Calcium-activated protein kinase from soluble and membrane fractions of maize coleoptiles

This paper describes the results of experiments in which phenyl Sepharose was used to partially purify Ca2(+)-activated protein kinase (CPK) from maize soluble and membrane-solubilized proteins. It is shown that CPK has very similar properties to Ca2(+)-activated, calmodulin independent protein kinase from other plant tissues, and that chromatography on phenyl Sepharose resolves two closely related forms of CPK from both soluble and membrane-solubilized proteins. The amount of each of these forms differs in the two fractions, and it is suggested that the kinase requiring EGTA for elution from phenyl Sepharose at high pH may be either a non-proteolitically digested form or an acylated form of CPK.     

Feasibility of breast conservation after neoadjuvant taxene based chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer: a Prospective Phase I trial

Background

Acute cholecystitis can be the result of retention of bile in the gallbladder with possible secondary infection and ischaemia. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether internal drainage of the gallbladder could protect against the development of acute cholecystitis in a pig model.

Materials and methods

Twenty pigs were randomized to either internal drainage (drained) or not (undrained). Day 0 acute cholecystitis was induced by ligation of the cystic artery and duct together with inoculation of bacteria. Four days later the pigs were killed and the gallbladders were removed and histologically scored for the presence of cholecystitis. Bile and blood samples were collected for bacterial culturing and biochemical analyses.

Results

The histological examination demonstrated statistical significant differences in acute cholecystitis development between groups, the degree of inflammation being highest in undrained pigs. There were no differences in bacterial cultures between the two groups.

Conclusion

Internal drainage of the gallbladder protected against the development of acute cholecystitis in the present pig model. These findings support the theory that gallstone impaction of the cystic duct plays a crucial role as a pathogenetic mechanism in the development of acute cholecystitis and suggest that internal drainage may be a way to prevent and treat acute cholecystitis.     

An enhanced microsatellite map of diploid Fragaria

A total of 45 microsatellites (SSRs) were developed for mapping in Fragaria. They included 31 newly isolated codominant genomic SSRs from F. nubicola and a further 14 SSRs, derived from an expressed sequence tagged library (EST-SSRs) of the cultivated strawberry, F. × ananassa. These, and an additional 64 previously characterised but unmapped SSRs and EST-SSRs, were scored in the diploid Fragaria interspecific F₂ mapping population (FV×FN) derived from a cross between F. vesca 815 and F. nubicola 601. The cosegregation data of these 109 SSRs, and of 73 previously mapped molecular markers, were used to elaborate an enhanced linkage map. The map is composed of 182 molecular markers (175 microsatellites, six gene specific markers and one sequence-characterised amplified region) and spans 424 cM over seven linkage groups. The average marker spacing is 2.3 cM/marker and the map now contains just eight gaps longer than 10 cM. The transferability of the new SSR markers to the cultivated strawberry was demonstrated using eight cultivars. Because of the transferable nature of these markers, the map produced will provide a useful reference framework for the development of linkage maps of the cultivated strawberry and for the development of other key resources for Fragaria such as a physical map. In addition, the map now provides a framework upon which to place transferable markers, such as genes of known function, for comparative mapping purposes within Rosaceae.     

Phases of dormancy in Yam tubers (Dioscorea rotundata)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The control of dormancy in yam (Disocorea spp.) tubers is poorly understood and attempts to shorten the long dormant period (i.e. cause tubers to sprout or germinate much earlier) have been unsuccessful. The aim of this study was to identify and define the phases of dormancy in Dioscorea rotundata tubers, and to produce a framework within which dormancy can be more effectively studied. METHODS: Plants of 'TDr 131' derived from tissue culture were grown in a glasshouse simulating temperature and photoperiod at Ibadan (7 degrees N), Nigeria to produce tubers. Tubers were sampled on four occasions: 30 d before shoot senescence (149 days after planting, DAP), at shoot senescence (179 DAP), and twice during storage at a constant 25 degrees C (269 and 326 DAP). The development of the apical shoot bud was described from tissue sections. In addition, the responsiveness of shoot apical bud development to plant growth regulators (gibberellic acid, 2-chloroethanol and thiourea) applied to excised tuber sections was also examined 6 and 12 d after treatment. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Three phases of tuber dormancy are proposed: Phase I, from tuber initiation to the appearance of the tuber germinating meristem; Phase II, from the tuber germinating meristem to initiation of foliar primordium; and Phase III, from foliar primordium to appearance of the shoot bud on the surface of the tuber. Phase I is the longest phase (approx. 220 d in 'TDr 131'), is not affected by PGRs and is proposed to be an endo-dormant phase. Phases II and III are shorter (<70 d in total), are influenced by PGRs and environmental conditions, and are therefore endo-/eco-dormant phases. To manipulate dormancy to allow off-season planting and more than one generation per year requires that the duration of Phase I is shortened.     

Modelling bacterial spoilage in cold-filled ready to drink beverages by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Gluconobacter oxydans

AIMS: Characterization of a bacterial isolate (strain MAE2) from intertidal beach sediment capable of degrading linear and branched alkanes. METHODS AND RESULTS: A Gram-positive, aerobic, heterotrophic bacterium (strain MAE2), that was capable of extensive degradation of alkanes in crude oil but had a limited capacity for the utilization of other organic compounds, was isolated from intertidal beach sediment. MAE2 had an obligate requirement for NaCl but could not tolerate high salt concentrations. It was capable of degrading branched and n-alkanes in crude oil from C11 to C33, but was unable to degrade aromatic hydrocarbons. Comparative 16S rRNA sequence analysis placed the isolate with members of the genus Planococcus. That finding was corroborated by chemotaxonomic and physiological data. The fatty acid composition of strain MAE2 was very similar to the type species of the genus Planococcus, P. citreus (NCIMB 1493T) and P. kocurii (NCIMB 629T), and was dominated by branched acids, mainly a15:0. However, the 16S rRNA of strain MAE2 had less than 97% sequence identity with the type strains of P. citreus (NCIMB 1439T), P. kocurii (NCIMB 629T) and two Planococcus spp. (strain MB6-16 and strain ICO24) isolated from Antarctic sea ice. This indicated that strain MAE2 represented a separate species from these planococci. Morphologically, the isolate resembled P. okeanokoites (NCIMB 561T) and P. mcmeekinii S23F2 (ATCC 700539T). The cellular fatty acid composition of P. okeanokoites and P. mcmeekinii was considerably different from strain MAE2, and the mol % G + C content of P. mcmeekinii was far lower than that of MAE2. CONCLUSION: On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic data, it is proposed that strain MAE2 is a new species of Planococcus, Planococcus alkanoclasticus sp. nov., for which the type strain is P. alkanoclasticus MAE2 (NCIMB 13489T). SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Planococcus species are abundant members of the bacterial community in a variety of marine environments, including some in sensitive Antarctic ecosystems. The occurrence of hydrocarbon-degrading Planococcus spp. is potentially of importance in controlling the impact of hydrocarbon contamination in sensitive marine environments.