated from an isobutyl group by a C≡C spacer. Both structures have the ethyl and isobutyl groups eclipsed, consistent with the dominant interaction determining the orientation about the acetylene axis being the weak dispersion attraction between the end groups. One structure is with the isobutyl group in a symmetric conformation and the other with the isobutyl group asymmetric. In addition, the microwave spectrum of the butane analogue 3,5-octadiyne has been observed. This compound consists of two ethyl groups separated by two C≡C spacers. The study is still in progress, but it appears that the ethyl end groups are freely rotating. Therefore, it seems that the dispersion attractions between the end groups are too weak at this longer distance of about 7 Å. The structures of several fluorocarbons have also been studied by microwave spectroscopy. The structures of perfluoropentane and perfluorohexane have been shown to be helical, like the polymer polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon©). The structure of perfluoropropane and two conformers of 1H-heptafluoropropane have been determined to be non-helical. It is apparent that the steric and dipole repulsions between fluorine atoms that have been attributed to the helical structure of longer fluorocarbon chains are not sufficient in a three carbon chain to cause a twist in the structures.

Immunologic characteristics of immunogenic variants generated by {\it in vitro\/} treatment of a methylcholanthrene-induced murine fibrosarcoma MCA-F with 1 methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine, 5 -aza-2$\sp\prime$-deoxycytidine, or ultraviolet radiation

This study addresses the questions of whether the frequency of generation and in vivo cross-reactivity of highly immunogenic tumor clones induced in a single parental murine fibrosarcoma cell line MCA-F is more closely related to the agent used to induce the Imm$\sp{+}$ clone or whether these characteristics are independent of the agents used. These questions were addressed by treating the parental tumor cell line MCA-F with UV-B radiation (UV-B), 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), or 5-aza-2$\sp\prime$-deoxycytidine (5-azaCdR). The frequency of Imm$\sp{+}$ variant generation was similarly high for the three different agents, suggesting that the frequency of Imm$\sp{+}$ generation was related more closely to the cell line than to the inducing agent used. Cross-reactivity was tested with two Imm$\sp{+}$ clones from each treatment group in a modified immunoprotection assay that selectively engendered antivariant, but not antiparental immunity. Under these conditions each clone, except one, immunized against itself. The MNNG-induced clones engendered stronger antivariant immunity but a weaker variant cross-reactive immunity could also be detected.^ This study also characterized the lymphocyte populations responsible for antivariant and antiparental immunity in vivo. Using the local adoptive transfer assay (LATA) and antibody plus complement depletion of T-cell subsets, we showed that immunity induced by the Imm$\sp{+}$ variants against the parent MCA-F was transferred by the Thy1.2$\sp{+}$, L3T4a$\sp{+}$, Lyt2.1$\sp{-}$ (CD4$\sp{+}$) population, without an apparent contribution by Thy1.2$\sp{+}$, L3T4a$\sp{-}$, Lyt2.1$\sp{+}$ (CD8$\sp{+}$) cells. A role for Lyt2.1$\sp{+}$T lymphocytes in antivariant, but not antiparent immunity was supported by the results of LATA and CTL assays. Immunization with low numbers of viable Imm$\sp{+}$ cells, or with high numbers of non viable Imm$\sp{+}$ cells engendered only antivariant immunity without parental cross-protection. The associative recognition of parental antigens and variant neoantigens resulting in strong antiparent immunity was investigated using somatic cells hybrids of Imm$\sp{+}$ variants of MCA-F and an antigenically distinct tumor MCA-D. An unexpected result of these latter experiments was the expression of a unique tumor-specific antigen by the hybrid cells. These studies demonstrate that the parental tumor-specific antigen and the variant neoantigen must be coexpressed on the cell surface to engender parental cross-protective immunity. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.) ^

Effect of colchicine and amiprophos-methyl on the production of in vitro doubled haploid onion plants and correlation assessment between ploidy level and stomatal size

Doubled haploid onion (Allium cepa L.) plants allow the production of completely homozygous lines for a later production of hybrids. The haploid plants are normally produced using in vitro gynogenesis. The obtained haploid plantlets must be treated with different agents for doubling chromosomes. It is necessary to adjust the concentration and the length of treatment of the doubling agent. In this case, the effect of 250 and 500 mg.L-1 colchicine and 15.2; 30 and 60 mg.L- 1 amiprophos-methyl during 24 and 48 h was assessed over the rate of onion haploid plantlets chromosome doubling. The best duplication treatment was 250 mg.L-1 colchicine for 48 h, which yielded 100% of doubled haploid plants. On the other hand, a positive correlation resulted from the ploidy level and stomatal size, and a negative correlation between the level of ploidy and stomatal density. Significant differences between the stomatal length, width and density in haploid and doubled haploid plantlets were observed. An economical and quick method to test ploidy level in onion plantlets is proposed through the measurement of stomatal size and density.

Simulated Methyl iodide emission and concentration using the ocean biogeochemistry model MPIOM/HAMOCC forced by OMIP data

Production pathways of the prominent volatile organic halogen compound methyl iodide (CH3I) are not fully understood. Based on observations, production of CH3I via photochemical degradation of organic material or via phytoplankton production has been proposed. Additional insights could not be gained from correlations between observed biological and environmental variables or from biogeochemical modeling to identify unambiguously the source of methyl iodide. In this study, we aim to address this question of source mechanisms with a three-dimensional global ocean general circulation model including biogeochemistry (MPIOM-HAMOCC (MPIOM - Max Planck Institute Ocean Model HAMOCC - HAMburg Ocean Carbon Cycle model)) by carrying out a series of sensitivity experiments. The simulated fields are compared with a newly available global data set. Simulated distribution patterns and emissions of CH3I differ largely for the two different production pathways. The evaluation of our model results with observations shows that, on the global scale, observed surface concentrations of CH3I can be best explained by the photochemical production pathway. Our results further emphasize that correlations between CH3I and abiotic or biotic factors do not necessarily provide meaningful insights concerning the source of origin. Overall, we find a net global annual CH3I air-sea flux that ranges between 70 and 260 Gg/yr. On the global scale, the ocean acts as a net source of methyl iodide for the atmosphere, though in some regions in boreal winter, fluxes are of the opposite direction (from the atmosphere to the ocean).

Alkenone UK37 measured in the upper water column at pump stations CariacoTrench, Peru and Vertex

A series of long-chain (C37, C38, C39), primarily di and tri-unsaturated methyl and ethyl ketones, first identified in sediments from Walvis Ridge off West Africa and from Black Sea (de Leeuw et al., 1979), has been found in marine sediments throughout the world (Brassell et al., 1986 doi:10.1038/320129a0). The marine coccolithophorid Emiliania huxleyi and members of the class Prymnesiophyceae are now the recognized sources of these compounds (Volkman et al., 1979; Marlowe, et al., 1984). Experiments with laboratory cultures of algae showed the degree of unsaturation in the ketone seris biosynthesized depends on growth temperature (Brassell et al., 1986; Marlowe, 1984), a physiological respons observed for classical membrane lipids (vanDeenen et al., 1972). Brassell and co-workers (Brassell et al., 198; Brassell et al., 1986b) thus proposed that systematic fluctuations in the unsaturation of these alkenones noted down-core in sediments from the Kane Gap region of the north-east tropical Atlantic Ocean and correlated with glacial-interglacial cycles provide an organic geochemical measure of past sea-surface water temperatures. Using laboratory cultures of E. huxleyi, we have calibrated changes in the unsaturation pattern of the long-chain ketone series versus growth temperature. The calibration curve is linear and accurtely predicts unsuturation patterns observed in natural particulate materials collected from oceanic waters of known temperature. We present evidence supporting the proposed paleotemperature hypothesis (Brassell et al., 1986, Brassel et al., 1986b) and suggesting absolute 'sea-surface temperatures' for a given oceanic location can be estimated from an analysis of long-chain ketone compositions preserved in glacial and interglacial horizons of deep-sea sediment cores.

Rheological and tribological properties of poly(phenylene sulphide) and poly(ether ether ketone) composites incorporating carbon nanotubes and inorganic nanoparticles: a comparative study

The rheological and tribological properties of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-reinforced poly(phenylene sulphide) (PPS) and poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) nanocomposites prepared via melt-extrusion were investigated. The effectiveness of employing a dual-nanofiller strategy combining polyetherimide (PEI)-wrapped SWCNTs with inorganic fullerene-like tungsten disulfide (IF-WS2) nanoparticles for property enhancement of the resulting hybrid composites was evaluated. Viscoelastic measurements revealed that the complex viscosity ?, storage modulus G?, and loss modulus G? increased with SWCNT content. In the low-frequency region, G? and G? became almost independent of frequency at higher SWCNT loadings, suggesting a transition from liquid-like to solid-like behavior. The incorporation of increasing IF-WS2 contents led to a progressive drop in ? and G? due to a lubricant effect. PEEK nanocomposites showed lower percolation threshold than those based on PPS, ascribed to an improved SWCNT dispersion due to the higher affinity between PEI and PEEK. The SWCNTs significantly lowered the wear rate but only slightly reduced the coefficient of friction. Composites with both nanofillers exhibited improved wear behavior, attributed to the outstanding tribological properties of these nanoparticles and a synergistic reinforcement effect. The combination of SWCNTs with IF-WS2 is a promising route for improving the tribological and rheological performance of thermoplastic nanocomposites.

Highly correlated ab initio study of the far infrared spectra of methyl acetate

Highly correlated ab initio calculations (CCSD(T)) are used to compute gas phase spectroscopic parameters of three isotopologues of the methyl acetate (CH3COOCH3, CD3COOCH3, and CH3COOCD3), searching to help experimental assignments and astrophysical detections. The molecule shows two conformers cis and trans separated by a barrier of 4457 cm−1. The potential energy surface presents 18 minima that intertransform through three internal rotation motions. To analyze the far infrared spectrum at low temperatures, a three-dimensional Hamiltonian is solved variationally. The two methyl torsion barriers are calculated to be 99.2 cm−1 (C–CH3) and 413.1 cm−1 (O–CH3), for the cis-conformer. The three fundamental torsional band centers of CH3COOCH3 are predicted to lie at 63.7 cm−1 (C–CH3), 136.1 cm−1 (O–CH3), and 175.8 cm−1 (C–O torsion) providing torsional state separations. For the 27 vibrational modes, anharmonic fundamentals and rovibrational parameters are provided. Computed parameters are compared with those fitted using experimental data.

Blends of babassu, palm kernal and coconut mame with fossil kerosene: low carbon number methyl esters as a possible source for renewable jet fuel

Three different oils: babassu, coconut and palm kernel have been transesterified with methanol. The fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) have been subjected to vacuum fractional distillation, and the low boiling point fractions have been blended with fossil kerosene at three different proportions: 5, 10 and 20% vol.

Blends of babassu, palm kernel and coconut fame with fossil kerosene. Technical aspects of low carbon number methyl esters as a possible source for renewable jet fuel

State of the Art. Process and Distillation. Fuel Characterization. Fuel Compatibility Tests

Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of Las Conchas Mire (Asturias, N. Spain) from the ketone and fatty acid record= reconstrucción paleoambiental de la Turbera de las Conchas (Asturias, N. España)a partir del registro de cetonas y ácidos grasos

Se han estudiado los biomarcadores, principalmente cetonas y ácidos, preservados en el registro de 3.2 m de la Turbera de Las Conchas. Las cetonas reflejan cierta actividad bacteriana desde 94 cm hasta la base del registro, Los ácidos grasos reflejan una buena preservación de la materia orgánica, salvo en los 20 cm superiores en los que hay indicios de oxidación microbiana de alcanos .The biomarkers, mainly ketones and fally aclds, preserved In 3.2 m deep Las Conchas Mire have been studied, Kelones reflect certain bacterial activity from 94 cm to the bottom of the record. Falty aclds indlcate a good preservation of the organlc matter, wlth the exception of the uppermost 20 cm In whlch mlcroblal oxldation of alkanes are likely to occur

Expression of Batis maritima methyl chloride transferase in Escherichia coli

Methyl chloride transferase, a novel enzyme found in several fungi, marine algae, and halophytic plants, is a biological catalyst responsible for the production of atmospheric methyl chloride. A previous paper reports the purification of this methylase from Batis maritima and the isolation of a cDNA clone of the gene for this enzyme. In this paper, we describe the isolation of a genomic clone of the methylase gene and the expression of recombinant methyl chloride transferase in Escherichia coli and compare the kinetic behavior of the wild-type and recombinant enzyme. The recombinant enzyme is active and promotes the production of methyl chloride by E. coli under in vivo conditions. The kinetic data indicate that the recombinant and wild-type enzymes have similar halide (Cl−, Br−, and I−)-binding capacities. Both the recombinant and wild-type enzymes were found to function well in high NaCl concentrations. This high salt tolerance resembles the activity of halobacterial enzymes rather than halophytic plant enzymes. These findings support the hypothesis that this enzyme functions in the control and regulation of the internal concentration of chloride ions in halophytic plant cells.