Genetic analysis of autosomal and X-linked markers across a mouse hybrid zone

In this paper, we present results of the first comprehensive study of the introgression of both autosomal and sex-chromosome markers across the central European portion of the hybrid zone between two house mouse subspecies, Mus musculus musculus and M. m. domesticus. More than 1800 individuals sampled from 105 sites were analyzed with a set of allozyme loci (hopefully representing neutral or nearly neutral markers) and X-linked loci (which are assumed to be under selection). The zone center is best modeled as a single straight line independent of fine-scale local geographic or climatic conditions, being maintained by a balance between dispersal and selection against hybrids. The width (w) of the multilocus autosomal cline was estimated as 9.6 km whereas the estimate for the compound X-chromosome cline was about 4.6 km only. As the former estimate is comparable to that of the Danish portion of the zone (assumed to be much younger than the central European one), zone width does not appear to be related to its age. The strength (B) of the central barrier was estimated as about 20 km; with dispersal (sigma) of about 1 km/gen(1/2), this means effective selection (s*) is approximately 0.06-0.09 for autosomal loci and about 0.25 for X-linked loci. The number of loci under selection was estimated as N= 56-99 for autosomes and about 380 for X-linked loci. Finally, we highlight some potential pitfalls in hybrid zone analyses and in comparisons of different transects. We suggest that conclusions about parts of the mouse genome involved in reproductive isolation and speciation should be drawn with caution and that analytical approaches always providing some estimates should not be used without due care regarding the support or confidence of such estimates, especially if conclusions are based on the difference between these estimates. Finally, we recommend that analysis in two-dimensional space, dense sampling, and rigorous treatment of data, including inspection of likelihood profiles, are essential for hybrid zone studies.     

Synthesis of 4-substituted phenyl 3,6-anhydro-1,3-dithio-D-glucofuranosides and -pyranosides as well as 2,6-anhydro-1,2-dithio-alpha-D-altrofuranosides possessing antithrombotic activity

1,2,5-Tri-O-acetyl-3,6-anhydro-3-thio-D-glucofuranose was synthesised starting from D-glucose and was used as a donor for the glycosidation of 4-cyano- and 4-nitrobenzenethiol. In the latter reaction, besides an anomeric mixture of the 4-nitrophenyl 2,5-di-O-acetyl-3,6-anhydro-1,3-dithio-D-glucofuranosides, the corresponding 2,6-anhydro-1,2-dithio-D-altrofuranosides were also obtained, formed via a rearrangement of the sugar moiety. A similar rearrangement could be observed during the hydrolysis of the glycosidic bond of methyl 3,6-anhydro-2,4-di-O-(4-nitrobenzoyl)-3-thio-alpha-D-glucopyranoside with aqueous trifluoroacetic acid, affording after acetylation besides 1-O-acetyl-3,6-anhydro-2,4-di-O-(4-nitrobenzoyl)-3-thio-alpha-D-glucopyranose (32alpha), 1,1,5-tri-O-acetyl-3,6-anhydro-2,4-di-O-(4-nitrobenzoyl)-3-thio-D-glucose, methyl 3,6-anhydro-2,4-di-O-(4-nitrobenzoyl)-3-thio-beta-D-glucopyranoside and 1,5-di-O-acetyl-2,6-anhydro-3-O-(4-nitrobenzoyl)-2-thio-alpha-D-altrofuranose (40). Glycosidation of 4-cyanobenzethiol with 32alpha in the presence of trimethylsilyl triflate as promoter afforded 4-cyanophenyl 3,6-anhydro-2,4-di-O-(4-nitrobenzoyl)-1,3-dithio-beta-D-glucopyranoside as a minor component only, besides 4-cyanophenyl 3,6-anhydro-2-S-(4-cyanophenyl)-4-O-(4-nitrobenzoyl)-1,2,3-trithio-beta-D-glucopyranoside. When boron trifluoride etherate was used as promoter in the reaction of 32alpha with 4-cyano- and 4-nitrobenzenethiol, the corresponding beta-thioglycosides were obtained, while 40 gave under identical conditions the alpha anomers exclusively. All thioglycosides obtained after deacylation were submitted to biological evaluation. Among these glycosides, the 4-cyanophenyl 3,6-thioanhydro-1,3-dithio-D-glucofuranoside possessed the strongest oral antithrombotic effect.     

Preferred Supramolecular Organization and Dimer Interfaces of Opioid Receptors from Simulated Self-Association

Substantial evidence in support of the formation of opioid receptor (OR) di-/oligomers suggests previously unknown mechanisms used by these proteins to exert their biological functions. In an attempt to guide experimental assessment of the identity of the minimal signaling unit for ORs, we conducted extensive coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of different combinations of the three major OR subtypes, i.e., μ-OR, δ-OR, and κ-OR, in an explicit lipid bilayer. Specifically, we ran multiple, independent MD simulations of each homomeric μ-OR/μ-OR, δ-OR/δ-OR, and κ-OR/κ-OR complex, as well as two of the most studied heteromeric complexes, i.e., δ-OR/μ-OR and δ-OR/κ-OR, to derive the preferred supramolecular organization and dimer interfaces of ORs in a cell membrane model. These simulations yielded over 250 microseconds of accumulated data, which correspond to approximately 1 millisecond of effective simulated dynamics according to established scaling factors of the CG model we employed. Analysis of these data indicates similar preferred supramolecular organization and dimer interfaces of ORs across the different receptor subtypes, but also important differences in the kinetics of receptor association at specific dimer interfaces. We also investigated the kinetic properties of interfacial lipids, and explored their possible role in modulating the rate of receptor association and in promoting the formation of filiform aggregates, thus supporting a distinctive role of the membrane in OR oligomerization and, possibly, signaling.     

A case of Lemierre's syndrome following Epstein-Barr virus infection

Lemierre's syndrome, or necrobacillosis, is a life-threatening septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein. The causative organism is Fusobacterium necrophorum. Here we report a case of Lemierre's syndrome in a young male and describe the clinical presentations and treatment. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was a suspected predisposing factor in this case.     

Quinolinyl- and phenantridinyl-acetamides as bradykinin B1 receptor antagonists

A new series of quinolinyl- and phenantridinyl-acetamides were synthesizer and evaluated against bradykinin B1 receptor. In vitro metabolic stability data were reported for the key compounds.The analgesic effect of compound 20 from the phenantridine series was proved in-vivo.     

Reduction in hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced myocardial mitochondrial damage with exogenous methane

Albeit previous experiments suggest potential anti-inflammatory effect of exogenous methane (CH₄) in various organs, the mechanism of its bioactivity is not entirely understood. We aimed to investigate the potential mitochondrial effects and the underlying mechanisms of CH₄ in rat cardiomyocytes and mitochondria under simulated ischaemia/reperfusion (sI/R) conditions. Three-day-old cultured cardiomyocytes were treated with 2.2% CH₄-artificial air mixture during 2-hour-long reoxygenation following 4-hour-long anoxia (sI/R and sI/R + CH₄, n = 6-6), with normoxic groups serving as controls (SH and SH + CH₄; n = 6-6). Mitochondrial functions were investigated with high-resolution respirometry, and mitochondrial membrane injury was detected by cytochrome c release and apoptotic characteristics by using TUNEL staining. CH₄ admixture had no effect on complex II (CII)-linked respiration under normoxia but significantly decreased the complex I (CI)-linked oxygen consumption. Nevertheless, addition of CH₄ in the sI/R + CH4 group significantly reduced the respiratory activity of CII in contrast to CI and the CH₄ treatment diminished mitochondrial H₂O₂ production. Substrate-induced changes to membrane potential were partially preserved by CH₄, and additionally, cytochrome c release and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes were reduced in the CH₄-treated group. In conclusion, the addition of CH₄ decreases mitochondrial ROS generation via blockade of electron transport at CI and reduces anoxia-reoxygenation-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cardiomyocyte injury in vitro.     

TWO DIFFERENT SPECIES OF EUGLENA,E. GENICULATA AND E. MYXOCYLINDRACEA (EUGLENOPHYCEAE), ARE VIRTUALLY GENETICALLY AND MORPHOLOGICALLY IDENTICAL1

We investigated the similarity of a single Euglena myxocylindracea strain, isolated originally by Bold and MacEntee, to several Euglena geniculata strains on both morphological and DNA levels. We found the three DNA stretches, consisting of fragments coding for the parts of cytoplasmic and chloroplast small subunit rRNA, and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of cytoplasmic rDNA, with the combined length of 4332 nucleotides, are identical in E. myxocylindracea and E. geniculata, strain SAG 1224‐4b. Morphological differences between E. myxocylindracea and any E. geniculata strain examined were well within the range of E. geniculata variability as well. The only difference behind the distinction of E. myxocylindracea from E. geniculata is the presence of the second chloroplast in the latter. However, we were able to induce the appearance of the second chloroplast in the cells of E. myxocylindracea and its disappearance in the cells of E. geniculata by changing the composition of the culture media. We therefore conclude that E. myxocylindracea Bold and MacEntee should be regarded as an environmental form of E. geniculata Dujardin. For the first time the morphology of E. geniculata chloroplasts was shown as revealed by confocal laser microscopy.