Semen cryopreservation in golden‐headed lion tamarin,Leontopithecus chrysomelas

Wild animal genetic resource banking (GRB) represents a valuable tool in conservation breeding programs, particularly in cases involving endangered species such as the golden‐headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas). Thus, we aimed to assess a sperm freezing protocol for golden‐headed lion tamarins using two different exenders: BotuBOV® (BB) and Test Yolk Buffer® (TYB). Ejaculates were collected by penile vibrostimulation from animals housed at São Paulo Zoological Park Foundation, São Paulo, Brazil, and after immediate analysis, two aliquots were diluted in BB and TYB. Postthawing samples were evaluated for total and progressive motility, plasma membrane and acrosome integrities, mitochondrial activity, susceptibility to oxidative stress, and sperm–egg‐binding. No differences between BB and TYB were found for most seminal parameters, except for acrosome integrity and susceptibility to oxidative stress (in both cases BB showed higher values). However, in spite of these differences and regardless of the extender used, postthaw sperm motility and viability with the described protocol were encouraging (on average >50% and >80%, respectively), indicating that sperm cryopreservation may be a short‐term measure for the conservation of golden‐headed lion tamarins.     

Late Glacial and Holocene environmental and climatic changes from a limnological transect through Colombia, northern South America

We present a synthesis of the palaeolimnological and palaeoclimatic reconstructions of four sites in Colombia. The record from Lake El Caimito, the westernmost site on the Pacific Coast, dates from the Late Holocene and shows lacustrine sedimentation frequently interrupted by fluvial pulses. These pulses probably reflect periods of increased precipitation related to La Niña phases. East of El Caimito site is the Patía swamp, situated between the Western and Central Andean Cordilleras. The Patía records the dynamics of forest expansion/reduction and changes in water levels. Although the climatic signal of the Patia core is difficult to reconstruct, there is a clear increase in humidity in the Mid-Holocene. The Fúquene Lake record, on the Eastern Andean Cordillera, records dry and cold conditions during the Late Pleistocene, very humid conditions for the early Mid-Holocene, and dry conditions during the mid-Late Holocene. Las Margaritas site, on the eastern savannas, records dry conditions during the Early Holocene and overall humid conditions for the Mid- and Late Holocene. Climate conditions from the Fuquene and Las Margaritas sites seem to reflect the Holocene movements of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ); the latter site being more affected by humidity coming from the Amazon region.     

Molecular Probing of the HPV-16 E6 Protein Alpha Helix Binding Groove with Small Molecule Inhibitors

The human papillomavirus (HPV) HPV E6 protein has emerged as a central oncoprotein in HPV-associated cancers in which sustained expression is required for tumor progression. A majority of the E6 protein interactions within the human proteome use an alpha-helix groove interface for binding. The UBE3A/E6AP HECT domain ubiquitin ligase binds E6 at this helix-groove interface. This enables formation of a trimeric complex with p53, resulting in destruction of this tumor suppressor. While recent x-ray crystal structures are useful, examples of small molecule probes that can modulate protein interactions at this interface are limited. To develop insights useful for potential structure-based design of ligands for HPV E6, a series of 2,6-disubstituted benzopyranones were prepared and tested as competitive antagonists of E6-E6AP helix-groove interactions. These small molecule probes were used in both binding and functional assays to evaluate recognition features of the E6 protein. Evidence for an ionic functional group interaction within the helix groove was implicated by the structure-activity among the highest affinity ligands. The molecular topographies of these protein-ligand interactions were evaluated by comparing the binding and activities of single amino acid E6 mutants with the results of molecular dynamic simulations. A group of arginine residues that form a rim-cap over the E6 helix groove offer compensatory roles in binding and recognition of the small molecule probes. The flexibility and impact on the overall helix-groove shape dictated by these residues offer new insights for structure-based targeting of HPV E6.     

Plasma Biomarkers Discriminate Clinical Forms of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis, the most common cause of neurological disability in young population after trauma, represents a significant public health burden. Current challenges associated with management of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients stem from the lack of biomarkers that might enable stratification of the different clinical forms of MS and thus prompt treatment for those patients with progressive MS, for whom there is currently no therapy available. In the present work we analyzed a set of thirty different plasma cytokines, chemokines and growth factors present in circulation of 129 MS patients with different clinical forms (relapsing remitting, secondary progressive and primary progressive MS) and 53 healthy controls, across two independent cohorts. The set of plasma analytes was quantified with Luminex xMAP technology and their predictive power regarding clinical outcome was evaluated both individually using ROC curves and in combination using logistic regression analysis. Our results from two independent cohorts of MS patients demonstrate that the divergent clinical and histology-based MS forms are associated with distinct profiles of circulating plasma protein biomarkers, with distinct signatures being composed of chemokines and growth/angiogenic factors. With this work, we propose that an evaluation of a set of 4 circulating biomarkers (HGF, Eotaxin/CCL11, EGF and MIP-1β/CCL4) in MS patients might serve as an effective tool in the diagnosis and more personalized therapeutic targeting of MS patients.     

1H, 13C and 15N resonance assignment of phage T4 endoribonuclease RegB

RegB is involved in the control of the phage T4 life cycle. It inactivates the phage early mRNAs when their translation is no more required. We determined its structure and identified residues involved in substrate binding. For this, all backbone and 90% of side-chain resonance frequencies were assigned.     

Prise en charge des troubles de la reproduction chez l’adolescent

Adolescence is a period marked by the search for sexual identity. How do paraplegic or quadriplegic teenagers develop their sexual identity? How can the nursing team help them in this process? The authors study erection and the quality of sexual relations and then examine the problem of procreation. Early, practical information adapted to the neurological definition of the spinal cord injury is essential, with preservation of sperm prior to the development of urological and infectious complications. The authors report their experience of 24 paraplegic or tetraplegic teenagers at the CMPA in Neufmoutiers and the CECOS at Cochin Hospital in Paris.     

Gas chromatographic determination of low concentrations of benzoic acid in human plasma and urine

A method for the determination of benzoic acid down to concentrations of 10 ng/ml in plasma or urine is described. After addition of an internal standard, benzoic acid is extracted at acid pH into diethyl ether. Both compounds are derivatized with pentafluorobenzyl bromide. The derivatives are determined by gas chromatography using a ⁴³Ni electron-capture detector. Hippuric acid is hydrolysed in plasma and urine and total benzoic acid is determined by the same technique.     

Identification and functional analysis of NOL7 nuclear and nucleolar localization signals

Background  

NOL7 is a candidate tumor suppressor that localizes to a chromosomal region 6p23. This locus is frequently lost in a number of malignancies, and consistent loss of NOL7 through loss of heterozygosity and decreased mRNA and protein expression has been observed in tumors and cell lines. Reintroduction of NOL7 into cells resulted in significant suppression of in vivo tumor growth and modulation of the angiogenic phenotype. Further, NOL7 was observed to localize to the nucleus and nucleolus of cells. However, the mechanisms regulating its subcellular localization have not been elucidated.