Thrombopoietic activity induced by blood withdrawal and administration of antithrombocyte serum in nephrectomized rats. Role of kidneys in the production of thrombopoietin

The thrombopoietic serum activity was examined in rats during thrombocytopenia produced by bleeding or after treatment with antithrombocyte serum (ATS). 6 hours after both treatments the thrombopoietic activity of the serum, i.e. its content of thrombopoietin, is increased. After the ATS treatment of nephrectomized animals a similar increase of thrombopoietic activity as in normal animals could be achieved. In contrast to that, no similar increase of thrombopoietic activity was observed in nephrectomized animals after blood loss. According to the results of the authors the increase of thrombopoietic activity produced by different stimuli can be attributed to different mechanisms.     

Efficient use and recycling of the micronutrient iodide in mammals

Daily ingestion of iodide alone is not adequate to sustain production of the thyroid hormones, tri- and tetraiodothyronine. Proper maintenance of iodide in vivo also requires its active transport into the thyroid and its salvage from mono- and diiodotyrosine that are formed in excess during hormone biosynthesis. The enzyme iodotyrosine deiodinase responsible for this salvage is unusual in its ability to catalyze a reductive dehalogenation reaction dependent on a flavin cofactor, FMN. Initial characterization of this enzyme was limited by its membrane association, difficult purification and poor stability. The deiodinase became amenable to detailed analysis only after identification and heterologous expression of its gene. Site-directed mutagenesis recently demonstrated that cysteine residues are not necessary for enzymatic activity in contrast to precedence set by other reductive dehalogenases. Truncation of the N-terminal membrane anchor of the deiodinase has provided a soluble and stable source of enzyme sufficient for crystallographic studies. The structure of an enzyme·substrate co-crystal has become invaluable for understanding the origins of substrate selectivity and the mutations causing thyroid disease in humans.     

Psychiatric Molecular Genetics and the Ethics of Social Promises

A recent literature review of commentaries and ‘state of the art’ articles from researchers in psychiatric genetics (PMG) offers a consensus about progress in the science of genetics, disappointments in the discovery of new and effective treatments, and a general optimism about the future of the field. I argue that optimism for the field of psychiatric molecular genetics (PMG) is overwrought, and consider progress in the field in reference to a sample estimate of US National Institute of Mental Health funding for this paradigm for the years 2008 and 2009. I conclude that the amounts of financial investment in PMG is questionable from an ethical perspective, given other research and clinical needs in the USA.     

Regulation of G(1) cell-cycle progression by oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes.

Progression of resting quiescent G(0) cells into early G(1) and transition across the restriction point are highly regulated processes. Mutation of proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes regulating these transitions are targeted during oncogenesis. Recent work has underscored the importance of the G(0) to early G(1) transition and metabolism to neoplastic cells.     

Effects of limited feeding of aflatoxin B1 contaminated feed on the performance of broilers

The forty-two days long experiment was conducted on a total of 1000 Arbor Acres broilers, divided into two groups. Both groups of broilers were fed with a commercial feed mixture which consisted of standard feedstuffs and contained enough nutrients regarding the requirements. During the first three weeks of the trial, corn naturally contaminated with AFB₁ 0.0445 ppm per kg dry matter was used in the amount of 20% in the experimental group, while AFB₁ free corn was given to birds in the control group. After the period of toxin administration until the end of the trial, broilers from both groups were normally fed another 5 weeks with uncontaminated feed. In the first phase of the trial, broilers in the control groups had an average daily gain (ADG) of 31 g, average daily feed intake (ADFI) of 45 g and a feed: gain ratio (FCR) of 1.42. In the same time, experimental broilers achieved an ADG of 25 g, ADFI of 35 g and a FCR of 1.39. During the whole period of the trial, control and experimental broilers achieved 49.12 g, 95.24 g and 1.94 and 39.71 g, 86.90 g and 2.19, respectively.     

Mammalian biochronology of the Paleogene-Neogene boundary at Aktau Mountain, eastern Kazakhstan

At Aktau Mountain in the Ili depression of eastern Kazakstan, fossil mammals that encompass the Paleogene-Neogene boundary occur at three stratigraphic levels. The lowest level is in the lower Kyzylbulak Formation and produces Brontotheriidae and the hyracodontidArdynia and is tentatively assigned a late Eocene (Ergilian) age. The lower part of the overlying Aktau Formation produces fossils of the giant rhinocerosParaceratherium and is tentatively assigned a late Oligocene (Tabenbulukian) age. The upper part of the Aktau Formation yields a fossil mammal assemblage that includesGomphotherium,Stephanocemas, Brachypotherium andLagomeryx. It is clearly of Miocene age, probably late early Miocene (late Burdigalian), a correlative of European Reference Level MN 5 and the late Shanwangian of China. The Paleogene-Neogene boundary at Aktau Mountain thus is in the Aktau Formation.     

The spread of somatosensory-evoked potentials within the nervous system

Four thalamic and cortical recordings were carried out in 5 patients. The thalamic-evoked potentials were typical and revealed a triphasic complex, but their latencies showed a relatively high standard deviation. They could be divided into two groups according to their latencies, both of which had low SD. These data suggested that there could be two types of latency of thalamic SEP, because the 4 patients' body sizes were very similar. More detailed surface, cortical and depth recordings are needed to resolve these questions.     

Hyphal morphogenesis in Aspergillus nidulans

The formation of hyphae that grow solely by apical extension is a defining feature of filamentous fungi. Hyphal morphogenesis involves several key steps, including the establishment and maintenance of a stable polarity axis, as well as cell division via the deposition of septa. Several filamentous fungi have been employed in attempts to decipher the mechanisms underlying these steps. Amongst these fungi, Aspergillus nidulans has proven to be a particularly valuable model. The genetic tractability of this fungus coupled with the availability of sophisticated post-genomics resources has enabled the identification and characterization of numerous genes involved in hyphal morphogenesis. Here, we summarize current progress towards understanding the function of these genes and the mechanisms involved in polarized hyphal growth and septation in A. nidulans. We also highlight important areas for future investigation.