Presence of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine-containing peptides in hemocytes of the ascidian,Halocynthia roretzi

Summary Five 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA)-containing peptides have been isolated from hemocytes of the ascidian,Halocynthia roretzi. Three of them were composed of DOPA, proline, phenylalanine, histidine and arginine in different ratios, while the other two contained only DOPA and an unidentified amino acid. DOPA-containing peptides were found to exist in only one type of hemocyte.     

Studies on chemotherapy of parasitic helminths (IX). Effects of praziquantel on the motility of various parasitic helminths and isolated host tissues

Summary Praziquantel (PQ) caused spastic and/or paralytic actions on the motility of various parasitic helminths and isolated host tissue preparations, through a neuropharmacological mechanism.     

Habituation failure of skin conductance response after intraventricular administration of 6-hydroxydopamine in cats

The effects of intraventricular administration of 6-hydroxydopamine on electrodermal activity were studied in cats. The treatment slowed down or eliminated habituation of the skin conductance response to repeated auditory stimuli. However, the impairment of habituation was not accompanied by an increase in the rate of spontaneous skin conductance fluctuation.     

Dynorphin-degrading cysteine protease is highly specific for paired arginine residues.

The cleavage of dynorphin and three analogs containing paired basic residues by several proteases was investigated. The cysteine protease of neuroblastoma cells cleaved only the bond between Arg-Arg residues. Submandibular arginyl-endopeptidase, however, cleaved bonds between both Arg-Arg and Arg-Lys residues, and pancreatic trypsin at the carboxyl sides of both arginine and lysine residues. This shows that the cysteine protease is highly specific for paired arginine residues.     

Experimental studies of schistosomal pigment fromSchistosoma japonicum

Summary The schistosomal and malarial pigments were distinguishable before and after extraction from the host liver. Presence of iron in both pigments was ascertained by the elemental X-ray analysis. Histochemically, however, schistosomal pigment was similar to that of malarial pigment.     

Natural occurrence of trichothecenes (nivalenol, deoxynivalenol, T2) and zearalenone in corn

Samples of corn suspected of causing infertility and refusal symptoms were analyzed and found to contain nivalenol, deoxynivalenol, T2 toxin and zearalenone, metabolites from Fusarium species.     

Extent, duration and speed of the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake imaged by the Hi-Net array

The disastrous Sumatra-Andaman earthquake of 26 December 2004 was one of the largest ever recorded. The damage potential of such earthquakes depends on the extent and magnitude of fault slip. The first reliable moment magnitude estimate of 9.0 was obtained several hours after the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, but more recent, longer-period, normal-mode analyses have indicated that it had a moment magnitude of 9.3, about 2.5 times larger. Here we introduce a method for directly imaging earthquake rupture that uses the first-arriving compressional wave and is potentially able to produce detailed images within 30 min of rupture initiation. We used the Hi-Net seismic array in Japan as an antenna to map the progression of slip by monitoring the direction of high-frequency radiation. We find that the rupture spread over the entire 1,300-km-long aftershock zone by propagating northward at roughly 2.8 km s(-1) for approximately 8 minutes. Comparisons with the aftershock areas of other great earthquakes indicate that the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake did indeed have a moment magnitude of approximately 9.3. Its rupture, in both duration and extent, is the longest ever recorded.     

The gene encoding R-spondin 4 (RSPO4), a secreted protein implicated in Wnt signaling, is mutated in inherited anonychia

Anonychia and hyponychia congenita (OMIM 206800) are rare autosomal recessive conditions in which the only presenting phenotype is the absence or severe hypoplasia of all fingernails and toenails. After determining linkage to chromosome 20p13, we identified homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the gene encoding R-spondin 4 (RSPO4), a secreted protein implicated in Wnt signaling, in eight affected families. Rspo4 expression was specifically localized to developing mouse nail mesenchyme at embryonic day 15.5, suggesting a crucial role in nail morphogenesis.