Crystal structure, neutron vibrational spectroscopy, and DFT calculations of Li2B12H12 · 4H2O

The crystal structure of Li₂B₁₂H₁₂ · 4H₂O has been determined by X-ray powder diffraction and confirmed by a combination of neutron vibrational spectroscopy and first-principles calculations. The solvent-free analog of this compound (Li₂B₁₂H₁₂) has recently attracted interest as a putative intermediate in the decomposition of LiBH₄. Li₂B₁₂H₁₂ · 4H₂O appears in the initial stages of Li₂B₁₂H₁₂ synthesis from LiBH₄ and B₁₀H₁₄     

Ryk cooperates with Frizzled 7 to promote Wnt11-mediated endocytosis and is essential for Xenopus laevis convergent extension movements

The single-pass transmembrane protein Ryk (atypical receptor related tyrosine kinase) functions as a Wnt receptor. However, Ryk's correlation with Wnt/Frizzled (Fz) signaling is poorly understood. Here, we report that Ryk regulates Xenopus laevis convergent extension (CE) movements via the β-arrestin 2 (βarr2)-dependent endocytic process triggered by noncanonical Wnt signaling. During X. laevis gastrulation, βarr2-mediated endocytosis of Fz7 and dishevelled (Dvl/Dsh) actually occurs in the dorsal marginal zone tissues, which actively participate in noncanonical Wnt signaling. Noncanonical Wnt11/Fz7-mediated endocytosis of Dsh requires the cell-membrane protein Ryk. Ryk interacts with both Wnt11 and βarr2, cooperates with Fz7 to mediate Wnt11-stimulated endocytosis of Dsh, and signals the noncanonical Wnt pathway in CE movements. Conversely, depletion of Ryk and Wnt11 prevents Dsh endocytosis in dorsal marginal zone tissues. Our study suggests that Ryk functions as an essential regulator for noncanonical Wnt/Fz-mediated endocytosis in the regulation of X. laevis CE movements.     

Transgenic peppers that are highly tolerant to a new CMV pathotype

The CMV (cucumber mosaic virus) is the most frequently occurring virus in chili pepper farms. A variety of peppers that are resistant to CMVP0 were developed in the middle of 1990s through a breeding program, and commercial cultivars have since been able to control the spread of CMVP0. However, a new pathotype (CMVP1) that breaks the resistance of CMVP0-resistant peppers has recently appeared and caused a heavy loss in productivity. Since no genetic source of this new pathotype was available, a traditional breeding method cannot be used to generate a CMVP1-resistant pepper variety. Therefore, we set up a transformation system of pepper using Agrobacterium that had been transfected with the coat protein gene, CMVP0-CP, with the aim of developing a new CMVP1-resistant pepper line. A large number of transgenic peppers (T₁, T₂ and T₃) were screened for CMVP1 tolerance using CMVP1 inoculation. Transgenic peppers tolerant to CMVP1 were selected in a plastic house as well as in the field. Three independent T₃ pepper lines highly tolerant to the CMVP1 pathogen were found to also be tolerant to the CMVP0 pathogen. These selected T₃ pepper lines were phenotypically identical or close to the non-transformed lines. However, after CMVP1 infection, the height and fruit size of the non-transformed lines became shorter and smaller, respectively, while the T₃ pepper lines maintained a normal phenotype.     

Tolerability and efficacy of single dose albendazole,diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) or co-administration of albendazole with DEC in the clearance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Wuchereria bancrofti</Emphasis>in asymptomatic microfilaraemic volunteers in Pondicherry,South India: a hospital-based study

Background  

The tolerability and efficacy of single dose albendazole (400 mg), diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) (6 mg/kg bodyweight) or co-administration of albendazole (400 mg) + DEC (6 mg/kg bodyweight) was studied in 54 asymptomatic Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaraemic volunteers in a double blind hospital-based clinical study.     

Analysis of N-glycosylation of phospholipase A2 from venom of individual bees by microbore high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry using an ion trap mass spectrometer

The N-linked oligosaccharides were released from the phospholipase A2 (PLA) with glycopeptidases and reductively aminated with the chromophore, p-aminobenzoic acid ethyl ester (ABEE). The ABEE-labeled oligosaccharides were separated by microbore high-performance liquid chromatography (micro-HPLC) using a reversed-phase column and analyzed by electrospray mass spectrometry. Differentiation between alpha-1,3 and alpha-1,6 core-fucosylated glycans was achieved by comparison the glycans released by glycopeptidases peptide-N-glycanase A (PNase A) and peptide-N-glycanase F (PNase F). All N-linked oligosaccharides except 3B and 3C could be identified in this approach. The analysis of PLA oligosaccharides from the venom of individual bees indicated that glycosylation patterns between the younger and the older bees were similar.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Methyl-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">D</Emphasis>-Aspartate Receptor Type 1 Immunoreactivity and Protein Level in the Gerbil Main Olfactory Bulb After Transient Forebrain Ischemia

It has been reported that the over-stimulation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NR) modulates glutamate postsynaptic neurotransmission by generating long lasting Ca²⁺ channel openings. In the present study, we investigated ischemia-induced change in NR1 immunoreactivity and level in the main olfactory bulb (MOB) after 5 min of transient forebrain ischemia in gerbils. NR1 immunoreactivity in the sham-operated group was shown mainly in tufted cells of the external plexiform and in mitral cells of the mitral cell layer. NR1 immunoreactivity in these neurons was increased with time and was very strong 15 days after ischemia/reperfusion. At that time, NR1 protein level in the MOB was also highest. Thereafter, NR1 immunoreactivity and protein level in the MOB were decreased with time after ischemia/reperfusion. Thus, NR1 in tufted and mitral cells in the gerbil MOB is changed after transient forebrain ischemia. This suggests that mitral and tufted cells may be the principal neurons in the MOB affected in receiving inputs and sending projections to the olfactory area after transient ischemia. Y. Her and K.-Y. Yoo contributed equally to this article.