γ-Aminobutyric acid receptors in brain postsynaptic densities

Rat brain synaptic plasma membranes contain two receptorlike binding sites for the inhibitory transmitter γ-aminobutyric acid. Postsynaptic junctional structures (postsynaptic densities) isolated from these membranes contain only the higher affinity site enriched more than sixfold compared to the membranes. The results provide the first direct evidence for the association of transmitter receptors with postsynaptic junctional sites in the brain.     

3D facial phenotyping by biometric sibling matching used in contemporary genomic methodologies

The analysis of contemporary genomic data typically operates on one-dimensional phenotypic measurements (e.g. standing height). Here we report on a data-driven, family-informed strategy to facial phenotyping that searches for biologically relevant traits and reduces multivariate 3D facial shape variability into amendable univariate measurements, while preserving its structurally complex nature. We performed a biometric identification of siblings in a sample of 424 children, defining 1,048 sib-shared facial traits. Subsequent quantification and analyses in an independent European cohort (n = 8,246) demonstrated significant heritability for a subset of traits (0.17–0.53) and highlighted 218 genome-wide significant loci (38 also study-wide) associated with facial variation shared by siblings. These loci showed preferential enrichment for active chromatin marks in cranial neural crest cells and embryonic craniofacial tissues and several regions harbor putative craniofacial genes, thereby enhancing our knowledge on the genetic architecture of normal-range facial variation.     

Anti-Anti-Multiculturalism

In the tradition of Geertz's "Anti Anti-Relativism," this essay analyzes the clash between multiculturalists and anti-multiculturalists as an exchange of worries and warnings about the dangers inherent in the other ism. It then contrasts the concept of culture as employed by anthropologists and by multiculturalists. Finally, it arrives at the conclusion that, while we as anthropologists should not fully embrace multiculturalism, we should reject anti-multiculturalism.     

Transpiration and water uptake of Senecio medley-woodii and Aloe jucunda under changing environmental conditions: measurements with a potometric water-budget-meter

Transpiration, water uptake by the roots and CO₂ exchange oftwo leaf succulents, Senecio medleywoodii (Asteraceae) and Aloejucunda (Asphodeliaceae), were monitored simultaneously andcontinuously with a gas exchange cuvette combined with an apparatusto quantify water uptake (= waterbudget- meter). Measurements,which are primarily valid for plants with a sufficient watersupply, were made with the same plant for up to 29 consecutivedays. Ambient air temperature varied between 17 and 35 C witha constant dewpoint temperature of 13C of the ambient air anda 12 h photoperiod at 400–500mol m^–2s^–1 photonirradiance. The net water flux (J_w(net)=water uptake–transpiration)and the water balance (J_w(net) integrated for a timespan) werecalculated. Various tests were made to determine the accuracyof the measurements made with this rather complex equipment.In most cases the errors for transpiration and uptake rateswere much lower than 8% determined under the conditions of drastically(about 10 K per 30 min) increased or decreased ambient air temperatures.The experimental set-up proved to be a most valuable tool todetermine and analyse interactions between transpiration andwater uptake, changes in plant water status and the bufferingof negative J_wnet). Increasing the temperature of ambient air resulted, for bothspecies investigated, in a quick and considerably enhanced transpiration,but there was only a minor impact on water uptake. Water lossexceeding uptake was buffered by internal water reserves whichwere refilled within about 1 d after the plant was relievedof heat and drought stress caused by a period of high ambientair temperatures and high water vapour saturation deficits ofthe air. Repeated simulation of such stress periods showed thatthe absolute values of transpiration and the water uptake for24 h can vary, but the diurnal course of the values showed thesame pattern if the environmental conditions were identical.Such standardized diurnal transpiration and water uptake curvescould be very useful for the validation of mathematical modelsused to describe plant water relations. Key words: Plant water relations, water budget, drought stress, transpiration, water uptake     

Genetic analysis in mice identifies cysteamine as a novel partner for artemisinin in the treatment of malaria

Malaria continues to be a serious threat to global health. The malaria problem is compounded by the absence of an efficacious vaccine and widespread drug resistance in the Plasmodium malarial parasite. The host factors and parasite virulence determinants that regulate early response to infection and subsequent onset of protective immunity are poorly understood. The molecular characterization of this early host:pathogen interface may identify novel targets for prophylactic or therapeutic intervention. Genetic analyses in mouse model of malaria show that inactivation of the enzyme pantetheinase (Char9 locus) causes susceptibility to blood-stage infection. The pantetheinase product cysteamine is an inexpensive and non-toxic aminothiol that is approved for lifelong clinical management of nephropathic cystinosis. In mouse models of infection, cysteamine not only displays anti-malarial activity of its own, but also dramatically potentiates the anti-malarial activity of artemisinin, at doses currently used for the clinical management of cystinosis. Therefore, the inclusion of cysteamine in current artemisinin combination therapies may significantly increase efficacy and may also prove effective against emerging artemisinin-resistant human Plasmodium parasite.     

Diurnal Pattern of Transpiration,Water Uptake and Water Budget of Succulents with Different CO2 Fixation Pathways

The water fluxes and the CO₂ exchange of three leaf succulents, Othonna opima, Cotyledon orbiculata and Senecio medley-woodii, with different leaf anatomy, growth form and CO₂ fixation pathways (C₃, CAM) were monitored with a gas exchange cuvette which was combined with a potometric system to quantify water uptake. Measurements, which are primarily valid for plants with a sufficient water supply, were made during 6 to 10 consecutive days under constant experimental conditions. Water uptake for 24 h exceeded water loss by transpiration only for a S, medley-woodii plant with 10 expanding but only 7 mature leaves. In this case the gained water evidently is put into leaf expansion. All other plants showed balanced transpiration and water uptake rates. O. opima and C. orbiculata have a similar life form, similar water storage volumes and the same natural habitat but their diurnal water uptake patterns differ significantly. In the C₃ plant O. opima water uptake increased when the transpiration increased or transpiration rates were higher than uptake rates and vice versa. On the contrary the CAM plant C. orbiculata transpired during the dark period at constant or decreasing rates but showed steadily increasing uptake rates. Senecio medley-woodii- and C. orbiculata are CAM plants with similar diurnal water uptake patterns with its maximum in uptake during or towards the end of the CO₂ dark fixation period. Water uptake of C. orbiculata was at its minimum at the end of the light period despite transpiration being maximal. The results were discussed considering the different CO₂ fixation pathways. In the investigated CAM succulents, C. orbiculata and S. medley-woodii, the CAM influenced water uptake throughout the whole day and not only during the CO₂ dark fixation period.     

Optical and spectroscopic methods for biofilm examination and monitoring

Optical and spectroscopic methods for biofilmexamination and monitoring are reviewed.Biofilm examination techniques includemicroscopic methods, coupled with imageanalysis and with oligonucleotide ribosomal RNAprobing methods (fluorescence in situhybridization). Microscopic examinationtechniques are especially advantageous inextracting biofilm structural and architecturalparameters, as well as structure-functionrelationships of the biofilm microbialpopulation. Spectroscopic techniques are ableto elicit biofilm chemical and metabolicpatterns, as well as biofilm activity. They areof outstanding importance for on-line,non-invasive biofilm monitoring, especiallywhen coupled with chemometric algorithms forspectra calibration and pattern recognition.The paper emphasises the importance of thecombination of novel and established analyticaltechniques, as well as their integration withpowerful computational methods for theautomation of biofilm monitoring.