A defective viral genome maintained in Escherichia coli for the generation of baculovirus expression vectors

A novel baculovirus genome has been generated that can be maintained in Escherichia coli and which facilitates the rapid and efficient generation of recombinant baculovirus expression vectors. This genome, designated bAcGOZA, lacks a portion of the essential ORF1629 gene but includes a miniF replicon and selectable kanamycin-resistance marker. The bAcGOZA can replicate only in E. coli and can be rescued by recombination with a transfer vector containing an intact ORF1629. There is no background of non-recombinant virus.     

A comparative analysis of internal cranial anatomy in the hylobatidae

Craniometric studies on the hylobatids using external metrics (Creel and Preuschoft, 1976 , 1984 ) sorted hylobatid populations into primary species groupings which are in accordance with the four currently recognized generic‐level groupings. The goal of the current study was to assess the relative orientations of the orbits, palate, and basioccipital clivus among the hylobatid genera in an effort to further clarify whether the lesser apes differ significantly in these internal cranial features and how that variation patterns across the groups. Nine angular variables quantifying orbital, palatal, and basioccipital clivus orientations were measured on lateral view radiographs of adults representing three of the four hylobatid genera: Hylobates; Nomascus; and, Symphalangus. The interspecific adult hylobatid means for the angular variables were analyzed using t‐test contrasts. The total sample was further subjected to discriminant function analysis (DFA) to test for the ability of craniofacial angular variables to distinguish the hylobatid genera from one another. The three hylobatid genera displayed significant morphological differentiation in orbital, palatal, and posterior skull base orientations. Normal, jackknifed, and cross‐validation DFA procedures correctly identified the hylobatids 50–100% of the time. The observed morphological patterns generally mapped onto the findings of earlier external craniometric hylobatid studies and suggest concordance between specific internal and external cranial features. This article is the first comprehensive study of variation in internal cranial anatomy of the Hylobatidae and includes the first published craniofacial angular data for Nomascus. Am J Phys Anthropol 143:250–265, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Falsely High Plasma Potassium Values in Patients with Hyperaldosteronism

The common practice of encouraging forearm exercise as an aid to venepuncture is a potent source of erroneously high plasma potassium levels. This may be sufficient to obscure a suspicion of hyperaldosteronism, with possible serious repercussions in hypertensive patients, in whom the diagnosis of hyperaldosteronism has important therapeutic implications. Plasma is preferable to serum for potassium estimations, and forearm exercise should be avoided before venepuncture for potassium measurements.     

New intragenic deletions in the Phex gene clarify X-linked hypophosphatemia-related abnormalities in mice

X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) in humans is caused by mutations in the PHEX gene. Previously, three mutations in the mouse Phex gene have been reported: Phex^Hyp, Gy, and Phex^Ska1. Here we report analysis of two new spontaneous mutations in the mouse Phex gene, Phex^Hyp-2J and Phex^Hyp-Duk. Phex^Hyp-2J and Phex^Hyp-Duk involve intragenic deletions of at least 7.3 kb containing exon 15, and 30 kb containing exons 13 and 14, respectively. Both mutations cause similar phenotypes in males, including shortened hind legs and tail, a shortened square trunk, hypophosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and rachitic bone disease. In addition, mice carrying the Phex^Hyp-Duk mutation exhibit background-dependent variable expression of deafness, circling behavior, and cranial dysmorphology, demonstrating the influence of modifying genes on Phex-related phenotypes. Cochlear cross-sections from Phex^Hyp-2J/Y and Phex^Hyp-Duk/Y males reveal a thickening of the temporal bone surrounding the cochlea with the presence of a precipitate in the scala tympani. Evidence of the degeneration of the organ of Corti and spiral ganglion also are present in the hearing-impaired Phex^Hyp-Duk/Y mice, but not in the normal-hearing Phex^Hyp-2J/Y mice. Analysis of the phenotypes noted in Phex^Hyp-Duk/Y an Phex^Hyp-2J/Y males, together with those noted in Phex^Ska1/Y and Phex^Hyp/Y males, now allow XLH-related phenotypes to be separated from non-XLH-related phenotypes, such as those noted in Gy/Y males. Also, identification of the genetic modifiers of hearing and craniofacial dysmorphology in Phex^Hyp-Duk/Y mice could provide insight into the phenotypic variation of XLH in humans. *Bothauthorscontributedequallytothisresearch.     

Metabolism of ferulic acid by a Penicillium sp.

Ferulic acid was metabolised by a Penicillium sp. (probably P. rubrum) by a novel route involving a preliminary demethylation to caffeic acid, followed by side-chain shortening to yield protocatechuic acid which was subsequently broken down via the ortho-fission pathway.Abbreviations used BAW = n-butanol, acetic acid, water [BAW]-(454:10:22) - BzAc = benzene, acetic acid, water [BzAc](125:72:3) - BzDA = benzene, dioxane, acetic acid [BzDA](90:25:4)     

Dye coupling in the corneal endothelium: effects of ouabain and extracellular calcium removal

Summary The effects of ouabain and extracellular calcium removal on gap junctional coupling of isolated rabbit corneal endothelium was examined using a modified dye-spread technique. This technique is a modification of a microelectrode procedure that now utilizes patch electrodes connected to a current-clamp circuit for dye iontophoresis and a shuttering system in the excitation light path to reduce phototoxic effects in the monolayer. It was found that a significant degree of junctional uncoupling occurred after 45 min of exposure to ouabain, quantified as a reduction in the effective diffusion coefficient of injected Lucifer yellow CH: 1.74×10^-7 cm²/s (control) versus 0.43×10^-7 cm²/s (ouabain-treated). It was also determined that no gap junctional uncoupling occurs after extended exposure (up to 3.5 h) to a calcium-free extracellular environment.