脑钠肽和D二聚体对老年心功能不全严重程度的关系及预后的影响

目的：探讨BNP和D二聚体对老年心功能不全严重程度的关系及预后的影响。方法：以2010年1月-2012年12月来我院就诊的慢性心功能不全患者为观察对象,根据心功能不全程度分为无症状组、心功能不全II级、III级、IV级3,另取健康体检者为对照,比较各组间BNP、D二聚体水平及相关性分析。结果：各患者组BNP和D二聚体水平与对照组相比明显增加（P〈0．05）;BNP与心功能不全分级、LVEDD、LAD呈直线正相关关系（P〈0．05）,与LVEF呈直线负相关关系（P〈0．05）;D二聚体与心功能不全分级、LVEDD呈直线正相关关系（P〈0．05）,与LVEF呈呈直线负相关关系（P〈0．05）,与LAD直线关系无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;BNP水平1000pg／mL以下治疗有效率80．2％,疗效优于1000pg／mL以上者（Riditz=15．245,P=0．000）,D二聚体5μg／mL以下者治疗有效率85．4％,疗效优于5μg／mL以上者（Riditz=26．354,P=0．000）。结论：BNP和D二聚体与老年心功能不全严重程度和超声心动图指标密切相关,可以作为疾病预后预测。     

Damage Potential and Reproduction of Belonolaimus longicaudatus and Hoplolaimus galeatus on Alyceclover

Alyceclover (Alysicarpus spp.) is an annual, high-quality leguminous forage, suitable for production under tropical and subtropical climates where the husbandry of conventional leguminous forages, Trifolium spp., is uneconomical. The damage potential and reproduction of Belonolairaus longicaudatus and Hoplolaimus galeatus on alyceclover were studied under greenhouse conditions, using sand and sandy clay loam soil materials, respectively. Both nematode species reproduced on alyceclover, but only B. longicaudatus was pathogenic. Symptoms of B. longicaudatus damage were suppression of shoot yield, limited root system, stunting, incipient wilting, and occasional seedling mortality. In one experiment, the threshold-damage density was three nematodes/100 cm³ sand, whereas in the other experiment it was zero nematodes.     

脑钠肽临床应用进展

脑钠肽(brain natriuretic peptide,BNP)是近年倍受关注的心血管生物标记物,BNP是一种主要由心脏分泌的肽类激素,在心脏维持其正常结构和功能的中起着重要的作用,它具有利钠、利尿、扩血管、降压、拮抗RAAS系统、抑制交感神经兴奋等作用.它已超过原来仅作为心衰的诊断检测指标范畴.研究表明BNP与呼吸困难的鉴别诊断、心肌梗死、高血压、心房颤动、心肌病、肺栓塞等关系密切,现就BNP的临床研究进展作一综述.     

人脑利钠肽的Fmoc固相合成

探讨生物活性肽人脑利钠肽(BNP)的固相合成工艺,并为工业化合成提供理论依据.本文以二氯三甲基树脂(以下简称为二氯树脂)为载体,采用9-芴甲氧羰基(Fmoc)保护的氨基酸,以1-氧-3-双二甲胺羰基苯骈三氮唑四氟化硼盐(TBTU)/1-羟基苯并三氮唑(HOBT)/二异丙基乙胺(DIEA)缩合,以碘作为环化试剂,用切割试剂将BNP粗品从树脂上切割下来.通过MALDI-MS质谱仪检测,所合成环肽的分子量与理论分子量一致,使用RP-HPLC液相色谱仪对合成的环肽进行纯化,得到的BNP纯度达到97%以上.本合成工艺具有快捷、简便、高效的特点,适合于大批量的生产目的肽.     

慢性心力衰竭患者N端脑钠肽前体、脑钠肽与患者心脏超声参数及炎症因子的关系

目的:探讨慢性心力衰竭(CHF)患者N端脑钠肽前体(NT-proBNP)、脑钠肽(BNP)与患者心脏超声参数及炎症因子的关系。方法:选取2015年3月～2018年2月期间我院收治的CHF患者135例为研究组。根据纽约心脏病学协会(NYHA)心功能分级将研究组分为Ⅰ级组26例,Ⅱ级组34例,Ⅲ级组42例,IV级组33例。另选取同期于我院体检的健康志愿者30例为对照组。检测并比较对照组与研究组、不同NYHA心功能分级的血清标志物、炎症因子、心功能超声参数,采用Pearson相关性分析NT-proBNP、BNP与炎症因子、心功能超声参数的相关性。结果:研究组血清BNP、NT-proBNP、白介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平及左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)、左心室收缩末期内径(LVESD)均显著高于对照组,左心室射血分数(LVEF)则低于对照组(P0.05)。BNP、NT-proBNP、IL-6、TNF-α、hs-CRP水平及LVEDD、LVESD随心功能分级的升高而升高,LVEF随心功能分级的升高而降低(P0.05)。经Pearson相关性分析显示,CHF患者BNP、NT-proBNP与IL-6、TNF-α、hs-CRP、LVEDD、LVESD呈正相关,而与LVEF呈负相关(P0.05)。结论:血清NT-proBNP、BNP与CHF患者的心脏超声参数及炎症因子密切相关,可考虑将其作为临床诊断CHF的生物学指标。     

Pinewood Nematode Species Complex: Interbreeding Potential and Chromosome Number

Interbreeding potential, chromosome number, and host range were compared among several isolates and species of Bursaphelenchus from diverse geographic areas. Some isolates from North America, Japan, and France had a wide-ranging interbreeding potential, whereas others were restricted in their potential to hybridize with other isolates. Although interbreeding occurred in the laboratory between some "M" and "R" forms of B. xylophilus, interbreeding of B. xylophilus and B. mucronatus was rare. The hybrids had the pathogenicity of the parent with the broader host range. This fact suggests that virulence may be inherited as a dominant character or that increased virulence may have resulted from differences in hybrid vigor. The haploid chromosome number of the different isolates separated the isolates into three groups and distinguished B. xylophilus from B. mucronatus. The findings suggest that the pinewood nematode species complex consists of sibling species that have evolved by reproductive isolation, that the French isolate is a new species, and that B. xylophilus and B. mucronatus have evolved from a common ancestor.     

Identification of Entomopathogenic Nematodes in the Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae (Nemata: Rhabditida)

This paper contains taxonomic keys for the identification of species of the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis. Morphometrics of certain life stages are presented in data tables so that the morphometrics of species identified using the keys can be checked in the tables. Additionally, SEM photographs and diagnoses of the families and genera of Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae are presented.     

重组人脑利钠肽的临床应用进展

近年来,随着心力衰竭、肺动脉高压的病理生理及分子机制的深入研究,使上述疾病在临床药物治疗方面有了很大的进步,其中人脑利钠肽(BNP)作为体内唯一天然的肾素-血管紧张素-醛固酮拮抗剂在诊断及治疗心力衰竭等方面均引起了广泛关注,但由于其在心衰状态下降解快且生物活性明显减弱而限制了临床应用。因此,在心力衰竭治疗上补充外源性BNP成为了又一研究热点。重组人脑利钠肽(rhBNP)是一种人工合成的内源性激素,具有扩张血管、排钠利尿、降低心脏前后负荷、抑制肾素-血管紧张素-醛固酮系统和交感神经系统等作用,能够有效的改善充血性心力衰竭患者的血流动力学障碍。新近研究表明,rhBNP在治疗心血管疾病方面疗效显著,本文将就其在临床中的应用予以综述。     

心脏彩超与N末端脑钠肽在H型高血压心功能不全中的临床诊断价值比较

目的:对比分析心脏彩超与N末端脑钠肽(NT pro BNP)在H型高血压心功能不全中的临床诊断价值。方法:选择2016年1月～2017年12月在我院进行诊治的119例H型高血压心功能不全患者,采用美国纽约心脏病学会(NYHA)分级方案将患者的心功能等级分成Ⅰ级组、Ⅱ级组、Ⅲ级组、Ⅵ级组,并选取同期在我院诊治的Hcy正常的116例高血压患者。检测所有患者的NT pro BNP水平,并采取心脏彩超检测患者的左心房内径(LAD)、左室舒张末期内径(LVEDd)以及左室射血分数(LVEF)。结果:H型高血压组的LAD、LVEDd、NT pro BNP水平明显高于Hcy正常高血压组(P0.05),LVEF明显低于Hcy正常高血压组(P0.05);NT pro BNP和LVEF的阳性率随着H型高血压患者心功能分级的增加,呈上升趋势。不同心功能分级患者NT pro BNP和LVEF的阳性率相比差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);H型高血压患者的Hcy水平与LAD呈明显的正相关(r=0.647,P=0.000),LVEDd呈明显的正相关(r=0.613,P=0.000),LVEF呈明显的负相关(r=-0.739,P=0.000),NT pro BNP呈明显的正相关(r=0.832,P=0.000)。LVEF诊断心功能不全的AUC为0.798,临界值为52.7%,敏感性为83.3%,特异性为57.3%;NT pro BNP诊断心功能不全的AUC为0.802,临界值为260.3 pg/mL,敏感性为85.7%,特异性为58.3%。结论:心脏彩超和NT pro BNP诊断H型高血压心功能不全患者的临床价值较高,可为其诊断提供有效的参数依据。     

The main sceneries of Chagas disease transmission. The vectors,blood and oral transmissions - A comprehensive review

This review deals with transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi by the most important domestic vectors, blood transfusion and oral intake. Among the vectors, Triatoma infestans, Panstrongylus megistus, Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma dimidiata, Triatoma brasiliensis, Triatoma pseudomaculata, Triatoma sordida, Triatoma maculata, Panstrongylus geniculatus, Rhodnius ecuadoriensis and Rhodnius pallescens can be highlighted. Transmission of Chagas infection, which has been brought under control in some countries in South and Central America, remains a great challenge, particularly considering that many endemic countries do not have control over blood donors. Even more concerning is the case of non-endemic countries that receive thousands of migrants from endemic areas that carry Chagas disease, such as the United States of America, in North America, Spain, in Europe, Japan, in Asia, and Australia, in Oceania. In the Brazilian Amazon Region, since Shaw et al. (1969) described the first acute cases of the disease caused by oral transmission, hundreds of acute cases of the disease due to oral transmission have been described in that region, which is today considered to be endemic for oral transmission. Several other outbreaks of acute Chagas disease by oral transmission have been described in different states of Brazil and in other South American countries.     

脑钠肽在慢性心功能不全诊治的临床观察

目的：评价脑钠肽在慢性心功能不全过程中的诊治效果,探讨其临床适用性。方法：选择从2012年3月至2013年3月于我院就诊的82例心功能不全患者作为实验组,另选择同期的80例健康体检者作为对照组,分析实验组和对照组人员的脑钠肽的浓度,以及实验组患者经过治疗后的脑钠肽浓度变化情况,所有人员同时给予超声心动并观察实验组血浆脑钠肽浓度与左室射血分数及心功能分级之间的关系。结果：实验组患者的血浆脑钠肽浓度明显高于对照组人员,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;实验组患者治疗前后血浆脑钠肽浓度有明显改变,差异也有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;心功能和左室射血分数不同分级之间的血浆脑钠肽浓度也不同,各级差异有明显统计学意义（P〈0．05）;脑钠肽浓度的不同参考值测定的灵敏度和特异性也不同。结论：脑钠肽在慢性心功能不全的诊治过程中有重要价值,为临床心功能的判断可以提供较为敏感的指示,适合临床长期推广应用。     

Attenuation of Post-Shock Increases in Brain Natriuretic Peptide with Post Shock Overdrive Pacing

Background

Predischarge defibrillation threshold testing is often performed a few days after ICD implantation in order to validate defibrillation thresholds obtained at the time of implant. Ventricular fibrillation is induced with such testing and causes an increase in serum Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) levels. BNP is an indicator for cardiac stress. We wanted to examine the feasibility to alter the trend of BNP after predischarge testing in VVI, DDD and CRT ICD''s.

Methods

We measured BNP before predischarge testing and 5, 10, 20 and 40 minutes after predischarge testing in 13 groups with each 20 patients. We evaluated patients without post shock pacing and patients with a post shock pacing frequency of 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 bpm and a duration of 30 and 60 sec as well as a post shock pacing frequency of 80 and 90 bpm and a duration of 120 sec post shock pacing.

Results

Patients without post shock pacing showed the highest BNP during the follow-up. The percentage values of BNP increased consistent significantly after 5 minutes compared with BNP before predischarge testing. The percentage values of BNP trend was significantly lower with a post shock pacing of 90 bpm and duration of 60 sec. In addition, we excluded a cardiac necrosis by predischarge testing because of similar values of myoglobin, cardiac troponin I and creatine kinase during the follow-up.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that post shock pacing with 90 bpm and duration of 60 sec as the best optimized post shock pacing frequency and duration for VVI, DDD and CRT ICD''s. A reduction of cardiac stress is going to be achieved with the optimization of the post shock pacing frequency and duration.     

Effects of Aged Garlic Extract on Left Ventricular Diastolic Function and Fibrosis in a Rat Hypertension Model

Daily consumption of garlic is known to lower the risk of hypertension and ischemic heart disease. In this study, we examined whether aged garlic extract (AGE) prevents hypertension and the progression of compensated left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats. DS rats were randomly divided into three groups: those fed an 8% NaCl diet until 18 weeks of age (8% NaCl group), those additionally treated with AGE (8% NaCl + AGE group), and control rats maintained on a diet containing 0.3% NaCl until 18 weeks of age (0.3% NaCl group). AGE was administered orally by gastric gavage once a day until 18 weeks of age. LV mass was significantly higher in the 8% NaCl + AGE group than in the 0.3% NaCl group at 18 weeks of age, but significantly lower in the 8% NaCl + AGE group than in the 8% NaCl group. No significant differences were observed in systolic blood pressure (SBP) between the 8% NaCl and 8% NaCl + AGE groups at 12 and 18 weeks of age. LV end-diastolic pressure and pressure half-time at 12 and 18 weeks of age were significantly lower in the 8% NaCl + AGE group compared with the 8% NaCl group. AGE significantly reduced LV interstitial fibrosis at 12 and 18 weeks of age. Chronic AGE intake attenuated LV diastolic dysfunction and fibrosis without significantly decreasing SBP in hypertensive DS rats.     

The neurovascular extracellular matrix in health and disease

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a vital interface that supports normal brain functions. Endothelial cells (ECs) are the main component of the BBB and are highly specialized to govern the transfer of substances into brain. The EC lumen is enmeshed with an extracellular matrix (ECM), known as the endothelial glycocalyx layer (EGL). The lumen-facing EGL is primarily comprised of proteoglycans (PGs) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which function as the first line of defense for blood-to-brain transfer of substances. Circulating factors must first penetrate the EGL before interacting with the EC. The abundance and composition of the PG and GAGs can dictate EGL function, and determine which circulating substances communicate with the ECs. The EGL can interact with circulating factors through physio-chemical interactions with the EC. Some disease states reveal a “thinning” of the EGL that may increase EC interactions with components of the systemic circulation and alter BBB function. EGL changes may also contribute to the cognitive complications of systemic diseases, such as sepsis and diabetes. For decades, researchers have measured how genetic and environmental factors influence the peripheral EGL constituents; however, much less is known about the neurovascular EGL. In this mini-review, we introduce components of the EGL and innovative ways to measure their abundance and composition that may contribute to BBB dysfunction.     

急性心肌梗死患者早期血浆脑钠肽水平与左室重构及预后关系的评估

目的：探讨急性心肌梗死（AMI）早期脑钠肽（BNP）水平与左室重构及预后的关系。方法：用放射免疫法测定AMI患者早期血浆BNP水平;用超声心动图检查测量左室收缩末容积（ESV）、左室舒张末容积（EDV）、射血分数（EF）并通过计算得左室质量（LVM）。并根据左心室容积指标分组,左心室容积增加率〉20%为左心室重构组,否则为非重构组,比较两组血浆BNP水平。结果：重构组恢复期左心室舒张末期及收缩末期容积指数均高于非重构组（P〈0.01）,亦高于急性期左心室容积（P〈0.01）。重构组早期血浆BNP浓度明显高于非重构组（P〈0.01）,恢复期也较非重构组高（P〈0.01）。重构组早期BNP浓度与恢复期左心室容积及容积变化量之间呈正相关。结论：AMI早期BNP升高与急性期左室重构密切相关,血浆BNP浓度可以作为溶栓治疗再通的观察指标及预后判断依据。     

急性心肌梗死患者早期血浆脑钠肽水平与左室重构及预后关系的评估

目的:探讨急性心肌梗死(AMI)早期脑钠肽(BNP)水平与左室重构及预后的关系.方法:用放射免疫法测定AMI患者早期血浆BNP水平;用超声心动图检查测量左室收缩末容积(ESV)、左室舒张末容积(EDV)、射血分数(EF)并通过计算得左室质量(LVM).并根据左心室容积指标分组,左心室容积增加率＞20%为左心室重构组,否则为非重构组,比较两组血浆BNP水平.结果:重构组恢复期左心室舒张末期及收缩末期容积指数均高于非重构组(P＜0.01),亦高于急性期左心室容积(P＜0.01).重构组早期血浆BNP浓度明显高于非重构组(P＜0.01),恢复期也较非重构组高(P＜0.01).重构组早期BNP浓度与恢复期左心室容积及容积变化量之间呈正相关.结论:AMI早期BNP升高与急性期左室重构密切相关,血浆BNP浓度可以作为溶栓治疗再通的观察指标及预后判断依据.     

Polypeptides of the Maize Amyloplast Stroma : Stromal Localization of Starch-Biosynthetic Enzymes and Identification of an 81-Kilodalton Amyloplast Stromal Heat-Shock Cognate

In the developing endosperm of monocotyledonous plants, starch granules are synthesized and deposited within the amyloplast. A soluble stromal fraction was isolated from amyloplasts of immature maize (Zea mays L.) endosperm and analyzed for enzyme activities and polypeptide content. Specific activities of starch synthase and starch-branching enzyme (SBE), but not the cytosolic marker alcohol dehydrogenase, were strongly enhanced in soluble amyloplast stromal fractions relative to soluble extracts obtained from homogenized kernels or endosperms. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that starch synthase I, SBEIIb, and sugary1, the putative starch-debranching enzyme, were each highly enriched in the amyloplast stroma, providing direct evidence for the localization of starch-biosynthetic enzymes within this compartment. Analysis of maize mutants shows the deficiency of the 85-kD SBEIIb polypeptide in the stroma of amylose extender cultivars and that the dull mutant lacks a >220-kD stromal polypeptide. The stromal fraction is distinguished by differential enrichment of a characteristic group of previously undocumented polypeptides. N-terminal sequence analysis revealed that an abundant 81-kD stromal polypeptide is a member of the Hsp70 family of stress-related proteins. Moreover, the 81-kD stromal polypeptide is strongly recognized by antibodies specific for an Hsp70 of the chloroplast stroma. These findings are discussed in light of implications for the correct folding and assembly of soluble, partially soluble, and granule-bound starch-biosynthetic enzymes during import into the amyloplast.     

Effects of the Ionic Composition and Water Potential of Aqueous Solution on the Activity and Survival of Orrina phyllobia

The activity and survival of Orrina phyllobia fourth-stage juveniles (J4) were examined in aqueous solutions representing 96 combinations of eight predominant soil solution ions at total concentrations of 100, 200, and 1,000 meq/liter. Various water potentials were imposed by the addition of mannitol or polyethylene glycol to ionic solutions. Nematode longevity increased as water potential was decreased. Longevity was approximately doubled at a water potential of -23 × 10⁵ Pa and more than tripled at -60 × 10⁵ Pa. No combination oflons at 200 meq/liter was lethal after a 6-day exposure. Several ion combinations significantly increased longevity at -10 and -23 × 10⁵ Pa. Single cation Na⁺ solutions consistently inhibited activity and more than doubled nematode longevity.     

d-Ribulose-5-Phosphate 3-Epimerase: Cloning and Heterologous Expression of the Spinach Gene, and Purification and Characterization of the Recombinant Enzyme

We have achieved, to our knowledge, the first high-level heterologous expression of the gene encoding d-ribulose-5-phosphate 3-epimerase from any source, thereby permitting isolation and characterization of the epimerase as found in photosynthetic organisms. The extremely labile recombinant spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) enzyme was stabilized by dl-α-glycerophosphate or ethanol and destabilized by d-ribulose-5-phosphate or 2-mercaptoethanol. Despite this lability, the unprecedentedly high specific activity of the purified material indicates that the structural integrity of the enzyme is maintained throughout isolation. Ethylenediaminetetraacetate and divalent metal cations did not affect epimerase activity, thereby excluding a requirement for the latter in catalysis. As deduced from the sequence of the cloned spinach gene and the electrophoretic mobility under denaturing conditions of the purified recombinant enzyme, its 25-kD subunit size was about the same as that of the corresponding epimerases of yeast and mammals. However, in contrast to these other species, the recombinant spinach enzyme was octameric rather than dimeric, as assessed by gel filtration and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under nondenaturing conditions. Western-blot analyses with antibodies to the purified recombinant enzyme confirmed that the epimerase extracted from spinach leaves is also octameric.As a participant in the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, Ru5P epimerase (EC 5.1.3.1), which catalyzes the interconversion of Ru5P and Xu5P, is widely distributed throughout nature. Beyond its catabolic role, the epimerase is also vital anabolically to photosynthetic organisms in the regenerative phase of the reductive pentose phosphate pathway (the Calvin cycle). In this capacity, Ru5P epimerase directs Xu5P, formed in two distinct transketolase reactions of the cycle, to Ru5P. Phosphorylation of the latter regenerates d-ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate, the substrate for net CO₂ fixation. Because both the oxidative and reductive pentose phosphate pathways coexist in chloroplasts (Schnarrenberger et al., 1995), Ru5P epimerase and R5P isomerase facilitate partitioning of pentose phosphates between the two pathways, as dictated by the metabolic needs and redox status of the cell.Scant structural and mechanistic information about Ru5P epimerase is available despite its inherent importance and dual metabolic roles. This neglect may in part reflect the low natural abundance of the enzyme. For example, achievement of electrophoretic homogeneity required a 2000-fold purification from yeast (Bär et al., 1996) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) chloroplasts (Teige et al., 1998) and 9000-fold purification from beef liver (Terada et al., 1985). Although low overall recoveries (<10%) further limited the availability of pure material, molecular sieving and denaturing electrophoresis established that the epimerases from mammals (Wood, 1979; Karmali et al., 1983; Terada et al., 1985) and yeast (Bär et al., 1996) are homodimers of approximately 23-kD subunits, whereas the enzyme from spinach chloroplasts may be an octamer of 23-kD subunits (Teige et al., 1998). DNA-deduced amino acid sequences of Ru5P epimerases from both photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic sources, which confirm this estimated subunit size, show greater than 50% similarities among the most evolutionarily distant species examined (Kusian et al., 1992; Blattner et al., 1993; Falcone and Tabita, 1993; Lyngstadaas et al., 1995; Nowitzki et al., 1995; Teige et al., 1995).Although Ru5P epimerase has very recently been purified from a photosynthetic organism (spinach) for the first time (Teige et al., 1998), the low recovery (100 μg from 3.8 g of soluble chloroplast protein, representing an overall yield of 5%) imposes severe constraints on the directions of future experiments. Furthermore, despite successful cloning of cDNA fragments encoding Ru5P epimerase of several photosynthetic organisms (Kusian et al., 1992; Nowitzki et al., 1995; Teige et al., 1995), to our knowledge high-level heterologous expression and purification of enzymically active recombinant enzyme have not been achieved. Because of our interest in the regulation of photosynthetic carbon assimilation and the requisite need for ample supplies of the participant enzymes for use in mechanistic studies, we have attempted to optimize the heterologous expression of the spinach gene for Ru5P epimerase. In this paper we report cDNA clones that encode the mature chloroplastic enzyme or its cytoplasmic precursor. We also describe an efficient isolation procedure for the mature spinach enzyme synthesized in Escherichia coli and some of the properties of the purified enzyme. Contrasting features of the plant Ru5P epimerase, relative to the animal and yeast counterparts, include an octameric rather than a dimeric structure (also see Teige et al., 1998) and striking instability under routine laboratory conditions.     

Focus: 50 Years of DNA Repair: The Yale Symposium Reports: Early Days of DNA Repair: Discovery of Nucleotide Excision Repair and Homology-Dependent Recombinational Repair

The discovery of nucleotide excision repair in 1964 showed that DNA could be repaired by a mechanism that removed the damaged section of a strand and replaced it accurately by using the remaining intact strand as the template. This result showed that DNA could be actively metabolized in a process that had no precedent. In 1968, experiments describing postreplication repair, a process dependent on homologous recombination, were reported. The authors of these papers were either at Yale University or had prior Yale connections. Here we recount some of the events leading to these discoveries and consider the impact on further research at Yale and elsewhere.