Attraction of newly hatched codling moth larvae (Laspeyresia pomonella) to synthetic stereo-isomers of farnesene

Newly hatched Laspeyresia pomonella larvae were attracted to only two of six synthetic stereo-isomers of the acyclic sesquiterpene farnesene. These were (E,E)-α-farnesene and (Z,E)-α-farnesene which together comprise a natural attractant for the insect. Two other α-isomers and two β-isomers had no influence on larval behaviour. The activity of isomers is correlated with their molecular shape.     

Analysis of disulphide bridge function in recombinant bovine prolactin using site-specific mutagenesis and renaturation under mild alkaline conditions: a crucial role for the central disulphide bridge in the mitogenic activity of the hormone.

We have previously described a method for isolating Escherichia coli-produced methionyl bovine prolactin (Met-bPRL) and its renaturation using thioredoxin. This report describes an alternative renaturation procedure in which extracted Met-bPRL is incubated in air at pH 10 and 20 degrees C. Within 1 h of such treatment essentially all of the reduced Met-bPRL was converted to the oxidized form; this was accompanied by an increase to full mitogenic activity in the Nb2 cell bioassay. It was also found that, to minimize contamination by high mol. wt Met-bPRL derivatives, it is essential to have a reducing agent (dithiothreitol) present during disruption of the bacteria and to extract the protein at neutral pH. The contribution of each of the three disulphide bridges in bPRL to its bioactivity was studied with Met-bPRL variants, prepared via site-specific mutagenesis, in which cysteines were replaced by serines to prevent disulphide bond formation. Variants lacking the C4-C11 bridge, the C191-C199 bridge or both these terminal bridges were as mitogenic as authentic bPRL. (Variants lacking the C191-C199 bridge had markedly increased solubility in the presence of deoxycholate.) In contrast, variants lacking the C58-C174 bridge had greatly reduced bioactivity, indicating that integrity of the large disulphide loop is crucial to the hormone's mitogenic activity.     

Genetic portrait of Lisboa immigrant population from Cabo Verde with mitochondrial DNA analysis

Journal of Genetics -     

Multi‐gene phylogenetic analyses of New Zealand coralline algae: Corallinapetra Novaezelandiae gen. et sp. nov. and recognition of the Hapalidiales ord. nov.

Coralline red algae from the New Zealand region were investigated in a study focused on documenting regional diversity. We present a multi‐gene analysis using sequence data obtained for four genes (nSSU, psaA, psbA, rbcL) from 68 samples. The study revealed cryptic diversity at both genus and species levels, confirming and providing further evidence of problems with current taxonomic concepts in the Corallinophycidae. In addition, a new genus Corallinapetra novaezelandiae gen. et sp. nov. is erected for material from northern New Zealand. Corallinapetra is excluded from all currently recognized families and orders within the Corallinophycidae and thus represents a previously unrecognized lineage within this subclass. We discuss rank in the Corallinophycidae and propose the order Hapalidiales.     

A Literature Review of Economic Evaluations for a Neglected Tropical Disease: Human African Trypanosomiasis (“Sleeping Sickness”)

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a disease caused by infection with the parasite Trypanosoma brucei gambiense or T. b. rhodesiense. It is transmitted to humans via the tsetse fly. Approximately 70 million people worldwide were at risk of infection in 1995, and approximately 20,000 people across Africa are infected with HAT. The objective of this review was to identify existing economic evaluations in order to summarise cost-effective interventions to reduce, control, or eliminate the burden of HAT. The studies included in the review were compared and critically appraised in order to determine if there were existing standardised methods that could be used for economic evaluation of HAT interventions or if innovative methodological approaches are warranted. A search strategy was developed using keywords and was implemented in January 2014 in several databases. The search returned a total of 2,283 articles. After two levels of screening, a total of seven economic evaluations were included and underwent critical appraisal using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) Methodology Checklist 6: Economic Evaluations. Results from the existing studies focused on the cost-effectiveness of interventions for the control and reduction of disease transmission. Modelling was a common method to forecast long-term results, and publications focused on interventions by category, such as case detection, diagnostics, drug treatments, and vector control. Most interventions were considered cost-effective based on the thresholds described; however, the current treatment, nifurtomix-eflornithine combination therapy (NECT), has not been evaluated for cost-effectiveness, and considerations for cost-effective strategies for elimination have yet to be completed. Overall, the current evidence highlights the main components that play a role in control; however, economic evaluations of HAT elimination strategies are needed to assist national decision makers, stakeholders, and key funders. These analyses would be of use, as HAT is currently being prioritized as a neglected tropical disease (NTD) to reach elimination by 2020.