Sex- and strain-dependent hepatic microsomal ethylmorphine N-demethylation in mice: the roles of type I binding and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase

The roles of type I binding and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase in ethylmorphine demethylation were investigated in two strains of mice, using sex differences in these activities as a tool. In the CPB-SE strain, females metabolize ethylmorphine faster than males. Sex differences in cytochrome P-450 content and endogenous NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase activity were too small to account for this. On the other hand, the differences in the magnitudes of type I spectra and ethylmorphine-induced enhancement of cytochrome P-450 reduction were considerable larger than those in the rates of demethylation. All parameters, except endogenous cytochrome P-450 reduction, were modified in a similar way by testosterone pretreatment: in females they were depressed to the male level, whereas in males they remained unchanged. Castration had no effect in females and enhanced the activities in males. The CPB-V strain exhibited little or no sex differences in ethylmorphine demethylation, cytochrome P-450 content and endogenous cytochrome P-450 reduction. Testosterone pretreatment had little or no influence on these activities. Type I binding and reductase stimulation, however, showed sex differences, comparable to those observed in the CPB-SE strain, which were also abolished by testosterone. A relationship between reductase stimulation and type I binding was observed, which was, apparently, independent of sex or strain. It is concluded that androgen primarily influences the amount of cytochrome P-450-substrate complex formed, but that the reduction of this complex is not rate-limiting in the demethylation of ethylmorphine.     

The effect of corticosteroids upon the number and organ distribution of "background" immunoglobulin-secreting cells in mice

The influence of the synthetic corticosteroid dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DEXA) upon the immunoglobulin (Ig)-secreting cells was studied in not intentionally immunized BALB/c mice. This was done for IgM-, IgG-, and IgA-secreting cells in spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and bone marrow (BM). A single injection of DEXA (16 to 144 mg/kg body wt) markedly reduced the number of Ig-secreting cells in spleen and MLN within 1 day, but hardly affected their number in the BM. The decrease was immediately followed by a recovery and, at the highest doses and especially in MLN, by an overshoot. Two weeks after the initial decrease a second decrease was found. When mice were subjected to daily treatment with DEXA during 1 week, initially a recovery pattern was found in spleen and MLN similar to that found after a single injection of a high dose. In this case, however, the effects were less dose dependent, and the overshoot reaction was followed by a period of subnormal numbers of Ig-secreting cells which lasted at least 1 week. This late effect of DEXA not only occurred in spleen and MLN, but also in the BM. The most prominent effect of daily treatment with DEXA was the long-lasting decrease of the number of IgG-secreting cells starting 1 week after withdrawal of treatment. This decrease was associated with a severely decreased serum IgG level.     

Genetic construction between polycystic ovarian syndrome and type 2 diabetes

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in reproductive-aged women is identified to be one of the endocrine disorders. This heterogeneous disorder is categorized through oligo-anovulation and hyperandrogenemia. National institutes of health and Rotterdam criterions were used to diagnose PCOS women. Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is one of the complications in PCOS which is connected through insulin resistance (IR), which is a condition in which liver, muscles and fat infrequently respond to the hormones, and this leads to extreme IR and consequently leads to T2D disease. PCOS is inherited by the autosomal dominant mode of inheritance and may also with the different intricate patterns. Till now, many studies have been performed in PCOS with the genes identified by T2D and till now no studies have shown the similar genetic association and pathophysiology between both the diseases. So, the current review aims to investigate the genetic relation between PCOS and T2D and why both the diseases cannot be reverted. In this review, published data were screened with the T2D related genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms in PCOS women. The case-control, hospital-based and meta-analysis molecular studies disclosed both positive and negative connotations. Genetically, no relationship has been established between PCOS and T2D. Maximum studies have shown as PCOS women had developed T2D later in life because as a risk-factor, but none of the studies documented T2D women having developed PCOS as a risk factor. Apart from this, the disease PCOS is developed in women with reproductive age and T2D develops in both the men and women during adulthood. This review concludes as there is a genetic relation only in between PCOS and T2D, but not with T2D to PCOS and further it cannot be explicitly reverted from T2D to PCOS.     

Polynuclear iron compounds in human transferrin preparations

During commonly used saturation procedures of transferrin with iron compounds, both as ferri and ferrous, polynuclear iron compounds are easily formed, even when nitrilotriacetate (NTA) is used as a strong iron ligand. The presence of these nonspecific bound irons is demonstrated with Mossbauer spectroscopy and with electronic optical spectroscopy. But no evidence, however, has been found of two different iron binding sites. Because dialysis is not able to remove all polynuclear iron, an easy method with gel filtration has been developed that does remove the polynuclear iron. Some notes are made about the often used method, in transferrin biochemistry, of saturation determination, i.e. the quotient of the absorbances of 470 and 280 nm.     

Schistosoma mansoni does not and cannot oxidise fatty acids,but these are used for biosynthetic purposes instead

Adult schistosomes, parasitic flatworms that cause the tropical disease schistosomiasis, have always been considered to be homolactic fermenters and, in their energy metabolism, strictly dependent on carbohydrates. However, more recent studies suggested that fatty acid β-oxidation is essential for egg production by adult female Schistosoma mansoni. To address this conundrum, we performed a comprehensive study on the lipid metabolism of S. mansoni. Incubations with [¹⁴C]-labelled fatty acids demonstrated that adults, eggs and miracidia of S. mansoni did not oxidise fatty acids, as no ¹⁴CO₂ production could be detected. We then re-examined the S. mansoni genome using the genes known to be involved in fatty acid oxidation in six eukaryotic model reference species. This showed that the earlier automatically annotated genes for fatty acid oxidation were in fact incorrectly annotated. In a further analysis we could not detect any genes encoding β-oxidation enzymes, which demonstrates that S. mansoni cannot use this pathway in any of its lifecycle stages. The same was true for Schistosoma japonicum and all other schistosome species that have been sequenced. Absence of β-oxidation, however, does not imply that fatty acids from the host are not metabolised by schistosomes. Adult schistosomes can use and modify fatty acids from their host for biosynthetic purposes and incorporate those in phospholipids and neutral lipids. Female worms deposit large amounts of these lipids in the eggs they produce, which explains why interference with the lipid metabolism in females will disturb egg formation, even though fatty acid β-oxidation does not occur in schistosomes. Our analyses of S. mansoni further revealed that during the development and maturation of the miracidium inside the egg, changes in lipid composition occur which indicate that fatty acids deposited in the egg by the female worm are used for phospholipid biosynthesis required for membrane formation in the developing miracidium.     

Mapping transition potential with stakeholder- and policy-driven scenarios in Rotterdam City

This paper introduces a mapping approach to identify hot- and hard-spots for sustainability transition in cities by analyzing different stakeholder- and policy-driven land-use scenarios in Rotterdam City, the Netherlands. Rotterdam's sustainability office initiated a knowledge co-production process in which visions and transition pathways for the sustainable and resilient future of Rotterdam, considering existing challenges and opportunities, were co-created. These scenarios were analyzed using a straightforward scenario approach to spatially identify, map and analyze change. By mapping change, trade-offs and synergies between different land-use options among the scenarios, this study disentangles the complexity of a stakeholder co-production process and is able to discover crucial transition areas. Furthermore, multiple urban ecosystem services were valued for each scenario, and environmental impacts could be detected for all of the different visions. The mapping approach applied is a good method to communicate the consequences of induced land-use change back to stakeholders and decision-makers and thus contributes to the visual loop of real co-design. Identifying the hot-spots of change enables attention to be drawn to the most rewarding areas for transition, and moreover, it shows areas in which different visions are not conflicting but rather cross-benefiting each other. Additionally, hard-spots or areas in which existing visions contradict each other show that careful mediation and the revision of change options might be the way to go.     

Increased MAPK1/3 Phosphorylation in Luminal Breast Cancer Related with PIK3CA Hotspot Mutations and Prognosis

INTRODUCTION: While mutations in PIK3CA are most frequently (45%) detected in luminal breast cancer, downstream PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activation is predominantly observed in the basal subtype. The aim was to identify proteins activated in PIK3CA mutated luminal breast cancer and the clinical relevance of such a protein in breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression levels of 171 signaling pathway (phospho-)proteins established by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) using reverse phase protein arrays (RPPA) were in silico examined in 361 breast cancers for their relation with PIK3CA status. MAPK1/3 phosphorylation was evaluated with immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays (TMA) containing 721 primary breast cancer core biopsies to explore the relationship with metastasis-free survival. RESULTS: In silico analyses revealed increased phosphorylation of MAPK1/3, p38 and YAP, and decreased expression of p70S6K and 4E–BP1 in PIK3CA mutated compared to wild-type luminal breast cancer. Augmented MAPK1/3 phosphorylation was most significant, i.e. in luminal A for both PIK3CA exon 9 and 20 mutations and in luminal B for exon 9 mutations. In 290 adjuvant systemic therapy naïve lymph node negative (LNN) breast cancer patients with luminal cancer, high MAPK phosphorylation in nuclei (HR = 0.49; 95% CI, 0.25–0.95; P = .036) and in tumor cells (HR = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.18–0.79; P = .010) was related with favorable metastasis-free survival in multivariate analyses including traditional prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Enhanced MAPK1/3 phosphorylation in luminal breast cancer is related to PIK3CA exon-specific mutations and correlated with favorable prognosis especially when located in the nuclei of tumor cells.     

Outmigration pathways of stocked juvenile European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio L., 1758) in the Lower Rhine River,as revealed by telemetry

Working towards a future Rhine Sturgeon Action Plan the outmigration pathways of stocked juvenile European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio L., 1758) were studied in the River Rhine in 2012 and 2015 using the NEDAP Trail system. A total of 87 sturgeon of 3 to 5 years old (n = 43 in 2012, n = 44 in 2015) were implanted with transponders and released in May and June in the river Rhine at the Dutch‐German border, approximately 160 km from the sea. In total three sturgeons (3%) were found dead on river banks within seven days after the release. Based upon their wounds these sturgeons were likely hit by ship‐propellers. Tracking results were obtained from 57 (66%) of the sturgeons, of which 39 (45%) indicated movement into the Port of Rotterdam. Here the sturgeons remained for an average of two weeks, which suggests they spent time to acclimatize to higher salinities before entering the North Sea. Of the 45 (52%) sturgeons that were confirmed to have entered the North Sea, ten (22%) were recaptured (mainly by shrimpers and gill‐nets) close to the Dutch coastline; nine were alive and were released. From the results we obtained the preferred outmigration pathways, movement speeds and an indication of impacting factors (i.e. ship propellers and bycatch). Bycatches provided also localisations information in the coastal area. A next step to complete this work would be to assess habitat selection in freshwater and downstream migration of young of the year (YOY sturgeons) in the Lower Rhine.     

Chlorophyll isolation,structure and function: major landmarks of the early history of research in the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union

This paper covers major events of the early history of chlorophyll research in the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union from 1771 until 1952, when the modern period of studies on photosynthesis began in full swing. Short biographical sketches of key scientists, reviews of their major research contributions and some selected photographs are included. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

巴戟天根的结构及其与蒽醌类化合物积累的关系

应用石蜡切片法、荧光显微镜和紫外分光光度法,对不同年生巴戟天根组织结构的变化进行了观察、对蒽醌类化合物在根中的分布场所及其积累动态进行了研究。结果表明:巴戟天根的结构类似一般多年生草本植物,薄壁细胞是巴戟天根中蒽醌类化合物的分布储存场所,蒽醌类化合物含量随着根生长年限的增加而增加。由以上研究总结出巴戟天以四年或四年以上采收为好,并以根皮厚、木心细者为上品。     

Protein intake regulation in the weanling rat: Effects of additions of lysine,arginine and ammonia on the selection of gluten and energy

The effects of adding lysine, arginine and ammonia to gluten on the self-selection of protein and energy by the weanling rat simultaneously offered a choice of two diets differing only in gluten concentration (15 and 55%) were tested. Previous studies have shown that while lysine (6 g/100 g) additions to gluten decreased the amount of gluten selected by the rat from 40 to 20 g per 100 g of food eaten, selection was not related to the nutritional quality of the gluten. When graded levels of arginine (1.8, 3.6 or 7.2 g/100 g) were added to the gluten with or without lysine (0 or 6 g/100 g) the dietary protein selection was unaffected. The addition of ammonia (1.4 g/100 g as NH₄Cl) to gluten had initially the same effect as lysine (6 g/100 g) but with time protein intake returned to control levels. This effect of ammonia was unaltered by arginine additions. It is concluded that the mechanisms which lead to decreases in gluten selection caused by lysine or ammonia are not similar, and that the effects of lysine on gluten selection are not caused by an increased arginine requirement for urea cycle activity.     

自分泌生长因子对早期胚胎体外发育的影响(简报)

生长因子(Growth Factors,GFs)对于调节哺乳动物胚胎的早期发育和分化起着重要作用,这些GFs存在于雌性生殖道,也可由胚胎自身合成。正是由于这种自分泌GFs的存在,使我们可以通过改变胚胎培养密度或添加外源性GFs来定性或定量研究GFs对胚胎发育和分化的影响,对于了解GFs在分子水平上的作用途径和机制有着重要的意义。     

河南玉兰属两新变种

发表河南玉兰属两新变种,即：①狭被望春玉兰(Yulania biondii (Pamp.) D. L. Fu var. angustitepala D. L. Fu, T. B. Zhao et D. W. Zhao,var. nov.);②椭圆叶罗田玉兰(Y. pilocarpa (Z. Z. Zhao et Z. W. Xie) D. L. Fu var. ellipticifolia D. L. Fu, T. B. Zhao et J. Zhao,var. nov.)。     

刺叶柄棘豆的一个新变型--白花刺叶柄棘豆

描述了棘豆属(豆科)刺叶柄棘豆(Oxytropis acipblla Ledeb．)的一个新变型：白花刺叶柄棘豆O．aciphylla Ledeb．f．albiflora Z．Y．Chang,Z．H．Wu et L．R．Xu。原变型的花冠为红紫色或蓝紫色,而新变型的花冠为白色。     

The effect of intrauterine infusions of prostaglandin E2 on luteal function in nonpregnant gilts

Two trials were conducted to study the effects of intrauterine infusions of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) on luteal function in nonpregnant gilts. Cannulae were surgically implanted on day 9 postestrus into the lumen of each horn with a cephalic vein cannula inserted for collection of peripheral blood. Intrauterine infusions of 0, 25, 75 or 200 mug of PGE(2) were initiated at 0900 h on day 12 and administered thereafter every 12 hr until estrus or day 22 in the first trial. The second trial protocol included an increase in the dose of PGE(2) administered as well as the frequency of infusion. Infusion of 0, 200, 300 or 400 mug PGE(2) was begun at 0300 h on day 12 and continued every 6 hr until estrus or day 22. Cephalic plasma samples for progesterone analysis were collected every six hours from 0300 h on day 11 to 2100 h on day 26 in both trials. In Trial 1 mean plasma progesterone concentrations for all treatments were not different (P>0.05) from the controls on any given day of the estrous cycle. Interestrous interval was unaffected by intrauterine infusion of PGE(2). The mean plasma progesterone concentrations for all treatments were not different (P>0.05) from the controls on days 11-18 of the estrous cycle in Trial 2. However, plasma progesterone concentrations for the 200-mug and 300-mug PGE(2) groups appeared to be greater than the controls on days 14 and 15, indicating a possible delay in the decline of progesterone for these groups. The mean plasma progesterone concentrations for the treatment groups were lower (P<0.05) than the controls on days 20-26 of the cycle. treatment cycle length did not differ (P>0.05) from previous cycle length; thus treatment with PGE(2) had no effect on interestrous interval. PGE(2) may have retarded the decline of progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum in some cases, but at these dosages and frequencies of administration PGE(2) was ineffective in prolonging luteal maintenance.     

Molecular structure for microbial polysaccharides: conformation of the Klebsiella serotype K9 capsular polysaccharide

Fibre type X-ray diffraction patterns have been obtained from oriented, semicrystalline films prepared from the sodium salt form of the bacterial capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella serotype K9. The molecule has a pentasaccharide repeating sequence, with four neutral residues in the backbone and a glucoronic acid side chain. A novel feature of the molecule is the incorporation of α-l-rhamnose residues, one 1,2 linked and two 1,3 linked in the backbone. Analysis of the X-ray diffraction results indicate an extended three-fold helical conformation with an axially projected chemical repeat of 1.377 nm. Both left and right handed helices have been examined using linked atom least squares techniques to optimize the stereochemistry while simultaneously meeting the observed helical parameters.     

A New Family of Entodiniomorph Protozoa from the Marsupial Forestomach, with Descriptions of a New Genus and Five New Species

ABSTRACT. A unique group of entodiniomorph protozoa was found in forestomach contents from quokka ( Setonix brachyurus ), western grey kangaroo ( Macropus fuliginosus ), red kangaroo ( Macropus rufus ) and euro ( Macropus robustus erubescens ). A new genus, Macropodinium n.g., containing five new species, is described. Three species are described from forestomach contents of the quokka: Macropodinium baldense n. sp., Macropodinium moiri n. sp. and Macropodinium setonixum n. sp. A single species, Macropodinium ennuensis n. sp., is described from the red kangaroo and euro. The last species, Macropodinium yalanbense n. sp., is described in forestomach contents from the western grey kangaroo. At least three distinct features in the new genus are incompatible with any of the described families in the order Entodiniomorphida. On this basis, the new family Macropodiniidae has been created.