Glycosphingolipid expression in pig aorta: identification of possible target antigens for human natural antibodies

Total non-acid glycosphingolipids were isolated from the aortas of more than 80 pigs. The glycolipids were separated by HPLC, analysed by thin- layer chromatography, and tested for reactivity with monoclonal anti- blood group antibodies. The fractions were structurally characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Reactivity with both anti- blood group A and H antibodies was seen. The major glycosphingolipid constituents were globotri- and globotetraosylceramides and blood group H pentaglycosylceramides based on type 1 and type 2 core saccharide chains. Globopentaosylceramides, blood group H hexaglycosylceramides based on type 4 chain, and blood group A hexaglycosylceramides based on type 1 core chain were also present. Two structures, that may be important targets for human antibodies initiating hyperacute rejection following pig to human xenotransplantation, were present as minor constituents compared to the blood group components. These were Galalpha1,3neolactotetraosylceramide and a Galalpha1, 3Lexstructure. A Leb/Y hexaglycosylceramide was also present.      

Production of high efficiency of plating hepatitis A virus in primary African green monkey kidney cells.

High-titered hepatitis A virus, strain HM-175, was produced in primary African green monkey kidney cells (5.5 x 10(10) tissue culture ID50/850 cm2 roller bottle). The virus preparation had an efficiency of plating of 15 particles per infectious unit. Single-cycle growth kinetics of the adapted virus indicated that after an eclipse period of 2 days, maximal yields were attained 6 days after infection.     

Ethnobiology of snappers (Lutjanidae): target species and suggestions for management

In this study, we sought to investigate the biology (diet and reproduction) and ethnobiology (fishers knowledge and fishing spots used to catch snappers) of five species of snappers (Lutjanidae), including Lutjanus analis, Lutjanus synagris, Lutjanus vivanus, Ocyurus chrysurus, and Romboplites saliens at five sites along the northeast (Riacho Doce, Maceió in Alagoas State, and Porto do Sauípe, Entre Rios at Bahia State) and the southeast (SE) Brazilian coast (Paraty and Rio de Janeiro cities at Rio de Janeiro State, and Bertioga, at São Paulo State.). We collected 288 snappers and interviewed 86 fishermen. The stomach contents of each fish were examined and macroscopic gonad analysis was performed. Snappers are very important for the fisheries of NE Brazil, and our results indicated that some populations, such as mutton snapper (L. analis) and lane snapper (L. synagris), are being caught when they are too young, at early juvenile stages. Local knowledge has been shown to be a powerful tool for determining appropriate policies regarding management of target species, and artisanal fishermen can be included in management processes. Other suggestions for managing the fisheries are discussed, including proposals that could provide motivation for artisanal fishermen to participate in programs to conserve resources, such as co-management approaches that utilize local knowledge, the establishment of fishing seasons, and compensation of fishermen, through 'payment for environmental services'. These suggestions may enhance the participation of local artisanal fishermen in moving to a more realistic and less top-down management approach of the fish population.     

Variation in the spectrum of Fusarium species on winter wheat

In 1998–2000 a monitoring of the spectrum of Fusarium species on winter wheat was carried out in the Rhineland. The epidemic spread ofFusarium spp. on wheat plants during growing season was investigated as well as the grain contamination after harvest.F avenaceum was the Fusarium species isolated most frequently followed byF culmorum, F poae andF graminearum. Microdochium nivale occurred considerably only in 1998. Both, susceptibility and plant height of the cultivars were correlated to the incidence of Fusarium species /M nivale on harvested kernels; interactions with cropping intensities were detected. The incidence ofF poae seemed to be independent of the cultivar-specific Fusarium susceptibility. Despite the lack of disease symptoms, between growth stages 45–85 mycelium ofFusarium spp. was detectable in the leaves as well as conidia on the leaf surfaces.     

Yield reduction and mycotoxin contamination of wheat due to<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium culmorum</Emphasis>

The inoculation of wheat ears with 27 isolates ofFusarium culmorum in growth stage 65 reduced 1000-grain weights by 14 to 61%. For the phytopathological characterisation of isolates the virulence on primary wheat leaves and the growth rate an potato-dextrose-agar were assessed. Deoxynivalenol-producing isolates ofF. culmorum reduced the 1000-grain weight more than nivalenol-producing isolates.     

Conservation of the DNA sequences encoding the major structural viral proteins of WSSV

A cDNA library was constructed from white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)-infected penaeid shrimp tissue. cDNA clones with WSSV inserts were isolated and sequenced. By comparison with DNA sequences in GenBank, cDNA clones containing sequence identical to those of the WSSV envelope protein VP28 and nucleoprotein VP15 were identified. Poly(A) sites in the mRNAs of VP28 and VP15 were identified. Genes encoding the major viral structural proteins VP28, VP26, VP24, VP19 and VP15 of 5 WSSV isolates collected from different shrimp species and/or geographical areas were sequenced and compared with those of 4 other WSSV isolate sequences in GenBank. For each of the viral structural protein genes compared, the nucleotide sequences were 100 to 99% identical among the 9 isolates. Gene probes or PCR primers based on the gene sequences of the WSSV structural proteins can be used for diagnoses and/or detection of WSSV infection.     

The yeast kinome displays scale free topology with functional hub clusters

Background  

The availability of interaction databases provides an opportunity for researchers to utilize immense amounts of data exclusively in silico. Recently there has been an emphasis on studying the global properties of biological interactions using network analysis. While this type of analysis offers a wide variety of global insights it has surprisingly not been used to examine more localized interactions based on mechanism. In as such we have particular interest in the role of key topological components in signal transduction cascades as they are vital regulators of healthy and diseased cell states.     

A likelihood method for the detection of selection and recombination using nucleotide sequences

Different regions along nucleotide sequences are often subject to different evolutionary forces. Recombination will result in regions having different evolutionary histories, while selection can cause regions to evolve at different rates. This paper presents a statistical method based on likelihood for detecting such processes by identifying the regions which do not fit with a single phylogenetic topology and nucleotide substitution process along the entire sequence. Subsequent reanalysis of these anomalous regions may then be possible. The method is tested using simulations, and its application is demonstrated using the primate psi eta-globin pseudogene, the V3 region of the envelope gene of HIV-1, and argF sequences from Neisseria bacteria. Reanalysis of anomalous regions is shown to reveal possible immune selection in HIV-1 and recombination in Neisseria. A computer program which implements the method is available.