Pigment composition and adaptation in free-living and symbiotic strains of Acaryochloris marina

Acaryochloris marina strains have been isolated from several varied locations and habitats worldwide demonstrating a diverse and dynamic ecology. In this study, the whole cell photophysiologies of strain MBIC11017, originally isolated from a colonial ascidian, and the free-living epilithic strain CCMEE5410 are analyzed by absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy, laser scanning confocal microscopy, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and subsequent protein analysis. We demonstrate pigment adaptation in MBIC11017 and CCMEE5410 under different light regimes. We show that the higher the incident growth light intensity for both strains, the greater the decrease in their chlorophyll d content. However, the strain MBIC11017 loses its phycobiliproteins relative to its chlorophyll d content when grown at light intensities of 40 microE m(-2) s(-1) without shaking and 100 microE m(-2) s(-1) with shaking. We also conclude that phycobiliproteins are absent in the free-living strain CCMEE5410.     

Zygote injection of CRISPR/Cas9 RNA successfully modifies the target gene without delaying blastocyst development or altering the sex ratio in pigs

The CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing tool has increased the efficiency of creating genetically modified pigs for use as biomedical or agricultural models. The objectives were to determine if DNA editing resulted in a delay in development to the blastocyst stage or in a skewing of the sex ratio. Six DNA templates (gBlocks) that were designed to express guide RNAs that target the transmembrane protease, serine S1, member 2 (TMPRSS2) gene were in vitro transcribed. Pairs of CRISPR guide RNAs that flanked the start codon and polyadenylated Cas9 were co-injected into the cytoplasm of zygotes and cultured in vitro to the blastocyst stage. Blastocysts were collected as they formed on days 5, 6 or 7. PCR was performed to determine genotype and sex of each embryo. Separately, embryos were surgically transferred into recipient gilts on day 4 of estrus. The rate of blastocyst development was not significantly different between CRISPR injection embryos or the non-injected controls at day 5, 6 or 7 (p = 0.36, 0.09, 0.63, respectively). Injection of three CRISPR sets of guides resulted in a detectable INDEL in 92–100 % of the embryos analyzed. There was not a difference in the number of edits or sex ratio of male to female embryos when compared between days 5, 6 and 7 to the controls (p > 0.22, >0.85). There were 12 resulting piglets and all 12 had biallelic edits of TMRPSS2. Zygote injection with CRISPR/Cas9 continues to be a highly efficient tool to genetically modify pig embryos.     

There are at least three genetically distinct small piroplasms from dogs

The 18S nuclear subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene of small piroplasms isolated from dogs from Okinawa (Japan), Oklahoma, North Carolina, Indiana, Missouri, and Alabama, was isolated and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences and comparisons with sequences from other Babesia, Cytauxzoon, and Theileria species revealed that all canine small babesial isolates, with the exception of isolates from California and Spain, were placed in a group containing the Babesia spp. sensu stricto. Within the Babesia spp. sensu stricto, there was support for separating the small canine piroplasms from the large canine piroplasm, Babesia canis. The isolate from California was in a distinct phylogenetic clade, closely related to babesial isolates from wildlife and humans from the Western US. The canine isolate from Spain was closely related to Babesia microti. These results suggest that there are multiple small piroplasm species in dogs. The isolates from the Midwestern and Eastern US and the one from Japan probably represent a single species with wide geographic distribution.     

Diurnal variation in the dopamine level of rat brain areas: effect of sodium phenobarbital

The levels of dopamine in the caudate nucleus, cerebellum, cortex and midbrain were determined every three hours in control rats nd in rats pretreated with sodium phenobarbital over a twenty-four hour period. All animals were adapted for a minimum period of three weeks to an environmental room equipped with a programmed 12 hour dark — 12 hour light illumination cycle. The level of dopamine was highest during the dark phase and lowest during the light phase of the photoperiod in all the brain areas studied. Sodium phenobarbital pretreatment increased dopamine level in all the brain areas studied at most times, particularly during the dark phase and enhanced the circadian rhythmicity of dopamine levels in the cortex, cerebellum and midbrain.     

Spatial Simulations of Myxobacterial Development

Many bacteria exhibit multicellular behaviour, with individuals within a colony coordinating their actions for communal benefit. One example of complex multicellular phenotypes is myxobacterial fruiting body formation, where thousands of cells aggregate into large three-dimensional structures, within which sporulation occurs. Here we describe a novel theoretical model, which uses Monte Carlo dynamics to simulate and explain multicellular development. The model captures multiple behaviours observed during fruiting, including the spontaneous formation of aggregation centres and the formation and dissolution of fruiting bodies. We show that a small number of physical properties in the model is sufficient to explain the most frequently documented population-level behaviours observed during development in Myxococcus xanthus.     

4-Phenyl-7-azaindoles as potent and selective IKK2 inhibitors

The synthesis and SAR of a novel series of IKK2 inhibitors are described. Modification around the hinge binding region of the 7-azaindole led to a series of potent and selective inhibitors with good cellular activity.     

Experimental diabetes in cats induced by partial pancreatectomy alone or combined with local injection of alloxan

Experimental diabetes was produced in cats by partial pancreatectomy using a short and technically simple surgical procedure. Electrocautery was used to cauterize pancreatic blood vessels and seal free edges of remaining pancreatic tissue to prevent secretion of pancreatic enzymes into the peritoneal cavity. In a second group of animals, partial pancreatectomy was followed by local injection of alloxan into an arterial branch of the cranio-mesenteric artery. The combined procedure resulted in diabetes mellitus in 100% (8 of 8) animals as compared to only 70% (14 of 20) in those subjected to partial pancreatectomy alone. In addition, the alloxan-pancreatectomized cats had a reduced latency period prior to onset of chronic hyperglycemia (4.8 days compared to 19.3 days postoperatively in pancreatectomized cats). The diabetic cats were maintained in poor metabolic control (blood glucose approximately 300 mg/dl) by daily injections of low doses of long-acting insulin. Pancreatic enzyme supplementation was given by mouth. Weight changes and blood glucose levels were monitored carefully to maintain the health of the animals while keeping them in poor metabolic control.     

Five month extrauterine survival in a female triploid (69,XXX) child.

The case of a (69,XXX) triploid infant who survived 160 days is reported. Previously, the longest survival of a non-mosaic triploid had been 9 days. Possible reasons for this extensive survival are discussed.