Reactions of PTIO and carboxy-PTIO with *NO, *NO2, and O2-*

Nitronyl nitroxides, such as derivatives of 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5,-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide (PTIOs), react with *NO to form the corresponding imino nitroxides (PTIs) and *NO2. PTIOs are considered as monitors of *NO, stoichiometric sources of *NO2, biochemical and physiological effectors, specific tools for the elimination of *NO, and potential therapeutic agents. However, a better understanding of the chemical properties of PTIOs, especially following their reaction with *NO, is necessary to resolve many of the reported discrepancies surrounding the effects of PTIOs and to better characterize their potential therapeutic activity. We have generated electrochemically the oxidized and reduced forms of PTIO and carboxy-PTIO (C-PTIO), characterized their absorption spectra, and determined the reduction potentials for the oxoammonium/nitroxide and nitroxide/hydroxylamine couples. The rate constants for the reaction of *NO2 with PTIO and C-PTIO to form the corresponding oxoammonium cations (PTIO+s) and nitrite were determined to be (1.5 - 2) x 10(7) m-1 s-1. We have also shown that the reactions of PTIO+s with *NO form PTIOs and NO2-. The rate constants for these reactions are approximately 30-fold higher than those for the reactions of PTIOs with *NO or O2-*. The present results show that (i) the reaction of PTIOs with *NO forms solely PTIs and NO2- where [NO2-]/[PTI] varies between 1 and 2 depending on the steady-state concentrations of *NO. Consequently, quantitation of *NO is valid only at sufficiently low fluxes of *NO; (ii) the reaction of PTIOs with *NO can be used as a valid source of *NO2 only when the latter is effectively scavenged by an appropriate reductant; and (iii) the formation of peroxynitrite cannot be efficiently inhibited by PTIOs even under relatively low fluxes of *NO and O2-* and millimolar levels of PTIOs.     

Assembly and intracellular trafficking of HLA-B*3501 and HLA-B*3503

Residue 116 of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I heavy chains is an important determinant of assembly, that can influence rates of ER-Golgi trafficking, binding to the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP), tapasin dependence of assembly, and the efficiency and specificity of peptide binding. Here, we investigated assembly and peptide-binding differences between HLA-B*3501(S116) and HLA-B*3503(F116), two alleles differing only at position 116 of the MHC class I heavy chain, that are associated respectively with normal or rapid AIDS progression. A reduced intracellular maturation rate was observed for HLA-B*3503 in HIV-infected and uninfected cells, which correlated with enhanced binding of HLA-B*3503 to TAP. No significant differences in the intrinsic efficiency of in vitro peptide binding by HLA-B*3501 and HLA-B*3503 were measurable with several common peptides or peptide libraries, and both allotypes were relatively tapasin-independent for their assembly. However, thermostability differences between the two allotypes were measurable in a CD4⁺ T cell line. These findings suggest that compared to HLA-B*3501, a reduced intracellular peptide repertoire for HLA-B*3503 could contribute to its slower intracellular trafficking and stronger association with rapid AIDS progression.     

Ethnocentrism and ideology*

Ethnic politics is a paradoxical phenomenon in France. While predominant French ideologies and institutional arrangements reinforce a ‘no ethnic politics’ model, there have been substantive challenges to this traditional model, including changes in state practices, and the political emergence of Franco‐Maghrebis and the immigrant association movement. Using the affaire des foulards [headscarves affair] of 1989 as a case‐study, the article seeks to clarify the ethnic politics paradox in France. I argue that the emergence and configuration of ethnic politics in France are being shaped by a series of constraints. These constraints are reflected in the ways in which the headscarves affair was created, defined, and managed. I suggest that the constraints are rooted not only in French ideologies and institutional arrangements, but also in the ‘nationalist logic’ of contemporary French immigration politics, the integrationist strategies of Franco‐Maghrebi groups, and the immigré perspective of the state and political community.     

Meta-analysis*of*the Response*of*Plant Ecophysiological Variables to Doubled Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations

Eighty-four published papers were synthesized using meta-analysis (a statistical method to summarize the different individual studies under the same subject), with results of the environmental factors (soil water deficit, low soil nitrogen, high temperature and high concentration O3) affecting significantly the response of plant to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Under unstressed condition, the overall effect sizes of twelve ecophysiological variables of C3 plants were negative, other twelve positive. For negative effect group, the first five variables ranked as: stomatal conductance ( g s)> leaf dark respiration rate （Rd）>leaf nitrogen content on a mass basis ( N m)>leaf protein content on a mass basis ( Prm)>leaf nitrogen content on a structural mass basis ( Ns); for positive one, root biomass ( Bt)>shoot biomass ( Bs)>leaf starch content on a mass basis ( St )>light saturated net photosynthetic rate ( A )>total biomass ( Bt). The Bt and A of C3 plants increased 30.01% and 40.36% respectively under unstressed condition, while g s decreased 30.39%.     

通路克隆入门载体pEN-L4~*-PrbcS-~*T-gfp-L3~*的构建及其应用

为了利用通路克隆(Gateway)技术构建一个含有两个目的基因表达盒的植物表达载体,并把目的基因编码的蛋白质定位到转基因植物的叶绿体中,通过定点突变技术,在含有attL4和attL3重组位点的Gateway入门载体pEN-L4-2-L3中产生HindⅢ和XhoⅠ的酶切位点,然后在这两个酶切位点之间插入一个含有1,5-二磷酸核酮糖羧化酶小亚基的光诱导型启动子(PrbcS)及其叶绿体基质定位序列(*T)和绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)报告基因(gfp)的DNA片段,获得pEN-L4*-PrbcS-*T-gfp-L3*入门载体.用该载体和另一个含有attL1和attL2重组位点的入门载体(pENTR*-PrbcS-*T-gus)与Gateway的目的载体pK7 m34GW2-8 m21GW3进行LR重组反应可以构建一个能串联gfp和gus两个报告基因表达盒的植物表达载体pKm-35S-PrbcS-*T-gfp-PROLD-PrbcS-*T-gus,所构建的植物表达载体转化烟草后,gfp和gus基因能插入到转基因烟草的基因组中并正常表达,所表达的GFP蛋白可正确定位到转基因植物的叶绿体中,而GUS蛋白也可以在叶片中表达.利用此表达载体通过一次转化事件不仅可以完成两个目的基因的转化操作,而且还可以利用叶绿体基质定位序列(*T)把PrbcS控制表达的目的蛋白直接定位到转基因植物的叶绿体中.因此pEN-L4*-PrbcS-*T-gfp-L3*入门载体的应用进一步扩大了Gateway技术及植物表达载体的应用范围,为叶绿体基因工程操作提供了一个更方便的技术平台.     

HLA—DRα＊0101、DRβ1＊04051和DRβ1＊07011的分子克隆、测序及空间结构模建

目的：Y国探索HLA（human leukocyte antigens,HLA)不同分子的空间结构差异与功能之间的关系以及结构差异能否对预测造血干细胞移植GVHD（graft-versus-host disease,GVHD)的发生奠定基础。方法：提取人外周血总RNA,RT-PCR扩增HLA——DR等位基因全序,连接、转化大肠杆菌后并测序,将第二外显子氨基酸序列输入微机,通过INTER-NET传送至SWISS-MODELLING蛋白质空间结构模建服务器进行结构模建,结果：本文反转录了2例健康无血缘关系个体的HLA-DR位点基因全序,测序结果与HLA-DRα*0101、DRβ1*04051和DRβ1*07011的公布序列完全一致。对后两者的蛋白质空间结构模建发现它们在空间结构上存在显著差异。结论：对HLA基因位点进行全长测序可以明确判断基因型别;空间结构模建可以直观地辨别HLA不同舂子在空间结构上的差异。这为研究HLA结构与功能的关系以及HLA不完全相合的造血干细胞移植后预测GVHD的研究提供实验基础。     

Cloning and expression of defibrase cDNA from the venom of Gloydius shedaoensis * *

The total RNA was extracted from the venom gland of snake, Gloydius shedaoensis. The defibrase cDNA was amplified by RT-PCR. Assaying the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA allowed the complete amino acid sequence for defibrase of Gloydius shedaoensis to be determined. The defibrase cDNA was inserted into the vector, pPIC 9K, and expressed in Pichia pastoris which then produced 10 mg target protein l^–1.     

The HLA molecules DQA1*0501/B1*0201 and DQA1*0301/B1*0302 share an extensive overlap in peptide binding specificity

Assays to measure the binding capacity of peptides for HLA-DQA1*0501/B*0201 (DQ2.3) and DQA1*0301/B*0302 (DQ3.2) were developed using solubilized MHC molecules purified from EBV-transformed cell lines. These quantitative assays, based on the principle of the inhibition of binding of a high-affinity radiolabeled ligand, were validated by examining the binding capacity of known DQ-restricted epitopes or ligands. The availability of these assays allowed an investigation of patterns of cross-reactivity between different DQ molecules and with various common DR molecules. DQ2.3 and DQ3.2 were found to have significantly overlapping peptide binding repertoires. Specifically, of 13 peptides that bound either DQ2.3 or DQ3.2, nine (69.2%) bound both. The molecular basis of this high degree of cross-reactivity was further investigated with panels of single substitution analogs of the thyroid peroxidase 632-645Y epitope. It was found that DQ2.3 and DQ3.2 bind the same ligands by using similar anchor residues but different registers. These data suggest that in analogy to what was previously described for HLA-DR molecules, HLA-DQ supertypes characterized by largely overlapping binding repertoires can be defined. In light of the known linkage of both HLA-DQ2.3 and -DQ3.2 with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and celiac disease, these results might have important implications for understanding HLA class II autoimmune disease associations.     

Linnaeus,animals and man*

Linnaeus is often undervalued as a zoologist. His importance lies not only in the introduction of binomial nomenclature and his Systema Naturae. As a systematist he divided the insects into the groups, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Neuroptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera and Aptera. His programme, as expressed in his Methodus in Systema Naturae (1st ed.) is astounding in its biological manysidedness. He was before his time in many respects: he wrote and lectured upon bird migration, biological control of insects with their parasites or predators, protective mimicry, the struggle by all organisms for survival, contagious diseases as well as fermentation due to small living particles. He was the first to call attention to the close relationship between man and the anthropoid apes.     

Rationality, biology and optimality*

A historical theory of rational norms claims that, if we are supposed to think rationally, this is because it is biologically normal for us to do so. The historical theorist is committed to the view that we are supposed to think rationally only if, in the past, adult humans sometimes thought rationally. I consider whether there is any plausible model of rational norms that can be adopted by the historical theorist that is compatible with the claim that adult human beings are subject to rational norms, given certain plausible empirical assumptions about our history and capabilities. I suggest that there is one such model: this model centres on the idea that a procedure is rational if it has been endorsed (or at least not rejected) by mechanisms that have the function to ensure that the subject learns to reason in a way that approaches a certain kind of optimality. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Book Reviews*

Book reviewed in this article: Time Before Morning: Art and Myth of the Australian Aboriginals. By Louis B. Allen. Rigby Thai Peasant Social Structure. By Jack M. Potter Leadership in Fiji. By R. R. Nayacakalou. Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 1975. Pp. ix + 170. Foreword by Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara; Introductory Note by R. G. Crooombe Blood is Their Argument. By Mervyn Meggitt The Past and Future People. By Romola McSwain Transactions in Kinship. Adoption and Fosterage in Oceania. Edited by Ivan Brady The Friar Estates of the Philippines. By D. M. Roth     

Book Reviews*

Book reviewed in this article: Sunda and Sahul: Prehistoric Studies in Southeast Asia, Melanesia and Australia. Edited by J. Allen, J. Golson and R. Jones Kinship in Bali. By Hildred and Clifford Geertz The Anthropological Romance of Bali 1597–1972. By James A. Boon The Realm of the Extra-Human: Ideas and Actions. Edited by Agehananda Bharati The Realm of the—Extra-Human. Agents and Audiences. Edited by Agehananda Bharati The Demystification of Yap. Dialectics of Culture on a Micronesian Island. By David Labby South Indian Factory Workers: Their Life and Their World. By Mark Holström Mass Society and Political Conflict: Towards a Reconstruction of Theory. By Sandor Halebsky Kapingamarangi Lexicon. By Michael D. Lieber and Kalio H. Dikepa The Biology of Human Action. By Vernon Reynolds. W. H. Freeman The Origin of the Australians. Edited by R. L. Kirk and A. G. Thorne Paleopathological Diagnosis and Interpretation. Bone Diseases in Ancient Populations. By R. Ted Steinbock. Charles C. Thomas Urbanization in the Middle East. By V. F. Costello Archaeology and Anthropology: Areas of Mutual Interest. Edited by M. Spriggs Explorations in Ethnoarchaeology. Edited by R. A. Gould A Guide to Chinese Cuisine and Restaurants of Taiwan. By Holly Richardson Donovan     

Book Reviews*

Book reviewed in this article: Karavar: Masks and Power in a Melanesian Ritual. By Frederick Karl Errington. Tribes and Boundaries in Australia. Edited by Nicholas Peterson. Bengali Women. By Manisha Roy. World Conqueror and World Renouncer: A Study of Buddhism and Polity in Thailand Against a Historical Background. By S. J. Tambiah. Monks and Magic: An Analysis of Religious Ceremonies in Central Thailand. By B. J. Terwiel. Woman Cross Culturally: Change and Challenge. Edited by Ruby Rohrlich-Leavitt. War. Its Causes and Correlates. Edited by M. A. Nettleship, R. D. Givens and A. Nettleship. Discussions on War and Human Aggression. Edited by R. D. Givens and M. A. Nettleship. Transaction and Meaning. Directions in the Anthropology of Exchange and Symbolic Behaviour. Edited by Bruce Kapferer. Population, Ecology and Social Evolution. Edited by Steven Polgar. Yüan Porcelain and Stoneware. By Margaret Medley. The Art of Easter Island. By Thor Heyerdahl. The Lapita Pottery Style in Fiji and its Associations, By S. M. Mead, Lawrence Birks, Helen Birks and Elizabeth Shaw. People of the Eland. By Patricia Vinnicombe. The Cache River Archaeological Project: An Experiment in Contract Archaeology. Assembled by M. B. Schiffer and John H. House. Human Origins. Louis Leakey and the East African Evidence. Edited by G. LI. Isaac and E. R. McCown. Earliest Man and Environments in the Lake Rudolf Basin. Stratigraphy, Palaeoecology, and Evolution. Edited by Y. Coppens, F. C. Howell, G. LI. Isaac and R. E. F. Leakey. After the Australopithecines. Stratigraphy, Ecology and Culture in the Middle Pleistocene. Edited by K. W. Butzer and G. LI. Isaac. Archaeological Atlas of the World. By David and Ruth Whitehouse. Çatal Hüyük in Perspective. By Ian A. Todd. Black Viewpoints, The Aboriginal Experience. Edited by Colin Tatz.     

Book Reviews*

Book reviewed in this article: Contention and Dispute: Aspects of Law and Social Control in Melanesia. Edited by A. L. Epstein The Pacific in Transition. Geographical perspectives in adaptation and change. Edited by Harold Brookfield Micronesia at the Crossroads: A Reappraisal of the Micronesian Dilemma. By Carl Heine. The Marquesan Journal of Edward Robarts 1797–1824. Edited by Greg Dening. Thunder from the Sea. By Willowdean Chatterson Handy Maori Death Customs. By R. S. Oppenheim, A. H. and A. W. Reed, Wellington Aborigines in the Northern Territory Cattle Industry. By Frank Stevens Realities of Race. An Analysis of the Concepts of Race and Racism and their Relevance to Australian Society. By Keith R. McConnochie The Industrialists and the Aborigines. A Study of Aboriginal Employment in the Australian Mining Industry. By Peter H. Rogers. Down Among the Wild Men. A Narrative Journey of fifteen years pursuing the Old Stone Age Aborigines of Australia. By John Greenway Tales of a Revolution. By Abu Hanifah Rice Farming in Taiwan: Three Village Studies. By Sung-hsing Wang and Raymond Apthorpe Piman Shamanism and Staying Sickness (Ká:cim Mûmkidag). By Donald M. Bahr, Juan Gregorio, David I. Lopez, Albert Alvarez Research Design in Anthropology. By John A. Brim and David H. Spain. Holt, Rinehart and Winston An Introduction to Sociology. By J. E. Goldthorpe. Leo Frobenius-An Anthology. Edited by Eike Haberland Field Archaeology in Britain. By John Coles Die Tasmanier; Versuch einer ethnographischhistorischen Rekonstruktion. By Gisela Völger. Archaeological Excavations of Fortified Sites on Taveuni, Fiji. By Everett Lloyd Frost Evolution of the Genus Homo. By W. Howells Fossil Man, an Evolutionary Journey. By F. E. Poirier. Perspectives on Human Evolution 2. Edited by S. L. Washburn and P. Dolhinow. Holt, Rinehart and Winston Human Evolution, Readings in Physical Anthropology. Edited by N. Korn. Holt, Rinehart and Winston Man in Evolutionary Perspective. Edited by C. L. Brace and J. Metress. John Wiley and Sons. Elements of Human and Social Geography. By Eric Sunderland. The Dyirbal Language of North Queensland. By R. M. W. Dixon