Isomeric cysteinyldopas provide a (photo)degradable bulk component and a robust structural element in red human hair pheomelanin

Alkaline H₂O₂ degradation of red hair pheomelanin gave, besides 6‐(2‐amino‐2‐carboxyethyl)‐2‐carboxy‐4‐hydroxybenzothiazole (BTCA), a new product which was identified as 7‐(2‐amino‐2‐carboxyethyl)‐2‐carboxy‐4‐hydroxybenzothiazole (BTCA‐2) originating from 2‐S‐cysteinyldopa (2SCD) derived units. BTCA‐2 was also obtained from a variety of pheomelanic tissues and synthetic pigments. Simultaneous determination of BTCA and BTCA‐2 in segments of red hair locks taken at variable distances from the scalp in a group of 19 individuals indicated an abrupt drop of BTCA yields on passing from root to tip, whereas BTCA‐2 values remained virtually constant throughout hair length. Analysis of 4‐amino‐3‐hydroxyphenylalanine (AHP) and 3‐aminotyrosine (AT) in the same lock segments showed a closely similar trend, whereas yields of thiazole‐2,4,5‐tricarboxylic acid (TTCA) increased with increasing the distance from the scalp. Prolonged exposure of hair locks to sunlight caused a significant decrease in BTCA‐, but not BTCA‐2‐yielding elements. Finally, model studies showed a substantial degradation of 5SCD‐, but not 2SCD‐derived units, during pheomelanin synthesis in vitro. It is concluded that red hair pheomelanin consists of a degradable 5SCD‐derived bulk component associated with stable 2SCD‐derived units. Structural degradation occurs during hair growth probably as a result of oxidative processes related in part to sun exposure.     

Cochlear outer hair cell system is a logarithmic compressor

In general, sensors of the sensory organs are ultrasensitive, so that a gain control function would be essential to protect the sensors from high intensity stimuli. This holds for the cochlea, an acoustic sensor of high sensitivity. Above all, the cochlea has to be equipped with the organ mechanically protecting the vulnerable sensor from high amplitude sounds. In addition, to expand the apparent dynamic range of the cochlear sensor, the stimulus intensity i.e. amplitude, should be considerably compressed in the cochlea. Of course, the amplitude should be compressed logarithmically so as not to miss the low level signals as much as possible. Thus, it is very convenient if a logarithmic compressor (LC) exists in the cochlea. Then, we examined literatures on this subject, and finally we reached the conclusion that the outer hair cell (OHC) system is none other than the LC. Here we propose ‘the LC theory’ that the OHC system is the LC properly compressing the signal intensity together with the tectorial membrane. However, this theory is quite contradictory to the generally accepted theory that OHCs are selective amplifiers of the basilar membrane vibrations (CA theory). In our opinion, this contradiction is due to that the logic of the CA theory is not sound. If you enumerate all possible explanations of experimental data and examine them logically, you will never conclude to the CA theory. In a word, the CA theory confuses the effect of the LC with that of the selective amplifier. Certainly, they are very mistakable. On the other hand, because the LC theory is a logical result of the well-known experimental data, it is consistent with any of them. Moreover, the LC theory can easily explain the causes of such phenomena as otoacoustic emissions, two-tone suppression and loudness recruitment that have been difficult to be reasonably explained up to now. Needless to say, if the OHC system is the LC, you will have to re-create the auditory theory fundamentally. This means that every aspect of otology such as the clinical examination, the design of cochlear implant and the etiology of hearing impairments should be re-evaluated. The conclusion is that the CA theory should be corrected as quickly as possible.     

干细胞治疗感音神经性耳聋

治疗内耳疾病的主要困难之一是找到耳蜗毛细胞或者螺旋神经元丢失所导致的听力损失的治疗方法。本文讨论使用干细胞替代感觉细胞丢失为目的的几个治疗策略。作者最近在成年内耳中发现了可以分化为毛细胞的干细胞,发现了胚胎干细胞可在体外转化为毛细胞并表达毛细胞标记物。在动物模型中,成年内耳干细胞、神经干细胞和胚胎干细胞来源的前体细胞可分化成为毛细胞和神经细胞。本文将讨论使用干细胞再生损伤毛细胞的不同方法,介绍几种可行的动物模型,并讨论发展基于干细胞的细胞替代疗法治疗内耳损伤中存在的困难。     

一个新的小鼠被毛突变位点（Uncv）的高分辨遗传图谱和物理图谱的构建

迄今为止 ,人们已经发现了 10 0多个影响小鼠和人的毛发发育的基因 ,在以前的研究中 ,Uncv被证实是一个新的影响小鼠被毛的位点 ,具体表现为纯合突变体为无毛 ,杂合突变体表现为稀毛。除此之外 ,纯合的突变体还表现为生长和发育的迟缓。克隆这一突变基因将有助于更好地了解人类毛发发育异常相关的疾病。尽管这一位点已经被定位在小鼠 11号染色体上 ,但是没有该区域的精细遗传图谱和物理图谱直接克隆该基因有一定的难度。利用了两组杂交方式 ,[BALB/c(Uncv/Uncv)×C3H ( / ) ]×BALB/c (Uncv/Uncv)和 [BALB/c (Uncv/Uncv)×C5 7BL/6 ( / ) ]×BALB/c(Uncv/Uncv) ,共 2 0 74个F2代个体 ,通过对 11号染色体上的 16个微卫星标记的基因分型连锁分析 ,最终把该基因定位于11号染色体上位于D11Mit337和D11Mit338之间的约 1.4cM之间的区域。随后 ,利用BAC文库杂交和BAC末端序列PCR锚定的方法 ,构建了由 35个BAC构成的高分辨的BAC重叠群 ,这一高分辨的遗传图谱和物理图谱的构建 ,为进一步克隆这一突变基因打下了基础。     

Selenium contentrations in human renal cortex, liver, and hair in Northern Poland

The aim of this study was to (1) determine the selenium concentration in the renal cortex, liver, and hair in 64 residents from northern Poland (Gdańsk region) aged 17–81 yr, who died suddenly, and (2) assess whether a correlation between the selenium concentration in hair and in the renal cortex and liver occurs. Selenium was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry using the hydride generation method. The mean selenium concentration in the renal cortex, liver, and hair in the investigated persons was 0.791±0.191 μg/g (wet weight), 0.289±0.084 μg/g (wet weight), and 0.443±0.128 μg/g, respectively. No age-dependent differences in selenium level in the investigated tissues was found. Also, no correlation between the selenium concentrations in hair and in renal cortex and liver was assessed.     

一种从毛发中提取DNA 的简易方法

用PCR 缓冲液及蛋白酶K 在PCR仪上对单支毛囊进行消化,　可获得用于PCR反应的足量的DNA。还对几种从毛发中提取DNA的不同方法进行了比较,并对从毛干中提取线粒体DNA进行了讨论。     

Seasonal dynamics of Callibaetis willineri (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae) associated with Eichhornia azurea (Pontedericeae) in Guaraná Lake of the Upper Paraná River, Brazil

The micro-anatomy of the cephalon is described in the troglobic asellotan isopod Craseriella anops from the Nohoch Nah Chich anchialine cave system in southeast Mexico. The cephalon is entirely covered by cuticular scales bordered by marginal spines. The anterior end of the cephalon is bordered by a carina that is wider medially. The isopod is eyeless. The distal seventh portion of the cephalon is characterized by the presence of two sutures and six setae. A suture is found on each side of the distal margin of the cephalon.Each suture is bordered by microtrichs. Two simple setae with a sensory hair, articulated on the base by a socket, are found one on each side of each of the sutures. Two additional setae, similar in shape and size, occur medially on the cephalon. A terminal pore is absent on the sensory hairs of all setae. These setae are suggested to be mechanoreceptors that provide directional sensitivity and enhance the sensibility of turbulent motion, viscosity and changes of hydrostatic pressure.     

Characterization of Thermal Transport in One-dimensional Solid Materials

The TET (transient electro-thermal) technique is an effective approach developed to measure the thermal diffusivity of solid materials, including conductive, semi-conductive or nonconductive one-dimensional structures. This technique broadens the measurement scope of materials (conductive and nonconductive) and improves the accuracy and stability. If the sample (especially biomaterials, such as human head hair, spider silk, and silkworm silk) is not conductive, it will be coated with a gold layer to make it electronically conductive. The effect of parasitic conduction and radiative losses on the thermal diffusivity can be subtracted during data processing. Then the real thermal conductivity can be calculated with the given value of volume-based specific heat (ρc_p), which can be obtained from calibration, noncontact photo-thermal technique or measuring the density and specific heat separately. In this work, human head hair samples are used to show how to set up the experiment, process the experimental data, and subtract the effect of parasitic conduction and radiative losses.     

Extraction and Analysis of Cortisol from Human and Monkey Hair

The stress hormone cortisol (CORT) is slowly incorporated into the growing hair shaft of humans, nonhuman primates, and other mammals. We developed and validated a method for CORT extraction and analysis from rhesus monkey hair and subsequently adapted this method for use with human scalp hair. In contrast to CORT "point samples" obtained from plasma or saliva, hair CORT provides an integrated measure of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) system activity, and thus physiological stress, during the period of hormone incorporation. Because human scalp hair grows at an average rate of 1 cm/month, CORT levels obtained from hair segments several cm in length can potentially serve as a biomarker of stress experienced over a number of months.In our method, each hair sample is first washed twice in isopropanol to remove any CORT from the outside of the hair shaft that has been deposited from sweat or sebum. After drying, the sample is ground to a fine powder to break up the hair''s protein matrix and increase the surface area for extraction. CORT from the interior of the hair shaft is extracted into methanol, the methanol is evaporated, and the extract is reconstituted in assay buffer. Extracted CORT, along with standards and quality controls, is then analyzed by means of a sensitive and specific commercially available enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit. Readout from the EIA is converted to pg CORT per mg powdered hair weight. This method has been used in our laboratory to analyze hair CORT in humans, several species of macaque monkeys, marmosets, dogs, and polar bears. Many studies both from our lab and from other research groups have demonstrated the broad applicability of hair CORT for assessing chronic stress exposure in natural as well as laboratory settings.     

Negative frequency-dependent preferences and variation in male facial hair

Negative frequency-dependent sexual selection maintains striking polymorphisms in secondary sexual traits in several animal species. Here, we test whether frequency of beardedness modulates perceived attractiveness of men''s facial hair, a secondary sexual trait subject to considerable cultural variation. We first showed participants a suite of faces, within which we manipulated the frequency of beard thicknesses and then measured preferences for four standard levels of beardedness. Women and men judged heavy stubble and full beards more attractive when presented in treatments where beards were rare than when they were common, with intermediate preferences when intermediate frequencies of beardedness were presented. Likewise, clean-shaven faces were least attractive when clean-shaven faces were most common and more attractive when rare. This pattern in preferences is consistent with negative frequency-dependent selection.