The crystal structure of annexin A8 is similar to that of annexin A3

Annexin A8 is a relatively infrequent and poorly studied member of this large family of calcium-binding and membrane-binding proteins. It is, however, associated with a specific disease, acute promyelocytic leukemia. We have solved its three-dimensional structure, which includes a moderately long and intact N terminus. The structure is closest to that of annexin A3 and highlights several important regions of inherent flexibility in the annexin molecule. The N terminus resembles that of annexin A3, as it lies along the concave surface of the molecule and inserts partially into the hydrophilic channel in its centre. Since both annexins A3 and A8 are expressed in promyelocytic cells during their differentiation, the similarity in their structures might suggest a functional relationship.     

The finding of Echinostoma (Trematoda: Digenea) and hookworm eggs in coprolites collected from a Brazilian mummified body dated 600-1,200 years before present

The identification of parasites from ancient cultures expands our list of parasites infective to extant humans. A partially mummified human body from the archeological site of Lapa do Boquete, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, was recently discovered. It was interred between 600 and 1,200 yr ago. Dietary analysis showed that the mummified body was from a society that had a mixed subsistence of agriculture and gathering of wild foods. Coprolites from the body contained numerous helminth eggs. The eggs were identified as those of Echinostoma sp. and hookworm. Hookworm infection in pre-Columbian populations is already established, but this is the first evidence of Echinostoma sp. eggs found in human coprolites. The diagnosis of a true infection, as opposed to false parasitism, is discussed. The possibility of Echinostoma ilocanum infection is discussed, as this is a common species found in humans in the Asiatic region, which could have been introduced in South America in the pre-Columbian period. Alternative possibilities are also considered, including indigenous Brazilian Echinostoma species.     

In silco mapping of ESTs from the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

Sequence similarity was used to predict the position of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) in the genome of the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Turkey EST sequences were compared with the draft assembly of the chicken whole-genome sequence and the chicken EST database by BLASTN. Among the 877 ESTs examined, 788 had significant matches in the chicken genome sequence. Position of orthologous sequences in the chicken genome and the predicted position of the EST loci in the turkey genome are presented Genetic assignments suggest a high level of accuracy for the COMPASS predictions.     

Phylogenetic relationships and the primitive X chromosome inferred from chromosomal and satellite DNA analysis in Bovidae

The early phylogeny of the 137 species in the Bovidae family is difficult to resolve; knowledge of the evolution and relationships of the tribes would facilitate comparative mapping, understanding chromosomal evolution patterns and perhaps assist breeding and domestication strategies. We found that the study of the presence and organization of two repetitive DNA satellite sequences (the clone pOaKB9 from sheep, a member of the 1.714 satellite I family and the pBtKB5, a 1.715 satellite I clone from cattle) on the X and autosomal chromosomes by in situ hybridization to chromosomes from 15 species of seven tribes, was informative. The results support a consistent phylogeny, suggesting that the primitive form of the X chromosome is acrocentric, and has satellite I sequences at its centromere. Because of the distribution of the ancient satellite I sequence, the X chromosome from the extant Tragelaphini (e.g. oryx), rather than Caprini (sheep), line is most primitive. The Bovini (cow) and Tragelaphini tribes lack the 1.714 satellite present in the other tribes, and this satellite is evolutionarily younger than the 1.715 sequence, with absence of the 1.714 sequence being a marker for the Bovini and Tragelaphini tribes (the Bovinae subfamily). In the other tribes, three (Reduncini, Hippotragini and Aepycerotini) have both 1.714 and 1.715 satellite sequences present on both autosomes and the X chromosome. We suggest a parallel event in two lineages, leading to X chromosomes with the loss of 1.715 satellite from the Bovini, and the loss of both 1.714 and 1.715 satellites in a monophyletic Caprini and Alcelaphini lineage. The presence and X chromosome distribution of these satellite sequences allow the seven tribes to be distributed to four groups, which are consistent with current diversity estimates, and support one model to resolve points of separation of the tribes.     

Synthesis of 2'-C-methyl-beta-D-ribofuranosylimidazo [4,5-d]-pyridazine derivatives (2-aza-3-deazapurine nucleoside analogues)

In order to evaluate their antiviral properties, two imidazo[4,5-d]pyridazine 2'-C-methyl-beta-D-ribofuranonucleoside derivatives have been synthesized.     

Standardization of MspI and HaeIII restriction karyotypes in cattle

Cattle chromosomes were digested with two restriction endonucleases, MspI and HaeIII. The banding pattern induced by each enzyme allowed the identification and pairing of all individual chromosomes and consequently the elaboration of the karyotype. This method is rapid and technically easy, and proved to be of great utility in cattle cytogenetic studies.     

Optimizing thermal imaging as a technique for detecting stomatal closure induced by drought stress under greenhouse conditions

Temperature of leaves or canopies can be used as an indicator of stomatal aperture, which is considered a sensitive response to soil water deficit. In this paper we analyse the robustness and sensitivity of thermal imaging for detecting changes in stomatal conductance and leaf water status in a range of plant species. Thermal imaging successfully distinguished between irrigated and non-irrigated plants of a variety of species under greenhouse or controlled chamber conditions, with strong correlations between thermal indices and stomatal conductance measured by porometry. Our results also highlighted issues that need to be addressed in order to be confident of always detecting drought stress using this technique. These include variability in leaf angles and the limited reliability of 'wet' and 'dry' leaves to represent leaves with stomata fully open or stomata fully closed. These results should assist the design of protocols for application in crop production or ecosystem monitoring.     

Paleoparasitological remains revealed by seven historic contexts from "Place d'Armes", Namur, Belgium

Human occupation for several centuries was recorded in the archaeological layers of "Place d'Armes", Namur, Belgium. Preventive archaeological excavations were carried out between 1996/1997 and seven historical strata were observed, from Gallo-Roman period up to Modern Times. Soil samples from cesspools, latrines, and structures-like were studied and revealed intestinal parasite eggs in the different archaeological contexts. Ascaris lumbricoides, A. suum, Trichuris trichiura, T. suis. Taenia sp., Fasciola hepatica, Diphyllobothrium sp., Capillaria sp. and Oxyuris equi eggs were found. Paleoparasitology confirmed the use of structures as latrines or cesspit as firstly supposed by the archaeologists. Medieval latrines were not only used for rejection of human excrements. The finding of Ascaris sp. and Trichuris sp. eggs may point to human's or wild swine's feces. Gallo-Roman people used to eat wild boar. Therefore, both A. suum and T. suis, or A. lumbricoides and T. trichuris, may be present, considering a swine carcass recovered into a cesspit. Careful sediment analysis may reveal its origin, although parasites of domestic animals can be found together with those of human's. Taenia sp. eggs identified in latrine samples indicate ingestion of uncooked beef with cysticercoid larvae. F. hepatica eggs suggest the ingestion of raw contaminated vegetables and Diphyllobothrium sp. eggs indicate contaminated fresh-water fish consumption. Ascaris sp. and Trichuris sp. eggs indicate fecal-oral infection by human and/or animal excrements.