Rescue of the HNF4 → HNF1α Pathway in Hepatoma Variant Cells Containing Human Chromosome 12

Expression of liver-enrichedtrans-acting hepatocyte nuclear factors 1α (HNF1α) and 4 (HNF4) is correlated with the hepatic phenotype in cultured rat hepatoma cells. We have used a hepatoma variant cell line, H11, that specifically lacks the HNF4 → HNF1α pathway as a model to understand mechanisms controlling hepatic gene expression. We have introduced randomly marked human chromosomes into H11 cells and have isolated a number of microcell hybrids that have rescued hepatic gene expression, including HNF4, HNF1α, and α1-antitrypsin. Chromosomal analysis of cell hybrids showed that the rescued hepatic phenotype correlated closely with the presence of human chromosome 12p sequences. Although the gene encoding HNF1α is located on chromosome 12q24, its retention was not required to rescue the hepatic phenotype. Thus, we suggest that a locus on human chromosome 12p plays an important role in maintenance of hepatic gene expression through activation of the HNF4 → HNF1α pathway.     

An overview of stripe rust of wheat (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) in Pakistan

Stripe rust (yellow rust) caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici has been an important disease of wheat in the Indian subcontinent since 1786. Currently, it prevails across all the wheat growing areas from north to south in the country. Due to the favourable weather conditions, the northern uplands have been historically hit by the severe disease epidemics. These epidemics caused significant losses to national wheat production. Acquisition of broader virulence pattern by the pathogen poses a serious threat to national agriculture. Although the deployed national wheat varieties have adequate resistance, these are developed around few major genes and are vulnerable to the new evolving strains of the pathogen. Utilisation of race non-specific durable resistance and seedling resistance via gene pyramiding, based on the current virulence scenario of the pathogen should provide sustainable control. This review focuses on the national milestones that recognise the economic significance of the disease and current status of stripe rust and its management in Pakistan.     

Precipitating and relieving factors of migraine versus tension type headache

Background

The correlation between intracranial pressure (ICP) and intraocular pressure (IOP) is still controversial in literature and hence whether IOP can be used as a non-invasive surrogate of ICP remains unknown. The aim of the current study was to further clarify the potential correlation between ICP and IOP.

Methods

The IOP measured with Goldmann applanation tonometer was carried out on 130 patients whose ICP was determined via lumber puncture. The Pearson correlation coefficient between ICP and IOP was calculated, the fisher line discriminated analysis to evaluate the effectivity of using IOP to predict the ICP level.

Results

A significant correlation between ICP and IOP was found. ICP was correlated significantly with IOP of the right eyes (p?<?0.001) and IOP of the left eyes (p?=?0.001) and mean IOP of both eyes (p?<?0.001), respectively. However, using IOP as a measurement to predict ICP, the accuracy rate was found to be 65.4%.

Conclusion

Our data suggested that although a significant correlation exists between ICP and IOP, caution needs to be taken when using IOP readings by Goldmann applanation tonometer as a surrogate for direct cerebrospinal fluid pressure measurement of ICP.     

Identification of a novel GC-rich 113-nucleotide region to complete the circular, single-stranded DNA genome of TT virus, the first human circovirus

The sequence data (H. Okamoto et al., Hepatol. Res. 10:1-16, 1998) of a newly discovered single-stranded DNA virus, TT virus (TTV), showed that it did not have the terminal structure typical of a parvovirus. Elucidation of the complete genome structure was necessary to understand the nature of TTV. We obtained a 1.0-kb amplified product from serum samples of four TTV carriers by an inverted, nested long PCR targeted for nucleotides (nt) 3025 to 3739 and 1 to 216 of TTV. The sequence of a clone obtained from serum sample TA278 was compared with those registered in GenBank. The complete circular TTV genome contained a novel sequence of 113 nt (nt 3740 to 3852 [=0]) in between the known 3'- and 5'-end arms, forming a 117-nt GC-rich stretch (GC content, 90.6% at nt 3736 to 3852). We found a 36-nt stretch (nt 3816 to 3851) with an 80.6% similarity to chicken anemia virus (CAV) (nt 2237 to 2272 of M55918), a vertebrate circovirus. A putative SP-1 site was located at nt 3834 to 3839, followed by a TATA box at nt 85 to 90, the first initiation codon of a putative VP2 at nt 107 to 109, the termination codon of a putative VP1 at nt 2899 to 2901, and a poly(A) signal at nt 3073 to 3078. The arrangement was similar to that of CAV. Furthermore, several AP-2 and ATF/CREB binding sites and an NF-kappaB site were arranged around the GC-rich region in both TTV and CAV. The data suggested that TTV is circular and similar to CAV in its genomic organization, implying that TTV is the first human circovirus.     

Accumulation,distribution and toxicological effects induced by cadmium on the development of mangrove plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kandelia candel</Emphasis> (L.)

Accumulation and distribution pattern of cadmium (Cd) and its toxic effect on growth of the mangrove plant of young Kandelia candel seedlings have been examined. This study demonstrated that under high concentration of Cd stress, the total biomass of K. candel decreased 41.57% compare to control (CK). At the end of 90 days exposure to 25 mg/l Cd, the average seedlings stem height and leaf number of the K. candel decreased by 30.54 and 42.68%, respectively. The results showed that K. candel seedlings, under the experimental condition, accumulated higher concentration of Cd in their roots (411.29 ± 3.60 mg/kg) when compared to hypocotyls, stems and leaves. More than 95% of Cd was accumulated mainly in roots. The distribution pattern of Cd concentration in K. candel seedlings was found in the following order: roots > hypocotyls > stems > leaves. Based on the leaf symptoms and morphological change of K. candel seedlings under heavy metal stress, this study showed that Cd is phytotoxic to K. candel.     

Interaction Between Essential Elements Selenium and Zinc with Cadmium and Mercury in Samples from Hypertensive Patients

The abnormal metabolism of metal ions plays an important role in health and disease conditions; hence, the studies about them have received much interest. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between trace and toxic elements zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), selenium (Se), and mercury (Hg) in biological samples (scalp hair, blood, and urine) of hypertensive patients (n?=?257), residents of Hyderabad, Pakistan. For comparison purpose, the biological samples of age-matched healthy controls were selected as referents. The concentrations of trace and toxic elements were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer prior to microwave-assisted acid digestion. The validity and accuracy of the methodology was checked using certified reference materials and by the conventional wet acid digestion method. The recovery of all studied elements was found in the range of 96.4–99.1 % in certified reference materials. The results of this study showed that the mean values of Cd and Hg were significantly higher in scalp hair, blood, and urine samples of hypertensive patients than in referents (P?<?0.001), whilst the concentrations of Zn and Se were lower in the scalp hair and blood, but higher in the urine samples of hypertensive patients. The deficiency of Zn and Se and the high exposure of toxic metals may be synergistic with risk factors associated with hypertension.     

Cloning and characterization of a candidate nutritive glycoprotein from the albumen gland of the freshwater snail, Helisoma duryi (Mollusca: Pulmonata)

Abstract. The albumen gland is a female accessory sex gland that synthesizes and secretes perivitelline fluid around pulmonate eggs. The perivitelline fluid is composed of mainly galactogen and proteins, and is thought to provide nourishment to the embryos during development. We have previously identified the major secretory protein of the albumen gland of the freshwater snail Helisoma duryi as a native glycoprotein of ∼288 kDa, consisting of four 66-kDa subunits. In this study, the major albumen gland protein in H. duryi was purified, cloned, and the full-length cDNA sequence determined. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that the albumen gland protein (HdAGP) shared 83% identity with a partial cDNA sequence from a developmentally regulated albumen gland protein in Biomphalaria glabrata . The HdAGP mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in the albumen gland, ovotestis, mantle and digestive gland. SDS-PAGE analysis of the albumen gland protein in egg masses at different stages of development showed that the amount of HdAGP steadily decreased during embryogenesis, suggesting its possible catabolism by the developing embryos. Protein domain searches suggested that the HdAGP shared limited sequence identity, and adopted a similar three-dimensional conformation to the bactericidal, permeability increasing, protein family, raising the possibility of a potential bactericidal function for this important reproductive/developmental protein.     

Evaluation of methods to assess adequacy of potential soil S supply to crops

Eight methods were evaluated for assessment of the likely soil S-supply to a crop and in particular to identify likely deficiencies in this supply. Of the methods, only sulphate production from incubated soil amended both with a S-containing amino acid and elemental S correlated with field response of grass yield to S-fertilizer applications. Tissue S-concentrations in plants grown for a short-term bioassay also correlated with field S-fertilizer response. Neither sulphate extracted by 3 different salt extractions, nor sulphate production from unamended incubated soil, nor soil arylsulphatase activity, correlated with field fertilizer response.     

Urea-acetylene dicarboxylic acid reaction: A likely pathway for prebiotic uracil formation

A number of routes have been suggested for the prebiotic synthesis of uracil involving the reaction of urea with malic acid, propiolic acid, cyanoacetylene and others. Cyanoacetylene has been detected in the interstellar medium as well as simulated prebiotic experiments. It is therefore plausible that dicyanoacetylene and its hydrolytic product acetylene dicarboxylic acid, (ADCA) may have played a role in chemical evolution. This aspect has been examined in the present work for the synthesis of uracil from ADCA and urea reaction.It was found that when ADCA reacted with urea, uracil was formed only in the presence of phosphoric acid and phosphates. Ammonium phosphates gave higher yields of uracil than other phosphates. In the absence of phosphoric acid or phosphates no uracil formation took place. This type of synthesis could have taken place in prebiotic oceans which contained ammonium phosphates and other salts.     

A possible prebiotic synthesis of thymine: uracil-formaldehyde-formic acid reaction.

When uracil is reacted with formaldehyde and formic acid in dilute aqueous solutions at 100-140 degrees C, 5-hydroxymethyluracil (5-HMU), methylenebiuracil (MBU) and thymine are formed. It has been shown that 5-HMU is an intermediate in the formation of MBU and thymine. In the presence of formic acid, 5-HMU gives MBU, thymine and in some cases uracil. The formation of thymine is generally favoured under acidic conditions, although small amounts of this base could also be obtained when the reactions were carried out under mildly basic conditions. A hydride ion transfer mechanism is suggested for some of these reactions. These results have relevance to the formation of thymine under prebiotic conditions.