Distinctive communication networks in inactive states of β2-adrenergic receptor: Mutual information and entropy transfer analysis

Mutual information and entropy transfer analysis employed on two inactive states of human beta-2 adrenergic receptor (β₂-AR) unraveled distinct communication pathways. Previously, a so-called “highly” inactive state of the receptor was observed during 1.5 microsecond long molecular dynamics simulation where the largest intracellular loop (ICL3) was swiftly packed onto the G-protein binding cavity, becoming entirely inaccessible. Mutual information quantifying the degree of correspondence between backbone-C_α fluctuations was mostly shared between intra- and extra-cellular loop regions in the original inactive state, but shifted to entirely different regions in this latest inactive state. Interestingly, the largest amount of mutual information was always shared among the mobile regions. Irrespective of the conformational state, polar residues always contributed more to mutual information than hydrophobic residues, and also the number of polar-polar residue pairs shared the highest degree of mutual information compared to those incorporating hydrophobic residues. Entropy transfer, quantifying the correspondence between backbone-C_α fluctuations at different timesteps, revealed a distinctive pathway directed from the extracellular site toward intracellular portions in this recently exposed inactive state for which the direction of information flow was the reverse of that observed in the original inactive state where the mobile ICL3 and its intracellular surroundings drove the future fluctuations of extracellular regions.     

Synthesis,Molecular Modeling,and Biological Evaluation of Novel Chiral Thiosemicarbazone Derivatives as Potent Anticancer Agents

A series of new chiral thiosemicarbazones derived from homochiral amines in both enantiomeric forms were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative activity against A549 (human alveolar adenocarcinoma), MCF‐7 (human breast adenocarcinoma), HeLa (human cervical adenocarcinoma), and HGC‐27 (human stomach carcinoma) cell lines. Some of compounds showed inhibitory activities on the growth of cancer cell lines. Especially, compound 17b exhibited the most potent activity (IC₅₀ 4.6 μM) against HGC‐27 as compared with the reference compound, sindaxel (IC₅₀ 10.3 μM), and could be used as a lead compound to search new chiral thiosemicarbazone derivatives as antiproliferative agents. Chirality 27:177–188, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

New species of Ergasilus von Nordmann, 1832 (Copepoda: Ergasilidae) from the gills of freshwater fishes in Patagonia,Argentina

Systematic Parasitology - A new parasitic copepod, Ergasilus yandemontei n. sp., is described based on 10 adult females collected from the gills of the atherinid silverside Odontesthes hatcheri...     

Immunohistochemistry of thyroid hormones as a functional parameter in thyroid pathology

The authors study by means of immunoperoxidase method the pattern of thyroglobulin, triiodothyronine and thyroxine distribution in 58 cases of thyroid disorders: 15 euthyroid goiters, 10 Graves' disease, 7 Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 11 folliculo-papillary carcinomas (6 primary tumors and 5 lymph node metastases), 8 follicular carcinomas, 4 anaplastic carcinomas and 3 medullary carcinomas. Thyroglobulin, triiodothyronine and thyroxine were present in most of the thyroid disorders, excepting anaplastic and medullary carcinomas. Thyroglobulin and thyroxine were localized both in the follicular epithelium and in the colloid, whereas triiodothyronine was present especially in the follicular cells. The thyroid hormones distribution in benign lesions is rather similar. In carcinomas, the pattern of thyroglobulin, triiodothyronine and thyroxine is more heterogeneous, but generally the triiodothyronine distribution is similar to that of thyroglobulin. In some carcinomas, triiodothyronine and thyroxine showed a weak or negative immunostaining. The immunoperoxidase method is a valuable tool in the study of functional disturbances in the thyroid pathology and in the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma metastases as well. Positive thyroid hormones staining clearly indicates the thyroid origin of metastases.     

Raffinose and hypotaurine improve the post-thawed Merino ram sperm parameters

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of raffinose and hypotaurine on sperm parameters after the freeze–thawing of Merino ram sperm. Totally 40 ejaculates of five Merino ram were used in the study. Semen samples, which were diluted with a Tris-based extender containing 10 mM raffinose, 5 mM hypotaurine, 5 mM raffinose +2.5 mM hypotaurine (H + R) and no antioxidant (control), were cooled to 5 °C and frozen in 0.25 ml French straws and stored in liquid nitrogen. Frozen straws were then thawed individually at 37 °C for 25 s in a water bath for evaluation.     

Histopathologic observations on thyroid carcinoma with amyloid stroma.

The authors describe histopathologic aspects in ten cases of thyroid carcinoma with amyloid stroma. This form of cancer represents 3.4% of all the thyroid cancer cases in the last five years in the Institute of Endocrinology. Microscopic examination reveals a polymorphous picture alongside with amyloid deposits. The authors attribute to the tumor cells an important role in producing thyroid amyloidosis.     

Lower Devonian vertebrates, arthropods and brachiopods from northern Vietnam

Additional vertebrates and ostracods from the bituminous shale of the Khao Loc Formation at Tong Vai, Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam, corroborate its correlation with the upper part of the Xishancun (Xiaxishancun) Formation and the lower part of the Xitun and Lianhuashan formations of South China, and its Middle to Late Lochkovian age. The variations in morphology and ornamentation of the galeaspid Polybranchiaspis liaojaoshanensis from Tong Vai are discussed and regarded as possibly size and growth-related. A new acanthothoracid placoderm with a very deep dorsal process is described from Tong Vai and the specific distinction between the antiarchs Minicrania lissa from Tong Vai and M. lirouyii from Yunnan is supported by additional characters. Petalichthyid placoderms are recorded from this locality for the first time, and the skull of a juvenile youngolepidid sarcopterygian is described. Eurypterid fragments and a phyllocarid crustacean are also recorded from the Khao Loc Formation. A new species of the chonetid brachiopod genus Tulynetes, endemic to northern Vietnam, is described from the Pragian Mia Le Formation at Cu Le, Bac Kan Province, a new locality which yields a large diversity of taxa with outstanding preservation.     

未绝经宫颈癌患者肿瘤组织中环氧合酶2的表达及其临床意义

目的探讨环氧合酶2(COX-2)在宫颈癌组织中的表达与月经周期的关系及其临床意义。方法选取47例未绝经宫颈癌手术病人,病史结合子宫内膜HE染色观察判断患者所处月经周期时段,采用免疫组织化学SP法检测宫颈癌组织中COX-2及增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)的表达,计算机图像分析COX-2免疫染色密度值及PCNA标记指数(LI)。结果宫颈癌组织中COX-2表达阳性者增生期表达强于分泌期(P<0.05),但阳性率无显著性差异(P>0.05),COX-2阳性癌组织中PCNALI高于阴性者,差异有显著性(P<0.01)。有淋巴结转移者COX-2的表达高于无转移者(P<0.05),宫颈癌组织中COX-2的表达与FIGO临床分期、组织分化程度无显著相关性(P>0.05)。结论未绝经宫颈癌患者肿瘤组织中COX-2的表达在增生期较分泌期明显增加,并参与调节肿瘤的生长、转移。