Successful operation of a cooperative SLR station of China and Argentina in San Juan

We introduced the observations and researches using a Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) system with high precision, which was designed and made in China and installed in the Observatory of San Juan Uni- versity, Argentina, the capability of the system and the achievement of the cooperative procedure be- tween China and Argentina. The SLR station in San Juan, set up by China and Argentina, is quite sig- nificant for improving the distribution of SLR stations and enhancing the orbital coverage of the whole earth. Since the SLR system started to work in the Observatory of San Juan University in the beginning of 2006, the operation is rather good, and rich data with high precision have been obtained. Further plan of the cooperation for the near future is also presented.     

Systemic Analysis of the Soccer (Football) Value Chain: Learning from the Brazilian Context

Soccer (football) is identified as the most popular sport in the world with a high turnover of economic-financial resources. The different segments of the soccer (football) value chain exert mutual influence on the variables that rule the dynamics of this sector. In this sense it is necessary to identify the variables that represent the soccer (football) value chain systemically; to understand the interrelationships between these variables, the main difficulties derived from this interrelationship and to point out variables that require actions to increment the results of the soccer (football) value chain as a whole. Hence, this study applied a semi-structured questionnaire with open-ended questions about the problems and leveraging variables that exist in this sports modality. A causal linkage diagram was elaborated based on the answers to the interviews, showing the systemic structure of the soccer (football) value chain in Brazil, whose premise it is to identify the existing circularities and the possibly existing points of leverage. The systemic structure pointed to the economic participation of soccer (football) in the Gross Domestic Product as a central variable to be leveraged, which tends to synthetize the results of the joint action of the actors in this chain. Furthermore, the variables that may limit or amplify the growth were identified. The systemic structure showed that the soccer (football) commodity chain is complex because of the great number of variables and interrelationships needed to represent its dynamics. The relationship between the actors also proved to be a factor of impact on economic and social development.     

New species of Australopericoma Vaillant (Diptera: Psychodidae) from the Brazilian semiarid region and key to males of the genus

A new species of moth fly, Australopericoma paraibana sp. n., is described from areas of the Brazilian semiarid region, in the states of Paraíba and Bahia, north-eastern Brazil. A key to males of Australopericoma and morphological remarks on Australopericoma caudata (Satchell) are also provided.     

Structure, expression, and function of kynurenine aminotransferases in human and rodent brains

Kynurenine aminotransferases (KATs) catalyze the synthesis of kynurenic acid (KYNA), an endogenous antagonist of N-methyl-d-aspartate and alpha 7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Abnormal KYNA levels in human brains are implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurological disorders. Four KATs have been reported in mammalian brains, KAT I/glutamine transaminase K/cysteine conjugate beta-lyase 1, KAT II/aminoadipate aminotransferase, KAT III/cysteine conjugate beta-lyase 2, and KAT IV/glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase 2/mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase. KAT II has a striking tertiary structure in N-terminal part and forms a new subgroup in fold type I aminotransferases, which has been classified as subgroup Iε. Knowledge regarding KATs is vast and complex; therefore, this review is focused on recent important progress of their gene characterization, physiological and biochemical function, and structural properties. The biochemical differences of four KATs, specific enzyme activity assays, and the structural insights into the mechanism of catalysis and inhibition of these enzymes are discussed.     

A decrease in the estimated frequency of the extended HLA haplotype B18 CF130 DR3 DQw2 is common to non-insulin-dependent diabetes,juvenile rheumatoid arthritis,and Berger's disease

Extended HLA haplotypes frequencies were estimated from the HLA, C2, Bf and C4 phenotypes of 74 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDD), 92 with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), 44 with Berger's disease (BD), 83 with insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD), and 140 healthy controls. The extended HLA haplotype B18 CF130 DR3 DQw2, which is common (around 10% phenotype frequency) in healthy Spaniards and in other populations of paleo-North African origin, was found to be significantly less frequent in NIDD, JRA and BD, whereas its frequency was normal in IDD (although DR3 DQw2 haplotypes were increased in the latter disease). These data support the existence of a common HLA-linked pathogeneic mechanism in NIDD, JRA and BD, and point to a genetic difference between IDD and NIDD at the HLA level. This effect is readily detectable in our population because the uncommon BfF1 allele marks that haplotype instead of the more common BfS, which marks B8 CS01 DR3 DQw2 in other Caucasians. Our results support the hypothesis of strong selective pressures operating at the HLA level to preserve extended HLA haplotypes with advantageous gene sets from dilution by crossing-over. Imbalanced incomplete haplotypes may give rise to inappropriate T-cell repertoire selection in the thymus and/or antigen handling in the periphery, and be partly responsible for the pathogenesis of certain HLA-linked diseases (i.e. NIDD, JRA, and BD).     

Late survival of Neanderthals at the southernmost extreme of Europe

The late survival of archaic hominin populations and their long contemporaneity with modern humans is now clear for southeast Asia. In Europe the extinction of the Neanderthals, firmly associated with Mousterian technology, has received much attention, and evidence of their survival after 35 kyr bp has recently been put in doubt. Here we present data, based on a high-resolution record of human occupation from Gorham's Cave, Gibraltar, that establish the survival of a population of Neanderthals to 28 kyr bp. These Neanderthals survived in the southernmost point of Europe, within a particular physiographic context, and are the last currently recorded anywhere. Our results show that the Neanderthals survived in isolated refuges well after the arrival of modern humans in Europe.     

Effects of levophacetoperane, pemoline, fenozolone, and centrophenoxine on catecholamines and serotonin uptake in various parts of the rat brain]

These drugs, except centrophenoxine, inhibit in vitro in a competitive manner, norepinephrin uptake in Rat hypothalamus and cortex, and dopamine uptake in corpus striatum and cortex, at higher concentrations than d.l. amphetamine; this alone inhibits serotonin uptake in hypothalamus.     

Chromosomal polymorphism decrease due to γ-radiation on natural populations ofDrosophila willistoni

Zusammenfassung In einer isolierten natürlichen Population vonDrosophila willistoni wurden innert 7 Monaten viermal je 70 000 -bestrahlte Fliegen freigelassen. Anschliessend wurde eine beträchtliche Abnahme der mittleren Inversionshäufigkeit pro Individuum festgestellt. Einige Inversionen im 2. Chromosom und IIIC, IIID, IIIE und IIIF waren sogar seltener als in der nicht bestrahlten natürlichen Kontrollpopulation, selbst 14 Monate (= 35 Generationen) nach dem letzten Freilassen. Doch wurden in der bestrahlten Population auch 2 für diese Art neue Inversionen gefunden (eine im X- und eine im 3. Chromosom).     

Pulmonary edema in mice infected withPlasmodium berghei. Involvement of catecholamines

Summary Mice inoculated withPlasmodium berghei developed a drastic and significant pulmonary edema. Treatment of animals with phenoxybenzamine rendered mice hyporeactive to this physiopathological alteration.This work was supported by a grant aided by «Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico» (CNPq, Brasil). Presented in preliminary form at the XIX Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine, Rio de Janeiro, R. J., February 20, 1983.Acknowledgments. We thank Mr Antonio Fernando de P. Oliveira and Solano S. Martins for their excellent technical help.     

Sphingosine 1-phosphate signal survival and mitogenesis are mediated by lipid-stereospecific binding of triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins

Proof for the role of triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) in the development of cardiovascular events is accumulating. We recently reported that postprandial TRLs bind to and internalize into human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HA-VSMCs) by a lipid-dependent mechanism. We now show that postprandial TRLs triggered hydrolysis of sphingomyelin and stimulation of the sphingosine kinase producing sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). In addition, postprandial TRLs exhibited survival and mitogenic effects. Interestingly, the signals were modulated by the nature of the fatty acids located at the sn-2 position in the triacylglycerol molecules of TRL. This lipid-stereospecific regulation of S1P cellular levels in HA-VSMCs provides a novel insight into the intrinsic role of dietary fatty acids and the mechanism mediated by triacylglycerol-containing postprandial lipoproteins in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.Received 14 August 2003; received after revision 8 October 2003; accepted 15 October 2003