Physiological Heterothallism and Sexuality in Euascomycetes: A Partial History

Copyright 1998 Academic Press.     

Acute effects of aflatoxin B1 on tRNA methylase function.

Transfer RNA methylase activity and capacity were measured in relation to the acute effects of aflatoxin B₁ on rat liver. Dose-independent methylase activity was elevated approx. 40% within 3 days after dosing, and gradually declined towards control values over a 3-week period. Transfer RNA methylase capacity, in contrast, exhibited a linear dose-response relationship with values elevated as much as 100% over control levels.     

Orthologous gene-expression profiling in multi-species models: search for candidate genes

Microarray-driven gene-expression profiles are generally produced and analyzed for a single specific experimental model. We have assessed an analytical approach that simultaneously evaluates multi-species experimental models within a particular biological condition using orthologous genes as linkers for the various Affymetrix microarray platforms on multi-species models of ventilator-associated lung injury. The results suggest that this approach may be a useful tool in the evaluation of biological processes of interest and selection of process-related candidate genes.     

Maintenance of perpetual synchrony in HeLa suspension cultures: Question of unbalanced growth

Unbalanced growth has been studied in HeLa cell cultures maintained in perpetual division synchrony by periodic inhibition of DNA synthesis. Observation of eight independent cellular parameters indicates that once synchrony has been established the degree of unbalanced growth in later cycles is not as great as is observed with the conventional “double-block” technique. This significant diminution of unbalanced growth appears to be related to the significantly shorter periods of inhibition of DNA synthesis used in the resynchronization process.     

Big game hunting in New Zealand: per capita effort,harvest and expenditure in 2011–2012

Recreational big game hunters make a significant contribution to conservation through kills of deer, pigs, chamois and tahr. New opportunities for managing recreational hunting through the proposed Game Animal Council underscore the need to understand the implications of potential changes in recreational hunting participation and harvests. Based on a survey of hunters' recall over a year, hunters averaged 15.63 (SEM = 0.58) big game hunts per year, spending 30.53 (SEM = 0.85) days hunting and killing 8.92 (SEM = 0.69) big game animals. Hunters commonly targeted several species on a single hunt, with highly skewed distributions for hunter effort and kills. Mean monthly expenditure on big game hunting items was $296.78 (SEM = $8.95). Results demonstrate that big game hunting is a significant activity in New Zealand, but this varies considerably among hunters with a small number responsible for the vast majority of kills. These are important considerations for future big game hunting management.     

Nitric oxide in cancer and chemoprevention

Nitric oxide (NO) is a key molecule involved in many physiological functions. However, evidence is accumulating that sustained high levels of NO over extended periods of time contribute to carcinogenesis. This article reviews recent data and outlines a dual role of NO in animal carcinogenesis. Following an inhibition of NO production, some studies find a protection, while others find an exacerbation of tumorigenesis. These studies reflect the importance of (i). choosing the appropriate compound for NO inhibition; and (ii). genetic background, target tissue, levels of NO, and surrounding free radicals in the overall affects of NO on the tumor growth. These findings highlight the importance of further study of the use of NO inhibitors to inhibit human carcinogenesis.     

Comparison of DNA adduct levels associated with exogenous and endogenous exposures in human pancreas in relation to metabolic genotype

Recently, we examined normal human pancreas tissue for DNA adducts derived from either exogenous chemical exposure and/or endogenous agents. In an effort to explain the different types and levels of DNA adducts formed in the context of individual susceptibility to cancer, we have focused on gene-environment interactions. Here, we report on the levels of hydrophobic aromatic amines (AAs), specifically those derived from 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP), and DNA adducts associated with oxidative stress in human pancreas. Although these adducts have been reported in several human tissues by different laboratories, a comparison of the levels of these adducts in the same tissue samples has not been performed. Using the same DNA, the genotypes were determined for N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1), the glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1, GSTP1, GSTT1, and NAD(P)H quinone reductase-1 (NQO1) as possible modulators of adduct levels because their gene products are involved in the detoxification of AAs, lipid peroxidation products and in redox cycling. These results indicate that ABP-DNA adducts, malondialdehyde-DNA adducts, and 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) adducts are present at similar levels. Of the metabolic genotypes examined, the presence of ABP-DNA adducts was strongly associated with the putative slow NAT1*4/*4 genotype, suggesting a role for this pathway in ABP detoxification.     

Production and antibacterial activity of malforming C, a toxic metabolite of Aspergillus niger.

The production of the new mycotoxin malformin C by a solid substrate fermentation is described. Malformin C is highly toxic (mean lethal dose = 0.9 mg/kg) and exerts antibacterial activity against a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms.