Molecular cloning and expression pattern of 14-3-3ζ from the malaria vector, Anopheles sinensis

14-3-3 proteins are known to play a pivotal role in cell survival, apoptosis and signal transduction. The 14-3-3ζ isoform has been cloned and characterized from many eukaryotic organisms, including the fruit fly and silkworm. However, no study on mosquito 14-3-3 has been reported to date. In an attempt to investigate the function of 14-3-3 in midgut epithelial cells undergoing apoptosis, a cDNA library was generated from the malaria vector, Anopheles sinensis , which was treated with apoptosis-inducing Actinomycin-D. We were able to identify and obtain A. sinensis 14-3-3ζ cDNA ( Ansi14-3-3ζ ) from expressed sequence tags (EST) analysis after conducting massive sequencing of the A. sinensis cDNA library. Ansi14-3-3ζ has very high homology to 14-3-3 homologs of various insects, such as Anopheles gambiae (100%), Aedes aegypti (100%), Drosophila melanogaster (96%), Bombyx mori (93%), Apis mellifera (93%) and Mus musculus (81%), indicating that mosquito 14-3-3ζ is a highly conserved gene in diverse organisms. Analysis of temporal expression patterns showed that Ansi14-3-3ζ mRNA is highly expressed in egg, early pupae and adult stages and is also expressed, although at low levels, in fourth instar larvae and late pupae. In response to two immune elicitors (lipopolysaccharide and laminarin), no striking induction of 14-3-3ζ mRNA was observed in A. sinensis . Further studies of the precise biological function, inducibility and subcellular distribution of 14-3-3ζ are required in Plasmodium invasion-induced apoptotic midgut cells in A. sinensis in the context of the Time Bomb model.     

Experimental lead poisoning in turkey vultures (Cathartes aura)

Lead-induced mortality appears to have been a major factor in the decline of the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus). We orally dosed turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) with BB-sized lead shot from January 1988 through July 1988 to determine physiologic response (delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase inhibition, erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels, anemia), diagnostic tissue lead concentrations (blood, liver, and kidney), and comparative sensitivity of this species. Two turkey vultures died and two became so intoxicated they were euthanized. Overall, responses of measured parameters were comparable to other species exposed to lead although there was considerable individual variation. Survival time (143-211 days), even with the large numbers of shot and constant redosing, was much longer than reported for other species of birds, suggesting considerable tolerance by turkey vultures to the deleterious effects of lead ingestion. Based on these observations, turkey vultures appear to be poor models for assessing the risk of lead poisoning to California condors or predicting their physiologic response.     

Taxonomic Review of the Genus Mycterothrips (TEREBRANTIA: THYSANOPTERA) and its Species from Pakistan

ABSTRACT Genus Mycterothrips and one species M. nilgiriensis with both male and female specimens has been recorded for the first time from Pakistan. The genus and the species have been described in detail, measurements of body parts along with illustrations have also been provided for future references. Thus adding to the list of Thysanoptera fauna from Pakistan.     

Chromosomal map locations of integrated plasmids and related elements in Staphylococcus aureus

The chromosomal integration sites of several derivatives of the pI258 penicillinase plasmid (one, Ω42[pI258 incl^?], being deficient in incompatibility specificity, another, Ω50[pI258 repA18], being deficient in replication, and several others, Ω1[pI258 ermB], etc., involving only the erythromycin-resistance locus) were investigated by transformation. The Ω42 and Ω50 sequences were located, perhaps at the same site, between tmn (chromosomal tetracycline-minocycline resistance) and pur-110 in the tmn-pur-ilv-pig (pigmentation) linkage group. Evidence is presented for the presence of the entire pI258 plasmid as an integrated gene sequence in both integrated plasmid-bearing strains. Closely linked to this region of Ω42 and Ω50 integration is attφ11, the integration site for the φ11 prophage. Transformations have also established at least two different sites of integration of the pI258 ermB locus, and it is concluded that this gene is a component of a translocatable element. In addition, the chromosomal location of the Ps53 bla locus has been established. By analogy with certain other strains carrying chromosomal β-lactamase determinants, it is probable that this gene can also translocate. The linkage group carrying these insertions is now defined as … $\text{Ω}\text{5-tmn-3106-attφ11-(}\text{Ω}\text{42,}\text{Ω}\text{50)-}\text{Ω}\text{1-pur-110-Ps53bla-ilv-129-pig-131}$…     

Chromosomal mapping of a gene affecting enterotoxin A production in Staphylococcus aureus

In a previous study, transformation demonstrated that a gene governing enterotoxin A production (entA+) in Staphylococcus aureus strain S-6 was located on the chromosome between the purB110 and ilv-129 markers; in contrast, the entA+ gene of strain FRI-196E was shown not to be located in the same position. In the current study, 54 enterotoxin A-producing strains of S. aureus were examined to locate the entA+ gene. Conventional transformation procedures and a series of multiply marked derivatives of NCTC 8325 were used as recipients for chromosomal mapping. Of the 54 strains tested, 23 were found to contain the entA+ gene at the original locus between the purB110 and ilv-129 markers. Twenty-seven strains could not be analyzed either because their DNA was genetically ineffective in transforming strain 8325 (23 strains), or Pur+ Ilv+ transformants could not be recovered (four strains). Four other strains contained an entA+ gene that could not be located in any of the chromosomal linkage groups. A new insertion site for Tn551 was located within the hla+ gene involved in alpha-toxin production. It eliminated alpha-toxin production and was used to separate the entA+ gene from the hla+ marker in the purB110-ilv-129 region. This segment of the chromosome is shown to consist of the purB110, entA+, hla+, and ilv-129 markers in that order.     

Clinical Studies Utilizing a New Method for the Serial Determination of Plasma Corticoids

The clinical applications of a recently introduced method for determination of plasma corticoids were investigated with a view to its routine use in the evaluation of pituitary-adrenal problems. Simple protocols to assess the diurnal variation and the responses of the plasma corticoids to adrenocorticotropin, dexamethasone, and methopyrapone administration were adopted to study healthy subjects, chronically ill subjects free of endocrine disease, and subjects with previously diagnosed adrenal or pituitary disorders. The results in all cases were in accord with the clinical assessment of the subjects.     

Respiratory response to formaldehyde and off-gas of urea formaldehyde foam insulation.

In 18 subjects, 9 of whom had previously complained of various nonrespiratory adverse effects from the urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) in their homes, pulmonary function was assessed before and after exposure in a laboratory. On separate occasions formaldehyde, 1 part per million (ppm), and UFFI off-gas yielding a formaldehyde concentration of 1.2 ppm, were delivered to each subject in an environmental chamber for 90 minutes and a fume hood for 30 minutes respectively. None of the measures of pulmonary function used (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second or maximal midexpiratory flow rate) showed any clinically or statistically significant response to the exposure either immediately after or 8 hours after its beginning. There were no statistically significant differences between the responses of the group that had previously complained of adverse effects and of the group that had not. There was no evidence that either formaldehyde or UFFI off-gas operates as a lower airway allergen or important bronchospastic irritant in this heterogeneous population.