Distribution of the molossinus allele of Sry, the testis-determining gene, in wild mice

When the Y chromosome of the laboratory inbred mouse strain C57BL/6 (B6) is replaced by the Y of certain strains of Mus musculus domesticus, testis determination fails and all XY fetuses develop either as hermaphrodites or XY females (XY sex reversal). This suggests the presence of at least two alleles of Sry, the male-determining gene on the Y:M. m. domesticus and B6. The B6 Y chromosome is derived from the Japanese house mouse, M. m. molossinus and therefore carries a molossinus Sry allele. As a first step to determine how the molossinus Sry allele evolved, its distribution pattern was determined in wild mice. The cumulative data of 96 M. musculus samples obtained from 58 geographical locations in Europe, North Africa, and Asia show the molossinus Sry allele is restricted to Japan and the neighboring Asian mainland and confirm that Japanese M. m. molossinus mice were derived in part from a race of M. m. musculus from Korea or Manchuria. Sry polymorphisms, as illustrated by the molossinus Sry allele, can serve as molecular markers for studies on the evolution of wild M. musculus populations and can help determine the role sex determination plays in speciation.      

Chromatin,gene silencing and HIV latency

One of the cellular defenses against virus infection is the silencing of viral gene expression. There is evidence that at least two gene-silencing mechanisms are used against the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV). Paradoxically, this cellular defense mechanism contributes to viral latency and persistence, and we review here the relationship of viral latency to gene-silencing mechanisms.     

Thienopyridine urea inhibitors of KDR kinase

A series of substituted thienopyridine ureas was prepared and evaluated for enzymatic and cellular inhibition of KDR kinase activity. Several of these analogs, such as 2, are potent inhibitors of KDR (<10 nM) in both enzymatic and cellular assays. Further characterization of inhibitor 2 indicated that this analog possessed excellent in vivo potency (ED50 2.1 mg/kg) as measured in an estradiol-induced mouse uterine edema model.     

Biodynamic Interfaces Are Essential for Human–Environment Interactions

The environment impacts human health in profound ways, yet few theories define the form of the relationship between human physiology and the environment. It is conjectured that such complex systems cannot interact directly, but rather their interaction requires the formation of an intermediary “interface.” This position contrasts with current epidemiological constructs of causation, which implicitly assume that two complex systems transfer information directly while remaining separate entities. Further, it is contended that dynamic, process-based interfaces incorporate components from all the interacting systems but exhibit operational independence. This property has many consequences, the foremost being that characteristics of the interface cannot be fully resolved by only studying the systems involved in the interaction. The interface itself must be the subject of inquiry. Without refocusing the attention on biodynamic interfaces, how the environment impacts health cannot be discerned. Also see the video abstract here https://youtu.be/XeyjeZeyo4o .     

Effects of liming on soil chemical characteristics and grass growth in laboratory and long-term field-amended soils

Summary The influence of liming on soil solution composition was compared in two laboratory amended soils and one field amended soil. In the laboratory study, soil solutions were sampled by miscible displacement at intervals of 1 and 10 weeks after liming. In addition to increases in pH and Ca, there were large reductions in the concentrations of Mg, K, Na, Si and Mn. Solution concentration of free Al decreased with liming; however, organically complexed Al increased, as did soluble organic matter. Liming also stimulated mineralization of N as indicated by increased solution NO₃ levels. The field amended soils were obtained from a long-term cutting trial investigating the effects of lime on pasture. Despite the passage of a 16-year interval since application, the effects of lime on soil solution characteristics were still clearly evident and generally consistent with those observed in the laboratory study. Estimated leaching losses of Ca from limed soil were relatively low, amounting to 12%, 27% and 44% of the 4.2, 8.4 and 12.5 t lime ha⁻¹ applied, respectively. The results suggest that, in Eastern Ireland, a lime treatment would maintain and elevated pH and would influence the avialability and mobility of plant nutrients for some decades following application.