Rapamycin selectively inhibits interleukin-2 activation of p70 S6 kinase.

The macrolide rapamycin induces cell cycle G1 arrest in yeast and in mammalian cells, which suggests that an evolutionarily conserved, rapamycin-sensitive pathway may regulate entry into S phase. In mammals, rapamycin inhibits interleukin-2 receptor-induced S phase entry and subsequent T-cell proliferation, resulting in immunosuppression. Here we show that interleukin-2 selectively stimulates the phosphorylation and activation of p70 S6 kinase but not the erk-encoded MAP kinases and rsk-encoded S6 kinases. Rapamycin completely and rapidly inhibits interleukin-2-induced phosphorylation and activation of p70 S6 kinase at concentrations comparable to those blocking S phase entry of T cells (0.05-0.2 nM). The structurally related macrolide FK506 competitively antagonizes the actions of rapamycin, indicating that these effects are mediated by FKBP, which binds the transition-state mimic structure common to both rapamycin and FK506 (refs 4, 6, 9-11). The selective blockade of the p70 S6 kinase activation cascade by the rapamycin-FKBP complex implicates this signalling pathway in the regulation of T cell entry into S phase.     

A direct progesterone radioimmunoassay

Résumé Exposé d'une méthode de radioimmunoassai du progestérone dans le plasma sans purification chromatographique. Le 11-hémisuccinate de la progestérone a été joint au sérum bovin de l'albumine et injecté aux lapins pour stimuler la production d'anticorps. Des échantillons de plasma humain, extraits avec de l'éther, sont ajoutés à des quantités données de 1,2-H³-progestérone. Les résultats avec ou sans chromatographie sont comparables. La méthode est précise et très sensible pour mesurer les niveaux peu élevés de progestérone humaine.     

1982～1996年亚洲热带夏季风建立迟早的探讨(Ⅰ)热带季风环流的主要特征和季风建立指数

利用NCEP再分析的 1982～ 1996年的风场和高度场资料 ,分析讨论了亚洲热带夏季风环流的若干基本特征 ;从季风环流的主要特征出发 ,定义了一个季风建立指数 ;计算、确定和分析了东亚季风区和印度季风区 15年平均的季风建立时间 .结果表明 ,在 1982～ 1996年期间 ,平均而言 ,东亚热带季风 5月第 4候建立 ,维持到 10月第 2候 ;印度季风 6月第 2候建立 ,比南海热带季风晚约 4候 ,持续至 9月第 1候     

A role for graphene in silicon-based semiconductor devices

As silicon-based electronics approach the limit of improvements to performance and capacity through dimensional scaling, attention in the semiconductor field has turned to graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb lattice. Its high mobility of charge carriers (electrons and holes) could lead to its use in the next generation of high-performance devices. Graphene is unlikely to replace silicon completely, however, because of the poor on/off current ratio resulting from its zero bandgap. But it could be used to improve silicon-based devices, in particular in high-speed electronics and optical modulators.     

Arabian Sea tropical cyclones intensified by emissions of black carbon and other aerosols

Throughout the year, average sea surface temperatures in the Arabian Sea are warm enough to support the development of tropical cyclones, but the atmospheric monsoon circulation and associated strong vertical wind shear limits cyclone development and intensification, only permitting a pre-monsoon and post-monsoon period for cyclogenesis. Thus a recent increase in the intensity of tropical cyclones over the northern Indian Ocean is thought to be related to the weakening of the climatological vertical wind shear. At the same time, anthropogenic emissions of aerosols have increased sixfold since the 1930s, leading to a weakening of the southwesterly lower-level and easterly upper-level winds that define the monsoonal circulation over the Arabian Sea. In principle, this aerosol-driven circulation modification could affect tropical cyclone intensity over the Arabian Sea, but so far no such linkage has been shown. Here we report an increase in the intensity of pre-monsoon Arabian Sea tropical cyclones during the period 1979-2010, and show that this change in storm strength is a consequence of a simultaneous upward trend in anthropogenic black carbon and sulphate emissions. We use a combination of observational, reanalysis and model data to demonstrate that the anomalous circulation, which is radiatively forced by these anthropogenic aerosols, reduces the basin-wide vertical wind shear, creating an environment more favourable for tropical cyclone intensification. Because most Arabian Sea tropical cyclones make landfall, our results suggest an additional impact on human health from regional air pollution.     

Host cell reactivation capacity of different strains of E. coli B resistant or sensitive to ozone

Host cell reactivation capacity for ozonated or irradiated phage was determined for different strains of E. coli either more sensitive or resistant to ozone than the wild type strain. The results suggest that the ozr gene product could be involved in the same repair pathway for ozone-induced lesions on DNA as the polA gene. The possible involvement of a specific endonuclease for these lesions is also considered.     

Biological correlates of psychological states among young children: a cross-sectional examination of roles of aspartate transaminase/alanine aminotransferase,insulin, and cytokines

Compared to data on adolescents and adults, limited research has been conducted on biological corre- lates among young children with possible psychological difficulties, especially in Asian countries. By focusing on various peripheral biochemical indicators, we investigated potential biological correlates of psychological states in a community sample of Taiwanese school children aged 6-10 years. In total, 307 students （159 obese children and 148 normal-weight children） were selected from first- and fourth-grade school children in eight elementary schools in the Taipei metropolitan area in 2009. These children underwent a comprehensive health examination, including a physical examination, blood sample analysis, and questionnaire administration in a hospital. Differences in anthropometric and serum biochemical readings were compared between children with average and worse levels on each of the five psychological domains. We found that interleukin （IL）-1β [β = 1.29, 95 % confidence interval （CI） 0.50-2.09], IL-10 （β = 1.61, 95 % CI 〈0.01-3.24）, fasting blood glucose （β = 0.08, 95 % CI 0.01-0.15）, homocysteine （β = 0.63, 95 % CI 0.09-1.18）, and aspar- tate transaminase （AST） （β = 0.15, 95 % CI 〈0.01-0.31） were significantly positively associated with anxiety. In addition, IL-113, insulin, AST, and alanine aminotransam- inase （ALT） were significantly positively associated with depression. Anger and disruptive behaviors were also related to specific biological correlates. Specific biological correlates, including AST/ALT, cardiovascular disease- related variables, and specific cytokines, were linked to particular psychological states among young children in this Asian population. These might provide a route for better understanding the biological aspects of children＇s mental health and might contribute to research on diag- nostic or predictive biomarkers for psychiatric diseases in young children.