Expression of the AMBP gene transcript and its two protein products,alpha(1)-microglobulin and bikunin,in mouse embryogenesis

The expression pattern of the alpha(1)-microglobulin/bikunin precursor (AMBP) gene, and its two protein products were studied in mouse embryos of 8.5-15.5 days of embryonic development by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. AMBP mRNA is strongly transcribed in liver parenchyma, pancreas, and intestine epithelium. Sites of weaker expression are the vessels of the umbilical cord, the developing vertebral bodies, and kidney. The alpha(1)-microglobulin and bikunin proteins are accordingly present in developing hepatocytes, pancreas, kidney, and gut. However, additional sites of protein distribution were found that do not correlate to mRNA localization: alpha(1)-microglobulin was found in myocytes and bikunin in cardiac muscle, nervous system microvasculature, and connective tissue. Both proteins were found in brain mesenchyme and meninges. Thus, a restricted expression of the AMBP mRNA in a few organs contrasts to a widespread and unique distribution of each of the two proteins.     

Thermostable Pyrococcus furiosus DNA ligase catalyzes the synthesis of (di)nucleoside polyphosphates

DNA ligase from the hyperthermophilic marine archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus (Pfu DNA ligase) synthesizes adenosine 5'-tetraphosphate (p4A) and dinucleoside polyphosphates by displacement of the adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) from the Pfu DNA ligase-AMP (E-AMP) complex with tripolyphosphate (P3), nucleoside triphosphates (NTP), or nucleoside diphosphates (NDP). The experiments were performed in the presence of 1-2 microM [alpha-32P]ATP and millimolar concentrations of NTP or NDP. Relative rates of synthesis (%) of the following adenosine(5')tetraphospho(5')nucleosides (Ap4N) were observed: Ap4guanosine (Ap4G) (from GTP, 100); Ap4deoxythymidine (Ap4dT) (from dTTP, 95); Ap4xanthosine (Ap4X) (from XTP, 94); Ap4deoxycytidine (Ap4dC) (from dCTP, 64); Ap4cytidine (Ap4C) (from CTP, 60); Ap4deoxyguanosine (Ap4dG) (from dGTP, 58); Ap4uridine (Ap4U) (from UTP, <3). The relative rate of synthesis (%) of adenosine(5')triphospho(5')nucleosides (Ap3N) were: Ap3guanosine (Ap3G) (from GDP, 100); Ap3xanthosine (Ap3X) (from XDP, 110); Ap3cytidine (Ap3C) (from CDP, 42); Ap3adenosine (Ap3A) (from ADP, <1). In general, the rate of synthesis of Ap4N was double that of the corresponding Ap3N. The enzyme presented optimum activity at a pH value of 7.2-7.5, in the presence of 4 mM Mg2+, and at 70 degrees C. The apparent Km values for ATP and GTP in the synthesis of Ap4G were about 0.001 and 0.4mM, respectively, lower values than those described for other DNA or RNA ligases. Pfu DNA ligase is used in the ligase chain reaction (LCR) and some of the reactions here reported [in particular the synthesis of Ap4adenosine (Ap4A)] could take place during the course of that reaction.     

Effects of Acute Clomipramine Administration on Syrian Hamster Circadian Rhythms

Drugs linked to the serotonergic system, like antidepressants, are able to modify the circadian system. The present experiments were designed to test whether clomipramine, a 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, was able to modify: a) the phase of free running activity rhythms; b) the light-induced phase shifts in Syrian hamsters. Clomipramine had a phase-dependent effect on the free running activity rhythm, with phase advances at CT 0-8 being significantly higher than at CT 8-16. Pretreatment with clomipramine inhibited phase advances in response to light pulses when applied at CT 19 while delays remained unaffected. The results suggest that acute clomipramine treatment can affect the expression of the circadian rhythmicity in Syrian hamsters.     

Degradation of benzene, toluene, and xylene isomers by a bacterial consortium obtained from rhizosphere soil of Cyperus sp. grown in a petroleum-contaminated area

Increasing contamination of soil and groundwater with benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) due to activities of the chemical and oil refinery industry has caused serious environmental damage. Efficient methods are required to isolate and degrade them. Microorganisms associated with rhizosphere soil are considered efficient agents to remediate hydrocarbon contamination. In this study, we obtained a stabilized bacterial consortium from the rhizosphere soil of Cyperus sp. grown in a petroleum-contaminated field in Southern Mexico. This consortium was able to completely degrade BTX in 14 days. Bacteria isolated from the consortium were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis as Ralstonia insidiosa, Cellulomonas hominis, Burkholderia kururiensis, and Serratia marcescens. The BTX-degradation capacity of the bacterial consortium was confirmed by the detection of genes pheA, todC1, and xylM, which encoded phenol hydroxylase, toluene 1,2-dioxygenase, and xylene monooxygenase, respectively. Our results demonstrate feasibility of BTX biodegradation by indigenous bacteria that might be used for soil remediation in Southern Mexico.     

Do sex ratio and development differ in sexually size‐dimorphic shiny cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis) parasitizing smaller and larger hosts?

Two possible patterns of bias in primary sex ratio have been proposed for size‐dimorphic brood parasites that do not evict host chicks: (1) larger males should be laid at greater frequency in hosts larger than the parasite because they compete better (increasing their survival) than females with large host nest‐mates, and (2) more costly males (i.e. the larger sex) should be laid at greater frequency in hosts smaller than the parasite because, in these hosts, parasite nestlings are provisioned at a higher rate and grow faster than in larger hosts. We tested these hypotheses in two hosts of the sexually size‐dimorphic shiny cowbird, Molothrus bonariensis, one smaller (house wren, Troglodytes aedon) and one larger (chalk‐browed mockingbird, Mimus saturninus) than the parasite. We measured: (1) sex ratio at laying; (2) development of sexual differences in body mass during the nestling stage; and (3) chick survival and sex ratio of chicks before fledging. In both hosts, we found sexual differences in body mass of nestlings from 7 days of age onwards, although we did not find a bias in the sex ratio of eggs laid and chicks fledged. The results of the present study do not support the hypothesis that shiny cowbird females benefit from biasing the primary sex ratio depending on the size of the hosts they parasitize. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 110 , 442–448.     

Scymnodon plunketi (Waite, 1910): a junior synonym of Scymnodon macracanthus (Regan, 1906) (Somniosidae: Elasmobranchii)

The taxonomic status and validity of Scymnodon macracanthus (Regan, 1906) and Scymnodon plunketi (Waite, 1910) are revised in light of new material from the Southern Pacific and Indian Oceans. Despite being historically accepted as distinct taxa, recent studies suggested the possibility that these species could represent a single taxon. Morphometrics, meristics and morphology of dermal denticles show that S. plunketi is indeed a junior synonym of S. macracanthus. Previous distinctive characters proved to be the result of intraspecific variation. S. macracanthus is therefore redescribed including an updated comparative diagnosis for the genus Scymnodon in the family Somniosidae.     

Effects of passive integrated transponder tags on short-term feeding patterns in European perch (Perca fluviatilis)

We tested the feeding behaviour of small European perch (Perca fluviatilis) in a laboratory study during the first 24 h after handling and 23 mm passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag implantation. Feeding commenced almost immediately following tagging and overall feeding patterns were unaffected by tagging. However, untagged perch had more feeding events than PIT-tagged individuals. This discrepancy could be attributed to post-tagging effects or/and reduced room for food due to the presence of the tag in the body cavity.     

In Vitro Evaluation of the Effect of Stimulation with Magnetic Fields on Chondrocytes

Magnetic fields (MFs) have been used as an external stimulus to increase cell proliferation in chondrocytes and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis of articular cartilage. However, previously published studies have not shown that MFs are homogeneous through cell culture systems. In addition, variables such as stimulation times and MF intensities have not been standardized to obtain the best cellular proliferative rate or an increase in molecular synthesis of ECM. In this work, a stimulation device, which produces homogeneous MFs to stimulate cell culture surfaces was designed and manufactured using a computational model. Furthermore, an in vitro culture of primary rat chondrocytes was established and stimulated with two MF schemes to measure both proliferation and ECM synthesis. The best proliferation rate was obtained with an MF of 2 mT applied for 3 h, every 6 h for 8 days. In addition, the increase in the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans was statistically significant when cells were stimulated with an MF of 2 mT applied for 5 h, every 6 h for 8 days. These findings suggest that a stimulation with MFs is a promising tool that could be used to improve in vitro treatments such as autologous chondrocyte implantation, either to increase cell proliferation or stimulate molecular synthesis. Bioelectromagnetics. 2020;41:41–51 © 2019 Bioelectromagnetics Society     

Measuring Software Timing Errors in the Presentation of Visual Stimuli in Cognitive Neuroscience Experiments

Because of the features provided by an abundance of specialized experimental software packages, personal computers have become prominent and powerful tools in cognitive research. Most of these programs have mechanisms to control the precision and accuracy with which visual stimuli are presented as well as the response times. However, external factors, often related to the technology used to display the visual information, can have a noticeable impact on the actual performance and may be easily overlooked by researchers. The aim of this study is to measure the precision and accuracy of the timing mechanisms of some of the most popular software packages used in a typical laboratory scenario in order to assess whether presentation times configured by researchers do not differ from measured times more than what is expected due to the hardware limitations. Despite the apparent precision and accuracy of the results, important issues related to timing setups in the presentation of visual stimuli were found, and they should be taken into account by researchers in their experiments.