Bluejay 1.0: genome browsing and comparison with rich customization provision and dynamic resource linking

Background  

The Bluejay genome browser has been developed over several years to address the challenges posed by the ever increasing number of data types as well as the increasing volume of data in genome research. Beginning with a browser capable of rendering views of XML-based genomic information and providing scalable vector graphics output, we have now completed version 1.0 of the system with many additional features. Our development efforts were guided by our observation that biologists who use both gene expression profiling and comparative genomics gain functional insights above and beyond those provided by traditional per-gene analyses.     

The effect of insulin on delayed augmented mast-cell mediated mitogenesis in diabetic rats

Delayed augmented mitogenic reactivity follows mast-cell secretion in mesentery and skin in streptozotocin-diabetic rats with 4-week insulin-deficiency (Norrby 1982; Norrby et al. 1982; Norrby 1983). In such rats the basal proliferation is essentially unchanged in the mesentery and skin, whereas it is significantly increased in the small gut and significantly decreased in the kidney. On treating rats with 4-week-old diabetes with very-long-acting insulin for over 3 days (16 U/kg X 2 daily) the basal proliferation of the small gut and the kidney apparently became normal, the body weight increased, and the blood glucose concentration dropped substantially and progressively. However, insulin-treatment did not affect the mast-cell-dependent mitogenesis in the mesentery following intraperitoneal injection of the mast-cell secretagogue compound 48/80, as judged by specific DNA activity and mitosis counting. We conclude that some metabolic or cellular feature of diabetes which is not restored by 3-day insulin treatment, and not insulin deficiency itself, is the cause of the delayed increased mitogenic reactivity that follows mast-cell secretion in diabetic rat.     

Synthesis of three oligosaccharides that form part of the complex type of carbohydrate moiety of glycoproteins

Silver trifluoromethanesulfonate-promoted condensation of 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-phthalimido-β-d-glucopyranosyl bromide with benzyl 3,6-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranoside and benzyl 3,4-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranoside gave the protected 2,4- and 2,6-linked trisaccharides in yields of 54 and 32%, respectively. After exchanging the 2-deoxy-2-phthalimido groups for 2-acetamido-2-deoxy groups and de-blocking, the trisaccharides 2,4-di-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-d-mannose and 2,6-di-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-d-mannose were obtained. Similar condensation of 3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl bromide with benzyl 3,4-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranoside gave a pentasaccharide derivative in 52% yield. After transformations analogous to those applied to the trisaccharides, 2,6-di-O-[β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)]-d-mannose was obtained.     

Immunological studies in Bloom's syndrome. A follow-up report.

Longitudinal immunological studies were performed in five patients with Bloom's syndrome. Serum IgG concentration showed no age-related increase. IgA levels were below the 10th percentile in childhood, but rose to normal in all but one. IgM was decreased in four patients at diagnosis and remained so in three of them. Cellular immunity results were very variable, even within one patient. An immunologic attrition was not demonstrated.