Polysaccharide component in the stigmatic exudate from Lilium longiflorum

The polysaccharide component of the stigmatic exudate from Lilium longiflorum has the composition, arabinose (26%), rhamnose (6%), galactose (57%) and glucuronic acid (11%). The highly branched polysaccharide bears a striking resemblance to the acidic polysaccharide exudate from Araucaria bidwillii in belonging to the galactan group and in carrying outer chains terminated by arabinofuranose, rhamnopyranose, galactopyranose and glucuronic acid residues. Both polysaccharides contain the sequence O-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-glucopyranosyluronic acid-(1→6)-galactopyranose in some of the outer chains.     

A study of the possible association between adenosine A2A receptor gene polymorphisms and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder traits

The adenosine A_2A receptor (ADORA2A) is linked to the dopamine neurotransmitter system and is also implicated in the regulation of alertness, suggesting a potential association with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits. Furthermore, animal studies suggest that the ADORA2A may influence ADHD‐like behavior. For that reason, the ADORA2A gene emerges as a promising candidate for studying the etiology of ADHD traits. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between ADORA2A gene polymorphisms and ADHD traits in a large population‐based sample. This study was based on the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS), and included 1747 twins. Attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder traits were assessed through parental reports, and samples of DNA were collected. Associations between six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and ADHD traits were examined, and results suggested a nominal association between ADHD traits and three of these SNPs: rs3761422, rs5751876 and rs35320474. For one of the SNPs, rs35320474, results remained significant after correction for multiple comparisons. These results indicate the possibility that the ADORA2A gene may be involved in ADHD traits. However, more studies replicating the present results are warranted before this association can be confirmed .     

Serotonin Depletion-Induced Maladaptive Aggression Requires the Presence of Androgens

The sex hormone testosterone and the neurotransmitter serotonin exert opposite effects on several aspects of behavior including territorial aggression. It is however not settled if testosterone exerts its pro-aggressive effects by reducing serotonin transmission and/or if the anti-aggressive effect of serotonin requires the presence of the androgen. Using the resident intruder test, we now show that administration of the serotonin synthesis inhibitor para-chlorophenylalanine (300 mg/kg x 3 days) increases the total time of attack as well as the percentage amount of social behavior spent on attack but not that spent on threat – i.e. that it induces a pattern of unrestricted, maladaptive aggression – in gonadectomized C57Bl/6 male mice receiving testosterone replacement; in contrast, it failed to reinstate aggression in those not given testosterone. Whereas these results suggest the pro-aggressive effect of testosterone to be independent of serotonin, and not caused by an inhibition of serotonergic activity, the pCPA-induced induction of maladaptive aggression appears to require the presence of the hormone. In line with these findings, pCPA enhanced the total time of attack as well the relative time spent on attacks but not threats also in wild-type gonadally intact male C57Bl/6 mice, but failed to reinstate aggression in mice rendered hypo-aggressive by early knock-out of androgen receptors in the brain (AR^NesDel mice). We conclude that androgenic deficiency does not dampen aggression by unleashing an anti-aggressive serotonergic influence; instead serotonin seems to modulate aggressive behavior by exerting a parallel-coupled inhibitory role on androgen-driven aggression, which is irrelevant in the absence of the hormone, and the arresting of which leads to enhanced maladaptive aggression.     

Polymorphisms in Genes of Relevance for Oestrogen and Oxytocin Pathways and Risk of Barrett’s Oesophagus and Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma: A Pooled Analysis from the BEACON Consortium

Background

The strong male predominance in oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) and Barrett’s oesophagus (BO) continues to puzzle. Hormonal influence, e.g. oestrogen or oxytocin, might contribute.

Methods

This genetic-epidemiological study pooled 14 studies from three continents, Australia, Europe, and North America. Polymorphisms in 3 key genes coding for the oestrogen pathway (receptor alpha (ESR1), receptor beta (ESR2), and aromatase (CYP19A1)), and 3 key genes of the oxytocin pathway (the oxytocin receptor (OXTR), oxytocin protein (OXT), and cyclic ADP ribose hydrolase glycoprotein (CD38)), were analysed using a gene-based approach, versatile gene-based test association study (VEGAS).

Results

Among 1508 OAC patients, 2383 BO patients, and 2170 controls, genetic variants within ESR1 were associated with BO in males (p = 0.0058) and an increased risk of OAC and BO combined in males (p = 0.0023). Genetic variants within OXTR were associated with an increased risk of BO in both sexes combined (p = 0.0035) and in males (p = 0.0012). We followed up these suggestive findings in a further smaller data set, but found no replication. There were no significant associations between the other 4 genes studied and risk of OAC, BO, separately on in combination, in males and females combined or in males only.

Conclusion

Genetic variants in the oestrogen receptor alpha and the oxytocin receptor may be associated with an increased risk of BO or OAC, but replication in other large samples are needed.     

ISMmy1, a novel insertion sequence of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides small colony type

A new insertion sequence, ISMmy1, has been identified in the bovine pathogen Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides biotype small colony (MmymySC). The occurrence of ISMmy1 in 15 MmymySC strains and 12 other mycoplasmas was examined by Southern blotting. All MmymySC strains showed identical hybridisation patterns except for the type strain PG1(T), the vaccine strain T1Sr49, and the strain Afadé, which all had unique patterns. ISMmy1-like sequences were also found in the bovine pathogen Mycoplasma bovis strain Donetta(T) while mycoplasmas that are phylogenetically closer to MmymySC lack ISMmy1. This observation suggests horizontal transfer between MmymySC and M. bovis.     

Population dynamics and reproduction of Northern Lapwings Vanellus vanellus in a meadow restoration area in central Sweden

To investigate the effectiveness of a meadow restoration programme, we studied the relationships between population changes and environmental changes, return rates and hatching success in a population of Northern Lapwings Vanellus vanellus. The study was performed on mixed farmland (59 km²) in central Sweden, an area that underwent extensive meadow restoration between 1985 and 1994. The study included more than 2600 nests, supplemented with observations of 127 individually colour-ringed Northern Lapwings. The breeding population varied (2.7–5.3 pairs/km²), but showed no significant trend with time. The population increased in years with high spring flooding levels. Population size was unrelated to demographic factors (e.g. hatching success the previous year (14–50%), and return rate). Lapwings moved considerably between years and their nest site fidelity was unrelated to previous hatching success or other factors, suggesting that changes in habitat quality and migration between populations were important in regulating population size. Recent extensive meadow restoration did not seem to aid the Northern Lapwing population; birds continued nesting on tillage even though most nests were destroyed by farming activities. A relatively high relaying frequency improved hatching success, which was still lowest in the most preferred habitats (spring sown crops, total hatching success c. 30%). The few Northern Lapwings breeding in the least preferred habitats (meadows and cultivated grassland) had a better hatching success (> 70% total hatching success), suggesting that habitat selection was not determined by hatching success. From these results, recommendations are made for the management of Northern Lapwing (and associated species) populations on farmland.     

The CYP19 Gene and Associations with Androgens and Abdominal Obesity in Premenopausal Women

Objective: Elevated androgens in women are associated with type 2 diabetes and are dependent on the conversion to estrogens by aromatase cytochrome P450. Polymorphisms of a tetranucleotide repeat [TTTA]_n in the fourth intron of the CYP19 gene are associated with endocrine‐dependent diseases and were examined in relation to hormone levels and disease risk factors in premenopausal women. Research Methods and Procedures: A population sample of women born in 1956 (n = 270) were genotyped for this polymorphism and the results set in relation to steroid hormones, including saliva cortisol, anthropometric variables, estimates of insulin, glucose and lipid metabolism, and blood pressure. Results: Seven tetranucleotide repeat [TTTA]_n alleles were detected with allelic sizes of 168 to 195 bp, with a TCT deletion/insertion (168/171 bp) upstream of this microsatellite. Smoking was associated with elevated androgens (p = 0.005 to 0.019). Using the median (average stretch, 177.5 bp) as a dividing line, nonsmoking women with the shorter microsatellite had higher free testosterone (p = 0.018) and lower sex hormone binding globulin (p = 0.033). These differences were pronounced with the 168‐bp allele. Such women were also characterized by a less‐substantial decrease of morning cortisols (“unwinding”; p = 0.035) and central obesity (abdominal sagittal diameter, p = 0.049) and had waist/hip circumference ratios of borderline significance (p = 0.064). Discussion: The results indicate that, in premenopausal women, a short microsatellite in the fourth intron of the CYP19 gene, caused by a TCT deletion upstream the [TTTA]_n tract, is associated with elevated androgens, perturbed regulation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis, and abdominal obesity.     

Studies of the distribution of the 4-O-methyl-d-glucuronic acid residues in birch xylan

The distribution of the 4-O-methyl-d-glucuronic acid residues in birch xylan has been studied. Elimination of the 4-O-methyl-d-glucuronic acid residues of methylated birch-xylan was followed by specific cleavage of the xylan backbone at the originally branched d-xylose residues, using a technique involving sequential oxidation, β-elimination, and mild hydrolysis with acid. The molecular weight distribution of the resulting methylated oligosaccharides indicates that the 4-O-methyl-d-glucuronic acid residues are irregularly distributed in birch xylan.     

Patterns of antigenic expression on human monocytes as defined by monoclonal antibodies

A series of seven monoclonal antibodies directed at determinants on human peripheral blood monocytes were produced and characterized. The antibodies were separated into three groups based on cell distribution and percentages of monocytes bearing antigen. Hybridoma antibodies, termed OKM1, OKM9, and OKM10, recognized antigen(s) expressed on the majority of adherent monocytes, null cells, and granulocytes. The second group, comprising OKM5 and OKM8, reacted with most adherent monocytes and platelets. OKM3 and OKM6, comprising a third group of antibodies, reacted with a subpopulation of adherent monocytes and platelets. OKM antibodies were not expressed on lymphocytes, thymocytes, and lymphoblastoid cells, with the exception of OKM3 which reacted with three B-cell lines. SDS gels of immunoprecipitates formed with OKM antibodies yielded the following tentative molecular weight results: OKM1 and OKM9 antigens appeared to be 160,000 (nonreduced) and 170,000 (reduced); OKM10 precipitated two polypeptides of 170,000 and 115,000 (reduced); OKM5 and OKM8 precipitated a single polypeptide of 88,000 (reduced, nonreduced); OKM6 antigen appeared to be 116,000 (nonreduced) and 130,000 (reduced).