mtDNA diversity in rhesus monkeys reveals overestimates of divergence time and paraphyly with neighboring species

Reconstructions of the human-African great ape phylogeny by using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been subject to considerable debate. One confounding factor may be the lack of data on intraspecific variation. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of intraspecific mtDNA diversity on the phylogenetic reconstruction of another Plio- Pleistocene radiation of higher primates, the fascicularis group of macaque (Macaca) monkey species. Fifteen endonucleases were used to identify 10 haplotypes of 40-47 restriction sites in M. mulatta, which were compared with similar data for the other members of this species group. Interpopulational, intraspecific mtDNA diversity was large (0.5%- 4.5%), and estimates of divergence time and branching order incorporating this variation were substantially different from those based on single representatives of each species. We conclude that intraspecific mtDNA diversity is substantial in at least some primate species. Consequently, without prior information on the extent of genetic diversity within a particular species, intraspecific variation must be assessed and accounted for when reconstructing primate phylogenies. Further, we question the reliability of hominoid mtDNA phylogenies, based as they are on one or a few representatives of each species, in an already depauperate superfamily of primates.      

Hybrid formation and copulation activity in the yeast Pachysolen tannophilus

The copulation activity and hybrid formation efficiency have been studied in the xylose-assimilating yeast Pachysolen tannophilus. It was shown that the presence of 2% D-glucose, 0.5% yeast extract, and 2% agarose in the growth medium provided for the highest frequencies of hybrid formation. Atypical hybrid cultures similar in morphophysiological characteristics to native haploid strains of P. tannophilus were revealed in the course of hybridization. The genesis mechanism of such cultures and the reasons for the restricted applicability of hybridological analysis to genetic studies of P. tannophilus are discussed.     

Association of permanent arterial hypertension with the renin-angiotensin and kinin-bradykinin system genes in children

A new approach, based on scoring, was proposed for a more objective estimation of the contribution of several genetic variants to a multifactorial disease. Two variants of the approach—genotype scoring and unfavorable factor scoring—were tested by analyzing the polymorphisms of REN (I9–83G>A), AGT (M235T), ACE (I/D), AGTR1 (1166A>C), ATGR2 (3123C>A), and BKR2 (?58T>C and I/D) in children with arterial hypertension (AH). Each of the two variants reported that the genes of the renin-angiotensin and kinin-brady-kinin systems play an important role in permanent AH in girls.     

The dynamics of coheren links in persons with different ability to recognise speech emotional expessions

The coherency characteristics of the brain electrical activity were studied in two groups of subjects: 1) with high and 2) low indexes of "emotional ear" (an ability to successfully recognize emotions in the speech). Comparison of the coherency links between two groups of subjects permitted the authors to make a conclusion that the persons of the first group had a much lower coherency level, especially in the alpha- and gamma-rhythms. The subjects of the second group were characterized by the opposite tendency: an increase in coherent links on the majority of frequency bands.     

Psychophysiological indexes of recognition of emotions in speech

A review of experimental and theoretical works upon perception of emotions in speech is introduced. The main approaches to experimental study and different types of stimulation are considered. Clinical research and experiments upon healthy subjects investigate the brain organization of emotional speech recognition. In the works by Rusalova, Kislova integral psychophysiological preconditions for the successfulness of the recognition of speech emotional expression were studied. As a result of the investigation, extreme groups of persons were identified: with high indices of "emotional hearing" and with low level of recognition of emotions. Analysis of EEG included comparison of different EEG parameters between two groups: values of EEG power, the dominating frequencies, percentage of different EEG-bands in the summary EEG power, coherence, values of EEG inter- and intra-hemispheric asymmetry, etc. The subjects with low identification rates showed a higher brain activation and reactivity both during the emotion identification task and at rest as compared to the subjects with high identification rates. The data obtained reveal specific activation within the left frontal regions, as well as the right posterior temporal cortex during nonverbal recognition of emotions.     

An invisible ubiquitin conformation is required for efficient phosphorylation by PINK1

The Ser/Thr protein kinase PINK1 phosphorylates the well‐folded, globular protein ubiquitin (Ub) at a relatively protected site, Ser65. We previously showed that Ser65 phosphorylation results in a conformational change in which Ub adopts a dynamic equilibrium between the known, common Ub conformation and a distinct, second conformation wherein the last β‐strand is retracted to extend the Ser65 loop and shorten the C‐terminal tail. We show using chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) nuclear magnetic resonance experiments that a similar, C‐terminally retracted (Ub‐CR) conformation also exists at low population in wild‐type Ub. Point mutations in the moving β5 and neighbouring β‐strands shift the Ub/Ub‐CR equilibrium. This enabled functional studies of the two states, and we show that while the Ub‐CR conformation is defective for conjugation, it demonstrates improved binding to PINK1 through its extended Ser65 loop, and is a superior PINK1 substrate. Together our data suggest that PINK1 utilises a lowly populated yet more suitable Ub‐CR conformation of Ub for efficient phosphorylation. Our findings could be relevant for many kinases that phosphorylate residues in folded protein domains.     

Study of the oligomeric structure and some physicochemical properties of inulinase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kluyveromyces marxianus</Emphasis> Y-303

It has been found using a combination of atomic force microscopy with infrared spectroscopy, gel chromatography, and electrophoresis that inulinase from Kluyveromyces marxianus Y-303 has oligomeric structure, which includes two subunits differing in size, molecular mass, and catalytic activity. It has been shown that the division of the inulinase dimer into monomers leads to an increase in the number of irregular regions by 6% for subunit 1 (54.8 kDa) and by 10% for subunit 2 (8.4 kDa) compared with the native enzyme.     

From recommendation to action: psychosocial factors influencing physician intention to use Health Technology Assessment (HTA) recommendations

Background

The Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Project has been investigating the implementation of evidence-based mental health practices (Assertive Community Treatment, Family Psychoeducation, Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment, Illness Management and Recovery, and Supported Employment) in state public mental health systems in the United States since 2001. To date, Project findings have yielded valuable insights into implementation strategy characteristics and effectiveness. This paper reports results of an effort to identify and classify state-level implementation activities and strategies employed across the eight states participating in the Project.

Methods

Content analysis and Greenhalgh et al's (2004) definition of innovation were used to identify and classify state-level activities employed during three phases of EBP implementation: Pre-Implementation, Initial Implementation and Sustainability Planning. Activities were coded from site visit reports created from documents and notes from key informant interviews conducted during two periods, Fall 2002 – Spring 2003, and Spring 2004. Frequency counts and rank-order analyses were used to examine patterns of implementation activities and strategies employed across the three phases of implementation.

Results

One hundred and six discreet implementation activities and strategies were identified as innovative and were classified into five categories: 1) state infrastructure building and commitment, 2) stakeholder relationship building and communications, 3) financing, 4) continuous quality management, and 5) service delivery practices and training. Implementation activities from different categories were employed at different phases of implementation.

Conclusion

Insights into effective strategies for implementing EBPs in mental health and other health sectors require qualitative and quantitative research that seeks to: a) empirically test the effects of tools and methods used to implement EBPs, and b) establish a stronger evidence-base from which to plan, implement and sustain such efforts. This paper offers a classification scheme and list of innovative implementation activities and strategies. The classification scheme offers potential value for future studies that seek to assess the effects of various implementation processes, and helps establish widely accepted standards and criteria that can be used to assess the value of innovative activities and strategies.