Automated pelvic anatomical coordinate system is reproducible for determination of anterior pelvic plane

Most of computer-assisted planning systems need to determine the anatomical axis based on the anterior pelvic plane (APP). We analysed that our new system is more reproducible for determination of APP than previous methods. A pelvic model bone and two subjects suffering from hip osteoarthritis were evaluated. Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) images were scanned with various rotations by MDCT scanner. The pelvic rotation was calibrated using silhouette images. APP was determined by an optimisation technique. The values of variation of APP caused by pelvic rotation were analysed with statistical analysis. APP determination with calibration and optimisation was most reproducible.The values of variance of APP were within 0.05° in model bone and 0.2° even in patient pelvis. Furthermore, the values of variance of APP with calibration/optimisation were significantly lower in comparison without calibration/optimisation. Both calibration and optimisation are actually required for determination of APP. This system could contribute to the evaluation of hip joint kinematics and computer-assisted surgery.     

GTP binding by Arabidopsis extra-large G protein 2 is not essential for its functions

The extra-large guanosine-5′-triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein 2, XLG2, is an unconventional Gα subunit of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein complex with a major role in plant defense. In vitro biochemical analyses and molecular dynamic simulations show that affinity of XLG2 for GTP is two orders of magnitude lower than that of the conventional Gα, AtGPA1. Here we tested the physiological relevance of GTP binding by XLG2. We generated an XLG2(T476N) variant with abolished GTP binding, as confirmed by in vitro GTPγS binding assay. Yeast three-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and split firefly-luciferase complementation assays revealed that the nucleotide-depleted XLG2(T476N) retained wild-type XLG2-like interactions with the Gβγ dimer and defense-related receptor-like kinases. Both wild-type and nucleotide-depleted XLG2(T476N) restored the defense responses against Fusarium oxysporum and Pseudomonas syringae compromised in the xlg2 xlg3 double mutant. Additionally, XLG2(T476N) was fully functional restoring stomatal density, root growth, and sensitivity to NaCl, but failed to complement impaired germination and vernalization-induced flowering. We conclude that XLG2 is able to function in a GTP-independent manner and discuss its possible mechanisms of action.

Arabidopsis extra-large GTP-binding proteins have nucleotide-independent functions.     

Selective loss of photosystem I and formation of tubular thylakoids in heterotrophically grown red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae

Photosynthesis Research - We previously found that glycerol is required for heterotrophic growth in the unicellular red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae. Here, we analyzed heterotrophically grown cells...     

Unique antimicrobial spectrum of ophiobolin K produced by Aspergillus ustus

A co-cultivation study of two fungal strains showed that Aspergillus ustus could inhibit Aspergillus repens growth. The bioactive compound responsible for the observed activity was purified and identified as a sesterterpene, ophiobolin K. Ophiobolin K exhibited marked inhibition against both fungi and bacteria, especially A. repens, A. glaucus and gram-positive bacteria including Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Micrococcus luteus.     

Anti-Barnacle Activities of Isothiocyanates Derived from β-Citronellol and Their Structure–Activity Relationships

Antifouling agents with low toxicity are in high demand for sustaining marine industries and the environment. This study aimed to synthesize 15 isothiocyanates derived from β-citronellol and evaluate their antifouling activities and toxicities against cypris larvae of the barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite. The synthesized isothiocyanates exhibited effective antifouling activities (EC₅₀=0.10–3.33 μg mL⁻¹) with high therapeutic ratios (LC₅₀/EC₅₀ >30). Four isothiocyanates with an amide or isocyano group showed great potential as effective antifouling agents (EC₅₀=0.10–0.32 μg mL⁻¹, LC₅₀/EC₅₀=104–833). The enantiomers of the isothiocyanates only slightly differed in their antifouling activities. These results may serve as a basis for further research and development of β-citronellol-derived isothiocyanates as effective low-toxic antifouling agents. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report the antifouling activities of isothiocyanates derived from accessible natural products.     

HTLV-1: A real pathogen or a runaway guest of a diseased cell?

The human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a deltaretrovirus claimed to be aetiologically linked to the adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) besides other minor pathologies. HTLV-1 infection is worldwide distributed, despite its heterogeneous prevalence. Environmental factors and host-genetic background are very likely to determine the epidemiological profile of HTLV-1 prevalence and related disease confinement in distinct human ethnic populations and geographical coordinates, which raises the question if the virus is a real pathogen or a runaway well-organized packed genome of a burden host cell near death process. New methodological approaches need to be proposed and applied in order to prove or discard the hypotheses emerged in the present review.