Molecular Mechanisms of Translation Initiation in Mammals Studied by in vitroReconstruction of Initiation Complexes

Papers on the mechanisms of translation initiation in mammals studied by reconstruction of initiation complexes from individual components are reviewed. The author points to the constraints of this approach and to the pitfalls ignoring which one might come to erroneous conclusions and even artifacts. In addition, some methods employed in the field as well as some technical problems are discussed in the paper, together with the means of obviating them. The review could be a guidebook for newcomers into this quite labor-consuming field.     

Single-molecule studies reveal branched pathways for activator-dependent assembly of RNA polymerase II pre-initiation complexes

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Multiple Rhythm-Generating Circuits Act in Tandem with Pacemaker Properties to Control the Start and Speed of Locomotion

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Focus: Addiction: Relapse Prevention and the Five Rules of Recovery

There are four main ideas in relapse prevention. First, relapse is a gradual process with distinct stages. The goal of treatment is to help individuals recognize the early stages, in which the chances of success are greatest. Second, recovery is a process of personal growth with developmental milestones. Each stage of recovery has its own risks of relapse. Third, the main tools of relapse prevention are cognitive therapy and mind-body relaxation, which are used to develop healthy coping skills. Fourth, most relapses can be explained in terms of a few basic rules. Educating clients in these rules can help them focus on what is important: 1) change your life (recovery involves creating a new life where it is easier to not use); 2) be completely honest; 3) ask for help; 4) practice self-care; and 5) don’t bend the rules.     

Sensitive Chemiluminescence Enzyme Immunoassay for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor/Vascular Permeability Factor in Human Serum

A sandwich chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay for measuring the level of VEGF /VPF in serum was constructed. The detectability of the assay is very low (1.0pg/ml) and the measurable range of the assay was very wide (1–1000 pg/ml). The assay showed that the average level of VEGF /VPF in human sera from healthy blood donors was approximately 19 pg/ml.     

Morphology and identification of the final instar nymphs of three cicadas (Hemiptera,Cicadidae) in Guanzhong Plain,China based on comparative morphometrics

The present investigation provides comparative morphometrics of the final instar nymphs of three dominant cicada species, i.e., Cryptotympana atrata (Fabricius), Meimuna mongolica (Distant) and Platypleura kaempferi (Fabricius), in Guanzhong Plain, China. Particularly, characters on the antennae, legs, and apex of abdomen of both males and females of these three species were investigated and analyzed. In addition, the numbers of hind tibial spines of the final instar nymphs of 21 representatives of Cicadoidea were compared. The results provide useful characteristics for nymph identification of related species and for further taxonomic and phylogenetic analysis of Cicadoidea.     

A Survey Investigating the Infection of Fusarium langsethiae and Production of HT‐2 and T‐2 Mycotoxins in UK Oat Fields

Fusarium langsethiae is a toxigenic fungal species that has been reported in European small‐grain cereal crops such as oats, wheat and barley. Although its relative contribution to fusarium head blight (FHB) symptoms is not well understood, it is reported to contaminate these cereals with high levels of HT‐2 and T‐2 trichothecenes mycotoxins that are currently under consideration for legislation by the European Commission. Ten commercial oat fields in Shropshire and Staffordshire (two adjacent counties in the Midlands) in the UK were surveyed in the 2006/2007 growing season. Samples were taken from predetermined field locations at Zadoks growth stages 32/33, 69, 77‐85 and 90‐92 for F. langsethiae biomass and HT‐2 and T‐2 toxins quantification. The results from this study showed that oats can be heavily infected with F. langsethiae and have high concentrations of HT‐2 and T‐2 toxins with no apparent FHB symptoms. The regression of HT‐2 + T‐2 toxins on F. langsethiae DNA concentration was highly significant (P < 0.001, r² = 0.55). The results indicated that although F. langsethiae had no direct effect on crop yield, it may result in indirect economic losses where the grain can be rejected or downgraded as a result of intolerable levels of HT‐2 and T‐2 toxins, which are of human food and animal feed safety concern. The influence of cultural field practices on the infection and HT‐2 and T‐2 toxins accumulation in oats was not clear and warrants further studies to identify the sources of F. langsethiae inoculum and conditions favourable for infection and mycotoxin production.     

Effect of nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium on spikelet sterility induced by low temperature at the reproductive stage of rice

Spikelet sterility induced by low temperature at the reproductive stage of rice increased further with the increase of nitrogen supply. Spikelet sterility in Fujisaka-5 did not increase due to low temperature when nitrogen supply was increased from 10 to 40 ppm and at 80 ppm nitrogen supply it was less affected than IR36. Total nitrogen content in the leaves increased with the increase of nitrogen supply and was forced to be associated with the spikelet sterility induced by low temperature. Based on auricle distance between the last two leaves, the most sensitive stage to low temperature damage differed in Fujisaka-5 and IR36. Spikelet sterility induced by low temperature for 10 days was very high in both the varieties and the effect of nitrogen was not clear.The effect of phosphorus on the spikelet sterility induced by low temperature at reproductive stage was not clear except that at the highest phosphorus (P) level (10 ppm) the spikelet sterility increased both in Fujisaka-5 and IR36.Spikelet sterility induced by low temperature at the reproductive stage of rice decreased with the increase of Potassium (K) supply in both Fujisaka-5 and IR36. With an increase of potassium supply, nitrogen (N) content decreased in the leaves and panicles and spikelet sterility induced by low temperature decreased with an increase of the K to N ratio in the leaves and panicles. The results suggest that potassium might play a major role to counteract the low temperature damage at the reproductive stage of rice.