Analysis for linkage between F13A and three chromosome 6 marker loci: evidence for 6pter: F13A:HLA:GL01:cen gene order

Summary The results of the present study provide independent support for F13A:HLA linkage and refine the F13A: HLA and F13A: GLO1 linkage relationships. Analysis of the corresponding recombination fractions for the total paternal F13A:HLA and F13A:GLO1 peak lod scores() indicates a locus order of 6pter: F13A:HLA:GLO1:cen. Lod scores between F13A and PLG, a locus recently assigned to chromosome 6, exclude close linkage between these loci.     

Structural organization of the beta-globin locus of B-haplotype sheep

Goats and some sheep synthesize a juvenile hemoglobin, Hb C (alpha 2 beta C2), at birth and produce this hemoglobin exclusively during severe anemia. Sheep that synthesize this juvenile hemoglobin are of the A haplotype. Other sheep, belonging to a separate group, the B haplotype, do not synthesize hemoglobin C and during anemia continue to produce their adult hemoglobin. To understand the basis for this difference we have determined the structural organization of the beta- globin locus of B-type sheep by constructing and isolating overlapping genomic clones. These clones have allowed us to establish the linkage map 5' epsilon I-epsilon II-psi beta I-beta B-epsilon III-epsilon IV- psi beta II-beta F3' in this haplotype. Thus, B sheep lack four genes, including the BC gene, and have only eight genes, compared with the 12 found in the goat globin locus. The goat beta-globin locus is as follows: 5' epsilon I-epsilon II-psi beta X-beta C-epsilon III-epsilon IV-psi beta Z-beta A-epsilon V-epsilon VI-psi beta Y-beta F3'. Southern blot analysis of A-type sheep reveals that these animals have a beta- globin locus similar to that of goat, i.e., 12 globin genes. Thus, the beta-globin locus of B-haplotype sheep resembles that of cows and may have retained the duplicated locus of the ancestor of cows and sheep. Alternatively, the B-sheep locus arrangement may be the result of a deletion of a four-gene set from the triplicated locus.      

Purification and characterization of a bone metalloproteinase that degrades gelatin and types IV and V collagen

A third metalloendopeptidase activity, gelatinase, has been completely separated from the collagenase and proteoglycanase activities of rabbit bone culture medium. Although the proteinase could not be purified to homogeneity in large amounts, it was possible to obtain accurate molecular weight values and activity after electrophoresis on non-reduced SDS/polyacrylamide gels. The latent form had an Mr of 65 000 which could be activated with 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate, APMA, to a form of Mr 61 000; under reducing conditions the latent and active forms had Mr of 72 000 and 65 000, respectively. Trypsin was a very poor activator of the latent enzyme. Gelatinase degraded gelatins derived from the interstitial collagens and it also had low activity on native types IV and V collagen and on insoluble elastin. Gelatinase acted synergistically with collagenase in degrading insoluble interstitial collagen. The specific mammalian tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases inhibited gelatinase by forming a stable inactive complex. Comparison of the properties of gelatinase with those of collagenase and proteoglycanase suggest that the three proteinases form a family which together are capable of degrading all the major macromolecules of connective tissue matrices.     

Unblocking beds: a geriatric unit's experience with transferred patients.

A study was made of all patients admitted to a geriatric unit over several years. The admission policy included a high degree of priority to requests for transfer from acute beds, which resulted in transferred patients accounting for 25% of admissions. Unblocking acute beds did not lead to prolonged delay in admitting patients from the community to the geriatric unit. Almost 30% of beds allocated to transferred patients were recovered in 30 days.     

Localization of human gene loci using spontaneous chromosome rearrangements in human-Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids.

Analysis of human-Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids with spontaneously derived chromosome structural changes has provided data for the regional and subregional localization of gene loci which have previously been assigned to human chromosomes 2, 12, and X. Correlation of the expression of human gene loci with the human chromosome complements present in somatic cell hybrids indicates that the cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase (MDH1) locus is in the 2p23yields2pter region, and red cell acid phosphatase (AcP1) is at or adjacent to 2p23. The cytoplasmic isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1) locus is at or adjacent to 2q11, peptidase B (Pep B) is at or adjacent to 12q21, lactate dehydrogenase B (LDH B) is in the 12q21yiedls12pter region, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is in the Xq24yieldsXqter region, and the gene loci for phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), alpha-galactosidase (alpha-gal), and hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (GPRT) are in the Xp21yieldsXq24 region.     

Using Species Distribution Models to Predict Potential Landscape Restoration Effects on Puma Conservation

A mosaic of intact native and human-modified vegetation use can provide important habitat for top predators such as the puma (Puma concolor), avoiding negative effects on other species and ecological processes due to cascade trophic interactions. This study investigates the effects of restoration scenarios on the puma’s habitat suitability in the most developed Brazilian region (São Paulo State). Species Distribution Models incorporating restoration scenarios were developed using the species’ occurrence information to (1) map habitat suitability of pumas in São Paulo State, Southeast, Brazil; (2) test the relative contribution of environmental variables ecologically relevant to the species habitat suitability and (3) project the predicted habitat suitability to future native vegetation restoration scenarios. The Maximum Entropy algorithm was used (Test AUC of 0.84 ± 0.0228) based on seven environmental non-correlated variables and non-autocorrelated presence-only records (n = 342). The percentage of native vegetation (positive influence), elevation (positive influence) and density of roads (negative influence) were considered the most important environmental variables to the model. Model projections to restoration scenarios reflected the high positive relationship between pumas and native vegetation. These projections identified new high suitability areas for pumas (probability of presence >0.5) in highly deforested regions. High suitability areas were increased from 5.3% to 8.5% of the total State extension when the landscapes were restored for ≥ the minimum native vegetation cover rule (20%) established by the Brazilian Forest Code in private lands. This study highlights the importance of a landscape planning approach to improve the conservation outlook for pumas and other species, including not only the establishment and management of protected areas, but also the habitat restoration on private lands. Importantly, the results may inform environmental policies and land use planning in São Paulo State, Brazil.