Synthetic identification as a hexapeptide ofα substance-IB inducing sexual agglutination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Summary For the identification of a peptidyl principle inducing sexual agglutination in the yeast, 2 supposed hexapeptides (1a, b) were synthesized by the conventional method. The1a (H-Arg-Gly-Pro-Phe-Pro-Ile-OH) revealed complete identity with the natural peptide in TLC, MS and biological property on agglutination. The1b showed the sexual agglutinability in the same degree as1a, though distinct differences were observed in the chemical data. Both1a and1b had a strong bitter taste.     

Genome sequence of the endocellular obligate symbiont of tsetse flies,Wigglesworthia glossinidia

Many insects that rely on a single food source throughout their developmental cycle harbor beneficial microbes that provide nutrients absent from their restricted diet. Tsetse flies, the vectors of African trypanosomes, feed exclusively on blood and rely on one such intracellular microbe for nutritional provisioning and fecundity. As a result of co-evolution with hosts over millions of years, these mutualists have lost the ability to survive outside the sheltered environment of their host insect cells. We present the complete annotated genome of Wigglesworthia glossinidia brevipalpis, which is composed of one chromosome of 697,724 base pairs (bp) and one small plasmid, called pWig1, of 5,200 bp. Genes involved in the biosynthesis of vitamin metabolites, apparently essential for host nutrition and fecundity, have been retained. Unexpectedly, this obligate's genome bears hallmarks of both parasitic and free-living microbes, and the gene encoding the important regulatory protein DnaA is absent.     

Formation and characterization of phthalocyanine dimer/C60 solar cells

Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite/CaTiO_3 and Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite/BaTiO_3 composites which can be applied in low temperature co-fired ceramic(LTCC) technology were synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction at temperature lower than 950℃.Influence of the microstructures and the gap parameterδ/D on the complex permeability of the above two composites was investigated.The modifiedδ/D values of the above two composites show a good fit to the magnetic circuit model.The dielectric properties of the composites were predicte...     

Inhibition of aldose reductase by dihydroflavonols inEngelhardtia chrysolepis and effects on other enzymes

Astilbin and neoastilbin, dihydroflavonol rhamnosides fromEngelhardtia chrysolepis, showed potent inhibition of lens aldose reductase. Kinetic analysis showed astilbin exhibited uncompetitive inhibition against bothdl-glyceraldehyde and NADPH. These taxifolin glycosides were selective inhibitors of aldose reductase with no inhibition of NADH oxidase.     

Thyrotrophin in the pars tuberalis triggers photoperiodic response

Molecular mechanisms regulating animal seasonal breeding in response to changing photoperiod are not well understood. Rapid induction of gene expression of thyroid-hormone-activating enzyme (type 2 deiodinase, DIO2) in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) of the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) is the earliest event yet recorded in the photoperiodic signal transduction pathway. Here we show cascades of gene expression in the quail MBH associated with the initiation of photoinduced secretion of luteinizing hormone. We identified two waves of gene expression. The first was initiated about 14 h after dawn of the first long day and included increased thyrotrophin (TSH) beta-subunit expression in the pars tuberalis; the second occurred approximately 4 h later and included increased expression of DIO2. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of TSH to short-day quail stimulated gonadal growth and expression of DIO2 which was shown to be mediated through a TSH receptor-cyclic AMP (cAMP) signalling pathway. Increased TSH in the pars tuberalis therefore seems to trigger long-day photoinduced seasonal breeding.     

Helicobacter pylori CagA targets PAR1/MARK kinase to disrupt epithelial cell polarity

Helicobacter pylori cagA-positive strains are associated with gastritis, ulcerations and gastric adenocarcinoma. CagA is delivered into gastric epithelial cells and, on tyrosine phosphorylation, specifically binds and activates the SHP2 oncoprotein, thereby inducing the formation of an elongated cell shape known as the 'hummingbird' phenotype. In polarized epithelial cells, CagA also disrupts the tight junction and causes loss of apical-basolateral polarity. We show here that H. pylori CagA specifically interacts with PAR1/MARK kinase, which has an essential role in epithelial cell polarity. Association of CagA inhibits PAR1 kinase activity and prevents atypical protein kinase C (aPKC)-mediated PAR1 phosphorylation, which dissociates PAR1 from the membrane, collectively causing junctional and polarity defects. Because of the multimeric nature of PAR1 (ref. 14), PAR1 also promotes CagA multimerization, which stabilizes the CagA-SHP2 interaction. Furthermore, induction of the hummingbird phenotype by CagA-activated SHP2 requires simultaneous inhibition of PAR1 kinase activity by CagA. Thus, the CagA-PAR1 interaction not only elicits the junctional and polarity defects but also promotes the morphogenetic activity of CagA. Our findings revealed that PAR1 is a key target of H. pylori CagA in the disorganization of gastric epithelial architecture underlying mucosal damage, inflammation and carcinogenesis.     

周边建筑对低矮建筑平屋盖上风压的干扰效应

通过刚性模型测压风洞试验对被同类周边建筑所包围的低矮建筑表面风压系数进行了测量,分析了周边建筑的建筑面积密度对目标建筑平屋盖风压系数分布状态的影响规律.试验结果表明:当低矮建筑被同外形、同高度的周边建筑包围时,随着周边建筑面积密度的增大,被包围建筑屋盖上斜风导致的锥形涡将逐渐消失,屋盖上不同部位的负风压极值将逐渐减小并趋于均一;当周边建筑面积密度分别为0.1,0.3和0.6时,被包围建筑屋盖上的最大负风压可分别减小为孤立建筑的80%,30%和20%.     

A genome-wide association study identifies three new risk loci for Kawasaki disease

We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of Kawasaki disease in Japanese subjects using data from 428 individuals with Kawasaki disease (cases) and 3,379 controls genotyped at 473,803 SNPs. We validated the association results in two independent replication panels totaling 754 cases and 947 controls. We observed significant associations in the FAM167A-BLK region at 8p22-23 (rs2254546, P = 8.2 × 10(-21)), in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region at 6p21.3 (rs2857151, P = 4.6 × 10(-11)) and in the CD40 region at 20q13 (rs4813003, P = 4.8 × 10(-8)). We also replicated the association of a functional SNP of FCGR2A (rs1801274, P = 1.6 × 10(-6)) identified in a recently reported GWAS of Kawasaki disease. Our findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of Kawasaki disease.