CIDeR: multifactorial interaction networks in human diseases

ABSTRACT: The pathobiology of common diseases is influenced by heterogeneous factors interacting in complex networks. CIDeR http://mips.helmholtz-muenchen.de/cider/ is a publicly available, manually curated, integrative database of metabolic and neurological disorders. The resource provides structured information on 18,813 experimentally validated interactions between molecules, bioprocesses and environmental factors extracted from the scientific literature. Systematic annotation and interactive graphical representation of disease networks make CIDeR a versatile knowledge base for biologists, analysis of large-scale data and systems biology approaches.     

Flow Cytometry Estimation of Nuclear Size and Ploidy Level of Habituated Calli of Sugar Beet

A fully habituated (auxin- and cytokinin-independent) self-regenerating (organo-genic) sugar beet cell line (HO) and a fully habituated non-organogenic one (HNO) derived from the former one, were analyzed as to their nuclear size and DNA content. Flow cytometry and image analysis were used and cells of certified diploid leaves of the same sugar beet strain served as controls. The HNO cells had been shown previously to have many characteristics of cancerous cells. The analyses made on leaves and HNO cells indicated the presence of only one population of cycling cells. In HO cells, two cycling populations were detected: the first one had the same DNA content as the leaves while the second one contained two fold more DNA than the first population. HNO cells showed the higher nuclear size and DNA content. HNO cells also showed evidence of aneuploidy. Thus, nuclear size, DNA content and ploidy level increase together with the neoplasic progression to culminate in HNO cells with the loss of organogenic totipotency. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The efficiency of concentration methods used to detect enteric viruses in anaerobically digested sludge

The presence of enteric viruses in biosolids can be underestimated due to the inefficient methods (mainly molecular methods) used to recover the viruses from these matrices. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate the different methods used to recover adenoviruses (AdV), rotavirus species A (RVA), norovirus genogroup II (NoV GII) and the hepatitis A virus (HAV) from biosolid samples at a large urban wastewater treatment plant in Brazil after they had been treated by mesophilic anaerobic digestion. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for spiking experiments to compare the detection limits of feasible methods, such as beef extract elution and ultracentrifugation. Tests were performed to detect the inhibition levels and the bacteriophage PP7 was used as an internal control. The results showed that the inhibitors affected the efficiency of the PCR reaction and that beef extract elution is a suitable method for detecting enteric viruses, mainly AdV from biosolid samples. All of the viral groups were detected in the biosolid samples: AdV (90%), RVA, NoV GII (45%) and HAV (18%), indicating the viruses'' resistance to the anaerobic treatment process. This is the first study in Brazil to detect the presence of RVA, AdV, NoV GII and HAV in anaerobically digested sludge, highlighting the importance of adequate waste management.     

Communication by scent in some Callitrichidae (Primates) - An interdisciplinary approach

In the South American primate, Saguinus fuscicollis, complexscent marks consisting mainly of the secretions of specializedcircumgenital skin glands and some urine communicate the identityof the species, subspecies and individual, its gender, hormonalcondition and social status. The volatile constituents of thesemarks are squalene and a series of butyric acids, comprising96% (by weight) of the mark, and also a large number of as yetunidentified highly volatile compounds. Monitoring of the relativeconcentrations of squalene and the butyrate esters in the scentmarks of male Saguinus f. fuscicollis and Saguinus f. illigeridemonstrates that the two subspecies show consistent differencesin their concentration profiles. The profiles of individualpurebred males closely resemble those of the appropriate subspecieswhile those of hybrids do not. Moreover, the concentration profilesof individual purebred males and hybrids are remarkably constantover long periods of time. Behavioral studies suggest that specificratios of these compounds may be involved in encoding subspeciesspecificity. However, synergists from the highly volatile compoundsappear to be necessary for complete encoding of the message.     

Anti-HBs antibodies from rabbits and their use as reagents for serological tests in the diagnosis of hepatitis B

By the method of affinity chromatography a partially purified antigen was obtained after passing the plasma of an asymptomatic carrier of HBsAg through a column of Sepharose 4B linked to angi-HBs. This antigen was inoculated in rabbits using a schedule of 1,0 mg in the first dose and 4 other doses of 0,5 mg with intervals of approximately 15 days. Observing that blood samples collected after the 5th inoculation showed no change in antibody levels, the animals were bled on the 62th day and these immune sera were standardized with the following tests for the detection of HBsAg: Reverse passive hemagglutination (R-PHA) - using specific gamma globulin that was obtained from rabbit sera by affinity chromatography and reaching an optimal concentration of 10 micrograms/ml to sensitise SRBC at 5% fixed in glutaraldehyde. Counter immuno electrophoresis (CIEP) - using the rabbit immune sera diluted to 1/20 as a reagent for the detection of HBsAg. The immune sera was also used to conjugate new Sepharose 4B for affinity chromatography and was found having a linking capacity of approximately 0,5 to 1,0 mg of HBsAg per ml of Sepharose after complete saturation.     

Changes in ascorbic acid content and ascorbate peroxidase activity during the development of Acetabularia mediterranea

Abstract. The level of peroxidase activity utilizing ascorbic acid changes during the development of the green alga, Acetabularia mediterranea. During development almost parallel levels of peroxidase activity and ascorbic acid content are detectable: both steadily decrease as algae progress from very young, slowly growing cells to the rapid growth stage and then to cells exhibiting differentiation into primordium and cap. Changes in the levels of the enzyme and its substrate in the cytoplasm and periplasm were demonstrated using biochemical and cytochemical procedures. Concomitant with these developmental changes, we also observed changes in the stage-specific patterns of ascorbic acid concentration: growing algae exhibit a pronounced negative apicobasal gradient of ascorbic acid. Acetabularia cultivated at 1,200 lux (the normal intensity in a 12-h-light/12-h-dark cycle) and at 700 lux (intensity at which growth is reduced, and cap formation is delayed) were also compared. The higher light intensity induced a moderate decrease in the ascorbic acid content without noticeable changes in the compartmental distribution in the cytoplasm and periplasm, and an increase in the level of periplasmic peroxidase activity with little change in the total peroxidase activity. Catalase was found to be present at very low levels and is unlikely to play a role in H₂O₂ catabolism. Possible roles for ascorbic acid and peroxidase in the development of Acetabularia are discussed.