Characterization of amber mutations in bacteriophage Mu transposase: a functional analysis of the protein

We have characterized a series of amber mutations in the A gene of bacteriophage Mu encoding the phage transposase. We tested different activities of these mutant proteins either in a sup0 strain or in different sup bacteria. In conjunction with the results described in the accompanying paper by Bétermier et al. (1989) we find that the C-terminus of the protein is not absolutely essential for global transposase function, but is essential for phage growth. Specific binding to Mu ends is defined by a more central domain. Our results also reinforce the previous findings (Bétermier et al., 1987) that more than one protein may be specified by the A gene.     

Comparative bioinformatics analysis and abiotic stress responses of expansin proteins in Cucurbitaceae members: watermelon and melon

Protoplasma - Watermelon and melon are members of the Cucurbitaceae family including economically significant crops in the world. The expansin protein family, which is one of the members of the...     

Cloning and sequencing of IS1086, an Alcaligenes eutrophus insertion element related to IS30 and IS4351.

A new insertion sequence (IS), designated IS1086, was isolated from Alcaligenes eutrophus CH34 by being trapped in plasmid pJV240, which contains the Bacillus subtilis sacB and sacR genes. The 1,106-bp IS1086 element contains partially matched (22 of 28 bp) terminal-inverted repeats and a long open reading frame. Hybridization data suggest the presence of one copy of IS1086 in the strain CH34 heavy-metal resistance plasmid pMOL28 and at least two copies in its chromosome. Analysis of the IS1086 nucleotide sequence revealed striking homology with two other IS elements, IS30 and IS4351, suggesting that they are three close members in a family of phylogenetically related insertion sequences. One open reading frame of the Spiroplasma citri phage SpV1-R8A2 B was also found to be related to this IS family but to a lesser extent. Comparison of the G+C contents of IS30 and IS1086 revealed that they conform to their respective hosts (46 versus 50% for IS30 and Escherichia coli and 64.5% for IS1086 and A. eutrophus). The pressure on the AT/GC ratio led to a very different codon usage in these two closely related IS elements. Results suggesting that IS1086 transposition might be activated by some forms of stress are discussed.     

An improved method for micropropagation and regeneration of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

We developed a novel large-scale micropropagation pathway for date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) based on organogenesis. We obtained organogenic stems from shoot tip explants of the Moroccan date palm cultivar Najda, and investigated shoot proliferation from these organogenic stems in vitro on various media; Beauchesne medium (BM) and Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) at full-strength, half-strength, and one-third-strength, containing various concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/L) of 2-naphthoxyacetic acid (NOAA) and kinetin. The optimal medium during the multiplication phase was half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (MS/2) supplemented with 0.5 mg/L NOAA and 0.5 mg/L kinetin (23.5 morphologically superior shoots per explant, with low vitrification rates). For the shoot elongation phase, shoots were transferred to the same proliferation medium, or to MS or MS/2 media without plant growth regulators (PGRs). Shoots elongated rapidly and showed a high rate of root formation on media supplemented with PGRs. For example, on MS/2 medium containing 1 mg/L NOAA and 1 mg/L kinetin, the average shoot length was 15.1 cm, the average number of roots per shoot was 6.2, and their average length was 3.4 cm. On PGR-free media, shoots were shorter with wider and greener leaves, and had fewer roots. The plantlets were transferred to a greenhouse for acclimation. The survival rate after 2 months was related to the medium used during the elongation phase; >90 % of shoots that were cultured on PGR-free media survived, while there was a poor survival rate of shoots that had been cultured on media containing PGRs.     

Morphology, anatomy, palynology and nutlet micromorphology of the rediscovered Turkish endemic Salvia ballsiana (Lamiaceae) and their taxonomic implications

Salvia ballsiana (Rech. fil.) Hedge, previously known only from the type gathering, is a local endemic species from Turkey. The species was first collected from Gölbaşı (Malatya) by E. K. Balls in 1935, and was not collected again until 2008, when we found it in Gerger (Adıyaman). The diagnostic morphological characters of this rare endemic species are discussed, including its anatomical, palynological and nutlet micromorphological features. Morphological characteristics of leaves, calyces, corollas and types of stamens are useful for sectional and specific delimitation in Salvia . Anatomical characters such as number of ray rows in roots, distance between vascular bundles in stems, mesophyll structures in leaves, shape of mid-rib and presence/absence of sclerenchymatic tissue in petioles are of taxonomic significance. In addition, size, shape and ornamentation of pollen grains and nutlets are diagnostic.     

Determination of microRNAs associated with adverse left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Increasing evidence indicates that microRNA (miRNA) regulated mechanisms in myocardial healing and ventricular remodeling following acute myocardial infarction...     

The Double Burden of Obesity and Malnutrition in a Protracted Emergency Setting: A Cross-Sectional Study of Western Sahara Refugees

Background

Households from vulnerable groups experiencing epidemiological transitions are known to be affected concomitantly by under-nutrition and obesity. Yet, it is unknown to what extent this double burden affects refugee populations dependent on food assistance. We assessed the double burden of malnutrition among Western Sahara refugees living in a protracted emergency.

Methods and Findings

We implemented a stratified nutrition survey in October–November 2010 in the four Western Sahara refugee camps in Algeria. We sampled 2,005 households, collecting anthropometric measurements (weight, height, and waist circumference) in 1,608 children (6–59 mo) and 1,781 women (15–49 y). We estimated the prevalence of global acute malnutrition (GAM), stunting, underweight, and overweight in children; and stunting, underweight, overweight, and central obesity in women. To assess the burden of malnutrition within households, households were first classified according to the presence of each type of malnutrition. Households were then classified as undernourished, overweight, or affected by the double burden if they presented members with under-nutrition, overweight, or both, respectively.The prevalence of GAM in children was 9.1%, 29.1% were stunted, 18.6% were underweight, and 2.4% were overweight; among the women, 14.8% were stunted, 53.7% were overweight or obese, and 71.4% had central obesity. Central obesity (47.2%) and overweight (38.8%) in women affected a higher proportion of households than did GAM (7.0%), stunting (19.5%), or underweight (13.3%) in children. Overall, households classified as overweight (31.5%) were most common, followed by undernourished (25.8%), and then double burden–affected (24.7%).

Conclusions

The double burden of obesity and under-nutrition is highly prevalent in households among Western Sahara refugees. The results highlight the need to focus more attention on non-communicable diseases in this population and balance obesity prevention and management with interventions to tackle under-nutrition. Please see later in the article for the Editors'' Summary     

Serum and hair zinc levels in epileptic children taking valproic acid

This study was performed to investigate the serum and hair zinc levels in patients having epilepsy diagnoses who were intended to be put on valproic acid (VA) monotherapy and had never ingested antiepileptics before. A total of 16 patients having normal growth, development, and nutrition was selected as Group 1, and Group 2 was made up of 10 patients who had received VA monotherapy for 2 yrs or more and had normal growth, development, and nutrition characteristics. A control group (Group 3) was formed of 15 subjects who applied to the hospital for upper respiratory tract disorders. Serum and hair samples were taken for zinc assays from the Group 1 patients on the d 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 180. Groups 2 and 3 were sampled only once, and zinc levels were determined. We found that both serum and hair zinc levels in Group 1 were higher than those of Group 2 and control group before the beginning of VA therapy, but they returned to normal during VA treatment. There was no zinc deficiency, and zinc replacement treatment may therefore be considered as unnecessary.