Dynamics of primate bipedal walking as viewed from the force of foot

Bipedal walking of the six species of anthropoid primates including man were examined by means of the force plate technique. Though each species has a particular pattern of bipedal walking, we can classify two types of patterns in these primates as far as the foot force is concerned. The first type includes the man, chimpanzee, and spider monkey and the second type contains the Japanese monkey, hamadryas baboon, and gibbon. It was emphasized that the similarity of man to the chimpanzee and spider monkey in bipedal walking has some evolutionary significance.     

Spatiotemporal Variability in the Reproductive Success of the Continually Flowering Shrub Dillenia suffruticosa in Borneo

Continually flowering plants bloom continuously throughout the year, as often seen in plants distributed along the roadsides or in the understory layers in Southeast Asia's tropical rain forests. Dillenia suffruticosa (Griff. ex Hook. f. & Thomson) Martelli (Dilleniaceae) is one such continually flowering shrub that flowers during periods of community‐wide mass flowering, general flowering (GF), and non‐GF. During irregularly occurring GF periods, when species of all forest layers flower synchronously for several months, some pollinators migrate to the canopy layer, where GF promotes the pollination success of participating plants. Continually flowering plants share the available pollinator community with GF plants, and the reproductive success of continually flowering plants may be affected during the GF period. To assess the effects of GF on the reproductive success of a diverse range of continually flowering plants, we examined the differences in pollinator density and reproductive success between GF and non‐GF periods in D. suffruticosa at four different research sites. Although the seed set differed among the four research sites, pollinator density and fruit set did not differ between GF and non‐GF periods or research sites. Our results suggest that the reproductive success of D. suffruticosa was maintained at an approximately constant level, regardless of the flowering phenology of the canopy layer or other vegetation components.     

Transposon-mediated mutation of CYP76AD3 affects betalain synthesis and produces variegated flowers in four o’clock (Mirabilis jalapa)

The variegated flower colors of many plant species have been shown to result from the insertion or excision of transposable elements into genes that encode enzymes involved in anthocyanin synthesis. To date, however, it has not been established whether this phenomenon is responsible for the variegation produced by other pigments such as betalains. During betalain synthesis in red beet, the enzyme CYP76AD1 catalyzes the conversion of l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) to cyclo-DOPA. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis indicated that the homologous gene in four o’clock (Mirabilis jalapa) is CYP76AD3. Here, we show that in four o’clock with red perianths, the CYP76AD3 gene consists of one intron and two exons; however, in a mutant with a perianth showing red variegation on a yellow background, a transposable element, dTmj1, had been excised from the intron. This is the first report that a transposition event affecting a gene encoding an enzyme for betalain synthesis can result in a variegated flower phenotype.     

The presence of antibodies against the AD2 epitope of cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B is associated with acute rejection after renal transplantation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between antibodies against cytomegalovirus (CMV) glycoprotein B (gB) and acute rejection after transplantation. Seventy‐seven consecutive renal transplant recipients in a D + /R+ setting were studied. Biopsy‐proven rejection occurred in 35% of the recipients. Among these recipients, 85% had antibodies against CMV gB. The rate of acute rejection was significantly higher in recipients with antibodies against gB than in those without them. Antibodies against gB can be a useful predictor of acute rejection in renal transplant recipients in a D + /R+ setting.     

Analysis of Genes for Succinoyl Trehalose Lipid Production and Increasing Production in Rhodococcus sp. Strain SD-74

Succinoyl trehalose lipids (STLs) are promising glycolipid biosurfactants produced from n-alkanes that are secreted by Rhodococcus species bacteria. These compounds not only exhibit unique interfacial properties but also demonstrate versatile biochemical actions. In this study, three novel types of genes involved in the biosynthesis of STLs, including a putative acyl coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) transferase (tlsA), fructose-bisphosphate aldolase (fda), and alkane monooxygenase (alkB), were identified. The predicted functions of these genes indicate that alkane metabolism, sugar synthesis, and the addition of acyl groups are important for the biosynthesis of STLs. Based on these results, we propose a biosynthesis pathway for STLs from alkanes in Rhodococcus sp. strain SD-74. By overexpressing tlsA, we achieved a 2-fold increase in the production of STLs. This study advances our understanding of bacterial glycolipid production in Rhodococcus species.     

Hemocyte components in crustaceans convert hemocyanin into a phenoloxidase-like enzyme

The functional conversion of hemocyanin (Hc), an oxygen transporter, into an enzyme was investigated in crustaceans. Hc is converted into a phenoloxidase-like enzyme by hemocyte components, which is triggered by beta-1,3-glucan. This activation is severely hampered with leupeptin and E-64 treatment, indicating that the serine/cysteine proteases in the hemocytes are involved in the activation. In a SDS-PAGE-analysis, no change was observed between normal and activated Hc under reduced conditions. However, under non-reduced condition of normal Hc, several minor bands were observed at oligomeric position of Hc subunit, which disappeared upon activation. These results indicate that a split of the reductive bond, such as the disulfide bond between subunits, is essential for Hc activation. This is the first report to show the enzymatic conversion of Hc and the presence of the covalent bond in the Hc subunit of crustaceans.     

Phenotypic and molecular identification of Coccidioides posadasii in a patient evaluated for bilateral lung transplantation

BackgroundCoccidioidomycosis is an endemic fungal infection caused by Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. It can be particularly severe in transplant recipients that have a current or a previous coccidioidal infection. Fatal case of coccidioidomycosis has been described in this group of patients.AimsWe report a severe case of pneumonia caused by C. posadassi in a 29 year-old white woman that had been admitted to hospital as part of the evaluation for bilateral lung transplantation. The patient was a native and resident of Catamarca, Argentina. Molecular methodologies contributed to the species identification.MethodsClinical, laboratory records and microbiological tests were carried out to diagnose the infection and to identify C. posadasii.ResultsA fungus was isolated from BAL culture. Phenotypic characterization, specific PCR and experimental animal inoculation demonstrated the presence of C. posadasii. The patient responded well to amphotericin B deoxycholate. Lung transplantation was postponed.ConclusionsSpecific PCR can be an important alternative for the correct identification of C. immitis or C. posadasii in laboratories with implemented molecular biology tools. This case emphasizes the need for a systematic assessment in organ transplant units of patients inhabiting endemic areas of coccidioidomycosis.     

Effect of Heparin on Hemagglutinin of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1

Heparin inhibited the hemagglutinin activity of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1. The minimal inhibitory concentration of heparin required to inhibit 8 hemagglutination (HA) U of HSV ranged from 0.005 to 0.01 U/ml. Mouse erythrocytes failed to combine with the HA inhibitory factor of heparin. On the other hand, mouse erythrocytes treated with heparinase had greatly reduced agglutinability by HSV. Virus-heparin complex formation was observed by sedimenting heparin with the virus particles.     

RNA-RNA and RNA-DNA ligation with the sTobRV(+) hammerhead ribozyme.

The sTobRV(+) ribozyme consists of a small catalytic domain and two wing sequences(1). By changing its wing sequences, the ribozyme can cleave many different RNAs in a site-specific manner, functioning as an RNA restriction enzyme(1). Although relatively strong ligase activity is known to be associated with sTobRV(+) RNA(2,3), the sTobRV(+) ribozyme itself has been claimed to have no ligase activity. Here, we show the evidence that the sTobRV(+) ribozyme has the ability to rejoin its digestion products at low temperatures such as 4 degrees C. In contrast, little or no ligation product can be produced at 50 degrees C, the temperature giving the maximum digestion activity. The ligation reaction requires Mg++ ion. The first substrate (P1, see Fig.1), possessing 2',3' cyclic phosphate, must be RNA, but the second substrate (P2), required to have 5'OH, can be replaced by DNA counterparts, equal to or longer than dimer, thus making it possible to generate RNA-DNA chimeric molecules. We also show the resultant RNA-DNA chimera to be digestable by the sTobRV(+) ribozyme. RNase digestion indicates the phosphodiester linkage thus generated to be exclusively 3'-5'.