Theoretical investigations on the conformation of 1,5,N(4)-tetramethylcytosine

Theoretical investigations (Perturbative Configuration Interaction over Localized Orbitals (PCILO) and Intermediate Neglect of Differential Overlap (INDO) methods) of the conformation of tetramethylcystosine, an overcrowded molecule with planar struture, have carried out. The Physical features of rotational bending potentials of the dimethylamimo group are discussed. Particulary, the controversial problem concerning the planarity of the molecule is investigated. The obtained results show that the planarity of tetrathylcytosine is an intrinsic property of the molecule. Nevertheless, because of the repulsion between the methyl groups, the planar structure of tetramethylcytosine is slightly destabilized. Further, the functional dependence of the dipole moment of tetramethylcytosine on rotation and bending of the dimethylamino group has been analyzed.     

Porphyrin-like compounds genesis under simulated abiotic conditions

Experiments with gas mixtures intended to simulate the primaeval atmosphere of the Earth yielded many biologically important chemicals. Investigations into the synthesis of porphyrinlike compounds from methane, ammonia and water vapour were carried out by using high frequency discharges. Microanalyses of porphyrins showed that porphyrin-like pigments were formed in this way. The presence of divalent cations in the reaction system increased the yield of porphyrin-like pigments also involving the direct synthesis of their metal complexes.The ready formation of these compounds in abiotic conditions is significant, suggesting the possibility of their appearance during the early stage of chemical evolution.     

Uprooted trees,their distribution and influence in the primeval forest biotope

Summary The paper reports results of a long-term (1964–1974) investigation on permanent study sites in natural forest ecosystems of the Tilio-Carpinetum and the Pino-Quercetum in the Bialowieza Forest. The influence of decaying logs and root craters was investigated. It was found that the main causes of uprooting were the spring and autumn winds. Wind direction and the position of logs lying on the ground are correlated. Picea is most susceptible to uprooting by winds. Almost one half of the trees of this species are alive at the moment of uprooting.By mapping changes in the distribution of uprooted trees on a permanent area in time, a balance of the change over in a 10-year period was determined. It appeared that the decomposition is slower than accumulation. From this, it was concluded that the stand is in a phase of natural thinning. In the study site, compartments were disinguished with various degrees of change in the number of uprooted trees, and the consequences of differentiation and constant transformation of the biotope and biocenosis by the occurrence of uprooted trees and by their decay are described.Nomenclature of species follows Flora Europaea.Contribution to the Symposium of the Working Group for Succession Research on Permanent Plots, held at Yerseke, the Netherlands, October 1975.     

Neuroregenerative strategies in the brain: emerging significance of bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7)

Every year thousands of people suffer from brain injuries and stroke, and develop motor, sensory, and cognitive problems as a result of neuronal loss in the brain. Unfortunately, the damaged brain has a limited ability to enact repair and current modes of treatment are not sufficient to offset the damage. An extensive list of growth factors, neurotrophic factors, cytokines, and drugs has been explored as potential therapies. However, only a limited number of them may actually have the potential to effectively offset the brain injury or stroke-related problems. One of the treatments considered for future brain repair is bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7), a factor currently used in patients to treat non-neurological diseases. The clinical application of BMP7 is based on its neuroprotective role in stroke animal models. This paper reviews the current approaches considered for brain repair and discusses the novel convergent strategies by which BMP7 potentially can induce neuroregeneration.     

From Reductionism to Reintegration: Solving society’s most pressing problems requires building bridges between data types across the life sciences

Decades of reductionist approaches in biology have achieved spectacular progress, but the proliferation of subdisciplines, each with its own technical and social practices regarding data, impedes the growth of the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches now needed to address pressing societal challenges. Data integration is key to a reintegrated biology able to address global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable ecosystem management. We identify major challenges to data integration and present a vision for a “Data as a Service”-oriented architecture to promote reuse of data for discovery. The proposed architecture includes standards development, new tools and services, and strategies for career-development and sustainability.

Data integration is key to the reintegration of biology and the pursuit of global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable ecosystem management. This Essay defines the primary challenges in data integration and presents a vision for a "Data as a Service" (DaaS) oriented architecture that enables frictionless data reuse, hypothesis testing, and discovery.     

Key Role of Splenic Myeloid DCs in the IFN-αβ Response to Adenoviruses In Vivo

The early systemic production of interferon (IFN)-αβ is an essential component of the antiviral host defense mechanisms, but is also thought to contribute to the toxic side effects accompanying gene therapy with adenoviral vectors. Here we investigated the IFN-αβ response to human adenoviruses (Ads) in mice. By comparing the responses of normal, myeloid (m)DC- and plasmacytoid (p)DC-depleted mice and by measuring IFN-αβ mRNA expression in different organs and cells types, we show that in vivo, Ads elicit strong and rapid IFN-αβ production, almost exclusively in splenic mDCs. Using knockout mice, various strains of Ads (wild type, mutant and UV-inactivated) and MAP kinase inhibitors, we demonstrate that the Ad-induced IFN-αβ response does not require Toll-like receptors (TLR), known cytosolic sensors of RNA (RIG-I/MDA-5) and DNA (DAI) recognition and interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-3, but is dependent on viral endosomal escape, signaling via the MAP kinase SAPK/JNK and IRF-7. Furthermore, we show that Ads induce IFN-αβ and IL-6 in vivo by distinct pathways and confirm that IFN-αβ positively regulates the IL-6 response. Finally, by measuring TNF-α responses to LPS in Ad-infected wild type and IFN-αβR^−/− mice, we show that IFN-αβ is the key mediator of Ad-induced hypersensitivity to LPS. These findings indicate that, like endosomal TLR signaling in pDCs, TLR-independent virus recognition in splenic mDCs can also produce a robust early IFN-αβ response, which is responsible for the bulk of IFN-αβ production induced by adenovirus in vivo. The signaling requirements are different from known TLR-dependent or cytosolic IFN-αβ induction mechanisms and suggest a novel cytosolic viral induction pathway. The hypersensitivity to components of the microbial flora and invading pathogens may in part explain the toxic side effects of adenoviral gene therapy and contribute to the pathogenesis of adenoviral disease.     

Peroxidase involvement in the defense response of red raspberry to Didymella applanata (Niessl/Sacc.)

Peroxidase activity of red raspberry canes was dependent on the cultivar and influenced the subsequent lignification. After inoculation with Didymella applanata, responsible for the spur blight cane disease, the activity of soluble cytoplasmic enzyme increased in the moderately resistant ‘Latham’ and susceptible ‘Malling Promise’, similarly for syringaldazine and guaiacol as hydrogen donors. Systemic induction found in ‘Latham’ was recognized as a symptom of defence mechanism responsible for fungal restriction. Locally enhanced peroxidase activity in the ‘M.Promise’ tissues was related to the local lignification and/or may be associated with the loss of cell integrity caused by pathogen penetration. Pathogen-induced changes of cell wall peroxidases were similar in both cultivars mentioned above. No influence of the infection was found in the high susceptible Zeva cultivar. Using native-PAGE analysis and horizontal starch electrophoresis of soluble fraction five constitutive acidic isoperoxidases were detected in ‘Latham’ and three in ‘M. Promise’. The infection process was accompanied by the appearance of two new anodic isoforms.