Analysis and visualization of H7 influenza using genomic,evolutionary and geographic information in a modular web service

We have reported previously on use of a web‐based application, Supramap ( http://supramap.org ) for the study of biogeographic, genotypic, and phenotypic evolution. Using Supramap we have developed maps of the spread of drug‐resistant influenza and host shifts in H1N1 and H5N1 influenza and coronaviruses such as SARS. Here we report on another zoonotic pathogen, H7 influenza, and provide an update on the implementation of Supramap as a web service. We find that the emergence of pathogenic strains of H7 is labile with many transitions from high to low pathogenicity, and from low to high pathogenicity. We use Supramap to put these events in a temporal and geospatial context. We identify several lineages of H7 influenza with biomarkers of high pathogenicity in regions that have not been reported in the scientific literature. The original implementation of Supramap was built with tightly coupled client and server software. Now we have decoupled the components to provide a modular web service for POY ( http://poyws.org ) that can be consumed by a data provider to create a novel application. To demonstrate the web service, we have produced an application, Geogenes ( http://geogenes.org ). Unlike in Supramap, in which the user is required to create and upload data files, in Geogenes the user works from a graphical interface to query an underlying dataset. Geogenes demonstrates how the web service can provide underlying processing for any sequence and metadata database. © The Willi Hennig Society 2012.     

Clonal populations of the mouse mammary cell line,COMMA-D,which retain capability of morphogenesis in vivo

Summary Clonal populations were isolated from the mouse mammary cell line, COMMA-D, by transfection with a dominant-selectable gene, pSV2Neo, which confers resistance to the antibiotic, G418. Seven of twenty-four clones isolated retained the ability of the parental line to repopulate cleared mammary fat pads in vivo as ductal-alveolar hyperplasias. Two sublines designated CDNR2 and CDNR4 retained hyperplastic growth potential after multiple passages in vitro with low incidence of tumor formation. A third subpopulation, CDNR1, contained a single integration site for the pSV2Neo plasmid indicating a bonafide clonal origin for this subline. CDNR1 cells displayed heterogeneous growth phenotypes in vivo including hyperplasia, adenocarcinoma, and bone formation. Functional differentiation of CDNR1 cells organized as alveolarlike structures in vivo or on floating collagen gels in vitro was observed as determined by immunoperoxidase staining for the milk-specific protein, casein. Overall, the results indicate that a subset of cells from the COMMA-D cell line may be functionally analogous to stem cells existing in the mammary gland. Supported by NCI research grants CA-38650, CA-33369, CA-39017, and CA-25215.     

Isotopically sensitive branching in the formation of cyclic monoterpenes: proof that (-)-alpha-pinene and (-)-beta-pinene are synthesized by the same monoterpene cyclase via deprotonation of a common intermediate

To determine whether the bicyclic monoterpene olefins (-)-alpha-pinene and (-)-beta-pinene arise biosynthetically from the same monoterpene cyclase by alternate deprotonations of a common carbocationic intermediate, the product distributions arising from the acyclic precursor [10-2H3,1-3H]geranyl pyrophosphate were compared with those resulting from incubation of [1-3H]geranyl pyrophosphate with (-)-pinene cyclase from Salvia officinalis. Alteration in proportions of the olefinic products generated by the partially purified pinene cyclase resulted from the suppression of the formation of (-)-beta-pinene (C10 deprotonation) by a primary deuterium isotope effect with a compensating stimulation of the formation of (-)-alpha-pinene (C4 deprotonation). (-)-Pinene cyclase as well as (+)-pinene cyclase also exhibited a decrease in the proportion of the acyclic olefin myrcene generated from the deuteriated substrate, accompanied by a corresponding increase in the commitment to cyclized products. The observation of isotopically sensitive branching, in conjunction with quantitation of the magnitude of the secondary deuterium isotope effect on the overall rate of product formation by the (+)- and (-)-pinene cyclases as well as two other monoterpene cyclases from the same tissue, supports the biosynthetic origin of (-)-alpha-pinene and (-)-beta-pinene by alternative deprotonations of a common enzymatic intermediate. A biogenetic scheme consistent with these results is presented, and alternate proposals for the origin of the pinenes are addressed.     

A phylogenetic analysis and revised classification of the Monocotylidae Taschenberg, 1879 (Monogenea)

The Monocotylidae Taschenberg, 1879 is revised based on a cladistic analysis of relationships between the constituent species and genera. The monophyly of the family is supported by three apomorphic character states: division of the haptor into one central and eight peripheral loculi; the ovary looping the right intestinal caecum; and tetrahedral eggs. The family is divided into six subfamilies: Calicotylinae Monticelli, 1903 (comprising Calicotyle Diesing, 1850, Dictyocotyle Nybelin, 1941); Dasybatotreminae Bychowsky, 1957 (comprising Anoplocotyloides Young, 1967, Dasybatotrema Price, 1938, Timofeevia n. g., Troglocephalus Young, 1967); Decacotylinae n. subfam. (comprising Decacotyle Young, 1967, Papillicotyle Young, 1967); Heterocotylinae n. subfam. (comprising Heterocotyle Scott, 1904, Neoheterocotyle Hargis, 1955, Nonacotyle Ogawa, 1991, Potamotrygonocotyle Mayes, Brooks & Thorson, 1981, Spinuris Doran, 1953); Merizocotylinae Johnston & Tiegs, 1922 (comprising Cathariotrema Johnston & Tiegs, 1922, Empruthotrema Johnston & Tiegs, 1922, Merizocotyle Cerfontaine, 1894, Squalotrema Kearn & Green, 1983, Triloculotrema Kearn, 1993); and Monocotylinae Taschenberg, 1879 (comprising Clemacotyle Young, 1967, Dendromonocotyle Hargis, 1955, Monocotyle Taschenberg, 1878). The Dendromonocotylinae Hargis, 1955 is removed from subfamilial status and the two genera previously assigned to the subfamily are reassigned to the Monocotylinae. Timofeevia is proposed for Timofeevia rajae (Timofeeva, 1983) n. comb. (formerly Dasybatotrema rajae). Mycteronastes Kearn & Beverley-Burton, 1990 and Thaumatocotyle Scott, 1904 are synonymised with Merizocotyle. Gymnocalicotyle Nybelin, 1941 is not considered a distinct taxon. Revised diagnoses and keys for subfamilies and genera of the Monocotylidae are provided.     

Cyclic GMP-dependent and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases,protein kinase modulators and phosphodieterases in arteries and veins of dogs Distribution and effects of arteriovenous fistula and arterial occlusion

Possible involvement of cyclic GMP-dependent and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases, protein kinase modulators and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases in functions of vascular tissues were investigated in the dog. All of the above activities, localized in the smooth muscle-rich inner layer of the blood vessels, were found to be higher in the arteries than in the veins. The peripheral arteries were disproportionately richer in cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase (as indicated by high ratios of cyclic GMP-dependent to cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase) than were the veins, with the exception of the pulmonary artery, an atypical arterial tissue exposed to low blood pressure. Interestingly, the protein kinase ratio for the aorta, an artery with no significant role in blood pressure regulation, was not higher than that for the vena cava. Creation of femoral arteriovenous fistulae in the dogs led to preferential reductions in the cyclic GMP-dependent enzyme activity both in the proximal and distal arteries, whereas it was elevated in the stressed vein distal to the anastomotic site. The cyclic GMP-dependent enzyme was preferentially reduced in the saphenous artery distal to occlusion. Changes in the cyclic GMP-dependent enzyme activity appeared to precede gross atrophy or hypertrophy of the vessels. It is suggested that the vascular cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase may be closely related to peripheral resistance and its regulation.     

Influence of adrenergic receptors on ovarian progesterone secretion in the pseudopregnant cat and oestradiol secretion in the oestrous cat

The infusion of isoprenaline or propranolol into the abdominal aorta of the pseudopregnant cat caused an increase or decrease respectively in the ovarian progesterone secretion rate. These observations suggest that the sympathetic innervation of the ovary has a physiological influence on normal progesterone secretion, and this mechanism may explain stress-related increases in progesterone concentrations. The infusion of isoprenaline or propranolol after the stimulation of follicular growth had no consistent or convincing effect on oestradiol secretion.