High level of divergence of male-reproductive-tract proteins, between Drosophila melanogaster and its sibling species, D. simulans

We compared male-reproductive-tract polypeptides of Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans by using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Approximately 64% of male-reproductive-tract polypeptides were identical between two randomly chosen isofemale lines from these two species, compared with 83% identity for third-instar imaginal wing-disc polypeptides. Qualitatively similar differences were found between reproductive tracts and imaginal discs when D. sechellia was compared with D. melanogaster and with D. simulans. When genic polymorphism was taken into account, approximately 10% of male- reproductive-tract polypeptides were apparently fixed for different alleles between D. melanogaster and D. simulans; this proportion is the same as that found for soluble enzymes by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Strikingly, approximately 20% of male-reproductive- tract polypeptides of either D. melanogaster or D. simulans had no detectable homologue in the other species. We propose that proteins of the Drosophila male reproductive tract may have diverged more extensively between species than have other types of proteins and that much of this divergence may involve large changes in levels of polypeptide expression.      

Pre-induction priming of the uterine cervix with oral prostaglandin E2 and a placebo

A double blind study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness or oral prostaglandin E2 as a means of improving the pelvic score prior to induction of labour. 48 patients who were greater than 37 were gestation and who had Bishop scores of less than 6 entered the study. Ten tablets were given on an hourly regime. Of 25 patients in the prostaglandin group, 17 were considered successes (68.0%), whereas of 23 patients who received a placebo, 9 were successes (39.1%). No adverse effects were recorded. Prostaglandin E2 is therefore considered a safe and effective method for priming the unfavourable cervix prior to induction of labour.     

Monoclonal antibodies to rabbit liver cytochrome P-448

Cytochrome P-448 (mol wt 55,000 Daltons) from rabbit liver was purified to a specific content of 16.6 nmol/mg. Mice were immunised with this preparation, their spleens removed and dissociated lymphocytes hybridised with myeloma cells. Four monoclonal antibodies against cytochrome P-448 were raised and partially characterised. All four antibodies interacted with cytochrome P-448 in intact microsomal fractions and selectively immunoadsorbed cytochrome P-448 from solubilised microsomal preparations. One of the antibodies inhibited benzo[a] pyrene hydroxylase activity in a reconstituted system, one had no effect on activity and two increased activity. The possible applications of such antibodies are discussed.     

Growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicobacter pylori</Emphasis> in a long spiral form does not alter expression of immunodominant proteins

Background  

We have previously reported that altered culture conditions (a broth media with shaking) could induce a strain of Helicobacter pylori to assume a long spiral morphology resembling that described for Helicobacter heilmannii. The present study was initiated to determine if other strains of H. pylori could be induced to assume that morphology and if doing so would alter the expression of immunodominant proteins.     

Similar hypotensive responses to resistance exercise with and without blood flow restriction

Low intensity resistance exercise (RE) with blood flow restriction (BFR) has gained attention in the literature due to the beneficial effects on functional and morphological variables, similar to those observed during traditional RE without BFR, while the effects of BFR on post-exercise hypotension remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to compare the blood pressure (BP) response of trained normotensive individuals to RE with and without BFR. In this cross-over randomized trial, eight male subjects (23.8 ± 4 years, 74 ± 3 kg, 174 ± 4 cm) completed two exercise protocols: traditional RE (3 x 10 repetitions at 70% one-repetition maximum [1-RM]) and low intensity RE (3 x 15 repetitions at 20% 1-RM) with BFR. Blood pressure measurements were performed after 15 min of seated rest (0), immediately after and 10 min, 20 min, 30 min, 40 min, 50 min and 60 min after the experimental sessions. Similar hypotensive effects for systolic BP (SBP) were observed for both protocols (P < 0.05) after exercise, with no differences between groups (P > 0.05) and no statistically significant difference for diastolic BP (P > 0.05). These results suggest that in normotensive trained individuals, both traditional RE and RE with BFR induce hypotension for SBP, which is important to prevent cardiovascular disturbances.     

Study of the microbial diversity in a full-scale UASB reactor treating domestic wastewater

The microorganisms diversity in a full-scale UASB reactor treating domestic sewage was studied by molecular techniques, with the objective of identifying the population differences associated with the specific methanogenic activity (SMA) of the sludges. Samples were collected at levels A (0.8 m; bottom), B (1.3 m), C (1.8 m), D (2.3 m) and E (2.8 m). Actinobacteria was dominant at the three lower points and should have been primarily responsible for the degradation of organic matter. DNA sequences belonging to Methanomicrobiales order of Archaea domain was detected in all five levels with the majority producing methane from hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Points A and E showed similar bacteria variety. The SMA of point A was the highest (0.374 g COD-CH₄/g SSV.d); however, the point E showed much lower value, probably due to the predominance of Proteobacteria phylum, including sulfate-reducing bacteria. In the overall, the results obtained can be considered important because data from full-scale UASB reactors treating domestic sewage remain scarce.     

Adelphocorisella Miyamoto and Yasunaga newly recorded from Australia, with the description of a new species (Heteroptera: Miridae: Mirinae)

Adelphocorisella australis sp. n. is described from north Queensland. This, the first representative of the genus known from Australia, is compared with the two previously described species, both from Japan.     

Sensitivity of mitochondria isolated from liver and kidney of rat and bovine to lipid peroxidation: A comparative study of light emission and fatty acid profiles

Much work has been carried out on non-enzymatic–induced lipid peroxidation of mitochondria obtained from different tissues of monogastric animals, but little information is available about this process in poligastric animals. Studies were carried out to determine the sensitivity of mitochondria isolated from liver and kidney of rat and bovine to lipid peroxidation (ascorbate-Fe²⁺ dependent) by comparison of light emission and fatty acid profiles. Mitochondria from both species were susceptible to lipid peroxidation. Measurements of chemiluminescence indicate that the lipid peroxidation process was more effective in mitochondria from rat liver than in the organelle obtained from bovine, whereas changes were not observed in mitochondria from rat and bovine kidney. The fatty acid composition of total lipids isolated from liver and kidney mitochondria of both species was substantially modified when subjected to non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation with a decrease of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids. The polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition was higher in mitochondria obtained from rat liver (43.11± 4.16) than in bovine (15.78 ± 0.76). As a consequence, the unsaturation index (UI), was higher in mitochondria of rat liver than in bovine. Nevertheless, the PUFA composition of kidney mitochondria from both species was similar; therefore, statistically significant differences in the UI were not observed. The results suggest that mainly the PUFAs present in hepatic and kidney mitochondria were sensitive to oxidative damage. The lipid peroxidation process was more effective in rat liver mitochondria than in bovine. (Mol Cell Biochem xxx: 77–82, 2005) Member of Carrera del Investigador Científico, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)     

Tuber magnatum Pico, a species of limited geographical distribution: its genetic diversity inside and outside a truffle ground

The aim of this work was to clarify the genetic structure of the ectomycorrhizal fungus, Tuber magnatum Pico, in a natural truffle ground located in north Italy. Ascomata of this population of T. magnatum were collected over a period of up to 5 years. For comparative analysis, T. magnatum fruit bodies of different geographical origin were also considered. We used single locus markers, such as the variable region of ribosomal genes (ITS), the beta-tubulin gene and sequence-characterized amplified regions (SCAR), as tools to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). On the basis of the molecular results, which were indirectly supported by a karyological analysis, a self-fertilization mechanism is suggested. A SCAR region was polymorphic within the samples of the truffle ground, leading to the identification of two genotypes. In addition, both the SCAR and the ITS proved to be polymorphic among samples coming from different geographical regions, revealing a genetic differentiation in T. magnatum.