Aberrant O-glycosylation and anti-glycan antibodies in an autoimmune disease IgA nephropathy and breast adenocarcinoma

Glycosylation abnormalities have been observed in autoimmune diseases and cancer. Here, we compare mechanisms of aberrant O-glycosylation, i.e., formation of Tn and sialyl-Tn structures, on MUC1 in breast cancer, and on IgA1 in an autoimmune disease, IgA nephropathy. The pathways of aberrant O-glycosylation, although different for MUC1 and IgA1, include dysregulation in glycosyltransferase expression, stability, and/or intracellular localization. Moreover, these aberrant glycoproteins are recognized by antibodies, although with different consequences. In breast cancer, elevated levels of antibodies recognizing aberrant MUC1 are associated with better outcome, whereas in IgA nephropathy, the antibodies recognizing aberrant IgA1 are part of the pathogenetic process.     

Heart rate variability during high-intensity exercise

The aim of this paper is to describe and analyse the behaviour of heart rate variability (HRV) during constant-load, high-intensity exercise using a time frequency analysis (Wavelet Transform). Eleven elite cyclists took part in the study (age: 18.6±3.0 years; VO_2max: 4.88±0.61 litres·min^?1). Initially, all subjects performed an incremental cycloergometer test to determine load power in a constant load-test (379.55±36.02 W; 89.0%). HRV declined dramatically from the start of testing (p <0.05). The behaviour of power spectral density within the LF band mirrored that of total energy, recording a significant decrease from the outset LF peaks fell rapidly thereafter, remaining stable until the end of the test. HF-VHF fell sharply in the first 20 to 30 seconds. The relative weighting (%) of HF-VHF was inverted with the onset of fatigue, [1.6% at the start, 7.1 (p <0.05) at the end of the first phase, and 43.1% (p <0.05) at the end of the test]. HF-VHF_peak displayed three phases: a moderate initial increase, followed by a slight fall, thereafter increasing to the end of the test. The LF/HF-VHF ratio increased at the start, later falling progressively until the end of the first phase and remaining around minimal values until the end of the test.     

Clark's Nutcrackers harvest sugar pine seeds from cones

This is the first report of Clark&rsquo;s Nutcrackers ( Nucifraga columbiana ) harvesting seeds from the cones of sugar pine ( Pinus lambertiana ), based on observations over several years in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. The harvesting period in late September corresponded to peak cone-opening dates. Nutcrackers placed harvested seeds in their throat pouches, a behavior associated with seed caching.     

Nesting ecology of Yellow Warblers ( Dendroica petechia ) in montane chaparral habitat in the northern Sierra Nevada

The Yellow Warbler ( Dendroica petechia ) is considered a riparian specialist in much of western North America, but in California it also breeds in a second habitat type: montane chaparral of the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascades. We monitored Yellow Warbler nests in montane chaparral and assessed their poorly known nesting ecology in this habitat. We also conducted point counts in upland habitat throughout the region. We determined habitat associations for Yellow Warblers based on nest site and point-count vegetation data; nests were predominantly in bush chinquapin ( Chrysolepis sempervirens ) and greenleaf manzanita ( Arctostaphylos patula ), and point-count abundance was most strongly associated with high overall shrub cover. The importance of montane chaparral for a number of shrub-dependent Sierran birds is well documented, yet the chaparral is threatened by various practices including fire suppression, closed-canopy-focused forest management, and understory fuels-reduction treatments. Although Yellow Warblers are far more abundant in wet mountain meadow riparian habitat in the region, we recommend that management of montane chaparral habitat consider this species and the requirements of other shrub-nesting birds.     

Corticosteroidogenesis by isolated human adrenal cells: effect of serotonin and serotonin antagonists.

The direct effect of serotonin and antiserotonin agents on adrenal steroid biosynthesis was studied in isolated adrenal cells derived from patients with Cushing's syndrome. The results indicate that serotonin increases corticosterone production, while the serotonin antagonists cyproheptadine and methysergide depress adrenal steroid - particularly cortisol and aldosterone - biosynthesis.     

Effects of butyrate and insulin and their interaction on the DNA synthesis of rumen epithelial cells in culture

Summary Rumen epithelial cells (REC) were incubated in the presence of various concentrations of butyrate or insulin or with both of them, to obtain information on their effect on the DNA synthesis of cultured cells. The 24-h values of³H-thymidine incorporation into cellular DNA were measured in the presence of butyrate, insulin or butyrate plus insulin. While butyrate reduced DNA synthesis, insulin produced an increase over the control. Combined butyrate plus insulin treatment influenced the incorporation of label in accordance with the relative proportion of these two substances.