Preparation of agarose with low net negative charge density using an inexpensive anion exchanger

A method of preparing agarose of low net negative charge density by the use of Chromium tanned gelatin is described. Using commercial agarose (agarose c) as standard of comparison the product has a sulphate content approximately 0.1 that of agarose c and its pyruvate content was reduced to zero as shown by NMR in DMSO. The product was still able to adsorb and desorb serum glycoproteins similar to agarose c indicating that charge on the agarose c gel particles played a minor role if any on the binding of the serum glycoproteins.     

Induction of the catalytic protein of (Na+ plus K+)-ATPase in the salt gland of the duck.

The (Na+ plus K+)-ATPase activities in salt gland homogenates increased 3- to 4-fold after saline treatment of ducks for 3 weeks. The ATPase was purified to a specific activity of 460 and 1015 mumol Pi/mg protein per h, respectively, in control and saline-treated ducks. The catalytic protein was identified on polyacrylamide electrophoresis gels by phosphorylating the enzyme with (32P)ATP. The molecular weight of the protein was estimated to be 98 000. The amount of catalytic unit increased commensurately with the enzyme activity after saline treatment. It is therefore concluded that the increased enzyme activity is due to a de novo enzyme synthesis and is not an activation effect. Phospholipid concentration in the salt gland tissue increased 1.7-fold after the saline treatment. Significant increases occurred in the percentage of the total phospholipids as phosphatidylserine and sphingomyelin. In the partially purified (Na+ plus K+)-ATPase preparation, the percentage composition of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine increased after saline treatment.     

Biogeography of prostrate-leaved geophytes in semi-arid South Africa: hypotheses on functionality

Nowhere is the species diversity of geophytes greater than in the five mediterranean-climate ecosystems of the world. Of these, the Cape mediterranean zone of South Africa is the most speciose. While the relative diversity and importance of geophytes of all of the other four mediterranean regions of the world drops off sharply as one moves into adjacent winter-rainfall desert regions, geophytes in the semi-arid to arid Succulent Karoo (including Namaqualand) remain a very important component of the flora, both in terms of abundance and diversity (comprising 13 to 29% of the regional floras in this region). Apart from species richness, there are also a number of interesting geophyte growth forms in this region. One unusual growth form is geophytes with flattened leaves that lie prostrate on the soil surface. At least eight families (Amaryllidaceae, Colchicaceae, Eriospermaceae, Geraniaceae, Hyacinthaceae, Iridaceae, Orchidaceae and Oxalidaceae) exhibit this growth form. While this growth form is relatively common in many geophyte lineages in the Succulent Karoo biome and the Cape mediterranean zone (Fynbos biome), and occurs infrequently through the summer-rainfall temperate regions of Africa, it is virtually absent in other regions worldwide. A null hypothesis is that the prostrate leaved trait is a neutral characteristic, however biogeographical data do not support this. A neutral trait would be unlikely to show such a clear pattern of distribution. Several alternative hypotheses on the adaptive significance of this growth form are discussed. These include: avoidance of herbivory, reduction in competition from neighbors, creation of a CO₂ enriched environment below the leaves, reduction of water loss around the roots, reduction of water loss through transpiration, precipitation of dew on the leaves and maintenance of optimal leaf temperatures for growth.     

Frost and forest stand effects on the population dynamics of Asplenium scolopendrium

Our objective was to analyze which factors are critical for the dynamics of terrestrial Asplenium scolopendrium populations at the northern edge of its distribution. Therefore, a long-term study (1978–1999) on the performance and demography of this fern species has been carried out in three different forest stands (Picea sitchensis with Fagus sylvatica, P. sitchensis with thinning, and Fraxinus excelsior) in the Netherlands. We used the recorded demographic data to parameterize 37 transition matrices. The number of frost days in severe winters correlated closely with frond damage and resulted in increased mortality and retrogression. Landslip on the trench banks and intraspecific competition were also found to increase mortality. In the F. excelsior plot, plants grew faster and bigger, produced more fronds and formed a more closed fern cover than in the P. sitchensis stands, likely due to higher light levels. Life-table response experiments revealed that reproduction contributed greatly to the differences in projected population growth rates: reproduction was importantly higher in the F. excelsior and in the thinned P. sitchensis plots than in the P. sitchensis–F. sylvatica plot. These differences can be attributed to an initial difference in light climate and to the accumulation of F. sylvatica litter which reduced recruitment. Recruitment occurred on bare soil but also in open moss carpets. We expect that the fern Asplenium scolopendrium will profit at its northern distribution edge when severe winters will occur less frequently, which is one of the expectations for global climate change.     

1,5-Anhydro-2-Deoxy-D-Altritol Oligonucleotides as Conformationally Restricted Analogues of Rna

Abstract

As part of a project concerning the investigation of new hexitol nucleic acids (HNA), the 1,5-anhydro-2-deoxy-D-altritol nucleoside building blocks with a uracil, cytosine, adenine and guanine base moiety were synthesized. The uracil analogue was used for the automated synthesis of corresponding oligonucleotides. Hybridization capabilities of these altritol nucleic acids (ANA) are illustrated by the Tm values obtained for the (a ^hU)₁₃/(dA)₁₃ duplex.     

Methods for the Analyses of Case-Cohort Studies

Case-cohort and nested case-control sampling methods have recently been introduced as a means of reducing cost in large cohort studies. The asymptotic distribution theory results for relative rate estimation based on Cox type partial or pseudolikelihoods for case-cohort and nested case-control studies have been accounted for. However, many researchers use (stratified) frequency table methods for a first or primary summarization of the most important evidence on exposure-disease or dose-response relationships, i.e. the classical Mantel-Haenszel analyses, trend tests and tests for heterogeneity of relative rates. These can be followed by exponential failure time regression methods on grouped or individual data to model relationships between several factors and response. In this paper we present the adaptations needed to use these methods with case-cohort designs, illustrating their use with data from a recent case-cohort study on the relationship between diet, life-style and cancer. We assume a very general setup allowing piecewise constant failure rates, possible recurrent events per individual, independent censoring and left truncation.     

The Duffy system: a population genetics study in Portugal, Guinea-Bissau and Brazil

2225 blood samples from Portugal (classed according to historical provinces), 301 blood samples from Guinea-Bissau (classed in tribes) and 697 blood samples from Brazil (classed according to colour of skin) have been tested in the Duffy system. The Portuguese seem to be a sufficiently uniform and autonomous population. This is also true for the (non-rejected) blood-samples from Guinea-Bissau. The Brazilians differ in accordance with their colour of skin. The expected relations between Portugal and its former colonies can be proved. The Duffy system is suited for the distinction of black and non-black populations and enables to recognize extraneous admixtures.