Tempo and mode of concerted evolution in the L1 repeat family of mice

A 300-bp DNA sequence has been determined for 30 (10 from each of three species of mice) random isolates of a subset of the long interspersed repeat family L1. From these data we conclude that members of the L1 family are evolving in concert at the DNA sequence level in Mus domesticus, Mus caroli, and Mus platythrix. The mechanism responsible for this phenomenon may be either duplicative transposition, gene conversion, or a combination of the two. The amount of intraspecies divergence averages 4.4%, although between species base substitutions accumulate at the rate of approximately 0.85%/Myr to a maximum divergence of 9.1% between M. platythrix and both M. domesticus and M. caroli. Parsimony analysis reveals that the M. platythrix L1 family has evolved into a distinct clade in the 10-12 Myr since M. platythrix last shared a common ancestor with M. domesticus and M. caroli. The parsimony tree also provides a means to derive the average half-life of L1 sequences in the genome. The rates of gain and loss of individual copies of L1 were estimated to be approximately equal, such that approximately one-half of them turn over every 3.3 Myr.      

TGF-beta expression during rat pregnancy and activity on decidual cell survival

Background  

During early rat pregnancy, trophoblast of the tiny embryo joins with the endometrium and epithelial cells undergo apoptosis. Near the end of pregnancy, regression of the decidua basalis (DB) is also observed (from day 14 to 20). However, little is known about the intra-cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in apoptosis regulation in the uterus during pregnancy. The objective of the present study was to investigate the presence and the developmental expression of transforming growth factor-beta isoforms (TGF-beta well known differentiation factor) in the rat endometrium throughout pregnancy and its action in vitro using cultured endometrial stromal cells.     

Differential levels of "urotensin-II-like" activity determined by radio-receptor and radioimmuno-assays

Plasma and urinary levels of "urotensin(U)-II-like" substances determined in healthy human volunteers were 12.4 +/- 0.6 ng/ml and 2.2 +/- 0.3 ng/ml by RIA, an order of magnitude lower than that seen by RRA, 167.5 +/- 9.5 ng/ml and 65.2 +/- 4.3 ng/ml. HPLC demonstrated the existence of at least three prominent activity peaks in plasma and urine, the more hydrophobic of which did not co-elute with U-II, degradation products or URP. RRA and RIA recognized these peaks with contrasting efficacy. As such, published levels of "U-II-like" activity should be interpreted with caution until a better understanding is obtained regarding what species specific RIA and RRA assay reagents interact with.     

MnPO4‐Coated Li(Ni0.4Co0.2Mn0.4)O2 for Lithium(‐Ion) Batteries with Outstanding Cycling Stability and Enhanced Lithiation Kinetics

Herein, the successful synthesis of MnPO₄‐coated LiNi_0.4Co_0.2Mn_0.4O₂ (MP‐NCM) as a lithium battery cathode material is reported. The MnPO₄ coating acts as an ideal protective layer, physically preventing the contact between the NCM active material and the electrolyte and, thus, stabilizing the electrode/electrolyte interface and preventing detrimental side reactions. Additionally, the coating enhances the lithium de‐/intercalation kinetics in terms of the apparent lithium‐ion diffusion coefficient. As a result, MP‐NCM‐based electrodes reveal greatly enhanced C‐rate capability and cycling stability—even under exertive conditions like extended operational potential windows, elevated temperature, and higher active material mass loadings. This superior electrochemical behavior of MP‐NCM compared to as‐synthesized NCM is attributed to the superior stability of the electrode/electrolyte interface and structural integrity when applying a MnPO₄ coating. Employing an ionic liquid as an alternative, intrinsically safer electrolyte system allows for outstanding cycling stabilities in a lithium‐metal battery configuration with a capacity retention of well above 85% after 2000 cycles. Similarly, the implementation in a lithium‐ion cell including a graphite anode provides stable cycling for more than 2000 cycles and an energy and power density of, respectively, 376 Wh kg^?1 and 1841 W kg^?1 on the active material level.     

单链胰岛素前体在酵母中的分泌表达及其转变成人胰岛素

将化学合成的单链猪胰岛素前体(PIP)基因和用聚合酶链反应得到的α交配因子前导顺序(αMFL)基因插入质粒pVT102-U的醇脱氢酶基因ADH1的启动子和3’终止顺序之间而生成质粒pVT102-U/αMFL-PIP.被pVT102-U/αMFL-PIP转化的酵母(Saccharomyces cerevistae)可表达单链前体并分泌到培养基中.前体在纯化后可通过胰蛋白酶的转肽作用转变成人胰岛素.纯化的人胰岛素具有全部活力并可结晶.人胰岛素的总收率为每升培养液25mg.     

Molecular phylogeny of the springhare, Pedetes capensis, based on mitochondrial DNA sequences

The phylogenetic position of the Pedetidae, represented by a single species Pedetes capensis, is controversial, reflecting in part the retention of both Hystricomorphous and Sciurognathous characteristics in this rodent. In an attempt to clarify the species evolutionary relationships, mtDNA gene sequences from 10 rodent species (representing seven families) were analyzed using phenetic, parsimony, and maximum-likelihood methods of phylogenetic inference; the rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (Order Lagomorpha), and cow, Bos taurus (Order Artiodactyla), were used as outgroups. Investigation of 714 base pairs of the protein-coding cytochrome b gene indicate strong base bias at the third codon position with significant rate heterogeneity evident between the three structural domains of this gene. Similar analyses conducted on 816 base pairs of the 12S rRNA gene revealed a transversion bias in the loop sections of all taxa. The cytochrome b gene sequences proved useful in resolving associations between closely related species but failed to produce consistent tree topologies at the family level. In contrast, phylogenetic analysis of the 12S rRNA gene resulted in strong support for the clustering of Pedetidae/Heteromyidae/Geomyidae and Muridae in one clade to the exclusion of the Hystricidae/Thryonomyidae and Sciuridae, a finding which is concordant with studies of rodent fetal membranes as well as reproductive and other anatomical features.      

Effects of Zinc Fertilization of Corn on Hatching of Heterodera glycines in Soil

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of zinc fertilizers on hatching and soil population densities of Heterodera glycines. In vitro egg hatching in solutions of reagent-grade zinc sulfate and zinc chloride and fertilizer-grade zinc sulfate was significantly greater than hatching in deionized water, whereas zinc chelate fertilizer significantly inhibited egg hatching relative to deionized water. In greenhouse experiments, no differences in cumulative percentage egg hatch were detected in soil naturally infested with H. glycines amended with fertilizer-grade zinc sulfate and zinc chelate at rates equivalent to 0, 1.12, 11.2, and 112 kg Zn/ha and subsequently planted with corn (Zea mays L.). In a field experiment, no significant differences in H. glycines egg population densities and corn yields were detected among plots fertilized with 0, 11.2, and 22.4 kg Zn/ha rates of zinc chelate. Yields of H. glycines-susceptible soybean planted in plots 1 year after zinc fertilization of corn plots also were not significantly affected. Zinc compounds significandy affected H. glycines egg hatching in vitro, but had no effect on hatching in natural soils.     

Cloning and characterization of Rhizobium meliloti loci required for symbiotic root nodule invasion

An immunological assay of root nodule polypeptides was used to analyze the nodules induced by 25 symbiotically defective Rhizobium meliloti mutants. Differences in polypeptide accumulation in these nodules were used to divide the mutants into three subsets. One subset, containing two mutant strains, was further analyzed. Nodules induced by these mutant strains lack both infection threads and bacteria. The kinetics of nodule formation by these mutant strains, by an exoB mutant, and by mixed mutant inocula suggest that the gene products required for nodule invasion may also influence nodule meristem induction. One of the two mutants characterized in this study contains a transposon Tn5 insertion in the ndvB locus, which probably results in the loss of beta-glucan synthesis. The second mutant contains a transposon in a previously uncharacterized locus. RNA analysis suggests that the newly identified locus is transcribed in free-living cultures of ndvB and exoB strains, as well as in the parental R. meliloti strain. Southern blot analysis suggests that at least a portion of this locus is duplicated. This duplication may explain the apparently leaky phenotype of the mutant strain.