Woody biomass estimation of Tarchonanthus camphoratus in three woodland stands at Naivasha, Kenya

Individual tree biomass equations were developed for a Tarchonanthus woodland and tested for their applicability in three woodland stands of Tarchonathus at Naivasha Kenya based on the felled tree measurements. Three homogenous woodland stands identified via the use of cluster analysis formed the basic sampling units. Forty-five Tarchonanthus camphoratus trees of varying diameter classes from 2 cm to 28 cm were selected and felled from the three stand types. Alternative relationships were analysed and the four best models are presented ( Tables 1 and 2 ). To test the accuracy of the developed models, a further fifteen trees per stand were felled and their dry weights calculated and compared with their estimated dry weights. For each model, validation was performed per stand with the aim of determining whether a particular model is applicable to a specific stand or to all stand types. The best model based on the adjusted R ², standard error of estimate and distribution of residuals is presented and compared with previously existing equations. The model uses the square root transformed form of biomass. It was concluded that the model presented here could be used to estimate tree biomass in all stands of the woodland dominated by T. camphoratus , which in many places produces nearly pure stands, excluding other woody species . The fact that the accuracy of estimation tended to vary slightly from stand to stand suggests that the model may only apply to this woodland and to any other whose structure does not differ significantly from it.  

  Table 1  Equations for estimation of standing biomass of Tarchonanthus camphoratus trees     

2.

O-2"ARTISTIC" TRIAL: BASELINE DATA     

M. S. Desai  H. C. Kitchener  A. Bailey  J. Peto  M. Almonte  C. Gilham¶  A. Sargent 《Cytopathology》2006,17(S1):15-15

Recent reviews of glandular reports have confirmed a wide variation in specificity.^1–3 We have reviewed our performance over the last 10 years and evaluated the effect of conversion to Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) on our reporting rates and accuracy. Audit revealed an upward trend in ability to accurately detect glandular lesions, with particular improvement in identification of Cervical Glandular Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CGIN).
 

     

3.

Stomatal behaviour, photosynthesis and transpiration under rising CO₂   总被引：2，自引：2，他引：0  

A. J. JARVIS  T. A. MANSFIELD  & W. J. DAVIES 《Plant, cell & environment》1999,22(6):639-648

Definitions of the variables used and the units are given in Table 1

The literature reports enormous variation between species in the extent of stomatal responses to rising CO₂. This paper attempts to provide a framework within which some of this diversity can be explained. We describe the role of stomata in the short-term response of leaf gas exchange to increases in ambient CO₂ concentration by developing the recently proposed stomatal model of Jarvis & Davies (1998 ). In this model stomatal conductance is correlated with the functioning of the photosynthetic system so that the effects of increases in CO₂ on stomata are experienced through changes in the rate of photosynthesis in a simple and mechanistically transparent way. This model also allows us to consider the effects of evaporative demand and soil moisture availability on stomatal responses to photosynthesis and therefore provides a means of considering these additional sources of variation. We emphasize that the relationship between the rate of photosynthesis and the internal CO₂ concentration and also drought will have important effects on the relative gains to be achieved under rising CO₂.  

  Table 1 . Abbreviations     

4.

P-12A RETROSPECTIVE AUDIT OF FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY OF PANCREAS     

M. A. Lynch  D. N. Rana  V. Charan  & M. Desai 《Cytopathology》2006,17(S1):24-25

Background:  Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of pancreas is a widely accepted method of diagnosis of pancreatic mass lesions. We have performed a retrospective analysis of all radiological (CT/ultrasound) and endoscopic ultrasound guided procedures at our institution.
Aim:  (1) To review the results of FNAC of pancreas from January 2000 to April 2006. (2) To calculate the inadequate rate. (3) To account for discrepancies between the cytological and histological diagnoses. (4) To identify any false positive cases if present.
Method:  The results of all pancreatic FNAC reported at our institute from January 2000 to April 2006 were identified from the laboratory system. All results were classified as follows: Inadequate, inconclusive, benign, suspicious and malignant. The results were further categorised depending on whether they were CT/ultrasound guided or EUS guided. The histological diagnosis where available was used as the gold standard and where discrepancies were present the cytological preparations were reviewed.
Results:  Seventy-three patients underwent pancreatic FNAC during the study period. Table 1 illustrates our results.
 

     

5.

Isolation and characterization of 45 polymorphic microsatellites from the bovine genome   总被引：2，自引：0，他引：2  

R. Z. Ma  I. Russ  C. Park  D. W. Heyen  J. E. Beever  C. A. Green  H. A. Lewin 《Animal genetics》1996,27(1):43-47

     

6.

P-2COMPLETING THE AUDIT CYCLE OF NON-GYNAECOLOGIC CYTOLOGY TURNAROUND TIMES     

C. Li  D. N. Rana  & M. Desai 《Cytopathology》2006,17(S1):21-21

Introduction:  The authors initiated the use of Liqui-PREP™ (LGM International Inc., Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA) in August, 2005. Cytotechnologists received extensive (one month) training by cytopathologists experienced in Liquid-based cytology. The Liqui-PREP™ direct-to-vial procedure (LP) was compared to the conventional Pap smears in a routine screening population.
Methods:  Data derived from 26 178 LP cervical-vaginal (CV) specimens were compared to data derived from 218 548 conventional Pap smears (CS). Both data sets reflect patient samples collected concurrently (August–December, 2005) by 117 participating outpatient medical practices from a well-defined geographic area. There were no significant personnel changes during the study period. The diagnostic results, classified according to Bethesda criteria were calculated.
Results:   

     

7.

Initial establishment of vegetation in a man-made coastal area in Denmark     

Kjeld Hansen  Peter Vestergaard 《Nordic Journal of Botany》1986,6(4):479-495

A man-made coastal area (8 km long, 300 m wide), constructed from seed-free, marine sand was investigated from 1978 to 1983 as regards relief, soil properties, and establishment of vegetation.
The following developments were apparent:

• 1. 

  The outer shore zone changed from a Cakile -dominated vegetation to a sparse and less diverse vegetation.
• 2. 

  The inner shore zone maintained spontaneous Ammophila as dominant and developed into a mobile dune with changing species.
• 3. 

  The outer dune slope with planted Ammophila developed into a mobile dune dominated by vigorous Ammophila.
• 4. 

  The dune zone with planted Ammophila: The outer part developed towards a somewhat fixed dune with increasing diversity. The inner part developed into a diverse and more fixed dune community with mainly Festuca rubra.
• 5. 

  The inner dune slope developed into a vegetation comprising few species.
• 1. 

  The grassland zone, initially sown with Festuca rubra and Lolium perenne , changed into a grass-herb-vegetation dominated by Festuca rubra , with a slowly increasing number of immigrating species, changing from annuals to perennials, in particular species of Fabaceae and Hippophaë.

     

8.

P-14CERVICAL DYSPLASIA AND RISK FACTORS IN NORTHERN IRELAND SLE PATIENTS     

M. T. McHenry  K. Cuschieri  C. Moore  H. A. Cubie  R. Clarke  N. Anderson  & A. L. Bell 《Cytopathology》2006,17(S1):25-26

Introduction:  An increased risk of cervical dysplasia has previously been reported in lupus. The role of traditional related risk factors are unclear. Persistent infection with certain genotypes of Human Papilloma Virus termed high risk (HR-HPV) is considered a prerequisite for the development of cervical cancer.
Methods:  A total of 141 SLE patients fulfilling the ACR criteria for lupus were enrolled into the study. They were compared to 138 control patients who were due to attend for a routine cervical smear. Each patient completed a cervical cancer risk factor questionnaire. A cervical smear was taken and residual material used to test for the presence of HR-HPV using a hybridisation microplate assay. Positive samples were then genotyped.
Results:   

     

9.

A mouse genomic library in the bacteriophage P1 cloning system: organization and characterization   总被引：7，自引：0，他引：7  

James C. Pierce  Nat Sternberg  Brian Sauer 《Mammalian genome》1992,3(10):550-558

Using the bacteriophage P1 cloning system, we have constructed a two to three times coverage, high-molecular-weight (HMW) genomic library from mouse C127 fibroblast cells. The library consists of about 127,500 clones with an average insert size of about 70 kb that are organized into 300 primary pools containing approximately 425 clones per pool. For screening purposes the primary pools are combined into secondary pools (4250 clones each) and tertiary pools (21,250 clones each). Screening is performed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with DNA isolated from the secondary and tertiary pools. We have screened the library for 13 different mouse sequences and have detected 11. Clones generated from two of the eleven positive screens were isolated from the library (those containing the c-fos and Gi2 genes) and were further characterized. Direct double-stranded sequencing of DNA from P1 clones with primers bordering the insert provided sequence information from each end of the cloned DNA.     

10.

Teaching (and learning from) metabolomics: the 2006 PlantMetaNet ETNA Metabolomics Research School     

Böttcher C  Centeno D  Freitag J  Höfgen R  Köhl K  Kopka J  Kroymann J  Matros A  Mock HP  Neumann S  Pfalz M  von Roepenack-Lahaye E  Schauer N  Trenkamp S  Zurbriggen M  Fernie AR 《Physiologia plantarum》2008,132(2):136-149

Under the auspices of the European Training and Networking Activity programme of the European Union, a 'Metabolic Profiling and Data Analysis' Plant Genomics and Bioinformatics Summer School was hosted in Potsdam, Germany between 20 and 29 September 2006. Sixteen early career researchers were invited from the European Union partner nations and the so-called developing nations ( Appendix ). Lectures from invited leading European researchers provided an overview of the state of the art of these fields and seeded discussion regarding major challenges for their future advancement. Hands-on experience was provided by an example experiment – that of defining the metabolic response of Arabidopsis to treatment of a commercial herbicide of defined mode of action. This experiment was performed throughout the duration of the course in order to teach the concepts underlying extraction and machine handling as well as to provide a rich data set with which the required computation and statistical skills could be illustrated. Here we review the state of the field by describing both key lectures given at and practical aspects taught at the summer school. In addition, we disclose results that were obtained using the four distinct technical platforms at the different participating institutes. While the effects of the chosen herbicide are well documented, this study looks at a broader number of metabolites than in previous investigations. This allowed, on the one hand, not only to characterise further effects of the herbicide than previously observed but also to detect molecules other than the herbicide that were obviously present in the commercial formulation. These data and the workshop in general are all discussed in the context of the teaching of metabolomics.  

  Appendix.   List of participants in the school     

11.

A strategy for rapid production and screening of yeast artificial chromosome libraries     

William M. Strauss  Eckart Jaenisch  Rudolf Jaenisch 《Mammalian genome》1992,2(3):150-157

We describe methods for rapid production and screening of yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) libraries. Utilizing complete restriction digests of mouse genomic DNA for ligations in agarose, a 32,000-clone library was produced and screened in seven weeks. Screening was accomplished by subdividing primary transformation plates into pools of approximately 100 clones which were transferred into a master glycerol stock. These master stocks were used to inoculate liquid cultures to produce culture pools, and ten pools of 100 clones were then combined to yield superpools of 1,000 clones. Both pool and superpool DNA was screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and positive pools representing 100 clones were then plated on selective medium and screened by in situ hybridization. Screening by the two tiered PCR assay and by in situ hybridization was completed in 4–5 days. Utilizing this methodology we have isolated a 150 kb clone spanning the 1(I) collagen (Colla1) gene as well as 40 kb clones from the Hox-2 locus. To characterize the representation of the YAC library, the size distribution of genomic Sal I fragments was compared to that of clones picked at random from the library. The results demonstrate significant biasing of the cloned fragment distribution, resulting in a loss of representation for larger fragments.     

12.

Variations in the geotropic sensitivity of germinating Funaria spores in response to some external influences     

LUCIE KOFLER  JACQUELINE DUTEL  FRANÇOISE NURIT 《Botanical journal of the Linnean Society. Linnean Society of London》1990,58(373):311-319

Experiments on the germination of the spores of Funaria have established the following.

• 1. 

  Some growth substances such as vitamins slightly promote the geotropic response of germinating spores in darkness.
• 2. 

  Glucose, even in concentrations as low as 10 mg./L, strongly stimulates the geotropic response.
• 3. 

  Light (at an intensity of 1000 lux and more) strongly inhibits the geotropic response. This effect is probably phototonic and can be partly counteracted by glucose.
• 4. 

  The nature of the phototropic and geotropic reactions of chloronema is variable, and depends to a certain extent on environmental influences.

     

13.

The kinematics of Heteroptera in free flight     

C. R. Betts 《Journal of Zoology》1986,1(2):303-315

The kinematics of six species of Heteroptera in free flight are analysed and compared.

• (1) 

  Using nested analysis of variance techniques, statistically significant variation was detected between species for several of the flight parameters measured: mean angular velocity; pronation/supination ratio; upstroke/downstroke ratio; and wing beat frequency. In each case this is discussed in terms of variation in flight behaviour.
• (2) 

  Beneficial aerodynamic forces are generated during the upstroke and the downstroke, in both fast forward and rising flight.
• (3). 

  When the insects change from level, forward flight to near vertical, rising flight, the following parameters are altered in most of the sequences analysed:

• (a). 

  the stroke plane angle becomes steeply, negatively inclined, associated with an increase in body angle;
• (b). 

  the stroke amplitude is reduced;
• (c). 

  wing beat frequency is lowered, associated with a drop in mean angular velocity;
• (d). 

  the speed of stroke reversal (rotational velocity) is increased. This may be associated with increased wing torsion and tip flexion which in turn could improve any beneficial unsteady aerodynamic effects generated at stroke reversal.

The reasons for this change in flight performance and the deviations from that seen in other insects are discussed.
It is shown that Heteroptera may make use of wing drag in flight, particularly during rising flight.     

14.

RELATED CHANGES IN AMOUNTS OF ACh AND ATP IN RESTING AND ACTIVE TORPEDO NERVE ELECTROPLAQUE SYNAPSES   总被引：5，自引：5，他引：0  

M. Israel    B. Lesbats    R. Manaranche    J. Marsal    P. Mastour-Frachon  F. M. Meunier 《Journal of neurochemistry》1977,28(6):1259-1267

Abstract— Closely related changes in the levels of acetylcholine (ACh) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the electric organ of Torpedo exist during rest and synaptic activity. The present work clarifies these relations by showing:

• (1) 

  That both substances are involved in an oscillatory process induced by nerve stimulation.
• (2) 

  Both substances are present in synaptic vesicles; the size of the bound pool of ACh is Ca²-dependent and is large when Ca²⁺ is low. Free ACh and transmission are restored when Ca²⁺ is present in the incubation medium.
• (3) 

  The amount of ATP in the tissue is also Ca²⁺-dependent but is low when Ca²⁺ is omitted. The addition of Ca²⁺ to the physiological medium restores the amount of ATP in the tissue.
• (4) 

  There is a postsynaptic release of ATP triggered by transmitter depolarization. This release was measured after single nerve impulses.
• (5) 

  When added to the incubation medium, nucleotides strongly inhibit transmitter release. It is suggested that the postsynaptic release of ATP regulates transmitter release.

     

15.

Chitinase activity in the digestive tract of the cod, Gadus morhua (L.)     

E. Danulat  H. Kausch 《Journal of fish biology》1984,24(2):125-133

The study was made to determine if enzymatic degradation of chitin occurs in the digestive tract of the cod, Gadus morhua . The method employed corresponds to the end product measurement of Jeuniaux (1966), using 'native' chitin as the substrate. The following results were obtained.

• (1) 

  Chitinolytic enzyme of high activity is present in enzyme solutions from the stomach contents, gastric mucosa and intestinal contents.
• (2) 

  Lower chitinase activities are found in samples of the intestinal mucosa and the pyloric caeca.
• (3) 

  The optimum pH ranges for the action of the enzymes in the stomach and the intestine differ: 4.5–5.1 and 5.1–6.5, respectively.
• (4) 

  The role of chitin-decomposing bacteria is discussed, based on bacterial numbers and pH conditions in the digestive tract. The existence of two different enzyme systems is indicated.

     

16.

P-13CERVICAL SMEAR REPORTING IN NORTHERN IRELAND SLE PATIENTS     

M. T. McHenry  R. Clarke  N. Anderson  & A. L. Bell 《Cytopathology》2006,17(S1):25-25

Introduction:  SLE is an autoimmune disease with the potential for multi-organ involvement. It has been suggested that SLE patients may be at increased risk of cervical dysplasia. We studied a cohort of Northern Ireland Lupus patients and compared them to controls within the same geographical location assessing their cervical smear histories and performing an up-to-date cervical smear.
Methods:  A total of 141 SLE patients fulfilling the ACR criteria for lupus were enrolled into the study. They were compared to 138 control patients who were due to attend for a routine cervical smear within the same geographical location. Each patient gave written consent to be involved in the study including access to medical records and pathology data.
Results:   

     

17.

Characterization of microsatellite markers in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]   总被引：9，自引：0，他引：9  

B. Sosinski  M. Gannavarapu  L. D. Hager  L. E. Beck  G.J. King  C. D. Ryder  S. Rajapakse  W. V. Baird  R. E. Ballard  A. G. Abbott 《TAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik》2000,101(3):421-428

Microsatellites have emerged as an important system of molecular markers. We evaluated the potential of microsatellites for use in genetic studies of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]. Microsatellite loci in peach were identified by screening a pUC8 genomic library, a λZAPII leaf cDNA library, as well as through database searches. Primer sequences for the microsatellite loci were tested from the related Rosaceae species apple (Malus×domestica) and sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.). The genomic library was screened for CT, CA and AGG repeats, while the cDNA library was screened for (CT)_n- and (CA)_n-containing clones. Estimates of microsatellite frequencies were determined from the genomic library screening, and indicate that CT repeats occur every 100 kb, CA repeats every 420 kb, and AGG repeats every 700 kb in the peach genome. Microsatellite- containing clones were sequenced, and specific PCR primers were designed to amplify the microsatellite- containing regions from genomic DNA. The level of microsatellite polymorphism was evaluated among 28 scion peach cultivars which displayed one to four alleles per primer pair. Five microsatellites were found to segregate in intraspecific peach-mapping crosses. In addition, these microsatellite markers were tested for their utility in cross-species amplification for use in comparative mapping both within the Rosaceae, and with the un- related species Arabidopsis thaliana L. Received: 18 June 1999 / Accepted: 6 December 1999     

18.

Changes in the c.d. spectra of calf thymus DNA induced by sequential polypeptides in trifluoroethanol solutions. Part II     

E. Panou-Pomonis  V. Tsikaris  C. Sakarellos  M. Sakarellos-Daitsioris  M. Marraud 《International journal of biological macromolecules》1991,13(6):355-358

Interactions between calf thymus DNA and ( -Arg-X-Gly)_n sequential polypeptides (where

Full-size image

) in trifluoroethanol: water (40:60) solutions in the salt range of 0.12—0.5 NaCl, were studied using c.d. spectroscopy. It was found that DNA tertiary structure (ψ form) is modulated by the nature of the polypeptides (variation of X residue). The effect of the secondary structure of polypeptides on the formation of ψ-DNA was also analysed. Unordered polypeptides destabilized ψ aggregates, while helical polypeptides favoured DNA tertiary structure. A loss of tertiary structure was observed in the presence of the ( -Arg- -Val-Gly)_n, which can be attributed to the ability of valine to suppress ψ-type DNA.     

19.

Insulin Receptor Sites as Membrane Markers during Embryonic Development     

J. JEANMART  P. UYTDENHOEF  G. DE  SUTTER F. LEGROS 《Differentiation; research in biological diversity》1977,7(1-3):23-30

Binding of insulin to sea urchin egg plasma membrane has been studied by biochemical and immunocytochemical methods. Unfertilized and fertilized eggs as well as embryos during the first cell division have been used.

• 1. 

  Competition experiments between ¹²⁵I-insulin (1 nM) and an excess of native insulin (30 μM) indicate a specific hormone fixation to membrane crude extracts from unfertilized and fertilized eggs. The magnitude of "specific binding'is comparable to values recorded for mammalian cells.
• 2. 

  Inhibition of insulin fixation by concanavalin A (100 μg/ml) suggests the glycoprotein composition of plasma membrane receptors.
• 3. 

  A 30-min incubation of unfertilized and fertilized eggs in the presence of insulin leads to a significant increase in cyclic AMP content.
• 4. 

  An immunocytochemical method demonstrates that insulin is selectively and specifically bound to the plasma membrane of eggs incubated in the presence of insulin before fixation.

It can be concluded that insulin receptor sites are components of sea urchin eggs plasma membrane. Insulin binding which leads to cyclic AMP accumulation is not deeply modified by fertilization and does not induce visible morphological changes in the eggs.     

20.

Isolation of thirty‐one new porcine microsatellites from a microsatellite enriched microdissected chromosome 8 library     

Z. Wang  G. Rohrer  R. Stone  D. Troyer 《Animal biotechnology》2013,24(1):33-43

Abstract

Chromosome 8 (SSC8) is an important one in the swine genome because it has been shown to harbor several economically important quantitative trait loci (QTL). The entire porcine chromosome 8 was microdissected and amplified by degenerate oligonucleotide primer (DOP) PCR. The PCR product was then enriched for (CA)_n microsatellites by hybridization to a biotinylated CA repeat oligonucleotide and captured by streptavidin‐coated magnetic beads. The captured DNA was cloned into a TA cloning vector. Screening with an isotopically labeled CA oligonucleotide probe resulted in the isolation of 31 informative and polymorphic microsatellite clones. Seventeen of those were mapped to chromosome 8, 12 to chromosome 15, 1 to chromosome 10 and 1 to chromosome X. The markers were all placed on the USDA‐MARC porcine genetic linkage map.     

O-2"ARTISTIC" TRIAL: BASELINE DATA

Recent reviews of glandular reports have confirmed a wide variation in specificity.^1–3 We have reviewed our performance over the last 10 years and evaluated the effect of conversion to Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) on our reporting rates and accuracy. Audit revealed an upward trend in ability to accurately detect glandular lesions, with particular improvement in identification of Cervical Glandular Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CGIN).
 

     

Stomatal behaviour, photosynthesis and transpiration under rising CO2

Definitions of the variables used and the units are given in Table 1

The literature reports enormous variation between species in the extent of stomatal responses to rising CO₂. This paper attempts to provide a framework within which some of this diversity can be explained. We describe the role of stomata in the short-term response of leaf gas exchange to increases in ambient CO₂ concentration by developing the recently proposed stomatal model of Jarvis & Davies (1998 ). In this model stomatal conductance is correlated with the functioning of the photosynthetic system so that the effects of increases in CO₂ on stomata are experienced through changes in the rate of photosynthesis in a simple and mechanistically transparent way. This model also allows us to consider the effects of evaporative demand and soil moisture availability on stomatal responses to photosynthesis and therefore provides a means of considering these additional sources of variation. We emphasize that the relationship between the rate of photosynthesis and the internal CO₂ concentration and also drought will have important effects on the relative gains to be achieved under rising CO₂.  

  Table 1 . Abbreviations     

4.

P-12A RETROSPECTIVE AUDIT OF FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY OF PANCREAS     

M. A. Lynch  D. N. Rana  V. Charan  & M. Desai 《Cytopathology》2006,17(S1):24-25

Background:  Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of pancreas is a widely accepted method of diagnosis of pancreatic mass lesions. We have performed a retrospective analysis of all radiological (CT/ultrasound) and endoscopic ultrasound guided procedures at our institution.
Aim:  (1) To review the results of FNAC of pancreas from January 2000 to April 2006. (2) To calculate the inadequate rate. (3) To account for discrepancies between the cytological and histological diagnoses. (4) To identify any false positive cases if present.
Method:  The results of all pancreatic FNAC reported at our institute from January 2000 to April 2006 were identified from the laboratory system. All results were classified as follows: Inadequate, inconclusive, benign, suspicious and malignant. The results were further categorised depending on whether they were CT/ultrasound guided or EUS guided. The histological diagnosis where available was used as the gold standard and where discrepancies were present the cytological preparations were reviewed.
Results:  Seventy-three patients underwent pancreatic FNAC during the study period. Table 1 illustrates our results.
 

     

5.

Isolation and characterization of 45 polymorphic microsatellites from the bovine genome   总被引：2，自引：0，他引：2  

R. Z. Ma  I. Russ  C. Park  D. W. Heyen  J. E. Beever  C. A. Green  H. A. Lewin 《Animal genetics》1996,27(1):43-47

     

6.

P-2COMPLETING THE AUDIT CYCLE OF NON-GYNAECOLOGIC CYTOLOGY TURNAROUND TIMES     

C. Li  D. N. Rana  & M. Desai 《Cytopathology》2006,17(S1):21-21

Introduction:  The authors initiated the use of Liqui-PREP™ (LGM International Inc., Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA) in August, 2005. Cytotechnologists received extensive (one month) training by cytopathologists experienced in Liquid-based cytology. The Liqui-PREP™ direct-to-vial procedure (LP) was compared to the conventional Pap smears in a routine screening population.
Methods:  Data derived from 26 178 LP cervical-vaginal (CV) specimens were compared to data derived from 218 548 conventional Pap smears (CS). Both data sets reflect patient samples collected concurrently (August–December, 2005) by 117 participating outpatient medical practices from a well-defined geographic area. There were no significant personnel changes during the study period. The diagnostic results, classified according to Bethesda criteria were calculated.
Results:   

     

7.

Initial establishment of vegetation in a man-made coastal area in Denmark     

Kjeld Hansen  Peter Vestergaard 《Nordic Journal of Botany》1986,6(4):479-495

A man-made coastal area (8 km long, 300 m wide), constructed from seed-free, marine sand was investigated from 1978 to 1983 as regards relief, soil properties, and establishment of vegetation.
The following developments were apparent:

• 1. 

  The outer shore zone changed from a Cakile -dominated vegetation to a sparse and less diverse vegetation.
• 2. 

  The inner shore zone maintained spontaneous Ammophila as dominant and developed into a mobile dune with changing species.
• 3. 

  The outer dune slope with planted Ammophila developed into a mobile dune dominated by vigorous Ammophila.
• 4. 

  The dune zone with planted Ammophila: The outer part developed towards a somewhat fixed dune with increasing diversity. The inner part developed into a diverse and more fixed dune community with mainly Festuca rubra.
• 5. 

  The inner dune slope developed into a vegetation comprising few species.
• 1. 

  The grassland zone, initially sown with Festuca rubra and Lolium perenne , changed into a grass-herb-vegetation dominated by Festuca rubra , with a slowly increasing number of immigrating species, changing from annuals to perennials, in particular species of Fabaceae and Hippophaë.

     

8.

P-14CERVICAL DYSPLASIA AND RISK FACTORS IN NORTHERN IRELAND SLE PATIENTS     

M. T. McHenry  K. Cuschieri  C. Moore  H. A. Cubie  R. Clarke  N. Anderson  & A. L. Bell 《Cytopathology》2006,17(S1):25-26

Introduction:  An increased risk of cervical dysplasia has previously been reported in lupus. The role of traditional related risk factors are unclear. Persistent infection with certain genotypes of Human Papilloma Virus termed high risk (HR-HPV) is considered a prerequisite for the development of cervical cancer.
Methods:  A total of 141 SLE patients fulfilling the ACR criteria for lupus were enrolled into the study. They were compared to 138 control patients who were due to attend for a routine cervical smear. Each patient completed a cervical cancer risk factor questionnaire. A cervical smear was taken and residual material used to test for the presence of HR-HPV using a hybridisation microplate assay. Positive samples were then genotyped.
Results:   

     

9.

A mouse genomic library in the bacteriophage P1 cloning system: organization and characterization   总被引：7，自引：0，他引：7  

James C. Pierce  Nat Sternberg  Brian Sauer 《Mammalian genome》1992,3(10):550-558

Using the bacteriophage P1 cloning system, we have constructed a two to three times coverage, high-molecular-weight (HMW) genomic library from mouse C127 fibroblast cells. The library consists of about 127,500 clones with an average insert size of about 70 kb that are organized into 300 primary pools containing approximately 425 clones per pool. For screening purposes the primary pools are combined into secondary pools (4250 clones each) and tertiary pools (21,250 clones each). Screening is performed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with DNA isolated from the secondary and tertiary pools. We have screened the library for 13 different mouse sequences and have detected 11. Clones generated from two of the eleven positive screens were isolated from the library (those containing the c-fos and Gi2 genes) and were further characterized. Direct double-stranded sequencing of DNA from P1 clones with primers bordering the insert provided sequence information from each end of the cloned DNA.     

10.

Teaching (and learning from) metabolomics: the 2006 PlantMetaNet ETNA Metabolomics Research School     

Böttcher C  Centeno D  Freitag J  Höfgen R  Köhl K  Kopka J  Kroymann J  Matros A  Mock HP  Neumann S  Pfalz M  von Roepenack-Lahaye E  Schauer N  Trenkamp S  Zurbriggen M  Fernie AR 《Physiologia plantarum》2008,132(2):136-149

Under the auspices of the European Training and Networking Activity programme of the European Union, a 'Metabolic Profiling and Data Analysis' Plant Genomics and Bioinformatics Summer School was hosted in Potsdam, Germany between 20 and 29 September 2006. Sixteen early career researchers were invited from the European Union partner nations and the so-called developing nations ( Appendix ). Lectures from invited leading European researchers provided an overview of the state of the art of these fields and seeded discussion regarding major challenges for their future advancement. Hands-on experience was provided by an example experiment – that of defining the metabolic response of Arabidopsis to treatment of a commercial herbicide of defined mode of action. This experiment was performed throughout the duration of the course in order to teach the concepts underlying extraction and machine handling as well as to provide a rich data set with which the required computation and statistical skills could be illustrated. Here we review the state of the field by describing both key lectures given at and practical aspects taught at the summer school. In addition, we disclose results that were obtained using the four distinct technical platforms at the different participating institutes. While the effects of the chosen herbicide are well documented, this study looks at a broader number of metabolites than in previous investigations. This allowed, on the one hand, not only to characterise further effects of the herbicide than previously observed but also to detect molecules other than the herbicide that were obviously present in the commercial formulation. These data and the workshop in general are all discussed in the context of the teaching of metabolomics.  

  Appendix.   List of participants in the school     

11.

A strategy for rapid production and screening of yeast artificial chromosome libraries     

William M. Strauss  Eckart Jaenisch  Rudolf Jaenisch 《Mammalian genome》1992,2(3):150-157

We describe methods for rapid production and screening of yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) libraries. Utilizing complete restriction digests of mouse genomic DNA for ligations in agarose, a 32,000-clone library was produced and screened in seven weeks. Screening was accomplished by subdividing primary transformation plates into pools of approximately 100 clones which were transferred into a master glycerol stock. These master stocks were used to inoculate liquid cultures to produce culture pools, and ten pools of 100 clones were then combined to yield superpools of 1,000 clones. Both pool and superpool DNA was screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and positive pools representing 100 clones were then plated on selective medium and screened by in situ hybridization. Screening by the two tiered PCR assay and by in situ hybridization was completed in 4–5 days. Utilizing this methodology we have isolated a 150 kb clone spanning the 1(I) collagen (Colla1) gene as well as 40 kb clones from the Hox-2 locus. To characterize the representation of the YAC library, the size distribution of genomic Sal I fragments was compared to that of clones picked at random from the library. The results demonstrate significant biasing of the cloned fragment distribution, resulting in a loss of representation for larger fragments.     

12.

Variations in the geotropic sensitivity of germinating Funaria spores in response to some external influences     

LUCIE KOFLER  JACQUELINE DUTEL  FRANÇOISE NURIT 《Botanical journal of the Linnean Society. Linnean Society of London》1990,58(373):311-319

Experiments on the germination of the spores of Funaria have established the following.

• 1. 

  Some growth substances such as vitamins slightly promote the geotropic response of germinating spores in darkness.
• 2. 

  Glucose, even in concentrations as low as 10 mg./L, strongly stimulates the geotropic response.
• 3. 

  Light (at an intensity of 1000 lux and more) strongly inhibits the geotropic response. This effect is probably phototonic and can be partly counteracted by glucose.
• 4. 

  The nature of the phototropic and geotropic reactions of chloronema is variable, and depends to a certain extent on environmental influences.

     

13.

The kinematics of Heteroptera in free flight     

C. R. Betts 《Journal of Zoology》1986,1(2):303-315

The kinematics of six species of Heteroptera in free flight are analysed and compared.

• (1) 

  Using nested analysis of variance techniques, statistically significant variation was detected between species for several of the flight parameters measured: mean angular velocity; pronation/supination ratio; upstroke/downstroke ratio; and wing beat frequency. In each case this is discussed in terms of variation in flight behaviour.
• (2) 

  Beneficial aerodynamic forces are generated during the upstroke and the downstroke, in both fast forward and rising flight.
• (3). 

  When the insects change from level, forward flight to near vertical, rising flight, the following parameters are altered in most of the sequences analysed:

• (a). 

  the stroke plane angle becomes steeply, negatively inclined, associated with an increase in body angle;
• (b). 

  the stroke amplitude is reduced;
• (c). 

  wing beat frequency is lowered, associated with a drop in mean angular velocity;
• (d). 

  the speed of stroke reversal (rotational velocity) is increased. This may be associated with increased wing torsion and tip flexion which in turn could improve any beneficial unsteady aerodynamic effects generated at stroke reversal.

The reasons for this change in flight performance and the deviations from that seen in other insects are discussed.
It is shown that Heteroptera may make use of wing drag in flight, particularly during rising flight.     

14.

RELATED CHANGES IN AMOUNTS OF ACh AND ATP IN RESTING AND ACTIVE TORPEDO NERVE ELECTROPLAQUE SYNAPSES   总被引：5，自引：5，他引：0  

M. Israel    B. Lesbats    R. Manaranche    J. Marsal    P. Mastour-Frachon  F. M. Meunier 《Journal of neurochemistry》1977,28(6):1259-1267

Abstract— Closely related changes in the levels of acetylcholine (ACh) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the electric organ of Torpedo exist during rest and synaptic activity. The present work clarifies these relations by showing:

• (1) 

  That both substances are involved in an oscillatory process induced by nerve stimulation.
• (2) 

  Both substances are present in synaptic vesicles; the size of the bound pool of ACh is Ca²-dependent and is large when Ca²⁺ is low. Free ACh and transmission are restored when Ca²⁺ is present in the incubation medium.
• (3) 

  The amount of ATP in the tissue is also Ca²⁺-dependent but is low when Ca²⁺ is omitted. The addition of Ca²⁺ to the physiological medium restores the amount of ATP in the tissue.
• (4) 

  There is a postsynaptic release of ATP triggered by transmitter depolarization. This release was measured after single nerve impulses.
• (5) 

  When added to the incubation medium, nucleotides strongly inhibit transmitter release. It is suggested that the postsynaptic release of ATP regulates transmitter release.

     

15.

Chitinase activity in the digestive tract of the cod, Gadus morhua (L.)     

E. Danulat  H. Kausch 《Journal of fish biology》1984,24(2):125-133

The study was made to determine if enzymatic degradation of chitin occurs in the digestive tract of the cod, Gadus morhua . The method employed corresponds to the end product measurement of Jeuniaux (1966), using 'native' chitin as the substrate. The following results were obtained.

• (1) 

  Chitinolytic enzyme of high activity is present in enzyme solutions from the stomach contents, gastric mucosa and intestinal contents.
• (2) 

  Lower chitinase activities are found in samples of the intestinal mucosa and the pyloric caeca.
• (3) 

  The optimum pH ranges for the action of the enzymes in the stomach and the intestine differ: 4.5–5.1 and 5.1–6.5, respectively.
• (4) 

  The role of chitin-decomposing bacteria is discussed, based on bacterial numbers and pH conditions in the digestive tract. The existence of two different enzyme systems is indicated.

     

16.

P-13CERVICAL SMEAR REPORTING IN NORTHERN IRELAND SLE PATIENTS     

M. T. McHenry  R. Clarke  N. Anderson  & A. L. Bell 《Cytopathology》2006,17(S1):25-25

Introduction:  SLE is an autoimmune disease with the potential for multi-organ involvement. It has been suggested that SLE patients may be at increased risk of cervical dysplasia. We studied a cohort of Northern Ireland Lupus patients and compared them to controls within the same geographical location assessing their cervical smear histories and performing an up-to-date cervical smear.
Methods:  A total of 141 SLE patients fulfilling the ACR criteria for lupus were enrolled into the study. They were compared to 138 control patients who were due to attend for a routine cervical smear within the same geographical location. Each patient gave written consent to be involved in the study including access to medical records and pathology data.
Results:   

     

17.

Characterization of microsatellite markers in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]   总被引：9，自引：0，他引：9  

B. Sosinski  M. Gannavarapu  L. D. Hager  L. E. Beck  G.J. King  C. D. Ryder  S. Rajapakse  W. V. Baird  R. E. Ballard  A. G. Abbott 《TAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik》2000,101(3):421-428

Microsatellites have emerged as an important system of molecular markers. We evaluated the potential of microsatellites for use in genetic studies of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]. Microsatellite loci in peach were identified by screening a pUC8 genomic library, a λZAPII leaf cDNA library, as well as through database searches. Primer sequences for the microsatellite loci were tested from the related Rosaceae species apple (Malus×domestica) and sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.). The genomic library was screened for CT, CA and AGG repeats, while the cDNA library was screened for (CT)_n- and (CA)_n-containing clones. Estimates of microsatellite frequencies were determined from the genomic library screening, and indicate that CT repeats occur every 100 kb, CA repeats every 420 kb, and AGG repeats every 700 kb in the peach genome. Microsatellite- containing clones were sequenced, and specific PCR primers were designed to amplify the microsatellite- containing regions from genomic DNA. The level of microsatellite polymorphism was evaluated among 28 scion peach cultivars which displayed one to four alleles per primer pair. Five microsatellites were found to segregate in intraspecific peach-mapping crosses. In addition, these microsatellite markers were tested for their utility in cross-species amplification for use in comparative mapping both within the Rosaceae, and with the un- related species Arabidopsis thaliana L. Received: 18 June 1999 / Accepted: 6 December 1999     

18.

Changes in the c.d. spectra of calf thymus DNA induced by sequential polypeptides in trifluoroethanol solutions. Part II     

E. Panou-Pomonis  V. Tsikaris  C. Sakarellos  M. Sakarellos-Daitsioris  M. Marraud 《International journal of biological macromolecules》1991,13(6):355-358

Interactions between calf thymus DNA and ( -Arg-X-Gly)_n sequential polypeptides (where

Full-size image

) in trifluoroethanol: water (40:60) solutions in the salt range of 0.12—0.5 NaCl, were studied using c.d. spectroscopy. It was found that DNA tertiary structure (ψ form) is modulated by the nature of the polypeptides (variation of X residue). The effect of the secondary structure of polypeptides on the formation of ψ-DNA was also analysed. Unordered polypeptides destabilized ψ aggregates, while helical polypeptides favoured DNA tertiary structure. A loss of tertiary structure was observed in the presence of the ( -Arg- -Val-Gly)_n, which can be attributed to the ability of valine to suppress ψ-type DNA.     

19.

Insulin Receptor Sites as Membrane Markers during Embryonic Development     

J. JEANMART  P. UYTDENHOEF  G. DE  SUTTER F. LEGROS 《Differentiation; research in biological diversity》1977,7(1-3):23-30

Binding of insulin to sea urchin egg plasma membrane has been studied by biochemical and immunocytochemical methods. Unfertilized and fertilized eggs as well as embryos during the first cell division have been used.

• 1. 

  Competition experiments between ¹²⁵I-insulin (1 nM) and an excess of native insulin (30 μM) indicate a specific hormone fixation to membrane crude extracts from unfertilized and fertilized eggs. The magnitude of "specific binding'is comparable to values recorded for mammalian cells.
• 2. 

  Inhibition of insulin fixation by concanavalin A (100 μg/ml) suggests the glycoprotein composition of plasma membrane receptors.
• 3. 

  A 30-min incubation of unfertilized and fertilized eggs in the presence of insulin leads to a significant increase in cyclic AMP content.
• 4. 

  An immunocytochemical method demonstrates that insulin is selectively and specifically bound to the plasma membrane of eggs incubated in the presence of insulin before fixation.

It can be concluded that insulin receptor sites are components of sea urchin eggs plasma membrane. Insulin binding which leads to cyclic AMP accumulation is not deeply modified by fertilization and does not induce visible morphological changes in the eggs.     

20.

Isolation of thirty‐one new porcine microsatellites from a microsatellite enriched microdissected chromosome 8 library     

Z. Wang  G. Rohrer  R. Stone  D. Troyer 《Animal biotechnology》2013,24(1):33-43

Abstract

Chromosome 8 (SSC8) is an important one in the swine genome because it has been shown to harbor several economically important quantitative trait loci (QTL). The entire porcine chromosome 8 was microdissected and amplified by degenerate oligonucleotide primer (DOP) PCR. The PCR product was then enriched for (CA)_n microsatellites by hybridization to a biotinylated CA repeat oligonucleotide and captured by streptavidin‐coated magnetic beads. The captured DNA was cloned into a TA cloning vector. Screening with an isotopically labeled CA oligonucleotide probe resulted in the isolation of 31 informative and polymorphic microsatellite clones. Seventeen of those were mapped to chromosome 8, 12 to chromosome 15, 1 to chromosome 10 and 1 to chromosome X. The markers were all placed on the USDA‐MARC porcine genetic linkage map.     

P-12A RETROSPECTIVE AUDIT OF FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY OF PANCREAS

Background:  Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of pancreas is a widely accepted method of diagnosis of pancreatic mass lesions. We have performed a retrospective analysis of all radiological (CT/ultrasound) and endoscopic ultrasound guided procedures at our institution.
Aim:  (1) To review the results of FNAC of pancreas from January 2000 to April 2006. (2) To calculate the inadequate rate. (3) To account for discrepancies between the cytological and histological diagnoses. (4) To identify any false positive cases if present.
Method:  The results of all pancreatic FNAC reported at our institute from January 2000 to April 2006 were identified from the laboratory system. All results were classified as follows: Inadequate, inconclusive, benign, suspicious and malignant. The results were further categorised depending on whether they were CT/ultrasound guided or EUS guided. The histological diagnosis where available was used as the gold standard and where discrepancies were present the cytological preparations were reviewed.
Results:  Seventy-three patients underwent pancreatic FNAC during the study period. Table 1 illustrates our results.
 

     

5.

Isolation and characterization of 45 polymorphic microsatellites from the bovine genome   总被引：2，自引：0，他引：2  

R. Z. Ma  I. Russ  C. Park  D. W. Heyen  J. E. Beever  C. A. Green  H. A. Lewin 《Animal genetics》1996,27(1):43-47

     

6.

P-2COMPLETING THE AUDIT CYCLE OF NON-GYNAECOLOGIC CYTOLOGY TURNAROUND TIMES     

C. Li  D. N. Rana  & M. Desai 《Cytopathology》2006,17(S1):21-21

Introduction:  The authors initiated the use of Liqui-PREP™ (LGM International Inc., Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA) in August, 2005. Cytotechnologists received extensive (one month) training by cytopathologists experienced in Liquid-based cytology. The Liqui-PREP™ direct-to-vial procedure (LP) was compared to the conventional Pap smears in a routine screening population.
Methods:  Data derived from 26 178 LP cervical-vaginal (CV) specimens were compared to data derived from 218 548 conventional Pap smears (CS). Both data sets reflect patient samples collected concurrently (August–December, 2005) by 117 participating outpatient medical practices from a well-defined geographic area. There were no significant personnel changes during the study period. The diagnostic results, classified according to Bethesda criteria were calculated.
Results:   

     

7.

Initial establishment of vegetation in a man-made coastal area in Denmark     

Kjeld Hansen  Peter Vestergaard 《Nordic Journal of Botany》1986,6(4):479-495

A man-made coastal area (8 km long, 300 m wide), constructed from seed-free, marine sand was investigated from 1978 to 1983 as regards relief, soil properties, and establishment of vegetation.
The following developments were apparent:

• 1. 

  The outer shore zone changed from a Cakile -dominated vegetation to a sparse and less diverse vegetation.
• 2. 

  The inner shore zone maintained spontaneous Ammophila as dominant and developed into a mobile dune with changing species.
• 3. 

  The outer dune slope with planted Ammophila developed into a mobile dune dominated by vigorous Ammophila.
• 4. 

  The dune zone with planted Ammophila: The outer part developed towards a somewhat fixed dune with increasing diversity. The inner part developed into a diverse and more fixed dune community with mainly Festuca rubra.
• 5. 

  The inner dune slope developed into a vegetation comprising few species.
• 1. 

  The grassland zone, initially sown with Festuca rubra and Lolium perenne , changed into a grass-herb-vegetation dominated by Festuca rubra , with a slowly increasing number of immigrating species, changing from annuals to perennials, in particular species of Fabaceae and Hippophaë.

     

8.

P-14CERVICAL DYSPLASIA AND RISK FACTORS IN NORTHERN IRELAND SLE PATIENTS     

M. T. McHenry  K. Cuschieri  C. Moore  H. A. Cubie  R. Clarke  N. Anderson  & A. L. Bell 《Cytopathology》2006,17(S1):25-26

Introduction:  An increased risk of cervical dysplasia has previously been reported in lupus. The role of traditional related risk factors are unclear. Persistent infection with certain genotypes of Human Papilloma Virus termed high risk (HR-HPV) is considered a prerequisite for the development of cervical cancer.
Methods:  A total of 141 SLE patients fulfilling the ACR criteria for lupus were enrolled into the study. They were compared to 138 control patients who were due to attend for a routine cervical smear. Each patient completed a cervical cancer risk factor questionnaire. A cervical smear was taken and residual material used to test for the presence of HR-HPV using a hybridisation microplate assay. Positive samples were then genotyped.
Results:   

     

9.

A mouse genomic library in the bacteriophage P1 cloning system: organization and characterization   总被引：7，自引：0，他引：7  

James C. Pierce  Nat Sternberg  Brian Sauer 《Mammalian genome》1992,3(10):550-558

Using the bacteriophage P1 cloning system, we have constructed a two to three times coverage, high-molecular-weight (HMW) genomic library from mouse C127 fibroblast cells. The library consists of about 127,500 clones with an average insert size of about 70 kb that are organized into 300 primary pools containing approximately 425 clones per pool. For screening purposes the primary pools are combined into secondary pools (4250 clones each) and tertiary pools (21,250 clones each). Screening is performed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with DNA isolated from the secondary and tertiary pools. We have screened the library for 13 different mouse sequences and have detected 11. Clones generated from two of the eleven positive screens were isolated from the library (those containing the c-fos and Gi2 genes) and were further characterized. Direct double-stranded sequencing of DNA from P1 clones with primers bordering the insert provided sequence information from each end of the cloned DNA.     

10.

Teaching (and learning from) metabolomics: the 2006 PlantMetaNet ETNA Metabolomics Research School     

Böttcher C  Centeno D  Freitag J  Höfgen R  Köhl K  Kopka J  Kroymann J  Matros A  Mock HP  Neumann S  Pfalz M  von Roepenack-Lahaye E  Schauer N  Trenkamp S  Zurbriggen M  Fernie AR 《Physiologia plantarum》2008,132(2):136-149

Under the auspices of the European Training and Networking Activity programme of the European Union, a 'Metabolic Profiling and Data Analysis' Plant Genomics and Bioinformatics Summer School was hosted in Potsdam, Germany between 20 and 29 September 2006. Sixteen early career researchers were invited from the European Union partner nations and the so-called developing nations ( Appendix ). Lectures from invited leading European researchers provided an overview of the state of the art of these fields and seeded discussion regarding major challenges for their future advancement. Hands-on experience was provided by an example experiment – that of defining the metabolic response of Arabidopsis to treatment of a commercial herbicide of defined mode of action. This experiment was performed throughout the duration of the course in order to teach the concepts underlying extraction and machine handling as well as to provide a rich data set with which the required computation and statistical skills could be illustrated. Here we review the state of the field by describing both key lectures given at and practical aspects taught at the summer school. In addition, we disclose results that were obtained using the four distinct technical platforms at the different participating institutes. While the effects of the chosen herbicide are well documented, this study looks at a broader number of metabolites than in previous investigations. This allowed, on the one hand, not only to characterise further effects of the herbicide than previously observed but also to detect molecules other than the herbicide that were obviously present in the commercial formulation. These data and the workshop in general are all discussed in the context of the teaching of metabolomics.  

  Appendix.   List of participants in the school     

11.

A strategy for rapid production and screening of yeast artificial chromosome libraries     

William M. Strauss  Eckart Jaenisch  Rudolf Jaenisch 《Mammalian genome》1992,2(3):150-157

We describe methods for rapid production and screening of yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) libraries. Utilizing complete restriction digests of mouse genomic DNA for ligations in agarose, a 32,000-clone library was produced and screened in seven weeks. Screening was accomplished by subdividing primary transformation plates into pools of approximately 100 clones which were transferred into a master glycerol stock. These master stocks were used to inoculate liquid cultures to produce culture pools, and ten pools of 100 clones were then combined to yield superpools of 1,000 clones. Both pool and superpool DNA was screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and positive pools representing 100 clones were then plated on selective medium and screened by in situ hybridization. Screening by the two tiered PCR assay and by in situ hybridization was completed in 4–5 days. Utilizing this methodology we have isolated a 150 kb clone spanning the 1(I) collagen (Colla1) gene as well as 40 kb clones from the Hox-2 locus. To characterize the representation of the YAC library, the size distribution of genomic Sal I fragments was compared to that of clones picked at random from the library. The results demonstrate significant biasing of the cloned fragment distribution, resulting in a loss of representation for larger fragments.     

12.

Variations in the geotropic sensitivity of germinating Funaria spores in response to some external influences     

LUCIE KOFLER  JACQUELINE DUTEL  FRANÇOISE NURIT 《Botanical journal of the Linnean Society. Linnean Society of London》1990,58(373):311-319

Experiments on the germination of the spores of Funaria have established the following.

• 1. 

  Some growth substances such as vitamins slightly promote the geotropic response of germinating spores in darkness.
• 2. 

  Glucose, even in concentrations as low as 10 mg./L, strongly stimulates the geotropic response.
• 3. 

  Light (at an intensity of 1000 lux and more) strongly inhibits the geotropic response. This effect is probably phototonic and can be partly counteracted by glucose.
• 4. 

  The nature of the phototropic and geotropic reactions of chloronema is variable, and depends to a certain extent on environmental influences.

     

13.

The kinematics of Heteroptera in free flight     

C. R. Betts 《Journal of Zoology》1986,1(2):303-315

The kinematics of six species of Heteroptera in free flight are analysed and compared.

• (1) 

  Using nested analysis of variance techniques, statistically significant variation was detected between species for several of the flight parameters measured: mean angular velocity; pronation/supination ratio; upstroke/downstroke ratio; and wing beat frequency. In each case this is discussed in terms of variation in flight behaviour.
• (2) 

  Beneficial aerodynamic forces are generated during the upstroke and the downstroke, in both fast forward and rising flight.
• (3). 

  When the insects change from level, forward flight to near vertical, rising flight, the following parameters are altered in most of the sequences analysed:

• (a). 

  the stroke plane angle becomes steeply, negatively inclined, associated with an increase in body angle;
• (b). 

  the stroke amplitude is reduced;
• (c). 

  wing beat frequency is lowered, associated with a drop in mean angular velocity;
• (d). 

  the speed of stroke reversal (rotational velocity) is increased. This may be associated with increased wing torsion and tip flexion which in turn could improve any beneficial unsteady aerodynamic effects generated at stroke reversal.

The reasons for this change in flight performance and the deviations from that seen in other insects are discussed.
It is shown that Heteroptera may make use of wing drag in flight, particularly during rising flight.     

14.

RELATED CHANGES IN AMOUNTS OF ACh AND ATP IN RESTING AND ACTIVE TORPEDO NERVE ELECTROPLAQUE SYNAPSES   总被引：5，自引：5，他引：0  

M. Israel    B. Lesbats    R. Manaranche    J. Marsal    P. Mastour-Frachon  F. M. Meunier 《Journal of neurochemistry》1977,28(6):1259-1267

Abstract— Closely related changes in the levels of acetylcholine (ACh) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the electric organ of Torpedo exist during rest and synaptic activity. The present work clarifies these relations by showing:

• (1) 

  That both substances are involved in an oscillatory process induced by nerve stimulation.
• (2) 

  Both substances are present in synaptic vesicles; the size of the bound pool of ACh is Ca²-dependent and is large when Ca²⁺ is low. Free ACh and transmission are restored when Ca²⁺ is present in the incubation medium.
• (3) 

  The amount of ATP in the tissue is also Ca²⁺-dependent but is low when Ca²⁺ is omitted. The addition of Ca²⁺ to the physiological medium restores the amount of ATP in the tissue.
• (4) 

  There is a postsynaptic release of ATP triggered by transmitter depolarization. This release was measured after single nerve impulses.
• (5) 

  When added to the incubation medium, nucleotides strongly inhibit transmitter release. It is suggested that the postsynaptic release of ATP regulates transmitter release.

     

15.

Chitinase activity in the digestive tract of the cod, Gadus morhua (L.)     

E. Danulat  H. Kausch 《Journal of fish biology》1984,24(2):125-133

The study was made to determine if enzymatic degradation of chitin occurs in the digestive tract of the cod, Gadus morhua . The method employed corresponds to the end product measurement of Jeuniaux (1966), using 'native' chitin as the substrate. The following results were obtained.

• (1) 

  Chitinolytic enzyme of high activity is present in enzyme solutions from the stomach contents, gastric mucosa and intestinal contents.
• (2) 

  Lower chitinase activities are found in samples of the intestinal mucosa and the pyloric caeca.
• (3) 

  The optimum pH ranges for the action of the enzymes in the stomach and the intestine differ: 4.5–5.1 and 5.1–6.5, respectively.
• (4) 

  The role of chitin-decomposing bacteria is discussed, based on bacterial numbers and pH conditions in the digestive tract. The existence of two different enzyme systems is indicated.

     

16.

P-13CERVICAL SMEAR REPORTING IN NORTHERN IRELAND SLE PATIENTS     

M. T. McHenry  R. Clarke  N. Anderson  & A. L. Bell 《Cytopathology》2006,17(S1):25-25

Introduction:  SLE is an autoimmune disease with the potential for multi-organ involvement. It has been suggested that SLE patients may be at increased risk of cervical dysplasia. We studied a cohort of Northern Ireland Lupus patients and compared them to controls within the same geographical location assessing their cervical smear histories and performing an up-to-date cervical smear.
Methods:  A total of 141 SLE patients fulfilling the ACR criteria for lupus were enrolled into the study. They were compared to 138 control patients who were due to attend for a routine cervical smear within the same geographical location. Each patient gave written consent to be involved in the study including access to medical records and pathology data.
Results:   

     

17.

Characterization of microsatellite markers in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]   总被引：9，自引：0，他引：9  

B. Sosinski  M. Gannavarapu  L. D. Hager  L. E. Beck  G.J. King  C. D. Ryder  S. Rajapakse  W. V. Baird  R. E. Ballard  A. G. Abbott 《TAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik》2000,101(3):421-428

Microsatellites have emerged as an important system of molecular markers. We evaluated the potential of microsatellites for use in genetic studies of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]. Microsatellite loci in peach were identified by screening a pUC8 genomic library, a λZAPII leaf cDNA library, as well as through database searches. Primer sequences for the microsatellite loci were tested from the related Rosaceae species apple (Malus×domestica) and sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.). The genomic library was screened for CT, CA and AGG repeats, while the cDNA library was screened for (CT)_n- and (CA)_n-containing clones. Estimates of microsatellite frequencies were determined from the genomic library screening, and indicate that CT repeats occur every 100 kb, CA repeats every 420 kb, and AGG repeats every 700 kb in the peach genome. Microsatellite- containing clones were sequenced, and specific PCR primers were designed to amplify the microsatellite- containing regions from genomic DNA. The level of microsatellite polymorphism was evaluated among 28 scion peach cultivars which displayed one to four alleles per primer pair. Five microsatellites were found to segregate in intraspecific peach-mapping crosses. In addition, these microsatellite markers were tested for their utility in cross-species amplification for use in comparative mapping both within the Rosaceae, and with the un- related species Arabidopsis thaliana L. Received: 18 June 1999 / Accepted: 6 December 1999     

18.

Changes in the c.d. spectra of calf thymus DNA induced by sequential polypeptides in trifluoroethanol solutions. Part II     

E. Panou-Pomonis  V. Tsikaris  C. Sakarellos  M. Sakarellos-Daitsioris  M. Marraud 《International journal of biological macromolecules》1991,13(6):355-358

Interactions between calf thymus DNA and ( -Arg-X-Gly)_n sequential polypeptides (where

Full-size image

) in trifluoroethanol: water (40:60) solutions in the salt range of 0.12—0.5 NaCl, were studied using c.d. spectroscopy. It was found that DNA tertiary structure (ψ form) is modulated by the nature of the polypeptides (variation of X residue). The effect of the secondary structure of polypeptides on the formation of ψ-DNA was also analysed. Unordered polypeptides destabilized ψ aggregates, while helical polypeptides favoured DNA tertiary structure. A loss of tertiary structure was observed in the presence of the ( -Arg- -Val-Gly)_n, which can be attributed to the ability of valine to suppress ψ-type DNA.     

19.

Insulin Receptor Sites as Membrane Markers during Embryonic Development     

J. JEANMART  P. UYTDENHOEF  G. DE  SUTTER F. LEGROS 《Differentiation; research in biological diversity》1977,7(1-3):23-30

Binding of insulin to sea urchin egg plasma membrane has been studied by biochemical and immunocytochemical methods. Unfertilized and fertilized eggs as well as embryos during the first cell division have been used.

• 1. 

  Competition experiments between ¹²⁵I-insulin (1 nM) and an excess of native insulin (30 μM) indicate a specific hormone fixation to membrane crude extracts from unfertilized and fertilized eggs. The magnitude of "specific binding'is comparable to values recorded for mammalian cells.
• 2. 

  Inhibition of insulin fixation by concanavalin A (100 μg/ml) suggests the glycoprotein composition of plasma membrane receptors.
• 3. 

  A 30-min incubation of unfertilized and fertilized eggs in the presence of insulin leads to a significant increase in cyclic AMP content.
• 4. 

  An immunocytochemical method demonstrates that insulin is selectively and specifically bound to the plasma membrane of eggs incubated in the presence of insulin before fixation.

It can be concluded that insulin receptor sites are components of sea urchin eggs plasma membrane. Insulin binding which leads to cyclic AMP accumulation is not deeply modified by fertilization and does not induce visible morphological changes in the eggs.     

20.

Isolation of thirty‐one new porcine microsatellites from a microsatellite enriched microdissected chromosome 8 library     

Z. Wang  G. Rohrer  R. Stone  D. Troyer 《Animal biotechnology》2013,24(1):33-43

Abstract

Chromosome 8 (SSC8) is an important one in the swine genome because it has been shown to harbor several economically important quantitative trait loci (QTL). The entire porcine chromosome 8 was microdissected and amplified by degenerate oligonucleotide primer (DOP) PCR. The PCR product was then enriched for (CA)_n microsatellites by hybridization to a biotinylated CA repeat oligonucleotide and captured by streptavidin‐coated magnetic beads. The captured DNA was cloned into a TA cloning vector. Screening with an isotopically labeled CA oligonucleotide probe resulted in the isolation of 31 informative and polymorphic microsatellite clones. Seventeen of those were mapped to chromosome 8, 12 to chromosome 15, 1 to chromosome 10 and 1 to chromosome X. The markers were all placed on the USDA‐MARC porcine genetic linkage map.     

P-2COMPLETING THE AUDIT CYCLE OF NON-GYNAECOLOGIC CYTOLOGY TURNAROUND TIMES

Introduction:  The authors initiated the use of Liqui-PREP™ (LGM International Inc., Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA) in August, 2005. Cytotechnologists received extensive (one month) training by cytopathologists experienced in Liquid-based cytology. The Liqui-PREP™ direct-to-vial procedure (LP) was compared to the conventional Pap smears in a routine screening population.
Methods:  Data derived from 26 178 LP cervical-vaginal (CV) specimens were compared to data derived from 218 548 conventional Pap smears (CS). Both data sets reflect patient samples collected concurrently (August–December, 2005) by 117 participating outpatient medical practices from a well-defined geographic area. There were no significant personnel changes during the study period. The diagnostic results, classified according to Bethesda criteria were calculated.
Results:   

     

Initial establishment of vegetation in a man-made coastal area in Denmark

A man-made coastal area (8 km long, 300 m wide), constructed from seed-free, marine sand was investigated from 1978 to 1983 as regards relief, soil properties, and establishment of vegetation.
The following developments were apparent:

• 1. 

  The outer shore zone changed from a Cakile -dominated vegetation to a sparse and less diverse vegetation.
• 2. 

  The inner shore zone maintained spontaneous Ammophila as dominant and developed into a mobile dune with changing species.
• 3. 

  The outer dune slope with planted Ammophila developed into a mobile dune dominated by vigorous Ammophila.
• 4. 

  The dune zone with planted Ammophila: The outer part developed towards a somewhat fixed dune with increasing diversity. The inner part developed into a diverse and more fixed dune community with mainly Festuca rubra.
• 5. 

  The inner dune slope developed into a vegetation comprising few species.
• 1. 

  The grassland zone, initially sown with Festuca rubra and Lolium perenne , changed into a grass-herb-vegetation dominated by Festuca rubra , with a slowly increasing number of immigrating species, changing from annuals to perennials, in particular species of Fabaceae and Hippophaë.

     

P-14CERVICAL DYSPLASIA AND RISK FACTORS IN NORTHERN IRELAND SLE PATIENTS

Introduction:  An increased risk of cervical dysplasia has previously been reported in lupus. The role of traditional related risk factors are unclear. Persistent infection with certain genotypes of Human Papilloma Virus termed high risk (HR-HPV) is considered a prerequisite for the development of cervical cancer.
Methods:  A total of 141 SLE patients fulfilling the ACR criteria for lupus were enrolled into the study. They were compared to 138 control patients who were due to attend for a routine cervical smear. Each patient completed a cervical cancer risk factor questionnaire. A cervical smear was taken and residual material used to test for the presence of HR-HPV using a hybridisation microplate assay. Positive samples were then genotyped.
Results:   

     

A mouse genomic library in the bacteriophage P1 cloning system: organization and characterization

Using the bacteriophage P1 cloning system, we have constructed a two to three times coverage, high-molecular-weight (HMW) genomic library from mouse C127 fibroblast cells. The library consists of about 127,500 clones with an average insert size of about 70 kb that are organized into 300 primary pools containing approximately 425 clones per pool. For screening purposes the primary pools are combined into secondary pools (4250 clones each) and tertiary pools (21,250 clones each). Screening is performed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with DNA isolated from the secondary and tertiary pools. We have screened the library for 13 different mouse sequences and have detected 11. Clones generated from two of the eleven positive screens were isolated from the library (those containing the c-fos and Gi2 genes) and were further characterized. Direct double-stranded sequencing of DNA from P1 clones with primers bordering the insert provided sequence information from each end of the cloned DNA.     

Teaching (and learning from) metabolomics: the 2006 PlantMetaNet ETNA Metabolomics Research School

Under the auspices of the European Training and Networking Activity programme of the European Union, a 'Metabolic Profiling and Data Analysis' Plant Genomics and Bioinformatics Summer School was hosted in Potsdam, Germany between 20 and 29 September 2006. Sixteen early career researchers were invited from the European Union partner nations and the so-called developing nations ( Appendix ). Lectures from invited leading European researchers provided an overview of the state of the art of these fields and seeded discussion regarding major challenges for their future advancement. Hands-on experience was provided by an example experiment – that of defining the metabolic response of Arabidopsis to treatment of a commercial herbicide of defined mode of action. This experiment was performed throughout the duration of the course in order to teach the concepts underlying extraction and machine handling as well as to provide a rich data set with which the required computation and statistical skills could be illustrated. Here we review the state of the field by describing both key lectures given at and practical aspects taught at the summer school. In addition, we disclose results that were obtained using the four distinct technical platforms at the different participating institutes. While the effects of the chosen herbicide are well documented, this study looks at a broader number of metabolites than in previous investigations. This allowed, on the one hand, not only to characterise further effects of the herbicide than previously observed but also to detect molecules other than the herbicide that were obviously present in the commercial formulation. These data and the workshop in general are all discussed in the context of the teaching of metabolomics.  

  Appendix.   List of participants in the school     

11.

A strategy for rapid production and screening of yeast artificial chromosome libraries     

William M. Strauss  Eckart Jaenisch  Rudolf Jaenisch 《Mammalian genome》1992,2(3):150-157

We describe methods for rapid production and screening of yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) libraries. Utilizing complete restriction digests of mouse genomic DNA for ligations in agarose, a 32,000-clone library was produced and screened in seven weeks. Screening was accomplished by subdividing primary transformation plates into pools of approximately 100 clones which were transferred into a master glycerol stock. These master stocks were used to inoculate liquid cultures to produce culture pools, and ten pools of 100 clones were then combined to yield superpools of 1,000 clones. Both pool and superpool DNA was screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and positive pools representing 100 clones were then plated on selective medium and screened by in situ hybridization. Screening by the two tiered PCR assay and by in situ hybridization was completed in 4–5 days. Utilizing this methodology we have isolated a 150 kb clone spanning the 1(I) collagen (Colla1) gene as well as 40 kb clones from the Hox-2 locus. To characterize the representation of the YAC library, the size distribution of genomic Sal I fragments was compared to that of clones picked at random from the library. The results demonstrate significant biasing of the cloned fragment distribution, resulting in a loss of representation for larger fragments.     

12.

Variations in the geotropic sensitivity of germinating Funaria spores in response to some external influences     

LUCIE KOFLER  JACQUELINE DUTEL  FRANÇOISE NURIT 《Botanical journal of the Linnean Society. Linnean Society of London》1990,58(373):311-319

Experiments on the germination of the spores of Funaria have established the following.

• 1. 

  Some growth substances such as vitamins slightly promote the geotropic response of germinating spores in darkness.
• 2. 

  Glucose, even in concentrations as low as 10 mg./L, strongly stimulates the geotropic response.
• 3. 

  Light (at an intensity of 1000 lux and more) strongly inhibits the geotropic response. This effect is probably phototonic and can be partly counteracted by glucose.
• 4. 

  The nature of the phototropic and geotropic reactions of chloronema is variable, and depends to a certain extent on environmental influences.

     

13.

The kinematics of Heteroptera in free flight     

C. R. Betts 《Journal of Zoology》1986,1(2):303-315

The kinematics of six species of Heteroptera in free flight are analysed and compared.

• (1) 

  Using nested analysis of variance techniques, statistically significant variation was detected between species for several of the flight parameters measured: mean angular velocity; pronation/supination ratio; upstroke/downstroke ratio; and wing beat frequency. In each case this is discussed in terms of variation in flight behaviour.
• (2) 

  Beneficial aerodynamic forces are generated during the upstroke and the downstroke, in both fast forward and rising flight.
• (3). 

  When the insects change from level, forward flight to near vertical, rising flight, the following parameters are altered in most of the sequences analysed:

• (a). 

  the stroke plane angle becomes steeply, negatively inclined, associated with an increase in body angle;
• (b). 

  the stroke amplitude is reduced;
• (c). 

  wing beat frequency is lowered, associated with a drop in mean angular velocity;
• (d). 

  the speed of stroke reversal (rotational velocity) is increased. This may be associated with increased wing torsion and tip flexion which in turn could improve any beneficial unsteady aerodynamic effects generated at stroke reversal.

The reasons for this change in flight performance and the deviations from that seen in other insects are discussed.
It is shown that Heteroptera may make use of wing drag in flight, particularly during rising flight.     

14.

RELATED CHANGES IN AMOUNTS OF ACh AND ATP IN RESTING AND ACTIVE TORPEDO NERVE ELECTROPLAQUE SYNAPSES   总被引：5，自引：5，他引：0  

M. Israel    B. Lesbats    R. Manaranche    J. Marsal    P. Mastour-Frachon  F. M. Meunier 《Journal of neurochemistry》1977,28(6):1259-1267

Abstract— Closely related changes in the levels of acetylcholine (ACh) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the electric organ of Torpedo exist during rest and synaptic activity. The present work clarifies these relations by showing:

• (1) 

  That both substances are involved in an oscillatory process induced by nerve stimulation.
• (2) 

  Both substances are present in synaptic vesicles; the size of the bound pool of ACh is Ca²-dependent and is large when Ca²⁺ is low. Free ACh and transmission are restored when Ca²⁺ is present in the incubation medium.
• (3) 

  The amount of ATP in the tissue is also Ca²⁺-dependent but is low when Ca²⁺ is omitted. The addition of Ca²⁺ to the physiological medium restores the amount of ATP in the tissue.
• (4) 

  There is a postsynaptic release of ATP triggered by transmitter depolarization. This release was measured after single nerve impulses.
• (5) 

  When added to the incubation medium, nucleotides strongly inhibit transmitter release. It is suggested that the postsynaptic release of ATP regulates transmitter release.

     

15.

Chitinase activity in the digestive tract of the cod, Gadus morhua (L.)     

E. Danulat  H. Kausch 《Journal of fish biology》1984,24(2):125-133

The study was made to determine if enzymatic degradation of chitin occurs in the digestive tract of the cod, Gadus morhua . The method employed corresponds to the end product measurement of Jeuniaux (1966), using 'native' chitin as the substrate. The following results were obtained.

• (1) 

  Chitinolytic enzyme of high activity is present in enzyme solutions from the stomach contents, gastric mucosa and intestinal contents.
• (2) 

  Lower chitinase activities are found in samples of the intestinal mucosa and the pyloric caeca.
• (3) 

  The optimum pH ranges for the action of the enzymes in the stomach and the intestine differ: 4.5–5.1 and 5.1–6.5, respectively.
• (4) 

  The role of chitin-decomposing bacteria is discussed, based on bacterial numbers and pH conditions in the digestive tract. The existence of two different enzyme systems is indicated.

     

16.

P-13CERVICAL SMEAR REPORTING IN NORTHERN IRELAND SLE PATIENTS     

M. T. McHenry  R. Clarke  N. Anderson  & A. L. Bell 《Cytopathology》2006,17(S1):25-25

Introduction:  SLE is an autoimmune disease with the potential for multi-organ involvement. It has been suggested that SLE patients may be at increased risk of cervical dysplasia. We studied a cohort of Northern Ireland Lupus patients and compared them to controls within the same geographical location assessing their cervical smear histories and performing an up-to-date cervical smear.
Methods:  A total of 141 SLE patients fulfilling the ACR criteria for lupus were enrolled into the study. They were compared to 138 control patients who were due to attend for a routine cervical smear within the same geographical location. Each patient gave written consent to be involved in the study including access to medical records and pathology data.
Results:   

     

17.

Characterization of microsatellite markers in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]   总被引：9，自引：0，他引：9  

B. Sosinski  M. Gannavarapu  L. D. Hager  L. E. Beck  G.J. King  C. D. Ryder  S. Rajapakse  W. V. Baird  R. E. Ballard  A. G. Abbott 《TAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik》2000,101(3):421-428

Microsatellites have emerged as an important system of molecular markers. We evaluated the potential of microsatellites for use in genetic studies of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]. Microsatellite loci in peach were identified by screening a pUC8 genomic library, a λZAPII leaf cDNA library, as well as through database searches. Primer sequences for the microsatellite loci were tested from the related Rosaceae species apple (Malus×domestica) and sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.). The genomic library was screened for CT, CA and AGG repeats, while the cDNA library was screened for (CT)_n- and (CA)_n-containing clones. Estimates of microsatellite frequencies were determined from the genomic library screening, and indicate that CT repeats occur every 100 kb, CA repeats every 420 kb, and AGG repeats every 700 kb in the peach genome. Microsatellite- containing clones were sequenced, and specific PCR primers were designed to amplify the microsatellite- containing regions from genomic DNA. The level of microsatellite polymorphism was evaluated among 28 scion peach cultivars which displayed one to four alleles per primer pair. Five microsatellites were found to segregate in intraspecific peach-mapping crosses. In addition, these microsatellite markers were tested for their utility in cross-species amplification for use in comparative mapping both within the Rosaceae, and with the un- related species Arabidopsis thaliana L. Received: 18 June 1999 / Accepted: 6 December 1999     

18.

Changes in the c.d. spectra of calf thymus DNA induced by sequential polypeptides in trifluoroethanol solutions. Part II     

E. Panou-Pomonis  V. Tsikaris  C. Sakarellos  M. Sakarellos-Daitsioris  M. Marraud 《International journal of biological macromolecules》1991,13(6):355-358

Interactions between calf thymus DNA and ( -Arg-X-Gly)_n sequential polypeptides (where

Full-size image

) in trifluoroethanol: water (40:60) solutions in the salt range of 0.12—0.5 NaCl, were studied using c.d. spectroscopy. It was found that DNA tertiary structure (ψ form) is modulated by the nature of the polypeptides (variation of X residue). The effect of the secondary structure of polypeptides on the formation of ψ-DNA was also analysed. Unordered polypeptides destabilized ψ aggregates, while helical polypeptides favoured DNA tertiary structure. A loss of tertiary structure was observed in the presence of the ( -Arg- -Val-Gly)_n, which can be attributed to the ability of valine to suppress ψ-type DNA.     

19.

Insulin Receptor Sites as Membrane Markers during Embryonic Development     

J. JEANMART  P. UYTDENHOEF  G. DE  SUTTER F. LEGROS 《Differentiation; research in biological diversity》1977,7(1-3):23-30

Binding of insulin to sea urchin egg plasma membrane has been studied by biochemical and immunocytochemical methods. Unfertilized and fertilized eggs as well as embryos during the first cell division have been used.

• 1. 

  Competition experiments between ¹²⁵I-insulin (1 nM) and an excess of native insulin (30 μM) indicate a specific hormone fixation to membrane crude extracts from unfertilized and fertilized eggs. The magnitude of "specific binding'is comparable to values recorded for mammalian cells.
• 2. 

  Inhibition of insulin fixation by concanavalin A (100 μg/ml) suggests the glycoprotein composition of plasma membrane receptors.
• 3. 

  A 30-min incubation of unfertilized and fertilized eggs in the presence of insulin leads to a significant increase in cyclic AMP content.
• 4. 

  An immunocytochemical method demonstrates that insulin is selectively and specifically bound to the plasma membrane of eggs incubated in the presence of insulin before fixation.

It can be concluded that insulin receptor sites are components of sea urchin eggs plasma membrane. Insulin binding which leads to cyclic AMP accumulation is not deeply modified by fertilization and does not induce visible morphological changes in the eggs.     

20.

Isolation of thirty‐one new porcine microsatellites from a microsatellite enriched microdissected chromosome 8 library     

Z. Wang  G. Rohrer  R. Stone  D. Troyer 《Animal biotechnology》2013,24(1):33-43

Abstract

Chromosome 8 (SSC8) is an important one in the swine genome because it has been shown to harbor several economically important quantitative trait loci (QTL). The entire porcine chromosome 8 was microdissected and amplified by degenerate oligonucleotide primer (DOP) PCR. The PCR product was then enriched for (CA)_n microsatellites by hybridization to a biotinylated CA repeat oligonucleotide and captured by streptavidin‐coated magnetic beads. The captured DNA was cloned into a TA cloning vector. Screening with an isotopically labeled CA oligonucleotide probe resulted in the isolation of 31 informative and polymorphic microsatellite clones. Seventeen of those were mapped to chromosome 8, 12 to chromosome 15, 1 to chromosome 10 and 1 to chromosome X. The markers were all placed on the USDA‐MARC porcine genetic linkage map.     

A strategy for rapid production and screening of yeast artificial chromosome libraries

We describe methods for rapid production and screening of yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) libraries. Utilizing complete restriction digests of mouse genomic DNA for ligations in agarose, a 32,000-clone library was produced and screened in seven weeks. Screening was accomplished by subdividing primary transformation plates into pools of approximately 100 clones which were transferred into a master glycerol stock. These master stocks were used to inoculate liquid cultures to produce culture pools, and ten pools of 100 clones were then combined to yield superpools of 1,000 clones. Both pool and superpool DNA was screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and positive pools representing 100 clones were then plated on selective medium and screened by in situ hybridization. Screening by the two tiered PCR assay and by in situ hybridization was completed in 4–5 days. Utilizing this methodology we have isolated a 150 kb clone spanning the 1(I) collagen (Colla1) gene as well as 40 kb clones from the Hox-2 locus. To characterize the representation of the YAC library, the size distribution of genomic Sal I fragments was compared to that of clones picked at random from the library. The results demonstrate significant biasing of the cloned fragment distribution, resulting in a loss of representation for larger fragments.     

Variations in the geotropic sensitivity of germinating Funaria spores in response to some external influences

Experiments on the germination of the spores of Funaria have established the following.

• 1. 

  Some growth substances such as vitamins slightly promote the geotropic response of germinating spores in darkness.
• 2. 

  Glucose, even in concentrations as low as 10 mg./L, strongly stimulates the geotropic response.
• 3. 

  Light (at an intensity of 1000 lux and more) strongly inhibits the geotropic response. This effect is probably phototonic and can be partly counteracted by glucose.
• 4. 

  The nature of the phototropic and geotropic reactions of chloronema is variable, and depends to a certain extent on environmental influences.

     

The kinematics of Heteroptera in free flight

The kinematics of six species of Heteroptera in free flight are analysed and compared.

• (1) 

  Using nested analysis of variance techniques, statistically significant variation was detected between species for several of the flight parameters measured: mean angular velocity; pronation/supination ratio; upstroke/downstroke ratio; and wing beat frequency. In each case this is discussed in terms of variation in flight behaviour.
• (2) 

  Beneficial aerodynamic forces are generated during the upstroke and the downstroke, in both fast forward and rising flight.
• (3). 

  When the insects change from level, forward flight to near vertical, rising flight, the following parameters are altered in most of the sequences analysed:

• (a). 

  the stroke plane angle becomes steeply, negatively inclined, associated with an increase in body angle;
• (b). 

  the stroke amplitude is reduced;
• (c). 

  wing beat frequency is lowered, associated with a drop in mean angular velocity;
• (d). 

  the speed of stroke reversal (rotational velocity) is increased. This may be associated with increased wing torsion and tip flexion which in turn could improve any beneficial unsteady aerodynamic effects generated at stroke reversal.

The reasons for this change in flight performance and the deviations from that seen in other insects are discussed.
It is shown that Heteroptera may make use of wing drag in flight, particularly during rising flight.     

RELATED CHANGES IN AMOUNTS OF ACh AND ATP IN RESTING AND ACTIVE TORPEDO NERVE ELECTROPLAQUE SYNAPSES

Abstract— Closely related changes in the levels of acetylcholine (ACh) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the electric organ of Torpedo exist during rest and synaptic activity. The present work clarifies these relations by showing:

• (1) 

  That both substances are involved in an oscillatory process induced by nerve stimulation.
• (2) 

  Both substances are present in synaptic vesicles; the size of the bound pool of ACh is Ca²-dependent and is large when Ca²⁺ is low. Free ACh and transmission are restored when Ca²⁺ is present in the incubation medium.
• (3) 

  The amount of ATP in the tissue is also Ca²⁺-dependent but is low when Ca²⁺ is omitted. The addition of Ca²⁺ to the physiological medium restores the amount of ATP in the tissue.
• (4) 

  There is a postsynaptic release of ATP triggered by transmitter depolarization. This release was measured after single nerve impulses.
• (5) 

  When added to the incubation medium, nucleotides strongly inhibit transmitter release. It is suggested that the postsynaptic release of ATP regulates transmitter release.

     

Chitinase activity in the digestive tract of the cod, Gadus morhua (L.)

The study was made to determine if enzymatic degradation of chitin occurs in the digestive tract of the cod, Gadus morhua . The method employed corresponds to the end product measurement of Jeuniaux (1966), using 'native' chitin as the substrate. The following results were obtained.

• (1) 

  Chitinolytic enzyme of high activity is present in enzyme solutions from the stomach contents, gastric mucosa and intestinal contents.
• (2) 

  Lower chitinase activities are found in samples of the intestinal mucosa and the pyloric caeca.
• (3) 

  The optimum pH ranges for the action of the enzymes in the stomach and the intestine differ: 4.5–5.1 and 5.1–6.5, respectively.
• (4) 

  The role of chitin-decomposing bacteria is discussed, based on bacterial numbers and pH conditions in the digestive tract. The existence of two different enzyme systems is indicated.

     

P-13CERVICAL SMEAR REPORTING IN NORTHERN IRELAND SLE PATIENTS

Introduction:  SLE is an autoimmune disease with the potential for multi-organ involvement. It has been suggested that SLE patients may be at increased risk of cervical dysplasia. We studied a cohort of Northern Ireland Lupus patients and compared them to controls within the same geographical location assessing their cervical smear histories and performing an up-to-date cervical smear.
Methods:  A total of 141 SLE patients fulfilling the ACR criteria for lupus were enrolled into the study. They were compared to 138 control patients who were due to attend for a routine cervical smear within the same geographical location. Each patient gave written consent to be involved in the study including access to medical records and pathology data.
Results:   

     

Characterization of microsatellite markers in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]

Microsatellites have emerged as an important system of molecular markers. We evaluated the potential of microsatellites for use in genetic studies of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]. Microsatellite loci in peach were identified by screening a pUC8 genomic library, a λZAPII leaf cDNA library, as well as through database searches. Primer sequences for the microsatellite loci were tested from the related Rosaceae species apple (Malus×domestica) and sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.). The genomic library was screened for CT, CA and AGG repeats, while the cDNA library was screened for (CT)_n- and (CA)_n-containing clones. Estimates of microsatellite frequencies were determined from the genomic library screening, and indicate that CT repeats occur every 100 kb, CA repeats every 420 kb, and AGG repeats every 700 kb in the peach genome. Microsatellite- containing clones were sequenced, and specific PCR primers were designed to amplify the microsatellite- containing regions from genomic DNA. The level of microsatellite polymorphism was evaluated among 28 scion peach cultivars which displayed one to four alleles per primer pair. Five microsatellites were found to segregate in intraspecific peach-mapping crosses. In addition, these microsatellite markers were tested for their utility in cross-species amplification for use in comparative mapping both within the Rosaceae, and with the un- related species Arabidopsis thaliana L. Received: 18 June 1999 / Accepted: 6 December 1999     

Changes in the c.d. spectra of calf thymus DNA induced by sequential polypeptides in trifluoroethanol solutions. Part II

Interactions between calf thymus DNA and ( -Arg-X-Gly)_n sequential polypeptides (where

Full-size image

) in trifluoroethanol: water (40:60) solutions in the salt range of 0.12—0.5 NaCl, were studied using c.d. spectroscopy. It was found that DNA tertiary structure (ψ form) is modulated by the nature of the polypeptides (variation of X residue). The effect of the secondary structure of polypeptides on the formation of ψ-DNA was also analysed. Unordered polypeptides destabilized ψ aggregates, while helical polypeptides favoured DNA tertiary structure. A loss of tertiary structure was observed in the presence of the ( -Arg- -Val-Gly)_n, which can be attributed to the ability of valine to suppress ψ-type DNA.     

Insulin Receptor Sites as Membrane Markers during Embryonic Development

Binding of insulin to sea urchin egg plasma membrane has been studied by biochemical and immunocytochemical methods. Unfertilized and fertilized eggs as well as embryos during the first cell division have been used.

• 1. 

  Competition experiments between ¹²⁵I-insulin (1 nM) and an excess of native insulin (30 μM) indicate a specific hormone fixation to membrane crude extracts from unfertilized and fertilized eggs. The magnitude of "specific binding'is comparable to values recorded for mammalian cells.
• 2. 

  Inhibition of insulin fixation by concanavalin A (100 μg/ml) suggests the glycoprotein composition of plasma membrane receptors.
• 3. 

  A 30-min incubation of unfertilized and fertilized eggs in the presence of insulin leads to a significant increase in cyclic AMP content.
• 4. 

  An immunocytochemical method demonstrates that insulin is selectively and specifically bound to the plasma membrane of eggs incubated in the presence of insulin before fixation.

It can be concluded that insulin receptor sites are components of sea urchin eggs plasma membrane. Insulin binding which leads to cyclic AMP accumulation is not deeply modified by fertilization and does not induce visible morphological changes in the eggs.     

Isolation of thirty‐one new porcine microsatellites from a microsatellite enriched microdissected chromosome 8 library

Abstract

Chromosome 8 (SSC8) is an important one in the swine genome because it has been shown to harbor several economically important quantitative trait loci (QTL). The entire porcine chromosome 8 was microdissected and amplified by degenerate oligonucleotide primer (DOP) PCR. The PCR product was then enriched for (CA)_n microsatellites by hybridization to a biotinylated CA repeat oligonucleotide and captured by streptavidin‐coated magnetic beads. The captured DNA was cloned into a TA cloning vector. Screening with an isotopically labeled CA oligonucleotide probe resulted in the isolation of 31 informative and polymorphic microsatellite clones. Seventeen of those were mapped to chromosome 8, 12 to chromosome 15, 1 to chromosome 10 and 1 to chromosome X. The markers were all placed on the USDA‐MARC porcine genetic linkage map.