Genetic analysis reveals the diversity of larval Gobiidae in a temperate estuary

Using molecular tools to examine Gobiidae, the second most abundant taxon in ichthyoplankton samples in the Gulf of Riga (Baltic Sea), the sand goby Pomatoschistus minutus was the most abundant taxon (82% of all individuals analysed), the common goby Pomatoschistus microps constituted 12% and the black goby Gobius niger 6%. The spatiotemporal distribution of P. microps and G. niger indicated a preference for habitats closer to the river inlet and their abundances increased slightly towards the end of the sampling period in summer. The species composition was interpreted in the context of the prevailing habitat conditions, characterized by extremely low water transparency, low salinity, limited spread of vegetated area and dominance of sandy–muddy substrata.     

Outer membrane modifications of Pseudomonas fluorescens MF37 in response to hyperosmolarity

The effect of hyperosmotic condition on the outer membrane protein (Omp) composition of Pseudomonas fluorescens was investigated by proteomic analyses. The abundances of 12 proteins, including porins, lipoproteins, and the flagella subunit FliC, were modified. This was at least partly explained by altered gene expression, as shown by mRNA level study. In agreement with Omp changes, hyperosmotic condition resulted in vesicle formation and modifications of mobility and antibiotic susceptibility.     

Both the dimerization and immunochemical properties of E-cadherin EC1 domain depend on Trp(156) residue

Using site-directed mutagenesis, we show in this paper that the adhesive interface detected in cadherin crystals is unlikely to mediate adhesive interaction between myc- and flag-tagged E-cadherin molecules in human A-431 cells. We also found that a critical residue within this interface, His(233), is part of the epitope for mAb SHE78-7. This epitope was accessible to the antibody in the adhesive E-cadherin dimers, which is consistent with uninvolvement of the site containing His(233) in cell-cell adhesion. However, both the adhesive dimerization and the integrity of the SHE78-7 epitope depended on the same intramolecular interaction between Trp(156) and its hydrophobic pocket. Our data suggest that this interaction may have an important regulatory function in controlling the surface topology of the NH(2)-terminal domain of E-cadherin.     

Characterization of myelin ligand complexes with neuronal Nogo-66 receptor family members

Nogo, MAG, and OMgp are myelin-associated proteins that bind to a neuronal Nogo-66 receptor (NgR/NgR1) to limit axonal regeneration after central nervous system injury. Within Nogo-A, two separate domains are known interact with NgR1. NgR1 is the founding member of the three-member NgR family, whereas Nogo-A (RTN4A) belongs to a four-member reticulon family. Here, we systematically mapped the interactions between these superfamilies, demonstrating novel nanomolar interactions of RTN2 and RTN3 with NgR1. Because RTN3 is expressed in spinal cord white matter, it may have a role in myelin inhibition of axonal growth. Further analysis of the Nogo-A and NgR1 interactions revealed a novel third interaction site between the proteins, suggesting a trivalent Nogo-A interaction with NgR1. We also confirmed here that MAG binds to NgR2, but not to NgR3. Unexpectedly, we found that OMgp interacts with MAG with a higher affinity compared with NgR1. To better define how these multiple structurally distinct ligands bind to NgR1, we examined a series of Ala-substituted NgR1 mutants for ligand binding activity. We found that the core of the binding domain is centered in the middle of the concave surface of the NgR1 leucine-rich repeat domain and surrounded by differentially utilized residues. This detailed knowledge of the molecular interactions between NgR1 and its ligands is imperative when assessing options for development of NgR1-based therapeutics for central nervous system injuries.     

The morphology of photophores in the garrick,cyclothone braueri (Family: Gonostomatidae): an ultrastructure study

A contribution to the knowledge of the photophore structure of the mesopelagic fish Cyclothone braueri (Gonostomatidae) from the central Mediterranean Sea (Strait of Messina) is given by means of a structural and ultrastructural study, to better identify and classify the real anatomical structures costituing these luminous organs. The photocytes exhibit numerous secretory granules, of different electron density, embedded in an extremely developed rough endoplasmic reticulum. The lens appear to be composed of tightly contiguous polyhedral cells. The reflector is made up of cells rich in guanine crystals, embedded in an amorphous matrix and is surrounded by a layer of connective tissue containing melanocytes. Unlike the present knowledge, it is shown that the bioluminescence emitted from C. braueri light organs has glandular nature, with photophores similar to type α from Bassot classification. The phenomenon of adaptive convergence, documenting how the morphology and physiology of the light organs of teleosts is similar in different species despite their taxonomic distance, is confirmed also for C. braueri.     

The nonclassical MHC class I molecule Qa-1 forms unstable peptide complexes

The MHC class Ib molecule Qa-1 is the primary ligand for mouse CD94/NKG2A inhibitory receptors expressed on NK cells, in addition to presenting Ags to a subpopulation of T cells. CD94/NKG2A receptors specifically recognize Qa-1 bound to the MHC class Ia leader sequence-derived peptide Qdm. Qdm is the dominant peptide loaded onto Qa-1 under physiological conditions and this peptide has an optimal sequence for binding to Qa-1. Peptide dissociation experiments demonstrated that Qdm dissociates from soluble or cell surface Qa-1(b) molecules with a t(1/2) of approximately 1.5 h at 37 degrees C. In comparison, complexes of an optimal peptide (SIINFEKL) bound to the MHC class Ia molecule H-2K(b) dissociated with a t(1/2) in the range from 11 to 31 h. In contrast to K(b), the stability of cell surface Qa-1(b) molecules was independent of bound peptides, and several observations suggested that empty cell surface Qa-1(b) molecules might be unusually stable. Consistent with the rapid dissociation rate of Qdm from Qa-1(b), cells become susceptible to lysis by CD94/NKG2A(+) NK cells under conditions in which new Qa-1(b)/Qdm complexes cannot be continuously generated at the cell surface. These results support the hypothesis that Qa-1 has been selected as a specialized MHC molecule that is unable to form highly stable peptide complexes. We propose that the CD94/NKG2A-Qa-1/Qdm recognition system has evolved as a rapid sensor of the integrity of the MHC class I biosynthesis and Ag presentation pathway.     

Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of a new once-a-week matricial estradiol transdermal system (Estrapatch 40 and Estrapatch 60) with a twice week system

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of three transdermal systems (Estrapatch 40, Estrapatch 60 and Oesclim 50). METHODS: Multicentre, randomized, open, 3 parallel group study on 421 postmenopausal women presenting with at least 35 hot flushes in the week preceding inclusion and treated for six 28-day cycles with either Estrapatch 40 (n = 141) or Estrapatch 60 (n = 140) once a week or Oesclim 50 (n = 140) twice a week, associated to oral NETA (Millligynon 2x 0.6 mg tablets daily) from day 15 to day 28. Hot flushes, mastodynia, bleeding, local skin tolerability and adhesiveness were reported on daily cards. Endometrial thickness and estrogens were measured before and after treatment. RESULTS: Efficacy was clearly established for the three devices as early as after one cycle of treatment, with success rates (% of women with a decrease > or = 50% of the number of hot flushes) over 97% from cycle 2. The three treatments were equivalent on this criteria, except at cycle 1 for Estrapatch 40 which was not equivalent to both other treatments. Incidence and severity of mastodynia, bleeding pattern, endometrial thickness and specific estrogen-related adverse events reflected a significant higher estrogenic stimulation with Oesclim 50. Adhesiveness was very satisfactory for the three systems. CONCLUSIONS: Estrapatch 40 and 60 presents a better benefit/risk ratio compared to Oesclim 50. Thus Estrapach 40 appears to be a good choice for a first-line estrogen replacement therapy with the possibility to increase the dose to Estrapatch 60.     

Wild-ing the Ethnography of Conservation: Writing Nature’s Value and Agency In

When reading ethnographic literature on nature conservation, one may wonder: where has nature gone? Social anthropologists have written nuanced ethnographies of how the environmental projects of governments and transnational NGOs encounter, dispossess, clash culturally with, and try to govern native people across the world. Yet, these diverse ethnographies often say little about what motivates those encounters firstly: local and global nature, especially wildlife, plants, and the planet’s ecological crisis. Thus, this paper seeks ways how ethnographic writing on conservation practice could better reflect that the planet’s many self-willed, struggling, and valued non-humans, too, enter conservation’s encounters. To find paths toward such a ‘wild-ing’ of ethnography, the paper locates and reviews disparate materials from across the social-anthropological literature on biodiversity conservation. The review is structured through three questions: How does and could the ethnography of conservation represent nature’s value? How can it show that animals, plants, and other nature make and meet worlds? How can it incorporate natural science data about non-human worlds and ecological crisis? Altogether, we understand nature conservation clearer through the interdisciplinary and more-than-human ethnography of world-making encounters. Such wilder ethnography may also better connect people’s suffering and nature’s vanishing – as problems both for anthropology and conservation science.     

A synthetic peptide derivative that is a cholecystokinin receptor antagonist

So far, there are no known peptidic effective receptor antagonists of both peripheral and central effects of cholecystokinin (CCK). Here, we describe a synthetic peptide derivative of CCK, t-butyloxycarbonyl-Tyr(SO3-)-Met-Gly-D-Trp-Nle-Asp 2-phenylethyl ester 1 (where Nle is norleucine), which is a potent CCK receptor antagonist. In rat and guinea pig dispersed pancreatic acini, this peptide derivative did not alter amylase secretion, but was able to antagonize the stimulation caused by cholecystokinin-related agonists. It caused a parallel rightward shift in the dose-response curve for the stimulation of amylase secretion with half-maximal inhibition of CCK-8-stimulated amylase release at a concentration of about 0.1 microM. Compound 1 was able to inhibit the binding of labeled CCK-9 (the C-terminal nonapeptide of CCK) to rat and guinea pig pancreatic acini (IC50 = 5 X 10(-8) M) as well as to guinea pig cerebral cortical membranes (IC50 = 5 X 10(-7) M). These results indicate that Compound 1 is a potent competitive CCK receptor antagonist.