Cionin: a disulfotyrosyl hybrid of cholecystokinin and gastrin from the neural ganglion of the protochordate Ciona intestinalis

We have purified an acidic octapeptide from the neural ganglion of the protochordate Ciona intestinalis by a three-step procedure including C18 Sep-Pak fractionation, MonoQ ion-exchange chromatography, and C4 reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The purification was monitored by an immunoassay specific for the alpha-carboxyamidated COOH terminus common to the mammalian brain-gut hormones, cholecystokinin and gastrin. Automated Edman degradation revealed the sequence Asn-Tyr-Tyr-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe. In accordance with the high acidity of the peptide, amino acid analysis after cleavage with aminopeptidase M showed that both tyrosyl residues are sulfated. Hence, the structure is Asn-Tyr(SO3)-Tyr(SO3)-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH2, as also confirmed by identity with the synthetic disulfated peptide in different chromatographic systems. The occurrence of two consecutively sulfated tyrosyl residues after a neutral residue challenges present concepts of consensus sites for tyrosyl sulfation. We conclude that the structure of the peptide, named cionin, suits that of a common ancestor for cholecystokinin and gastrin.     

Specifics of participation of dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems of the brain in latent inhibition based on pharmacological models

Single intraperitoneal injections of haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg) or sertralin (5 mg/kg) or 20 preexpositions of conditional stimulus before conditioning induced similar changes of passive avoidance reactions of rats. The combinative application of drugs (sertralin 1h and bupropion 30 min before conditioning) simultaneously enhancing activity of serotonin and dopamine in brain did not produce changes of passive avoidance reaction comparing with intact control. The results obtained showed that high selective drugs and analysis of latent inhibition of some parameters enable creation of pharmacological models and their use as instrument at experimental study of neurochemical mechanisms of attention.     

A new method for cell permeabilization reveals a cytosolic protein requirement for Ca2+ -activated secretion in GH3 pituitary cells

Ca2+ is a major regulator of exocytosis in secretory cells, however, the biochemical mechanisms underlying regulation remain to be identified. To render the secretory apparatus accessible for biochemical studies, we have developed a cell permeabilization method (cell cracking) which utilizes mechanical shear. GH3 pituitary cells subjected to cracking were permeable to macromolecules but retained a normal cytoplasmic ultrastructure including secretory granules. Incubation of the permeable cells at 30-37 degrees C with 0.1-1.0 microM Ca2+ and millimolar MgATP resulted in the release of the secretory proteins, prolactin (PRL) and a proteoglycan, but not lysosomal enzymes. Extensively washed permeable cells were incapable of releasing PRL in response to Ca2+ and MgATP addition. However, addition of cytosol was found to restore Ca2+-activated, MgATP-dependent PRL release. The cytosolic factor responsible for activity was thermolabile and protease sensitive. The protein was partially purified, and its molecular mass was estimated to be equivalent to that of a globular protein of 200-350 kDa by molecular sieve chromatography. Inhibitors of calmodulin or protein kinase C (trifluroperazine, calmidazolium, H-7) failed to inhibit Ca2+-activated PRL release, and the required cytosolic protein could not be replaced by purified calmodulin, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, protein kinase C, or calpactin I. Further purification and characterization of the cytosolic protein should reveal the nature of biochemical events involved in regulated secretory exocytosis.     

Shifting abundances of communities associated with nitrogen cycling in soils promoted by sugarcane harvest systems

Sugarcane cultivation supports Brazil as one of the largest world sugar and ethanol producer. In order to understand the impact of changing sugarcane harvest from manual to mechanized harvest, we studied the effect of machinery traffic on soil and consequently soil compaction upon soil microbial communities involved in nitrogen cycling. The impact of sugarcane harvest was dependent on soil depth and texture. At deeper soil layers, mechanized harvesting increases the abundance of nitrogen fixers and denitrifying communities (specifically nosZ clade I and II) while manual harvesting increases the abundance of ammonia oxidizers (specifically AOA) and increases denitrifying communities (nosZ clade I and II) on top and at intermediate depth. The effect of change on the harvest system is more evident on sandy soil than on clay soil, where soil indicators of compaction (bulk density and penetration resistance) were negatively correlated with soil microorganisms associated with the nitrogen cycle. Our results point to connections between soil compaction and N transformations in sugarcane fields, besides naming biological variables to be used as proxies for alterations in soil structure.     

Testing predictions of beetle community patterns derived empirically using remote sensing

Patterns generated from ecological surveys are rarely tested in similar habitats to assess the accuracy of predictions. Testing empirically derived predictions provides a strong tool for establishing the consistency of general patterns in ecology. We test the consistency of beetle community associations with habitat complexity in open canopy forests and make both community and morphospecies-level comparisons with results from a previous study. We use Normalized Difference Vegetation Indices (NDVIs) from remote sensing as a surrogate for habitat complexity. The positive relationships between NDVIs and site-based beetle species richness and abundance were consistent in open canopy forests both south and north of Sydney, Australia. NDVIs were also useful for predicting differences in beetle composition in open canopy forests. Taxon-specific responses to NDVI differences in 'southern forests' were very similar to responses in 'northern forests', most likely reflecting beetle trophic roles. This study shows that NDVIs can be used as rapid biodiversity indicators, when integrated with identified faunal responses to vegetation structure, provided that the lower vegetation strata may be measured by remote sensing.     

The role of patient expectations in predicting outcome after total knee arthroplasty

Introduction  

Patient's expectations are variably reported to influence self-rated outcome and satisfaction after medical treatment; this prospective study examined which of the following was the most important unique determinant of global outcome/satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty (TKA): baseline expectations; fulfilment of expectations; or current symptoms and function.     

Psychological correlates of self-reported functional limitation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Introduction  

Functional status is an integral component of health-related quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of psychological variables in self-reported functional limitation in patients with AS, while controlling for demographic and medical variables.