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Mechanism of dystrophic calcification in rabbit aortas: temporal and spatial distributions of calcifying vesicles and calcification-related structural proteins.

INTRODUCTION: We have previously demonstrated the accumulation of calcifying vesicles in the thoracic aorta undergoing dystrophic calcification. Whether the distributions of other structural proteins related to calcification such as collagen and elastin fibers undergo coordinated modifications has not been established. METHODS: Young rabbits with various degrees of aortic calcification induced by cholesterol dietary interventions were used as an animal model to study the correlations. RESULTS: Rabbits fed a diet enriched in cholesterol for 3 months accumulated calcifying vesicles in the ascending thoracic aortas but did not develop histologically identifiable calcification. There were concomitant marked thickenings of the intima with focal deposition of collagen and disruption of the internal elastic fibers at this stage. By the 6th month, calcification was predominantly present in the intimal area adjacent to the media. At this calcified stage, calcifying activity of vesicles was higher than earlier stages. Concomitantly, collagen deposition in the lesions was intensified and the internal elastic fibers were completely disintegrated. These changes were found to be more profound in the proximal than in the distal portion of the aortas. CONCLUSION: The coordinated changes in the accumulation of collagen, disintegration of internal elastic fibers, and the appearance of calcifying vesicles in the lesions before calcification may set the stage for aortic calcification.

Animals↗

Spatial distribution of watery diarrhoea in children: identification of "risk areas" in a rural community in Bangladesh.

To assess the geographic variation of acute watery diarrhoea in children 0 to 5 years old in rural Bangladesh, all cases of "cholera-like" diarrhoea were plotted on the map. A clustering pattern was noticed, and validated by a nonparametric clustering test for in-homogeneous population. Several risk areas for the disease were identified. In these areas, the point prevalence (8.7/1000) was notably higher than outside the areas (0.41/1000), (95% confidence interval, 15.55-29.30). Parents' education, population density and use of sanitary latrines were significantly related to the risk areas (p < or = 0.001). The results of this study indicate that computer-assisted mapping may be useful in defining and monitoring risk areas for watery diarrhoea in children.

Bangladesh↗

The asymmetric spatial distribution of bacterial signal transduction proteins coordinates cell cycle events.

The polar localization of signaling proteins that are essential for Caulobacter cell cycle control is temporally regulated. Here we provide evidence that phosphorylation of the essential response regulator, DivK, is required for both its function and its cell cycle-regulated localization. The asymmetric location of the DivJ and PleC histidine kinases and their antagonistic activities on the cellular concentration of phosphorylated DivK provide positional and temporal information for the ordered sequence of DivK localization during the cell cycle. DivJ activity on DivK affects its correct localization, which, in turn, is required for PleC function. Since DivJ and PleC regulate different cell cycle events, the interconnected function of these two histidine kinases through localization of a common response regulator provides a mechanism for coordinating cell cycle progression. Study of a DivK homolog in the morphologically symmetric bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti suggests that this type of cell cycle mechanism is widespread in prokaryotes.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Niche preferences and spatial distribution of Monogenea on the gills of Pimelodus maculatus in Río de la Plata (Argentina).

Five Monogenea species were found on the gills of the catfish Pimelodus maculatus in Río de la Plata (Argentina). These were used for studying the preference of species on different gill-hemibranches, niche breadth and niche overlap between species. It was found that congeneric species had a generic-specific preference for certain gill-hemibranches. Niche breadth appeared to be related to the number of individuals of each species. Niche overlap between the species is discussed.

Animals↗

Microbial organisms carried by brown-banded cockroaches in relation to their spatial distribution in a hospital.

A simultaneous study of cockroach (Supella supellectilium) distribution and of associated carried bacterial flora has been made in the main hospital in Rennes (France). Wild cockroaches carry a high number of bacterial species that can be related to the normal environmental flora and a contaminant flora acquired from particular environments. The diversity of carried bacterial species reveals a proximity factor between continguous floors of the building which leads us to suppose that cockroaches are able to forage from one floor to the other.

Animals↗

Genotype-specific spatial distribution of starch molecules in the starch granule: a combined CLSM and SEM approach.

Starch granule types from a variety of botanical sources were selected to represent differences in crystalline polymorph, amylose and phosphate content, and amylopectin chain length distribution. Equimolar labeling of starch molecules with the fluorophore 8-amino-1,3,6-pyrenetrisulfonic acid (APTS) was used to construct a detailed map of the distribution of amylose and amylopectin within the granule by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) analysis. Medium- and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to provide detailed images of granule surface structures. By using a combined surface and internal imaging approach, interpretations of a number of previous structural observations is presented. In particular, internal images of high amylose maize and potato suggest that multiple initiations of new granules are responsible for the compound or elongated structures observed in these starches. CLSM optical sections of rice granules revealed an apparent altered distribution of amylose in relation to the proposed growth ring structure, hinting at a novel mechanism of starch molecule deposition. Well-described granule features, such as equatorial grooves, channels, cracks, and growth rings were documented and related to both the internal and external observations. A new method for probing the phosphate distribution in native granules was developed using a phosphate-binding fluorescent dye and CLSM.

Amylose↗

Spatial distribution of mammalian cells grown on macroporous microcarriers with improved attachment kinetics.

Vero and HepG2 cells were cultivated on macroporous gelatin microcarriers prepared by the calcium carbonate inclusion method. Cell attachment to these microcarriers was slow. For HepG2 cells the subsequent growth was poor. Modification of the microcarriers by incorporation of (diethylamino)ethyl-HCl improved HepG2 attachment and subsequent growth. Optical sectioning with confocal microscopy allowed visualization of the distribution of cells within microcarriers. In most microcarriers, cells were found to preferentially populate regions close to the external surface and some cavities in the interior. Despite the incomplete occupancy of the interior of the microcarriers, high cell concentrations were achieved.

Animals↗

Influence of environmental variables on the spatial distribution of PCBs in Norwegian and U.K. soils: implications for global cycling.

This paper reports the influence of environmental variables on soil concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and their global fractionation. Soils were sampled from remote woodland (coniferous and deciduous) and grassland locations on a latitudinal transect through the United Kingdom and Norway. Different processes control PCB concentrations and burdens in coniferous, deciduous, and grassland soil systems; these are discussed, with emphasis on the influence of canopy scavenging and soil organic matter (OM) content. In general, concentration differences between sites were 1-2 orders of magnitude for lighter PCBs and 2-3 orders of magnitude for heavier PCBs, when expressed on a pg g(-1) dry weight basis. These differences decreased by up to an order of magnitude when expressed as pg g(-1) OM. The dataset suggests that the more volatile PCBs are moving toward equilibrium with the OM burden of the soil compartment on a European regional scale, while the distribution of the "stickier", heavier homologues appears to still be primarily influenced by their preferential deposition closer to source areas. The relative concentration of the tri- and tetra-PCBs increases with latitude, while that of the hepta- and octa-PCBs decreases, consistent with the global fractionation theory. However, the regression slopes are quite shallow, with high scatter, implying that many environmental and soil-related factors (such as precipitation, organic carbon content and type, other soil properties, local sources, etc.) are also influencing the observed congener patterns. Temperature-driven fractionation, while clearly operating and detectable, needs to be considered in this broader context.

Carbon↗

Spatial distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in southern Ontario as measured in indoor and outdoor window organic films.

Organic films were collected from indoor and outdoor window surfaces, along an urban-rural transect extending northward from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and analyzed for 41 polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners (PBDE). For exterior films, urban sigmaPBDE concentrations were approximately 10x greater than rural concentrations, indicating an urban-rural gradient and greater PBDE sources in urban areas. Urban films ranged from 2.5 to 14.5 ng/m2 (mean = 9.0 ng/ m2), excluding the regional "hotspot" Electronics Recycling Facility, compared to 1.1 and 0.56 ng/m2 at the Suburban and Rural sites. Interior urban films (mean = 34.4 ng/m2) were 3 times greater than rural films (10.3 ng/m2) and were representative of variations in building characteristics. Indoor films were 1.5-20 times greater than outdoor films, consistent with indoor sources of PBDEs and enhanced degradation in outdoor films. Congener profiles were dominated by BDE-209 (51.1%), consistent with deca-BDE as the main source mixture, followed by congeners from the penta-BDE mixture (BDE-99:13.6% and -47:9.4%) and some octa-BDE (BDE-183:1.5%). Congener patterns suggest a degradative loss of lower brominated compounds in outdoor films versus indoor films. Gas-phase air concentrations were back-calculated from film concentrations using the film-air partition coefficient (K(FA)). Mean calculated air concentrations were 4.8 pg/m3 for outdoor and 42.1 pg/m3 for indoor urban sites, indicating that urban indoor air is a source of PBDEs to urban outdoor air and the outdoor regional environment.

Air Pollutants↗

Temporal trends and spatial distributions of brominated flame retardants in archived fishes from the Great Lakes.

To explore the geographical distribution and temporal trends of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the Great Lakes, lake trout from Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Ontario and walleye from Lake Erie, collected during the period of 1980-2000, were analyzed. The concentrations of fifteen PBDE congeners and one polybrominated biphenyl (PBB-153) were determined in each fish sample. Lake trout from Lakes Michigan and Ontario had the highest sigmaPBDE concentrations during the years investigated. The sigmaPBDE concentrations in fishes from the five lakes increased exponentially with time, doubling every 3-4 years. The relative proportion of BDEs-47, -99, and -100 compared to BDEs-153 and -154 increased significantly as a function of time. Over the period 1980-2000, the concentrations of PBB-153, which was a component of a flame retardant banned in the 1970s, generally remained the same in these Great Lakes fishes, except for lake trout from Lake Huron, where the PBB-153 concentrations decreased significantly, but slowly.

Animals↗

Molecular, seasonal, and spatial distributions of organic aerosols from fourteen Chinese cities.

Organic aerosols were studied at the molecular level in 14 coastal and inland mega-cities in China during winter and summer 2003. They are characterized by the abundant presence of n-alkanes (annual average, 340 ng m(-3)), fatty acids (769 ng m(-3)), sugars (412 ng m(-3)), and phthalates (387 ng m(-3)). In contrast, fatty alcohols, polyols/polyacids, lignin and resin products, sterols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and hopanes were detected as relatively minor components. n-Alkanes show a weak odd/even carbon predominance (CPI = 1.1) and PAHs show a predominance of benzo(b)fluoranthene, suggesting a serious contribution from fossil fuel (mainly coal) combustion. Their concentrations (except for phthalates and polyols/polyacids) were 2-15 times higher in winter than summer due to a significant usage of coal burning and an enhancement of atmospheric inversion layers. Phthalates were found to be more abundant in summer than winter, probably due to enhanced vaporization from plastics followed by adsorptive deposition on the pre-existing particles. Concentrations of total quantified compounds are extremely high (approximately 10 microg m(-3)) in the midwest (Chongqing and Xi'an) where active industrialization/urbanization is going on. This study shows that concentrations of the compounds detected are 1-3 orders of magnitude higher than those reported from developed countries.

Aerosols↗

Unraveling the spatial distribution of immunoglobulins, enzymes, and polyelectrolytes within layer-by-layer self-assembled multilayers. Ellipsometric studies.

The ellipsometric characterization of a layer-by-layer electrostatically self-assembled multilayer of polyphenol oxidase and alkaline phosphatase with the polycation poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) built on an immunologic layer formed by immunoglobulin G (IgG) and glucose oxidase-conjugated anti-IgG (IgG-GOD) on glassy carbon is reported. The step-by-step evolution of the psi-Delta ellipsometric angles was followed during film growth. Two optical models, named the three-layer film model and reorganization film model, were employed and found suitable for ellipsometric data interpretation. A comparative analysis of film optical properties, film thickness, and ellipsometric mass assessed from both models is also presented.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Optimal sampling and spatial distribution of Ixodes pacificus, Dermacentor occidentalis and Dermacentor variabilis ticks (Acari: Ixodidae).

A common method for sampling tick populations is flagging, which is a method of dragging a white cloth over a plant substrate for a fixed distance along a transect. Flagging over rough physical surfaces or using long subtransect lengths could lead to the underestimation of tick densities. Using estimates of the drop-off rates of adult Ixodes pacificus in flag sampling, optimal sampling schemes (the length and number of subtransects) were examined using the relationships between the tick drop-off rates (c), the tick density and distribution patterns and the roughness of the sampled plant substrate. It was found that the optimal number of subtransects and Lmax, the longest subtransect length which did not significantly underestimate the tick density from c, were affected by the tick density, substrate roughness and tick distribution pattern. This study also showed that the density and distribution of I. pacificus and Dermacentor occidentalis varied greatly over time in the populations sampled, while the Dermacentor variabilis densities were low and showed no significant changes over time. Both I. pacificus and D. occidentalis had clumped distributions along trails and these clumps were aggregated. However, the clump sizes (or individual clump areas) changed significantly over time because of density fluctuation or the movement of ticks. Finally, a positive association between the number of I. pacificus and D. occidentalis adults was observed from 2 m subtransect flag collections in March 1995; no relationship was found in 1994.

Animals↗

Expression analysis of a cytosolic glutamine synthetase gene in cotyledons of Scots pine seedlings: developmental, light regulation and spatial distribution of specific transcripts.

The expression of a cytosolic glutamine synthetase (GS1; EC 6.3.1.2) gene was examined in cotyledons of Scots pine seedlings. Light strongly stimulated GS1 mRNA accumulation during development. Similarly, steady-state levels of GS1 transcripts increased in dark-grown seedlings transferred to light and decreased in dark-adapted seedlings. Light/dark adaptation affected rbcS and lhcb2 mRNA levels and chlorophyll contents in the same manner. Light-grown seedlings in the presence of the herbicide norflurazon showed a drastic decrease in mRNA for GS and photosynthetic proteins, whereas the effect of the herbicide on mitochondrial beta-ATP synthase mRNA was limited. These results indicate that factors associated with developing chloroplasts could be required for maximal GS1 gene expression during seedling development. The level of GS polypeptide, determined by immunoblot, was up-regulated during seedling development in the light or dark. However, the levels of the polypeptide detected were unaltered by the light/dark adaptation treatments. The analysis of GS1 mRNA association with polysomes indicated that the discrepancies between GS protein and mRNA levels are not a result of a differential translational rate of the transcript in darkness relative to light. Two GS isoproteins with different isoelectric point were resolved by two-dimensional PAGE in light- and dark-germinated plants. The relative abundance of one of them was markedly affected by light and correlated with the observed changes in GS mRNA, suggesting that the other form is not a product derived from the detected transcript. In situ hybridization of cotyledon sections showed the presence of GS1 mRNAs in mesophyll and phloem cells confirming gene expression in photosynthetic tissues. High levels of transcript were detected also in meristematic cells of apical primordia. These data suggest a dual role for the GS1 gene associated with chloroplast development/activity and glutamine biosynthesis for nitrogen mobilization during early growth of Scots pine.

Chloroplasts↗

The influence of internuclear spatial distribution and instrument noise on the precision of distances determined by solid state NMR of isotopically enriched proteins.

The relative merits of different isotopic enrichment strategies that might be used in solid state NMR protein structure determinations are explored. The basis for comparison of these merits is the determination of the relative uncertainties in rates measured by a generalized dipolar recoupling experiment. The different schemes considered use (13)C, (15)N and (2)H labeling of ubiquitin with homonuclear magnetization-transfer type experiments under magic-angle spinning (MAS). Specific attention is given to the sensitivity of the predicted relative precisions to variation in natural nuclear density distribution and noise levels. A framework is suggested to gauge the precision of measurement of a given dipolar coupling constant, and the potential for a set of such measurements to constrain structure calculations is explored. The distribution of nuclei in homonuclear (15)N and (1)H dipolar recoupling spin-exchange experiments appear to provide the most promising tertiary structure information for uniformly labeled ubiquitin.

Carbon Isotopes↗