Hatchery selection promotes boldness in newly hatched brown trout (Salmo trutta): implications for dominance

By using newly hatched (approximately 2 weeks old) brown trout(Salmo trutta) from six families of wild and six families ofsea-ranched origin (seventh generation), we tested the hypothesesthat (1) the hatchery environment selects for increased boldness,and (2) boldness predicts dominance status. Sea-ranched troutspend their first 2 years in the hatchery before being releasedinto the wild at the onset of seaward migration. Trout werepresented with a novel object (tack) and with food (brine shrimp),and their responses were measured and scored in terms of boldness.Siblings with increasing difference in boldness were then pairedin dyadic contests. Fish of sea-ranged origin were on averagebolder than were fish of wild origin, and bolder individualswere more likely to become dominant regardless of origin. Boldnesswas not related to RNA levels, indicating that bold behaviorwas not a consequence of higher metabolism or growth rate. Neitherwas size a predictor of bold behavior or the outcome of dyadiccontests. These results are consistent with studies on olderlife stages showing increased boldness toward predators in hatchery-selectedfish, which suggests that behavioral consequences of hatcheryselection are manifested very early in life. The concordancebetween boldness and dominance may suggest that these behaviorsare linked in a risk prone-aggressive phenotype, which may bepromoted by hatchery selection. However, we also found significantvariation in behavioral and growth-related traits among families,suggesting that heritable variation has not been exhausted bysea-ranching procedures.     

Identification and design of a novel series of MGAT2 inhibitors

[Acyl CoA]monoacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (MGAT2) is of interest as a target for therapeutic treatment of diabetes, obesity and other diseases which together constitute the metabolic syndrome. In this Letter we report our discovery and optimisation of a novel series of MGAT2 inhibitors. The development of the SAR of the series and a detailed discussion around some key parameters monitored and addressed during the lead generation phase will be given. The in vivo results from an oral lipid tolerance test (OLTT) using the MGAT2 inhibitor (S)-10, shows a significant reduction (68% inhibition relative to na?ve, p <0.01) in plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) concentration.     

Superantigen-based tumor therapy: in vivo activation of cytotoxic T cells

We have recently demonstrated that the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) targets in vitro activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes against tumor cells expressing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens. In this report we analyze the use of SEA as an immunoactivator in vivo. Treatment of mice with SEA activated a fraction of CD3⁺ T cells apparently as a function of their T cell receptor V expression. SEA induced interleukin-2 receptor expression and proliferation in both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. This proliferative response was dose-dependent (0.1 – 100 µg/mouse), peaked during day 1 after treatment and declined to background levels within 4 days. The cytotoxic response, measured as cytotoxicity to SEA-coated MHC class II⁺ target cells (staphylococcal-enterotoxin-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, SDCC), was maximal at a dosage of 1 µg SEA/mouse. The SDCC was confined to the CD8⁺ T cell compartment, peaked 2 days after treatment and declined to background levels within 4 days. A second injection of SEA on day 5 after the first SEA treatment resulted in SDCC function with kinetics and magnitude identical to that seen after one injection. These results pave the way for the use of SEA in the treatment of MHC class II⁺ tumors.     

Structural studies of the Shigella flexneri variant X, type 5 a and type 5 b O-antigens.

Previous studies of different Shigella flexneri O-antigens indicate that their O-specific region is composed of oligosaccharide repeating units containing a basic tetrasaccharide structure, to which alpha-D-glucopyranosyl groups and O-acetyl groups may be attached to different positions. Structural studies of O-antigens from variant X, type 5a and type 5b lend further support to this assumption. These antigens contain terminal alpha-D-glucopyranosyl groups, one each per repeating unit in X and 5a, two in 5b. The location of these groups in the repeating unit has been determined.     

Alcohol abstention and premature mortality in middle-aged men.

A series of middle-aged men were investigated for total mortality up to five years after completing a questionnaire on alcohol consumption administered during a preventive medical screening programme in Malmö, Sweden. The aim was to test the hypothesis that small amounts of alcohol are beneficial to general and cardiovascular health. Relative mortality was increased among the men who had reported non-use of alcohol in the screening questionnaire. Most of these men, however, had chronic disease as the reason for their abstention, or even a past history of alcoholism.     

Induction of histamine release and desensitization in human leukocytes. Effect of anaphylatoxin.

Hog anaphylatoxin (AT) in concentrations from 0.5 to 5 mug/ml gives a dose-dependent histamine release from human leukocytes. Concentration of 100 mug/ml AT give the same high histamine release as 5 mug/ml. This is in contrast to the histamine release obtained with anti-IgE or allergen, which give low histamine release with high doses. The histamine release obtained with AT is completed in 20 sec and the reaction is temperature- and calcium-dependent. Treatment of cells with AT in the presence or absence of calcium makes them insensitive to another challenge with AT. Such treated cells are fully responsive, however, to challenge with anti-IgE if the pretreatment has been performed in the absence of calcium. This, together with the calcium- and temperature-dependence indicates that the AT-induced histamine release is nontoxic. Treatment of cells with AT in the presence of calcium induces, besides histamine release, decrease in sensitivity to anti-IgE, indicating that both AT and anti-IgE release histamine from the same cells. We discuss to what extent AT and cell-bound Ig share intracellular mechanisms for induction of histamine release.     

浙江省二种鸟类新记录--日本淡脚柳莺和硫磺(巫鸟)

2005年4--5月、6--7月、10--11月笔者在浙江省舟山市嵊泗县大洋山岛(中心点坐标30°34′N,122°4′E进行鸟类调相过程中,记录到日本淡脚柳莺(Phylloscopus borealoides)和硫磺(巫鸟)(Emberiza sulphurata),经查阅相关文献后确认为浙江省鸟类新记录.现报道如下:     

PcoB is a defense outer membrane protein that facilitates cellular uptake of copper

Copper (Cu) is one of the most abundant trace metals in all organisms, involved in a plethora of cellular processes. Yet elevated concentrations of the element are harmful, and interestingly prokaryotes are more sensitive for environmental Cu stress than humans. Various transport systems are present to maintain intracellular Cu homeostasis, including the prokaryotic plasmid‐encoded multiprotein pco operon, which is generally assigned as a defense mechanism against elevated Cu concentrations. Here we structurally and functionally characterize the outer membrane component of the Pco system, PcoB, recovering a 2.0 Å structure, revealing a classical β‐barrel architecture. Unexpectedly, we identify a large opening on the extracellular side, linked to a considerably electronegative funnel that becomes narrower towards the periplasm, defining an ion‐conducting pathway as also supported by metal binding quantification via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. However, the structure is partially obstructed towards the periplasmic side, and yet flux is permitted in the presence of a Cu gradient as shown by functional characterization in vitro. Complementary in vivo experiments demonstrate that isolated PcoB confers increased sensitivity towards Cu. Aggregated, our findings indicate that PcoB serves to permit Cu import. Thus, it is possible the Pco system physiologically accumulates Cu in the periplasm as a part of an unorthodox defense mechanism against metal stress. These results point to a previously unrecognized principle of maintaining Cu homeostasis and may as such also assist in the understanding and in efforts towards combatting bacterial infections of Pco‐harboring pathogens.     

Pore positioning: Current concepts in Pannexin channel trafficking

Pannexins (Panxs) are a multifaceted family of ion and metabolite channels that play key roles in a number of physiological and pathophysiological settings. These single membrane large-pore channels exhibit a variety of tissue, cell type, and subcellular distributions. The lifecycles of Panxs are complex, yet must be understood to accurately target these proteins for future therapeutic use. Here we review the basics of Panx function and localization, and then analyze the recent advances in knowledge regarding Panx trafficking. We examine several intrinsic features of Panxs including specific post-translational modifications, the divergent C-termini, and oligomerization, all of which contribute to Panx anterograde transport pathways. Further, we examine the potential influence of extrinsic factors, such as protein-protein interactions, on Panx trafficking. Finally, we highlight what is currently known with respect to Panx internalization and retrograde transport, and present new data illustrating Panx1 internalization following an activating stimulus.