Effects of the landscape on boreal toad gene flow: does the pattern–process relationship hold true across distinct landscapes at the northern range margin?

Understanding the impact of natural and anthropogenic landscape features on population connectivity is a major goal in evolutionary ecology and conservation. Discovery of dispersal barriers is important for predicting population responses to landscape and environmental changes, particularly for populations at geographic range margins. We used a landscape genetics approach to quantify the effects of landscape features on gene flow and connectivity of boreal toad (Bufo boreas) populations from two distinct landscapes in south-east Alaska (Admiralty Island, ANM, and the Chilkat River Valley, CRV). We used two common methodologies for calculating resistance distances in landscape genetics studies (resistance based on least-cost paths and circuit theory). We found a strong effect of saltwater on genetic distance of CRV populations, but no landscape effects were found for the ANM populations. Our discordant results show the importance of examining multiple landscapes that differ in the variability of their features, to maximize detectability of underlying processes and allow results to be broadly applicable across regions. Saltwater serves as a physiological barrier to boreal toad gene flow and affects populations on a small geographic scale, yet there appear to be few other barriers to toad dispersal in this intact northern region.     

Elucidation of common pharmacophores from analysis of targeted metabolites transported by the multispecific drug transporter-Organic anion transporter1 (Oat1)

Organic anion transporter 1 (Oat1), first identified as NKT, is a multispecific transporter responsible for the handling of drugs and toxins in the kidney and choroid plexus, but its normal physiological role appears to be in small molecule metabolite regulation. Metabolites transported by Oat1 and which are altered in the blood and urine of the murine Oat1 knockout, may serve as templates for further drug design. This may lead to better tissue targeting of drugs or design of Oat1 inhibitors that prolong the half-life of current drugs. Due to the multispecificity of the transporter, 19 of known targeted metabolites have different chemical structures and properties that make constructing a common pharmacophore model difficult. Here we propose an approach that clustered the metabolites into four distinct groups which allowed for the construction of a consensus pharmacophore for each cluster. The screening of commercial molecular databases determined the top candidates whose interaction with Oat1 was confirmed in an experimental model of organic anion transport. Thus, these candidate selections represent potential molecules for further drug design.     

Spontaneous demonstration of counterclockwise right atrial activation following successful isthmus ablation

We describe an uncommon case of typical flutter with symptomatic sinus node dysfunction, in which a permanent junctional rhythm developed following ablation of the cavo-tricuspid isthmus. This rhythm activated the right atrium in counter clockwise manner thus providing spontaneous proof of unidirectional isthmus block, a phenomenon that is usually demonstrated by proximal coronary sinus pacing.     

Macrophage-Specific Targeting of Isoniazid Through Mannosylated Gelatin Microspheres

Active targeting of drug molecules can be achieved by effective attachment of suitable ligands to the surface of carriers. The present work was attempted to prepare mannosylated gelatin microspheres (m-GMs) so as to achieve targeted delivery of isoniazid (INH) to alveolar macrophages (AMs) and maintain its therapeutic concentration for prolonged period of time. Microspheres were prepared by emulsification solvent extraction method and evaluated for physicochemical characteristics, drug release, ex vivo drug uptake by AMs and pharmacokinetic characteristics. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral analysis confirmed that mannosylation took place through Schiff base formation between aldehyde and amino groups of mannose and gelatin, respectively. Prepared microspheres offered suitable physicochemical characteristics for their delivery to AMs. Their average size was about 4 μm and drug entrapment efficiency of 56% was achieved with them. Ex vivo uptake results indicated that in comparison to plain microspheres, m-GMs were selectively uptaken and were found to be associated with phago-lysosomal vesicles of AMs. Pharmacokinetic studies showed the formulation could maintain the therapeutic concentration of INH for prolonged period of time even with a reduced clinical dose. m-GMs were found to be stable in broncheo-alveolar lavage fluid. The study concluded that ligand decorated carriers could be a potential strategy to improve the therapeutic properties of INH.     

Benzothiophene carboxamide derivatives as inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum enoyl-ACP reductase

Benzothiophene derivatives like benzothiophene sulphonamides, biphenyls, or carboxyls have been synthesized and have found wide pharmacological usage. Here we report, bromo-benzothiophene carboxamide derivatives as potent, slow tight binding inhibitors of Plasmodium enoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductase (PfENR). 3-Bromo-N-(4-fluorobenzyl)-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamide (compound 6) is the most potent inhibitor with an IC50 of 115 nM for purified PfENR. The inhibition constant (Ki) of compound 6 was 18 nM with respect to the cofactor and 91 nM with respect to crotonoyl-CoA. These inhibitors showed competitive kinetics with cofactor and uncompetitive kinetics with the substrate. Thus, these compounds hold promise for the development of potent antimalarials.     

900-MHz microwave radiation promotes oxidation in rat brain

Recently, there have been several reports referring to detrimental effects due to radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) exposure. Special attention was given to investigate the effect of mobile phone exposure on the rat brain. Since the integrative mechanism of the entire body lies in the brain, it is suggestive to analyze its biochemical aspects. For this, 35-day old Wistar rats were exposed to a mobile phone for 2?h per day for a duration of 45 days where specific absorption rate (SAR) was 0.9?W/Kg. Animals were divided in two groups: sham exposed (n?=?6) and exposed group (n?=?6). Our observations indicate a significant decrease (P?相似文献   

Review of the continental Oriental species of Lilioceris Reitter (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Criocerinae) closely related to Lilioceris impressa (F.)

Criocerine leaf beetles found in Nepal feeding on Dioscorea bulbifera (L.), an invasive weed of Asian origin, were identified as Lilioceris cheni Gressitt and Kimoto based on a synopsis of the Oriental Lilioceris species and review of the Lilioceris impressa species group. All the continental, Oriental species included in the group are diagnosed and illustrated, and a key for their identification is provided. Species status of Lilioceris thibetana Pic, 1916 is resurrected. The following new synonyms are proposed: Lilioceris coomani (Pic, 1928) = Lilioceris egena (Weise, 1922), and Lilioceris subcostata (Pic, 1921a), Lilioceris laticornis (Gressit, 1942), Lilioceris inflaticornis Gressit & Kimoto, 1961, and Lilioceris maai Gressit & Kimoto, 1961 = Lilioceris impressa (Fabricius, 1787). Lectotypes of the following species are designated: Lilioceris coomani Pic, 1928; Lilioceris impressa (Fabricius, 1787); Lilioceris laosensis (Pic, 1916); Lilioceris malabarica (Jacoby, 1904); Lilioceris ruficornis (Pic, 1921b); Lilioceris subcostata (Pic, 1921a); Lilioceris thibetana (Pic, 1916); and Lilioceris unicolor (Hope, 1831).     

datPAV--an online processing, analysis and visualization tool for exploratory investigation of experimental data

SUMMARY: Data processing, analysis and visualization (datPAV) is an exploratory tool that allows experimentalist to quickly assess the general characteristics of the data. This platform-independent software is designed as a generic tool to process and visualize data matrices. This tool explores organization of the data, detect errors and support basic statistical analyses. Processed data can be reused whereby different step-by-step data processing/analysis workflows can be created to carry out detailed investigation. The visualization option provides publication-ready graphics. Applications of this tool are demonstrated at the web site for three cases of metabolomics, environmental and hydrodynamic data analysis. AVAILABILITY: datPAV is available free for academic use at http://www.sdwa.nus.edu.sg/datPAV/.