Longitudinal Assessment of Immature-to-Adult Ratios in Two Groups of Costa Rican Alouatta palliata

We used immature-to-adult female ratios (IFR), which indicate replacement rates, to assess changes in and viabilities of nonhuman primate groups and populations. Heltne et al. (1975) concluded that the howling monkey (Alouatta palliata) population at La Pacifica (Guanacaste, Costa Rica) was declining, as the IFR was <1.5, the ratio thought needed for a sustainable population. Our population surveys of 1984, 1991, and 1998 revealed that the number of monkeys in the population was stable, but the number of groups had increased and mean group size decreased. To examine these group-level changes, we present the IFR and immature-to-adult (IAR) ratios for La Pacifica Groups 2 and 18, which we have studied longitudinally for 18 and 10 years, respectively. Group 2 was larger than Group 18, but both groups showed similar mean IFRs for the study periods. The mean IFR for each group exceeded the population IFR. The annual IFRs varied more in the smaller group than in the larger group, and the IARs for these groups varied more than the IFRs did. All annual IFRs in the groups were below the hypothesized critical value of 1.5. Given these group and population values, we examined this critical IFR value with respect to mantled howler life history characteristics, particularly interbirth intervals and juvenile emigration, both of which preclude ratios 1.5, and compared the La Pacifica mantled howler population ratios with those of other populations. Group size, in conjunction with these ratios, might be more predictive of sustainable groups and populations.     

Crystal structure of isoflavone reductase from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Isoflavonoids play important roles in plant defense and exhibit a range of mammalian health-promoting activities. Isoflavone reductase (IFR) specifically recognizes isoflavones and catalyzes a stereospecific NADPH-dependent reduction to (3R)-isoflavanone. The crystal structure of Medicago sativa IFR with deletion of residues 39-47 has been determined at 1.6A resolution. Structural analysis, molecular modeling and docking, and comparison with the structures of other NADPH-dependent enzymes, defined the putative binding sites for co-factor and substrate and potential key residues for enzyme activity and substrate specificity. Further mutagenesis has confirmed the role of Lys144 as a catalytic residue. This study provides a structural basis for understanding the enzymatic mechanism and substrate specificity of IFRs as well as the functions of IFR-like proteins.     

Far infra-red therapy promotes ischemia-induced angiogenesis in diabetic mice and restores high glucose-suppressed endothelial progenitor cell functions

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Far infra-red (IFR) therapy was shown to exert beneficial effects in cardiovascular system, but effects of IFR on endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) and EPC-related vasculogenesis remain unclear. We hypothesized that IFR radiation can restore blood flow recovery in ischemic hindlimb in diabetic mice by enhancement of EPCs functions and homing process.Materials and methodsStarting at 4 weeks after the onset of diabetes, unilateral hindlimb ischemia was induced in streptozotocine (STZ)-induced diabetic mice, which were divided into control and IFR therapy groups (n = 6 per group). The latter mice were placed in an IFR dry sauna at 34[DEGREE SIGN]C for 30 min once per day for 5 weeks. RESULTS: Doppler perfusion imaging demonstrated that the ischemic limb/normal side blood perfusion ratio in the thermal therapy group was significantly increased beyond that in controls, and significantly greater capillary density was seen in the IFR therapy group. Flow cytometry analysis showed impaired EPCs (Sca-1+/Flk-1+) mobilization after ischemia surgery in diabetic mice with or without IFR therapy (n = 6 per group). However, as compared to those in the control group, bone marrow-derived EPCs differentiated into endothelial cells defined as GFP+/CD31+ double-positive cells were significantly increased in ischemic tissue around the vessels in diabetic mice that received IFR radiation. In in-vitro studies, cultured EPCs treated with IFR radiation markedly augmented high glucose-impaired EPC functions, inhibited high glucose-induced EPC senescence and reduced H2O2 production. Nude mice received human EPCs treated with IFR in high glucose medium showed a significant improvement in blood flow recovery in ischemic limb compared to those without IFR therapy. IFR therapy promoted blood flow recovery and new vessel formation in STZ-induced diabetic mice. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of IFR therapy promoted collateral flow recovery and new vessel formation in STZ-induced diabetic mice, and these beneficial effects may derive from enhancement of EPC functions and homing process.     

A maize gene encoding an NADPH binding enzyme highly homologous to isoflavone reductases is activated in response to sulfur starvation.

we isolated a novel gene that is selectively induced both in roots and shoots in response to sulfur starvation. This gene encodes a cytosolic, monomeric protein of 33 kD that selectively binds NADPH. The predicted polypeptide is highly homologous ( > 70%) to leguminous isoflavone reductases (IFRs), but the maize protein (IRL for isoflavone reductase-like) belongs to a novel family of proteins present in a variety of plants. Anti-IRL antibodies specifically recognize IFR polypeptides, yet the maize protein is unable to use various isoflavonoids as substrates. IRL expression is correlated closely to glutathione availability: it is persistently induced in seedlings whose glutathione content is about fourfold lower than controls, and it is down-regulated rapidly when control levels of glutathione are restored. This glutathione-dependent regulation indicates that maize IRL may play a crucial role in the establishment of a thiol-independent response to oxidative stress under glutathione shortage conditions.     

A high-performance liquid chromatography method for the analysis of intermediates of the deoxyxylulose phosphate pathway

A sensitive and versatile ion pair radio high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the investigation of the deoxyxylulose phosphate (DXP) pathway has been developed, allowing the simultaneous separation of phosphorylated, nonphosphorylated, and nucleotide moieties bearing intermediates. Moreover, this method addresses the problem of separating the isomers isopentenyl diphosphate (IDP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMADP). Because the majority of the intermediates of this isoprenoid pathway lack a chromophore, the combination with an on-line radiodetector provides a highly sensitive tool for their detection. Chromoplasts isolated from Capsicum annuum and Narcissus pseudonarcissus served as model systems for the testing of the analytical procedures after the application of radiolabeled precursors. This HPLC system, which represents an improvement in analytical methods developed for the analysis of the mevalonic acid pathway, should be easily adaptable to other plant and bacterial systems and should permit further elucidation of the regulatory mechanisms that control the flow of intermediates through the DXP pathway and the coordination with related metabolic pathways. Moreover, the system can serve as an analytical tool in the screening for inhibitors of this pathway, allowing the development of new antibiotics as well as herbicides, because this pathway is absent in vertebrates.     

A Hybrid Analytical/Numerical Model for the Characterization of Preferential Flow Path with Non-Darcy Flow

Due to the long-term fluid-solid interactions in waterflooding, the tremendous variation of oil reservoir formation parameters will lead to the widespread evolution of preferential flow paths, thereby preventing the further enhancement of recovery efficiency because of unstable fingering and premature breakthrough. To improve oil recovery, the characterization of preferential flow paths is essential and imperative. In efforts that have been previously documented, fluid flow characteristics within preferential paths are assumed to obey Darcy''s equation. However, the occurrence of non-Darcy flow behavior has been increasingly suggested. To examine this conjecture, the Forchheimer number with the inertial coefficient estimated from different empirical formulas is applied as the criterion. Considering a 10% non-Darcy effect, the fluid flow in a preferential path may do experience non-Darcy behavior. With the objective of characterizing the preferential path with non-Darcy flow, a hybrid analytical/numerical model has been developed to investigate the pressure transient response, which dynamically couples a numerical model describing the non-Darcy effect of a preferential flow path with an analytical reservoir model. The characteristics of the pressure transient behavior and the sensitivities of corresponding parameters have also been discussed. In addition, an interpretation approach for pressure transient testing is also proposed, in which the Gravitational Search Algorithm is employed as a non-linear regression technology to match measured pressure with this hybrid model. Examples of applications from different oilfields are also presented to illustrate this method. This cost-effective approach provides more accurate characterization of a preferential flow path with non-Darcy flow, which will lay a solid foundation for the design and operation of conformance control treatments, as well as several other Enhanced Oil Recovery projects.     

Study of patients' psychological attitudes to a coronary care unit

Seventy-four consecutive male patients aged 38 to 63 years were admitted to a coronary care unit with their first myocardial infarction. Their attitude to the unit was studied by interview and personality tests. Only six patients found the unit anxiety-provoking. Dependency feelings were found to occur frequently, both after transfer from the unit to the general wards and after discharge from hospital. It is suggested that the weaning process from the unit should be gradual and that at least one follow-up outpatient appointment should be arranged, as well as good liaison between the family doctor and the hospital.     

Centromere and kinetochore structure.

Recent studies have begun to yield some insight into the structural and regulatory components of centromeres, and new assays have been developed that promise to be of use in advancing our understanding of centromere structure and function. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae new proteins that are required for centromere function have been identified and an in vitro microtubule-binding assay that should assist in dissecting the process of centromere microtubule attachment has been developed. The centromere-specific DNA sequences in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe have been identified and partially characterized. In addition, several mammalian centromere proteins have been further characterized, and localization and inhibition studies suggest roles for these proteins in the regulation and assembly of a functional kinetochore.     

CARE OF CEREBRAL-PALSIED CHILDREN—The Special Role of Pediatricians

Because the cerebral-palsied child is also a growing person whose development should be encouraged along as normal a course as possible, the pediatrician may well take the lead in coordinating orthopedic, psychiatric, educational and vocational services for such children. In El Centro this policy has been followed in a school for handicapped children serving 30 with cerebral palsy, 15 of them pupils at the school. Those with sufficient intelligence and milder physical handicap attend a regular public school, while others are unable to attend even the special school.Emphasis has been placed on working with children who are less seriously affected. As to children with severe neuromuscular and intellectual handicap, the chief effort is to prevent contractures and maintain function. The pediatrician confers monthly with all workers concerned with the child, and maintains liaison with the family physician who treats acute illnesses, including palsy seizures. Special effort has been made to investigate family circumstances such as foreign background which make it more difficult to evaluate the palsied child''s true capabilities.     

Crystal structures of pinoresinol-lariciresinol and phenylcoumaran benzylic ether reductases and their relationship to isoflavone reductases

Despite the importance of plant lignans and isoflavonoids in human health protection (e.g. for both treatment and prevention of onset of various cancers) as well as in plant biology (e.g. in defense functions and in heartwood development), systematic studies on the enzymes involved in their biosynthesis have only recently begun. In this investigation, three NADPH-dependent aromatic alcohol reductases were comprehensively studied, namely pinoresinol-lariciresinol reductase (PLR), phenylcoumaran benzylic ether reductase (PCBER), and isoflavone reductase (IFR), which are involved in central steps to the various important bioactive lignans and isoflavonoids. Of particular interest was in determining how differing regio- and enantiospecificities are achieved with the different enzymes, despite each apparently going through similar enone intermediates. Initially, the three-dimensional x-ray crystal structures of both PLR_Tp1 and PCBER_Pt1 were solved and refined to 2.5 and 2.2 A resolutions, respectively. Not only do they share high gene sequence similarity, but their structures are similar, having a continuous alpha/beta NADPH-binding domain and a smaller substrate-binding domain. IFR (whose crystal structure is not yet obtained) was also compared (modeled) with PLR and PCBER and was deduced to have the same overall basic structure. The basis for the distinct enantio-specific and regio-specific reactions of PCBER, PLR, and IFR, as well as the reaction mechanism and participating residues involved (as identified by site-directed mutagenesis), are discussed.     

Coronary atherosclerosis and somatic mutations: an overview of the contributive factors for oxidative DNA damage

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multifactorial process that appears to be caused by the interaction of environmental risk factors with multiple predisposing genes. Genetic research on CAD has traditionally focused on investigation aimed at identifying disease-susceptibility genes. Recent evidence suggests that somatically acquired DNA mutations may also contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of the disease, underlining the similarity between atherosclerotic and carcinogenic processes. The generation of oxidative stress has been emphasized as an important cause of DNA damage in atherosclerosis. This review highlights some of the major atherogenic risk factors as likely mediators in the oxidative modification of DNA. It also examines the hypothesis that an increase in oxidative stress may derive from "oxidatively" damaged mitochondria. Accordingly, further research in this field should be given high priority, since increased somatic DNA damage could be an important pathogenic factor and an additional prognostic predictor, as well as a potential target for therapeutic strategies in coronary artery disease.     

Care of cerebral-palsied children; the special role of pediatricians

Because the cerebral-palsied child is also a growing person whose development should be encouraged along as normal a course as possible, the pediatrician may well take the lead in coordinating orthopedic, psychiatric, educational and vocational services for such children. In El Centro this policy has been followed in a school for handicapped children serving 30 with cerebral palsy, 15 of them pupils at the school. Those with sufficient intelligence and milder physical handicap attend a regular public school, while others are unable to attend even the special school. Emphasis has been placed on working with children who are less seriously affected. As to children with severe neuromuscular and intellectual handicap, the chief effort is to prevent contractures and maintain function. The pediatrician confers monthly with all workers concerned with the child, and maintains liaison with the family physician who treats acute illnesses, including palsy seizures. Special effort has been made to investigate family circumstances such as foreign background which make it more difficult to evaluate the palsied child's true capabilities.     

Biotransformation of an exogenously supplied isoflavonoid by transgenic tobacco cells expressing alfalfa isoflavone reductase

Isoflavone reductase (IFR) from alfalfa catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of 2'-hydroxy isoflavones to 2'-hydroxyisoflavanones such as vestitone, thereby performing a key step in isoflavonoid phytoalexin biosynthesis. Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Xanthi) was transformed with an alfalfa cDNA encoding IFR regulated by an enhanced cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter and used to generate cell suspension cultures. Transformed cells expressed high levels of IFR activity and could take up 2'-hydroxyformononetin (2'OHF; IFR substrate) and convert it to vestitone. Both 2'OHF and vestitone were each converted to two sugar conjugates. The structure of the most abundant vestitone conjugate was determined using NMR spectroscopic analysis to be a novel vestitone 2'-O-glucoside. Liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) indicated that the molecular weights of the three less abundant conjugates were consistent with hexose conjugates of vestitone and 2'OHF. The IFR reduction and conjugation reactions were complete within 4 h, with the net percentage conversion of 2'OHF to vestitone ranging as high as 60%.     

The automated multiparameter analyzer for cells (AMAC) IIA, a true bridge circuit Coulter-type electronic cell volume transducer.

A true bridge Coulter effect (electronic cell volume) transducer has been developed. All resistances of this bridge are now the result of current flow through saline channels. Contamination by electrode products including gas bubbles has been completely eliminated since both power electrodes are now remote from the flow chamber. Since the orifice is in series with an approximately 10 K ohm resistance generated by a gel-filled capillary and a displacement rheostat, it floats electrically, at virtual ground. The other side of the bridge consists of a fluid side-wire. Removing the power electrode from the orifice outlet makes possible downward flow and the use of a single outer sheath, and eliminates noise generated by gas bubbles which could possibly be trapped. It should now be possible to combine this design with that of the AMAC III square orifice, to produce an electro-optical sorter where all parameters are measured simultaneously. This true bridge circuit possesses the further advantage that noise due both to the power supply and to overvoltage at the power electrodes is common-mode rejected, and any drift due to changes in electrode polarization is eliminated. Preliminary experiments confirm results with the AMAC II that hemoglobinopathies can be recognized by the increased coefficient of variation (CV) of the erythrocyte spectra.     

Pulsatile flow of Casson's fluid through stenosed arteries with applications to blood flow

The effects of non-Newtonian nature of blood and pulsatility on flow through a stenosed tube have been investigated. A perturbation method is used to analyse the flow. It is of interest to note that the thickness of the viscous flow region is non-uniform (changing with axial distance). An analytic relation between viscous flow region thickness and red cell concentration has been obtained. It is important to mention that some researchers have obtained an approximate solution for the flow rate-pressure gradient equation (assuming the ratio between the yield stress and the wall shear to be very small in comparison to unity); in the present analysis, we have obtained an exact solution for this non-linear equation without making that assumption. The approximate and exact solutions compare well with one of the exact solutions. Another important result is that the mean and steady flow rates decrease as the yield stress theta increases. For the low values of the yield stress, the mean flow rate is higher than the steady flow rate, but for high values of the yield stress, the mean flow rate behaviour is of opposite nature. The critical value of the yield stress at which the flow rate behaviour changes from one type to another has been determined. Further, it seems that there exists a value of the yield stress at which flow stops for both the flows (steady and pulsatile). It is observed that the flow stop yield value for pulsatile flow is lower than the steady flow. The most notable result of pulsatility is the phase lag between the pressure gradient and flow rate, which is further influenced by the yield stress and stenosis. Another important result of pulsatility is the mean resistance to flow is greater than its steady flow value, whereas the mean value of the wall shear for pulsatile flow is equal to steady wall shear. Many standard results regarding Casson and Newtonian fluids flow, uniform tube flow and steady flow can be obtained as the special cases of the present analysis. Finally, some applications of this theoretical analysis have been cited.     

Characterization of downflow hanging sponge reactors with regard to structure,process function,and microbial community compositions

The activated sludge (AS) process has been the most widely used process for wastewater treatment despite it has several limitations for its further application and adoption worldwide, owing to unsustainable properties such as high-energy consumption and the production of large amount of excess sludge. To overcome the drawbacks of the AS process, the downflow hanging sponge (DHS) has been developed as an energy-saving and easy-to-maintain alternative. To date, six types of different sponge configurations have been developed and their performances have been evaluated in practical- to full-scale DHS reactors. A large number of studies have been carried out in order to enhance the performance and expand the application fields of the DHS. Transition of this process to the deployment and diffusion stage from the research and development phase is now ongoing in India and Egypt as well as in Japan. Under this situation, concise and state-of-the art review is important for enhancing DHS research and future applications. Herein, we summarize and present the DHS concerning the history of development, the mechanism of treatment, recent studies on its use in the field of wastewater treatment, and the features of microbial community structure.