Immature Dengue Virus: A Veiled Pathogen?

Cells infected with dengue virus release a high proportion of immature prM-containing virions. In accordance, substantial levels of prM antibodies are found in sera of infected humans. Furthermore, it has been recently described that the rates of prM antibody responses are significantly higher in patients with secondary infection compared to those with primary infection. This suggests that immature dengue virus may play a role in disease pathogenesis. Interestingly, however, numerous functional studies have revealed that immature particles lack the ability to infect cells. In this report, we show that fully immature dengue particles become highly infectious upon interaction with prM antibodies. We demonstrate that prM antibodies facilitate efficient binding and cell entry of immature particles into Fc-receptor-expressing cells. In addition, enzymatic activity of furin is critical to render the internalized immature virus infectious. Together, these data suggest that during a secondary infection or primary infection of infants born to dengue-immune mothers, immature particles have the potential to be highly infectious and hence may contribute to the development of severe disease.     

Anti-Müllerian Hormone Recruits BMPR-IA in Immature Granulosa Cells

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a member of the TGF-β superfamily secreted by the gonads of both sexes. This hormone is primarily known for its role in the regression of the Müllerian ducts in male fetuses. In females, AMH is expressed in granulosa cells of developing follicles. Like other members of the TGF-β superfamily, AMH transduces its signal through two transmembrane serine/threonine kinase receptors including a well characterized type II receptor, AMHR-II. The complete signalling pathway of AMH involving Smads proteins and the type I receptor is well known in the Müllerian duct and in Sertoli and Leydig cells but not in granulosa cells. In addition, few AMH target genes have been identified in these cells. Finally, while several co-receptors have been reported for members of the TGF-β superfamily, none have been described for AMH. Here, we have shown that none of the Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) co-receptors, Repulsive guidance molecules (RGMs), were essential for AMH signalling. We also demonstrated that the main Smad proteins used by AMH in granulosa cells were Smad 1 and Smad 5. Like for the other AMH target cells, the most important type I receptor for AMH in these cells was BMPR-IA. Finally, we have identified a new AMH target gene, Id3, which could be involved in the effects of AMH on the differentiation of granulosa cells and its other target cells.     

Immature Male Chimpanzees’ (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) Social Relationships with Adult Males,but Not Peers,Persist into Adulthood

International Journal of Primatology - Highly differentiated and affiliative social relationships are observed in a variety of mammals, including primates, cetaceans, and social carnivores....     

Improvement of Hypoxia–Ischemia-Induced White Matter Injury in Immature Rat Brain by Ethyl Pyruvate

Ethyl pyruvate (EP) has been reported to be neuroprotective in several models of brain injury, yet its influence on periventricular leukomalacia still remains elusive. Here we investigated whether repeated administration of EP could protect against white matter injury after hypoxia–ischemia (HI) (right common carotid artery ligation and 6 % O₂ for 60 min) in post-natal 3 day rat pups. EP was injected (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) 10 min, 1 and 24 h after HI insult. Treatment with EP significantly reduced HI-induced ventricular enlargement, loss of developing oligodendrocytes, and hypomyelination. We further demonstrated a marked inhibitory effect of EP on inflammatory responses, as indicated by the decreased number of activated microglia and astrocytes and the reduced release of proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, EP down-regulated the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, and up-regulated Bcl-2 expression after HI exposure. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that EP was able to provide potent protection on white matter injury through blocking the cerebral inflammatory responses and modulating the apoptotic death program of oligodendrocytes, indicating a potential neuroprotective agent in neonatal brain injury.     

Cell-wall Polysaccharides of Immature Barley Plants. I. Isolation and Characterization of a β-d-Glucan

A β-d-glucan was isolated on fractionation of a 4% potassium hydroxide extract (hemi-celluloses) of immature barley plants (Hordeum distichum L.). Most of the glucose residues in the extract were found to be derived from the glucan. Methylation analysis and enzyme degradation studies showed that the glucan had (l-→3)-and (1-→4)-linked d-glucopyranosyl residues in an approximate molar ratio of 1.0:2.3. The molecular weight of the glucan was estimated to be 1.8 x 10⁵ by gel filtration on Sepharose CL-6B.     

Immature end-plates and utrophin deficiency in congenital myasthenic syndrome caused by ε-AChR subunit truncating mutations

Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are inborn disorders due to presynaptic, synaptic, or postsynaptic defects of neuromuscular transmission. Some previously described kinships with typical signs of CMS showed a marked deficiency of acetylcholine receptors (AChR) and utrophin at the neuromuscular junctions. Additionally, the end-plate ultrastructure was immature, with reduced enfolding of the postsynaptic membrane. In two such families, we found truncating mutations of the epsilon-AChR subunit. In family 1, both affected siblings were heteroallelic for a epsilon911delT and a epsilonIVS4+1G-->A mutation within the AChR epsilon-subunit gene (CHRNE). In the affected member of family 2, a epsilon1030delC mutation and a previously described epsilonR64X mutation were found. These deleterious epsilonAChR mutations not only result in AChR deficiency, but also affect end-plate maturation, including the formation of secondary synaptic clefts during ontogenesis.     

Immature stages of Curculionidae: the ‘rat-tailed’ larva and the pupa of Notonesius aucklandicus (Phrynixinae)

Abstract

The larva and pupa of Notonesius aucklandicus Kuschel, living in saturated peat soil on the Auckland Islands, some 500 km south of New Zealand, are described and figured. The ‘rat-tail’ type of aquatic adaptation in the larva appears to be unique among Coleoptera, although an evolutionary progression towards it can be traced among Indian weevils.     

Disruption to the 5-HT<Subscript>7</Subscript> Receptor Following Hypoxia–Ischemia in the Immature Rodent Brain

It has become increasingly evident the serotonergic (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) system is an important central neuronal network disrupted following neonatal hypoxic–ischemic (HI) insults. Serotonin acts via a variety of receptor subtypes that are differentially associated with behavioural and cognitive mechanisms. The 5-HT₇ receptor is purported to play a key role in epilepsy, anxiety, learning and memory and neuropsychiatric disorders. Furthermore, the 5-HT₇ receptor is highly localized in brain regions damaged following neonatal HI insults. Utilising our well-established neonatal HI model in the postnatal day 3 (P3) rat pup we demonstrated a significant decrease in levels of the 5-HT₇ protein in the frontal cortex, thalamus and brainstem one week after insult. We also observed a relative decrease in both the cytosolic and membrane fractions of 5-HT₇. The 5-HT₇ receptor was detected on neurons throughout the cortex and thalamus, and 5-HT cell bodies in the brainstem. However we found no evidence of 5-HT₇ co-localisation on microglia or astrocytes. Moreover, minocycline treatment did not significantly prevent the HI-induced reductions in 5-HT₇. In conclusion, neonatal HI injury caused significant disruption to 5-HT₇ receptors in the forebrain and brainstem. Yet the use of minocycline to inhibit activated microglia, did not prevent the HI-induced changes in 5-HT₇ expression.     

Sex Differences in Object Manipulation in Wild Immature Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) and Bonobos (Pan paniscus): Preparation for Tool Use?

Sex differences in immatures predict behavioural differences in adulthood in many mammal species. Because most studies have focused on sex differences in social interactions, little is known about possible sex differences in ‘preparation’ for adult life with regards to tool use skills. We investigated sex and age differences in object manipulation in immature apes. Chimpanzees use a variety of tools across numerous contexts, whereas bonobos use few tools and none in foraging. In both species, a female bias in adult tool use has been reported. We studied object manipulation in immature chimpanzees at Kalinzu (Uganda) and bonobos at Wamba (Democratic Republic of Congo). We tested predictions of the ‘preparation for tool use’ hypothesis. We confirmed that chimpanzees showed higher rates and more diverse types of object manipulation than bonobos. Against expectation, male chimpanzees showed higher object manipulation rates than females, whereas in bonobos no sex difference was found. However, object manipulation by male chimpanzees was play-dominated, whereas manipulation types of female chimpanzees were more diverse (e.g., bite, break, carry). Manipulation by young immatures of both species was similarly dominated by play, but only in chimpanzees did it become more diverse with age. Moreover, in chimpanzees, object types became more tool-like (i.e., sticks) with age, further suggesting preparation for tool use in adulthood. The male bias in object manipulation in immature chimpanzees, along with the late onset of tool-like object manipulation, indicates that not all (early) object manipulation (i.e., object play) in immatures prepares for subsistence tool use. Instead, given the similarity with gender differences in human children, object play may also function in motor skill practice for male-specific behaviours (e.g., dominance displays). In conclusion, even though immature behaviours almost certainly reflect preparation for adult roles, more detailed future work is needed to disentangle possible functions of object manipulation during development.     

The Effect of Rye Chromosomes on Callus Induction and Regeneration in Callus Cultures of Immature Embryos of Wheat–Rye Substitution Lines,Triticum aestivum L. Cultivar Saratovskaya 29–Secale cereale L. Cultivar Onokhoiskaya

The effect of individual rye chromosomes on the induction of callus and the character of its regenerating capacity was studied with cultured immature embryos of wheat–rye (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Saratovskaya 29–Secale cereale L. cv. Onokhoiskaya) substitution lines. The genotypic diversity of the substitution lines proved to significantly affect variation of parameters characterizing the major types of callus cultures, that is, frequencies of embryogenic calli, which are capable of shoot regeneration, and of morphogenic calli, which produce root structures. Functioning in the genotypic background of common wheat cultivar Saratovskaya 29, chromosomes 2R and 3R of rye cultivar Onokhoiskaya stimulated significantly the induction of embryogenic callus highly capable of shoot regeneration. Rye chromosome 2R present in place of chromosome 2D in the common wheat genome suppressed the induction of callus producing root structures. Rye chromosomes 1R and 6R suppressed the induction of embryogenic callus capable of shoot regeneration.     

Autophagosomes,phagosomes, autolysosomes,phagolysosomes, autophagolysosomes… Wait,I’m confused

When an autophagosome or an amphisome fuse with a lysosome, the resulting compartment is referred to as an autolysosome. Some people writing papers on the topic of autophagy use the terms “autolysosome” and “autophagolysosome” interchangeably. We contend that these words should be used to denote 2 different compartments, and that it is worthwhile maintaining this distinction—the autophagolysosome has a particular origin in the process of xenophagy that makes it distinct from an autolysosome.     

Autophagosomes,phagosomes, autolysosomes,phagolysosomes, autophagolysosomes… Wait,I’m confused

When an autophagosome or an amphisome fuse with a lysosome, the resulting compartment is referred to as an autolysosome. Some people writing papers on the topic of autophagy use the terms “autolysosome” and “autophagolysosome” interchangeably. We contend that these words should be used to denote 2 different compartments, and that it is worthwhile maintaining this distinction—the autophagolysosome has a particular origin in the process of xenophagy that makes it distinct from an autolysosome.     

Der Einfluß endogener Faktoren auf den Asche-, Kalzium-, Magnesium-, Kalium-, Natrium-, Phosphor-, Zink-, Eisen-, Kupfer- und Mangangehalt der Schweineborste

The objective of the present study was to investigate physiological effects of a marginal copper and iron supply on pigs. Therefore an experiment was conducted with 4 × 12 growing pigs of the crossbreed Pietrain × Deutsche Landrasse. The animals were fed for a period of 119 days with a diet poor of copper (1.5 mg Cu/kg diet) and/or poor of iron (35 mg Fe/kg diet). Control animals were supplied adequately with copper (4.8 mg Cu/kg diet) and iron (85 mg Fe/kg diet). The diet was given according to weight. After reaching an average weight of 102.6 ± 3.5 kg the animals were slaughtered. Due to the activity of the coerulplasmin and katalase enzyme and the haematological parameters, the supply of copper and iron could be classified as marginal. There was no interaction between copper deficiency and iron metabolism. The protein metabolism was unchanged. Low copper intake reduced the copper concentrations in serum, liver, muscle and backfat, and low iron intake reduced the iron concentration in serum, liver and muscle. Marginal copper and iron supply had no relevant effect on either food intake and growth performance or carcass characteristics and meat quality.     

Der Mengen- und Spurenelementgehalt des Rinderhaares als Indikator der Calcium-, Magnesium-, Phosphor-, Kalium-, Natrium-, Eisen-, Zink-, Mangan-, Kupfer-, Molybdän- und Kobaltversorgung

Beyond the energy requirement of maintenance, the assimilated energy, occurring in bioproducts, is linearly proportional to the intake of metabolizable energy in non‐underfed conditions. In contrast, resting metabolic rate is differing between individuals within a population of an animal species. As adaptability to changed environmental conditions may play a role, young bulls were exposed to thermoneutral (18°C) and low (4°C) ambient temperatures and were fed at two feeding levels (1.0 and 1.6 times energy requirement in maintenance) to produce metabolic rate differences, using the same animals, metabolic rate was altered by reducing the sympathetic outflow in each case. Expression of sulfonylurea receptors in circulating mononuclear leukocytes and cells from skeletal muscle (m. semitendinosus) was studied by flow cytom‐etry. Changes of metabolic rate at rest corresponded to the portion of cells with sulfonylurea receptors expression. The data from reducing the sympathetic outflow and those from sulfonylurea receptors expression are useful to explain metabolic rate differences among individuals of an animal population.     

Der Mengen- und Spurenelementgehalt des Rinderhaares als Indikator der Calcium-, Magnesium-, Phosphor-, Kalium-, Natrium-, Eisen-, Zink-, Mangan-, Kupfer-, Molybdän- und Kobaltversorgung

Many health effects can be attributed to the Mediterranean herb oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) and several studies demonstrated the improving effect on performance, changes in blood count, antibacterial, antifungal and immunmodulating abilities. The majority of these investigations were carried out with processed essential oil, while whole plant material was only used in a few studies. Thus, the aim of the present experiment was to test the effect of increasing proportions of dried oregano in piglet feed on health and performance, with a special focus on immune modulation. A total of 80 male castrated weaned piglets (body weight [BW] 7.9 kg ±1.0 kg) were used in a feeding experiment lasting 5 weeks. They were assigned to 4 experimental groups: a control diet, and three diets with an oregano supplementation at 2 g, 4 g and 8 g per kg feed, respectively, corresponding to 23.5 mg, 46.9 mg and 93.9 mg carvacrol/kg DM. After 3 weeks, half of each group was challenged with 5 µg lipopolysaccharides (LPS) per kg BW. Blood samples were collected 2 h after LPS stimulation and analysed for T-cell phenotypes, granulocyte activity, clinical-chemistry as well as white and red blood count. The results indicate no effects of oregano on performance. In contrast, oregano altered the lymphocyte proportion and the ratio of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cells as well as the triglyceride concentration in the serum of non-stimulated and in LPS-stimulated piglets. In conclusion, whole plant supplementation of oregano to piglet feed altered immune-related parameters, but did not modulate the acute inflammatory response induced by LPS stimulation.     

The Seven Carbohydrate Bioengineering Meeting,Braunschweig, Germany,April, 22–25, 2007

Stereocontrol in bakers' yeast reduction can be achieved by introduction of a sulfur functional group into substrates. α-Methylthio-β-keto esters are reduced to give exclusively (3S)-3-hydroxy esters. α-Substituted β-keto thiol esters and dithioesters afford (2R,3S)-3-hydroxy esters with high diastereo-and enantioselectivity. Ketones possessing 1,3-dithiane, phenylsulfenyl, or phenylsulfonyl groups at the α-position are transformed also into the corresponding (S)-secondary alcohols. Optically pure (S)-(phenylsulfinyl)acetones can be obtained by kinetic resolution of racemic derivatives with the yeast. Diastereo- and enantioselective reduction of 1,2-diketones leading into (1S,2S)-1,2-diol derivatives can be also achieved by introduction of 1,3-dithiane, phenylsulfenyl or phenylsulfonyl groups into the α-position. Reductions of carbon-carbon double bond of sulfur-functionalized prenyl derivatives provide both chiral (R)- and (S)-C₅-building blocks for terpenoid synthesis. The utility of the reduction products as chiral building blocks is demonstrated in the synthesis of biologically active natural products such as pheromones, sugars, antibiotics etc. by functional group transformation and carbon-carbon bond formation reactions with the aid of sulfur functional groups.