Fluctuations of grass pollen content in the atmosphere of East Perugia and meteorological correlations (year 1989)

Summary Gramineae pollination from a pollen monitoring station located in the eastern suburb of Perugia and meteorological correlations are reported. The data refers to the year 1989. Grass pollen peak pollination was from May to July; in this period the influence of relative humidity and of temperature on pollen concentration was very high. Phenological observations, to identify the time of maximum stamen extension in the most common genera in the area, are also reported. During the period of investigation the counts of pollen grains over four-hour periods showed a regular diurnal rhythm with peaks of concentration in the four-hour period 16.00–20.00. Aerosporological data and meteorological data related to four-hour periods were correlated following different criteria.     

Tissue glycogen concentrations in hypophysectomized pig fetuses following infusion with cortisol

The role of cortisol as a factor controlling the deposition of glycogen in the pig fetus was examined by infusing either a low dose (1 mg/day) or a high dose (3 mg/day) of cortisol into chronically-catheterized hypophysectomized fetal pigs for five days beginning on day 100-104 of gestation. After infusion, liver glycogen was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) and lung glycogen significantly lower (P less than 0.05) than in uninfused hypophysectomized litter mates although concentrations were significantly different from intact litter mates (P less than 0.05). Although skeletal and cardiac muscle content increased after infusion this difference was not significant. Changes in tissue glycogen content were similar for both the low and high rates of infusion. These observations indicate that exogenous cortisol alone is able to stimulate liver glycogen deposition and reverse the effect of hypophysectomy. Although other factors may be necessary for maximal response this suggests that cortisol is an important stimulant for liver glycogen deposition in the fetal pig. The effect of cortisol on muscle glycogen was equivocal suggesting that other hormones may play a more important role in this tissue.     

Mechanism of mda-5 Inhibition by Paramyxovirus V Proteins

The RNA helicases encoded by melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (mda-5) and retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) detect foreign cytoplasmic RNA molecules generated during the course of a virus infection, and their activation leads to induction of type I interferon synthesis. Paramyxoviruses limit the amount of interferon produced by infected cells through the action of their V protein, which binds to and inhibits mda-5. Here we show that activation of both mda-5 and RIG-I by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) leads to the formation of homo-oligomers through self-association of the helicase domains. We identify a region within the helicase domain of mda-5 that is targeted by all paramyxovirus V proteins and demonstrate that they inhibit activation of mda-5 by blocking dsRNA binding and consequent self-association. In addition to this commonly targeted domain, some paramyxovirus V proteins target additional regions of mda-5. In contrast, V proteins cannot bind to RIG-I and consequently have no effect on the ability of RIG-I to bind dsRNA or to form oligomers.     

Observing the Temperature Dependent Transition of the GP2 Peptide Using Terahertz Spectroscopy

The GP2 peptide is derived from the Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2/nue), a marker protein for breast cancer present in saliva. In this paper we study the temperature dependent behavior of hydrated GP2 at terahertz frequencies and find that the peptide undergoes a dynamic transition between 200 and 220 K. By fitting suitable molecular models to the frequency response we determine the molecular processes involved above and below the transition temperature (T _D). In particular, we show that below T _D the dynamic transition is dominated by a simple harmonic vibration with a slow and temperature dependent relaxation time constant and that above T _D, the dynamic behavior is governed by two oscillators, one of which has a fast and temperature independent relaxation time constant and the other of which is a heavily damped oscillator with a slow and temperature dependent time constant. Furthermore a red shifting of the characteristic frequency of the damped oscillator was observed, confirming the presence of a non-harmonic vibration potential. Our measurements and modeling of GP2 highlight the unique capabilities of THz spectroscopy for protein characterization.     

Cardiopathic effects of dichloroacetate in the fetal Long-Evans rat.

Dichloroacetic acid (DCA) is a by-product of the chlorine disinfection of water and may occur in treated water at levels exceeding 100 micrograms/L. Previous studies revealed teratogenic effects, particularly heart malformations, at high doses (900-2,400 mg/kg given on days 6-15 of pregnancy). In a series of three studies, groups of 7-10 Long-Evans rats were dosed with 1,900 mg/kg of DCA on days 6-8, 9-11, or 12-15; with 2,400 mg/kg on days 10, 11, 12, or 13; and with 3,500 mg/kg on days 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13, in an attempt to determine the most sensitive period and further characterize the heart defect. In a fourth study, six dams were treated with 1,900 mg/kg of DCA days 6-15 of pregnancy, and 56 fetuses were harvested for light microscopy of the heart. Eight control fetuses from four litters were also examined. No heart malformations were seen in the groups treated with 1,900 mg/kg DCA days 6-8 but were present in the group treated on days 9-11 and 12-15, with the higher incidence occurring on days 12-15. Single doses of 2,400 mg/kg DCA given on days 10, 11, 12, or 13 resulted in a much lower incidence of cardiac malformations, which occurred only on days 10 and 12. The high dose of DCA (3,500 mg/kg) did not increase the incidence of heart defects but showed that dosing on day 9 as well as on days 10 and 12 would produce the defect. The defects seen were characterized as high interventricular septal defects (H-IVSD). Light microscopy showed that the defect was caudal to the semilunar valves, with the anterior right wall of the aorta communicating with the right ventricle. Another aspect of the defect is at the level of the semilunar valves, with the right cusp or sinus of Valsalva in communication with the right ventricle. The defects are discussed more fully and methods for further study suggested.