Mutations in Rab3a alter circadian period and homeostatic response to sleep loss in the mouse

Rab3a is the most abundant Rab (ras-associated binding) protein in the brain and has a regulatory role in synaptic vesicle trafficking. Mice with a targeted loss-of-function mutation in Rab3a have defects in Ca(2+)-dependent synaptic transmission: the number of vesicles released in response to an action potential is greater than in wildtype mice, resulting in greater synaptic depression and the abolishment of CA3 mossy-fiber long term potentiation. The effect of these changes on behavior is unknown. In a screen for mouse mutants with abnormal rest-activity and sleep patterns, we identified a semidominant mutation, called earlybird, that shortens the circadian period of locomotor activity. Sequence analysis of Rab3a identified a point mutation in the conserved amino acid (Asp77Gly) within the GTP-binding domain of this protein in earlybird mutants, resulting in significantly reduced levels of Rab3a protein. Phenotypic assessment of earlybird mice and a null allele of Rab3a revealed anomalies in circadian period and sleep homeostasis, providing evidence that Rab3a-mediated synaptic transmission is involved in these behaviors.     

Cannibalism in the Madagascan dinosaur Majungatholus atopus

Many lines of evidence have been brought to bear on the question of theropod feeding ecology, including functional and physiological considerations, morphological constraints, taphonomic associations, and telling--although rare--indications of direct ingestion. Tooth marks of theropods, although rarely described and generally left unassigned to a particular taxon, can provide unique clues into predator-prey interaction, and can also yield insights into the extent of carcass utilization. Here we describe a sample of tooth-marked dinosaur bone recovered from three well-documented localities in the Upper Cretaceous Maevarano Formation of Madagascar that provides insights into the feeding ecology of the abelisaurid theropod Majungatholus atopus. Intensely tooth-marked elements from multiple individuals show that Majungatholus defleshed dinosaur carcasses. Furthermore, Majungatholus clearly fed upon the remains of not only sauropods, but also conspecifics, and thus was a cannibal. Cannibalism is a common ecological strategy among extant carnivores, but until now the evidence in relation to carnivorous dinosaurs has been sparse and anecdotal.     

Polarographic behaviour of polycytidylic acid and its double-stranded complex with polyinosinic acid

Zusammenfassung Es ergibt sich, dass die Polyzytidylsäure unter dem neutralen pH eine polarographische Reduktionswelle ähnlich der Welle der denaturierten Desoxyribonukleinsäure gewährt. Zur Bestimmung der Polyzytidylsäure mit der «ersten Kurve» genügt bereits 1/10g des Stoffes. Im Komplex der Polyzytidylsäure mit Polyinosinsäure ist die Reduzierbarkeit der Polyzytidylsäure eliminiert.     

Effect of ethidium bromide onDrosophila melanogaster andDrosophila simulans

Summary Ethidium bromide was fed toD. melanogaster andD. simulans males in order to test its toxic capacity and potency for the induction of dominant lethals. Our results show that ethidium bromide has a high toxicity and likewise produces dominant lethals to a significant extent in both species, but more effectively inD. melanogaster.     

On the mechanism of increasing the tuberculostatic activity of isoniazid in the presence of 4-aminobenzoic acid

Zusammenfassung 4-Acetaminobenzoesäure hatin vitro im Unterschied zu 4-Aminobenzoesäure, keinen günstigen Einfluss auf die antituberkulotische Wirkung von Isoniazid. Bei den StämmenMycobacterium 607 und H37Rv wurde jedoch chromatographisch keine Bildung acetylierter 4-Aminobenzoesäure nachgewiesen.     

Changes of glutamine,glutamic acid and GABA in cortical and subcortical brain structures of hibernating and fully aroused ground squirrels (Citellus citellus)

Résumé On étudie ici la teneur en glutamine, en acide glutamique et en GABA dans des différentes parties du cerveau chez le Spermophile en sommeil hivernal profond et après le réveil de l'hibernation. Les changements les plus remarquables de l'acide glutamique et du GABA ont été constatés dans les structures sous-corticales regardées comme essentielles pour la régulation de ces processus physiologiques coordonnés.     

Starch-binding domains in the post-genome era

Starch belongs to the most abundant biopolymers on Earth. As a source of energy, starch is degraded by a large number of various amylolytic enzymes. However, only about 10% of them are capable of binding and degrading raw starch. These enzymes usually possess a distinct sequence-structural module, the so-called starchbinding domain (SBD). In general, all carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) have been classified into the CBM families. In this sequence-based classification the individual types of SBDs have been placed into seven CBM families: CBM20, CBM21, CBM25, CBM26, CBM34, CBM41 and CBM45. The family CBM20, known also as a classical C-terminal SBD of microbial amylases, is the most thoroughly studied. The three-dimensional structures have already been determined by X-ray crystallography or nuclear magnetic resonance for SBDs from five CBM families (20, 25, 26, 34 and 41), and the structure of the CBM21 has been modelled. Despite differences among the amino acid sequences, the fold of a distorted β-barrel seems to be conserved together with a similar way of substrate binding (mainly stacking interactions between aromatic residues and glucose rings). SBDs have recently been discovered in many non-amylolytic proteins. These may, for example, have regulatory functions in starch metabolism in plants or glycogen metabolism in mammals. SBDs have also found practical uses. Received 25 May 2006; received after revision 26 June 2006; accepted 3 August 2006     

渝东北地区城乡一体化进程评价与分析

城乡互动与关联发展是协调城乡关系,促进城乡一体化发展的有效途径,以渝东北地区为研究对象,采用层次分析法和GIS技术对渝东北地区城乡一体化区域发展水平进行定量分析;评价结果表明:渝东北地区城乡一体化发展水平地域差异显著,但总体特征是由中心城区向外围扩散,又沿江向边远地区扩散的结构状;评价结果具有较大的现实符合性.     

“经济数学”课程教学模式改革实践与分析评估 3

以促进学生的全面发展和潜能开发为目标的"经济数学"课程教学模式改革,在"三个一工程"实践中,分别实施了分层教学、学生任选教师教学、分层+任选教师的教学模式;通过对不同教学模式的实践及效果评价,分析总结了不同教学模式在人才培养中的作用与意义,提出了提高教学质量的教学模式及其改进措施.     

Effect of (+)-catechin on renal and intestinal transport.

The ability of dog renal cortex slices to accumulate beta-methyl-glucoside or glycine is enhanced by the flavonoid (+)-catechin at a concentration of 3.5 mM. This stimulatory effect is apparently due to a decreased rate of efflux of either substrate. On the other hand, the uptake of p-amino-hippuric acid and N1-methyl-nicotinamide is inhibited by (+)-catechin. The drug at the same concentration is without action on amino-acid transport by guinea-pig intestine in vitro.