Extratropical cyclone climatology across eastern Canada

Plante, Mathieu,Son, Seok‐,Woo,Atallah, Eyad,Gyakum, John,Grise, Kevin John Wiley Sons, Ltd 2015 International journal of climatology Vol.35 No.10

<P><B>ABSTRACT</B></P><P>Extratropical cyclone (ETC) tracks across eastern Canada are examined by applying a Lagrangian tracking algorithm to the lower‐tropospheric relative vorticity field of reanalysis data. Both the seasonal cycle and the interannual variability of ETCs are quantified in terms of overall cyclone frequency, intensity, and regions of development and decay. We find that ETCs travelling to eastern Canada tend to develop over the Rockies, the Great Lakes and the US East Coast. The ETCs are most intense over Newfoundland and the North Atlantic Ocean, confirming previous findings. While ETCs at cities along the Atlantic coastline (e.g. St. John's) are dominated by East Coast cyclones (which are intense in winter), those inland (e.g. Toronto) track primarily from the Great Lakes. ETCs that develop over the Gulf of Mexico affect eastern Canada infrequently, but those that do tend to be intense. The interannual variability of the wintertime ETCs is influenced by the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Significant ENSO‐related variability is found over most regions of southern Canada, except on the east coast. Although ETCs at Toronto are significantly modulated by ENSO, no visible changes are found at St. John's. These ENSO‐related ETC changes are mostly due to the shifts in ETC development regions, with minor changes in the travelling direction of ETCs.</P>

Establishment of an in vitro culture system for chicken preblastodermal cells

Park, Hyun Jeong,Park, Tae Sub,Kim, Tae Min,Kim, Jin Nam,Shin, Sang Su,Lim, Jeong Mook,Han, Jae Yong JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD 2006 MOLECULAR REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT Vol.73 No.4

<P>To develop an alternative source for chicken pluripotent cells, we examined (1) whether undifferentiated preblastodermal cells could be subcultured in vitro for an extended period and (2) how subculturing affected the physiological properties of preblastodermal cells. The average number of preblastodermal cells was 2,397 in stage V embryos and 36,345 in stage VII embryos; stage X embryos had an average of 53,857 blastodermal cells. The average cell size decreased significantly (70.63–18.83 µm in diameter; P < 0.0001) as the embryo grew; this was closely related to a reduction in the size and number of lipid vesicles in the cell cytoplasm. The culture conditions were optimized for the stage V preblastodermal cells and the control stage X blastodermal cells. On STO feeder cells, the preblastodermal cells achieved stable growth in vitro only in HES medium or a mixed medium of the Knockout DMEM and HES media. However, more than 10 passages of preblastodermal cells at intervals of 3–4 days was possible only by using the Knockout/HES mixed medium and BRL cell-conditioned HES medium for the primary cultures and subcultures, respectively. Colony-forming preblastodermal cells had well-delineated cytoplasm, which was positively stained for stem cell-specific markers by anti-stage-specific embryo antigen-1 antibody, periodic acid-Schiff's solution, and alkaline phosphatase. When preblastodermal cells with or without culturing were transferred into the blastodermal cavity of stage X embryos, only in vitro-cultured preblastodermal cells at stage V (4/5 = 80%) and stage VII (2/8 = 25%) induced somatic chimerism in recipient chickens. In conclusion, undifferentiated preblastodermal cells could be subcultured, and only the colony-forming preblastodermal cells that stained positively for stem cell markers could induce somatic chimerism. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.</P>

Ectopic expression of Tollo/Toll-8 antagonizes Dpp signaling and induces cell sorting in the Drosophila wing

Kim, Sangjoon,Chung, SeYeon,Yoon, Jeongsook,Choi, Kwang-Wook,Yim, Jeongbin John Wiley & Sons 2006 Genesis Vol.44 No.11

<P>The wing imaginal disc of Drosophila consists of the primordia for the adult wing and the body wall. The zinc-finger transcription factor Teashirt (Tsh) is expressed in the region proximal to the wing primordium and regulates the formation of the wing-body wall boundary. Here, we report that Tollo/Toll-8, a member of Toll family transmembrane proteins, is also expressed proximal to the wing domain. Ectopic expression of Decapentaplegic (Dpp), a morphogen for wing development, represses tollo expression in the proximal domain. Likewise, misexpression of Tollo in the presumptive wing strongly antagonizes the effects of Dpp signaling. The extracellular domain of Tollo containing the Leucine-Rich Repeats (LRR) is required for the inhibition of Dpp signaling in the wing. Furthermore, clones of cells with Tollo overexpression are sorted out from the surrounding wild-type cells, resulting in the formation of epithelial folds around the clone boundaries. Tsh is ectopically induced at the border of Tollo-expressing clones. Despite the strong effects of Tollo overexpression on Dpp signaling and cell sorting, loss-of-function tollo mutants are viable with normal external morphology. Our data suggest that Tollo function might be redundant but is sufficient to antagonize Dpp signaling and induce sorting of Tollo expressing cells from the wing cells to develop proximal cell fate. genesis 44:541–549, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.</P>

Resident microglia die and infiltrated neutrophils and monocytes become major inflammatory cells in lipopolysaccharide-injected brain

Ji, Kyung-Ae,Yang, Myung-Soon,Jeong, Hey-Kyeong,Min, Kyoung-Jin,Kang, Seung-Hee,Jou, Ilo,Joe, Eun-Hye John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Glia Vol.55 No.15

<P>Generally, it has been accepted that microglia play important roles in brain inflammation. However, recently several studies suggested possible infiltration of blood neutrophils and monocytes into the brain. To understand contribution of microglia and blood inflammatory cells to brain inflammation, the behavior of microglia, neutrophils, and monocytes was investigated in LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-injected substantia nigra pars compacta, cortex, and hippocampus of normal and/or leukopenic rats using specific markers of neutrophils (myeloperoxidase, MPO), and microglia and monocytes (ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1, Iba-1), as well as a general marker for these inflammatory cells (CD11b). CD11b-immunopositive (CD11b<SUP>+</SUP>) cells and Iba-1<SUP>+</SUP> cells displayed similar behavior in intact and LPS-injected brain at 6 h after the injection. Interestingly, however, CD11b<SUP>+</SUP> cells and Iba-1<SUP>+</SUP> cells displayed significantly different behavior at 12 h: Iba-1<SUP>+</SUP> cells disappeared while CD11b<SUP>+</SUP> cells became round in shape. We found that CD11b/Iba-1-double positive (CD11b<SUP>+</SUP>/Iba-1<SUP>+</SUP>) ramified microglia died within 6 h after LPS injection. The round CD11b<SUP>+</SUP> cells detected at 12 h were MPO<SUP>+</SUP>. These CD11b<SUP>+</SUP>/MPO<SUP>+</SUP> cells were not found in leukopenic rats, suggestive of neutrophil infiltration. MPO<SUP>+</SUP> neutrophils expressed inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-1β, cyclooxygenase-2, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, but died within 18 h. CD11b<SUP>+</SUP> cells detected at 24 h appeared to be infiltrated monocytes, since these cells were once labeled with Iba-1 and were not found in leukopenic rats. Furthermore, transplanted monocytes were detectable in LPS-injected brain. These results suggest that at least a part of neutrophils and monocytes could have been misinterpreted as activated microglia in inflamed brain. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.</P>

Feulgen reaction study of novel threadlike structures (Bonghan ducts) on the surfaces of mammalian organs

Shin, Hak-Soo,Johng, Hyeon-Min,Lee, Byung-Cheon,Cho, Sung-Il,Soh, Kyung-Soon,Baik, Ku-Youn,Yoo, Jung-Sun,Soh, Kwang-Sup JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD 2005 ANATOMICAL RECORD PART B THE NEW ANATOMIST Vol.284 No.1

<P>Threadlike structures on the surfaces of internal organs, which are thought to be part of the Bonghan duct system, were first reported about 40 years ago, but have been largely ignored since then. Recently, they were rediscovered, and in this study we discuss the Feulgen reaction that specifically stains DNA in order to identify these structures on the surface of rabbit livers as part of the Bonghan system. The distribution, shapes, and sizes of their nuclei are found to be similar to those of intravascular threadlike structures. The endothelial nuclei are rod-shaped, 10–20 μm long, and aligned in a broken-line striped fashion. The threadlike structure consists of a bundle of several subducts, which is a characteristic feature of Bonghan ducts and distinguishes them morphologically from lymphatic vessels. In addition, the Feulgen reaction clearly demonstrates that the subducts pass through a corpuscle, which is usually irregular or oval-shaped and is connected to two or several threadlike structures that form a web on the surfaces of organs. Furthermore, spherical granules of about 1 μm in diameter are detected in the subducts. These granules were well stained by using the Feulgen reaction, which implies that they contain DNA. According to previous reports, a granule is a type of microcell and plays an essential role in the physiology and therapeutic effect of the Bonghan system and acupuncture. This role has yet to be elucidated. Anat Rec (Part B: New Anat) 284B:35–40, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.</P>

Development and calcium level changes in pre-implantation porcine nuclear transfer embryos activated with 6-DMAP after fusion

Im, Gi-Sun,Samuel, Melissa,Lai, Liangxue,Hao, Yanhong,Prather, Randall S. JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD 2007 MOLECULAR REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT Vol.74 No.9

<P>This study investigated the effect of treatment with 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP) following fusion on in vitro development of porcine nuclear transfer (NT) embryos. Frozen thawed ear skin cells were transferred into the perivitelline space of enucleated oocytes. Reconstructed oocytes were fused and activated with electric pulse in 0.3 M mannitol supplemented with either 0.1 or 1.0 mM CaCl<SUB>2</SUB>. In each calcium concentration, activated oocytes were divided into three groups. Two groups of them were exposed to either ionomycin (I + 6-DMAP or 6-DMAP alone. In experiment 2, fused NT embryos in 0.3 M mannitol containing 1.0 mM CaCl<SUB>2</SUB> were exposed to 6-DMAP either immediately or 20 min after fusion/activation. For 0.1 mM CaCl<SUB>2</SUB>, oocytes activated with either I + 6-DMAP or 6-DMAP alone showed a higher (P < 0.05) developmental rate to the blastocyst stage than those activated with an electric pulse alone (26.7 and 22.5 vs. 12.5%). For 1.0 mM CaCl<SUB>2</SUB>, oocytes activated with either I + 6-DMAP or 6-DMAP alone showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) developmental rate to the blastocyst stage (35.6 and 28.3 vs. 19.8%). Developmental rate to the blastocyst stage was (P < 0.05) increased in NT embryos activated with 6-DMAP 20 min after fusion. 6-DMAP made a higher and wider Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> transient compared to that induced by electric pulses (Fig. 3). The fluctuation lasted during the time that oocytes were cultured in 6-DMAP. Regardless of Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> concentration in fusion medium, activation with 6-DMAP following electric pulses supported more development of porcine NT embryos. Activation of NT embryos with 6-DMAP after fusion in the presence of 1.0 mM CaCl<SUB>2</SUB> could support better developmental rate to the blastocyst stage. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 1158–1164, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.</P>

Downregulation of GFAP, TSP-1, and p53 in human glioblastoma cell line, U373MG, by IE1 protein from human cytomegalovirus

Lee, Karim,Jeon, Kipyoung,Kim, Jong-Mook,Kim, Vic Narry,Choi, Dong Hee,Kim, Seung U.,Kim, Sunyoung John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2005 Glia Vol.51 No.1

<P>Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a member of the β-herpesvirus family, which has tropism for glial cells. It was recently reported that HCMV might play important roles in the pathogenesis of malignant glioma. In this study, we investigated the effects of the HCMV IE1 protein on the gene expression profile in the human glioblastoma cell line, U373MG by employing cDNA microarray technology. Using DNA chips containing approximately 1,000 human cDNAs, RNA samples from U373MG cells stably expressing IE1 were compared with those from the control cells lacking IE1 cDNA. Fluorescence intensities of 13 genes were significantly decreased in IE1-expressing cells, while one gene was found to be upregulated. Among these 14 genes, we chose to work further on glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), and p53, because of their previously known involvement in tumorigenesis. The mRNA levels of all these genes were found to be decreased in IE1-expressing glioblastoma cells by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) as well as Northern blot analysis. The decreased expression of these genes was also observed at protein levels as measured by immunocytochemistry or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis. Our data strongly suggested that HCMV IE1 could modulate the expression of cellular genes that might play important roles in the pathogenesis of glial tumors. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.</P>

Behaviors of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling factors during maturation of bovine oocytes in vitro

Wee, Gabbine,Shin, Sang-Tae,Koo, Deog-Bon,Han, Yong-Mahn JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD 2010 MOLECULAR REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT Vol.77 No.2

<P>The mammalian oocyte undergoes dynamic changes in chromatin structure to reach complete maturation. However, little known is about behaviors of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling factors (ACRFs) during meiosis. Here, we found that respective ACRFs may differently behave in the process of oocyte maturation in the bovine. All ACRFs interacted with oocytic chromatin at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage. Mi-2 and hSNF2H disappeared from GV-chromatin within 1 hr of in vitro culture whereas Brg-1 and BAF-170 were retained throughout germinal vesicle break down (GVBD). Brg-1 was localized on the condensed chromatin outside, whereas BAF-170 was entirely excluded from condensed chromatin. Thereafter, Brg-1 and BAF-170 interacted with metaphase I and metaphase II chromosomes. These results imply that Mi-2 and hSNF2H may initiate the meiotic resumption, and Brg-1 and BAF-170 may support chromatin condensation during meiosis. In addition, DNA methylation and methylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9) seem to be constantly retained in the oocyte chromatin throughout in vitro maturation. Inhibition of ACRF activity by treatment with the inhibitor apyrase led to retarded chromatin remodeling in bovine oocytes, thereby resulting in poor development of fertilized embryos. Therefore, these results indicate that precise behaviors of ACRFs during meiosis are critical for nuclear maturation and subsequent embryonic development in the bovine. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 77: 126–135, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.</P>

Enhanced two-photon luminescence from nanoporous gold capped with microcontact-printed salts

Wi, J. S.,Park, J. H.,Tominaka, S.,Lee, J. Y. John Wiley Sons, Ltd 2014 Physica Status Solidi. Rapid Research Letters Vol.8 No.1

We report that a nanoporous Au film capped with a dielectric surface layer enables the effective absorption of near-infrared light and intense emission of two-photon luminescence. In this approach, nanoscale pores in Au are incorporated by chemical dissolution and microscale surface patterns are added on the nanoporous Au by microcontact print lithography. Electromagnetic simulation shows that the strong local electric fields are concentrated in the vicinity of nanopores in the Au film and are further increased by the surface dielectric patterns, which leads to a 40-fold increase in the intensity of the two-photon luminescence, as verified by photoemission measurement. ((c) 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Fragmentation and development of preimplantation porcine embryos derived by parthenogenetic activation and nuclear transfer

Im, Gi-Sun,Yang, Boh-Suk,Lai, Liangxue,Liu, Zhonghua,Hao, Yanhong,Prather, Randall S. JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD 2005 Molecular Reproduction and Development Vol.71 No.2

<P>Fragmentation occurs during early developmental stages of electrically activated oocytes and nuclear transfer (NT) embryos. It might contribute to the low developmental rate of porcine NT embryos. The present study was conducted to investigate whether the addition of sugars such as sorbitol or sucrose suppresses fragmentation and supports the development of electrically activated oocytes and NT embryos. The activated oocytes were cultured in Porcine Zygote Medium-3 (PZM-3) supplemented with sorbitol or sucrose for 2 days after electric activation, and then cultured in the PZM-3 for the remaining 4 days. The osmolarities of PZM-3, PZM-3 supplemented with 0.05 or 0.1 M sorbitol, and PZM-3 with 0.05 M sucrose were 269 ± 6.31, 316 ± 3.13, 362 ± 4.37, and 315 ± 5.03 mOsm, respectively. When parthenogentically activated oocytes were cultured in PZM-3 supplemented with 0.05 M sorbitol or sucrose for the first 2 days and then cultured in PZM-3 without sugar, a significantly higher (P < 0.05) cleavage rate and blastocyst rate were observed. Interestingly, addition of sugar to PZM-3 for 2 days reduced the fragmentation rate compared to PZM-3 without sugar. In NT embryos, sugar addition into PZM-3 increased the fusion rate (84.2% ± 6.07 vs. 95.1% ± 2.52), cleavage rate (67.6% ± 5.80 vs. 77.3% ± 3.03), and developmental rate to the blastocyst stage (10.2% ± 0.79 vs. 19.4% ± 1.77). There was no significant difference between treatments for the number of the blastocysts. In addition the fragmentation rate was reduced compared to PZM-3 without sorbitol (26.1 ± 4.30 vs. 14.5 ± 1.74). In conclusion, increasing the osmolarity of PZM-3 through addition of either sorbitol or sucrose for 48 hr increased the cleavage and developmental rate to the blastocyst stage by reducing the fragmentation rate through increasing osmolarity. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 71: 159–165, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.</P>