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Partitionings and kinetic behaviors of major-to-ultratrace elements between industrial waste incineration fly and bottom ashes as studied by ICP-AES and ICP-MS.

The partitionings of major-to-ultratrace elements between industrial waste incineration fly ash (IWIFA) and industrial waste incineration bottom ash (IWIBA) in industrial waste incinerators were investigated by measuring their concentration distributions, where the incineration ash samples were collected from three different types of industrial waste incinerators. The concentrations of the elements in the incineration ash samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). As a result, ca. 40 elements in the concentration range from mg g(-1) to sub-microg g(-1) could be determined in both IWIFA and IWIBA samples. The concentration ratios of CF/CB (CF, concentration in fly ash; CB, concentration in bottom ash) for analyte elements were used to evaluate the partitionings of the elements between fly and bottom ashes. Then, the correlations between the CF/CB values of the elements and the dissociation energies of their monoxides were examined to evaluate the kinetic behaviors of the elements during the incineration processes. It was found that lithophile and siderophile elements, which have a large affinity with oxygen, were almost equally distributed between fly and bottom ashes, regardless of the dissociation energies of their monoxides. On the other hand, chalcophile elements with rather large volatility provided different behaviors; the elements with the smaller dissociation energies of monoxides were more partitioned in fly ashes than those with the larger ones.

Journal Article↗

[Dynamics of contents of chemical elements in fetal liver, and its physiological and nutritional significance].

The dynamics of contents of chemical elements in fetal liver, and its physiological and nutritional significance are studied. Twenty-one chemical elements in livers of fetus from induced abortion aged four to ten months are measured and are compared with those in adult. The relativity between the monthly average contents of twenty-one elements and fetus month age are analyzed and assorted. The results show that the contents of chemical elements of fetus liver are not well distributed and are not stable during the stage of fetus growth, and even change following the fetus's age. The changing patterns of contents of chemical elements of fetus liver can be divided into three types: a marked positive relativity of some chemical element contents with the increase in fetus age, marked negative relativity with the increase of fetus age, and indefinite relativity with the increase of fetus age. In the time period of embryo development to fetus to newborn infant, the content of some elements that has marked positive relativity with the increase of fetus age varies from low to high, indicating an increase of their contents in liver of fetus while supplying the need of fetus growth. The content of elements that have marked negative relativity with the increase of fetus age varies also from low to high and rapidly decreases in per unit tissue, resulting in an increase of the sensitivity to deficiency of these elements. The contents of elements that have indistinctive relativity with the increase of fetus age may not bring about any impact to fetus and newborn infant from the view of physiology and nutrition.

Calcium↗

[Biological effects of rare earth elements and their action mechanisms].

This paper reviewed the effects of rare earth elements on plant root development, biomass, quality, and resistance against stress. Applying appropriate amount of rare earth elements could not only promote seed germination and root development, increase plant biomass, but also improve harvest quality and plant resistance against stress. The plant uptake characteristics of rare earth elements, as well as their contents, distribution, existing forms, and cytolocalization in plants were discussed, with the focus on the effects of rare earth elements on photosynthesis and chlorophyll formation, nutrient uptake, relationships between rare earth elements and calcium, and action mechanisms of rare earth elements on cell membrane and enzymes. Rare earth elements could enhance chlorophyll content and improve photosynthetic rate, and thus, could increase plant biomass. When an appropriate amount of rare earth elements was applied, the uptake of nutrients by plant and their transformation and utilization were promoted. Rare earth elements could replace calcium ion to participate in enzymatic reactions, maintain the osmosis and stability of cell membrane, promote the protection function of cell membrane, and enhance the plant resistance capability against stress. In the end, further researches on rare earth elements were suggested.

Biomass↗

Non-secretory neuronal elements in the bovine pituitary intermediate lobe.

The bovine pituitary intermediate lobe was studied by light microscopy after staining with a modified Bodian procedure. The study revealed a number of dissimilar intermediate lobe elements characteristic of mature and immature cells found in the adult and embryonic central nervous system and ganglia. In this study the elements are referred to as non-secretory neuronal elements. The elements, forming part of the parenchyma, have multiple processes which distribute themselves throughout the lobe. The typical secretory intermediate lobe cells have only a slight affinity for the Bodian stain. The intermediate lobe basophilic staining secretory cells and the neuronal elements maintain their general differences in appearance and possibly their function. Since the intermediate lobe in bovine is rather avascular and neuronal elements are usually associated with blood vessels, these elements may be involved in certain mechanisms yet unknown. It is possible that the elements provide common precursor proteins that reach the secretory intermediate lobe cells through their dendritic branches. In addition, the non-secretory neuronal elements may be directly involved in the spike potentials recorded from the lobe as well as in stimulus-secretion coupling. This study does not treat the function of the neural elements at this time, but directs attention strictly to their presence in the intermediate lobe of the bovine pituitary gland.

Animals↗

Master standard data quantity food production code. Macro elements for synthesizing production labor time.

Preparation procedures of standardized quantity formulas were analyzed for similarities and differences in production activities, and three entrée classifications were developed, based on these activities. Two formulas from each classification were selected, preparation procedures were divided into elements of production, and the MSD Quantity Food Production Code was applied. Macro elements not included in the existing Code were simulated, coded, assigned associated Time Measurement Units, and added to the MSD Quantity Food Production Code. Repeated occurrence of similar elements within production methods indicated that macro elements could be synthesized for use within one or more entrée classifications. Basic elements were grouped, simulated, and macro elements were derived. Macro elements were applied in the simulated production of 100 portions of each entrée formula. Total production time for each formula and average production time for each entrée classification were calculated. Application of macro elements indicated that this method of predetermining production time was feasible and could be adapted by quantity foodservice managers as a decision technique used to evaluate menu mix, production personnel schedules, and allocation of equipment usage. These macro elements could serve as a basis for further development and refinement of other macro elements which could be applied to a variety of menu item formulas.

Animals↗

The insulin and cAMP response elements of the prolactin gene are overlapping sequences.

Prolactin gene expression is affected by numerous signals, but many of the promoter elements required for these responses have not been clearly identified. This report identifies sequences within the prolactin gene promoter that are required for the responses to cAMP and insulin. The cAMP response element, -101 to -92 shares a 6 of 8 base pair homology with previously identified cAMP response elements. Mutation of this element also results in a > 100-fold decrease in basal prolactin gene expression. This is characteristic of cAMP response elements, but the importance of this element to basal prolactin gene transcription was previously unrecognized. The insulin response element, -97 to -67, is not homologous to previously reported insulin response elements and mediates the 10-fold increases in prolactin gene expression due to insulin observed in GH cells. These elements also function to mediate insulin and cAMP responses from the heterologous delta MTV-CAT reporter plasmid. Together, insulin and cAMP increase prolactin gene expression additively. The clustering of these elements may provide clues to the independent and possible coordinate regulation by these effectors.

Animals↗

HIV-1 core promoter lacks a simple initiator element but contains a bipartite activator at the transcription start site.

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) core promoter region, extending approximately from nucleotides -40 to +80 relative to the transcription start site, contains a complex array of putative regulatory elements, including a TATA box, an initiator element, an element between the TATA box and start site, binding sites for LBP/UBP, the TAR element, and others. However, because of this elaborate architecture, the precise boundaries and functional roles for the individual regulatory elements have not been defined. To facilitate a detailed analysis of the HIV-1 core promoter, we employed in vitro transcription assays to identify the simplest control elements that activate RNA synthesis in the context of a synthetic, heterologous promoter. Because mutations at the start site previously were shown to diminish transcription, we anticipated finding an initiator as a basic regulator. However, we have demonstrated that the HIV-1 core promoter lacks an initiator that is functionally analogous to those found in the terminal transferase and adenovirus major late promoters. In its place, we identified two elements between -6 and +30, both of which appear to be necessary for significant transcriptional activation. Unlike a strong initiator, the activity of these elements was dependent on the presence of a TATA box and on their position relative to TATA. We have called the region containing these two elements the HIV-1 SSR to distinguish it from the simple transcriptional initiator elements found in other genes.

Base Sequence↗

A serum response element and a binding site for NF-Y mediate the serum response of the human thrombospondin 1 gene.

The expression of thrombospondin 1 (TSP 1), a member of the TSP gene family, is rapidly induced by growth factors. We tested the ability of human TSP 1-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase constructs to respond to serum in stably transfected NIH-3T3 cells. Two transcriptional elements in the TSP 1 promoter, a distal element at -1280 and a proximal element at -65, were required for the response of the human TSP 1 gene to serum. The distal element contains the 5'-CC(A + T)6GG-3' consensus sequence characteristic of a serum-response element (SRE). Deletions or mutations in this element reduced the serum response of the TSP 1 gene by 80-90%. In gel-shift assays, the -1280 element and the c-fos SRE cross-competed, whereas their functional and binding mutants did not. The proximal element contains the sequence 5'-GGCCAATGGG-3', which closely resembles the consensus binding motif for the CCAAT-binding factor NF-Y (CBF, CP1, alpha CP1). Deletions or mutations in this element also reduced the serum response by 80-90%. Methylation interference analysis of the -65 region identified a pattern of contacts with nuclear factors resembling that for NF-Y, and an NF-Y-binding site and the proximal TSP 1 element cross-competed in gel-shift assays, whereas their binding mutants did not. Finally, an abbreviated TSP 1 promoter/5'-flank, containing the SRE- and NF-Y-binding sites, mediated a serum response that was close in magnitude to that of the parent promoter. We conclude that the serum response of the human TSP 1 gene requires the coordinated function of an SRE- and NF-Y-binding site.

3T3 Cells↗

Relationships among multiple trace elements in coastal Casuarina equisetifolia ecosystems on Hainan Island, South China.

Forty-six trace elements in coastal Casuarina equisetifolia plant-soil systems at nine sampling sites on Hainan Island were analyzed using ICP-MS. The relationships among the trace elements of the same group or the same periodicity of the Periodic Table in the plants and soils were complex and no consistent patterns were found. More combinations of elements occurred with high positive correlation coefficients within the same periodicity than within the same group of the Periodic Table, and there were more high positive correlations in soils than in plants. However, there were many element combinations in Block d (transition elements) with high positive correlation coefficients in plants. Markedly high positive correlation coefficients between individual rare earth elements and Y and among Zr, Nb, Cd existed in both plants and soils. The dendrograms obtained by cluster analysis show that rare earth elements had very similar occurrence and distribution in both soils and plants. Thus, they behaved as a coherent group of elements both geochemically and biogeochemically. The transition elements were more coherent in plants than in soils.

Agriculture↗

LINEs and SINE-like elements of the protist Entamoeba histolytica.

A survey of whole genome shotgun sequences of the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica revealed three families of non-long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons or long interspersed elements (LINEs) (called EhLINEs in this report). The 4.8 kb EhLINEs each had a single open reading frame with a putative nucleic acid binding motif (CCHC) and restriction enzyme-like endonuclease domain located downstream of the reverse transcriptase (RT) domain. Phylogenetic analysis of the RT domain placed the EhLINEs in the R4 clade of non-LTR elements, a mixed clade of non-LTR elements that includes members from nematodes, insects, and vertebrates. EhLINE1 (which was previously identified as HMc and EhRLE) shared a common 3' end with a highly transcribed 0.55 kb short interspersed element (SINE)-like element previously identified as IE or ehapt2 and called EhLSINE1 in this report. Similarly, EhLINE2 shared a common 3' end with a highly transcribed 0.65 kb SINE-like element called EhLSINE2 in this report. The shared 3' end sequences of the EhLINEs and EhLSINEs suggested that EhLINEs are involved in the retrotransposition of the EhLSINEs. EhLSINEs were flanked by target site duplications and contained conserved 5' sequences, which likely regulate their transcription. The EhLSINEs are the first protist SINE-like elements identified that share a common 3' sequence with LINEs, and the first SINE-like elements that have been associated with the R4 clade of non-LTR elements.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

MosquI, a novel family of mosquito retrotransposons distantly related to the Drosophila I factors, may consist of elements of more than one origin.

A novel family of non-long-terminal-repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons, named MosquI, was discovered in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. There were approximately 14 copies of MosquI in the A. aegypti genome. Four of the five analyzed MosquI elements were truncated at the 5' ends while one of them, MosquI-Aa2, was full-length. All five MosquI elements ended with 4-10 TAA tandem repeats, as the Drosophila I factors do. Interestingly, MosquI elements were often found near genes and other repetitive elements. The 6,623-bp MosquI-Aa2 contained two open reading frames (ORFs) flanked by a 404-bp 5' untranslated region and a 326-bp 3' untranslated region. The two ORFs code for nucleocapsids, endonuclease, reverse transcriptase, and RNase H domains. Although overall structural and sequence comparisons suggest that MosquI is highly similar to the Drosophila I factors, phylogenetic analysis based on the reverse transcriptase domains of 40 non-LTR retrotransposons indicate that MosquI and I factors are likely paralogous elements which may have been separated before the split between the ancestors of mollusca and arthropoda. Pairwise comparisons between the four truncated MosquI elements showed 96.7%-99.5% identity at the nucleotide level, while comparisons between the full-length MosquI-Aa2 and the truncated copies showed only 80.2%-81.8% identity. These comparisons and preliminary phylogenetic analyses suggest that the full-length and truncated MosquI elements may belong to two subfamilies originating from two source genes that diverged a long time ago. In contrast to the defective I factors in Drosophila melanogaster, which are likely very old components of the genome, the truncated MosquI elements seem to have been recently active. Finally, the genomic distribution and evolution of MosquI elements are analyzed in the context of other non-LTR retrotransposons in A. aegypti.

Aedes↗

Identification of negative and positive regulatory elements associated with a class I major histocompatibility complex gene.

Regulatory DNA sequence elements were functionally identified in the 5'-flanking region of a gene, PD1, which encodes a porcine classical transplantation antigen. Both a positive regulatory element and a novel negative regulatory DNA element were mapped within 1.1 kilobases upstream of exon 1. The negative regulatory element reduced the activity of both the homologous PD1 promoter and a heterologous simian virus 40 promoter. In vivo competition experiments indicated that the functions of the PD1 positive and negative regulatory elements are mediated by distinct cellular trans-acting factors. The PD1 positive regulatory element interacted with cellular factors in common with those binding to the simian virus 40 enhancer. Finally, the negative regulatory element required the presence of a positive regulatory element to function. This interaction between positive and negative regulatory elements represents a novel mechanism for regulating gene expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of functional estrogen response elements in the gene coding for the potent angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent stimulator of angiogenesis and a prognostic factor for many tumors including those of endocrine-responsive tissues such as the breast and uterus. We and others have previously shown that VEGF is regulated by estradiol and tamoxifen in the uterus and by estradiol in human breast cancer cells, and pharmacological evidence has suggested that this regulation was mediated by transcriptional activation of the estrogen receptor (ER). This prompted us to investigate whether the VEGF gene contains sequences that bind the ER and confer hormonal inducibility to reporter constructs in the presence of the two ER subtypes. These studies identified two sequences homologous to the consensus estrogen response element, GGTCAnnnTGACC, which bind both ER-alpha and ER-beta. One of these elements is located in the 5'-untranslated region of the VEGF gene (GGGCAaagTGACT), and the other is located in the 3'-untranslated region (GAGCAcccTGCCC). Competition with excess unlabeled oligonucleotides indicates that these two elements bind both ERs specifically, mutations in either half-site of the two elements abolish receptor binding, and ER-alpha- and ER-beta-specific antibodies interact with complexes formed with the corresponding receptor subtypes. In cells containing either ER-alpha or ER-beta, the 3'-element behaves as a traditional enhancer that confers hormone inducibility to reporter constructs in an orientation-independent manner, and transcriptional activity is blocked by the pure antiestrogen ICI 182,780. The pattern of transcriptional activity of the element located in the 5'-flanking region is more complex. In the orientation found in the endogenous gene, this element is nonresponsive to ER-beta but confers estrogen-dependent inhibition of transcription with ER-alpha that is blunted by ICI 182,780. In the opposite orientation, the 5'-element confers hormone inducibility with either ER-alpha or -beta, and ICI 182,780 blocks activation by ER-alpha but not by ER-beta. These findings support the hypotheses that estrogens directly regulate VEGF transcription in target tissues and tumors, although such regulation appears likely to involve a complex interplay of cis- and trans-acting elements not previously observed for other hormone-responsive genes.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

A HLA class I cis-regulatory element whose activity can be modulated by hormones.

To elucidate the basis of the down-regulation in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I gene expression and to identify possible DNA-binding regulatory elements that have the potential to interact with class I MHC genes, we have studied the transcriptional regulation of class I HLA genes in human breast carcinoma cells. A 9 base pair (bp) negative cis-regulatory element (NRE) has been identified using band-shift assays employing DNA sequences derived from the 5'-flanking region of HLA class I genes. This 9-bp element, GTCATGGCG, located within exon I of the HLA class I gene, can potently inhibit the expression of a heterologous thymidine kinase (TK) gene promoter and the HLA enhancer element. Furthermore, this regulatory element can exert its suppressive function in either the sense or anti-sense orientation. More interestingly, NRE can suppress dexamethasone-mediated gene activation in the context of the reported glucocorticoid-responsive element (GRE) in MCF-7 cells but has no influence on the estrogen-mediated transcriptional activation of MCF-7 cells in the context of the reported estrogen-responsive element (ERE). Furthermore, the presence of such a regulatory element within the HLA class I gene whose activity can be modulated by hormones correlates well with our observation that the level of HLA class I gene expression can be down-regulated by hormones in human breast carcinoma cells. Such interactions between negative regulatory elements and specific hormone trans-activators are novel and suggest a versatile form of transcriptional control.

Base Sequence↗

Proteins bound at adjacent DNA elements act synergistically to regulate human proenkephalin cAMP inducible transcription.

Synthesis of the endogenous opioid precursor, proenkephalin, is regulated by neurotransmitters and membrane depolarization. These events act through second messenger dependent signal transduction pathways via a short inducible DNA enhancer to regulate transcription of the proenkephalin gene. Two DNA elements located within this enhancer are essential for the transcriptional response to cAMP and phorbol ester. Inactivation of either element by mutation or by alteration of their stereospecific alignment eliminates inducible enhancer activity. The promoter distal element, ENKCRE-1, in the absence of a functional adjacent ENKCRE-2 element, has no inherent capacity to activate transcription. However, in the presence of a functional ENKCRE-2 element, this element synergistically augments cAMP and phorbol ester inducible transcription. The promoter proximal element, ENKCRE-2, is essential for both basal and regulated enhancer function. Four different protein factors found in HeLa cell nuclear extracts bind in vitro to the enhancer region. ENKTF-1, a novel enhancer binding protein, binds to the DNA region encompassing ENKCRE-1. The transcription factors AP-1 and AP-4 bind to overlapping sites spanning ENKCRE-2, and a fourth transcription factor, AP-2, binds to a site immediately downstream of ENKCRE-2. The binding of ENKTF-1 to mutant ENKCRE-1 sequences in vitro correlates with the in vivo inducibility of the mutant elements suggesting that ENKTF-1 acts in combination with factors that recognize the ENKCRE-2 domain to regulate cAMP inducible transcription. Together, the two DNA elements, ENKCRE-1 and ENKCRE-2 and the protein factors with which they interact, play a critical role in the transduction and reception of signals transmitted from cell surface receptors to the proenkephalin nuclear transcription complex.

Cyclic AMP↗

Cell-specific regulation of transcription of the malic enzyme gene: characterization of cis-acting elements that modulate nuclear T3 receptor activity.

Stimulation of malic enzyme transcription by triiodothyronine (T3) is robust (> 60-fold) in chick embryo hepatocytes, weak (5-fold) in chick embryo fibroblasts that stably overexpress the nuclear T3 receptor-alpha, and still weaker (1-fold) in chick embryo fibroblasts which contain nuclear T3 receptor levels that are similar to those of chick embryo hepatocytes. Using DNase I hypersensitivity, functional transfection, and in vitro DNA-binding analyses, four cis-acting elements were identified in the malic enzyme 5'-flanking DNA that conferred differences in nuclear T3 receptor activity between chick embryo hepatocytes and chick embryo fibroblasts. These cell-specific regulatory elements are located at -3895/-3890, -3761/-3744, -3703/-3686, and -3474/-2715 bp and overlap with DNase I hypersensitive sites that are observed in chromatin of chick embryo hepatocytes. Each element enhances T3 responsiveness of the malic enzyme promoter in chick embryo hepatocytes but has no effect on T3 responsiveness in chick embryo fibroblasts. Three of the cell-specific regulatory elements flank a previously identified DNA fragment (-3889 to -3769 bp; Hodnett et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 334, 309-324, 1996) that contains one major and four minor T3 response elements. The cell-specific regulatory element at -3703/-3686 bp binds to the liver-enriched factor, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha, whereas cell-specific regulatory elements at -3895/-3890 and -3761/-3744 bp bind proteins of unknown identity. While the cell-specific regulatory element at -3761/-3744 bp contains sequences that resemble binding sites for CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein, activator protein-1, cyclic AMP response element binding protein, and NF-1, none of these proteins appear to bind to this DNA fragment. These data suggest that cell-specific differences in T3 responsiveness of the malic enzyme gene are mediated in large part by nonreceptor proteins that augment the transcriptional activity of the nuclear T3 receptor in hepatocytes.

Animals↗

Multiple ocs-like elements required for efficient transcription of the mannopine synthase gene of T-DNA in maize protoplasts.

Regulatory elements controlling transcriptional activity of the mannopine synthase 2' promoter (mas 2') were defined by analysis of deletion mutants in transient expression assays in maize protoplasts. Deletion of the region between -305 and -290 containing sequence similarity to the octopine synthase (ocs) promoter element reduced activity by 67% compared to wild type activity. Less than 1% of the activity remained in 5' deletions downstream of -153. Inclusion of various heterologous enhancer-like sequences immediately upstream of position -325 increased activity by up to 7.5-fold. Insertion of the -325 to -275 sequence alone, or in combination with heterologous enhancer-like elements, restored activity of some of the 5'-deletion mutants. Restoration of activity was not obtained with mutants deleted past position -127. Our results suggest that a single class of nuclear proteins from maize interact with high affinity at elements designated mas b (-306 to -275; mas 1' element), d (-127 to -108), and e (-82 to -39; mas 2' element) as well as the 20 bp element from the ocs promoter. Although the binding site at mas d only appears to accommodate a single protein, this element has the potential to make a weak, but positive, contribution to the activity of the mas 2' promoter. The binding of nuclear proteins could not be demonstrated at mas a and c, both of which showed limited homology to the ocs element. Mutational evidence suggested that mas a and c may also contribute to mas 2' transcription.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗

Independent transposition of multiple Ac elements in the same transgenic tomato cell.

To effectively use transposable elements for the genetic manipulation of plant species lacking well characterized endogenous elements, it is important to evaluate the behavior of known transposable elements following their introduction into heterologous host species. One critical parameter concerns the timing of transposition in relation to the development of the transgenic host since this will affect the frequency with which transposition events are captured in the gametes. In order to examine whether different elements in the same cell are differentially active during development, we used Southern hybridizations to assess the activity of Activator (Ac) elements in progeny plants derived from a tomato transformant carrying five Ac's at two loci. All of the elements at one locus transposed in the primary transformant at a developmental stage resulting in the transmission of newly transposed elements to the next generation. In contrast, one or more of the Ac's at the second locus were not active at this stage and were transmitted to the next generation at the original donor T-DNA insertion site. These elements were, however, transpositionally active in somatic tissue. These results demonstrated that individual transposable elements in the same transformed cell can be differentially activated during development.

Blotting, Southern↗