Effect of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone ) on the morph ology and physical properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) /sodium montmorill onite nanocompos ite films

Nanocomposites of poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA),poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)(PVP) and sodium montmorillonite(Na~+MMT) were prepared by solution mixing and then cast into films.X-ray diffraction analysis and images of transmission electron microscopy establish the formation of PVA/Na~+MMT intercalated nanocomposite.Exfoliated and highly intercalated PVA/PVP/Na~+MMT nanocomposite formed in the presence of PVP.Inclusion of PVP in PVA/Na~+MMT matrix enhances the hydrogen bonding interactions between PVA and Na~+MMT and thus increases the mechanical properties and thermal stability of PVA/PVP/Na~+MMT nanocomposites compared to PVA/Na~+MMT nanocomposite.The interactions between PVA,PVP and Na~+MMT were established by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.The moisture absorption tendency of both the PVA and PVA/PVP films reduced after the incorporation of Na~+MMT at 75%constant relative humidity.Differential scanning calorimetry studies show that the presence of PVP and Na~+MMT both are responsible for reducing the heat of fusion,and crystallinity of PVA.The flow behavior of the PVA,PVA/PVP and its nanocomposite solutions has been also studied.Water vapor permeability of PVA/PVP/Na~+MMT composite films decreased in the presence of nanoclay due to increasing tortuous paths for diffusion.     

S-phase checkpoint regulations that preserve replication and chromosome integrity upon dNTP depletion

DNA replication stress, an important source of genomic instability, arises upon different types of DNA replication perturbations, including those that stall replication fork progression. Inhibitors of the cellular pool of deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs) slow down DNA synthesis throughout the genome. Following depletion of dNTPs, the highly conserved replication checkpoint kinase pathway, also known as the S-phase checkpoint, preserves the functionality and structure of stalled DNA replication forks and prevents chromosome fragmentation. The underlying mechanisms involve pathways extrinsic to replication forks, such as those involving regulation of the ribonucleotide reductase activity, the temporal program of origin firing, and cell cycle transitions. In addition, the S-phase checkpoint modulates the function of replisome components to promote replication integrity. This review summarizes the various functions of the replication checkpoint in promoting replication fork stability and genome integrity in the face of replication stress caused by dNTP depletion.     

Two variants on chromosome 17 confer prostate cancer risk, and the one in TCF2 protects against type 2 diabetes

We performed a genome-wide association scan to search for sequence variants conferring risk of prostate cancer using 1,501 Icelandic men with prostate cancer and 11,290 controls. Follow-up studies involving three additional case-control groups replicated an association of two variants on chromosome 17 with the disease. These two variants, 33 Mb apart, fall within a region previously implicated by family-based linkage studies on prostate cancer. The risks conferred by these variants are moderate individually (allele odds ratio of about 1.20), but because they are common, their joint population attributable risk is substantial. One of the variants is in TCF2 (HNF1beta), a gene known to be mutated in individuals with maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 5. Results from eight case-control groups, including one West African and one Chinese, demonstrate that this variant confers protection against type 2 diabetes.     

Effect of dinitrophenol on the pattern of methionine transport along the small intestine of the rat

Zusammenfassung Der Transport desL-Methionins durch die Rattendarmwand wurde in vitro untersucht. Die Transportgeschwindigkeit im Verlaufe von 1 h ist am höchsten im unteren Jejunum und im oberen Ileum (Abschnitte 4, 5 und 6). DNP-verursachte Hemmung ist in diesen Darmabschnitten am stärksten, was das Verschwinden des Maximums bewirkt.     

Substratum specificity of purified peroxidase isoenzymes of horse radish root

Zusammenfassung An sieben aus Meerrettichwurzeln isolierten Isoenzymen der Peroxydase konnte substratspezifisches Verhalten nachgewiesen werden.     

Association of the ADAM33 gene with asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness

Asthma is a common respiratory disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of coughing, wheezing and breathlessness. Although environmental factors such as allergen exposure are risk factors in the development of asthma, both twin and family studies point to a strong genetic component. To date, linkage studies have identified more than a dozen genomic regions linked to asthma. In this study, we performed a genome-wide scan on 460 Caucasian families and identified a locus on chromosome 20p13 that was linked to asthma (log(10) of the likelihood ratio (LOD), 2.94) and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (LOD, 3.93). A survey of 135 polymorphisms in 23 genes identified the ADAM33 gene as being significantly associated with asthma using case-control, transmission disequilibrium and haplotype analyses (P = 0.04 0.000003). ADAM proteins are membrane-anchored metalloproteases with diverse functions, which include the shedding of cell-surface proteins such as cytokines and cytokine receptors. The identification and characterization of ADAM33, a putative asthma susceptibility gene identified by positional cloning in an outbred population, should provide insights into the pathogenesis and natural history of this common disease.     

Survey indicators for pygmy rabbits: temporal trends of burrow systems and pellets

Obtaining estimates of absolute abundance for rare or cryptic species can be challenging. In these cases,methods using indirect indicators such as sign might offer useful indices of population size. Pygmy rabbits ( Brachylagus idahoensis ) are small, burrowing lagomorphs for which methods for population assessment and monitoring are needed. Current tools for estimating relative abundance rely on detecting and assessing fecal pellets and burrow systems. We evaluated temporal changes in each of these indicators to gauge their potential usefulness as indicators of relative and absolute abundance of pygmy rabbits. Pellet persistence was strongly influenced by environmental exposure, and based on our data, we estimated that maximum persistence of fecal pellets would be 24–34 months. Pellet appearance (color) was affected by both time and exposure. Burrow systems were remarkably resilient over the course of the study. Probability of burrow systems transitioning between activity classes (active, recent, and old) did not vary detectably by study site, season, or year. We suggest that 2 protocols currently used for classification of pygmy rabbit burrow systems are most useful for different applications. Further work is needed, however, to link such assessments to quantitative estimates of population size.     

Can Townsend's ground squirrels survive on a diet of exotic annuals?

Southwestern Idaho desert shrub-bunchgrass rangeland is being invaded by fire-prone exotic annuals that permanently dominate the landscape following wildfires. This study was undertaken to describe diets of Townsend's ground squirrels ( Spermophilus townsendii idahoensis ) at four study sites with varying degrees of exotic annual invasion to determine if the squirrels could utilize high proportions of exotic annuals in their diets. Townsend's ground squirrels were collected in March and May of 1987 and 1988, and stomach contents were analyzed using a microhistological technique. Grasses comprised 37-87% of Townsend's ground squirrel diets at the four sites. Native species, especially Sandberg's bluegrass ( Poa secunda ), winterfat ( Ceratoides lanata ), big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata ) and six-weeks fescue ( Vulpia octoflora ) constituted 7-96% (x = 47.2%) of the diet, whereas exotic species, especially cheatgrass ( Bromus tectorum ), tumbleweed ( Salsola iberica ), and tansymustards ( Descurainia spp.) made up 4-68% (x = 48.0%) of the diet. At each site 2-4 species comprised >90% of the diet. There was no apparent correlation between the importance values of exotic species at a site and their importance in Townsend's ground squirrel diets.