Oxytocin Influences Male Sexual Activity via Non-synaptic Axonal Release in the Spinal Cord

1. Download : Download high-res image (215KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Studies of ancient crania from northern Africa

Historical sources and archaeological data predict significant population variability in mid-Holocene northern Africa. Multivariate analyses of crania demonstrate wide variation but also suggest an indigenous craniometric pattern common to both late dynastic northern Egypt and the coastal Maghreb region. Both tropical African and European metric phenotypes, as well intermediate patterns, are found in mid-Holocene Maghreb sites. Early southern predynastic Egyptian crania show tropical African affinities, displaying craniometric trends that differ notably from the coastal northern African pattern. The various craniofacial patterns discernible in northern Africa are attributable to the agents of microevolution and migration.     

An analysis of crania from Tell-Duweir using multiple discriminant functions

Historical and archaelogical evidence suggests that the Iron Age biblical city of Lachish had a multinational population of diverse geographical origins. A multivariate analysis of crania, using canonical discriminant functions and metric variables, tends to confirm this. The approach employed stresses that population discriminant analysis studies should be both biologically and statistically legitimate. An ecological interpretation of the data suggests a research design for analyzing the affinities of cranial series. Similarities probably should be assessed in an analytical space containing the widest possible range of variation.     

Characterization of mouse monoclonal antibodies to human interferon-gamma

Mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to human interferon-gamma (HuIFN-gamma) were characterized. The mAbs studied--E4-18, G4-15, and SAT-1--which are all IgGl-type, reacted to all HuIFN-gamma molecular species, both glycosylated and non-glycosylated. Affinity constants calculated of E4-18 and G4-15 didn't have considerable differences for both kinds of HuIFN-gamma (1-3 x 10(8) liter/mol), but SAT-1 had a difference--a higher value (10(10) liter/mol) for the former than for the latter (8 x 10(8) liter/mol). In epitope specificity, the results suggested that E4-18 and G4-15 recognized an overlapped region remote from the region of SAT-1. Competition experiment using synthetic peptides suggested that epitope of G4-15 is around N9-26 of the HuIFN-gamma sequence. Those mAbs could be used for sandwich radioimmunoassay of HuIFN-gamma using double mAbs in two combinations, one (G4-15/E4-18) based on dimer forms of HuIFN-gamma and the other (SAT-1/E4-18) based on epitope difference. The mAbs are all neutralizing antibodies in which SAT-1 neutralized at a lower concentration than did G4-15, and at a much lower one than did E4-18. The receptor binding of HuIFN-gamma was inhibited by mAbs G4-15 and SAT-1. Efficacy of G4-15 and SAT-1 for the inhibition correspond with that for neutralization.     

A brief review of studies and comments on ancient Egyptian biological relationships

A review of studies covering the biological relationship of the ancient Egyptians was undertaken. An overview of the data from the studies suggests that the major biological affinities of early southern Egyptians lay with tropical Africans. The range of indigenous tropical African phenotypes is great; and this range of variation must be considered in any discussion of the Nile Valley peoples. The early southern Egyptians belonged primarily to an African descent group which gained some Near Eastern affinity through gene flow with the passage of time.     

Biosynthesis of tylosin: Oxidations of 5-O-mycaminosylprtylonolide at C-20 and C-23 with a cell-free extract from Streptomycesfradiae

The enzymatic conversion of various tylosin precursors was carried out using a cell-free system of the tylosin producer $\text{Streptomyces}\text{fradiae}$ to determine the order and intermediates of oxidations of the 16-membered branched lactone ring at C-20 and C-23 in the biosynthesis of tylosin. It was found that the order of the oxidation of the lactone is: (1) hydroxylation of 5-$\text{O}$-mycaminosylprotylonolide at C-20, (2) oxidation of C-20 hydroxymethyl to formyl, (3) hydroxylation at C-23 to give 5-$\text{O}$-mycaminosyltylonolide. The formation of 23-hydroxy-5-$\text{O}$-mycaminosylprotylonolide from 5-$\text{O}$-mycaminosylprotylonolide was not observed.     

Curdlan intake changes gut microbial composition,short-chain fatty acid production,and bile acid transformation in mice

Indigestible polysaccharides, such as dietary fibers, benefit the host by improving the intestinal environment. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by gut microbial fermentation from dietary fibers exert various physiological effects. The bacterial polysaccharide curdlan benefits the host intestinal environment, although its effect on energy metabolism and SCFA production remains unclear. Hence, this study aimed to elucidate the effect of curdlan intake on gut microbial profiles, SCFA production, and energy metabolism in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model. Gut microbial composition of fecal samples from curdlan-supplemented HFD-fed mice indicated an elevated abundance of Bacteroidetes, whereas a reduced abundance of Firmicutes was noted at the phylum level compared with that in cellulose-supplemented HFD-fed mice. Moreover, curdlan supplementation resulted in an abundance of the family Bacteroidales S24-7 and Erysipelotrichaceae, and a reduction in Deferribacteres in the feces. Furthermore, curdlan supplementation elevated fecal SCFA levels, particularly butyrate. Although body weight and fat mass were not affected by curdlan supplementation in HFD-induced obese mice, HFD-induced hyperglycemia was significantly suppressed with an increase in plasma insulin and incretin GLP-1 levels. Curdlan supplementation elevated fecal bile acid and SCFA production, improved host metabolic functions by altering the gut microbial composition in mice.     

Rapid suppression and sustained activation of distinct cortical regions for a delayed sensory-triggered motor response

1. Download : Download high-res image (164KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method to analyse megazol in human and rat plasma

A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed to measure megazol in human plasma. The method was optimized and validated according to the Washington Concensus Conference on the Validation of Analytical Methods (V.P. Shah et al., Eur. J. Drug Metab. Pharmacokinet., 15 (1991) 249). The criteria of complete validation were specificity, linearity, precision, analytical recovery, dilution and stability. It involved extraction of the plasma with dichloromethane, followed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using a Kromasil^R C₈ column and UV detection at 360 nm. The retention times of the internal standard (tinidazol) and megazol were 6.10 and 9.60 min, respevtively. The standard curve was linear from 2 ng ml⁻¹ (limit of quantification) to 2000 ng ml⁻¹. The coefficients of variation for all the criteria of validation were less than 6%; 85 to 92% extraction efficiencies were obtained. Megazol was stable during the storage period (one month at −20°C) in plasma and for two months at 25°C in standard solution. The method was tested by measuring the plasma concentration following oral administration to rat and was shown to be suitable for pharmacokinetic studies.