Assignment of amide proton signals by combined evaluation of HN,NN and HNCA MAS-NMR correlation spectra

In this paper, we present a strategy for the ¹H^N resonance assignment in solid-state magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR, using the -spectrin SH3 domain as an example. A novel 3D triple resonance experiment is presented that yields intraresidue H^N-N-C correlations, which was essential for the proton assignment. For the observable residues, 52 out of the 54 amide proton resonances were assigned from 2D (¹H-¹⁵N) and 3D (¹H-¹⁵N-¹³C) heteronuclear correlation spectra. It is demonstrated that proton-driven spin diffusion (PDSD) experiments recorded with long mixing times (4 s) are helpful for confirming the assignment of the protein backbone ¹⁵N resonances and as an aid in the amide proton assignment.     

Detection of chromosomal aberrations by a whole-genome microsatellite screen

Chromosomal aberrations are a common cause of multiple anomaly syndromes that include developmental and growth retardation. Current microscopic techniques are useful for the detection of such aberrations but have a limit of resolution that is above the threshold for phenotypic effect. We hypothesized that a genomewide microsatellite screen could detect chromosomal aberrations that were not detected by standard cytogenetic techniques in a portion of these individuals. To test this hypothesis, we performed a genomewide microsatellite screen of patients, by use of a currently available genetic-marker panel that was originally designed for meiotic mapping of Mendelian traits. We genotyped approximately 400 markers on 17 pairs of parents and their children who had normal karyotypes. By using this approach, we detected and confirmed two cases of segmental aneusomy among 11 children with multiple congenital anomalies. These data demonstrate that a genomewide microsatellite scan can be used to detect chromosomal aberrations that are not detected by microscopic techniques.     

Seedling establishment in relation to microhabitat variation in a windthrow gap in a boreal Pinus sylvestris forest

Abstract. The characteristics of microhabitats of established Pinus sylvestris and Betula seedlings were studied in a small windthrow gap in a mature P. sylvestris-dominated forest in the Petkeljärvi National Park in eastern Finland. Seedlings were strongly clustered in disturbed microhabitats, particularly uprooting pits and mounds, formed by tree falls. They covered 3% of the 0.3.ha study area consisting of the gap and some of the forest edge. Although Betula occurred only as scattered individuals in the dominant canopy layer of the forest, it accounted for 30% of the seedlings found in the study area. Betula regeneration was almost completely restricted to pits and mounds, where 91% of the seedlings were found. Uprooting spots were also the most important regeneration microhabitats for Pinus, where 60% of the seedlings grew, even though the seedlings were found in other substrates as well, particularly on sufficiently decomposed coarse wood. Undisturbed field- and bottom-layer vegetation had effectively hindered tree seedling establishment, which emphasises the role of soil disturbance for regeneration. While the establishment of seedlings was found to be clearly determined by the availability of favourable regeneration microhabitats, the early growth of seedlings was affected by a complex interaction of environmental variables, including the type of microhabitat, radiation environment and interferences caused by competing seedlings and adjacent trees. In the most important regeneration microhabitats, i.e. in uprooting pits and on mounds, the distributions of the local elevations of Pinus and Betula seedlings were different. Pinus seedlings occurred closer to ground level, i.e. on the fringes of pits and lower on mounds, while Betula seedlings grew deeper in pits and higher on mounds. The position of the Betula seedlings indicate that they may have a competitive advantage over Pinus seedlings in the dense seedling groups occurring in uprooting spots. We suggest that this initial difference in Pinus and Betula establishment may affect the subsequent within-gap tree species succession and can, in part, explain the general occurrence of Betula in conifer-dominated boreal forests.     

Trypanoside,anti-tuberculosis,leishmanicidal, and cytotoxic activities of tetrahydrobenzothienopyrimidines

The synthesis of 2-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro[1]benzothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)hydrazone-derivatives (BTPs) and their in vitro evaluation against Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Leishmania amazonensis axenic amastigotes, and six human cancer cell lines is described. The in vivo activity of the most active and least toxic compounds against T. cruzi and L. amazonensis was also studied. BTPs constitute a new family of drug leads with potential activity against infectious diseases. Due to their drug-like properties, this series of compounds can potentially serve as templates for future drug-optimization and drug-development efforts for use as therapeutic agents in developing countries.     

An isotopic technique to mark mid-sized vertebrates non-invasively

Understanding the basis of habitat choice having important implications for explaining the distribution of organisms, as well as helping to differentiate between habitats of different quality for effective management. In this study, the effects of sex, age and reproductive status on habitat use patterns of cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus in the Serengeti plains were explored using Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA). Our results showed that gender and territoriality did not affect patterns of habitat use. However, females tended to be more specialized when they were young than when they were older, displaying a more restricted ecological niche. Likewise, older females without cubs were more specialized than the same adult females with young cubs. This result did not hold for younger females. Altogether, the ENFA approach allowed us to (1) use the large amount of incidental sighting data collected over 12 years on cheetah spatial distribution; (2) identify the importance of reproductive status and age on the relationship between animals and their habitat; (3) further demonstrate that ENFA is applicable in a wide range of situations, including for exploring individual variation in niche definition.     

温度对马铃薯棉蚜生长发育及种群增长的影响

采用新叶圆片法,研究了不同恒温(10℃、15℃、20℃、25℃和30℃)条件下马铃薯棉蚜的发育历期、存活率、生殖力及种群生命表参数。结果表明:棉蚜在马铃薯上的各龄历期和成蚜寿命及产仔期随温度的升高而缩短,世代历期、成蚜寿命和产仔期分别从10℃的17.72 d、53.03 d和26.18 d下降到30℃的4.77 d、14.60 d和6.84 d。完成1代需要的有效积温为110.84日度,发育起点温度为4.56℃。总产仔量在15℃-25℃范围内最高(63.29-69.36头),其次为10℃(40.00头);日均产仔量在25℃时最高(5.61头/日),其次为20℃(3.47头/日)和30℃(3.35头/日)。除在10℃时为Deevey-II型存活曲线外,在其它温度下均为Deevey-I型存活曲线。根据内禀增长率大小排序,25℃是马铃薯棉蚜生长发育、存活、繁殖及种群增长的最适温度,其后依次为30℃、20℃、15℃和10℃。     

The Early-Onset Myocardial Infarction Associated PHACTR1 Gene Regulates Skeletal and Cardiac Alpha-Actin Gene Expression

The phosphatase and actin regulator 1 (PHACTR1) locus is a very commonly identified hit in genome-wide association studies investigating coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction (MI). However, the function of PHACTR1 in the heart is still unknown. We characterized the mechanisms regulating Phactr1 expression in the heart, used adenoviral gene delivery to investigate the effects of Phactr1 on cardiac function, and analyzed the relationship between MI associated PHACTR1 allele and cardiac function in human subjects. Phactr1 mRNA and protein levels were markedly reduced (60%, P<0.01 and 90%, P<0.001, respectively) at 1 day after MI in rats. When the direct myocardial effects of Phactr1 were studied, the skeletal α-actin to cardiac α-actin isoform ratio was significantly higher (1.5-fold, P<0.05) at 3 days but 40% lower (P<0.05) at 2 weeks after adenovirus-mediated Phactr1 gene delivery into the anterior wall of the left ventricle. Similarly, the skeletal α-actin to cardiac α-actin ratio was lower at 2 weeks in infarcted hearts overexpressing Phactr1. In cultured neonatal cardiac myocytes, adenovirus-mediated Phactr1 overexpression for 48 hours markedly increased the skeletal α-actin to cardiac α-actin ratio, this being associated with an enhanced DNA binding activity of serum response factor. Phactr1 overexpression exerted no major effects on the expression of other cardiac genes or LV structure and function in normal and infarcted hearts during 2 weeks’ follow-up period. In human subjects, MI associated PHACTR1 allele was not associated significantly with cardiac function (n = 1550). Phactr1 seems to regulate the skeletal to cardiac α-actin isoform ratio.     

银杏叶提取物对β-淀粉样蛋白致阿尔茨海默病模型大鼠学习记忆的影响及其作用机制研究

目的:研究银杏叶提取物(EGB)对β-淀粉样蛋白(β-amyloid protein,Aβ)致阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer's disease,AD)模型大鼠学习记忆能力的影响及其作用机制。方法:用Y迷宫测定Aβ致AD大鼠学习记忆能力,苏木素-伊红(HE)染色,TUNEL法和免疫组化染色法分别检测其海马CA1区细胞形态学变化,神经元凋亡,Caspase-3P20的表达及Aβ的沉积,并观察EGB的保护作用。结果:Aβ致AD大鼠学习尝试次数明显增加,记忆正确次数明显减少;海马CA1区锥体细胞层损伤严重,可见到较多TUNEL和Caspase-3P20阳性神经元及Aβ阳性物质沉积。而银杏叶各剂量组均有不同程度的改善。结论:Aβ可引起β-淀粉样蛋白致AD大鼠海马CA1区神经元的凋亡,Caspase-3的激活参与了这一过程,而EGb有保护作用并能改善其学习记忆障碍。