Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) expression in preeclamptic decidua and MMP9 induction by tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 beta in human first trimester decidual cells

Extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) invade human decidua via sequential integrin-mediated binding and proteolysis of basement membrane proteins in the extracellular matrix (ECM). In preeclampsia, shallow EVT invasion impairs spiral artery and arteriole remodeling to reduce uteroplacental blood flow. Excess decidual cell-expressed matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9, in response to preeclampsia-related interleukin 1 beta (IL1B) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), may inappropriately degrade these basement membrane proteins and impede EVT invasion. This study found significantly higher immunohistochemical MMP9 levels in decidual cells and adjacent interstitial trophoblasts in placental sections of preeclamptic versus gestational age-matched control women. In contrast, immunostaining for MMP2 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 2 (TIMP1 and TIMP2) were similar in preeclamptic and control groups. First-trimester decidual cells were incubated with estradiol (E(2)) or E(2) + medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), with or without TNF or IL1B. As measured by ELISA, both cytokines elicited concentration-dependent increases in secreted MMP9 levels that were unaffected by MPA. In contrast, secreted levels of MMP2, TIMP1, and TIMP2 were unchanged in all treatment groups. Substrate gel zymography and Western blotting confirmed that each cytokine increased secreted levels of MMP9 but not MMP2. Similarly, quantitative RT-PCR found that TNF and IL1B enhanced MMP9, but not MMP2, mRNA levels. At the implantation site, inflammatory cytokine-enhanced MMP9 may promote preeclampsia by disrupting the decidual ECM to interfere with normal stepwise EVT invasion.     

NewSorex araneus karyotypes from Germany and the postglacial recolonization of central Europe

New G-banded karyotypes from populations of the common shrew Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758 provide a clearer picture of the distribution of chromosome races in central Europe. As expected according to their occurrence in neighbouring countries, the Jutland (kq, no), Laska (k/o) and Drnholec (ko, nr) races are also found in Germany. A new chromosome race “Rügen” (kq) is described from this Baltic Island. Together with the previously recorded races Ulm and Mooswald (kr), six chromosome races are now known from Germany. The resulting distribution pattern is characterized by high frequencies of different race-specific metacentrics at the periphery of the country and clines with decreasing frequencies towards the centre which is occupied by the Ulm race. This race is acrocentric for all chromosome arms involved in the observed race-specific fusions and represents a buffer between the surrounding, more metacentric races. According to the present distribution of these metacentrics, a scenario for the postglacial recolonization of central Europe by S.araneus populations on three different routes is proposed: from the east along the northern slopes of the Carpathian Arc, from the south-east along the Danube Valley and from the south-west through the Upper Rhine Valley.     

Preserved life positions of some Jurassic bivalves

The observed life positions of 23 species of Jurassic bivalves are recorded and compared to reconstructions derived from functional interpretations of their morphology and comparisons with Recent relatives. In the majority of cases, these inferences correspond with field observations. There are, however, cases such ashognomon where likely reconstructions differ. These could easily lead to an erroneous interpretation of the autecology of some species.     

Description of Megastygarctides sezginii sp. nov. (Tardigrada: Arthrotardigrada: Stygarctidae) from the Turkish Black Sea coast and a key to the genus Megastygarctides

In this paper, Megastygarctides sezginii sp. nov., a new marine species from the Black Sea (Turkey), is described. Morphological and morphometric studies have revealed that M. sezginii sp. nov. is most similar to M. setoloso Morgan & O’Reilly, 1988, but differs from it through the presence of two types of fibrils, a lack of cuticle granulation, the presence of three lateral projections with fibrils, leg fibrils arranged in transverse stripes and the presence of clumps of fibrils near the clavae. In the studied environment, the new species is frequently found in summer and almost absent in winter. Additionally, a taxonomic key for all Megastygarctides species is presented.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:53AA1D57-8700-4A18-9099-1CDDBAEB4D3A     

Cyclic AMP Phosphodiesterase and its Inhibitor in Slime Mould Development

CYCLIC adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) acts as a chemotactic factor causing cell aggregation in the slime mould, Dtctyosteltum discoideum^1,2. Aggregation in this organism is the link between the growth phase and the second phase of development, in which cells cooperate and differentiate to form a multicellular fruiting body. The finding that cyclic AMP also mediates developmental functions other than chemotaxis³ suggests that regulation of cyclic AMP synthesis and destruction is important in the control of morphogenesis in D. discoideum.     

Modular Upgradability in Consumer Electronics: Economic and Environmental Implications

Modularly upgradable product designs have been advocated to offer environmental and economic advantages; however, they are not commonly used in the consumer electronics industry. In this article, we investigate the economic and environmental benefits and challenges of modular upgradability for consumer electronics. From an economic point of view, we posit that the limited adoption of modular upgradability in consumer electronics is owing to various demand‐, technology‐, and competition‐related issues. From an environmental point of view, we posit that modularly upgradable product designs may not necessarily lead to superior environmental outcomes. To reach meaningful conclusions regarding the environmental benefits of modular upgradability, one needs to understand how product architecture affects demand, production, and consumption patterns, which arise from endogenous consumer and manufacturer choices. It is also important to take into account that modular upgradability may have potentially differentiated effects in the production, consumption, and postuse phases of the lifecycle.     

转基因白桦杂交子代种子活力及外源基因遗传规律分析

探索目的基因在转基因白桦杂交子代群体中的传递规律,为后续进一步跟踪调查,实现转基因白桦的聚合育种提供帮助。以1年生BpAP1、TabZIP转基因白桦杂交T1代和5年生BpGH3.5、BpCCR转基因白桦为研究对象,测定杂交子代种子千粒质量、发芽率和发芽势等活力指标,同时采用PCR扩增法检测目的基因,调查杂交T2代白桦苗高。杂交子代各家系间种子千粒质量、种子活力指标和苗高等在0.01水平上差异显著,各性状的家系遗传力均高于85.00%。研究结果表明,目的基因在T2代群体中的传递规律不符合孟德尔遗传规律,雌、雄配子目的基因的传递效率分别为30.00%、50.00%左右,同时未获得3目的基因聚合的杂交T2代个体。目的基因的随机插入降低了白桦杂交T2代种子活力,未获得3基因聚合的白桦杂交子代,目的基因的聚合对杂交子代个体的生长发育产生了不利影响,甚至产生致死现象。     

Purification of carbonic anhydrase from dog erythrocytes and investigation of in vitro inhibition by various compounds

The enzyme carbonic anhydrase (E.C. 4.2.1.1) has a stimulatory effect on glaucoma, an eye disease that has a risk to dogs, which are models for the human eye disease, that is similar to that in humans.

In this study, some sulfonamide derivatives, 2-(3-cyclohexene-1-carbamido)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-5-sulfonamide (CCTS), 4-(3-cyclohexene-1-carbamido) methyl-benzenesulfonamide (CCBS), 2-(9-octadecenoylamido)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-5-sulfonamide (ODTS), 2-(4,7,10-trioxa-tetradecanoylamido)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-5-sulfonamide (TDTS), and 2-(8-methoxycoumarine-3-carbamido)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-5-sulfonamide (MCTS), as well as some anionic compounds (perchlorate and chloride) and existing medicines (dorzolamide-HCl, gentamicine sulphate, tropicamide, and procaine-HCl) were assayed for their inhibition of dog carbonic anhydrase (dCA), which was purified from erythrocytes on an affinity gel of L-tyrosine-sulfonamide-Sepharose 4B. ODTS showed the highest potency amongst the synthetic compounds with IC₅₀ value 1.18 × 10^{? 5} M. Amongst the medicines tested, only dorzolamide showed inhibition with IC₅₀ value 5.05 × 10^{? 4} M. Procaine and tropicamide actually showed an activatory effect, whereas gentamicine sulfate had no significant effect. The inhibitory effects of anionic compounds such as perchlorate and chloride were also investigated; whereas perchlorate showed inhibition, chloride did not.     

Sculpture and vascularization of dermal bones,and the implications for the physiology of basal tetrapods

Sculpture of dermal bones and their vascularization in basal tetrapods are closely connected. Ontogenetic data suggest that the large vessels that coursed to the superficial bone surface induced the formation of sculptural ridges and tubercles around their openings. Imprints show that the vessels continued on the bone surface and coursed within furrows or pits, where they were protected by the sculpture from mechanical damage. Dermal bone histology indicates a consolidation of the integument in basal tetrapods by strong, mineralized Sharpey's fibres in the sculptural ridges and tubercles, and by the presence of metaplastic tissue in several taxa. Because of the tight integration of bone and dermis, the large vessels were not able to spread over the sculptural elements, but instead had to pass interosseously. The diverse sculptural morphologies depend on the variation in height and width of the ‘nodal points’ and their connecting ridges, and in the size and shape of the enclosed cells and furrows. A principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant function analysis (DFA) of 47 basal tetrapod taxa with 12 discrete characters shows that dermal sculpture is suited for distinguishing some main basal tetrapod lineages. Taxa that are interpreted as being largely aquatic have generally a more regular sculpture than presumably terrestrial ones. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 160 , 302–340.