Production of DON-related trichothecenes byFusarium graminearum Schw from Krasnodarski krai of the USSR

34Fusarium graminearum Schw isolates produced 4-deoxynivalenol to form significant amounts of 4, 7 — dideoxynivalenol and lesser amounts of 4 — deoxynivalenol monoacetates on grain substratesin vitro. This is the first report on the capability a large group of naturally occurring isolates to produce 4,7-dideoxynivalenol. The average levels of 4,7-dideoxynivalenol on rice, corn, barley, and wheat as a substrate were respectively 26.8, 14.0, 12.8, and 10.5% of the level of 4-deoxynivalenol. 4, 7 — dideoxynivalenol was present in all examined naturally contaminated wheat kernel samples at levels of 1.7 to 7.9% of the level of 4-deoxynivalenol. These findings suggest that more attention should be given to the occurrence of 4,7-dideoxynivalenol in cereals.     

Variation in the ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) among eight taxa of the Mimulus guttatus species complex

The internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1 and ITS2) of the 18S-25S nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence and the intervening 5.8S region were sequenced from three individuals in each of eight taxa of the Mimulus guttatus species complex. Three discrete variants, or "types," of ITS sequences were found, among which 30%-40% of sites differed, compared with 1%-2% within types. Dot plots indicate that these types were not related by conspicuous rearrangements or inversions. More than one ITS type was often found in the same taxon, and two of three ITS types span species boundaries, indicating their presence prior to speciation. These ITS sequences showed essentially no positional homology with the nearest sequenced relative, tomato. In contrast, the 5.8S region was relatively unvaried, with 8 of 162 sites varied in the sample among all eight taxa. The phylogeny inferred by the most common ITS sequence type, rooted by the two other ITS types, agreed with isozymes in showing the distinctness of M. nudatus, M. laciniatus, and M. tilingii from the other five taxa.      

Phospho-beta-glucosidase from Fusobacterium mortiferum: purification, cloning, and inactivation by 6-phosphoglucono-delta-lactone.

6-Phosphoryl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl:6-phosphoglucohydrolase (P-beta-glucosidase, EC 3.2.1.86) has been purified from Fusobacterium mortiferum. Assays for enzyme activity and results from Western immunoblots showed that P-beta-glucosidase (Mr, 53,000; pI, 4.5) was induced by growth of F. mortiferum on beta-glucosides. The novel chromogenic and fluorogenic substrates, p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside-6-phosphate (pNPbetaGlc6P) and 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside-6-phosphate (4MUbetaGlc6P), respectively, were used for the assay of P-beta-glucosidase activity. The enzyme hydrolyzed several P-beta-glucosides, including the isomeric disaccharide phosphates cellobiose-6-phosphate, gentiobiose-6-phosphate, sophorose-6-phosphate, and laminaribiose-6-phosphate, to yield glucose-6-phosphate and appropriate aglycons. The kinetic parameters for each substrate are reported. P-beta-glucosidase from F. mortiferum was inactivated by 6-phosphoglucono-delta-lactone (P-glucono-delta-lactone) derived via oxidation of glucose 6-phosphate. The pbgA gene that encodes P-beta-glucosidase from F. mortiferum has been cloned and sequenced. The first 42 residues deduced from the nucleotide sequence matched those determined for the N terminus by automated Edman degradation of the purified enzyme. From the predicted sequence of 466 amino acids, two catalytically important glutamyl residues have been identified. Comparative alignment of the amino acid sequences of P-beta-glucosidase from Escherichia coli and F. mortiferum indicates potential binding sites for the inhibitory P-glucono-delta-lactone to the enzyme from F. mortiferum.     

Biological activities of melanotropic peptide fatty acid conjugates.

Four fatty acids (FA, palmitic, myristic, decanoic, hexanoic) were individually conjugated to the N-terminus of the alpha-MSH fragment analog, H-Asp5-His6-D-Phe7-Arg8-Trp9-Lys10-NH2. This resulted in enhanced potency of the conjugates (compared to the unconjugated melanotropin analog) as determined in the lizard skin bioassay and in the mouse melanoma cell tyrosinase bioassay. The shorter conjugates of hexanoic and decanoic acid were at least equipotent to alpha-MSH in the lizard skin bioassay, whereas the longer myristoyl and palmitoyl analogs were 100 times less active. The myristoyl and palmitoyl conjugates exhibited a "creeping" potency in the lizard skin bioassay-that is, potency of the peptides increased with time in contact with the skins. These observations may be related to the more lipid nature of these FA-conjugates. In the tyrosinase assay, the conjugates were 10-100 times more active than alpha-MSH or the unconjugated analog. Each of the FA-melanotropic peptide conjugates exhibited prolonged (residual) melanotropic activity in both the lizard skin and melanoma cell bioassays. In other words, after removal of the melanotropin conjugates from contact with the skins or cells, responses were still manifested for hours or days thereafter. As little as 1 hr of contact with melanoma cells resulted in enhanced enzyme activity as measured 48 hr later. Since the conjugates, but not H-[Asp5, D-Phe7, Lys10]alpha-MSH5-10-NH2, exhibited prolonged activity, the conversion of reversible agonists to irreversible agonists was demonstrated.     

Epidermal keratin messenger RNAs: A heterogeneous family

A messenger RNA fraction from guinea-pig skin sediments on sucrose gradients at approx. 19 S and codes for keratin polypeptides in a messenger-dependent reticulocyte lysate system. Partial purification of this fraction was achieved by two cycles of chromatography on oligo(dT)-cellulose, followed by two cycles of sucrose gradient centrifugation. The identities of the protein products as keratins were established by co-electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, by peptide mapping, and by co-electrophoresis on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels. All of the epidermal keratin polypeptides which are present in vivo are synthesized in vitro under the direction of this messenger. Fractionation of the messenger indicates that each different polypeptide is the product of a single mRNA species, and that no keratin is formed by proteolytic processing of higher molecular weight species or by polymerization of smaller precursors. Post-translational changes such as phosphorylation, which are known to occur in vivo, cannot be identified in the reticulocyte lysate system. Translation of these keratin messenger species is strongly inhibited by 7-methylguanosine 5′-triphosphate, indicating that the molecules have a ‘capped’ 5′-terminus.     

中国小菇属十个新记录种

报道了小菇科小菇属真菌10个中国新记录种,香菌组：橙盖小菇Mycena aurantiidisca、黄白小菇Mycena flavoalba、粉黄小菇Mycena floridula;棘刺组：异刺小菇Mycena heteracantha;纤柄组：碱味小菇Mycena amygdalina;脆足组：粉被小菇Mycena zephirus;冬生组：绣线菊小菇Mycena speirea、冬生小菇Mycena hiemalis;小菇组：绒柄小菇Mycena flos-nivium,分别来自吉林等11个省份、自治区。提供了每个物种的形态描述和线条图,以及与相近种的讨论。共计90条自测及下载ITS序列,在采用贝叶斯法和最大似然法构建的小菇属系统发育树中,新记录种均得到分子数据支持。凭证标本存放于吉林农业大学菌物标本馆（HMJAU）。     

Linkage to HIV,TB and Non-Communicable Disease Care from a Mobile Testing Unit in Cape Town,South Africa

Background

HIV counseling and testing may serve as an entry point for non-communicable disease screening.

Objectives

To determine the yield of newly-diagnosed HIV, tuberculosis (TB) symptoms, diabetes and hypertension, and to assess CD4 count testing, linkage to care as well as correlates of linkage and barriers to care from a mobile testing unit.

Methods

A mobile unit provided screening for HIV, TB symptoms, diabetes and hypertension in Cape Town, South Africa between March 2010 and September 2011. The yield of newly-diagnosed cases of these conditions was measured and clients were followed-up between January and November 2011 to assess linkage. Linkage to care was defined as accessing care within one, three or six months post-HIV diagnosis (dependent on CD4 count) and one month post-diagnosis for other conditions. Clinical and socio-demographic correlates of linkage to care were evaluated using Poisson regression and barriers to care were determined.

Results

Of 9,806 clients screened, the yield of new diagnoses was: HIV (5.5%), TB suspects (10.1%), diabetes (0.8%) and hypertension (58.1%). Linkage to care for HIV-infected clients, TB suspects, diabetics and hypertensives was: 51.3%, 56.7%, 74.1% and 50.0%. Only disclosure of HIV-positive status to family members or partners (RR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.04-6.3, p=0.04) was independently associated with linkage to HIV care. The main barrier to care reported by all groups was lack of time to access a clinic.

Conclusion

Screening for HIV, TB symptoms and hypertension at mobile units in South Africa has a high yield but inadequate linkage. After-hours and weekend clinics may overcome a major barrier to accessing care.     

ERP Modulation during Observation of Abstract Paintings by Franz Kline

The aim of this study was to test the involvement of sensorimotor cortical circuits during the beholding of the static consequences of hand gestures devoid of any meaning.In order to verify this hypothesis we performed an EEG experiment presenting to participants images of abstract works of art with marked traces of brushstrokes. The EEG data were analyzed by using Event Related Potentials (ERPs). We aimed to demonstrate a direct involvement of sensorimotor cortical circuits during the beholding of these selected works of abstract art. The stimuli consisted of three different abstract black and white paintings by Franz Kline. Results verified our experimental hypothesis showing the activation of premotor and motor cortical areas during stimuli observation. In addition, abstract works of art observation elicited the activation of reward-related orbitofrontal areas, and cognitive categorization-related prefrontal areas. The cortical sensorimotor activation is a fundamental neurophysiological demonstration of the direct involvement of the cortical motor system in perception of static meaningless images belonging to abstract art. These results support the role of embodied simulation of artist’s gestures in the perception of works of art.     

Risk Factors for Late-Stage HIV Disease Presentation at Initial HIV Diagnosis in Durban,South Africa

Background

After observing persistently low CD4 counts at initial HIV diagnosis in South Africa, we sought to determine risk factors for late-stage HIV disease presentation among adults.

Methods

We surveyed adults prior to HIV testing at four outpatient clinics in Durban from August 2010 to November 2011. All HIV-infected adults were offered CD4 testing, and late-stage HIV disease was defined as a CD4 count <100 cells/mm³. We used multivariate regression models to determine the effects of sex, emotional health, social support, distance from clinic, employment, perceived barriers to receiving healthcare, and foregoing healthcare to use money for food, clothing, or housing (“competing needs to healthcare”) on presentation with late-stage HIV disease.

Results

Among 3,669 adults screened, 830 were enrolled, newly-diagnosed with HIV and obtained a CD4 result. Among those, 279 (33.6%) presented with late-stage HIV disease. In multivariate analyses, participants who lived ≥5 kilometers from the test site [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.8, 95% CI 1.7–4.7], reported competing needs to healthcare (AOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.4), were male (AOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.3), worked outside the home (AOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.1), perceived health service delivery barriers (AOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.1), and/or had poor emotional health (AOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.0–1.9) had higher odds of late-stage HIV disease presentation.

Conclusions

Independent risk factors for late-stage HIV disease presentation were from diverse domains, including geographic, economic, demographic, social, and psychosocial. These findings can inform various interventions, such as mobile testing or financial assistance, to reduce the risk of presentation with late-stage HIV disease.