Dehydroheliamine,a trace alkaloid from the saguaro,Carnegiea gigantea (cactaceae)

Extraction of Carnegiea gigantea yielded a new 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline alkaloid, dehydroheliamine; the structure was confirmed by synthesis.     

A Comparison of the Efficacy of Nuclear Polyhedrosis and Granulosis Viruses in Spray and Bait Formulations for the Control of Agrotis segetum (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Maize

Agrotis segetum nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AsNPV) and granulosis virus (AsGV), propagated in laboratory cultures of A. segetum in England and A. ipsilon in Spain, respectively, were applied to plots of maize plants at the one‐ to four‐leaf stage of growth. Plots were arranged in a 6 x 6 Latin square design and infested with second‐instar A. segetum larvae (the common cutworm). Each virus was applied in separate treatments by two application methods; as an aqueous spray containing 0.1% Agral as a wetting agent, and as a bran bait. The NPV was applied at a rate of 4 X 10¹² polyhedra/ha, and the GV at 4 X 10¹³ granules/ha. Soil and plants were sampled for larvae on three occasions following virus treatment: 24 h, 4 days and 11 days. The larvae were reared on diet in the laboratory, until death or pupation, to examine the rate and level of viral infection. Infection data showed 87.5% and 91% NPV infection and 12.5% and 55% GV infection in spray and bait treatments, respectively, in larvae sampled 24 h after treatment. In larvae sampled 4 days after treatment, the results were 78% and 100% NPV infection, and 13% and 6% GV infection. A total of only six larvae were retrieved on day 11. In both treatments larvae infected with AsNPV died significantly more rapidly and at an earlier instar than those infected with AsGV, indicating that AsNPV appears to have better potential as a control agent for A. segetum.     

Cloning and analysis of cDNA sequences coding for two 16 kilodalton heat shock proteins (hsps) in Caenorhabditis elegans: homology with the small hsps of Drosophila.

The nucleotide sequences of two different cDNAs, CEHS48 and CEHS41, coding for the 16,000 dalton heat shock proteins (hsps) of Caenorhabditis elegans have been determined. CEHS48 codes for a polypeptide of 135 amino acids, approximately 15 fewer than the complete protein while CEHS41 is missing approximately 46 amino acids. From nucleotide 113 to the TAA termination signal the extent of homology between the sequences is 91%. Toward the 5' ends, the homology drops to 20% and results in completely divergent amino acid sequences. The 3' noncoding regions are only 30% homologous. Only CEHS48 contains a poly(A) signal and a poly(A) tail, suggesting that CEHS41 has an incomplete 3' end. The region from amino acid 43 to amino acid 115 shows extensive homology with corresponding regions in the four small hsps of Drosophila melanogaster and in mammalian alpha-crystallin. Two-dimensional gel analysis of in vitro synthesized hsp16 reveals the existence of five distinct components of identical molecular weights, but with different isoelectric points.     

Melatonin controls cell proliferation and modulates mitochondrial physiology in pancreatic stellate cells

Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry - We have investigated the effects of melatonin on major pathways related with cellular proliferation and energetic metabolism in pancreatic stellate cells....     

Progress in melanoma treatment: Patient's perspectives

Upon the 20th Anniversary of the Society for Melanoma Research, we highlight the perspectives of patients aiming to help improve future experiences, outcomes, and their quality of life over the next 20 years. Five melanoma patients generously shared their inspiring and enlightening stories of diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Many patients had excellent medical teams that synergistically worked together to provide an accurate diagnosis, effective treatment options, and supportive care. However, it is clear that health inequities persist in communities where people of color are predominant, affecting early detection, patient experience, and outcomes. These stories shed light on the unique challenges faced by patients and how the lack of melanoma awareness and adequate resources, especially in communities of color or low socioeconomic status, can contribute to disparate outcomes in melanoma care. We expect that these stories will raise awareness about the progress in melanoma treatment but also the existent disparities in melanoma diagnosis and treatment and the importance of early detection and prevention.     

Diversity,equity, and inclusion in the melanoma research community

The inaugural Diversity and Inclusion in Science Session was held during the 2021 Society for Melanoma Research (SMR) congress. The goal of the session was to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion in the melanoma research community and strategies to promote the advancement of underrepresented melanoma researchers. An international survey was conducted to assess the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) climate among researchers and clinicians within the Society for Melanoma Research (SMR). The findings suggest there are feelings and experiences of inequity, bias, and harassment within the melanoma community that correlate with one's gender, ethnic/racial group, and/or geographic location. Notably, significant reports of inequity in opportunity, discrimination, and sexual harassment demonstrate there is much work remaining to ensure all scientists in our community experience an academic workplace culture built on mutual respect, fair access, inclusion, and equitable opportunity.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of the Caenorhabditis elegans elongation factor 2 gene (eft-2)

A Caenorhabditis elegans lambda ZAP cDNA library was screened using a fragment amplified from highly conserved regions of the mammalian and Drosophila elongation factor 2 (EF-2). Two types of cDNA clones were obtained, corresponding to two mRNA species with 3'-untranslated regions of 60 and 115 nucleotides, both encoding identical polypeptides. Sequence analysis of these clones and comparisons with hamster and Drosophila EF-2 sequences suggests that they encode C. elegans EF-2. Clone pCef6A, encoding the entire C. elegans EF-2 mRNA sequence including 45 nucleotides of 5'-untranslated region, contains a 2,556-bp open reading frame which predicts a polypeptide of 852 amino acid residues (Mr 94,564). The deduced amino acid sequence is greater than 80% identical to that of mammalian and Drosophila EF-2. Conserved sequence segments shared among a variety of GTP-binding proteins are found in the amino-terminal region. The carboxy-terminal half contains segments unique to EF-2 and its prokaryotic homolog, EF-G, as well as the histidyl residue which is ADP-ribosylated by diphtheria toxin. The C. elegans protein contains a 12-amino-acid insertion between positions 90 and 100, and a 13-amino-acid deletion between positions 237 and 260, relative to hamster EF-2. Partial sequencing of a genomic clone encoding the entire C. elegans EF-2 gene (named eft-2) has so far revealed two introns of 48 and 44 bp following codons Gln-191 and Gln-250, respectively. Southern and Northern blot analyses indicate that eft-2 is a single-copy gene and encodes a 3-kb mRNA species which is present throughout nematode development.