Complete degradation of carbohydrate to carbon dioxide and methane by syntrophic cultures of Acetobacterium woodii and Methanosarcina barkeri

Methanosarcina barkeri (strain MS) grew and converted acetate to CO₂ and methane after an adaption period of 20 days. Growth and metabolism were rapid with gas production being comparable to that of cells grown on H₂ and CO₂. After an intermediary growth cycle under a H₂ and CO₂ atmosphere acetateadapted cells were capable of growth on acetate with formation of methane and CO₂. When acetate-adapted Methanosarcina barkeri was co-cultered with Acetobacterium woodii on fructose or glucose as substrate, a complete conversion of the carbohydrate to gases (CO₂ and CH₄) was observed.Abbreviation CMC carboxymethyl cellulose     

Molecular phylogeny of songbirds (Aves: Passeriformes) and the relative utility of common nuclear marker loci

While the monophyly of the largest avian order Passeriformes as well as its suborders suboscines (Tyranni) and oscines (Passeri) is well established, lower phylogenetic relationships of this fast radiated taxon have been a continuous matter of debate, especially within the suborder oscines. Many studies analyzing phylogenetic relationships of the Passeriformes using molecular markers have been published, which led to a better resolved phylogeny. Conflicting hypotheses and still remaining uncertainties, especially within the Passerida, have repeatedly stimulated further research with additional new markers. In the present study we used a combination of established molecular markers (RAG‐1, RAG‐2, c‐myc) and the recently introduced ZENK. We accomplished phylogenetic analyses using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference, both separately for all genes and simultaneously. To assess the phylogenetic utility of the different genes in avian systematics we analyzed the influence of each data partition on the phylogenetic tree yielded by the combined approach using partitioned Bremer support. Compared with the other single gene analyses, the ZENK trees exhibited by far the best resolution and showed the lowest amount of homoplasy. Our data indicate that this gene is—at least in passerines—suitable for inference of even old taxonomic splits. Our combined analysis yields well‐supported phylogenetic hypotheses for passerine phylogeny and apart from corroborating recently proposed hypotheses on phylogenetic relationships in the Passeriformes we provide evidence for some new hypotheses. The subdivision of the Passerida into three superfamilies, Sylvioidea, Passeroidea and Muscicapoidea, the first as sister to the two latter groups is strongly supported. We found evidence for a split between Paridae and the remaining Sylvioidea. © The Willi Hennig Society 2007.     

Impact of partial urethral obstruction on bladder function: time-dependent changes and functional correlates of altered expression of Ca²⁺ signaling regulators

In animal models of partial urethral obstruction (PUO), altered smooth muscle function/contractility may be linked to changes in molecules that regulate calcium signaling/sensitization. PUO was created in male rats, and urodynamic studies were conducted 2 and 6 wk post-PUO. Cystometric recordings were analyzed for the presence or absence of nonvoiding contractions [i.e., detrusor overactivity (DO)]. RT-PCR and Western blots were performed on a subpopulation of rats to study the relationship between the expression of RhoA, L-type Ca(2+) channels, Rho kinase-1, Rho kinase-2, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, ryanodine receptor, sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase 2 and protein kinase C (PKC)-potentiated phosphatase inhibitor of 17 kDa, and urodynamic findings in the same animal. Animals displayed DO at 2 (38%) and 6 wk (43%) post-PUO, increases were seen in in vivo pressures at 2 wk, and residual volume at 6 wk. Statistical analysis of RT-PCR and Western blot data at 2 wk, during the compensatory phase of detrusor hypertrophy, documented that expression of molecules that regulate calcium signaling and sensitization was consistently lower in obstructed rats without DO than those with DO or control rats. Among rats with DO at 2 wk, linear regression analysis revealed positive correlations between in vivo pressures and protein and mRNA expression of several regulatory molecules. At 6 wk, in the presence of overt signs of bladder decompensation, no clear or consistent alterations in expression of these same targets were observed at the protein level. These data extend prior work to suggest that molecular profiling of key regulatory molecules during the progression of PUO-mediated bladder dysfunction may shed new light on potential biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets.     

Ashworthius Patriciapilittae n. sp. (Trichostrongyloidea: Haemonchinae), an abomasal nematode in Odocoileus virginianus from Costa Rica,and a new record for species of the genus in the Western Hemisphere

A species of Ashworthius is reported for the first time in the Western Hemisphere, and A. patriciapilittae n. sp. is described on the basis of specimens in white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus from Costa Rica. Among 8 known species, A. patriciapilittae is morphologically similar to A. tuyenquangi in red muntjac Muntjacas muntjak from northern Vietnam. The synlophe in A. patriciapilittae is composed of 26 ridges in the cervical zone and is continuous to the caudal extremity in males and females. Males are characterized by a complex dorsal ray and narrow trifurcate spicules (351-356 microm long) lacking an "eyelet." with dissimilar ventral and dorsal processes; the gubernaculum is 45-48% of the spicule length. Females have a prominent linguiform flap at the vulva and large eggs (108-142 microm long). The presence of A. patriciapilittae in Costa Rica is examined in the context of competing hypotheses for cospeciation or contemporary host-switching in cervids: either A. patriciapilittae is a component of an endemic Central and South American fauna that has diversified through coevolution of Ashworthius and cervid hosts or it has been introduced. Among haemonchines in the Western Hemisphere, specimens of A. patriciapilittae may be confused with 3 species of Haemonchus, including H. contortus, H. placei, and H. similis, that occur in both domestic and wild ruminants. Discovery of A. patriciapilittae emphasizes the continued need for survey and inventory to define the structure and distribution of parasite faunas in wild and domestic ruminants from the Nearctic and Neotropical regions.     

Evidence for glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) on human granulocytes

MIST (mast cell immunoreceptor signal transducer; also termed Clnk) is an adaptor protein structurally related to SLP-76-family hematopoietic cell-specific adaptor proteins. We demonstrate here that two major MIST-associated phosphoproteins expressed in mast cell lines are SLAP-130 and SKAP55, adaptors known to interact with the Src-homology (SH) 2 domain of Src-family protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs). MIST directly associated with SLAP-130 via its SH2 domain, and collaboration of SLAP-130 with SKAP55 was required for the recruitment of MIST to Lyn. Furthermore, MIST was preferentially recruited to Fyn rather than Lyn, which is regulated by higher affinity binding of SLAP-130 and SKAP55 with the Fyn-SH2 domain than the Lyn-SH2 domain. Our results suggest that the MIST–SLAP-130–SKAP55 adaptor complex functions downstream of high-affinity IgE receptor-associated Src-PTKs in mast cells.     

Tricyclic sesquiterpenes from Eremophila georgei

The structures of three new tricyclic sesquiterpenes from Eremophila georgei are described. The absolute stereochemistry of these sesquiterpenes is shown to be antipodal to that of the zizane sesquiterpenes of vetiver oil.     

Pittsburgh Registry of Infant Multiplets (PRIM).

This paper describes the Pittsburgh Registry of Infant Multiplets (PRIM; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), the results of pilot research conducted in this registry, and the plans for future studies. The main focus of the registry is on psychological development and the risk for behavioral disorders. Particularly, characteristics associated with antisociality and the risk for substance use disorders (e.g., aggressivity, hyperactivity/impulsivity), as well as language development and other traits (e.g., dental health) are among the research targets.     

TRPM7 and TRPM2-Candidate susceptibility genes for Western Pacific ALS and PD?

Recent findings implicating TRPM7 and TRPM2 in oxidative stress-induced neuronal death thrust these channels into the spotlight as possible therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we describe how the functional properties of TRPM7 and TRPM2 are interconnected with calcium (Ca(2+)) and magnesium (Mg(2+)) homeostasis, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and immune mechanisms, all principal suspects in neurodegeneration. We focus our discussion on Western Pacific Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinsonism Dementia (PD) because extensive studies conducted over the years strongly suggest that these diseases are ideal candidates for a gene-environment model of etiology. The unique mineral environment identified in connection with Western Pacific ALS and PD, low Mg(2+) and Ca(2+), yet high in transition metals, creates a condition that could affect the proper function of these two channels.