Mapping the interaction of Snf1 with TORC1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Nutrient sensing and coordination of metabolic pathways are crucial functions for all living cells, but details of the coordination under different environmental conditions remain elusive. We therefore undertook a systems biology approach to investigate the interactions between the Snf1 and the target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We show that Snf1 regulates a much broader range of biological processes compared with TORC1 under both glucose‐ and ammonium‐limited conditions. We also find that Snf1 has a role in upregulating the NADP⁺‐dependent glutamate dehydrogenase (encoded by GDH3) under derepressing condition, and therefore may also have a role in ammonium assimilation and amino‐acid biosynthesis, which can be considered as a convergence of Snf1 and TORC1 pathways. In addition to the accepted role of Snf1 in regulating fatty acid (FA) metabolism, we show that TORC1 also regulates FA metabolism, likely through modulating the peroxisome and β‐oxidation. Finally, we conclude that direct interactions between Snf1 and TORC1 pathways are unlikely under nutrient‐limited conditions and propose that TORC1 is repressed in a manner that is independent of Snf1.     

Embryonic cholinesterase activity during morphogenesis of the mouse genital tract

Summary In the genital tract of male and female mouse embryos cholinesterase activity is described that is independent from innervation. The enzyme activity is localized in the mesenchyme at the junction of Wolffian and Müllerian ducts with the urogenital sinus. During male development prostate buds and vesicular glands grow out into the cholinesterase-active mesenchyme. During female development the active mesenchyme participates in the downgrowth of the vaginal anlage. Ultrastructurally the cholinesterase activity is localized in the perinuclear cisterna and in smooth endoplasmic reticulum of the mesenchymal cells. The enzyme activity disappears with definitive differentiation of the tissue. The embryonic cholinesterase is a component of a primitive muscarinic system. Its relation to the morphogenetic action of testosterone and its possible general functions are discussed.     

Solubility of saturated fatty acids in water at elevated temperatures

The solubility in water of saturated fatty acids with even carbon numbers from 8 to 18 was measured in the temperature range of 60 to 230 degrees C and at a pressure of 5 or 15 MPa. The pressure had no significant effect on the solubility. The solubility of the fatty acids increased with increasing temperature. At temperatures higher than about 160 degrees C, the logarithm of the solubility in mole fraction was linearly related to the reciprocal of the absolute temperature for each fatty acid, indicating that the water containing solubilized fatty acid molecules formed a regular solution at the higher temperatures. The enthalpy of a solution of the fatty acids in water, which was evaluated from the linear relationship at the given temperatures, increased linearly with the carbon number of the fatty acid.     

Histomorphological studies of the testis and male genital ducts of Supachai's caecilian,Ichthyophis supachaii Taylor, 1960 (Amphibia: Gymnophiona)

We investigated the structure of the male reproductive system in Ichthyophis supachaii. The testis comprises a series of mulberry‐like lobes, each of which contains testis lobules occupied by germ cysts. A single cyst consists of synchronously developing germ cells. Six spermatogenic cell types, viz. primary spermatogonia, secondary spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa, have been identified and described. Notably, the testis of I. supachaii encompasses specific organization patterns of spermatids and spermatozoa during spermiogenesis. Spermiating cysts rupture and release spermatozoa to the collecting ducts, which are subsequently transported to the sperm duct, Wolffian duct and cloaca. We report for the first time ciliated cells in the epithelium of the caecilian Wolffian duct. The cloaca is divided into the urodeum and phallodeum. The urodeum has ciliated and glandular epithelia at its dorsolateral and ventral regions, respectively, as the lining of its internal surface. The muscular phallodeum is lined by ciliated epithelium. Paired Mullerian ducts lie parallel to the intestine and join the cloaca. The posterior portion of the duct is modified as the Mullerian gland. The most posterior region is non‐glandular and lined by ciliated epithelium. Our findings contribute further to information on the reproductive biology of caecilians in Thailand.     

Further studies in the genus Caulokaempferia (Zingiberaceae) in Thailand with the description of two new species

Two new species of Caulokempferia from Thailand, C. amplexicaule and C. pedemontana are described and illustrated. The biogeography and the diversity of the genus are discussed.     

Fluid dynamic analysis of the 50 cc Penn State artificial heart under physiological operating conditions using particle image velocimetry

In order to bridge the gap of existing artificial heart technology to the diverse needs of the patient population, we have been investigating the viability of a scaled-down design of the current 70 cc Penn State artificial heart. The issues of clot formation and hemolysis may become magnified within a 50 cc chamber compared to the existing 70 cc one. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) was employed to map the entire 50 cc Penn State artificial heart chamber. Flow fields constructed from PIV data indicate a rotational flow pattern that provides washout during diastole. In addition, shear rate maps were constructed for the inner walls of the heart chamber The lateral walls of the mitral and aortic ports experience high shear rates while the upper and bottom walls undergo low shear rates, with sufficiently long exposure times to potentially induce platelet activation or thrombus formation. In this study, we have demonstrated that PIV may adequately map the flow fields accurately in a reasonable amount of time. Therefore, the potential exists of employing PIV as a design tool.     

Impatiens macrantha (Balsaminaceae) sp. nov., a new species from limestone areas in Guangxi,China

Impatiens macrantha S. X. Yu&Ying Qin (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. Phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data shows the new species to belong to I. subg. Clavicarpa and to be closely related to I. tubulosa with which it shares succulent stems and racemose inflorescences, but it can be easily distinguished by having a 4 – or 5 – ridged stem, obovate or elliptic leaf blade, and saccate lower sepal. Furthermore, I. macrantha is distinguishable from other Impatiens in China by its obviously larger leaves and flowers. The evidence from morphology and molecular data both support I. macrantha as new to science.     

An Investigation of Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities from Blood Components of Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis)

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were found from Crocodylus siamensis (C. siamensis) blood. The 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging, nitric oxide scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging and linoleic peroxidation assays were used to investigate the antioxidant activities of the crocodile blood. Results show that crocodile blood components had antioxidant activity, especially hemoglobin (40.58 % nitric oxide radical inhibition), crude leukocyte extract (78 % linoleic peroxidation inhibition) and plasma (57.27 % hydroxyl radical inhibition). Additionally, the anti-inflammatory activity of the crocodile blood was studied using murine macrophage (RAW 264.7) as a model. The results show that hemoglobin, crude leukocyte extract and plasma were not toxic to RAW 264.7 cells. Also they showed anti-inflammatory activity by reduced nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) productions from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cells. The NO inhibition percentages of hemoglobin, crude leukocyte extract and plasma were 31.9, 48.24 and 44.27 %, respectively. However, only crude leukocyte extract could inhibit IL-6 production. So, the results of this research directly indicate that hemoglobin, crude leukocyte extract and plasma of C. siamensis blood provide both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, which could be used as a supplementary agent in pharmaceutical products.