Irritant resiniferonol derivatives from EgyptianThymelaea hirsuta L.

Summary Two new aromatic derivatives of 5, 12-dihydroxy-6, 7-epoxy-resiniferonol were isolated from the leaves and twigs ofThymelea hirsuta L. (fam. Thymelaeaceae). These compounds were assigned the structures 12-O-cinnamoyl-5-hydroxy-6, 7-epoxyresiniferonol-9, 13, 14-ortho benzoate 1 and 12-O-heptadecenoyl-5-hydroxy-6, 7,-epoxy-resiniferonol-9, 13, 14-ortho benzoate 2. Both compounds induced erythema of mouse ears in a dose of 0.1 g per ear.Acknowledgments. S. Ismail and M. El-Missiry are grateful to the Royal Society for a travel and support grant.     

Preliminary results from Solrad 11 gamma-burst detectors

We present here temporal and 0.2-2 MeV spectral data from two gamma bursts observed on 12 June and 16 August 1976, by detectors on the Solrad 11A and 11B satellites. The 12 June burst showed evidence for structure on time scales down to approximately 10 ms throughout its lifetime, whereas the 16 August burst varied only with characteristic times longer than a few tenths of a second. A search for both slow and fast spectral variability gave negative results. Accurate absolute burst times are, however, not yet available, but since both bursts were also observed by at least one Vela satellite, positions are calculable and will be reported.     

Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA for bovine carboxypeptidase E

Carboxypeptidase E (enkephalin convertase) was first identified as the carboxypeptidase B-like enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of enkephalin in bovine adrenal chromaffin granules. A similar enzyme is present in many brain regions and in purified secretory granules from rat pituitary and rat insulinoma. Within the secretory granules, carboxypeptidase E (CPE) activity is found in both a soluble and a membrane-bound form, which differ slightly in relative molecular mass (Mr). Here, to investigate whether the CPE activities in the various tissues are produced from a single gene, purified CPE was partially sequenced and oligonucleotide probes were used to isolate a clone encoding CPE from a bovine pituitary complementary DNA library. This cDNA hybridizes to bovine pituitary poly(A)+ RNAs of approximately 3.3, 2.6 and 2.1 kilobases (kb), with the 3.3-kb messenger RNA the predominant species. The predicted amino-acid sequence of the cDNA clone contains the partially determined sequences of CPE, several pairs of basic amino acids and displays some homology with both carboxypeptidases A and B. Restriction analysis of bovine genomic DNA suggests only one gene for CPE. This is consistent with a broad role for CPE in the biosynthesis of many neuropeptides.     

A family of related ATP-binding subunits coupled to many distinct biological processes in bacteria

Many biological processes are coupled to ATP hydrolysis. We describe here a class of closely related ATP-binding proteins, from several bacterial species, which are associated with a variety of cellular functions including membrane transport, cell division, nodulation in Rhizobium and haemolysin export. These proteins comprise a family of structurally and functionally related subunits which share a common evolutionary origin, bind ATP and probably serve to couple ATP hydrolysis to each of these biological processes. This finding suggests a specific role for ATP in cell division, nodulation during nitrogen fixation and protein export, and allows us to assign a probable function to one of the protein components from each of these systems.     

Using the Omnibus Survey to test questions on emigration

It is important that migration is measured accurately, for example to inform population estimates and projections. However, current sources of information make it difficult to produce robust estimates of emigration from Great Britain. Several other countries, including Ireland, make use of household surveys in their estimates of migration. To investigate the feasibility of obtaining information on emigration from those resident in Great Britain, three questions were included in the Omnibus Survey for two months. Respondents were asked whether they had plans to emigrate or whether anyone in their family had recently emigrated or intended to shortly. This article reports on the results of this pilot, providing evidence on response levels, comparison with the International Passenger Survey and feedback from interviewers on the questions asked.     

Imaging of Titan from the Cassini spacecraft

Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, is the only satellite in the Solar System with a substantial atmosphere. The atmosphere is poorly understood and obscures the surface, leading to intense speculation about Titan's nature. Here we present observations of Titan from the imaging science experiment onboard the Cassini spacecraft that address some of these issues. The images reveal intricate surface albedo features that suggest aeolian, tectonic and fluvial processes; they also show a few circular features that could be impact structures. These observations imply that substantial surface modification has occurred over Titan's history. We have not directly detected liquids on the surface to date. Convective clouds are found to be common near the south pole, and the motion of mid-latitude clouds consistently indicates eastward winds, from which we infer that the troposphere is rotating faster than the surface. A detached haze at an altitude of 500 km is 150-200 km higher than that observed by Voyager, and more tenuous haze layers are also resolved.     

Identification of the familial cylindromatosis tumour-suppressor gene

Familial cylindromatosis is an autosomal dominant genetic predisposition to multiple tumours of the skin appendages. The susceptibility gene (CYLD) has previously been localized to chromosome 16q and has the genetic attributes of a tumour-suppressor gene (recessive oncogene). Here we have identified CYLD by detecting germline mutations in 21 cylindromatosis families and somatic mutations in 1 sporadic and 5 familial cylindromas. All mutations predict truncation or absence of the encoded protein. CYLD encodes three cytoskeletal-associated-protein-glycine-conserved (CAP-GLY) domains, which are found in proteins that coordinate the attachment of organelles to microtubules. CYLD also has sequence homology to the catalytic domain of ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolases (UCH).     

Growth patterns in the developing brain detected by using continuum mechanical tensor maps

The dynamic nature of growth and degenerative disease processes requires the design of sensitive strategies to detect, track and quantify structural change in the brain in its full spatial and temporal complexity. Although volumes of brain substructures are known to change during development, detailed maps of these dynamic growth processes have been unavailable. Here we report the creation of spatially complex, four-dimensional quantitative maps of growth patterns in the developing human brain, detected using a tensor mapping strategy with greater spatial detail and sensitivity than previously obtainable. By repeatedly scanning children (aged 3-15 years) across time spans of up to four years, a rostro-caudal wave of growth was detected at the corpus callosum, a fibre system that relays information between brain hemispheres. Peak growth rates, in fibres innervating association and language cortices, were attenuated after puberty, and contrasted sharply with a severe, spatially localized loss of subcortical grey matter. Conversely, at ages 3-6 years, the fastest growth rates occurred in frontal networks that regulate the planning of new actions. Local rates, profiles, and principal directions of growth were visualized in each individual child.