Chromosome study of Lithobius forficatus (Lithobiomorpha, Chilopoda)

The diploid number 2n = 46 and the chromosome arm number NF = 74 are described in Lithobius forficatus from Olsztyn (Poland). Analyses of silver and CMA3-stained mitotic chromosomes suggest that a single chromosome pair has active NORs which correspond to G-C-rich (CMA3-positive) chromatin. Heteromorphism of the largest metacentric chromosome pair was observed. The sex chromosomes were not identified. Size polymorphism of the first chromosome pair was found.     

Influence of DNA encoding cytokines on systemic and mucosal immunity following genetic vaccination against herpes simplex virus

The aim of our investigation was to improve the effectiveness of DNA vaccines against herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. We chose coimmunization with DNA encoding cytokines known to emphasize components of immune defense that best correlate with immune protection. These include interferon-producing T and NK cells and the IgG2a isotype immunoglobulin. Our results show that the coadministration of plasmid DNA encoding IL-12 or IL-18 along with glycoprotein B (gB) DNA improves immune induction. Recipients of the coimmunization procedure had elevated humoral as well as IFN-gamma-producing T cell responses and showed greater resistance to vaginal challenge with a lethal dose of HSV-1. The adjuvant effects were observed when the vaccines were administered either systemically or mucosally. By most assays, the adjuvant effect of IL-18 was superior to IL-12, although gB DNA plus IL-18 failed to induce levels of immunity achieved by UV-inactivated HSV immunization. Mucosal immunization proved as an effective means of inducing systemic immunity, but was less effective than the systemic route for inducing protection from vaginal challenge. Our results also demonstrated that protection from such challenges was mainly a property of IFN-gamma. Thus, immunized IFN-gamma-/- mice remained susceptible to challenges even while generating readily measurable immune responses. The approach of using DNA vaccines combined with DNA encoding cytokines holds promise and represents a potentially useful approach for vaccines.     

Morphological,genetic and molecular characteristics of barley root hair mutants

Root hairs are tubular outgrowths of specialized epidermal cells called trichoblasts. They affect anchoring plants in soil, the uptake of water and nutrients and are the sites of the interaction between plants and microorganisms. Nineteen root hair mutants of barley representing different stages of root hair development were subjected to detailed morphological and genetic analyses. Each mutant was monogenic and recessive. An allelism test revealed that nine loci were responsible for the mutated root hair phenotypes in the collection and 1–4 mutated allelic forms were identified at each locus. Genetic relationships between the genes responsible for different stages of root hair formation were established. The linkage groups of four loci rhl1, rhp1, rhi1 and rhs1, which had previously been mapped on chromosomes 7H, 1H, 6H and 5H, respectively, were enriched with new markers that flank the genes at a distance of 0.16 cM to 4.6 cM. The chromosomal position of three new genes – two that are responsible for the development of short root hairs (rhs2 and rhs3) and the gene that controls an irregular root hair pattern (rhi2) – were mapped on chromosomes 6H, 2H and 1H, respectively. A comparative analysis of the agrobotanical parameters between some mutants and their respective parental lines showed that mutations in genes responsible for root hair development had no effect on the agrobotanical performance of plants that were grown under controlled conditions. The presented mutant collection is a valuable tool for further identification of genes controlling root hair development in barley.     

Genotype Distribution,Viral Load and Clinical Characteristics of Infants with Postnatal or Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection

Background

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection is a leading cause of long-term sequelae. Cytomegalovirus is also frequently transmitted to preterm infants postnatally, but these infections are mostly asymptomatic. A correlation between cytomegalovirus genotypes and clinical manifestations has been reported previously in infants with congenital infection, but not in preterm infants with postnatal infection.

Objectives

The main objective of this study was to investigate cytomegalovirus genotype distribution in postnatal and congenital cytomegalovirus infection and its association with disease severity.

Methods

Infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands between 2003–2010 and diagnosed with postnatal or congenital cytomegalovirus infection were included. Classification of cytomegalovirus isolates in genotypes was performed upon amplification and sequencing of the cytomegalovirus UL55 (gB) and UL144 genes. Clinical data, cerebral abnormalities, neurodevelopmental outcome and viral load were studied in relation to genotype distribution.

Results

Genotyping results were obtained from 58 preterm infants with postnatal cytomegalovirus infection and 13 infants with congenital cytomegalovirus infection. Postnatal disease was mild in all preterm infants and all had favourable outcome. Infants with congenital infection were significantly more severely affected than infants with postnatal infection. Seventy-seven percent of these infants were symptomatic at birth, 2/13 died and 3/13 developed long-term sequelae (median follow-up 6 (range 2–8) years). The distribution of cytomegalovirus genotypes was comparable for postnatal and congenital infection. UL55 genotype 1 and UL144 genotype 3 were predominant genotypes in both groups.

Conclusions

Distribution of UL55 and UL144 genotypes was similar in asymptomatic postnatal and severe congenital CMV infection suggesting that other factors rather than cytomegalovirus UL55 and UL144 genotype are responsible for the development of severe disease.     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxygen-independent hydrocarbon hydroxylation by ethylbenzene dehydrogenase

Ethylbenzene dehydrogenase (EBDH) from the denitrifying bacterium Azoarcus sp. strain EbN1 (to be renamed Aromatoleum aromaticum) catalyzes the oxygen-independent, stereospecific hydroxylation of ethylbenzene to (S)-1-phenylethanol, the first known example of direct anaerobic oxidation of a nonactivated hydrocarbon. The enzyme is a trimeric molybdenum/iron-sulfur/heme protein of 155 kDa that is quickly inactivated in air in its reduced state. Enzyme activity can be coupled to ferricenium tetrafluoroborate, providing a convenient way for kinetic measurements. EBDH exhibits activity with a wide range of ethylbenzene analogues, which were analyzed for their kinetic parameters, stoichiometry, and formed products. The reactivity was correlated to the chemical structures by a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model. On the basis of these results, quantum chemical calculations of DeltaG298 for formation of carbocations of the respective substrates were performed and used in reactivity analysis. A putative reaction mechanism is proposed on the basis of the experimental results and theoretical considerations. Finally, the enzyme reaction has been established in an electrochemical reactor, allowing sustained enzymatic reaction and potential technical applications of the enzyme.     

Interaction of chiral MS-245 analogs at h5-HT6 receptors

Optically active pyrrolidinylmethylindole analogs related in structure to the benzenesulfonyltryptamine 5-HT(6) receptor antagonist MS-245 were evaluated and their R-isomers were found to bind with affinity higher than their S-enantiomers.     

The key role of the energized state of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondria in modulations of the outer membrane channels by the intermembrane space proteins

Mitochondria of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae constitute a perfect model to study the outer membrane channel modulation as besides the TOM complex channel they contain only a single isoform of the VDAC channel and it is possible to obtain viable mutants devoid of the channel. Here, we report that the fraction of the intermembrane space isolated from wild type and the VDAC channel-depleted yeast mitochondria, except of the well-known VDAC channel modulator activity, displays also the TOM complex channel modulating activity as measured in the reconstituted system and with intact mitochondria. The important factor influencing the action of both modulating activities is the energized state of mitochondria. Moreover, the presence of the VDAC channel itself seems to be crucial to properties of the intermembrane space protein (s) able to modulate the outer membrane channels because in the case of intact mitochondria quantitative differences are observed between modulating capabilities of the fractions isolated from wild type and mutant mitochondria.     

Enzymes in Bast Fibrous Plant Processing

The program COST Action 847 Textile Quality and Biotechnology (2000–2005) has given an excellent chance to review the possibilities of the research, aiming at development of the industrial application of enzymes for bast fibrous plant degumming and primary processing. The recent advancements in enzymatic processing of bast fibrous plants (flax, hemp, jute, ramie and alike plants) and related textiles are given. The performance of enzymes in degumming, modification of bast fibres, roving, yarn, related fabrics as well as enzymatic bonding of lignocellulosic composites is provided.     

How does biodiversity conservation argumentation generate effects in policy cycles?

Arguments in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of biodiversity policy frame conservation in a range of ways and express interests that can be conflicting. Policy processes are cyclic and iterative by nature and as policies are constantly reformulated, argumentation has an important role at each policy stage. In this paper, we utilise the policy cycle model to shed light on biodiversity-related policy processes and the ways in which argumentation generates effects at different stages of these processes. The paper first draws on literature and the theory-driven assumptions are then illustrated with insights from four European case studies on different policy processes in which biodiversity conservation plays a role. The analysis shows that argumentation tends to evolve over the course of the policy cycle, and framing has a key role across the different policy stages. It is concluded that the ways in which arguments persist, accumulate, diffuse, and replace old arguments, should be the target of increased attention in policy analysis.