Sequence requirements for Hid binding and apoptosis regulation in the baculovirus inhibitor of apoptosis Op-IAP. Hid binds Op-IAP in a manner similar to Smac binding of XIAP.

It has been suggested that the Drosophila Hid protein interacts with the baculovirus Op-IAP protein in a manner similar to that of human Smac binding to XIAP, based largely on amino acid sequence homology. However, there is little direct experimental evidence in support of this hypothesis; indeed, evidence exists from previous studies suggesting that the mode of binding is not similar. We have now precisely mapped the interaction between Hid and Op-IAP, and we show clearly for the first time that the biochemical interactions between the amino terminus of Hid and BIR2 of Op-IAP are highly similar to those found between the processed amino terminus of Smac and BIR3 of XIAP. Also similar to Smac, the amino terminus of Hid must be processed to bind Op-IAP. In addition, our data also suggest that a second interaction between Hid and Op-IAP exists that does not involve the amino terminus of Hid, which may explain some of the earlier contradictory results. The evolutionary conservation of this mechanism of binding underscores its importance in apoptotic regulation. Nevertheless, interaction with Hid is not sufficient for Op-IAP to inhibit apoptosis induced by Hid overexpression or by treatment with actinomycin D, indicating that additional sequence elements are required for the anti-apoptotic function of Op-IAP.     

The unpredictability of favourability: condition assessment and protected areas in England

The probability that protected areas will deliver their potential for maintaining or enhancing biodiversity is likely to be maximised if they are appropriately and effectively managed. As a result, governments and conservation agencies are devoting much attention to the management of protected areas. In the U.K., the demand for performance accountability has resulted in Public Service Agreements (PSA) that set out targets for government departments to deliver results in return for investments being made. One such target for England is to ensure that all nationally important wildlife sites are in favourable condition by 2010. Here, we tested the hypothesis, of potential strategic importance, that the ecological condition of these sites is predictable from relationships with a range of physical, environmental and demographic variables. We used binary logistic regression to investigate these relationships, using the results of English Nature’s 1997–2003 condition assessment exercise. Generally, sites in unfavourable condition tend to be larger in area, located at higher elevations, but with higher human population density and are more spatially isolated from units of the same habitat. However, despite the range of different parameters included in our models, the extent to which the condition of any given site could be predicted was low. Our results have implications for the delivery of PSA targets, funding allocation, and the location of new protected areas.     

Design,synthesis, characterization,antibacterial and antifungal activities of a novel class of 5,7-diaryl-4,4-dimethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyridino[3,4-d]-1,2,3-selenadiazoles

Compound 26 is more potent against Escherichia coli. and 24 is more active against Staphylococcus aureus, β-Heamolytic streptococcus, Vibreo cholerae, Salmonella typhii, and Shigella flexneri than the standard drug ciprofloxacin. Moreover, of all the compounds tested, 26 is more effective against Aspergillus flavus and Mucor, than the standard drug fluconazole.     

Evolution of green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): a molecular supermatrix approach

We present a time‐calibrated phylogeny of the charismatic green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Previous phylogenetic studies on the family using DNA sequences have suffered from sparse taxon sampling and/or limited amounts of data. Here we combine all available previously published DNA sequence data and add to it new DNA sequences generated for this study. We analysed these data in a supermatrix using Bayesian and maximum likelihood methods and provide a phylogenetic hypothesis for the family that recovers strong support for the monophyly of all subfamilies and resolves relationships among a large proportion of chrysopine genera. Chrysopinae tribes Leucochrysini and Belonopterygini were recovered as monophyletic sister clades, while the species‐rich tribe Chrysopini was rendered paraphyletic by Ankylopterygini. Relationships among the subfamilies were resolved, although with relatively low statistical support, and the topology varied based on the method of analysis. Greatest support was found for Apochrysinae as sister to Nothochrysinae and Chrysopinae, which is in contrast to traditional concepts that place Nothochrysinae as sister to the rest of the family. Divergence estimates suggest that the stem groups to the various subfamilies diverged during the Triassic‐Jurassic, and that stem groups of the chrysopine tribes diverged during the Cretaceous.     

Reduction in size of prolactin-secreting tumours in men treated with pergolide.

The effect of pergolide mesylate was studied in two previously untreated men with large prolactinomas and exceptionally high prolactin concentrations. The study was designed to determine whether pergolide would be effective in alleviating symptoms, correcting hormonal abnormalities and shrinking the tumour. Starting with 50 micrograms daily the dose of pergolide was slowly increased over 10 weeks to 1 mg once daily, when repeat assessment was performed. Both patients reported complete relief of symptoms, with no side effects. Serum prolactin concentration was suppressed to normal in both subjects, and evidence to suggest tumour shrinkage was observed. Pergolide appears to be effective treatment for men with large prolactinomas.     

Phenotypic characterization of ouabain-resistant Aedes albopictus cells.

The phenotype of a ouabain-resistant Aedes albopictus cell line has been partially characterized. Treatment of ouabain-sensitive cells with 0.005-1.0 mM ouabain resulted in an 80% reduction in the uptake of 86rubidium (86Rb+), an ion with an affinity for the K+ pump binding site; ouabain-resistant cells showed only a 40% reduction with 1.0 mM ouabain. When ouabain-sensitive cells were incubated in the presence of ouabain (0.1 mM) for one and one-half to three hours, the molar ratio of intracellular Na+/K+ rose from 0.2 to 4.2. In ouabain-resistant cells, a similar treatment had very little effect. Based on [3H] ouabain-binding studies, ouabain-resistant cells were estimated to have 60% fewer binding sites per cell than ouabain-sensitive cells. The spontaneous mutation rate from ouabain sensitivity to ouabain resistance was calculated to be 1-6 x 10(-8) mutations/cell/generation, a value similar to that reported for mammalian cells at the analogous locus.